Knob apparatus and operation method thereof

A knob apparatus includes a touch panel, a touch-sensing controller, and a knob. The touch panel has multiple touch-sensing electrodes. The touch-sensing controller is coupled to the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel. The touch-sensing controller detects a touch event of the touch panel through the touch-sensing electrodes. The knob has a base and a knob cap. The knob cap is pivoted on the base. The base is attached to the touch panel. Multiple conductive electrodes are disposed at different positions of the base. The touch-sensing controller detects the conductive electrodes of the base of the knob through the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel to learn a rotation direction of the knob cap on the base.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a touch apparatus, and in particular to a knob apparatus and an operation method thereof.

Description of Related Art

Nowadays, many vehicle center information displays (CIDs) are equipped with touch functions. For example, drivers can touch the CID (touch panel) to adjust the temperature, volume, or other system values. When the drivers adjust the system values in their vehicles, they need to spend more time to pay attention to the touch position of the CID and the related values, which leads to safety concerns.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a knob apparatus and an operation method thereof for realizing a physical knob function on a touch panel.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the knob apparatus includes a touch panel, a touch-sensing controller, and a knob. The touch panel has multiple touch-sensing electrodes. The touch-sensing controller is coupled to the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel. The touch-sensing controller is configured to detect a touch event of the touch panel through the touch-sensing electrodes. The knob has a base and a knob cap. The knob cap is pivoted on the base. The base is attached to the touch panel. Multiple conductive electrodes are disposed at different positions of the base. The touch-sensing controller detects the conductive electrodes of the base of the knob through the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel to learn a rotation direction of the knob cap on the base.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operation method includes the following. Multiple touch-sensing electrodes are disposed on the touch panel, in which the touch-sensing electrodes are configured to detect a touch event of the touch panel. A knob is attached to the touch panel, in which the knob has a base and a knob cap, the knob cap is pivoted on the base, and the base is attached to the touch panel. Multiple conductive electrodes are disposed at different positions of the base of the knob. The conductive electrodes of the base of the knob are detected through the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel to learn a rotation direction of the knob cap on the base.

Based on the above, the knob described in the embodiments of the disclosure is attached to the touch panel. The knob has a base and a knob cap, the knob cap is pivoted on the base, and the base is attached to the touch panel. There are different conductive electrodes at different positions of the base of the knob. Due to a rotational movement of the knob cap on the base, electrical changes (e.g., changes in capacitive properties) occur in the conductive electrodes of the base of the knob. The touch-sensing controller may detect the conductive electrodes of the base of the knob through the touch-sensing electrode of the touch panel to obtain different sensing results. Based on the difference in the sensing results of the conductive electrodes, the touch-sensing controller may learn the rotation direction of the knob cap on the base. Thus, the knob apparatus may realize the physical knob function on the touch panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The word “coupling (or connection)” used throughout the specification of this application (including the claims) can refer to any direct or indirect connection means. For example, if a first device is described as being coupled (or connected) to a second device, it should be interpreted as meaning that the first device can be directly connected to the second device, or that the first device can be indirectly connected to the second device by other devices or some means of connection. The terms “first” and “second”, etc. mentioned throughout the full text of the specification of this application (including the claims) are used to name elements or to distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements, nor are they used to limit the order of the elements. In addition, wherever possible, elements/components/steps with the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and embodiments to represent the same or similar parts. Elements/components/steps using the same reference numerals or using the same terms in different embodiments can refer to the relevant descriptions of each other.

FIG.1is a schematic block diagram of a circuit of a knob apparatus100according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The knob apparatus100shown inFIG.1includes a knob110, a touch panel120, and a touch-sensing controller130. Depending on different designs, in some embodiments, the touch-sensing controller130may be implemented as a hardware circuit. In other embodiments, the touch-sensing controller130may be implemented in the form of firmware, software (i.e., program), or a combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the implementation of the touch-sensing controller130may be a combination of hardware, firmware, and software.

In terms of hardware form, the touch-sensing controller130may be implemented in a logic circuit on an integrated circuit. For example, relevant functions of the touch-sensing controller130may be implemented in one or more controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASICs), digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU) and/or various logic blocks, modules, and circuits in other processing units. Relevant functions of the touch-sensing controller130may be implemented as hardware circuits, such as various logic blocks, modules, and circuits in integrated circuits, using hardware description languages (e.g., Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming languages.

