Electronic device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device, and more specifically, to an electronic device comprising a sensor unit capable of driving or / and sensing a stylus pen and at least one controller for controlling the sensor unit, wherein the controller can prevent or mitigate the occurrence of flicker on the display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal input to the sensor unit. An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sensor unit; and a controller configured to control the sensor unit; wherein the sensor unit comprises a plurality of patterns, and the controller is configured to simultaneously apply pen driving signals to drive a stylus pen using some of the plurality of patterns, and if the total sum of the pen driving signals simultaneously applied in an arbitrary time interval is not '0', the controller applies an additional pen signal using at least one of the remaining patterns to which the pen driving signals are not applied, thereby controlling the total sum of the pen driving signals and the additional pen signal to become '0'.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device, and more specifically, to an electronic device comprising a sensor unit capable of driving or / and sensing a stylus pen and at least one controller for controlling the sensor unit, wherein the controller can prevent or mitigate the occurrence of flicker on the display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal input to the sensor unit. Background Technology

[0002] A stylus pen is a pen-shaped tool designed to be used with touch screens. It typically has a tip made of conductive rubber or capacitive hardened plastic and enables thinner and more precise input than a finger.

[0003] EMR (Electro Magnetic Resonance) stylus pens are characterized by their ability to operate without a battery inside the pen itself. This method recognizes handwriting or drawings by utilizing electromagnetic signals between the pen and the tablet. A digitizer is embedded beneath the tablet screen, allowing for accurate detection of the pen's position, pressure, and tilt. The inclusion of a built-in digitizer can increase the production cost of the tablet.

[0004] Flicker in display panels refers to the screen rapidly blinking. Generally, flicker is known to occur when the display frequency and the graphics card frequency do not match, or when a problem with the AC power supply prevents the display's internal hardware from functioning properly. The impact of flicker can vary from person to person, and some individuals may experience headaches or dizziness as a result. Recent display products are reducing these issues by applying 'Flicker-Free' technology. The problem to be solved

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an electronic device capable of mitigating or preventing flicker on a display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal. means of solving the problem

[0006] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sensor unit; and a controller configured to control the sensor unit; wherein the sensor unit comprises a plurality of patterns, and the controller is configured to simultaneously apply pen driving signals to drive a stylus pen using some of the plurality of patterns, and if the total sum of the pen driving signals simultaneously applied in an arbitrary time interval is not '0', the controller applies an additional pen signal using at least one of the remaining patterns to which the pen driving signals are not applied, thereby controlling the total sum of the pen driving signals and the additional pen signal to become '0'. Effects of the invention

[0007] Using an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of preventing flicker on a display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal, thereby improving display distortion. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a part of a sensor unit (1500A) according to a first embodiment that can be applied to the sensor unit (1500) of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an embodiment of the sensor unit (1500A) shown in FIG. 2. Figures 4 and 5 are drawings for explaining the principle of flicker occurring on a display screen. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the change in sensing data according to the change in the display screen. FIG. 7 is a table for explaining an example of a multi-driving method for applying a plurality of pen driving signals from the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1 to the sensor unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a table for explaining an example of a method of operating a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a table to explain another example of a method of operating a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied. FIGS. 11 and 12 are drawings for explaining driving methods of a touch controller that controls a sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied. FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied. FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied. FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a first mode (or touch sensing mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 16 to sense an object. FIGS. 18 and 19 are drawings for explaining a second mode (or uplink mode) for driving a stylus pen with the electronic device shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a third mode (or downlink mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 16 to sense (or detect) a stylus pen. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0009] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that various embodiments of the invention are different but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in relation to one embodiment. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting, and the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims, including all equivalents to those claimed therein, provided appropriately described. Similar reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same or similar functions across various aspects.

[0010] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present document may include, for example, at least one of a smartphone, a tablet personal computer, a vehicle display device, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a laptop personal computer, a netbook computer, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. Here, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, ring, bracelet, anklet, necklace, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing integrated type (e.g., electronic clothing), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit (1500), a display panel (1000), a touch controller (2000), and a display controller (3000).

[0013] The sensor unit (1500) may be included in the display panel (1000) or may be configured separately. The sensor unit (1500) may include at least two electrodes (or patterns). For example, the sensor unit (1500) may include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. Here, the plurality of first electrodes may be a plurality of driving electrodes for conventional general touch sensing, and the plurality of second electrodes may be a plurality of conventional receiving electrodes.

[0014] The touch controller (2000) controls the sensor unit (1500). The touch controller (2000) can detect an object, such as a finger, located on the sensor unit (1500) using the sensor unit (1500).

[0015] The touch controller (2000) may include a driving and sensing unit (2100) configured to supply a touch driving signal for touch sensing to at least one electrode among at least two electrodes (or patterns) of the sensor unit (1500) and receive a touch detection signal from one electrode, and a control unit (2200) that controls the driving and sensing unit (2100).

