Touch controller including a plurality of detectors to detect electrical change, electronic device and display device including touch controller, and touch sensing method

A touch sensing device includes a touch screen panel including a touch sensor configured to generate a first electrical change corresponding to a touch and a touch controller configured to detect touch position data with respect to an area on the touch screen panel associated with the touch, based on the first electrical change or the touch sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0121504, filed on Oct. 11, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Some inventive concepts relate to a touch controller, a display device and an electronic device including the touch controller, and/or a touch sensing method.

SUMMARY

Some inventive concepts provide a touch controller capable of improving touch sensitivity, a display device and an electronic device including the touch controller, and a touch sensing method.

Some inventive concepts provide a touch controller that is capable of operating with low power consumption, a display device and an electronic device including the touch controller, and a touch sensing method

According to an example embodiment of inventive concepts, there is provided a touch sensing device including a touch screen panel including a touch sensor configured to generate a first electrical change corresponding to a touch and a touch controller configured to detect touch position data with respect to an area on the touch screen panel in which the touch is generated, based on the first electrical change of the touch sensor, the touch controller including, a first detection unit configured to detect the first electrical change in the touch sensor in a first mode as is plurality of pieces of candidate position data with respect to an area where at least two hoverings are generated and a second detection unit configured to detect a second electrical change in at least one area of the touch sensor corresponding to the plurality of pieces of candidate position data in a second mode that is different from the first mode, to select the touch position data with respect to the at least two hoverings based on the second electrical change.

According to an example embodiment of inventive concepts, there is provided a touch sensing device including a touch screen panel comprising a touch sensor in which an electrical change corresponding to a touch is generated and a touch controller for receiving the electrical change by applying a driving voltage to the touch sensor and outputting data corresponding to an area where the touch is generated, wherein in a hovering mode, the touch controller primarily processes the electrical change corresponding to the touch in a single touch mode, and secondarily processes the electrical change corresponding to the touch in a multi-touch mode.

According to another example embodiment of inventive concepts, there is provided a display device including a touch screen panel including, a sensing array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns connected to a plurality of sensing units, the sensing array configured to generate a change in capacitance in areas of the sensing array corresponding to a plurality of concurrently generated hoverings and a touch controller configured to detect as plurality of pieces of candidate position data based on a first reception voltage corresponding to the change in capacitance in a single touch mode, process the plurality of pieces of candidate position data in a multi-touch mode, and detect touch position data with respect to an area of the sensing array corresponding to each of the plurality of hoverings.

According to another example embodiment of inventive concepts, there is provided is touch sensing method including determining whether a hovering is generated with respect to a touch screen panel, extracting touch position data including a ghost, with respect to the hovering, in a singe touch mode based on the determining, removing the ghost from the touch position data in a multi-touch mode, based on the touch position data extracted in the single touch mode and processing the touch position data from which the ghost is removed, as position data with respect to the hovering.

At least one example embodiment discloses a touch sensing device including a touch panel including a plurality of sensing circuits, the plurality of sensing circuits configured to generate sensing signals in response to a driving voltage and a touch controller configured to apply the driving voltage to the sensing circuits in a first mode and apply the driving voltage to at most a portion of the sensing circuits in a second mode based on the sensing signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The attached drawings for illustrating example embodiments of inventive concepts are referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding of inventive concepts, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by the implementation of inventive concepts. Hereinafter, inventive concepts will be described in detail by explaining example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a touch sensing device100according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. The touch sensing device100includes a touch screen panel120and a touch controller140. The touch screen panel120generates an electrical change ECG corresponding to a touch that is generated by contacting or approaching the touch screen panel120. The electrical change ECG may be sensed in response to a driving voltage DV applied by using the touch controller140. The electrical change ECG may be transmitted to the touch controller140as a sensing value SEN.

Hereinafter, a touch generated by contacting the touch screen panel120will be referred to as a contact touch. Also, a touch generated by approaching the touch screen panel120but not actually touching it, that is, a touch generated at is distance spatially apart from the touch screen panel120will be referred to as a hovering. The touch screen panel120includes a touch sensor122that generates an electrical change ECG with respect to a contact touch or a hovering.

FIG. 2illustrates the touch sensor122ofFIG. 1according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the touch sensor122may include a sensing array SARY including a plurality or rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn, to which a plurality of sensing units SU are electrically connected, and a plurality of columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm, to which as plurality of sensing units SU are electrically connected. The touch sensor122may be a mutual capacitive touch sensor in which the sensing units SU generate a change in capacitance, according to a touch.

FIG. 3is a diagram to explain a change in capacitance due to a touch when a mutual capacitance touch screen panel is used. Referring toFIG. 3, according to a mutual capacitance method, a voltage pulse is applied to a driving electrode, and a charge corresponding to a voltage pulse is collected by a receive electrode. When the finger of a person is placed between two electrodes, an electrical field (dotted line) is changed. A change in the electrical field causes a change in capacitance. AlthoughFIG. 3illustrates a contact touch, a hovering also causes a change in an electrical field. Also, although a contact touch by the finger is illustrated inFIG. 3, a change in an electrical field is also generated due to as touch via other conductors such as a touch pen.

Capacitance between electrodes is changed by a change in an electrical field between two electrodes, and a touch is sensed based on the change in the electrical field. However, example embodiments of inventive concepts are not limited thereto. WhileFIG. 3illustrates that a change in an electrical field due to a touch is sensed by a receive electrode, a change in capacitance may also be sensed from both electrodes.

FIG. 4is a graph showing a variation in capacitance according to a touch. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, each of the sensing units SU has a parasitic capacitance component Cb. For example, each of the sensing units SU may have a parasitic capacitance component Cb including a horizontal parasitic capacitance component generated between adjacent sensing units and a vertical parasitic capacitance component between arbitrary electrodes (e.g., a common voltage electrode or a ground voltage electrode). The vertical parasitic capacitance component will be described in further detail.

FIG. 5illustrates a portion of a display device500including the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1, according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIG. 5, the display device500may include a display panel520and a touch screen panel120. The display device500may be, for example, a liquid crystal device (LCD), a field emission display device (FED), an organic light emitting display (OLED), or a plasma display device (PDP). The display panel520may have a structure and may be formed of a material corresponding to a type of the display device500.

To provide process or price competitiveness, the touch screen panel120may be integrated with the display panel520of the display device500.FIG. 5illustrates the touch screen panel120mounted on the display panel520. However, example embodiments of inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the touch screen panel120may also be disposed under the display panel520. For convenience of description, an example in which the touch screen panel120is disposed on the display panel520will be described. The touch screen panel120may be spaced apart from the display panel520by a distance or may be attached to an upper plate of the display panel520. For example, when the display panel520is a liquid crystal display panel, the upper plate of the display panel520may include a common voltage electrode522. In this case, a vertical parasitic capacitance component Cv may be formed between each of the sensing units SU and the common voltage electrode522. However, example embodiments of inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and a vertical parasitic capacitance component Cv may also be formed between each of the sensing units SU and a ground voltage electrode included in the touch screen panel120.

WhileFIG. 5illustrates an On-cell type display in which the display panel520is included as panel or a layer that is separate from the touch screen panel120, example embodiments of inventive concepts are not limited thereto.

FIG. 6illustrates a portion of a display device600including the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1, according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIG. 6, the display device600may be an In-Cell type display in which display pixels DPX used in displaying and sensing units SU used in sensing a touch are formed in the same layer.

