Patent Publication Number: US-2023161441-A1

Title: Touch apparatus and touch detection method thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/493,898 filed on Oct. 5, 2021, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/744,427 filed on 2020-01-16, which claims priority to and benefits of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0008374 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 22, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (A) Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a touch apparatus and a touch detection method thereof. 
     (B) Description of the Related Art 
     Various terminals such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet PCs, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (personal digital assistants), PMPs (portable multimedia players), and navigation devices include touch sensors. 
     In such a terminal, a touch sensor may be disposed on a display panel displaying an image, or may be disposed in an area of a terminal body. As a user interacts with the terminal by touching the touch sensor, the terminal may provide the user with an intuitive user interface. 
     The user may use a stylus pen for sophisticated touch input. The stylus pen may transmit and receive signals to and from the touch sensor in an electrical and/or magnetic manner. 
     According to a conventionally used driving method, a position of an object in contact with the touch sensor is calculated by using a signal received during a period in which a driving signal is applied to touch electrodes included in the touch sensor, and a type of the object (e.g., a finger, a stylus pen, a palm, etc.) touching the touch sensor is identified by using a signal received during a period of not applying the driving signal. 
     However, when different types of objects come in contact with the touch sensor together, received signals by each of the objects are not distinguished, so that a position of each object is difficult to accurately calculate. 
     The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiments have been made in an effort to provide a touch apparatus and a touch detection method thereof for accurately calculating touch positions of different objects. 
     For achieving the objects or other objects, an aspect of the present invention provides a touch apparatus including: a touch panel configured to include a plurality of touch electrodes; a touch driver configured to apply a first driving signal to a first touch electrode of the touch electrodes during a first period, and a second driving signal to the touch electrodes during a second period subsequent to the first period; and a touch controller configured to determine a detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whether a signal strength of the detection signal received in response to the first driving signal exceeds a first threshold during the first period, wherein the detection signal include at least one of a first detection signal generated by a first touch object and a second detection signal generated by a second touch object, and the first detection signal is determined as a valid touch signal, while the first threshold is set to filter the second detection signal. 
     The touch driver may receive only a third detection signal generated by the second touch object in response to the second driving signal during the second period. 
     The third detection signal may be determined as a valid touch signal based on whether signal strength of the third detection signal exceeds a second threshold. 
     The touch controller may calculate an area of a touch area by using the valid touch signal, and may generate information for identifying a touch object as the first touch object or the second touch object depending on a size of the area. 
     The touch controller may generate information identifying that the touch object is the second touch object when the area is less than or equal to a threshold. 
     The second touch object may be a stylus pen. 
     The touch controller may generate information identifying that the touch object is the first touch object when the area exceeds a threshold. 
     The first touch object may include at least one of a finger and a palm. 
     The first driving signal may be a pulse signal with a first frequency, the second driving signal may be a pulse signal having a second frequency, and the first frequency and the second frequency may be different from each other. 
     The touch driver may apply the second driving signal to all of the touch electrodes in phase during the second period, and may receive a detection signal from all of the touch electrodes when the second driving signal has a disable level. 
     The touch driver may apply the second driving signal during the first sub period in the second period, and may stop applying the second driving signal during the second sub period in the second period. 
     The touch driver may apply the second driving signal during the first sub period in the second period, and may apply a third driving signal having a different ratio of a disable level period to an enable level period to all of the touch electrodes in one repeated cycle by comparing it with the second driving signal during the second sub period in the second period. 
     The third driving signal may have a ratio of the disable level period to the enable level period, which is at least one of a:2b+1, a:2b+2, a:2b+3, a:2b+4, a:(3b+1), a:2(b+3)+1, a:2(b+3), and a:(2b+1), in one repeated cycle, and a and b may be positive integers. 
     The touch electrodes may include the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes, the first touch electrodes may extend in a first direction and may be arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the second touch electrodes may extend in the second direction and may be arranged in the first direction. 
     The touch driver may receive a detection signal from all of the second touch electrodes while applying the first driving signal to the first touch electrode. 
     The touch driver may include a first driver connected with the first touch electrodes and a second driver connected with the second touch electrodes, and the first driver may include a differential amplifier connected to two first touch electrodes and an ADC unit for converting the differentially amplified signal into a digital signal. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a touch detection method including: applying a first driving signal to a first touch electrode among a plurality of touch electrodes included in a touch panel during a first period; applying a second driving signal to the touch electrodes during a second period after the first period; determining a detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whether a signal strength of the detection signal received in response to the first driving signal exceeds a first threshold during the first period; and calculating touch coordinates by using the valid touch signal, wherein the detection signal include at least one of a first detection signal generated by a first touch object and a second detection signal generated by a second touch object, and the first detection signal is determined as a valid touch signal and the first threshold is set to filter the second detection signal. 
     The touch detection method may further include: receiving only a third detection signal generated by the second touch object in response to the second driving signal during the second period; and determining the third detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whether a signal strength of the third detection signal exceeds a second threshold. 