In terms of software form and/or firmware form, the relevant functions of the touch-sensing controller130may be implemented as programming codes. For example, the touch-sensing controller130is implemented using general programming languages (e.g., C, C++, or combination language) or other suitable programming languages. The programming code may be recorded/stored in a “non-transitory machine-readable storage medium”. In some embodiments, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes, for example, a semiconductor memory and/or a storage device. An electronic apparatus (e.g., a computer, CPU, controller, microcontroller, or microprocessor) may read and execute the programming code from the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, thereby realizing relevant functions of the touch-sensing controller130.

The touch panel has multiple touch-sensing electrodes, such as (but not limited to) touch-sensing electrodes SP11, SP12, SP13, SP14, SP15, SP16, and SP17shown inFIG.1. The touch-sensing controller130is coupled to the touch-sensing electrodes. The touch-sensing controller130may detect a touch event of the touch panel120through the touch-sensing electrodes. This embodiment does not limit the implementation of the touch panel120. For example, depending on the actual design, the touch panel120may be a conventional display panel with a touch detection function or other touch detection panels.

The knob110described in this embodiment is attached to the touch panel120to form a knob on touch display. Based on the actuation/control of the touch-sensing controller130, the touch panel120may sense the knob110. Thus, a user (e.g., a driver) does not need to be distracted from viewing the touch panel120(e.g., touch screen) when performing in-vehicle controls on the touch panel120, thereby enhancing driving safety.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, the knob110has a knob cap111and a base112. The base112is attached to touch panel120. The knob cap111is pivoted on the base112. Based on twisting by a user30, the knob cap111may be rotated on an axis of rotation AR1of the base112. For example, the user30may twist the knob cap111according to a rotation direction DIR1, or twist the knob cap111according to a rotation direction DIR2.

FIG.2is a schematic flowchart of an operating method of a knob apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, in step S210, multiple touch-sensing electrodes (e.g., the touch-sensing electrodes SP11to SP17shown inFIG.1) are disposed on the touch panel120. In step S220, the knob110is attached to the touch panel120. In step S230, multiple conductive electrodes (e.g., conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1) are disposed at different positions of the base112of the knob110. It should be noted that the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the conductive electrodes of the base112may be determined according to the actual design.

In step S240, the touch-sensing controller130may detect the conductive electrodes E11and E12of the base112of the knob110through the touch-sensing electrodes SP11to SP17of the touch panel120to learn the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112. During the process of twisting the knob cap111by the user30, the base112is fixedly attached to the touch panel120, so that the knob110does not rub against the touch panel120.

FIG.3is a schematic top diagram of a knob110according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the base112has conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1. The conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1shown inFIG.3can be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1. The conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1shown inFIG.3may be used as one of many implementation examples of the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1. In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the knob cap111includes a hand contact portion E31and an electrical path E32. When the knob cap111is operated by a hand of the user30, the hand contact portion E31is adapted to contact the hand of the user30. A material of the hand contact portion E31can be any conductive material. A first end of the electrical path E32is coupled to the hand contact portion E31. Based on rotation of the knob cap111on the base112, a second end of the electrical path E32may be selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1of the base112. It should be noted that the conductive electrode A1, the conductive electrode B1, the conductive electrode C1, the hand contact portion E31, and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.3are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the conductive electrodes, the hand contact portion, and the electrical path may be determined according to the actual design.

FIG.4is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a knob110along a section line AA-AA″ shown inFIG.3, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The conductive electrode A1, the hand contact portion E31, and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.4can be referred to the related description of the conductive electrode A1, the hand contact portion E31, and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.3. The hand contact portion E31and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.4can be used as one of many implementation examples of the hand contact portion E31and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.3. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, the hand of the user30can contact the hand contact portion E31. The first end of the electrical path E32is coupled to the hand contact portion E31. Based on the rotation of the knob cap111on the base112, the second end of the electrical path E32may be selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1of the base112. It should be noted that the conductive electrode A1, the hand contact portion E31, and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.4are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the conductive electrodes, the hand contact portion, and the electrical path may be determined according to the actual design.

Referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E31and the second end of the electrical path E32is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode A1of the base112, the touch-sensing controller130may detect a touch event of the hand of the user30through the touch-sensing electrode SP12, the first conductive electrode A1, the electrical path E32, and the hand contact portion E31. This embodiment does not limit the detection method of the touch event performed by the touch-sensing controller130on the touch-sensing electrodes SP11to SP17of the touch panel120. For example, according to the actual design, the touch-sensing controller130can actuate/control the touch panel120to perform conventional detection or other detection on the touch event.

That is, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E31and the second end of the electrical path E32is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode A1of the base112, the touch-sensing controller130may know that the touch event occurs at the position of the conductive electrode A1of the touch panel120(at the position of the touch-sensing electrode SP12). Similarly, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E31and the second end of the electrical path E32is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode B1or C1shown inFIG.3, the touch-sensing controller130may know that the touch event occurs at the position of the conductive electrode B1or C1of the touch panel120.

FIG.5is a schematic diagram of different states when a hand of a user30operates a knob cap111according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The conductive electrode A1, the conductive electrode B1, the conductive electrode C1, and the hand contact portion E31shown inFIG.5can be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrode A1, the conductive electrode B1, the conductive electrode C1, and the hand contact portion E31shown inFIG.3. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, the hand contact portion E31may be selectively coupled to the conductive electrodes A1, B1, or C1through an electrical path, as shown inFIG.5. The touch-sensing controller130can detect whether a touch event occurs at positions of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1of the base112through different touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120. Based on a sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1, the touch-sensing controller130may determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram of different states when a touch event occurs at the positions of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1of the base112according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The horizontal axis ofFIG.6represents the positions of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, or C1of the base112, while the vertical axis represents the different states. The touch-sensing controller130may convert detection results of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1of the base112into a current code. The current code may indicate that the touch event occurs at a single electrode of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1of the base112.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E31and the hand contact portion E31is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode A1of the base112through the electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may know that a touch event occurs at the position of the conductive electrode A1of the touch panel120, but no touch event occurs in other conductive electrodes B1and C1. At this time, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1into a current code “100” (i.e., state 1 shown inFIG.6). Similarly, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E31and the hand contact portion E31is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode B1of the base112through the electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1into a current code “010” (i.e., state 2 shown inFIG.6). When the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E31and the hand contact portion E31is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode C1of the base112through the electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1into a current code “001” (i.e., state 3 shown inFIG.6).

The touch-sensing controller130may compare the current code with the previous code to determine whether the knob cap111has been rotated, and then determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111. When the current code and the previous code indicate that the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1is a first sequence (e.g., state 1→state 2→state 3→state 1), the touch-sensing controller130may determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111is clockwise. When the current code and the previous code indicate that the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1is a second sequence (e.g., state 3→state 2→state 1→state 3), the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the rotation direction of the knob cap111is counterclockwise.

FIG.7is a schematic flowchart of an operating method of a knob apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure. In step S710, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A1, B1and C1of the base112into the current code. In step S720, the touch-sensing controller130may compare the current code with the previous code to determine whether the code has changed (i.e., determine whether the knob cap111has been rotated). If the code has not changed (i.e., a determination result in step S720is “no”), then go back to step S710to update the current code. If the current code is changed (i.e., the determination result of step S720is “yes”), step S730is performed to determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111. The details of the determination in step S730can be referred to the relevant description ofFIG.5andFIG.6, and therefore will not be repeated in the following. The touch-sensing controller130may report the rotation direction (or even rotation speed) of the knob cap111to a system to trigger/adjust corresponding application functions (e.g., adjusting temperature, volume, or other system values). In step S740, the touch-sensing controller130may update the previous code based on the current code. After completing step S740, the touch-sensing controller130may go back to step S710to update the current code.

FIG.8is a schematic top diagram of a knob110according to another embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, the knob cap111includes a hand contact portion E81and an electrical path E82, and the base112has conductive electrodes A2, B2and C2. The hand contact portion E81, the electrical path E82, the conductive electrode A2, the conductive electrode B2, and the conductive electrode C2shown inFIG.8can be referred to the relevant description of the hand contact portion E31, the electrical path E32, the conductive electrode A1, the conductive electrode B1, and the conductive electrode C1shown inFIG.3. The conductive electrodes A2, B2, and C2shown inFIG.8can be used as one of many implementation examples of the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1. In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, the knob cap111further includes a pressing member810. When the knob cap111is pressed by hand of the user30, the pressing member810is adapted to electrically connect the conductive electrodes A2, B2, and C2of the base112. The touch-sensing controller130may detect whether the “touch event” occurs at the same time at the conductive electrodes A2, B2, and C2of the base112through different touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120to determine whether the knob cap111has been pressed.