WhileFIG. 6illustrates an arrangement in which the same number of display pixels DPX and the same number of sensing units SU are alternately arranged on a common panel, other arrangements may be implemented. UnlikeFIG. 6, more display pixels DPX may be included than sensing units SU. Alternatively, display pixels DPX and sensing units SU may be arranged in a different arrangement from that ofFIG. 6. Also, each of the display pixels DPX ofFIG. 6may include R, G, and B pixels.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4again, in the sensing array SARY including a parasitic capacitance as described above, a capacitance Csen of the sensing unit SU may have a value Cb corresponding to a parasitic capacitance in a section A ofFIG. 4where no touch is generated. A section B ofFIG. 4denotes an example where a conductive material has contacted the sensing unit SU. In this case, a capacitance (Csen′=Cb+Csig) increases as the parasitic capacitance component Cb and a capacitance component Csig generated between the finger and the touch screen panel120are additionally generated.

However, example embodiments of inventive concepts are not limited thereto. WhileFIG. 4illustrates an example in which capacitance increases due to a touch, the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1may also be designed such that capacitance decreases due to a touch. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, as a portion of an electrical field formed between a driving electrode and a receive electrode is blocked due to a touch, capacitance that is proportional to an intensity of an electrical field may be reduced. In this case, the touch sensing device100may perceive this as a touch generated in a section of the sensing array SARY where capacitance decreases.

Referring toFIG. 1again, in response to the change in capacitance as described above, the touch controller140detects touch position data TPD with respect to an area on the touch screen panel120where a touch is generated is generated. The touch position data TPD, that is, the area where a touch is generated, may be represented as a position of at least one sensing unit SU on the sensing array SARY ofFIG. 2. Hereinafter, a structure and operation of the touch controller140will be described in further detail.

The touch controller140includes a first detection unit142and a second detection unit144. If at least two hoverings occur with respect to the touch screen panel120, the first detection unit142detects an electrical change ECG of the touch sensor122in a first mode, as a plurality of pieces of candidate position data CPD with respect to each hovering. The second detection unit144detects an electrical change in an area of the touch sensor122corresponding to the plurality of pieces of candidate position data CPD in a second mode different from the first mode to select the touch position data TPD with respect to the at least two hoverings.

The first mode is a touch sensing mode in which a sensing sensitivity with respect to a hovering is higher than the second mode, and the second mode may be a touch sensing mode in which more touches may be sensed at a time than in the first mode. For example, the first mode may be a single touch mode in which only a single touch is recognized at a time, and the second mode may be a multi-touch mode in which multiple touches are sensed at a time. The single touch mode may use a touch sensing method in which a change in capacitance between the sensing unit SU and an arbitrary electrode is sensed. A multi-touch mode may use a mutual touch sensing method in which a change in capacitance between adjacent sensing units SU ofFIG. 2due to a touch is sensed.

The multi-touch mode is a mode in which concurrent touches may be sensed, and in the present specification, concurrent touches refer to touches that are physically concurrent with respect to the touch screen panel120or multiple touches that are concurrent in terms of an operating timing even though there is a time difference. In addition, the same applies to “simultaneous” used in the present specification. For example, in regard to the description with reference toFIG. 8of switches SWR1, SWR2, . . . , SWRn, SWC1, SWC2, . . . , SWCm ofFIG. 7Abeing simultaneously turned on it may indicate that the switches are either physically simultaneously turned on or the touch controller140may process the switches by treating them as being simultaneously turned on.

FIG. 7Ais a diagram to explain the first detection unit142ofFIG. 1operating in a single touch mode.FIG. 7Bis a diagram to explain a detection object of the first detection unit142ofFIG. 7A. First, referring toFIGS. 2 and 7A, the first detection unit142may include an operating unit OU connected to each of rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and each of columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY. Alternatively, it may also be described that each operating unit OU is respectively connected to each of the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and each of the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY through channels connected to the each of rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and the each of columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing arrays SARY. Each operating unit OU includes a driver, a switch, and an amplifying unit.

For example, the operating unit OU connected to a first row R1will be described. The operating unit OU connected to the first row R1includes a driver DRV, a switch SWR1, and an amplifying unit AMP. The driver DRV applies as driving voltage DV to the first row R1that is electrically connected to the operating unit OU. The driving voltage DV may be applied as a voltage pulse. The driver DRV may be electrically connected to the first row R1when a switch SWR1is turned on.

The amplifying unit AMP outputs an output value OUTR1corresponding to a sensing value SEN obtained by sensing a change in capacitance of the first row R1as the driving voltage DV is applied to the first row R1. The output value OUTR1has different values according to whether a hovering is generated in the first row R1. The amplifying unit AMP may be a charge AMP that converts the output value OUTR1into a voltage value and amplifies the voltage value according to capacitance of the first row R1. A capacitor Cr and a resistor Rr may be connected in parallel between a first input end (e.g., an inverse terminal) and an output terminal of the amplifying unit AMP. While not illustrated inFIG. 7A, noise of the output value OUTR1of the amplifying unit AMP may be removed using a filter, and the output value OUTR1from which noise is removed may be output as a digital value, by using an analog-digital converter.

A structure and operation of the operating unit OU connected to other rows R2, . . . , Rn and the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY may be the same as the structure and operation of the operating unit OU connected to the first row R1. For example, the operating unit OU connected to the first column C1includes a driver DRV, a switch SWC1, and an amplifying unit AMP. The driver DRV applies a driving voltage DV to the first column C1, when a switch SWC1is turned on. The amplifying unit AMP outputs a change in capacitance of the first column C1as an output value OUTC1corresponding to a sensing value SEN obtained by sensing the change, according to application of the driving voltage DV to the first column C1. That is, when a change Csig in capacitance is generated by a hovering in sensing electrodes as illustrated inFIG. 7Bby an operation of the first detection unit142ofFIG. 7A, an output value OUTC1corresponding to the change Csig is output.

FIG. 8is a diagram to explain an operation of switches ofFIG. 7Aaccording to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the switches SWR1, SWR2, . . . , SWRn, and SWC1, SWC2, . . . , SWCm included in each operating unit OU of the first detection unit142may be simultaneously turned on. That is, a driving voltage DV may be simultaneously applied to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY. Thus, each operating unit OU may simultaneously output a sensing value SEN with respect to a connected row or a connected column as an output value OUTR1, OUTR2, . . . , or OUTRn or OUTC1, OUTC2, . . . , or OUTCm.

FIG. 9Aillustrates a signal processing unit142_2that is further included in the first detection unit142ofFIG. 7Aaccording to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 9A, the signal processing unit142_2receives respective output values OUTR1, our OUTR2, . . . , and OUTRn, and respective output values OUTC1, OUTC2, . . . , and OUTCm of operating units OU with respect to the respective rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and the respective columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY to thereby output candidate position data CPD with respect to each hovering. That is, the candidate position data CPD may be as result of signal processing on the output value OUTR1, OUTR2, . . . , or OUTRn or OUTC1, OUTC2, . . . , or OUTCm of each operating unit OU. However, the candidate position data CPD may also be a result of signal processing performed on a value obtained by filtering the output value of each operating unit OU or by performing analog-digital conversion on the output value of each operating unit OU by using a filter or an analog-digital converter.

