Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device is provided that includes a sensor layer and a sensor driver configured to drive the sensor layer and selectively operate in a first mode for sensing a touch input or a second mode for sensing a pen input. The sensor layer includes a plurality of first electrode groups arranged along a first direction, and a plurality of second electrode groups arranged along a second direction crossing the first direction and crossing the plurality of first electrode groups. In a first mode, each of the plurality of second electrode groups includes a first cross-electrode and a second cross-electrode, and in a second mode, the sensor driver is configured to receive a first signal from the first cross-electrode and a second signal from the second cross-electrode.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0149007, filed on November 1, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device capable of sensing input from both a pen and a touch. Background Art

[0004] Multimedia electronic devices such as televisions, mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, navigation systems and game consoles are provided with display devices for displaying images. In addition to conventional input modes such as buttons, keyboards and mice, these electronic devices can also be provided with sensor layers (or input sensors) that can provide touch-based input modes, which enable users to easily, intuitively and conveniently input information or commands. These sensor layers can sense touch or pressure applied by the user. On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for pens that provide detailed touch input for users who are familiar with using writing tools to input information or for specific applications (e.g., applications for mapping or drawing). Summary of the invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device with reduced noise capable of sensing an input from a pen.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic device including a sensor layer and a sensor driver, the sensor driver configured to drive the sensor layer and selectively operate in a first mode for sensing touch input or a second mode for sensing pen input, wherein the sensor layer includes a plurality of first electrode groups arranged along a first direction, and a plurality of second electrode groups arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the plurality of first electrode groups. Each of the plurality of second electrode groups includes a first cross electrode and a second cross electrode. In the second mode, the sensor driver senses the pen input based on a first signal received from the first cross electrode and a second signal received from the second cross electrode.

[0007] In an embodiment, the first cross electrode may include a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, the second cross electrode may include a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns may be alternately arranged.

[0008] In an embodiment, the sensor layer may further include a first cross trace electrically connected to the first cross electrode and a second cross trace electrically connected to the second cross electrode, the first cross trace may be directly connected to one of the plurality of first sensing patterns, and the second cross trace may be directly connected to one of the plurality of second sensing patterns.

[0009] In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns may be disposed between a portion of the first crossing trace and the one first sensing pattern, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns may be disposed between a portion of the second crossing trace and the one second sensing pattern.

[0010] In an implementation, at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and the plurality of second sensing patterns may cross at least one first electrode group of the plurality of first electrode groups.

[0011] In an implementation, the plurality of first sensing patterns may have the same width in the first direction.

[0012] In an implementation, some of the widths of the plurality of first sensing patterns in the first direction may be different from other widths.

[0013] In an embodiment, the sensor driver may include a differential amplifier, and the second mode may include a pen sensing drive mode, and in the pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first cross electrode, and the non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second cross electrode.

[0014] In an embodiment, the sensor driver may include a first differential amplifier, a second differential amplifier, and a third differential amplifier, the second mode may include a pen sensing drive mode, and in the pen sensing drive mode, the first differential amplifier and the second differential amplifier may receive signals from a plurality of second electrode groups, the inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier may receive a signal output from the first differential amplifier, and the non-inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier may receive a signal output from the second differential amplifier.

[0015] In an embodiment, the plurality of second electrode groups may include a 2-1 electrode group and a 2-2 electrode group spaced apart from the 2-1 electrode group in a second direction, and in a pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode of the 2-1 electrode group, and the non-inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode of the 2-1 electrode group, and in a pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode of the 2-2 electrode group, and the non-inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode of the 2-2 electrode group.

[0016] In an embodiment, the plurality of second electrode groups may include a 2-1 electrode group and a 2-2 electrode group spaced apart from the 2-1 electrode group in a second direction, and in a pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode of the 2-1 electrode group, and the non-inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode of the 2-2 electrode group, and in a pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode of the 2-1 electrode group, and the non-inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode of the 2-2 electrode group.

[0017] In an embodiment, the sensor driver may include a plurality of differential amplifiers and an analog-to-digital converter, wherein in a second mode, the plurality of differential amplifiers may be connected to a plurality of first cross electrodes and a plurality of second cross electrodes of a plurality of second electrode groups in a one-to-one correspondence, the analog-to-digital converter may receive a plurality of signals from the plurality of differential amplifiers, and the sensor driver may be configured to perform differential operations on data output from the analog-to-digital converter.

[0018] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first electrode groups may include a third interdigitated electrode and a fourth interdigitated electrode, and in the second mode, the sensor driver may be configured to receive a third signal from the third interdigitated electrode and a fourth signal from the fourth interdigitated electrode.

[0019] In an embodiment, the first cross electrode may include a plurality of first sensing patterns, a first bridge wire and a first bridge pattern, the second cross electrode may include a plurality of second sensing patterns, a second bridge wire and a second bridge pattern, the third cross electrode may include a plurality of third sensing patterns, a third bridge wire, a third bridge pattern and a first connection pattern, the fourth cross electrode may include a plurality of fourth sensing patterns, a fourth bridge wire, a fourth bridge pattern and a second connection pattern, the plurality of first sensing patterns, the plurality of second sensing patterns, the plurality of third sensing patterns, the plurality of fourth sensing patterns, the first bridge wire, the second bridge wire, the third bridge wire and the fourth bridge wire may be arranged on the same layer, and the first bridge pattern, the second bridge pattern, the third bridge wire, the fourth bridge pattern, the first connection pattern and the second connection pattern may be arranged on the same layer.

[0020] In an embodiment, the plurality of first sensing patterns may include a plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns and a plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns separated from the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns in the second direction, the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns may be connected to a first bridging line, the plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns may be connected to a first bridging pattern, the first bridging line and the first bridging pattern may be electrically connected, and the first bridging line may be disposed between two second sensing patterns spaced apart in the second direction among the plurality of second sensing patterns.

[0021] In an embodiment, the plurality of third sensing patterns may include a plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns spaced apart in the second direction and a plurality of 3-2nd sensing patterns spaced apart from the plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns in the first direction, the plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns may be connected to a third bridging pattern, the plurality of 3-2nd sensing patterns may be connected to a third bridging line, and the third bridging line and the third bridging pattern may be electrically connected, the first connecting pattern may overlap with the first bridging line or the second bridging line and may be connected to two spaced apart third sensing patterns among the plurality of third sensing patterns, and the first bridging line or the second bridging line is between the two third sensing patterns, and the third bridging line may be disposed between two spaced apart fourth sensing patterns among the plurality of fourth sensing patterns in the first direction.

[0022] In an embodiment, the sensor layer may further include a plurality of auxiliary electrodes respectively overlapping the plurality of first electrode groups and a connection trace connecting the plurality of auxiliary electrodes.

[0023] In an embodiment, the sensor layer may further include a plurality of first traces electrically connected to the plurality of first electrode groups in a one-to-one correspondence, and the plurality of first traces may be spaced apart from the connecting traces with the plurality of first electrode groups therebetween.

[0024] In an embodiment, the first cross electrode may include a plurality of first sensing patterns, a first bridge wire and a first bridge pattern, the second cross electrode may include a plurality of second sensing patterns, a second bridge wire and a second bridge pattern, each of the plurality of first electrode groups may include a plurality of third sensing patterns and a connecting pattern, the plurality of first sensing patterns, the plurality of second sensing patterns, the plurality of third sensing patterns, the first bridge wire and the second bridge wire may be arranged on the same layer, and the first bridge pattern, the second bridge pattern, the connecting pattern and the plurality of auxiliary electrodes may be arranged on the same layer.

[0025] In an implementation, the plurality of third sensing patterns may overlap with a corresponding one of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes, and at least one hole surrounding the connection pattern may be defined in the corresponding one of the auxiliary electrodes.

[0026] In an embodiment, the sensor layer may further include a plurality of loop traces electrically connected to the plurality of auxiliary electrodes, the second mode may include a charging drive mode and a pen sensing drive mode, the sensor driver may be configured to apply a third signal to the connecting trace and at least one of the plurality of loop traces in the charging drive mode, and apply a fourth signal to the connecting trace and at least another one of the plurality of loop traces, and the plurality of loop traces may each be configured to float in the pen sensing drive mode.

[0027] In an embodiment, the sensor driver may include a differential amplifier, and in the first mode, an inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode, and a non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode.

[0028] In an embodiment, the sensor driver may include a differential amplifier, and in the first mode, an inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode and the second intersecting electrode.

[0029] In an embodiment, in the first mode, the sensor driver may provide an in-phase signal to the first intersecting electrodes and the second intersecting electrodes, and receive signals provided from the plurality of first electrode groups.

[0030] In an embodiment, in the first mode, the sensor driver may provide a signal of a first phase to the first cross electrodes, provide a signal of a second phase opposite to the first phase to the second cross electrodes, and receive signals provided from the plurality of first electrode groups.

[0031] In an embodiment, the first cross electrode may include a plurality of first sensing patterns, a first bridge wire and a first bridge pattern, the second cross electrode may include a plurality of second sensing patterns, a second bridge wire and a second bridge pattern, the plurality of first sensing patterns may include a plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns spaced apart in a first direction and a plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns spaced apart from the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns in a second direction, the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns may be connected to the first bridge wire, the plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns may be connected to the first bridge pattern, and the first bridge wire and the first bridge pattern may be electrically connected, the first bridge wire may be disposed between two second sensing patterns spaced apart in the second direction among the plurality of second sensing patterns, and the first bridge pattern may overlap with the first bridge wire and the two second sensing patterns.

[0032] In an embodiment, the first cross electrode may include a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in a first direction, and the second cross electrode may include a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and a first sensing pattern among the plurality of first sensing patterns and a second sensing pattern among the plurality of second sensing patterns adjacent to each other may be shaped to engage with each other.

[0033] In an embodiment, the first sensing pattern may include a first protruding portion protruding toward the second sensing pattern, the second sensing pattern may include a second protruding portion protruding toward the first sensing pattern, a first concave edge surrounding at least a portion of the second protruding portion may be defined in the first sensing pattern, and a second concave edge surrounding at least a portion of the first protruding portion may be defined in the second sensing pattern.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a sensor layer and a sensor driver for driving the sensor layer, wherein the sensor layer includes a plurality of electrode groups and a plurality of traces electrically connected to the plurality of electrode groups, at least one of the plurality of electrode groups includes a first cross electrode and a second cross electrode, the plurality of traces include a first cross trace connected to the first cross electrode and a second cross trace connected to the second cross electrode, and the first cross trace is spaced apart from the second cross trace in a first direction.

[0035] In an embodiment, the first cross electrode may include a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in a first direction, the second cross electrode may include a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns may be arranged alternately, the first cross trace may be directly connected to one of the plurality of first sensing patterns, the second cross trace may be directly connected to one of the plurality of second sensing patterns, at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns may be disposed between a portion of the first cross trace and the one first sensing pattern, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns may be disposed between a portion of the second cross trace and the one second sensing pattern.

[0036] In an embodiment, the sensor driver can be configured to selectively operate in a first mode for sensing touch input or in a second mode for sensing pen input including a pen sensing drive mode, the sensor driver may include a differential amplifier, and in the pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the first cross electrode, and the non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier may be electrically connected to the second cross electrode.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a sensor layer and a sensor driver for driving the sensor layer, wherein the sensor layer includes a plurality of electrode groups and a plurality of traces electrically connected to the plurality of electrode groups, at least one of the plurality of electrode groups includes a first cross electrode and a second cross electrode, the first cross electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in a first direction, the second cross electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns are alternately arranged, and one of the plurality of first sensing patterns is disposed at a first end of at least one electrode group, and one of the plurality of second sensing patterns is disposed at a second end of at least one electrode group.

[0038] In an embodiment, the plurality of traces may include a first cross trace connected to the first cross electrode and a second cross trace connected to the second cross electrode, and the second cross trace may be disposed adjacent to the first end and connected to another of the plurality of second sensing patterns, and the first cross trace may be disposed adjacent to the second end and connected to another of the plurality of first sensing patterns.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a sensor layer and a sensor driver, the sensor driver is electrically connected to the sensor layer and configured to selectively operate in a first mode for sensing touch input or a second mode for sensing pen input. The sensor layer includes a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first direction and a plurality of second electrodes extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. At least one of the plurality of second electrodes includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, and in the second mode, the sensor driver senses the pen input based on a first signal from the first sub-electrode and a second signal from the second sub-electrode.