FIG.9AandFIG.9Bare schematic cross-sectional diagrams of a knob110along a section line BB-BB″ shown inFIG.8, according to still another embodiment of the disclosure. The conductive electrode A2, the conductive electrode B2, the hand contact portion E81, and the electrical path E82shown inFIG.9AandFIG.9Bcan be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrode A2, the conductive electrode B2, the hand contact portion E81, and the electrical path E82shown inFIG.8. The hand contact portion E81and the electrical path E82shown inFIG.9AandFIG.9Bcan be used as one of many implementation examples of the hand contact portion E81and the electrical path E82shown inFIG.8. The conductive electrode A2, the conductive electrode B2, the hand contact portion E81, and the electrical path E82shown inFIG.9AandFIG.9Bcan be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrode A1, the hand contact portion E31, and the electrical path E32shown inFIG.4, and be analogized to each other.

FIG.9Ais a schematic diagram of a state in which the knob cap111has not been pressed. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, the hand of the user30may contact the hand contact portion E31for rotation of the knob cap111on the base112. For example, the user30can twist the knob cap111according to the rotation direction DIR1, or rotate the knob cap111according to the rotation direction DIR2. A rotation sensing operation of the knob110, the touch panel120, and the touch-sensing controller130in a state shown inFIG.9Acan be referred to the relevant description of a rotation sensing operation shown inFIG.3toFIG.7, and be analogized to each other, and therefore will not be repeated in the following. In the state in which the knob cap111has not been pressed, the pressing member810is in an electrical floating state.

FIG.9Bis a schematic diagram of a state in which the knob cap111is pressed. Referring toFIG.8andFIG.9B, when the hand of the user30presses the knob cap111in a pressing direction DIR3, the pressing member810of the knob cap111is electrically connected to the conductive electrodes A2, B2, and C2of the base112. The touch-sensing controller130may detect whether the “touch event” occurs at the same time at the conductive electrodes A2, B2, and C2of the base112through different touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120to determine whether the knob cap111is pressed.

FIG.10is a schematic flowchart of an operating method of a knob apparatus according to still another embodiment of the disclosure. Steps S1010, S1020, S1040, and S1060shown inFIG.10can be referred to the relevant description of steps S710, S720, S730, and S740shown inFIG.7, and be analogized to each other, and therefore will not be repeated in the following. If the current code is changed (i.e., the determination result of step S1020is “yes”), step S1030is performed to determine whether the knob cap111is pressed. In step S1030, the touch-sensing controller130may check the current code. If the current code is not “111” (the determination result of step S1030is “no”), then step S1040is performed to determine the rotation direction of knob cap111. If the current code is “111” (i.e., the determination result of step S1030is “yes”), step S1050is performed to determine that the knob cap111has been pressed, and then step S1060is proceed.

FIG.11is a schematic top diagram of a knob110according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG.11, the knob cap111has a hand contact portion E111and an electrical path E112, and the base112has conductive electrodes A3, B3, C3, D3, E3, and F3. The hand contact portion E111, the electrical path E112, and the conductive electrodes A3to F3shown inFIG.11can be referred to the relevant description of the hand contact portion E31, the electrical path E32, and the conductive electrodes A1to C1shown inFIG.3, and be analogized to each other. The conductive electrodes A3to F3shown inFIG.11can be used as one of many implementation examples of the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.11, when the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, based on the rotation of the knob cap111on the base112, a second end of the electrical path E112may be selectively coupled to one of conductive electrodes A3to F3of the base112. It should be noted that the conductive electrodes A3to F3, the hand contact portion E111, and the electrical path E112shown inFIG.11are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the conductive electrodes, the hand contact portion, and the electrical path may be determined according to the actual design.

