Patent Description:
Electronic devices including a display device for displaying screens are in widespread use. An electronic device including a display device may include a display and a display driver IC (DDI) for controlling the display.

Further, as the preference for touch sensors becomes a trend, electronic devices having built-in touch circuitry are commonplace. Touch circuitry may include touch sensors for sensing touch inputs and a touch sensor IC for controlling the touch sensors.

In an electronic device including a display device and touch circuitry, a DDI included in the display device may transmit a synchronization signal to the touch sensor IC included in the touch circuitry. Based on the synchronization signal, the touch sensor IC may drive the touch sensors to avoid a period during which noise is generated due to interference from the display.

<CIT> relates to a liquid crystal display device with a built-in touch sensor.

Conventional electronic devices may reduce the update frequency of the display when a still screen or always on display (AOD) is output from the display. When a still screen or AOD is output from the display, the user's touch input would be less likely. However, conventional electronic devices do not change the scheme of driving the touch sensors despite a less chance of the user's touch input, thus causing unnecessary power consumption.

According to disclosures found herein, in an electronic device and a method for driving a touch sensor included in the electronic device, a touch sensor IC may apply, to the touch sensor, a driving signal different from that when a synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is received from the DDI, when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency, which is lower than the first display update frequency, is received from the DDI.

The scope of the present invention is defined according to the independent claims. Various embodiments of the present invention are outlined in the dependent claims.

According to various disclosures found herein, there are provided an electronic device and a method for driving a touch sensor included in the electronic device. The touch sensor IC may apply, to the touch sensor, a driving signal different from that when a synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is received from the DDI, when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency, which is lower than the first display update frequency, is received from the DDI.

Since the driving signal applied to the touch sensor changes according to the change in the display update frequency, unnecessary power consumption may be prevented while maintaining the performance of the touch sensor.

The antenna module <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module may include one antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, e.g., the communication module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, other parts (e.g., radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) than the radiator may be further formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating the display device <NUM> according to an embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the display device <NUM> includes a display <NUM> and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) <NUM> to control the display <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may include an interface module <NUM>, memory <NUM> (e.g., buffer memory), an image processing module <NUM>, or a mapping module <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may receive image information that contains image data or an image control signal corresponding to a command to control the image data from another component of the electronic device <NUM> via the interface module <NUM>. For example, according to an embodiment, the image information may be received from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the main processor <NUM> (e.g., an application processor)) or the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., a graphics processing unit) operated independently from the function of the main processor <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may communicate, for example, with a touch circuit <NUM> or the sensor module <NUM> via the interface module <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may also store at least part of the received image information in the memory <NUM>, for example, on a frame by frame basis. The image processing module <NUM> may perform pre-processing or post-processing (e.g., adjustment of resolution, brightness, or size) with respect to at least part of the image data. According to an embodiment, the pre-processing or post-processing may be performed, for example, based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the image data or one or more characteristics of the display <NUM>. The mapping module <NUM> may generate a voltage value or a current value corresponding to the image data pre-processed or post-processed by the image processing module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the generating of the voltage value or current value may be performed, for example, based at least in part on one or more attributes of the pixels (e.g., an array, such as an RGB stripe or a pentile structure, of the pixels, or the size of each subpixel) of the display <NUM>. At least some pixels of the display <NUM> may be driven, for example, based at least in part on the voltage value or the current value such that visual information (e.g., a text, an image, or an icon) corresponding to the image data may be displayed via the display <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> further includes the touch circuit <NUM>. The touch circuit <NUM> includes a touch sensor <NUM> and a touch sensor IC <NUM> to control the touch sensor <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> controls the touch sensor <NUM> to sense a touch input or a hovering input with respect to a certain position on the display <NUM>. To achieve this, for example, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may detect (e.g., measure) a change in a signal (e.g., a voltage, a quantity of light, a resistance, or a quantity of one or more electric charges) corresponding to the certain position on the display <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> may provide input information (e.g., a position, an area, a pressure, or a time) indicative of the touch input or the hovering input detected to the processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, at least part (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM>) of the touch circuit <NUM> may be formed as part of the display <NUM> or the DDI <NUM>, or as part of another component (e.g., the auxiliary processor <NUM>) disposed outside the display device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the display device <NUM> may further include at least one sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, a pressure sensor, or an illuminance sensor) of the sensor module <NUM> or a control circuit for the at least one sensor. In such a case, the at least one sensor or the control circuit for the at least one sensor may be embedded in one portion of a component (e.g., the display <NUM>, the DDI <NUM>, or the touch circuit <NUM>)) of the display device <NUM>. For example, when the sensor module <NUM> embedded in the display device <NUM> includes a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), the biometric sensor may obtain biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint image) corresponding to a touch input received via a portion of the display <NUM>. As another example, when the sensor module <NUM> embedded in the display device <NUM> includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor may obtain pressure information corresponding to a touch input received via a partial or whole area of the display <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the touch sensor <NUM> or the sensor module <NUM> may be disposed between pixels in a pixel layer of the display <NUM>, or over or under the pixel layer.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> illustrates signals 400a for describing operations of a touch circuit included in an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> illustrates signals 400b for describing operations of a touch circuit included in an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> illustrates signals 400c for describing operations of a touch circuit included in an electronic device according to various embodiments. Hereinafter, the operations <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are described with reference to <FIG>.