     The touch detection method may further include: calculating an area of a touch area by using the valid touch signal; and generating information for identifying a touch object as the first touch object or the second touch object depending on a size of the area. 
     The generating of the information for identifying the touch object may include generating information identifying that the touch object is the second touch object when the area is less than or equal to a threshold. 
     The generating of the information for identifying the touch object may include generating information identifying that the touch object is the first touch object when the area exceeds a threshold, and the first touch object may include at least one of a finger and a palm, while the second touch object may be a stylus pen 
     The applying of the first driving signal to the first touch electrode among the touch electrodes included in the touch panel during the first period may include receiving a detection signal from all of the second touch electrodes while applying the first driving signal to the first touch electrode. 
     The applying of the second driving signal to the touch electrodes during second period that is continuous to the first period may include: applying the second driving signal to all of the touch electrodes in phase during the second period; and receiving a detection signal from all of the touch electrodes when the second driving signal has a disable level. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, a touch position generated by a stylus pen may be detected when a human body and the stylus pen simultaneously contact each other. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to accurately calculate positions of different types of touch objects. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    schematically illustrates a touch apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example in which a stylus pen is touched on a touch apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    schematically illustrates a touch detection method according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5    illustrate the touch device of  FIG.  1    in more detail. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a waveform diagram showing an example of a driving signal and a reception signal according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs the reception signal of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a waveform diagram showing another example of a driving signal and a reception signal according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs the reception signal of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a graph showing magnitudes of the reception signals of  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  11    illustrates waveform diagrams showing a driving signal according to various aspects of an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    and  FIG.  13    illustrate waveform diagrams showing a driving signal and a reception signal when the driving signal of  FIG.  11    is applied according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  14    and  FIG.  15    illustrate touch areas of different objects. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a block diagram showing a touch apparatus and a host that performs the driving method of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  17    illustrates an example of touch data provided to a host from a touch apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
     To clearly describe the present invention, parts that are irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like numerals refer to like or similar constituent elements throughout the specification. 
     Further, since sizes and thicknesses of constituent elements shown in the accompanying drawings are arbitrarily given for better understanding and ease of description, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated sizes and thicknesses. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, for better understanding and ease of description, the thicknesses of some layers and areas are exaggerated. 
     It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Further, the word “over” or “on” means positioning on or below the object portion, and does not necessarily mean positioning on the upper side of the object portion based on a gravity direction. 
     In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. 
     Hereinafter, a touch apparatus and a touch detection method thereof according to exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to necessary drawings. 
       FIG.  1    schematically illustrates a touch apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment, and  FIG.  2    illustrates an example in which a stylus pen is touched on a touch apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a touch apparatus  10  according to an exemplary embodiment may include a touch panel  100 , first and second drivers  110  and  120  driving the touch panel  100 , and a controller  130 . 
     The touch panel  100  includes a plurality of first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  having a form extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  having a form extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. In the touch panel  100 , the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  may be arranged along the second direction, and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  may be arranged along the first direction. In  FIG.  1   , a shape of the touch panel  100  is illustrated as a quadrangle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the touch panel  100  further includes a substrate  105  and a window  103 . The first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  may be disposed on the substrate  105 . The window  103  may be disposed on the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . In  FIG.  2   , the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  are illustrated to be disposed on a same layer, but may be on different layers, respectively, and the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  are connected to the first driver  110 , and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  are connected to the second driver  120 . In  FIG.  1   , the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  are separated from each other, but may be implemented as one module, unit, or chip, and the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The first driver  110  may apply a driving signal to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . In addition, the first driver  110  may receive a detection signal from the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . Similarly, the second driver  120  may apply a driving signal to the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . In addition, the second driver  120  may receive a detection signal from the first touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . That is, the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may be a type of transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals. 
     The driving signal may include a signal (e.g., a sine wave, a square wave, etc.) having a frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of a stylus pen  20 . The resonance frequency of the stylus pen  20  depends on a design value of a resonant circuit portion  23  of the stylus pen. 
     The touch apparatus  10  may be used to detect a touch input (direct touch or proximity touch) by a touch object. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the touch input of the stylus pen  20  proximate to the touch panel  100  may be sensed by the touch apparatus  10 . 
     The stylus pen  20  may include a conductive tip  21 , the resonant circuit portion  23 , a ground  25 , and a body  27 . 
     The conductive tip  21  may be at least partially formed of a conductive material (e.g., a metal, a conductive rubber, a conductive fabric, a conductive silicon, etc.), and may be electrically connected to the resonant circuit portion  23 . 
     The resonant circuit portion  23 , which is an LC resonant circuit, may resonate with a driving signal applied from at least one of the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  to at least one kind of all electrodes among the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  through the conductive tip  21 . 
     A resonance signal generated when the resonant circuit portion  23  resonates with the driving signal may be outputted to the touch panel  100  through the conductive tip  21 . The driving signal caused by the resonance of the resonant circuit portion  23  may be transferred to the conductive tip  21  during a period in which the driving signal is applied to at least one kind of all electrodes among the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  and during a following period. The resonant circuit portion  23  may be disposed in the body  27 , and may be electrically connected to the ground  25 . 