For example, the signal processing unit142_2may compare voltages of the output values OUTR1, OUTR2, . . . , OUTRn of the operating unit OU of each of the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn of the sensing array SARY to detect a row that is included in an area where a hovering is generated. Also, the signal processing unit142_2may compare voltages of output values OUTC1, OUTC2, . . . , OUTCm of the operating unit OU of each of the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY to detect a column included in an area corresponding to a hovering.FIG. 9Bis a diagram to explain an operating principle of the signal processing unit ofFIG. 9A. For example, referring toFIG. 9B, the signal processing unit142_2may interpolate a profile with respect to an x-axis (row axis) and a profile with respect to a y-axis (column axis) and detect a row and a column included, in an area where a hovering is generated. According to this operation, the signal processing unit142_2may output an area where the detected row and the detected column cross each other as candidate position data (CPD) corresponding to the hovering.

FIG. 10illustrates candidate position data CPD with respect to a hovering according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 10, the number of pieces of the candidate position data CPD generated by using the first detection unit142may correspond to the number of generated hoverings. For example, when N hoverings are generated, 2N pieces of candidate position data CPD may be detected. For example, if a hovering is generated by four fingers (marked with circles) as illustrated inFIG. 10, that is, if four hoverings HOV1, HOV2, HOV3, and HOV4are generated, the first detection unit142may detect sixteen pieces of candidate position data CPD.

The candidate position data CPD includes not only hoverings HOV1, HOV2, HOV3, and HOV4that are actually generated, but also data comprising a ghost marked X. A ghost refers to an event that is processed as a touch or a hovering although it is not actually a generated touch or hovering. In the example ofFIG. 10, sixteen pieces of candidate position data CPD with respect to actually generated our hoverings HOV1, HOV2, HOV3, and HOV4and twelve ghosts are generated. As described above, according to the first detection unit142having a structure as illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 8, a sensing operation is performed with respect to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY, from a row where an actually generated hovering is generated, a plurality of pieces of candidate position data CPD may be calculated by another hovering generated in another row.

InFIG. 10, from among the concurrently generated hoverings, a first hovering HOV1is generated at an intersection point between a second row R2and a third column C3, and three ghosts of the second row R2are detected in a column where second through fourth hoverings HOV2through HOV4are generated. For example, as first ghost GHS1of the second row R2is detected from an intersection point with respect to the first column C1where the second hovering HOV2is generated. That is, when a sensing operation is concurrently performed with respect to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cn of the sensing array SARY, the first detection unit142perceives this as four separate hoverings generated with respect to four rows and four columns regarding the four hoverings. Thus, the first detection unit142detects sixteen pieces of candidate position data CPD with respect to the intersection points of the respective rows and the respective columns.

FIG. 11illustrates candidate position data with respect to a hovering according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 11, when one hovering HOV1is generated, although a sensing operation is performed with respect to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY, the first detection unit142perceives this as a hovering generated only at a single row and a single column with respect to the one hovering HOV1, and thus, a ghost is not recognized. As described above, a detailed operation of the touch controller140in the case where a single hovering is generated will be described in detail later.

For reference, inFIGS. 10 and 11, an area indicated by the candidate position data CPD is illustrated with an intersection point between a row and is column. However, as described above, a hovering may be generated in an area including at least two rows or at least two columns. Accordingly, the candidate position data CPD may be data with respect to an area including at least two rows or at least two columns.

Also, inFIGS. 10 and 11, a sensing array SARY having a different structure from that ofFIG. 2is illustrated. In the sensing array SARY ofFIG. 2, the sensing units SU of the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm may be formed in the same layer, and the sensing of the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn may be connected one another via jumpers, and the sensing units SU of the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm may be connected to one another via jumpers. On the other hand, the sensing array SARY ofFIG. 10may be an orthogonal sensing array in which areas where electrodes formed in different layers perpendicularly cross one another operate as sensing units SU. The sensing array SARY may be one of the sensing arrays SARY ofFIG. 2andFIG. 10. Furthermore, the sensing array SARY may have as different structure from that of the sensing arrayFIG. 2orFIG. 10.

Referring toFIG. 1again, the second detection unit144removes a ghost from the candidate position data CPD based on the candidate position data CPD detected using the first detection unit142to thereby detect touch position data TPD with respect to an actual hovering. The second detection unit144may detect the touch position data TPD in a second mode that is different from the first mode. As described above, the first mode may be a single touch mode, and the second touch mode may be a multi-touch mode.

FIGS. 12 and 13Aare diagrams to explain the second detection unit144ofFIG. 1operating in a multi-touch mode, according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1, 12, and 13A, the second detection unit144may include a candidate position data processing unit144_2, a driving unit144_4, an amplifying unit144_6, and a signal processing unit144_8. The candidate position data processing unit144_2may provide the driving unit144_4with row information Rinf of the sensing array SARY corresponding to the candidate position data CPD and column information Cinf of the sensing array SARY corresponding to the candidate position data CPD.

The driving unit144_4and the amplifying144_6operate in a multi-touch mode. In detail, a driving voltage DV is applied to a row of the sensing array SARY by using the driving unit144_4, and as change in capacitance caused between a sensing unit SU of a corresponding row and an adjacent sensing unit SU, by the driving voltage DV applied to the row, is transferred to the amplifying unit144_6through an arbitrary column of the corresponding row. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 13B, the driving unit144_4may be sequentially activated to sequentially scan a row. Intercapacitance between an activated row and each column is detected by using the amplifying unit144_6. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 13C, as an electrical field is blocked at an intersection point between a row and a column at a position where a hovering is generated, intercapacitance between the activated row and the each column may be reduced, and the amplifying unit144_6detects this change.

The driving unit144_4may include as plurality of drivers DRV respectively connected to the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn of the sensing array SARY. The drivers DRV of the driving unit144_4may be respectively connected to the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn through a transmission channel Tx. In response to the row information Rinf, the driving unit144_4activates a driver DRV connected to a row corresponding to the candidate position data CPD among the plurality of drivers DRV connected to the row. The activated driver DRV may apply a driving voltage DV to the connected row.

FIGS. 13B and 13Cillustrate a sensing operation in the multi-touch mode ofFIG. 13Aaccording to example embodiments of inventive concepts.

The amplifying unit144_6may include a plurality of amplifying units AMP respectively connected to the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY. The amplifying units AMP of the amplifying unit144_6may be respectively connected to the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm through a reception channel Rx. In response to the column information Cinf, the amplifying unit144_6activates an amplifying unit AMP connected to a column corresponding to the candidate position data CPD among the plurality of amplifying units AMP respectively connected to the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY. The activated amplifying unit AMP may receive a sensing value SEN from as connected column, and may output an output value OUT_C corresponding to the sensing value SEN. Although not illustrated inFIG. 13A, the amplifying unit144_6ofFIG. 13Amay be a charge amp, as illustrated inFIG. 7A, or may further include a capacitor and a resistor that are connected in parallel between a first input end and an output end of the amplifying unit AMP. Also, although not illustrated inFIG. 13A, like the first detection unit142ofFIG. 7A, the second detection unit144may further include a filter that filters an output value OUT_C of the amplifying unit144_6and/or an analog-digital converter that converts an output value OUT_C or a filtered output value OUT_C to digital data.

