Touch apparatus

A touch apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, a plurality of third sensing electrodes, a plurality of fourth sensing electrodes, a switch module and a control unit. The switch module is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes. The control unit is electrically connected with the switch module. The touch apparatus decide the connection mode of the switch module according to the touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 103129893, filed on Aug. 29, 2014. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a sensing apparatus, and more particularly, to a touch apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Based on different ways of sensing, touch panels are generally categorized into resistant touch panels, capacitive touch panels, optical touch panels, sonic wave touch panels, and electromagnetic touch panels. The capacitive touch panels due to having advantages of fast response speed, favorable reliability, and high durability are extensively being applied in electronic devices.

The capacitive touch panel is being operated through using a conductive object, such as a finger or a stylus, to approach or contact the touch panel, so as to change a capacitance on the touch panel. When a change in the capacitance is being detected, coordinates of a touch point at where the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch panel can be located, and thereby executes functions corresponded to the coordinates of the touch point.

However, based on different touch operation mediums (finger, stylus, etc.) or touch operations (approaching or contacting), touch strengths detected by the touch panel may be different, and thereby may affect the accuracy in determining touch coordinates. Therefore, it is imperative to attain a favorable effect in determining the touch coordinates under the use of different touch operation mediums or touch operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a touch apparatus capable of attaining a favorable effect in determining touch coordinates.

The touch apparatus of the invention includes a substrate, a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, a plurality of third sensing electrodes, a plurality of fourth sensing electrodes, a switch module and a control unit. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a first direction. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a second direction. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The first direction and the second direction intersect each other. The switch module is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes. The control unit is electrically connected with the switch module, so as to control the switch module. The control unit selectively connects with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes electrically through the switch module. The touch apparatus decides a connection mode of the switch module through sensing the touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus, wherein when the touch strength of the touch point is greater than a preset value, the switch module electrically connects the control unit to the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes, and the switch module disconnects the control unit from the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes.

The touch apparatus of the invention includes a substrate, a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, a plurality of third sensing electrodes, a plurality of fourth sensing electrodes, a switch module and a control unit. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a first direction. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a second direction. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The first direction and the second direction intersect each other. The switch module is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes. The control unit is electrically connected with the switch module, so as to control the switch module. The control unit selectively connects with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes electrically through the switch module. The touch apparatus decides a connection mode of the switch module through sensing the touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus, wherein when the touch strength of the touch point is smaller than a preset value, the switch module electrically connects the control unit to the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes.

The touch apparatus of the invention includes a substrate, a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, a plurality of third sensing electrodes, a plurality of fourth sensing electrodes, a switch module and a control unit. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a first direction. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a second direction. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The first direction and the second direction intersect each other. The switch module is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes. The control unit is electrically connected with the switch module, so as to control the switch module. The control unit selectively connects with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes electrically through the switch module. The switch module includes a plurality of first switches, a plurality of second switches, a plurality of third switches, a plurality of fourth switches, a plurality of fifth switches and a plurality of sixth switches. The first switches are between the control unit and the first sensing electrodes. The second switches are between the control unit and the second sensing electrodes. The third switches are between the control unit and the third sensing electrodes. The fourth switches are between the control unit and the fourth sensing electrodes. The fifth switches are between the first sensing electrodes and the corresponding third sensing electrodes. The sixth switches are between the second sensing electrodes and the corresponding fourth sensing electrodes. The touch apparatus decides a connection mode of the switch module through sensing the touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus, wherein when the touch strength of the touch point is smaller than a preset value, the switch module electrically connects the control unit to the first sensing electrodes through the first switches, to the second sensing electrodes through the second switches, to the third sensing electrodes through the third switches, and to the fourth sensing electrodes through the fourth switches. Afterward, if the touch strength of the touch point is still smaller than the preset value, then the corresponding third sensing electrodes of each of the first sensing electrodes are electrically connected with the control unit through each of the first switches and each of the fifth switches, and the corresponding fourth sensing electrodes of each of the second sensing electrodes are electrically connected with the control unit through each of the second switches and each of the sixth switches.