     The stylus pen  20  in this manner generates a touch input by generating a resonance signal in response to a driving signal applied to at least one of the touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     Capacitance Cx is generated by at least one of the touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and  121 - 1  to  121 - n , and the conductive tip  21  of the stylus pen  20 . The driving signal and the resonance signal may be respectively transferred to the stylus pen  20  and the touch panel  100  through the capacitance Cx generated by at least one of the touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and  121 - 1  to  121 - n , and the conductive tip  21  of the stylus pen  20 . 
     The touch apparatus  10  may detect a touch by a touch object (e.g., a user’s body (finger, palm, etc.), or a passive or active stylus pen other than the stylus pen  20  using the above-described method of generating the resonance signal. 
     For example, the touch apparatus  10  detects a touch by a stylus pen that receives an electrical signal and outputs it as a magnetic field signal. For example, the touch apparatus  10  may further include a digitizer. A touch may be detected by detecting the magnetic field signal that is electromagnetically resonant (or electromagnetically induced) by the stylus pen by the digitizer. Alternatively, the touch apparatus  10  detects a touch by a stylus pen which receives a magnetic field signal and outputs it as a resonant magnetic field signal. For example, the touch apparatus  10  may further include a coil for applying a current as a driving signal, and the digitizer. The stylus pen resonates with a magnetic field signal generated by the coil to which the current is applied. A touch may be detected by detecting the magnetic field signal that is electromagnetically resonant (or electromagnetically induced) by the stylus pen by the digitizer. 
     The controller  130  may control driving of the touch apparatus  10 , and may output touch coordinate information in response to a touch detection result of the touch apparatus  10 . 
     Next, a touch detection method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG.  3   . 
       FIG.  3    schematically illustrates a touch detection method according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     In a first period, the touch apparatus  10  is driven in a first mode (S 10 ). The first mode is a mode in which a driving signal for detecting a touch input by a touch object other than the stylus pen  20  is applied to the touch panel  100 . 
     For example, in the first mode, the first driver  110  outputs a driving signal to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , and the second driver  120  receives a sensing signal depending on a touch from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     The controller  130  determines whether the detection signal is a valid touch signal based on whether a signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired during the first period exceeds a first threshold (S 20 ). The controller  130  may obtain touch coordinate information by using the valid touch signal. 
     For example, the controller  130  calculates touch coordinates by using the detection signal when the signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired during the first period exceeds the first threshold. The controller  130  does not calculate touch coordinates depending on the detection signal having a signal magnitude that is less than or equal to the first threshold when the signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired in the first period is less than or equal to the first threshold. In addition, when the signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired in the first period exceeds the first threshold, the controller  130  may calculate a touch area by using the detection signal. The detection signal acquired in the first period includes at least one of a first detection signal generated by a user’s body part (a finger, a palm, etc.), and a second detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  or a passive stylus pen. The first threshold may be set such that the first detection signal is determined to be a valid touch signal and the second detection signal is filtered. 
     In a second period, the touch apparatus  10  is driven in a second mode (S 12 ). The second mode is a mode in which a driving signal for detecting a touch input by the stylus pen  20  is applied to the touch panel  100  and a resonant signal is received based on the driving signal. 
     For example, the first driver  110  simultaneously applies a driving signal to all of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . The resonant circuit portion  23  of the stylus pen  20  resonates with the driving signal, thereby generates a resonant signal, which is transferred to the touch panel  100  through the conductive tip  21 . Then, the first driver  110  receives detection signals transferred from the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , and the second driver  120  receives sensing signals transferred from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may process the received detection signals to transfer them to the controller  130 . 
     Although it has been described in the above description that the first driver  110  simultaneously applies driving signals to all of the plurality of first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  during the second period, the second driver  120  may simultaneously apply driving signals to all of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  during the second period, or the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may simultaneously apply driving signals to all of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and all of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . When the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  provide driving signals to both the plurality of first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the plurality of second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n , it is assumed that phases of the driving signals applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the driving signals applied to the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  are the same, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The controller  130  determines whether the detection signal is a valid touch signal based on whether a signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired during the second period exceeds a second threshold (S 22 ). The controller  130  may obtain touch coordinate information of a point where the touch of the stylus pen  20  occurs by using the valid touch signal. 
     For example, the controller  130  calculates touch coordinates by using the detection signal when the signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired during the second period exceeds the second threshold. The controller  130  does not calculate touch coordinates depending on the detection signal having a signal magnitude that is less than or equal to the second threshold when the signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired in the second period is less than or equal to the second threshold. In addition, when the signal magnitude of the detection signal acquired in the second period exceeds the second threshold, the controller  130  may calculate a touch area by using the detection signal. 
     Next, the first and second drivers  110  and  120  of the touch apparatus  10  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5   . 
       FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5    illustrate the touch device of  FIG.  1    in more detail. 
