Touch device, driving method thereof, and touch system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch device, a driving method thereof, and a touch system. Embodiments of the present invention provide a touch device for sensing the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, comprising: a plurality of electrodes; and a touch controller configured to receive sensing signals from the electrodes to determine the position of the stylus, wherein the electrodes include electrodes in which the directions of currents induced by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefits of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0013508, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 29, 2021, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0169036, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 30, 2021. The entire contents of these two Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a touch device, a driving method thereof, and a touch system. Background Art

[0004] Touch sensors are provided in various electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, laptop computers, digital broadcast terminals, personal digital assistants, portable multimedia players, navigation devices, tablet PCs (slate PCs or tablet PCs), ultrabooks, wearable devices, and head-mounted displays.

[0005] In such electronic devices, the touch sensor may be provided on a display panel that displays an image, or may be provided in a part of the electronic device. When a user interacts with the electronic device by touching the touch sensor, the electronic device can provide an intuitive user interface for the user.

[0006] The user can use a stylus for complex touch input. According to whether a battery and electronic components are provided therein, the stylus can be classified into an active stylus and a passive stylus.

[0007] The basic performance of the active stylus is superior to that of the passive stylus. The advantages are that additional functions (pen pressure, hovering, button) can be provided, but the disadvantage is that it is difficult to use when charging the battery.

[0008] Compared with the active stylus, the passive stylus is inexpensive and does not require a battery, but touch recognition is difficult compared with the active stylus.

[0009] Specifically, in the case of a pen of the electromagnetic resonance (EMR) type in a passive stylus, the digital converter transmits an electromagnetic signal to the pen, and then the digital converter receives a resonance signal from the pen. In such a digital converter, coils that can be inducted by a magnetic signal to receive touch information through the pen are closely arranged. The digital converter may not be able to cope with the miniaturization and thinning of electronic devices, and there is a problem that it cannot be flexibly designed.

[0010] The above information disclosed in this background art section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background, and thus may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art in this country. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The embodiments are directed to providing a touch device, a driving method thereof, and a touch system that can be implemented on one layer.

[0012] The embodiments are directed to providing a touch device, a driving method thereof, and a touch system that can improve touch sensing performance with a stylus.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention provides a touch device for sensing the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, including: a display panel; a window located on the display panel; a plurality of electrodes located between the display panel and the window; and a touch controller configured to receive sensing signals from the electrodes to determine the position of the stylus near the window.

[0014] Some electrodes may be located in a touch area, and the touch device may further include a plurality of traces located at an edge of the touch area and correspondingly connected to the electrodes, and the traces may include traces in which the directions of the currents induced by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other.

[0015] A current having the same direction as the current in the correspondingly connected trace may be induced in the electrode.

[0016] A current having a direction different from the current in the correspondingly connected trace may be induced in the electrode.

[0017] The electrodes may include a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction, and the traces may include a first trace extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and connected to a first end of a first group of first electrodes, and a second trace connected to a second end of a second group of first electrodes.

[0018] The touch controller may determine a gap between electrodes with opposite directions of induced currents as the position of the stylus.

[0019] The touch controller may determine a gap between electrodes with the largest amplitude difference of induced currents as the position of the stylus.

[0020] The touch device may further include an antenna configured to include a plurality of virtual electrodes formed on the same layer as the layer of the electrodes and a plurality of bridges connecting the virtual electrodes to each other, and the touch controller may apply a driving signal to the antenna to output an electromagnetic signal for causing the resonant circuit to resonate.

[0021] Each electrode may include two signal input terminals, and the touch controller may ground one of the two signal input terminals and apply a driving signal to the other signal input terminal, such that each electrode outputs an electromagnetic signal for causing the resonant circuit to resonate.

[0022] Each electrode may include two signal input terminals, and the touch controller may apply driving signals of opposite phases to the two signal input terminals, such that each electrode outputs an electromagnetic signal for causing the resonant circuit to resonate.

[0023] The touch device may further include a magnetic field shielding layer formed on a layer different from the layer of the electrodes.

[0024] The display panel may have a folded area bent around a folding axis and non-folded areas spaced apart by the folded area, and the magnetic field shielding layer may be provided to correspond to both the folded area and the non-folded areas.

[0025] The display panel may have a folded area bent around a folding axis and non-folded areas spaced apart by the folded area, and the magnetic field shielding layer may be spaced apart to correspond to the non-folded areas.

[0026] The electrode may be formed of a metal mesh.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention provides a driving method for a touch device for sensing the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit. The driving method includes: outputting a driving signal to a plurality of electrodes; receiving a sensing signal from the electrodes, the sensing signal including currents in opposite directions induced by the resonant circuit in the electrodes; and determining the position of the stylus according to the sensing signal.

[0028] Some electrodes may be located in a touch area. The touch device may further include a plurality of traces located at the edge of the touch area and correspondingly connected to the electrodes, and the sensing signal may include currents in opposite directions induced by the resonant circuit in the traces.

[0029] A current having the same direction as the current in the correspondingly connected trace may be induced in the electrode.

[0030] A current having a direction different from the current in the correspondingly connected trace may be induced in the electrode.

[0031] Determining the position of the stylus may include: determining the gap between the electrodes with induced currents in opposite directions as the position of the stylus.

[0032] Determining the position of the stylus may include: determining the gap between the electrodes with the largest amplitude difference of the induced current as the position of the stylus.

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention provides a touch system, including: a stylus configured to include a resonant circuit; and a touch sensor configured to receive a sensing signal from an electrode to determine the position of the stylus, wherein the electrode includes electrodes in which the directions of the current induced by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other.

[0034] Some electrodes may be located in the touch area. The touch sensor may further include a plurality of traces located at the edge of the touch area and correspondingly connected to the electrodes, and the traces may include traces in which the directions of the current induced by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other.

[0035] The stylus may further include a power supply, and the resonant circuit may generate resonance through the power supply.

[0036] According to the above embodiment, there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost of the touch device can be reduced.

[0037] According to the above embodiment, there is an advantage that a thinner and smaller form factor can be provided.

[0038] According to the above embodiment, there is an advantage of improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal output from the stylus.

[0039] According to the above embodiment, the reception sensitivity of the touch input can be improved.

[0040] According to the above embodiment, the touch position can be accurately calculated.

[0041] According to the above embodiment, there is an advantage that palm rejection can be performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1A and Figure 1B are schematic diagrams each showing a stylus and an electronic device.

[0043] Figures 2A to 2D Each schematically shows a signal transmission operation between the stylus and the electronic device.

[0044] Figure 3A Schematically shows Figure 1A a partial stacked structure of the electronic device of

[0045] Figure 3B and Figure 3C Each schematically shows Figure 1B a partial stacked structure of the electronic device of

[0046] Figure 4 schematically shows a block diagram of an electronic device.

[0047] Figure 5A and Figure 5B each shows a stylus according to an embodiment.

