Antenna structure and image display device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antenna structure and an image display device. An antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate layer including a touch sensing area and a touch sensing-antenna area; a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed on the touch sensing area of ​​the substrate layer and arranged in directions intersecting with each other; a plurality of third sensing electrodes disposed on the touch sensing-antenna area of ​​the substrate layer and independently spaced apart from each other; and an antenna pattern disposed on the touch sensing-antenna area of ​​the substrate layer, the antenna pattern including a radiation pattern interposed between the plurality of third sensing electrodes in plan view.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications and priority claims

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0135209, filed on October 29, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an antenna structure and an image display device including the antenna structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna structure combined with a touch sensor structure and an image display device including the antenna structure. Background Art

[0004] Recently, electronic devices capable of inputting a user's direction by selecting an indication displayed on the image display device with a human hand or an object by combining a touch sensor with the image display device have been developed in various forms such as tablet computers.

[0005] In addition, image display devices are combined with communication devices such as smartphones, etc. Therefore, an antenna for realizing high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency band communication can be applied to the image display device.

[0006] As mentioned above, when a touch sensor and antenna are included in a single image display device, a design configuration requires inserting multiple electrodes into a limited space. Furthermore, these electrodes may cause optical interference with the display panel of the image display device and the image it produces. Furthermore, currents or signals passing through the touch sensor's sensing electrodes and antenna may collide with or interfere with each other.

[0007] For example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2014-0092366 discloses that touch screen panels in which touch sensors are coupled to various image display devices have recently been developed. Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0095451 discloses an antenna integrated into a display panel. However, no image display device has been provided in which an antenna and a touch sensor are effectively arranged together. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna structure having improved electrical and optical characteristics and space efficiency.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display device including an antenna structure having improved electrical and optical characteristics and space efficiency.

[0010] (1) An antenna structure comprising: a substrate layer including a touch sensing area and a touch sensing-antenna area; a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed on the touch sensing area of ​​the substrate layer and arranged in directions intersecting each other; a plurality of third sensing electrodes disposed on the touch sensing-antenna area of ​​the substrate layer and independently spaced apart from each other; and an antenna pattern disposed on the touch sensing-antenna area of ​​the substrate layer, the antenna pattern comprising a radiation pattern interposed between the plurality of third sensing electrodes in a plan view.

[0011] (2) The antenna structure according to (1) above, further comprising a bridge electrode electrically connecting the first sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in a first direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer.

[0012] (3) The antenna structure according to (2) above, further comprising a connecting portion for electrically connecting the second sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in a second direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer and perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the connecting portion is integrally connected to the second sensing electrodes.

[0013] (4) The antenna structure according to (3) above, wherein a plurality of first sensing electrode rows are defined by the plurality of first sensing electrodes electrically connected to each other through the bridge electrode, and a plurality of second sensing electrode columns are defined by the plurality of second sensing electrodes connected to each other through the connection portion.

[0014] (5) The antenna structure according to the above (4), further comprising a first trace extending from each of the first sensing electrode rows and a second trace extending from each of the second sensing electrode columns.

[0015] (6) The antenna structure according to the above (5), further comprising a third trace extending from each of the third sensing electrodes.

[0016] (7) The antenna structure according to (1) above, wherein the radiation pattern is located at the same layer or level as the first sensing electrode, the second sensing electrode, and the third sensing electrode.

[0017] (8) The antenna structure according to (1) above, wherein the radiation pattern and the third sensing electrode include mesh structures having the same shape.

[0018] (9) The antenna structure according to the above (8), further comprising a dummy pattern formed between the third sensing electrode and the radiation pattern.

[0019] (10) The antenna structure according to (9) above, wherein the dummy pattern includes a mesh structure having the same shape as the plurality of third sensing electrodes and the radiation pattern.

[0020] (11) The antenna structure according to (1) above, wherein the antenna pattern further includes a transmission line branched and extended from the radiation pattern, and a signal pad electrically connected to an end of the transmission line.

[0021] (12) The antenna structure according to (1) above, wherein the touch sensing area includes a central portion of the substrate layer, and the touch sensing-antenna area is positioned at one end portion of the substrate layer.