     First,  FIG.  4    illustrates a touch apparatus in the first period. As illustrated, the first driver  110  is connected to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . 
     The second driver  120  includes a plurality of amplifiers  123 - 1  to  123 - n , an ADC unit  125 , and a digital signal processor (DSP)  127 . The second driver  120  may sequentially receive detection signals of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  in units of one second touch electrode. Alternatively, the second driver  120  may simultaneously receive detection signals from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     Each of the amplifiers  123 - 1  to  123 - n  is connected to a corresponding second touch electrode of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . Specifically, each of the amplifiers  123 - 1  to  123 - n  may be implemented as an amplifier in which one input terminal of two input terminals is connected to a ground or a DC voltage, and a sensing signal is inputted into the other input terminal. Each of the amplifiers  123 - 1  to  123 - n  amplifies the sensing signals transferred from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  in parallel to output them. 
     The ADC unit  125  converts an amplified detection signal into a digital signal. The signal processing unit  127  processes a plurality of amplified signals converted into digital signals to transfer them to the controller  130 . 
     Next,  FIG.  5    illustrates a touch in the second period. As illustrated, the first driver  110  includes a plurality of differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i , an ADC unit  115 , and a digital signal processor (DSP)  117 . The second driver  120  includes a plurality of differential amplifiers  123 - 1  to  123 - j , an ADC unit  125 , and a digital signal processor (DSP)  127 . 
     The differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i  and  123 - 1  to  123 - j  may be configured by changing the connection of the input terminals of the amplifiers  123 - 1  to  123 - n . That is, an inequality i + j ≤ n may be satisfied. Specifically, two touch electrodes may be connected to one amplifier by connecting an input terminal of two input terminals of the amplifier  123 - 1  to which the ground or the DC voltage is connected to the corresponding second touch electrode  121 - 4  and an input terminal of two input terminals of the amplifier  123 - 1  to which the ground or the DC voltage is connected to the corresponding second touch electrode  121 - 5 . 
     Input terminals of the respective differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i  and  123 - 1  to  123 - j  are connected to two touch electrodes that are spaced apart from each other by at least one touch electrode. Each of the differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i  and  123 - 1  to  123 - j  may differentially amplify and output two sense signals transferred from the touch electrode. Each of the differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i  and  123 - 1  to  123 - j  receives differential sensing signals from two touch electrodes to differentially amplify them, and thus even when a driving signal is applied to a plurality of touch electrodes at the same time, it is not saturated. 
     Each of the differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i  and  123 - 1  to  123 - j  may receive detection signals from two touch electrodes that are spaced apart from each other, rather than two adjacent touch electrodes. For example, each of the differential amplifiers  113 - 1  to  113 - i  and  123 - 1  to  123 - j  receives a sensing signal from two touch electrodes spaced apart from each other with one or more touch electrodes therebetween. In  FIG.  5   , the differential amplifier  113 - 1  receives detection signals from the first touch electrode  111 - 1  and the first touch electrode  111 - 5 . When the differential amplifier  113 - 1  receives the detection signals from two adjacent touch electrodes (e.g., the first touch electrode  111 - 1  and the first touch electrode  111 - 2 ), the detection signals generated by the touch in a region between the first touch electrode  111 - 1  and the first touch electrode  111 - 2  are not sufficiently large even if they are differentially amplified by the differential amplifier  113 - 1 . Therefore, when the differential amplifier  113 - 1  is connected with two adjacent first touch electrodes, touch sensitivity is deteriorated. However, since the differential amplifier  113 - 1  receives the detection signals from the first touch electrode  111 - 1  and the first touch electrode  111 - 5 , the detection signal generated by the touch electrode at the touch input position may be differentially amplified to have a sufficiently large value, and the touch sensitivity may be improved. 
     Each of the ADC units  115  and  125  converts the differentially amplified detection signal into a digital signal. Each of the signal processing units  117  and  127  processes a plurality of differential amplified signals converted into digital signals to transfer them to the controller  130 . 
     Such a touch detection method will be described together with reference to  FIG.  6    to  FIG.  10   . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a waveform diagram showing an example of a driving signal and a reception signal according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  7    illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs the reception signal of  FIG.  6   . 
     In  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7   , it is assumed that there is a touch by a finger in a region where the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 , and  121 - 3  cross each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , during the first period T 1 , first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are sequentially applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . The first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are pulse signals having an enable level voltage VE and a disable level voltage VD. 
     The second driver  120  receives the detection signals R_ 121 - 1  to R_ 121 - n  from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     The first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are driving signals for detecting a touch input by a touch object other than the stylus pen  20 , and are not limited to the waveform illustrated in  FIG.  6   . It is illustrated in  FIG.  6    that the first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are sequentially applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , but driving signals having different frequencies (e.g., frequencies having an orthogonal relationship with each other) may be simultaneously applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . In this case, the second driver  120  may receive detection signals depending on a touch from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n , and may separate the detection signals by the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  using band pass filters of different frequency bands. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the detection signal R_ 121 - 1  from the second touch electrode  121 - 1  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 , the detection signal R_ 121 - 2  from the second touch electrode  121 - 2  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 , the detection signal R_ 121 - 3  from the second touch electrode  121 - 3  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 , and the detection signal R_121 from the second touch electrode  121 - 4  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 . In the sensing signals R_ 121 - 1 , R_ 121 - 2 , and R_ 121 - 3 , a change in signal magnitude caused by a touch occurs as ΔV0, ΔV1, and ΔV2, respectively. 
