APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A TOUCH

• US 20140240291A1
• Filed: 11/17/2011
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Melfas Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Melfas Incorporated
• Inventors: Nam, Sung-Sik
• Granted Patent: US 10,067,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04111 Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04166 Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus for detecting touch including a touch element comprising a plurality of touch detecting electrodes arranged therein, a touch element controller for acquiring detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element, wherein the touch element controller includes a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and grouping the detection signals into one or more detection signal groups, a memory for storing a detection signal value limit, a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection value out of the detection signal values of the detection for each of the detection signals, a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value limit from the maximum detection signal value for each of the detection groups, and a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting touch comprising:

a touch element comprising a plurality of touch detecting electrodes arranged therein; and

a touch element controller for acquiring detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element,

wherein the touch element controller comprises,

a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and grouping the detection signals into one or more detection signal groups;

a memory for storing a detection signal value limit;

a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection value out of the detection signal values of the detection for each of the detection signals;

a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value limit from the maximum detection signal value for each of the detection groups; and

a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

2. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 1, wherein the touch determination unit generates the adjustment detecting signal values by deducting the adjustment variable from detection signal values of the detection signals for each of the signal groups, and

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value.

3. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 1, wherein the touch determination unit generates an adjustment detection signal value by deducting the product of the adjustment variable and an adjustment factor from the detection signal values of the detection signals for each of the groups,

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value,

the adjustment factor is defined different in accordance with the detection signals.

4. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 3, wherein the adjustment factor has the maximum value in a detection signal having the maximum detection signal value, and

the size of the adjustment factor is getting reduced based on a distance with a touch detection electrode in which the detection signal having the maximum detection signal value is detected.

5. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 1, wherein the touch determination unit groups the touch detection electrodes in accordance with a region of the touch element, and

generates an adjustment detection signal value by deducting the product of the adjustment variable and the adjustment factor from the detection signals of the detection signals for the grouped the touch detection electrodes;

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value; and

the adjustment factor is defined different for each of the touch detection electrode groups.

6. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 1, wherein the touch determination unit generates an adjustment detection signal critical value by adding the adjustment variable to the detection signal critical value for each of the detection signal group, and

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal critical value.

7. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 1, wherein the touch determination unit

determines the number of the touches in the touch elements, using the detection signals,

calculates a normal detection rate based on the number of the touches,

generates the adjustment detection signal values based on the adjustment variable,

calculates a rate of adjustment detection signal values larger than the detection signal critical values out of the adjustment detection signal values, and

determines whether to perform re-adjustment by comparing the calculated rate with a normal detection rate.

8. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 1, wherein the touch determination unit,

generates an adjustment detection signal value, using the adjustment variable for each of the detection signal groups,

re-adjust an adjustment detection signal value having a preset rate or less of the detection signal value limit as zero, when there is an adjustment detection signal value having a preset rate or less of the detection signal value limit out of the adjustment detection signal values.

9. An apparatus for detecting touch comprising:

a touch element comprising a plurality of touch detecting electrodes arranged therein; and

a touch element controller for acquiring detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element,

wherein the touch element controller comprises,

a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and grouping the detection signals into one or more detection signal groups;

a memory for storing a detection signal value limit;

a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection value out of the detection signal values of the detection for each of the detection signals;

a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value limit from the maximum detection signal value for each of the detection groups; and

a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

10. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 9, wherein the touch determination unit generates the adjustment detecting signal values by multiplying detection signal values of the detection signals by the adjustment variable for each of the signal groups, and

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value.

11. An apparatus for detecting touch comprising:

a display panel for displaying an image;

a display panel controller for driving the display panel;

a touch element arranged on one surface of the display panel, the touch element comprising a plurality of touch detecting electrodes arranged therein; and

a touch element controller for acquiring detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element,

wherein the touch element controller comprises,

a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and grouping the detection signals into one or more detection signal groups;

a memory for storing a detection signal value limit;

a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection value out of the detection signal values of the detection for each of the detection signals;

a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value limit from the maximum detection signal value for each of the detection groups; and

a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

12. An apparatus for detecting touch comprising:

a display panel for displaying an image;

a display panel controller for driving the display panel;

a touch element arranged on one surface of the display panel, the touch element comprising a plurality of touch detecting electrodes arranged therein; and

a touch element controller for acquiring detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element,

wherein the touch element controller comprises,

a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the touch detection electrodes and grouping the detection signals into one or more detection signal groups;

a memory for storing a detection signal value limit;

a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection value out of the detection signal values of the detection for each of the detection signals;

a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value limit from the maximum detection signal value for each of the detection groups; and

a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

13. An apparatus for detecting touch comprising:

a touch element comprising a plurality of touch detection electrodes comprising a plurality of first touch detection electrodes and a plurality of second touch detection electrodes; and

a touch element controller for applying a driving signal a predetermined number of the second touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element by acquiring detection signals generated between the first touch detection electrodes and the second touch detection electrodes,

wherein the touch element controller comprises,

a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the first touch detection electrodes;

a memory for storing a detection signal value limit;

a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection signal value out of the detection signal values of the detection signals;

a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value from the maximum detection signal value; and

a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

14. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 13, wherein the touch determination unit generates the adjustment detecting signal values by deducting the adjustment variable from detection signal values of the detection signals, and

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value.

15. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 13, wherein the touch determination unit generates an adjustment detection signal value by deducting the product of the adjustment variable and an adjustment factor from the detection signal values of the detection signals,

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value,

the adjustment factor is defined different in accordance with the detection signals.

16. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 15, wherein the adjustment factor has the maximum value in a detection signal having the maximum detection signal value, and

the size of the adjustment factor is getting reduced based on a distance with a touch detection electrode in which the detection signal having the maximum detection signal value is detected.

17. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 13, wherein the touch determination unit generates an adjustment detection signal critical value by adding the adjustment variable to the detection signal critical value, and

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal critical value.

18. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 13, wherein the touch determination unit

determines the number of the touches in the touch elements, using the detection signals,

calculates a normal detection rate based on the number of the touches,

generates the adjustment detection signal values based on the adjustment variable,

calculates a rate of adjustment detection signal values larger than the detection signal critical values out of the adjustment detection signal values, and

determines whether to perform re-adjustment by comparing the calculated rate with a normal detection rate.

19. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 13, wherein the touch determination unit,

generates an adjustment detection signal value, using the adjustment,

re-adjust an adjustment detection signal value having a preset rate or less of the detection signal value limit as zero, when there is an adjustment detection signal value having a preset rate or less of the detection signal value limit out of the adjustment detection signal values.

20. An apparatus for detecting touch comprising:

a touch element comprising a plurality of touch detection electrodes comprising a plurality of first touch detection electrodes and a plurality of second touch detection electrodes; and

a touch element controller for applying a driving signal a predetermined number of the second touch detection electrodes and determining presence of touch in the touch element by acquiring detection signals generated between the first touch detection electrodes and the second touch detection electrodes,

wherein the touch element controller comprises,

a receiving unit for receiving the detection signals from the first touch detection electrodes;

a memory for storing a detection signal value limit;

a signal extracting unit for extracting the maximum detection signal value out of the detection signal values of the detection signals;

a calculating unit for calculating an adjustment variable by deducting the detection signal value from the maximum detection signal value; and

a touch determination unit for determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment variable.

21. The apparatus for detecting the touch of claim 20, wherein the touch determination unit generates the adjustment detecting signal values by multiplying detection signal values of the detection signals by the adjustment variable, and

determines presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value.

22. A method for detecting touch comprising:

generating detection signals and acquiring the detection signals to be grouped into one or more detection signal groups;

extracting the maximum detection signal value out of detection signal values of the detection signals for each of the detection signal groups;

calculating an adjustment variable by deducting a detection signal value limit from the maximum detection signal value for each of the detection signal groups; and

determining presence of touch in a touch element, using the adjustment variable.

23. The method for detecting the touch of claim 22, wherein the determining of the presence of the touch comprises,

generating an adjustment detection signal value by deducting the adjustment variable from the detection signal values of the detection signals for each of the groups;

and

determining present of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value.

24. The method for detecting the touch of claim 22, wherein the determining of the presence of the touch comprises,

generating an adjustment detection signal value by deducting the product of the adjustment variable and an adjustment factor from detection signal values of the detection signals;

and

determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value, and

the adjustment factor is defined different in accordance with the detection signals.

25. The method for detecting the touch of claim 24, wherein the adjustment factor has the maximum value in a detection signal having the maximum detection signal value, and

the size of the adjustment factor is getting reduced based on a distance with a touch detection electrode in which the detection signal having the maximum detection signal value is detected.

26. The method for detecting the touch of claim 22, wherein the acquiring of the detection signals comprises acquiring the detection signals from touch detection electrodes of the touch element, and

the determining of the presence of the touch comprises,

grouping the touch detection electrodes in accordance with a region of the touch element;

generating an adjustment detection signal an adjustment detection signal value by deducting the product of the adjustment variable and an adjustment factor from the detection signal values of the detection signals for each of the grouped touch detection electrodes; and

determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value, and

the adjustment factor is defined different for each of the touch detection electrode group.

27. The method for detecting the touch of claim 22, wherein the determining of the presence of the touch comprises,

generating an adjustment detection signal critical value by adding the adjustment variable to a detection signal critical value for each of the detection signal group;

and

determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal critical value for each of the detection signal groups.

28. The method for detecting the touch of claim 22, further comprising:

determining whether to re-adjust noise,

wherein the determining whether to re-adjust the noise comprises,

determining the number of touches in the touch element, using the detection signals;

extracting a normal detection rate based on the number of the touches;

generating an adjustment detection signal value, using the adjustment variable;

calculating a rate of adjustment detection signal values larger than detection signal critical values out of the adjustment detection signal values; and

determining whether to re-adjust noise by comparing the calculated rate with the normal detection rate.

29. The method for detecting the touch of claim 22, further comprising:

determining whether to re-adjust noise,

wherein the determining whether to re-adjust the noise comprises,

generating an adjustment detection signal value, using the adjustment variable for each of the detection signal groups;

re-adjusting an adjustment detection signal value having a preset rate or less of the detection signal value limit as zero, when there is an adjustment detection signal value having a preset rate or less of the detection signal value limit out of the adjustment detection signal values.

30. A method for detecting touch comprising:

generating detection signals and acquiring the detection signals to be grouped into one or more detection signal groups;

extracting the maximum detection signal value out of detection signal values of the detection signals for each of the detection signal groups;

calculating an adjustment variable based on a rate of a detection signal value limit to the maximum detection signal value; and

determining presence of touch in a touch element, using the adjustment variable.

31. The method for detecting the touch of claim 30, wherein the determining of the presence of the touch comprises,

generating the adjustment detecting signal values by multiplying detection signal values of the detection signals by the adjustment variable, and

determining presence of touch in the touch element, using the adjustment detection signal value.