KR20160013705A - Touch processor and touch screen apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a touch processing unit capable of freely and quickly switching between a contact type touch sensing mode and a non-contact type touch sensing mode, and a touch screen apparatus using the same. The touch processing unit, processing an input signal in response to an input mode, includes a first touch module and a control unit controlling the first touch module. The first touch module compares a capacity variation with a first reference value to determine whether or not the input signal is generated if the input mode is a touch mode; compares the capacity variation with a second reference value to determine whether or not the input signal is generated if the input mode is a hover mode; and corrects the first reference value and the second reference value individually in a section where the input signal is not generated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a touch processing apparatus and a touch screen apparatus using the touch processing apparatus.

The present invention relates to a touch processing apparatus and a touch screen apparatus using the touch processing apparatus.

Recently, portable terminals such as mobile phones and tablet PCs are widely used. 2. Description of the Related Art [0002] A portable terminal is miniaturized due to convenience of movement, and a touch screen method using a touch panel that detects a touch by a finger or a stylus pen and detects an input signal without using a separate keypad is widely used. The touch panel has a resistive film type and a capacitive type. Capacitive type is more widely used than resistive film type because it can operate more smoothly and recognize multi-touch input.

The electrostatic capacitance method utilizes a capacitance change. When a touch object such as a finger or a stylus directly touches or approaches the touch panel, it is determined that the touch is input because a capacitance change occurs. In recent years, a method has been developed in which the non-contact type touch sensing mode, such as a contact type sensing mode for processing a touch input, and the non-contact type touch sensing mode, when the touch is directly performed, are improved. However, when the touch sensing mode and the non-contact sensing mode are alternately used, an error occurs and the mode switching is not smoothly performed.

KR 2014-0028557 (published on March 20, 2014) KR 2012-0050180 issue (2012.03.01 publication)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch processing apparatus and a touch screen apparatus using the touch processing apparatus which can freely and quickly switch between a contact touch sensing mode and a non-contact touch sensing mode.

A first aspect of the present invention is a touch processing apparatus for processing an input signal in response to an input mode, wherein when the input mode is a touch mode, it is determined that an input signal is generated in comparison with a first reference value, A first touch module for comparing the first reference value with the second reference value to correct the first reference value and the second reference value in an interval where an input signal is generated and an input signal is not generated, and a controller for controlling the first touch module To a touch processing apparatus.

A second embodiment of the present invention provides a touch panel including a touch panel, a drive signal unit for transmitting a drive signal to the touch panel, a sense signal unit for receiving a sense signal from the touch panel, The touch processing unit compares the electrostatic capacitance change amount of the touch panel with the first reference value to determine whether the input signal is generated, and if the input mode is the hover mode, A first touch module for comparing the capacitance change amount of the panel with a second reference value to determine generation of an input signal and correcting a first reference value and a second reference value in an interval in which a capacitance change amount of the touch panel is not generated, And a control unit for controlling the module.

A third aspect of the present invention is a touch screen control method for determining whether an input signal is generated using a first reference value in a touch mode and a second reference value in a hover mode, And a step of correcting the first reference value at least once when the second reference value is repeatedly corrected.

According to the touch screen control apparatus and the touch screen apparatus using the touch screen control apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to freely switch between a mode in which the touch panel can perform the contact-type sensing without additional signal processing and a mode in which the touch- A quick touch response can be generated. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunctions, to perform stable mode switching, and to reduce power consumption.

1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of a touch screen device according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a structural diagram showing the first embodiment of the touch processing unit shown in Fig. 1. Fig.
3 is a structural view showing a second embodiment of a touch screen device according to the present invention.
4 is a timing diagram showing a first embodiment of the operation of the touch screen apparatus according to the present invention.
5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the touch IC shown in Fig. 3 in the active mode.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation of changing the touch IC shown in FIG. 3 from the idle mode to the active mode.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a touch screen device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a touch screen device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a touch screen device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: will be.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. In this specification, the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another element, and the element is not limited by these terms.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of a touch screen device according to the present invention.