[0048] Figure 6 schematically shows a part of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0049] Figure 7 shows an example of an arrangement form of electrodes and traces of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0050] Figure 8 shows another example of an arrangement form of electrodes and traces of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0051] Figure 9 shows a situation where a stylus is located on a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0052] Figure 10 is a graph showing a signal measurement method of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0053] Figure 11 and Figure 12 are graphs each showing a sensing signal of a stylus according to an embodiment.

[0054] Figure 13 and Figure 14 are graphs each showing a sensing signal of a stylus according to another embodiment.

[0055] Figure 15 shows a situation where a stylus is located on a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0056] Figure 16 and Figure 17 are graphs each showing a sensing signal of a stylus according to an embodiment.

[0057] Figure 18 and Figure 19 are graphs each showing a sensing signal of a stylus according to another embodiment.

[0058] Figure 20 schematically shows a block diagram of an electronic device.

[0059] Figure 21 schematically shows a part of a touch device according to another embodiment.

[0060] Figure 22An example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces of a touch device according to another embodiment is shown.

[0061] Figure 23 FIG. is a block diagram showing a touch module and a host.

[0062] Figure 24 An example of touch data provided from the touch module to the host is shown. Detailed Embodiments

[0063] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is not intended to limit the technology described herein to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments herein. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like components.

[0064] In addition, since the sizes and thicknesses of the constituent elements shown in the drawings are arbitrarily given for better understanding and easy description, the present invention is not limited to the sizes and thicknesses shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc. are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for better understanding and easy description.

[0065] It should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on another element", it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intervening element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element", there is no intervening element. In addition, in this specification, "on" or "above" means being above or below the target part and does not necessarily mean being on the upper side of the target part based on the direction of gravity.

[0066] In this document, expressions such as "having", "may have", "including", or "may include" mean the presence of corresponding features (e.g., numerical values, functions, operations, or components such as parts), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0067] In this document, expressions such as "A or B", "at least one of A and / or B", or "one or more of A and / or B" can include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, "A or B", "at least one of A and B", or "at least one of A or B" means: (1) including at least A; (2) including at least B; or (3) can refer to all cases of including at least A and including at least B.

[0068] Expressions such as "first" or "second" used in this document may modify various components regardless of order and / or importance, and one component may be modified into another component, which is only used to distinguish the component from other components and does not limit these components. For example, the first user equipment and the second user equipment may represent different user equipments regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights described in this document, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be renamed as the first component.

[0069] When a component (e.g., the first component) is "coupled or connected" / "coupled or connected to" another component (e.g., the second component) (operatively or communicatively), it should be understood that one component may be directly connected to another component or connected to another component through another component (e.g., the third component). When a component (e.g., the first component) is directly "coupled or connected" / "coupled or connected to" another component (e.g., the second component), it can be understood that there is no other component (e.g., the third component) between one component and another component.

[0070] As used in this document, the expression "configured to (or configured as)" depends on the specific situation. For example, "suitable for", "capable of", "designed to", "applicable to", "used for", or "able to" can be used interchangeably. The term "configured (or configured as)" does not necessarily only mean "specially designed for" in hardware. Instead, in some cases, the expression "a device configured to..." may mean that the device "is capable of..." with other devices or components. For example, the phrase "a processor configured (or configured to execute) A, B, and C" may represent a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or an application processor) capable of performing corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) or a storage device for performing the corresponding operations.

[0071] The terms used in this document are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form should include the plural form. The terms used in this document, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, the terms defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as their meaning in the relevant technical context, and should not be interpreted as ideal or overly formal unless clearly defined in this document. In some cases, even the terms defined in this document may not be interpreted as excluding the embodiments of this document.

[0072] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a laptop personal computer (PC), a netbook computer, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. According to various embodiments, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or a tattoo), or a bio-implant type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

[0073] Hereinafter, a touch device and a driving method thereof according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the necessary drawings.

[0074] Figure 1A and Figure 1B are diagrams each schematically showing a stylus pen and an electronic device.

[0075] Referring to Figure 1A , the stylus pen 10 may receive signals output from the electronic device 2 near or at the touch screen 20 thereof, and may transmit signals to the touch screen 20.

[0076] Referring to Figure 1B , the electronic device 2 is foldable. The stylus pen 10 may receive signals output from the foldable electronic device 2 near or at the touch screen 20 thereof, and may transmit signals to the touch screen 20.

[0077] In a member such as the rectangular foldable electronic device 2 or the touch screen 20 included therein, in a plan view, the long side located on the left side is referred to as a first long side LS1, the long side located on the right side is referred to as a second long side LS2, the short side located on the upper side is referred to as a first short side SS1, and the short side located on the lower side is referred to as a second short side SS2.

[0078] The foldable electronic device 2 may be bent along a folding axis AXIS_F that intersects the first short side SS1 and the second short side SS2 in a predetermined folding direction. That is, the foldable electronic device 2 is capable of switching between a folded state and an unfolded state along the folding axis AXIS_F in the folding direction.

[0079] Figures 2A to 2D Each schematically shows a signal transmission operation between the stylus pen and the electronic device. Referring to Figure 2A , the touch screen 20a includes a digital converter 29, a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0080] In the case of a pen of the electromagnetic resonance (EMR) type in a passive stylus, when the digital converter 29 transmits the magnetic signal B to the EMR type stylus 10a, the resonance circuit included in the stylus 10a resonates with the magnetic signal B. Then, the digital converter 29 receives the resonant magnetic signal B from the stylus 10a.

[0081] The digital converter 29 may be attached under the display panel 251 and may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) on which a plurality of conductive antenna loops are formed and a ferrite sheet that blocks the magnetic field generated by the antenna loops, and when the antenna loops generate a magnetic field, the ferrite sheet blocks the eddy current that may be generated by other electrical devices and components.

[0082] In the FPCB, the antenna loops for sensing the position of the input resonant signal are configured to include a plurality of layers. One antenna loop has a shape that overlaps at least another antenna loop in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the thickness of the FPCB is relatively thick. Therefore, when using the digital converter 29, it is difficult to reduce the thickness and size of the electronic device 2.

[0083] When the digital converter 29 is mounted on the foldable and / or flexible electronic device 2, when folding occurs, the FPCB attached to the folding area may be deformed. Stress is applied to the wiring members forming the antenna loops by repeated folding, which may cause damage to the wiring members. The ferrite sheet blocks the influence of the magnetic field generated by the antenna loops on the inside of the electronic device 2. The ferrite sheet is also relatively thick, is easily deformed when folding of the electronic device 2 occurs, and is damaged by repeated folding.

[0084] Refer to Figure 2B , the touch screen 20b includes a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0085] In the case where the stylus 10 includes a resonance circuit, when the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 transmit the magnetic signal B to the stylus 10, the resonance circuit included in the stylus 10 resonates with the magnetic signal B. Then, the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 may receive the resonant electromagnetic signal E and / or B from the stylus 10. When the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 are formed of a low-resistance metal mesh, the magnetic signal from the stylus 10 can be sensed.