The operations <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are performed by a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM>) included in a display device (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM>) included in the display device (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) applies a first driving signal to a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor <NUM>) based on a period during which a synchronization signal is applied, when the synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is received from a DDI (e.g., the display driver IC <NUM>).

Although the touch circuit <NUM> including the touch sensor <NUM> and the touch sensor IC <NUM> is illustrated as included in the display <NUM> in <FIG>, according to various embodiments, the touch circuit <NUM> may be implemented separately from the display <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the first display update frequency may be an update frequency of a screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> included in the display device <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the first display update frequency may be <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, synchronization signals received from the DDI <NUM> by the touch sensor IC <NUM> may include a vertical synchronization signal Vsync and a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the synchronization signals received from the DDI <NUM> by the touch sensor IC <NUM> may further include at least one of a data enable (DE) signal or a tearing effect (TE) signal. The driving signal applied to the touch sensor <NUM> by the touch sensor IC <NUM> is denoted by TSP.

In a first period 410a in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is the first display update frequency, a first driving signal, which is the driving signal TSP in the first period 410a, is applied to the touch sensor <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the first driving signal may be a signal based on a period in which the synchronization signals (Vsync and Hsync) in the first period 410a are applied. Referring to <FIG>, in a first period 410b in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is the first display update frequency, the pulses of the driving signal TSP may not overlap the pulses of the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync.

Referring back to <FIG>, during a period <NUM> between the pulses of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync in the first period 410a, the analog signal received by a touchscreen panel analog front end (TSP AFE) may be converted into a digital signal. The analog front end may include a capacitor, a switch, a resistor, an amplifier, a sampling and holder, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and the analog front end is not limited to a specific implementation form. For example, the voltage corresponding to the charge charged in the capacitor may be sampled and then held for a predetermined period by the sampling and holder. The ADC may convert the sampled signal into digital data and output it. Thereafter, digital signal processing (DSP) may be performed on the digital data. During the period <NUM> in which digital conversion and DSP are performed by the TSP AFE, a low drop regulator (LDO) for supplying a power source voltage, an oscillator (OSC) for providing a reference clock, and a virtual ground generator (VGND) for supplying a <NUM>/<NUM> power source voltage may operate.

In operation <NUM>, when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> applies a second driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> during a designated active period. The touch sensor IC <NUM> does not apply the second driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> during a dormant period. According to various embodiments, the second display update frequency may be a display update frequency when the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is a still screen or an always on display (AOD). the second display update frequency is less than the first display update frequency. For example, when the first display update frequency is <NUM>, the second display update frequency may be <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the driving signal applied to the touch sensor <NUM> by the touch sensor IC <NUM> may be different for a plurality of different areas in the screen of the same display <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when a plurality of windows are displayed on the screen of the display <NUM>, the driving signal may be identified according to the type of application corresponding to each window. In other words, when a first window and a second window are displayed on the screen of the display <NUM>, and an execution screen of the first application is displayed on the first window and an execution screen of the second application is displayed on the second window, the driving signal corresponding to the first window may be determined according to the type of the first application, and the driving signal corresponding to the second window may be identified according to the type of the second application. For example, when the first application is an Internet application and the second application is a pen-related application, the driving signal corresponding to the second window may have a higher frequency, e.g., two times higher, than the driving signal corresponding to the first window.