[0040] In an embodiment, the sensor driver may include circuitry for removing substantially equal amounts of noise from the first signal and the second signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concept and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the inventive concept and together with the description are used to explain the principles of the inventive concept. In the accompanying drawings:

[0042] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0043] Figure 1B is a rear perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0044] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0046] Figure 4 is a view for describing an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0047] Figure 5A is a view showing a pen according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0048] Figure 5B is a view showing a pen according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0049] Figure 5C is a view showing a pen according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0050] Figure 5D is a view showing an input device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0051] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0052] Figure 7 is a plan view of a sensor layer according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0053] Figure 8 is a view illustrating an operation of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0054] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating an operation of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0055] Fig.10 is a view showing one second electrode group and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0056] Fig.11 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a relationship between one electrode group and a pen according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0057] Fig.12 is a graph showing the intensity of the current according to the pen position for one channel;

[0058] Fig.13 is a graph showing the intensity of an output signal according to a pen position for one channel;

[0059] Fig.14 is a view showing four second electrode groups and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0060] Fig.15 is a view showing four electrode groups and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0061] Fig.16A is a diagram showing currents sensed from a plurality of electrode groups;

[0062] Fig. 16B is a diagram showing currents obtained from differential pairs of a plurality of electrode groups;

[0063] Fig.17 is a view showing four electrode groups and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0064] Fig.18 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0065] Fig.19 is a plan view showing four sensing units according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0066] Fig. 20A is a plan view showing a second conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0067] Fig. 20B is a plan view showing a first conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0068] Fig.21 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0069] Fig. 22 is a view schematically showing a channel according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0070] Fig.23 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a relationship between a channel and a pen according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0071] Fig.24A is a graph showing the intensity of the current according to the pen position for one channel;

[0072] Fig. 24B is a graph showing the strength of a signal according to a pen position for one channel;

[0073] Fig.25 is a plan view showing four sensing units according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0074] Fig.26A is a plan view showing a second conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0075] Fig.26B is a plan view showing a first conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0076] Fig. 27 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0077] Fig.28 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0078] Fig.29 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0079] Fig.30 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0080] Fig.31 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0081] Fig.32 is a plan view showing a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0082] Fig.33 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; and

[0083] Fig.34 is a plan view illustrating two sensing units according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] As used herein, when an element (or region, layer, portion, etc.) is referred to as being "on," "connected to" or "joined to" another element, this means that the element may be directly disposed on / directly connected to / directly joined to the other element, or a third element may be disposed between them.

[0085] The same reference numerals represent the same elements. In addition, in the drawings, in order to effectively describe the technical content, the thickness, ratio and size of the elements are exaggerated. The term "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the configurations that the associated configurations can define.

[0086] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Singular forms are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0087] In addition, the terms "below", "on the lower side", "above", "on the upper side" and the like may be used to describe the relationship of components shown in the drawings. These terms are used as relative concepts and are described with reference to the directions shown in the drawings.

[0088] It should be understood that the terms “including” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0089] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. In addition, terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined as such in this article.

[0090] The terms "part" and "unit" refer to software components or hardware components that perform a specific function. Hardware components may include, for example, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Software components may refer to executable code and / or data used by executable code in an addressable storage medium. Thus, software components may be, for example, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and may include processes, functions, properties, programs, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables.

[0091] Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an electronic device 1000 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 1B is a rear perspective view of an electronic device 1000 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0093] refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the electronic device 1000 may be a device activated according to an electrical signal. For example, the electronic device 1000 may display an image and sense an external input applied from the outside. The external input may be a user input. The user input may include various types of external inputs, such as a part of the user's body ("touch input"), a pen PN, light, heat, or pressure.

[0094] The electronic device 1000 may include a first display panel DP1 and a second display panel DP2. The first display panel DP1 and the second display panel DP2 may be separate panels. The first display panel DP1 may be referred to as a main display panel, and the second display panel DP2 may be referred to as an auxiliary display panel or an external display panel.

[0095] The first display panel DP1 may include a first display portion DA1-F and a non-display portion NDA around the first display portion DA1-F, and the second display panel DP2 may include a second display portion DA2-F. The area of ​​the second display panel DP2 may be smaller than that of the first display panel DP1. The area of ​​the first display portion DA1-F may be larger than that of the second display portion DA2-F corresponding to the sizes of the first display panel DP1 and the second display panel DP2.

[0096] When the electronic device 1000 is unfolded, the first display portion DA1-F may have a plane substantially parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The thickness direction of the electronic device 1000 may be parallel to a third direction DR3 intersecting the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. Therefore, the front surface (or upper surface) and the rear surface (or lower surface) of the components constituting the electronic device 1000 may be defined with respect to the third direction DR3.

[0097] The first display panel DP1 or the first display portion DA1-F may include a folding area FA that can be folded and unfolded, and a plurality of non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2 that are spaced apart, wherein the folding area FA is between the non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2. The second display panel DP2 may overlap any one of the plurality of non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2. For example, the second display panel DP2 may overlap the first non-folding area NFA1.

[0098] The display directions of the first image IM1a displayed on a portion of the first display panel DP1 (e.g., the first non-folding area NFA1) and the second image IM2a displayed on the second display panel DP2 may be opposite to each other. For example, the first image IM1a may be displayed in a third direction DR3, and the second image IM2a may be displayed in a fourth direction DR4 opposite to the third direction DR3.

[0099] The folding area FA may be bent relative to a folding axis extending in a direction parallel to the long side of the electronic device 1000 (e.g., in a direction parallel to the second direction DR2). When the electronic device 1000 is folded, the folding area FA has a predetermined curvature and a radius of curvature. The first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 may face each other, and the electronic device 1000 may be folded inwardly so that the first display portion DA1-F is not exposed to the outside.

[0100] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the electronic device 1000 may be folded outwardly so that the first display portion DA1-F is exposed to the outside. In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the electronic device 1000 may be folded inwardly or outwardly when folded, but is not limited thereto.

[0101] exist Figure 1A , an embodiment in which one folding area FA is defined in the electronic device 1000 is shown as an example, but the embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. Figure 2 ), multiple folding axes and multiple folding areas corresponding thereto may be defined, and when the electronic device 1000-1 is folded in each of the multiple folding areas, the electronic device 1000 may be folded inwardly or outwardly.

[0102] Even if a digitizer is not included, at least one of the first display panel DP1 and the second display panel DP2 may sense input from the pen PN. Therefore, a digitizer for sensing the pen PN is not provided, and thus the electronic device 1000 may not have a greater thickness and weight and reduced flexibility due to providing a digitizer. Therefore, the first display panel DP1 and the second display panel DP2 may be designed to sense the pen PN.

[0103] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device 1000 - 1 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0104] Figure 2 It is shown that the electronic device 1000 - 1 is a mobile phone as an example, and the electronic device 1000 - 1 may include a display panel DP.

[0105] The display panel DP may sense an externally applied input. The external input may be a user input. The user input may include various types of external inputs such as a part of a user's body (touch input), a pen PN (see Figure 1A ), light, heat or pressure.

[0106] Even if the digitizer is not included, the display panel DP can sense the input from the pen PN. Therefore, the digitizer for sensing the pen PN is not provided, and thus for the electronic device 1000-1, greater thickness and weight due to providing the digitizer can be avoided.

[0107] exist Figure 1A In FIG. 1 , a foldable electronic device 1000 is shown as an example, and in FIG. Figure 2 In the embodiment, a bar-type electronic device 1000-1 is shown as an example, but the embodiments of the inventive concept to be described later are not limited thereto. For example, the description to be described later can be applied to various electronic devices such as a rollable electronic device, a slidable electronic device, and a stretchable electronic device.

[0108] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel DP according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0109] refer to Figure 3 , the display panel DP may include a display layer 100 and a sensor layer 200 .

[0110] The display layer 100 may be configured to substantially generate an image. The display layer 100 may be a light-emitting display layer, and for example, the display layer 100 may be an organic light-emitting display layer, an inorganic light-emitting display layer, an organic-inorganic light-emitting display layer, a quantum dot display layer, a micro-LED display layer, or a nano-LED display layer. The display layer 100 may include a base layer 110, a circuit layer 120, a light-emitting element layer 130, and an encapsulation layer 140.

[0111] The base layer 110 may be a member providing a base surface on which the circuit layer 120 is disposed. The base layer 110 may have a multi-layer structure or a single-layer structure. The base layer 110 may be a glass substrate, a metal substrate, a silicon substrate, or a polymer substrate, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0112] The circuit layer 120 may be disposed on the base layer 110. The circuit layer 120 may include an insulating layer, a semiconductor pattern, a conductive pattern, and a signal line. The insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the conductive layer may be formed on the base layer 110 by a method such as coating or vapor deposition, and the insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the conductive layer may be selectively patterned by multiple photolithography processes.

[0113] The light emitting element layer 130 may be disposed on the circuit layer 120. The light emitting element layer 130 may include a light emitting element. For example, the light emitting element layer 130 may include an organic light emitting material, an inorganic light emitting material, an organic-inorganic light emitting material, a quantum dot, a quantum rod, a micro-LED, or a nano-LED.

[0114] The encapsulation layer 140 may be disposed on the light emitting element layer 130. The encapsulation layer 140 may serve to protect the light emitting element layer 130 from moisture, oxygen, and impurities such as dust particles.

[0115] The sensor layer 200 may be provided on the display layer 100. The sensor layer 200 may sense an external input applied from the outside. The sensor layer 200 may be a single sensor continuously formed in a process of manufacturing the display layer 100, or the sensor layer 200 may be an external sensor attached to the display layer 100. The sensor layer 200 may be referred to as an electronic device for sensing input coordinates, a sensor, an input sensing layer, or an input sensing panel.

[0116] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the sensor layer 200 can sense both inputs from a passive input device such as a user's body part or a passive pen and an active input device that generates a magnetic field at a predetermined resonant frequency. The active input device may be referred to as a pen, an input pen, a magnetic pen, a stylus pen, or an electromagnetic resonance pen.

[0117] Figure 4 is a view for describing an operation of the electronic device 1000 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0118] refer to Figure 4 , the electronic device 1000 may include a display layer 100 , a sensor layer 200 , a display driver 100C, a sensor driver 200C, a main driver 1000C, and a power circuit 1000P.

[0119] The sensor layer 200 can sense the first input 2000 or the second input 3000 applied from the outside. Each of the first input 2000 and the second input 3000 can be an input method that can provide a capacitance change of the sensor layer 200, or an input method that can cause an induced current in the sensor layer 200. For example, the first input 2000 can be a passive input method such as a body part of a user. The second input 3000 can be an input from a pen PN or an RFIC tag. For example, the pen PN can be a passive pen or an active pen.

[0120] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the pen PN may be a device that generates a magnetic field at a predetermined resonant frequency. The pen PN may be configured to transmit an output signal based on electromagnetic resonance. The pen PN may be referred to as an input device, an input pen, a magnetic pen, a stylus pen, or an electromagnetic resonance pen.

[0121] The pen PN may include an RLC resonant circuit, and the RLC resonant circuit may include an inductor L and a capacitor C. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the RLC resonant circuit may be a variable resonant circuit that changes the resonant frequency. In this case, the inductor L may be a variable inductor and / or the capacitor C may be a variable capacitor, but the embodiments of the present inventive concept are not particularly limited thereto.

[0122] The inductor L generates a current through a magnetic field formed in the sensor layer 200. However, the embodiments of the present inventive concept are not particularly limited thereto. For example, when the pen PN operates as an active pen, the pen PN can generate a current even when no magnetic field is provided from the outside. The generated current is transferred to the capacitor C. The capacitor C charges the current input from the inductor L and discharges the charged current to the inductor L. Thereafter, the inductor L can emit a magnetic field at a resonant frequency. Due to the magnetic field emitted by the pen PN, an induced current can flow in the sensor layer 200, and the induced current can be transferred to the sensor driver 200C as a received signal (or a sensed signal, signal).

[0123] The main driver 1000C may control the overall operation of the electronic device 1000. For example, the main driver 1000C may control the operation of the display driver 100C and the operation of the sensor driver 200C. The main driver 1000C may include at least one microprocessor and may also include a graphics controller. The main driver 1000C may be referred to as an application processor, a central processing unit, or a main processor.

[0124] The display driver 100C may drive the display layer 100. The display driver 100C may receive image data and control signals from the main driver 1000C. The control signals may include various signals. For example, the control signals may include an input vertical synchronization signal, an input horizontal synchronization signal, a main clock signal, and a data enable signal.

[0125] The sensor driver 200C may drive the sensor layer 200. The sensor driver 200C may receive a control signal from the main driver 1000C. The control signal may include a clock signal of the sensor driver 200C. In addition, the control signal may also include a mode determination signal that determines a driving mode of the sensor driver 200C and the sensor layer 200.

[0126] The sensor driver 200C may be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC) and electrically connected to the sensor layer 200. For example, the sensor driver 200C may be directly mounted on a predetermined area of ​​the display panel or mounted on a separate printed circuit board in a chip on film (COF) manner and electrically connected to the sensor layer 200.

[0127] The sensor driver 200C and the sensor layer 200 may selectively operate in a first mode or a second mode. For example, the first mode may be a mode for sensing a touch input (e.g., the first input 2000). The second mode may be a mode for sensing a pen PN input (e.g., the second input 3000). The first mode may be referred to as a touch sensing mode, and the second mode may be referred to as a pen sensing mode.