[0086] Similarly, compared with the digital converter 29, the touch screen 20b does not require an additional unit or module to transmit the magnetic signal to the stylus 10, so the thickness of the touch screen 20b can be reduced, and there is an advantage in manufacturing cost.

[0087] Refer to Figure 2C , the touch screen 20c includes a loop coil 264, a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0088] When the stylus 10 includes a resonant circuit, when the toroidal coil 264 transmits the magnetic signal B to the stylus 10, the resonant circuit included in the stylus 10 resonates with the magnetic signal B. Then, the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 can receive the resonant electromagnetic signal E and / or B from the stylus 10.

[0089] Compared with the digital converter 29, the toroidal coil 264 does not receive the magnetic signal B for sensing the touch position, so the wiring structure can be simple, making the touch screen 20c thinner. Therefore, the thickness reduction and miniaturization of the electronic device 2 are possible. In addition, since the toroidal coil 264 can be formed at different positions with different sizes, the touch screen 20c can be applied to the foldable and / or flexible electronic device 2.

[0090] The toroidal coil 264 can include a substrate on which the antenna loop is located and a ferrite sheet. The antenna loop can be formed of a conductor material such as copper, silver, etc. In addition to the substrate, the antenna loop can also be located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21. In this case, the antenna loop can be formed of a conductive material with high transmittance and low impedance (such as a metal mesh, ITO, graphene, silver nanowires, etc.). In addition, the antenna loop can be located under the window, and in this case, the substrate may not be included in the toroidal coil 264.

[0091] In the above, the touch electrode layer 21 can include a plurality of first touch electrodes for sensing touch coordinates in a first direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes for sensing touch coordinates in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Although the touch electrode layer 21 is shown as a single layer in Figures 2A to 2D the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes can be provided on different layers respectively, can be provided to overlap each other, can be provided not to overlap each other, or a separate layer can be provided between them.

[0092] Referring to Figure 2D , the touch screen 20d includes a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0093] In the case of the active stylus 10' including a resonant circuit, the resonant circuit included in the active stylus 10' generates resonance using a power source (e.g., a battery (including a rechargeable battery)) for storing power and a capacitor (e.g., an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC)) in the active stylus 10'. Then, the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 can receive the resonant electromagnetic signals E and / or B from the stylus 10'. When the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 are formed of a metal mesh having a low resistance, the magnetic signals from the stylus 10' can be sensed. The active stylus 10' may include a circuit for outputting electromagnetic signals E and / or B having a predetermined frequency using the power source and a resonant circuit for generating the electromagnetic signals. In addition, the active stylus 10' may include both a resonant circuit and a circuit for outputting electromagnetic signals E and / or B having a predetermined frequency.

[0094] The touch screen 20d can receive electromagnetic signals from the stylus 10' without transmitting magnetic signals to the stylus 10'. That is, the touch screen 20d does not require an additional unit or module to generate a signal for causing the resonant circuit included in the stylus 10' to resonate, so the thickness and size of the touch screen 20d can be reduced, and there are advantages in terms of power consumption and manufacturing cost.

[0095] Next, with reference to Figures 3A to 3C will be described in detail Figure 2B the structure of the touch screen 20b.

[0096] Figure 3A Schematically shows Figure 1A a partial stacked structure of the electronic device.

[0097] With reference to Figure 3A , the display panel 251 may include a circuit driving layer 2512 provided on the substrate 2510. The circuit driving layer 2512 may include a circuit for driving the pixels for displaying an image. For example, the circuit driving layer 2512 may include a plurality of thin film transistors and capacitors.

[0098] The emission layer 2514 may be provided on the circuit driving layer 2512. The emission layer 2514 may include an organic emission layer. The emission layer 2514 may emit light having various brightnesses according to the driving signals transmitted from the circuit driving layer 2512.

[0099] The common electrode layer 2516 may be provided on the emission layer 2514. The common electrode layer 2516 may have an opening in the form of at least one slit.

[0100] The encapsulation layer 2518 may be disposed on the common electrode layer 2516. The encapsulation layer 2518 may include an inorganic layer or a stacked layer of an inorganic layer and an organic layer. As another example, glass or an encapsulation film may be applied as the encapsulation layer 2518.

[0101] The touch electrode layer 21 or the touch electrode may be located on the encapsulation layer 2518. The touch electrode layer 21 is a layer for recognizing touch input and may perform the function of a touch member. The touch electrode layer 21 may include a plurality of touch regions and touch electrodes.

[0102] The polarization layer 23 may be disposed on the touch electrode layer 21. The polarization layer 23 may be used to reduce external light reflection. The polarization layer 23 may be attached to the touch electrode layer 21 through an adhesive layer. The polarization layer 23 may be omitted.

[0103] The protective layer 22 may be disposed on the polarization layer 23.

[0104] The protective layer 22 may include, for example, a window member. The protective layer 22 may be attached to the polarization layer 23 through an optically transparent adhesive or the like.

[0105] The magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be disposed under the display panel 251. The magnetic field shielding layer 24 may include a ferrite sheet that blocks magnetic fields. In addition, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may include ferrite powder adhered under the substrate 2510. When a magnetic field is generated by the touch electrode layer 21 and / or the stylus 10, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may block eddy currents that may be generated by other electrical components and constituent elements.

[0106] Figure 3B and Figure 3C each schematically shows Figure 1B a partial stacked structure of the electronic device.

[0107] Figure 3B The stacked structure of Figure 3A is the same as the stacked structure of

[0108] but the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be located in the folded region (hereinafter referred to as the folded region) FA when the foldable electronic device 2 is folded based on the folding axis AXIS_F. The magnetic field shielding layer 24 may also be located in at least one region other than the folded region FA. Figure 3B Compared with the stacked structure of Figure 3CIn the stacking structure, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be disposed in a region other than the folding region FA or a region included in the folding region FA. For example, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may include a first sheet 24a located between the folding region FA and the long side LS1 and a second sheet 24b located between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. In addition to these two sheets, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may further include a plurality of sheets, and even in this case, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be disposed on a portion of the rear surface of the display panel 251 other than the folding region FA or in a region other than a part of the folding region FA.

[0109] Next, the electronic device 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4 FIG.

[0110] Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the electronic device.

[0111] As shown therein, the electronic device 2 may include a wireless communication unit 210, a memory 220, an interface unit 230, a power supply unit 240, a display unit 250, a touch module 260, a controller 270, etc. Figure 4 The components shown in FIG. are not essential for implementing the electronic device, and thus the electronic device described in the present invention may include more or fewer components than those listed above.

[0112] Specifically, among these components, the wireless communication unit 210 may include at least one module that enables wireless communication between the electronic device 2 and a wireless communication system, between the electronic device 2 and another electronic device 2, or between the electronic device 2 and an external server. In addition, the wireless communication unit 210 may include at least one module for connecting the electronic device 2 to at least one network.

[0113] The wireless communication unit 210 may include a wireless Internet module 211 and a short-range communication module 212.