The touch apparatus of the invention includes a substrate, a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, a plurality of third sensing electrodes, a plurality of fourth sensing electrodes, a switch module and a control unit. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a first direction. The first sensing electrodes and the third sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are extendedly disposed on the substrate along a second direction. The second sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes are staggeredly disposed with each other. The first direction and the second direction intersect each other. The switch module is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes. The control unit is electrically connected with the switch module, so as to control the switch module. The control unit selectively connects with the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes, the third sensing electrodes and the fourth sensing electrodes electrically through the switch module. The switch module includes a plurality of first switches, a plurality of second switches, a plurality of third switches, a plurality of fourth switches, and a plurality of fifth switches. The first switches are between the control unit and the first sensing electrodes. The second switches are between the control unit and the second sensing electrodes. The third switches are between the control unit and the third sensing electrodes. The fourth switches are between the control unit and the fourth sensing electrodes. The fifth switches are between the first sensing electrodes and the corresponding third sensing electrodes. The touch apparatus decides a connection mode of the switch module through sensing the touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus, wherein when the touch strength of the touch point is smaller than a preset value, the switch module electrically connects the control unit to the first sensing electrodes through the first switches, to the second sensing electrodes through the second switches, to the third sensing electrodes through the third switches, and to the fourth sensing electrodes through the fourth switches. Afterwards, if the touch strength of the touch point is still smaller than the preset value and a signal-to-noise ratio is required to be increased, then the corresponding third sensing electrodes of each of the first sensing electrodes are electrically connected with the control unit through each of the first switches and each of the fifth switches, the control unit is electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes through the second switches, and the control unit is electrically connected with the fourth sensing electrodes through the fourth switches.

In view of the foregoing, in the touch apparatus of the invention, the connection mode of the switch module is decided according to the touch strength of the touch point being sensed on the touch apparatus, and thus the touch apparatus is capable of attaining a favorable effect in determining the touch coordinates.

To make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the application more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings are described in detail as follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1Ais a schematic diagram illustrating a touch apparatus10according to a first embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1A, the touch apparatus10of the present embodiment includes a substrate100, a plurality of first sensing electrodes210, a plurality of second sensing electrodes220, a plurality of third sensing electrodes230, a plurality of fourth sensing electrodes240, a switch module300and a control unit400.

In detail, the first sensing electrodes210and the third sensing electrodes230are extendedly disposed on the substrate100along a first direction D1, and the first sensing electrodes210and the third sensing electrodes230are staggeredly disposed with each other. The second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240are extendedly disposed on the substrate100along a second direction D2, and the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240are staggeredly disposed with each other. The first direction D1and the second direction D2intersect each other. Hence, through sensing capacitance changes (mutual capacitance) between the first sensing electrodes210, the third sensing electrodes230, the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240, or through sensing the respective capacitance changes (self-capacitance) in each of the first sensing electrodes210, in each of the second sensing electrodes220, in each of the third sensing electrodes230and in each of the fourth sensing electrodes240, the touch apparatus10may locate the coordinates whereby a conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus10.

It is to be noted that, shapes and amounts of the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240as shown inFIG. 1Aare only provided for demonstration purpose, such that the invention is not limited thereto. In the following below, for convenience of illustration, the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240are all being represented by long-strips, and the amounts thereof may be clearly identified in the figures.

The switch module300is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. The control unit400is electrically connected with the switch module300for controlling the switch module300. In other words, the control unit400is selectively connected with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240electrically through the switch module300. Specifically, the switch module300includes a plurality of first switches310, a plurality of second switches320, a plurality of third switches330and a plurality of fourth switches340. The first switches310are between the control unit400and the first sensing electrodes210, the second switches320are between the control unit400and the second sensing electrodes220, the third switches330are between the control unit400and the third sensing electrodes230, and the fourth switches340are between the control unit400and the fourth sensing electrodes240. As such, the control unit400may selectively be connected with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240electrically through switching the first switches310, the second switches320, the third switches330and the fourth switches340in the switch module300.

For convenience of illustration, the first switches310, the second switches320, the third switches330and the fourth switches340as shown inFIG. 1Aare all being represented by simple switch icons, which may be shown in connected or disconnected states. In addition, the first switches310, the second switches320, the third switches330and the fourth switches340may be integrated with the control unit400into an integrated circuit (IC), thereby reducing an area of use on a circuit board and also lowering an amount of electronic components being used, but the invention is not limited thereto. The first switches310, the second switches320, the third switches330, the fourth switches340and the control unit400may also be disposed on the substrate100, or be disposed in any manner satisfying the conditions of: the first switches310being between the control unit400and the first sensing electrodes210, the second switches320being between the control unit400and the second sensing electrodes220, the third switches330being between the control unit400and the third sensing electrodes230, and the fourth switches340being between the control unit400and fourth sensing electrodes240; details will not be repeated herein.

