Sensor device

Abstract

A sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes: a first sensor connected to a first sensor line; a second sensor connected to the second sensor line, the second sensor intersecting the first sensor; a sensor transmitter connected to the first sensor through a first sensor line, the sensor transmitter configured to supply a touch driving signal to the first sensor during a touch sensing period; and a sensor receiver connected to the second sensor through a second sensor line, the sensor receiver configured to receive a touch sensing signal from the second sensor during a touch sensing period, where the sensor receiver includes a plurality of analog front ends, and where the analog front ends are configured to receive the touch sensing signal from the second sensor during the touch sensing period. Each of the plurality of analog front ends is connected to at least one of the second sensor lines and at least one of the first sensor lines.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0080523 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 22, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a sensor device and a driving method thereof. Background Art

[0003] As information technology develops, the importance of display devices that provide a connection medium between users and information has increased over time. Therefore, display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and organic light emitting display devices are increasingly used.

[0004] The display device may include a display unit for displaying an image and a sensor unit for sensing a user input. The sensor unit may be positioned while overlapping the display unit. The user input may be performed not only by touch but also by an electronic device such as an active pen.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background and therefore the information discussed in this Background section does not necessarily constitute prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of some embodiments include a sensor device that can perform touch sensing and active pen sensing using a minimum configuration, and a driving method thereof.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensor device includes: a first sensor connected to a first sensor line; a second sensor connected to a second sensor line, the second sensor intersecting the first sensor; a sensor transmitter connected to the first sensor through the first sensor line, the sensor transmitter supplying a touch drive signal to the first sensor during a touch sensing period; and a sensor receiver connected to the second sensor through the second sensor line, the sensor receiver receiving a touch sensing signal from the second sensor during the touch sensing period, wherein the sensor receiver includes a plurality of analog front ends, and wherein each of the plurality of analog front ends is connected to at least one second sensor line among the second sensor lines and at least one first sensor line among the first sensor lines.

[0008] According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of analog front ends may be connected to three of the second sensor lines and two of the first sensor lines.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the plurality of analog front ends may include a first analog front end and a second analog front end. According to some embodiments, one of the second sensor lines connected to the first analog front end may also be connected to the second analog front end.

[0010] According to some embodiments, one of the first sensor lines connected to the first analog front end may also be connected to the second analog front end.

[0011] According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of analog front ends may include a multiplexer connected to three of the second sensor lines and two of the first sensor lines.

[0012] According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of analog front ends may further include: a charge amplifier connected to the two lines selected in the multiplexer.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the charge amplifier may be a fully differential amplifier.

[0014] According to some embodiments, each of the multiple analog front ends may also include: a bandpass filter, configured to filter the output signal of the charge amplifier to have a set frequency band; a mixer, configured to mix the output signal of the bandpass filter and a local clock signal; a low-pass filter, configured to filter the output signal of the mixer to have a set frequency band; and an analog-to-digital converter, configured to convert the output signal of the low-pass filter into a digital signal.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the first frame period may include an uplink period, a first active pen sensing period, and a signal processing period. According to some embodiments, the second frame period after the first frame period may include an uplink period, a second active pen sensing period, a touch sensing period, and a signal processing period.

[0016] According to some embodiments, during the entire sensing period of the first active pen sensing period, the sensor device may receive the downlink signal of the active pen from all the first sensors and all the second sensors. According to some embodiments, during the second active pen sensing period, the sensor device may receive the downlink signal of the active pen from some of the first sensors and some of the second sensors.

[0017] According to some embodiments, during a partial sensing period of the first active pen sensing period, the sensor device may receive downlink signals of the active pen from some of the first sensors and some of the second sensors based on the position of the active pen detected in the entire sensing period.

[0018] According to some embodiments, during the second active pen sensing period, the sensor device may receive downlink signals of the active pen from some of the first sensors and some of the second sensors based on the position of the active pen detected during the partial sensing period.

[0019] According to some embodiments, some of the first sensors and some of the second sensors that sense during the partial sensing period or the second active pen sensing period may vary based on a moving path of the active pen.

[0020] According to some embodiments, when the speed of the active pen increases, the number of some of the first sensors and the number of some of the second sensors sensing during the partial sensing period or the second active pen sensing period may increase.

[0021] According to some embodiments, when the speed of the active pen decreases, the number of some of the first sensors and the number of some of the second sensors sensing during the partial sensing period or the second active pen sensing period may decrease.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensor device includes: a first sensor connected to a first sensor line; a second sensor connected to a second sensor line, the second sensor intersecting the first sensor; a sensor transmitter connected to the first sensor through the first sensor line, the sensor transmitter supplying a touch drive signal to the first sensor during a touch sensing period; and a sensor receiver connected to the second sensor through the second sensor line, the sensor receiver receiving a touch sensing signal from the second sensor during the touch sensing period, wherein the sensor receiver includes: a first analog front-end group and a second analog front-end group, wherein each of the first analog front-end and the second analog front-end included in the first analog front-end group is connected to at least one second sensor line among the second sensor lines and at least one first sensor line among the first sensor lines, and wherein each of the third analog front-end and the fourth analog front-end included in the second analog front-end group is connected to at least one first sensor line among the first sensor lines and is not connected to the second sensor line.

[0023] According to some embodiments, one of the second sensor lines connected to the first analog front end may be connected to the second analog front end.

[0024] According to some embodiments, one of the first sensor lines connected to the first analog front end may be connected to the second analog front end.

[0025] According to some embodiments, one of the first sensor lines connected to the third analog front end may be connected to the fourth analog front end.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the second analog front end group may not operate during the touch sensing period but may operate during the active pen sensing period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0028] In the accompanying drawings, dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "between" two elements, the element may be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout.

