U.S. patent application number 14/189592 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for method for driving touch panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Tae Ho HWANG. Invention is credited to Tae Ho HWANG.
Application Number | 20140240282 14/189592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50238111 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140240282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HWANG; Tae Ho |
August 28, 2014 |
METHOD FOR DRIVING TOUCH PANEL
Abstract
A method for driving a touch panel including driving lines,
sensing lines, and node capacitors between neighboring and/or
overlapping driving lines and sensing lines is disclosed. The
method includes selecting two or more of the driving lines, and
simultaneously driving the selected driving lines with driving
signals. Each driving signal has three or more voltages of
different levels.
Inventors: |
HWANG; Tae Ho; (Busan,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HWANG; Tae Ho |
Busan |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.
Bucheon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
50238111 |
Appl. No.: |
14/189592 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21K 9/61 20160801; F21K
9/62 20160801; F21S 8/04 20130101; G02F 1/133603 20130101; H01L
2224/48091 20130101; F21Y 2105/10 20160801; F21Y 2115/10 20160801;
G06F 3/04164 20190501; F21S 4/20 20160101; F21V 15/01 20130101;
H01L 2924/181 20130101; G02F 1/133611 20130101; G02F 1/133608
20130101; F21K 9/60 20160801; F21Y 2105/12 20160801; H01L 2924/181
20130101; H01L 2924/00012 20130101; H01L 2224/48091 20130101; H01L
2924/00014 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/174 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0022088 |
Claims
1. A method for driving a touch panel including driving lines,
sensing lines, and node capacitors between neighboring and/or
overlapping driving lines and sensing lines, comprising: selecting
two or more of the driving lines; and simultaneously driving the
selected driving lines with driving signals, wherein each driving
signal has three or more voltages of different levels.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each driving signal is
a periodic signal, and has three voltages of different levels
during each period.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: each driving signal
comprises: a first signal portion or time period having a first
voltage level, a second signal portion or time period having a
second voltage level, and a third signal portion or time period
having a third voltage level; and the first voltage level, the
second voltage level, and the third voltage level are different
from each other.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first voltage level
is higher than the second voltage level, and the second voltage
level is higher than the third voltage level.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first voltage level
is a positive (+) voltage, the second voltage level is 0 or a
ground potential, and the third voltage level is a negative (-)
voltage.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first signal
portion or time period and the third signal portion or time period
alternate, and the second signal portion or time period is between
the first signal portion or time period and the third signal
portion or time period.
7. The method according to claim 3, wherein: each driving signal
has a duty ratio within a range of more than 0.25, but less than 1;
and the duty ratio of each driving signal is a ratio or percentage
of a sum of a length of the first period and a length of the third
signal portion or time period in each period of the driving
signal.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driving signals
have a same phase.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driving signal
applied to at least one of the selected driving lines has a phase
different from the driving signals applied to remaining driving
lines.
10. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first signal
portion or time period and the third signal portion or time period
of each driving signal have equal lengths.
11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second signal
portion or time period is before the first signal portion or time
period and/or after the third signal portion or time period.
12. A method for driving a touch panel including driving lines,
sensing lines, and node capacitors between neighboring and/or
overlapping driving lines and sensing lines, comprising: selecting
two or more of the driving lines; and simultaneously driving the
selected driving lines with driving signals, wherein each driving
signal is a periodic signal having a period comprising a first
portion or time period in which the driving signal has a first
voltage level, a second portion or time period in which the driving
signal has a second voltage level lower than the first voltage
level, and a third period in which the driving signal has a portion
or time third voltage level lower than the second voltage
level.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: each driving signal
has a duty ratio within a range of more than 0.25, but less than 1;
and the duty ratio of each driving signal is a ratio or percentage
of a sum of a length of the first portion or time period and a
length of the third portion or time period in each period of the
driving signal.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of
the second portion or time period is between the first portion or
time period and the third portion or time period.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein a length of the first
portion or time period and a length of the third portion or time
period are equal.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the portion of the
second portion or time period between the first portion or time
period and the third portion or time period is shorter than the
first portion or time period or the third portion or time
period.
17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the driving signals
have a same phase.
18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the driving signal
applied to at least one of the selected driving lines has a phase
different from the driving signals applied to remaining driving
lines.