[0016] The touch controller (2000) can convert the touch detection signal into an analog-to-digital signal and output a digital touch detection signal.

[0017] A plurality of scan lines (or gate lines) and a plurality of data lines may be arranged on the display panel (1000). A subpixel may be located in the area where the scan lines and data lines intersect.

[0018] A display panel (1000) may include an active area in which a plurality of subpixels are arranged, and an inactive area (dead space or bezel) located outside the active area. The active area may constitute a display screen of an electronic device. The display screen may have various shapes. For example, it may have a landscape shape in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length. Or, the display screen may have a portrait shape in which the vertical length is longer than the horizontal length.

[0019] The display controller (3000) controls the display panel (1000) and may include a gate driving circuit (3100) that drives a gate line, a data driving circuit (3300) that drives a data line, and a display control unit (3200) that controls the gate driving circuit (3100) and the data driving circuit (3300).

[0020] The touch controller (2000) and the display controller (300) illustrated in FIG. 1 may be physically integrated into one. The integrated touch controller (2000) and the display controller (300) may be referred to as a touch display controller (or controller).

[0021] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a part of a sensor unit (1500A) according to a first embodiment that can be applied to the sensor unit (1500) of FIG. 1.

[0022] An electronic device including a sensor unit (1500A) according to a first embodiment is configured to detect the position of a conductive object, such as a finger, located on a display screen, as well as to detect the position of a stylus pen that is in close proximity to or in contact with the display screen by driving a stylus pen or detecting a pen signal emitted from said stylus pen.

[0023] The sensor unit (1500A) includes a plurality of patterns (or a plurality of electrodes).

[0024] The sensor unit (1500A) may include a plurality of first to fourth patterns (101, 102, 103, 104).

[0025] The first pattern (101) has a shape extended along any first direction (X). The first direction may be either the long axis direction or the short axis direction of the display screen of the electronic device.

[0026] One end of each of the plurality of first patterns (101) is electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1 through a trace (not shown). The other end of each of the plurality of first patterns (101) can be electrically floating.

[0027] The second pattern (102) has a shape that extends along the first direction (X), is positioned adjacent to the first pattern (101), and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the first pattern (101).

[0028] One end of the second pattern (102) is electrically connected to one end of at least one other second pattern through a trace (102t). The other end of the second pattern (102) may be electrically connected to a touch controller (2000) through a trace (not shown) or may be electrically floating.

[0029] The third pattern (103) has a shape that extends along a second direction (Y) different from the first direction. The second direction (Y) may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X) and may be either the short axis direction or the long axis direction of the display screen of the electronic device.

[0030] One end of each of the plurality of third patterns (103) is electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) via a trace (not shown). The other end of each of the plurality of third patterns (103) can be electrically floating.

[0031] The fourth pattern (104) has a shape that extends along the second direction (Y), is positioned adjacent to the third pattern (103), and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the third pattern (103).

[0032] One end of the fourth pattern (104) is electrically connected to one end of at least one other fourth pattern through a trace (104t). The other end of the fourth pattern (104) may be electrically connected to a touch controller (2000) through a trace (not shown) or may be electrically floating.

[0033] The third and fourth patterns (103, 104) may be placed on a different layer from the first and second patterns (101, 102). An insulating layer (not shown) may be placed between the third and fourth patterns (103, 104) and the first and second patterns (101, 102).

[0034] Meanwhile, unlike what is shown in the drawing, a plurality of first to fourth patterns (101, 102, 103, 104) may be arranged together on the same layer.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an embodiment of the sensor unit (1500A) shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a sensor unit according to one embodiment may include a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5). Here, a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) correspond to a plurality of first patterns (101) shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) correspond to a plurality of second patterns (102) shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) correspond to a plurality of third patterns (103) shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) may correspond to a plurality of fourth patterns (104) shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] Each first touch electrode (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) may be positioned in the same direction (X) as the scan line of a display panel (not shown). Here, the same direction (X) as the scan line may be the short-axis direction of the display screen. Each first touch electrode (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) may be an electrode to which a touch driving signal is applied for sensing an object, such as a finger or a conductive member, by the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] Each first pen electrode (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) is positioned adjacent to the first touch electrode (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the first touch electrode (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9). Each first pen electrode (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) may be positioned in the same direction (Y) as the scan line of the display panel (not shown). Each first pen electrode (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) may receive a pen driving signal to drive the stylus pen by the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1, or transmit a pen signal from the stylus pen to the touch controller (2000).

[0039] Each end of a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) is electrically connected to one another through a conductive pattern (STxC). Here, the conductive pattern (STxC) may be a metal mesh or a silver trace. The plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) and the conductive pattern (STxC) may be formed as a single unit.