1, the touch screen device 100 includes a touch panel 110, a driving signal unit 120 for transmitting a driving signal to the touch panel 110, a sensing signal 120 for transmitting a sensing signal to the touch panel 110, And a touch processor 140 for discriminating the operation mode of the touch panel 110 in response to the sensing signal.

The touch panel 110 includes a plurality of driving lines TX1, TX2, ... Xn-1, TXn arranged in a first direction and a plurality of driving lines TX1, TX2 ... Xn-1, TXn The intersection of the plurality of sensing lines RX11, RX22 ... RXm-1, RXm and the driving lines TX1, TX2 ... Xn-1, TXn and sensing lines RX11, RX22 ... RXm- And a plurality of sensing cells including a mutual capacitance element (C) formed on the sensing electrode.

The plurality of drive lines TX1, TX2 ... Xn-1, TXn and the plurality of sense lines RX1, RX22, RXm-1, RXm may be formed on different layers on a substrate (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The plurality of drive lines TX1, TX2 ... Xn-1, TXn and the plurality of sense lines RX11, RX22 ... RXm-1, RXm may be implemented with a transparent conductive material. The transparent conductive material may be formed of ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide), IZO (Indium-Zinc-Oxide), or CNT (Carbon Nano Tube). An insulating layer (not shown) serving as a dielectric is formed between the plurality of driving lines TX1, TX2, ... Xn-1, TXn and the sensing lines RX11, RX22 ... RXm-1, RXm . 1, the driving lines TX1, TX2, ... Xn-1, TXn and the sensing lines RX11, RX22 ... RXm-1, RXm are arranged in an orthogonal crossing manner But this may be embodied, for example, as an alternate geometry of other geometric configurations (concentric and radial lines of polar array).

When touching an object (not shown) of the touch panel 110, each sensing cell including the mutual capacitance element C may cause a change in capacitance in the mutual capacitance element C, It is possible to determine whether or not the touch is made using the capacitance change amount of the touch panel 110. At this time, the capacitance of each sensing cell of the touch panel 110 may be changed by touching the touch panel 110 directly. If the object is positioned within a predetermined distance without touching the touch panel 110 directly, A capacity change may occur. It can be said that hovering means that an object is positioned within a predetermined distance without directly touching the touch panel 110 and a capacitance change occurs. The capacitance change amount may be larger when the object directly touches the touch panel 110 than when hovering.

The driving signal unit 120 may be connected to a plurality of driving lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn to transmit a driving signal to the touch panel 110. [ The driving signals transmitted to the plurality of driving lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn may be sequentially transmitted, the driving lines may be divided into a plurality of groups, and the driving signals may be simultaneously transmitted to each group. The sensing signal unit 130 may be connected to a plurality of sensing lines RX11, RX22, ..., RXm-1, RXm of the touch panel 110 to receive sensing signals.

The touch processing unit 140 may independently process two or more input modes according to an object touched by the touch screen device 100. [ The input mode to be processed by the touch processing unit 140 may be a touch mode, a hover mode, or a gesture mode. The touch mode is an input mode in which an object directly processes an input signal generated by touching the touch panel 110, a hover mode is an input mode for processing an input signal generated by hovering, and a gesture mode is an object Is an input mode that occurs when the object is located within a predetermined distance from the touch panel 110 and recognizes the case where the object performs a specific operation through mutual capacitance change and its directionality and processes it as an input signal. In the hover mode, a line can be drawn or a specific menu can be selected by using information about touch coordinates including information on a position touched on the touch panel 110, as in the touch mode. However, the gesture mode includes information A specific operation can be performed by moving the object in the specific direction (x-axis movement or Y-axis movement) without requiring the object to approach or move away from the touch panel 110 (z-axis movement).

