Patent ID: 12223142

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Throughout the specification, like reference numerals are used to refer to substantially the same components. In the following description, detailed descriptions of components and features known in the art may be omitted if they are not relevant to the core configuration of the present disclosure. The meanings of terms used in this specification are to be understood as follows.

As used herein, the terms “includes,” “has,” “comprises,” and the like should not be construed as being restricted to the means listed thereafter unless specifically stated otherwise. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g., “a,” “an,” or “the,” this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

In describing temporal relationships, terms such as “after,” “subsequent to,” “next to,” “before,” and the like may include cases where any two events are not consecutive, unless the term “immediately” or “directly” is explicitly used.

While the terms first, second, and the like are used to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element from another. Accordingly, a first element referred to herein may be a second element within the technical idea of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the term “at least one” includes all possible combinations of one or more related items. For example, the phrase “at least one of the first, second, and third items” may mean each of the first, second, or third items, as well as any possible combination of two or more of the first, second, and third items.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A display device100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a display, which may be implemented as a flat-panel display device such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) device. In the following embodiments, it is assumed that the display device100according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented as an OLED display device, but it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the display device100according to the present disclosure includes a panel110, a host system150, a display driver130for displaying images on the panel110, and a touch sensing device170for sensing touches on the panel110.

The panel110may include a display panel and a touch panel. The touch panel may be integrated into the display panel. For example, the touch panel may be integrated into the display panel as follows: on-cell type or in-cell type. However, the present disclosure is not limited to thereto. That is, the touch panel may also be provided as a physically separate component, instead of being built into the display panel.

The panel110includes a display area where a plurality of pixels P are provided to display an image. The panel110includes a plurality of data lines D1to Dn (where n is a positive integer greater than 2) and a plurality of gate lines G1to Gm (where m is a positive integer greater than 2) as well as the plurality of pixels P.

A data signal is input to each of the plurality of data lines D1to Dn, and a gate signal is input to each of the plurality of gate lines G1to Gm. The plurality of data lines D1to Dn and the plurality of gate lines G1to Gm are arranged such that they intersect with each other on a substrate to define the plurality of pixels P. Each of the plurality of pixels P may be connected to any one of the plurality of data lines D1to Dn and any one of the plurality of gate lines G1to Gm.

Each of the plurality of pixels P may include: a driving transistor; a scan transistor that turns on in response to a gate signal from the gate lines G1to Gm and supplies data voltage from the data lines D1to Dn to the gate electrode of the driving transistor; an OLED that emits light depending on the current between the drain and source of the driving transistor; and a capacitor for storing the voltage of the gate electrode of the driving transistor. Accordingly, each of the plurality of pixels P may emit light based on the current supplied to the OLED.

In the panel110, first and second touch electrodes may be formed in addition to the data lines D1to Dm and the gate lines G1to Gm. The first touch electrodes may be formed such that the first touch electrodes intersect the second touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes may be connected to the touch sensing device170through first touch lines Tx1to Txj (where j is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2). The second touch electrodes may be connected to the touch sensing device170through second touch lines Rx1to Rxi (where i is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2). A touch sensor may be disposed at each intersection of the first and second touch electrodes. The touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented with mutual capacitance or self-capacitance.

To display an image on the panel110, the display driver130supplies a data signal to the plurality of pixels P included in the panel110. To this end, the display driver130may include a data driving circuit131, a gate driving circuit132, and a timing controller133.

The data driving circuit131receives pixel data PDATA and a data control signal DCS from the timing controller133. The data driving circuit131converts the digital pixel data PDATA into an analog positive/negative polarity data signal based on the data control signal DCS and supplies the analog positive/negative polarity data signal to the pixels P through the plurality of data lines D1to Dn.

The gate driving circuit132receives a gate control signal GCS from the timing controller133. The gate driving circuit132supplies gate signals to the plurality of gate lines G1to Gm based on the gate control signal GCS. Specifically, the gate driving circuit132generates a gate signal (or scan signal) synchronized to a data signal under the control of the timing controller133. Then, the gate driving circuit132supplies the generated gate signal to the gate lines G1to Gm sequentially by shifting the generated gate signal.

