KR101715858B1 - Apparatus for driving touch sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch sensor driving apparatus capable of reducing a touch operation time and power consumption by using a group sensing method for each region according to a touch or a local channel sensing method in a selected region, The driving apparatus includes a plurality of first conductive lines and a plurality of second conductive lines. The driving apparatus includes a plurality of regions for dividing the touch sensor into a plurality of regions, The touch controller periodically senses whether or not a touch is detected, selects a touch area when the touch area is generated, and senses whether or not the touch area is touched by using the channel sensing mode only in the selected area.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR DRIVING TOUCH SENSOR [0002]

The present invention relates to a touch sensor driving system, and more particularly, to a touch sensor driving apparatus capable of reducing a touch operation time and power consumption.

2. Description of the Related Art Today, a touch sensor (touch screen, touch panel) capable of inputting information by touching on the screen of various display devices is widely applied as an information input device of a computer system. The touch sensor allows the user to easily use the display information by simply touching the screen with a finger or a stylus to select or move the display information.

The touch sensor senses a touch and a touch position generated on the screen of the display device and outputs the touch information, and the computer system analyzes the touch information and executes an instruction. As a display device, a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel, and an organic light emitting diode display device is mainly used.

As the touch sensor technology, there are resistance film type, capacitive type, optical type, infrared type, ultrasonic type, and electromagnetic type depending on the sensing principle. The touch sensor may be constituted by an on-cell touch sensor manufactured in the form of a panel and attached to the upper part of the display device, or an in-cell touch sensor built in a pixel matrix of the display device ). As a touch sensor, a photo-touch sensor that recognizes a touch according to light intensity using a phototransistor and a capacitive touch sensor that recognizes a touch according to a capacitive variable are mainly used.

Generally, the touch sensor includes a plurality of first conductive lines for supplying a driving signal from a touch controller and a plurality of second conductive lines for outputting a readout signal indicating whether or not a touch is made. The touch controller successively drives the plurality of first conductive lines and sequentially senses the readout signals output from the plurality of second conductive lines to determine whether or not the touches are touched.

However, in the conventional touch controller, the entire first conductive lines of the touch sensor are periodically scanned for each channel periodically regardless of the number of touch points, and a lead-out signal outputted for each channel from the second conductive line is calculated by a touch algorithm, It is judged. Accordingly, in the conventional touch controller, even if the touch point does not occur or the touch point is one, the entire area of the touch sensor is scanned for each channel while touch algorithm operation is performed for each channel to sense the touch, There is a limit in reducing the computation time and power consumption. The touch operation time and the power consumption are increasing as the size of the touch sensor increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch sensing method and a touch sensing method, And a touch sensor driving device capable of reducing power consumption.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch sensor driving apparatus including a plurality of first conductive lines and a plurality of second conductive lines, The touch area is periodically sensed by using the group sensing mode for each divided area, and when the touch area is generated, the touch area is selected, and a touch per channel is selected using the channel sensing mode only in the selected area And a touch controller which senses whether or not the touch panel is touchable.

Wherein the touch controller includes: a group self-sensing mode for grouping the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines for each of the divided regions in the group sensing mode to sense a self-capacitance variable by region, Using one of the group mutual sensing modes for sensing the group; And a channel mutual sensing mode for sensing a mutual-capacitance variable for each channel in the selected region in a channel sensing mode in the selected region.

Wherein the touch controller comprises: a first self-mode block for driving the first conductive lines in the group self-sensing mode; A first mutual mode block for driving the first conductive lines in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode in the selection region; A first mode switching block connecting the first self-mode block or the first mutual mode block to the first conductive lines according to a sensing mode; A second self-mode block for driving the second conductive lines in the group self-sensing mode; A second mutual mode block for driving the second conductive lines in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode in the selection region; A second mode switching block for connecting the second self-mode block or the second mutual mode block to the second conductive lines according to a sensing mode; And a microcontroller unit for controlling the first and second self-mode blocks, the first and second mutual mode blocks, and the first and second mode switching blocks, respectively.

A first driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the first conductive line; A first grouping switch block for grouping the first conductive lines connected through the first mode switching block according to the group self-sensing mode control of the microcontroller unit, for each of the divided areas; And a first self-sensing unit connected to the output line of the first driving signal generating unit through a feedback line and sensing the self-capacitance variable of the first conductive line grouped by the area.

A second driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the second conductive line; A second grouping switch block for grouping the second conductive lines connected through the second mode switching block by the division area according to the group self-sensing mode control of the microcontroller unit; And a second self-sensing unit connected to the output line of the second driving signal generating unit through a feedback line and sensing the self-capacitance variable of the second conductive line grouped by the area.

A third driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the first conductive line; And is connected in common with the third drive signal generation unit and connected to the first conductive lines connected through the first mode switching block on a channel-by-channel basis, and is connected to the group mutual mode or the channel mutual mode control of the microcontroller unit A first channel switching block for selectively switching the driving signal for each channel; The first conductive lines connected between the first channel switching block and the first mode switching block and the first conductive lines connected through the first mode switching block, A third grouping switch block for grouping; A first mutual sensing unit sensing a mutual-capacitance variable of the first conductive lines grouped by the regions; And a second channel switching block connected between the third driving signal generating unit and the first mutual sensing unit and the first channel switching block to selectively connect one end of the first channel switching block to the third channel switching block, And a first transmission / reception switching block connected to an output terminal of the signal generation unit or connected to an input terminal of the first mutual sensing unit.

