Sensor for detecting a stylus signal transmitted by a stylus

Abstract

A sensor that detects a pen signal transmitted from a pen in order to prevent a user's unintentional line from being drawn on a screen due to the pen signal being received at an FPC connection terminal, comprising: a touch sensor (5) having a plurality of linear electrodes (5x) configured to be able to detect a pen signal, respectively, and configured to constitute a position detection region; a plurality of FPC connection terminals (T) including a plurality of FPC connection terminals (T1) connected to each of the plurality of linear electrodes (5x) via a plurality of wiring lines arranged outside the position detection region; and a detection pattern (PD) provided in a region near the plurality of FPC connection terminals (T) in a region outside the position detection region and detecting a pen signal.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application filed on December 18, 2019, with application number 201880040611.5, entitled "Sensor for detecting pen signals emitted by a pen". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a sensor for detecting pen signals emitted by a pen, and more particularly to a sensor having a touch sensor configured to overlap with a display panel. Background Technology

[0003] In a tablet-type electronic device capable of detecting the position of a finger or stylus, a touch sensor is disposed on the display panel. The touch sensor is configured with multiple linear electrodes, including multiple X electrodes extending in the Y direction and equally spaced in the X direction, and multiple Y electrodes extending in the X direction and equally spaced in the Y direction. Within the bezel area of ​​the display panel, multiple FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) connection terminals and wirings are provided corresponding to each of the multiple linear electrodes. The corresponding linear electrode is electrically connected to the FPC connection terminal via each wiring. Each FPC connection terminal is connected to a terminal on a flexible printed circuit board by crimping, and is connected to a sensor controller via wiring on the flexible printed circuit board. In this specification, the input device comprising the touch sensor and the sensor controller is referred to as a "sensor".

[0004] In addition, as a type of stylus, there is a known active stylus. An active stylus is a stylus equipped with a power supply and a signal processing circuit, configured to transmit a pen signal by supplying a charge corresponding to a signal generated by the signal processing circuit to electrodes (pen electrodes) located near the pen tip. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "stylus" refers to an "active stylus." The pen signal includes a position signal and a data signal. The position signal is a pulse train signal used to indicate the stylus's position. The data signal includes pen pressure data indicating the pen pressure value detected by the stylus, data indicating the pressed / released state of operation buttons located on the side and end of the stylus, and various other data such as a pre-written unique ID on the stylus. During stylus detection, the pen signal is received by the linear electrode near the pen tip among multiple linear electrodes within the touch sensor and supplied to the sensor controller via the aforementioned FPC connection terminal. The sensor controller determines the X coordinate of the stylus based on the received pen signal level at each X electrode and the Y coordinate based on the received pen signal level at each Y electrode, thereby detecting the position of the stylus within the touch surface.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a position detection device capable of detecting the positions of both a finger and a stylus. In this position detection device, the received signals from multiple electrodes are input to a differential amplifier, and the position of the finger or stylus is determined based on the received level of the output signal of the differential amplifier, thereby eliminating the influence of external noise. Hereinafter, this position detection method using a differential amplifier will be referred to as the "differential method".

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-063249 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] However, in the aforementioned conventional sensors, especially when the stylus tip is within the border area, the pen signal is received by the FPC connection terminal, and as a result, sometimes unintentional lines by the user are drawn on the screen.

[0011] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide a sensor capable of preventing unintentional lines from being drawn on the screen.

[0012] Furthermore, when using the differential method described above for position detection, in order to eliminate the influence of external noise, the noise of multiple received signals simultaneously input to the differential amplifier must be equal. However, even if the noise received at the electrode section is equal, the amount of noise received at the wiring section in the corresponding frame area can sometimes be very different between the wiring sections. As a result, the accuracy of position detection may sometimes decrease.

[0013] Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor that can improve the accuracy of position detection when using differential methods for signal detection.

[0014] Solution for solving the problem

[0015] The sensor on the first side of the present invention is a sensor for detecting pen signals emitted by a pen, comprising: a touch sensor having a plurality of first electrodes respectively configured to detect the pen signals, forming a position detection area; a plurality of FPC connection terminals, including a plurality of first FPC connection terminals connected to each of the plurality of first electrodes via a plurality of first wiring disposed outside the position detection area; and a detection pattern disposed in a region near the plurality of FPC connection terminals in the outer region of the position detection area, and detecting the pen signals.

[0016] The sensor on the second side of the present invention is a sensor for detecting pen signals emitted by a pen, comprising: a touch sensor having a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes respectively configured to receive the pen signals, forming a position detection region; a plurality of first FPC connection terminals disposed in a first region disposed outside the position detection region and respectively connected to the plurality of first electrodes; and a plurality of second FPC connection terminals disposed in a second region disposed outside the position detection region and respectively connected to at least a portion of the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the first region and the second region are separated by a width exceeding the reach range of the pen signals on the touch sensor.

