U.S. patent application number 13/681433 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for driving method for touch panel and touch-sensing device thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACER INCORPORATED. The applicant listed for this patent is ACER INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Chih-Chiang Chen, Chao-Shih Huang, Yung-Jen Lin.
Application Number | 20130321295 13/681433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47221237 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130321295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Yung-Jen ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
DRIVING METHOD FOR TOUCH PANEL AND TOUCH-SENSING DEVICE THEREOF
Abstract
A driving method for a touch panel is provided. The touch panel
has a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes are
coupled to a driving circuit respectively via different electrical
paths. The driving method includes: defining a plurality of
sub-frame periods in a first frame period; converting a driving
configuration for providing the driving configuration that is
different from each other respectively to each of the sub-frame
periods; the driving circuit drives the electrodes respectively
with the driving configuration corresponding to one of the
sub-frame periods during the sub-frame periods for obtaining at
least one of the sub-frame sensing values from each of the
sub-frame periods; and the driving circuit integrates the sub-frame
sensing values respectively obtained during the sub-frame periods
for obtaining a touch information of the touch panel during the
first frame period.
Inventors: |
Lin; Yung-Jen; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; Huang; Chao-Shih; (New Taipei City,
TW) ; Chen; Chih-Chiang; (New Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ACER INCORPORATED |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
ACER INCORPORATED
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
47221237 |
Appl. No.: |
13/681433 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/3262 20130101;
G06F 2203/04107 20130101; G06F 3/04166 20190501; G06F 3/0443
20190501; G06F 3/0445 20190501; G06F 3/041 20130101; G06F 3/0442
20190501; G06F 2203/04103 20130101; Y02D 30/50 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2012 |
TW |
101120152 |
Claims
1. A driving method for a touch panel having a plurality of
electrodes, wherein the electrodes are coupled to a driving circuit
respectively via different electrical paths, the driving method for
the touch panel comprises: defining a plurality of sub-frame
periods in a first frame period; converting a driving configuration
for providing the driving configuration that is different from each
other respectively to each of the sub-frame periods, wherein the
driving configuration comprises corresponding relations of a first
electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode among the
electrodes which are respectively corresponding to a first
operational configuration, a second operational configuration and a
third operational configuration; driving the electrodes with the
driving configuration corresponding to one of the sub-frame periods
by the driving circuit during the one of the sub-frame periods for
obtaining at least one of sub-frame sensing values of the one of
the sub-frame periods; and integrating the sub-frame sensing values
respectively obtained during the sub-frame periods by the driving
circuit for obtaining a touch information of the touch panel during
the first frame period.
2. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 1, further
comprising: determining whether the touch panel is touched within a
predetermined time; performing a power-saving mode if the touch
panel is not touched within the predetermined time; and selectively
disabling a portion of the electrodes based on a power-saving setup
data under the power-saving mode.
3. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 2, further
comprising: determining whether the electrodes not being disabled
are touched under the power-saving mode; and finishing the
power-saving mode if the electrodes not being disabled are
touched.
4. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 2, further
comprising: selecting a first portion of the electrodes from among
the electrodes not being disabled, and providing a shield potential
from the driving circuit to the first portion of the electrodes
during a second frame period under the power-saving mode; and
selecting a second portion of the electrodes from among the
electrodes not being disabled, and reading a touch information of
the second frame period by the driving circuit during the second
frame period under the power-saving mode.
5. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 2, wherein the
power-saving setup data is corresponding to a screen displayed that
corresponds to an application in a specific mode.
6. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 1, further
comprising: grouping the electrodes into a plurality of electrode
groups; and sequentially enabling at least one of the electrode
groups.
7. A touch-sensing device, comprising: a touch panel having a
plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrodes at least comprise a
first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode; and a
driving circuit, electrically connected to the touch panel, wherein
the electrodes are coupled to the driving circuit respectively via
different electrical paths; the driving circuit defines a plurality
of sub-frame periods in a first frame period; the driving circuit
converts a driving configuration for providing the driving
configuration that is different from each other respectively to
each of the sub-frame periods, wherein the driving configuration
comprises corresponding relations of the first, the second and the
third electrodes that are respectively corresponding to a first
operational configuration, a second operational configuration and a
third operational configuration; the driving circuit drives the
electrodes with the driving configuration corresponding to one of
the sub-frame periods during the one of the sub-frame periods for
obtaining at least one of sub-frame sensing values of the one of
the sub-frame periods; and the driving circuit integrates the
sub-frame sensing values respectively obtained during the sub-frame
periods for obtaining a touch information of the touch panel during
the first frame period.
8. The touch-sensing device of claim 7, wherein the driving circuit
determines whether the touch panel is touched within a
predetermined time; the driving circuit performs a power-saving
mode if the touch panel is not touched within the predetermined
time; and the driving circuit selectively disables a portion of the
electrodes based on a power-saving setup data under the
power-saving mode.
9. The touch-sensing device of claim 8, wherein the driving circuit
determines whether the electrodes not being disabled are touched
under the power-saving mode; and the driving circuit ends the
power-saving mode if the electrodes not being disabled are
touched.
10. The touch-sensing device of claim 8, wherein the driving
circuit selects a first portion of the electrodes from among the
electrodes not being disabled, and provides a shield potential to
the first portion of the electrodes during a second frame period
under the power-saving mode; and the driving circuit selects a
second portion of the electrodes from among the electrodes not
being disabled, and reads a touch information of the second frame
period during the second frame period under the power-saving
mode.
11. A driving method for the touch panel, comprising: determining
whether the touch panel is touched within a predetermined time;
performing a power-saving mode if the touch panel is not touched
within the predetermined time; selectively disabling a portion of
the electrodes based on a power-saving setup data under the
power-saving mode; selecting a first portion of the electrodes from
among the electrodes not being disabled, and providing a shield
potential to the first portion of the electrodes during a frame
period under the power-saving mode; and selecting a second portion
of the electrodes from among the electrodes not being disabled, and
reading a touch information of the frame period from the second
portion of the electrodes during the frame period under the
power-saving mode.
12. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 11, further
comprising: determining whether the electrodes not being disabled
are touched under the power-saving mode; and ending the
power-saving mode if the electrodes not being disabled are
touched.
13. The driving method for the touch panel of claim 11, wherein the
shield potential is a ground voltage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan
application serial no. 101120152, filed on Jun. 5, 2012. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a driving method and a
touch-sensing device thereof, and more particularly relates to a
driving method for a touch panel and a touch-sensing device
thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] As wireless mobile communication and consuming electronics
have been rapidly developed and advanced, to achieve more
convenience, more compact and light volume and more intuitive
designs as to bridge the gap between users and computer devices,
various information products have changed from using conventional
input devices such as key boards or mice to using touch panels.
[0006] For the types of the touch panels, the touch panels may be
divided into a single layer electrode structure and a double layer
electrode structure according to the arrangement of the electrodes,
for example, a touch panel with a single indium tin oxide (SITO)
electrode structure or a touch panel with a double indium tin oxide
(DITO) electrode structure. In which, for example, the touch panel
with the SITO electrode structure is fabricated by forming the ITO
electrodes onto the same side of a glass substrate or a plastic
substrate, whereas the touch panel with the DITO electrode
structure is fabricated by forming the ITO electrodes onto both
sides of a glass substrate. Therefore, a thickness of the touch
panel with the SITO electrode structure may be relatively thinner.
As for the touch panel with the DITO electrode structure, a noise
isolation thereof may be enhanced by using the ITO electrodes below
the glass substrate or the plastic substrate as a shielding
layer.