[0022] (13) The antenna structure according to (12) above, wherein the substrate layer further includes a circuit connection region positioned at the other end portion of the substrate layer.

[0023] (14) The antenna structure according to (13) above further includes: an antenna driver integrated circuit chip electrically connected to the antenna pattern on the touch sensing-antenna area; and a touch sensor driver integrated circuit chip electrically connected to the first sensing electrode, the second sensing electrode, and the third sensing electrode on the circuit connection area.

[0024] (15) An image display device including the antenna structure according to the above embodiment.

[0025] The antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a sensing electrode and a radiation pattern of an antenna pattern in the same area or at the same level. Therefore, an additional separate space and process for forming an antenna pattern can be omitted, and an antenna pattern substantially integrated with a touch sensor layer can be provided.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing electrodes adjacent to the antenna pattern can each be used as an independent sensing domain. Therefore, although the antenna pattern is inserted between the sensing electrodes, independent touch sensing and required sensitivity can be maintained by each sensing electrode.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes and the antenna pattern may include a mesh structure having, for example, the same structure, and may reduce visibility of the electrodes to a user by enhancing pattern uniformity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view illustrating regions and structures of an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 and Figure 3are a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively, showing an arrangement of sensing electrodes in a touch sensing area of ​​an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an arrangement of sensing electrodes and antenna patterns of an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an arrangement of sensing electrodes and antenna patterns of an antenna structure according to some example embodiments.

[0032] Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an antenna structure including a sensing electrode and an antenna pattern in the same area. The antenna structure may be a touch sensor-antenna structure combined with or integrated with a touch sensor.

[0034] In addition, an image display device including the antenna structure is also provided.

[0035] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the spirit of the present invention and are not intended to limit the subject matter disclosed in the specific embodiments and the appended claims.

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view illustrating regions and structures of an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] For ease of description, Figure 1 The illustration of the sensing electrode and the antenna pattern is omitted and will be referred to later. Figures 2 to 5 Describe in more detail.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 , the antenna structure may include a substrate layer 100 on which a sensing electrode and an antenna pattern are arranged.

[0039] The substrate layer 100 or the antenna structure may include a touch sensing region TR and a touch sensing-antenna region TAR.

[0040] The touch sensing region TR may include a central portion of the substrate layer 100 and may serve as a substantially active area of ​​a touch sensor on which a user's touch input may be sensed.

[0041] The touch sensing-antenna region TAR may be, for example, a region where an antenna pattern is formed for implementing 3G, 4G, or 5G or higher communications corresponding to high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency communications. In an exemplary embodiment, some sensing electrodes of the touch sensor may be distributed in the touch sensing-antenna region TAR along with the antenna pattern.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the touch sensing-antenna area TAR may be allocated to one end portion of the substrate layer 100 to be adjacent to the touch sensing area TR.

[0043] The antenna structure may also include an integrated circuit (IC) chip for driving and controlling the touch sensor and antenna pattern. For example, an antenna driver IC chip 260 may be disposed adjacent to the touch sensing-antenna region TAR and electrically connected to the antenna pattern. A touch sensor driver IC chip 250 may be disposed adjacent to the touch sensing region TR at the other end portion of the substrate layer 100 to electrically connect to the end of the trace branching from the sensing electrode.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, a circuit connection region BR may be allocated to the other end portion of substrate layer 100 or the antenna structure adjacent to touch sensing region TR. For example, traces extending from the sensing electrodes of the touch sensor may be gathered in circuit connection region BR. Electrical connection between touch sensor driver IC chip 250 and the sensing electrodes may be achieved through the ends of the traces.

[0045] In some embodiments, flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) may be disposed between the antenna driving IC chip 260 and the antenna pattern and between the touch sensor driving IC chip 250 and the ends of the traces, respectively.

[0046] Figure 2 and Figure 3 are a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively, showing an arrangement of sensing electrodes in a touch sensing area of ​​an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an arrangement of sensing electrodes and antenna patterns of an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0047] For example, Figure 3 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along the thickness direction along the II' line. Figure 4 2 is a top plan view showing arrangement of electrodes in the touch sensing-antenna area TAR and a touch sensing area TR adjacent to the touch sensing-antenna area TAR.

