Patent Abstract:
A position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel is provided. The position coordinates signal detecting circuit of the sensor panel according to the present invention includes first through fourth resistors each of which has one end connected to one of the left upper-most edge, the left lower-most edge, the right upper-most edge, and the right lower-most edge of the sensor panel. First through fourth driving signal generators are respectively connected to the other side of the first through fourth resistors for generating a driving signal so as to drive the sensor panel. Analog switches receive first through fourth pairs of voltages respectively generated at both ends of the first through fourth resistors. The first through fourth pairs of voltage are multiplexed in response to first through fourth selecting signals to provide a multiplexed signal, and a differential amplifier for amplifies the multiplexed signal. The position coordinates detecting circuit of the sensor panel according to the present invention makes it possible to amplify the voltage difference between both end of the variable resistors. Thus, the characteristics mismatching between different amplifiers is reduced, and the position coordinates are detected accurately.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a data input apparatus, and more particularly, to a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel for sensing position coordinates at which contacts occur. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As information terminals become smaller in size and larger in functional complexity, the types of input devices for providing data And information to the information terminals become more varied. For example, one input apparatus that is widely used for providing input commands or characters is a sensor panel coated with a resistance component. In such a device, characters and information are entered by pressing on the sensor panel at particular predefined locations. By detecting the position at which a contact is made on the panel, the system can determine the desired input. To that end, sensor panels typically include detection circuitry for detecting the locations of contacts. 
     In one example of such a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel, the position at which a contact occurs is detected by detecting the pairs of voltages at both ends of series resistances connected to the four edges of the sensor panel. The sensor panel resistances are driven by applying a driving signal of the same level through the connected resistors. Since the pairs of voltages on both sides of the contact point change according to the position of the contact point, it is possible to display the position of the point at which the contact occurred as coordinates by detecting the pairs of voltages at both ends of the resistors. 
     In conventional technology, four differential amplifiers are used for a position coordinates signal detecting circuit in order to separately amplify the pairs of voltages at the ends of the resistors connected to the respective edges. Also, variable resistors are generally used for the resistors connected to the respective edges of the sensor panel in order to correct internal impedance mismatching at the respective corners of the sensor panel. 
     In the position coordinates signal detecting circuit using four differential amplifiers, it is desirable that the characteristics of the differential amplifiers connected to the respective edges be identical to provide accurate position detection in the sensor panel of the location at which a contact occurred. That is, the respective differential amplifiers should generate the same level of output signals in a common mode and the amplification of the respective differential amplifiers should be the same. However, it is difficult to make the characteristics of the differential amplifiers identical, due to manufacturing processes. Accordingly, position coordinates of the point at which contacts occur may not be precisely detected due to the difference between the characteristics of the differential amplifiers. 
     FIG. 1 contains two waveforms labelled (a) and (b) which illustrate a signal output by differential amplifiers when there is no contact in the sensor panel i.e., in the common mode, under two conditions. For these waveforms, it is assumed that the impedances at the respective edges of the sensor panel are the same. Waveform (a) is an output waveform showing output characteristics of the four differential amplifiers in the common mode when the amplifier characteristics are different. Waveform (b) is an output waveform showing the output characteristics of the four differential amplifiers in the common mode when the amplifier characteristics are identical. 
     In a conventional position coordinates detecting circuit of a general sensor panel using four differential amplifiers, the output signals of the four differential amplifiers are multiplexed so that the output signal of the differential amplifier corresponding to a selecting signal is generated. For example, in one general conventional sensor panel, the output signals of the differential amplifiers connected to the left upper edge, the left lower edge, the right upper edge, and the right lower edge of the sensor panel are output from sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , and T 4 , respectively, in response to a selecting signal. When the output characteristics of the four differential amplifiers are identical in the common mode, signals having the same levels are output from the sections T 1  through T 4 , in which the output signals of the respective differential amplifiers are selectively output as shown in waveform (b) of FIG.  1 . 
     In actuality, because of fabrication process deviations, it is very difficult to achieve the desired result that the output characteristics of the differential amplifiers are identical in the common mode. Accordingly, the levels of the output signals of the four differential amplifiers selectively output from the sections T 1  through T 4  are different from each other as shown in waveform (a) of FIG.  1 . Therefore, in a conventional position coordinates signal detecting circuit, it is difficult to precisely detect position coordinates of the point on the sensor panel at which contacts occur. 
     Also, in a conventional position coordinates signal detecting circuit, not only the output characteristics in the common mode, but also the amplifying degrees of the differential amplifiers may be different from each other due to the process deviation. In this case, since the signals output from the respective edges of the sensor panel are amplified to different amplifications, the position at which the contact actually occurred cannot be precisely detected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel having a simplified structure and correctly sensing coordinates using only one differential amplifier. 