FIG.12is a schematic diagram of different states when a hand of a user30operates a knob cap111according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The conductive electrodes A3to F3and the hand contact portion E111shown inFIG.12can be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrodes A3to F3and the hand contact portion E111shown inFIG.11. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, the hand contact portion E111may be selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes A3to F3through an electrical path, as shown inFIG.12. The touch-sensing controller130may detect whether a touch event occurs at positions of the conductive electrodes A3to F3of the base112through different touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120. Based on a sequence of occurrence of the touch event occurs at the conductive electrodes A3to F3, the touch-sensing controller130may determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112.

FIG.13is a schematic diagram of different states when a touch event occurs at positions of the conductive electrodes A3to F3of the base112according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The horizontal axis ofFIG.13represents the positions of the conductive electrodes A3to F3of the base112, and the vertical axis represents different states. The touch-sensing controller130may convert detection results of the conductive electrodes A3to F3of the base112into a current code. The current code may indicate that the touch event occurs at a single electrode of the conductive electrodes A3to F3of the base112.

Referring toFIG.11andFIG.13, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E111and the hand contact portion E111is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode A3of the base112through an electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may know that a touch event occurs at the position of the conductive electrode A3of the touch panel120, but no touch event occurs in other conductive electrodes B3to F3. At this time, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A3to F3into a current code “10000” (i.e., state 1 shown inFIG.13). Similarly, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E111and the hand contact portion E111is selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes B3to F3of the base112through an electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A3to F3into current codes “010000” (i.e., state 2 shown inFIG.13), “001000” (i.e., state 3 shown inFIG.13), and “000100” (i.e., state 4 shown inFIG.13), “000010” (i.e., state 5 shown inFIG.13), or “000001” (i.e., state 6 shown inFIG.13).

The touch-sensing controller130may compare the current code with the previous code to determine whether the knob cap111has been rotated, and then determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111. When the current code and the previous code indicate that the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A3to F3is a first sequence (e.g., state 1→state 2→state 3→state 4→state 5→state 6→state 1), the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the rotation direction of the knob cap111is clockwise. When the current code and the previous code indicate that the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A3to F3is a second sequence (e.g., state 6→state 5→state 4→state 3→state 2→state 1→state 6), the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the rotation direction of the knob cap111is counterclockwise.

FIG.14is a schematic flowchart of an operating method of a knob apparatus according to still another embodiment of the disclosure. Steps S1410, S1420, S1440, and S1460shown inFIG.14can be referred to the relevant description of steps S710, S720, S730, and S740shown inFIG.7, and be analogized to each other, and therefore will not be repeated in the following. If the current code is changed (i.e., the determination result in step S1420is “yes”), step S1430is performed to determine whether the state is continuous. If the state is continuous (i.e., the determination result of step S1430is “yes”), step S1440is performed to determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111. If the state is discontinuous (i.e., the determination result in step S1430is “no”), step S1450is performed to issue a state omission notification. For example, if the current code represents state 3 shown inFIG.13and the previous code represents state 1 shown inFIG.13, the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the states are not continuous (i.e., state 2 is missing). Typically, rotating the knob cap111too quickly may cause state to be lost. At this time, the touch-sensing controller130may report the state omission notification to the system, and then proceed to step S1140.

FIG.15is a schematic top diagram of a knob110according to a further embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG.15, the knob cap111has a hand contact portion E151and an electrical path E152, and the base112has conductive electrodes A4, B4, C4, D4, E4, and F4. The hand contact portion E151, the electrical path E152, and the conductive electrodes A4to F4shown inFIG.15can be referred to the relevant description of the hand contact portion E31, the electrical path E32, and the conductive electrodes A1to C1shown inFIG.3, and be analogized to each other, or be referred to the relevant description of the hand contact portion E111, the electrical path E112, and the conductive electrodes A3to F3shown inFIG.11, and be analogized to each other. The conductive electrodes A4to F4shown inFIG.15can be used as one of many implementation examples of the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.15, when the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, based on the rotation of the knob cap111on the base112, a second end of the electrical path E152can be selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of the base112. It should be noted that the conductive electrodes A4to F4, the hand contact portion E151, and the electrical path E152shown inFIG.15are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the conductive electrodes, the hand contact portion, and the electrical path may be determined according to the actual design.