[0007] In other words, when it comes to choose a proper type of
touch panel in a designing aspect, the first problem to the
designer is the trade off of its major features. For example, when
the designer has chosen the touch panel with single layer
structure, the touch panel may bear a higher noise effect to have a
thinner thickness.
[0008] In addition, a driving circuit in the touch-sensing device
of related art generally drives each electrode within the touch
panel via the fixed sensing channels within the touch panel.
Therefore, a sensing pitch in the touch panel is generally a fixed
value. The method of increasing the sensing sensitiveness of by
reducing the sensing pitch may only be achieved by increasing the
number of the electrodes within the touch panel to reduce the
sensing pitch. However, the method of increasing the number of the
electrodes may increase the manufacturing cost of the touch-sensing
device due to the restriction of the manufacturing technology.
Moreover, the increasing of the alignments may also increase the
difficulty of designing the alignment of the touch panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention is directed to a driving method for a touch
panel, which may drive the touch panel by converting a driving
configuration respectively during different sub-frame periods, so
that a shielding effect may be provided to the touch panel
equivalently during each of the frame periods by using the method
of time division multiplexing, and a sensing mechanism of active
stylus may also be provided thereto.
[0010] The invention provides a touch-sensing device, in which a
driving circuit controls a driving configuration of a touch panel
and drives the touch panel by converting the driving configuration
respectively during different sub-frame periods.
[0011] The invention also provides a driving method for a touch
panel, which may determine whether to perform a power-saving mode
according to a touch status of the touch panel, so that the power
dissipation of the touch-sensing device may be reduced.
[0012] The invention provides a driving method for a touch panel.
The touch panel has a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of
electrodes are coupled to a driving circuit respectively via
different electrical paths. The driving method including: defining
a plurality of sub-frame periods in a first frame period;
converting a driving configuration for providing the driving
configuration that is different from each other respectively to
each of the sub-frame periods, wherein the driving configuration
comprises corresponding relations of a first electrode, a second
electrode and a third electrode among the electrodes which are
respectively corresponding to a first operational configuration, a
second operational configuration and a third operational
configuration; the driving circuit drives the electrodes with the
driving configuration corresponding to one of the sub-frame periods
during the one of the sub-frame periods for obtaining at least one
of the sub-frame sensing values of the one of the sub-frame
periods; and the driving circuit integrates the sub-frame sensing
values respectively obtained during the plurality of sub-frame
periods for obtaining a touch information of the touch panel during
the first frame period.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the driving
method for the touch panel further includes: grouping the plurality
electrodes into a plurality of electrode groups; and sequentially
enabling at least one of the plurality of electrode groups.
[0014] The invention provides a touch-sensing device, including a
touch panel and a driving circuit. The touch panel has a plurality
of electrodes, and the plurality of electrodes at least includes a
first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The
driving circuit is electrically connected to the touch panel. In
which, the plurality of electrodes are coupled to the driving
circuit respectively via different electrical paths. The driving
circuit defines a plurality of sub-frame periods in a first frame
period. The driving circuit converts a driving configuration for
providing the driving configuration that is different from each
other respectively to each of the plurality of sub-frame periods,
in which the driving configuration includes corresponding relations
of the first, the second and the third electrodes that are
respectively corresponding to a first operational configuration, a
second operational configuration and a third operational
configuration. The driving circuit drives the electrodes with the
driving configuration corresponding to one of the sub-frame periods
during the one of the sub-frame periods for obtaining at least one
of the sub-frame sensing values of the one of the sub-frame
periods. And, the driving circuit integrates the sub-frame sensing
values respectively obtained during the plurality of sub-frame
periods for obtaining a touch information of the touch panel during
the first frame period.
[0015] The invention provides a driving method for a touch panel,
the driving method includes: determining whether the touch panel is
touched within a predetermined time; performing a power-saving mode
if the touch panel is not touched within the predetermined time;
selectively disabling a portion of the electrodes based on a
power-saving setup data under the power-saving mode; selecting a
first portion of the electrodes from among the electrodes not being
disabled and providing a shield potential to the first portion of
the electrodes during a frame period under the power-saving mode;
and selecting a second portion of the electrodes from among the
electrodes not being disabled and reading a touch information of
the frame period from the second portion of the electrodes during
the frame period under the power-saving mode.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, the driving
method for the touch panel further includes: determining whether
the electrodes not being disabled are touched under the
power-saving mode; and ending the power-saving mode if the
electrodes not being disabled are touched.
[0017] Based on above, the driving method of the touch panel and
the touch-sensing device thereof in the embodiments of the
invention may convert a driving configuration of the touch panel
during a plurality of the sub-frame periods, so that a shielding
effect may be provided to the touch panel equivalently during each
of the frame periods by using the method of time division
multiplexing, thereby increasing the noise isolation of the
touch-sensing device while optimizing the size of the touch-sensing
device. Also, the equivalent sensing pitch of each electrode within
the touch panel may also be reduced by using said driving method so
that the touch sensitiveness of the touch panel may be
increased.
[0018] To make the above features and advantages of the invention
more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings
are described in detail as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1a is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 1b is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for a touch panel according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of the
touch panel according to the embodiment of FIG. 1a.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 300 according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for the touch panel according to the embodiment of FIG.
3.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 510 during a first frame period of FIG. 3.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 600 according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for a touch panel of FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 810 during a first frame period of FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 900 according to yet another embodiment of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for a touch panel of FIG. 9.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 1110 during a first frame period of FIG. 9.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for a touch panel according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 1310 using the driving method of FIG. 12.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for a touch panel according to yet another embodiment of the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 1510 using the driving method of FIG. 14 according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 1610 using the driving method of FIG. 14 according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 17 is a screen displayed under a screen saver mode of
the touch panel according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The embodiments of the invention are directed to a driving
method for a touch panel and a touch-sensing device thereof. Said
driving method may convert the driving configuration of the touch
panel during a plurality of the sub-frame periods, so that a
shielding effect (which is similar to the touch panel with double
layer structure) may be provided to the touch panel equivalently
during each of the frame periods by using the method of time
division multiplexing, thereby increasing the noise isolation of
the touch-sensing device. In order to make the invention more
comprehensible, embodiments are described below as the examples to
prove that the invention can actually be realized. Moreover,
elements/components/steps with same reference numerals represent
same or similar parts in the drawings and embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 1a is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring
FIG. 1a, the touch-sensing device 100 includes a touch panel 110
and a driving circuit 120. The touch panel 110 has a plurality of
electrodes E_11, E_12, E_13, . . . , E_1n, . . . , E_m1, . . . ,
E_mn, in which m and n are respectively representing a positive
integer. The electrodes E_11 to E_mn at least include two
electrodes (e.g., a first electrode E_11 and a second electrode
E_12 which are adjacent to each other) having different operational
configurations. The driving circuit 120 is electrically connected
to the touch panel 110. The electrodes E_11 to E_mn are coupled to
the driving circuit 120 respectively via different electrical paths
L_11 to L_mn. Therefore, the driving circuit 120 may convert the
driving configuration via the electrical paths L_11 to L_mn during
a plurality of sub-frames in a first frame period, so that a touch
information during the first frame period may be obtained by
driving the sensing electrodes E_11 to E_mn using different driving
configurations.
[0039] For the first electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12 and
the third electrode E_13 having different operational
configurations from each other, in which the driving configuration
includes corresponding relations of the first electrode E_11, the
second electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 that are
respectively corresponding to a first operational configuration, a
second operational configuration and a third operational
configuration. Therefore, when the driving configuration is
converted by the driving circuit 120, namely, at least two of the
operational configurations corresponding to the first electrode
E_11, the second electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 are
changed, such that the at least two of the operational
configurations corresponding to the first electrode E_11, the
second electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 may be switched
during the sub-frame periods.