     Accordingly, to achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel for detecting a position coordinates signal of a contact point in a sensor panel coated with a resistance component. The circuit includes a plurality of e.g., first through fourth, resistors one end of each of which is connected to an edge of the sensor panel, e.g., the left upper-most edge, the left lower-most edge, the right upper-most edge, and the right lower-most edge of the sensor panel, respectively. The circuit also includes a plurality, e.g., first through fourth, driving signal generators respectively connected to the other side of the resistors for generating a driving signal so as to drive the sensor panel. The circuit also includes an analog switching means for receiving a plurality, e.g., first through fourth pairs of voltages respectively generated at both ends of the resistors, multiplexing the pairs of voltage in response to a plurality of e.g., first through fourth, selecting signals and providing a multiplexed signal. The circuit also includes a differential amplifier for inputting and amplifying the multiplexed signal. 
     The position coordinates detecting circuit of the sensor panel according to the present invention makes it possible to amplify the voltage difference between both ends of the variable resistor. Thus, the characteristics mismatching between amplifiers is reduced, and the position coordinates are detected accurately. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 contains waveforms showing the output signals of differential amplifiers according to the characteristics of differential amplifiers in a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel using four differential amplifiers. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 contains waveforms showing first through fourth selecting signals for controlling the output of an analog switching unit shown in FIG.  2  and the output signal of a differential amplifier. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an analog switching unit of a circuit shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a first switch shown in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel  21  according to the present invention. The position coordinates signal detecting circuit of the sensor panel  21  according to the present invention includes first through fourth driving signal generators  11 ,  13 ,  15 ,  17 , first through fourth variable resistors VR 1 , VR 2 , VR 3  and VR 4 , an analog switching unit  31 , and a differential amplifier  41 . 
     The first through fourth driving signal generators  11 ,  13 ,  15 ,  17  shown in FIG. 2, which are voltage generators for driving the senior panel  21 , transmit analog driving signals having predetermined voltages (1V˜4V) to the sensor panel  21  through the resistors VR 1  through VR 4 , respectively. The resistors VR 1 , VR 2 , VR 3  and VR 4  are connected to the four edges UL, LL, UR, and LR, respectively, of the sensor panel  21 , which is coated with a resistance component. When a contact occurs at an arbitrary point  43  of the sensor panel  21 , the first through fourth voltages are generated from both ends of each respective resistor VR 1  through VR 4 , corresponding to the point at which the contact occurred. The voltages generated from both ends of the respective resistors VR 1  through VR 4  are input to the analog switching unit  31  as shown. 
     The analog switching unit  31  receives the voltages generated from the ends of the resistors VR 1  through VR 4 . The analog switching unit  31  sequentially outputs the voltages of both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  to the differential amplifier  41  by multiplexing the voltages input in response to first through fourth selecting signals S 1  through S 4 . The differential amplifier  41  amplifies a difference between the voltages of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  sequentially received from the analog switching unit  31  and generates the amplified voltages as the position coordinates signal of the contact point  43  generated in the sensor panel  21 . That is, the contact point generated in the sensor panel  21  can be indicated by coordinates by detecting and amplifying the difference of the voltages of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4 . 
     In the present embodiment, when there is no contact in the sensor panel  21 , variable resistors can be used as the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  in order to control the input impedances of the respective edges UL, LL, UR, and LR of the sensor panel  21  to be the same. However, when there is no processing deviation in the sensor panel  21 , namely, when there is no contact in the sensor panel  21  fixed resistors can be used when the maximum level and the minimum level of the output signal of the differential amplifier  41  are under a predetermined level (for example, 80 mV). When the fixed resistors are used instead of the variable resistors, it is possible to reduce time required for testing the position coordinates signal detecting circuit shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 contains waveforms labelled (a) through (e) which illustrate the first through fourth selecting signals S 1  through S 4  in Waveforms (a) through (d), respectively, for controlling the output of the analog switching unit  31  shown in FIG.  2  and the output signal of the differential amplifier  41  in waveform (e). Waveform (a) shows the first selecting signal S 1  for controlling the analog switching unit  31  to select the voltage of both ends of the first resistor VR 1 . Waveform (b) shows a second selecting signal S 2  for controlling the analog switching unit  31  to select the voltage of both ends of the second resistor VR 2 . Waveform (c) shows a third selecting signal S 3  for controlling the analog switching unit  31  to select the voltage of both ends of a third resistor VR 3 . Waveform (d) shows a fourth selecting signal S 4  for controlling the analog switching unit  31  to select the voltage of both ends of a fourth resistor VR 4 . Waveform (e) shows position coordinates signal of the contact point  43  output by the differential amplifier  41 . 