Hereinafter, an operation of the second detection unit144will be described in further detail, by referring to the example embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13A, in which first through fourth candidate position data CPD1through CPD4are transmitted from the first detection unit142to the second detection unit144; the first candidate position data CPD1and the second candidate position data CPD2respectively denote areas formed by fourth through sixth columns C4through C6and tenth through twelfth column C10through C12in the second through fourth columns R2through R4; and the third candidate position data CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4respectively denote areas formed by fourth through sixth columns C4through C6and tenth through twelfth column C10through C12in the eighth through tenth columns R8through R10.

FIG. 14is a timing diagram illustrating operations of a driving unit and an amplifying unit of the second detection144unit ofFIG. 1with respect to the candidate position data CPD ofFIG. 13Aaccording to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 12 through 14, the driving unit144_4of the second detection unit144may sequentially apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R2through R4and the eighth through tenth rows R8through R10in response to row information Rinf received from the candidate position data processing unit144_2.

For example, after a driver DRV connected to the second row R2applies a driving voltage DV to the second row R2, a driver DRV connected to the third row R3may apply a driving voltage DV to the third row R3, and then, a driver DRV connected to the fourth row R4may apply a driving voltage DV to the fourth row R4. Next, after a driver DRV connected to the eighth row R8applies a driving voltage DV to the eighth row R8, a driver DRV connected to the ninth row R9may apply a driving voltage DV to the ninth row R9, and then, a driver DRV connected to the tenth row R10may apply a driving voltage DV to the tenth row R10.

In response to the column information Cinf received from the candidate position data processing nit144_2, the amplifying unit144_6of the second detection unit144may sequentially receive a sensing value SEN from the fourth through sixth columns C4through C6and the tenth through twelfth columns C10through C12. For example, after the amplifying unit AMP connected to the fourth column C4receives a sensing value SEN from the fourth column C4, and the amplifying unit AMP receives a sensing value SEN from the fifth column C5, the amplifying unit AMP connected to the sixth column C6may receive a sensing value SEN from the sixth column C6. Next, after the amplifying unit AMP connected to the tenth column C10receives a sensing value SEN from the tenth column C10, and the amplifying unit AMP connected to the eleventh column C11receives a sensing value SEN from the eleventh column C11, the amplifying unit AMP connected to the twelfth column C12may receive a sensing value SEN from the twelfth column C12.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, when a driving voltage DV is sequentially applied to the rows, a period of time during which a driving voltage DV is applied to each row may be represented as a first period TD. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 14, when a sensing value SEN is received from the columns, a period of time during which a sensing value SEN is received with respect to each column may be represented as a first period of time TD.

Referring toFIG. 12again, the second detection unit144may further include a signal processing unit144_8that receives an output value OUT_C of the amplifying unit144_6to output touch position data TPD. The signal processing unit144_8may compare an output value OUT_C with respect to candidate position data CPD indicating the same row or the same row group to select touch position data TPD. The signal processing unit144_8of the second detection unit144will be described in further detail later.

The touch sensing apparatus100may generate candidate position data CPD based on the candidate position data CPD that is sensed in a single (self) touch mode with a good sensing sensitivity, thereby performing an accurate sensing operation with respect to a hovering for which high sensing sensitivity than a contact touch is required. Also, the touch sensing apparatus100may sense in a multi-touch mode regarding just the candidate position CPD, thereby reducing power consumption. Hereinafter, the operation of the second detection unit144according to various example embodiments of inventive concepts will be described.

FIG. 15is a timing diagram illustrating operations of a driving unit and an amplifying unit of the second detection unit144ofFIG. 1with respect to the candidate position data ofFIG. 13Aaccording to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 12, 13A, and 15, in response to the row information Rinf received from the candidate position data processing unit144_2, the driving unit144_4of the second detection unit144may simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R2through R4with respect to first candidate position data CPD1and second candidate position data CPD2, and then apply a driving voltage DV to the eighth through tenth rows R8through R10with respect to the third candidate position data. CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4.

For example, after the drivers DRV connected to the second through fourth rows R2through R4simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R2through R4, respectively, the drivers DRV connected to the second through fourth rows R2through R4may simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R4, respectively. Thus, by increasing a period of time for a driving voltage DV applied to each row, the same operating time may be consumed overall, but an accurate sensing operation may be performed at the same time.

A plurality of rows with respect to candidate position data indicating the same rows may be referred to as a row group. For example, the second through fourth rows R2through R4with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1and the second candidate position data CPD2may be referred to as a first row group (R2-R4), and the eighth through tenth rows R8through R10with respect to the third candidate position data CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4may be referred to as a second row group (R8-R10).

Furthermore, when referring toFIGS. 12, 13A, and 15, in response to the column information Cinf received from the candidate position data processing unit144_2, the amplifying unit144_6of the second detection unit144may sequentially receive a sensing value SEN from the fourth through sixth columns C4through C6and from the tenth through twelfth columns C10through C12. For example, after the amplifying unit AMP connected to the fourth column C4receives a sensing value SEN from the fourth column C4, and the amplifying unit AMP connected to the fifth column C5receives a sensing value SEN from the fifth column C5, the amplifying unit AMP connected to the sixth column C6may receive a sensing value SEN from the sixth column C6. Next, after the amplifying unit AMP connected to the tenth column C10receives a sensing value SEN from the tenth column C10, and the amplifying unit AMP connected to the eleventh column C11may receive a sensing value SEN from the eleventh column C11, the amplifying unit AMP connected to the twelfth column C12may receive a sensing value SEN from the twelfth column C12.

FIG. 16is a timing diagram illustrating operations of a driving unit and an amplifying unit of the second detection unit144ofFIG. 12with respect to the candidate position data ofFIG. 13Aaccording to another example embodiment a inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 12, 13A, and 16, in response to the row information Rinf received from the candidate position data processing unit144_2, the driving unit144_4of the second detection unit144may sequentially apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R2through R4and the eighth through tenth rows R8through R10.

For example, after the driver DRV connected to the second row R2applies a driving voltage DV to the second row R2, the driver DRV connected to the third row R3may apply a driving voltage DV to the third row R3, and then the driver DRV connected to the fourth row R4may apply a driving voltage DV to the fourth row R4. Next, after the driver DRV connected to the eighth row R8applies a driving voltage DV to the eighth row R8, the driver DRV connected to the ninth row R9may apply a driving voltage DV to the ninth row R9, and then the driver DRV connected to the tenth row R10may apply a driving voltage DV to the tenth row R10.

In response to the column information Cinf received from the candidate position data processing unit144_2, the amplifying unit144_6of the second detection unit144may simultaneously receive a sensing value SEN from the fourth through sixth columns C4through C6with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1and the third candidate position data CPD3, and then may simultaneously receive a sensing value SEN from the tenth through twelfth columns C10through C12with respect to the second candidate position data CPD2and the fourth candidate position data CPD4.

For example, after the amplifying unit AMP connected to the tenth through twelfth rows C10through C12simultaneously applies a sensing value SEN to the tenth through twelfth rows C10through C12, respectively, the amplifying unit AMP connected to the tenth through twelfth rows C10through C12may simultaneously apply a sensing value SEN to the tenth through twelfth rows C10through C12. Thus, by increasing a period of time for a sensing value SEN applied to each row, the same operating time may be consumed overall, but an accurate sensing, operation may be performed at the same time.

