Pen sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a pen sensor which can fully receive pen signals at peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding cost increase and transmittance decrease. A pen sensor (5) for detecting an active pen (P) is provided with a first layer having a plurality of sensor electrodes (5a) and a dummy pattern (5ad), and a second layer having a plurality of sensor electrodes (5b) and a dummy pattern (5bd). The dummy pattern (5ad) and the dummy pattern (5bd) are arranged so as to overlap each other in plan view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pen sensor, and in particular to a pen sensor for receiving a pen signal sent by an active pen. Background Art

[0002] An electronic device is known that can realize pen input by deriving the position of an active pen on a panel surface. This electronic device is configured to have a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a "pen sensor") for detecting a pen signal sent by an active pen on the inner side of the panel surface. The pen sensor is configured to have a plurality of sensor electrodes extending in the x direction and arranged at equal intervals in the y direction, and a plurality of sensor electrodes extending in the y direction and arranged at equal intervals in the x direction.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses an example of an electronic device having a pen sensor. As described in the document, in the pen sensor, the following problem sometimes occurs: the signal level at the sensor electrodes (peripheral sensor electrodes) around the sensor electrode (central sensor electrode) located directly below the pen tip electrode of the active pen decreases, and the position of the active pen cannot be correctly derived. In the electronic device described in Patent document 1, the cover film covering the upper surface of the pen sensor is made conductive, and an inclined pen signal flow path is formed with a distribution extending around the position of the pen tip electrode, so that the pen signal can be fully received at the peripheral sensor electrodes.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7025606 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the cover film needs to be conductive, new problems such as increased cost and decreased transmittance arise. Therefore, a technology that can sufficiently receive pen signals at peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding these problems is sought.

[0009] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a pen sensor and an electronic device that can sufficiently receive pen signals at peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding cost increases and transmittance decreases.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] A pen sensor on one aspect of the present invention is a pen sensor for detecting an active pen, comprising: a first layer having a plurality of first sensor electrodes and a first dummy pattern; and a second layer having a plurality of second sensor electrodes and a second dummy pattern, wherein the first dummy patterns and the second dummy patterns are arranged so as to overlap with each other when viewed from above.

[0012] The pen sensor on the other side of the present invention is a pen sensor for detecting an active pen, which comprises: a first layer having a plurality of first sensor electrodes and a first dummy pattern; and a second layer having a plurality of second sensor electrodes and a second dummy pattern, wherein the first sensor electrodes and the second dummy patterns are arranged so as to overlap with each other when viewed from above.

[0013] A pen sensor according to another aspect of the present invention is a pen sensor for detecting an active pen, comprising: a first layer having a plurality of first conductor patterns including a plurality of first sensor electrodes and a plurality of first dummy patterns; and a second layer having a plurality of second conductor patterns including a plurality of second sensor electrodes and a plurality of second dummy patterns, wherein the plurality of first conductor patterns and the plurality of second conductor patterns are arranged in such a manner that a pen signal sent from the active pen is propagated in a planar direction via an electrostatic capacitance formed between the first conductor patterns and the second conductor patterns at a position overlapping when viewed from above.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, the pen signal can be propagated by the electrostatic capacitance generated between the conductor pattern of the first layer and the conductor pattern of the second layer, so that the pen signal can be sufficiently received by the peripheral sensor electrode while avoiding cost increase and transmittance reduction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 (a) is a diagram showing the structure of an electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a pen sensor 5 .

[0017] Figure 2 (a) is a plan view of a first layer of pen sensor 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a plan view of a second layer of pen sensor 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 (a) is a top view depicting the first layer and the second layer of the pen sensor 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention overlapping each other, (b) is a sectional view showing the cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the AA line shown in (a), and (c) is a sectional view showing the cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the BB line shown in (a).

[0019] Figure 4This is a diagram showing a state of propagation of a pen signal in the pen sensor 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 (a) is a top view of the first layer of the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, (b) is a top view of the second layer of the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, and (c) is a top view in which the first layer and the second layer of the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention are overlapped.

