KR20240041787A - Touch input device and method for touch driving thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a touch input device and a touch driving method thereof, and more specifically, to determine the floating ground state of the touch input device and the intensity (severity) of the floating ground state, and detect it in the floating ground state. The present invention relates to a touch input device capable of restoring a normal ground touch signal to a touch signal in a normal ground state and a touch driving method thereof.

Description

Touch input device and its touch driving method {TOUCH INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TOUCH DRIVING THEREOF}

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a touch input device and a touch driving method thereof, and more specifically, to determine the floating ground state of the touch input device and the intensity (severity) of the floating ground state, and detect it in the floating ground state. The present invention relates to a touch input device capable of restoring a normal ground touch signal to a touch signal in a normal ground state and a touch driving method thereof.

Various types of input devices are used to operate computing systems. For example, input devices such as buttons, keys, joysticks, and touch screens are used. Due to the easy and simple operation of the touch screen, the use of the touch screen when operating computing systems is increasing.

A touch sensor is a type of information input device and can be provided and used on a display panel. For example, the touch sensor may be attached to one side of the display panel or may be manufactured and used integrally with the display panel. The user can input information by touching the touch sensor while viewing the image displayed on the screen of the display panel.

A touch input device equipped with a conventional touch screen panel has a problem in a low ground mass (LGM) situation. The above problem occurs when the touch sensor is implemented with a single-layer or double-layer driving electrode and a receiving electrode, and the user does not hold the touch input device on which the touch sensor is mounted (floating GND state or LGM state). This is a phenomenon in which when a certain touch occurs, a signal that should be normally sensed disappears from the perspective of the touch input device, or the signal that should be sensed is split and the signal is sensed as having been touched at two or more points.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a touch input device and a touch driving method thereof that can distinguish whether the touch input device is in a normal ground (good ground) state or a floating ground (floating GND) state.

Additionally, a touch input device capable of determining the extent of the floating ground state and a touch driving method thereof are provided.

Additionally, a touch input device capable of restoring a received signal in a floating ground state to a received signal in a normal ground state (good ground) and a touch driving method thereof are provided.

In addition, a touch input device and a touch driving method thereof are provided that can restore a received signal in a floating ground state to a received signal in a normal ground state (good ground) with minimal additional driving time and power consumption.

A touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; and a control unit that controls the touch sensor, wherein the plurality of first electrodes are arranged along a first direction, and each of the first electrodes is arranged along a second direction different from the first direction. has a predetermined shape, the plurality of second electrodes are arranged along the second direction, each of the second electrodes has a predetermined shape along the first direction, and the controller uses the touch sensor to Controlled to drive in a predetermined driving mode in a time section, wherein the control unit controls a driving signal to be applied to at least one first electrode among the plurality of first electrodes and the driving mode is controlled to apply a driving signal to at least one first electrode among the plurality of first electrodes. Receiving a reception signal from at least one other first electrode, or controlling the driving signal to be applied to at least one second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, and controlling the driving signal to be applied to at least one second electrode to which the driving signal is not applied This mode is for receiving signals from.

Here, the driving mode is such that the control unit controls the driving signal to be applied to the at least one first electrode, receives a first received signal from the at least one other first electrode, and controls the driving signal to be applied to the at least one first electrode. A mode in which the driving signal is controlled to be applied to a first electrode and a second received signal is received from the at least one first electrode, wherein the control unit controls the touch input device based on the first and second received signals. It is possible to determine whether is in a floating ground state.

Here, according to the signs of the first and second received signals, the control unit can determine whether the touch input device is in the floating ground state or in the normal ground state.

Here, the control unit may determine the strength of the floating ground state according to the size of the first and second received signals.

Here, the driving mode includes a mutual mode and a self mode, and in the mutual mode, the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes. It is a receiving mode, and in the self mode, the control unit controls a self-driving signal to be applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and the self-driving signal is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. A mode in which self-reception signals are received from each, and the control unit receives the mutual reception signals in a normal ground state based on the first and second reception signals and the self-reception signals from the plurality of second electrodes. It can be restored as a signal.