The timing controller133receives digital video data VDATA and timing signals TSS from the host system150. The timing signals TSS include a reference clock signal (e.g., dot clock), a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a data enable signal, etc. The vertical synchronization signal refers to a signal that defines one frame period. The horizontal synchronization signal refers to a signal that defines one horizontal period necessary to supply data signals to pixels P positioned on one horizontal line of the panel110. The data enable signal refers to a signal that defines a period during which valid data is input. The dot clock refers to a signal that repeats at a predetermined short interval.

The timing controller133may include a data processor (not shown) that generates the pixel data PDATA, data control signal DCS, and gate control signal GCS based on the digital video data VDATA and timing signals TSS. To control the operation timings of the data driving circuit131and gate driving circuit132, the data processor of the timing controller133may generate the data control signal DCS for controlling the operation timing of the data driving circuit131and the gate control signal GCS for controlling the operation timing of the gate driving circuit132based on the timing signals TSS.

Additionally, the data processor of the timing controller133may align the digital video data VDATA to match the structure of the pixels P formed in the panel110and convert the digital video data VDATA into the pixel data PDATA.

During the display driving period, the timing controller133outputs the pixel data PDATA and data control signal DCS to the data driving circuit131and outputs the gate control signal GCS to the gate driving circuit132.

To receive input video, the host system150may be implemented as a television system, navigation system, set-top box, DVD player, Blu-ray player, electronic whiteboard, kiosk system, personal computer (PC), home theater system, broadcast receiver, phone system, and so on. The host system150, including a System on Chip (SoC) with a built-in scaler, converts the digital video data VDATA of the input video into a format suitable for display on the panel110. The host system150transmits the digital video data VDATA and timing signals TSS to the timing controller133.

The touch sensing device170supplies a driving signal to the first touch electrodes through the first touch lines Tx1to Txj and senses changes in the capacitance of each touch sensor through the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi. That is, the first touch lines Tx1to Txj may be transmission (Tx) lines that supply the driving signal, and the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi may be reception (Rx) lines that sense the changes in the capacitance of each touch sensor.

The touch sensing device170may include a first circuit171, a second circuit172, and a third circuit173. The first circuit171, the second circuit172, and the third circuit173may be integrated into one Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC), but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

The first circuit171supplies the driving signal to the first touch lines Tx1to Txj, and the second circuit172receives the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors through the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi. The second circuit172samples the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors received through the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi, converts the capacitance changes into touch raw data, which is digital data, and then outputs the data.

The third circuit173generates timing control signals to control the operation timings of the first circuit171and second circuit172. In addition, the third circuit173may determine the presence of a touch and the coordinate thereof. The third circuit173may output touch coordinate data HIDxy, which includes touch coordinate(s), to the host system150.

The host system150may analyze the touch coordinate data HIDxy received from the third circuit173and execute an application program associated with the coordinate of the user's touch. The host system150may transmit the digital video data VDATA and timing signals TSS to the timing controller133depending on the executed application program.

The touch sensing device170may be a separate component from the data driving circuit131and gate driving circuit132. In other words, the touch sensing device170may be provided as a separate driving chip external to the data driving circuit131and gate driving circuit132. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Depending on the implementation, the touch sensing device170may also be implemented as an internal component of a driving Integrated Circuit (IC) that includes at least one of the data driving circuit131and the gate driving circuit132.

In particular, the touch sensing device170according to the present disclosure may identify normal and grip touches based on the touch ratio of touch nodes placed on each of a plurality of lines in the edge area, in addition to the touched region.