Fig. 2 is a structural diagram showing the first embodiment of the touch processing unit shown in Fig. 1. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 2, the touch processing unit 200 may process an input signal corresponding to an input mode. When the input mode is the touch mode, the touch processor 200 compares the capacitance change with the first reference value to determine the generation of the input signal. If the input mode is the hover mode, the touch processor 200 compares the capacitance change with the second reference value to determine the generation of the input signal A first touch module 210 for correcting the first reference value and a second reference value, and a controller 230 for controlling the first touch module 210 in a period in which it is determined that no input signal is generated. Here, when the touch processor 200 is connected to the touch panel, the first touch module 210 may determine that the input signal is generated by comparing the corrected capacitance change amount of the touch panel with the first reference value or the second reference value, And the touch processing unit 200 may compare the predetermined signal with the first reference value or the second reference value to determine that an input signal has occurred.

The first touch module 210 executes one of a touch mode and a hover mode by the controller 230 and the first touch module 210 selects one of the first and second reference values corresponding to the selected touch mode or hover mode One can be selected to process the input signal. The first touch module 210 may calculate a capacitance change amount based on the sensing signal received from the sensing signal unit 130 and determine whether an input signal is generated. When the touch mode is executed, the first touch module 210 compares the magnitude of the capacitance change with the first reference value. If the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined that the normal input signal has occurred. If the difference is smaller than the predetermined value It can be judged by the change amount of the electrostatic charge amount caused by the noise. In addition, when the hover mode is executed, the first touch module 210 compares the magnitude of the capacitance change with the second reference value. If the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that a normal input signal is generated. It can be judged that the amount of capacitance change caused by the noise is small. That is, the first touch module 210 can distinguish the input signal from the noise using the first reference value and the second reference value. The magnitude of the capacitance C of each sensing cell of the touch panel 110 shown in FIG. 1 may vary depending on the influence of noise or the like even if no touch or hover is generated. Therefore, if the magnitudes of the first reference value and the second reference value for distinguishing the input signal from the noise are fixed, there is a fear that the noise and the input signal may not be distinguished. Accordingly, the first touch module 210 can correct the first reference value and the second reference value at predetermined time intervals, thereby preventing the first reference value and the second reference value from being fixed, thereby distinguishing the noise from the input signal. The method of correcting the first reference value and the second reference value may use the magnitude of the capacitance of each sensing cell when it is determined that there is no touch input. That is, when the first reference value and the second reference value are set, the first reference value and the second reference value can be corrected by calculating the capacitance of the touch panel 110 when there is no touch input. In addition, when the touch panel 110 is directly touched or when the hover is performed, the capacitance variation of each sensing cell may be different. In the touch mode, the first reference value is used. In the hover mode, the second reference value is used The input signal and the noise can be more accurately distinguished. If the touch mode is changed to the hover mode or the hover mode is changed to the touch mode, the latest reference value corresponding to each mode is selected to determine whether the input signal is generated It is possible to accurately determine whether or not an input signal is generated.

In one embodiment, the touch processing unit 200 may include a memory 240 for storing a first reference value and a second reference value generated by the first touch module 210, respectively. The touch processing unit 140 may include a second touch module 220 for processing the gesture mode and may control the second touch module 220 at the control unit 230. In the second touch module 220, the first reference value and the second reference value may be corrected and stored in the memory 240. The second touch module 220 compares the capacitance change amount with the second reference value. If the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the second touch module 220 determines that a normal input signal is generated. If the difference is less than the predetermined value, can do. That is, the second touch module 220 can distinguish the input signal from the noise using the second reference value. In addition, the second touch module 220 can perform the X-axis scan, the Y-axis scan, and the Z-axis scan in the second touch module 220. The X-axis scan determines whether a capacitance change occurs in the horizontal direction of the touch panel 110. The Y-axis scan determines whether a capacitance change occurs in the vertical direction of the touch panel 110. The Z- It is possible to determine whether the object is approaching or moving away from the touch panel 110 by sensing that the capacitance change amount of the touch panel 110 is changed. The second touch module 220 may perform the X-axis scan and the Y-axis scan continuously after performing the Z-axis scan. When the second touch module 220 performs the Z-axis scan first than the X-axis scan and the Y-axis scan, the subsequent operation can be performed faster than when the X-axis scan or Y-axis scan is performed first.