In addition to the above, the touch apparatus10may further include a plurality of compensation patterns500, and each of the compensation patterns500is disposed on the substrate100and located in a region not being disposed with and surrounded by the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. The compensation patterns500may be used as optical compensations for the touch apparatus10, so as to prevent an uneven visual effect from being caused by the configurations of the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240on the substrate100of the touch panel10. Particularly, the compensation patterns500may be made of a same material as the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240, which is, for instance, a transparent conductive material, and thereby achieves a uniform visual effect under a condition of not requiring any additional processing.

On the other hand,FIG. 1Bshows a sensing method suitable for the touch apparatus depicted inFIG. 1A. Referring toFIG. 1AandFIG. 1B, in general, when a touch action is not yet performed on the touch apparatus10, such as in step S100, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400to the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. In the present embodiment, when the touch action is performed on the touch apparatus10, such as when the conductive object approaches or contacts the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240of the touch apparatus10, a touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus10may be determined through sensing the capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210, the third sensing electrodes230, the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240, or through sensing the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210, in each of the second sensing electrodes220, in each of the third sensing electrodes230and in each of the fourth sensing electrodes240, and thus a connection mode of the switch module300may be decided according to the touch strength of the touch point on the touch apparatus10.

Next, the touch strength of the touch point in comparison to a preset value is being determined. When the touch strength of the touch point is smaller than the preset value, such as in step S110, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. It is to be noted that, the touch strength is related to a contact area between the touch point and the touch apparatus10, and is determined by the capacitance changes in the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240when the touch point is being sensed, and thus a user may adjust the magnitude of the preset value according to the calculation method and the sensing ability of the control unit400. Certainly, in terms of a touch apparatus adopting floating touch technology, the touch strength may also be related to an area of a portion whereby a distance between the touch point and the touch apparatus is less than a preset distance.

For instance, in the touch apparatus10, a spacing between the first sensing electrodes210and the third sensing electrodes230that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a first direction D1may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm, and a spacing between the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a second direction D2may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm. Therefore, when using a conductive object, such as a stylus, to approach or contact the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240of the touch apparatus10, and now, assuming an area of a touch point formed on the touch apparatus10being smaller than a preset area, while the control unit400sensed that the capacitance changes in the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240are smaller than a preset value, then the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. In this way, a favorable effect in determining touch coordinates may be attained through using a larger amount of the sensing electrodes.

FIG. 2Ais a schematic diagram illustrating a touch apparatus20according to a second embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2A, in the present embodiment, the touch panel20is similar to the touch panel10ofFIG. 1A, and thus similar components thereof are indicated with the same reference numerals and have similar functions, and no further detail will be elaborated herein. A main difference between the touch panel20and the touch panel10lies in that, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210and the second sensing electrodes220; in other words, the control unit400is disconnected from and not electrically connected with the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240.

In detail, in the present embodiment, the control unit400is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes210through the first switches310, and the control unit400is electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes220through the second switches320. On the other hand, the third sensing electrodes230are not electrically connected with the control unit400through the third switches330, and the fourth sensing electrodes240are not electrically connected with the control unit400through the fourth switches340. As a result, the control unit400of the touch apparatus20locates the coordinates whereby the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus20through capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210and the second sensing electrodes220, or through the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210and in each of the second sensing electrodes220. In this way, the amount of sensing electrodes being used may be reduced, and thereby lowers the number and the time for performing the calculation.

On the other hand,FIG. 2Bshows a sensing method suitable for the touch apparatus depicted inFIG. 2A. Referring toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, in general, when a touch action is not yet performed on the touch apparatus10, such as in step S100, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. In the present embodiment, when the touch action is performed on the touch apparatus20, such as when the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus20, a touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus20may be determined through sensing the capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210, the third sensing electrodes230, the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240, or through sensing the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210, in each of the second sensing electrodes220, in each of the third sensing electrodes230and in each of the fourth sensing electrodes240, and thus a connection mode of the switch module300may be decided according to the touch strength of the touch point on the touch apparatus10. Then, the touch strength of the touch point in comparison to a preset value is being determined. When the touch strength of the touch point is greater than the preset value, such as in step S120, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210and the second sensing electrodes220, and the switch module300disconnects the control unit400from the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240.