[0017] The sensor on the third side of the present invention is a sensor for detecting pen signals emitted by a pen, comprising: a touch sensor having a plurality of first electrodes configured to receive the pen signals, forming a position detection area; a plurality of first FPC connection terminals arranged at equal intervals outside the position detection area and respectively connected to the plurality of first electrodes; and a plurality of first wirings extending at equal intervals outside the position detection area and connecting the plurality of first electrodes to the plurality of first FPC connection terminals, wherein the plurality of first wirings have portions arranged with a width narrower than the width in the arrangement direction of the plurality of first FPC connection terminals.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the sensor controller can determine whether the stylus is near the FPC connection terminal by confirming the detection state of the pen signal in the detection pattern. Therefore, if the stylus is near the FPC connection terminal, even if the position is assumed to be detected, it can be considered as discarded based on the position of the pen signal received from the FPC connection terminal, thus preventing unintentional lines from being drawn on the screen.

[0020] According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent pen signals from being received by both the first and second FPC connection terminals. Therefore, it is possible to prevent "pen signals from being received by both the first and second FPC connection terminals, resulting in unintended lines being drawn on the screen."

[0021] According to a third aspect of the invention, since the plurality of first wirings are arranged with a width smaller than the width of the arrangement direction of the plurality of FPC connection terminals which must be increased to some extent, the difference between wirings in the amount of noise received at the wiring section can be minimized. Therefore, the accuracy of position detection using the differential method can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the electronic device 1 and the stylus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 shown.

[0024] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 The diagram shows only the portion of the upper UL layer in the structure of the touch sensor 5.

[0025] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 The diagram shows only the portion of the lower LL layer in the structure of the touch sensor 5.

[0026] Figure 5 (a) is with Figures 2-4 The cross-sectional view of the touch sensor 5 corresponding to the AA line shown is (b) which is the same as... Figures 2-4 The BB line shown is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor 5.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed only in the upper UL layer of a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed only in the lower LL layer in the structure of a first variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed only in the upper UL layer in a second variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the lower LL layer in a second variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 of the third variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the upper UL layer in the structure of a third variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the lower LL layer in the structure of the third variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 13This is an enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 of the fourth variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 14 This is an enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 15 It is shown Figure 14 The diagram shows only the portion of the upper UL layer in the structure of the touch sensor 5.

[0037] Figure 16 It is shown Figure 14 The diagram shows only the portion of the lower LL layer in the structure of the touch sensor 5. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0039] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the structure of the electronic device 1 and the stylus 10 (pen) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a tablet computer, and as shown in the diagram, is configured to include a host controller 2, a display device 3, a sensor controller 4, and a touch sensor 5. The stylus 10 is the aforementioned active stylus.

[0040] The host controller 2 is a computer with a processor and memory (neither shown). The processor reads and executes programs stored in the memory to control various parts of the electronic device 1, including the illustrated display device 3 and sensor controller 4, and to perform various processing tasks, including the execution of various applications for illustration. The memory includes main memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and auxiliary storage devices such as flash memory.

[0041] The display device 3 is a device having a display panel (not shown) with multiple pixels arranged in a matrix and a driving circuit (not shown) for arbitrary display by driving the display panel. It may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display (OLED), or electronic paper. A display area 3a and a border area 3b are provided on the surface of the display panel. The display area 3a is the area for arranging the multiple pixels, and the border area 3b is the area for arranging the driving circuit and the wiring connecting each pixel in the display area 3a to the driving circuit. The driving circuit is configured to drive each pixel of the display panel under the control of the host controller 2.

[0042] The sensor controller 4 and the touch sensor 5 are input devices (sensors) relative to the host controller 2. Specifically, the touch sensor 5 is a device having a flat surface (touch surface) for touch using a stylus 10 or a user's finger, and multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y disposed directly below the touch surface, forming a position detection area within the touch surface. The position detection area is an area capable of position detection using the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y (details described later), and is an area slightly larger than the display area 3a. The touch surface overlaps with the display panel of the display device 3, and the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y are disposed between the touch surface and the display panel. The multiple linear electrodes 5x extend in the y-direction (the direction within the touch surface) as shown in the figure, and are equally spaced in the x-direction (the direction orthogonal to the y-direction within the touch surface) as shown in the figure. Similarly, the multiple linear electrodes 5y extend in the x-direction as shown in the figure, and are equally spaced in the y-direction as shown in the figure. Alternatively, one of the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y can be shared with a common electrode (not shown) within the display panel; this type of electronic device 1 is called "in-cell". It should be noted that in... Figure 1 In the figures below, only 10 linear electrodes 5x and 5y are shown for ease of understanding, but in reality, a much larger number of linear electrodes 5x and 5y are configured.