The controller 230 may cause the first touch module 210 to operate. In addition, the controller 230 may cause the second touch module 220 to operate. When the capacitance change amount is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, the controller 230 controls the Z-axis scan in the second touch module 220, and the first touch module 210 detects the touch, The hover mode is performed when the capacitance change amount is equal to or larger than the first threshold value, and the touch mode is performed when the capacitance change amount is equal to or larger than the second threshold value.

The memory 240 receives and stores the first reference value and the second reference value generated and corrected by the first touch module 210 and the second touch module 220, respectively. Since the memory 240 stores the latest first reference value and the second reference value, it is possible to accurately detect the input signal even when the mode is switched, thereby preventing malfunction.

3 is a structural view illustrating an embodiment of a touch IC employed in the touch screen device according to the present invention.

3, the touch screen device includes a touch panel and a touch IC 300. The touch IC 300 includes a driving signal unit 311, a sensing signal unit 312, a timing control unit (T-CON) 320 An A / D converter 330, a touch processing unit 340, an MCU 360, a ROM 370, and a RAM 380.

The driving signal unit 311 may transmit the driving signal to the touch panel, and the sensing signal unit 312 may receive the sensing signal from the touch panel. The timing controller 320 may control the operations of the driving signal unit 311, the sensing signal unit 312, and the A / D converter 330. The A / D converter 330 may convert the sensing signal received from the sensing signal unit 312 into a digital signal. The touch processing unit 340 receives the digital sensing signal output from the A / D converter 330 and performs the touch processing according to the input mode. The touch processing unit 340 may include a first touch module 340a. In order to recognize a signal input, the touch processing unit 340 determines that a touch input has occurred when the difference between the capacitance change amount and the first reference value is greater than a predetermined value in the touch mode, and when the difference between the capacitance change amount and the second reference value It can be determined that the hover input has occurred when the predetermined value or more is reached. The first touch module 340a may include a first filter 341a and a first base line 342a to apply a first reference value or a second reference value corresponding to the input mode. The first filter 341a may reduce the noise of the sensing signal transmitted from the sensing signal unit 130 and the first baseline 342a may store the reference value for the capacitance of each sensing cell or the entire sensing cell. And the capacitance change amount according to the input signal can be calculated by comparing with the input signal. In addition, the first baseline 342a may correct the first reference value corresponding to the touch mode and the second reference value corresponding to the hover mode, respectively, and store the corrected second reference value in the memory 342. [ If the touch mode is changed to the hover mode or the hover mode is changed to the touch mode by storing and applying the reference values in the touch mode and the hover mode through the first base line 342a, It is possible to determine whether an input signal has been generated, thereby accurately determining whether or not an input signal is generated. In addition, the touch processing unit 340 may include a second touch module 220 to recognize a signal input in the gesture mode.

The second touch module 340b may determine that a gesture input occurs when the difference between the capacitance change amount and the second reference value is greater than a predetermined value in the gesture mode. The second touch module 340b may include a second filter 341b and a second base line 342b to apply a second reference value. The second baseline 342b may be coupled to the memory 343 to determine whether an input signal has occurred by applying a second reference value corrected by the first baseline 342a. Also, when the second touch module 340b is operated, the second baseline 342b may correct the first reference value and the second reference value. In addition, the second touch module 340b can scan the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis according to the gesture mode, and can perform the X axis scan and the Y axis scan after performing the Z axis scan. In addition, the second touch module 340b may further include a wake-up circuit 344b and may cause the wake-up circuit 344b to initiate a Z-axis scan when a wake-up signal occurs. The wakeup circuit 344b may generate a wake up signal in response to a direct touch.

The MCU 360 can control the touch IC 300 and the ROM 370 and the RAM 380 can store programs and the like related to the operation of the touch IC 300 such as firmware.

4 is a timing chart showing a first embodiment of the operation of the touch IC shown in Fig.

