Antenna insertion type electrode structure and image display device

Abstract

According to embodiments of the present invention, an antenna-insertion electrode structure and an image display device are provided. The antenna-insertion electrode structure includes a substrate layer having a touch sensing area and an antenna-touch sensing area, a first sensing electrode disposed on the touch sensing area of the substrate layer, a second sensing electrode disposed on the antenna-touch sensing area of the substrate layer, and an antenna unit spaced apart from the second sensing electrode on the antenna-touch sensing area of the substrate layer. The antenna unit and the second sensing electrode comprise a conductive material having a lower resistance than the first sensing electrode.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0100222 filed on August 11, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an antenna-insertion electrode structure and an image display device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna-insertion electrode structure including an antenna unit and a sensing electrode, and an image display device including the antenna-insertion electrode structure. Background Art

[0004] Recently, electronic devices capable of inputting user commands by selecting instructions displayed on an image display device through a human hand or an object have been implemented in various forms, such as smartphones, tablet computers, etc., through a combination of an image display device and a touch sensor.

[0005] In addition, the image display device is combined with a communication device such as a smart phone. For example, an antenna for realizing high frequency or ultra-high frequency 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 structure is required to insert multiple electrodes within a limited space. In addition, when the electrodes are arranged in the display area of the image display device, light transmittance may be reduced and image quality may be degraded.

[0007] A high frequency or ultra-high frequency antenna may be prone to signal loss, and if the antenna is formed using the same design and material as the sensing electrodes of the touch sensor, sufficient antenna radiation characteristics may not be achieved.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an electrode configuration that improves touch sensitivity and radiation characteristics while taking into account improvement of image characteristics in a display area.

[0009] For example, as disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2014-0092366, touch screen panels that combine touch sensors with 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 that effectively integrates an antenna and a touch sensor has been disclosed. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna-integrated electrode structure having improved electrical and optical characteristics.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display device including an antenna-integrated electrode structure having improved electrical and optical characteristics.

[0012] The above aspects of the present invention will be achieved through one or more of the following features or configurations:

[0013] (1) An antenna-insertion electrode structure comprising: a substrate layer having a touch sensing area and an antenna-touch sensing area; a first sensing electrode disposed on the touch sensing area of the substrate layer; a second sensing electrode disposed on the antenna-touch sensing area of the substrate layer; and an antenna unit spaced apart from the second sensing electrode on the antenna-touch sensing area of the substrate layer, wherein the antenna unit and the second sensing electrode comprise a conductive material having a lower resistance than the first sensing electrode.

[0014] (2) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (1) above, wherein the first sensing electrode comprises a transparent conductive oxide.

[0015] (3) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (2) above, wherein the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit have a mesh structure formed of metal or alloy.

[0016] (4) The antenna insertion electrode structure according to the above (3), further comprising a dummy mesh electrode provided between the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit so as to be spaced apart from the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit.

[0017] (5) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (2) above, wherein the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit include metal nanowires or conductive polymers.

[0018] (6) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (2) above, wherein the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit have a multilayer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer.

[0019] (7) The antenna insertion electrode structure according to (1) above, wherein the first sensing electrodes include a first horizontal row sensing electrode and a first vertical column sensing electrode, and the second sensing electrodes include a second horizontal row sensing electrode and a second vertical column sensing electrode.

[0020] (8) The antenna insertion electrode structure according to (7) above further includes: a first bridging electrode electrically connecting first horizontal row sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction in the first horizontal row sensing electrodes on the touch sensing area; and a first connector connecting first vertical column sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the vertical direction in the first vertical column sensing electrodes on the touch sensing area.

[0021] (9) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (8) above further includes: an intermediate electrode disposed around the antenna unit on the antenna-touch sensing area to electrically connect the second horizontal row sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction in the second horizontal row sensing electrodes; and a second connector disposed around the antenna unit on the antenna-touch sensing area to connect the second vertical column sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the vertical direction in the second vertical column sensing electrodes.

[0022] (10) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (9) above further includes a second bridging electrode that connects the middle electrode and a second horizontal row of sensing electrodes adjacent in the horizontal direction on the antenna-touch sensing area, wherein the middle electrode is arranged to be spaced apart from the second horizontal row of sensing electrodes.