[0040] Each second touch electrode (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) is positioned in a direction (Y) different from the direction in which each first touch electrode (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) is positioned. Each second touch electrode (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) can be an electrode that outputs a touch detection signal for sensing an object such as a finger or a conductive member.

[0041] Each second pen electrode (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) is positioned adjacent to the second touch electrode (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the second touch electrode (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5). Each second pen electrode (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) may be positioned in a different direction (Y) from the first pen electrode (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9). Each second pen electrode (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) may receive a pen driving signal to drive the stylus pen by the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1, or transmit a pen signal from the stylus pen to the touch controller (2000).

[0042] Each end of a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) is electrically connected to one another through a conductive pattern (SRxC). Here, the conductive pattern (SRxC) may be a metal mesh or a silver trace. The plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) and the conductive pattern (SRxC) may be formed as a single unit.

[0043] A plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) are disposed on a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), and can be disposed at a predetermined distance from the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9).

[0044] The number of multiple first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and the number of multiple second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) may increase or decrease depending on the size of the display screen or the relative length of the long axis and the short axis.

[0045] A plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) sense touch of an object such as a finger and a conductive member. To this end, the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) operate as touch driving electrodes to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) can operate as touch sensing electrodes to which a touch detection signal is received. Of course, they can also operate in the opposite way.

[0046] In order for the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 to drive or / and sense a stylus pen by the touch controller (2000), the touch controller (2000) can control a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) in various combinations. The various combinations are as shown in below. In below, '1' refers to a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), '2' refers to a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), '3' refers to a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and '4' refers to a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5).

[0047]

[0048] Referring to above, in various combinations (No. 1 to No. 32), a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) sense the touch of a conductive object such as a finger. Although not shown in , the reverse is also possible.

[0049] One or two of a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) can operate as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen. A current loop for driving a stylus pen can be formed using a pattern of one or two of a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5). X-axis driving may be any one of a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), and Y-axis driving may be any one of a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5). Driving of the stylus pen is possible as either X-axis driving or Y-axis driving, or as both.

[0050] Two of the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and the plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) can operate as sensing electrodes that sense a stylus pen signal emitted from a stylus pen. Since X-axis sensing and Y-axis sensing are required together to sense a stylus pen signal, two patterns among a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) can be used. X-axis sensing may be any one of a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), and Y-axis sensing may be any one of a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5).

[0051] In above, 'uplink signal size' refers to the size of the stylus pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen. 'Downlink signal size' refers to the relative size of the stylus pen signal received from the stylus pen. 'Stylus additional channel' refers to whether an additional channel must be configured for the stylus pen in addition to touch sensing.

[0052] An electronic device including a sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 may perform proximity sensing using the sensor unit. When performing proximity sensing, the touch controller (2000) controls the application of driving signals to a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) simultaneously, wherein positive (+) driving signals are applied to the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx4) positioned on the upper side among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), and negative (-) driving signals are applied to the first touch electrodes (FTx5, FTx6,..., FTx9) positioned on the lower side. And, the touch controller (2000) can detect whether an object is close based on detection signals output from a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5).

[0053] Meanwhile, when a touch controller applies a pen driving signal to drive a stylus pen using any one of the following electrodes (hereinafter referred to as "multiple pen driving patterns") of the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) of the sensor unit shown in FIG. 3, flicker may occur on the display screen of the display panel.

[0054] The above flicker may occur when the touch controller simultaneously applies the pen driving signal to at least two of the plurality of pen driving patterns.

[0055] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) are a plurality of pen driving patterns, the touch controller may simultaneously apply pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) to some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) among the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) in any time interval. Furthermore, assuming that the pen driving signal (Ss0) applied to STx0 is a signal of '1', the pen driving signals (Ss2, Ss3) applied to STx2 and STx3 may be '-1'. Here, the signal of '1' is a square wave signal or a sine signal having a predetermined frequency, and the signal of '-1' is equivalent to the phase of the signal of '1' inverted by 180 degrees.

[0056] In this way, when the touch controller simultaneously applies pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) during an arbitrary time interval (multi-driving), a parasitic capacitance (Cs) is formed between some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) and the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel, and the pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) can generate an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) in the ELVSS layer (20) through the parasitic capacitance (Cs). The generated voltage signal (Sc) changes the voltage of the ELVSS layer (20).

[0057] The voltage change of the ELVSS layer (20) may 1) cause flicker on the display screen, or 2) cause errors or noise depending on changes in the display screen. The problems of 1) and 2) caused by the voltage change of the ELVSS layer (20) described above will be explained in detail below.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) are simultaneously applied to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) placed on the display panel, an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) is generated in the ELVSS layer (20), and the voltage signal (Sc) causes an error in the display pixel data of the display panel (1000), which may cause distortion on the display screen.