Referring to FIG. 4, the touch IC 300 may be in a stand-by mode when power is applied (T1), and when a wakeup command is transmitted, the touch IC 300 transmits a wake- (wake-up mode) (T2). In the wakeup mode, only a direct touch input signal can be used as a wakeup command to detect a touch. At this time, the MCU 360 may be in the off state, but the timing controller 320 generates a high frequency clock and transfers the clock to the driving signal unit 311 and the sensing signal unit 312 to sense only the direct touch input signal can do. In the wake-up mode, if the change amount of the capacitance due to the input signal is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the touch mode can be activated (T3). The wakeup circuit 344b may generate an interrupt to turn on the MCU 360 to be in an active mode. In the active mode, the touch IC 300 can select the input mode in one of the touch mode, the hover mode, and the gesture mode, and detect the input signal by the selected mode. Also, the touch IC 300 may perform the hover mode when the capacitance variation is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and may perform the touch mode when the capacitance variation is greater than or equal to the second threshold. At this time, if the input signal does not occur even after a predetermined time elapses after the last input signal is generated (time over), the touch IC 300 may be in an idle mode (T4). The idle mode is for reducing power consumption, and the touch processing unit 340 may perform only a Z-axis scan with a short scan time to determine whether an input signal has been generated. If the input signal is not generated for a predetermined time in the idle mode, the wake-up mode may occur (T5).

5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the touch IC shown in Fig. 3 in the active mode.

5, a indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs the touch mode, b indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs the hover mode, c indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs the gesture mode and the hover mode, Mode, and d indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs only the gesture mode. The touch processing unit 340 repeats the scan and the sleep. One scan and one sleep can occur within a 10ms period. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, scan and slip are shown as occurring periodically, but are not so limited. The scan performed in the touch mode may be referred to as a touch scan, and the scan performed in the hover mode may be referred to as a hover scan. In addition, since the touch mode, the hover mode, and the gesture mode require a fast response time in the active mode, the touch processing unit 340 can perform scanning at the same cycle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the touch processing unit 340 operates in the touch mode, the touch scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in a. During the time when the touch is not generated, the first baseline 342a includes a first reference value, The capacitance change amount is calculated and the first reference value is applied to determine whether the input signal is generated. At this time, the touch processing unit 340 can correct the first reference value. When the touch processing unit 340 operates in the hover mode, the hover scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in b. At this time, the first base line 342a calculates the capacitance change amount by filtering the first reference value, the second reference value, and the locally input sensed signal for a period of time during which no touch occurs, and compares the calculated capacitance change with the second reference value, Can be determined. At this time, the touch processor 340 can simultaneously correct the first reference value and the second reference value. If the difference between the electrostatic capacitance change amount and the second reference value is greater than the second threshold value (threshold2), the touch processing unit 340 performs the mode change to the touch mode and operates the touch mode. The mode may be switched to the hover mode again if it is determined that no input signal is generated until a predetermined time elapses. When the touch processing unit 140 performs the gesture mode and the hover mode together, the Z axis scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in c. At this time, the first baseline 342a can simultaneously correct the first reference value and the second reference value at every predetermined period. When the difference between the electrostatic capacitance change amount and the second reference value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value threshold1, the microcomputer operates in the hover mode and operates in the hover mode. If the difference between the electrostatic capacitance change amount and the second reference value falls below the second threshold value threshold2 ), It is possible to operate in the touch mode. However, if the difference between the capacitance change amount and the second reference value is smaller than the first threshold value (threshold1), the gesture mode can be continuously operated. Here, the first threshold value (threshold1) may be smaller than the second threshold value (threshold2). When the touch processing unit 140 performs only the gesture mode, the Z-axis scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in d. At this time, the first baseline 342a may correct the first reference value every predetermined period. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second baseline 342b may correct the first reference value. If the difference between the capacitance change amount and the second reference value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (threshold2), the touch mode is performed. If the input signal is not transmitted until the predetermined time elapses after the last input signal is generated, the mode may be returned to the gesture mode. Also, if the difference between the capacitance change amount and the second reference value is smaller than the first threshold value (threshold 1), the operation can continue in the gesture mode.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation of changing the touch IC shown in FIG. 3 from the idle mode to the active mode.