[0128] The switching between the first mode and the second mode can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, the sensor driver 200C and the sensor layer 200 can operate by time-division driving in the first mode and the second mode, and can sense the first input 2000 and the second input 3000. Alternatively, the switching between the first mode and the second mode occurs due to a selection or a specific action performed by the user, or due to the activation or deactivation of a specific application, either of the first mode and the second mode can be activated or deactivated, or it can be switched from one mode to another. Alternatively, when the sensor driver 200C and the sensor layer 200 operate under the alternating operation of the first mode and the second mode, when the first input 2000 is sensed, the first mode can be maintained, or when the second input 3000 is sensed, the second mode can be maintained.

[0129] The sensor driver 200C may calculate input coordinate information based on the signal received from the sensor layer 200, and provide a coordinate signal having the input coordinate information to the main driver 1000C. The main driver 1000C performs an operation corresponding to the user input based on the coordinate signal. For example, the main driver 1000C may operate the display driver 100C so that a new application image is displayed on the display layer 100.

[0130] The power circuit 1000P may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The power circuit 1000P may generate a plurality of driving voltages for driving the display layer 100, the sensor layer 200, the display driver 100C, and the sensor driver 200C. For example, the plurality of driving voltages may include a gate high voltage, a gate low voltage, a first driving voltage, a second driving voltage, an initialization voltage, etc., but are not limited to the above examples.

[0131] Figure 5A is a view illustrating a pen PN according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0132] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5A , the pen PN may include a housing PN-H, a pen tip PN-T, an inductor L, a capacitor C, a resistor R, an elastomer PN-ED, a pressure capacitor CP, a switch SW-B, and a button capacitor CB. The pen PN may not include any active elements such as a power supply, a transistor, or a diode except the switch SW-B connected to the button capacitor CB. The components included in the pen PN are not limited to the above components. At least some of the above components may not be provided, and other components may be added.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the pen tip PN-T may include a non-conductive material. The pen tip PN-T may have a structure protruding outside the housing PN-H. The pen tip PN-T may be detachably coupled to the housing PN-H and may be a replaceable component.

[0134] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the resistor R, the inductor L, and the capacitor C may be connected in series. Therefore, the pen PN may have a structure having a resonant frequency and selectivity as a characteristic of an RLC series circuit. In this case, the frequency of the signal provided to the sensor layer 200 when the sensor layer 200 is charged and driven may correspond to the resonant frequency of the pen PN. The capacitor C, the pressure capacitor CP, and the button capacitor CB may have a structure connected in parallel. For reference, when the switch SW-B is turned on, the button capacitor CB may be connected in parallel with the capacitor C.

[0135] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, when the switch SW-B is turned on or off, the button capacitor CB can be electrically connected to the capacitor C or disconnected from the capacitor C. That is, the switch SW-B can be turned on or off to enable the pen PN to respond to different resonant frequencies. For example, a button can be set on the outer peripheral surface of the housing PN-H. When the button is pressed, the switch SW-B is turned on, and the button capacitor CB can be electrically connected to the capacitor C, and thus the capacitance of the entire pen PN can be increased.

[0136] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the capacitor C may be provided by cutting a portion of a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel. For example, in order to tune a target resonant frequency during a process of manufacturing the pen PN, a portion of the plurality of capacitors may be cut so that the pen PN can tune the capacitor C.

[0137] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, when the pen tip PN-T is partially inserted into the housing PN-H by pen pressure, the area, distance, or area and distance forming the capacitance of the pressure capacitor CP may change. Therefore, the capacitance of the pressure capacitor CP may change. For example, when pen pressure is applied to the pen PN, the capacitance of the pressure capacitor CP may increase, and the resonant frequency of the pen PN may decrease accordingly. Thereafter, when the pen pressure is removed, the capacitance of the pressure capacitor CP may be restored to an initial state by the elastomer PN-ED.

[0138] Figure 5B is a view illustrating a pen PN-1 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

[0139] In the description Figure 5B When Figure 5A Components described in are given reference numerals, and no description thereof is provided.

[0140] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5B ,and Figure 5A Compared with the pen PN shown in , the pen PN-1 may also include a power supply unit PN-BT and a control unit PN-IC. The power supply unit PN-BT may include a battery or a large-capacity capacitor. The control unit PN-IC may receive power from the power supply unit PN-BT and may control the frequency of the signal output from the pen PN-1.

[0141] According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the pen PN-1 includes an RLC resonant circuit, a power supply unit PN-BT, and a control unit PN-IC, and can therefore operate as an active pen as well as a passive pen. Therefore, the pen PN-1 can emit a magnetic field even when no magnetic field is provided from the sensor layer 200. Therefore, the sensor layer 200 can also sense input from the pen PN-1, which outputs a magnetic field without a charging mode for forming a magnetic field.

[0142] Figure 5C is a view illustrating a pen PN-2 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

[0143] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5C , the pen PN-2 may not include an RLC resonant circuit. For example, the pen PN-2 may include a housing PN-H, a pen tip PN-T, an inductor L, a power supply unit PN-BT, and a control unit PN-IC. The power supply unit PN-BT may include a battery or a large-capacity capacitor. The control unit PN-IC may receive power from the power supply unit PN-BT and may control the frequency of a signal output from the pen PN-2.

[0144] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the pen PN-2 may operate as an active pen. Therefore, even when a magnetic field is not provided from the sensor layer 200, the pen PN-2 may emit a magnetic field.

[0145] Figure 5D is a view illustrating an input device TAG according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0146] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5D , the sensor layer 200 can sense the input on the input device TAG. The input device TAG can be called an electronic tag, a smart tag, or an electronic sign. The input device TAG may include a controller TAG-IC and an antenna TAG-CI connected to the controller TAG-IC. The antenna TAG-CI may emit radio waves with a unique code. The sensor layer 200 can detect the code of the input device TAG.

[0147] Figure 6is a cross-sectional view of a display panel DP according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0148] refer to Figure 6 , at least one buffer layer BFL is formed on the upper surface of the base layer 110. The buffer layer BFL may improve the bonding force between the base layer 110 and the semiconductor pattern. The buffer layer BFL may be formed of a plurality of layers. Alternatively, the display layer 100 may further include a barrier layer. The buffer layer BFL may include at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. For example, the buffer layer BFL may include a structure in which silicon oxide layers and silicon nitride layers are alternately stacked.

[0149] The semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL may include polysilicon. In other examples, the semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL may include amorphous silicon, low temperature polysilicon, or oxide semiconductor.

[0150] Figure 6 Only some semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR and SCL are shown, and additional semiconductor patterns may be provided in other regions. The semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR and SCL may be arranged throughout the pixels according to a specific rule. The semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR and SCL may have different electrical characteristics according to doping / undoping. The semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR and SCL may include a first region SC, DR and SCL having high conductivity and a second region AL having low conductivity. The first region SC, DR and SCL may be doped with an N-type dopant or a P-type dopant. The P-type transistor may include a doped region doped with a P-type dopant, and the N-type transistor may include a doped region doped with an N-type dopant. The second region AL may be a non-doped region, or may be doped at a lower concentration than the first region SC, DR and SCL.

[0151] The first regions SC, DR, and SCL may have a greater conductivity than the second region AL and may be substantially used as electrodes or signal lines. The second region AL may substantially correspond to the active region AL (or channel) of the transistor 100PC. That is, a portion AL of the semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL may be the active region AL of the transistor 100PC, the other portions SC and DR may be the source region SC or the drain region DR of the transistor 100PC, and another portion SCL may be a connection electrode or a connection signal line SCL.

[0152] Each of the pixels may have an equivalent circuit including a plurality of transistors, at least one capacitor, and a light emitting element, and the equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel may be modified in various forms. Figure 6, one transistor 100PC and a light emitting element 100PE included in a pixel are shown as an example.

[0153] The source region SC, the active region AL, and the drain region DR of the transistor 100PC may be formed by semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL. The source region SC and the drain region DR may extend from the active region AL in opposite directions in a cross section. Figure 6 A portion of a connection signal line SCL formed of the semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL is shown in FIG. Although not separately shown, the connection signal line SCL may be connected to the drain region DR of the transistor 100PC on a plane.

[0154] The first insulating layer 10 may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The first insulating layer 10 may overlap with a plurality of pixels in common and cover the semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL. The first insulating layer 10 may be an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer, and have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The first insulating layer 10 may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide. In the present embodiment, the first insulating layer 10 may be a single-layer silicon oxide layer. The insulating layer other than the first insulating layer 10 of the circuit layer 120 to be described later may also be an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer, and have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The inorganic layer may include at least one of the above materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0155] The gate GT of the transistor 100PC is disposed on the first insulating layer 10. The gate GT may be a portion of the metal pattern. The gate GT overlaps the active area AL. The gate GT may be used as a mask in the process of doping or reducing the semiconductor patterns SC, AL, DR, and SCL.

[0156] The second insulating layer 20 may be disposed on the first insulating layer 10 and may cover the gate electrode GT. The second insulating layer 20 may overlap with the pixel in common. The second insulating layer 20 may be an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The second insulating layer 20 may include at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. In the present embodiment, the second insulating layer 20 may have a multi-layer structure including a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer.

[0157] The third insulating layer 30 may be disposed on the second insulating layer 20. The third insulating layer 30 may have a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. For example, the third insulating layer 30 may have a multi-layer structure including a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer.

[0158] The first connection electrode CNE1 may be disposed on the third insulating layer 30. The first connection electrode CNE1 may be connected to the connection signal line SCL through a contact hole CNT-1 passing through the first insulating layer 10, the second insulating layer 20, and the third insulating layer 30.

[0159] The fourth insulating layer 40 may be disposed on the third insulating layer 30. The fourth insulating layer 40 may be a single layer of silicon oxide. The fifth insulating layer 50 may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer 40. The fifth insulating layer 50 may be an organic layer.

[0160] The second connection electrode CNE2 may be disposed on the fifth insulating layer 50. The second connection electrode CNE2 may be connected to the first connection electrode CNE1 through a contact hole CNT-2 passing through the fourth insulating layer 40 and the fifth insulating layer 50.

[0161] The sixth insulating layer 60 may be disposed on the fifth insulating layer 50 and may cover the second connection electrode CNE2. The sixth insulating layer 60 may be an organic layer.

[0162] The light emitting element layer 130 may be disposed on the circuit layer 120. The light emitting element layer 130 may include a light emitting element 100PE. For example, the light emitting element layer 130 may include an organic light emitting material, an inorganic light emitting material, an organic-inorganic light emitting material, a quantum dot, a quantum rod, a micro-LED, or a nano-LED. Hereinafter, the light emitting element 100PE is described as an organic light emitting element as an example, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0163] The light emitting element 100PE may include a first electrode AE, an emission layer EL, and a second electrode CE.

[0164] The first electrode AE ​​may be disposed on the sixth insulating layer 60. The first electrode AE ​​may be connected to the second connection electrode CNE2 through a contact hole CNT-3 passing through the sixth insulating layer 60.

[0165] The pixel defining film 70 may be disposed on the sixth insulating layer 60 and may cover a portion of the first electrode AE. An opening 70-OP is defined in the pixel defining film 70. The opening 70-OP of the pixel defining film 70 exposes at least a portion of the first electrode AE.

[0166] The first display part DA1-F (see Figure 1A ) may include a light emitting region PXA and a non-light emitting region NPXA adjacent to the light emitting region PXA. The non-light emitting region NPXA may surround the light emitting region PXA. In the present embodiment, the light emitting region PXA is defined to correspond to a portion of the first electrode AE ​​exposed by the opening 70-OP.

[0167] The emission layer EL may be disposed on the first electrode AE. The emission layer EL may be disposed in a region corresponding to the opening 70-OP. That is, the emission layer EL may be formed in each of the pixels, respectively. When the emission layer EL is formed in each of the pixels, respectively, each of the emission layers EL may emit light of at least one color of blue, red, and green. However, the embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto, and the emission layer EL may be connected to a pixel that is commonly disposed. In this case, the emission layer EL may provide blue light or white light.

[0168] The second electrode CE may be disposed on the emission layer EL. The second electrode CE may have a single body shape and may be commonly included in a plurality of pixels.

[0169] The hole control layer may be disposed between the first electrode AE ​​and the emission layer EL. The hole control layer may be commonly disposed in the light emitting region PXA and the non-light emitting region NPXA. The hole control layer may include a hole transport layer and may further include a hole injection layer. The electron control layer may be disposed between the emission layer EL and the second electrode CE. The electron control layer may include an electron transport layer and may further include an electron injection layer. The hole control layer and the electron control layer may be commonly formed in a plurality of pixels using an open mask or an inkjet process.