Here, the driving mode includes a mutual mode, and the mutual mode is a mode in which the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes. and the driving mode controls the driving signal to be applied to the at least one second electrode, receives a third reception signal from the at least another second electrode, and transmits the drive signal to the at least one second electrode. The method further includes controlling the driving signal to be applied and receiving a fourth received signal from the at least one second electrode, wherein the controller receives the mutual received signal based on the first to fourth received signals. It can be restored to a mutual reception signal under normal ground conditions.

Here, the at least one first electrode and the at least one other first electrode are arranged to alternate along the first direction, and the at least one second electrode and the at least another second electrode are, It may be arranged to alternate along the second direction.

Here, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes may be disposed together on the same layer.

Here, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes may be disposed in different layers.

A method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; and a control unit for controlling the touch sensor, wherein the control unit drives the touch sensor in a predetermined driving mode, and the control unit controls the touch sensor based on a received signal output in the driving mode. and determining whether the touch input device is in a floating ground state, wherein the driving mode includes: the control unit controls a driving signal to be applied to at least one first electrode among the plurality of first electrodes, and the driving signal Receives a reception signal from at least one other first electrode to which the plurality of second electrodes are not applied, or controls the driving signal to be applied to at least one second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes and controls the driving signal to be applied to at least one other second electrode to which the driving signal is not applied. This is a mode in which a reception signal is received from the second electrode.

Here, the driving mode controls the driving signal to be applied to the at least one first electrode, receives a first reception signal from the at least one other first electrode, and transmits the driving signal to the at least one other first electrode. This may be a mode in which the driving signal is controlled to be applied and a second reception signal is received from the at least one first electrode.

Here, the driving mode includes a mutual mode and a self mode, and in the mutual mode, the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes. It is a receiving mode, and in the self mode, the control unit controls a self-driving signal to be applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and the self-driving signal is applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. A mode in which self-received signals are received from each, and based on the first and second received signals and the self-received signals from the plurality of second electrodes, the mutual received signal is restored to a mutual received signal in a normal ground state. It may further include a step of doing so.

Here, the driving mode includes a mutual mode, and the mutual mode is a mode in which the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes. and the driving mode controls the driving signal to be applied to the at least one second electrode, receives a third reception signal from the at least another second electrode, and transmits the drive signal to the at least one second electrode. The method further includes controlling the driving signal to be applied and receiving a fourth received signal from the at least one second electrode, and based on the first to fourth received signals, receiving the mutual received signal in a normal ground state. It may further include restoring to a mutually received signal.

Using the touch input device and its touch driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to distinguish whether the touch input device is in a normal ground (good ground) state or a floating ground (floating GND) state.

Additionally, there is an advantage of being able to determine the extent of the floating ground state.

Additionally, there is an advantage that a received signal in a floating ground state can be restored to a received signal in a normal ground state (good ground).

In addition, there is an advantage that a received signal in a floating ground state can be restored to a received signal in a normal ground state (good ground) with minimal additional driving time and power consumption.

1 is a schematic diagram of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of the touch input device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram to explain an example in which the touch input device 1' is placed in a floating ground state (or LGM state).
Figure 3 shows the touch input device 1' shown in Figure 2 for each touch operation (Thumb, 2Fingers) when it is in a normal ground state (Good GND) and when it is in a floating ground state (Floating GND). 1') The amount of change in capacitance detected in the control unit is shown as a graph.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one pattern structure of the touch sensor 150 included in the touch input device 1' shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a touch driving method of the touch input device 1' shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 shows that when the touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a floating ground state and the thumb touch (Thumb) of FIG. 3 is applied to the touch surface of the touch input device, the control unit performs the touch shown in FIG. 4 This diagram is for explaining received signals obtained by operating the sensor 150 in various driving modes.
Figure 7 is a diagram to explain the result of restoring the mutual reception signal with combination No. 1 in Table 1 above.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of restoring a mutual reception signal in a floating ground state to a mutual reception signal in a normal ground state.
FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a first driving method in which the control unit of the touch input device drives the touch sensor 150 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a second driving method in which the control unit of the touch input device drives the touch sensor 150 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a third driving method in which the control unit of the touch input device drives the touch sensor 150 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The detailed description of the present invention described below refers to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the invention are different from one another but are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures and characteristics described herein may be implemented in one embodiment or another without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, it should be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the detailed description that follows is not intended to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims, together with all equivalents to what those claims assert, if properly described. Similar reference numbers in the drawings refer to identical or similar functions across various aspects.