[0043] The sensor controller 4 is a microcomputer with a processor and memory (neither shown). It is configured to read and execute programs stored in the memory via the processor, and is capable of detecting the pointing positions of the stylus 10 and the user's finger (not shown) on the touch surface, and receiving data signals transmitted by the stylus 10. The detection of the pointing position of the stylus 10 is performed by either electrostatic capacitance or active electrostatic coupling. Furthermore, the detection of the user's finger position is performed by electrostatic capacitance.

[0044] The electrostatic capacitance method obtains the indicated position based on the change in electrostatic capacitance generated between multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y and a pen electrode (not shown) located near the tip of the stylus 10 or the user's finger. In the case of position detection using the electrostatic capacitance method, the sensor controller 4 sequentially supplies a predetermined detection signal to each of the multiple linear electrodes 5x, and measures the potential of each of the multiple linear electrodes 5y at each step. When a pen electrode or the user's finger approaches the intersection of a linear electrode 5x and a linear electrode 5y, a portion of the current flowing from that linear electrode 5x toward that linear electrode 5y flows out toward the user's body, thus decreasing the potential measured with respect to that linear electrode 5y. The sensor controller 4 uses this change in potential to detect the indicated position.

[0045] The active electrostatic coupling method involves receiving the pen signal emitted by the stylus 10 using the touch sensor 5 and detecting the indicated position of the stylus 10 based on the result. The pen signal, as described above, includes a position signal as an unmodulated pulse train signal and data signals representing various data associated with the stylus 10. These various data include pen pressure data, representing the pressure applied to the tip of the stylus 10, etc.

[0046] In the case of detecting the indicated position using active electrostatic coupling, the sensor controller 4 uses each of the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y to receive position signals, and detects the indicated position of the stylus 10 based on the results. Additionally, the sensor controller 4 uses the current electrode among the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y that is closest to the detected indicated position to receive the data signal detected by the stylus 10.

[0047] The detection of the indicated position by the sensor controller 4 will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the sensor controller 4 is configured to detect the indicated position of the stylus 10 and the user's finger by using the differential amplifier method described above (differential method) in order to reduce the influence of noise generated in a generally common manner on the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y.

[0048] Specifically, firstly, in the case of electrostatic capacitance detection, the sensor controller 4 sequentially focuses on each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, supplying the aforementioned detection signal to one or more adjacent linear electrodes 5x, including the focused linear electrode 5x. In this state, it sequentially focuses on each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5y, connecting the focused linear electrode 5y and other linear electrodes 5y arranged separately from the focused linear electrode 5y by a predetermined number (including zero) to the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier, respectively. Then, the position indicated by the stylus 10 or the user's finger is detected by the potential of the output signal of the differential amplifier.

[0049] Next, in the case of active electrostatic coupling detection, for example, when detecting the x-coordinate, the sensor controller 4 sequentially focuses on each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, and connects the focused linear electrode 5x and other linear electrodes 5x arranged separately from the focused linear electrode 5x by a predetermined number (including 0) to the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier, respectively. Then, the x-coordinate of the indicated position of the stylus 10 is detected by the potential of the output signal of the differential amplifier. Similarly, for example, when detecting the y-coordinate, sequentially focusing on each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5y, the focused linear electrode 5y and other linear electrodes 5y arranged separately from the focused linear electrode 5y by a predetermined number (including 0) to the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier, respectively. Then, the y-coordinate of the indicated position of the stylus 10 is detected by the potential of the output signal of the differential amplifier.

[0050] Based on this differential detection method, regardless of whether it is electrostatic capacitance mode or active electrostatic coupling mode, the differential amplifier plays the role of canceling the noise generated by multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y. Therefore, the sensor controller 4 can accurately detect the indicated position without being affected by noise.

[0051] The sensor controller 4 is configured to report to the host controller 2 the coordinates of the indicated position of the stylus 10 and the user's finger, as shown above, and various data contained in the data signal received from the stylus 10. Furthermore, the sensor controller 4 is configured to acquire pen pressure data received from the stylus 10 indicating when the stylus 10 contacts the touch surface and pen pressure data indicating when the stylus 10 leaves the touch surface, and report these information to the host controller 2 at their respective timings.

[0052] The host controller 2 receives coordinates input from the sensor controller 4 and performs at least one of the following: displaying the indicator and generating ink data. The indicator is displayed by showing a predetermined indicator image at a position corresponding to the input coordinates on the display area 3a of the display device 3.