[0021] Figure 6 (a) is a plan view of a first layer of a pen sensor 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a plan view of a second layer of a pen sensor 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 (a) is a top view depicting the first layer and the second layer of the pen sensor 5 of the second embodiment of the present invention overlapping each other, (b) is a sectional view showing the cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the EE line shown in (a), and (c) is a sectional view showing the cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the FF line shown in (a).

[0023] Figure 8 (a) is a plan view of a first layer of a pen sensor 5 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a plan view of a second layer of a pen sensor 5 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 9 This is a plan view showing a first layer and a second layer of a pen sensor 5 according to a third embodiment of the present invention overlapped with each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 (a) is a diagram showing the structure of an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 1 is a device that supports pen input and finger touch input, such as a tablet computer. Figure 1 As shown in (a) of FIG. 8 , the structure includes a sensor controller 2 , a host processor 3 , a display 4 , a pen sensor 5 , and a cover film 6 .

[0027] exist Figure 1(a) also illustrates an active pen P for pen input to the electronic device 1. The active pen P is a stylus that supports an active electrostatic method, and is configured to be able to send a pen signal including a burst signal, which is an unmodulated carrier signal, and a data signal, which is a carrier signal modulated by various data. The various data mentioned here may include a pen pressure value indicating the pressure applied to the tip of the active pen P, on / off information of a switch provided in the housing of the active pen P, a pen ID stored in the active pen P, and the like. It may also be configured to be able to send an uplink signal from the sensor controller 2 to the active pen P, in which case the uplink signal serves to indicate the sending timing of the pen signal to the active pen P and to send a command to the active pen P.

[0028] The electronic device 1 is configured to have a flat surface, namely, a panel surface 1a. Hereinafter, the normal direction of the panel surface 1a is referred to as the z direction, the direction in the panel surface 1a orthogonal to the z direction is referred to as the x direction, and the direction in the panel surface 1a orthogonal to the x direction is referred to as the y direction. The user performs pen input by operating the active pen P on the panel surface 1a, and performs finger touch input by tracing the panel surface 1a with a finger.

[0029] The sensor controller 2 is an integrated circuit that uses the pen sensor 5 to derive the position of the active pen P, the user's finger, or other indicator within the panel surface 1a and receive data sent by the active pen P. The derivation of the position of the active pen P and the reception of the data sent by the active pen P are performed by an active electrostatic method, and the derivation of the finger position is performed by an electrostatic capacitance method. The sensor controller 2 is configured to sequentially output the derived position and the data received from the active pen P to the host processor 3.

[0030] The host processor 3 is a processor that controls the entire electronic device 1, and the operations of each part of the electronic device 1 are executed under the control of the host processor 3. The host processor 3 plays a role in generating and rendering digital ink based on the position and data input from the sensor controller 2. In addition, the host processor 3 also plays a role in generating an image signal to be displayed on the display 4 and supplying it to the display 4. The image signal generated by the host processor 3 can include the rendering result of the digital ink.

[0031] The display 4 is a device that performs display operations according to the image signal supplied from the host processor 3. The specific type of the display 4 is not limited, but for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. can be appropriately used as the display 4. A plurality of pixel electrodes arranged for each pixel arranged in a matrix and a common electrode provided in common with respect to each pixel are arranged inside the display 4.

[0032] The cover film 6 is a transparent film-like member, and plays the role of covering the upper surface of the pen sensor 5 to protect the pen sensor 5 and forming a flat panel surface 1a. The cover film 6 and the pen sensor 5 are bonded to each other by a transparent adhesive layer.

[0033] The pen sensor 5 is configured to include a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the upper surface of the display 4. Each sensor electrode is electrically separated from the pixel electrode and the common electrode constituting the display 4, and such a type of electronic device 1 is called an On-Cell type or an Out-Cell type. Some of the sensor electrodes (for example, the plurality of sensor electrodes 5a described later) may also be used as the common electrodes of the display 4, and in this case the electronic device 1 is called an In-Cell type.