6, a indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs the gesture mode and the hover mode together, b indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs the gesture mode, c indicates the touch processing unit 340 Indicates that only the hover mode is performed at the same time, and d indicates that the touch processing unit 340 performs only the touch mode. The touch processing unit 340 repeats the scan and the sleep. One scan and one sleep can occur within a 10ms period. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, scan and slip are shown as occurring periodically, but are not so limited. The scan performed in the touch mode may be referred to as a touch scan and the scan performed in the hover mode may be referred to as a hover scan.

If the touch processing unit 340 performs the gesture mode and the hover mode together, it is possible to repeat the Z-axis scan and the sleeping as shown in a in the idle mode. At this time, the first baseline 342a may filter the sensing signal to calculate the capacitance change amount and correct the first reference value and the second reference value using the calculated capacitance variation amount. When the magnitude of the capacitance change amount is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (threshold 3), the idle mode can be switched to the active mode. In the active mode, the hover mode can be performed when the capacitance change amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (threshold 1). When the electrostatic capacitance change amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (threshold2), the touch mode can be performed. When the touch processing unit 140 operates in the gesture mode without operating the hover mode, the Z-axis scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in b in the idle mode. At this time, the first base line 342a may filter the sensing signal to compensate the first reference value by using the capacitance change amount calculated by the capacitance change amount. When the magnitude of the capacitance change amount is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (threshold 3), the idle mode can be switched to the active mode. If the capacitance change amount is greater than the second threshold value (threshold2) in the active mode, the touch mode operation is performed. If the input signal is not delivered until a predetermined time elapses after the last input signal is transmitted after operating in the touch mode, . If the touch processing unit 340 operates in the hover mode without operating the gesture mode, the Z-axis scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in c in the idle mode. At this time, the first base line 342a may filter the sensing signal to calculate the capacitance change amount and correct the first reference value and the second reference value at the same time by using the calculated capacitance change amount. When the difference between the input signal and the second reference value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value (threshold 1), the idle mode is switched to the active mode and the active mode is operated in the hover mode. If the difference between the input signal and the second reference value exceeds the first threshold value (threshold 1) after the operation in the hover mode, the operation can be performed in the touch mode. When the touch processing unit 340 performs only the touch mode, the Z-axis scan and the sleep are repeated as shown in d in the idle mode. At this time, the first base line 342a may filter the sensing signal to calculate the capacitance change amount and correct the first reference value by using the calculated capacitance change amount. When the capacitance change amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (threshold2), the idle mode is switched to the active mode and the active mode is operated in the touch mode. If the input signal is not transmitted until a predetermined time elapses after the last input signal is generated in the operation in the touch mode, the idle mode may be established.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a touch screen device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the touch screen device control method can determine whether an input signal is generated using a first reference value in a touch mode and a second reference value in a hover mode. The touch screen device control method first performs a gesture mode (S700). Gesture mode is to perform X axis scan, Y axis scan and Z axis scan. After performing Z axis scan, X axis scan and Y axis scan can be performed continuously. Also, the gesture mode may perform the hover mode when the amount of touch change is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value after performing the Z-axis scan, and may perform the touch mode if the touch change amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value .