     The controller  130  may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at which the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  to which a driving signal is applied when a change in signal magnitude is generated, and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  and  121 - 3  in which a signal magnitude change is generated, cross each other. 
     Next, during the first sub period T 21  in the second period T 2 , the second driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are applied to all of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , and the third driving signal D_ 121  is applied to all of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are pulse signals having a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disable level, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonant frequency of the stylus pen  20 . 
     During the first sub period T 21 , reception of detection signals from the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  is not performed. 
     During the second sub period T 22 , the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may receive detection signals from both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     The second period T 2  includes a plurality of first sub periods T 21  and second sub periods T 22 . For example, during the second period T 2 , a combination of the first sub period T 21  and the second sub period T 22  may be repeated eight times. 
     In  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7   , since the touch by the stylus pen  20  does not occur, no detection signal is received during the second sub period T 22 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a waveform diagram showing another example of a driving signal and a reception signal according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  9    illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs the reception signal of  FIG.  8   . 
     In  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   , it is assumed that there is a touch by the stylus pen  20  in a region where the first touch electrode  111 - 2  and the second touch electrode  121 - 5  cross each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , during the first period T 1 , first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are sequentially applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . The second driver  120  receives the detection signals R_ 121 - 1  to R_ 121 - n  from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     Since the stylus pen  20  is close to the second touch electrode  121 - 5 , a signal magnitude change value ΔV3 of the detection signal R_ 121 - 5  from the touched second touch electrode  121 - 5  may be amplified and outputted through the amplifier  123 - 5 . 
     Next, during the first sub period T 21  in the second period T 2 , the second driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are applied to all of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , and the third driving signal D_ 121  is applied to all of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are pulse signals having a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disable level, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonant frequency of the stylus pen  20 . 
     In  FIG.  8   , it is described that the enable level voltage VE of the second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  and the disable level voltage VD are the same in phase signal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. During the first sub period T 21 , a magnitude of the pen resonance signal increases according to a time when the second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are applied. The magnitude of the pen resonance signal is saturated after a certain time elapses 
     During the first sub period T 21 , reception of detection signals from the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  is not performed. 
     Thereafter, when the first sub period T 21  ends, the first driver  110  stops applying the driving signal D_ 111 , and the second driver  120  also stops applying the driving signal D_ 121 . During the second sub period T 22  in the second period T 2 , the driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are not applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     During the second sub period T 22 , the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may receive detection signals from both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may receive the pen resonance signal in the second sub period T 22  to which the driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are not applied as a detection signal. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a signal magnitude difference ΔV4 between the detection signal R_ 111 - 2  from the first touch electrode  111 - 2  with touch and the detection signal R_ 111 - 6  from the first touch electrode  111 - 6  without touch may be amplified and outputted through the differential amplifier  113 - 2 . Similarly, a signal magnitude difference ΔV5 between the detection signal R_ 121 - 5  from the second touch electrode  121 - 5  with touch and the detection signal R_ 121 - 1  from the second touch electrode  121 - 1  without touch may be amplified and outputted through the differential amplifier  123 - 1 . 
     The controller  130  may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at which the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  to which a driving signal is applied when a difference in signal magnitude is generated, and the second touch electrodes  121 - 2  and  121 - 3  in which a signal magnitude difference is generated, cross each other. 
     The controller  130  may calculate a touch position on the touch panel  100  through the detection signal received in the second sub period T 22 . In accordance with the touch apparatus  10  according to an exemplary embodiment, since the detection signal is received through both the plurality of first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the plurality of second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  during the second sub period, there is an advantage in that touch coordinates along two axes intersecting each other may be quickly obtained. 
     In addition, the same driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are simultaneously applied to both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  during the first period T 1 , thereby improving the resonant signal magnitude of the stylus pen  20  in response thereto is improved. 
     In the above description, the detection signal may be received at least once during the second sub period by at least one of the first driver  110  and the second driver  120 . In addition, a time point at which the detection signal is received may be at least one time point in the second sub period T 22 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     Next, the magnitude of the detection signal received in each of the first period T 1  and the second period T 2  will be described with reference to  FIG.  10   . 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a graph showing magnitudes of the reception signals of  FIGS.  6  and  8   . One frame  1  FRAME includes a first period T 1  and a second period T 2 . The second period T 2  includes a plurality of first sub periods T 22  and second sub periods T 22 . When the second sub period T 22  ends, a first period of the next frame is started. 