[0170] The encapsulation layer 140 may be disposed on the light emitting element layer 130. The encapsulation layer 140 may include an inorganic layer, an organic layer, and an inorganic layer stacked in sequence, but the layers forming the encapsulation layer 140 are not limited thereto. The inorganic layer may protect the light emitting element layer 130 from moisture and oxygen, and the organic layer may protect the light emitting element layer 130 from impurities such as dust particles. The inorganic layer may include a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, an aluminum oxide layer, and the like. The organic layer may include an acrylic-based organic layer, but is not limited thereto.

[0171] The sensor layer 200 may include a base layer 201 , a first conductive layer 202 , an intermediate insulating layer 203 , a second conductive layer 204 , and a cover insulating layer 205 .

[0172] The base layer 201 may be an inorganic layer including any one of silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and silicon oxide. Alternatively, the base layer 201 may be an organic layer including epoxy resin, acrylic resin, or imide-based resin. The base layer 201 may have a single-layer structure, or may have a multi-layer structure stacked along the third direction DR3.

[0173] Each of the first conductive layer 202 and the second conductive layer 204 may have a single-layer structure, or may have a multi-layer structure stacked along the third direction DR3.

[0174] Each of the first conductive layer 202 and the second conductive layer 204 having a single-layer structure may include a metal layer or a transparent conductive layer. The metal layer may include molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof. The transparent conductive layer may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO). In addition, the transparent conductive layer may include a conductive polymer such as poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), a metal nanowire, graphene, etc.

[0175] Each of the first conductive layer 202 and the second conductive layer 204 having a multi-layer structure may include a metal layer. The metal layer may have a three-layer structure of, for example, titanium / aluminum / titanium. The multi-layer conductive layer may include at least one metal layer and at least one transparent conductive layer.

[0176] The thickness of the first conductive layer 202 may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the second conductive layer 204. When the thickness of the first conductive layer 202 is greater than the thickness of the second conductive layer 204, the resistance of the components included in the first conductive layer 202 may be reduced. In addition, the first conductive layer 202 is disposed below the second conductive layer 204, and therefore, even when the thickness of the first conductive layer 202 increases, the first conductive layer 202 may have a lower chance of being visible due to external light reflection than the second conductive layer 204.

[0177] The width of the first mesh line included in the first conductive layer 202 may be less than or equal to the width of the second mesh line included in the second conductive layer 204. Figure 1A ), the first mesh lines have a smaller width than the second mesh lines, and therefore, the chance of the first mesh lines being visible to the user can be reduced.

[0178] At least any one of the intermediate insulating layer 203 and the cap insulating layer 205 may include an inorganic film. The inorganic film may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide.

[0179] At least any one of the intermediate insulating layer 203 and the cover insulating layer 205 may include an organic film. The organic film may include at least any one of acrylic-based resin, methacrylate-based resin, polyisoprene, vinyl-based resin, epoxy-based resin, urethane-based resin, cellulose-based resin, siloxane-based resin, polyimide-based resin, polyamide-based resin, and perylene-based resin.

[0180] In the above description, the sensor layer 200 includes the first conductive layer 202 and the second conductive layer 204 , that is, includes a total of two conductive layers as an example, but in other embodiments, the sensor layer 200 may include three or more conductive layers.

[0181] Figure 7 is a plan view of a sensor layer 200 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0182] refer to Figure 7 , a sensing region 200A and a peripheral region 200NA adjacent to the sensing region 200A may be defined in the sensor layer 200 .

[0183] The sensor layer 200 may include a plurality of first electrode groups 210G and a plurality of second electrode groups 220G disposed in the sensing region 200A. Each of the first electrode groups 210G may intersect with the second electrode groups 220G. Each of the first electrode groups 210G may extend along the second direction DR2, and the first electrode groups 210G may be arranged at intervals in the first direction DR1. Each of the second electrode groups 220G may extend along the first direction DR1, and the second electrode groups 220G may be arranged at intervals in the second direction DR2.

[0184] Figure 7 A total of six first electrode groups 210G and a total of ten second electrode groups 220G are shown as an example, but the number of first electrode groups 210G and the number of second electrode groups 220G are not limited thereto.

[0185] The sensor layer 200 may further include a plurality of first traces 210t and a plurality of second traces 220t at least partially disposed in the peripheral area 200NA. The first traces 210t may be electrically connected to the first electrode group 210G in a one-to-one correspondence. Thus, one first trace 210t may be connected to one first electrode group 210G. The second trace 220t may be electrically connected to the second electrode group 220G in a two-to-one correspondence. Thus, two second traces 220t1 and 220t2 may be electrically connected to one second electrode group 220G. One of the second traces 220t1 and 220t2 may be referred to as a first cross trace 220t1, and the other may be referred to as a second cross trace 220t2.

[0186] The second traces 220t may be electrically connected to the second electrode group 220G in a two-to-one correspondence, and therefore, the number of second traces 220t may be twice the number of second electrode groups 220G. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, at least a portion of each of the second traces 220t or at least a portion of the second traces 220t may overlap with the sensing area 200A. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the second traces 220t may extend and overlap with the first electrode group 210G and the second electrode group 220G. Therefore, the area of ​​the peripheral area 200NA may be reduced. Therefore, the electronic device 1000 (see Figure 1A )’s front surface, and a narrow bezel can be achieved.

[0187] Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept (see FIG. Figure 4 )'s view.

[0188] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 8 , the sensor driver 200C may be configured to be selectively driven in any one of the first operation mode DMD1 , the second operation mode DMD2 , and the third operation mode DMD3 .

[0189] The first operation mode DMD1 may be referred to as a touch and pen standby mode; the second operation mode DMD2 may be referred to as a touch activation and pen standby mode; and the third operation mode DMD3 may be referred to as a pen activation mode. The first operation mode DMD1 may be a mode for waiting for the first input 2000 and the second input 3000. The second operation mode DMD2 may be a mode for sensing the first input 2000 and waiting for the second input 3000. The third operation mode DMD3 may be a mode for sensing the second input 3000. The implementation details of the first operation mode DMD1 to the third operation mode DMD3 will be described below in conjunction with Fig. 9 Further explanation.

[0190] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the sensor driver 200C may be first driven in the first operating mode DMD1. When the first input 2000 is sensed in the first operating mode DMD1, the operating mode of driving the sensor driver 200C may be switched (or changed) to the second operating mode DMD2. Alternatively, when the second input 3000 is sensed in the first operating mode DMD1, the operating mode of driving the sensor driver 200C may be switched (or changed) to the third operating mode DMD3.

[0191] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, when the second input 3000 is sensed in the second operation mode DMD2, the operation mode of the driving sensor driver 200C may be switched to the third operation mode DMD3. When the first input 2000 is released (or not sensed) in the second operation mode DMD2, the operation mode of the driving sensor driver 200C may be switched to the first operation mode DMD1. When the second input 3000 is released (or not sensed) in the third operation mode DMD3, the operation mode of the driving sensor driver 200C may be switched to the first operation mode DMD1.

[0192] Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept (see FIG. Figure 4 )'s view.

[0193] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , operations in the first operation mode DMD1 , the second operation mode DMD2 , and the third operation mode DMD3 are shown in the order of time t.

[0194] In the first operation mode DMD1, the sensor driver 200C may be repeatedly driven in the second mode MD2-d and the first mode MD1-d. During the second mode MD2-d, the sensor layer 200 may be scan-driven to detect the second input 3000. During the first mode MD1-d, the sensor layer 200 may be scan-driven to detect the first input 2000. Fig. 9 , the sensor driver 200C is shown as operating in the first mode MD1 - d successively after the second mode MD2 - d , but the order may be swapped in other exemplary embodiments.

[0195] In the second operation mode DMD2, the sensor driver 200C may be repeatedly driven in the second mode MD2-d and the first mode MD1. During the second mode MD2-d, the sensor layer 200 may be scan-driven to detect the second input 3000. During the first mode MD1, the sensor layer 200 may be scan-driven to detect the coordinates of the first input 2000.

[0196] In the third operation mode DMD3, the sensor driver 200C may be driven in the second mode MD2. During the second mode MD2, the sensor layer 200 may be scan-driven to detect the coordinates of the second input 3000. In the third operation mode DMD3, the sensor driver 200C may not operate in the first mode MD1-d or MD1 until the second input 3000 is released (or not sensed).

[0197] Fig.10 2 is a view illustrating one second electrode group 220G and a portion of the sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0198] refer to Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the plurality of second electrode groups 220G may have substantially the same structure. Fig.10 , a second electrode group 220G is described.

[0199] The second electrode group 220G may include a first intersecting electrode 220ce1 and a second intersecting electrode 220ce2. The first intersecting electrode 220ce1 and the second intersecting electrode 220ce2 may be referred to as a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, a first alternating electrode and a second alternating electrode, or a first electrode and a second electrode.

[0200] The first cross electrode 220ce1 may include first sensing patterns 221p1, 221p2, 221p3, and 221p4 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "221p") and three first bridges 221b. The second cross electrode 220ce2 may include second sensing patterns 222p1, 222p2, 222p3, and 222p4 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "222p") and three second bridges 222b. Here, the term "sensing pattern" refers to a pattern of conductive elements, for example, arranged in a mesh structure, which together may form a translucent touch sensing or pen sensing element. This may allow an image from the display layer 100 below to be visible to a user of the electronic device 1000.

[0201] In other examples, the second electrode group has more or fewer first sensing patterns and first bridges, and has more or fewer second sensing patterns and second bridges. For the minimum case, an embodiment with only one first sensing pattern and one second sensing pattern is possible.

[0202] The first sensing patterns 221p may be the same as or different from the second sensing patterns 222p (in terms of the geometric pattern of the conductive element). The first sensing patterns 221p may be arranged at intervals in the first direction DR1, and the first bridges 221b may be connected to the first sensing patterns 221p spaced apart in the first direction DR1. The second sensing patterns 222p may be arranged at intervals in the first direction DR1, and the second bridges 222b may be connected to the second sensing patterns 222p spaced apart in the first direction DR1. At least one of the first sensing patterns 221p and at least one of the second sensing patterns 222p may be arranged alternately.

[0203] The first sensing pattern 221p and the second sensing pattern 222p may be disposed on the same layer, and the first bridge 221b and the second bridge 222b may be disposed on the same layer. Figure 6 ) may include a first bridge 221b and a second bridge 222b, and the second conductive layer 204 (see Figure 6 ) may include a first sensing pattern 221p and a second sensing pattern 222p. In this case, the first bridge 221b and the first sensing pattern 221p may be formed on the intermediate insulating layer 203 (see Figure 6 ) is electrically connected, and the second bridge 222b and the second sensing pattern 222p can be formed through the intermediate insulating layer 203 (see Figure 6 ) are electrically connected by through holes.

[0204] The sensor layer 200 may further include a dummy pattern (not shown). For example, the dummy pattern may be provided in the first conductive layer 202 in an area where the first bridge 221b and the second bridge 222b are not provided. In this case, the chance of the first bridge 221b and the second bridge 222b being visible due to external light reflection may be reduced. Therefore, an electronic device 1000 having improved visibility according to external light reflection may be provided (see Figure 1A ).

[0205] In another embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first sensing pattern 221p, the second sensing pattern 222p, the first bridge 221b, and the second bridge 222b may be disposed on the same layer. In this case, the first sensing pattern 221p may be spaced apart from and electrically insulated from the second bridge 222b. In addition, the second sensing pattern 222p may also be spaced apart from and electrically insulated from the first bridge 221b.

[0206] In another embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first bridge 221b may be a single first bridge line connected to each other, and the second bridge 222b may be a single second bridge line connected to each other. Figure 6 ) may include a first bridge line and a second bridge line, and the second conductive layer 204 (see Figure 6 ) may include a first sensing pattern 221p and a second sensing pattern 222p. Each of the first bridge line and the second bridge line may overlap the first sensing pattern 221p and the second sensing pattern 222p. The first bridge line and the first sensing pattern 221p may be formed on the intermediate insulating layer 203 (see Figure 6 ) is electrically connected, and the second bridge line and the second sensing pattern 222p can be formed through the intermediate insulating layer 203 (see Figure 6) are electrically connected by through holes.

[0207] In this case, instead of forming a plurality of bridges, a single bridge line may be used instead, thereby reducing resistance. In addition, the bridges are arranged in the form of lines, rather than being spaced apart at predetermined intervals, which can reduce the chance of the bridge line being visible from the outside. Therefore, an effect of improving visibility can be achieved. In addition, a dummy pattern in an area in which the bridge line is not provided in the first conductive layer 202 can be provided to provide an electronic device 1000 with improved visibility according to external light reflection (see Figure 1A ).

[0208] The number of the first sensing patterns 221p may be equal to the number of the second sensing patterns 222p included in the second electrode group 220G. In this case, the total basic capacitance of the first cross-electrode 220ce1 and the total basic capacitance of the second cross-electrode 220ce2 may be substantially the same. As described above, in other examples, each of the first sensing patterns 221p and the second sensing patterns 222p may have a ratio of Fig.10 In addition, each of the first sensing patterns 221p and each of the second sensing patterns 222p may be composed of a plurality of patterns that are electrically connected (eg, closed elements forming a mesh structure, such as squares, rectangles, circles, etc.) but are shaped to be separated from each other.

