WO2024091296A1

WO2024091296A1 - False touch response for touch screen

Info

Publication number: WO2024091296A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/019548
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jinsik OH; Jin Sil Kim; Jeongphil KIM; Jihoon Kim
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2022-10-26
Filing date: 2023-04-24
Publication date: 2024-05-02
Also published as: KR20240058400A

Abstract

An electronic apparatus can include a touch interface including a display, a touch panel, and a touch IC to sense and reduce a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel. The electronic apparatus can include a host processor to communicate with the touch interface. The host processor can receive, from the touch IC, a touch report including noise information and indicate, on the display, noise-related notification information based on the received touch report.

Description

HP 86196764 FALSE TOUCH RESPONSE FOR TOUCH SCREEN Background [0001] Some electronic apparatuses provide touch screens. A touch screen includes a touch panel and a display and can sense a user’s touch input made by the user touching the display. Brief Description of the Drawings [0002] FIG.1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of an example electronic apparatus consistent with the disclosure. [0003] FIG.2 is a diagram illustratively showing introduction of a noise into the example electronic apparatus consistent with the disclosure. [0004] FIG.3 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by an example touch integrated circuit (IC) to create and transmit a touch report consistent with the disclosure. [0005] FIG.4A depicts a structure of the touch report created by the example touch IC and FIG 4B depicts a structure of a touch record included in the example touch report consistent with the disclosure. [0006] FIG.5 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the example touch IC to determine a noise mode and a noise level value consistent with the disclosure. [0007] FIG.6 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by a host processor of a main system of the example electronic apparatus to indicate noise-related notification information consistent with the disclosure. [0008] FIG.7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a memory of the main system of the example electronic apparatus consistent with the disclosure. [0009] FIGS.8A to 8D schematically show examples where the noise-related notification information is indicated on a display consistent with the disclosure. [0010] FIG.9 is another example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the example host processor to indicate the noise-related HP 86196764 notification information consistent with the disclosure. [0011] FIG.10 schematically shows an example noise history information check screen indicated on the display consistent with the disclosure. [0012] FIG.11 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the example host processor to change a program loaded on the touch IC consistent with the disclosure. [0013] FIG.12 is a schematic illustration of a computer-readable recording medium including example instructions consistent with the disclosure. Detailed Description [0014] Some electronic apparatuses provide touch interfaces such as touch screens. A touch interface of an electronic apparatus includes: a touch panel including a touch sensor; a display; and a touch IC. The touch panel can sense a user’s touch input. However, there may be introduced into the touch panel a noise from an alternating current (AC) power supply that is connected to and supplies power to the electronic apparatus, a noise from the display panel, or a noise from other sources. With the introduction of the noise, there may occur on the touch panel a false touch, which may be recognized as an input although no user touch input is made, and thus the electronic apparatus may malfunction. In such an example, the touch input may be indicated on the display although no user touch input is made. [0015] In some examples, where the noise is introduced and causes the false touch, the touch IC of the touch interface may perform processing to sense and reduce the noise. However, while many types of noises may occur in various environments, the noise sensing and reduction processing performed by the touch IC may not cope with all noises that have occurred. Further, in some examples of responding to noises, the electronic device uses the touch IC and nothing else. As such, the electronic apparatus may not be capable of indicating a notification of the false touch or the malfunction, which may occur when the noise is introduced, or the electronic apparatus may be able to address such an issue. Still further, in the example, using the electronic apparatus to analyze what problematic aspect is HP 86196764 caused when the noise occurs may be challenging. It may also take an undesired, e.g., longer, amount of time to prepare an action to troubleshoot the issue. [0016] In contrast, in some examples of the present disclosure, a host processor of a main system of an electronic apparatus, as well as a touch IC of the electronic apparatus, can recognize introduction of a noise and offer actions to respond to the noise. [0017] An example electronic apparatus may include: a touch interface including a display, a touch panel, and a touch IC to sense and reduce a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel; and a host processor to communicate with the touch interface. The host processor may receive, from the touch IC, a touch report including noise information and indicate, on the display, based on the received touch report, noise-related notification information. For example, the noise information can include information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence, a request for change of an AC power supply connected to the electronic apparatus, and a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC, to provide a user with a description of, and a manner to in which to address (e.g., a solution to), the problematic aspect. In such examples, time and resources to provide a user with a description of and a solution to the problematic aspect may be reduced. [0018] In some instances, the host processor of the example electronic apparatus may store, in a memory of the electronic apparatus, noise history information, for example, a noise level value, a count number of times the noise has occurred, a time when the noise occurred, a current scanning frequency of the touch panel, information regarding a program that is currently loaded on the touch IC. Accordingly, such history of noise occurrence may be checked by a related person or a related system, for example, by a user, a service engineer, or a remote diagnostics system. In some examples, a manufacturer of the electronic apparatus may conduct market defect analysis based on the collected noise history information and may also use the collected noise history information to develop a new electronic apparatus that is more robust to a variety of noises. [0019] Various terms used in the present disclosure are chosen from a terminology of commonly used terms in consideration of their function herein, which HP 86196764 may be appreciated differently. In specific instances, some terms are ascribed their meanings as set forth in detail in the detailed description. Accordingly, the terms used herein are to be defined consistently with their meanings in the context of the present disclosure, rather than simply by their names. [0020] The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” etc. are used herein when specifying the presence of the elements listed thereafter. Unless otherwise indicated, these terms and variations thereof are not meant to exclude the presence or addition of other elements. [0021] As used herein, the ordinal terms “first,” “second,” and so forth are meant to identify several similar elements. Unless otherwise specified, such terms are not intended to impose limitations, e.g., a particular order of these elements or of their use, but rather are used for referring to multiple elements separately. For example, an element may be referred to in an example with the term “first” while the same element may be referred to in another example