[0059] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the change in sensing data according to the change in the display screen.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, when the display screen of the display panel changes from the first screen (41) to the second screen (42), particularly when the display screen and brightness change together, a change in pixel capacitance occurs according to the pixel diode current, and the total capacitance of the ELVSS layer (20) may appear to change according to the display screen. As a result, the voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) due to the pen driving signal changes according to the display screen and brightness. This voltage change (Sc -> Sc') is transmitted again to another electrode (FTx) through Cs, causing an error (noise).

[0061] FIG. 7 is a table for explaining an example of a multi-driving method for applying a plurality of pen driving signals from the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1 to the sensor unit shown in FIG. 3.

[0062] In the table in FIG. 7, the vertical axis represents pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10) to which a plurality of pen driving signals (1 or -1) are applied, and the horizontal axis represents each time interval (t0, t1, t16) to which a plurality of pen driving signals (1 or -1) are applied simultaneously.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in each time interval from the first time interval (t1) to the 15th time interval (t15), a pen driving signal (1 or -1) is applied to some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10), and the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied for each time interval is '0'. Here, the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) may mean the total sum of the amplitudes of the pen driving signals (1 or -1).

[0064] However, in the 0th time interval (t0) or the 16th time interval (t16), the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns is not '0'. Specifically, in the 0th time interval (t0), the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) is '-1', and in the 16th time interval (t16), the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns (STx7, STx8, STx10) is '1'.

[0065] Thus, in an arbitrary time interval (t0, t16), if the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns is not '0', or if the total sum is '-1' or '1', an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) is generated in the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel, as mentioned in FIG. 5, and distortion such as flicker may occur on the display screen. Additionally, as mentioned in FIG. 6, the voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) may change depending on the display screen and brightness, causing an error (noise).

[0066] FIG. 8 is a table for explaining an example of a method of operating a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, the touch controller (2000) can resolve the technical problems mentioned in FIG. 7 by controlling the total sum of pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10) to be '0'.

[0068] Specifically, the touch controller (2000) can control to apply an additional pen signal (1 or -1) (or, compensation signal) to at least one other pen driving pattern (STx10, STx0) where the pen driving signals (1 or -1) are not applied, so that if the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns in a predetermined time interval (t0, t16) is not '0', the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns in the said time interval (t0, t16) becomes '0'. Here, the at least one other pen driving pattern (STx10, STx0) may be the pattern that is relatively furthest from some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3 / STx7, STx8, STx10), and the additional pen signal may be a signal (1 or -1) that causes the total sum of the signals in the corresponding time interval to be '0'.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, since the total sum of pen driving signals (1, -1, -1) applied to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) in the zero time interval (t0) is '-1', the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1 can control to apply an additional pen signal of '1' to at least one other pen driving pattern (STx10) that is placed relatively farther away from some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) in order to make the total sum of the pen driving signals '0'.

[0070] Additionally, since the total sum of the pen driving signals (1, 1, -1) applied to some pen driving patterns (STx7, STx8, STx10) in the 16th time interval (t16) is '1', the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 can control to apply an additional pen signal of '-1' to at least one other pen driving pattern (STx0) that is positioned relatively farther away from some pen driving patterns (STx7, STx8, STx10) in order to make the total sum of the pen driving signals '0'.

[0071] According to the driving method of this touch controller (2000), the total sum of the pen driving signals can be made '0' in each of the time intervals (t0 to t16) in which at least two pen driving signals are applied. Therefore, there is an advantage that not only can the occurrence of distortion such as flicker on the display screen be blocked by not generating an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) in the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel mentioned in FIG. 5, but also the occurrence of noise according to the display screen and brightness can be blocked by not generating an unwanted voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) mentioned in FIG. 6.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a table to explain another example of a method of operating a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7.

[0073] The driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 9 is a method of controlling additional pen signals (1 or -1) to be applied with two or more different pen driving patterns such that the total sum of pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied simultaneously in each time interval becomes '0', similar to the driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0074] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the touch controller (2000) applies a first additional pen signal (1) and a second additional pen signal (-1), which are opposite to each other, to a pattern (STx10) located at the other edge and a pattern (STx9) immediately adjacent thereto, respectively, during time intervals (t0 to t3) in which a pen driving signal (1) is applied to a pattern (STx0) located at one edge among all pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10). Additionally, the touch controller (2000) controls the application of an additional pen signal (1) to the pattern (STx8) that is relatively furthest from the pattern (STx0) located at one edge among the remaining pen driving patterns (STx1, STx4, STx5, STx6, STx7, STx8) in the time interval (t0) where the total sum of the pen driving signals applied in each time interval is not '0', in order to make the total sum of the pen driving signals applied in each time interval '0'.