[0023] (11) The antenna insertion type electrode structure according to (9) above, wherein the second connector has a shape different from that of the first connector.

[0024] (12) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (7) above, wherein the first horizontal row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the horizontal direction to form a first horizontal row of sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction on the touch sensing area, and the second horizontal row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the horizontal direction to form a second horizontal row of sensing electrodes on the antenna-touch sensing area.

[0025] (13) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (12) above, wherein the antenna unit and the second sensing electrodes are arranged on the same plane and overlap in the horizontal direction.

[0026] (14) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (12) above, wherein the first column sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the column direction to form first sensing electrode columns spaced apart from each other along the horizontal direction on the touch sensing area, and the second column sensing electrodes are connected to the first sensing electrode columns.

[0027] (15) The antenna-insertion electrode structure according to (1) above, wherein the antenna unit and the second sensing electrode include the same conductive material.

[0028] (16) An image display device including the antenna-insertion electrode structure according to the above embodiment.

[0029] In the antenna-insertion electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first sensing electrode provided in the touch sensing area and the electrodes (antenna unit and second sensing electrodes) provided in the antenna-touch sensing area can be formed of different conductive materials. For example, the antenna unit and the second sensing electrode can be formed of a conductive material having a lower resistance than the first sensing electrode, and the first sensing electrode can be formed of a conductive material having a relatively high light transmittance.

[0030] Therefore, the moiré phenomenon can be prevented while improving the light transmittance in the touch sensing area, and sufficient antenna radiation characteristics in a high frequency band or an ultra-high frequency band can be achieved in the antenna-touch sensing area.

[0031] In some embodiments, the second sensing electrodes disposed in the antenna-touch sensing area can be connected to each other via an intermediate electrode or a connector formed along the periphery of the antenna unit. Thus, even when the antenna pattern is inserted, the desired touch sensitivity can be maintained while maintaining channel continuity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna insertion type electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 and Figure 3 1 and 2 are respectively a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a sensing electrode in an antenna insertion type electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna insertion electrode structure according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0035] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged top plan view illustrating arrangement of electrodes and patterns in an antenna insertion type electrode structure according to some example embodiments.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an antenna-insertion electrode structure is provided, which includes an antenna unit and a sensing electrode that can be arranged on the same plane and can include different materials. In addition, an image display device including the antenna-insertion electrode structure is provided.

[0038] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are provided for further understanding of the spirit of the present invention and are not intended to limit the subject matter disclosed in the detailed description and the appended claims.

[0039] The terms "column direction" and "row direction" used herein do not refer to absolute directions, but are used to relatively refer to two different directions.

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna insertion type electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 and Figure 3 1 and 2 are respectively a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a sensing electrode in an antenna insertion type electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Specifically, Figure 2 2 is a partially enlarged top plan view showing the arrangement of sensing electrodes in the touch sensing region TR. Figure 3 In the thickness direction along Figure 2 For example, Figure 3 yes Figure 1 , which is a cross-sectional view of an intersection area C of the horizontal row sensing electrodes and the vertical column sensing electrodes.

[0042] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The antenna-insertion electrode structure may include a substrate layer 100 on which the sensing electrode and the antenna unit are disposed.

[0043] The substrate layer 100 or the antenna-interposition electrode structure may include a touch sensing area TR and an antenna-touch sensing area AR.

[0044] The touch sensing region TR may include the central portion of the substrate layer 100 and may be substantially used as an active region of the touch sensor for substantially sensing a user's touch input. In an exemplary embodiment, the active region AR may substantially correspond to a display region of the image display device. The antenna-touch sensing region AR may be provided adjacent to one end of the touch sensing region TR.

[0045] The antenna-touch sensing region TR may be, for example, an area where an antenna unit 50 for implementing high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, or higher) mobile communications is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, some sensing electrodes of the touch sensor may be distributed in the antenna-touch sensing region AR together with the antenna unit 50.

[0046] In one embodiment, Figure 5As shown, the antenna unit 50 and the sensing electrodes (second sensing electrodes) can be distributed throughout the antenna-touch sensing area AR. In one embodiment, the area where the antenna unit 50 is provided and the area where the second sensing electrodes are provided in the antenna-touch sensing area AR can be divided in the vertical column direction or the horizontal row direction.