with a different ordinal number such as “second” or “third.” In such examples, such ordinal terms are not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the use of the term “and/or” in a list of multiple elements is inclusive of all possible combinations of the listed items, including any one or plurality of the items. [0022] The term “electronic apparatus” as used herein may include different types of apparatuses. In some examples, an electronic apparatus may include a computing device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a table PC, a laptop PC, a desktop PC, a workstation, a server, or the like, a multimedia device, a portable communication device such as a smartphone, a medical device, and/or a camera. In some examples, an electronic apparatus may include a television, a digital video disk (DVD) player, an audio device, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a game console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and/or an electronic picture frame. In some examples, an electronic apparatus may be an image forming apparatus. Other example electronic apparatus types are also possible. HP 86196764 [0023] The term “image forming apparatus” as used herein can included a variety of devices, such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), a display device, and the like, that can perform an image forming job. In some examples, an image forming apparatus may be a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) image forming apparatus. Such image forming apparatus may provide various additional functions, as well as basic ones, for example, print, photocopy, and scan functions. [0024] The term “image forming job” as used herein can include a variety of image-related jobs that involve an operation of forming an image and/or other processing operations, e.g., generation, storage, and/or transfer of an image file. The term “job” as used herein may include a chain of processes that facilitate an image forming job, as well as the image forming job per se. The expression “an image forming job performed by an image forming apparatus” may include a job related to printing, photocopying, scanning, facsimile, storage, transmission, coating, or the like. Other types of jobs may be possible. [0025] The term “user” as used herein may refer to a person who manipulates an electronic apparatus or an apparatus, e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic apparatus, that uses an electronic apparatus. [0026] The term “remote diagnostics system” may refer to a system that monitors a state of an electronic apparatus and that diagnoses the state of the electronic apparatus or takes an action according to the diagnosed state. A remote diagnostics system may remotely couple to an electronic apparatus through a network and may include a monitoring apparatus to collect data used for diagnosis of the electronic apparatus and a server to receive the collected data from the monitoring apparatus and analyzing the same. Other configurations of the remote diagnostics system may be possible. [0027] Some examples of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these examples are given in order to provide a better understanding of the scope of the present disclosure. HP 86196764 [0028] These and other features of the examples will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [0029] FIG.1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of an example electronic apparatus 10 consistent with the disclosure. [0030] As shown in Fig.1, the electronic apparatus 10 may include a main system 100 and a touch interface 200 such as a touch screen. Other configurations of the electronic apparatus 10 are also possible. In some examples, the electronic apparatus 10 may include an additional component, e.g., a power supply unit to supply power to the above-mentioned components, or the like. In some examples, the electronic apparatus 10 may include some of, but not all of, the components shown in FIG.1. In some examples, the electronic apparatus 10 may not be a single device but may include a plurality of interconnected devices. [0031] In some examples, the main system 100 of the electronic apparatus 10 may control the overall functionality of the electronic apparatus 10, store related information, and perform communications with external entities. As shown, the main system 100 may include a host processor 110, a memory 120, and a communication interface 130. [0032] The host processor 110 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), and/or a communication processor (CP). The host processor 110 may be electrically coupled to other components included in the electronic apparatus 10 to carry out operations or data processing related to control and/or communications of the coupled components of the electronic apparatus 10. For example, the host processor 110 may execute instructions, e.g., computer-readable instructions, stored in the memory 120. The host processor 110 may also read other information stored in the memory 120. In some examples, the host processor 110 may store new information in the memory 120 and may update some information stored in the memory 120. For example, the host processor 110 may process information received from a touch IC 220 of the touch interface 200. In some examples, the information received from the touch IC 220 may include a touch report 710, which will be discussed below in more detail. In some examples, the host processor 110 may perform processing to HP 86196764 change a program loaded on the touch IC 220. By way of example, the host processor 110 may read a program stored in the memory 120 and replace therewith the program loaded on the touch IC 220. In some instances, the host processor 110 may perform processing to indicate, on a display 230 of the touch interface 200, a variety of content, for example, text, images, videos, icons, symbols, or the like. Some operations of the host processor 110 will be described in greater detail below. [0033] The memory 120 may be implemented with Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of storage medium that stores data. The memory 120 may store instructions or data associated with operations of other components included in the electronic apparatus 10. In some examples, the memory 120 may store information received from the touch IC 220 and may store a program to be transferred to the touch IC 220. [0034] The communication interface 130 may support establishment of a communication channel with an external electronic apparatus or a server and may support wired or wireless communications over the established communication channel. In some examples, the communication interface 130 may include a wired communications module and/or a wireless communications module, with which to communicate with the external electronic apparatus or the server. The wireless communications module may support, for example, cellular communications, short range wireless communications, or global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communications. [0035] In some examples, the touch interface 200 of the electronic apparatus 10 may receive a touch input from a user, process the received input, and indicate an image. For example, the touch interface 200 may include the touch panel 210, the touch IC 220, and the display 230. [0036] The touch panel 210 can be a panel on which the touch input is made. The touch panel 210 may include a touch sensor. In the touch sensor, a specified physical quantity, for example, a voltage, a quantity of light, an electrical resistance, a quantity of electric charge, an electrical capacitance, or the like, may vary due to touching from the user. The touch sensor may sense the touch based on the specified physical quantity. The touch panel 210 may be located on an upper or HP 86196764 lower surface of the display 230 or may be combined with the display 230 into an integral unit. [0037] The touch IC 220 may be electrically coupled with the touch panel 210 to detect the sensed touch, e.g., the sensed change in the physical quantity measured by the touch sensor of the touch panel 210. The touch IC 220 may have include a program including executable instructions to produce data related to the sensed touch. For example, the data related to the sensed touch may include: a