A fourth driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the second conductive line; And a second mode switching block connected in common to the fourth drive signal generation unit and connected to the second conductive lines connected through the second mode switching block on a channel-by-channel basis, for controlling the group mutual mode or the channel mutual mode control A second channel switching block for switching the driving signal for each channel; The second conduction lines connected between the second channel switching block and the second mode switching block and connected through the second mode switching block to the second conduction line by the divisional area in accordance with the group mutual mode control of the microcontroller unit A fourth grouping switch block for grouping; A second mutual sensing unit sensing a mutual-capacitance variable of the second conductive lines grouped by the regions; And a second channel switching block which is connected between the fourth driving signal generating unit and the second mutual sensing unit and the second channel switching block, And a second transmission / reception switching block connected to the output terminal of the signal generation unit or connected to the input terminal of the second mutual sensing unit.

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The touch sensor may be divided into a plurality of regions before a touch point occurs, and a self-capacitance or a mutual-capacitance sensing may be used as a group sensing method for each region. Method to determine whether to touch each area periodically. In addition, the apparatus and method for driving a touch sensor according to the present invention selects a region where a touch is generated when a touch occurs and determines whether or not the touch region is touched by using a mutual- do.

Accordingly, the driving apparatus of the touch sensor according to the present invention uses the group sensing method for the entire area and the local channel sensing method for the touch area depending on whether the touch is performed, It is possible to shorten the touch sensor drive time and the touch algorithm calculation time compared with the case of scanning and sensing by each other, thereby further reducing power consumption.

1 is a circuit block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a display device including a touch sensor driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the capacitive touch sensor shown in FIG. 1, for example.
3 is a flowchart showing a step-by-step method of driving the touch controller shown in Fig.
4 is a circuit block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the touch controller shown in Fig.
5A and 5B are circuit block diagrams illustrating the detailed configurations of the first and second self-mode blocks shown in FIG. 4, respectively.
6A and 6B are circuit block diagrams illustrating the detailed configurations of the first and second mutual mode blocks shown in FIG. 4, respectively.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display device including a touch sensor driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 includes a display panel 10, a panel driver 16 including a data driver 12 and a gate driver 14 for driving the display panel 10, A timing controller 18 for controlling the driving unit 16, a touch sensor 20 on the display panel 10 and a touch controller 30 for driving the touch sensor 20. The timing controller 18 and the touch controller 30 are connected to the host computer 50.

The timing controller 18 and the data driver 12 may be integrated into respective integrated circuits (ICs), or the timing controller 18 may be embedded in the data drivers 12 and integrated into one IC. The touch controller 30 and the timing controller 18 may be integrated into respective ICs or the touch controller 30 may be embedded in the timing controller 18 and integrated into one IC.

The display panel 10 includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged. The pixel array displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and other images including pointers or cursors. As the display panel 10, a flat panel display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter referred to as a liquid crystal panel), a plasma display panel, and an organic light emitting diode display panel can be mainly used. Hereinafter, a liquid crystal panel will be described as an example.

When a liquid crystal panel is used as the display panel 10, the display panel 10 includes a color filter substrate on which a color filter array is formed, a thin film transistor substrate on which a thin film transistor array is formed, a liquid crystal layer between the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor substrate And a polarizing plate attached to the outer surfaces of the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor substrate, respectively. The display panel 10 displays an image through a pixel matrix in which a plurality of pixels are arranged. Each pixel implements a desired color by a combination of red, green, and blue sub-pixels that adjust the light transmittance by varying the liquid crystal array according to the data signal. Each sub pixel includes a thin film transistor TFT connected to the gate line GL and the data line DL, a liquid crystal capacitor Clc connected in parallel with the thin film transistor TFT, and a storage capacitor Cst. The liquid crystal capacitor Clc charges the difference voltage between the data signal supplied to the pixel electrode through the thin film transistor TFT and the common voltage Vcom supplied to the common electrode, drives the liquid crystal according to the charged voltage, . The storage capacitor Cst stably maintains the voltage charged in the liquid crystal capacitor Clc. The liquid crystal layer is driven by a vertical electric field such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode or VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, or by a horizontal electric field such as an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode or an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode.

The data driver 12 supplies video data from the timing controller 18 to a plurality of data lines DL of the display panel 10 in response to a data control signal from the timing controller 18. [ The data driver 12 converts the digital data input from the timing controller 18 into a positive / negative analog data signal by using a gamma voltage, and outputs a data signal to the data line DL). The data driver 12 includes at least one data IC and is mounted on a circuit film such as TCP, COF, FPC or the like to be attached to the display panel 10 by TAB (Tape Automatic Bonding) On the display panel 10 as shown in Fig.

The gate driver 14 sequentially drives the plurality of gate lines GL formed in the thin film transistor array of the display panel 10 in response to the gate control signal from the timing controller 18. [ The gate driver 14 supplies the gate-on voltage during a corresponding scan period of each gate line GL and supplies the gate-off voltage during the remaining period during which the other gate line GL is driven. The gate driver 14 includes at least one gate IC and is mounted on a circuit film such as a tape carrier package (TCP), a chip on film (COF), or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) Automatic bonding, or may be mounted on the display panel 10 in a COG (Chip On Glass) manner. In addition, the gate driver 14 may be embedded in the display panel 10 in a GIP (Gate In Panel) manner and formed on the thin film transistor substrate together with the pixel array.