19. A method for driving a touch panel including driving lines,
sensing lines, and node capacitors between neighboring and/or
overlapping driving lines and sensing lines, comprising: selecting
two or more of the driving lines; simultaneously driving the
selected driving lines with driving signals having two voltages of
different levels; and receiving an overlapped or combined signal of
the simultaneously-driven driving signals, wherein the overlapped
or combined signal is a periodic signal having three or more
voltages of different levels.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the overlapped or
combined signal has a period sequentially comprising a first
portion or time period in which the overlapped or combined signal
has a first voltage level, a second portion or time period in which
the overlapped or combined signal has a second voltage level lower
than the first voltage level, a third portion or time period in
which the overlapped or combined signal has a third voltage level
lower than the second voltage level, and a fourth portion or time
period in which the overlapped or combined signal has the second
voltage level.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2013-0022088, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for
driving a touch panel.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, measurement of the capacitance of each sensing
node in a touch panel is achieved by applying a pulse sequence at a
specific frequency through a driving line by a driving unit, and
measuring a signal received through a sensing line by a sensing
unit.
[0006] In this case, the frequency of the pulse sequence may be
influenced by various environmental noise such as charger noise and
fluorescent lamp noise. To this end, methods for suppressing
influence of such environmental noise may be applied. In addition,
an appropriate signal processing scheme may be applied to the
sensing unit in order to extract a signal component corresponding
to the measured capacitance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for
driving a touch panel capable of reducing a harmonic component
included in a driving signal, and achieving an enhancement in
sensitivity and jitter immunity.
[0008] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned from
practice of the embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of
the embodiments may be realized and attained by the structure
particularly pointed out in the written description and claims
hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0009] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the embodiments, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a method for driving a touch panel
including driving lines, sensing lines, and node capacitors formed
between neighboring or overlapping ones of the driving lines and
the sensing lines includes selecting two or more of the driving
lines, and simultaneously driving the selected driving lines by
driving signals, wherein each of the driving signals has three or
more voltages of different levels.
[0010] Each driving signal may be a periodic signal, and may have
three or more voltages of different levels in every period
thereof.
[0011] Each driving signal may include a first signal portion or
time period having a first voltage level, a second signal portion
or time period having a second voltage level, and a third signal
portion or time period having a third voltage level. The first
voltage level, the second voltage level, and the third voltage
level may be different.
[0012] The first voltage level may be higher than the second
voltage level. The second voltage level may be higher than the
third voltage level.
[0013] The first voltage level may be a positive (+) voltage. The
second voltage level may be 0 or a ground potential, and the third
voltage level may be a negative (-) voltage.
[0014] The first signal portion or time period and the third signal
portion or time period may alternate. The second signal portion or
time period may be between the first signal portion or time period
and the third signal portion or time period.
[0015] Each driving signal may have a duty ratio second within a
range of more than 0.25, but less than 1. The duty ratio of each
driving signal may be a ratio or percentage of a sum of a length of
the first signal portion or time period and a length of the third
signal portion or time period in each period of the driving
signal.
[0016] The different portions of the driving signal may have the
same phase.
[0017] The driving signal applied to at least one of the selected
driving lines may have a phase different from other driving signals
applied to other (e.g., the remaining) driving lines.
[0018] The first signal portion or time period and the third signal
portion or time period of each driving signal may have equal
lengths within one period of the driving signal.
[0019] The second signal portion or time period may be before the
first signal portion or time period and/or after the third signal
portion or time period.
[0020] In another aspect, a method for driving a touch panel
including driving lines, sensing lines, and node capacitors between
overlapping ones of the driving lines and the sensing lines
includes selecting two or more of the driving lines, and
simultaneously driving the selected driving lines by driving
signals, wherein each driving signal is a periodic signal and has a
period comprising a first portion or time period in which the
driving signal has a first voltage level, a second portion or time
period in which the driving signal has a second voltage level lower
than the first voltage level, and a third portion or time period in
which the driving signal has a third voltage level lower than the
second voltage level.
[0021] Each driving signal may have a duty ratio within a range of
more than 0.25, but less than 1. The duty ratio of each driving
signal may be a ratio or percentage of a sum of a length of the
first portion or time period and a length of the third portion or
time period in each period of the driving signal.
[0022] The second portion or time period of the driving signal may
be present between the first portion or time period and the third
portion or time period.
[0023] The first portion or time period and the third portion or
time period may be equal.
[0024] The length of the second portion or time period may be
shorter than the first portion or time period and/or the third
portion or time period.
[0025] The different portions or time periods of an individual
driving signal may have the same phase.