According to various embodiments, when a plurality of windows are displayed on the screen of the display <NUM>, the driving signal may be identified depending on whether each window is activated. For example, when a first window and a second window are displayed on the screen of the display <NUM>, and the first window is activated, but the second window is not activated, the driving signal corresponding to the first window may have a higher frequency than the driving signal corresponding to the second window.

According to various embodiments, when a pop-up area is displayed on the screen of the display <NUM>, the driving signal corresponding to the pop-up area may have a lower frequency than the driving signal corresponding to the area except for the pop-up area of the screen of the display <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when an AOD is displayed on the screen of the display <NUM>, and one or more icons are included in the AOD, the driving signal corresponding to the area in which one or more icons are displayed on the screen of the display <NUM> is not <NUM>, and the driving signal corresponding to an area except for the area in which the one or more icons are displayed on the screen of the display <NUM> may be <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, during designated active periods <NUM> and <NUM> in the second period 420a which is the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is the second display update frequency, the second driving signal which is the driving signal TSP in the second period 420a may be applied to the touch sensor <NUM>. According to various embodiments, digital conversion and DSP may be performed in the active periods <NUM> and <NUM> and, during the periods, the LDO, OSC, and VGND may operate. In the dormant period <NUM>, digital conversion and DSP are not performed, and the LDO, OSC, and VGND may not operate. In the first period 410a, the LDO, OSC, and VGND operate throughout the period <NUM> between pulses of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, while in the second period 420a, the LDO, OSC, and VGND operate only in the active periods <NUM> and <NUM> of the period between the pulses of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync and the LDO, OSC, and VGND do not operate in the dormant period <NUM>. Thus, power consumption in the second period 420a may be less than power consumption in the first period 410a.

In the active periods <NUM> and <NUM>, the frequency of the second driving signal is higher than the frequency of the first driving signal. Referring to <FIG>, it is illustrated that the time interval between adjacent pulses of the driving signal TSP in the active periods <NUM> and <NUM> of the second period 420b is shorter than the time interval between adjacent pulses of the driving signal TSP in the first period 410a. Further, referring to <FIG>, it is illustrated that the time interval between adjacent pulses of the driving signal TSP in the second period 420b is shorter than the time interval between adjacent pulses of the driving signal TSP in the first period 410b. Since the frequency of the driving signal TSP in the active periods <NUM> and <NUM> of the second period420a is higher than the frequency in the first period <NUM> although there is the dormant period <NUM>, in which digital conversion and DSP are not performed, in the second period 420a, the performance of the touch sensor <NUM> may be maintained.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, according to various embodiments, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may receive a first signal indicating that the synchronization signals (Vsync and Hsync) are to be changed to a second synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency before operation <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the signal indicating, to the touch sensor IC <NUM>, that the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync are to be changed to the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency may be denoted as Noti. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary situation in which the touch sensor IC <NUM> receives a first signal in an Nth frame. A first signal in which a Noti signal is <NUM> in an N-2th frame 410c and an N-1th frame 420c, and the Noti signal is not <NUM> in an Nth frame 430c may be received by the touch sensor IC <NUM>. Thereafter, a second driving signal, as the driving signal TSP, may be applied to the touch sensor <NUM> in an N+1th frame 440c. In <FIG>, it is illustrated that the frequency of the driving signal TSP in the N+1th frame 440c is higher than the frequency of the driving signal TSP in the N-2th frame 410c to the Nth frame 430c.

According to various embodiments, the first signal may be transmitted to the touch sensor IC <NUM> by a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) that identifies that the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is a still screen or AOD. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may be an application processor. Alternatively, according to various embodiments, the first signal may be transmitted to the touch sensor IC <NUM> by the DDI <NUM> that receives a signal indicating that the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is a still screen or AOD or a signal requesting to change display update from the processor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may identify that the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync included in the synchronization signal received from the DDI <NUM> is not received during a predetermined first time period and identify that the synchronization signal has been changed to correspond to the second display update frequency based on identifying that the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync included in the synchronization signal received from the DDI <NUM> is not received during the predetermined first time period. According to various embodiments, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may apply a second driving signal, as a driving signal, to the touch sensor <NUM> from a next frame after identifying that the synchronization signal has been changed to correspond to the second display update frequency.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations of an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> illustrates signals <NUM> for describing operations of a touch circuit included in an electronic device according to various embodiments. Specifically, while <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is changed to the second display update frequency immediately after the period in which the screen update frequency is the first display update frequency, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is changed to the second display update frequency immediately through a period of a third display update frequency after the period of the first display update frequency.