The timing controller 18 processes the video data input from the host computer 50 and supplies the video data to the data driver 12. [ For example, in order to improve the response speed of the liquid crystal, the timing controller 18 corrects the data by overdriving driving to add an overshoot value or an undershoot value according to the data difference between adjacent frames, can do. The timing controller 18 is connected to the data driver 12 using a plurality of synchronizing signals input from the host computer 50, that is, a vertical synchronizing signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, a data enable signal, ) And a gate control signal for controlling the driving timing of the gate driver 14 are generated. The timing controller 18 outputs the generated data control signal and gate control signal to the data driver 12 and the gate driver 14, respectively. The data control signal includes a source start pulse and a source sampling clock for controlling the latch of the data signal, a polarity control signal for controlling the polarity of the data signal, and a source output enable signal for controlling the output period of the data signal. The gate control signal includes a gate start pulse and gate shift clock for controlling the scanning of the gate signal, a gate output enable signal for controlling the output period of the gate signal, and the like. The timing controller 18 supplies the synchronizing signal (the vertical synchronizing signal Vsync and the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync) to the touch controller 30 and controls the driving timing of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the driving timing of the touch sensor 20 So that the operation timing of the touch controller 30 can be controlled.

The touch sensor 20 detects a user touch and allows the user to talk with the GUI displayed on the display panel 10. [ The touch sensor 20 mainly uses a capacitive type touch sensor that recognizes a touch by sensing a change in capacitance caused by a small amount of charge moving to a touch point when a conductor such as a human body or a stylus is touched. The touch sensor 20 may be mounted on the display panel 10 or embedded in the pixel array of the display panel 10. [

For example, the capacitive touch sensor 20 attached on the display panel 10 may include a plurality of first sensing electrodes 22 disposed in the lateral direction as shown in FIG. 2, And a plurality of second conductive lines X1 to Xm formed by electrically connecting the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn and the plurality of second sensing electrodes 24 arranged in the longitudinal direction. Each of the first and second sensing electrodes 22 and 24 is mainly formed in a rhombic shape and may be formed in various other shapes. The first and second sensing electrodes 22 and 24 are driven by the touch controller 30 to form a capacitance by a fringe field and a capacitor with a conductive touch object touching the touch sensor 20 And outputs a signal indicating whether or not the touch is made through the first conductive line or the second conductive line by changing the capacitance.

The first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 are divided into a plurality of areas in the group self-sensing mode of the touch controller 30, And may be driven or sensed on a channel-by-channel basis by a channel-by-channel mutual sensing mode. The second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 are also grouped and driven while being grouped in the group self sensing mode of the touch controller 30 and are sensed by the touch controller 30, And can be driven or sensed on a channel-by-channel basis in a sensing mode.

The first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 are grouped and driven or sensed in the group mutual sensing mode of the touch controller 30, And can be driven or sensed on a channel-by-channel basis by the mutual sensing mode for each channel. The second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 are also divided into a plurality of regions in the group mutual sensing mode of the touch controller 30 and are grouped and driven or sensed by the regions and selected by the touch controller 30 And may be driven or sensed on a channel-by-channel basis by a channel-by-channel mutual sensing mode.

The touch controller 30 supplies a driving signal to the touch sensor 20, senses a touch using a signal output from the touch sensor 20, calculates touch information from the sensing result, and supplies the touch information to the host computer 50 do. The touch information calculated from the touch controller 30 may include coordinates of a touch point calculated from the sensing result, the number of touch points, the number of touches within a unit time, a touch duration, and the like.

The touch controller 30 drives the touch sensor 20 in a group sensing mode for each area, that is, a group self sensing mode for each area or a group mutual sensing mode for each area to sense the touch for each area, It operates in the mutual sensing mode for each channel, and performs fine sensing for each channel only in the selected area.

3, the touch controller 30 divides the touch sensor 20 into a plurality of areas until a touch point is detected, and outputs a group sensing mode such as a group self-sensing mode or a group- And the touch sensing for each area is periodically repeated (S2, S4). When at least one touch area is detected in the group sensing mode for each area (S4), the touch controller 30 selects the area where the touch is generated (S6). Then, only the selected touch area is driven in the mutual-capacitance sensing mode for each channel to fine-tune the touch for each channel (S8). Touch information including touch point coordinates and touch point number is calculated from the fine sensing signal, (S10).

The group self-sensing mode divides the touch sensor 20 into a plurality of regions and groups the first conductive lines in each region (by shorting) to simultaneously scan the first conductive lines grouped, Sensing the change of the self-capacitance by using a signal that is detected by the sensor. Then, by sensing the change in the self-capacitance using signals fed back through the grouped second conductive lines while grouping the second conductive lines in each region (by shorting) and simultaneously scanning the grouped second conductive lines, Sensing whether touching.

The group mutual sensing mode divides the touch sensor 20 into a plurality of regions, simultaneously grouping the first conductive lines in each region (by shorting) the first conductive lines and scanning the second conductive lines in each region By sensing the mutual-capacitance change using the output of the second conductive lines grouped (shorted) by grouping, the sensing of each region is detected. Conversely, the group mutual sensing mode may group and scan the second conductive lines of each region, and may group and sense the first conductive lines of each region.