[0048] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3, the first sensing electrodes 110 and the second sensing electrodes 130 may be arranged to cross each other with reference to Figure 1 On the touch sensing region TR of the substrate layer 100 . In an exemplary embodiment, touch sensing may be implemented on the touch sensing region TR through mutual capacitance formed between the first sensing electrode 110 and the second sensing electrode 130 .

[0049] In the drawings, two directions crossing each other parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer 100 are defined as a first direction and a second direction. For example, the first direction and the second direction may be perpendicular to each other.

[0050] The antenna structure may include sensing electrodes 110 and 130 , a bridge electrode 115 , and a connection portion 135 arranged on the touch sensing region TR of the substrate layer 100 .

[0051] The substrate layer 100 may broadly include a supporting layer or film-type member for forming the sensing electrodes 110 and 130 and the antenna pattern to be described later. For example, the substrate layer 100 may include a film material commonly used for touch sensors, and may include, for example, glass, polymers, and / or inorganic insulating materials. Examples of polymers may include cycloolefin polymers (COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylates (PAR), polyetherimides (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylates, polyimides (PI), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), polyethersulfone (PES), cellulose triacetate (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and the like. Examples of inorganic insulating materials include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, metal oxides, and the like.

[0052] In some embodiments, a layer or film member of an image display device in which an antenna structure is inserted may be used as the substrate layer 100. For example, an encapsulation layer or a passivation layer included in a display panel may be used as the substrate layer 100.

[0053] The first sensing electrodes 110 may be arranged along the first direction. Each of the first sensing electrodes 110 may have an independent island pattern shape, and adjacent first sensing electrodes 110 in the first direction may be electrically connected to each other via a bridge electrode 115.

[0054] Therefore, a first sensing electrode row extending in the first direction may be defined, and a plurality of first sensing electrode rows may be arranged along the second direction.

[0055] The second sensing electrodes 130 may be arranged along the second direction. Second sensing electrodes 130 adjacent to each other in the second direction may be connected to each other via a connecting portion 135. The second sensing electrodes 130 and the connecting portion 135 may be integrally connected to each other to serve as a substantially single member. In this case, the second sensing electrodes 130 and the connecting portion 135 may be patterned together from the same conductive layer and may be positioned at the same layer or level.

[0056] Therefore, a second sensing electrode column extending in the second direction may be defined, and a plurality of second sensing electrode columns may be arranged along the first direction.

[0057] The traces may branch and extend from each of the first sensing electrode rows and the second sensing electrode columns. For example, the first trace 140 may branch and extend from each first sensing electrode row. The second trace 145 may branch and extend from each second sensing electrode column.

[0058] The first traces 140 and 145 may extend along, for example, an outer peripheral portion of the substrate layer 100 and may be concentrated at Figure 1 Therefore, as described above, the ends of the first trace 140 and the second trace 145 can be used to achieve adhesion with the touch sensor driver IC chip 50 .

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, an insulating layer 120 may be formed on substrate layer 100 to at least partially cover first sensing electrodes 110 and connection portion 135. Bridge electrodes 115 may be provided on insulating layer 120 to electrically connect adjacent first sensing electrodes 110 to each other through, for example, contact holes formed in insulating layer 120.

[0060] A passivation layer 150 for protecting the touch sensor may be formed on the insulating layer 120 and the bridge electrode 115 .

[0061] The insulating layer 120 and the passivation layer 150 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, etc., and / or an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, siloxane resin, etc.

[0062] The sensing electrodes 110 and 130, the bridge electrode 115, and / or the traces 140 and 145 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy containing at least one of the above metals (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC) or copper-calcium (CuCa)). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0063] Sensing electrodes 110 and 130, bridging electrode 115 and / or traces 140 and 145 may include transparent conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), etc.

[0064] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110 and 130, the bridging electrode 115, and / or the traces 140 and 145 may include a stacked structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer. For example, the sensing electrodes 110 and 130, the bridging electrode 115, and / or the traces 140 and 145 may have a three-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer, a metal layer, and a transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, the low-resistance metal layer can improve flexibility and signal transmission speed, while the transparent conductive oxide layer can improve corrosion resistance and transparency.