When the mode is switched from the gesture mode to the hover mode, the second reference value may be repeatedly corrected corresponding to the hover mode (S710). It is possible to determine whether the input signal is generated by using the latest second reference value by correcting the second reference value. In addition, in the hover mode, when the second reference value is repeatedly corrected, the first reference value may be corrected at least once (S720). When the first reference value and the second reference value are corrected, the electrostatic capacitance value of each sensing cell in a state in which no touch is input to the touch panel can be used.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a touch screen device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the touch processing unit 340 can determine whether the gesture mode is on in the active mode (S800). If the gesture mode is not on, it can be determined whether the hover mode is on (S811). If the gesture mode is on, the Z axis scan is performed (S820), and it is determined whether the hover mode is on (S821). If the hover mode is on, the hover is detected (S822), and if the hover mode is not on, it can be determined whether the touch is sensed (S823). At this time, whether or not the touch is detected can be determined by using the difference between the change amount of the capacitance and the first reference value. If it is determined that there is no touch detection, the X axis scan and the Y axis scan can be performed (S824). If it is time to correct the first reference value and the second reference value, the correction can be made (S825). When the correction is completed, a touch scan or a hover scan can be performed (S826). Then, if it is not the time to perform the correction or the touch scan or the hover scan is finished, the gesture detection can be performed (S827). The gesture detection can be performed by using the difference of the second reference value in the capacitance change amount. If the gesture is recognized, the operation corresponding to the recognized gesture is processed (S828) and the Z axis scan can be performed again (S870). If the gesture is not recognized and the predetermined time has elapsed, the user can enter the idle mode (S829). If the hover is detected in step S822, the hover scan can be performed. If the hover is detected in step S811, the hover scan can be performed (S830). It is determined whether or not the touch is detected during the hover scan (S831), and if the touch is detected, the touch mode may be performed to perform the touch scan (S812). If the touch is not detected in step S831, it may be determined whether the hover is sensed (step S834). At this time, if it is determined that the time is to be corrected, the first reference value and the second reference value can be corrected (S832). When the hover input is detected, the coordinates of the touch panel that has been input as the hover can be recognized (S836), and continuous hover scanning can be performed (S830). In addition, if the hover input is not detected until a predetermined time elapses after the hover input is detected, the idle mode may be set (S835). If the touch is detected in step S812 and the touch is detected, the touch coordinates are recognized (S814) and the touch scan can be performed again (S812). If the touch input is not detected until a predetermined time elapses after the last touch input is sensed, the idle mode may be set (S815).

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a touch screen device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the Z axis can be scanned in the idle mode (S900). At this time, it is possible to determine whether the touch input is generated using the capacitance change amount (S910). If it is determined that the touch input is generated by comparing the capacitance change amount and the first reference value, the touch mode can be performed in the active mode (S911). If the touch input is not generated, it is determined whether the hover input is sensed using the capacitance change amount and the second reference value (S920). When the hover input is detected, the active mode is entered and the hover mode can be executed (S921). If the hover input has not occurred, it can be determined whether the gesture input is detected (S930). When the gesture input is detected, the active mode is entered and the gesture mode is set (S931). Then, it is determined whether or not the time for correction has been reached (S940). If the next input is not generated without correction, the idle mode is maintained. When the correction is made, it is determined whether the mode is the hover mode (S950). In the hover mode, the first reference value and the second reference value are corrected (S951). If the mode is not the hover mode, the first reference value is corrected (S952). If the next input is not generated, the idle mode is maintained (S960)

The method of controlling a touch screen device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a program command that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magnetic media such as floppy disks; Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine language code such as those produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

In the claims hereof, the elements depicted as means for performing a particular function encompass any way of performing a particular function, such elements being intended to encompass a combination of circuit elements that perform a particular function, Or any form of software, including firmware, microcode, etc., in combination with circuitry suitable for carrying out the software for the processor.

Reference throughout this specification to " one embodiment ", etc. of the principles of the invention, and the like, as well as various modifications of such expression, are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, it means. Thus, the appearances of the phrase " in one embodiment " and any other variation disclosed throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It will be understood that the term " connected " or " connecting ", and the like, as used in the present specification are intended to include either direct connection with other components or indirect connection with other components. Also, the singular forms in this specification include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, components, steps, operations, and elements referred to in the specification as " comprises " or " comprising " refer to the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, elements, and / or devices.