     The operation of the position coordinates detecting circuit of the sensor panel according to the present invention will be described ii detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The respective edges UL, LL, UR, and LR of the sensor panel  21  are driven by alternating current voltages having predetermined voltage levels (1V through 4V) and input to the respective edges UL, LL, UR and LR through the respective registers VR 1 , VR 2 , VR 3  and VR 4 . 
     As mentioned above, after controlling the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  so that the level of the voltage of the output of the differential amplifier  41  is uniform in an initial state in which the contact does not occur in the sensor panel  21 , when the contact by a finger occurs at an arbitrary point of the sensor panel  21  coated with the resistance component, the finger functions as a condenser. Therefore, the amount of current flow through the both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  are different from each other. Accordingly, the voltage differences are generated in the both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4 . The difference of the pair of voltages is generated in the both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4 . The pairs of voltage are respectively input to the analog switching unit  31 . 
     The pairs of voltage of the both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  input to the analog switching unit  31  are sequentially output in response to the first through fourth selecting signals S 1  through S 4  which have a predetermined duty cycle (for example, T 5 , T 6 , T 7  and T 8  are all 1.25 ms) and are sequentially enabled, as shown in waveforms (a) through (d) of FIG.  3 . The differential amplifier  41  receives the pairs of voltages of the both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  sequentially generated from the analog switching unit  31 , amplifies the voltage differences, and provides the amplified signal to an output terminal OUT as the position coordinates signal as shown in waveform (e) of FIG.  3 . 
     As shown in waveforms (a) through (e) of FIG. 3, since the pairs of voltages of both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  connected to the respective edges of the sensor panel  21  are input to the differential amplifier  41  in response to the first through fourth selecting signals S 1  through S 4  which have a predetermined duty, for example, 1.25 ms and are sequentially enabled, the position coordinates signal of the contact point generated in the sensor panel  21  can be output in a period of 5 ms in this particular exemplary embodiment. 
     For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the contact point  43  is generated in the sensor panel  21 , capacitances are formed between the contact point  43  and the respective edges of the sensor panel  21  and the capacitances of the capacitor vary according to a distance between the respective edges and the contact point  43 . As a result, the pairs of voltage of the both ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through  4  connected to the respective edges UL, LL, UR, and LR may be different. To the contact paint  43  shown in FIG. 2, the nearest edge is the left upper UL, and the furthest edge is the right lower edge LR. And the contact point  43  is located at the almost same distance from the left lower edge LL and the right upper edge UR. In this case, the capacitance between the left upper edge UL and the contact point  43  is smallest. The capacitance between the right lower edge LR and the contact point  43  is largest. The capacitances between the left lower edge LL and the right upper edge UR are almost same. 
     The capacitances between the contact point  43  and the respective edges UL, LL, UR, and LR of the sensor panel  21  are respective serially connected to the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  and change the pairs of voltages of both ends of them. In the case of the contact point  43  shown in FIG. 2, since the capacitance of the capacitor serially connected to the resistor VR 1  among the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  is the smallest value, the pairs of voltages at the ends of the first resistor VR 1  are the largest among the pairs of voltage at the ends of the first through fourth resistor VR 1  through VR 4 . Also, since the capacitance of the capacitor serially connected to the fourth resistor VR 4  is the largest value, the pairs of voltages at the ends of the fourth resistor VR 4  is the smallest. Therefore, the differential amplifier  41  generates the output signal having the largest level as shown in waveform (e) of FIG. 3 in the section T 5  in which the analog switching unit  31  selectively outputs the pair of voltages at the ends of the first resistor VR 1 , in response to the first selecting signal S 1  shown in waveform (a) of FIG.  3 . Also, as shown in waveform (e) of FIG. 3, the differential amplifier  41  generates an output signal. The level of the output signal in sections T 6  and T 7  is lower than that of the output signal in section T 5 . In sections T 6  and T 7 , the analog switching unit  31  selectively generates the pairs of voltage received from the second and third resistors VR 2  and VR 3 , in response to the second and third selecting signals S 2  and S 3  shown in waveforms (b) and (c) of FIG.  3 . Also, as shown in waveform (e) of FIG. 3, the differential amplifier  41  generates an output signal having the lower level in a section T 8 . In the section T 8 , the analog switching unit  31  selectively generates the voltage received from the fourth resistor VR 4 , in response to the fourth selecting signal S 4  shown in waveform (d) of FIG.  3 . The position coordinates of the contact point  43  are detested by the output signals of the differential amplifier  41 , generated in the sections T 5 , T 6 , T 7 , and T 8 . 