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 5 is a diagram showing some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a diagram of an analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0033] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 7 is a diagram showing some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a diagram of an analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0035] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a diagram of an analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0037] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating a first frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figures 11 to 14 is a diagram illustrating an entire sensing period of a first frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Fig.15 is a diagram illustrating a partial sensing period of a first frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figures 16 to 18 is a diagram illustrating a second frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig.19 is a diagram illustrating a second frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating a partial sensing period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig.21 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing some embodiments of the present disclosure Fig.21 FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, aspects of some embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in various different forms and are not limited to the example embodiments described in this specification.

[0046] In order to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand, make and use the invention, the description of some parts or components that are not required for description may be omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure, and the same or similar constituent elements will be represented by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. Therefore, the same reference numerals may be used to identify the same or similar elements in different drawings.

[0047] In addition, for better understanding and ease of description, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For clear expression, the thickness of several parts and regions is exaggerated.

[0048] In the description, the expression "equal" may mean "substantially equal", that is, it may mean that those skilled in the art can understand the equality to the same degree. Other expressions may be expressions in which "substantially" is omitted.

[0049] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 The display device 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include a panel 10 and a driving circuit 20 for driving the panel 10 .

[0051] For example, the panel 10 may include a display unit 110 for displaying an image and a sensor unit 120 for sensing touch, pressure, fingerprint, hovering, etc. For example, the panel 10 may include pixels PX and a sensor SC positioned while overlapping at least some of the pixels PX. According to some embodiments, the sensor SC may include a first sensor TX and a second sensor RX. According to some embodiments (e.g., a self-capacitive type), the sensor SC may be configured using a sensor without distinguishing the first sensor and the second sensor from each other. The driving circuit 20 may include a display driver 210 for driving the display unit 110 and a sensor driver 220 for driving the sensor unit 120. For example, the pixel PX may display an image by using a display frame period as a unit. For example, the sensor SC may sense a user's input by using a sensing frame period as a unit. The sensing frame period and the display frame period may be the same. At the same time, the sensing frame period and the display frame period may be independent of each other or different from each other. The sensing frame period and the display frame period may be synchronized or asynchronous with each other.

[0052] According to some embodiments, after the display unit 110 and the sensor unit 120 are manufactured separately from each other, the display unit 110 and the sensor unit 120 may be arranged and / or combined to overlap each other in at least one region. Alternatively, according to some embodiments, the display unit 110 and the sensor unit 120 may be manufactured integrally. For example, the sensor unit 120 may be directly formed on at least one substrate constituting the display unit 110 (e.g., an upper substrate and / or a lower substrate of a display panel, or a thin film encapsulation layer), or another insulating layer or one of various types of functional layers (e.g., an optical layer or a protective layer).

[0053] At the same time, although Figure 1 , the sensor unit 120 is positioned on the front surface of the display unit 110 (e.g., the upper surface on which an image is displayed), but the position of the sensor unit 120 is not limited thereto. For example, according to some embodiments, the sensor unit 120 may be positioned on the rear surface or both surfaces of the display unit 110. According to some embodiments, the sensor unit 120 may be positioned in at least one edge region of the display unit 110.

[0054] The display unit 110 may include a display substrate 111 and a plurality of pixels PX formed on the display substrate 111. The pixels PX may be positioned in a display area DA of the display substrate 111.

[0055] The display substrate 111 may include a display area DA that displays an image and a non-display area NDA at the periphery (e.g., outside the coverage area) of the display area DA. In some embodiments, the display area DA may be located in a central area of ​​the display unit 110, and the non-display area NDA may be located in an edge area of ​​the display unit 110 to surround the display area DA.

[0056] The display substrate 111 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and there is no particular limitation on the material or properties of the display substrate 111. For example, the display substrate 111 may be a rigid substrate made of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate constructed with a thin film made of plastic or metal.

[0057] The scan lines SL and the data lines DL and the pixels PX connected to the scan lines SL and the data lines DL are positioned in the display area DA. The pixels PX are selected by the scan signals having a conduction level supplied from the scan lines SL to be supplied with the data signals from the data lines DL, and emit light having a brightness corresponding to the data signals. Therefore, an image corresponding to the data signals is displayed in the display area DA. In the present disclosure, there is no specific limitation on the structure, driving method, etc. of the pixels PX. For example, each of the pixels PX may be implemented as a pixel having various structures and / or various driving methods currently known in the art.

[0058] Various types of lines and / or built-in circuits connected to the pixels PX of the display area DA may be positioned in the non-display area NDA. In an example, a plurality of lines for supplying various power supplies and various control signals to the display area DA may be positioned in the non-display area NDA. In addition, a scan driver and the like may be further positioned in the non-display area NDA.

[0059] In the present disclosure, there is no specific limitation on the type of display unit 110. For example, the display unit 110 may be implemented as a self-luminous display panel such as an organic light-emitting display panel. However, when the display unit 110 is implemented as a self-luminous display panel, each pixel is not necessarily limited to the case where the pixel only includes an organic light-emitting element. For example, the light-emitting element of each pixel may be configured as an organic light-emitting diode, an inorganic light-emitting diode, a quantum dot / well light-emitting diode, etc. A plurality of light-emitting elements may be arranged in each pixel. A plurality of light-emitting elements may be connected in series, in parallel, in series / in parallel, etc. Alternatively, the display unit 110 may be implemented as a non-luminous display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel. When the display unit 110 is implemented as a non-luminous display panel, the display device 1 may additionally include a light source such as a backlight unit.

[0060] The sensor unit 120 may include a sensor substrate 121 and a plurality of sensors SC formed on the sensor substrate 121. The sensors SC may be positioned in a sensing area SA on the sensor substrate 121.