location of the touch on the touch panel 210, e.g., coordinate data (X, Y), of the location on which the touch is made; a type of the touch; and/or a duration of the touch. In some examples, the program may execute instructions to perform processing to sense a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel 210 and to reduce the noise. In some instances, the program may be referred to as a noise reduction program 410. The touch IC 220 may perform processing to transmit the touch report 710, including information regarding the sensed noise, to the host processor 110 of the main system 100. Some operations of the touch IC 220 will be described in greater detail below. [0038] The display 230 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display. The display 230 may be electrically coupled to the host processor 110 of the main system 100 and indicate, under control of the host processor 110, a variety of content, for example, text, images, videos, icons, symbols, or the like. [0039] Now, with reference to FIG.2, there is illustrated an example where a noise is introduced into the electronic apparatus 10 consistent with the disclosure. [0040] In the example of FIG.2, the electronic apparatus 10 is shown as an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may include a paper sheet feed unit from which a sheet of paper is fed, a print unit to perform thereon an image forming job, and an ejection port through which the paper sheet is ejected. In the example of FIG.2, the touch interface, e.g., touch interface 200 of FIG.1, is included in the image forming apparatus such that the display 230 of the touch interface is located on a front surface of the image forming apparatus to receive a user input. HP 86196764 There may be introduced into the touch panel 210 of the image forming apparatus a noise 510 from an AC power supply, a noise 520 from the display 230, or a noise from other sources. With the introduction of the noise, a false touch may occur on the touch panel 210, which can be recognized as an input although no user touch input is actually made. Accordingly, a malfunction of the image forming apparatus may occur. Further, the touch input may be indicated on the display 230 although no user touch input is made. [0041] In some examples, where the noise is introduced and causes the false touch, the touch IC, e.g., touch IC 220 of FIG.1, of the touch interface may perform processing to sense and reduce the noise. Further, the touch IC may perform processing to transmit the touch report, e.g., touch report 710 of FIG.1, including information regarding the sensed noise, to the host processor of the main system, e.g., host processor 110 of the main system 100 illustrated in FIG.1. In the following, some operations of the touch IC 220 are described in detail. [0042] FIG.3 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the touch IC to create and transmit the touch report, consistent with the disclosure. [0043] When a noise is introduced into the touch panel, the touch IC can sense, at S310, the noise introduced into the touch panel. By way of example, a capacitive- type touch panel may be used as the touch panel. For example, the touch IC may scan capacitance values sensed at the touch sensor of the touch panel. When a change in the capacitance values is less than that resulting from the user’s normal touch or when there is a change greater than a particular threshold in the values over a short-term period of time, the touch IC may sense that the noise is introduced into the touch panel. In some examples, the touch IC may sense a noise level of the introduced noise. [0044] With the noise sensed, the touch IC can determine, at S320, one of a plurality of noise modes based on the level of the sensed noise. The plurality of noise modes may include X noise modes, where each noise mode is a noise avoidance phase. In an example where X = 3, the plurality of noise modes may be include three noise modes, including “Noise Mode 1,” “Noise Mode 2,” and “Noise HP 86196764 Mode 3.” Each of the noise modes may be defined and executed by the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC. Example conditions to enter respective noise modes are discussed below by way of illustration. [0045] When the noise level does not exceed a threshold value Th0, the touch IC 220 does not operate in any noise mode. Such non-noise mode operation may be referred to as being done in “Noise Mode 0,” by way of other illustration. When the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th0, the touch IC 220 operates in a noise mode. If the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th0 and does not exceed a certain threshold value Th1 greater than the threshold value Th0, and if a certain period of time elapses after the entrance into the noise mode, the noise mode can be exited. When the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th0 and does not exceed the threshold value Th1, and if the period of time does not elapse after the entrance into the noise mode, the touch IC 220 can operate in “Noise Mode 1.” When the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th1 and does not exceed a certain threshold value Th2 greater than the threshold value Th1, the touch IC can operate in “Noise Mode 2.” When the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th2, the touch IC can operate in “Noise Mode 3.” [0046] In response to the noise mode being determined, the touch IC can perform, at S330, processing to reduce the noise based on the determined noise mode. For example, in the respective noise modes, the touch IC may perform the following processing for reducing the noise. [0047] - Noise Mode 1: The touch IC performs processing to compare a touch signal level resulting from a noiseless state and that from a noisy state. and Responsive to a difference between the two levels, for example, if the difference exceeds a certain threshold value, the touch IC can correct the touch signal level resulting from the noisy state. For example, the touch IC may use an analog filter implemented in the touch IC to filter the noise signal to correct the touch signal level resulting from the noisy state to an approximate value of that from the noiseless state. [0048] - Noise Mode 2: The touch IC can perform processing to increase a number of times of scanning a capacitance value sensed at the touch sensor of the HP 86196764 touch panel beyond that for Noise Mode 1. For instance, having been done twenty to twenty-four times per second in Noise Mode 1, the scanning may be performed twenty-eight to thirty-two times per second in Noise Mode 2. [0049] - Noise Mode 3: The touch IC can perform processing to cause a current scanning frequency to hop to a selected one of certain n different scanning frequencies, where a capacitance value sensed at the touch sensor of the touch panel is scanned at the current scanning frequency. Responsive to the noise level being sensed as still corresponding to Noise Mode 3 after the hopping of the current scanning frequency to the selected one of the n scanning frequencies, the touch IC may execute instructions to hop the current scanning frequency to a not-previously- selected one of the n scanning frequencies. This hopping may be repeated as long as there remains an available one of the n scanning frequencies. These n scanning frequencies may be defined by the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC. [0050] In parallel with or subsequent to execution of the operation S330, the touch IC can create, at S340, the touch report, including a noise level value, e.g., denoted as 712 in FIG.7, that corresponds to the determined noise mode. In an example, the touch report may be created each time a touch event is generated. FIG.4A depicts a structure of the touch report created by the touch IC consistent with the disclosure. The structure of the touch report may vary depending on the touch IC. In the example of FIG.4A, the touch report may include information regarding the following, ranging from Bytes 0 through 6: a length of data in data communications; an ID of the touch report; a time of occurrence of the data; Noise Effects; and the like. Further, the touch report may include touch records, ranging from Bytes 7 through 16. FIG.4B depicts a structure of an example touch record