[0075] Alternatively, the touch controller (2000) applies a first additional pen signal (1) and a second additional pen signal (-1), which are opposite to each other, to a pattern (STx0) located at one edge and a pattern (STx1) immediately adjacent thereto, respectively, during time intervals (t13 to t16) in which a pen driving signal (-1) is applied to a pattern (STx10) located at the other edge among all pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10). Additionally, the touch controller (2000) controls the application of an additional pen signal (-1) to the pattern (STx2) that is relatively furthest from the pattern (STx10) located at the other edge among the remaining pen driving patterns (STx2, STx3, STx4, STx5, STx6, STx9) in the time interval (t16) where the total sum of the pen driving signals applied in each time interval is not '0', in order to make the total sum of the pen driving signals applied in each time interval '0'.

[0076] The driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 9 has the advantage of being able to continuously and stably supply power even if an external stylus pen is positioned anywhere on the entire pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10), since first and second additional pen signals are additionally applied in a predetermined time interval (t0 to t3, t13 to t16) compared to FIG. 8. Meanwhile, the driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 8 has the advantage of being able to relatively reduce power consumption compared to FIG. 9.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied.

[0078] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10, like the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, includes a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx(n-1), FTxn), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0,..., FRxm), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0,..., SRxm). Here, a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) correspond to a plurality of first patterns (101) shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9) correspond to a plurality of second patterns (102) shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) correspond to a plurality of third patterns (103) shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) may correspond to a plurality of fourth patterns (104) shown in FIG. 2.

[0079] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10 differs from the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 in that it is configured such that a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx(n-1), FTxn) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn) extend in the Y direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0,..., FRxm) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0,..., SRxm) extend in the X direction.

[0080] In addition, the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10, unlike the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, further includes first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2). The first side pattern (STxside1) is positioned adjacent to one side of a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn), and the second side pattern (STxside2) is positioned adjacent to the other side of a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn). More specifically, the first side pattern (STxside1) is positioned adjacent to a first pen electrode (STx0) positioned at one edge, and the second side pattern (STxside2) is positioned adjacent to a first pen electrode (STxn) positioned at the other edge. One end of the first side pattern (STxside1) is electrically connected to a conductive pattern (STxC) that electrically connects one end of a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn), and one end of the second side pattern (STxside2) is also electrically connected to the conductive pattern (STxC).

[0081] A plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx(n-1), FTxn), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0,..., FRxm), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0,..., SRxm) of the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10 are disposed in an active area (AA) of the display panel, and first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) are disposed in an inactive area (NAA).

[0082] Here, the active area (AA, or display area) is an area where an image is displayed on the screen of the display panel, and the inactive area (NAA, or death space) is an area for some wiring (electronic circuit) or / and mechanical coupling of the side parts required to drive the pixels of the display panel, and means an area placed at the edge of the active area (AA).

[0083] When the touch controller (2000) shown in FIG. 1 applies a pen driving signal only to the first-0 pen electrode (STx0) positioned at one edge among the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) of the sensor unit shown in FIG. 3, current flows through the first-0 pen electrode (STx0) due to the pen driving signal, but current does not flow through other pen electrodes around the first-0 pen electrode (STx0). Therefore, when an external stylus pen is located between the active area of ​​the display panel and the first-0 pen electrode (STx0), it may be difficult to sufficiently drive the stylus pen.

[0084] However, the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10 has the advantage that, since the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) are electrically connected to a conductive pattern (STxC) that electrically connects one end of a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn) and are further placed in an inactive area (NAA), even if an external stylus pen is located between the active area (AA) of the display panel and the first-0 pen electrode (STx0), or between the active area (AA) and the first-n pen electrode (STxn), the touch controller (2000) can form a current loop by applying a predetermined pen driving signal to the first or second side pattern (STxside1, STxside2).

[0085] The touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 can apply the driving method illustrated in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 directly to the sensor part illustrated in FIG. 10. Specifically, this will be explained with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

[0086] FIGS. 11 and 12 are drawings for explaining driving methods of a touch controller that controls a sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10. Here, FIGS. 11 and 12 assume that there are nine first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx7, STx8) illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0087] The driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the same way as the driving methods illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, can make the total sum of the pen driving signals '0' in each of the time intervals (t0 to t16) in which at least two pen driving signals are applied. By doing so, an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) is not generated in the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel mentioned in FIG. 5, thereby blocking the occurrence of distortion such as flicker on the display screen. Additionally, an unwanted voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) mentioned in FIG. 6 is not generated, thereby blocking the occurrence of noise according to the display screen and brightness.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied.

[0089] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 13 differs from the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 in that each of the plurality of second touch electrodes includes a pair of first receiving electrode units (FRx0a, FRx1a,...,FRx5a) and second receiving electrode units (FRx0b, FRx1b,...,FRx5b), and the rest is the same.

[0090] The first receiving electrodes (FRx0a, FRx1a,...,FRx5a) and the second receiving electrodes (FRx0b, FRx1b,...,FRx5b) can be arranged alternately one by one along one direction (Y).