[0061] The sensor substrate 121 may include a sensing area SA capable of sensing a touch input, etc., and a peripheral area NSA on the periphery of the sensing area SA. In some embodiments, the sensing area SA may be arranged to overlap with at least one area of ​​the display area DA. In an example, the sensing area SA may be set to an area corresponding to the display area DA (e.g., an area overlapping the display area DA), and the peripheral area NSA may be set to an area corresponding to the non-display area NDA (e.g., an area overlapping the non-display area NDA). When a touch input, etc. is provided on the display area DA, the touch input may be detected by the sensor unit 120. In some embodiments, when an input of an active pen is provided on the display area DA, the input of the active pen may be detected by the sensor unit 120.

[0062] The sensor substrate 121 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. In addition, the sensor substrate 121 may be constructed using at least one insulating layer. In addition, the sensor substrate 121 may be a transparent light-transmitting substrate or a translucent light-transmitting substrate, but is not limited thereto according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. That is, in the present disclosure, the material and properties of the sensor substrate 121 are not subject to specific restrictions. For example, the sensor substrate 121 may be a rigid substrate constructed using glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate constructed using a thin film made of plastic or metal. In some embodiments, at least one substrate constituting the display unit 110 (e.g., a display substrate 111, an encapsulation substrate, and / or a thin film encapsulation layer) or at least one insulating layer, at least one functional layer, etc. positioned at the interior and / or exterior surface of the display unit 110 may be used as the sensor substrate 121.

[0063] The sensing area SA is set as an area that can react to a touch input (ie, an effective area of ​​the sensor). To this end, a sensor SC for sensing a touch input, etc. may be positioned in the sensing area SA. In some embodiments, the sensor SC may include a first sensor TX and a second sensor RX.

[0064] For example, each of the first sensors TX may extend in the first direction DR1. The first sensors TX may be arranged in the second direction DR2. The second direction DR2 may be different from the first direction DR1. For example, the second direction DR2 may be a direction orthogonal to the first direction DR1. According to some embodiments, the extending direction and the arrangement direction of the first sensors TX may follow another conventional configuration. Each of the first sensors TX may have a form in which a first unit having a relatively wide area and a first bridge having a relatively narrow area are connected to each other. Although in Figure 1 , each of the first units has a diamond shape, but each of the first units may be configured as various conventional shapes including a circular shape, other quadrilateral shapes, a triangular shape, a grid shape, etc. For example, the first bridge may be formed integrally with the first unit at the same layer. According to some embodiments, the first bridge may be formed at a different layer from the first unit to electrically connect adjacent first units to each other.

[0065] For example, each of the second sensors RX may extend in the second direction DR2. The second sensors RX may be arranged in the first direction DR1. According to some embodiments, the extending direction and the arrangement direction of the second sensors RX may follow another conventional configuration. Each of the second sensors RX may have a form in which a second cell having a relatively wide area and a second bridge having a relatively narrow area are connected to each other. Figure 1 , each of the second units has a diamond shape, but each of the second units may be configured as various conventional shapes including a circular shape, other quadrilateral shapes, a triangular shape, a grid shape, etc. For example, the second bridge may be formed integrally with the second unit in the same layer. According to some embodiments, the second bridge may be formed in a layer different from that of the second unit to electrically connect adjacent second units to each other.

[0066] In some embodiments, each of the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may include at least one of a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials, thereby having conductivity. In an example, the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may include at least one of various metal materials including gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), etc. and alloys thereof. The first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may be configured in a mesh shape. In addition, the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may include a material including silver nanowires (AgNW), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO 2), carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc. In addition, the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may include at least one of various conductive materials to have conductivity. In addition, each of the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may be constructed as a single layer or a multilayer, and the cross-sectional structure thereof is not particularly limited.

[0067] Meanwhile, sensor lines and the like for electrically connecting the sensor SC to the sensor driver 220 may be concentrically arranged in the peripheral area NSA.

[0068] The driving circuit 20 may include a display driver 210 for driving the display unit 110 and a sensor driver 220 for driving the sensor unit 120. According to some embodiments, the display driver 210 and the sensor driver 220 may be configured as integrated chips (ICs) separated from each other. According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the display driver 210 and at least a portion of the sensor driver 220 may be integrated together in one IC.

[0069] The display driver 210 is electrically connected to the display unit 110 to drive the pixels PX. For example, the display driver 210 may include a data driver and a timing controller, and a scan driver may be separately installed in the non-display area NDA of the display unit 110. According to some embodiments, the display driver 210 may include all or at least some of the data driver, the timing controller, and the scan driver. According to some embodiments, the display driver 210 may correspond to at least one of a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), etc. According to some embodiments, the display driver 210 may refer to a collection of at least one of a GPU, a CPU, and an AP and a timing controller.

[0070] The sensor driver 220 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 120 to drive the sensor unit 120. The sensor driver 220 may include a sensor transmitter and a sensor receiver. In some embodiments, the sensor transmitter and the sensor receiver may be integrated into one IC, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0071] Reference Figure 2 , for example, the sensor unit 120 may be stacked on top of the display unit 110 , and the window WIN may be stacked on top of the sensor unit 120 .

[0072] The display unit 110 may include a display substrate 111, a circuit element layer BPL formed on the display substrate 111, and a light emitting element LD formed on the circuit element layer BPL. The circuit element layer BPL may include a pixel circuit for driving the light emitting element LD of the pixel PX, a scan line SL, a data line DL, and the like.

[0073] The sensor unit 120 may include a sensor substrate 121, a sensor SC formed on the sensor substrate 121, and a protection layer 122 covering the sensor SC. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor substrate 121 may be shown in the form of an encapsulation layer covering the pixel PX. According to some embodiments, the sensor substrate 121 may exist separately from the encapsulation layer covering the pixel PX.

