Disclosed herein is a touch screen controller operable with a touch screen. The touch screen controller includes input circuitry to receive touch data from the touch screen, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires mutual capacitance touch strength values from the touch screen, determines when the mutual capacitance touch strength values define a pre-validated donut touch pattern, and reads self capacitance touch strength values for lines that are contained within bounds of the pre-validated donut touch pattern. If the self capacitance touch strength values for lines contained within bounds of the pre-validate donut touch pattern contain a singular peak value, the processing circuitry validates the pre-validated donut touch pattern as representing a single touch.