A plurality of columns with respect to candidate position data indicating the same columns may be referred to as a column group. For example, the fourth through sixth columns C4through C6with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1and the second candidate position data CPD2may be referred to as a first column group (C4-C6), and the tenth through twelfth columns C10-C12with respect to the third candidate position data CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4may be referred to as a second column group (C10-C12).

FIG. 17is a timing diagram illustrating operations of a driving unit and an amplifying unit of the second detection unit144ofFIG. 12with respect to the candidate position data ofFIG. 13Aaccording to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 12, 13A, and 17, in response to the row information Rinf received front the candidate position data processing unit144_2, the driving unit144_4of the second detection unit144may simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R2through R4with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1and the second candidate position data CPD2, and then may simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the eighth through tenth rows R8through R10with respect to the third candidate position data CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4.

For example, after the drivers DRV respectively connected to the second through fourth rows R2through R4simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R2through R4, the drivers DRV connected to the second through fourth rows R2through R4may simultaneously apply a driving voltage DV to the second through fourth rows R4.

In response to the column information Cinf received from the candidate position data processing unit144_2, the amplifying unit144_6of the second detection unit144may receive a sensing value SEN that is accumulated during a period corresponding to the number of columns included in each column group. For example, the amplifying unit144_6may receive a sensing value SEN from the first column group (C4through C6) during three periods TD, and then may receive a sensing value SEN from the second column group (C10through C12) during (another) three periods TD. The amplifying units AMP of the first column group (C4through C6) may sequentially or simultaneously receive a sensing value SEN from a connected column, and the amplifying units AMP of the second column group (C10through C12) may sequentially or simultaneously receive a sensing value SEN from a connected column. Thus, by accumulating the sensing values SEN received from the columns, a more accurate sensing operation may be performed for the same amount of time and using the same resources.

While an example embodiment in which the second detection unit144simultaneously activates only an amplifying unit with respect to some of the columns indicated by the candidate position data CPD is described, the amplifying unit with respect to all columns indicated by the candidate position data CPD may also be simultaneously activated.

FIG. 18illustrates a signal processing unit144_8of the second detection unit144ofFIG. 12according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts.FIG. 19is a diagram to explain art operation of the signal processing unit144_8ofFIG. 18according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. First, referring toFIGS. 12 and 18, as described above, the signal processing unit144_8may compare an output value OUT_C with respect to candidate position data CPD indicating the same row or the same row group to select touch position data TPD. To this end, the signal processing unit144_8may include a comparing unit144_82and a selecting unit144_84.

The comparing unit144_82may perform a comparing operation by receiving an output value OUT_C with respect to candidate position data CPD indicating the same row or the same row group. In regard to the example ofFIG. 13A, the comparing unit144_82may compare output values OUT_C with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1and the second candidate position data CPD2indicating the second through fourth rows R2through R4. The output value OUT_C with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1may be a sum SUM1of output values OUT_C of the fourth through sixth columns C4through C6represented by the first candidate position data CPD1. Likewise, the output value OUT_C with respect to the second candidate position data CPD2may be a sum SUM1of output values OUT_C of the tenth through twelfth columns C10through C12represented by the second candidate position data CPD2.

Referring toFIG. 19, the output value OUT_C with respect to the first candidate position data CPD1may be a first value VAL1, and the output value OUT_C with respect to the second candidate value CPD2may be a second value VAL2. WhileFIG. 19illustrates an operation of the signal processing unit144_8regarding the example of the second detection unit144, the second detection unit144may also operate in the same manner with respect toFIGS. 14 through 16or the like.

Also, with respect to the example ofFIG. 13A, the comparing unit144_82compares output values OUT_C with respect to the third candidate position data CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4indicating the eighth through tenth rows R8through R10. The output value OUT_C with respect to the fourth candidate position data. CPD4may be a sum SUM2of output values OUT_C of the fourth through sixth columns C4through C6indicated by the third candidate position data CPD3. Likewise, the output value OUT_C with respect to the fourth candidate position data CPD4may be a sum SUM2of the tenth through twelfth C10through C12represented by the fourth candidate position data CPD4. Referring toFIG. 19, the output value OUT_C with respect to the third candidate position data CPD3may be a third value VAL3, and the output value OUT_C with respect to the fourth candidate value CPD4may be a fourth value VAL4.

The comparing unit144_82may compare the first value VAL1and the second value VAL2and compare the third value VAL3and the fourth value VAL4to output a comparison result CRST. With respect to the example ofFIG. 19, the comparing unit144_82may output a comparison result CRST indicating that the second value VAL2is greater than the first value VAL1and the third value VAL3is greater than the fourth value VAL4.

In response to the comparison result CRST, the selecting unit144_84may select touch position data TPD indicating a position of an actually generated hovering from the candidate position data CPD. For example, based on the comparison result CRST indicating that the second value VAL2is greater than the first value VAL1, the selecting unit144_84may select the first candidate position data CPD1, from among the first candidate position data CPD1and the second candidate position data CPD2, as the touch position data TPD. Also, based on the comparison result CRST indicating that the third value VAL3is greater than the fourth value VAL3, the selecting unit144_84may select the third candidate position data CPD3, from among the third candidate position data CPD3and the fourth candidate position data CPD4, as the touch position data TPD.

As described above, as a magnetic field generated between the two electrodes ofFIG. 3decreases by a hovering or a contact touch, a charge amount in a column where the hovering or the contact touch is generated may decrease. Accordingly, an output value of the column in which the hovering or the contact touch is generated may be smaller than an output value of a column where a hovering or a contact touch is not generated.

Above described is the operation of the second detection unit144ofFIG. 12with respect to the candidate position data CPD ofFIG. 13A. Here, the candidate position data CPD ofFIG. 13A, that is, the first through fourth candidate position data CPD1through CPD4are data with respect to an area of the same size. In other words, the first through fourth candidate position data CPD1through CPD4ofFIG. 13Arepresent data about an intersection area having the same number of rows and the same number of columns. However, the embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto.

FIG. 20illustrates candidate position data different from that ofFIG. 13A, according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 20, the first through fourth candidate position data CPD1through CPD4may respectively represent data regarding different areas. For example, inFIG. 20, the first candidate position data CPD1may be data representing an intersection area of three rows (second through fourth rows R2through R4) and three columns (fourth through sixth columns C4through C6), whereas the fourth candidate position data CPD4may be data representing an intersection area of two rows (eighth and ninth rows R8and R9) and three columns (tenth through twelfth columns C10through C12).

The intersection areas above may be varied according to a difference in surface areas of hoverings that are generated at a distance perpendicularly spaced apart from the touch screen panel120, for example, according to a difference in surface areas of hoverings according to an inclination between the fingers of a person who performs a hovering and the touch screen panel120. Also, in regard to candidate position data with respect to a ghost, candidate position data with respect to an actual hovering and an area indicating the data may vary in size due to, for example, a detection capability of the first detection unit142.

FIG. 21illustrates a second detection unit144that is adaptive to the candidate position data ofFIG. 20, according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 20 and 21, the second detection unit144ofFIG. 21may include, like the second detection unit144ofFIG. 12, the candidate position data processing unit144_2, a driving unit144_4′, amplifying unit144_6′, and a signal processing unit144_8. The candidate position data processing unit144_2receives candidate position data CPD front the first detection unit142. Also, the candidate position data processing unit144_2may provide the driving unit144_4′ with row information Rinf of the sensing array SARY corresponding to the candidate position data CPD and column information Cinf of the sensing array SARY corresponding to the candidate position data CPD. The driving unit144_4′ and the amplifying unit144_6′ operate in a multi-touch mode. In detail, a driving voltage DV is applied to a row of the sensing array SARY by using the driving unit144_4′, and a change in capacitance, which is generated between the sensing unit SU of the corresponding row and an adjacent sensing unit SU, by the driving voltage DV applied to the row, is transferred to the amplifying unit144_6′ through a column of the corresponding row.