[0053] Ink data comprises control points formed by multiple coordinates sequentially supplied from sensor controller 4, and curve data formed by interpolating the control points using a prescribed interpolation curve. The host controller 2 initiates ink data generation based on the input of coordinates for the user's finger and terminates ink data generation based on the termination of coordinate input. Conversely, for the stylus 10, ink data generation begins based on the input of pen pressure information and terminates based on the input of pen lift information. It should be noted that when generating ink data for the stylus 10, the host controller 2 also controls the width and / or transparency of the curve data constituting the ink data based on pen pressure data received from the stylus 10. The host controller 2 renders the generated ink data and displays it on the display device 3, and stores the generated ink data in its own memory.

[0054] The sensor controller 4 is disposed on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) substrate (not shown). The touch sensor 5 has a plurality of FPC connection terminals T disposed outside the aforementioned position detection area, and is pressed onto the flexible printed circuit substrate on which the sensor controller 4 is disposed via these FPC connection terminals T.

[0055] Figure 2 This is an enlarged view of touch sensor 5. Touch sensor 5 has a two-layer structure. Figure 2 In the following figures, structures marked with dotted patterns are located in the upper UL (first layer), and structures marked with upward-pointing line patterns are located in the lower LL (second layer). It should be noted that, to make the figures easier to understand, [the text is incomplete]. Figure 2 In the diagram, some structural details of the upper UL layer and the lower LL layer are omitted. Additionally, Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the upper UL layer. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates the structure of the touch sensor 5, specifically the portion formed only in the lower LL layer. Figure 5 (a) is related to Figures 2-4 The cross-sectional view of touch sensor 5 corresponding to line AA shown. Figure 5 (b) is related to Figures 2-4 The BB line shown is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor 5.

[0056] If we first focus on Figure 5 In the cross-sectional view, the touch sensor 5 is configured to have an insulating layer 5a with an upper UL layer and a lower LL layer formed inside, and a cover glass 5b formed on the upper side of the insulating layer 5a. The upper surface of the cover glass 5b constitutes the touch surface of the touch sensor 5 (the surface that the stylus 10 or the user's finger directly contacts).

[0057] The insulating layer 5a can be formed, for example, by bonding the films with the structures of the upper UL layer and the structures of the lower LL layer (film sensor), or by using a thin-film process to form an insulating layer, an upper UL layer, an insulating layer, a lower LL layer, and an insulating layer sequentially on the lower surface of the cover glass 5b (OGS (One Glass Solution) sensor). In the former case, it is not possible to connect the upper UL layer and the lower LL layer, but in the latter case, the upper UL layer and the lower LL layer can be connected to each other using a through-hole conductor penetrating the insulating layer. In this embodiment, the case where the upper UL layer and the lower LL layer are not connected, as in the former case, will be described. The case where the upper UL layer and the lower LL layer are connected using a through-hole conductor will be described in the third variation described later.

[0058] like Figures 2-4 As shown, each linear electrode 5x (first electrode) is disposed on the upper UL layer, and each linear electrode 5y (second electrode) is disposed on the lower LL layer. Furthermore, the plurality of FPC connection terminals T are configured to include multiple FPC connection terminals T1 (first FPC connection terminals) disposed on the upper UL layer, multiple FPC connection terminals T2L (second FPC connection terminals) disposed on the lower LL layer, multiple FPC connection terminals T2R (third FPC connection terminals) disposed on the lower LL layer, multiple FPC connection terminals TG disposed on either the upper UL layer or the lower LL layer, and multiple FPC connection terminals TD disposed on either the upper UL layer or the lower LL layer.

[0059] Multiple FPC connection terminals T1 are interconnected with multiple linear electrodes 5x via multiple wirings L1 (first wirings) disposed on the upper UL layer. Additionally, multiple FPC connection terminals T2L are interconnected with at least a portion of the multiple linear electrodes 5y via multiple wirings L2L (second wirings) disposed on the lower LL layer. Furthermore, multiple FPC connection terminals T2R are interconnected with at least a portion of the multiple linear electrodes 5y via multiple wirings L2R (third wirings) disposed on the lower LL layer. In this embodiment, the linear electrodes 5y connected to the multiple FPC connection terminals T2L and the linear electrodes 5y connected to the multiple FPC connection terminals T2R are alternately arranged in the y-direction.

[0060] Multiple FPC connection terminals T1 are arranged at equal intervals in region A1 (first region), which is located outside the position detection region. Similarly, multiple FPC connection terminals T2L are arranged at equal intervals in region A2L (second region), which is located outside the position detection region, and multiple FPC connection terminals T2R are arranged at equal intervals in region A2R (third region), which is located outside the position detection region. Region A2R is located on the opposite side of region A2R, separated from region A1. It should be noted that... Figures 2-4 The example shown is that regions A2L, A1, and A2R are arranged side by side in a straight line, but this structure is not required. For example, it could be that the position of region A1 is offset in the y-direction relative to the line segment connecting regions A2L and A2R.