Conventional touch sensing devices identify normal and grip touches based on touched regions. The conventional touch sensing device identifies a grip touch if the touched region exceeds a threshold. If the touched region is smaller than or equal to the threshold, the conventional touch sensing device identifies a normal touch and outputs touch information thereon. In some cases, the grip touch may not exceed the threshold within one frame. In this case, the conventional touch sensing devices may consider the grip touch as the normal touch because the touched region is smaller than or equal to the threshold. Even if grip touch conditions are satisfied, the conventional touch sensing device may identify such a touch as the normal touch. In other words, the conventional touch sensing device may fail to identify the corresponding touch as the grip touch.

The touch sensing device170according to the present disclosure may accurately identify a touch intended by the user by adding additional conditions in addition to the touched region. Hereinafter, the configuration of the touch sensing device170according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.2to6.

FIG.2is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a touch sensing device according to the present disclosure, andFIG.3is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch determiner ofFIG.2.FIG.4is a diagram illustrating exemplary touch areas.FIG.5is a diagram illustrating exemplary touch distribution for each frame, andFIG.6is a diagram illustrating exemplary sensing values of touch nodes for a specific frame.

Referring toFIG.2, the touch sensing device170includes the first circuit171, the second circuit172, and the third circuit173.

The first circuit171selects a touch driving channel to output a driving signal TXS under the control of the third circuit173and supplies the driving signal TXS to the first touch lines Tx1to Txj connected to the selected touch driving channel. For example, the first circuit171may sequentially supply the driving signal TXS to the first touch lines Tx1to Txj. The first circuit171may be a touch driving circuit that supplies the driving signal TXS to the first touch electrodes through the first touch lines Tx1to Txj.

The second circuit172selects a touch sensing channel to receive changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors, which are caused by a user touch, under the control of the third circuit173. The second circuit172receives a sensing signal RXS including the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors through the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi connected to the selected touch sensing channel. The second circuit172samples the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors received through the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi, converts the capacitance changes into touch raw data, which is digital data, and then outputs the data. The second circuit172may be a touch sensing circuit that senses the changes in the capacitance of each touch sensor through the second touch lines Rx1to Rxi.

The third circuit173may generate a touch driving setup signal to configure the touch driving channel, which is for the first circuit171to output the driving signal, and then output the touch driving setup signal to the first circuit171. The third circuit173may generate a touch sensing setup signal to configure the touch sensing channel, which is for the second circuit172to receive the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors, and then output the touch sensing setup signal to the second circuit172. In addition, the third circuit173may generate timing control signals to control the operation timings of the first circuit171and second circuit172and output the timing control signals to the first circuit171and second circuit172. The third circuit173may be a touch control circuit and may be implemented with a Micro Controller Unit (MCU).

The third circuit173may determine the presence of a touch and the coordinate thereof based on the capacitance changes. In this case, the third circuit173may distinguish between first and second touches, and in the case of the first touch, the third circuit173may output touch information including the touch coordinate. For example, the touch information may be touch coordinate data HIDxy provided to the host system150.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the third circuit173may include a touch signal processor210, a coordinate calculator220, and a touch determiner230.

The touch signal processor210may generate sensing data including the sensing value of each of a plurality of touch nodes based on the capacitance changes. Specifically, the touch signal processor210may receive touch raw data from the second circuit172. In this case, the touch raw data may be data obtained by sampling the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors and converting the capacitance changes into digital data.

In other words, the touch signal processor210may generate the sensing data including the sensing value of each of the plurality of touch nodes based on the touch raw data. The plurality of touch nodes may correspond to the plurality of touch sensors provided on the panel110.

The touch signal processor210may determine a difference obtained by comparing the touch raw data with a baseline as the sensing value. In this case, the baseline may refer to initial raw data for the plurality of touch nodes in an untouched state. The touch signal processor210may determine the difference between the initial raw data and touch raw data as the sensing value for each of the plurality of touch nodes. Additionally, the touch signal processor210may generate the sensing data including the sensing value of each of the plurality of touch nodes and transmit the sensing data to the coordinate calculator220.

The coordinate calculator220may determine the presence of a touch and the coordinates thereof based on the sensing data. The coordinate calculator220may compare the sensing data with a predetermined touch reference value and determine the sensing data as touch input data if the sensing data is greater than or equal to the touch reference value. On the other hand, the coordinate calculator220may determine the sensing data as data with no touch input if the sensing data is smaller than the touch reference value.