[0034] Figure 1 (b) is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the pen sensor 5. As shown in the figure, the pen sensor 5 has a double-layer structure including a first layer having a plurality of sensor electrodes 5a (first sensor electrodes) and a second layer having a plurality of sensor electrodes 5b (second sensor electrodes). The plurality of sensor electrodes 5a arranged in the first layer extend in the y direction and are arranged in the x direction. On the other hand, the plurality of sensor electrodes 5b arranged in the second layer extend in the x direction and are arranged in the y direction. The plurality of sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are electrically connected to the sensor controller 2 through lead-out wiring not shown in the figure.

[0035] The sensor electrodes 5a, 5b may be formed by Figure 1 The sensor electrodes 5a and 5b may be composed of a plate-shaped conductor as shown in (b), or may be composed of a collection of thin linear conductors, that is, a mesh conductor. In the present embodiment, an example is given in which the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are composed of a plate-shaped conductor, and in the second and third embodiments described later, an example is given in which the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are composed of a mesh conductor. As a constituent material of the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b composed of a plate-shaped conductor, a transparent conductor such as indium tin oxide (ITO) is used so that the display surface of the display 4 can be visually confirmed through the pen sensor 5.

[0036] Figure 2 (a) is a top view of the first layer of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the first layer of the pen sensor 5 is configured except Figure 1 The sensor electrode 5a shown in the figure also includes a plurality of conductor patterns (first conductor patterns) including a plurality of dummy patterns 5ad (first dummy patterns). Figure 2 (b) is a top view of the second layer of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the second layer of the pen sensor 5 is configured except Figure 1The sensor electrodes 5b shown in the figure further include a plurality of conductor patterns (second conductor patterns) including a plurality of dummy patterns 5bd (second dummy patterns). The dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd are conductors made of the same material as the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b, respectively, but are insulated from other conductors in the same layer to form floating conductors, and are not connected to the sensor controller 2.

[0037] The basic shape of the plurality of dummy patterns 5ad is a square whose side length is the same as the width of the sensor electrode 5a. In the first layer, as a principle, such a square dummy pattern 5ad is spread over the area between two adjacent sensor electrodes 5a with a slight gap. The same is true for the plurality of dummy patterns 5bd, whose basic shape is a square whose side length is the same as the width of the sensor electrode 5b. In the second layer, as a principle, such a square dummy pattern 5bd is spread over the area between two adjacent sensor electrodes 5b with a slight gap.

[0038] Here, if Figure 2 (b) and Figure 2 As shown in (c), a part of the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd is formed in a rectangular shape instead of a square shape. This is a structure for setting the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd in a manner that crosses the sensor electrodes 5b and 5a, respectively, to prevent the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b from absorbing the pen signal and to transmit the pen signal to a farther distance. This will be described in more detail later.

[0039] Figure 3 (a) is a top view of the first layer and the second layer of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment, which are overlapped. In this figure, the sensor electrode 5b and the dummy pattern 5bd located on the upper side are shown with dotted lines so that the overlapping state of the sensor electrodes and the dummy patterns of each layer can be understood. In addition, Figure 3 (b) is shown with Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the line AA, Figure 3 (c) is shown with Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the line BB shown in FIG.

[0040] like Figure 3 (a)~ Figure 3 As shown in (c), the plurality of dummy patterns 5ad are respectively arranged so as to overlap with at least one of the plurality of dummy patterns 5bd in a plan view. In addition, a portion of the dummy patterns 5ad are arranged so as to overlap with any one of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5b in a plan view, and a portion of the dummy patterns 5bd are arranged so as to overlap with any one of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5a in a plan view. Figure 3 (b) and Figure 3 As shown in (c), electrostatic capacitance based on capacitive coupling is generated between overlapping conductor patterns (including between sensor electrodes, between sensor electrodes and dummy patterns, and between dummy patterns. The same applies below) in a planar view. The specific configuration of each sensor electrode 5a, 5b and each dummy pattern 5ad, 5bd is determined in such a way that the pen signal sent from the active pen P is propagated in the plane direction (x direction and y direction) via the electrostatic capacitance.