[0061] If the width of the range reached by the pen signal on touch sensor 5 is set to R as shown in the diagram, then regions A1 and A2L are separated and configured beyond this width R. In other words, the x-direction separation distance D1L between regions A1 and A2L is set to a value larger than the width R (D1L>R). Similarly, regions A1 and A2R are also separated and configured beyond the width R. In other words, the x-direction separation distance D1R between regions A1 and A2R is set to a value larger than the width R (D1R>R). It should be noted that the specific value of the width R is usually around 8mm, therefore the specific values ​​of the separation distances D1L and D1R are usually set to values ​​larger than 8mm.

[0062] By setting the separation distances D1L and D1R in this way, it is possible to prevent the pen signal from being received by both FPC connection terminals T1 and T2L and T2R when the tip of the stylus 10 is near multiple FPC connection terminals T. Therefore, it is possible to prevent "the pen signal from being received by both FPC connection terminals T1 and T2L and T2R, resulting in unintended lines being drawn on the screen as a result".

[0063] In addition, multiple wirings L1, L2L, and L2R are formed at equal intervals outside the position detection area. The specific conductor width and space width of each wiring are both less than 0.1 mm, or the sum of the conductor width and space width is the distance D4 from the upper surface of the cover glass 5b to the upper surface of the lower LL layer (refer to...). Figure 5(a)) It is determined in the following manner. In any case, the arrangement pitch of each of the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, and L2R thus formed is narrower than the arrangement pitch of each FPC connection terminal T. Therefore, the plurality of wirings L1 have a portion arranged with a width D3x (< D2x) narrower than the width D2x in the arrangement direction (x direction) of the plurality of FPC connection terminals T1 as the connection objects, the plurality of wirings L2L have a portion arranged with a width D3yL (< D2yL) narrower than the width D2yL in the arrangement direction (x direction) of the plurality of FPC connection terminals T2L as the connection objects, and the plurality of wirings L2R have a portion arranged with a width D3yR (< D2yR) narrower than the width D2yR in the arrangement direction (x direction) of the plurality of FPC connection terminals T2R as the connection objects. As a result, the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, and L2R each have an appearance like an alluvial fan with the FPC connection terminal T on the sea side near the corresponding FPC connection terminal T.

[0064] By arranging the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, and L2R in this way, the difference in the amount of noise received at the wiring portion between the wirings can be suppressed to the minimum. Therefore, the accuracy of position detection using the differential method can be improved.

[0065] Ground wirings LG are arranged on both sides of each of the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, and L2R. In addition, FPC connection terminals TG connected to the ground wiring LG are arranged on both sides of each of the regions A1, A2L, and A2R. In the present embodiment, the ground wiring LG is formed in the same position and in the same shape in the upper layer UL and the lower layer LL as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown. The ground wiring LG not directly connected to the FPC connection terminal TG is connected to any FPC connection terminal TG via other ground wirings LG and a ground pattern PG described later. A ground potential is supplied from the sensor controller 4 to each FPC connection terminal TG.

[0066] In addition, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, in each of the regions between the plurality of wirings L1 and the plurality of wirings L2L and between the plurality of wirings L1 and the plurality of wirings L2R, detection wirings LD parallel to the ground wiring LG are arranged one by one in the upper layer UL and the lower layer LL. As Figure 3 shown, the detection wiring LD in the upper layer UL is formed along each of the two ground wirings LG adjacent to the wiring L1. On the other hand, as Figure 4As shown, the detection wiring LD of the lower layer LL is formed along each of the grounding wiring LG adjacent to wiring L2L and the grounding wiring LG adjacent to wiring L2R. Furthermore, in each of the regions between region A1 and region A2L and between region A1 and region A2R, one FPC connection terminal TD connected to the detection wiring LD is disposed in each of the upper layer UL and the lower layer LL. The two FPC connection terminals TD of the upper layer UL are arranged adjacent to the two FPC connection terminals TG adjacent to FPC connection terminal T1. On the other hand, the two FPC connection terminals TD of the lower layer LL are arranged adjacent to the FPC connection terminals TG adjacent to FPC connection terminal T2L and FPC connection terminals TG adjacent to FPC connection terminal T2R.

[0067] Moreover, such as Figure 3 As shown, the upper UL layer has two grounding patterns PG (second grounding pattern) and two detection patterns PD (second detection pattern), as follows. Figure 4 As shown, the lower layer LL also includes one grounding pattern PG (first grounding pattern) and two detection patterns PD (first detection patterns). The specific structure of these patterns is not particularly limited; they can be composed of the same conductor or of finely arranged mesh wiring (mesh wiring). Furthermore, the materials used for these patterns can be any conductive material, including MAM (Mo-Al-Mo), MCM (Mo-Cu-Mo), Al, Cu, APC (Ag-Pd-Cu), ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), organic compounds, and various other materials.