[0026] The driving signal applied to at least one of the selected
driving lines may have a phase different from other driving signals
applied to other (e.g., the remaining) driving lines.
[0027] In another aspect, a method for driving a touch panel
including driving lines, sensing lines, and node capacitors between
overlapping ones of the driving lines and the sensing lines
includes selecting two or more of the driving lines, simultaneously
driving the selected driving lines by driving signals having two or
more voltages of different levels, and receiving an overlapped or
combined signal from the simultaneously-driven driving signals,
wherein the overlapped or combined signal is a periodic signal
having three or more voltages of different levels.
[0028] The overlapped or combined signal may have a period
comprising, in sequence, a first portion or time period in which
the overlapped or combined signal has a first voltage level, a
second portion or time period in which the overlapped or combined
signal has a second voltage level lower than the first voltage
level, a third portion or time period in which the overlapped or
combined signal has a third voltage level lower than the second
voltage level, and a fourth portion or time period in which the
overlapped or combined signal has the second voltage level.
[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce a harmonic
component included in a driving signal while achieving an
enhancement in sensitivity and jitter immunity.
[0030] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the
embodiments are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to
provide further explanation of the embodiments as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with
reference to the following drawings. In the drawings:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of a touchscreen device according to one or more embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of a
driving signal applied to two or more driving lines illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
sensing circuit included in the sensing unit illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a waveform and/or diagram illustrating examples of
a driving signal having two voltages of different levels and a
driving signal having three voltages of different levels in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a waveform illustrating results of a simulation
showing a harmonic component of the driving signal illustrated in
FIG. 4 as having two voltages of different levels;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a waveform illustrating results of a simulation
showing a harmonic component of the driving signal according to the
embodiment(s) of FIG. 4;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram illustrating a signal received
by the sensing unit from each sensing line when driving signals
having the same phase are simultaneously applied to two or more
driving lines corresponding to the sensing line, respectively;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example in
which at least one driving signal simultaneously applied to driving
lines has a phase different from those of the remaining driving
signals;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a method for simultaneously driving two driving
lines in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0041] FIGS. 10A to 10C are waveform diagrams illustrating examples
of two exemplary driving signals illustrated in FIG. 9; and
[0042] FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram illustrating a method for
simultaneously driving two driving lines in accordance with one or
more additional embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] In the following description of various embodiments, it will
be understood that, when an element such as a layer (film), region,
pattern, or structure is referred to as being "on" or "under"
another element, it can be directly on or under the other element,
or it can be indirectly on or under the other element with one or
more intervening elements present. In addition, terms such as "on"
or "under" should be understood on the basis of the drawings.
[0044] In the drawings, dimensions of layers may be exaggerated,
omitted or schematically illustrated for clarity and convenience of
description. In addition, dimensions of constituent elements do not
entirely or necessarily reflect actual dimensions thereof. The same
reference numerals denote the same constituent elements,
respectively. Hereinafter, a method for driving lines of a touch
panel in accordance with one or more embodiments and a touchscreen
device according to one or more embodiments will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a
touchscreen device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the touchscreen device 100 includes a
touch panel 10, a driving unit 20, a sensing unit 30, and a control
unit 40.
[0047] The touch panel 10 provides a plurality of sensing nodes P11
to Pnm (n and m being natural numbers greater than 1) having
substantially independent functions, but different positions.
[0048] The sensing nodes P11 to Pnm may be described as
coordinates, sensing points, nodes, or a sensing node array.
[0049] For example, the touch panel 10 may include a plurality of
driving lines X1 to Xn (n being a natural number greater than 1), a
plurality of sensing lines Y1 to Ym (m being a natural number
greater than 1), and node capacitors C11 to Cnm (n and m being
natural numbers greater than 1) formed between overlapping driving
lines X1 to Xn and sensing lines Y1 to Ym.
[0050] The driving lines X1 to Xn may be described as driving
signal lines or driving electrodes.
[0051] The sensing lines Y1 to Ym may be described as sensing
signal lines or sensing electrodes.
[0052] Although the driving lines and sensing lines are illustrated
in FIG. 1 as intersecting each other, embodiments of the present
disclosure are not limited to such an arrangement. The driving
lines and sensing lines may be embodied such that they do not
intersect each other.
[0053] Each sensing node (for example, the sensing node P11) may be
defined by the first node capacitor (for example, C11) between the
first driving line (for example, X1) and the first sensing line
(for example, Y1).