For instance, in the touch apparatus touch apparatus20, a spacing between the first sensing electrodes210and the third sensing electrodes230that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a first direction D1may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm, and a spacing between the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a second direction D2may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm. Therefore, when using a conductive object, such as a finger, to approach or contact the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240of the touch apparatus20, and now, assuming an area of a touch point formed on the touch apparatus20being greater than a preset area, while the control unit400having sensed that the capacitance changes in the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240are greater than a preset value, then the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210and the second sensing electrodes220, and the switch module300disconnects the control unit400from the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. In this way, a favorable effect in determining touch coordinates may still be attained through using a less amount of the sensing electrodes.

FIG. 3Ais a schematic diagram illustrating a touch apparatus30according to a third embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3A, in the present embodiment, the touch panel30is similar to the touch panel10ofFIG. 1A, and thus similar components thereof are indicated with the same reference numerals and have similar functions, and no further detail will be elaborated herein. A main difference between the touch panel30and the touch panel10lies in that, the switch module300further includes a plurality of fifth switches350and a plurality of sixth switches360. The control unit400is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes210through the first switches310, and the first sensing electrodes210may be electrically connected with the corresponding third sensing electrodes230through the fifth switches350. The control unit400is electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes220through the second switches320, and the second sensing electrodes220may be electrically connected with the corresponding fourth sensing electrodes240through the sixth switches360.

In detail, in the present embodiment, the control unit400is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes210through the first switches310, and each of the first sensing electrodes210is electrically connected with one of the third sensing electrodes230adjacent thereto through one of the fifth switches350. The control unit400is electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes220through the second switches320, and each of the second sensing electrodes220is electrically connected with one of the fourth sensing electrodes240adjacent thereto through one of the sixth switches360. On the other hand, the third sensing electrodes230are not electrically connected with the control unit400through the third switches330, and the fourth sensing electrodes240are not electrically connected with the control unit400through the fourth switches340. As a result, with the configuration between the first switches310and the fifth switches350and the configuration between the second switches320and the sixth switches360, the control unit400of the touch apparatus30may locate the coordinates whereby the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus30through capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210and one of the third sensing electrodes230adjacent thereto and the second sensing electrodes220and one of the fourth sensing electrodes240adjacent thereto. Otherwise, the control unit400of the touch apparatus30may locate the coordinates whereby the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus30through the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210and one of the third sensing electrodes230adjacent thereto, and in each of the second sensing electrodes220and one of the fourth sensing electrodes240adjacent thereto.

On the other hand,FIG. 3Bshows a sensing method suitable for the touch apparatus depicted inFIG. 3A. Referring toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, in general, when a touch action is not yet performed on the touch apparatus30, such as in step S100, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. In the present embodiment, when the touch action is performed on the touch apparatus30, such as when the conductive object approaches or contacts the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240of the touch apparatus30, a touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus30may be determined through sensing the capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210, the third sensing electrodes230, the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240, or through sensing the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210, in each of the second sensing electrodes220, in each of the third sensing electrodes230and in each of the fourth sensing electrodes240. Next, the touch strength of the touch point in comparison to a preset value is being determined. When the touch strength of the touch point is smaller than the preset value, such as in step S110, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. And, if under the above condition, the touch strength of the touch point is still smaller than the preset value, such as in step S130, then the switch module300electrically connects the corresponding third sensing electrodes230of each of the first sensing electrodes210with the control unit400through each of the first switches310and each of the fifth switches350, and electrically connects the corresponding fourth sensing electrodes240of each of the second sensing electrodes220with control unit400through each of the second switches320and each of the sixth switches360.

For instance, in the touch apparatus30, a spacing between the first sensing electrodes210and the third sensing electrodes230that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a first direction D1may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm, and a spacing between the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a second direction D2may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm. Therefore, when using a conductive object, such as a finger in a glove, to approach or contact the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240of the touch apparatus30, and now, assuming an area of a touch point formed on the touch apparatus30being greater than a preset area, while the control unit400sensed that the capacitance changes in the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240are smaller than a preset value, then the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210and the second sensing electrodes220, one of the adjacent third sensing electrodes230of each of the first sensing electrodes210is electrically connected with the control unit400through each of the first switches310and each of the fifth switches350, and one of the adjacent fourth sensing electrodes240of each of the second sensing electrodes220is electrically connected with the control unit400through each of the second switches320and each of the sixth switches360, thereby attaining a favorable effect in determining touch coordinates.

FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram illustrating a touch apparatus40according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, the touch panel40is similar to the touch panel30ofFIG. 3A, and thus similar components thereof are indicated with the same reference numerals and have similar functions, and no further detail will be elaborated herein. A main difference between the touch panel40and the touch panel30lies in that, in addition to the control unit400being electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes210through the first switches310and the first sensing electrodes210being electrically connected with the corresponding third sensing electrodes230through the fifth switches350, the control unit400may also be electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes220through the second switches320, and be electrically connected with the fourth sensing electrodes240through the fourth switches340.

In detail, in the present embodiment, the control unit400is electrically connected with the first sensing electrodes210through the first switches310, the control unit400is electrically connected with one of the adjacent third sensing electrodes230of each of the first sensing electrodes210through each of the first switches310and each of the fifth switches350, the control unit400is electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes220through the second switches320, and the control unit400is electrically connected with the fourth sensing electrodes240through the fourth switches340. On the other hand, the third sensing electrodes230are not electrically connected with the control unit400through the third switches330, and the fourth sensing electrodes240are not electrically connected with the second sensing electrodes220through the sixth switches360. As a result, the control unit400of the touch apparatus40may locate the coordinates whereby the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus40through capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210and one of the third sensing electrodes230adjacent thereto and the second sensing electrodes220, and through capacitance changes between one of the first sensing electrodes210and one of the third sensing electrodes230adjacent thereto and the fourth sensing electrodes240. Otherwise, the control unit400of the touch apparatus40may locate the coordinates whereby the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus40through the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210and one of the third sensing electrodes230adjacent thereto, in each of the second sensing electrodes220, and in each of the fourth sensing electrodes240.

On the other hand,FIG. 4Bshows a sensing method suitable for the touch apparatus depicted inFIG. 4A. Referring toFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, in general, when a touch action is not yet performed on the touch apparatus40, such as in step S100, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the240fourth sensing electrodes. In the present embodiment, when the touch action is performed on the touch apparatus40, such as in step S110, a touch strength of a touch point on the touch apparatus40may be determined through sensing the capacitance changes between the first sensing electrodes210, the third sensing electrodes230, the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240, or through sensing the respective capacitance changes in each of the first sensing electrodes210, in each of the second sensing electrodes220, in each of the third sensing electrodes230and in each of the fourth sensing electrodes240. Next, the touch strength of the touch point in comparison to a preset value is being determined. When the touch strength of the touch point is smaller than the preset value, such as in step S110, the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240. And, if under the above condition, the touch strength of the touch point is still smaller than the preset value, such as in step S150, and in order to further increase a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), then the switch module300electrically connects the corresponding third sensing electrodes230of each of the first sensing electrodes210with the control unit400through each of the first switches310and each of the fifth switches350, electrically connects the control unit400with the second sensing electrodes220through the second switches320, and electrically connects the control unit400with the fourth sensing electrodes240through the fourth switches340.

For instance, in the touch apparatus40, a spacing between the first sensing electrodes210and the third sensing electrodes230that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a first direction D1may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm, and a spacing between the second sensing electrodes220and the fourth sensing electrodes240that are staggeredly disposed with each other along a second direction D2may be designed to range from 2 μm to 3.5 μm. Therefore, when using a conductive object, such as a finger in a glove, to approach or contact the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240of the touch apparatus40, and now, assuming an area of a touch point formed on the touch apparatus40being greater than a preset area, while the control unit400sensed that the capacitance changes in the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240are smaller than a preset value, then the switch module300electrically connects the control unit400with the first sensing electrodes210and the second sensing electrodes220, one of the adjacent third sensing electrodes230of each of the first sensing electrodes210is electrically connected with the control unit400through each of the fifth switches350and each of the first switches310, and the fourth sensing electrodes240are electrically connected with the control unit400through the fourth switches340, thereby attaining a favorable effect in determining touch coordinates.

Moreover, in the touch apparatus of the invention, the first sensing electrodes210, the second sensing electrodes220, the third sensing electrodes230and the fourth sensing electrodes240may be manufactured with the same optical mask as the display panel. For instanced, the sensing electrodes of the touch apparatus may be manufactured as being overlapped with signal lines, data lines or conductive patterns of common electrodes, and may locate the coordinates whereby the conductive object approaches or contacts the touch apparatus through the capacitance changes therebetween or through the capacitance change in each of the sensing electrodes.

In summary, with the configuration of the switch module between the control unit and the sensing electrodes, the invention enables the user to adjust the connection mode of the switch module according to sensing requirements, such as a projection area of the touch point on the touch apparatus, the touch strength being sensed at the touch point, an enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio and so forth, and thereby attains the favorable effect in determining touch coordinates.