[0091] The first receiving electrode portion (FRx0a, FRx1a,..., FRx5a) may form mutual capacitance or be arranged right next to some of the driving electrodes (FTx0, FTx2, FTx4, FTx6, FTx8) among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), and may not form mutual capacitance or be arranged right next to the remaining driving electrodes (FTx1, FTx3, FTx5, FTx7, FTx9).

[0092] The second receiving electrode portion (FRx0b, FRx1b,..., FRx5b) may form mutual capacitance with or be placed right next to the remaining driving electrodes (FTx1, FTx3, FTx5, FTx7, FTx9) among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), and may form almost no mutual capacitance with or be placed right next to some of the driving electrodes (FTx0, FTx2, FTx4, FTx6, FTx8).

[0093] The touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 has the advantage of improving proximity sensing sensitivity by differentiating two sensing signals output from a pair of receiving electrodes of each second touch electrode, thereby removing noise (display noise, LGM noise, etc.) during proximity sensing.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied.

[0095] Compared to the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 14 and the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, there is a difference in the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0', FTx1',..., FTx8', FTx9'), and the rest are the same.

[0096] Each of the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0', FTx1',..., FTx8', FTx9') includes a pair of first driving electrode parts (FTx0a, FTx1a,..., FTx9a) and second driving electrode parts (FTx0b, FTx1b,..., FTx9b).

[0097] The first driving electrode section (FTx0a, FTx1a,...,FTx9a) and the second driving electrode section (FTx0b, FTx1b,...,FTx9b) can be arranged alternately one by one in one direction (X).

[0098] The first driving electrode (FTx0a, FTx1a,..., FTx9a) may form mutual capacitance with some of the receiving electrodes (FRx0, FRx2, FRx4) among the plurality of receiving driving electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) or be arranged right next to each other, and may form almost no mutual capacitance with the remaining receiving electrodes (FRx1, FRx3, FRx5) or not be arranged right next to each other.

[0099] The second driving electrode (FTx0b, FTx1b,..., FTx9b) may form mutual capacitance with or be placed right next to the remaining receiving electrodes (FRx1, FRx3, FRx5) among the plurality of receiving driving electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and may form almost no mutual capacitance with or be placed right next to some of the receiving electrodes (FRx0, FRx2, FRx4).

[0100] A first driving signal and a second driving signal can be simultaneously applied to a pair of first and second driving electrode portions of each first touch electrode (FTx0', FTx1',..., FTx8', FTx9'). Here, the first driving signal and the second driving signal may be pulse signals or sine signals with phases shifted by 180 degrees relative to each other.

[0101] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied.

[0102] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 15 differs from the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 in that it has a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes.

[0103] Each of the plurality of second touch electrodes illustrated in FIG. 15 includes a pair of first receiving electrode portions (FRx0a, FRx1a,...,FRx5a) and a second receiving electrode portion (FRx0b, FRx1b,...,FRx5b). Additionally, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes includes a pair of first driving electrode portions (FTx0a, FTx1a,...,FTx9a) and a second driving electrode portion (FTx0b, FTx1b,...,FTx9b).

[0104] FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controllers illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9 can be applied.

[0105] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 16 includes a plurality of first patterns (101), a plurality of third patterns (103), and a plurality of fourth patterns (104).

[0106] Compared to the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of second patterns (102) are omitted in the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 16, and both ends of each first pattern (101) arranged in the first direction (X) are electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) through traces. More specifically, one end of each first pattern (101) is connected to the touch controller (2000) through one trace (or trace pattern), and the other end is connected to the touch controller (2000) through another trace (trace pattern). In this way, the method of electrically connecting both ends of each of the plurality of first patterns (101) to the touch controller (2000) through traces is hereinafter referred to as the 'double routing method'.

[0107] In the sensor unit (100) of FIG. 16, the first pattern (101) can be named as the first pattern in the first direction (X), the third pattern (103) as the first pattern in the second direction (Y), and the fourth pattern (104) as the second pattern in the second direction (Y).

[0108] Of the two ends of the third pattern (103) arranged in the second direction (Y), the end positioned closer to the touch controller (2000) is electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) through a trace, and the other end is electrically floating.

[0109] Of the two ends of the fourth pattern (104) that are positioned adjacent to the third pattern (103) and positioned in the second direction (Y), the end positioned closer to the touch controller (2000) is electrically floating, and the other end is electrically connected to the other ends of the other fourth patterns through one or more traces.

[0110] An electronic device including a sensor unit (100) and a touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 16 can not only detect the position of an object, such as a finger, located on the display screen of the electronic device, but also drive a stylus pen that is in close proximity to or in contact with the screen, and detect the position of the stylus pen located on the screen by sensing a signal emitted from the stylus pen. This will be explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20.

[0111] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a first mode (or touch sensing mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 16 to sense an object, FIG. 18 to 19 are drawings for explaining a second mode (or uplink mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 16 to drive a stylus pen, and FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining a third mode (or downlink mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 16 to sense (or detect) a stylus pen.