[0054] For example, each driving line Xi (i being a natural number
satisfying 0<i.ltoreq.n) and each sensing line Yj (j being a
natural number satisfying 0<j.ltoreq.m) may be isolated from
each other through insulation, and one node capacitor Cij may be
formed between the driving line Xi and the sensing line Yj.
[0055] For example, the touch panel 10 may include an electrode
pattern layer (not shown) including sensing electrodes and driving
electrodes spaced apart from each other, a substrate (not shown) at
a front side of the electrode pattern layer, and an insulating
layer (not shown) at a back side of the electrode pattern layer.
The electrode pattern layer may have various layouts in accordance
with a designing method applied thereto.
[0056] The electrode pattern layer may include least one
transparent conductive material, for example, indium tin oxide
(ITO), tin oxide (TO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin zinc
oxide (ITZO), indium aluminum zinc oxide (IAZO), indium gallium
zinc oxide (IGZO), indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO), aluminum zinc
oxide (AZO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), gallium zinc oxide (GZO),
carbon nanotubes, a conductive polymer, silver, and transparent
copper ink.
[0057] The electrode pattern layer may be on or over one or more
layers of glass or plastic, to form a sensing node array including
sensing nodes P11 to Pnm (n and m being natural numbers greater
than 1).
[0058] The substrate may comprise or have the form of a dielectric
film exhibiting high light transmissivity. For example, the
substrate may include at least one of glass, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a polyimide
(PI), or a (meth)acrylate polymer.
[0059] The insulating layer may be a transparent insulating layer
including, for example, PET. In another embodiment, a shield layer
(not shown) may be beneath the insulating layer in order to
eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and noise entering the
electrode pattern layer.
[0060] The touch panel 10 may be merged with a layer for display or
may share a driving or sensing path with the layer in accordance
with an appropriate panel designing method.
[0061] When the touch panel 10 is not coupled with a display, a
two-dimensional sensing node array may be configured in accordance
with an appropriate method. Embodiments are also applicable to a
touch sensing system comprising or constituted by a two-dimensional
sensing node array.
[0062] The driving unit 20 is electrically connected with a
plurality of driving lines X1 to Xn (n being a natural number
greater than 1), to supply a driving signal to one or more of the
driving lines X1 to Xn.
[0063] For example, the driving unit 20 may simultaneously supply a
driving signal to two or more of the driving lines X1 to Xn.
[0064] Here, "simultaneously" may include not only events occurring
nearly simultaneously, but also events occurring precisely
simultaneously. For example, events occurring simultaneously may
mean events that nearly simultaneously start, and nearly
simultaneously end, and/or events having periods that at least
partially overlap.
[0065] The driving signal applied to two or more driving lines may
have three or more voltages of different levels, and may be a
periodic signal.
[0066] For example, the driving signal applied to two or more
driving lines may have three voltages of different levels within
each period.
[0067] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a driving signal Vd applied
to two or more of the driving lines illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 2, the driving signal Vd may have a first
voltage level, +Vp, a second voltage level, Vss, and a third
voltage level, -Vn. The first voltage level V+p, second voltage
level Vss, and third voltage level -Vn may have different values,
respectively.
[0069] For example, the driving signal Vd may include a first
signal portion or time period V1 having a first voltage level +Vp,
a second signal portion or time period V2 having a second voltage
level Vss, and a third signal portion or time period V3 having a
third voltage level -Vn. In this case, the first voltage level V+p,
second voltage level Vss, and third voltage level -Vn may have
different values, respectively.
[0070] The first voltage level +Vp may be higher than the second
voltage level Vss, and the second voltage level Vss may be higher
than the third voltage level -Vn (+Vp>Vss>-Vn).
[0071] For example, the first voltage level +Vp may be a positive
(+) voltage. The second voltage level Vss may be 0 or a ground
potential. The third voltage level -Vn may be a negative (-)
voltage.
[0072] The first signal portion or time period V1 and third signal
portion or time period V3 may alternate. The second signal portion
or time period V2 may be between the first signal portion or time
period V1 and the third signal portion or time period V3.
Alternatively, the second signal portion or time period V2 may be
before the first signal portion or time period V1 and/or after the
third signal portion or time period V3.
[0073] In each period T of the driving signal Vd, the first signal
portion, value and/or time period V1, the second signal portion,
value and/or time period V2, and the third signal portion, value
and/or time period V3 may be referred to as a "first portion or
time period Ta1", a "second portion or time period Ta2", and a
"third portion or time period Ta3", respectively.