The touch input device according to various embodiments of the present document is an electronic device, for example, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer, a vehicle display device, a mobile phone, a video phone, It may include at least one of an e-book reader, a laptop personal computer, a netbook computer, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. Here, wearable devices may be accessory-type (e.g., watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted-device (HMD)), fabric- or clothing-integrated (e.g., electronic clothing), etc. ), body-attached type (e.g., skin pad or tattoo), or bioimplantable type (e.g., implantable circuit).

1 is a schematic diagram of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a touch input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a touch sensor 10, a detection unit 11, a driver 12, and a control unit 13.

The driving unit 12 applies a driving signal (or TX signal) to the touch sensor 10 under the control of the control unit 13, and the sensing unit 11 applies a detection signal (or RX signal) received from the touch sensor 10. ) is received.

The driving unit 12 may sequentially supply driving signals to a plurality of driving electrodes of the touch sensor 10. Alternatively, the driver 12 may simultaneously supply a driving signal to at least two of the plurality of driving electrodes of the touch sensor 10.

The sensing unit 11 receives signals output from a plurality of receiving electrodes of the touch sensor 10. Here, the signal may include information on the amount of change in capacitance between adjacent driving electrodes and receiving electrodes, an LGM noise signal, and a display noise signal.

The detection unit 11 may convert signals output from a plurality of receiving electrodes into analog-to-digital conversion and output them. For this purpose, the detection unit 11 may include a comparator and an ADC.

Based on the digital signal output from the sensing unit 11, the control unit 13 may detect whether or not the touch is touched and/or the touch location, whether or not it is in a floating ground state, and the shape of the touch object.

In FIG. 1 , the sensing unit 11, the driving unit 12, and the control unit 13 are shown separately for convenience of explanation, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, at least one or two of the detection unit 11, the driver 12, and the control unit 13 may be implemented as one module, unit, or chip, and the detection unit 11 and the driver ( 12) and the control unit 13 may be implemented as one module, unit, or chip.

The touch input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include a display panel. In this case, the touch sensor 10 may be placed on the display panel or within the display panel. In some cases, the touch sensor 10 may also be placed below the display panel.

In one example, the touch sensor 10 is located on the outer surface (e.g., the upper surface of the upper substrate or the lower surface of the lower substrate) or the inner surface (e.g., the lower surface or lower surface of the upper substrate) of the display panel. It can be formed directly on the upper surface of the substrate. A touch sensor 10 may be combined with the display panel to form a touch screen.

The touch sensor 10 includes a plurality of electrodes of a predetermined shape, and the predetermined electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. Here, when a driving signal is applied to a plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes become a plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm), and the plurality of second electrodes become a plurality of receiving electrodes. These can be electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn).

A plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn) may be arranged to intersect each other. Between the plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) and the plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn), especially at the intersection thereof, a predetermined mutual Capacitances (14, C00, C10,..., Cnm) may be formed.

Each driving electrode (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) extends in the first axis direction, and each receiving electrode (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn) extends in a direction different from the first axis direction. It may extend in the second axis direction. Here, the second axis direction may be perpendicular to the first axis direction.

A plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn) may be placed together on the same layer (1 layer). and can each be placed in different double layers (2 layers). Additionally, some of the plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) may be disposed on different layers from the others, and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., Some of the RXn) may also be placed on different floors from the rest. A plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn) have a diamond pattern, circular shape, oval shape, or polygonal shape. It can have a shape.

A plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn) may be composed of a metal mesh. These plurality of driving electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2,..., TXm) and plurality of receiving electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2,..., RXn) are used in thin film encapsulation (TFE) of the display panel. ) can be patterned on the layer.