Furthermore, the second detection unit144ofFIG. 21may further include a first control unit211. The first control unit211may receive row information Rinf and column information Cinf from the candidate position data processing unit144_2to thereby determine a size of an area represented by each piece of candidate position data CPD, that is, the number of rows and the number of columns. The first control unit211generates a first control signal based on the number of rows or the number of columns indicated by each piece of candidate position data CPD. The first control signal XCON1is transmitted to the driving unit144_4′ or the amplifying unit144_6′.

In response to the first control signal XCON1the driving unit144_4′ or the amplifying, unit144_6′ may perform an additional driving or amplifying operation with respect to each piece of candidate position data CPD. For example, in response to the first control signal XCON1, the driving unit144_4′ or the amplifying unit144_6′ may vary the number of rows or columns that are simultaneously activated as illustrated inFIG. 15 or 16, according to a size of an area represented by each piece of candidate position data CPD. Alternatively, for example, the amplifying unit144_6′ may vary a period in which the sensing value SEN is accumulated, as illustrated inFIG. 17, according to as size of an area represented by each piece of candidate position data CPD.

Above described is an example embodiment in which the first detection unit142and the second detection unit144are implemented as separate circuits. However, this structure is merely provided to clearly describe the concept of the operation of the touch controller140according to inventive concepts. That is, each of the rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and each of the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY ofFIG. 13Amay be in any structure in which the operation of the first detection unit142ofFIG. 7Aand the operation of the second detection unit144ofFIG. 7Amay be selectively performed.

FIG. 22illustrates a touch controller140having a structure in which the first detection unit and the second detection unit ofFIG. 1are commonly included.FIG. 23is a detailed view illustrating as driving unit and an amplifying unit ofFIG. 22. Referring toFIGS. 22 and 23, the touch controller140may include a second control unit212, a common driving unit222, a common amplifying unit224, a common signal processing unit226, and a candidate position data processing unit144_2. In response to a clock signal CLK, the second control unit212may generate a second control signal XCON2through which the common driving unit222, the common amplifying unit224, and the common signal processing unit226are controlled.

For example, the second control unit212may generate a second control signal XCON2so that the touch controller140operates like the first detection unit142ofFIG. 1in a first period of the clock signal CLK. For example, the second control unit212may control the common driving unit222, the common amplifying unit224, and the common signal processing unit226so that they operate in a first mode (e.g., a single touch mode) in a first section of the clock signal CLK to thereby generate candidate position data CPD. Also, the second control unit212may generate a second control signal XCON2so that the touch controller140operates like the second detection unit144ofFIG. 1in a second section of the clock signal CLK. For example, the second control unit212may control the common driving unit222, the common amplifying unit224, and the common signal processing unit226so that they operate in a second mode (e.g., a multi-touch model with respect to candidate position data CPD in the second section of the clock signal CLK to thereby generate touch position data TPD.

The first and second sections of the clock signal CLK may be set such that they are alternately generated. The first and second sections of the clock signal CLK may be set at different times.

As illustrated inFIG. 23, the common driving unit222and the common amplifying unit224may be respectively connected to each row and each column of the sensing array SARY. The common driving unit222outputs a primary driving voltage DV_1stregarding a single touch mode and a secondary driving voltage DV_2ndregarding a multi-touch mode in regard to processing touch position data TPD with respect to concurrently generated multiple hoverings. In regard to processing touch position data TPD with respect to concurrently generated multiple hoverings, the common amplifying unit224receives a primary sensing value SEN_1stwith respect to a single touch mode and a secondary sensing value SEN_2ndwith respect to a multi-touch mode. A detailed structure and a detailed operation of the common driving unit.222and the common amplifying unit224are similar to those ofFIG. 7AorFIG. 13Adescribed above, and thus description thereof is omitted. The difference is simply that in order for the touch controller140to perform an operation of the second detection unit144described above, the common amplifying unit224connected to each row and the common driving unit222connected to each column may be inactivated in response to the second control signal XCON2.

In response to the second control signal XCON2, the common signal processing unit226may output candidate position data CPD in the same manner as the first detection unit142described above, in the first section of a clock signal CLK. Also, in response to the second control signal XCON2, the common signal processing unit226may output touch position data TPD in the same manner as the second detection unit144in the second section of the clock signal CLK.

Above described is a touch screen panel that processes multi-hovering, that is, a plurality of hoverings. However, as described above, a single hovering may also be generated with respect to the touch screen panel120. This will be described below.

FIG. 24illustrates the touch controller140ofFIG. 1according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIG. 24, the touch controller140may include a first detection unit142, a second detection unit144, and a third control unit213. When at least two hoverings are generated with respect to the touch screen panel120, the first detection unit142detects an electrical change ECG of the touch sensor122in a first mode as multiple pieces of candidate position data CPD with respect to each hovering. The second detection unit144may detect an electrical change in an area of the touch sensor122corresponding to multiple pieces of candidate position data CPD in a second mode that is different from the first mode to thereby select touch position data TPD with respect to at least two hoverings from among the multiple pieces of the candidate position data CPD. As described above, the first mode may be a single touch mode with a higher sensing sensitivity with respect to a hovering than the second mode, and the second mode may be a multi-touch mode in which a large number of touches may be sensed at a time, that is, multiple concurrent touches may be sensed. This applies also below.

The third control unit213may count the number of pieces of candidate position data CPD generated by using the first detection unit142, and if the is one piece of candidate position data CPD, the third control unit213may generate a third control signal XCON3. The second detection unit144may be inactivated in response to the third control signal XCON3. Also, if a single hovering is generated, the third control unit213does not have to remove a ghost, and thus the third control unit213may output candidate position data CPD as touch position data TPD. As described above, the first detection unit142and the second detection unit144of the touch controller140are simply distinguished by functions and may not be physically separated. This also applies to the third control unit213.

Above described is the touch controller140that processes a hovering. However, example embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. The touch sensing device100may also process a contact touch. This will be described below.

FIG. 2illustrates the touch sensor122ofFIG. 1according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. Referring toFIG. 25, the touch controller140may include a first detection unit142, a second detection unit144, and a fourth control unit214. When at least two hoverings are generated with respect to the touch screen panel120, the first detection unit142detects an electrical change ECG of the touch sensor122in a single touch mode as multiple pieces of candidate position data CPD with respect to the respective hoverings. The second detection unit144may detect an electrical change in an area of the touch sensor122corresponding to the multiple pieces of candidate position data CPD in a multi-touch mode to thereby select touch position data TPD with respect to at least two hoverings from among the multiple pieces of candidate position data CPD.