[0065] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110 and 130 may include a mesh structure including a plurality of electrode lines crossing each other.

[0066] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110 and 130 and the bridging electrode 150 may have a bottom bridge type arrangement. In this case, the bridging electrode 150 may be disposed below the sensing electrodes 110 and 130. For example, the bridging electrode 115 may include a low-resistance metal and may be disposed away from the visible surface (e.g., the top surface of the passivation layer 150) to reduce light reflection and channel resistance.

[0067] Reference Figure 4 , as referenced Figure 2 and Figure 3 As described above, the first sensing electrodes 110 and the second sensing electrodes 130 may be arranged on the touch sensing region TR of the substrate layer 100 according to a mutual capacitance operation type arrangement.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the third sensing electrode 160 and the antenna pattern 200 may be disposed together on the touch sensing-antenna region TAR of the substrate layer 100 .

[0069] Antenna pattern 200 may include radiation pattern 210, transmission line 220, and signal pad 230. Radiation pattern 210 may have, for example, a polygonal plate shape, and transmission line 220 may branch and extend from radiation pattern 210. Signal pad 230 may be electrically connected to an end portion of transmission line 220.

[0070] The antenna pattern 200 may include a conductive material substantially the same as or similar to the sensing electrodes 110 and 130. For example, the antenna pattern 200 may include the above metal or alloy or transparent conductive oxide and may have a multi-layer structure of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer.

[0071] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 210 and the transmission line 220 may have a mesh structure including a plurality of electrode lines crossing each other. In one embodiment, the radiation pattern 210 and the transmission line 220 may be formed as a substantially single member including a mesh structure.

[0072] The signal pad 230 may be formed, for example, as a solid pattern including the above-mentioned metal or alloy to reduce feeding resistance. Figure 1 The illustrated antenna driving IC chip 260 may be electrically connected to the signal pads 230 of the antenna pattern 200 via, for example, an FPCB.

[0073] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the transmission line 220 may be formed as a solid pattern.

[0074] The third sensing electrode 160 may be provided around the antenna pattern 200. For example, a plurality of antenna patterns 200 and a plurality of third sensing electrodes 160 may be arranged in an array form on the touch sensing antenna region TAR.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the third sensing electrodes 160 may each be provided as an independent island pattern. The third sensing electrodes may be electrically and physically separated from each other to serve as independent touch sensing domains. For example, the third sensing electrodes 160 may each serve as a self-capacitance sensing electrode.

[0076] Therefore, the third trace 170 may be branched and extended from each of the third sensing electrodes 160. For example, the third trace 170 may be extended along the outer peripheral portion of the substrate layer 100 to Figure 1 The circuit connection area BR is shown.

[0077] For example, an end of the third trace 170 may be electrically connected to the touch sensor driver IC chip 250. Therefore, the touch sensing operation in the touch sensing region TR and the touch sensing-antenna region TAR may be controlled by the touch sensor driver IC chip 250.

[0078] The third sensing electrode 160 may be physically and electrically separated from the antenna pattern 200. For example, when Figure 4 When viewed in the plan view shown, the third sensing electrode 160 and the antenna pattern 200 may be separated from each other by the dummy region DR. Therefore, mutual electrical interference and signal interference between touch sensing and antenna driving may be prevented.

[0079] Third sensing electrode 160 may include a conductive material substantially the same as or similar to first sensing electrode 110 and second sensing electrode 130. For example, third sensing electrode 160 may include the above-mentioned metal, alloy, and / or transparent conductive oxide.

[0080] In some embodiments, the third sensing electrode 160 may include a mesh structure. For example, the third sensing electrode 160 may include a mesh structure substantially the same as or similar to the radiation pattern 210 of the antenna pattern 200. Thus, electrode visibility due to shape changes of the conductive pattern in the touch sensing-antenna region TAR may be reduced or prevented.