[0114] The wireless Internet module 211 refers to a module for performing wireless Internet connection and can be embedded in the electronic device 2. The wireless Internet module 211 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technology. The wireless Internet module 211 transmits and receives wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technology. Examples of wireless Internet technology include wireless local area network (WLAN), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), New Radio (NR), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and Long-Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), and the wireless Internet module 211 transmits and receives data according to at least one wireless Internet technology within the scope including Internet technologies not listed above.

[0115] The short-range communication module 212 is for short-range communication and can support short-range communication by using at least one of Bluetooth TM , Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies. The short-range communication module 212 can support wireless communication between the electronic device 2 and a wireless communication system, between the electronic device 2 and a device capable of wireless communication, or between the electronic device 2 and a network where an external server is located through a wireless local area network. The wireless local area network can be a wireless personal area network.

[0116] In this document, a device capable of wireless communication can be a mobile terminal capable of data exchange (or interoperability) with the electronic device 2 according to the present invention, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc. The short-range communication module 212 can sense (or identify) a device capable of wireless communication that can communicate with the electronic device 2 around the electronic device 2. In addition, when the sensed device capable of wireless communication is a device certified to communicate with the electronic device 2 according to the described embodiment, the controller 270 can send at least some of the data processed by the electronic device 2 to the device capable of wireless communication through the short-range communication module 212. Therefore, the user of the device capable of wireless communication can use the data processed in the electronic device 2 through the device capable of wireless communication.

[0117] In addition, the memory 220 stores data supporting various functions of the electronic device 2. The memory 220 can store multiple application programs (or apps), data for operating the electronic device 2, and commands driven in the electronic device 2.

[0118] The interface unit 230 serves as a channel for connecting various external devices to the electronic device 2. The interface unit 230 may include at least one of a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device equipped with an identification module, an audio input / output (I / O) port, a video I / O port, and an earphone port.

[0119] The power supply unit 240 receives power from an external power source and an internal power source, and supplies the power from the power source to each component included in the electronic device 2 under the control of the controller 270. The power supply unit 240 includes a battery, which may be an embedded battery or a replaceable battery.

[0120] The display unit 250 displays (outputs) information processed by the electronic device 2. For example, the display unit 250 may display execution image information of an application driven in the electronic device 2, or user interface (UI) and graphical user interface (GUI) information according to the execution image information.

[0121] The display unit 250 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, an electronic ink display, a quantum dot light emitting display, a micro light emitting diode (LED) display, etc.

[0122] The display unit 250 includes a display panel 251 for displaying an image, and a display controller 252 connected to the display panel 251 to supply a signal for displaying the image to the display panel 251. For example, the display panel 251 may include a plurality of pixels connected to signal lines (such as a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines), and a scan driver / receiver for supplying a scan signal to the scan lines. The display controller 252 may include a data driver IC for generating a data signal applied to the data lines, a timing controller for controlling the overall operation of the display unit 250 by processing an image signal, and a power management IC.

[0123] The touch module 260 senses a touch (or touch input) applied to a touch area by using a capacitive method. As an example, the touch module 260 may be configured to convert changes in capacitance, voltage, current, etc. generated in a specific portion into an electrical input signal. The touch module 260 may be configured to sense the position, area, capacitance, etc. of a touch when a touch object that applies a touch to the touch area touches the touch module 260. Herein, the touch object represents an object that applies a touch to the touch sensor, and may be, for example, a body part of a user (finger, palm, etc.), a passive or active stylus 10, etc.

[0124] The touch module 260 includes a touch sensor 261 and a touch controller 262. Touch electrodes are located in the touch sensor 261. The touch controller 262 is configured to transmit touch data to the controller 270 and / or the display controller 252 by applying a drive signal to the touch sensor 261 and receiving a sensing signal from the touch sensor 261.

[0125] The touch controller 262 may be connected to at least one of the plurality of first touch electrodes to apply a drive signal, and may include a first driver / receiver configured to receive a sensing signal, a second driver / receiver connected to at least one of the plurality of second touch electrodes to apply a drive signal and receive a sensing signal, and a micro control unit (MCU) configured to control operations of the first driver / receiver and the second driver / receiver, and obtain a touch position by using the sensing signals output from the first driver / receiver and the second driver / receiver.

[0126] The display panel 251 and the touch sensor 261 may be referred to as a touch screen 20 by forming a mutual layer structure or being integrally formed.

[0127] The controller 270 may control the driving of the electronic device 2, and may output touch coordinate information in response to a touch sensing result of the electronic device 2. In addition, the controller 270 may change the frequency of the drive signal in response to its touch sensing result.

[0128] In addition to operations related to applications, the controller 270 generally controls general operations of the electronic device 2. The controller 270 processes input or output signals, data, information, etc., or drives an application stored in the memory 220 through the above-described components, thereby providing or processing appropriate information or functions for the user.

[0129] In addition, the controller 270 may control at least a part of the components described with reference to Figure 4 to drive an application stored in the memory 220. In addition, the controller 270 may combine two or more of the components included in the electronic device 2 and operate the combined components to drive an application.

[0130] Although the touch module 260 has been described above as being included in the electronic device 2 together with the display unit 250, the electronic device 2 may include only the touch module 260.

[0131] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each shows a stylus according to an embodiment.

[0132] Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe stylus generally includes a resonant circuit 12 within a housing.

[0133] The resonant circuit 12, which is an LC resonant circuit, can resonate with a drive signal output from the touch screen 20. The drive signal can include a signal (e.g., sine wave, square wave, etc.) having a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit 12. For resonance, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit 12 and the frequency of the drive signal must be the same or very similar. The resonant frequencies of the styli 10a and 10b depend on the design values of the resonant circuits 12 of the styli 10a and 10b. When Figure 2B the touch electrode layer 21 or Figure 2C the loop coil 264 generates an electromagnetic field through the drive signal, the resonant circuit 12 of the stylus 10a or 10b uses the signal received through the magnetic field change to generate resonance.

[0134] The components of each of the styli 10a and 10b can be accommodated in the housing. The housing can have a cylindrical shape, a polygonal shape, a column shape having at least a part of a curved surface shape, a belly shape, a frustum pyramid shape, a frustum cone shape, etc., but it is not limited thereto. Since the housing has an empty interior, the components of the stylus 10a or 10b, such as the resonant circuit 12, can be accommodated therein. The housing can be made of a non-conductive material.

[0135] As Figure 5A shown, the EMR type stylus 10a includes a core 11a and a resonant circuit 12. The resonant circuit 12 includes an inductor 14 and a capacitor 13. The inductor 14 includes a ferrite core 115 through which the core 11a passes and a coil 116 wound around the outer surface of the ferrite core 115.

[0136] The first end of the core 11a protrudes from the ferrite core 115 as a nib. The core 11a can be formed to include an electrode core made of a conductor (e.g., a hard resin mixed with a conductive metal or conductive powder).

[0137] In the ferrite core 115, for example, an axial through hole having a predetermined diameter (e.g., 1 mm) for inserting the core 11a into a cylindrical ferrite material is formed.