[0068] One of the two grounding patterns PG located in the upper UL is positioned in an area that overlaps with multiple wiring L2L when viewed from above, such as Figure 3 As shown, it connects to the two grounding wires LG located on both sides of the multiple wirings L2L when viewed from above. Similarly, the other of the two grounding patterns PG located in the upper UL is positioned in the area overlapping with the multiple wirings L2R when viewed from above, as shown. Figure 3 As shown, it connects to the two grounding wires LG located on both sides of the multiple wirings L2R when viewed from above. Additionally, the grounding pattern PG located on the lower LL is positioned in the area overlapping with the multiple wirings L1 when viewed from above, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, it is connected to two grounding wirings LG located on both sides of the lower layer LL when viewed from above.

[0069] By configuring the grounding wiring LG and grounding pattern PG in this way, wirings L1, L2L, and L2R are respectively covered by grounding potential on both sides and the top or bottom sides. Therefore, they are less affected by noise coming from these directions (including noise generated in other wirings among the lateral noise), thereby improving the accuracy of position detection.

[0070] As from Figure 3 and Figure 4 As understood, the two detection patterns PD located on the upper UL and the two detection patterns PD located on the lower LL are formed in the area near multiple FPC connection terminals T in the outer area of ​​the position detection area. More specifically, they are formed in the same shape in locations where wiring and grounding patterns PG are not formed. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, the two detection patterns PDs located on the upper UL are connected to one and the other of the two detection wiring LDs located on the upper UL, respectively. Similarly, as... Figure 4 As shown, the two detection patterns PDs set in the lower layer LL are respectively connected to one side and the other side of the two detection wiring LDs set in the lower layer LL.

[0071] The detection pattern PD detects the pen signal to determine whether the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T. The sensor controller 4 is configured to monitor the potential of each FPC connection terminal TD and determine whether the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T based on the result. Specifically, when the potential of the FPC connection terminal TD shows the same change as the pen signal, it means that the detection pattern PD has received the pen signal, so it can be said that the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T. Therefore, when the potential of the FPC connection terminal TD shows the same change as the pen signal, the sensor controller 4 determines that the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T. Furthermore, when it is determined that the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T, the sensor controller 4 stops reporting the indicated position of the stylus 10 detected by the active electrostatic coupling method to the host controller 2 (i.e., discards the detected indicated position).

[0072] In this embodiment, due to Figure 2The distance D shown (the distance between the plurality of FPC connection terminals T and the linear electrode 5y located at the nearest position to them) is smaller than the width R (the width of the range of the pen signal on the touch sensor 5) mentioned above. Therefore, when the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T, the pen signal is received by both the linear electrode 5x or the linear electrode 5y and the FPC connection terminal T, which may detect the position in the active electrostatic coupling mode. The position detected in this way does not accurately reflect the position of the stylus 10. Therefore, in order to prevent unintentional lines drawn on the screen by the user, they should be excluded from the reports to the host controller 2.

[0073] In this respect, according to the above-described operation of the sensor controller 4 in this embodiment, when the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T, the reporting of the indicated position of the stylus 10 detected by the active electrostatic coupling method is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detection position that does not correctly reflect the position of the stylus 10 from being reported to the host controller 2, as described above. Thus, it is possible to prevent unintentional lines drawn on the screen by the user.

[0074] As explained above, in the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor controller 4 can determine whether the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T by confirming the detection status of the pen signal in the detection pattern PD. Therefore, if the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T, even if the position is assumed to be detected, it will be discarded based on the position of the pen signal received from the FPC connection terminal T, thus preventing unintentional lines from being drawn on the screen.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, pen signals can be prevented from being received by both FPC connection terminals T1 and FPC connection terminals T2L and T2R. Therefore, it is possible to prevent "pen signals from being received by both FPC connection terminals T1 and FPC connection terminals T2L and T2R, resulting in unintended lines being drawn on the screen".

[0076] Furthermore, according to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, since the multiple wirings L1, L2L, and L2R are arranged with a width smaller than the width of the multiple FPC connection terminals T1, T2L, and T2R in the arrangement direction, the difference in the amount of noise received at the wiring section can be minimized. Therefore, the accuracy of position detection using the differential method can be improved.

[0077] Various modifications can be considered for this embodiment. Therefore, four modifications of this embodiment will be described below.

[0078] Figure 6This diagram illustrates the portion of the touch sensor 5 in the first modified example of this embodiment that is formed only in the upper UL layer. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the lower LL layer in the structure of the first variation of this embodiment.