The mutual sensing mode for each channel sequentially scans a plurality of first conductive lines included in the selected touch region sequentially for each channel and senses a mutual capacitance change for each channel through a plurality of second conductive lines included in the selected region, Sensing whether or not to touch each channel only.

The host computer 50 supplies image data and a plurality of synchronizing signals to the timing controller 18, analyzes the touch information input from the touch controller 30, and executes a command corresponding to the touch operation of the user.

4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the touch controller shown in Fig.

The touch controller 30 shown in FIG. 4 includes a first self-mode block 32 selectively connected to the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 through a first mode switching block 33, A first mutual mode block 34 and a second self mode block 36 selectively connected to the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 through a second mode switching block 37, A second mutual mode block 38 and a microcontroller unit (MCU) (hereinafter referred to as "MCU") 38 for controlling the self-mode blocks 32 and 36 and the mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 and the mode switching blocks 33 and 37 36).

The touch sensor 20 includes n first conductive lines Y1 through Yn and first and second conductive lines Y1 through Yn that are insulated from each other (m is a positive And the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the second conductivity type. The touch sensor 20 includes i × j = k (i is a number smaller than n in the vertical direction division) so as to include a predetermined number of the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn and the second conductive lines X1 to Xm (# 1 to # k) of positive integer, where j is a positive integer smaller than m, and k is a positive integer.

The first mode switching block 33 responds to the sensing mode of the MCU 40 by connecting the first self mode block 32 or the first mutual mode block 34 to the first conductive lines Y1 To Yn. Specifically, the first mode switching block 33 responds to the group self-sensing mode of the MCU 40 by connecting the first self-mode block 32 to the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 And connects the first mutual mode block 34 to the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 in response to the channel mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40. [ Alternatively, the first mode switching block 33 may connect the first mutual mode block 34 to the first conductive lines (not shown) of the touch sensor 20 in response to the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40 Y1 to Yn.

The second mode switching block 37 responds to the sensing mode of the MCU 40 by connecting the second self mode block 36 or the second mutual mode block 38 to the second conductive lines Y1 To Yn. Specifically, the second mode switching block 37 responds to the group self-sensing mode of the MCU 40 by connecting the second self-mode block 36 to the second conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 And connects the second mutual mode block 38 with the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 in response to the channel mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40. [ The second mode switching block 37 is responsive to the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40 to connect the second mutual mode block 38 to the second conductive lines of the touch sensor 20 X1 to Xm).

The first self-mode block 32 is connected to the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 through the first mode switching block 33 in the group self-sensing mode. The first self-mode block 32 divides the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn into i regions in response to the control of the MCU 40 and groups the first conductive lines in each region (by shorting) A driving signal is supplied to the first conductive lines grouped by region, and a self-capacitance change is sensed by using a signal fed back through the grouped first conductive lines, thereby sensing whether the region is touched by each region.

The second self-mode block 36 is connected to the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 through the second mode switching block 37 in the group self-sensing mode. The second self-mode block 36 divides the second conductive lines X1 to Xm into j regions in response to the control of the MCU 40 and groups (shorts) the second conductive lines to each other in each region, A driving signal is supplied to the second conductive line grouped by the area, and a self-capacitance change is sensed by using a signal fed back through the grouped second conductive line to sense whether the area is touched.

For example, each of the first and second self-mode blocks 32 and 36 compares the delay time of the signal fed back through the grouped conductive line with a preset reference value, and determines whether the area is touched according to the comparison result . When a touch is generated in each region, the capacitance of the region is varied (increased), so that the delay time of the feedback signal from the first or second conductive lines grouped in each region is varied (increased) It is possible to sense whether or not each region is touched according to the difference between the delay time and the reference value.

The first mutual mode block 34 is connected to the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 through the first mode switching block 33 in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode. The first mutual mode block 34 divides the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn into i regions in response to the group mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40 and groups the first conductive lines in each region And supplies driving signals to the first conductive lines grouped by region. The first mutual mode block 34 sequentially supplies drive signals to the first conductive lines of the selected region in response to the channel mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40 for each channel.

The second mutual mode block 38 is connected to the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 through the second mode switching block 37 in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode. The second mutual mode block 38 divides the second conductive lines X1 to Xm into j regions in response to the group mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40 and groups the second conductive lines in each region By sensing the mutual-capacitance change by using the output signal of the second conductive line grouped by the area, whether or not the touch is detected by the area. The second mutual mode block 38 sequentially senses the mutual-capacitance change for each channel using the output signals of the second conductive lines of the selected region in response to the channel mutual sensing mode of the MCU 40, Sensing whether or not a star is touching. For example, the second mutual mode block 38 compares the output signal (current or voltage) of the second conductive line grouped by region with a preset reference value (current or voltage) And compares the output signal of the second conductive line for each channel in the selected region with another preset reference value and judges whether or not to touch each channel according to the comparison result.

On the other hand, in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode according to the transmission / reception mode control of the MCU 40 according to the option setting of the designer or the user, the second mutual mode block 38 receives the second conductive lines X1 to Xm , And the first mutual mode block 34 can sense whether or not to touch each region and each channel by using output signals of the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn.