[0074] The window WIN is a protective member positioned at the uppermost end of the module of the display device 1, and may be a substantially transparent light-transmitting substrate. The window WIN may have a multilayer structure selected from a glass substrate, a plastic film, and a plastic substrate. The window WIN may include a rigid or flexible material, and the material constituting the window WIN is not particularly limited.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the display device 1 may further include a polarizing plate (or another anti-reflection layer) for preventing external light from being reflected between the window WIN and the sensor unit 120 .

[0076] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0077] Reference Figure 3 , the sensor device SSD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include the sensor unit 120 and the sensor driver 220. The sensor device SSD may be included in the display device 1. Meanwhile, the sensor device SSD may be constructed as a separate independent product regardless of the display device 1.

[0078] The sensor unit 120 may include first sensors TX1, TX2, TX3, TX4, and TX5 and second sensors RX1, RX2, RX3, and RX4. The first sensors TX1 to TX5 may extend in a first direction DR1 and may be arranged parallel to each other in a second direction DR2. The second sensors RX1 to RX4 may extend in a second direction DR2 and may be arranged parallel to each other in the first direction DR1. The second sensors RX1 to RX4 may intersect with the first sensors TX1 to TX5. The first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the second sensors RX1 to RX4 may form mutual capacitance. For example, a capacitor C11 may be formed between the first sensor TX1 and the second sensor RX1, and a capacitor C12 may be formed between the first sensor TX1 and the second sensor RX2. The sensor driver 220 may sense changes in the capacitors C11 and C12 to determine whether a user's touch has been input, etc.

[0079] The sensor driver 220 may include a sensor transmitter TDC and a sensor receiver TSC. The sensor transmitter TDC may be connected to the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and may be connected to the first sensors TX1 to TX5 during a touch sensing period (see FIG. Fig.16 The sensor transmitter TDC may be connected to the first sensors TX1 to TX5 through the first sensor lines TXL1, TXL2, TXL3, TXL4, and TXL5.

[0080] The sensor receiver TSC may be connected to the second sensors RX1 to RX4 and receive sensing signals from the second sensors RX1 to RX4 during a touch sensing period. The sensor receiver TSC may be connected to the second sensors RX1 to RX4 through second sensor lines RXL1, RXL2, RXL3, and RXL4. The sensor receiver TSC may include an analog front end group AFEG and a signal processor DSP.

[0081] The analog front end group AFEG may include a plurality of analog front ends AFE1, AFE2, AFE3, and AFE4. Each of the analog front ends AFE1, AFE2, AFE3, and AFE4 may be connected to two adjacent second sensors among the second sensors RX1 to RX4. For example, the first analog front end AFE1 may be connected to the second sensor RX1 and the second sensor RX2. The second analog front end AFE2 may be connected to the second sensor RX2 and the second sensor RX3. The third analog front end AFE3 may be connected to the second sensor RX3 and the second sensor RX4. The fourth analog front end AFE4 may be connected to the second sensor RX4 and another adjacent second sensor. Each of the analog front ends AFE1, AFE2, AFE3, and AFE4 generates a digital signal from which common noise is removed by using the sensing signal of the adjacent second sensor as a differential signal, so that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) may be improved.

[0082] The signal processor DSP may calculate the sensing value by using the digital signal provided from the analog front end group AFEG. For example, the digital signal provided from the first analog front end AFE1 may correspond to the difference (lv2-lv1) between the level lv2 of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX2 and the level lv1 of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX1. The digital signal provided from the second analog front end AFE2 may correspond to the difference (lv3-lv2) between the level lv3 of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX3 and the level lv2 of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX2. The digital signal provided from the third analog front end AFE3 may correspond to the difference (lv4-lv3) between the level lv4 of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX4 and the level lv3 of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX3.

[0083] For example, the signal processor DSP may calculate relative levels lv2', lv3', and lv4' of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX2, RX3, and RX4 by using Equations 1 to 3 below.

[0084] Equation 1

[0085] lv2'=lv2-lv1

[0086] Equation 2

[0087] lv3'=lv3-lv1=(lv3-lv2)+(lv2-lv1)

[0088] Equation 3

[0089] lv4'==lv4-lv1=(lv4-lv3)+(lv3-lv2)+(lv2-lv1)

[0090] The signal processor DSP may determine whether a user's touch or the like has been input by using the relative levels lv2 ′, lv3 ′, and lv4 ′ as sensing values, or may transmit the sensing values ​​to the display driver 210 .

[0091] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0092] Figure 4 The sensor receiver TSC shown in Figure 3 The sensor receiver TSC shown in Figure 1 differs in that: Figure 4 The sensor receiver TSC shown in FIG. 1 further comprises distribution circuits DC1 , DC2 and DC3 .

[0093] The distribution circuits DC1, DC2, and DC3 may be positioned between at least some of the second sensors RX1 to RX4 and the analog front ends AFE1 to AFE4, generate a plurality of signals having the same amplitude (e.g., the same voltage level or the same current amount) based on each of the sensing signals provided from at least some of the second sensors RX1 to RX4, and distribute the generated signals to the analog front ends AFE1 to AFE4. For example, the distribution circuits DC1, DC2, and DC3 may be configured to include an amplifier, a buffer, etc., and amplify or mirror each of the sensing signals to output an amplified sensing signal or a mirrored sensing signal.

[0094] For example, the first distribution circuit DC1 may receive a second sensing signal provided from the second sensor RX2, and may provide signals having the same amplitude as the second sensing signal to the first analog front end AFE1 and the second analog front end AFE2, respectively. When the second sensing signal does not pass through the first distribution circuit DC1, the second sensing signal is simultaneously supplied to the first analog front end AFE1 and the second analog front end AFE2. Therefore, due to the relative increase in the load relative to the second sensing signal, the amplitude of the second sensing signal may be different from the amplitude of the first sensing signal received from the second sensor RX1. For example, the amplitude of the second sensing signal may be smaller than the amplitude of the first sensing signal. Therefore, according to some embodiments, signals having the same amplitude as the second sensing signal may be provided to the first analog front end AFE1 and the second analog front end AFE2, respectively, by using the first distribution circuit DC1.