     During the first period T 1 , the magnitude difference of the detection signal generated by a finger is ΔV1 or ΔV2, which exceeds a first threshold value Threshold1. During the first period T 1 , the magnitude difference of the detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  is ΔV3, which is less than or equal to the first threshold value Threshold1. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment, the controller  130  determines a detection signal having a magnitude difference exceeding the first threshold value Threshold1 as a valid touch signal during the first period T 1 . The first threshold value Threshold1 may be set such that a first detection signal generated by a user’s body (a finger, a palm, etc.) is determined as a valid touch signal, and a second detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  or a passive stylus pen is filtered. 
     Accordingly, the controller  130  determines the detection signal generated by the finger as a valid touch signal, and calculates touch coordinates by using the detection signal. The controller  130  determines that the detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  is not a valid touch signal, and does not calculate the touch coordinates. 
     During the second period T 2 , the magnitude difference of the detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  is ΔV4 or ΔV5, which exceeds a second threshold value Threshold2. 
     The controller  130  determines a detection signal having a magnitude difference exceeding the second threshold value Threshold2 as a valid touch signal during the second period T 2 . Therefore, the controller  130  determines the detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  as a valid touch signal, and calculates touch coordinates by using the detection signal. 
     Conventionally, when different types of objects contact the touch sensor together, the touch coordinates are calculated using only the detection signal in the first period T 1 , and thus it is difficult to accurately calculate the touch position by a touch object having a small change in signal magnitude. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, the first threshold value Threshold1 may be set such that a first detection signal generated by a user’s body (a finger, a palm, etc.) is determined as a valid touch signal, and a second detection signal generated by the stylus pen  20  or a passive stylus pen is filtered. As a result, the touch coordinates of the touch object having the large change in signal magnitude may be accurately detected during the first period T 1 , and the touch coordinates of the touch object having the small change in signal magnitude may be detected in the second period T 2 . 
     Next, types of the second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  that may be applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  will be described with reference to  FIG.  11   . 
       FIG.  11    illustrates waveform diagrams showing a driving signal according to various aspects of an exemplary embodiment. 
     During the first sub period T 21 , the driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  in which a pulse of enable level VE is repeated at a predetermined cycle is applied to all of at least one type of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . During the first sub period T 21 , the resonance signal of the stylus pen  20  may be quickly reached (i.e., saturated) by the driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121 . 
     During the second sub period T 22 , the driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  having a plurality of periods having different lengths of the disable level periods is applied to all of at least one type of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     For example, when a duty ratio of the driving signals outputted during the first sub period T 21  (a ratio of the disable level period to the enable level period during one repeated period P) is 1:1, the driving signals outputted during the second sub period T 22  may have a duty ratio of a:2b+1, a:2b+2, a:2b+3, a:2b+4, a:(3b+1), a:2(b+3)+1, a:2(b+3), a:(2b+1), ..., and the like. Herein, a and b are positive integers. A time period corresponding to one cycle P of the driving signal outputted during the second sub period T 22  may include a period in which the enable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least n times, and a period in which the disable level period is maintained at least 2n times. The enable level period corresponds to a period in which the driving signal has an enable level VE, and the disable level period corresponds to a period in which the driving signal has a disable level VE. The duty ratio of the driving signal is merely an example, and may include all ratios for allowing the resonance signal of the stylus pen  20  having reached a predetermined level to be maintained at an effective level. 
     The resonance signal of the stylus pen  20  reaching the predetermined level by the first driving signal during the first sub period T 21  may be maintained at an effective level by the driving signal during the second sub period T 22 . Herein, the effective level indicates a level at which the controller  130  can detect the resonance signal of the stylus pen  20  as a touch signal. 
     The driving signal during the second sub period T 22  may be a signal in which at least one pulse is periodically omitted from the first driving signal during the first sub period T 21 . As described above, since the driving signal during the second sub period T 22  is outputted in a form in which at least one pulse is periodically omitted compared to the driving signal during the first sub period T 21 , the driving signal during the first sub period T 21  and the driving signal during the second sub period T 22  may have different pulse rates. That is, the driving signal during the second sub period T 22  may have a lower pulse speed than the driving signal during the sub period T 21 . Herein, a pulse rate may be a number of pulses outputted per unit time (e.g., 1 s). 
     As a number of skipped pulses of the driving signal decreases during the second sub period T 22 , energy transferred from the touch apparatus  10  to the stylus pen  20  may increase. Therefore, as the number of skipped pulses of the driving signal decreases during the second sub period T 22 , the signal level of the pen resonance signal generated during the second sub period T 22  increases. In addition, as the number of skipped pulses of the driving signal increases during the second subinterval T 22 , energy consumed for output of the driving signal may decrease. Therefore, as the number of pulses skipped by the driving signal increases during the second sub period T 22 , energy consumed by the touch apparatus  10  during the second sub period T 22  may be reduced. 
     Next, a touch detection method in the case of applying the driving signal during the second sub period T 22  described with reference to  FIG.  11    will be described with reference to  FIG.  12    and  FIG.  13   . In  FIG.  12    and  FIG.  13   , it is assumed that the driving signal applied to the touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and  121 - 1  to  121 - n  during the second sub period T 22  has a non-skipped vs. skipped pulse ratio of 1:1. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a waveform diagram showing an example of a driving signal and a reception signal when the driving signal of  FIG.  11    is applied according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  4   . 