The MCU 36 controls the first and second mode switching blocks 33 and 37 so that the first and second self mode blocks 32 and 36 are connected to the touch sensor 20, And the first and second mode switching blocks 33 and 37 so that the first and second mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 are connected to the touch sensor 20.

In other words, in the group sensing mode until the touch area is generated, the MCU 36 controls the first and second mode switching sections 32 and 36 so that the first and second self-mode blocks 32 and 36 are connected to the touch sensor 20, Blocks 33 and 37 are controlled. When the touch region is generated in the group sensing mode, the first and second mode switching blocks 33 and 34 are switched to the channel sensing mode so that the first and second mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 are connected to the touch sensor 20, 37). At this time, the MCU 36 controls the first and second mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 so that only the first and second conductive lines of the selected region are selected by selecting the area where the touch is generated

Alternatively, the MCU 36 may connect the first and second mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 to the touch sensor 20 in the group sensing mode until the touch area is generated according to the option setting of the designer or the user The first and second mode switching blocks 33 and 37 can be controlled. That is, the designer (user) controls the MCU 40 through option setting to select the group self-sensing mode using the first and second self-mode blocks 32 and 36 in the group sensing mode, The group mutual sensing mode using the mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 can be selected.

Meanwhile, the touch controller 30 can drive both the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode using only the first and second mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 without setting the option of the designer (user). In this case, the first and second self-mode blocks 32 and 36 and the first and second mode switching blocks 33 and 37 may be omitted in the touch controller 30 shown in Fig. 3, thereby simplifying the circuit .

In addition, the MCU 40 calculates touch coordinates using the sensing data input from the first mutual mode block 34 or the second mutual mode block 38 on a channel-by-channel basis in the channel sensing mode, And supplies the coordinates to the host computer 50. In addition, the MCU 40 may calculate the number of touch points from the calculated touch coordinate values, count the number of touch points within a unit time, calculate the number of touches, or calculate the touch duration within a unit time.

5A and 5B are circuit block diagrams illustrating the detailed configurations of the first and second self-mode blocks 32 and 36 shown in FIG. 4, respectively.

The first self-mode block 32 shown in FIG. 5A includes a first PWM generator 60 for generating a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, a second PWM generator 60 for generating an output of the first PWM generator 60 A first self-sensing unit 62 connected in parallel through a line and a feedback line, a first self-sensing unit 62 connected in common to an output line of the first PWM generator 60 and a feedback line of the first self- And a first grouping switch block 64 for dividing the n input lines I1 to In of the block 33 into i regions and sequentially grouping the input lines I1 to In in the divided regions.

The first mode switching block 33 connects the n first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 to the n channels of the first self mode block 32 under the control of the MCU 40 And n first mode switches SY1 to SYn for connecting to the n channels of the first mutual mode block 34 shown in FIG. 4 on a channel-by-channel basis. 5A, the first mode switching block 33 responds to the control of the MCU 40 to connect the n first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 to the first self- and n channels are connected to each other on a channel-by-channel basis.

The first PWM generator 60 generates and outputs a first PWM signal for driving the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20.

The first self-sensing unit 62 receives the delay time of the feedback signal from the grouped first conductive lines Y1 to Yn via the feedback line connected in parallel with the output line of the first PWM generator 60 By sensing according to the self-capacitance variable, it is judged whether or not to touch each region.

The first grouping switch block 64 divides the input lines I1 to In of the first mode switching block 33 into i regions and groups them into the divided regions according to the control of the MCU 40, The first conductive lines Y1 to Yn connected to the n input lines I1 to In through the switching block 33 are divided into i regions and grouped by the divided regions. To this end, the first grouping switch block 64 includes a plurality of first grouping switches SA1 to SAi connected between the input lines I1 to In of the first mode switching block 33, . (First conductive lines) of p (where p is a positive integer smaller than n) in each region, and p-1 groups (first conductive lines) for grouping the p input lines 1 grouping switches SA1, SA2, ..., or SAi are connected between the p input lines, respectively. The first grouping switch SA is not formed between the last input line of each area and the first input of the next area. The first grouping switch block 64 switches the first grouping switches SA1, SA2, ..., or SAi of the first mode switching block 33 in the corresponding area under the control of the MCU 40, By grouping the input lines to each other, the first conductive lines in the corresponding region connected through the first mode switching block 33 are grouped. Accordingly, the first PWM signal from the first PWM generator 60 is simultaneously supplied to the first conductive lines of the corresponding region grouped through the first group switch block 64 and the first mode switching block 33 The first self-sensing unit 62 senses a delay time of a signal fed back from the first conductive lines of the corresponding grouped region through the first mode switching block 33 and the first group switch block 64 It is determined whether or not the area is touched.

The second self-mode block 36 shown in FIG. 5B includes a second PWM generator 70 for generating a second PWM signal, and a second PWM generator 70 connected in parallel through an output line of the second PWM generator 70 and a feedback line. 2 self-sensing unit 72 and m input lines (not shown) connected in common to the output line of the second PWM generator 70 and the feedback line of the second self-sensing unit 72, I1 to Im) into j regions and sequentially grouping the regions into j regions.