[0047] The substrate layer 100 may include a support layer or a thin film substrate for forming the sensing electrodes and the antenna unit. For example, the substrate layer 100 may include a thin film material commonly used for touch sensors without particular limitation, and may include, for example, glass, polymer, and / or inorganic insulating material.

[0048] Examples of polymers may include cycloolefin polymer (COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallyl compound, polyimide (PI), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), polyethersulfone (PES), cellulose triacetate (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), etc. Examples of inorganic insulating materials may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, metal oxides, etc.

[0049] In some embodiments, a layer or film member of an image display device to which an antenna-interposed electrode structure is applied 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.

[0050] The sensing electrodes may be configured to operate in a mutual capacitance mode. The sensing electrodes may include a first row of sensing electrodes 110 and a first column of sensing electrodes 120 disposed on the touch sensing region TR. The sensing electrodes may also include a second row of sensing electrodes 130 and a second column of sensing electrodes 140 disposed on the antenna-touch sensing region AR.

[0051] The antenna unit 50 may be provided to be electrically and physically isolated or separated from the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 on the antenna-touch sensing area AR. For example, a plurality of antenna units 50 may be provided in the space between the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140.

[0052] The first row of sensing electrodes 110 and the second row of sensing electrodes 130 may be arranged along the row direction and may each have an independent island pattern shape. The first row of sensing electrodes 110 adjacent to each other in the row direction may be electrically connected to each other through the first bridge electrode 115. The second row of sensing electrodes 130 adjacent to each other in the row direction may be electrically connected to each other through the second bridge electrode 135 (see FIG. Figure 5 ).

[0053] Therefore, the horizontal rows of sensing electrodes arranged in the horizontal direction may be connected to form a horizontal row of sensing electrodes extending in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of horizontal rows of sensing electrodes may be arranged along the column direction.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of sensing electrode rows may be disposed on the antenna-touch sensing area AR together with the antenna unit 50. Therefore, the antenna unit 50 may overlap with the at least one sensing electrode row on the same plane in the row direction.

[0055] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes in a row are arranged in a plan view (in Figure 1 The horizontal row of sensing electrodes arranged at the bottom (in the view of FIG) may be arranged on the antenna-touch sensing area AR together with the antenna unit 50.

[0056] The sensing electrode rows include a first sensing electrode row SR1 disposed on the touch sensing area TR and a second sensing electrode row SR2 disposed on the antenna-touch sensing area AR.

[0057] The first column sensing electrodes 120 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may be arranged along the column direction. The first column sensing electrodes 120 may be connected to each other through the first connector 125. The first column sensing electrodes 120 and the first connector 125 may be integrally connected to each other, thereby being provided as a substantially single member. The second column sensing electrodes 140 may be connected to each other through the second connector 145 (see FIG. Figure 5 The second column sensing electrodes 140 and the second connector 145 may be integrally connected to each other, thereby being provided as a substantially single member.

[0058] For example, the first column sensing electrodes 120 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may be connected together in the column direction via the first connector 125 and the second connector 145. Thus, a column of sensing electrodes extending in the column direction across the entire touch sensing region TR and the antenna-touch sensing region AR may be defined. Multiple columns of sensing electrodes may be arranged along the horizontal direction.

[0059] The aforementioned sensing electrodes and the antenna unit 50 may be located at the same layer or the same level.

[0060] like Figure 3As shown, an insulating layer 150 covering the antenna unit and the sensing electrodes may be formed on the top surface of the substrate layer 100. Bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may be formed on the insulating layer 150. The bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may be formed through the insulating layer 150 to electrically connect adjacent horizontal rows of sensing electrodes 110 and 130 to each other.

[0061] A protective layer 160 may be formed on the insulating layer 150 to cover the bridge electrodes 115 and 135. The insulating layer 150 and the protective layer 160 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, or an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin or siloxane-based resin.

[0062] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each sensing electrode can have a rhombus or diamond shape. However, considering the optical characteristics, the shape of the sensing electrode can be appropriately changed to prevent moiré patterns and visual recognition of the electrode. For example, the boundary of the sensing electrode can have a wavy shape.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120 disposed in the touch sensing region TR may include a conductive material different from that of the antenna unit 50 disposed in the antenna-touch sensing region AR.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120 may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), etc.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first row-row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column-column sensing electrodes 120 may be solid patterns formed of transparent conductive oxide. Therefore, when using transparent conductive oxide having a relatively high resistance compared to metals or alloys, sufficient charge flow area can be provided.