The coordinate calculator220may calculate the touch coordinate for the touch input data by executing a predetermined touch coordinate calculation algorithm. The touch coordinate calculation algorithm may be implemented using any known algorithm.

The coordinate calculator220may transmit touch information including the touch input data and touch coordinate to the touch determiner230. In this case, the touch input data may include the sensing value of each touch node where the touch presence is determined.

The touch determiner230determines touch types based on the touch input data and touch coordinate. The touch types include the first touch and second touch. The first touch may represent a normal touch intended by the user, and the second touch may represent a grip touch not intended by the user. The touch determiner230may determine one of the first touch and the second touch based on the touch ratio between lines arranged on the outside of the touched region.

Specifically, the touch determiner230includes a touch area determiner310, a ratio calculator330, a touch type determiner340, and a touch information processor350as shown inFIG.3. In one embodiment, the touch determiner230may further include at least one of a node count verifier320and a buffer360.

The touch area determiner310determines a touch area based on the touch coordinate. Specifically, the touch area determiner310may determine the touch area where the touch coordinate is located. As shown inFIG.4, the touch area may include a first touch area TA1, a second touch area TA2, and a third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2.

The first touch area TA1may correspond to an area where normal touches, i.e., intentional touches are predominantly input by the user to execute specific operations while using the display device100.

The second touch area TA2is an outer area located around the first touch area TA1. That is, the second touch area TA2may correspond to an area where grip touches, i.e., unintended touches, which are primarily caused by holding or gripping rather than executing specific operations, occur frequently during the use of the display device100. The second touch area TA2may be positioned on at least part of the outside of the first touch area TA1. For example, the second touch area TA2may be located on the left and right sides of the first touch area TA1as shown inFIG.4, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. Alternatively, the second touch area TA2may be positioned on the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the first touch area TA1such that the second touch area TA2surrounds the first touch area TA1.

The third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2is an area placed between the first touch area TA1and the second touch area TA2. The third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2may correspond to an area where grip touches as well as normal touches frequently occur. The third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2may be positioned on at least part of the outside of the second touch area TA2between the first touch area TA1and the second touch area TA2. For example, the third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2may include: the third touch area TA3-1positioned on the left or right side of the second touch area TA2between the first touch area TA1and the second touch area TA2; and the third touch area TA3-2placed below the second touch area TA2, as shown inFIG.4. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

If the touch area where the touch coordinate is located is the third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2, the touch area determiner310may provide the touch area to the ratio calculator330to determine the touch type based on the touch ratio between the touch nodes placed on each of the plurality of lines.

On the other hand, if the touch area where the touch coordinate is located is the first touch area TA1or second touch area TA2, the touch area determiner310may provide the touch area to the touch type determiner340to determine the touch type based on the touch area.

If the touch coordinate is located within the third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2, the ratio calculator330calculates the touch ratio between at least two lines among the plurality of lines L as shown inFIG.5. Specifically, the ratio calculator330may calculate the touch ratio between touch nodes TN placed on each of at least two lines among the plurality of lines L. The plurality of touch nodes TN may correspond to the plurality of touch sensors provided in the panel110.

The panel110includes the first touch electrodes arranged in a first direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and the second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) that intersects the first direction (e.g., X-axis direction). The first direction (e.g., X-axis direction) may be parallel to the gate lines G1to Gm, and the second direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) may be parallel to the data lines D1to Dn. Mutual capacitance or self-capacitance related to the touch sensor may be formed in the intersection area between the first and second touch electrodes.

The panel110may include the plurality of touch sensors arranged along the plurality of lines L. The plurality of lines L may be lines extending in the second direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) as shown inFIG.5, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. The plurality of lines L may be lines extending in the first direction (e.g., X-axis direction), which may vary depending on the rotation of the panel110. For example, when the panel110is displayed vertically, the plurality of lines L may be lines extending in the second direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). When the panel110is rotated 90 degrees and then displayed in the horizontal direction, the plurality of lines L may be lines extending in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction).