The second mode switching block 37 controls the n second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 to m channels of the second self mode block 36 under the control of the MCU 40 And m second mode switches SX1 to SXm for connecting to the m channels of the second mutual mode block 38 shown in FIG. 4 on a channel-by-channel basis. 5B, the second mode switching block 37 responds to the control of the MCU 40 to connect the m second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 and the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the second self- and m channels are connected to each other on a channel-by-channel basis.

The second PWM generator 70 generates and outputs a second PWM signal for driving the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20.

The second self-sensing unit 72 receives the delay time of the feedback signal from the grouped second conductive lines X1 to Xm via the feedback line connected in parallel to the output line of the second PWM generator 70 By sensing according to the self-capacitance variable, it is judged whether or not to touch each region.

The second grouping switch block 74 divides the input lines I1 to Im of the second mode switching block 37 into j regions and groups them by division regions according to the control of the MCU 40, The m second conductive lines X1 to Xm connected to the m input lines I1 to Im through the switching block 37 are divided into j regions and grouped according to the divided regions. To this end, the second grouping switch block 74 includes a plurality of second grouping switches SB1 to SBj connected between the input lines I1 to Im of the second mode switching block 37, . (First conductive lines) for each of the s input lines (second conductive lines) when each of the s input lines (second conductive lines) includes s (where s is a positive integer smaller than m) input lines 2 grouping switches SB1, SB2, ..., or SBj are connected between the s input lines, respectively. The second grouping switch SB is not formed between the last input line of each area and the first input of the next area. The second grouping switch block 74 is controlled by the MCU 40 such that the second grouping switches SB1, SB2, ..., or SBj of the second mode switching block 37 The input lines are short-circuited to each other, thereby grouping the second conductive lines in the corresponding area connected through the second mode switching block 37. [ Accordingly, the second PWM signal from the second PWM generator 70 is simultaneously supplied to the second conductive lines of the corresponding region grouped through the second group switch block 74 and the second mode switching block 37 And the second self-sensing unit 72 senses the delay time of the signal fed back from the grouped second conductive lines through the second mode switching block 37 and the second group switch block 74, Sensing whether touching.

6A and 6B are circuit block diagrams illustrating the detailed configuration of each of the first and second mutual mode blocks 34 and 38 shown in FIG.

The first mutual mode block 34 shown in FIG. 6A includes a third PWM generator 80 for generating a third PWM signal, a first mutual sensing unit 82, a third PWM generator 80, A first transmission / reception switching block 84 selectively connected to the first transmission / reception switching block 84 and the first mode switching block 33, a first transmission / reception switching block 84 selectively connected to the first transmission / reception switching block 84 and the first mode switching block 33, And a third grouping switch block 88 for dividing the input lines of the first mode switching block 33 into i regions and grouping the input lines by the divided regions.

6A, the first mode switching block 33 responds to the control of the MCU 40 by connecting n first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20 to the first mutual mode block 34 Connects to n channels on a channel-by-channel basis.

The third PWM generator 80 generates and outputs a third PWM signal for driving the first conductive lines Y1 to Yn of the touch sensor 20.

The first mutual sensing unit 82 receives the first mode switching block 33, the third grouping switch block 88 and the first channel switching block 86 and the first transmission / reception switching block 84 according to the mutual-capacitance variable for each area or for each channel of the selected area, thereby determining whether to touch each channel in each area or in the selected area.

The first transmission / reception switching block 84 controls the output terminal of the third PWM generator 80 or the input terminal of the first mutual sensing unit 82 according to the option of the designer or the user by the MCU 40, To the switching block 86. To this end, the first transmission / reception switching block 84 responds to the control by the MCU 40 to connect the n input lines of the first channel switching block 86 from the one output end of the third PWM generation unit 80 And n transmission / reception switches SC1 through SCn for connecting the n output lines and the n input lines of the first mutual sensing unit 82 on a channel-by-channel basis. When the designer (user) sets the first mutual mode block 34 in the transmission mode, the first transmission / reception switching block 84 controls the output terminal of the third PWM generator 80 to the first channel To the switching block 86. On the other hand, when the designer (user) sets the first mutual mode block 34 to the reception mode, the first transmission / reception switching block 84 controls the input terminal of the first mutual sensing portion 82 under the control of the MCU 40 And connects to the first channel switching block 86.

The first channel switching block 86 is switched on a channel-by-channel basis under the control of the MCU 40 so that n output lines of the first transmission / reception switching block 84 and n input lines of the first mode switching block 33 For each channel. To this end, the first channel switching block 86 is connected to the n output lines of the first transmission / reception switching block 84 and to the n input lines of the third grouping switch block 88, (SE1 to SEn). The first channel switching block 86 is controlled by the MCU 40 so that at least one first channel switch is turned on for each of the divided areas in the group mutual sensing mode or is controlled by the MCU 40 in the channel mutual sensing mode Accordingly, a plurality of first channel switches in the selected area are sequentially turned on.