consistent with the disclosure. The touch record may include information regarding a touch type, a touch ID, a touch coordinate, a touch pressure, and the like. [0051] In some examples, the Noise Effects field of the touch report may include the noise level value. The noise level value can be determined based on the noise mode. In some examples, when the noiseless, normal state is achieved, or when the noise level does not exceed the threshold value Th0, the noise level value included in the touch report may be set to zero. When the touch IC operates in HP 86196764 Noise Mode 1, the noise level value included in the touch report may be set to one. When the touch IC operates in Noise Mode 2, the noise level value included in the touch report may be set to two. When the touch IC operates in Noise Mode 3, the noise level value included in the touch report may be set to three. [0052] Returning to FIG.3, in some examples, the touch IC may transmit, at S350, the created touch report to the host processor of the main system. For example, the created touch report may be transmitted to the host processor, regardless of what the noise level value included in the touch report is. In some examples, the created touch report may be transmitted to the host processor when the noise level value included in the touch report is greater than or equal to a certain value. For example, the touch IC may transmit the touch report to the host processor when the noise level value included in the touch report is greater than or equal to three. When the noise level value is greater than or equal to the certain value, it may be determined that even with the noise reduction processing of the touch IC, the introduced noise may still remain a cause of a false touch. As such, with the touch report transmitted to the host processor when the noise level value is greater than or equal to the certain value, the host processor, as well as the touch IC, may analyze and respond to such noise information. [0053] FIG.5 is an example flow diagram showing details of the operations described with respect to FIG.3 to determine the noise mode and determine the noise level value consistent with the disclosure. [0054] At S510, the noise level of the noise introduced into the touch panel can be sensed by the touch IC. The touch IC can determine, at S515, whether the sensed noise level exceeds the certain threshold value Th0. Responsive to a determination at S515 that the noise level does not exceed the threshold value Th0, at S520, the touch IC does not enter a noise mode. In such an example, the noise level value included in the touch report may be indicative of zero. [0055] Responsive to a determination at S515 that the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th0, at S525, the touch IC can enter a noise mode. In this example, the touch IC can operate in one of Noise Modes 1 to 3, according to the noise level. HP 86196764 [0056] In some examples, the touch IC can determine, at S530, whether the sensed noise level exceeds the certain threshold value Th1 greater than the threshold value Th0. In response to a determination at S530 that the noise level does not exceed the threshold value Th1, the touch IC can determine, at S535, whether the certain period of time elapses after the entrance into the noise mode. If it is determined that the certain period of time elapses after the entrance into the noise mode, the noise mode can be exited at S540. If it is determined that the certain period of time does not elapse after the entrance into the noise mode, the touch IC can perform, at S545, the noise reduction operation of Noise Mode 1. In such an example, the noise level value included in the touch report can be indicative of one. [0057] If it is determined at S530 that the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th1, the touch IC can determine, at S550, whether the noise level exceeds the certain threshold value Th2 greater than the threshold value Th1. If it is determined at S550 that the noise level does not exceed the threshold value Th2, the touch IC can perform, at S555, the noise reduction operation of Noise Mode 2. In such an example, the noise level value included in the touch report can be indicative of two. [0058] In response to a determination at S550 that the noise level exceeds the threshold value Th2, the touch IC can perform, at S560, the noise reduction operation of Noise Mode 3. In such an example, the noise level value included in the touch report is indicative of three. [0059] In some examples, as described with respect to the operation S350 of FIG. 3, the touch IC may transmit the created touch report to the host processor of the main system. Further, the host processor may indicate, on the display, noise-related notification information based on the received touch report. [0060] FIG.6 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the host processor of the main system of the electronic apparatus to indicate the noise-related notification information consistent with the disclosure. [0061] The host processor of the main system can receive, at S610, the touch report, including the noise information, from the touch IC of the touch interface. The HP 86196764 noise information included in the touch report may include the noise level value. In some examples, when the noise level value included in the received touch report is greater than or equal to the certain value, for example, when the noise level value is greater than or equal to three, the host processor may sense that even with the noise reduction processing of the touch IC, the introduced noise may still remain a cause of a false touch. [0062] At S620, the host processor can store the received touch report in the memory. In an example, the host processor may store in the memory a whole of the received touch report. In another example, which will be described in detail with respect to FIG.9, the host processor may store in the memory a portion of the received touch report, which portion fulfills a certain condition. FIG.7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the memory 120 of the main system of the example electronic apparatus consistent with the disclosure. As shown in FIG.7, the received touch report 710 may be stored in the memory 120. The stored touch report 710 may include the noise level value 712. [0063] Referring now to FIGS.6 and 7, in some examples, at S630, the host processor generates, based on the touch report 710 stored in the memory 120, noise history information 720, and stores the generated noise history information 720 in the memory 120. For example, the host processor generates the noise history information 720, indicating a history of noises introduced into the touch panel, by analyzing a plurality of touch reports 710 stored in the memory 120 over a certain time interval. In some examples, the host processor stores the generated noise history information 720 in the memory 120. For example, as shown in FIG.7, the noise history information 720 stored in the memory 120 may include: the noise level value 712; a count number 722 of times the noise has occurred; a time 724 when the noise occurred; a current scanning frequency 726 of the touch panel; and/or information 728 regarding the program that is currently loaded on the touch IC. In some examples, the noise history information 720 stored in the memory may be indicated on the display so as to be checked by the user or a service engineer of the electronic apparatus. In some instances, if the electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus, the noise history information 720 may be printed. In some HP 86196764 examples, the noise history information 720 stored in the memory 120 may be transmitted through a wired or wireless network to another apparatus or a server and then utilized by the other apparatus or the server. In an example, the other apparatus or the server may be a remote diagnostics system such as a smart diagnostics system (SDS) provided by a manufacturer of the electronic apparatus. [0064] At S640 of FIG.6, the host processor can indicate the noise-related notification information on the display. In some examples, the host processor may indicate the noise-related notification information based on the noise information included in the touch report 710 