[0040] In an aspect of the overall driving process of the touch
panel 110, each of the electrodes E_11 to E_mn is respectively set
to one of the three operational configurations. Therefore, when the
driving configuration is converted by the driving circuit 120, a
signal corresponding to the operational configuration may be
respectively provided to the corresponding electrode according to
the corresponding operational configuration of each electrode, or a
sensing value may be received from the corresponding electrode
according to the corresponding operational configuration.
[0041] For example, the driving circuit 120 is configured for
providing a driving signal to the electrodes having the first
operational configuration, reading sub-frame sensing values from
electrodes having the second operational configuration and
providing a shield potential to the electrodes having the third
operational configuration, regardless of which driving
configuration is applied to the driving circuit 120. When the
driving configuration is converted by the driving circuit 120
during different sub-frame periods, a corresponding signal is
provided by the driving circuit 120 to a corresponding electrode
according to the operational configuration of the electrodes E_11
to E_mn of the switched sub-frame period, or the sensing value is
read from the corresponding electrode, so that each of the
electrodes E_11 to E_mn may be a electrode equivalently having the
first operational configuration, the second operational
configuration and the third operational configuration at the same
time during the first frame period using a method of time division
multiplexing.
[0042] Another embodiment is exemplified as to further describe the
operation of the touch-sensing device 100 in another embodiment of
the invention. Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b together, in which
FIG. 1b is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving method for
a touch panel according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1b, the driving method for the touch panel
begins with step S200. Firstly, the driving circuit 120 defines a
plurality of sub-frame periods in a first frame period (step S200).
In which, the plurality of sub-frame periods may be sub-frame
periods preset by the driving circuit 120 according a length of the
first frame period or the sub-frame periods with a length
dynamically adjusted by the driving circuit 120 according to the
requests from other programs, the invention is not limited thereto.
In addition, in the case where implementation of the sub-frame
periods are dynamically adjusted by the driving circuit according
to the requests from other programs, the driving circuit may
pre-define each of the sub-frame periods in the next frame period
before current frame period is ended or define the next sub-frame
period at current frame period, the invention is not limited
thereto.
[0044] Next, the drive circuit 120 converts a driving configuration
for providing the driving configuration that is different from each
other to each of the sub-frame periods (step S210). Therefore, the
driving circuit 120 may drive the electrodes E_11 to E_mn with the
driving configuration corresponding to the plurality of the
sub-frame periods, so that the sub-frame sensing values within the
sub-frame periods may be obtained (step S220). When the first frame
period is ended, the driving circuit 120 integrates the sub-frame
sensing values obtained during each sub-frame period of the first
frame period, thereby obtaining a touch information of the touch
panel 110 during the first frame period (step S230).
[0045] Although it is exemplified herein with obtaining the touch
information by integrating the sub-frame sensing values obtained by
the driving circuit 120 when the first frame period is ended, the
invention is not limited thereto The driving circuit 120 may also
directly transmit the sub-frame sensing values to other processor
(e.g., the processor coupled to the driving circuit 120) when each
time a sub-frame sensing value is obtained. As a result, the
computation of the driving circuit 120 may be decreased so that the
hardware requirement of the driving circuit 120 may also be
reduced.
[0046] More specifically, the touch panel 110 of the present
embodiment may be, for example, a capacitive touch panel with the
electrodes E_11 to E_mn made of transparent conductive oxide (TCO)
such as a touch panel with SITO electrodes structure. In this type
of touch panel, the electrodes are formed on the same side of the
glass substrate so that a thickness of the touch panel may be
reduced. However, generally this type of touch panel may not
isolate the noise effect between the electrodes by using the ITO
electrodes below the glass substrate as the shielding layer.
Therefore, the touch panel with the single layer electrode
structure may suffer a more serious noise effect in comparing to
the touch panel with DITO electrode structure.
[0047] Further, fixed electrodes are usually used by the driving
circuit as the driving electrodes for providing driving signals or
the sensing electrodes for reading the sensing values in
conventional touch-sensing device. When the number of the
electrodes is fixed, the sensing sensitiveness may not be increased
easily since the sensing pitch is restricted.
[0048] However, in the touch-sensing device 100 of the present
embodiment, the driving circuit 120 further provides a shield
potential (e.g., a ground voltage) to the touch panel 110 and
drives the touch panel 110 with single layer structure by switching
the operational configuration of each electrode during different
sub-frame periods. Therefore, during each frame period, the
electrodes E_11 to E_m may be equivalently operated in the first
operational configuration, the second operational configuration and
the third operational configuration at the same time by applying a
concept of time division multiplexing. As for the touch panel 110
may be a touch panel equivalently having the shielding layer, the
touch panel 110 may have a shielding feature similar to the touch
panel with DITO structure, thereby increasing the noise isolation.
Further, the equivalent sensing pitch of the touch panel 110 may be
reduced accordingly so that the touch sensitiveness of the touch
panel 110 may be increased.
[0049] In addition, a traditional touch panel usually forms a
sensing channel by coupling the electrodes along an axis direction
using a serial attached method, so that the driving circuit may
output driving signal to the electrodes on the same sensing channel
or reads sensing values of the electrodes on the same sensing
channel. In comparison, the electrodes E_11 to E_mn on the touch
panel 110 of the present embodiment are coupled to the driving
circuit 120 respectively via different electrical paths L_11 to
L_mn. In other words, each of the electrodes E_11 to E_mn is
coupled to the driving circuit 120 using an independent wiring
method, so that the driving circuit 120 may individually control
the operational configuration of each of the electrodes E_11 to
E_mn. Therefore, a group driving method with higher dynamic may be
further achieved by using the touch-sensing device 100 with the
touch panel 110 structure, such that the overall power dissipation
of the touch-sensing device 100 may be reduced accordingly.
[0050] In addition, the touch panel 110 having the independent
wiring structure may be implemented by using a co-plane electrode
structure, a line embedded electrode structure or a mixed electrode
structure of co-plane and line embedded. In comparing to a
processing method for traditional single layer ITO electrode, a
processing method for said electrode structure is relatively
simpler, which may be completed by fewer steps, thereby reducing
the overall costs.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of the
touch panel according to the embodiment of FIG. 1a. Referring to
FIG. 2, a co-plane electrode structure 210_1 a line embedded
electrode structure 210_2 or a mixed electrode structure of
co-plane and line embedded are respectively illustrated in FIG. 2.
In which, the co-plane electrode structure 210_1 may be implemented
with a simpler process since a protection layer (e.g., a protection
layer 214_2 in the line embedded electrode structure 210_2 and the
protection layer 214_3 in the mixed electrode structure of co-plane
and line embedded 210_3) is not required to be formed on the
substrate 212.
[0052] More specifically, when ITO is used as the material of the
electrode in the process method of the co-plane electrode structure
210_1, an ITO electrode (e.g., the electrode 216_1) is firstly
formed by placing a substrate 212_1 and sputter etching the ITO
material thereon. Next, the electrical paths (e.g., the electrical
paths L1 to L4) are formed by redepositing and etching a metal
material followed by redepositing an oxide layer thereon. As a
result, the process of forming the co-plane electrode structure
210_1 only requires three photomasks (ITO etching, metal etching
and oxide redepositing), which is two less steps of forming
photomasks in comparing to the process in the conventional
electrode structure.