[0041] According to the arrangement of the sensor electrodes 5a, 5b and the dummy patterns 5ad, 5bd as described above, the pen signal from the active pen P can be propagated from the central sensor electrode located directly below the pen tip electrode of the active pen P to the peripheral sensor electrodes located around it by means of the electrostatic capacitance generated between the conductor patterns overlapped in a plan view. Figure 4 While explaining in detail.

[0042] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing the propagation of pen signals in the pen sensor 5. In this diagram, the x coordinate of the active pen P is detected using the plurality of sensor electrodes 5a, but the y coordinate of the active pen P is detected using the plurality of sensor electrodes 5b in the same manner.

[0043] Figure 4 The switch element SW shown is an element for controlling the connection state between each of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5a and the common line 5c connected to the sensor controller 2, and is individually controlled by the sensor controller 2. Figure 4 , a case where the switch element SW corresponding to the sensor electrode 5a3 among the five sensor electrodes 5a0 to 5a4 shown in the figure is turned on and the other switch elements SW are turned off. In this case, only the sensor electrode 5a3 among the five sensor electrodes 5a0 to 5a4 is connected to the sensor controller 2. Although not shown in the figure, the same switch element SW is also provided for each of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5b.

[0044] in addition, Figure 4 The conductor 4a shown represents a conductor such as a pixel electrode or a common electrode included in the display 4. The electrostatic capacitance arranged between each sensor electrode 5a and the conductor 4a represents a parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode 5a and the conductor 4a.

[0045] like Figure 4As shown, the active pen P is configured to include a pen tip electrode 10 provided at the pen tip and an oscillation circuit 11. The oscillation circuit 11 plays a role of transmitting a pen signal from the pen tip electrode 10 by supplying an AC voltage v(t) to the pen tip electrode 10. The pen signal transmitted from the pen tip electrode 10 generates electric charges in each sensor electrode 5b and each dummy pattern 5bd through the electrostatic capacitance formed between the pen tip electrode 10 and each sensor electrode 5b and each dummy pattern 5bd.

[0046] exist Figure 4 , the pen tip electrode 10 is shown to be located directly above the sensor electrode 5a2. Figure 4 In the example of , as described above, only the sensor electrode 5a3 among the five sensor electrodes 5a0 to 5a4 is connected to the sensor controller 2. In this case, as illustrated by the dotted arrow, the charges generated by the pen signal in each sensor electrode 5b and each dummy pattern 5bd are gathered to the sensor electrode 5a3 by the electrostatic capacitance generated between the conductor patterns overlapped in a plan view. As a result, a current flows from the sensor electrode 5a3 to the sensor controller 2, and the sensor controller 2 receives the current as a pen signal.

[0047] The amount of charge gathered to the sensor electrode 5a connected to the sensor controller 2 increases as the distance between the sensor electrode 5a and the pen tip electrode 10 decreases. Therefore, the closer the sensor electrode 5a is to the pen tip electrode 10, the greater the amplitude of the pen signal received at the sensor controller 2. The same is true for the sensor electrode 5b. The sensor controller 2 obtains the distribution of the amplitude of the pen signal received for each sensor electrode 5a, 5b, and derives its approximate curve. And the coordinates of its vertex are derived as the position of the active pen P.

[0048] Thus, according to the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, the charges generated by the pen signal at each sensor electrode 5b and each dummy pattern 5bd are gathered toward the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b connected to the sensor controller 2 by the electrostatic capacitance generated between the conductor patterns overlapped in a plan view, and thus, the amplitude of the pen signal at the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b serving as the peripheral sensor electrodes can be increased compared to a case where there is no such electrostatic capacitance. Therefore, it can be said that the pen signal can be sufficiently received at the peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding the cost increase and transmittance decrease caused by making the cover film 6 conductive.

[0049] In addition, according to the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, at the portion where the dummy pattern 5ad and the sensor electrode 5b overlap when viewed from above, a dummy pattern 5ad is formed in the form of a cross-sensor electrode 5b (i.e., in the form of a rectangle), and at the portion where the dummy pattern 5bd and the sensor electrode 5a overlap when viewed from above, a dummy pattern 5bd is formed in the form of a cross-sensor electrode 5a (i.e., in the form of a rectangle), thereby enabling efficient collection of charges on the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b connected to the sensor controller 2.