     In  FIG.  12   , it is assumed that there is a touch by a finger in a region where the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 , and  121 - 3  cross each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , during the first period T 1 , first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are sequentially applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . The first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are pulse signals having an enable level voltage VE and a disable level voltage VD. 
     The second driver  120  receives the detection signals R_ 121 - 1  to R_ 121 - n  from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     The detection signal R_ 121 - 1  from the second touch electrode  121 - 1  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 , the detection signal R_ 121 - 2  from the second touch electrode  121 - 2  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 , the detection signal R_ 121 - 3  from the second touch electrode  121 - 3  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 , and the detection signal R_121 from the second touch electrode  121 - 4  may be amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier  123 - 1 . In the sensing signals R_ 121 - 1 , R_ 121 - 2 , and R_ 121 - 3 , a change in signal magnitude caused by a touch occurs as ΔVO, ΔV1, and ΔV2, respectively. 
     The controller  130  may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at which the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  to which a driving signal is applied when a change in signal magnitude is generated, and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  and  121 - 3  in which a signal magnitude change is generated, cross each other. 
     Next, during the first sub period T 21  in the second period T 2 , the second driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are applied to all of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , and the third driving signal D_ 121  is applied to all of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are pulse signals having a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disable level, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonant frequency of the stylus pen  20 . 
     During the first sub period T 21 , reception of detection signals from the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  is not performed. 
     During the second sub period T 22 , the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may transfer a driving signal including a period in which the enable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least n times (n=3 in  FIG.  12   , but it is not limited thereto), and a period in which the disable level period is maintained at least 2n times, as a time period corresponding to one cycle P, to both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The period in which the enable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least n times and a period in which the enable level period is maintained at least 2n times may be repeated at least once in the second sub period T 22 . 
     In addition, while the driving signal applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  is the disable level, and the driving signal applied to the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  is the disabled level, the first and second drivers  110  and  120  may simultaneously receive detection signals from both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     In  FIG.  12   , since the touch by the stylus pen  20  does not occur, no detection signal is received during the second sub period T 22 . 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a waveform diagram showing another example of a driving signal and a reception signal when the driving signal of  FIG.  11    is applied according to the touch detection method of  FIG.  3   . 
     In  FIG.  13   , it is assumed that there is a touch by the stylus pen  20  in a region where the first touch electrode  111 - 2  and the second touch electrode  121 - 5  cross each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , during the first period T 1 , first driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are sequentially applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m . The second driver  120  receives the detection signals R_ 121 - 1  to R_ 121 - n  from the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     Since the stylus pen  20  is close to the second touch electrode  121 - 5 , a signal magnitude change value ΔV3 of the detection signal R_ 121 - 5  from the touched second touch electrode  121 - 5  may be amplified and outputted through the amplifier  123 - 5 . 
     Next, during the first sub period T 21  in the second period T 2 , the second driving signals D_ 111 - 1  to D_ 111 - m  are applied to all of the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m , and the third driving signal D_ 121  is applied to all of the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are pulse signals having a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disable level, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonant frequency of the stylus pen  20 . 
     In  FIG.  8   , it is described that the enable level voltage VE of the second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  and the disable level voltage VD are the same in phase signal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. During the first sub period T 21 , a magnitude of the pen resonance signal increases according to a time when the second and third driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are applied. The magnitude of the pen resonance signal is saturated after a certain time elapses. 
     During the first sub period T 21 , reception of detection signals from the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  is not performed. 
     During the second sub period T 22 , the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may transfer a driving signal including a period in which the enable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least n times (n=3 in  FIG.  12   , but it is not limited thereto), and a period in which the disable level period is maintained at least 2n times, as a time period corresponding to one cycle P, to both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . In addition, during a period S during which the driving signal applied to the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  is the disable level, and the driving signal applied to the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  is the disable level, the first and second drivers  110  and  120  may simultaneously receive detection signals from both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . 
     During the second sub period T 22 , the first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may receive detection signals from both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n . The first driver  110  and the second driver  120  may receive the pen resonance signal in the second sub period T 22  to which the driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are not applied as a detection signal. 
     A signal magnitude difference ΔV6 between the detection signal R_ 111 - 2  from the first touch electrode  111 - 2  with touch and the detection signal R_ 111 - 6  from the first touch electrode  111 - 6  without touch may be amplified and outputted through the differential amplifier  113 - 2 . Similarly, a signal magnitude difference ΔV7 between the detection signal R_ 121 - 5  from the second touch electrode  121 - 5  with touch and the detection signal R_ 121 - 1  from the second touch electrode  121 - 1  without touch may be amplified and outputted through the differential amplifier  123 - 1 . 
     The controller  130  may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at which the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  to which a driving signal is applied when a difference in signal magnitude is generated, and the second touch electrodes  121 - 2  and  121 - 3  in which a signal magnitude difference is generated, cross each other. 