FIG. 2 is an example of the touch input device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram to explain an example in which the touch input device 1' is placed in a floating ground state (or LGM state).

Referring to FIG. 2, the floating ground state of the touch input device 1' refers to the state in which the touch input device 1' is not connected to a power cable and is placed on a desk or a wireless charger when the user uses the touch input device (1'). This may be the case when touching the screen without holding the body of 1') with the hand (H). In this floating ground state, the detected touch signal splits or disappears differently than in the normal ground state, and this causes a touch malfunction that is different from the user's intention in the touch input device 1'. Specifically, it will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

Figure 3 shows the touch input device 1' shown in Figure 2 for each touch operation (Thumb, 2Fingers) when it is in a normal ground state (Good GND) and when it is in a floating ground state (Floating GND). 1') The amount of change in capacitance detected in the control unit is shown as a graph.

Referring to FIG. 3, the touch operation on the touch surface of the touch input device 1' includes a thumb touch, two multi-touches in the vertical direction (2 Fingers), and two multi-touches in the horizontal direction (2 Fingers). It can be.

In the floating ground (Floating GND) state for each touch operation, the received signal detected by the control unit by a thumb touch (Thumb) or multi-touch (2 Fingers) is relatively low compared to the normal ground (Good GND) state. You can see that the size is reduced and cracks occur. This attenuation and splitting of the received signal causes malfunction of the touch input device 1'.

The structure of a touch input device that can solve the problem of malfunction of the touch input device in such a floating ground state and a touch sensor that can be used in the touch input device will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one pattern structure of the touch sensor 150 included in the touch input device 1' shown in FIG. 2.

The pattern structure of the touch sensor 150 shown in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) and a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2). , RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7) are placed on different floors.

Each first electrode (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) has a predetermined shape along the row direction (or first direction), and a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2) , TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) are arranged in a row along the column direction. Here, the predetermined shape may be a shape extending long along the row direction as shown in FIG. 4, or, although not shown in the drawing, a plurality of diamond patterns may be electrically connected by a bridge or connection pattern.

Each of the second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7) has a predetermined shape along the column direction (or second direction), and a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7) are arranged in a row along the row direction. Here, the predetermined shape may be a shape extending long along the column direction as shown in Figure 4. Although not shown, multiple diamond patterns may be electrically connected by a bridge or connection pattern.

A plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) and a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7) are arranged orthogonal to each other. (hereinafter referred to as an 'orthogonal pattern'). Here, the first electrode is shown as a driving electrode to which a driving signal is applied, and the second electrode is shown as a sensing electrode (or receiving electrode) to which a sensing signal (or receiving signal) is output. However, the configurations may be opposite to each other.

Meanwhile, although not shown in separate drawings, at least a portion of the plurality of first electrodes and at least a portion of the plurality of second electrodes may be disposed together on the same layer. For example, the first electrode and the second electrode may include a rhombus (or diamond)-shaped pattern, and the diamond-shaped pattern of the plurality of first electrodes and the diamond-shaped pattern of the plurality of second electrodes are in the same layer. can be placed together.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a touch driving method of the touch input device 1' shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5 , for convenience of explanation, a driving method using the touch sensor 150 of the touch input device 1' shown in FIG. 4 is explained. This driving method can also be applied to the touch sensor 150 shown in FIG. 4. . In addition, it can be applied to touch sensors for smartphones, touch sensors for tablet PCs, and touch sensors for TVs other than those shown in (a) and (b) of Figures 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the touch driving method of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the control unit of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention operating a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4). , TX5, TX6, TX7), control to apply a predetermined driving signal (TX) to at least one first electrode, and receive a signal (RX) from at least one other first electrode to which the driving signal (TX) is not applied. Includes a driving mode that receives. Conventionally, a driving signal is applied to a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) and a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6) , RX7) is common, but the touch driving method of the touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, A driving signal is applied to at least one first electrode among (TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7), and a reception signal is received from at least one other first electrode to which no driving signal is applied.

Meanwhile, optionally, the driving mode of the touch driving method of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that the control unit generates a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7 ) may be controlled to apply a predetermined driving signal (TX) to at least one second electrode, and a reception signal (RX) may be received from at least one other second electrode to which the driving signal (TX) is not applied.