[0053] On the other hand, as for the line embedded electrode
structure 210_2 and the mixed electrode structure of co-plane and
line embedded 210_3, in which all or a portion of the lines are
embedded in the protection layer of the line embedded electrode
structure 210_2 and the mixed electrode structure of co-plane and
line embedded 210_3. Therefore, in comparing to the process of the
co-plane electrode structure 210_1, a process of redepositing an
insulating layer and a process of sputter and etching ITO are
further required. However, since the electrode structure with
independent wiring to the driving circuit may be implemented by all
of said three electrode structures, the electrode structure in the
embodiment of the invention may provide a more flexible control
than that of the traditional touch panel.
[0054] Furthermore, the electrodes E_11 to E_mn of the present
embodiment may be electrodes of any shape, and the electrodes E_11
to E_mn as illustrated in FIG. 1a are schematic only, which are not
representing the shape of the electrode in the practical uses.
Further, the material for the electrodes E_11 to E_mn are not
limited only to ITO, other conductive polymers such as indium zinc
oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO) or similar materials may
also be used as the material for the electrodes E_11 to E_mn, the
invention is not limited thereto.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring
FIG. 3, the touch-sensing device 300 includes a touch panel 310 and
a driving circuit 320. In which, the structure of the touch panel
310 is the same to that of the touch panel 110 in the previous
embodiment, so it is omitted hereinafter.
[0056] In the present embodiment, the driving circuit 320 includes
a multiplex switching unit 322, a driving unit Tx, a first reading
unit Rx1, a reference unit RL, a processing unit 324 and a memory
unit 326. The multiplex switching unit 322 is electrically
connected to electrodes E_11 to E_mn of the touch panel 310
respectively via electrical paths L_11 to L_mn for converting the
driving configuration. The driving unit Tx is coupled to the
multiplex switching unit 322 for providing a driving signal s_d to
the electrodes having a first operational configuration T via the
multiplex switching unit 322. The first reading unit Rx1 is coupled
to the multiplex switching unit 322 for reading the sub-frame
sensing values SF_11 to SF_mn from the electrodes having a second
operational configuration via the multiplex switching unit 322. The
reference unit RL is coupled to the multiplex switching unit 322
for providing a shield potential GND to the electrodes having the
third operational configuration via the multiplex switching unit
322. The processing unit 324 is electrically connected to the
multiplex switching unit 322, the driving unit Tx, the first
reading unit Rx1 and the reference unit RL. The multiplex switching
unit 322 is controlled by the processing unit 324 for converting
the driving configuration, receiving and processing the sub-frame
sensing values SF_11 to SF_mn provided by the first reading unit
Rx1, and integrating the sub-frame sensing values SF_11 to SF_mn
obtained during each of the sub-frame periods for obtaining a touch
information of the touch panel 110 during the first frame period.
The memory unit 326 is electrically connected to the processing
unit 324, in which the memory unit 326 stores the sub-frame sensing
values SF_11 to SF_mn obtained by the process unit 324 during each
of the sub-frame periods.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 together for further
description of the operation of the touch-sensing device 300 in the
embodiment of the invention. In which, FIG. 4 is a schematic
flowchart illustrating a driving method for the touch panel
according to the embodiment of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a schematic view
illustrating an operation of a touch block 510 during a first frame
period of FIG. 3.
[0058] Further, in order to simplify the description of the driving
method for the touch panel 310 in FIG. 5, it is exemplified using
the touch block 510 of the touch panel 310 during a first frame
period t_1 with operational configurations during a first sub-frame
period t_s1, a second sub-frame period t_s2 and a third sub-frame
period t_s3 in FIG. 3. In which the touch block 510 is a partial
area of the electrode sets within the touch panel 310 which is
exemplified with a dimension of 6.times.6 in the present
embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto. In the present
embodiment, the driving circuit 320 drives the electrodes of the
same row according to the same driving configuration, such that the
electrodes of the same row may have the same operational
configuration. In addition, when the driving configuration is
converted by the driving circuit 320, the driving method of the
present embodiment is implemented by the driving circuit 320 using
a method of sequentially converting the operational configurations
between different rows of the electrodes. It is exemplified
hereinafter using the first electrode E_11, the second electrode
E_12 and the third electrode E_13, which are adjacent to each other
and each having different operational configurations.
[0059] More specifically, the touch panel 110 is driven by the
driving circuit 320 using three units which have different
functions, including the driving unit Tx, the first reading unit
Rx1 and the reference unit RL. Therefore, the driving circuit 320
may respectively define three sub-frame periods in the first frame
period t_1, including a first sub-frame period t_s1, the second
sub-frame period t_s2 and the third sub-frame period t_s3 (step
S400). For example, when the first frame period t_1 is 60 micro
second (ms), the driving circuit 320 defines the first sub-frame
period t_s1, the second sub-frame period t_s2 and the third
sub-frame period t_s3 to the 0 to 20 ms, the 21 to 40 ms and the 41
to 60 ms of the first frame period, respectively. In which, the
length of the first frame period t_1 may be adjusted by the
designer within a proper touch scanning interval (e.g., the
shortest interval of double touches by the user). In addition, as
for the practical uses, each of the sub-frame periods may be
defined by the processing unit 324 or additional control unit, the
invention is not limited thereto.
[0060] After each of the sub-frame periods is defined, the
processing unit 324 may set the first electrode E_11, the second
electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 to operate in the first
operational configuration T, the second operational configuration R
and the third operational configuration G via the multiplex
switching unit 322 during the first sub-frame period t_s1 of the
first frame period t_1 according to the driving configuration,
respectively (step S402). In the present embodiment, the processing
unit 324 during the first sub-frame period t_s1 sets, for example,
the electrodes E_11 to E_m1 of a first row to operate in the first
operational configuration T, the electrodes E_12 to E_m2 of a
second row to operate in the second operational configuration R and
the electrodes E_13 to E_m3 of a third row to operate in the third
operational configuration G; since the present embodiment has three
operational configurations, so that the electrodes E_14 to E_m4 of
a fourth row are set to operate in the first operational
configuration T during the first sub-frame period t_s1, and the
rest of the electrodes are also set with the same method.
[0061] During the process of the driving circuit 320, the driving
unit Tx of the driving circuit 320 provides a driving signal s_d to
the electrodes having the first operational configuration T such as
the electrodes of the first, the fourth and the seventh rows (step
S404); the first reading unit Rx1 reads sub-frame sensing values
from the electrodes having the second operational configuration R
such as the electrodes of the second, the fifth and the eighth rows
(step S406); the reference unit RL provides a shield potential GND
to the electrodes having the third operational configuration G such
as the electrodes of the third, the sixth and the ninth rows (step
S408).
[0062] In step S410, the processing unit 324 receives the sub-frame
sensing values from the first reading unit Rx1 and stores the
sub-frame sensing values obtained during the sub-frame period to
the memory unit 326. In which, steps S408 and S404 may be performed
concurrently, whereas steps S404 to S410 may be performed
concurrently; In other words, the sequence of performing steps S404
to S410 or whether said steps are performed concurrently may be
change, the process sequence used in the present embodiment is
merely an example. It should be considered as being in the scope of
the invention as long as the steps S404 to S410 are performed
during the first sub-frame period, the invention is not limited
thereto.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 5 as an example for storing the sub-frame
sensing value obtained during the sub-frame period to the memory
unit 326. During the first sub-frame period t_s1, the first
electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12 and the third electrode
E_13 are respectively having the first operational configuration T,
the second operational configuration R and the third operational
configuration G. During said period, the driving unit Tx provides
the driving signal s_d to the first electrode E_11, the first
reading unit Rx1 reads the sub-frame sensing value SF_12 from the
second electrode E_12 and the reference unit RL provides the shield
potential GND to the third electrode E_13. In addition, the
processing unit 324 stores the sub-frame sensing value SF_12
obtained during the sub-frame period t_s1 to the memory unit 326.