The third grouping switch block 88 divides the input lines of the first mode switching block 33 into i regions and groups them by division region in the group mutual sensing mode under the control of the MCU 40, The first conductive lines Y1 to Yn connected to the n input lines and the n first conductive lines Y1 to Yn are divided into i regions through the block 33 and grouped according to the divided regions. To this end, the third grouping switch block 88 has the same configuration as the first grouping switch block 64 shown in FIG. 5A. The third grouping switch block 88 is configured such that the third grouping switches SG1, SG2, ..., or SGi in each region are controlled by the MCU 40 such that the first grouping switch block 33 By grouping the input lines to each other, the first conductive lines in the corresponding region connected through the first mode switching block 33 are grouped. Accordingly, in the transmission mode and the group mutual sensing mode, the third PWM signal supplied from the third PWM generation unit 80 via the first transmission / reception switching block 84 and the first channel switch block 86 is supplied to the third Grouping switch block 88 and the first mode switching block 33 to the first conductive lines of the corresponding region grouped together. On the other hand, in the receiving mode and the group mutual sensing mode, the output signals from the first conductive lines of the corresponding region grouped through the third grouping switch block 88 and the first mode switching block 33 are divided into the first channel switching Block 86 and the first transmission / reception switching block 84 to the first mutual sensing portion 82. [ On the other hand, the third grouping switch block 88 is turned off in the channel mutual sensing mode under the control of the MCU 40.

The second mutual mode block 38 shown in FIG. 6B includes a fourth PWM generator 90 for generating a fourth PWM signal, a second mutual sensing unit 92, a fourth PWM generator 90, A second transmission / reception switching block 94 selectively connected to the second transmission / reception switching block 94 and the second mode switching block 37, and a second transmission / reception switching block 94 selectively connected to the second transmission / reception switching block 94 and the second mode switching block 37, A channel switching block 96 and a fourth grouping switch block 98 for dividing the input lines of the second mode switching block 37 into i regions and grouping the input lines according to the divided regions.

6B, the second mode switching block 37 responds to the control of the MCU 40 to connect the m second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 to the second mutual mode block 38 of the second mutual mode block 38 Connects to m channels on a channel-by-channel basis.

The fourth PWM generation unit 90 generates and outputs a fourth PWM signal for driving the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20.

The second mutual sensing unit 92 receives signals from the second conductive lines X1 to Xm of the touch sensor 20 through the second mode switching block 37, the fourth grouping switch block 98, the second channel switching block 96 and the first transmission / reception switching block 94 according to the mutual-capacitance variable for each area or for each channel of the selection area, thereby determining whether to touch each channel or each channel in the selected area.

The second transmission / reception switching block 94 controls the output terminal of the fourth PWM generator 90 or the input terminal of the second mutual sensing unit 92 to the second channel 90 according to the control of the MCU 40, To the switching block 96. To this end, the second transmission / reception switching block 94 responds to the control by the MCU 40 to connect the m input lines of the second channel switching block 96 from the one output end of the fourth PWM generation section 90 And m transmission / reception switches SD1 to SDm for connecting the m output lines and the m input lines of the second mutual sensing unit 92 for each channel. When the designer (user) sets the second mutual mode block 38 to the transmission mode, the second transmission / reception switching block 94 controls the output terminal of the fourth PWM generator 90 to the second channel To the switching block 96. On the other hand, when the designer (user) sets the second mutual mode block 38 to the reception mode, the second transmission / reception switching block 94 controls the input terminal of the second mutual sensing portion 92 under the control of the MCU 40 And connects to the second channel switching block 96.

The second channel switching block 96 is switched on a channel-by-channel basis under the control of the MCU 40 so that m output lines of the second transmission / reception switching block 94 and m input lines of the second mode switching block 37 For each channel. To this end, the second channel switching block 96 is connected to the m output lines of the second transmission / reception switching block 94 and the m input lines of the fourth grouping switch block 98, (SF1 to SFm). At least one second channel switch is turned on for each of the divided areas in the group mutual sensing mode under the control of the MCU 40 or the second channel switching block 96 is controlled by the MCU 40 in the channel mutual sensing mode Accordingly, a plurality of second channel switches in the selected area are sequentially turned on.

The fourth grouping switch block 98 divides the input lines of the second mode switching block 37 into j regions in the group mutual sensing mode under the control of the MCU 40, The m second conductive lines X1 to Xm connected to the m input lines and the m second conductive lines X1 to Xm through the block 37 are divided into j regions and grouped according to the divided regions. To this end, the fourth grouping switch block 98 has the same configuration as the second grouping switch block 74 shown in FIG. 5B. The fourth grouping switch block 98 may be configured such that the fourth grouping switches SH1, SH2, ..., or SHj in each region are controlled by the MCU 40 to control the operation of the second mode switching block 37 The input lines are short-circuited to each other, thereby grouping the second conductive lines in the corresponding area connected through the second mode switching block 37. [ Accordingly, in the transmission mode and the group mutual sensing mode, the fourth PWM signal supplied from the fourth PWM generator 90 via the second transmission / reception switching block 94 and the second channel switch block 96 is supplied to the fourth The grouping switch block 98 and the second mode switching block 37 to the second conductive lines of the corresponding area grouped simultaneously. On the other hand, in the receiving mode and the group mutual sensing mode, the output signal from the second conductive lines of the corresponding region grouped through the fourth grouping switch block 98 and the second mode switching block 37, And is supplied to the second mutual sensing portion 92 via the block 96 and the second transmission / reception switching block 94. On the other hand, the fourth grouping switch block 98 is turned off in the channel mutual sensing mode under the control of the MCU 40.