[0138] The coil 116 can be wound around the entire length in the axial direction of the ferrite core 115, or can be wound around a partial length. The coil 116 is electrically connected to the capacitor 13.

[0139] The capacitor 13 can include a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor on the printed circuit board can have a different capacitance from each other and can be trimmed during the manufacturing process.

[0140] As Figure 5BAs shown, the stylus 10b of the electrically coupled resonance (ECR) type includes a conductive tip 11b and a resonance circuit 12. The resonance circuit 12 includes an inductor 14 and a capacitor 13. The inductor 14 includes a ferrite core 115 and a coil 116 wound around the outer surface of the ferrite core 115.

[0141] At least a part of the conductive tip 11b may be formed of a conductive material (e.g., metal, conductive rubber, conductive fabric, conductive silicone, etc.), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0142] The coil 116 may be wound around the entire axial length of the ferrite core 115 or may be wound around a partial length. The coil 116 is electrically connected to the capacitor 13.

[0143] The capacitor 13 may include a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor on the printed circuit board may have a different capacitance from each other and may be trimmed during the manufacturing process.

[0144] Hereinafter, a method of sensing a touch by using the resonance signal of the stylus described with reference to Figure 5A and Figure 5B will be described.

[0145] Figure 6 A part of a touch device according to an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0146] According to an embodiment, a touch module (i.e., a touch device) 260 includes a touch sensor 261 and a touch controller 262 for controlling the touch sensor 261. The touch controller 262 may include a first driver / receiver 2620 and a second driver / receiver 2622 for sending signals to and receiving signals from the touch sensor 261, and a controller 2624.

[0147] The touch sensor 261 may include: a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m for sensing touch coordinates in a first direction; and a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n for sensing touch coordinates in a second direction crossing the first direction. For example, the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m may have a shape extending in the second direction, and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n may have a shape extending in the first direction. In the touch sensor 261, the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m may be arranged in the first direction, and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n may be arranged in the second direction.

[0148] The first driver / receiver 2620 may apply a driving signal to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The second driver / receiver 2622 may receive a sensing signal from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0149] Although the touch sensor 261 has been described above as implemented by the mutual capacitance method, the touch sensor 261 may be implemented by the self-capacitance method, and those skilled in the art can easily and appropriately modify the touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and 121-1 to 121-n, the first driver / receiver 2620, and the second driver / receiver 2622 in the mutual capacitance method to add new components or omit some components and modify them to adapt to the self-capacitance method.

[0150] That is, the touch sensor 261 may include a plurality of self-capacitance touch electrodes, and in this case, the touch electrodes may be arranged in a dot pattern, or may be arranged in a shape extending in one direction as described above.

[0151] Next, electrodes and traces will be described with reference to Figure 7 Describe the electrodes and traces.

[0152] Figure 7 An example of the arrangement form of the electrodes and traces of a touch device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0153] The touch sensor may include touch electrodes 111 and 121 and an antenna to which virtual electrodes are connected. For example, a plurality of virtual electrodes 121D may be located on the same layer as the touch electrodes 111 and 121, and some of the virtual electrodes 121D may be connected to each other through a bridge 121B. The bridge 121B may be connected to pads 113a and 113b through a trace 112.

[0154] The touch controller 262 may apply a driving signal to the antenna 121A to resonate the stylus 10. The driving signal may include a signal (e.g., a sine wave, a square wave, etc.) whose frequency corresponds to the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 12, and may be an AC (alternating current) voltage or AC current having a predetermined frequency. The frequency and amplitude of the driving signal may be changed under the control of the controller 2624. Specifically, the touch controller 262 may apply the driving signal to one of two adjacent bridges 121B and ground the other bridge.

[0155] The touch electrodes 111 and 121 are connected to the pads 113a and 113b through traces 112, 122a, and 122b located in the peripheral area at the edge of the touch area. The first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-2, 111-3,... are connected to the corresponding traces 112, and the second touch electrodes 121-1, 121-2, 121-3,... are correspondingly connected to the corresponding traces 122a and 122b.

[0156] The touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b can be formed in the same layer. The touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b can be formed of a conductive material (such as a metal mesh or silver nanowires) having a high transmittance and a low impedance. However, the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b can be located in different layers and can be made of ITO or graphene, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0157] The pads 113a and 113b are connected to the touch controller 262. Signals (such as drive signals) of the touch controller 262 are transmitted to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, and signals (such as sensing signals) from the touch electrodes 111 and 121 are transmitted to the touch controller 262.

[0158] Figure 8 Another example of the arrangement form of the electrodes and traces of the touch device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0159] Similar to Figure 7 , the touch electrodes 111 and 121 are connected to the pads 113a and 113b through the traces 112, 122a, and 122b in the peripheral area located at the edge of the touch area.

[0160] One touch electrode has two signal input terminals, and the two signal input terminals are correspondingly connected to two traces. For example, the second touch electrode 121-9 in the shape of a "U" has a first signal input terminal TE1 on the upper side and a second signal input terminal TE2 on the lower side.

[0161] One of the two signal input terminals can be grounded through a switch or can be connected to the first driver / receiver 2620. For example, the first signal input terminal TE1 is connected to the first driver / receiver 2620, and the second signal input terminal TE2 is connected to the switch SW. The switch SW grounds the second signal input terminal TE2 or connects it to the first driver / receiver 2620.

[0162] The touch controller 262 can ground one signal input terminal and can apply a drive signal to resonate the stylus 10. The touch controller 262 can simultaneously receive sensing signals from the two signal input terminals. In addition, when driving a general finger touch, the touch controller 262 can apply drive signals of the same phase to the two signal input terminals.

[0163] Although it has been described above that one signal input terminal is grounded and a drive signal is applied, the touch controller 262 can apply drive signals of opposite phases to the two signal input terminals.

[0164] Next, reference will be made to Figure 9 describe the signals of the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b sensed when the stylus 10a or 10b is located on the touch screen 20.

[0165] Figure 9 The situation where a stylus is located on a touch device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0166] As Figure 9 shown, the inductor 14 of the stylus 10a or 10b is located between the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 and between the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 on the touch screen 20.

[0167] The stylus 10a or 10b generates resonance by a drive signal applied to the antenna 121A or the touch electrodes 111 and 121 having two signal input terminals. The current Ir flowing through the coil of the inductor 14 flows by resonance. This current Ir induces eddy currents in the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b. These eddy currents are generated in a direction opposite to the direction of the current Ir.

[0168] Therefore, currents Ia1 and Ia2 are generated in the -Y axis direction in the first touch electrodes 111-4 and 111-5 located on the left side (-X axis direction) of the inductor 14, and currents Ia3 and Ia4 are generated in the +Y axis direction in the first touch electrodes 111-6 and 111-7 located on the right side (+X axis direction) of the inductor 14. That is, the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-5 are opposite to the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-6 to 111-10.