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM>) included in the display device (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) applies a first driving signal to a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor <NUM>) based on a period during which a synchronization signal is applied, when the synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is received from a DDI (e.g., the display driver IC <NUM>). The details of operation <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to operation <NUM>, and no repetitive description thereof is given below.

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may receive a synchronization signal corresponding to the third display update frequency corresponding to a first permutation from the DDI <NUM> and, while the synchronization signal corresponding to the third display update frequency is received, may apply the third driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the first permutation may be a decreasing permutation of at least one of integers that are divisors of a first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and are greater than a second integer that corresponds to the second display update frequency. For example, when the first display update frequency is <NUM> and the second display update frequency is <NUM>, the first permutation may be a decreasing permutation, e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and <NUM>, which are at least one of integers that are divisors of <NUM>, which is the first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency, and are greater than <NUM>, which is the second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency.

<FIG> illustrates synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync and a driving signal TSP in an example where the first display update frequency is <NUM>, and the second display update frequency is <NUM>, and the first permutation is <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates a signal Noti indicating that the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync are to be changed to the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency. In the example of <FIG>, the third display update frequency is <NUM> and <NUM>. In <FIG>, the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync correspond to <NUM>, which is the first display update frequency, in the first period <NUM>, and the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync correspond to <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, which are the third display update frequencies, in the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> of the third period <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the third driving signal which is the driving signal TSP applied to the touch sensor <NUM> by the touch sensor IC <NUM> during the third period <NUM> during which the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync corresponding to the third display update frequency are received may have the same frequency as the first driving signal. <FIG> illustrates an example in which the time interval between adjacent pulses of the driving signal TSP in the first period <NUM> is identical to the time interval between adjacent pulses of the driving signal TSP in the first frame <NUM> and second frame <NUM> of the third period <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> applies a second driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> during a designated active period in the second period <NUM> during which the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> stops applying the second driving signal in a dormant period. The details of operation <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to operation <NUM>, and no repetitive description thereof is given below.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may receive a signal Noti indicating that the synchronization signals Vsync and Hsync, as the second synchronization signals are to be received as second synchronization signals corresponding to the second display update frequency, before the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may identify that the synchronization signal has been changed to correspond to the second display update frequency based on identifying that the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync received from the DDI <NUM> is not received during a predetermined first time interval and may apply the second driving signal, as a driving signal, to the touch sensor <NUM> from a next frame.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, as compared with the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is not directly changed from the first display update frequency to the second display update frequency but is changed from the first display update frequency through the third display update frequency to the second display update frequency. Accordingly, as compared to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the user of the electronic device may feel less flickering of the screen.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations of an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a view <NUM> illustrating a driving state of a display and a driving state of a touch sensor for describing operations of a touch circuit included in an electronic device, according to various embodiments. Specifically, while <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is changed to the second display update frequency immediately after the period in which the screen update frequency is the first display update frequency, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is changed to the second display update frequency immediately through a period of a fourth display update frequency after the period of the first display update frequency.