[0066] Furthermore, sufficient light transmittance may be obtained on the touch sensing region TR substantially completely overlapping with the display region, and a moiré phenomenon generated by a circuit structure included in the display panel may be suppressed.

[0067] In one embodiment, the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120 may be substantially composed of a transparent conductive oxide and may not include other conductive materials. In one embodiment, the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120 may have a single-layer structure formed of a transparent conductive oxide.

[0068] The antenna unit 50 may include a material having lower resistance (e.g., sheet resistance) than the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120. Therefore, sufficient radiation characteristics can be achieved while reducing the signal resistance of the antenna unit 50 formed in a relatively small area at one end of the substrate layer 100.

[0069] In some embodiments, the antenna unit 50 may have a mesh structure formed of a metal or alloy. For example, the antenna unit 50 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), tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy containing at least one of these metals. These metals may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0070] In one embodiment, the antenna unit 50 may include silver or a silver-containing alloy (eg, silver-palladium-copper (APC)) or copper or a copper-containing alloy (eg, copper-calcium (CuCa)) to achieve low resistance and fine line width.

[0071] In one embodiment, the antenna element 50 may include metal nanowires (eg, silver nanowires).

[0072] In one embodiment, the antenna unit 50 may include a conductive polymer having a lower resistance than a transparent conductive oxide. For example, the antenna unit 50 may include PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)).

[0073] In one embodiment, the antenna unit 50 may have a multilayer structure including a metal layer. For example, the antenna unit 50 may have a multilayer structure including a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer, or a multilayer structure including a first transparent conductive oxide layer, a metal layer, and a second transparent conductive oxide layer stacked in sequence.

[0074] In this case, the metal layer can improve flexibility, reduce resistance and increase signal transmission speed, and can improve corrosion resistance and transparency by using a transparent conductive oxide layer.

[0075] The second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 disposed in the antenna-touch sensing area AR may include the same conductive material as the antenna unit 50 described above. For example, the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may include a metal / alloy, metal nanowires, a multilayer structure of a low-resistance conductive polymer, or a metal layer / transparent conductive oxide layer.

[0076] Therefore, the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may be formed by the same film forming process and etching process as the antenna unit 50. In addition, for example, the touch sensing sensitivity in the end region of the image display device having a relatively small area can be effectively improved.

[0077] As described above, the user's touch input can be easily transmitted over a large area in the touch sensing region TR, thereby achieving sufficient touch sensing even when a material with relatively high sheet resistance may be used. Therefore, in the touch sensing region TR, an electrode can be formed using a transparent conductive oxide having relatively high light transmittance, thereby providing sufficient light transmittance in the image display device.

[0078] In the relatively small antenna-touch sensing area AR, electrodes made of the aforementioned low-resistance materials can be provided to achieve sufficient antenna gain, radiation characteristics, and touch sensing. Furthermore, considering the light transmittance in the antenna-touch sensing area AR, electrodes with a mesh structure can be provided.

[0079] Refer again Figure 1 , the row traces 180 and the column traces 185 may extend from the end portions of the above-mentioned sensing electrode rows and sensing electrode columns, respectively. The traces 180 and 185 may extend over the peripheral area of the touch sensing region TR to the touch sensor bonding area (e.g., Figure 1 The area below the touch sensor driver integrated circuit (IC) chip 190 is shown).

[0080] For example, the ends of the traces 180 and 185 may be assembled on the touch sensor bonding area to be electrically connected to the touch sensor driver IC chip 190. Figure 1 The detailed extension and connection structure of the traces 180 and 185 are omitted.

[0081] One end portion of the substrate layer 100 may be used as an antenna bonding region ABR (see FIG. Figure 5 The antenna driving IC chip 195 and the antenna unit 50 may be electrically connected via the antenna bonding region.

[0082] In some embodiments, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may be provided between the antenna driver IC chip 195 and the antenna unit 50, and between the touch sensor driver IC chip 190 and the ends of the traces 180 and 185. For example, the antenna driver IC chip 195 may be directly mounted on the FPCB.

[0083] In one embodiment, an additional intermediate circuit board (eg, a rigid printed circuit board) may be further provided between the flexible printed circuit board and the antenna driving IC chip 195 .