[0074] Thus, each period T of the driving signal Vd may include the
first portion or time period Ta1, second portion or time period
Ta2, and third portion or time period Ta3. In each period T, the
second portion or time period Ta2 may be present between the first
period Ta1 and the third period Ta3.
[0075] The second portion or time period Ta2 present between the
first portion or time period Ta1 and the third portion or time
period Ta2 may be shorter than the first portion or time period Ta1
or the second portion or time period Ta2.
[0076] The first portion or time period Ta1 and third portion or
time period Ta3 may be equal. Of course, embodiments of the present
disclosure are not limited to the above-described condition. In
another embodiment, the first portion or time period Ta1 and third
portion or time period Ta3 may differ from each other.
[0077] The driving signal Vd may have a duty ratio DR more than
0.25, but less than 1 (0.25<DR<1). That is, the duty ratio DR
of the driving signal Vd may be within a range of more than 0.25,
but less than 1. When the duty ratio DR of the driving signal Vd is
not more than 0.25, the average power of the driving signal Vd to
be transmitted may be reduced by 1/4. In this case, touch
performance may be reduced by 6 dB or more.
[0078] The duty ratio DR of the driving signal may be the rate of
the sum of the first portion or time period Ta1 and third portion
or time period Ta3 (Ta1+Ta3) within each period T of the driving
signal ((Ta1+Ta3)/T), as compared to the second portion or time
period Ta2.
[0079] Dotted line portions in FIG. 2 illustrate a driving signal
VE having two voltages of different levels. The driving signal VE
transits from the first voltage level V+p to the third voltage
level -Vn every half period T/2. At the half period time T/2, the
driving signal VE may transition from Vp to Vn.
[0080] On the other hand, in one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure, the driving signal Vd at a first time t1 may transition
from a first value Vp. The driving signal Vd at a second time t2
may transition to a value Vn.
[0081] That is, the transition from Vp or to Vn of the driving
signal Vd according to the illustrated embodiment(s) is less than
the transition from Vp to Vn of the driving signal VE.
[0082] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, it is possible to
reduce one or more harmonic components of or in the driving signal
Vd because the driving signal Vd has three or more voltages of
different levels within each period thereof.
[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates examples of a driving signal having two
voltages of different levels and a driving signal having three
voltages of different levels in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates results
of a simulation illustrating a harmonic component of the driving
signal of FIG. 4 having two voltages of different levels. FIG. 6
illustrates results of a simulation illustrating a harmonic
component of the driving signal according to embodiment(s) of the
present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0084] In FIG. 4, the solid line depicts the driving signal
according to embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, and the
dotted line depicts the driving signal that has two voltages of
different levels.
[0085] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, it can be seen that the harmonic
component(s) shown in FIG. 5 is less than that of FIG. 6.
[0086] In embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to
provide the sensing unit with enhancements in sensitivity and
jitter immunity of in accordance with the reduction of the harmonic
component(s) in the driving signal.
[0087] Driving signals simultaneously applied to two or more of the
driving lines may have the same phase.
[0088] For example, the driving signal Vd illustrated in FIG. 2 may
be simultaneously applied to two or more of the driving lines at
the same phase.
[0089] An overlapped or combined signal Vc (FIG. 3) received by the
sensing unit 30 may be a signal having three voltages of different
levels.
[0090] Here, the "overlapped or combined signal Vc" means a signal
in accordance with results of overlap, summation or combination of
driving signals applied to each sensing line (for example, Yj in
FIG. 3) and/or coupled to sensing nodes corresponding to the
driving lines receiving the driving signals.
[0091] FIG. 7 depicts a signal received by the sensing unit via
each sensing line when driving signals having the same phase are
simultaneously applied to two or more driving lines corresponding
to the sensing line, respectively.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 7, when driving signals Vd simultaneously
applied to two driving lines, for example, X1 and X2, have the same
phase, the magnitude of the signal Vc (FIG. 3) received by the
corresponding sensing line Y1 may be double the magnitude of the
driving signal Vd applied to each driving line, for example, X1 or
X2, in accordance with a principle of overlap, summation or
combination.
[0093] On the other hand, voltage variation of the overlapped or
combined signal Vc received by the sensing unit 30 may be less than
a first voltage variation. The first voltage variation may be the
voltage variation of a signal received by the sensing unit when a
driving signal having two voltages of different levels and the same
phase is simultaneously applied to two driving lines, for example,
X1 and X2, respectively (hereinafter, referred to as a "first
case").