[0081] In one embodiment, the first sensing electrode 110 , the second sensing electrode 130 , the third sensing electrode 160 , and the radiation pattern 210 may all have substantially the same or similar mesh structures.

[0082] Third sensing electrode 160 may be located at the same layer or level as first sensing electrode 110 and second sensing electrode 130. For example, third sensing electrode 160 may be disposed on substrate layer 100 together with first sensing electrode 110 and second sensing electrode 130.

[0083] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 210 of the antenna pattern 200 may be disposed on the same layer or level as the third sensing electrode 160. For example, the radiation pattern 210 may be disposed on the substrate layer 100 together with the third sensing electrode 160. In this case, Figure 4 As shown, the radiation pattern 210 may be inserted or embedded between adjacent third sensing electrodes 160 .

[0084] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 210 of the antenna pattern 200 may be located at a different layer or level than the third sensing electrode 160. For example, the radiation pattern 210 may be located at a higher level than the third sensing electrode 160.

[0085] For example, the antenna pattern 200 may be provided together with the bridge electrode 115 on the insulating layer 120 (see FIG. Figure 3 ). In this case, refer again to Figure 4 , the antenna pattern 200 may be disposed so as not to overlap with the third sensing electrode 160 in a plan view.

[0086] Therefore, signal reception and field formation by the radiation pattern 210 may be prevented from being interfered with or hindered by the third sensing electrode 160 .

[0087] As described above, the antenna pattern 200 or the radiation pattern 210 may be formed on the same layer or level as the sensing electrodes 110 and 130 or the bridge electrode 115 included in the touch sensing region TR. Therefore, while maintaining the independence of antenna driving through the radiation pattern 210, a structure in which a touch sensor and an antenna can be integrated into one product or unit can be realized.

[0088] In addition, the third sensing electrode 160 of the self-capacitive type may be provided around the antenna pattern 200, so that a touch sensing function can be provided even in an area adjacent to the antenna pattern 200. The third sensing electrode 160 may serve as an independent sensing domain, so that mutual signal interference due to parasitic capacitance with the radiation pattern 210 may be reduced.

[0089] The first sensing electrodes 110 and the second sensing electrodes 130 can be arranged in the touch sensing region TR by mutual capacitance to form first traces 140 and second traces 145 for each sensing electrode row and each sensing electrode column, respectively.

[0090] Therefore, in the touch sensing area serving as an actual touch valid area, touch sensing with high sensitivity and high resolution compared to the touch sensing-antenna area TAR can be achieved.

[0091] Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an arrangement of sensing electrodes and antenna patterns of an antenna structure according to some example embodiments.

[0092] Reference Figure 5 , the dummy pattern 240 may be formed in the dummy region DR separating the third sensing electrode 160 and the antenna pattern 200 from each other.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, the dummy pattern 240 may be formed into a mesh structure in which a plurality of electrode lines including the above-mentioned metal, alloy, or transparent conductive oxide may intersect with each other. In one embodiment, the dummy pattern 240 may have a mesh structure substantially the same as or similar to the third sensing electrode 160 and the radiation pattern 210.

[0094] The dummy pattern 240 may be patterned to be electrically and physically separated from the third sensing electrode 160 and the antenna pattern 200. Due to the insertion of the dummy pattern 240, the shape and arrangement uniformity of the conductive pattern in the touch sensing-antenna region TAR may be further improved, and thus visual recognition of the electrode pattern may be effectively prevented.

[0095] Furthermore, dummy pattern 240 can shield or absorb noise between third sensing electrode 160 and antenna pattern 200. Therefore, independence and reliability of touch sensing through third sensing electrode 160 and antenna feeding / radiation through antenna pattern 200 can be further improved.

[0096] In some embodiments, the dummy pattern 240 may include a cutting area from which the electrode line can be cut. In this case, self-electrical interference caused by the dummy pattern 240 can be prevented, and the handling reliability of the third sensing electrode 160 and the antenna pattern 200 can be further improved.

[0097] Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view showing an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, Figure 6 An external shape of an image display device including a window is shown.

[0098] Reference Figure 6 The image display device 300 may include a display area 310 and a peripheral area 320. For example, the peripheral area 320 may be provided at two lateral portions and / or two end portions of the display area 310. The peripheral area 320 may correspond to, for example, a light shielding portion or a frame portion of the image display device.