Steps S404 to S410 are continuously performed by the processing
unit 324 during the first sub-frame period t_s1 according to the
setting of step S402.
[0064] After the first sub-frame period t_s1 (i.e., during the
second sub-frame period t_s2), the processing unit 324 determines
that the current sequence is at the second sub-frame period t_s2
and further controls the multiplex switching unit 322 to convert
the driving configuration (step S412). As a result, the first
electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12 and the third electrode
E_13 are set to operate in the second operational configuration R,
the third operational configuration G and the first operational
configuration T (step S414). Next, steps S404 to S410 may then be
performed.
[0065] During the second sub-frame period t_s2, the driving unit Tx
provides the driving signal s_d to the third electrode E_13, the
first reading unit Rx1 reads the sub-frame sensing value SF_11 from
the first electrode E_11 and the reference unit RL provides the
shield potential GND to the second electrode E_12. Further, the
processing unit 324 stores the sub-frame sensing value SF_11
obtained during the second sub-frame period t_s2 to the memory unit
326.
[0066] After the second sub-frame period t_s2 (i.e., during the
third sub-frame period t_s3), the processing unit 324 determines
that the current sequence is at the third sub-frame period t_s3 and
further controls the multiplex switching unit 322 to convert the
driving configuration (step S416). As a result, the first electrode
E_11, the second electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 are
set to operate in the third operational configuration G, the first
operational configuration T and the second operational
configuration R (step S418). Next, steps S404 to S410 may then be
performed.
[0067] During the third sub-frame period t_s3, the driving unit Tx
provides the driving signal s_d to the second electrode E_12, the
first reading unit Rx1 reads the sub-frame sensing value SF_13 from
the third electrode E_13 and the reference unit RL provides the
shield potential GND to the first electrode E_11. Moreover, the
processing unit 324 stores the sub-frame sensing value SF_13
obtained during the third sub-frame period t_s3 to the memory unit
326.
[0068] When it is determined that the third sub-frame period t_s3
is ended in step S416, the processing unit 324 determines that the
first frame period t_1 is ended, thereby reading and integrating
the sub-frame sensing values SF_1 to SF_13 obtained during each of
the sub-frame periods t_s1 to t_s3 for obtaining a touch
information of the touch panel 110 during the first frame period
t_1 (step S420). Further, since the shield potential GND is
provided, the first electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12 and
the third electrode E_13 during the first frame period t_1 may
equivalently have a shielding effect by using the method of time
division multiplexing.
[0069] As for the touch block 510, in which each row of the
electrodes has the same operational configuration, therefore each
electrode in the touch block 510 may be implemented by using the
driving method for the first electrode E_11, the second electrode
E_12 and the third electrode E_13 (steps S400 to S420). Moreover,
the driving method may also be expanded to each electrode of the
entire touch panel 110.
[0070] It should be noted that, each of the sub-frame period
defined by the driving circuit 320 is a period for completing
driving of one sub-frame. In other words, a length of a sub-frame
period defined by the drive circuit 320 is defined according to a
required time for performing steps S404 to S410, namely, a
sub-frame period is a time period for completing steps S404 to
S410. Further, steps S412 and S416 are determinations made by the
processing unit 324 for determining the current sub-frame
period.
[0071] In addition, said method for converting the driving
configuration is merely an example, in other embodiment, the
driving circuit may also use other arranging and converting method
to acquire the time division multiplexing effect of the present
embodiment. For example, the operational configuration of each
electrode may be set by using an arrangement of Mosaic, the
invention is not limited thereto.
[0072] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 600 according to another embodiment of the invention. In the
present embodiment, the touch-sensing device 600 may further
generate a corresponding touch information by sensing a touch of a
stylus. More specifically, the type of the stylus may include a
passive stylus and an active stylus. In which a touch mechanism of
the passive stylus is similar to a touch mechanism of a finger
touch, whereas the active stylus is configured to emit a signal
with a specific frequency when touching the touch panel so that the
driving circuit may read an active stylus sensing value with the
specific frequency from a corresponding electrode. Therefore, in
the touch-sensing device 600 which applies the stylus, the
sub-frame sensing value as mentioned above may be further divided
into active stylus sensing values AP_11 to AP_mn and non-active
stylus sensing values NP_11 to NP_mn. In which, the non-active
stylus sensing values NP_11 to NP_mn include sensing values
generated by touching the touch panel with fingers and the passive
stylus.
[0073] Referring FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 together, the structure of the
touch-sensing device 600 is similar to that of the touch-sensing
device 300, and the touch-sensing device 600 also includes a touch
panel 610 and a driving circuit 620. In which, the structure of the
touch panel 610 is the same to that of the touch panels 110 and 310
in previous embodiment, so it is omitted hereinafter. However, in
comparing to the driving circuit 320 in FIG. 3, the driving circuit
620 may be further configured to replace the reference unit RL of
the touch-sensing device 300 with the second reading unit Rx2 which
reads the active stylus sensing values AP_11 to AP_mn.
[0074] More specifically, the driving circuit 620 includes a
multiplex switching unit 622, a driving unit Tx, a first reading
unit Rx1, a second reading unit Rx2, a processing unit 624 and a
memory unit 626. In which, the first reading unit Rx1 is coupled to
the multiplex switching unit 622 for reading the non-active stylus
sensing values NP_11 to NP_mn from the electrodes having a second
operational configuration via the multiplex switching unit 622. The
second reading unit Rx2 is coupled to the multiplex switching unit
622 for reading the active stylus sensing values AP_11 to AP_mn
from the electrodes having a third operational configuration via
the multiplex switching unit 622. The processing unit 624 is
configured for respectively receiving and integrating the
non-active stylus sensing values NP_11 to NP_mn the active stylus
sensing values AP_11 to AP_mn for obtaining a touch information
during the first frame period. Moreover, coupling relations and
functions of each unit in the driving circuit 620 is similar that
of the driving circuit 320, so it is omitted hereinafter.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 together for further
description of operations of the touch-sensing device 600 in
another embodiment of the invention. In which, FIG. 7 is a
schematic flowchart illustrating a driving method for a touch panel
of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of
a touch block 810 during a first frame period.
[0076] Further, in order to simplify the description of the driving
method of the touch panel 110, FIG. 8 is exemplified using the
touch block 810 of the touch panel 610, in which the first
electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12 and the third electrode
E_13 are adjacent to each other and having different operational
configurations. In which the touch block 810 is a partial area of
the electrode sets within the touch panel 610 which is exemplified
with a dimension of 6.times.6 in the present embodiment, the
invention is not limited thereto.
[0077] In FIG. 7, step S700 is similar to step S400 of FIG. 4. The
touch panel 110 is driven by the driving circuit 620 using three
units with different functions, including the driving unit Tx, the
first reading unit Rx1 and the second reading unit Rx2. Therefore,
the driving circuit 620 may respectively define three sub-frame
periods in the first frame period t_1, including a first sub-frame
period t_s1, the second sub-frame period t_s2 and the third
sub-frame period t_s3. In which, the specific implementation for
defining the sub-frame periods within the first frame period by the
driving circuit 620 may be referred to the related description for
defining the sub-frame periods by the drive circuit 120 in step
S200 of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1b, so it is omitted
hereinafter.
[0078] After each of the sub-frame periods is defined, the
processing unit 624 may set the first electrode E_11, the second
electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 to operate in the first
operational configuration T, the second operational configuration R
and the third operational configuration G via the multiplex
switching unit 622 during the first sub-frame period t_s1 of the
first frame period t.sub.--1, respectively (step S702).