[0094] The overlapped or combined signal Vc (FIG. 3) received by
the sensing unit 30 may be a signal having three voltages of
different levels. Furthermore, the overlapped or combined signal Vc
(FIG. 3) received by the sensing unit 30 may have a fourth voltage
level, +2Vp, the second voltage level Vss, and a fifth voltage
level, -2Vn.
[0095] In embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to
reduce the maximum peak current of the overlapped or combined
signal Vc received by the sensing unit 30, as compared to the first
case, and, as a result, the design specification of the sensing
unit 30 may be relaxed, as compared to the first case.
[0096] In accordance with an increase in the magnitude of the
overlapped or combined signal Vc (FIG. 9) received by the sensing
unit 30, it is possible to achieve an enhancement in signal to
noise ratio of the sensing signal Vs (FIG. 3) received by the
sensing unit 30.
[0097] The phase of the driving signal applied to at least one of
the selected driving lines may differ from the phases of the
driving signals applied to the remaining driving lines.
[0098] For example, different phases of the driving signal Vd
illustrated in FIG. 2 may be simultaneously applied to two or more
driving lines.
[0099] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which at least one driving
signal simultaneously applied to driving lines has a phase
different from those of the remaining driving signals.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, the driving signal applied to one or
more of the driving lines (for example, an odd number of driving
lines X1, X2, and X3, or just X2), may have a phase different from
the driving signals applied to the remaining driving lines (for
example, X1 and X3).
[0101] The driving signal applied to at least one of the driving
lines may have a phase difference of 180.degree. or a half period
from the driving signals applied to the remaining driving
lines.
[0102] For example, the phases of the driving signals applied to
the first and third driving lines X1 and X3 may be identical, while
at the same time being different from that of the driving signal
applied to the second driving line X2.
[0103] The sensing unit 30 may be electrically connected to the
plural sensing lines Y1 to Ym (m being a natural number greater
than 1). The sensing unit 30 may sense the capacitance of a node
capacitor between a driving line and a corresponding or overlapping
one of the sensing lines.
[0104] The driving unit 20 may supply the driving signal Vd to the
driving lines X1 to Xn (n being a natural number greater than 1).
The sensing unit 30 may include sensing circuits for sensing
signals received by the sensing unit 30 via the sensing lines Y1 to
Ym, respectively.
[0105] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the sensing circuit 30-j included
in the sensing unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0106] Although only one sensing circuit 30-j, coupled to the i-th
driving line Xi and the j-th sensing line Yj, is illustrated in
FIG. 3, the sensing unit 30 may include a plurality of sensing
circuits coupled to m sensing lines Y1 to Ym (m being a natural
number greater than 1).
[0107] Referring to FIG. 3, the sensing circuit 30-j may include an
amplifier 31 and a capacitor 32.
[0108] The amplifier 31 may be a differential amplifier having a
first input terminal 201 (for example, an inverting or negative
terminal) coupled to the sensing line Yj, a second input terminal
202 (for example, non-inverting or positive terminal) connected to
the second voltage level Vss, and an output terminal 203 for
outputting a sensing signal Vs. Although an operational amplifier
is illustrated as an example of the amplifier 31 in FIG. 3,
embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
[0109] The capacitor 32 is electrically connected between the first
input terminal 201 and the output terminal 203 of the amplifier 31,
to negatively feed back an output from the amplifier 31 to the
first input terminal 201. The capacitor 32 may also determine a
gain of the sensing signal Vs.
[0110] The signal Vc received by the sensing circuit 30-j may be a
signal obtained by overlapping two or more driving signals
simultaneously driven through the sensing line Yj.
[0111] That is, two or driving signals, which are simultaneously
driven, may overlap in the sensing line Yj and, as such, an
overlapped or combined signal, namely, the signal Vc, may be
received by the sensing unit 30.
[0112] The control unit controls operations of the driving unit 20
and sensing unit 30.
[0113] For example, the control unit 40 may generate a driving
control signal Sx for control of the driving unit 20, and a sensing
control signal Sy for control of the sensing unit 30. The control
unit 40 controls operations of the driving unit 20 and sensing unit
30 in accordance with the driving control signal Sx and sensing
control sign al Sy.
[0114] The control unit 40 may sense the signal Vc applied to the
sensing line Yj, and may control the sensing unit 30 in accordance
with the sensed results, to output the sensing signal Vs.