The ratio calculator330may calculate the touch ratio between a first line L1and a second line L2among the plurality of lines L. In this case, the first line L1includes at least one of the leftmost line or the rightmost line, and the second line L2may include a line located closest to the first line L1.

The ratio calculator330may calculate the touch ratio between a plurality of first touch nodes TN1placed on the first line L1and a plurality of second touch nodes TN2placed on the second line L2. The ratio calculator330may calculate, as the touch ratio, the ratio between a first sum of the sensing values of the plurality of first touch nodes TN1and a second sum of the sensing values of the plurality of second touch nodes TN2.

In this case, the ratio calculator330may calculate the first sum by summing the sensing values of first touch nodes TN1′ that are touched among the plurality of first touch nodes TN1. In other words, the ratio calculator330may check the first touch nodes TN1′ each having a sensing value greater than or equal to the touch reference value among the plurality of first touch nodes TN1. Then, the ratio calculator330may calculate the first sum by summing the sensing values of the checked first touch nodes TN1′.

In addition, the ratio calculator330may calculate the second sum by summing the sensing values of second touch nodes TN2′ that are touched among the plurality of second touch nodes TN2. In other words, the ratio calculator330may check the second touch nodes TN2′ each having a sensing value greater than or equal to the touch reference value among the plurality of second touch nodes TN2. Then, the ratio calculator330may calculate the second sum by summing the sensing values of the checked second touch nodes TN2′.

The ratio calculator330may calculate the ratio of the second sum to the first sum as the touch ratio.

For example, it is assumed that the sensing value for each of the plurality of touch nodes is defined as shown inFIG.6. The ratio calculator330may calculate the first sum SUM1by summing the sensing values of the first touch nodes TN1′ that are touched among the plurality of first touch nodes TN1placed on the first line L1. In this case, the ratio calculator330may calculate493as the first sum SUM1. In addition, the ratio calculator330may calculate the second sum SUM2by summing the sensing values of the second touch nodes TN2′ that are touched among the plurality of second touch nodes TN2placed on the second line L2. In this case, the ratio calculator330may calculate50as the second sum SUM2. The ratio calculator330may determine that the touch ratio is about 0.1014, which is the ratio of the second sum to the first sum.

In one embodiment, the ratio calculator330may check the number of first touch nodes that are touched among the plurality of first touch nodes through the node count verifier320. The ratio calculator330may calculate the touch ratio if the number of checked first touch nodes is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold. For example, the ratio calculator330may calculate the touch ratio if the number of touched first touch nodes is greater than or equal to 4.

The touch type determiner340determines the touch type based on the touch area determined by the touch area determiner310and the touch ratio calculated by the ratio calculator330.

Specifically, if the touch area where the touch coordinate is located is the first touch area TA1or second touch area TA2, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type based on the touch area.

If the touch area is the first touch area TA1, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the first touch.

If the touch coordinate is located within the second touch area TA2, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type based on the presence of a touch in the previous frame and the touch area where the touch coordinate is located in the previous frame. If the touch area is the second touch area TA2and if there is no touch in the previous frame, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the second touch. If the touch area is the second touch area TA2, if there is a touch in the previous frame, and if the touch area in the previous frame is the second touch area TA2, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the second touch. If the touch area is the second touch area TA2, if there is a touch in the previous frame, and if the touch area in the previous frame is not the second touch area TA2, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the first touch.

If the touch area where the touch coordinate is located is the third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type based on the touch ratio.

If the touch ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined second threshold, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the first touch. On the other hand, if the touch ratio is smaller than the second threshold, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the second touch.