[0099] The above-described antenna structure may be provided on the display region 310 and the peripheral region 320 of the image display device 300 , and the first sensing electrode 110 and the second sensing electrode 130 of the touch sensing region TR may be arranged in the display region 310 .

[0100] The touch sensing-antenna area TAR may be located on the display area 310 and the peripheral area 320. For example, the radiation pattern 210 of the antenna pattern 200 and the third sensing electrode 160 surrounding the radiation pattern 210 may also be at least partially arranged in the display area 310. As described above, the radiation pattern 210 and the third sensing electrode 160 may be formed using a mesh structure to prevent visual recognition by the user.

[0101] The antenna pattern 200 and the third sensing electrode 160 may also be distributed in the peripheral area 320. For example, touch sensing sensitivity for identifying a home button or a key button in the peripheral area 320 may be provided by the third sensing electrode 160.

[0102] Figure 4 The signal pads 230 of the antenna pattern 200 shown may be disposed in the peripheral region 320. In addition, the touch sensor driver IC chip 250 and the antenna driver IC chip 260 may be disposed in the peripheral region 320 to be electrically connected to the pads connected to the sensing electrodes 110, 130, and 160 and the signal pads 230 of the antenna pattern 200, respectively.

[0103] According to the above exemplary embodiment, the antenna pattern 200 of the antenna structure may be integrated with the sensing electrodes 110 , 130 , and 160 of the touch sensor in the same region or portion, so that the spatial freedom of the image display device may be increased.

Claims

1. An antenna structure, characterized in that: include: a substrate layer including a touch sensing area and a touch sensing-antenna area; a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes, which are provided on the touch sensing area of ​​the substrate layer and arranged in directions crossing each other and arranged in a mutual capacitance manner; a bridging electrode electrically connecting adjacent first sensing electrodes in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate layer; a connecting portion for electrically connecting the second sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in a second direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer and perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the connecting portion is integrally connected to the second sensing electrodes; a plurality of third sensing electrodes, which are provided on the touch sensing-antenna region of the substrate layer and are independently separated from each other and arranged by means of self-capacitance; a third trace extending from each of the third sense electrodes; as well as a plurality of antenna patterns each disposed on the touch sensing-antenna region of the substrate layer, each of the antenna patterns including a radiation pattern interposed between the third sensing electrodes in plan view; All of the third sensing electrodes have shapes different from those of the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes. The third sensing electrode is arranged along one end of the touch sensing-antenna area, The radiation pattern is located at a layer higher than the third sensing electrode and at the same layer or level as the bridge electrode. A plurality of first sensing electrode rows are defined by the plurality of first sensing electrodes electrically connected to each other through the bridge electrodes, and a plurality of second sensing electrode columns are defined by the plurality of second sensing electrodes connected to each other through the connection portions, and The antenna structure also includes a first trace extending from each of the first sensing electrode rows and a second trace extending from each of the second sensing electrode columns.

2. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein: The radiation pattern and the third sensing electrode include mesh structures of the same shape.

3. The antenna structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A dummy pattern is further included that is formed between the third sensing electrode and the radiation pattern.

4. The antenna structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The dummy pattern includes a mesh structure having the same shape as the plurality of third sensing electrodes and the radiation pattern.

5. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna pattern further includes a transmission line branched and extended from the radiation pattern, and a signal pad electrically connected to an end of the transmission line.

6. The antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The touch sensing area includes a central portion of the substrate layer, and the touch sensing-antenna area is positioned at one end portion of the substrate layer.

7. The antenna structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The substrate layer further includes a circuit connection region positioned at the other end portion of the substrate layer.

8. The antenna structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: an antenna driving integrated circuit chip electrically connected to the antenna pattern on the touch sensing-antenna area; as well as A touch sensor driving integrated circuit chip is electrically connected to the first sensing electrode, the second sensing electrode, and the third sensing electrode on the circuit connection area.

9. An image display device, characterized in that: Comprising the antenna structure according to claim 1.

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