[0209] The first crossing trace 220t1 may be electrically connected to the first crossing electrode 220ce1, and the second crossing trace 220t2 may be electrically connected to the second crossing electrode 220ce2. For example, the first crossing trace 220t1 may be directly connected to one of the first sensing patterns 221p1 in the first sensing patterns 221p, and the second crossing trace 220t2 may be directly connected to one of the second sensing patterns 222p1 in the second sensing patterns 222p. The first crossing trace 220t1 and the second crossing trace 220t2 may be spaced apart in the first direction DR1.

[0210] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, one first sensing pattern 221p2 among the first sensing patterns 221p may be disposed at a first end of one second electrode group 220G, and one second sensing pattern 222p2 among the second sensing patterns 222p may be disposed at a second end of the second electrode group 220G. At least one second sensing pattern 222p2 among the second sensing patterns 222p may be disposed between a portion of the first crossing trace 220t1 and one first sensing pattern 221p1. In addition, at least one first sensing pattern 221p2 among the first sensing patterns 221p may be disposed between a portion of the second crossing trace 220t2 and one second sensing pattern 222p1.

[0211] Therefore, the sensing pattern not connected to the trace may be closer to the peripheral area 200NA than the sensing pattern connected to the trace. In the first cross electrode 220ce1, the first sensing pattern 221p2 may be closer to the peripheral area 200NA than the first sensing pattern 221p1, and in the second cross electrode 220ce2, the second sensing pattern 222p2 may be closer to the peripheral area 200NA than the second sensing pattern 222p1. In this case, a basic capacitance Cb may be provided at the end of the unconnected trace, which is as close to the peripheral area 200NA as possible relative to one cross electrode. In this case, even when the input of the pen PN is provided from an area farther than the trace connection area, the signal strength (or the strength of the signal) can be further improved by the basic capacitance Cb at the end.

[0212] In another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to change Fig.10 . For example, the first cross trace 220t1 can be directly connected to one of the first sensing patterns 221p2 in the first sensing pattern 221p, and the second cross trace 220t2 can be directly connected to one of the second sensing patterns 222p2 in the second sensing pattern 222p. In this case, the first cross trace 220t1 and the first sensing pattern 221p2 can be disposed on the same layer and can be shaped to be connected to each other as a single body. In addition, the second cross trace 220t2 and the second sensing pattern 222p2 can be disposed on the same layer and can be shaped to be connected to each other as a single body. In this case, the resistance can be reduced because the two components are directly connected on the same layer without a through hole, and this can result in improved sensing sensitivity.

[0213] The second mode MD2-d or the second mode MD2 may include a pen sensing driving mode. In the pen sensing driving mode, the sensor layer 200 and the sensor driver 200C may sense an induced current generated by a magnetic field emitted from the pen PN. In the pen sensing driving mode, the sensor driver 200C may be configured to receive a first signal SG1 from the first cross electrode 220ce1 and receive a second signal SG2 from the second cross electrode 220ce2.

[0214] The sensor driver 200C may include a differential amplifier DAP. An inverting terminal of the differential amplifier DAP may be electrically connected to the first cross electrode 220ce1, and a non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier DAP may be electrically connected to the second cross electrode 220ce2. The differential amplifier DAP may output an output signal Sout by amplifying a signal proportional to a difference between the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2.

[0215] The first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 may contain the same or substantially the same amount of noise; the noise may be removed by the differential amplifier DAP. That is, the sensor driver 200C may include a circuit (e.g., a noise removal circuit) for removing substantially equal amounts of noise from the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2. In addition, the current directions of the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 may be opposite. Therefore, by differentiating the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2, the signal strength may be greater. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio is increased, and therefore, the electronic device 1000 (see FIG. 1 ) is more robust than conventional devices. Figure 1A )'s sensor driver 200C may have improved sensing sensitivity.

[0216] Fig.11 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a relationship between one electrode group and a circuit of the pen PN, and an induced voltage and current caused by the pen PN according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0217] Fig.12 2 is a diagram showing a channel corresponding to one second electrode group 220G along one second electrode group 220G (in the first direction DR1 (see Fig.10 ) is a graph of the intensity of the current according to the pen position. Fig.13 is a graph showing the intensity of an output signal according to a pen position for one channel.

[0218] refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 The first intersecting electrode 220ce1 may be electrically connected to the sensor driver 200C through a first node ND1, and the second intersecting electrode 220ce2 may be electrically connected to the sensor driver 200C through a fourth node ND4. The first node ND1 may be a left node of the first intersecting electrode 220ce1, and the fourth node ND4 may be a right node of the second intersecting electrode 220ce2.

[0219] A plurality of coupling capacitors Cc may be defined between the first intersecting electrodes 220ce1 and the second intersecting electrodes 220ce2. Fig.10 , as an example, it is shown that seven coupling capacitors Cc are defined between the first sensing pattern 221p and the second sensing pattern 222p.

[0220] Four first basic capacitors Cb1 (Cb11, Cb12, and two therebetween) may be defined in the first cross electrode 220ce1, and four second basic capacitors Cb2 (Cb21, Cb22, and two therebetween) may be defined in the second cross electrode 220ce2. The first basic capacitors Cb1 may correspond to the number of the first sensing patterns 221p, and the second basic capacitors Cb2 may correspond to the number of the second sensing patterns 222p.

[0221] When the pen PN approaches the first and second cross electrodes 220ce1 and 220ce2, an induced electromotive force v(t) may be generated in each of the first and second cross electrodes 220ce1 and 220ce2 by a magnetic field generated from the pen PN. As an example, Fig.11 It is shown that the same induced electromotive force v(t) is generated in each of the first intersecting electrode 220ce1 and the second intersecting electrode 220ce2 , but different induced electromotive forces v(t) may be generated in other examples.

[0222] The first induced current Ia, the second induced current Ib, and the third induced current Ic may be generated by the induced electromotive force v(t) in the first cross electrode 220ce1 and the second cross electrode 220ce2. The current of the first signal SG1 may correspond to the sum of the first induced current Ia and the second induced current Ib, and the current of the second signal SG2 may correspond to the negative value (indicating a negative relative direction) of the sum of the second induced current Ib and the third induced current Ic.

[0223] For example, the capacitance of each of the first base capacitors Cb1 and the capacitance of each of the second base capacitors Cb2 are assumed to be Cb, and the capacitance of the coupling capacitor Cc is assumed to be Cc.

[0224] A ground voltage may be applied to the first node ND1 and the fourth node ND4 connected to the sensor driver 200C. Therefore, the voltage at one end and the other end of the first base capacitor Cb11 is the same. Because the voltage difference between the two ends of the capacitor is 0, the induced current may not be transmitted through the first base capacitor Cb11. In addition, the voltage at one end and the other end of the second base capacitor Cb22 may be the same. Therefore, the induced current may not be transmitted through the second base capacitor Cb22. In addition, the voltage at the second node ND2 corresponding to the right end of the first cross electrode 220ce1 may be -v(t), and the voltage at the third node ND3 corresponding to the left end of the second cross electrode 220ce2 may be v(t).

[0225] The time-varying first induced current Ia can be expressed by the following equation.

[0226]

[0227] The second induced current Ib that varies with time can be expressed by the following equation.

[0228]

[0229] The third induced current Ic that varies with time can be expressed by the following equation.

[0230]

[0231] The first signal SG1 may correspond to Ia(t)+Ib(t)+noise, and the second signal SG2 may correspond to -Ib(t)-Ic(t)+noise.

[0232] refer to Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 , when the position of the pen PN moves from the first node ND1 to the second node ND2, the first sensing current Ia may gradually decrease, the second sensing current Ib may be substantially the same, and the third sensing current Ic may gradually increase.

[0233] When the first and second signals SG1 and SG2 are differentiated by the differential amplifier DAP, noise included in the first and second signals SG1 and SG2 can be removed. In addition, the two signals are differentiated, and therefore, the intensity of the output signal Sout can be output in a form that remains constant regardless of the position of the pen PN.

[0234] Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, one electrode group may include two cross electrodes through which currents flow in different directions. In this case, the current directions of the signals received from the two cross electrodes are opposite, and the noise generated in the two cross electrodes may be substantially the same. When an output signal is generated by differentiating the two signals using a differential amplifier DAP, the noise may be removed, and the intensity of the output signal Sout may be greater. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio may be increased, and thus the electronic device 1000 (see Figure 1A ) can have improved sensing sensitivity.

[0235] Fig.14 2 is a view showing four second electrode groups 220G and a portion of the sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.14 In the embodiment of the present invention, the current can be sensed by differential sensing channels adjacent to each other or channels spaced apart from each other. This can facilitate the calculation of the pen PN coordinates based on the centroid method or the maximum point of the trend line.

[0236] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.14 , the sensor driver 200C may include a first differential amplifier DAP1 , a second differential amplifier DAP2 , and a third differential amplifier DAP3 .

[0237] In the pen sensing drive mode, the first differential amplifier DAP1 and the second differential amplifier DAP2 can each receive a signal from a corresponding one of the second electrode group 220G, the inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier DAP3 can receive the signal output from the first differential amplifier DAP1, and the non-inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier DAP3 can receive the signal output from the second differential amplifier DAP2 and output an output signal Souta.

[0238] The second electrode group 220G may include a 2-1st electrode group 220G1 and a 2-2nd electrode group 220G2 spaced apart from the 2-1st electrode group 220G1 in the second direction DR2.

[0239] In the pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier DAP1 can be electrically connected to the first cross electrode 220ce11 of the 2-1 electrode group 220G1 through the 1-1 cross trace 220t11, and the non-inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier DAP1 can be electrically connected to the second cross electrode 220ce21 of the 2-1 electrode group 220G1 through the 2-1 cross trace 220t21.

[0240] In the pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier DAP2 can be electrically connected to the first cross electrode 220ce12 of the 2-2 electrode group 220G2 through the 1-2 cross trace 220t12, and the non-inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier DAP2 can be electrically connected to the second cross electrode 220ce22 of the 2-2 electrode group 220G2 through the 2-2 cross trace 220t22.

[0241] exist Fig.14 In the example shown in , the third differential amplifier DAP3 is shown as receiving signals provided from two second electrode groups 220G1 and 220G2, which are located closest to each other in the second direction DR2, but they are not necessarily the closest groups. For example, the third differential amplifier DAP3 can receive signals provided from two second electrode groups, wherein one or more second electrode groups are arranged between the two second electrode groups.

[0242] Fig.15 2 is a view illustrating four electrode groups and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.15 The implementation method and Fig.14The embodiments of FIG. 5 differ in that the sensing electrodes are connected to the differential amplifier in a different manner.

[0243] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.15 , the sensor driver 200C may include a first differential amplifier DAP1a, a second differential amplifier DAP2a, and a third differential amplifier DAP3a.

[0244] In the pen sensing drive mode, the first differential amplifier DAP1a and the second differential amplifier DAP2a can each receive a signal from the second electrode group 220G, the inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier DAP3a can receive the signal output from the first differential amplifier DAP1a, and the non-inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier DAP3a can receive the signal output from the second differential amplifier DAP2a and output an output signal Soutb.

[0245] The second electrode group 220G may include a 2-1st electrode group 220G1 and a 2-2nd electrode group 220G2 spaced apart from the 2-1st electrode group 220G1 in the second direction DR2.

[0246] In the pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier DAP1 can be electrically connected to the first cross electrode 220ce11 of the 2-1 electrode group 220G1 through the 1-1 cross trace 220t11, and the non-inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier DAP1 can be electrically connected to the first cross electrode 220ce12 of the 2-2 electrode group 220G2 through the 1-2 cross trace 220t12.

[0247] In the pen sensing drive mode, the inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier DAP2 can be electrically connected to the second cross electrode 220ce21 of the 2-1 electrode group 220G1 through the 2-1 cross trace 220t21, and the non-inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier DAP2 can be electrically connected to the second cross electrode 220ce22 of the 2-2 electrode group 220G2 through the 2-2 cross trace 220t22.

[0248] Fig.16A is a view showing currents sensed from a plurality of electrode groups. Fig. 16B is a diagram showing currents obtained from differential pairs of a plurality of electrode groups.

[0249] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.16A, the direction of the current sensed from the spaced-apart channels may be different, where the portion where the pen PN is placed is between the spaced-apart channels. The channels may correspond to the second electrode groups 220G, respectively. Therefore, relative to the position of the pen PN, the direction of the current flowing through the channel at the left and the direction of the current flowing through the channel at the right may be different. Therefore, the sensor driver 200C can sense currents flowing in different directions relative to the position of the pen PN.