[0084] Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna insertion electrode structure according to some exemplary embodiments. Figures 1 to 3 Detailed description of elements and structures described that are substantially the same or similar.

[0085] Reference Figure 4 , the antenna-touch sensing area AR may be disposed adjacent to a side of the touch sensing area TR.

[0086] In this case, the antenna unit 50 may overlap with at least one of the sensing electrode columns defined by connecting the column sensing electrodes 130 and 140 in the column direction as described above.

[0087] For example, the first sensing electrode column SC1 may be disposed in the touch sensing region TR, and the second sensing electrode column SC2 may be disposed in the antenna-touch sensing region AR. The antenna unit 50 may be disposed in the antenna-touch sensing region AR together with the second sensing electrode column SC2.

[0088] As described above, the antenna unit 50 , the second row sensing electrodes 130 , and the second column sensing electrodes 140 disposed in the antenna-touch sensing area AR may include a low-resistance conductive material different from the conductive material included in the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120 .

[0089] In some embodiments, the antenna-touch sensing area AR may be disposed adjacent to both sides of the touch sensing area TR.

[0090] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged top plan view illustrating arrangement of electrodes and patterns in an antenna insertion type electrode structure according to some example embodiments.

[0091] Reference Figure 5 As described above, the antenna unit 50 , the second row sensing electrodes 130 , and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may be disposed together on the antenna-touch sensing area AR of the substrate layer 100 .

[0092] Antenna unit 50 may include a radiation pattern 52 and a transmission line 54. Radiation pattern 52 may have a polygonal pattern shape, such as a diamond shape. Transmission line 54 may extend from one end of radiation pattern 52. In some embodiments, radiation pattern 52 and transmission line 54 may be a substantially single member integrally connected to each other.

[0093] The signal pad 56 may be connected to an end of the transmission line 54. A ground pad 58 may be provided around the signal pad 56. For example, a pair of ground pads 58 may be provided facing each other with the signal pad 56 interposed therebetween. The ground pad 58 may be electrically and physically separated from the transmission line 54 and the signal pad 56.

[0094] The signal pad 56 and the ground pad 58 may be provided in the antenna bonding region ABR allocated to one end portion of the substrate layer 100 adjacent to the antenna-touch sensing region AR. As described above, the signal pad 56 and the antenna driving IC chip 195 may be electrically connected to each other on the antenna bonding region ABR, for example, through a flexible printed circuit board.

[0095] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 52 and the transmission line 54 may include a mesh structure including the aforementioned low-resistance metal or alloy. The signal pad 56 and the ground pad 58 may be solid patterns including the aforementioned low-resistance metal or alloy to reduce circuit connection resistance.

[0096] In some embodiments, an intermediate electrode 133 for connecting the second row of sensing electrodes 130 may be formed on the antenna-touch sensing area AR. The intermediate electrode 133 may be formed around the antenna unit 50, for example, along the periphery of the radiation pattern 52. The intermediate electrode 133 may be electrically connected to the adjacent second row of sensing electrodes 130 via the second bridging electrode 135.

[0097] Therefore, even when the second row of sensing channels SR2 overlaps the antenna unit 50 in the row direction, the electrical continuity of the row of sensing channels can be maintained across the antenna-touch sensing area AR through the intermediate electrodes 133 .

[0098] In some embodiments, the second column sensing electrodes 140 can be connected to each other in the antenna-touch sensing area AR through second connectors 145. In one embodiment, the second column sensing electrodes 140 can maintain connectivity or continuity with the sensing electrode columns SC in the touch sensing area TR through the second connectors 145.

[0099] For example, the second connector 145 and the intermediate electrode 133 may have a shape bent along the circumference of the radiation pattern 52 .

[0100] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, the sensing electrodes 110 and 120 disposed on the touch sensing region TR may have a larger area than the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 on the antenna-touch sensing region AR.

[0101] The areas of the sensing electrodes 110 and 120 may be increased in the touch sensing region TR, so that the convenience of the patterning process may be improved and the resistance of the sensing channel may be reduced even when a relatively high-resistance conductive material is used.

[0102] For ease of description, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 are Figure 5 1 and 140 are represented as having a diamond shape, but the boundaries of the sensing electrodes 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 may have a wavy shape.