[0050] If this point is described in detail, the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are formed larger than the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd, so the self-capacitance is large, and the charge flowing into the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b that are not connected to the sensor controller 2 is accumulated in the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b. According to the present embodiment, since the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd are formed so as to straddle the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b as described above, the amount of charge flowing into the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b that are not connected to the sensor controller 2 can be reduced, and the charge can be efficiently collected in the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b that are connected to the sensor controller 2.

[0051] As described above, according to the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently receive pen signals at the peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding cost increases and transmittance decreases. Also, charges can be efficiently collected at the sensor electrodes 5 a and 5 b connected to the sensor controller 2 .

[0052] In addition, according to the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment, since the sensor electrodes or dummy patterns are arranged on the first layer and the second layer of the pen sensor 5 over substantially the entire surface, the following effects can also be obtained: a uniform transmittance can be obtained over the entire surface of the panel surface 1a, and the receiving sensitivity of the pen signal can be kept constant over the entire surface of the panel surface 1a. This point will be described below by comparing with the shape of the sensor electrode of the background art of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 5 (a) is a top view of the first layer of the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, Figure 5 (b) is a top view of the second layer of the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, Figure 5 (c) is a top view of the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, in which the first layer and the second layer are overlapped. As can be understood from these figures, in the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b have hourglass shapes in which the intersecting portions are narrowed. The pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention is formed into such a shape in order to minimize the area of ​​the overlapping portion of the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b in a top view and to prevent the DC resistance of the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b from becoming too large.

[0054] In addition, the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd are arranged in a slight gap between the sensor electrode 5a and the sensor electrode 5b in a plan view so as not to overlap with the conductor patterns of other layers. Since they do not overlap with the conductor patterns of other layers, the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd of the background art of the present invention do not have the function of propagating pen signals.

[0055] According to the pen sensor of the background technology of the present invention, a relatively high transmittance of a single conductor pattern can be ensured in most areas of the panel surface 1a, while only the portion where the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b overlap becomes a relatively low transmittance of the two conductor patterns, which may be perceived as a dark spot by the user. In addition, since the widths of the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are not constant, the receiving sensitivity of the pen signal varies depending on the location.

[0056] In contrast, according to the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment, since the sensor electrodes 5a or dummy patterns 5ad of the first layer and the sensor electrodes 5b or dummy patterns 5bd of the second layer overlap over the entire surface, a uniform transmittance can be obtained over the entire surface of the panel surface 1a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from noticing dark spots. In addition, since the widths of the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are constant, the receiving sensitivity of the pen signal can be kept constant over the entire surface of the panel surface 1a.

[0057] Next, the electronic device 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention is described. The electronic device 1 of this embodiment is different from the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment in that the sensor electrodes 5a, 5b and the dummy patterns 5ad, 5bd are composed of a substantially square mesh conductor. Since the electronic device 1 is the same as the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment in other points, the following description will continue with a focus on the differences from the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0058] Figure 6 (a) is a top view of the first layer of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment. Figure 6 (b) is a top view of the second layer of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment. The multiple roughly square shapes (more precisely, squares with missing corners) shown in these figures are mesh conductors composed of thin linear conductors arranged along each side, forming sensor electrodes 5a, 5b or dummy patterns 5ad, 5bd. The central part of each mesh conductor (the area surrounded by the sides of the roughly square) becomes a hollow, that is, an area where no conductor is formed. Each mesh conductor is provided for each pixel of the display 4, and is arranged in a manner so that the light-emitting portion of the corresponding pixel is located in the center of each mesh conductor when viewed from above. Thus, each mesh conductor plays a role in allowing light from the display 4 to pass through.