[0079] The first modification is characterized by the following aspects: the detection pattern PD of the lower LL includes a portion disposed in an area that overlaps with multiple wirings L1 when viewed from above, and the detection pattern PD of the upper UL includes a portion disposed in an area that overlaps with multiple wirings L2L and L2R when viewed from above. More specifically, the two detection patterns PD of the lower LL each extend to a portion of the area that overlaps with multiple wirings L1 when viewed from above. Accordingly, the shape of the grounding wiring LG of the lower LL is also changed. Furthermore, one of the two detection patterns PD of the upper UL, formed on the wiring L2L side, extends to a portion of the area that overlaps with multiple wirings L2L when viewed from above, and the other, formed on the wiring L2R side, extends to a portion of the area that overlaps with multiple wirings L2R when viewed from above. Accordingly, the shape of the grounding wiring LG of the upper UL is also changed.

[0080] In this way, the detection pattern PD can also be positioned in the area that overlaps with wirings L1, L2L, and L2R when viewed from above. This allows the detection pattern PD to have a larger area.

[0081] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the portion of the touch sensor 5 in the second variation of this embodiment that is formed only in the upper UL layer. Figure 9 This is a diagram showing only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the lower LL layer in the structure of the second variation of this embodiment.

[0082] The second variation is characterized in that, in each of the upper UL and lower LL layers, a grounding pattern PG is formed at a location where a detection pattern PD is absent in the above embodiment. In this variation, the detection pattern PD and the FPC connection terminal TD are not provided. Furthermore, the grounding wiring LG located between the detection pattern PD and the grounding pattern PG, and its corresponding FPC connection terminal TG, which are provided in the grounding wiring LG in the above embodiment, are also not provided in this variation.

[0083] In this modified example, the sensor controller 4 is configured to monitor the potential of each FPC connection terminal TG connected to the ground pattern PG instead of each FPC connection terminal TD, and determine whether the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T based on the result. Even so, the sensor controller 4 can still determine whether the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T. Therefore, when the stylus 10 is near the FPC connection terminal T, the reporting of the indicated position of the stylus 10 detected by the active electrostatic coupling method can be stopped, thus preventing unintentional lines drawn on the screen in the same way as in the above embodiment.

[0084] Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 in the third variation of this embodiment. Figure 11 This diagram shows only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the upper UL layer of the third variation of this embodiment. Figure 12 This is a diagram showing only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the lower LL layer in the structure of the third variation of this embodiment.

[0085] The third variation is characterized in that: the majority of each plurality of wirings L2L, L2R and the FPC connection terminals T2L, T2R are formed in the upper UL layer, and the grounding pattern PG, which is disposed in the area overlapping with the plurality of wirings L2L, L2R when viewed from above, is formed in the lower LL layer. Each plurality of wirings L2L, L2R extends from the lower LL layer to the upper UL layer through a through-hole conductor TH provided near the end of the corresponding linear electrode 5y.

[0086] According to this modified example, the grounding pattern PG can be uniformly formed on the lower layer LL. Therefore, the lower sides of each of the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, and L2R can be covered with grounding potential, so that noise generated in the display device 3 located further below the lower layer LL can be shielded regardless of which of the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, or L2R. As a result, the accuracy of position detection can be further improved.

[0087] It should be noted that, depending on the noise generation conditions, the grounding pattern PG can be uniformly formed on the upper UL by extending multiple wirings L1 downwards to the lower LL using through-hole conductors. Alternatively, multiple wirings L1 can be extended downwards to the lower LL using through-hole conductors, and multiple wirings L2L and L2R can be extended upwards to the upper UL using through-hole conductors. The grounding pattern PG, located in the area overlapping with multiple wirings L1 when viewed from above, can be formed on the upper UL, and the grounding pattern PG, located in the area overlapping with multiple wirings L2L and L2R when viewed from above, can be formed on the lower LL. Furthermore, the grounding wirings LG of the upper UL and lower LL can be interconnected using through-hole conductors, and the detection wirings LD of the upper UL and lower LL can also be interconnected using through-hole conductors.

[0088] Figure 13 This is an enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 in the fourth variation of this embodiment.

[0089] The fourth variation is characterized in that the linear electrodes 5x and 5y are not simply rectangles, but have quadrilaterals arranged in a row along their diagonals. One quadrilateral is disposed between the intersections of the linear electrodes 5x and 5y, and two adjacent quadrilaterals in the x-direction and two adjacent quadrilaterals in the y-direction are connected by a rectangular micro-bridge conductor.

[0090] Thus, the shape of the linear electrodes 5x and 5y does not have to be a simple rectangle. This invention can be applied to linear electrodes 5x and 5y of various shapes.