     The controller  130  may calculate a touch position on the touch panel  100  through the detection signal received in the second sub period T 22 . In accordance with the touch apparatus  10  according to an exemplary embodiment, since the detection signal is received through both the plurality of first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the plurality of second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  during the second sub period, there is an advantage in that touch coordinates along two axes intersecting each other may be quickly obtained. 
     In addition, the same driving signals D_ 111  and D_ 121  are simultaneously applied to both the first touch electrodes  111 - 1  to  111 - m  and the second touch electrodes  121 - 1  to  121 - n  during the first period T 1 , thereby improving the resonant signal magnitude of the stylus pen  20  in response thereto. 
     In the above description, the detection signal may be received at least once during the second sub period by at least one of the first driver  110  and the second driver  120 . In addition, a time point at which the detection signal is received may be at least one time point in the second sub period T 22 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     Next, a touch area depending on a touch object will be described with reference to  FIG.  14    and  FIG.  15   . 
       FIG.  14    and  FIG.  15    illustrate touch areas of different objects. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  14   , a finger  30  touches the touch panel  100 . A plurality of touch electrodes  111 - 3  to  111 - 5  and  121 - 4  to  121 - 6  may be disposed near an area A 1  where a tip of the finger  30  contacts the touch panel  100 . An area of the touch area A 1  may be calculated by using detection signals received from the touch electrodes  111 - 3  to  111 - 5  and  121 - 4  to  121 - 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  15   , the stylus pen  40  touches the touch panel  100 . One first touch electrode  111 - 6  and one second touch electrode  121 - 6  may be disposed near an area A 2  where a tip of the stylus pen  40  contacts the touch panel  100 . Alternatively, two first touch electrodes and two second touch electrodes may be disposed near an area A 2  where the tip of the stylus pen  40  contacts the touch panel  100 . That is, a number of the touch electrodes disposed in the area A 2  where the tip of the stylus pen  40  contacts the touch panel  100  is smaller than that of the touch electrodes disposed in the area A 1  where the finger  30  contacts the touch panel  100 . Therefore, the area of the touch area A 2  generated by the touch of the stylus pen  40  is calculated to be a very small value compared to the touch area A 1  generated by the touch of the finger  30 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, the touch apparatus  10  may transfer touch data including information related to the area of the touch area to a host apparatus. In this way, the host apparatus may identify whether the touch object is the finger  30  or the stylus pen  40 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, the touch apparatus  10  may determine the touch object depending on the calculated area of the touch area, and may transfer touch data including information related to the determined touch object to the host apparatus. 
     This will be described with reference to  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17   . 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a block diagram showing a touch apparatus and a host that perform the driving method of  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  17    illustrates an example of touch data provided to a host from a touch apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   , a host  50  may receive touch data from the controller  130  included in the touch apparatus  10 . For example, the host  50  may be a mobile system-on-chip (SoC), an application processor (AP), a media processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or a similar device thereto. 
     After one frame ends, the touch apparatus  10  may generate information related to the touch input during one frame as touch data to transfer it to the host  50 . 
     Alternatively, when the first period T 1  ends, the touch apparatus  10  may generate touch information that is inputted during the first period T 1  as touch data to transfer it to the host  50 , and when the second period T 2  that is continuous to the first period T 1  ends, it may generate information related to a touch that is inputted during the second period T 2  as touch data to transfer it to the host  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , touch data  60  may include a touch count field  61  and one or more touch entity fields  62  and  63 . 
     In the touch count field  61 , a value indicating a number of touches that are inputted during one frame period may be written. For example, when touch coordinates by one finger are calculated during the first period T 1  in one frame period, and when touch coordinates by one stylus pen are calculated during the second period T 2 , a value indicating that two touches are inputted is written in the touch count field  61 . 
     The touch entity fields  62  and  63  include fields indicating information related to each touch input. For example, the touch entity fields  62  and  63  may include a flag field  620 , an X-axis coordinate field  621 , a Y-axis coordinate field  622 , a Z-value field  623 , an area field  624 , and a touch action field  625 . 
     A number of the touch entity fields  62  and  63  may be equal to a value written in the touch count field  61 . 
     A value representing a touch object may be written in the flag field  620 . For example, a finger, a palm, and a stylus pen may be filled in the flag field  620  with different values. Values representing the calculated touch coordinates may be written in the X-axis coordinate field  621  and the Y-axis coordinate field  622 . A value corresponding to the signal strength of the detection signal may be written in the Z-value field  623 . A value corresponding to an area of the touched area may be written in the area field  624 . 
     According to exemplary embodiments, the host apparatus  50  receiving touch data  60  determines that a touch object is the finger  30  when the touch area is larger than the threshold by using the value of the area field  624 , and determines that the touch object is the stylus pen  40  when the touch area is less than or equal to the threshold. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, the host apparatus  50  receiving the touch data  60  may identify whether the touch object is the finger  30  or the stylus pen  40  by using the value of the flag field  620 . 
     While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.