[0059] The purpose of removing the corners of each mesh conductor is to avoid electrical contact between two mesh conductors adjacent in the oblique direction. In contrast, two mesh conductors adjacent in the x-direction or y-direction share an edge between them, and are physically and electrically integrated. By making use of the characteristics of these mesh conductors, in the pen sensor 5, a sensor electrode 5a is formed by a series of mesh conductors arranged without gaps in the y-direction and a plurality of mesh conductors adjacent in the x-direction relative to a portion of the series of mesh conductors, and a sensor electrode 5b is formed by a series of mesh conductors arranged without gaps in the x-direction and a plurality of mesh conductors adjacent in the y-direction relative to a portion of the series of mesh conductors. In addition, virtual patterns 5ad and 5bd are formed by arranging a plurality of mesh conductors adjacent in the oblique direction in a grid shape. However, in the portion overlapping with the sensor electrodes 5b and 5a when viewed from above, virtual patterns 5ad and 5bd are formed by three mesh conductors adjacent in a row in the x-direction or y-direction. This is the same structure as the structure in which some of the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd are formed in a rectangular shape in the first embodiment.

[0060] When the linear conductors constituting each side of the mesh conductor are formed at the same position in the first layer and the second layer in a plan view, electrostatic capacitance due to capacitive coupling is generated between them. Figure 6 The area C indicated by the dotted ellipse in (a) represents the portion of the linear conductor constituting the sensor electrode 5a that does not overlap with the linear conductor of the second layer when viewed from above, and in the other portions, an electrostatic capacitance is formed between the linear conductor constituting the sensor electrode 5a and the linear conductor of the second layer. Figure 6 The area D indicated by the dotted ellipse in (b) represents a portion of the linear conductor constituting the sensor electrode 5b that does not overlap with the linear conductor of the first layer when viewed from above. In the other portions, an electrostatic capacitance is formed between the linear conductor constituting the sensor electrode 5b and the linear conductor of the first layer.

[0061] Figure 7 (a) is a top view of the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, in which the first layer and the second layer are overlapped. In this figure, the sensor electrode 5b and the dummy pattern 5bd of the second layer located on the upper side are shown with dotted lines, and the second layer is depicted slightly offset in the x and y directions relative to the first layer so that the overlapping state of the sensor electrodes and the dummy patterns of each layer can be understood. In addition, the inner side of the mesh conductor corresponding to the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b is marked with hatching. The hatching is used to make the positions of the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b easier to understand, and does not mean that the inner side of the mesh conductor has become a conductor. In addition, Figure 7 (b) is shown with Figure 7 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the EE line, Figure 7 (c) is shown with Figure 7 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a cross section of the pen sensor 5 corresponding to the line FF shown in FIG.

[0062] like Figure 7 (a)~ Figure 7 As shown in (c), in the present embodiment, a plurality of dummy patterns 5ad are respectively arranged so as to overlap with at least one of the plurality of dummy patterns 5bd when viewed from above. In addition, a portion of the dummy patterns 5ad are arranged so as to overlap with any one of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5b when viewed from above, and a portion of the dummy patterns 5bd are arranged so as to overlap with any one of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5a when viewed from above. Furthermore, electrostatic capacitance is generated between the conductor patterns that overlap when viewed from above, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the specific arrangement of each sensor electrode 5a, 5b and each dummy pattern 5ad, 5bd is determined so as to allow the pen signal sent from the active pen P to propagate in the planar direction (x direction and y direction) via the electrostatic capacitance. It should be noted that in Figure 7 In (b), the electrostatic capacitance is generated between the conductor patterns that do not appear to overlap directly because the edges extending in the x direction overlap. Figure 7 The same is true in (c).

[0063] With the above configuration, in the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, as in the pen sensor 5 of the first embodiment, the pen signal from the active pen P can be propagated from the central sensor electrode located just below the pen tip electrode of the active pen P to the peripheral sensor electrodes located around it. Therefore, it can be said that the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment can also sufficiently receive the pen signal at the peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding an increase in cost and a decrease in transmittance.