[0250] When the pen PN is placed directly at the upper portion above a second electrode group 220G, a signal sensed from a second electrode group 220G may be "0". Fig.10 As described, when the coordinates are calculated using the output signal Sout obtained from one second electrode group 220G, the intensity of the signal received from one second electrode group 220G directly corresponding to the position of the pen PN may be "0".

[0251] Therefore, reference Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 The description of can be understood as a description of the channel through which the current induced by the pen PN flows. Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 A second electrode group described in corresponds to a Fig.16A One of the channels at the left and the channels at the right of the position of the pen PN.

[0252] When reference Fig.14 , Fig.15 and Fig. 16B When the output signal Souta or Soutb is a signal obtained from two or more second electrode groups 220G1 and 220G2. That is, the current can be sensed by differential sensing channels adjacent to each other or channels that are not adjacent to each other (spaced apart). In this case, the coordinates of the pen PN can be relatively simply calculated based on the centroid method or the maximum point of the trend line.

[0253] Fig.17 is a view illustrating four electrode groups and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Here, the sensor driver 200C may include a plurality of differential amplifiers DAPs, an analog-to-digital converter ADC, and a difference calculator CC.

[0254] The differential amplifier DAPs may be connected to the first cross electrode 220ce1 and the second cross electrode 220ce2 of the second electrode group 220G in a one-to-one correspondence. The analog-to-digital converter ADC may receive an analog signal from the differential amplifier DAPs and convert the analog signal into a digital signal. The difference calculator CC may perform a difference operation on the data provided from the analog-to-digital converter ADC and output a "denoised" output data DAT (output data signal from which noise is removed). That is, the sensor driver 200C may be configured to perform a difference operation on the data output from the analog-to-digital converter ADC.

[0255] Fig.18 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer 200 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0256] refer to Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.18 , the sensor layer 200 may include a first electrode group 210Ga and a second electrode group 220Ga. Each of the first electrode group 210Ga and the second electrode group 220Ga may include two crossed electrodes. Therefore, two traces may be electrically connected to each of the first electrode group 210Ga and the second electrode group 220Ga. The connection relationship between the crossed electrodes and the traces in each of the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 is substantially the same as Fig.10 The contents described for the second direction DR2 are the same.

[0257] For example, each of the second electrode groups 220Ga may include a first cross electrode 220ce1a and a second cross electrode 220ce2a. The first cross electrode 220ce1a may be electrically connected to the first cross trace 220t1, and the second cross electrode 220ce2a may be electrically connected to the second cross trace 220t2. Each of the first electrode groups 210Ga may include a third cross electrode 210ce1 and a fourth cross electrode 210ce2. The third cross electrode 210ce1 may be electrically connected to the third cross trace 210t1, and the fourth cross electrode 210ce2 may be electrically connected to the fourth cross trace 210t2. In the example, each pattern in the row (DR1 direction) has a bowtie shape, and each pattern in the column direction (DR2 direction) includes a pair of truncated triangles connected to each other. Alternatively, the two pattern shapes are exchanged (a bowtie shape is used in the column direction, and a truncated triangle shape is used in the row direction).

[0258] The second mode MD2-d or the second mode MD2-d may be a pen sensing driving mode or include a pen sensing driving mode. In the pen sensing driving mode, the sensor layer 200 and the sensor driver 200C may sense an induced current generated by a magnetic field emitted from the pen PN. In the pen sensing driving mode, the sensor driver 200C may be configured to receive a first signal SG1 from the first cross electrode 220ce1a, a second signal SG2 from the second cross electrode 220ce2a, a third signal SG3 from the third cross electrode 210ce1, and a fourth signal SG4 from the fourth cross electrode 210ce2. In the pen sensing driving mode, the sensor driver 200C may process the first signal SG1, the second signal SG2, the third signal SG3, and the fourth signal SG4 as Fig.10 , Fig.14 , Fig.15 or Fig.17 Therefore, in the second direction DR2, the mechanism for detecting the second direction DR2 coordinates of the pen input (affecting any one or more first electrode groups 210G) can be the same as any of the mechanisms for detecting the second direction DR2 coordinates of the pen input (affecting any one or more second electrode groups 220G) described above.

[0259] Fig.19 is a plan view illustrating four sensing units according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 20A is a plan view illustrating a second conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 20B is a plan view illustrating a first conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0260] refer to Fig.18 , Fig.19 , Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B , the first cross electrode 220ce1a may include a plurality of first sensing patterns 221sp, a first bridge line 221bl and a first bridge pattern 221bp. The second cross electrode 220ce2a may include a plurality of second sensing patterns 222sp, a second bridge line 222bl and a second bridge pattern 222bp. The third cross electrode 210ce1 may include a plurality of third sensing patterns 211sp, a third bridge line 211bl, a third bridge pattern 211bp and a first connection pattern 211cp. The fourth cross electrode 210ce2 may include a plurality of fourth sensing patterns 212sp, a fourth bridge line 212bl, a fourth bridge pattern 212bp and a second connection pattern 212cp.

[0261] The first sensing pattern 221sp, the second sensing pattern 222sp, the third sensing pattern 211sp, the fourth sensing pattern 212sp, the first bridge line 221bl, the second bridge line 222bl, the third bridge line 211bl, and the fourth bridge line 212bl may be disposed on the same layer and, for example, may be included in the second conductive layer 204 (see Figure 6 The first bridge pattern 221bp, the second bridge pattern 222bp, the third bridge pattern 211bp, the fourth bridge pattern 212bp, the first connection pattern 211cp and the second connection pattern 212cp may be disposed on the same layer and, for example, may be included in the first conductive layer 202 (see Figure 6 )middle.

[0262] The first sensing pattern 221sp may include a plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns 221spa and a plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns 221spb spaced apart from the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns 221spa in the second direction DR2. The third sensing pattern 211sp may include a plurality of 3-1th sensing patterns 211spa and a plurality of 3-2nd sensing patterns 211spb spaced apart from the plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns 211spa in the first direction DR1.

[0263] Fig.19 The four sensing units shown in the figure may be repeatedly arranged along the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The 1-1th sensing patterns 221spa included in different sensing units spaced apart along the first direction DR1 may be electrically connected through the first bridge line 221bl. In addition, the 1-2th sensing patterns 221spb included in other sensing units spaced apart along the first direction DR1 may be electrically connected through the first bridge pattern 221bp. The first bridge line 221bl and the first bridge pattern 221bp may be electrically connected.

[0264] The first bridge line 221b1 may be disposed between two second sensing patterns 222sp spaced apart in the second direction DR2 among the second sensing patterns 222sp. The first bridge pattern 221bp may overlap the first bridge line 221b1 and may also overlap the two second sensing patterns 222sp.

[0265] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the overlapping area of ​​the first bridge pattern 221 bp and the two second sensing patterns 222 sp is adjusted to control the capacitance of the coupling capacitor Cc between the first and second cross electrodes 220ce1 a and 220ce2 a .

[0266] The 3-1st sensing pattern 211spa included in other sensing units spaced apart along the second direction DR2 may be electrically connected through the third bridge pattern 211bp. In addition, the 3-2nd sensing pattern 211spb included in other sensing units spaced apart along the second direction DR2 may be electrically connected through the third bridge line 211bl. The third bridge line 211bl and the third bridge pattern 211bp may be electrically connected.

[0267] The first connection pattern 211cp may overlap with the first bridge line 221bl or the second bridge line 222bl, and may be connected to two spaced-apart third sensing patterns 211sp among the third sensing patterns 211sp, and the first bridge line 221bl or the second bridge line 222bl is between the two spaced-apart third sensing patterns 211sp. For example, two first connection patterns 211cp may be provided, and as shown in the figure, the two first connection patterns 211cp may be spaced-apart in the first direction DR1, and the narrow central portion of the fourth bridge pattern 212bp is therebetween. The third bridge line 211bl may be disposed between two spaced-apart fourth sensing patterns 212sp among the fourth sensing patterns 212sp.

[0268] Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B Each of the patterns shown in the figure may have a mesh structure. Each of the mesh structures may include a plurality of mesh lines. Each of the plurality of mesh lines may have a straight line shape extending in a predetermined direction and may be connected. However, this is presented only as an example. In other examples, at least a portion of each of the plurality of mesh lines may have a curved shape.

[0269] Fig.21 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer 200 including an auxiliary electrode 200 s according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0270] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.21 , the sensor layer 200 may further include a plurality of auxiliary electrodes 230s respectively overlapping the first electrode group 210G. In addition, a connection trace 230ct connecting the auxiliary electrodes 230s of the sensor layer 200 to each other may be included. As explained in detail below, by using the auxiliary electrodes 230s, the sensing current may be increased for pen input.

[0271] The connecting trace 230ct and the first trace 210t can be spaced apart, and the first electrode group 210G and the auxiliary electrode 230s are between them. Therefore, the wiring direction of the first electrode group 210G and the wiring direction of the auxiliary electrode 230s can be different. The wiring direction can refer to the direction in which the trace protrudes and extends from the position where the electrode group and the trace are connected. For example, the first trace 210t from the first electrode group 210G can protrude downward, and the connecting trace 230ct from the auxiliary electrode 230s can protrude upward. Therefore, this indicates that the wiring directions of the electrodes are different.

[0272] Each of the first sensing pattern 221sp and the second sensing pattern 222sp may cross one first electrode group 210G and one auxiliary electrode 230s. Therefore, one first sensing pattern 221sp may cross one first electrode group 210G and one auxiliary electrode 230s, and one second sensing pattern 222sp may cross another first electrode group 210G and another auxiliary electrode 230s.

[0273] The sizes of the first sensing patterns 221sp may be substantially the same. For example, the widths WT1 of the first sensing patterns 221sp in the first direction DR1 may be the same. In addition, the sizes of the second sensing patterns 222sp may be substantially the same as the sizes of the first sensing patterns 221sp. In an embodiment of the inventive concept, each of the first electrode group 210G, the second electrode group 220G, and the auxiliary electrode 230s is respectively disposed on the two conductive layers 202 and 204 (see Figure 6 ). This will be Fig.25 , Fig.26A and Fig.26B Described in.

[0274] In another embodiment of the present inventive concept, each of the first electrode group 210G and the second electrode group 220G is respectively disposed in two conductive layers 202 and 204, and the auxiliary electrode 230s is included in a third conductive layer disposed below the two conductive layers 202 and 204. The third conductive layer may be disposed below the base layer 201. For example, the third conductive layer may be disposed in the base layer 201 (see Figure 6 ) and display layer 100 (see Figure 6 ), can be set below the display layer 100, or can also be included in the display layer 100.

[0275] Fig. 22 is a view schematically illustrating one channel including an auxiliary electrode 230 s according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.23 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a relationship between one channel and a pen PN according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0276] refer to Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.23 , one first electrode group 210G and one auxiliary electrode 230s are shown. When viewed in the third direction DR3, the first electrode group 210G and the auxiliary electrode 230s may overlap.

[0277] The first end of the auxiliary electrode 230s may be floating, and the second end of the auxiliary electrode 230s may be grounded. For example, the second end of the auxiliary electrode 230s may be electrically connected to the connection trace 230ct, and the connection trace 230ct may be grounded. In another example (not shown), the connection trace 230ct is connected to the first end of the bias capacitor, and the second end of the bias capacitor is connected to the ground.

[0278] Capacitors Cbc1, Cbc2, Cbc3, and Cbc4 may be defined in the first electrode group 210G. Capacitors Cbc1 to Cbc4 may be referred to as parasitic capacitors or basic capacitors. Capacitors Cbc1 to Cbc4 may also be used to increase the strength of a signal.

[0279] When the pen PN approaches the first electrode group 210G, due to the magnetic field generated from the pen PN, a first induced electromotive force Vs(t) may be generated in the first electrode group 210G, and a second induced electromotive force Va(t) may be generated in the auxiliary electrode 230s. A first induced current IN-M and a third induced current IN-B may be generated by the first induced electromotive force Vs(t), and a second induced current IN-A may be generated by the second induced electromotive force Va(t). Therefore, the total induced current IN input to the input terminal IT may correspond to the sum of the first induced current IN-M, the second induced current IN-A, and the third induced current IN-B.

[0280] For example, the capacitance of each of the capacitors Cbc1 , Cbc2 , Cbc3 , and Cbc4 is assumed to be Cb, and the capacitance of each of the first coupling capacitors Ccp11 , Ccp12 , Ccp13 , and Ccp14 is assumed to be Cc.

[0281] The time-varying first induction current IN-M can be expressed by the following expression:

[0282]

[0283] The second inductive current IN-A that varies with time can be expressed by the following expression:

[0284]

[0285] The third induced current IN-B that varies with time can be expressed by the following expression:

[0286]

[0287] Fig.24A is a graph showing the intensity of current according to the pen position for one channel. Fig. 24B is a graph showing the total induced current IN according to the pen position for one channel (for Fig.23 A graph of the intensity of the current in .