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may receive a synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency corresponding to a second permutation from the DDI <NUM> and, during at least a portion of the period during which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received, may drive the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state. According to various embodiments, the second permutation may be a decreasing permutation of a plurality of integers that start with a third integer less than the first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and end with a fourth integer less than the third integer and greater than the second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency. According to various embodiments, the second permutation may be a permutation, decreasing at uneven intervals, of the plurality of integers that start with the third integer less than the first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and end with the fourth integer less than the third integer and greater than the second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency. According to various embodiments, the second permutation may be a permutation decreasing at equal intervals of a plurality of integers. For example, when the first display update frequency is <NUM>, and the second display update frequency is <NUM>, the second permutation may be a permutation, decreasing at equal intervals, of a plurality of integers that start with the third integer less than <NUM>, which is the first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency, and end with the fourth integer less than the third integer and greater than <NUM>, which is the second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency. In this example, the second permutation may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. ,<NUM>, and <NUM> or <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. ,<NUM>, and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the driving state of the display <NUM> and the driving state TSP of the touch sensor <NUM> in the example in which the first display update frequency is <NUM> and the second display update frequency is <NUM>, and the second permutation is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, and <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, a fourth display update frequency is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, or <NUM>. In <FIG>, the update frequency of the display <NUM> in the first period <NUM> is <NUM>, which is the first display update frequency. The update frequencies of the display <NUM> in the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> of the fourth period <NUM> are <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. It will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that in the remaining period <NUM> except for the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> of the fourth period <NUM>, although some periods are omitted for convenience of illustration, the update frequency of the display <NUM> will be sequentially changed in the order of <NUM>,. , <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The touch sensor IC <NUM> may drive the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state during at least a portion of the period in which a synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received. Although <FIG> illustrates that the touch sensor <NUM> is driven in the off state throughout the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received, that is, the fourth period <NUM>, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. An example in which the touch sensor IC <NUM> drives the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state during a portion of the period during which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received is described below in more detail reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Interference in driving between the touch sensor <NUM> and the display <NUM> may be prevented while the touch sensor IC <NUM> drives the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state.

In operation <NUM>, when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> applies a second driving signal to the touch sensor during a designated active period. The details of operation <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to operation <NUM>, and no repetitive description thereof is given below.

Referring to the driving state TSP of the touch sensor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, as described above in connection with operation <NUM>, in the first period <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM> may be driven by the first driving signal which is based on a synchronization signal (Sync) and, in the second period <NUM>, driven (Non-Sync) by the second driving signal as described above in connection with operation <NUM> and, in the fourth section <NUM>, driven in the off state (Deep Sleep). According to various embodiments, in at least a portion of the fourth period <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM> is in an on state, and at least one of the touch sensor IC <NUM> or the processor <NUM> may not change, into coordinates, the signal based on a touch input detected by the touch sensor <NUM> while the touch sensor <NUM> is in the on state.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations of an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a view <NUM> illustrating a driving state of a display and a driving state of a touch sensor for describing operations of a touch circuit included in an electronic device, according to various embodiments. Specifically, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the update frequency of the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is changed through the fourth display update frequency to the second display update frequency after the period of the first display update frequency, more specifically an example in which the touch sensor <NUM> is driven in an off state during a portion of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received.

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may drive the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state during a period before a first time of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency corresponding to the second permutation is received. The details of the second permutation are the same as those described above with reference to operation <NUM>, and no repetitive description thereof is given below. According to various embodiments, the first time may be a time at which a synchronization signal corresponding to a display update frequency corresponding to a divisor of the first integer is received after the first time. For example, in the example where the first display update frequency is <NUM>, the second display update frequency is <NUM>, the first integer is <NUM>, the second integer is <NUM>, and the second permutation is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, and <NUM>, since <NUM> is a divisor of <NUM> but <NUM> is not a divisor of <NUM>, the first time may be a time at which a synchronization signal corresponding to a display update frequency of <NUM> starts to be received. In the example where the first display update frequency is <NUM>, the second display update frequency is <NUM>, the first integer is <NUM>, the second integer is <NUM>, and the second permutation is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. ,<NUM>, and <NUM>, a time available as the first time point is only the time at which a synchronization signal corresponding to a display update frequency of <NUM> starts being received, but according to various embodiments, a plurality of times available as the first time may exist, and among a plurality of candidates available as the first time, any one may be specified as the first time.