FIG.16is a schematic diagram of different states when a hand of a user30operates a knob cap111according to still another embodiment of the disclosure. The conductive electrodes A4to F4and the hand contact portion E151shown inFIG.16can be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrodes A4to F4and the hand contact portion E151shown inFIG.15. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, the hand contact portion E151may be selectively coupled to multiple of the conductive electrodes A4to F4through the electrical path, as shown inFIG.16. The touch-sensing controller130may detect whether the touch event occurs at positions of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of the base112through different touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120. Based on a sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A4to F4, the touch-sensing controller130may determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112.

FIG.17is a schematic diagram of different states when a touch event occurs at positions of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of a base112according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The horizontal axis ofFIG.17represents the positions of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of the base112, and the vertical axis represents different states. The touch-sensing controller130may convert detection results of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of the base112into a current code. The current code may represent the touch event occurs at multiple adjacent electrodes of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of the base112.

Referring toFIGS.15and17, when the hand of the user30contacts the touch portion E151and the touch portion E151is selectively coupled to the conductive electrodes A4and B4of the base112through the electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may know that a touch event occurs at positions of the conductive electrodes A4and B4of the touch panel120, but no touch event occurs at other conductive electrodes C4to F4. At this time, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A4to F4into a current code “110000” (i.e., state 1 shown inFIG.17). Similarly, when the hand of the user30contacts the hand contact portion E111and the hand contact portion E111is selectively coupled to adjacent multiple of the conductive electrodes A4to F4of the base112through the electrical path, the touch-sensing controller130may convert the detection results of the conductive electrodes A4to F4into current codes “011000” (i.e., state 2 shown inFIG.17), “001100” (i.e., state 3 shown inFIG.17), “000110” (i.e., state 4 shown inFIG.17), “000011” (i.e., state 5 shown inFIG.17) or “100001” (i.e., state 6 shown inFIG.17).

The touch-sensing controller130may compare the current code with the previous code to determine whether the knob cap111has been rotated, and then determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111. When the current code and the previous code indicate that the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A4to F4is the first sequence (e.g., state 1→state 2→state 3→state 4→state 5→state 6→state 1), the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the rotation direction of the knob cap111is clockwise. When the current code and the previous code indicate that the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A4to F4is the second sequence (e.g., state 6→state 5→state 4→state 3→state 2→state 1→state 6), the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the rotation direction of the knob cap111is counterclockwise.

FIG.18is a schematic flowchart of an operating method of a knob apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure. Steps S1810, S1820, S1840, and S1860shown inFIG.18may be referred to the relevant description of steps S710, S720, S730and S740shown inFIG.7, and be analogized to each other, and therefore will not be repeated in the following. If the current code is changed (i.e., the determination result in step S1820is “yes”), step S1830is performed. In step S1830, the touch-sensing controller130may check and determine whether the current code is anomalous. If there is no anomaly in the current code (i.e., the determination result of step S1830is “no”), step S1840is performed to determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111. If the current code is anomalous (i.e., the determination result in step S1830is “yes”), step S1850is proceed.

When the current code is anomalous, the touch-sensing controller130may repair the current code based on the previous code in step S1850. For example, if the current code is “010000” and the previous code is “110000”, the touch-sensing controller130may determine that the current code “010000” is anomalous (i.e., a sensing result of the conductive electrode C4is lost). At this time, the touch-sensing controller130may repair the current code “010000” to “011000” based on the previous code “110000”, and then step S1840is proceeded.

FIG.19is a schematic top diagram of a knob110according to a further embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG.19, the knob cap111includes an electrical path E192, and the base112has a common electrode COM5, a conductive electrode A5, a conductive electrode B5, and a conductive electrode C5. The common electrode COM5, the conductive electrode A5, the conductive electrode B5, and the conductive electrode C5may be made of any conductive material. The conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5shown inFIG.19can be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrodes A1, B1, and C1shown inFIG.3. The conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5shown inFIG.19may be used as one of many implementation examples of the conductive electrodes E11and E12shown inFIG.1.

A material of the electrical path E192may be any conductive material. A first end of the electrical path E192is coupled to the common electrode COM5. When the knob cap111operated by the hand of the user30, a second end of the electrical path E192is selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5of the base112based on the rotation of the knob cap111on the base112. It should be noted that the conductive electrode A5, the conductive electrode B5, the conductive electrode C5, the common electrode COM5, and the electrical path E192shown inFIG.19are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the conductive electrodes, the common electrode, and the electrical path may be determined according to the actual design. For example, the relevant description of the embodiment shown inFIG.19may be applied by analogy to the embodiment shown inFIG.8orFIG.11. In other embodiments, the second end of the electrical path E192may be selectively coupled to multiple of the conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5of the base112based on the rotation of the knob cap111on the base112. For example, the relevant description of the embodiment shown inFIG.19may be applied to the embodiment shown inFIG.15by analogy.