As described above, the apparatus and method for driving a touch sensor according to the present invention divide a touch sensor into a plurality of areas before a touch point occurs, and use a self-capacitance or a mutual-capacitance sensing method as a group- Periodically judge whether or not to touch the star. In addition, the apparatus and method for driving a touch sensor according to the present invention selects an area in which a touch is generated when a touch occurs, and determines whether or not to touch each channel by using a mutual-capacitance sensing method for each channel only in the selected area.

Accordingly, the apparatus and method for driving a touch sensor according to the present invention can use a group sensing method for an entire region and a local channel sensing method for a touch region according to whether a touch is performed, The touch sensor driving time and the touch algorithm calculation time can be shortened compared to the case of scanning and sensing for each channel, so that the power consumption can be further reduced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

10: display panel 12: data driver
14: gate driver 16: panel driver
18: timing controller 20: touch sensor
30: touch controller 32, 36: self-mode block
33, 37: mode switching block 34, 38: mutual mode block
40: MCU 50: host computer
60, 70, 80, 90: PWM generation unit 62, 72: Self-
64, 74, 88, 98: Grouping switch block 82, 92:
84, 94: transmission / reception switching block 86, 96: channel switch block
Y1 to Yn: first conductive lines X1 to Xm: second conductive lines
SA1 to SAi, SB1 to SBj, SG1 to SGi, SH1 to SHj: Grouping switch
SC1 to SCn, SD1 to SDm: Transmitting / receiving switch
SE1 to SEn, SF1 to SFm: Channel switches
SY1 to SYn, SX1 to SXm: Mode switch

Claims (9)

1. A driving apparatus for a touch sensor including a plurality of first conductive lines and a plurality of second conductive lines,
The touch sensor is divided into a plurality of areas, periodically sensed whether or not the touch area is touched by using the group sensing mode for each divided area, the touch area is selected when the touch area is generated, And a touch controller for sensing whether or not to touch each channel,
The touch controller
A group self-sensing mode in which the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines are grouped in the group sensing mode for each of the divided regions to sense the self-capacitance variable for each region, and a group self-sensing mode for sensing the mutual- Using any one of the mutual sensing modes;
A channel mutual sensing mode for sensing a mutual-capacitance variable for each channel in the selected region in a channel sensing mode in the selected region,
A first self-mode block for driving the first conductive lines in the group self-sensing mode;
A first mutual mode block for driving the first conductive lines in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode in the selection region;
A first mode switching block connecting the first self-mode block or the first mutual mode block to the first conductive lines according to the sensing mode;
A second self-mode block for driving the second conductive lines in the group self-sensing mode;
A second mutual mode block for driving the second conductive lines in the group mutual sensing mode and the channel mutual sensing mode in the selection region;
A second mode switching block for connecting the second self-mode block or the second mutual mode block to the second conductive lines according to a sensing mode;
And a microcontroller unit for controlling the first and second self-mode blocks, the first and second mutual mode blocks, and the first and second mode switching blocks, respectively. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
The first self-mode block
A first driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the first conductive line;
A first grouping switch block for grouping the first conductive lines connected through the first mode switching block according to the group self-sensing mode control of the microcontroller unit, for each of the divided areas;
And a first self-sensing unit connected to the output line of the first drive signal generator through a feedback line and sensing a self-capacitance variable of the first conductive line grouped by the area. The method of claim 4,
The second self-mode block
A second driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal for the second conductive line;
A second grouping switch block for grouping the second conductive lines connected through the second mode switching block by the division area according to the group self-sensing mode control of the microcontroller unit;
And a second self-sensing unit connected to the output line of the second driving signal generating unit through a feedback line and sensing a self-capacitance variable of the second conductive line grouped by the area. The method of claim 5,
The first mutual mode block
A third driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the first conductive line;
And is connected in common with the third drive signal generation unit and connected to the first conductive lines connected through the first mode switching block on a channel-by-channel basis, and is connected to the group mutual mode or the channel mutual mode control of the microcontroller unit A first channel switching block for selectively switching the driving signal for each channel;
The first conductive lines connected between the first channel switching block and the first mode switching block and the first conductive lines connected through the first mode switching block, A third grouping switch block for grouping;
A first mutual sensing unit sensing a mutual-capacitance variable of the first conductive lines grouped by the regions;
And a second channel switching block connected between the third driving signal generating unit and the first mutual sensing unit and the first channel switching block to selectively connect one end of the first channel switching block to the third channel switching block, And a first transmission / reception switching block connected to an output terminal of the signal generation unit or connected to an input terminal of the first mutual sensing unit. The method of claim 6,
The second mutual mode block
A fourth driving signal generator for generating and outputting a driving signal of the second conductive line;
And a second mode switching block connected in common to the fourth drive signal generation unit and connected to the second conductive lines connected through the second mode switching block on a channel-by-channel basis, for controlling the group mutual mode or the channel mutual mode control A second channel switching block for switching the driving signal for each channel;
The second conduction lines connected between the second channel switching block and the second mode switching block and connected through the second mode switching block to the second conduction line by the divisional area in accordance with the group mutual mode control of the microcontroller unit A fourth grouping switch block for grouping;
A second mutual sensing unit sensing a mutual-capacitance variable of the second conductive lines grouped by the regions;
And a second channel switching block which is connected between the fourth driving signal generating unit and the second mutual sensing unit and the second channel switching block, And a second transmission / reception switching block connected to an output terminal of the signal generation unit or connected to an input terminal of the second mutual sensing unit. delete delete

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