<FIG> illustrates the driving state of the display <NUM> and the driving state TSP of the touch sensor <NUM> in the example in which the first display update frequency is <NUM> and the second display update frequency is <NUM>, and the second permutation is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, and <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, a fourth display update frequency is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, or <NUM>. In <FIG>, the update frequency of the display <NUM> in the first period <NUM> is <NUM>, which is the first display update frequency. The update frequencies of the display <NUM> in the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> of the fourth period <NUM>, in which the update frequency of the display <NUM> is the fourth display update frequency, are <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. As described above, given that the first time is a time at which the synchronization signal corresponding to the display update frequency of <NUM> starts being received in the case where the first display update frequency is <NUM> and the second permutation is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, and <NUM>, the update frequency of the display <NUM> in the period <NUM> after the first time, in the fourth period <NUM> is <NUM>. It will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that in the remaining period <NUM> except for the first frame <NUM>, the second frame <NUM>, and the post-first time period <NUM> of the fourth period <NUM>, although some periods are omitted for convenience of illustration, the update frequency of the display <NUM> will be sequentially changed in the order of <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, and <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may apply the fourth driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> during a period after the first time of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency corresponding to the second permutation is received. The frequency of the fourth driving signal may be the same as the frequency of the first driving signal. In other words, the time interval between adjacent pulses of the fourth driving signal may be the same as the time interval between adjacent pulses of the first driving signal.

Referring to the driving state TSP of the touch sensor <NUM> of <FIG>, the touch sensor <NUM> may be driven by the first driving signal based on the synchronization signal as described above in connection with operation <NUM> in the first period <NUM> (Sync), driven by the second driving signal as described above in connection with operation <NUM> in the second period <NUM> (Non-Sync), driven in an off state in periods <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> before the first time of the fourth period <NUM> (Deep Sleep), and driven by the fourth driving signal which has the same frequency as the first driving signal, in a period <NUM> after the first time, of the fourth period <NUM>. According to various embodiments, in the pre-first time periods <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the fourth period <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM> is in an on state, and at least one of the touch sensor IC <NUM> or the processor <NUM> may not change, into coordinates, the signal based on a touch input detected by the touch sensor <NUM> while the touch sensor <NUM> is in the on state.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations of an electronic device according to various embodiments. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates operations performed by a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) in a case where a DDI (e.g., the display driver IC <NUM>) included in a display device (e.g., the display device <NUM>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) supports a plurality of schemes among the above-described various schemes in which the display update frequency is changed from the first display update frequency to the second display update frequency.

In operation <NUM>, the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) may identify that the screen to be displayed on the display (e.g., the display <NUM>) is a still screen or an always on display (AOD).

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify a scheme for changing the synchronization signal from corresponding to the first display update frequency to corresponding to the second display update frequency. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify, as schemes to apply, a first scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed from corresponding to the first display update frequency immediately to corresponding to the second display update frequency, a second scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the third display update frequency corresponding to a permutation of divisors of a first integer before changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, and then changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, or a third scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the fourth display update frequency corresponding to a permutation, decreasing at equal intervals, before changed to correspond to the second display update frequency and then changed to correspond to the second display update frequency.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify the scheme to be applied, based on the specifications of the DDI <NUM>. For example, according to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify, as the scheme to be applied, the scheme supported by the DDI <NUM> among the above-described schemes to change the synchronization signal from corresponding to the first display update frequency to corresponding to the second display update frequency. According to various embodiments, when the DDI <NUM> supports a plurality of schemes, the processor <NUM> may identify one of the plurality of schemes supported by the DDI <NUM> as the scheme to be applied.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify the scheme to be applied, based on information about the sensitivity to the flicker of the display <NUM> of the user of the electronic device <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify, as the scheme to be applied, the first scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed from corresponding to the first display update frequency immediately to corresponding to the second display update frequency only when the sensitivity of flicker of the display <NUM> of the user of the electronic device <NUM> is a predetermined first threshold or less. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify, as the scheme to be applied, the third scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the fourth display update frequency corresponding to the permutation, decreasing at equal intervals, before changed to correspond to the second display update frequency and then changed to correspond to the second display update frequency when the sensitivity of flicker of the display <NUM> of the user of the electronic device <NUM> is a predetermined second threshold or more. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify, as the scheme to be applied, the second scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the third display update frequency corresponding to a permutation of divisors of the first integer before changed to correspond to the second display update frequency and then changed to correspond to the second display update frequency when the sensitivity of flicker of the display <NUM> of the user of the electronic device <NUM> is identified to be within a predetermined range. According to various embodiments, gathering information about the sensitivity to the flicker of the display <NUM> of the user of the electronic device <NUM> is not limited to a specific method.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may transmit a signal corresponding to the scheme identified in operation <NUM> to at least one of the DDI <NUM> or the touch sensor IC <NUM>. According to various embodiments, upon identifying, as the scheme to be applied, the first scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed from corresponding to the first display update frequency immediately to corresponding to the second display update frequency, the processor <NUM> may transmit a signal to allow the touch sensor IC <NUM> to receive the first signal indicating that the synchronization signal is to be changed to correspond to the second display update frequency in a frame immediately before a frame in which the display update frequency differs from the first display update frequency.