received at the operation S610. In an example, the host processor may indicate the noise-related notification information based on the noise history information 720 generated at the operation S630. The noise-related notification information indicated on the display may include: information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence; a request for change of an AC power supply connected to the electronic apparatus; and/or a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC. The noise-related notification information may be indicated in form of one message or a plurality of messages. In some examples, the noise- related notification information indicated on the display may include an error icon that represents that an error situation has occurred. The host processor may indicate, on the display, the message(s), the icon, or the message(s) and the icon at a time. In some examples, such function of indicating the message(s) and the icon on the display may be turned on or off. In some instances, a noise reduction program 730, as will be discussed further herein, may be stored in the memory 120. [0065] FIGS.8A to 8D schematically show examples where the noise-related notification information is indicated on the display 230 of the electronic apparatus 10 consistent with the disclosure. [0066] FIG.8A shows an example where the following are indicated on the display 230: an error icon 810 representing that an error situation has occurred due to noise introduction; and a message 820 including information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence. In the example of FIG.8A, the error icon 810 is indicated on the top right corner of the display 230 to have a thunderbolt-shaped mark. Various other shaped marks are also possible. Further, in the example of FIG. HP 86196764 8A, the message 820 includes the expression “A noise is currently being introduced.” Various other expressions are also possible, including the expression “Currently, there is a possibility that a false touch occurs due to introduction of a noise,” the expression “Currently, there is a possibility that a malfunction occurs due to introduction of a noise,” or others representing a possibility of false touch occurrence. [0067] FIG.8B shows an example where the following are indicated on the display 230: the error icon 810 representing that an error situation has occurred due to noise introduction; and a message 830 including information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence and a request for change of an AC power supply connected to the electronic apparatus. The message 830 of FIG.8B includes the expression “Please change the AC power supply” in addition to the expression “A noise is currently being introduced.” Various other expressions for requesting that the AC power supply be changed are also possible. [0068] FIG.8C shows an example where the following are indicated on the display 230: the error icon 810 representing that an error situation has occurred due to noise introduction; and a message 840 including information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence and a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC. The message 840 of FIG.8C includes the expression “Would you like to proceed with Touch FW Update?” in addition to the expression “A noise is currently being introduced.” Various other expressions for requesting that the program loaded on the touch IC be changed are also possible. If, for example, the user requests, through the display 230 as shown in FIG.8C, that the program loaded on the touch IC be changed, the host processor of the main system can make a change from the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC to the noise reduction program, e.g., noise reduction program 730 shown in FIG.7, as being stored in the memory of the main system. Details of the change of the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC will be described with respect to FIG.11. [0069] FIG.8D shows an example where the following are indicated on the display 230: the error icon 810 representing that an error situation has occurred due to noise introduction; and a message 850 including information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence, a request for change of an AC power supply HP 86196764 connected to the electronic apparatus, and a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC. The message 850 of FIG.8D includes the expression “You may change the AC power supply or proceed with Touch FW Update” in addition to the expression “A noise is currently being introduced.” In the example of FIG.8D, the request for change of the AC power supply connected to the electronic apparatus and the request for change of the program loaded on the touch IC are indicated together on the display 230. In another example, these requests may be indicated one after another. For example, the request for change of the AC power supply connected to the electronic apparatus may be first indicated on the display 230 and if a noise is kept introduced even with the AC power supply replaced, then the request for change of the program loaded on the touch IC may be indicated. [0070] In some examples, as shown in FIGS.8A to 8D, the host processor of the main system can provide, e.g., for user convenience, a description of a problematic possibility of false touch and/or malfunction occurrence due to noise introduction and offers a solution to the issue. In some examples time and resources used to explain and resolve the problematic aspect can be reduced. [0071] FIG.9 is another example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the host processor to indicate the noise-related notification information consistent with the present disclosure. The example of FIG.9 is a variant of that of FIG.6. Thus, details of some operations identical to those of FIG.6 are not repeated here. [0072] The host processor of the main system can receive, at S910, the touch report, including the noise information, from the touch IC. The operation S910 of FIG. 9 is the same as the operation S610 of FIG.6. [0073] The host processor can determine, at S920, whether the noise level value included in the touch report is greater than or equal to the certain value. For example, the host processor may determine whether the noise level value included in the touch report is greater than or equal to three. The example of FIG.9 is different from that of FIG.6 in that at S930, the host processor does not store the touch report in the memory if it is determined at S920 that the noise level value included in the touch report is smaller than the certain value. HP 86196764 [0074] If it is determined at S920 that the noise level value included in the touch report is greater than or equal to the certain value, the host processor can store, at S940, the touch report in the memory. For example, when including the noise information with the noise level value greater than or equal to the certain value, e.g., information regarding a noise that even with the noise reduction processing of the touch IC, may still remain a cause of a false touch, the touch report is stored at S940 in the memory of the main system. In this example, the noise information regarding a noise that can be handled by the touch IC itself may not be stored in the memory of the main system. Therefore, this smaller amount of the stored touch report may include a reduced memory size and may be analyzed within a reduced period of time. If the noise level value included in the touch report is smaller than the certain value, the whole of the touch report may not be stored in the memory. Instead, some information for use in analysis of a frequency of occurrence of the noise level value being greater than or equal to the certain value may be stored in the memory. For example, the following may be recorded in the memory: information regarding what time and how many times the touch report is received with the noise level value being smaller than the certain value; and the noise level value in that touch report. [0075] At S950, the host processor can generate the noise history information based on the touch report stored in the memory and can store the generated noise history information in the memory. In some examples, e.g., as described with respect to the operation