[0115] As described above, in accordance with the embodiment, it is
possible to reduce a harmonic component included in the driving
signal while achieving an enhancement in sensitivity and jitter
immunity by applying a driving signal having three voltages of
different levels to two or more driving lines. This is because
separate detection of a desired signal and a noise signal can be
easily achieved in accordance with reduction of the harmonic
component included in the driving signal.
[0116] In addition, in accordance with the embodiment, it is
possible to compensate for a delay time due to parasitic
capacitance caused by the touch panel 10 and substrate (for
example, a printed circuit board (PCB)). Accordingly, stable
operation of the touchscreen device 100 can be ensured.
[0117] Moreover, in accordance with the embodiment, momentary peak
current can be reduced through a reduction in voltage variation of
the driving signal Vd. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate
glitch of the signal received by the sensing unit, and to easily
realize the circuit of the sensing unit 30.
[0118] FIG. 9 is a method for simultaneously driving two driving
lines in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 9, two driving lines selected from among a
plurality of driving lines X1 to Xn (n being a natural number
greater than 1; for example, the driving lines X1 and X2) can be
simultaneously driven. Each of the driving signals for simultaneous
driving of the two selected driving lines (for example, driving
signals Vd1 and Vd2 for the driving lines X1 and X2) may have
voltages of different levels.
[0120] In the illustrated embodiment, the overlapped or combined
signal Vc received by the sensing unit 30 may have three voltages
of different levels via the sensing line (for example, Y1) through
adjustment of the phases and/or adjustment, combination and/or
summation of voltage levels of the driving signals, each having two
voltages of different levels. The overlapped or combined signal Vc
may be a periodic signal having a certain period T.
[0121] Here, the "overlapped or combined signal Vc" generally means
a signal in accordance with results of overlap, combination and/or
summation of driving signals (for example, Vd1 and Vd2) applied to
each sensing line (for example, Y1 in FIG. 3) coupled to sensing
nodes (for example, C11 and C21 in FIG. 3) corresponding to two
driving lines (for example, X1 and X2) receiving the driving
signals.
[0122] The overlapped or combined signal Vc received by the sensing
unit 30 may be a periodic signal.
[0123] The period T of the overlapped or combined signal Vc may be
divided into first to fourth portions or time periods T1 to T4,
which are sequential. The signal Vc overlapped or combined for one
period T may sequentially include a first section, portion or time
period having a first voltage level, a second section, portion or
time period having a second voltage level, a third section, portion
or time period having a third voltage level, and a fourth section,
portion or time period having the second voltage level.
[0124] The first voltage level, second voltage level, and third
voltage level are different from each other. The first voltage
level may be highest, the third voltage level may be lowest, and
the second voltage level may be between the first and third voltage
levels (Va1>Va2>Va3).
[0125] For example, the first voltage level may be a positive (+)
voltage. The second voltage level may be 0 or a ground potential.
The third voltage level may be a negative (-) voltage.
[0126] For example, the overlapped or combined signal Vc received
by the sensing unit 30 may include a first signal portion or time
period Va1 having the first voltage level, a second signal portion
or time period Va2 having the second voltage level, and a third
signal portion or time period Va3 having the third voltage
level.
[0127] The first signal portion or time period Va1 and third signal
portion or time period Va3 may alternate. The second signal portion
or time period Va2 may be between the first signal portion or time
period Va1 and the third signal portion or time period Va3.
[0128] For example, the overlapped or combined signal Vc may be the
first signal portion or time period Va1 during the first period T1,
the second signal portion or time period Va2 during the second
period T2, the third signal portion or time period Va2 during the
third period T3, and the fourth signal Va4 during the fourth period
T4. The fourth signal Va4 during the fourth period T4 may have the
same voltage and/or length as the second signal portion or time
period Va2 during the second period T2.
[0129] The voltage of the driving signal supplied to one of the two
driving lines during the first period T1 may be the first voltage
level, and the voltage of the driving signal supplied to the other
driving line during the first period T1 may be the second voltage
level. Alternatively, the voltages of the driving signals
respectively supplied to the two driving lines during the first
period T1 may be the first voltage level.
[0130] For example, the voltages (for example, A1 and B1) of the
driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 respectively supplied to two driving
lines (for example, X1 and X2) during the first period T1 may be
voltages (+, 0) or voltages (+, +), respectively.
[0131] The voltage of the driving signal supplied to one of the two
driving lines during the second period T2 or during the fourth
period T4 may be the first voltage level, and the voltage of the
driving signal supplied to the other driving line during the second
period T2 or during the fourth period T4 may be the third voltage
level. Alternatively, the voltages of the driving signals
respectively supplied to the two driving lines during the second
period T2 or during the fourth period T4 may be the second voltage
level.
