KR20040042146A - Driving method and apparatus of multi touch panel and multi touch panel device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and a device for driving a multi-touch panel, and a multi-touch panel device using the same are provided to continuously use the touch panel by precisely recognizing a touch position in case that the touch panel is damaged, and offer a 3-dimensional effect to a character displayed on the touch panel by using a z-axis value except an x and y-axis value. CONSTITUTION: The first and the second ADC(Analog Digital Converter)(58,60) respective receive/convert an analog signal detected from the first and the second touch panel(54,56). A comparator(62) outputs a signal representing the identity between the signals by comparing the signal output from the first and the second ADC. A CPU(64) calculates a coordinates value based on the signal output from the first and the second ADC depending on the signal output from the comparator. To display an image matched with touch through a display device, the CPU outputs the coordinates value to a system.

Description

Driving method of multi-touch panel, driving device and multi-touch panel device using the same {DRIVING METHOD AND APPARATUS OF MULTI TOUCH PANEL AND MULTI TOUCH PANEL DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a method of driving a multiple touch panel, a driving device and a multiple touch panel device using the same.

Recently, a touch panel is installed on a display surface of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device to display a corresponding image when the user touches the touch panel, or to recognize and display an image such as a character recorded by the user through the touch panel. It is used.

Such a touch panel includes a resistive touch panel that detects a coordinate value of a position where a touch is normally made by detecting a current amount, and a capacitive touch panel that detects a capacitance value and recognizes a coordinate value of a position where a touch is made with a pen or the like. Etc.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a general resistive touch panel.

Referring to FIG. 1, the touch panel 10 includes, for example, an upper substrate 12, a lower substrate 14, and a spacer 20 spread therebetween, for example, made of polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as “PET”) film. It is provided. In addition, a first conductive layer 16 is formed on the lower surface of the upper substrate 12, and a second conductive layer 18 is formed on the surface of the lower substrate 14. In addition, these first and second conductive layers include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), and indium zinc oxide (Indium-Zinc-Oxide). IZO) and the like.

In addition, the touch panel 10 is generally used by being attached to a liquid crystal panel or the like, or is integrated with a liquid crystal panel and used.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a driving method of a touch panel integrated liquid crystal panel in which the resistive touch panel of FIG. 1 is integrated into a liquid crystal panel.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a touch is made by a user on the touch panel 10 by a pen or the like, the first conductive layer 16 and the second conductive layer 18 are short-circuited, and as a result, the amount of current. Or an analog signal having a voltage level is generated. Subsequently, analog signals X +, X-, Y +, and Y- having a current amount or voltage level generated in the touch panel 10 are converted into digital signals by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 22 (not shown). Further, the digitally converted signals X +, X-, Y +, Y- from the ADC 22 are input to the CPU 24 in a serial or parallel manner. The CPU 24 calculates X coordinates and Y coordinates based on the digitally converted signals X +, X-, Y +, and Y-.

3 shows a touch panel in a case where a touch is made with a pen or the like. In the touched position, the touch panel 10 is bent inward by a predetermined pressure.

However, in the case of using such a single touch panel, when the damage to the upper substrate of the touch panel is damaged, the exact coordinates cannot be detected, which causes inconvenience to the user because it cannot be used until the repair is completed. .

In addition, many attempts have been made to use touch pressure, that is, Z-axis value, in addition to the coordinate values of the X-axis and Y-axis to express a three-dimensional effect on an image such as a recorded character when recording on a touch panel using a pen. In general, the Z-axis value was too small to use it.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable the touch panel to be continuously used by recognizing the exact coordinate value of the touched position even when damage occurs to the touch panel, and also to the Z axis value in addition to the X and Y axis values. The present invention provides a method of driving a touch panel that can provide a three-dimensional effect to a character recorded on the touch panel using a.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a general resistive touch panel.

2 is a block diagram of a driving device for driving the resistive touch panel of FIG. 1.

3 is a diagram illustrating a state of a touch panel when a touch is made by a pen or the like with respect to the resistive touch panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a multiple touch panel.

5 is a block diagram showing a driving device for driving multiple touch panels according to the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method in a driving apparatus of a multiple touch panel according to the present invention.