[0095] Similarly, the second distribution circuit DC2 can receive the third sensing signal provided from the second sensor RX3, and provide signals having the same amplitude as the third sensing signal to the second analog front end AFE2 and the third analog front end AFE3, respectively. The third distribution circuit DC3 can receive the fourth sensing signal provided from the second sensor RX4, and provide signals having the same amplitude as the fourth sensing signal to the third analog front end AFE3 and the fourth analog front end AFE4, respectively.

[0096] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0097] Reference Figure 5 According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first analog front end AFE1 may include a charge amplifier CAMP, a bandpass filter BPF, a mixer MXR, a low-pass filter LPF, and an analog-to-digital converter ADC. In addition to the second sensor connected only thereto, the other analog front ends AFE2, AFE3, and AFE4 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) can have the same structure as the first analog front end AFE1, so some repeated descriptions can be omitted.

[0098] The charge amplifier CAMP may receive sensing signals from two sensors RX1 and RX2 among the second sensors RX1 to RX4. For example, a first input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP may be connected to the second sensor line RXL1, and a second input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP may be connected to the second sensor line RXL2. Therefore, the charge amplifier CAMP may output a signal corresponding to the difference between the level of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX2 and the level of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX1. The charge amplifier CAMP may be configured as a fully differential amplifier to output a signal corresponding to the difference between the level of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX2 and the level of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX1 and its inverted signal. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , two internal signal lines parallel to each other are shown by assuming that the components BPF, MXR, LPF, and ADC connected to the output terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP have specifications requiring an input signal and an inverted input signal. Each of the components BPF, MXR, LPF, and ADC can remove common mode noise by using the input signal and the inverted input signal.

[0099] However, according to some embodiments, the elements BPF, MXR, LPF, and ADC may be configured to have specifications that require only an input signal without inverting the input signal. The output terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP may be configured as a single-ended terminal to output only a signal corresponding to the difference between the level of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX2 and the level of the sensing signal of the second sensor RX1. According to some embodiments, an internal signal line connecting the charge amplifier CAMP and each of the elements BPF, MXR, LPF, and ADC to each other will be shown.

[0100] The bandpass filter BPF may be connected to the output terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP. The bandpass filter BPF may filter the output signal of the charge amplifier CAMP to have a set frequency band. For example, the frequency band may be predetermined to include the frequency (or center frequency) of the sensing signal, and the noise component may be located outside the frequency band. The center frequency of the sensing signal may be the same as the center frequency of the driving signal.

[0101] The mixer MXR may mix the output signal of the bandpass filter BPF and the local clock signal fLO. The mixer MXR may include a frequency component corresponding to the difference and sum of the frequency of the output signal of the bandpass filter BPF and the frequency of the local clock signal fLO. For example, when the frequency of the output signal of the bandpass filter BPF is the same as the frequency of the local clock signal fLO, the output signal of the mixer MXR may include a frequency component having 0 Hz as a center frequency.

[0102] The low-pass filter LPF can filter the output signal of the mixer MXR to have a set frequency band. The set frequency band of the low-pass filter LPF can be lower than the set frequency band of the band-pass filter LPF. For example, the low-pass filter LPF can only allow the signal with a low frequency band of 0 Hz as the center frequency in the output signal of the mixer MXR to pass. Therefore, the low-pass filter LPF can filter the frequency component corresponding to the noise.

[0103] The analog-to-digital converter ADC can convert the output of the low-pass filter LPF into a digital signal OUT. Since the analog-to-digital converter ADC receives a signal of a low frequency band from the low-pass filter LPF, the analog-to-digital converter ADC can operate at a small sampling rate, and the frequency of the clock signal can be low. Therefore, the analog-to-digital converter ADC can have advantages in terms of power cost and construction cost.

[0104] The signal processor DSP can determine the final sensing value by using the digital signal OUT output from each of the analog front ends AFE1, AFE2, AFE3, and AFE4 (see Figure 3 and Equations 1 to 3).

[0105] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0106] exist Figure 6 In the figure, for the convenience of description, it is shown that the sensor unit 120 further includes a second sensor RX5 and a second sensor line RXL5. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The configuration of the sensor unit 120 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same.

[0107] Figure 6 The analog front end group AFEG shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of analog front ends AFE1a and AFE2a. Descriptions of components overlapping with those described above will be omitted.

[0108] For example, each of the plurality of analog front ends AFE1a and AFE2a may be connected to three of the second sensor lines RXL1 to RXL5. The first analog front end AFE1a may be connected to the second sensor lines RXL1, RXL2, and RXL3, and the second analog front end AFE2a may be connected to the second sensor lines RXL3, RXL4, and RXL5.

[0109] For example, one second sensor line RXL3 among the second sensor lines RXL1 , RXL2 , and RXL3 connected to the first analog front end AFE1 a may also be connected to the second analog front end AFE2 a .

[0110] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0111] and Figure 5 Compared with the first analog front end AFE1 shown in Figure 7 The first analog front end AFE1a shown in FIG. 1 may further include a multiplexer MUX. Descriptions of components overlapping with those described above will be omitted.

[0112] The multiplexer MUX may be connected to the three second sensor lines RXL1, RXL2, and RXL3 and the charge amplifier CAMP. For example, in the first period, the multiplexer MUX of the first analog front end AFE1a may connect the two second sensor lines RXL1 and RXL2 to the input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP. The multiplexer MUX of the second analog front end AFE2a may connect the two second sensor lines RXL3 and RXL4 to the input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP. Therefore, the signal processor DSP may receive the digital signals of half of the second sensor lines.