[0169] Currents Ib1 and Ib2 are generated in the -X axis direction in the second touch electrodes 121-7 and 121-8 located above the inductor 14 (+Y axis direction), and currents Ib3 and Ib4 are generated in the +X axis direction in the second touch electrodes 121-9 and 121-10 located below the inductor 14 (-Y axis direction). That is, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 are opposite to the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16.

[0170] Currents Ic1 and Ic2 are generated in the -Y axis direction in the trace 122a located on the left side of the inductor 14, and currents Ic3 and Ic4 are generated in the +Y axis direction in the trace 122b located on the right side of the inductor 14. That is, the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122a are opposite to the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122b.

[0171] In addition, the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 is the same as the direction of the current induced in the traces 122a connected to the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8. The direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 is opposite to the direction of the current induced in the traces 122b connected to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16.

[0172] Regarding the direction of the current with respect to the pads 113a and 113b at a certain time point, the current can be introduced from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 into the pad 113a. The current can be led out from the pad 113b to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16, or the current can be introduced from the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 into the pad 113b, depending on the amplitude of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 and the traces 122b connected thereto. However, in Figure 9 since the inductor 14 of the stylus 10 is closer to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 than the trace 122b, the current can be introduced from the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 into the pad 113b.

[0173] Individually, in the case of the stylus 10b in Figure 5B since the electric field signal E is output to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, the sensing signals receiving the electric field signal E applied to the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 and the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 are obtained.

[0174] In this regard, a signal measurement method will be described with reference to Figure 10 the description.

[0175] Figure 10 is a graph showing a signal measurement method of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0176] Figure 10 shows the voltage change V8 of the second touch electrode 121-8 and the voltage change V9 of the second touch electrode 121-9, in which currents in opposite directions are induced in the second touch electrode 121-8 and the second touch electrode 121-9.

[0177] The first driver / receiver 2620 and the second driver / receiver 2622 sample the voltage change corresponding to the frequency of the drive signal to measure the sensing signal according to the voltage change. At least one of the sampling time points I, Q, IB, and QB can be any timing that can be periodically set in relation to the frequency of the drive signal. For example, the period between I and I is equal to half of the period of the drive signal.

[0178] The sensed signal includes the difference ΔI between the voltage value measured at time point I and the voltage value measured at time point IB and / or the difference ΔQ between the voltage value measured at time point Q and the voltage value measured at time point QB.

[0179] Next, reference will be made to Figure 11 and Figure 12 to describe Figure 5B the sensed signal of the stylus 10b.

[0180] Figure 11 and Figure 12 are graphs respectively showing the sensed signals of a stylus according to an embodiment.

[0181] Figure 11 shows a graph of the sensed signal received from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-10.

[0182] As Figure 11 shown, the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-5 are opposite to those in the first touch electrodes 111-6 to 111-10. Therefore, the sensed signal AB1 has opposite signs in the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current will be, the amplitudes of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 are greater than those induced in the other first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-4 and 111-7 to 111-10.

[0183] Since the stylus 10b outputs the electric field signal E to the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 through the conductive tip 11b, the sensed signal AE1 is received.

[0184] The sensed signal AC1 received by the first driver / receiver 2620 has the form of the combination of the sensed signal AB1 and the sensed signal AE1. In this case, the controller 2624 can determine the gap between the two first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 with the largest amplitude difference of the sensed signal AC1 as the touch point, and can calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0185] Figure 12 shows a graph of the sensed signal received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16.

[0186] As Figure 12As shown, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 and the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 are opposite. Therefore, the measured sensing signal AB2 has opposite signs in the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the magnitudes of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 are greater than those of the currents induced in the other second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-7 and 121-10 to 121-16.

[0187] Since the stylus 10b outputs the electric field signal E to the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 through the conductive tip 11b, the sensing signal AE2 is received.

[0188] The sensing signal AC2 received by the second driver / receiver 2622 has the form of the combination of the sensing signal AB2 and the sensing signal AE2. In this case, the controller 2624 can determine the gap between the two second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 with the largest amplitude difference of the sensing signal AC2 as the touch point, and can calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0189] Next, reference will be made to Figure 13 and Figure 14 to describe Figure 5A the sensing signal of the stylus 10a.

[0190] Figure 13 and Figure 14 are graphs respectively showing the sensing signals of the stylus according to another embodiment.

[0191] Figure 13 shows a graph of the sensing signals received from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-10.

[0192] As Figure 13 shown, the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-5 and the first touch electrodes 111-6 to 111-10 are opposite. Therefore, the sensing signal AB3 received by the first driver / receiver 2620 has opposite signs in the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the magnitudes of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 are greater than those of the currents induced in the other first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-4 and 111-7 to 111-10.

[0193] In this case, the controller 2624 may determine the gap between the two first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6, which have sensing signals AB3 with opposite signs and a large signal amplitude, as the touch point, and may calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like. In this case, the controller 2624 may differentiate the sensing signal AB3 to determine the region with the maximum value as the touch point.

[0194] Figure 14 A graph showing the sensing signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16 is shown.

[0195] As Figure 14 shown, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 and the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 are opposite. Therefore, the sensing signal AB4 received by the second driver / receiver 2622 has opposite signs in the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the amplitudes of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 are greater than the amplitudes of the currents induced in the other second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-7 and 121-10 to 121-16.

[0196] In this case, the controller 2624 may determine the gap between the two second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9, which have sensing signals AB4 with opposite signs and a large signal amplitude, as the touch point, and may calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0197] Next, reference will be made to Figure 15 to describe the signals induced in the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b when the stylus 10a or 10b is located on the touch screen 20.

[0198] Figure 15 A situation where a stylus is located on a touch device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0199] As Figure 15 shown, the inductor 14 of the stylus 10a or 10b is located between the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 and between the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 on the touch screen 20.

[0200] The stylus pen 10a or 10b generates resonance by a drive signal applied to the antenna 121A or the touch electrodes 111 and 121 having two signal input terminals. The current Ir flowing through the coil of the inductor 14 flows by resonance. This current Ir induces eddy currents in the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a and 122b. These eddy currents are generated in a direction opposite to the direction of the current Ir.

[0201] Accordingly, currents Ia1 and Ia2 are generated in the -Y axis direction in the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 located on the left side (-X axis direction) of the inductor 14, and currents Ia3 and Ia4 are generated in the +Y axis direction in the first touch electrodes 111-3 and 111-4 located on the right side (+X axis direction) of the inductor 14. That is, the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 are opposite to each other with respect to the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-10.

[0202] Currents Ib1 and Ib2 are generated in the -X axis direction in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 located above the inductor 14 (+Y axis direction), and currents Ib3, Ib4, Ib5 and Ib6 are generated in the +X axis direction in the second touch electrodes 121-3, 121-4, 121-9 and 121-10 located below the inductor 14 (-Y axis direction). That is, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 are opposite to each other with respect to the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16.

[0203] Currents Ic1 to Ic4 are generated in the -Y axis direction in the trace 122a located on the left side of the inductor 14, and currents Ic5 and Ic6 are generated in the +Y axis direction in the trace 122b located on the right side of the inductor 14. That is, the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122a are opposite to each other with respect to the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122b.