For example, if the touch ratio is greater than or equal to 0.8, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the first touch. If the touch ratio is smaller than 0.8, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the second touch. As shown inFIG.6, when the first sum SUM1of the sensing values of the touched first touch nodes TN1′ is 493, and when the second sum SUM2of the sensing values of the touched second touch nodes TN2′ is 50, the touch ratio may be calculated to be about 0.1014. Since the touch ratio is smaller than 0.8, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the second touch, that is, grip touch. If the second sum SUM2of the sensing values of the plurality of second touch nodes TN2placed on the second line L2increases by 394, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the first touch, that is, normal touch.

In one embodiment, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type based on the number of first touch nodes checked by the node count verifier320. If the number of checked first touch nodes is smaller than or equal to the first threshold, the touch type determiner340may determine the touch type as the first touch.

The touch information processor350processes touch information based on the touch type determined by the touch type determiner340. If the touch type is determined as the first touch, the touch information processor350may output touch information including the touch coordinate. If the touch type is determined as the second touch, the touch information processor350may cancel the touch and output no touch information.

The touch information processor350may store information about processed touches in the buffer360.

The buffer360may store history information for each frame. The history information may include the touch type. In one embodiment, the history information may further include at least one of the touch coordinate, the touch area, the number of touch nodes touched per line, or the touch ratio.

In one embodiment, the touch information processor350may process touch information based on the history information for each frame stored in the buffer360. Specifically, when the touch type is determined as the first touch, the touch information processor350may check history information for at least two previous frames stored in the buffer360. If the touch types for the at least two previous frames include the second touch, the touch information processor350may cancel the touch and output no touch information even if the touch type is the first touch.

For example, if the touch type is determined as the first touch, the touch information processor350may check history information for three previous frames stored in the buffer360. In this case, the three previous frames may correspond to three consecutive previous frames from the corresponding frame. If the touch types for the three previous frames include the second touch, the touch information processor350may cancel the touch and output no touch information.

The touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may determine either the first touch or the second touch as the touch type based on the touch ratio between the first line L1and second line L2in addition to the touched region.

For example, the touch distribution of each of a plurality of consecutively input frames F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5may be defined as shown inFIG.5. For the first frame F1, the conventional touch sensing device may determine the touch type as the second touch, that is, grip touch because the touch coordinate is located within the first touch area. If the touch coordinate is located within the second touch area, the conventional touch sensing device may determine whether the grip touch covers a large area by checking the width of the touched region. For the second frame F2, since the width of the touched region does not exceed a reference value, the conventional touch sensing device may determine the touch type as the first touch, that is, normal touch. However, even in the case of the grip touch, there may often be cases where the width of the touched region does not exceed the reference value within one frame. In this case, the width of the touched region in subsequently input frames may exceed the reference value. However, once the touch type is determined as the first touch, the conventional touch sensing device may not check whether subsequently input touches are the second touch. Even if the widths of the touched regions of the subsequently input touches exceed the reference value, the touches may not be recognized as the second touch. As a result, the conventional touch sensing device may fail to recognize the subsequently input touches as the second touch.

On the other hand, even if the width of the touched region in the second frame F2does not exceed the reference value, the touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may determine either the first touch or the second touch as the touch type based on the touch ratio between the first line L1and second line L2. Specifically, since the touch ratio between the first sum SUM1of the sensing values of the first touch nodes TN1′ placed on the first line L1and the second sum SUM2of the sensing values of the second touch nodes TNT placed on the second line L2is about 0.1014, which is smaller than the second threshold, as shown inFIG.6, the touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may determine the touch type as the second touch.

As described above, the touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure determines the touch type based on the touch ratio between the first line L1and the second line L2even if a touch does not have a large area, thereby identifying the touch intended by the user more accurately.

In addition, the touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may stably determine the first touch or second touch for changes in sensitivity based on the history information for each frame stored in the buffer360. Further, after determining the second touch, the touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to switch to the normal touch mode when the first touch is recognized in at least two or more frames, thereby preventing the grip touch mode from being released due to data glitches. In other words, even if data suddenly changes, the touch sensing device170according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may stably provide touch information by determining the touch type based on the history information for each frame.