The fourth control unit214may determine whether a touch generated in the touch screen panel120is as hovering or a contact touch to thereby generate a fourth control signal XCON4. For example, when a sensing value SEN sensed using the touch sensor122is equal to or greater than a first size, the fourth control unit214may determine that a hovering is generated, and generate a fourth control signal XCON4as a first value. On the other hand, when a sensing value SEN sensed using the touch sensor122is smaller than the first size, the fourth control unit214may determine that a contact touch is generated, and generate a fourth control signal XCON4as a second value. As an electrical change by a hovering and by a contact touch varies (for example, a change in a magnetic field ofFIG. 3by a hovering is smaller than that by a contact touch), in the case of a hovering or a contact touch, the first size may be set based on a statistical value of the sensing value SEN.

The first detection unit142and the second detection unit144may each generate candidate position data CPD described above and touch position data TPD based on the candidate position data CPD in response to the fourth control value XCON4of the first value. On the other hand, the first detection unit142may be inactivated in response to the fourth control signal XCON4of the second value. Also, in response to the fourth control signal XCON4of the second value, the second detection unit144may apply a driving voltage DV to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn of the sensing array SARY and receive a sensing value SEN from all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY.

That is, in response to the fourth control signal XCON4of the second value, when a contact touch is generated, the second detection unit144may immediately generate touch position data TPD with respect to a contact touch in a multi-touch mode without generating candidate position data CPD. Since a sensing sensitivity required for a contact touch is relatively low compared to a hovering, a single touch mode with a high sensing sensitivity required with respect to a hovering may not have to be performed. Thus, sensing may be immediately performed in a multi-touch mode for a contact touch in order to reduce power consumption.

As described above, the first detection unit142and the second detection unit144of the touch controller140may be merely distinguished according to functions as described above, and may not be physically separated. The same applies to the fourth control unit214. For example, the fourth control unit214may share a physical structure of the second detection unit144to receive a sensing value SEN front the touch screen panel120.

FIG. 26illustrates the touch sensor122ofFIG. 1according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIG. 26, the touch controller140may include a first detection unit142, a second detection unit144, a fourth control unit214, and a fifth control unit215. The first detection unit142, the second detection unit144, and the fourth control unit214may be the same as the first detection unit142, the second detection unit144, and the fourth control unit214ofFIG. 25, respectively.

Accordingly, when a hovering is generated with respect to the touch screen panel120, the fourth control unit214may generate a fourth control signal XCON4of a first value, and when a contact touch is generated with respect to the touch screen panel120, the fourth control unit214may generate a fourth control signal XCON4of a second value. In response to the fourth control signal XCON4of the first value, the first detection unit142and the second detection unit144may generate candidate position data CPD described above and touch position data TPD based on the candidate position data CPD. On the other hand, the first detection unit142may be inactivated in response to the fourth control signal XCON4of the second value. Also, in response to the fourth control signal XCON4of the second value, the second detection unit144may apply a driving voltage DV to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn of the sensing array SARY of, for example,FIG. 2, and receive a sensing value SEN from all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY, thereby generating touch position data TPD with respect to a contact touch in a multi-touch mode.

In response to the fourth control signal XCON4, the fifth control unit215may generate a fifth control signal XCON5through which an operating period is differently set according to whether the second detection unit144processes a hovering or a contact touch. For example, in response to the fifth control signal XCON5, when the second detection unit144processes a hovering, the second detection unit144may apply a driving voltage DC to a row ofFIG. 14or may set a longer period in which a sensing value SEN is received from a column ofFIG. 14than a period in the case when processing a contact touch. Accordingly, as a sensing value SEN is received for a relatively long period for a hovering, the requirement for a relatively high sensing sensitivity may be fulfilled. Also, in the case of a contact touch, sensing accuracy thereof is relatively high, and thus, a sensing value SEN may be reduced within a relatively short time, thereby reducing power consumption.

FIG. 27is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIG. 27, the method includes operating in a hovering mode (operation S2710), determining whether a hovering is detected (operation S2720), and if a hovering is generated (“YES” of operation S2720), extracting touch position data including a ghost with respect to the hovering, in a single touch mode (operation S2730). Thus, the candidate position data CPD ofFIG. 1may be generated. Next, the method includes removing a ghost from the touch position data in a multi-touch mode based on the touch position data extracted in a single touch mode (operation S2740) and processing the touch position data from which the ghost is removed, as position data with respect to the hovering (operation S2750).

In the touch sensing method, if no hovering is generated (“NO” of operation S2720), the method may be on standby while in a hovering mode. The hovering mode may be set by using the fourth control unit214ofFIG. 25described above. The touch sensing method ofFIG. 27may be performed in the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1or the like. For example, the touch sensing method ofFIG. 27may be performed under a control by a processor of an electronic device in which the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1or the like is included. This also applies to as sensing method described below.

FIG. 28is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. The touch sensing method ofFIG. 28is similar to the touch sensing method ofFIG. 27except that the method may further include counting the number of pieces of candidate position data (operation S2760) after performing sensing in a single touch mode (operation S2730). If there is more than one piece of candidate position data (“YES” of operation S2760), likeFIG. 27, removing a ghost by performing a sensing operation in a multi-touch mode (operation S2740) and generating touch position data (operation S2750) may be performed. However, if there is one piece of candidate position data (“NO” of operation S2760), the removing of a ghost by performing a sensing operation in a multi-touch mode (operation S2740) may be omitted but generating the candidate position data as touch position data (operation S2750) may be performed instead.

FIG. 29is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to another example embodiment of inventive concepts. The touch sensing method ofFIG. 29is similar to the touch sensing method ofFIG. 27except that the method may further include, before operating in a hovering mode (operation S2710), setting a touch mode (operation S2770) and determining a hovering mode (operation S2780). As described above, a touch mode indicates either a mode for sensing a hovering or a mode for sensing is contact touch. Setting of a touch mode may be performed using a processor of an electronic device in which the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1or the like is included. Alternatively, a touch mode may be internally set with respect to the touch controller140by using the fourth control unit214ofFIG. 25described above. For example, the fourth control unit214ofFIG. 25may alternately set a hovering mode and a contact touch mode in synchronization with a clock signal CLK.

When a hovering mode is determined (“YES” of operation S2780), touch position data is generated using the touch sensing method ofFIG. 27. On the other hand, if a contact touch mode is determined instead of a hovering mode (“NO” of operation S2780), as illustrated inFIG. 25described above, a single touch mode may not be performed but touch position data may be generated in a multi-touch mode in operation S2790.

FIG. 30illustrates a display device3000according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 30, the display device3000according to the current embodiment of the inventive concept may include a touch sensing device100, a display panel3020, a display driving unit3040, and a host controller3060. The touch sensing device100may be the touch sensing device100ofFIG. 1. The touch sensing device100may detect a position of a touch generated with respect to the touch screen panel120as touch position data TPD by using the touch controller140. The touch controller140controls an operation of the touch sensing device100. For example, the touch controller140may apply a driving voltage to all rows R1, R2, . . . , Rn and all columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY in a single touch mode, and may receive a sensing value SEN from all of the rows R1R2, . . . , Rn and all of the columns C1, C2, . . . , Cm of the sensing array SARY to thereby detect candidate position data CPD. Alternatively, the touch controller140may apply, in a multi-touch mode, a driving voltage to a row of the sensing array SARY with respect to the candidate position data CPD and receive a sensing value SEN from a column of the sensing array SARY with respect to the candidate position data CPD to thereby detect touch position data TPD.

The touch controller140may receive at least, one piece of timing information used in driving the display panel3020, and use the at least one piece of timing information in an operation of generating touch position data. The timing information may be generated from the timing controller3042in the driving unit3040, and also, the timing information may be directly generated from the host controller3060. The touch controller140may perform the above operation according to timing information. For example, the touch controller140may use timing information as a clock signal CLK ofFIG. 22or the like.