[0103] Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view showing an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, Figure 6 The outer appearance of a window including an image display device is shown.

[0104] Reference Figure 6 The image display device 300 may include a display area 310 and a peripheral area 320. The peripheral area 320 may be provided at both sides and / or ends of the display area 310. The peripheral area 320 may correspond to a light shielding portion or a frame portion of the image display device, for example.

[0105] Reference Figure 1 The touch sensing region TR and the antenna-touch sensing region AR of the antenna-interposed electrode structure may be included in the display region 310. Therefore, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the radiation pattern 52 may be provided in the display region 310. As described above, the first row sensing electrodes 110 and the first column sensing electrodes 120 included in the touch sensing region TR may include a transparent conductive oxide, thereby improving light transmittance in the display region 310.

[0106] In one embodiment, the radiation pattern 52 , the second row sensing electrodes 130 , and the second column sensing electrodes 140 included in the antenna-touch sensing area AR may be formed of a mesh structure including a low-resistance metal or alloy to prevent visual recognition by a user.

[0107] The antenna bonding region ABR of the antenna insertion type electrode structure may be included in the peripheral region 320 , and thus, electrical connection with the antenna driving IC chip 195 in the peripheral region 320 may be achieved via the signal pad 56 .

[0108] Furthermore, end portions of the traces 180 and 185 may be electrically connected to the touch sensor driver IC chip 195 in the peripheral area 320 .

Claims

1. An antenna insertion electrode structure, characterized in that: It includes: a substrate layer having a touch sensing area and an antenna-touch sensing area; a first sensing electrode, which is disposed on the touch sensing area of the substrate layer; second sensing electrodes, which are arranged on the antenna-touch sensing area of the substrate layer, and the second sensing electrodes include second horizontal-row sensing electrodes and second vertical-column sensing electrodes; an antenna unit spaced apart from the second sensing electrode on the antenna-touch sensing area of the substrate layer, the antenna unit comprising a radiation pattern; an intermediate electrode, which is arranged around the antenna unit on the antenna-touch sensing area to electrically connect the second horizontal row of sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction; as well as a second connector provided around the antenna unit on the antenna-touch sensing area to connect the second column sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the column direction in the second column sensing electrodes; wherein the antenna unit and the second sensing electrode comprise a conductive material having a lower resistance than the first sensing electrode, The second connector and the intermediate electrode have a shape bent along the circumference of the radiation pattern.

2. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sensing electrode includes a transparent conductive oxide.

3. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second sensing electrode and the antenna unit have a mesh structure formed of metal or alloy.

4. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: It further includes a dummy mesh electrode, which is provided between the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit so as to be spaced apart from the second sensing electrode and the antenna unit.

5. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second sensing electrode and the antenna unit include metal nanowires or conductive polymers.

6. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second sensing electrode and the antenna unit have a multi-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer.

7. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sensing electrodes include first row sensing electrodes and first column sensing electrodes.

8. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes: a first bridging electrode electrically connecting adjacent first horizontal row sensing electrodes in the horizontal direction among the first horizontal row sensing electrodes on the touch sensing area; and A first connector is configured to connect adjacent first column sensing electrodes in the column direction among the first column sensing electrodes on the touch sensing area.

9. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second bridging electrode, wherein the second bridging electrode connects the middle electrode and the second horizontal row sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the horizontal row direction on the antenna-touch sensing area. The middle electrode is arranged to be spaced apart from the second horizontal row of sensing electrodes.

10. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second connector has a different shape from the first connector.

11. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first horizontal row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the horizontal row direction to form first horizontal rows of sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other in the vertical column direction on the touch sensing area, and The second horizontal row of sensing electrodes is connected to each other in the horizontal direction to form a second horizontal row of sensing electrodes on the antenna-touch sensing area.

12. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The antenna unit and the second sensing electrodes are arranged in a same plane and overlap in the horizontal direction.

13. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first column sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the column direction to form first sensing electrode columns spaced apart from each other along the row direction on the touch sensing area, and The second column of sensing electrodes is connected to the first column of sensing electrodes.

14. The antenna insertion electrode structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antenna unit and the second sensing electrode include the same conductive material.

15. An image display device, characterized in that: It comprises the antenna-insertion electrode structure according to claim 1 .

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