[0079] During the first sub-frame period t_s1, the driving unit Tx
of the driving circuit 620 provides a driving signal s_d to the
electrodes having the first operational configuration T (step
S704); the first reading unit Rx1 reads the non-active stylus
sensing values from electrodes having the second operational
configuration R (step S706); and the second reading unit Rx2 reads
the active stylus sensing values from the electrodes having the
third operational configuration P (step S708).
[0080] Next, the processing unit 624 receives the non-active stylus
sensing values and the active stylus sensing values respectively
obtained from the first reading unit Rx1 and the second reading
unit Rx2 during the first sub-frame period t_s1, and stores the
non-active stylus sensing values to the memory unit 626 (step
S710). In other words, the processing unit 624 stores the sub-frame
sensing values obtained during the sub-frame period in step
S710.
[0081] During the first sub-frame period t_s1, the first electrode
E_11, the second electrode E_12 and the third electrode E_13 are
electrodes respectively having the first operational configuration
T, the second operational configuration R and the third operational
configuration P. In this case, the driving unit Tx provides the
driving signal s_d to the first electrode E_11, the first reading
unit Rx1 reads the non-active stylus sensing value NP_12 from the
second electrode E_12 and the second reading unit Rx2 reads the
active stylus sensing value AP_13 from the second electrode E_13.
Further, the processing unit 624 stores the non-active stylus
sensing value NP_12 and the active stylus sensing value AP_13
obtained during the first sub-frame period t_s1 to the memory unit
626.
[0082] In steps S704 to S718, the steps of converting the driving
configuration during the second sub-frame period t_s2 and the third
sub-frame period t_s3, providing the driving signal and reading
sensing values according to the operational configuration of the
first electrode E_11, second electrode E_12 and the third electrode
E_13 are similar to that of steps S404 to S418 of FIG. 4, so it is
omitted hereinafter.
[0083] After the third sub-frame period t_s3 is ended, the
processing unit 624 determines that the first frame period t_1 is
ended, thereby reading and integrating the sub-frame sensing values
(including the non-active stylus sensing values NP_11 to NP_13 and
the active stylus sensing values AP_11 to AP_13) from each of the
sub-frame periods t_s1 to t_s3, so that a touch information of the
touch panel 110 during the first frame period t_1 may be obtained
(step S720). Further, the processing unit 624 may further read the
active stylus sensing values AP_11 to AP_13 with the specific
frequency, so that the touch-sensing device 600 may further
distinguish a touch information generated by the active stylus from
a touch information generated by the non--the active stylus.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a touch-sensing
device 900 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. In
the present embodiment, the touch-sensing device 900 further
integrates the functions of the touch-sensing device 300 of FIG. 3
and the touch-sensing device 600 of FIG. 6 by adding the shielding
effect of the touch-sensing device 300 to the touch-sensing device
600 that is capable of sensing the active stylus.
[0085] Referring FIG. 9, the touch-sensing device 900 includes a
touch panel 910 and a driving circuit 920. In comparing to
aforesaid touch panel 110, the electrodes E_11 to E_mn of the touch
panel 910 includes at least four electrodes having different
operational configurations, for example, a first electrode E_11, a
second electrode E_12, a third electrode E_13 and a fourth
electrode E_14 which are adjacent to each other. In which, the
structure of the touch panel 910 is the same to that of the touch
panel 110 in the previous embodiment, so it is omitted
hereinafter.
[0086] In the present embodiment, the driving circuit 920 includes
a multiplex switching unit 922, a driving unit Tx, a first reading
unit Rx1, a second reading unit Rx2, a processing unit 924 and a
memory unit 926. In which, the driving unit Tx is coupled to the
multiplex switching unit 922 for providing a driving signal s_d to
the electrodes having a first operational configuration T via the
multiplex switching unit 922. The first reading unit Rx1 is coupled
to the multiplex switching unit 922 for reading the non-active
stylus sensing values NP_11 to NP_mn from the electrodes having a
second operational configuration via the multiplex switching unit
922. The reference unit RL is coupled to the multiplex switching
unit 922 for providing a shield potential GND to the electrodes
having the third operational configuration via the multiplex
switching unit 322. The second reading unit Rx2 is coupled to the
multiplex switching unit 622 for reading the active stylus sensing
values AP_11 to AP_mn from the electrodes having a fourth
operational configuration via the multiplex switching unit 622. In
other words, the function of each unit in the present embodiment is
similar to that of each unit of FIG. 3 and FIG. 6.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 together for
further description of the operation of the touch-sensing device
900 in the embodiment of the invention. In which, FIG. 10 is a
schematic flowchart illustrating a driving method for a touch panel
of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of
a touch panel during a first frame period t_1 of FIG. 9.
[0088] Further, in order to simplify the description of the driving
method of the touch panel 910, FIG. 11 is exemplified selecting a
touch block 1110 of the touch panel 910, in which the first
electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12, the third electrode E_13
and the fourth electrode E_14 are adjacent to each other and having
different operational configurations.
[0089] In FIGS. 9 and 10, the touch panel 910 is driven by the
driving circuit 920 using four units which have different
functions, including the driving unit Tx, the first reading unit
Rx1, the reference unit RL and the second reading unit Rx2.
Therefore, the driving circuit 920 may respectively define four
sub-frame periods in the first frame period t_1, including a first
sub-frame period t_s1, the second sub-frame period t_s2, the third
sub-frame period t_s3 and the fourth sub-frame period t_s4 (step
S1000). In which, the specific implementation of defining the
sub-frame periods within the first frame period by driving circuit
920 may be referred to the related description for defining the
sub-frame periods by the drive circuit 120 in step S200 of the
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1b, so it is omitted hereinafter.
[0090] After each of the sub-frame periods is defined, the
processing unit 924 may set the first electrode E_11, the second
electrode E_12, the third electrode E_13 and the fourth electrode
E_14 to operate in the first operational configuration T, the
second operational configuration R, the third operational
configuration G and the fourth operational configuration P via the
multiplex switching unit 622 during the first sub-frame period t_s1
of the first frame period t_1, respectively (step S1002).
[0091] During the first sub-frame period t_s1, the driving unit Tx
of the driving circuit 920 provides a driving signal s_d to the
electrodes having the first operational configuration T (step
S1004); the first reading unit Rx1 reads the non-active stylus
sensing values from electrodes having the second operational
configuration R (step S1006); the reference unit RL provides the
shield potential GND to the electrodes having the third operational
configuration G (step S1008); and the second reading unit Rx2 reads
the active stylus sensing values from the electrodes having the
fourth operational configuration P (step S1010).
[0092] Next, the processing unit 924 receives the non-active stylus
sensing values and the active stylus sensing values respectively
obtained from the first reading unit Rx1 and the second reading
unit Rx2 during the first sub-frame period t_s1, and stores the
non-active stylus sensing values obtained to the memory unit 926
(step S1012). In other words, the processing unit 924 stores the
sub-frame sensing values obtained during the sub-frame period in
step S1012.
[0093] During the first sub-frame period t_s1, the first electrode
E_11, the second electrode E_12, the third electrode E_13 and the
fourth electrode E_14 are respectively having the first operational
configuration T, the second operational configuration R, the third
operational configuration G and the fourth operational
configuration P. Therefore, during the first sub-frame period t_s1,
the driving unit Tx provides the driving signal s_d to the first
electrode E_11, the first reading unit Rx1 reads the non-active
stylus sensing value NP_12 from the second electrode E_12, the
reference unit RL provides the shield potential GND to the third
electrode E_13 and the second reading unit Rx2 reads the active
stylus sensing value AP_14 from the fourth electrode E_14. Further,
during the first sub-frame period t_s1, the processing unit 924
stores the non-active stylus sensing value NP_12 and the active
stylus sensing value AP_14 obtained during the first sub-frame
period t_s1 to the memory unit 926.