     In the present invention, since the pars of voltage at the ends of the first through fourth resistors VR 1  through VR 4  are transferred the input terminal of the differential amplifier  41  the analog switching unit  31 , one differential amplifier is sufficient. Therefore, using the position coordinates signal detecting circuit of the invention, the problem of inaccurate position coordinates found in prior systems due to amplifier mismatch, i.e., output level differences between the amplifiers and amplifying degree differences between the amplifiers in the common mode, are virtually eliminated. 
     FIG. 4 contains a schematic block diagram illustrating the analog switching unit  31  of the circuit shown in FIG.  2 . The analog switching unit  31  according to the present invention includes first through fourth switching units  81 ,  83 ,  85  and  87 . Each switching unit includes two switches. 
     The first switching unit  81  shown in FIG. 4 respectively receives the pair of voltages at the ends of the first resistor VR 1  shown in FIG. 2 at a first input terminal IN 1  and a second input terminal IN 2  and selectively generates and outputs the pair of voltages at the ends of the first resistor VR 1  in response to the first selecting signal S 1 . The second switching unit  83  receives the pair of voltages at the both ends of the second resistor VR 2  shown in FIG. 2 through a third input terminal IN 3  and a fourth input terminal IN 4 . The second switching unit  83  selectively generates and outputs the pair of voltages at the ends of the second resistor VR 2  in response to the second signal S 2 . Also, the third switching unit  85  receives the pair of voltages at the ends of the third resistor VR 3  shown in FIG. 2 through a fifth input terminal IN 5  and a sixth input terminal IN 6 . The third switching unit  85  selectively generates and outputs the pair of voltages at the ends of the third resistor VR 3  in response to the third selecting signal S 3 . The fourth switching unit  87  receives the pair of voltages at the ends of the fourth resistor VR 4  shown in FIG. 2 through a seventh input terminal IN 7  and an eighth input terminal IN 8 . The fourth switching unit  87  selectively generates and outputs the pair of voltages at the ends of the fourth resistor VR 4  in response to the fourth selecting signal S 4 . 
     A first switch  51  included in the firs switching unit  81  receives the voltage level of a terminal of the first resistor VR 1  through the input terminal IN 1  as a first voltage level and selectively generates and forwards the first voltage level to the output terminal OUT 1  in response to the first selecting signal S 1 . A second switch  53  inputs the voltage level of the other terminal of the first resistor VR 1  as a second voltage level and selectively generates the second voltage level to the output terminal OUT 2  in response to the first selecting signal S 1 . Since the operations of third through eighth switch  55 ,  57 ,  59 ,  61 ,  63  and  65  included in the second through fourth switching units  83 ,  85  ant  87  are the same as those of the first and second switches  51  and  53  included in the first switching unit  81 , descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of each of the switches  51 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ,  61 ,  63  and  65  shown in FIG.  4 . The switch  51  includes an inverter  71  including a first PMOS transistor MP 1  and a first NMOS transistor MN 1  and a transfer gate  73  including second and third PMOS transistors MP 2  and MP 3  and a second NMOS transistors MN 2 . 
     The inverter  71  receives the first selecting signal S 1  through the gates of the first PMOS transistor MP 1  and the first NMOS transistor MN 1  and generates the inverted first selecting signal to a drain. The transfer gate  73  outputs the first voltage level which is voltage level of the terminal of the first resistor VR 1  input to the sources of the respective transistors MP 2 , MP 3  and MN 2  through the drain, in response to the inverted first selecting signal received through the gates of the second and third PMOS transistors MP 2  and MP 3  and the first selecting signal S 1  received through the gate of the second NMOS transistor MN 2 . 
     For example, when the first selecting signal S 1  of a “high” logic level is input through the inverter  71 , the second and third PMOS transistors MP 2  and MP 3  and the second NMOS transistor MN 2  of the transfer gate  73  are timed on by an inverted first selecting signal of a “low” logic level and the first selecting signal S 1  of the “high” logic level. Accordingly, the first voltage level received through the input terminal IN 1  is transmitted to the output terminal OUT 1 . When the first selecting signal S 1  of the “low” logic level is received, the second and third PMOS transistor MP 2  and MP 3  and the second NMOS transistor MN 2  of the transfer gate  73  are turned off by the inverted first selecting signal of the “high” logic level and the first selecting signal S 1  of the “low” logic level. Accordingly, the first voltage level received the input terminal IN 1  is not transmitted to the output terminal OUT 1 . 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6