[0113] For example, in a second period after the first period, the multiplexer MUX of the first analog front end AFE1a may connect the two second sensor lines RXL2 and RXL3 to the input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP. The multiplexer MUX of the second analog front end AFEa may connect the two second sensor lines RXL4 and RXL5 to the input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP. Therefore, the signal processor DSP may receive the digital signals of the other half of the second sensor lines.

[0114] Thus, during the touch sensing period, the sensor driver 220 is driven by temporally dividing the touch sensing period into a first period and a second period so that the signal processor DSP can determine a final sensing value of the entire sensor unit 120. Figure 6 The embodiment shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 Compared with the embodiment shown in , the number of analog front ends AFE1a and AFE2a can be reduced by half. Therefore, the construction cost can be reduced.

[0115] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0116] Figure 8 The analog front end group AFEG shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of analog front ends AFE1b and AFE2b. Descriptions of components overlapping with those described above will be omitted.

[0117] Each of the plurality of analog front ends AFE1b and AFE2b may be connected to at least one of the second sensor lines RXL1 to RXL5 and at least one of the first sensor lines TXL1 to TLX5. For example, each of the plurality of analog front ends AFE1b and AFE2b may be connected to three of the second sensor lines RXL1 to RXL5 and two of the first sensor lines TXL1 to TLX5. For example, the first analog front end AFE1b may be connected to the second sensor lines RXL1, RXL2, and RXL3 and the first sensor lines TXL1 and TXL2. Meanwhile, the second analog front end AFE2b may be connected to the second sensor lines RXL3, RXL4, and RXL5 and the first sensor lines TXL2 and TXL3.

[0118] One second sensor line RXL3 of the second sensor lines RXL1, RXL2 and RXL3 connected to the first analog front end AFE1b can also be connected to the second analog front end AFE2b. In addition, one first sensor line TXL2 of the first sensor lines TXL1 and TXL2 connected to the first analog front end AFE1b can also be connected to the second analog front end AFE2b.

[0119] according to Figure 8 In the embodiment shown in , in addition to touch sensing, the sensor device SSD can also perform sensing on the active pen APEN. In addition, in addition to the active pen APEN, the sensor device SSD can also perform sensing on an active device for sending / receiving electromagnetic signals to / from the sensor unit 120.

[0120] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0121] and Figure 5 Compared with the first analog front end AFE1 shown in Fig. 9 The first analog front end AFE1b shown in FIG. 1 may further include a multiplexer MUX. Descriptions of components overlapping with those described above will be omitted.

[0122] The multiplexer MUX may be connected to the three second sensor lines RXL1, RXL2 and RXL3, the two first sensor lines TXL1 and TXL2, and the charge amplifier CAMP. Figures 10 to 15 To describe the operation of the multiplexer MUX.

[0123] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating a first frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 11 to 14 is a diagram showing the entire sensing period of the first frame period. Fig.15 is a diagram showing a partial sensing period of a first frame period.

[0124] The first frame period FR1 may include an uplink period UPLP, a first active pen sensing period APSP1, and a signal processing period DSPP. The frame period may mean a sensing frame period required when the sensor unit 120 is sensed at least once. As described above, the sensing frame period and the display frame period may be the same. Meanwhile, the sensing frame period and the display frame period may be independent of each other or different from each other. The sensing frame period and the display frame period may be synchronized or asynchronous with each other.

[0125] During the uplink period UPLP, at least some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may send uplink signals. For example, only the first sensors TX1 to TX5 may send uplink signals, or only the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may send uplink signals. The first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may both send uplink signals. The uplink signal transmitter may be connected to at least some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the second sensors RX1 to RX5 that send uplink signals. At the same time, the sensor transmitter TDC may be configured to be used for the uplink signal transmitter.

[0126] The first active pen sensing period APSP1 may be a period in which the sensor device SSD receives or waits for a downlink signal. The active pen APEN that receives an uplink signal during the uplink period UPLP may send a downlink signal. The downlink signal may be configured differently according to the protocol. For example, in the Universal Stylus Interaction (or Universal Stylus Alliance) (USI) protocol, the downlink signal may include an approval signal, a position signal, and a data signal. In another example, in the Active Electrostatic Solution (or Active Electrostatic Sensing Technology) (AES) protocol, the downlink signal may include a position signal and a data signal. In another example, the downlink signal may also include a slope signal. In addition, the downlink signal may be defined by various protocols known in the art.

[0127] During the entire sensing period ESP of the first active pen sensing period APSP1 , the sensor device SSD may receive the downlink signal of the active pen APEN from all the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and all the second sensors RX1 to RX5 .

[0128] The entire sensing period ESP may include a first entire sensing period ESP1 , a second entire sensing period ESP2 , and a third entire sensing period ESP3 .

[0129] The first entire sensing period ESP1 may be a sensing period using all of the first sensors TX1 to TX5. Fig.11, during the first entire sensing period ESP1, the multiplexer MUX of the first analog front end AFE1b can connect the first sensor lines TXL1 and TXL2 to the charge amplifier CAMP. At the same time, during the first entire sensing period ESP1, the multiplexer MUX of the second analog front end AFE2b can connect the first sensor lines TXL2 and TXL3 to the charge amplifier CAMP. Similarly, all the first sensor lines TXL1 to TXL5 are connected to the analog front end group AFEG so that all the first sensors TX1 to TX5 can be in a state where all the first sensors TX1 to TX5 can receive the downlink signal of the active pen APEN.