[0112] The touch controller (2000) can detect an object, such as a finger, that is in close proximity to or in contact with the sensor unit by using a plurality of first patterns (101) and a plurality of third patterns (103) of the sensor unit. Specifically, referring to FIG. 17, the touch controller (2000) can use the plurality of first patterns (101) of the sensor unit as touch driving electrodes (TX) to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the plurality of third patterns (103) as touch receiving electrodes (RX) to which a touch receiving signal is output. It may be configured in the opposite way.

[0113] The control unit (240) of the touch controller (2000) can control the application of touch driving signals to a plurality of first patterns (101) in the first circuit unit (210) and the second circuit unit (220). To this end, each of the first circuit unit (210) and the second circuit unit (220) can be configured to output a touch driving signal by a control signal from the control unit (240).

[0114] By means of the control unit (240), the first circuit unit (210) can apply a touch driving signal to one end of a plurality of first patterns (101), and the second circuit unit (220) can simultaneously apply the touch driving signal to the other end of a plurality of first patterns (101). When the same touch driving signal is applied to both ends of each first pattern (101) in this way, the position of maximum resistance in each first pattern (101) can be the center of the corresponding first pattern (101).

[0115] The control unit (240) can receive touch detection signals through a plurality of third patterns (103). Each received touch detection signal includes information regarding the amount of change in capacitance between the first pattern (101) and the third pattern (103). The control unit (240) can determine the location of an object based on the amount of change in capacitance.

[0116] Meanwhile, although not shown in a separate drawing, the control unit (240) can control the first pattern (101) and the third pattern (103) respectively to apply a touch driving signal and to output a touch detection signal from the first pattern (101) and the third pattern (103) respectively.

[0117] The touch controller (2000) can form a current loop for driving a stylus pen using a plurality of first patterns (101). The touch controller (2000) can form a current loop for driving a stylus pen through a sensor unit using either of the two methods described below in FIGS. 18 and FIG. 19. Here, the current loop can be formed by applying a pen driving signal to some of the first patterns among the plurality of first patterns (101).

[0118] First, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the touch controller (2000) controls the flow of a preset current in a first direction (X) by applying a pen driving signal to one or more of the first patterns (101) and simultaneously controls the flow of a preset current in a first opposite direction (-X) by applying a pen driving signal to one or more of the other first patterns. Here, the touch controller (2000) can select the one or more first patterns and the one or more other first patterns according to the proximity or contact position of the stylus pen (10). The first pattern(s) placed on the upper side relative to the position of the stylus pen (10) may become the one or more first patterns, and the first pattern(s) placed on the lower side may become the one or more other first patterns.

[0119] The control unit (240) controls the first pen driving signal to be applied to one end of one or more first patterns among a plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and controls the first inverse pen driving signal, which is an inverse signal of the first pen driving signal, to be applied to the other end of one or more first patterns through the second circuit unit (220), so that current in the first direction (X) may flow in the one or more first patterns. Here, the first driving signal may be a pulse waveform signal or a sine waveform signal.

[0120] At the same time, the control unit (240) controls the first inverse pen driving signal to be applied to one end of one or more other first patterns among a plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and controls the first pen driving signal to be applied to the other end of one or more other first patterns through the second circuit unit (220), so that a first opposite direction (-X) current flows in the remaining first patterns.

[0121] At least one current loop can be formed around the stylus pen (10) by a current flowing in a first direction (X) in a first pattern of the above-mentioned portion and a current flowing in a first opposite direction (-X) in a first pattern of the other-mentioned portion. The formed current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field can drive the stylus pen (10) by resonating a resonant circuit provided inside the stylus pen (10).

[0122] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the control unit (240) may control the first pen driving signal to be applied to one end of a portion of the first pattern among the plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and control the other end of the portion of the first pattern to be grounded through the second circuit unit (220), thereby allowing current to flow in the first direction (X) in the portion of the first pattern. At the same time, the control unit (240) may control the first pen driving signal to be applied to one end of the remaining first pattern among the plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and control the other end of the remaining first pattern to be grounded through the second circuit unit (220), thereby allowing current to flow in the first opposite direction (-X) in the remaining first pattern.

[0123] At least one current loop can be formed around the stylus pen (10) by the current flowing in the first direction (X) in the first pattern of the above portion and the current flowing in the first opposite direction (-X) in the remaining first pattern. The current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field can drive the stylus pen (10) by resonating a resonant circuit provided inside the stylus pen (10).

[0124] Here, the touch controller (2000) may apply the driving method illustrated in FIG. 8 to prevent the occurrence of flicker on the display screen or to suppress the occurrence of noise due to changes in the display screen. The touch controller (2000) may control the plurality of first patterns (101) illustrated in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 to become the plurality of pen driving electrodes (STx0 to STx10) illustrated in FIG. 8. Additionally, the touch controller (2000) may apply the driving method illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 as well.