FIGS.7to13are flowcharts for explaining a touch sensing method performed by the touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.7, the touch sensing device170receives changes in capacitance from the touch electrodes (S701). Specifically, the touch sensing device170may supply a driving signal to the first touch electrodes through the first touch lines and receive changes in the capacitance of each of the touch sensors caused by a user's touch (referred to as “user touch”) through the second touch lines.

Next, the touch sensing device170generates sensing data including the sensing value of each of the plurality of touch nodes based on the capacitance changes (S702).

Specifically, the touch sensing device170may sample the changes in the capacitance of the touch sensors received through the second touch lines and convert the capacitance changes into touch raw data, which is digital data. The touch sensing device170may generate the sensing data including the sensing value of each of the plurality of touch nodes based on the touch raw data. The touch sensing device170may determine a difference obtained by comparing the touch raw data with the baseline as the sensing value. As described above, the baseline may refer to initial raw data for the plurality of touch nodes in the untouched state. The touch sensing device170may determine the difference between the initial raw data and touch raw data as the sensing value for each of the plurality of touch nodes.

The touch sensing device170may determine the presence of a touch and the coordinates of the touch based on the sensing data (S703).

The touch sensing device170may compare the sensing data with the predetermined touch reference value and determine the sensing data as touch input data if the sensing data is greater than or equal to the touch reference value. On the other hand, the touch sensing device170may determine the sensing data as data with no touch input if the sensing data is smaller than the touch reference value.

The touch sensing device170may calculate the touch coordinate for the touch input data by executing the predetermined touch coordinate calculation algorithm. The touch coordinate calculation algorithm may be implemented using any known algorithm.

The touch sensing device170determines the touch area based on the touch coordinate (S704).

The touch sensing device170may determine the touch area where the touch coordinate is located as one of the first touch area TA1, the second touch area TA2, and the third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2. The first touch area TA1may correspond to an area where normal touches, i.e., intentional touches are predominantly input by the user to execute specific operations while using the display device100. The second touch area TA2is an outer area located around the first touch area TA1. That is, the second touch area TA2may correspond to an area where grip touches, i.e., unintended touches, which are primarily caused by holding or gripping rather than executing specific operations, occur frequently during the use of the display device100. The third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2is an area placed between the first touch area TA1and the second touch area TA2. The third touch area TA3-1or TA3-2may correspond to an area where grip touches as well as normal touches frequently occur.

Next, the touch sensing device170may use the touch area to determine the type of the user touch (referred to as “touch type”). When the touch area is the first touch area TA1, the touch type may be determined according to a first process A. When the touch area is the second touch area TA2, the touch type may be determined according to a second process B. When the touch area is the third touch area TA3, the touch type may be determined according to a third process C.

First, the third process C will be described with reference toFIG.8.

If the touch area is the third touch area TA3, the touch sensing device170may calculate, as the touch ratio, the ratio between the first sum of the sensing values of the plurality of first touch nodes TN1placed on the first line L1and the second sum of the sensing values of the plurality of second touch nodes TN2placed on the second line L2(S706).

Specifically, the touch sensing device170may calculate the first sum by summing the sensing values of the first touch nodes TN1′ that are touched among the plurality of first touch nodes TN1. The touch sensing device170may calculate the second sum by summing the sensing values of the second touch nodes TN2′ that are touched among the plurality of second touch nodes TN2.

The touch sensing device170may calculate the ratio of the second sum to the first sum as the touch ratio.

If the touch ratio is greater than or equal to the predetermined second threshold, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type according to the first process A (S707). On the other hand, if the touch ratio is smaller than the second threshold, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type according to the second process B (S707).

Before considering the touch ratio, the number of touched first touch nodes TN1′ among the plurality of first touch nodes TN1placed on the first line L1may be further considered. Hereinafter, modifications of the third process C ofFIG.8will be described in detail with reference toFIG.9.

If the touch area is the third touch area TA3, the touch sensing device170may check the number of first touch nodes TN1′ that are touched among the plurality of first touch nodes TN1placed on the first line L1. If the number of first touch nodes is smaller than the predetermined first threshold, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type according to the first process A, without considering the touch ratio (S705).