[0204] In addition, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 are the same as the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122a connected to the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2. The directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-8 are opposite to each other with respect to the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122a connected to the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-8. The directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 are opposite to each other with respect to the directions of the currents induced in the trace 122b connected to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16.

[0205] For the direction of the current with respect to pads 113a and 113b at a time point, the current can be introduced from the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 to pad 113a. The current can be led out from pads 113a and 113b to the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16, or the current can be introduced from the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 to pads 113a and 113b, depending on the amplitude of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 and the traces 122a and 122b connected thereto.

[0206] Individually, in the case of the stylus 10b of Figure 5B , since the electric field signal E is output to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, the sensing signals of the electric field signal E applied to the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 and the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 are received.

[0207] Next, reference will be made to Figure 16 and Figure 17 to describe the sensing signals of the stylus 10b of Figure 5B .

[0208] Figure 16 and Figure 17 are graphs respectively showing the sensing signals of a stylus according to an embodiment.

[0209] As Figure 16 shows, the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 are opposite to those in the first touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-10. Therefore, the sensing signal AB5 has opposite signs in the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the amplitudes of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 are greater than those in the other first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-4 to 111-10.

[0210] Since the stylus 10b outputs the electric field signal E to the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 through the conductive tip 11b, the sensing signal AE5 is received.

[0211] The sensing signal AC5 received by the first driver / receiver 2620 has the form of the combination of the sensing signal AB5 and the sensing signal AE5. In this case, the controller 2624 can determine the gap between the two first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 with the largest amplitude difference of the sensing signal AC5 as the touch point, and can calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0212] Figure 17 A graph showing the sensed signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16 is shown.

[0213] As Figure 17 shown, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 and the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 are opposite, so the measured sensed signal AB6 has opposite signs in the second touch electrode 121-2 and the second touch electrode 121-3. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the amplitudes of the currents induced in the second touch electrode 121-2 and the second touch electrode 121-3 are greater than the amplitudes of the currents induced in the other second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-4 to 121-16.

[0214] Since the stylus 10b outputs an electric field signal E to the second touch electrode 121-2 and the second touch electrode 121-3 through the conductive tip 11b, the sensed signal AE6 is received.

[0215] The sensed signal AC6 received by the second driver / receiver 2622 has the form of the combination of the sensed signal AB6 and the sensed signal AE6. In this case, the controller 2624 can determine the gap between the two second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 with the largest amplitude difference of the sensed signal AC6 as the touch point, and can calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0216] Next, reference will be made to Figure 18 and Figure 19 to describe Figure 5A the sensed signals of the stylus 10a.

[0217] Figure 18 and Figure 19 are graphs respectively showing the sensed signals of a stylus according to another embodiment.

[0218] Figure 18 A graph showing the sensed signals received from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-10 is shown.

[0219] As Figure 18As shown, the directions of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 are opposite to those in the first touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-10. Therefore, the sensed signal AB7 received by the first driver / receiver 2620 has opposite signs in the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the magnitudes of the currents induced in the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 are greater than those in the other first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-4 to 111-10.

[0220] In this case, the controller 2624 can determine the gap between the two first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 that have sensed signals AB7 with opposite signs and a large signal magnitude as the touch point, and can calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0221] Figure 19 A graph showing the sensed signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16 is shown.

[0222] As Figure 19 shown, the directions of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 are opposite to those in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16. Therefore, the sensed signal AB8 received by the second driver / receiver 2622 has opposite signs in the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3. In addition, since the closer to the inductor 14, the greater the induced current, the magnitudes of the currents induced in the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 are greater than those in the other second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-4 to 121-16.

[0223] In this case, the controller 2624 can determine the gap between the two second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 that have sensed signals AB8 with opposite signs and a large signal magnitude as the touch point, and can calculate the accurate touch point using interpolation or the like.

[0224] Next, reference will be made to Figure 20 to describe the electronic device 2 having a Figure 2C touch screen 20c.

[0225] Figure 20 is a block diagram schematically showing the electronic device.

[0226] Compared with the Figure 4 electronic device, Figure 20The electronic device further includes a loop coil 264 and a coil driver 263 for applying a drive signal to the loop coil 264.

[0227] The loop coil 264 can be disposed around the touch screen 20 or at any position in the electronic device 2. The loop coil 264 can also be configured as an antenna of the short-range communication module 212 (such as RFID or NFC). The drive signal includes an alternating current or an alternating voltage having a predetermined frequency.

[0228] Figure 21 Schematically shows a part of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0229] Compared with Figure 6 the touch device of Figure 21 the touch device also includes a loop coil 264 and a coil driver 263 for driving the loop coil 264.

[0230] The coil driver 263 applies a drive signal to the loop coil 264. The drive signal can include a signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 12 (for example, a sine wave, a square wave, etc.), and can be an AC voltage or an AC current having a predetermined frequency. The frequency and amplitude of the drive signal can be changed under the control of the controller 2624.

[0231] The stylus 10a or 10b resonates by the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264. The current Ir flowing through the coil of the inductor 14 flows through resonance.

[0232] Figure 22 Shows an example of the arrangement form of the electrodes and traces of a touch device according to another embodiment.

[0233] The touch electrodes 111 and 121 in the touch sensor are connected to the pads 113a and 113b through the traces 112, 122a, and 122b in the peripheral area located at the edge of the touch area. The first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-2, 111-3,... are connected to the corresponding traces 112, and the second touch electrodes 121-1, 121-2, 121-3,... are correspondingly connected to the corresponding traces 122a and 122b.

[0234] The touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b can be formed in the same layer. The touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b can be formed of a conductive material having a high transmittance and a low impedance (such as a metal mesh or silver nanowires). However, the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b can be located in different layers and can be made of ITO or graphene, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0235] The pads 113a and 113b are connected to the touch controller 262. Signals (e.g., drive signals) of the touch controller 262 are transmitted to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, and signals (e.g., sensing signals) from the touch electrodes 111 and 121 are transmitted to the touch controller 262.

[0236] Figure 23 is a block diagram showing the touch module and the host, Figure 24 showing an example of touch data provided from the touch module to the host.

[0237] Referring to Figure 23 , the host 270 can receive touch data from the touch controller 262 included in the touch module 260. For example, the host 270 can be the aforementioned controller 270, and can be a mobile system on chip (SoC), an application processor (AP), a media processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or a device similar thereto.

[0238] After the end of a frame, the touch module 260 can generate information related to the touch input during the frame as touch data to transmit the touch data to the host 270.

[0239] Referring to Figure 23 and Figure 24 , the touch data 600 can be transmitted from the touch module 260 to the host 270, and can include a touch count field 610 and one or more touch entity fields 612 and 614. In addition, the touch data 600 can also include sensor input data from the stylus 10, data representing changes in the resonant signal, etc.