In the driving mode, in order for the control unit to obtain each received signal (RX) from all of the plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7), as shown in FIG. 5, The control unit can perform scan A and scan B, respectively.

For example, first, referring to scan A, the controller controls the first group of electrodes located at odd numbers along the column direction among the plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7). A driving signal (TX) may be applied to the first electrodes, and a reception signal (RX) may be received from the first electrodes of the second group located in even numbers.

Next, referring to scan B, the control unit selects the first electrode of the second group located in even numbers along the column direction among the plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7). The driving signal TX may be applied to the electrodes, and the reception signal RX may be received from the first group of odd-numbered first electrodes.

In this way, when scan A and scan B are performed, the control unit can receive a predetermined reception signal (RX) from all of the plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7). there is.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, in the plurality of first electrodes, some (first group) first electrodes and remaining (second group) first electrodes may be arranged alternately one by one, or two The above may be arranged alternately. Likewise, in the plurality of second electrodes, some (of the first group) second electrodes and the remaining (of the second group) second electrodes may be alternately disposed one by one, or two or more of the second electrodes may be alternately disposed. there is.

The control unit can determine whether the touch input device is in a floating ground state based on the received signals (RX) obtained through the driving mode and determine how severe the floating ground state is.

In addition, the control unit restores the mutual reception signal in the floating ground state to the mutual reception signal corresponding to the normal ground state based on the received signals (RX) obtained through the driving mode and the self-received signals obtained through the self-driving mode. can do. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

Meanwhile, although not shown in a separate drawing, the control unit sets the driving mode to a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7) can also be used. For example, first, in scan A, the control unit selects the second electrode of the first group located at odd numbers along the row direction among the plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7). A driving signal (TX) may be applied to the electrodes, and a reception signal (RX) may be received from the second electrodes of the second group located in the even numbers. Next, as scan B, the control unit uses the second group of second electrodes located at even numbers along the row direction among the plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7). The driving signal TX may be applied, and the reception signal RX may be received from the second electrodes of the first group located in odd numbers. In this way, the control unit sets the driving mode to a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) or a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5). , RX6, RX7).

FIG. 6 shows that when the touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a floating ground state and the thumb touch (Thumb) of FIG. 3 is applied to the touch surface of the touch input device, the control unit performs the touch shown in FIG. 4 This diagram is for explaining received signals obtained by operating the sensor 150 in various driving modes.

The first received signal (a) in FIG. 6 is driven by the control unit simultaneously or sequentially with a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, and TX7) of the touch sensor 150. When a signal is applied, it is a received signal obtained from a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, and RX7). This first received signal (a) is a mutual received signal, which is a received signal obtained when the control unit operates the touch sensor 150 in a mutual driving mode. Here, the various digital values of the first received signal (a) are obtained by the control unit converting signals received from the plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, and RX7) to analog to digital. You can. The various digital values are a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) and a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7) It corresponds to the change in capacitance at the intersection point of .

The second received signal (b) of FIG. 6 is when the control unit uses a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) and a plurality of second electrodes of the touch sensor 150. When a driving signal is applied to each of (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7), a plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) and a plurality of This is a received signal obtained from the second electrode (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, RX7). This second received signal (b) is a self-received signal, which is a received signal obtained when the control unit operates the touch sensor 150 in a self-driving mode. Here, among the several digital values of the second received signal (b), the digital values (-14, 51, 94, 102, 78, 9, -15, -17) listed along the vertical direction are used by the control unit to control the plurality of first electrodes. It was obtained by analog-to-digital conversion of self-receiving signals received from (TX0, TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7), and the digital values (-8, -1, 100, 147, 114) listed along the horizontal direction. , -16, -4, -7) may be obtained by analog-to-digital conversion of self-receiving signals received from a plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1, RX2, RX3, RX4, RX5, RX6, and RX7).