However, if the number of first touch nodes is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type according to steps S706and S707described above with reference toFIG.8. Since this has been previously explained, details will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the first process A will be described with reference toFIG.10.

If the touch area is the first touch area TA1, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the first touch (S708).

If the touch type is the first touch, the touch sensing device170may output touch information including the touch coordinate (S709).

The touch sensing device170may store information about the processed touch, that is, the user touch for which the touch information is output, in the buffer360(S712).

Hereinafter, the second process B will be described with reference toFIG.11.

If the touch area is the second touch area TA2, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the second touch (S710).

If the touch type is the second touch, the touch sensing device170may cancel (or ignore) the touch and output no touch information (S711).

The touch sensing device170may store information about the processed touch, that is, the user touch for which no touch information is output, in the buffer360(S712).

If the touch area is the first touch area TA1, it is not necessarily required that the touch type needs to be determined exclusively as the first touch. Even if the touch area is the first touch area TA1, the touch type may be determined as the second touch. In addition, if the touch area is the second touch area TA2, it is not necessarily required that the touch type needs to be determined exclusively as the second touch. Even if the touch area is the second touch area TA2, the touch type may be determined as the first touch. Hereinafter, modifications of the first process A ofFIG.10will be described in detail with reference toFIG.12, and modification of the second process B ofFIG.12will be described in detail with reference toFIG.13.

First, the modifications of the first process A will be explained with reference toFIG.12.

If the touch area is the first touch area TA1, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type based on history information for each frame stored in the buffer360. Specifically, if the touch area is the first touch area TA1, the touch sensing device170may check history information for at least two previous frames stored in the buffer360(S713).

If the touch types for the at least two previous frames do not include the second touch, the touch sensing device170may proceed with step S708ofFIG.10. That is, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the first touch. The details of step S708as well as the subsequent steps: steps S709and S712are the same as previously described.

On the contrary, if the touch types for the at least two previous frames include the second touch, the touch sensing device170may proceed with step S710ofFIG.11. That is, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the second touch. The details of step S710as well as the subsequent steps: steps S711and S712are the same as previously described.

Next, the modification of the second process B will be described with reference toFIG.13.

If the touch area is the second touch area TA2, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type based on the history information for each frame stored in the buffer360.

That is, if the touch area is the second touch area TA2, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type based on the presence of a touch in the previous frame and the touch area where the touch coordinate is located in the previous frame. If the touch area is the second touch area TA2and if there is no touch in the previous frame, the touch sensing device170may proceed with step S710ofFIG.11. That is, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the second touch.

If the touch area is the second touch area TA2, if there is a touch in the previous frame, and if the touch area in the previous frame is the second touch area TA2[S717], the touch sensing device170may proceed with step S710ofFIG.11. That is, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the second touch.

The details of step S710as well as the subsequent steps: steps S711and S712are the same as previously described.

If the touch area is the second touch area TA2, if there is a touch in the previous frame, and if the touch area in the previous frame is not the second touch area TA2[S717], the touch sensing device170may proceed with step S708ofFIG.10. That is, the touch sensing device170may determine the touch type as the first touch. The details of step S708as well as the subsequent steps: steps S709and S712are the same as previously described.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that the disclosure described above may be practiced in other specific forms without altering the technical ideas or essential features thereof.

Furthermore, the methods as described in the present disclosure may be implemented, at least partially, using one or more computer programs or components. Such a component may be provided as a series of computer instructions on a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium including volatile and non-volatile memory. The instructions may be provided as software or firmware. Alternatively, the instructions and may be implemented in whole or in part in hardware components such as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), or other similar devices. The instructions may be configured to be executed by one or more processors or other hardware components. The processors or other hardware components may perform or be configured to perform all or some of the methods and procedures as disclosed in the present disclosure when executing the series of computer instructions.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that various substitutions, modifications, and alterations are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims set forth below, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.