[0094] After steps S1004 to S1012 are completed (i.e., when the
first sub-frame period t_s1 is ended), the driving sequence of the
touch panel 910 is switched to the second sub-frame period t_s2.
Therefore, the processing unit 924 determines that the current
sequence is at the second sub-frame period t_s2 and further
controls the multiplex switching unit 922 to convert the driving
configuration (step S1014). As a result, the first electrode E_11,
the second electrode E_12, the third electrode E_13 and the fourth
electrode E_14 are set to operate in the second operational
configuration R, the third operational configuration G, the first
operational configuration T and the fourth operational
configuration P, respectively (step S1016). Next, steps S1004 to
S1012 may then be performed.
[0095] In the present embodiment, during the second sub-frame
period t_s2, the driving unit Tx provides the driving signal s_d to
the fourth electrode E_14, the first reading unit Rx1 reads the
non-active stylus sensing value NP_11 from the first electrode
E_11, the reference unit RL provides the shield potential GND to
the second electrode E_12 and the second reading unit Rx2 reads the
active stylus sensing value AP_13 from the third electrode E_13.
Further, during the second sub-frame period t_s2, the processing
unit 924 stores the non-active stylus sensing value NP_11 and the
active stylus sensing value AP_13 obtained during the second
sub-frame period t_s2 to the memory unit 926.
[0096] When the second sub-frame period t_s2 is ended, the driving
sequence of the touch panel 910 is switched to the third sub-frame
period t_s3. Therefore, the processing unit 924 determines the
current sequence is at the third sub-frame period t_s3 and further
controls the multiplex switching unit 922 to convert the driving
configuration (step S1018). As a result, the first electrode E_11,
the second electrode E_12, the third electrode E_13 and the fourth
electrode E_14 are set to operate in the third operational
configuration G, the fourth operational configuration P, the first
operational configuration T and the second operational
configuration R, respectively (step S1020). Next, steps S1004 to
S1012 may then be performed.
[0097] During the third sub-frame period t_s3, the driving unit Tx
provides the driving signal s_d to the third electrode E_13, the
first reading unit Rx1 reads the non-active stylus sensing value
NP_14 from the fourth electrode E_14, the reference unit RL
provides the shield potential GND to the first electrode E_11 and
the second reading unit Rx2 reads the active stylus sensing value
AP_12 from the second electrode E_12. Further, during the third
sub-frame period t_s3, the processing unit 924 stores the
non-active stylus sensing value NP_14 and the active stylus sensing
value AP_12 obtained during the third sub-frame period t_s3 to the
memory unit 926.
[0098] When the third sub-frame period t_s3 is ended, the driving
sequence of the touch panel 910 is switched to the fourth sub-frame
period t_s4. Therefore, the processing unit 924 determines that the
current sequence is at the fourth sub-frame period t_s3 and further
controls the multiplex switching unit 922 to convert the driving
configuration (step S1022). As a result, the first electrode E_11,
the second electrode E_12, the third electrode E_13 and the fourth
electrode E_14 are set to operate in the fourth operational
configuration P, the first operational configuration T, the second
operational configuration R and the third operational configuration
G, respectively (step S1024). Next, steps S1004 to S1012 may then
be performed.
[0099] During the fourth sub-frame period t_s4, the driving unit Tx
provides the driving signal s_d to the second electrode E_2, the
first reading unit Rx1 reads the non-active stylus sensing value
NP_13 from the third electrode E_13, the reference unit RL provides
the shield potential GND to the fourth electrode E_14 and the
second reading unit Rx2 reads the active stylus sensing value AP_11
from the first electrode E_11. Further, during the fourth sub-frame
period t_s4, the processing unit 924 stores the non-active stylus
sensing value NP_13 and the active stylus sensing value AP_11
obtained during the fourth sub-frame period t_s4 to the memory unit
926.
[0100] After the fourth sub-frame period t_s4 is ended, the
processing unit 924 determines that the first frame period t_1 is
ended, thereby reading and integrating the sub-frame sensing values
(including the non-active stylus sensing values NP_11 to NP_14 and
the active stylus sensing values AP_11 to AP_14) from each of the
sub-frame periods t_s1 to t_s4, so that a touch information of the
touch panel 910 during the first frame period t_1 may be obtained
(step S1026). Further, by reading the active stylus sensing values
AP_11 to AP_14 with the specific frequency, the touch-sensing
device 600 may further distinguish a touch information generated by
the active stylus from a touch information generated by the
non--the active stylus. In addition, since the shield potential GND
is provided, the first electrode E_11, the second electrode E_12,
the third electrode E_13 and the fourth electrode E_14 during the
first frame period t_1 may equivalently have a shielding effect
from using the method of time division multiplexing.
[0101] Since the touch-sensing device using said driving method
requires constantly switching of the driving configurations between
a plurality of sub-frame periods, another driving method for the
touch panel is further provided to reduce the power dissipation of
the touch-sensing device, as shown in FIG. 12. In which, FIG. 12 is
a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving method for a touch
panel according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 12, the driving method of the present
embodiment includes grouping the electrodes on the touch panel into
a plurality of electrode groups (step S1200), and sequentially
enabling at least one of the electrode groups (step S1210). In
which, the driving method of the present embodiment may be applied
to any of aforesaid touch-sensing devices and driving methods. That
is, when the touch-sensing device sequentially enables the
electrode groups, the electrodes within the enabled electrode
groups are respectively driven according to aforesaid driving
method to output corresponding sensing values.
[0103] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a
touch block 1310 using the driving method of FIG. 12. The driving
method of the present embodiment is exemplified using the touch
block 1310 which has the same structure to the touch block 510.
Referring to FIG. 13, the driving circuit may group the touch block
1310 into electrode groups 1312 and 1314. In the step of
sequentially enabling the electrode groups, the driving circuit
disables the electrode group 1312 during the first frame period
t_1, so that each electrode within the electrode group 1312 is in a
disabled state D for turning off or biasing to the ground voltage.
Accordingly, the driving circuit simultaneously enables the
electrode group 1314 during the first frame period t_1, so that
each electrode within the electrode group 1314 is in an enabled
state E. As a result, the driving circuit may drive each electrode
within the electrode group 1314 according to any one of aforesaid
driving methods to obtain sensing value of each electrode within
the electrode group 1314 during the first frame period t_1.
[0104] After the first frame period t_1 is ended, the driving
circuit enables the electrode group 1312 during the second frame
period t_2, so that each electrode within the electrode group 1312
is converted to the enabled state E. As a result, the driving
circuit may drive each electrode within the electrode group 1312
according to any one of aforesaid driving methods to obtain the
sensing value of each electrode within the electrode group 1312
during the second frame period t_2. Accordingly, the driving
circuit simultaneously disables the electrode group 1314 during the
second frame period t_2, so that each electrode within the
electrode group 1314 is converted to the disabled state D for
turning off or biasing to the ground voltage. Based on above, the
driving circuit may generate a complete touch information according
to the sensing values read during the first frame period t_1 and
the second frame period t_2.
[0105] In view of above, the driving method of the present
embodiment may reduce the number of channels and dimensions used by
the driving circuit by grouping the touch panel into a plurality of
electrode groups and sequentially driving each of the electrode
groups, thereby reducing power dissipation when driving the touch
panel.