S630 of FIG.6, the noise history information stored in the memory may include: the noise level value; the count number of times the noise has occurred; the time when the noise occurred; the current scanning frequency of the touch panel; and/or the information regarding the program that is currently loaded on the touch IC. The noise level value, the count number of times the noise has occurred, and the time when the noise occurred may be generated based on the touch report with the noise level value greater than or equal to the certain value and also on the touch report with the noise level value smaller than the certain value. [0076] At S960, the host processor can diagnose a state of the electronic apparatus based on the noise history information in either an off-line manner or an on-line manner. In an example of the off-line diagnosis, the host processor may HP 86196764 diagnose the state of the electronic apparatus based on the noise history information stored in the memory and may indicate on the display, or print, a diagnosis result including the noise history information. In some examples, during the diagnosis of the state, the host processor may interpret the information and may perform an action in accordance with the diagnosed state and/or the interpreted information. In an example of the on-line diagnosis, an external apparatus may remotely couple to the electronic apparatus via a wireless or wired network and diagnose the state of the electronic apparatus based on the noise history information stored in the memory. During the diagnosis of the state, the external apparatus may interpret the information and perform an action in accordance with the diagnosed state and/or the interpreted information. Further details of the operation S960 will be described with respect to FIG.10. In some other examples, the operations S960 may be omitted. [0077] In some instances, at S970, the host processor can determine, based on the noise history information, whether a certain condition is fulfilled. For example, the certain condition may include a condition that there has occurred a certain number of more of times within a certain period of time the noise level value being greater than or equal to the certain value. For example, when it is determined that there has occurred n or more times within a time period of T the noise level value being equal to three, the host processor can determine that the certain condition is fulfilled. In a specific example, if during one-hundred times of occurrence of the touch report, there has occurred seventy or more times the touch report with the noise level value equal to three, the host processor may determine that the certain condition is fulfilled. In another example, when the touch report 710 with the noise level value 712 equal to three is still received after a five-minute elapse from an initial occurrence of the touch report 710 with the noise level value equal to three, the host processor may determine that the certain condition is fulfilled. In still another example, when there has occurred five times a situation where the touch report with the noise level value equal to three occurs twice a week, the host processor may determine that the certain condition is fulfilled. If it is determined that the certain condition is fulfilled, the host processor may sense that there may be continuous HP 86196764 introduction or short-term repetition, of the noise that may still cause a false touch even with the noise reduction processing of the touch IC. [0078] In some examples, responsive to a determination at S970 that the certain condition is fulfilled, the host processor can indicate, at S980, the noise-related notification information on the display. As described with respect to the operation S640 of the FIG.6, the noise-related notification information indicated on the display may include at least one of: information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence; a request for change of an AC power supply connected to the electronic apparatus; and/or a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC. The noise-related notification information may be indicated in form of one message or a plurality of messages. Further, the noise-related notification information indicated on the display may include an error icon that represents that an error situation has occurred. [0079] In the example of FIG.9, as described with respect to the operations S970 and S980, it is determined whether the certain condition is fulfilled and responsive to the certain condition is fulfilled, the noise-related notification information can be indicated on the display. In some examples, the noise-related notification information may be provided to the user when there is continuous introduction of the noise that may still cause a false touch even with the noise reduction processing of the touch IC , e.g., when the host processor of the main system is to proactively provide a description of and a solution to such problematic aspect. In some examples, this may reduce the noise-related notification information being indicated with an excessively high frequency and may make improve user experience with respect to the indicated noise-related notification information. [0080] FIG.10 schematically shows an example noise history information check screen indicated on the display 230 consistent with the disclosure. [0081] As described with respect to the operation S960 of FIG.9, the host processor may diagnose the state of the electronic apparatus 10 and may indicate on the display 230, or print, the diagnosis result including the noise history information. In some examples, in order to transmit the diagnosis result including the noise history information to the external apparatus, the host processor may indicate HP 86196764 a noise history information check screen on the display 230. The noise history information check screen may include a noise history information check button 1010, a noise history information output button 1020, and/or a noise history information transmission button 1030. [0082] If an input on the noise history information check button 1010 is received, the host processor can indicate, on the display 230, the noise history information stored in the memory. The noise history information stored in the memory may include: the noise level value; the count number of times the noise has occurred; the time when the noise occurred; the current scanning frequency of the touch panel; and/or the information regarding the program that is currently loaded on the touch IC. [0083] In some examples, responsive to receipt of an input on the noise history information output button 1020, the host processor can print the noise history information. In some examples, if the electronic apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus, the host processor may cause a print unit to print the noise history information. [0084] In some examples, responsive to receipt of an input on the noise history information transmission button 1030, the host processor can transmit the noise history information to the external apparatus. In such an example, the communication interface 130 of the electronic apparatus 10 may be used. For example, the communication interface 130 may be used to transmit the noise history information through a wireless or wired network 1040 to the external apparatus such as an external electronic apparatus 1050 or a server 1060 (e.g., an external server). In some examples, the external electronic apparatus 1050 may be a portable communications device or a computing device that is carried by a service engineer. In another example, the external electronic apparatus 1050 may be a computing device possessed by the manufacturer of the electronic apparatus 10. In some instances, the server 1060 may be a remote diagnostics system such as a smart diagnostics system (SDS) provided by the manufacturer of the electronic apparatus 10. The noise history information may be remotely checked by the remote diagnostics system. HP 86196764 [0085] In some examples, the diagnosis result including the noise history information may be checked directly on the electronic apparatus 10, or may be checked using the external electronic apparatus 1050 over the wireless or wired network 1040, for further action