[0125] Furthermore, the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 16 may further include the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) illustrated in FIG. 10. Although not illustrated in a separate drawing, when the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) illustrated in FIG. 10 are applied to the sensor unit of FIG. 16, a first side pattern (not illustrated) may be placed on the first pattern (101) positioned at the uppermost position among the plurality of first patterns (101), and a second side pattern (not illustrated) may be placed below the first pattern positioned at the lowermost position among the plurality of first patterns (101). In this case, the touch controller (2000) may control the sensor unit of FIG. 16, which includes the first and second side patterns, using the driving method illustrated in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12.

[0126] A touch controller (2000) can receive a stylus pen signal (hereinafter referred to as a pen signal) emitted from a stylus pen using a plurality of first patterns (101) and a plurality of third patterns (103), and can determine the position of the stylus pen based on the received pen signal.

[0127] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 20, a pen signal can be detected using a plurality of first patterns (101) and a plurality of third patterns (103).

[0128] The control unit (240) can control the third circuit unit (230) to receive pen signals from each of the plurality of third patterns (103). The control unit (240) can determine the position of the stylus pen in the first direction (X) based on the pen signals received by the third circuit unit (230). Here, the ability to receive pen signals through the plurality of third patterns (103) is due to the fact that an induced signal induced in the fourth pattern (104) is transmitted to the third pattern (103) placed adjacent thereto by the capacitive coupling formed between the adjacent third pattern (103) and the fourth pattern (104).

[0129] Additionally, the control unit (240) can control the first circuit unit (210) so that one end of a plurality of first patterns (101) is electrically grounded, and can control the second circuit unit (220) to receive a pen signal from the other end of each of the plurality of first patterns (101). The control unit (240) can determine the position of the stylus pen in the second direction (Y) based on the pen signals received by the second circuit unit (220).

[0130] In FIG. 20, the first circuit section (210) is configured to electrically ground one end of a plurality of first patterns (101) and the second circuit section (220) is configured to receive a pen signal from the other end of a plurality of first patterns (101), but it may be configured in the opposite way.

[0131] Although the embodiments have been described above, this is merely illustrative and does not limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible within the scope of the essential characteristics of the embodiments. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may be modified. Furthermore, differences related to such modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 An electronic device comprising: a sensor unit; and a controller configured to control the sensor unit; wherein the sensor unit includes a plurality of first patterns arranged in a first direction and a plurality of third patterns arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and wherein the controller applies pen driving signals to drive the stylus pen to a predetermined portion of first patterns corresponding to the position of the stylus pen among the plurality of first patterns during a predetermined time interval, applies a compensation signal to at least one first pattern disposed at a predetermined distance from the portion of first patterns, and controls not to apply signals to the remaining first patterns excluding the portion of first patterns and the first pattern to which the compensation signal is applied, so that the total sum of the pen driving signals and the compensation signal applied simultaneously during the predetermined time interval becomes '0'. Claim 2 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first pattern to which the compensation signal is applied is the one positioned furthest from some of the first patterns among the plurality of first patterns. Claim 3 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein if any one of the first patterns of the plurality is a pattern disposed on one edge of the plurality of first patterns, at least one of the remaining first patterns is disposed on the other edge of the plurality of first patterns. Claim 4 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to apply a first compensation signal and a second compensation signal that are opposite to each other to a pattern located at one edge of the plurality of first patterns and another pattern immediately adjacent thereto, respectively, when the pen driving signal is applied to a pattern located at one edge of the plurality of first patterns in the predetermined time interval. Claim 5 An electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a display panel having an active area and an inactive area, wherein one edge pattern and the other edge pattern among the plurality of first patterns are arranged to overlap with the inactive area, and the remaining patterns are arranged to overlap with the active area. Claim 6 An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor portion comprises: a plurality of second patterns, each formed in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first pattern; and a plurality of fourth patterns, each formed in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the third pattern, wherein one end of the plurality of second patterns is electrically connected to one another and one end of the plurality of fourth patterns is electrically connected to one another. Claim 7 An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the first pattern comprises a first receiving pattern and a second receiving pattern arranged alternately along the first direction. Claim 8 An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the third pattern comprises a first driving pattern and a second driving pattern arranged alternately along the second direction. Claim 9 An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the first pattern includes a first receiving pattern and a second receiving pattern arranged alternately along the first direction, and the third pattern includes a first driving pattern and a second driving pattern arranged alternately along the second direction. Claim 10 An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor part comprises: a plurality of 2-1 patterns, each formed in a second direction different from the first direction; and a plurality of 2-2 patterns, each formed in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the 2-1 patterns, wherein both ends of each of the first patterns are electrically connected to the controller, and one end of each of the plurality of 2-2 patterns is electrically connected to each other.

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