[0106] It should be noted that, the grouping method of said
electrode groups 1312 and 1314 is merely an example. Since the
touch panel of the present embodiment is driven by using
independently wiring to the driving circuit, the driving circuit
may group the electrode groups in various aspects. As an example
for the touch block 1310, the driving circuit may implement said
driving method by grouping the touch block 1310 with methods of
grouping every two rows of electrodes into one electrode group,
grouping every two columns of electrodes into one electrode group
or grouping every 3.times.3 block of the electrodes into one
electrode group, the invention is not limited thereto.
[0107] In addition, the invention further provides a driving method
for touch panel having power-saving mode, as shown in FIG. 14. In
which, FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a driving
method for a touch panel according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0108] In the present embodiment, the driving method of said touch
panel may also be applied to any touch-sensing devices and driving
methods, including aforesaid touch-sensing devices and driving
methods. Referring to FIG. 14, firstly, the driving circuit
determines whether the touch panel is touched within a
predetermined time (step S1400). The driving circuit performs a
power-saving mode if the driving circuit determines that the touch
panel is not touched within the predetermined time (step S1402). In
this case, the driving circuit loads a power-saving setup data from
an external host and selectively disables a portion of the
electrodes based on the power-saving setup data (step S1404).
Although it is exemplified herein with "determining whether to
perform a power-saving mode according to whether the touch panel is
touched within a predetermined time" as an example, the invention
is not limited thereto. Regardless which method (such as
"determining by whether it is touched within a predetermined time",
"determining by the user to enter the power saving mode" or
"automatically entering the power-saving mode when a specific
program is executed") is applied for performing the power-saving
mode, it is in the scope of the invention as long as the device
using said driving method has a power-saving mode. In addition,
although it is exemplified with "loading a power-saving setup data
from an external host" as an example, the invention is not limited
thereto. It is in the scope of the invention regardless of which
storing device is the power-saving mode read or dramatically
generated from.
[0109] Under the power-saving mode, the driving circuit selects a
first portion of the electrodes from among the electrodes not being
disabled and provides a shield potential to the first portion of
the electrodes during a frame period (step S1406). Further, the
driving circuit selects a second portion of the electrodes from
among the electrodes not being disabled, and reads a touch
information of the frame period from the second portion of the
electrodes during the same frame period (step S1408).
[0110] Next, the driving circuit determines whether the electrodes
not being disabled is touched under the power-saving mode (step
S1410). If the driving circuit determines that the electrode not
being disabled is not touched, steps S1406 and S1408 are repeated
to provide the shield potential and read the touch information, and
the driving circuit determines whether the electrodes not being
disabled is touch again. The power-saving mode is ended when the
driving circuit determines that the electrodes not being disabled
is touched (step S1412). In addition, the process of said driving
method is merely an example. In other embodiments, if the driving
circuit determines that the electrode not being disabled is not
touched in step S1410, the process of the driving method may also
return back to step S1404 which selects a different portion of the
electrodes for providing the shield potential and reading the touch
information, the invention is not limited thereto.
[0111] More specifically, FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating
an operation of a touch block 1510 using the driving method of FIG.
14 according to an embodiment. The driving method of the present
embodiment is also exemplified using the touch block 1510 which has
the same structure to the touch block 510. Referring to FIG. 15,
the touch-sensing device drives the touch panel according to the
driving method when it is in a normal operation mode, it is
exemplified hereinafter with driving the touch panel of FIG. 3.
Under the normal operation mode, the touch block 1510 switches the
first operational configuration T, the second operational
configuration R and the third operational configuration G between
each of the sub-frame periods. When the driving circuit controls
the touch-sensing device to perform the power-saving mode, most of
electrodes within the touch panel are disabled so that a portion of
the electrodes within the touch block 1510 is in the disabled
state.
[0112] More specifically, in an embodiment, the driving circuit
under the power-saving mode selects a first portion of the
electrodes from among the electrodes not being disabled within the
odd-numbered columns (e.g., the electrodes within the odd-numbered
rows) and sets the first portion of the electrodes to the third
operational configuration G for receiving the shield potentials
provided by the driving circuit. Next, the driving circuit under
the power-saving mode selects a second portion of the electrodes
(e.g., the electrodes within the even-numbered rows) and sets the
second portion of the electrodes to the second operational
configuration R for outputting the sensing values to the driving
circuit. In other words, under the power-saving mode, the driving
circuit may read the sensing values from the electrodes by using a
method similar to self-capacitance. Therefore, in comparing to
driving under normal operation mode, besides that the power
dissipation of the touch-sensing device may be reduced by disabling
a portion of the electrodes under the power-saving mode, the power
dissipation while driving the touch-sensing device may also be
further reduced by driving the touch-sensing panel using a sensing
method of self-capacitance instead of providing the driving
signals.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 16, which illustrates an operation of a
touch block using the driving method of FIG. 14 according to
another embodiment of the invention. The driving method of the
present embodiment is also exemplified using the touch block 1610
which has the same structure to the touch block 510. Referring to
FIG. 17, which illustrates a screen displayed under a screen saver
mode of the touch panel. In the present embodiment, since detecting
input signals from other area besides the unlocking area are no
required under screen saver mode, a power saving effect may be
achieved by disabling the electrode within other areas when the
touch-sensing device under the screen saver mode.
[0114] That is, an active area (i.e., the area of the electrodes
not being disabled) of the touch-sensing device under the
power-saving mode may be defined based on practical uses. The shape
and the position of the active area may be defined according to the
setup of the application, for example, a specific touch area within
the touch panel that is a round shape or a strip shape. In other
words, when the touch-sensing device under the power-saving mode
reads the power-saving setup data, said power-saving setup data may
relate to a screen displayed by an application in a specific mode
such as an unlocking screen displayed when the screen saver mode is
activated. Or, an area that is not required to receive touch signal
within the screen displayed by a specific application may be
displayed. As a result, the power-saving setup data may set the
electrodes within the area that is not required to receive touch
signal to a disabled state.
[0115] In the present embodiment, the electrode group 1612 within
the touch block 1610 is referred to as the electrodes not being
disabled, whereas the other areas within the touch block 1610 are
referred as the electrodes being disabled. In which, the driving
circuit provides the shield potential to the electrodes within the
odd-numbered rows of the electrode group 1612 and reads touch
information from the electrodes within the even-numbered rows of
the electrode group 1612 for continuously detecting whether to end
the power-saving mode. In other words, the method that is similar
to self-capacitance is also used herein for reading the sensing
values from the electrodes. As a result, the touch-sensing device
may further reduce the power dissipation by disabling most of the
electrodes. In view of above, the driving method of the touch panel
and the touch-sensing device thereof in the embodiments of the
invention may convert a driving configuration of the touch panel
during a plurality of the sub-frame periods, so that a shielding
effect may be provided to the touch panel equivalently during each
of the frame periods by using the method of time division
multiplexing, thereby increasing the noise isolation of the
touch-sensing device while optimizing the size of the touch-sensing
device. Also, the equivalent sensing pitch of each electrode within
the touch panel may also be reduced by using said driving method so
that the touch sensitiveness of the touch panel may be increased.
In which, a sensing mechanism of the active stylus is added to the
touch-sensing device according to said driving method. In addition,
the touch-sensing device may determine whether to drive using a
method for the power-saving mode according to the touch status of
the touch panel, so as to reduce the power dissipation of the touch
panel.
[0116] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the above embodiments, it is apparent to one of the ordinary skill
in the art that modifications to the described embodiments may be
made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the
attached claims not by the above detailed descriptions.
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