thereupon. In such examples time and resources used to respond to the noise may be reduced. [0086] In some examples, responsive to being transmitted to the external electronic apparatus 1050 or the server 1060, the noise history information may be stored in the external electronic apparatus 1050 or the server 1060. The external electronic apparatus 1050 or the server 1060 may receive, from a plurality of electronic apparatuses (e.g., plurality of electronic apparatuses 10), their respective pieces of noise history information to store, and they may analyze the noise history information. In some examples, the manufacturer of the electronic apparatus 10 may conduct market defect analysis based on the noise history information and may use the collected noise history information to develop other electronic apparatuses that may be robust to noises. [0087] FIG.11 is an example flow diagram illustratively showing example operations performed by the host processor to change a program loaded on the touch IC consistent with the disclosure. [0088] The program, which may include software, hardware, executable instructions, and/or firmware, in the touch IC may perform processing to sense a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel and to reduce the noise. In some examples, the program that performs such processing may be referred to as a noise reduction program, such as the noise reduction program previously discussed. As described with respect to FIG.3, the noise reduction program may be used for performing processing to determine one noise mode or a plurality of noise modes based on a sensed noise level. The noise reduction program can reduce the noise based on the determined noise mode. Since the internal memory of the touch IC may have a limited storage size, the noise reduction program stored in the touch IC may perform a limited function. In some examples, the touch IC may not perform the reduction processing on some type of noise. HP 86196764 [0089] With further regard thereto, depending on an installation condition and environment of the electronic apparatus, there may be types of noises which may be introduced into the touch interface of the electronic apparatus. In some examples, the storage size of the internal memory of the touch IC of the touch interface may be limited and the noise reduction program installed in the memory may not be able to process the noise reduction for all types of noises. In some instances, for some of the types of noises, even if the touch IC uses the noise reduction program to perform the noise reduction processing, there may still occur a false touch or a malfunction. [0090] In such examples, the noise reduction program that was previously stored in the memory of the main system may be transmitted to the touch IC of the touch interface to change the noise reduction program of the touch IC. [0091] In some examples, the host processor of the main system can determine, at S1110, whether the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed. [0092] In an example, when the noise level value included in the touch report received from the touch IC is greater than or equal to the certain value, e.g., when the noise level value is greater than or equal to three, the host processor may determine that the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed. [0093] In another example, when it is determined based on the noise history information that the certain condition is fulfilled, e.g., when it is determined that there has occurred n or more times within the time period of T the noise level value being equal to three, the host processor may determine that the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed. [0094] In still another example, when all of the scanning frequencies defined in Noise Mode 3 of the touch IC are already used as selected ones, the host processor may determine that even if the touch IC performs the noise reduction processing, there may still occur a false touch. As discussed above, in Noise Mode 3 of the touch IC, the noise reduction processing can be performed to cause the current scanning frequency, at which a capacitance value sensed at the touch sensor of the touch panel is scanned, to hop to a selected one of the certain n different scanning HP 86196764 frequencies. If the noise is still sensed with its level corresponding to Noise Mode 3 after the hopping, the touch IC may cause the current scanning frequency to hop to a not-previously-selected one of the n scanning frequencies. If, thereafter, such noise is still sensed, the current scanning frequency may be caused to hop again as such. Even when all of the n scanning frequencies stored in the touch IC are used as the current scanning frequency for the repeated hopping, the noise may not be sufficiently reduced. In such an example, the host processor may determine that the noise reduction processing performed by the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC does not result in sufficient noise reduction and that the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed. [0095] In some other examples, the operations S1110 may be omitted. [0096] In response to a determination at S1110 that the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed, or responsive to receipt of the request for change of the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC, the host processor can make, at S1120, a change from the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC to the noise reduction program stored in the memory of the main system. This change may be made as follows. [0097] In some examples, responsive to the user or the service engineer manipulating a menu indicated on the display to manually input the program change request in a technical support mode, the host processor may change the noise reduction program of the touch IC in response to the input. [0098] In another example, when the host processor indicates on the display a message including the request for change of the program loaded on the touch IC, as shown in FIGS.8C and 8D, and the user or the service engineer makes an input of the change request in response to the message or a certain amount of time elapses without any input of the change request, the host processor may change the noise reduction program of the touch IC. [0099] In still another example, when the change request is remotely input through the remote diagnostics system, the host processor may change the noise reduction program of the touch IC. HP 86196764 [00100] In yet another example, without any input from the user, the service engineer, or the remote diagnostics system, if it is determined at S1110 that the existing noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed, the host processor may automatically change the noise reduction program of the touch IC. [00101] The noise reduction program stored in the memory of the main system may execute various processes for reducing noises, such as causing the touch panel to be driven at an additional scanning frequency other than the n scanning frequencies that are already stored in the touch IC. In other words, the noise reduction program may define a scanning frequency different from those provided by the existing noise reduction program and cause the touch panel to be driven at the frequency. [00102] In these examples, the electronic apparatus may update the program loaded on the touch IC in a direct manner or through a wired and/or wireless network. Thus, in some examples, time and resources used upon occurrence of a service call may be used and a responding action can be offered. [00103] FIG.12 is a schematic illustration of a computer-readable recording medium 1200 including example instructions consistent with the disclosure. [00104] As shown in FIG.12, a computer-readable recording medium 1200 can stores a computer program, e.g., computer-readable instructions, that is executable by a processor and programmable to implement some operations of the aforementioned methodology, such as the operations of the electronic apparatus for supporting a function of responding to noises and the method of responding to noises, as described above with respect to FIGS.1 to 11. [00105] The computer program on the computer-readable recording medium 1200 may include a set of instructions that direct the