[0064] In the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, the dummy pattern 5ad is formed in a form that straddles the sensor electrode 5b (i.e., three mesh conductors are connected in the y direction) at the portion where the dummy pattern 5ad overlaps with the sensor electrode 5b in a plan view, and the dummy pattern 5bd is formed in a form that straddles the sensor electrode 5a (i.e., three mesh conductors are connected in the x direction) at the portion where the dummy pattern 5bd overlaps with the sensor electrode 5a in a plan view. Therefore, similar to the pen sensor 5 of the first embodiment, the effect of efficiently collecting charges on the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b connected to the sensor controller 2 can be obtained.

[0065] Next, the electronic device 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention is described. The electronic device 1 of this embodiment is different from the electronic device 1 of the second embodiment in the specific shape of the mesh conductor constituting the sensor electrodes 5a, 5b and the dummy patterns 5ad, 5bd. Since the electronic device 1 of the second embodiment is the same as the electronic device 1 of the second embodiment in other points, the following description will continue with a focus on the differences from the electronic device 1 of the second embodiment.

[0066] Figure 8 (a) is a top view of the first layer of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment. Figure 8 (b) is a top view of the second layer of the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment. As shown in these figures, the mesh conductor of the present embodiment is composed of linear conductors parallel to two directions (v and w directions in the figure) that are inclined relative to both the x-direction and the y-direction. By combining such linear conductors, the virtual patterns 5ad and 5bd are formed in the shape of the English letter X or a shape formed by combining multiple English letters X, and the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are formed in a shape formed by connecting multiple rhombuses. The virtual patterns 5ad and 5bd in the shape of the English letter X are also arranged inside a part of the rhombus that constitutes the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b. It should be noted that in Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 In (b), in order to make the structure easier to understand, only the linear conductors constituting the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b are shown in thick lines, but in fact, the line width of the linear conductors constituting the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b and the line width of the linear conductors constituting the dummy patterns 5ad and 5bd can be the same value.

[0067] Fig. 9 This is a top view of the first and second layers of the pen sensor 5 of this embodiment, depicted in an overlapping manner. In this figure, the sensor electrodes 5a and dummy patterns 5ad of the first layer located at the lower side are shown as hollow so that the overlapping state of the sensor electrodes and dummy patterns of each layer can be understood.

[0068] like Fig. 9As shown, in the present embodiment, a plurality of dummy patterns 5ad are respectively arranged in a manner overlapping with at least one of the plurality of dummy patterns 5bd in a plan view. In addition, a portion of the dummy patterns 5ad are arranged in a manner overlapping with any one of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5b in a plan view, and a portion of the dummy patterns 5bd are arranged in a manner overlapping with any one of the plurality of sensor electrodes 5a in a plan view. Moreover, between the conductor patterns that overlap in a plan view, an electrostatic capacitance is generated in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and the specific configuration of each sensor electrode 5a, 5b and each dummy pattern 5ad, 5bd is determined in a manner that the pen signal sent from the active pen P is propagated in the plane direction (x direction and y direction) via the electrostatic capacitance. Therefore, by using the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, it is also possible to fully receive the pen signal at the peripheral sensor electrodes while avoiding an increase in cost and a decrease in transmittance.

[0069] In the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, a dummy pattern 5ad is arranged inside a part of the rhombus constituting the sensor electrode 5a, and the dummy patterns 5bd located on both sides of the sensor electrode 5a in the x direction are electrically connected via the dummy pattern 5ad. Similarly, a dummy pattern 5bd is arranged inside a part of the rhombus constituting the sensor electrode 5b, and the dummy patterns 5ad located on both sides of the sensor electrode 5b in the y direction are electrically connected via the dummy pattern 5bd. Therefore, similarly to the pen sensor 5 of the second embodiment, the dummy pattern 5ad is formed in a form straddling the sensor electrode 5b at the portion where the dummy pattern 5ad overlaps with the sensor electrode 5b in a plan view, and the dummy pattern 5bd is formed in a form straddling the sensor electrode 5a at the portion where the dummy pattern 5bd overlaps with the sensor electrode 5a in a plan view, and therefore, in the pen sensor 5 of the present embodiment, the effect of being able to efficiently collect charges on the sensor electrodes 5a and 5b connected to the sensor controller 2 can also be obtained.