The display panel3020displays an image. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6above, the display panel3020and the touch screen panel120may be an On-Cell type or an In-Cell type. The display driving unit3040may include a timing controller3042, a gate driver3044, and a source driver3046for displaying an image on the display panel3020. The timing controller3042generates at least one signal for adjusting a timing of a display operation; for example, the timing controller3042may immediately receive a vertical synchronization signal Vsync and a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync from the host controller3060or may generate a vertical synchronization signal Vsync and a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync based on a data enable signal (not shown) provided by using the host controller3060. The vertical synchronization signal Vsync and the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync may be used as timing signals described above. Also, at least one timing signal may be generated to control generation of a common electrode voltage (e.g., a VCOM voltage) and a gate line signal. The gate driver3044and the source driver3046respectively drive a gate and a source of the display panel3020under control of the timing controller3042.

The host controller3060transmits a timing signal to the touch controller140and the timing controller3042to control the overall operation of the display device3000. Also, the touch controller140generates touch position data TPD above, the host controller3060may receive a sensing value SEN from the touch controller140to generate the same as touch position data TPD.

FIG. 31illustrates a relationship between a timing and a power voltage between the touch controller140and the display driving unit3040ofFIG. 30. As illustrated inFIG. 31, a semiconductor chip3100for driving the display device3000may include the touch controller140and the display driving unit3040, and the touch controller140and the display driving unit3040may transmit or receive at least one piece of information such as timing information and status information, to and from each other. Also, the touch controller140and the display driving unit3040may supply or receive a power voltage to or from each other. The touch controller140and the display driving unit3040are briefly illustrated inFIG. 31for convenience of description, and an analog front end (AFE) included in the touch controller140may be a block including a voltage reading circuit, an amplification circuit, an integration circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

According to the display device3000, the touch controller140provides the display driving unit3040with sleep state information. Also, an example embodiment in which a power voltage used in the touch controller140is provided by using the display driving unit3040will be described below.

When a screen is turned off and an touch input is not provided (when the touch controller and the display driver are both in a sleep state), the display driving unit3040blocks a power voltage or timing information from being provided to the touch controller140. In this case, the display driving unit3040may maintains only a register state thereinside as a previous state. In this case, power consumption may be minimized. Meanwhile, if a touch input is blocked and only the display operation is activated (when the touch controller is in a sleep state and the display driver is in a normal state), the display driving unit3040may generate a power voltage for self consumption but the touch controller140does not consume power and thus does not provide a power voltage to the touch controller140. Also, the display driving unit3040does not provide timing information to the touch controller140.

Meanwhile, if a touch input is activated but a display is inactivated (TSC is in a normal state and Display is in a sleep mode), as a touch input is activated, whether a touching operation is periodically performed is checked. In this case, the display driving unit3040operates in a low consumption mode to maintain an inactivated state. However, to check a touching operation, the display driving unit3040may generate a power voltage used in the touch controller140and provides the power voltage to the touch controller140. Meanwhile, when a touch input and a display are both activated the touch controller and the display driver are both in a normal state), the display driving unit3040may generate timing information and a power voltage, and provides the timing information and the power voltage to the touch controller140.

A power voltage generating unit of the display driving unit3040may generate a power voltage if at least one of the touch controller140and the display driving unit3040is activated. Also, a control logic of the display driving unit3040may generate timing information only when the touch controller140operates and provide the timing information to the touch controller140. The control logic of the display driving unit3040may include the timing controller3042.

FIG. 32illustrates a printed circuit board (PCB) structure of a display device3200mounted with a touch screen panel120according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. The display device3200ofFIG. 32has a structure in which the touch screen panel120and the display panel3020are distinguished. As illustrated inFIG. 32, the display device3200may include a window glass3210, a touch screen panel120, and a display panel3020. Also, a polarization plate3230may be further disposed between the touch screen panel120and the display panel3020to enhance optical characteristics of the display device3200.

The window glass3210is typically formed of an acryl or to tempered glass to thereby protect a module including the display panel3020from external impacts or scratches due to repetitive touches. The touch screen panel120may be formed by patterning an electrode using a glass substrate or a transparent electrode such as an indium tin oxide (ITO) on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The touch controller140may be mounted in the form of a chip on board (COB) on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and may sense a change in capacitance from each electrode to extract touch coordinates and provide the touch coordinates to as host controller. The display panel3020is typically formed by bonding two sheets of glasses which are included as an upper plate and a lower plate. Also, the display driving unit3040is typically attached on a display panel for a mobile device in the form of a chip on glass (COG).

FIG. 33illustrates a PCB structure in which a touch screen panel and a display panel are integrated. As illustrated inFIG. 33, the display device3300may include a window glass3210, a display panel3320, and a polarization plate3230. When implementing a touch screen panel, the touch screen panel is not formed on a separate glass substrate but the touch screen panel may be formed by patterning a transparent electrode on an upper plate of the display panel3320.FIG. 33illustrates an example embodiment in which a plurality of sensing units SU are formed on the upper plate of the display panel3320. Also, when a panel structure as described above is formed, a semiconductor chip3100in which a touch controller and a display driving unit are integrated may preferably be applied.

When the touch controller140and the display driving unit3040are integrated on the one semiconductor chip3100as illustrated inFIG. 32, a voltage signal T_sig from the sensing unit SU and image data I_data from an external host are provided to the semiconductor chip3100. Also, the semiconductor chip3100processes the image data I_data to generate gradation data for driving an actual display device and provides the gradation data to a display panel. To this end, the semiconductor chip3100may include a pad related to touch data T_data and a pad related to the image data I_data and gradation data (not shown). The semiconductor chip3100receives a voltage signal T_sig from a sensing unit through a conductive line connected to a first side of the touch screen panel. When arranging pads on the semiconductor chip3100, in regard to reduction in noise of data a position of a pad that receives the voltage signal T_sig may preferably be arranged adjacent to a conductive line through which the voltage signal T_sig is transmitted.

While not illustrated inFIG. 33, when a conductive line through which gradation data is to be provided to a display panel is disposed opposite to the conductive line through which the touch data voltage signal T_sig, a pad for providing the gradation data may also be disposed opposite to the pad that receives the voltage signal T_sig.

FIG. 34illustrates a display device mounted with a semiconductor chip including a touch controller and a display driving unit, according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. InFIG. 34, a semiconductor chip is disposed on a glass of a display panel in the form of a chip on glass (COG), and inFIG. 34, the semiconductor chip is disposed on a film of a display panel in the form of a chip on film (COF). When a touch controller and a display driving unit are disposed as different chips, the touch controller may typically be disposed as a COF and the display driving unit may be typically disposed as a COG but the semiconductor chip in which the touch controller and the display driving unit a may be disposed either in the form of the COG or COF.

FIG. 35illustrates various application examples of electronic products including the touch sensing device100according to an example embodiment of inventive concepts. Referring toFIG. 35, the touch sensing device100may be applied in various electronic products. For example, the touch sensing device100may be widely used in various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a TV, an automatic teller machine (ATM) of banks that enables automatic cash input and withdrawal, an elevator, a ticket issuing machine for subways, a portable multimedia player (PMP), an e-book, a navigation device, or an electronic blackboard.