According to various embodiments, upon identifying, as the scheme to be applied, the second scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the third display update frequency corresponding to a permutation of divisors of a first integer before changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, and then changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, the processor <NUM> may transmit a signal to allow the touch sensor IC <NUM> to receive the first signal indicating that the synchronization signal is to be changed to correspond to the second display update frequency in a frame immediately before a frame in which the display update frequency is the second display update frequency.

According to various embodiments, upon identifying, as the scheme to be applied, the third scheme in which the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the fourth display update frequency corresponding to a permutation, decreasing at equal intervals, before changed to correspond to the second display update frequency and then changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, the processor <NUM> may transmit a signal to allow the touch sensor IC <NUM> to receive the second signal indicating that the touch sensor <NUM> is driven in an off state in a frame immediately before a frame in which the display update frequency is different from the first display update frequency, transmits a signal to allow the touch sensor IC <NUM> to receive the third signal indicating application of the fourth driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> in a frame immediately before the first time, and transmits a signal to allow the touch sensor IC <NUM> to receive the first signal indicating that the synchronization signal is to be changed to correspond to the second display update frequency in a frame immediately before a frame in which the display update frequency is the second display update frequency.

According to various embodiments, the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal described above may be transmitted from the processor <NUM> to the touch sensor IC <NUM>. Alternatively, according to various embodiments, the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal described above may be transmitted from the DDI <NUM> to the touch sensor IC <NUM>.

According to a disclosure, an electronic device <NUM> comprises a display <NUM>, a DDI <NUM> configured to output a synchronization signal corresponding to an update of a screen to be displayed on the display, and a touch circuit <NUM> including a touch sensor <NUM> and a touch sensor IC <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> may be configured to apply a first driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM>, based on a period in which a synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is applied, when the synchronization signal is received from the DDI <NUM>, and apply a second driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM>, during a designated active period, when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>.

According to another disclosure, in the active period, a frequency of the second driving signal may be higher than a frequency of the first driving signal.

According to another disclosure, before the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may be configured to receive, from the DDI <NUM>, a synchronization signal corresponding to a third display update frequency corresponding to a first permutation, the first permutation being a decreasing permutation of at least one of integers which are devisors of a first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and greater than a second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency, and apply a third driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> while the synchronization signal corresponding to the third display update frequency is received. A frequency of the third driving signal may be identical to a frequency of the first driving signal.

According to another disclosure, before the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency is received from the DDI <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may be configured to receive, from the DDI <NUM>, a synchronization signal corresponding to a fourth display update frequency corresponding to a second permutation, the second permutation being a decreasing permutation of a plurality of integers which start with a third integer less than a first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and end with a fourth integer less than the third integer and greater than a second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency, and drive the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state during at least a portion of a period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received.

According to another disclosure, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may be configured to drive the touch sensor <NUM> in the off state during a period before a first time, of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received, and apply a fourth driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> during a period after the first time, of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received. A frequency of the fourth driving signal may be identical to a frequency of the first driving signal. The first time may be a time at which a synchronization signal received after the first time corresponds to a display update frequency corresponding to a divisor of the first integer.

According to another disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may further comprise a processor. The processor may be configured to identify a scheme for changing the synchronization signal from corresponding to the first display update frequency to corresponding to the second display update frequency.

According to another disclosure, the processor may be configured to identify the scheme based on a specification of the DDI <NUM>.

According to another disclosure, the processor may be configured to identify the scheme based on information regarding a sensitivity for a flicker of the display <NUM> of a user of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to another disclosure, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may be configured to receive a first signal indicating that the synchronization signal is to be changed to correspond to the second display update frequency before receiving, from the DDI <NUM>, the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency.