7 is another flowchart illustrating a driving method in a driving apparatus of a multiple touch panel according to the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating a state of multiple touch panels when a touch is made in the multiple touch panels.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

40: multiple touch panel 42: upper substrate

44: lower substrate 46: intermediate substrate

48: spacer 50: first conductive layer

52: second conductive layer 54: first touch panel

56: second touch panel 58, 60: analog-to-digital converter

62: comparator 64: central processing unit

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes the step of determining whether the signals detected from the upper touch panel and the signals detected from the lower touch panel is the same or not to determine whether the upper touch panel is damaged. It provides a method of driving a touch panel.

The present invention also provides a method for detecting a coordinate value of a touched position from an upper touch panel, a signal for calculating a coordinate value of a touched position from a lower touch panel. Comparing the signals detected in the lower touch panel, if the signals detected in the comparing step are the same, any one of the signals detected in the upper and lower touch panel is output, and the signals detected in the comparing step Outputting signals detected by the lower touch panel, calculating a coordinate value of a touched position based on the output signal, and transmitting the calculated coordinate value to the system. A driving method of a multi-touch panel is provided.

In addition, the present invention is a first analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal detected from the upper touch panel to a digital signal, a second analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal detected from the lower touch panel to a digital signal, the first And a comparator comparing the signals output from the second analog-digital converter with each other and outputting a signal indicating whether they are identical, and receiving the signals output from the first and second analog-digital converters, and outputting from the comparator. It provides a drive device for a multi-touch panel, characterized in that it comprises a central processing unit for calculating the coordinate value of the position where the touch is made based on the signal indicating whether or not.

The present invention also provides an upper touch panel, an intermediate substrate, a lower substrate, and a surface of the intermediate substrate including an upper substrate, an intermediate substrate, and first conductive layers formed on a lower surface of the upper substrate and a lower surface of the intermediate substrate. And a lower touch panel including second conductive layers formed on a surface of the lower substrate, electrode patterns printed on the first conductive layers and the second conductive layers to detect a signal, and the upper and lower touches. Comparing signals detected from the panel with each other to determine whether the same, and accordingly provides a multi-touch panel device comprising a driving device for calculating and outputting the coordinate value of the position at which the touch is made.

Other objects and features of the present invention in addition to the above objects will become apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a multi-touch panel. The dual configuration of the touch panel in this figure is for simplifying the description, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4, the multiple touch panel 40 includes an upper substrate 42, a lower substrate 44, and an intermediate substrate 46. In addition, a first conductive layer 50 is formed on a lower surface of the upper substrate 42 and a lower surface of the intermediate substrate 46, and a second conductive layer is formed on the surface of the intermediate substrate 46 and the surface of the lower substrate 44. 52 is formed. Spacers 48 may be sprayed between the upper substrate 42 and the intermediate substrate 44 and between the intermediate substrate 44 and the lower substrate 46, respectively.

The first and second conductive layers 50 and 52 are formed of a PET film of the upper substrate 42, the lower substrate 44, and the intermediate substrate 46. The first and second conductive layers 50 and 52 are made of a material such as an ITO film, an ITZO film, or an IZO film. Is formed.

Although not shown in the drawings, the first and second conductive layers are printed with electrode patterns for detecting a current amount or a voltage, a touch pressure, and the like at the touched portions. These electrode patterns are generally formed from silver (Ag) or the like.

For the purpose of explanation, the touch panel formed by the upper substrate 42 and the intermediate substrate 46 is referred to as a first touch panel 54, and the touch panel formed by the intermediate substrate 46 and the lower substrate 44 is referred to as a first touch panel 54. 2 is called a touch panel 56.

5 is a view showing the overall configuration of the drive device of the multiple touch panel according to the present invention. With respect to the construction of a general touch panel that detects planar X-axis and Y-axis coordinate values, the present invention includes an additional electrode for detecting the Z-axis value to express a three-dimensional effect.

The driving apparatus of the multiple touch panel shown in FIG. 5 receives an analog signal X1, Y1, Z1 or X2, Y2, Z2 detected from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56, respectively, and converts them into digital signals. Comparator 62 and comparator 62 for comparing the signals output from the first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 58 and 60, the first and second ADCs, respectively and outputting a signal indicating whether these signals are equal. A central processing unit (CPU) 64 that calculates a coordinate value based on the signal output from the first or second ADC according to the signal output from Although not shown in the figure, the coordinate values calculated by the central processing unit 64 are output to the system for displaying an image corresponding to the touch through the display device.

These driving methods will be described in more detail.

When the touch is applied to the multiple touch panel 40, the analog signals X1, Y1, and Z1 detected by the first touch panel 54 are output to the first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 58, and the second The analog signals X2, Y2, and Z2 detected by the touch panel 56 are output to the second analog-to-digital converter 60.