[0288] refer to Fig. 22 , Fig.23 and Fig.24A , the voltages at both ends of the capacitors located between the input terminal IT and the pen PN among the capacitors Cbc1, Cbc2, Cbc3, and Cbc4 are grounded. Therefore, the induced current may not be transmitted through the capacitor whose voltage difference between both ends is 0. Therefore, when the position of the pen PN moves from the first point PP1 to the second point PP2, the first induced current IN-M may gradually decrease. In addition, the second induced current IN-A may gradually increase, and the third induced current IN-B may gradually decrease.

[0289] refer to Fig. 22 , Fig.23 and Fig. 24B , when the position of the pen PN moves from the first point PP1 to the second point PP2, the total induction current IN may gradually decrease. However, as described above, the total induction current IN may correspond to the sum of the first induction current IN-M, the second induction current IN-A, and the third induction current IN-B, and the intensity of the total induction current IN at the second point PP2 may be ensured to be greater than a predetermined value.

[0290] Fig.25 is a plan view illustrating four sensing units according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.26A is a plan view illustrating a second conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.26B is a plan view illustrating a first conductive layer of a sensing unit according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0291] refer to Fig.21 , Fig.25 , Fig.26A and Fig.26B The first cross electrode 220ce1a may include a plurality of first sensing patterns 221sp, a first bridge line 221bl and a first bridge pattern 221bp. The second cross electrode 220ce2a may include a plurality of second sensing patterns 222sp, a second bridge line 222bl and a second bridge pattern 222bp. Each of the first electrode groups 210G may include a plurality of third sensing patterns 210sp and a connection pattern 210cp.

[0292] The first sensing pattern 221sp, the second sensing pattern 222sp, the third sensing pattern 210sp, the first bridge line 221b1 and the second bridge line 222b1 may be disposed on the same layer and, for example, may be included in the second conductive layer 204 (see Figure 6 The first bridge pattern 221bp, the second bridge pattern 222bp, the connection pattern 210cp and the auxiliary electrode 230s may be disposed on the same layer and, for example, may be included in the first conductive layer 202 (see Figure 6 )middle.

[0293] The third sensing pattern 210sp may overlap with a corresponding one of the auxiliary electrodes 230s. A hole 230s-h may be defined in each of the auxiliary electrodes 230s. The connection pattern 210cp may be surrounded by the hole 230s-h and may be insulated from the auxiliary electrode 230s.

[0294] Fig.26A and Fig.26B Each of the patterns shown in the figure may have a mesh structure. Each of the mesh structures may include a plurality of mesh lines. Each of the plurality of mesh lines may be linear, extend in a predetermined direction, and may be connected to another mesh line. In other examples, at least a portion of each of the plurality of mesh lines has a curved shape.

[0295] Fig. 27 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer 200 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0296] refer to Figure 7 and Fig. 27 , the sensor layer 200 may include a first electrode group 210G, a second electrode group 220Gb, and an auxiliary electrode 230s.

[0297] Each of the second electrode groups 220Gb may include a first cross electrode 220ce1b and a second cross electrode 220ce2b. The first cross electrode 220ce1b may include a first sensing pattern 221spb and a first bridge 221ba. The second cross electrode 220ce2b may include a second sensing pattern 222spb and a second bridge 222ba.

[0298] At least one of the first sensing pattern 221spb and the second sensing pattern 222spb may cross at least one of the first electrode groups 210G. Fig. 27 In the embodiment, as an example, one first sensing pattern 221spb is shown to cross two first electrode groups 210G, and one second sensing pattern 222spb is shown to cross two first electrode groups 210G. In other examples, the crossing is performed on more or fewer electrode groups 210G.

[0299] Fig.28 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0300] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.28 , the sensor layer 200 may include a first electrode group 210G, a second electrode group 220Gc, and an auxiliary electrode 230s.

[0301] Each of the second electrode groups 220Gc may include a first cross electrode 220ce1c and a second cross electrode 220ce2c. The first cross electrode 220ce1c may include a 1-1th sensing pattern 221spa, a 1-2th sensing pattern 221spb, and a first bridge 221ba. The second cross electrode 220ce2b may include a 2-1st sensing pattern 222spa, a 2-2nd sensing pattern 222spb, and a second bridge 222ba.

[0302] The width WT1a of the 1-1 sensing pattern 221spa and the width WT1b of the 1-2 sensing pattern 221spb may be different. For example, the 1-1 sensing pattern 221spa may be insulated and cross two first electrode groups 210G and two auxiliary electrodes 230s. The 1-2 sensing pattern 221spb may be insulated and cross one first electrode group 210G and one auxiliary electrode 230s. In addition, the width of the 2-1 sensing pattern 222spa and the width of the 2-2 sensing pattern 222spb may be different.

[0303] Fig.29 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0304] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.29 , the sensor layer 200 may further include a plurality of loop traces 230rt electrically connected to the plurality of auxiliary electrodes 230s. Fig.29 In FIG. 2 , the auxiliary electrodes 230s and the loop traces 230rt are shown as being electrically connected in a one-to-one correspondence, but in other examples, two or more auxiliary electrodes 230s are electrically connected to one loop trace 230rt.

[0305] The second mode MD2 (see Fig. 9 ) may include a charging drive mode and a pen sensing drive mode. Fig.29is a view for describing a charging driving mode. The sensor driver 200C may include a first switch SSW1 and a second switch SSW2. The first signal CSG1 may be transferred to the sensor layer 200 through the first switch SSW1, and the second signal CSG2 may be transferred to the sensor layer 200 through the second switch SSW2.

[0306] Each of the first signal CSG1 and the second signal CSG2 may be a sine wave signal or a square wave signal. The first signal CSG1 and the second signal CSG2 may have an anti-phase relationship in which the phases of the sine waves or square waves of the two signals differ by 180°. Therefore, in the charging drive mode, the current direction may change periodically. In another embodiment of the present inventive concept, one of the first signal CSG1 and the second signal CSG2 is a sine wave signal or a square wave signal, and the other has a predetermined constant voltage.

[0307] In the charging driving mode, the first switch SSW1 and the second switch SSW2 may be electrically connected to at least one and at least another of the connection trace 230ct and the loop trace 230rt. Fig.29 , as an example, the first signal CSG1 is shown as being provided through the connection trace 230ct, and the second signal CSG2 is shown as being provided through the loop trace 230rt, but the embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, the first signal CSG1 may be provided through two or more lines, and the second signal CSG2 may also be provided through two or more different lines.

[0308] In the pen sensing drive mode, all return traces 230rt may be electrically floating and the connection traces 230ct may be grounded (although in Fig.29 not shown).

[0309] Fig.30 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0310] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.30 , briefly showing the sensor layer 200 in the first mode MD1 (see Fig. 9 ) as an example.

[0311] The sensor driver 200C may include a differential amplifier DAP. In the first mode MD1, an inversion terminal of the differential amplifier DAP may be electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode 220ce1, and a non-inversion terminal of the differential amplifier DAP may be electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode 220ce2.

[0312] When viewed relative to one sensing unit SU, the area of ​​the second bridge line 222bl is smaller than the area of ​​the first sensing pattern 221sp, and the distance between the third sensing pattern 210sp and the second bridge line 222bl is greater than the distance between the third sensing pattern 210sp and the first sensing pattern 221sp. Therefore, the first mutual capacitance between the third sensing pattern 210sp of the first electrode group 210G and the first sensing pattern 221sp of the second electrode group 220G is greater than the second mutual capacitance between the third sensing pattern 210sp and the second bridge line 222bl. In addition, when a touch occurs, the change in the first mutual capacitance can be greater than the change in the second mutual capacitance.

[0313] Therefore, even when the signal received from the first cross electrode 220ce1 and the signal received from the second cross electrode 220ce2 are differentially provided in the first mode MD1 (the first cross electrode 220ce1 and the second cross electrode 220ce2 are provided on the same axis), the beneficial effect in removing noise may be greater than the trade-off effect in reducing the signal used for sensing touch.

[0314] Fig.31 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0315] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.31 , briefly describing the sensor layer 200 in the first mode MD1 (see Fig. 9 ) as an example.

[0316] The sensor driver 200C may include a differential amplifier DAP. In the first mode MD1, an inversion terminal of the differential amplifier DAP may be electrically connected to the first and second intersecting electrodes 220ce1 and 220ce2. A non-inversion terminal of the differential amplifier DAP may be grounded or a reference voltage may be applied.

[0317] Both a signal received from the first cross electrode 220ce1 and a signal received from the second cross electrode 220ce2 in the first mode MD1 may be input to an inversion terminal of the differential amplifier DAP (the first cross electrode 220ce1 and the second cross electrode 220ce2 are included in the same group), and a signal for sensing a touch may not be reduced.

[0318] The sensor driver 200C may further include a switch circuit connected to the first crossing trace 220t1 and the second crossing trace 220t2. Therefore, the first crossing trace 220t1 and the second crossing trace 220t2 may be electrically connected to different circuits according to the mode.

[0319] Fig.32is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0320] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.32 , briefly showing the sensor layer 200 in the first mode MD1 (see Fig. 9 ) is taken as an example. The first mode MD1 may include a mutual capacitance detection mode.

[0321] In the first mode MD1, the sensor driver 200C may sequentially provide the transmission signal SG-md1 to the second electrode group 220G. For example, the transmission signal SG-md1 of the same phase may be provided to the first and second intersecting electrodes 220ce1 and 220ce2 included in one second electrode group 220G.

[0322] The sensor driver 200C can detect the first input 2000 (see Figure 4 For example, the sensor driver 200C may be configured to sense a change in mutual capacitance between the first electrode group 210G and the second electrode group 220G to calculate the input coordinates.

[0323] Fig.33 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensor layer and a portion of a sensor driver 200C according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0324] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.33 , briefly showing the sensor layer 200 in the first mode MD1 (see Fig. 9 ) is taken as an example. The first mode MD1 may include a mutual capacitance detection mode.

[0325] In the first mode MD1, the sensor driver 200C may sequentially provide transmission signals SG-md1a and SG-md1b to the second electrode group 220G. For example, the first transmission signal SG-md1a may be provided to the first cross electrode 220ce1 included in one second electrode group 220G, and the second transmission signal SG-md1b may be provided to the second cross electrode 220ce2.

[0326] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first transmission signal SG-md1a and the second transmission signal SG-md1b may be in an anti-phase relationship. Figure 3) and the noise caused by the second transmission signal SG-md1b may cancel each other. Therefore, flicker may not occur in the display layer 100, and the display layer 100 may have excellent display quality.

[0327] The sensor driver 200C can detect the first input 2000 (see Figure 4 For example, the sensor driver 200C may be configured to sense a change in mutual capacitance between the first electrode group 210G and the second electrode group 220G to calculate the input coordinates.

[0328] Fig.34 is a plan view illustrating two sensing units according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0329] refer to Figure 7 and Fig.34 , each of the second electrode groups 220G may include a first cross electrode 220ce1d and a second cross electrode 220ce2d. The first cross electrode 220ce1d may include a first sensing pattern 221spc, a first bridge line 221bl, and a first bridge pattern 221bp. The second cross electrode 220ce2d may include a second sensing pattern 222spc, a second bridge line 222bl, and a second bridge pattern 222bp. The first sensing pattern 221spc and the second sensing pattern 222spc may be arranged in the first direction DR1.

[0330] The first sensing patterns 221spc and the second sensing patterns 222spc that are adjacent to and face each other may be shaped to engage with each other. For example, mutual capacitance may be formed between the first sensing patterns 221spc and the second sensing patterns 222spc that are adjacent to each other along the first direction DR1. When the first sensing patterns 221spc and the second sensing patterns 222spc are shaped to engage with each other, an effect of increasing mutual capacitance may be achieved.

[0331] The first sensing pattern 221spc may include a first protruding portion 221sp-pt protruding toward the second sensing pattern 222spc (to fit within a complementary groove of the second sensing pattern 222spc so that adjacent structures have an interlocking type relationship), and the second sensing pattern 222spc may include a second protruding portion 222sp-pt protruding toward the first sensing pattern 221spc (to fit within a complementary groove of the first sensing pattern 221spc). A first concave edge 221cch surrounding at least a portion of the second protruding portion 222sp-pt may be defined in the first sensing pattern 221spc, and a second concave edge 222cch surrounding at least a portion of the first protruding portion 221sp-pt may be defined in the second sensing pattern 222spc.

[0332] The first sensing patterns 221spc and the second sensing patterns 222spc that are adjacent to and face each other in one second electrode group 220G may all be shaped to be joined to each other, but such joining may be partially or completely omitted in other embodiments. For example, in one second electrode group 220G, the coupling capacitance between the first sensing pattern 221spc and the second sensing pattern 222spc may be adjusted to be different depending on their positions. For example, by reducing the RC delay, the coupling capacitance in a specific area may be adjusted to be relatively large to expand the frequency band that can be applied to the sensor layer 200. In this case, a portion of the first sensing pattern 221spc and the second sensing pattern 222spc that are adjacent to and face each other in one second electrode group 220G may be as follows: Fig.19 In the form shown in FIG. 1 with straight boundaries facing each other, and another part thereof may be as shown in FIG. Fig.34 As shown in , the serpentine borders face each other.