The third received signal (c) in FIG. 6 is a received signal obtained through the driving mode previously described with reference to FIG. 5, and the control unit drives the touch sensor 150 in the driving mode to form a plurality of first electrodes (TX0). , TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, TX6, TX7) may be obtained by analog-to-digital conversion.

The control unit can determine whether the touch input device is in a floating ground state or in a normal ground state from the sign of the third received signal (c). For example, the control unit may determine that the touch input device is in a floating ground state when the sign of the third received signal (c) is negative (-), and when the sign of the third received signal (c) is positive (+), the touch input device may determine that the touch input device is in a floating ground state. It can be determined that is in a normal ground state. In the case of FIG. 6, since the signs of the digital values of the third received signal c are all negative (-), the control unit may determine that the touch input device is currently in a floating ground state.

The control unit may determine how severe the floating ground state of the touch input device is based on the size of the third received signal (c). For example, it can be determined that the floating ground condition becomes more severe as the size of the digital value (e.g., 440) with the largest absolute value among the various digital values of the third received signal c increases. The intensity (severity) of the floating ground condition may be determined according to one or more preset thresholds. The threshold may be a boundary dividing the levels of intensity (severity).

The control unit may determine the number of touch objects from the second received signal (b). For example, it can be determined whether there is one touch object or more than two touch objects from the second received signal (b). In the case of FIG. 6, since the overall tendency of the digital values of the second received signal (b) on the horizontal and vertical axes forms a parabola convex upward, the control unit can determine that there is one touch object.

The control unit may determine the shape of the touch object projected on the plurality of first electrodes, which are horizontal axis electrodes, and the plurality of second electrodes, which are vertical axis electrodes, from the second received signal (b). In the case of FIG. 6, according to the digital values of the second received signal (b), the control unit operates between the 1-1 electrode (TX1) to the 1-5 electrode (TX5) on the vertical axis and the 2-2 electrode (TX5) on the horizontal axis. The area between RX2) and the 2nd-4th electrode (RX4) can be determined by the shape of the touch object.

The control unit may determine the shape of the touch object projected on the horizontal axis electrodes from the third received signal (c). Here, since the third reception signal c is received from a plurality of first electrodes that are horizontal axis electrodes, only the shape of the touch object projected on the horizontal axis electrodes can be identified.

Based on the second reception signal (b) and the third reception signal (c), the control unit changes the shape of the touch object in the floating ground state and the mutual reception signal in the floating ground state into a mutual reception signal in the normal ground state. It can be restored. The control unit may determine the size of a compensation signal that must be compensated for the mutual reception signal in the floating ground state during restoration. Here, the control unit may use any one of several combinations as shown in <Table 1> below to restore the received signal in the floating ground state to the received signal in the normal ground state.

Figure 7 is a diagram to explain the result of restoring the mutual reception signal with combination No. 1 in Table 1 above.

Referring to FIG. 7, as a result of the control unit restoring the mutual reception signal in the floating ground state to the mutual reception signal in the normal ground state, the digital values of the mutual reception signal in the corrected floating ground state are the same as those in the normal ground state. It was confirmed that the digital values of the mutual reception signal had very similar, if not identical, tendencies.

When the control unit receives the first to third reception signals (a, b, c) shown in FIG. 6, the control unit restores the mutual reception signal in the floating ground state to the mutual reception signal in the normal ground state. One method is described below with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of restoring a mutual reception signal in a floating ground state to a mutual reception signal in a normal ground state.

The control unit calculates a ratio of digital values greater than a preset threshold among digital values of the second reception signal (b) received from the plurality of second electrodes, which are vertical axis electrodes. For example, if the threshold is 50, the ratio of digital values (100, 147, 116) in columns A2, A3, and A4 that are greater than 50, which is the threshold, among the digital values of the second received signal (b) in FIG. 8 Calculate (1 : 1.47 : 1.16).

The control unit changes the sign of the digital values of the third received signal (c) to positive (+) and selects digital values greater than a preset threshold from among the changed digital values. For example, if the threshold is 50, among the digital values of the third received signal (c) whose sign has been changed in FIG. 8, the digital values 343 of rows B1, B2, B3, and B4 are greater than 50, which is the threshold value. 379, 440, 298).