The outputs of the first and second analog-to-digital converters 58 and 60 are input to a comparator 62 and compared with each other. The comparator 62 compares X1, Y1, X2, and Y2 with each other, determines whether the signals are identical, and outputs a signal indicating whether the signals are identical.

In addition, the outputs of the first and second analog-to-digital converters 58, 60 are input to the CPU 64 via other lines.

The CPU 64 makes a touch based on the signals X1, Y1 and X2, Y2 output from the analog-to-digital converters 58 and 60 through different lines based on the signal indicating whether the comparator 62 outputs the sameness. Determine the coordinate value of the location. The CPU 64 uses one of X1, Y1 or X2, Y2 as a signal for detecting coordinate values when a signal having the same display, that is, a signal indicating X1 = X2, Y1 = Y2, is input from the comparator 62. .

If a signal indicating that it is not the same signal, that is, a signal indicating X1 ≠ X2 or Y1 ≠ Y2 is input from the comparator 62, it is determined that an error has occurred because of damage in the first touch panel 54, and the first The X1 and Y1 signals output from the touch panel 54 are excluded and only the X2 and Y2 signals output from the second touch panel 56 are used to calculate coordinate values of the touched positions.

This operation is possible because the touch positions in the first touch panel 54 and the second touch panel 56 are the same when a touch is made.

In addition, if damage occurs to the first touch panel and the user makes a touch with less than a predetermined pressure, a signal is not detected by the second touch panel, and thus incorrect coordinates are generated by a signal output from the first touch panel. The value may be calculated. However, in this case, the user can visually determine whether the touch panel is normally operated, and after that, the user determines that the damage has occurred to the first touch panel 54, thereby touching the touch panel with a greater pressure than the first touch. The touch panel 40 can be used normally.

That is, when damage occurs in the first touch panel 54 and the coordinate value is not recognized or an error occurs in the coordinate value, the lower touch panel 56 is excluded by excluding the coordinate value detected by the first touch panel 54. By using only the coordinate values detected through the touch panel can be used normally.

In addition, in FIG. 5, the CPU 62 calculates the pressure applied to the touch panel 40 by the touch based on the Z1 and Z2 signals output from the first touch panel 54 and the second touch panel 56. It also has

The CPU 62 calculates the pressure applied to the touch panel 40 by touch based on Z1 and Z2, and this Z-axis value calculation can be calculated according to the criteria stored in advance in the CPU 62.

That is, the Z-axis values are pre-classified and stored in advance in the CPU 62 in a step sufficient to provide a three-dimensional effect to characters input to the touch panel 40, and the display device such as a liquid crystal display device according to the detected Z-axis values. Express the three-dimensional effect by sending to.

On the other hand, when it is determined that damage has occurred to the first touch panel 54, the Z1 signal is ignored like the X1 and Y1 signals.

That is, the Z-axis value calculation is performed when the first touch panel 54 determines that the first touch panel 54 operates normally. When the Z1 + Z2 signal determines that the first touch panel 54 does not operate normally, that is, the first touch panel does not operate. When damaged, only Z2 signal excluding Z1 signal is used.

In the present embodiment, the comparator 62 and the CPU 64 have been described separately, but the comparator 62 may be included in the CPU 64. In addition, the CPU 64 may include first and second ADCs 58 and 60.

6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of driving multiple touch panels according to the present invention.

First, when a touch is made to the touch panel 40 (step S1), it is determined whether a signal is detected from the first touch panel 54 in step S2. If no signal is detected, the process returns to step S1 of touching the touch panel again. If a signal is detected, the signals S1, Y1, Z1 are output in step S3. In operation S4, it is determined whether a signal is detected from the second touch panel 56. If a signal is detected, the signals S2, Y2 and Z2 are output in step S5.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S6 to determine whether the signals output from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56 are the same. If both signals are the same (X1 = X2, Y1 = Y2), the X-axis value and the Y-axis value and the Z-axis value based on the Z-axis value and the Z1- + Z2 signal at the touched position based on either X1, Y1 or X2, Y2 Is calculated (step S7).

Finally, in step S8, after transmitting the calculated X-axis value, Y-axis value and Z-axis value, the system returns to the first step and waits until the next touch.

On the other hand, if one of the signals output from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56 is not the same in step S6 (X1 ≠ X2 or Y1 ≠ Y2), the process proceeds to step S9. 2 Based on only the X2, Y2, and Z2 signals output from the touch panel 56, the X-axis value, the Y-axis value, and the Z-axis value are calculated. Similarly, after the system transfers the calculated X-axis value, Y-axis value and Z-axis value by moving to step S8, the process returns to the first step and waits until the next touch.