[0130] The second entire sensing period ESP2 may be a sensing period using half of the second sensors RX1 to RX5. Fig.12 , during the second entire sensing period ESP2, the multiplexer MUX of the first analog front end AFE1b may connect the second sensor lines RXL1 and RXL2 to the charge amplifier CAMP. At the same time, during the second entire sensing period ESP2, the multiplexer MUX of the second analog front end AFE2b may connect the second sensor lines RXL3 and RXL4 to the charge amplifier CAMP. Therefore, half of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may be in a state where half of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may receive the downlink signal of the active pen APEN.

[0131] The third entire sensing period ESP3 may be a sensing period using the other half of the second sensors RX1 to RX5. Fig.13 , during the third entire sensing period ESP3, the multiplexer MUX of the first analog front end AFE1b may connect the second sensor lines RXL2 and RXL3 to the charge amplifier CAMP. At the same time, during the third entire sensing period ESP3, the multiplexer MUX of the second analog front end AFE2b may connect the second sensor lines RXL4 and RXL5 to the charge amplifier CAMP. Therefore, the other half of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may be in a state where the other half of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 may receive the downlink signal of the active pen APEN.

[0132] Reference Fig.14 , assuming that the active pen APEN is positioned at the first position APEN1. All first sensors TX1 to TX5 may generate a first sensing signal TXS, and all second sensors RX1 to RX5 may generate a second sensing signal RXS. Therefore, even if the active pen APEN is positioned at any position of the sensor unit 120, a coordinate position on a plane may be detected. The plane may be defined by a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2.

[0133] According to some embodiments, the sensor driver 220 is driven by temporally dividing the entire sensing period ESP into a first entire sensing period ESP1, a second entire sensing period ESP2, and a third entire sensing period ESP3 so that the signal processor DSP can determine a final sensing value of the entire sensor unit 120. Figures 8 to 14 In the embodiment shown in FIG. , the number of Figure 6 Communication with the active pen APEN is possible when using the same analog front ends AFE1b and AFE2b as shown in FIG.

[0134] At the same time, during the partial sensing period PSP of the first active pen sensing period APSP1, the sensor device SSD can receive downlink signals of the active pen APEN from some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 based on the first position APEN1 of the active pen APEN detected in the entire sensing period ESP.

[0135] The partial sensing period PSP may include a first partial sensing period PSP1 and a second partial sensing period PSP2. The first partial sensing period PSP1 is a sensing period of the active pen APEN using some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5. The first partial sensing period PSP1 is similar to the first partial sensing period PSP1 except that only the number of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 used is reduced. Fig.11 The second partial sensing period PSP2 is the same as the description shown in , so the repeated description will be omitted. The second partial sensing period PSP2 is a sensing period of the active pen APEN using some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5. The second partial sensing period PSP2 is the same as the description shown in , so the repeated description will be omitted. Fig.12 or Fig.13 The descriptions are the same as those shown in , so duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0136] Reference Fig.15 , showing that some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 positioned at the periphery of the pre-detection first position APEN1 of the active pen APEN generate a first sensing signal TXS and some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 positioned at the periphery of the pre-detection first position APEN1 of the active pen APEN generate a second sensing signal RXS.

[0137] The signal processing period DSPP may be a period for generating the position, slope, and other data of the active pen APEN based on the digital signal OUT received by the signal processor DSP. However, the signal processing period DSPP does not have to start after the end of the first active pen sensing period APSP1. For example, when generating the digital signal of the analog front end group AFEG, the signal processor DSP may generate the position, slope, and other data of the active pen APEN. That is, the sensing of the sensor unit 120 and the signal processing of the signal processor DSP may be processed in parallel. Therefore, the first active pen sensing period APSP1 may continuously include the entire sensing period ESP and the partial sensing period PSP.

[0138] Figures 16 to 18 is a diagram illustrating a second frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0139] Reference Fig.16 , the second frame period FR2 after the first frame period FR1 may include an uplink period UPLP, a second active pen sensing period APSP2, a touch sensing period TSP, and a signal processing period DSPP. When the position of the active pen APEN can be continuously identified after one first frame period FR1, a plurality of second frame periods FR2 may be continuously performed. However, when the position of the active pen APEN is missed, the first frame period FR1 may be performed again. The description of the touch sensing period TSP will refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 Hereinafter, descriptions of parts that overlap with the above parts will be omitted.

[0140] During the second active pen sensing period APSP2, downlink signals of the active pen APEN may be received from some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5. The second active pen sensing period APSP2 may include a first partial sensing period PSP1 and a second partial sensing period PSP2.

[0141] During the second active pen sensing period APSP2, a downlink signal of the active pen APEN may be received from some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 based on the first position APEN1 of the active pen APEN detected during the partial sensing period. The partial sensing period is a partial sensing period performed just before the second active pen sensing period APSP2, and may be a partial sensing period PSP of the first active pen sensing period APSP1. In addition, when a plurality of second active pen sensing periods APSP2 are continuous, the partial sensing period may refer to partial sensing periods PSP1 and PSP2 of the just preceding second active pen sensing period APSP2.

[0142] Meanwhile, some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 sensed during the partial sensing period PSP or the second active pen sensing period APSP2 may vary based on the moving path of the active pen APEN. Fig.17 , it can be detected that the position of the active pen APEN has changed from the first position APEN1 to the second position APEN2. Fig.18 , it can be seen that the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the second sensors RX1 to RX5 generating the sensing signals TXS and RXS have been changed based on the new second position APEN2.

[0143] Fig.19 is a diagram illustrating a second frame period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0144] Reference Fig.19 , it can be seen that the signal processing period DSPP' of the second frame period FR2 extends to the third frame period FR3. As described above, the sensing of the sensor unit 120 and the signal processing of the signal processor DSP can be processed in parallel, so the signal processing period DSPP' can overlap with a part of the second frame period FR2 and a part of the third frame period FR3.

[0145] Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating a partial sensing period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0146] Reference Fig. 20 , when the speed of the active pen APEN increases, the number of some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the number of some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 sensed during the partial sensing period PSP or the second active pen sensing period APSP2 may increase.