Among the digital values of the first received signal (a), the control unit selects the columns (A2, A3, A4) in which the ratio (1:1.47:1.16) is set and the selected digital values (343, 379, 440, 298). Digital values AB commonly belonging to the corresponding rows B1, B2, B3, and B4 are restored to digital values of the first received signal in a normal ground state. Here, as an example of a restoration method, the corresponding digital value (e.g., -73) in the digital values (AB) is converted to the positive digital value (e.g., -73) of the third received signal (c) of the row (B1) to which the corresponding digital value belongs ( 343) is replaced with the value multiplied by the ratio (1) of the second received signal (b) of the column (A2) to which the corresponding digital value belongs. If all of the digital values (AB) are changed in this way, changed digital signal values (AB') can be obtained. In this way, when the digital values (AB) among the mutual reception signals in the floating ground state are changed to the changed digital values (AB'), a graph similar to the floating ground state (Flating GND (after correction)) after correction in FIG. 7 can be obtained. Although this graph is not completely identical to the normal ground state (Good GND), it has a similar tendency, so the control unit enables the touch input device to accurately recognize the user's touch even in the floating ground state through the above-described restoration process. do.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a first driving method in which the control unit of the touch input device drives the touch sensor 150 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit can drive the touch sensor 150 in various modes. First, the control unit operates the touch sensor 150 in mutual mode in the first time period (t0 to t1), and operates the touch sensor 150 in self (mutual) mode in the second time period (t2 to t3). self) mode, and in the third time period (t4 to t5), the plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1,...TX7) of the touch sensor 150 are operated in the driving mode described above in FIG. 5. You can. This driving method can correspond to combination 1 in <Table 1> above.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a second driving method in which the control unit of the touch input device drives the touch sensor 150 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the control unit can drive the touch sensor 150 in various modes. First, the control unit operates the touch sensor 150 in mutual mode in the first time period (t0 to t1), and operates the touch sensor 150 in self (mutual) mode in the second time period (t2 to t3). self) mode, and in the third time period (t4 to t5), the plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1,...,RX7) of the touch sensor 150 are operated in the driving mode described above in FIG. 5. You can do it. This driving method can correspond to combination 2 in <Table 1> above.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a third driving method in which the control unit of the touch input device drives the touch sensor 150 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control unit can drive the touch sensor 150 in various modes. First, the control unit operates the touch sensor 150 in mutual mode in the first time period (t0 to t1), and operates the touch sensor 150 in self (mutual) mode in the second time period (t2 to t3). self) mode, and in the third time period (t4 to t5), the plurality of first electrodes (TX0, TX1,...TX7) of the touch sensor 150 are operated in the driving mode described above in FIG. 5. , In the fourth time interval (t6-t7), the plurality of second electrodes (RX0, RX1,...,RX7) of the touch sensor 150 may be operated in the driving mode described above in FIG. 5. This driving method can correspond to combination 3 in <Table 1> above.

The first to third driving methods of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 perform additional driving modes in addition to the mutual mode and self mode, and use the received signal obtained from the driving mode. It is possible to determine whether the touch input device is in a floating ground state, and if so, how strong (severity) the touch input device is, and the shape of the touch object can be determined. Furthermore, the mutual reception signal in the floating ground state can be restored to the mutual reception signal in the normal ground state. In addition, the shape of the touch object can be determined through combination with the received signal obtained through self mode, and the mutual received signal in the floating ground state can be restored to the mutual received signal in the normal ground state.

The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the embodiments above are included in one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. illustrated in each embodiment can be combined or modified and implemented in other embodiments by a person with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, contents related to such combinations and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the above description focuses on the embodiment, this is only an example and does not limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to understand the above without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. You will see that various modifications and applications not illustrated are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. And these variations and differences in application should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (13)