On the other hand, if the signal detected from the second touch panel 56 does not exist in step S4, the step proceeds to step S10, in which the signals X1, Y1, Z1 detected from the first touch panel 54 are detected. A coordinate value is calculated based on this. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S8 and the calculated coordinate values are transmitted to the system.

In this manner, even when the first touch panel 54 is damaged and an erroneous signal is detected, the touch panel can be used normally.

7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a driving method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 corresponds to a case where it is impossible to detect a signal from the first touch panel 54.

7 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that when a signal is not detected from the first touch panel 54, the signal is unconditionally detected from the second touch panel instead of returning to the step of touching the touch panel again. There is.

In more detail, in step S20, it is determined whether a signal is detected from the first touch panel 54. If a signal is detected, the signals X1, Y1, Z1 are output in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if no signal is detected, the process proceeds directly to step S24 without passing through step S22.

In operation S26, it is determined whether a signal is detected from the second touch panel 56, and the signals X2, Y2, and Z2 detected in operation S28 are output.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S30 to compare the signals X1, Y1, X2, and Y2 output from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56, respectively.

If it is determined in step S30 that the signals output from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56 are identical to each other, the flow advances to step S32 and based on any one of X1, Y1 or X2, Y2, X The axis value and the Y axis value are calculated.

In operation S32, the Z-axis value is calculated based on the Z1 and Z2 signals, that is, Z1 + Z2 signals, output from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56.

Finally, after transmitting the X-axis value, Y-axis value and Z-axis value calculated in step S34 to the system, the process returns to the first step and waits until the next touch.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the signal detected from the second touch panel 56 does not exist, the flow advances to step S36 to determine whether the signal detected from the first touch panel 54 exists. If it is determined in step S36 that the signal detected from the first touch panel 54 is present, the flow advances to step S38 to calculate the X-axis value, the Y-axis value, and the Z-axis value based on X1, Y1, Z1, and The process proceeds to S34.

If it is determined in step S36 that the signal detected from the first touch panel 54 does not exist, the process returns to the first step S20.

In step S34, after transmitting the calculated X-axis value, Y-axis value and Z-axis value, the system returns to the first step and waits until the next touch.

In addition, when it is determined in step S30 that the signals detected from the first and second touch panels 54 and 56 are not identical to each other (X1 ≠ X2 or Y1 ≠ Y2), the process proceeds to step S40 and the second step is performed. X, Y, Z coordinate values are calculated based on the signals X2, Y2, Z2 detected from the touch panel 54. The process then proceeds to step S34, transfers the calculated coordinate values to the system, then returns to the first step and waits until the next touch.

In this way, even when the first touch panel 54 is completely damaged, the touch panel 40 can be normally operated.

8 is a view illustrating a state of a touch panel when a touch is made by a pen at a predetermined pressure or more.

According to the drawing, when a touch of a predetermined pressure or more is made, a bent portion is generated in the second touch panel as well as the first touch panel. The touched portion is the same as the first touch panel and the second touch panel.

In addition, the three-dimensional expression is possible by calculating the Z-axis value according to the degree of pressure, that is, the degree to which the respective touch panels are pressed.

As described above, the multi-touch panel driving method according to the present invention determines whether the signals input from each touch panel are identical and excludes the incorrectly detected signal, thereby preventing the touch panel from being damaged or even completely damaged. This makes it possible to operate normally, and also has the advantage that it is possible to provide a three-dimensional effect such as thickness and the like recorded on the touch panel using the Z-axis value.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (22)