[0147] Meanwhile, according to some embodiments, when the speed of the active pen APEN decreases, the number of some of the first sensors TX1 to TX5 and the number of some of the second sensors RX1 to RX5 sensed during the partial sensing period PSP or the second active pen sensing period APSP2 may decrease.

[0148] Fig.21 is a diagram illustrating a sensor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0149] Reference Fig.21 , in addition to including Figure 8 In addition to the first analog front end group AFEG1 which is identical to the analog front end group AFEG shown in FIG. , the sensor device SSD may further include a second analog front end group AFEG2 .

[0150] The second analog front end group AFEG2 may include a plurality of analog front ends AFE3c and AFE4c. Each of the third analog front end AFE3c and the fourth analog front end AFE4c is connected to at least one of the first sensor lines TXLp, TXL(p+1), and TXL(p+2), and may not be connected to the second sensor lines RXL1 to RXL5.

[0151] For example, the third analog front end AFE3c may be connected to the first sensor lines TXLp and TXL(p+1). The fourth analog front end AFE4c may be connected to the first sensor lines TXL(p+1) and TXL(p+2). One of the first sensor lines TXLp and TXL(p+1) connected to the third analog front end AFE3c, TXL(p+1), may also be connected to the fourth analog front end AFE4c.

[0152] The second analog front end group AFEG2 does not operate during the touch sensing period TSP, but may operate during the active pen sensing periods APSP1 and APSP2. For example, when some of the first sensor lines are not connected due to an insufficient number of analog front ends included in the first analog front end group AFEG1, the sensor device SSD may include the second analog front end group AFEG2. The total number of required analog front ends of the sensor device SSD may be determined by the following Equation 4:

[0153] Equation 4

[0154] TTN=TXN-RXN / 2

[0155] TTN may be the total number of required analog front ends, TXN may be the total number of first sensors TX1 to TX5, and RXN may be the total number of second sensors RX1 to RX5. When the number of analog front ends AFE1b and AFE2b included in the first analog front end group AFEG1 is less than TTN, a second analog front end group AFEG2 may be provided in the sensor device SSD including the insufficient number of analog front ends.

[0156] Fig. 22 It is shown Fig.21 FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example analog front end of an embodiment shown in FIG.

[0157] Each of the analog front ends AFE3c and AFE4c of the second analog front end group AFEG2 may not include a multiplexer. Fig. 22 , it is shown that the first sensor lines TXLp and TXLp+1 connected to the third analog front end AFE3c are directly connected to the input terminal of the charge amplifier CAMP without passing through a multiplexer.

[0158] In the sensor device and the driving method thereof according to the present disclosure, touch sensing and active pen sensing may be performed using a minimum configuration.

[0159] Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and interpreted only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon filing this application, unless otherwise specifically noted, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sensor device, comprising: a first sensor connected to a first sensor line; a second sensor connected to a second sensor line, the second sensor intersecting the first sensor; a sensor transmitter connected to the first sensor through the first sensor line, the sensor transmitter being configured to supply a touch drive signal to the first sensor during a touch sensing period; as well as a sensor receiver connected to the second sensor through the second sensor line, the sensor receiver being configured to receive a touch sensing signal from the second sensor during the touch sensing period, Wherein, the sensor receiver includes a plurality of analog front ends, and Each of the plurality of analog front ends is connected to at least one second sensor line of the second sensor lines and at least one first sensor line of the first sensor lines.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of analog front ends is connected to three of the second sensor lines and two of the first sensor lines.

3. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of analog front ends include a first analog front end and a second analog front end, and Among them, one of the second sensor lines connected to the first analog front end is also connected to the second analog front end.

4. The sensor device according to claim 3, wherein: One of the first sensor lines connected to the first analog front end is also connected to the second analog front end.

5. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the plurality of analog front ends includes a multiplexer connected to three of the second sensor lines and two of the first sensor lines.

6. The sensor device according to claim 5, wherein: Each of the plurality of analog front ends further includes a charge amplifier connected to the two lines selected in the multiplexer.

7. The sensor device according to claim 6, wherein: The charge amplifier is a fully differential amplifier.

8. The sensor device according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the plurality of analog front ends further comprises: a bandpass filter configured to filter the output signal of the charge amplifier to have a set frequency band; a mixer configured to mix an output signal of the bandpass filter and a local clock signal; a low-pass filter configured to filter an output signal of the mixer to have a set frequency band; and The analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the output signal of the low-pass filter into a digital signal.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein: The first frame period includes an uplink period, a first active pen sensing period, and a signal processing period, and The second frame period after the first frame period includes the uplink period, the second active pen sensing period, the touch sensing period and the signal processing period.

10. The sensor device according to claim 9, wherein: During the entire sensing period of the first active pen sensing period, the sensor device receives downlink signals of the active pen from all the first sensors and all the second sensors, wherein, during the second active pen sensing period, the sensor device receives the downlink signal of the active pen from some first sensors among the first sensors and some second sensors among the second sensors, wherein during a partial sensing period of the first active pen sensing period, the sensor device is configured to: receive the downlink signal of the active pen from some first sensors of the first sensors and some second sensors of the second sensors based on the position of the active pen detected in the entire sensing period, wherein during the second active pen sensing period, the sensor device is configured to: receive the downlink signal of the active pen from some of the first sensors and some of the second sensors based on the position of the active pen detected during the partial sensing period, wherein the number of some of the first sensors and the number of some of the second sensors configured to sense during the partial sensing period or the second active pen sensing period increases based on an increase in the speed of the active pen, and Wherein, based on the speed reduction of the active pen, the number of some of the first sensors and the number of some of the second sensors configured to sense during the partial sensing period or the second active pen sensing period are reduced.

Images