[0132] For example, the voltages (for example, A2 and B2) of the
driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 respectively supplied to two driving
lines (for example, X1 and X2) during the second period T2 may have
voltages (0, 0) or voltages (+, -), respectively. On the other
hand, the voltages (for example, A4 and B4) of the driving signals
Vd1 and Vd2 respectively supplied to two driving lines (for
example, X1 and X2) during the fourth period T4 may have voltages
(0, 0) or voltages (+, -) or (-, +), respectively.
[0133] The voltage of the driving signal supplied to one of the two
driving lines during the third period T3 may be the third voltage
level, and the voltage of the driving signal supplied to the other
driving line during the third period T3 may be the second voltage
level. Alternatively, the voltages of the driving signals
respectively supplied to the two driving lines during the third
period T3 may be the third voltage level.
[0134] For example, the voltages (for example, A3 and B3) of the
driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 respectively supplied to two driving
lines (for example, X1 and X2) during the third period T3 may have
voltages (-, -) or voltages (-, 0), respectively.
[0135] Here, "+" represents the first voltage level, "0" represents
the second voltage level, and "-" represents the third voltage
level.
[0136] Although FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which two driving
lines are simultaneously driven, embodiments of the present
disclosure are not limited thereto.
[0137] For example, the overlapped or combined signal Vc received
by the sensing unit 30 during each of the periods T1 to T4 may have
voltages as illustrated in FIG. 9, through adjustment of the phases
and/or adjustment, combination and/or summation magnitudes of the
driving signals respectively supplied to the two or more driving
lines. One skilled in the art can add or combine one or more
additional signals having a phase and/or magnitude as shown in any
of FIGS. 10A-C, or a smaller magnitude (for example as provided by
a conventional voltage divider), to form an overlapped or combined
signal having more than 3 voltage levels.
[0138] FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate examples of two driving signals
Vd1 and Vd2 illustrated in FIG. 9 that overlap or are combined,
added or summed to form the overlapped or combined driving signal
Vc.
[0139] Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10C, each of the first and second
driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 may have two voltages from among the
first voltage level +Vp, second voltage level Vss, and third
voltage level -Vn.
[0140] The overlapped or combined signal Vc received by the sensing
unit 30 during each of the periods T1 to T4 may have three voltages
of different levels, Vap, Vss, and Van, in one period T, through
adjustment, combination and/or summation of the phases and/or
magnitudes of the first and second driving signals Vd1 and Vd2.
[0141] FIG. 11 illustrates a method for simultaneously driving two
driving lines in accordance with another embodiment.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 11, each of the driving signals Vd1 and
Vd2 for simultaneous driving of two selected driving lines (for
example, the driving lines X1 and X2) may have voltages of
different levels.
[0143] In addition, each driving signal Vd1 and Vd2 for
simultaneous driving of the two selected driving lines (for
example, the driving lines X1 and X2) may be a periodic signal
having a certain period. The driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 may have
the same phase.
[0144] The first and second driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 may have
the same voltage in each of the first to fourth periods T1 to
T4.
[0145] For example, the voltage of each of the first and second
driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 in the first period T1 may be the first
voltage level +Vp. The voltage of each of the first and second
driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 in the second period T2 and/or in the
fourth period T4 may be the second voltage level Vss. The voltage
of each of the first and second driving signals Vd1 and Vd2 in the
third period T3 may be the third voltage level -Vn.
[0146] In this embodiment, the overlapped or combined signal Vc
received by the sensing unit 30 may have three voltages of
different levels through adjustment of the phases and/or
adjustment, combination and/or summation of the magnitudes of two
driving signals (for example, Vd1 and Vd2).
[0147] Since the overlapped or combined signal Vc received by the
sensing unit 30 has three voltages of different levels, it is
possible to reduce a harmonic component of the overlapped or
combined signal Vc. As result, the filter specification for signal
detection may be relaxed. In addition, when the driving signals Vd1
and Vd2 have the same phase, it is possible to reduce influence
caused by interference of driving lines (for example, X1 and
X2.
[0148] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments
thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications
and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that
will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this
disclosure. More particularly, variations and modifications are
possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject
combination and/or arrangement within the scope of the disclosure,
the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and
modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements,
alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
* * * * *