A touch sensor including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; and a control unit that controls the touch sensor, in a touch input device comprising:
The plurality of first electrodes are arranged along a first direction, and each of the first electrodes has a predetermined shape along a second direction different from the first direction,
The plurality of second electrodes are arranged along the second direction, and each second electrode has a predetermined shape along the first direction,
The control unit controls the touch sensor to be driven in a predetermined driving mode in a random time period,
In the driving mode, the control unit controls a driving signal to be applied to at least one first electrode among the plurality of first electrodes and receives a reception signal from at least one other first electrode to which the driving signal is not applied. , a mode in which the driving signal is controlled to be applied to at least one second electrode among the plurality of second electrodes and a reception signal is received from at least one other second electrode to which the driving signal is not applied,
Touch input device. According to claim 1,
The driving mode is such that the control unit,
Controlling the driving signal to be applied to the at least one first electrode and receiving a first reception signal from the at least one other first electrode,
A mode in which the driving signal is controlled to be applied to the at least one other first electrode and a second reception signal is received from the at least one first electrode,
The control unit determines whether the touch input device is in a floating ground state based on the first and second received signals.
Touch input device. According to claim 2,
According to the signs of the first and second received signals, the control unit determines whether the touch input device is in the floating ground state or in the normal ground state. According to claim 2,
The control unit determines the intensity of the floating ground state according to the size of the first and second received signals. According to claim 2,
The driving mode includes mutual mode and self mode,
The mutual mode is a mode in which the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes,
In the self mode, the control unit controls a self-driving signal to be applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and a self-receiving signal from each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. It is a mode of receiving,
The control unit restores the mutual reception signal to a mutual reception signal in a normal ground state based on the first and second reception signals and self-reception signals from the plurality of second electrodes. According to claim 2,
The driving mode includes a mutual mode,
The mutual mode is a mode in which the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes,
The driving mode is,
Controlling the driving signal to be applied to the at least one second electrode, receiving a third reception signal from the at least another second electrode,
Controlling the driving signal to be applied to the at least one second electrode and receiving a fourth reception signal from the at least one second electrode,
The control unit restores the mutual reception signal to a mutual reception signal in a normal ground state based on the first to fourth reception signals. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The at least one first electrode and the at least one other first electrode are arranged to alternate along the first direction,
The at least one second electrode and the at least another second electrode are arranged to alternate along the second direction,
Touch input device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A touch input device wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed together on the same layer. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A touch input device wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed on different layers. A touch sensor including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; In a touch driving method in a touch input device including a control unit that controls the touch sensor,
causing the control unit to drive the touch sensor in a predetermined driving mode, and
A step of determining whether the touch input device is in a floating ground state based on the received signal output in the driving mode,
The driving mode is,
The control unit controls a driving signal to be applied to at least one first electrode among the plurality of first electrodes and receives a reception signal from at least one other first electrode to which the driving signal is not applied, or the plurality of second electrodes A mode in which the driving signal is controlled to be applied to at least one second electrode among the electrodes and a reception signal is received from at least one other second electrode to which the driving signal is not applied.
Touch driving method of a touch input device. According to claim 10,
The driving mode is,
Controlling the driving signal to be applied to the at least one first electrode and receiving a first reception signal from the at least one other first electrode,
A mode in which the driving signal is controlled to be applied to the at least one other first electrode and a second reception signal is received from the at least one first electrode,
Touch driving method of a touch input device. According to claim 11,
The driving mode includes mutual mode and self mode,
The mutual mode is a mode in which the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes,
In the self mode, the control unit controls a self-driving signal to be applied to each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and a self-receiving signal from each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. It is a mode of receiving,
Based on the first and second received signals and self-received signals from the plurality of second electrodes, restoring the mutual received signal to a mutual received signal in a normal ground state; further comprising,
Touch driving method of a touch input device. According to claim 12,
The driving mode includes a mutual mode,
The mutual mode is a mode in which the control unit controls a mutual driving signal to be applied to the plurality of first electrodes and receives a mutual reception signal from the plurality of second electrodes,
The driving mode is,
Controlling the driving signal to be applied to the at least one second electrode, receiving a third reception signal from the at least another second electrode,
Controlling the driving signal to be applied to the at least one second electrode and receiving a fourth reception signal from the at least one second electrode,
Based on the first to fourth received signals, restoring the mutual received signal to a mutual received signal in a normal ground state; further comprising,
Touch driving method of a touch input device.

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