[0333] According to the above description, the sensor layer can be used to sense touch input as well as pen input. Therefore, the electronic device does not have to be equipped with a separate component (e.g., digitizer) for sensing the pen, and therefore the greater thickness and weight and reduced flexibility caused by providing a digitizer can be avoided. In addition, at least one electrode group included in the sensor layer may include two cross electrodes that route currents in different corresponding directions. In this case, the current directions of the signals received from the two cross electrodes are opposite, the noise generated in the two cross electrodes can be substantially the same, and this noise can be removed by the noise removal circuit of the sensor driver. In the pen sensing drive mode, the sensor driver can use a differential amplifier to differentiate the two signals to generate an output signal. In this case, the differential amplifier can be used to remove noise, and the intensity of the output signal can be greater. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved, and an electronic device with improved sensing sensitivity can be provided.

[0334] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the inventive concept is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, but those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the detailed description in the specification, but should only be determined with reference to the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: Sensor layer; as well as a sensor driver configured to drive the sensor layer and selectively operate in a first mode for sensing a touch input or a second mode for sensing a pen input, Wherein, the sensor layer comprises: A plurality of first electrode groups arranged along a first direction; and a plurality of second electrode groups arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the plurality of first electrode groups, each of the plurality of second electrode groups comprising a first intersecting electrode and a second intersecting electrode, Wherein, in the second mode, the sensor driver senses the pen input based on a first signal received from the first cross-electrodes and a second signal received from the second cross-electrodes.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first intersecting electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, the second intersecting electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns are alternately arranged.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The sensor layer further includes a first crossing trace electrically connected to the first crossing electrode and a second crossing trace electrically connected to the second crossing electrode, The first crossing trace is directly connected to one first sensing pattern among the plurality of first sensing patterns, and The second crossing trace is directly connected to one second sensing pattern among the plurality of second sensing patterns.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: At least one second sensing pattern among the plurality of second sensing patterns is disposed between a portion of the first crossing trace and the one first sensing pattern, and At least one first sensing pattern of the plurality of first sensing patterns is disposed between a portion of the second crossing trace and the one second sensing pattern.

5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and the plurality of second sensing patterns crosses at least one first electrode group of the plurality of first electrode groups.

6. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of first sensing patterns have the same width in the first direction.

7. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: Some of the widths of the plurality of first sensing patterns in the first direction are different from other widths.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor driver includes a differential amplifier, and the second mode includes a pen sensing drive mode, and In the pen sensing driving mode, an inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode, and a non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor driver includes a first differential amplifier, a second differential amplifier, and a third differential amplifier, The second mode includes a pen sensing drive mode, and In the pen sensing drive mode, the first differential amplifier and the second differential amplifier receive signals from the plurality of second electrode groups, the inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier receives the signal output from the first differential amplifier, and the non-inverting terminal of the third differential amplifier receives the signal output from the second differential amplifier.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The plurality of second electrode groups include a 2-1 electrode group and a 2-2 electrode group spaced apart from the 2-1 electrode group in the second direction, In the pen sensing driving mode, an inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrodes of the 2-1 electrode group, and a non-inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrodes of the 2-1 electrode group, and In the pen sensing driving mode, an inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrodes of the 2-2 electrode group, and a non-inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrodes of the 2-2 electrode group.

11. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The plurality of second electrode groups include a 2-1 electrode group and a 2-2 electrode group spaced apart from the 2-1 electrode group in the second direction, In the pen sensing driving mode, an inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrodes of the 2-1 electrode group, and a non-inverting terminal of the first differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrodes of the 2-2 electrode group, and In the pen sensing driving mode, an inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrodes of the 2-1 electrode group, and a non-inverting terminal of the second differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrodes of the 2-2 electrode group.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor driver includes a plurality of differential amplifiers and an analog-to-digital converter, In the second mode, the plurality of differential amplifiers are connected to the plurality of first cross electrodes and the plurality of second cross electrodes of the plurality of second electrode groups in a one-to-one correspondence relationship. The analog-to-digital converter receives a plurality of signals from the plurality of differential amplifiers, and The sensor driver is configured to perform a differential operation on data output from the analog-to-digital converter.

13. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of first electrode groups includes a third interdigitated electrode and a fourth interdigitated electrode, and In the second mode, the sensor driver is configured to receive a third signal from the third interdigitated electrode and a fourth signal from the fourth interdigitated electrode.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein: The first cross electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns, a first bridge line and a first bridge pattern. The second cross electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns, a second bridge line and a second bridge pattern, The third cross-electrode includes a plurality of third sensing patterns, a third bridge line, a third bridge pattern and a first connection pattern. The fourth cross electrode includes a plurality of fourth sensing patterns, a fourth bridge line, a fourth bridge pattern and a second connection pattern. The plurality of first sensing patterns, the plurality of second sensing patterns, the plurality of third sensing patterns, the plurality of fourth sensing patterns, the first bridge wire, the second bridge wire, the third bridge wire, and the fourth bridge wire are disposed on the same layer, and The first bridge pattern, the second bridge pattern, the third bridge pattern, the fourth bridge pattern, the first connection pattern, and the second connection pattern are disposed on the same layer.

15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein: The plurality of first sensing patterns include a plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns and a plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns spaced apart from the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns in the second direction, The plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns are connected to the first bridge line, The plurality of 1-2 sensing patterns are connected to the first bridge pattern, and the first bridge line and the first bridge pattern are electrically connected, and The first bridge line is disposed between two second sensing patterns spaced apart in the second direction among the plurality of second sensing patterns.

16. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein: the plurality of third sensing patterns include a plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns spaced apart in the second direction and a plurality of 3-2nd sensing patterns spaced apart from the plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns in the first direction, The plurality of 3-1st sensing patterns are connected to the third bridge pattern, The plurality of 3-2 sensing patterns are connected to the third bridge line, and the third bridge line is electrically connected to the third bridge pattern, The first connection pattern overlaps with the first bridge line or the second bridge line, and the first connection pattern is connected to two spaced-apart third sensing patterns among the plurality of third sensing patterns, and the first bridge line or the second bridge line is between the two third sensing patterns, and The third bridge line is disposed between two fourth sensing patterns among the plurality of fourth sensing patterns spaced apart in the first direction.

17. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor layer further includes a plurality of auxiliary electrodes respectively overlapping the plurality of first electrode groups and connection traces connecting the plurality of auxiliary electrodes.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The sensor layer also includes a plurality of first traces electrically connected to the plurality of first electrode groups in a one-to-one correspondence, and the plurality of first traces are spaced apart from the connecting traces with the plurality of first electrode groups between the plurality of first traces and the connecting traces.

19. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The first cross electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns, a first bridge line and a first bridge pattern. The second cross electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns, a second bridge line and a second bridge pattern, Each of the plurality of first electrode groups includes a plurality of third sensing patterns and connection patterns, The plurality of first sensing patterns, the plurality of second sensing patterns, the plurality of third sensing patterns, the first bridge line, and the second bridge line are disposed on the same layer, and The first bridge pattern, the second bridge pattern, the connection pattern, and the plurality of auxiliary electrodes are disposed on the same layer.

20. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein: The plurality of third sensing patterns overlap with a corresponding one of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes, and At least one hole surrounding the connection pattern is defined in the one corresponding auxiliary electrode.

21. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The sensor layer further includes a plurality of loop traces electrically connected to the plurality of auxiliary electrodes, The second mode includes a charging driving mode and a pen sensing driving mode, The sensor driver is configured to apply a third signal to at least one of the connection trace and the plurality of loop traces and a fourth signal to at least another one of the connection trace and the plurality of loop traces in the charge drive mode, and The plurality of loop traces are each configured to float in the pen sensing drive mode.

22. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The sensor driver includes a differential amplifier, and In the first mode, an inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode, and a non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode.

23. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The sensor driver includes a differential amplifier, and In the first mode, an inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode and the second intersecting electrode.

24. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: In the first mode, the sensor driver provides in-phase signals to the first and second intersecting electrodes and receives signals provided from the plurality of first electrode groups.

25. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: In the first mode, the sensor driver provides a signal of a first phase to the first intersecting electrodes, provides a signal of a second phase opposite to the first phase to the second intersecting electrodes, and receives signals provided from the plurality of first electrode groups.

26. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first cross electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns, a first bridge line and a first bridge pattern. The second cross electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns, a second bridge line and a second bridge pattern, The plurality of first sensing patterns include a plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns spaced apart in the first direction and a plurality of 1-2th sensing patterns spaced apart from the plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns in the second direction, The plurality of 1-1th sensing patterns are connected to the first bridge line, The plurality of 1-2 sensing patterns are connected to the first bridge pattern, and the first bridge line is electrically connected to the first bridge pattern. The first bridge line is disposed between two second sensing patterns spaced apart in the second direction among the plurality of second sensing patterns, and The first bridge pattern overlaps the first bridge line and the two second sensing patterns.

27. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first cross-electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and the second cross-electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and A first sensing pattern among the plurality of first sensing patterns and a second sensing pattern among the plurality of second sensing patterns, which are positioned adjacent to each other, are shaped to be engaged with each other.

28. The electronic device according to claim 27, wherein: The first sensing pattern includes a first protruding portion that protrudes toward the second sensing pattern, The second sensing pattern includes a second protruding portion that protrudes toward the first sensing pattern, A first concave edge surrounding at least a portion of the second protruding portion is defined in the first sensing pattern, and A second concave edge surrounding at least a portion of the first protrusion portion is defined in the second sensing pattern.

29. An electronic device comprising: Sensor layer; as well as A sensor driver for driving the sensor layer, Wherein, the sensor layer comprises: a plurality of electrode sets, at least one of the plurality of electrode sets comprising a first interdigitated electrode and a second interdigitated electrode; and a plurality of traces electrically connected to the plurality of electrode groups, the plurality of traces comprising a first intersecting trace connected to the first intersecting electrode and a second intersecting trace connected to the second intersecting electrode, Wherein, the first crossing trace is spaced apart from the second crossing trace in a first direction.

30. The electronic device according to claim 29, wherein: The first cross electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, the second cross electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns and at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns are alternately arranged, The first crossing trace is directly connected to one of the plurality of first sensing patterns, The second crossing trace is directly connected to one of the plurality of second sensing patterns, At least one second sensing pattern among the plurality of second sensing patterns is disposed between a portion of the first crossing trace and the one first sensing pattern, and At least one first sensing pattern of the plurality of first sensing patterns is disposed between a portion of the second crossing trace and the one second sensing pattern.

31. The electronic device according to claim 29, wherein: The sensor driver is configured to selectively operate in a first mode for sensing a touch input or in a second mode including a pen sensing driving mode for sensing a pen input, The sensor driver includes a differential amplifier, and In the pen sensing driving mode, an inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the first intersecting electrode, and a non-inverting terminal of the differential amplifier is electrically connected to the second intersecting electrode.

32. An electronic device comprising: Sensor layer; as well as A sensor driver for driving the sensor layer, Wherein, the sensor layer comprises: a plurality of electrode groups; and a plurality of traces electrically connected to the plurality of electrode groups, At least one electrode group of the plurality of electrode groups comprises a first interdigitated electrode and a second interdigitated electrode, The first cross electrode includes a plurality of first sensing patterns arranged in a first direction, the second cross electrode includes a plurality of second sensing patterns arranged in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of first sensing patterns is alternately arranged with at least one of the plurality of second sensing patterns, and One of the plurality of first sensing patterns is disposed at a first end of the at least one electrode group, and one of the plurality of second sensing patterns is disposed at a second end of the at least one electrode group.

33. The electronic device according to claim 32, wherein: The plurality of traces include a first crossing trace connected to the first crossing electrode and a second crossing trace connected to the second crossing electrode, and The second crossing trace is disposed adjacent to the first end and connected to another one of the plurality of second sensing patterns, and the first crossing trace is disposed adjacent to the second end and connected to another one of the plurality of first sensing patterns.

34. An electronic device comprising: Sensor layer; as well as a sensor driver electrically connected to the sensor layer and configured to selectively operate in a first mode for sensing a touch input or a second mode for sensing a pen input, Wherein, the sensor layer comprises: a plurality of first electrodes extending along a first direction; and a plurality of second electrodes extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, at least one of the plurality of second electrodes including a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, Wherein, in the second mode, the sensor driver senses the pen input based on a first signal received from the first sub-electrode and a second signal received from the second sub-electrode.

35. The electronic device according to claim 34, wherein: The sensor driver includes circuitry for removing equal amounts of noise from the first signal and the second signal.

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