And determining whether the signals detected from the upper touch panel and the signals detected from the lower touch panel are identical to determine whether the upper touch panel is damaged or not. The method of claim 1, When the signals detected by the upper touch panel and the signals detected by the lower touch panel are identical to each other, the coordinate value of the touched position is calculated based on any one of the signals detected by the upper or lower touch panel. The method of driving a multiple touch panel, characterized in that it further comprises a step. The method of claim 2, Calculating coordinate values of a touched position based on the signals detected by the lower touch panel when the signals detected by the upper touch panel and the signals detected by the lower touch panel are not the same. Method of driving a multi-touch panel comprising a. The method of claim 2, And detecting a signal according to touch pressure from the upper and lower touch panels, and calculating a value for providing a three-dimensional effect to a character displayed through a display device based on these signals. Method of driving multiple touch panels. The method of claim 3, wherein And detecting a signal according to touch pressure from only the lower touch panel, and calculating a value for providing a three-dimensional effect to a character displayed through a display device. . Detecting a signal for calculating a coordinate value of a touched position from the upper touch panel; Detecting a signal for calculating a coordinate value of a touched position from the lower touch panel; Comparing the signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels, respectively; If the signals detected in the comparing step are the same, one of the signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels is output. If the signals detected in the comparing step are not the same, the signals detected by the lower touch panel are output. Doing; Calculating a coordinate value of a touched position based on the output signal; And And transmitting the calculated coordinate values to the system. The method of claim 6, The comparing step includes outputting a signal indicating whether the signals are identical after the comparison, The outputting of the detected signals may include outputting detected signals according to a signal indicating whether or not they are identical. The method of claim 6, The signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels are composed of signals for detecting the plane coordinate value of the position where the touch is made. The method of claim 8, The signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels further include a signal detected according to the pressure applied to the touch panel at the touched position. The method of claim 9, And providing a stereoscopic effect on characters displayed through a display device based on signals detected according to the pressure from the upper and lower touch panels. The method of claim 10, And in the comparing step, the signals for calculating plane coordinates among the detection signals are compared with each other. The method of claim 11, In the providing of the three-dimensional effect, when the signals for calculating the plane coordinate value among the detected signals are the same, providing the three-dimensional effect based on the signals according to the pressure applied to the touch panel detected from the upper and lower touch panels. And a value for providing a three-dimensional effect based on a signal according to the pressure detected by the lower touch panel when the signals detected by the upper touch panel are different when the signals for calculating the planar coordinate value are different. Driving method for a multiple touch panel, characterized in that the calculation. A first analog-digital converter for converting the analog signal detected from the upper touch panel into a digital signal; A second analog-digital converter for converting the analog signal detected from the lower touch panel into a digital signal; A comparator comparing the signals output from the first and second analog-to-digital converters with each other and outputting a signal indicating equality; And And a central processing unit for receiving signals output from the first and second analog-to-digital converters, and calculating a coordinate value of a touched position based on a signal indicating whether the comparators are identical or not. Drive device for multiple touch panels. The method of claim 13, When the signal output from the comparator indicates that the signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels are the same signal, the CPU calculates a coordinate value based on one of the signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels. When the signal output from the comparator indicates that the signals detected in the upper and lower touch panels are different signals, the coordinate values are based on only the signals detected in the lower touch panel without excluding the signals detected in the upper touch panel. Driving device for multiple touch panels, characterized in that for calculating. The method of claim 14, The signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels are driving devices of the multiple touch panel, characterized in that consisting of the signal to calculate the plane coordinate value for the position at which the touch is made. The method of claim 15, The detection signals may further include signals detected according to the pressure applied to the touch panel at the touched position. The method of claim 16, The comparison in the comparator is a drive device of a multiple touch panel, characterized in that consisting of only the signal to calculate the plane coordinate value of the signals detected in the upper and lower touch panels. The method of claim 17, When the CPU receives a signal indicating that the signals detected by the upper and lower touch panels are the same, the CPU processes the display device based on the detected signals according to the pressure from the upper and lower touch panels. Computing a value for providing a three-dimensional effect to the image, such as a character displayed through, and when receiving a signal indicating that the signals detected in the upper and lower touch panel is different from the comparator, the pressure from the upper touch panel And a value for providing a three-dimensional effect based on the signal detected according to the pressure from the lower touch panel without excluding the detected signal. An upper touch panel including an upper substrate, an intermediate substrate, and first conductive layers formed on a lower surface of the upper substrate and a lower surface of the intermediate substrate; A lower touch panel including the intermediate substrate, the lower substrate, and second conductive layers formed on a surface of the intermediate substrate and a surface of the lower substrate; Electrode patterns printed on the first conductive layers and the second conductive layers to detect a signal; And And a driving device comparing the signals detected from the upper and lower touch panels with each other to determine whether they are identical, and calculating and outputting coordinate values of positions at which touches are made. The method of claim 19, And a spacer formed between the upper substrate and the intermediate substrate and the intermediate substrate and the lower substrate. The method of claim 19, And the electrode patterns are configured of electrodes detecting signals for calculating X and Y axis coordinates, respectively. The method of claim 21, The electrode patterns further include an electrode pattern for detecting the pressure applied to the upper and lower touch panels.