[0070] As mentioned above, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and the present invention can be implemented in various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0071] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the first layer conductor pattern and the second layer conductor pattern are connected by electrostatic capacitance generated by capacitive coupling, but they can also be connected by via conductors. However, in this case, in order to avoid the level difference of the pen signal between the sensor electrodes, it is preferable to introduce a resistor of several 100 kΩ between the conductor patterns.

[0072] In addition, instead of providing dummy patterns on the first layer and the second layer, a sheet material having a high transmittance and including fine conductors in a floating state may be arranged between the cover film and the pen sensor 5. As the fine conductor, for example, silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes can be suitably used. In addition, the additional sheet material is preferably used in an insulating state without a resistance component and is configured so that the pen signal is transmitted through a capacitance component rather than a resistance.

[0073] Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1 Electronic equipment

[0075] 1a Panel surface

[0076] 2 Sensor Controller

[0077] 3 Host processor

[0078] 4 Display

[0079] 4a Conductor (pixel electrode and common electrode)

[0080] 5 Pen Sensor

[0081] 5a, 5b Sensor electrodes

[0082] 5ad, 5bd dummy pattern

[0083] 5c Shared Line

[0084] 6 Covering film

[0085] 10 Pen tip electrode

[0086] 11 Oscillator Circuit

[0087] P Active Pen

[0088] SW Switching element.

Claims

1. A pen sensor is a pen sensor for detecting an active pen, wherein: have: A first layer having a plurality of first sensor electrodes and a first dummy pattern; and The second layer has a plurality of second sensor electrodes and a second dummy pattern, The first dummy pattern and the second dummy pattern are arranged to overlap each other in a plan view.

2. The pen sensor according to claim 1, The pen signal transmitted from the active pen propagates in a planar direction via electrostatic capacitance generated between the first dummy pattern and the second dummy pattern.

3. The pen sensor according to claim 1 or 2, The first layer has a plurality of first dummy patterns insulated from each other, The second layer has a plurality of second dummy patterns that are insulated from each other.

4. A pen sensor is a pen sensor for detecting an active pen, wherein: have: A first layer having a plurality of first sensor electrodes and a first dummy pattern; and The second layer has a plurality of second sensor electrodes and a second dummy pattern, The first sensor electrode and the second dummy pattern are arranged to overlap each other in a plan view.

5. The pen sensor according to claim 4, The second sensor electrode and the first dummy pattern are arranged to overlap each other in a plan view.

6. The pen sensor according to claim 4 or 5, The first layer has a plurality of first dummy patterns insulated from each other, The second layer has a plurality of second dummy patterns that are insulated from each other.

7. A pen sensor, which is a pen sensor for detecting an active pen, wherein: have: A first layer having a plurality of first conductor patterns including a plurality of first sensor electrodes and a plurality of first dummy patterns; and The second layer has a plurality of second conductor patterns including a plurality of second sensor electrodes and a plurality of second dummy patterns, The plurality of first conductor patterns and the plurality of second conductor patterns are arranged so that a pen signal transmitted from the active pen is propagated in a planar direction via electrostatic capacitance formed between the first conductor pattern and the second conductor pattern formed at positions overlapping in a plan view.

8. The pen sensor according to claim 7, The first dummy pattern is formed in a shape straddling the second sensor electrode at a position overlapping the second sensor electrode. The second dummy pattern is formed in a shape straddling the first sensor electrode at a position overlapping the second sensor electrode.

9. The pen sensor according to claim 7 or 8, The plurality of first conductor patterns and the plurality of second conductor patterns are respectively formed of plate-shaped conductors.

10. The pen sensor according to claim 7 or 8, The plurality of first conductor patterns and the plurality of second conductor patterns are each formed of one or more mesh conductors.

11. The pen sensor according to claim 10, The one or more mesh conductors are each formed in a square shape with missing corners.

12. The pen sensor according to claim 10, Each of the one or more mesh conductors is configured to include linear conductors parallel to two directions that are inclined with respect to both the extending direction of the plurality of first sensor electrodes and the extending direction of the plurality of second sensor electrodes.

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