100: touch screen device 110: touch panel
120: driving signal unit 130: sensing signal unit
140:

Claims (22)

A touch processing apparatus for processing an input signal corresponding to an input mode,
If the input mode is the touch mode, it is determined that the input signal is generated by comparing the capacitance change amount with the first reference value. If the input mode is the hover mode, the input capacitance is compared with the capacitance change amount and the second reference value, A first touch module for correcting the first reference value and the second reference value, respectively, And
And a control unit for controlling the first touch module. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first touch module executes one of a touch mode and a hover mode by the control unit and the first touch module selects the first reference value and the second reference value corresponding to the selected touch mode or hover mode, Processing unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first touch module includes a first baseline for correcting the first reference value and the second reference value and determining generation of an input signal by applying the first reference value and the second reference value. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the first baseline corrects the second reference value during the hover mode execution at predetermined time intervals and corrects the first reference value at least once with the second reference value. The method according to claim 1,
And a memory for storing a first reference value and a second reference value corrected by the first touch module. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller switches the first touch module to the touch mode when the magnitude of the input signal during the execution of the hover mode is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The method according to claim 1,
And a second touch module which is controlled by the controller and processes the input signal by comparing the second reference value with the second reference value when the input mode is the gesture mode. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the second touch module performs the X-axis scan, the Y-axis scan, and the Z-axis scan, and performs the Z-axis scan and the X-axis scan and the Y-axis scan successively. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the control unit causes the first touch module to operate when the magnitude of the input signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold after performing the Z axis scan in the second touch module, Performs the hover mode if the input signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and performs the touch mode if the input signal is greater than or equal to a second threshold value. Touch panel;
A driving signal unit for transmitting a driving signal to the touch panel;
A sensing signal unit for receiving a sensing signal from the touch panel;
And a touch processing unit for processing an input signal using the sensing signal received from the sensing signal unit corresponding to an input mode of the touch panel,
The touch processing unit
Wherein the input signal generation unit compares the electrostatic capacitance change amount of the touch panel with the first reference value to determine generation of an input signal when the input mode is the touch mode and compares the electrostatic capacitance change amount of the touch panel and the second reference value when the input mode is the hover mode, A first touch module that corrects the first reference value and the second reference value in an interval in which the capacitance change amount of the touch panel is not generated; And
And a controller for controlling the first touch module.
And a memory for storing a first reference value and a second reference value generated and corrected by the first touch module, respectively. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the first touch module executes one of a touch mode and a hover mode by the control unit and the first touch module selects the first reference value and the second reference value corresponding to the selected touch mode or hover mode, To the touch screen device. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the first touch module includes a first baseline for correcting the first reference value and the second reference value and determining generation of an input signal by applying the first reference value and the second reference value. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the first baseline corrects the second reference value during the hover mode execution at predetermined time intervals and corrects the first reference value at least once with the second reference value. 11. The method of claim 10,
And a memory for storing a first reference value and a second reference value corrected by the first touch module, respectively. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the controller switches to the touch mode when the amount of capacitance change during execution of the hover mode is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. 11. The method of claim 10,
And a second touch module that is controlled by the control unit and compares the second reference value with the second reference value when the input mode is the gesture mode. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the second touch module performs the X-axis scan, the Y-axis scan, and the Z-axis scan, and performs the Z-axis scan and the X-axis scan and the Y-axis scan successively. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the control unit causes the first touch module to operate when the amount of change in touch is equal to or greater than a first threshold after performing the Z axis scan in the second touch module, And performs the hover mode when the touch change amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value and performs the touch mode when the touch change amount is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. A touch screen control method for determining whether an input signal is generated using a first reference value in a touch mode and using a second reference value in a hover mode,
Repeatedly correcting the second reference value corresponding to the hover mode; And
And correcting the first reference value at least once when the second reference value is repeatedly corrected. 20. The method of claim 19,
And switching to the touch mode when the amount of electrostatic capacitance change in the hover mode is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. 20. The method of claim 19,
A gesture mode in which the X-axis scan, the Y-axis scan, and the Z-axis scan are performed before the step of correcting the second reference value, and the X-axis scan and the Y- The method comprising the steps of: 22. The method of claim 21,
Wherein the gesture mode performs the hover mode when the amount of touch change is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value after the Z-axis scan is performed, and if the touch change amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, The method comprising the steps of:

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