[0240] In the touch count field 610, a value indicating the number of touches input during a frame period can be written. The touch entity fields 612 and 614 include fields indicating information related to each touch input. For example, the touch entity fields 612 and 614 can include a flag field 620, an X-axis coordinate field 621, a Y-axis coordinate field 622, a Z-value field 623, an area field 624, and a touch action field 625.

[0241] The number of the touch entity fields 612 and 614 can be equal to the value written in the touch count field 610.

[0242] A value representing the touch object can be written in the flag field 620. For example, a finger, a palm, and a stylus can be filled with different values in the flag field 620. Values representing the calculated touch coordinates can be written in the X-axis coordinate field 621 and the Y-axis coordinate field 622. A value corresponding to the signal strength of the sensing signal can be written in the Z-value field 623. A value corresponding to the area of the touch region can be written in the area field 624.

[0243] According to an embodiment, the host 270 that receives the touch data 600 determines that the touch object is a finger when the touch area is greater than a threshold by using the value of the area field 624, and determines that the touch object is the stylus 10 when the touch area is less than or equal to the threshold.

[0244] According to an embodiment, the host 270 that receives the touch data 600 may identify whether the touch object is a finger or the stylus 10 by using the value of the flag field 620.

[0245] The electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be various types of devices. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance device. The electronic device according to the embodiments herein is not limited to the above devices.

[0246] The various embodiments herein and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments. In the description with reference to the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, each of the phrases “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together in the respective phrase. Terms such as “first” and “second” may be simply used to distinguish one component from another component, and the component is not limited in other aspects (e.g., importance or order). When one (e.g., first) component “is coupled” or “is connected” to another (e.g., second) component, this means that the one component may be directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component connected to the other component, whether or not the terms “functionally” or “communicatively” are present.

[0247] As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral formed component or the smallest unit or a part of a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0248] Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as software (e.g., a program) that includes one or more instructions stored in a machine (e.g., an electronic device) - readable storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor) of a device (e.g., an electronic device) can call the stored one or more instructions from the storage medium and execute them. This enables the device to be operated according to the called one or more instructions to perform one or more functions. The one or more instructions can include code generated by a compiler or executable by an interpreter. A device - readable storage medium in the form of a non - transitory storage medium can be provided. In the present disclosure, "non - transitory" only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between the case where data is stored semi - permanently in the storage medium and the case where data is stored temporarily therein.

[0249] According to one embodiment, a method according to various embodiments disclosed herein can be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product can be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of a machine - readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read - only memory (CD - ROM)), or can be distributed directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an app store (e.g., Play Store TM ). In the case of online distribution, at least a part of the computer program product can be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine - readable storage medium (e.g., the memory of a manufacturer's server, the server of an app store, or the memory of a relay server).

[0250] According to various embodiments, each of the above - mentioned components (e.g., a module or a program) can include a single entry or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above - mentioned corresponding components or operations can be omitted, or one or more other components or operations can be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) can be integrated into one component. In this case, the integrated component can execute one or more functions of each of the multiple components, and these functions are the same as or similar to the functions executed by the corresponding components among the multiple components before integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, a program, or other components can be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, and one or more of the operations can be executed in a different order or can be omitted, or one or more other operations can be added.

Claims

1. A touch device for sensing the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, the touch device comprising: A display panel; A window located on the display panel; A plurality of electrodes located between the display panel and the window; And A touch controller configured to receive sensing signals from the electrodes to determine the position of the stylus near the window, Wherein the electrodes include electrodes in which the directions of the currents induced by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other, Wherein some of the electrodes are located in a touch area, and the touch device further includes a plurality of traces located at the edge of the touch area and correspondingly connected to the electrodes, Wherein the traces include traces in which the directions of the currents induced by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other, and Wherein a current different in direction from the current in the correspondingly connected trace is induced in the electrode.

2. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein, The electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction, and The traces include a first trace extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and connected to the first ends of a first group of first electrodes, and a second trace connected to the second ends of a second group of first electrodes.

3. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch controller determines the gap between the electrodes with opposite directions of induced current as the position of the stylus.

4. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch controller determines the gap between the electrodes with the largest amplitude difference of the induced current as the position of the stylus.

5. The touch device according to claim 1, further comprising: An antenna configured to include a plurality of virtual electrodes formed on the same layer as the layer of the electrodes and a plurality of bridges connecting the virtual electrodes to each other, Wherein the touch controller applies a driving signal to the antenna to output an electromagnetic signal for causing the resonant circuit to resonate.

6. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the electrodes includes two signal input terminals, and The touch controller grounds one of the two signal input terminals and applies a driving signal to the other signal input terminal, so that each of the electrodes outputs an electromagnetic signal for causing the resonant circuit to resonate.

7. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the electrodes includes two signal input terminals, and The touch controller applies driving signals with opposite phases to the two signal input terminals, so that each of the electrodes outputs an electromagnetic signal for causing the resonant circuit to resonate.

8. The touch device according to claim 1, further comprising: A magnetic field shielding layer formed on a layer different from the layer of the electrodes.

9. The touch device according to claim 8, wherein, The display panel has a folding area bent around a folding axis and non-folding areas separated by the folding area, and The magnetic field shielding layer is provided corresponding to both the folding area and the non-folding areas.

10. The touch device according to claim 8, wherein, the display panel has a folding area bent around a folding axis and non-folding areas spaced apart by the folding area, and the magnetic field shielding layer is spaced apart to correspond to the non-folding areas.

11. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein, the electrode is formed of a metal mesh.

12. A driving method for a touch device, the touch device being configured to sense the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, the driving method comprising: outputting a driving signal to a plurality of electrodes; receiving a sensing signal from the electrodes, the sensing signal including currents induced in the electrodes by the resonant circuit in opposite directions; and determining the position of the stylus according to the sensing signal, wherein some of the electrodes are located in a touch area, the touch device includes a plurality of traces located at an edge of the touch area and correspondingly connected to the electrodes, the sensing signal includes currents induced in the traces by the resonant circuit in opposite directions, and wherein a current having a direction different from that of the current in the correspondingly connected trace is induced in the electrode.

13. The driving method according to claim 12, wherein, determining the position of the stylus includes: determining a gap between electrodes with currents induced in opposite directions as the position of the stylus.

14. The driving method according to claim 12, wherein, determining the position of the stylus includes: determining a gap between electrodes with the largest difference in the amplitude of the induced current as the position of the stylus.

15. A touch system, comprising: a stylus configured to include a resonant circuit; and a touch sensor configured to receive sensing signals from a plurality of electrodes to determine the position of the stylus, wherein the electrodes include electrodes in which currents induced by the resonant circuit have opposite directions, wherein some of the electrodes are located in a touch area, the touch sensor further includes a plurality of traces located at an edge of the touch area and correspondingly connected to the electrodes, wherein the traces include traces in which currents induced by the resonant circuit have opposite directions, and wherein a current having a direction different from that of the current in the correspondingly connected trace is induced in the electrode.

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