FIG.20is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a knob110along a section line CC-CC″ shown inFIG.19, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The conductive electrode A5, the common electrode COM5, and the electrical path E192shown inFIG.20can be referred to the relevant description of the conductive electrode A5, the common electrode COM5, and the electrical path E192shown inFIG.19. The electrical path E192shown inFIG.20may be used as one of many implementation examples of the electrical path E192shown inFIG.19. The first end of the electrical path E192of the knob cap111is coupled to the common electrode COM5of the base112. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, based on the rotation of the knob cap111on the base112, the second end of the electrical path E192may be selectively coupled to one of the conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5of the base112. It should be noted that the electrical path E192, the conductive electrode A5, the common electrode COM5, and the electrical path E192shown inFIG.20are only schematic diagrams. The position, quantity, and geometry of the electrical path, the conductive electrodes, and the common electrode may be determined according to the actual design. For example, the relevant descriptions of the embodiment shown inFIG.20may be applied by analogy to the embodiments shown inFIG.9AtoFIG.9B.

Referring toFIG.19andFIG.20, the touch-sensing controller130may provide a touch driving signal COM to the common electrode COM5of the base112of the knob110through at least one of the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120(e.g., the touch-sensing electrode SP14). This embodiment does not limit the implementation of the touch driving signal COM. For example, according to the actual design, the touch driving signal COM may be a ground voltage, a pulse signal, a clock signal, or other driving signals. The user30may twist the knob cap111according to the rotation direction DIR1, or twist the knob cap111according to the rotation direction DIR2. When the knob cap111is operated by the hand of the user30, and the second end of the electrical path E192is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode (e.g., the conductive electrode A5) of the base112, the touch driving signal COM may be transmitted to the conductive electrode A5from the touch-sensing electrode SP14through the common electrode COM5and the electrical path E192.

The touch-sensing controller130may detect all the conductive electrodes of the base112of the knob110through all the touch-sensing electrodes (e.g., the touch-sensing electrodes SP11to SP17) of the touch panel120to learn the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112. Taking the operation scenario shown inFIG.20as an example, when the second end of the electrical path E192is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode A5of the base112, the touch-sensing controller130may detect the touch driving signal COM of the conductive electrode A5of the base112through the touch-sensing electrode SP12of the touch panel120. At this time, other conductive electrodes B5and C5of the base112have no touch driving signal COM. That is, when the second end of the electrical path E192is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode A5of the base112, the touch-sensing controller130may know that the touch event occurs at the position of the conductive electrode A5of the touch panel120(at the position of the touch-sensing electrode SP12). Similarly, when the second end of the electrical path E192is selectively coupled to the conductive electrode B5or C5shown inFIG.19, the touch-sensing controller130may know that the touch event occurs at the position of the conductive electrode B5or C5of the touch panel120.

The relevant descriptions ofFIG.5,FIG.6, andFIG.7can be applied by analogy to the embodiments shown inFIG.19andFIG.20. The touch-sensing controller130may detect whether a touch event occurs at the positions of the conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5of the base112through different touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120. Based on the sequence of occurrence of the touch event at the conductive electrodes A5, B5, and C5, the touch-sensing controller130may determine the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112.

In summary, the knob110described in the embodiments may be attached to the touch panel120. The knob110has the base112and the knob cap111. The knob cap111is pivoted on the base112, and the base112is attached to the touch panel120. There are different conductive electrodes at different positions of the base112of the knob110. Based on the rotational motion of the knob cap111on the base112, the conductive electrodes of the base112of the knob undergo electrical changes (e.g., capacitive characteristics change). The touch-sensing controller1300may detect the conductive electrodes of the base112of the knob through the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel120to obtain different sensing results. Based on the difference in the sensing results of the conductive electrodes of the base112of the knob, the touch-sensing controller130may learn the rotation direction of the knob cap111on the base112. Thus, the knob apparatus100may realize the physical knob function on the touch panel120.