processor to perform specific operations. Now, with reference to FIG.12, details of the computer program stored in the computer-readable recording medium 1200 will be described. [00106] As shown in FIG.12, the computer program includes instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations. Specifically, the instructions may include: instructions 1210 to receive, from the touch IC, which senses and reduces a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel, HP 86196764 the touch report, including noise information; and instructions to indicate, on the display, noise-related notification information based on the touch report. [00107] In some examples, upon execution of the computer program stored in the computer-readable recording medium 1200, the instructions 1210 and 1220 illustrated in FIG.12, as well as the operations or the method described above with respect to FIGS.1 to 11, may be performed by the computer, for example, the above-described electronic apparatus. For further details thereon, reference should be made to the above description. [00108] The above-described computer-readable recording medium may be a non-transitory readable medium. The term “non-transitory readable medium” as used herein refers to a medium that is capable of semi-permanently storing data and is readable by an apparatus, rather than a medium, e.g., a register, a cache, a memory device, etc., that temporarily stores data. For example, the foregoing instructions may be stored and provided in a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, a ROM device, or any of other types of non-transitory readable media. [00109] In some examples, the methodology disclosed herein may be incorporated into a computer program product. The computer program product may be available as a product for trading between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or distributed online through an application store, e.g., PlayStore™. For the online distribution, a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored, or temporarily created, in a storage medium such as a memory of a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a relay server. On-line distribution may be performed in various different manners. [00110] The foregoing description has been presented to illustrate and describe some examples in detail. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. In some examples, suitable results may be achieved if the above- described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if some of the components of the above-described systems, architectures, devices, circuits, and HP 86196764 the like are coupled or combined in a different manner or substituted for or replaced by other components or equivalents thereof. [00111] Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not to be limited to the precise form disclosed, but rather defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

HP 86196764 Claims What is claimed is: 1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a touch interface comprising: display; a touch panel; and a touch integrated circuit (IC) to sense and reduce a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel; and a host processor to communicate with the touch interface, wherein the host processor is to: receive, from the touch IC, a touch report comprising noise information; and indicate, on the display, noise-related notification information based on the received touch report. 2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the noise-related notification information indicated on the display comprises information regarding a possibility of false touch occurrence, a request for change of an alternating current (AC) power supply connected to the electronic apparatus, a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC, or any combination thereof. 3. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus further comprises a memory, and wherein the host processor is to store the received touch report in the memory. 4. The electronic apparatus of claim 3, wherein the noise information comprises a noise level value, and wherein the host processor is to, when the noise level value in the received touch report is greater than or equal to a certain threshold value, store the touch report in the memory. HP 86196764 5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the host processor is to: generate noise history information based on the noise information in the stored touch report; and store the noise history information in the memory, wherein the noise history information comprises the noise level value, a count number of times the noise has occurred, a time when the noise occurred, a current scanning frequency of the touch panel, information regarding a program that is currently loaded on the touch IC, or any combination thereof. 6. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the host processor is to indicate on the display or transmit using a wireless network or a wired network to an external apparatus, the noise history information stored in the memory. 7. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the host processor is to: determine, based on the noise history information, whether a certain condition is fulfilled; and responsive to the certain condition being fulfilled, indicate the noise-related notification information on the display. 8. The electronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein the certain condition comprises a certain number or more of times within a certain period of time the noise level value is greater than or equal to the certain threshold value. 9. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus further comprises a memory having stored therein a noise reduction program, wherein the host processor is to, when receiving a request for change of a program loaded on the touch IC, or when it is determined that a noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC is to be changed, make a change from the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC to the noise reduction program stored in the memory. HP 86196764 10. The electronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein the host processor is to make the change from the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC, such that the touch panel is driven at a scanning frequency different from those provided by the noise reduction program loaded on the touch IC. 11. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch IC is to: sense the noise being introduced on the touch panel; determine one of a plurality of noise modes based on a level of the noise; execute computer-readable instructions to reduce the noise based on the determined one of the plurality of noise modes; and create the touch report, comprising a noise level value that corresponds to the determined noise mode. 12. The electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the touch IC is to, when the noise level value in the created touch report is greater than or equal to a certain threshold value, transmit the touch report to the host processor. 13. A method of responding to noises in an electronic apparatus, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a touch interface and a host processor to communicate with the touch interface, wherein the touch interface comprises a display, a touch panel, and a touch integrated circuit (IC) to sense and reduce a noise that causes a false touch on the touch panel, and wherein the method comprises: receiving, from the touch IC, a touch report comprising noise information; and indicating, on the display, noise-related notification information based on the received touch report. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: HP 86196764 responsive to a noise level value in the received touch report being greater than or equal to a certain threshold value, storing the touch report in a memory of the electronic apparatus. 15. A computer-readable recording medium having stored therein a computer readable instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, from a touch integrated circuit (IC) that senses and reduces a noise that causes a false touch on a touch panel, a touch report comprising noise information; and indicating, on a display, noise-related notification information based on the touch report.