According to another disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may further comprise a processor. The processor may be configured to transmit the first signal to the touch sensor IC <NUM> based on identifying that the screen to be displayed on the display is a still screen or an always on display (AOD).

According to another disclosure, the synchronization signal may include a horizontal synchronization signal. The touch sensor IC <NUM> may be configured to identify that the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, based on identifying that the horizontal synchronization signal is not received during a predetermined first time interval.

According to another disclosure, the first display update frequency may be <NUM>, and the second display update frequency may be <NUM>.

According to another disclosure, a method for driving a touch sensor <NUM>, performed by a touch sensor IC <NUM> included in an electronic device <NUM> may comprise applying a first driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM>, based on a period in which a synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is applied, when the synchronization signal is received, and applying a second driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM>, during a designated active period, when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency is received.

According to another disclosure, the method may further comprise, before the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency is received, receiving a synchronization signal corresponding to a third display update frequency corresponding to a first permutation, the first permutation being a decreasing permutation of at least one of integers which are devisors of a first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and greater than a second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency, and applying a third driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> while the synchronization signal corresponding to the third display update frequency is received. a frequency of the third driving signal is identical to a frequency of the first driving signal.

According to another disclosure, the method may comprise, before the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency is received, receiving a synchronization signal corresponding to a fourth display update frequency, the second permutation being a decreasing permutation of a plurality of integers which start with a third integer less than a first integer corresponding to the first display update frequency and end with a fourth integer less than the third integer and greater than a second integer corresponding to the second display update frequency, and driving the touch sensor <NUM> in an off state during at least a portion of a period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received.

According to another disclosure, driving the touch sensor <NUM> in the off state during at least the portion of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received may include driving the touch sensor <NUM> in the off state during a period before a first time, of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received, and applying a fourth driving signal to the touch sensor <NUM> during a period after the first time, of the period in which the synchronization signal corresponding to the fourth display update frequency is received. A frequency of the fourth driving signal may be identical to a frequency of the first driving signal. The first time may be a time at which a synchronization signal received after the first time corresponds to a display update frequency corresponding to a divisor of the first integer.

According to another disclosure, it is possible to identify a scheme for changing the synchronization signal from corresponding to the first display update frequency to corresponding to the second display update frequency.

According to another disclosure, the scheme may be identified based on a specification of the DDI <NUM>.

According to another disclosure, the scheme may be identified based on information regarding a sensitivity for a flicker of the display <NUM> of a user of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to another disclosure, the method may further comprise receiving a first signal indicating that the synchronization signal is to be changed to correspond to the second display update frequency before receiving the synchronization signal corresponding to the second display update frequency.

According to another disclosure, the first signal may be transmitted to the touch sensor IC <NUM> based on identifying that the screen to be displayed on the display <NUM> is a still screen or an always on display (AOD).

According to another disclosure, the synchronization signal may include a horizontal synchronization signal. The method may further comprise identifying that the synchronization signal is changed to correspond to the second display update frequency, based on identifying that the horizontal synchronization signal is not received during a predetermined first time interval.

The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., Play StoreTM), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display (<NUM>);
a display driver integrated circuit, IC, DDI (<NUM>), configured to output a synchronization signal corresponding to an update of a screen to be displayed on the display; and
a touch circuit (<NUM>) including a touch sensor (<NUM>) and a touch sensor IC (<NUM>) configured to control the touch sensor (<NUM>) to sense a touch input with respect to a position on the display (<NUM>), wherein the touch sensor IC (<NUM>) is further configured to:
apply a first driving signal to the touch sensor (<NUM>), based on a first period (410a) in which a synchronization signal corresponding to a first display update frequency is applied, when the synchronization signal is received from the DDI (<NUM>), and
apply a second driving signal to the touch sensor (<NUM>) during a designated active period (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a second period (420a) and stop applying the second driving signal to the touch sensor (<NUM>) during a dormant period (<NUM>) in the second period (420a), when a synchronization signal corresponding to a second display update frequency for the second period (420a) is received from the DDI (<NUM>),
wherein the second display update frequency is less than the first display update frequency; and
wherein, in the active period, a frequency of the second driving signal is higher than a frequency of the first driving signal.