Apparatus and method for protecting touch panel device from noise interference

A protection circuit for a touch panel device, comprising:

• a detection block, arranged for detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device, and asserting a protection signal when occurrence of the noise interference is detected;
• and
• a protection block, arranged for enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when triggered by the asserted protection signal;
• wherein the protection block comprises:
• a selector, having a first input port, at least one second input port, and an output port coupled to a touch panel of the touch panel device, wherein the first input port is arranged for receiving a first driving signal generated from a touch panel driving circuit included in a touch controller of the touch panel device, the at least one second input port is arranged for receiving at least one second driving signal generated from the touch panel driving circuit, and when the protection block is triggered by the asserted protection signal, the protection block enables the protection mechanism by making the output port of the selector output a selected second driving signal, where the touch panel that receives the selected second driving signal is more resistive to the noise interference than the touch panel that receives the first driving signal.

A protection method for a touch panel device, comprising:

• detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device;
• enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when occurrence of the noise interference is detected;
• attenuating a sensing output of a touch panel included in the touch panel device, and accordingly generating an attenuated sensing output;
• and
• utilizing a selector to receive the attenuated sensing output and the sensing output;
• wherein the step of enabling the protection mechanism comprises:
• making the selector output the attenuated sensing output.

A protection method for a touch panel device, comprising:

• detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device;
• enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when occurrence of the noise interference is detected;
• and
• utilizing a selector to receive a first driving signal and at least one second driving signal generated from a touch panel driving circuit included in a touch controller of the touch panel device;
• wherein the step of enabling the protection mechanism comprises:
• making the selector output a selected second driving signal to a touch panel of the touch panel device, where the touch panel that receives the selected second driving signal is more resistive to the noise interference than the touch panel that receives the first driving signal.