[0091] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0092] Figure 14 This is an enlarged view of the touch sensor 5 in this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 15 This diagram shows only the portion of the touch sensor 5 formed in the upper UL layer of the present embodiment. Figure 16 This diagram shows only the portion of the touch sensor 5 of this embodiment formed in the lower layer LL. The electronic device 1 of this embodiment differs from the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment in that all of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x are connected to both wiring L2L and wiring L2R. Since it is otherwise identical to the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same structures as in the first embodiment, and the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0093] Since all of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x are connected to both the wiring L2L and the wiring L2R, in the present embodiment, the number of each of the wirings L2L and L2R increases and is equal to the number of the linear electrodes 5x. Correspondingly, the number of each of the FPC connection terminals T2L and T2R also increases as compared with the first embodiment.

[0094] On the other hand, also in the present embodiment, the region A1 and the region A2L are separated and arranged so as to exceed the width R of the reach range of the pen signal on the touch sensor 5 (D1L > R). The same applies to the region A1 and the region A2R (D1R > R). Therefore, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent "the pen signal is received by both the FPC connection terminal T1 and the FPC connection terminals T2L and T2R, and as a result, an unintended line of the user is drawn on the screen".

[0095] In addition, also in the present embodiment, the plurality of wirings L1, L2L, and L2R are respectively arranged at equal intervals with a width narrower than that of each FPC connection terminal T in a region overlapping with the frame region 3b in a plan view. That is, the plurality of wirings L1 have a portion arranged with a width D3x (< D2x) narrower than the width D2x in the arrangement direction (x direction) of the plurality of FPC connection terminals T1 as connection targets, the plurality of wirings L2L have a portion arranged with a width D3yL (< D2yL) narrower than the width D2yL in the arrangement direction (x direction) of the plurality of FPC connection terminals T2L as connection targets, and the plurality of wirings L2R have a portion arranged with a width D3yR (< D2yR) narrower than the width D2yR in the arrangement direction (x direction) of the plurality of FPC connection terminals T2R as connection targets. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the difference in the amount of noise received at the wiring portion between the wirings can be suppressed to the minimum, and thus the accuracy of position detection using the differential method can be improved.

[0096] Moreover, also in the present embodiment, except that some changes are made to a part of the shape and position due to the increase in the number of each of the wirings L2L and L2R, the ground wiring LG, the FPC connection terminal TG, the ground pattern PG, the detection wiring LD, the FPC connection terminal TD, and the detection pattern PD are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the detection position that does not correctly reflect the position of the stylus 10 from being reported to the host controller 2, and thus it is possible to prevent an unintended line of the user from being drawn on the screen.

[0097] As described above, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, and the present invention can of course be implemented in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.

[0098] Reference Numerals

[0099] 1. Electronic equipment

[0100] 2. Host Controller

[0101] 3 Display devices

[0102] 3a Display Area

[0103] 3b Border Area

[0104] 4 Sensor Controller

[0105] 5. Touch sensor

[0106] 5a Insulation layer

[0107] 5b Cover glass

[0108] 5x, 5y linear electrodes

[0109] 10 styluses

[0110] Areas A1, A2L, and A2R

[0111] L1, L2L, L2R wiring

[0112] Wiring for LD testing

[0113] LG grounding wiring

[0114] LL lower layer

[0115] PD detection pattern

[0116] PG grounding pattern

[0117] T, T1, T2L, T2R, TD, TG FPC connection terminals

[0118] TH through-hole conductor

[0119] UL upper layer.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting pen signals emitted by a pen, wherein, include: The touch sensor has a plurality of first electrodes configured to receive signals from the pen, forming a position detection area; A plurality of first FPC connection terminals are arranged at equal intervals outside the position detection area and are respectively connected to the plurality of first electrodes; and Multiple first wirings extend at equal intervals outside the position detection area and connect the multiple first electrodes to the multiple first FPC connection terminals. The plurality of first wirings have portions arranged with a width narrower than the width of the plurality of first FPC connection terminals in the arrangement direction.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, The touch sensor has multiple second electrodes, each configured to receive the pen signal. The sensor includes: A plurality of second FPC connection terminals are arranged at equal intervals outside the position detection area and are respectively connected to at least a portion of the plurality of second electrodes; and Multiple second wirings extend at equal intervals outside the position detection area, and each of the multiple second FPC connection terminals is connected to the corresponding second electrode. The plurality of second wirings have portions arranged with a width narrower than the width of the plurality of second FPC connection terminals in the arrangement direction.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, comprising: A plurality of third FPC connection terminals are arranged at equal intervals outside the position detection area and are respectively connected to at least a portion of the plurality of second electrodes; and Multiple third wirings are provided at equal intervals outside the position detection area, and each of the multiple third FPC connection terminals is connected to the corresponding second electrode. The plurality of third wirings have portions arranged with a width narrower than the width of the plurality of third FPC connection terminals in the arrangement direction.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, The plurality of second FPC connection terminals and the plurality of third FPC connection terminals are respectively connected to all of the plurality of second electrodes.

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