Display device and method of driving same

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device and a method of driving the same. The display device includes: a display panel having a first area and a second area; a plurality of sensor electrodes in the first region and the second region; at least one sub-electrode in the first region and separated from the plurality of sensor electrodes; and a driver electrically connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and the at least one sub-electrode, and configured to sense an input to the display panel based on a sensing signal received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and a reference signal received from the at least one sub-electrode.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0191192, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a display device including a sensor and a method of driving the display device. Background Art

[0004] A display device may include a display unit for displaying an image and a sensor unit for sensing an input through an object (e.g., a touch input from a user to the display device). The sensor unit may measure coordinates of a point where an input through the object is generated.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this background art section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background art of the present invention, and thus the above information may include information that does not form the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a display device and a method of driving the display device that can accurately sense a touch input through an object.

[0007] However, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and other technical aspects and objects not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a display device including: a display panel having a first region and a second region; a plurality of sensor electrodes in the first region and the second region; at least one sub-electrode in the first region and separated from the plurality of sensor electrodes; and a driver electrically connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and the at least one sub-electrode and configured to sense an input to the display panel based on a sensing signal received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and a reference signal received from the at least one sub-electrode.

[0009] In some embodiments, the at least one sub-electrode is not in the second region, and the number of the at least one sub-electrode is less than the number of the plurality of sensor electrodes.

[0010] In some embodiments, in a plan view, the plurality of sensor electrodes extend in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the at least one sub-electrode extends in the first direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor electrodes includes a first sensor electrode positioned in the first region, the at least one sub-electrode includes a first sub-electrode, and in a plan view, the first sub-electrode is positioned inside the first sensor electrode and is substantially surrounded by the first sensor electrode.

[0012] In some embodiments, in a plan view, the first region is positioned outside the second region, and the first region and the second region are centered at a central region of the display panel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one sub-electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode is positioned in a first peripheral region corresponding to a first side of the display panel, and the second sub-electrode is positioned in a second peripheral region corresponding to a second side of the display panel opposite to the first side.

[0014] In some embodiments, in a plan view, the first region is positioned inside the second region.

[0015] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor electrodes includes a first sensor electrode in the first region and a plurality of second sensor electrodes in the second region, and the driver is configured to sense an input to the first region based on a first sensing signal received from the first sensor electrode and the reference signal, and sense an input to the second region based on a second sensing signal received from each of the plurality of second sensor electrodes rather than the reference signal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the display panel displays an image in a frame period, the frame period includes an activation period and a blanking period, and the driver is configured to receive a first sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the activation period, receive a second sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the blanking period, and determine whether there is noise caused by the display panel based on a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

[0017] In some embodiments, in response to the difference in the first region being outside a reference range, the driver is configured to determine that there is noise in the first region, and sense the input based on the reference signal and the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and in response to the difference in the first region being within the reference range, the driver is configured to determine that there is no noise in the first region, and sense the input based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal rather than the reference signal.

[0018] In some embodiments, the reference range is set based on the difference in the second region.

[0019] In some embodiments, the driver is configured to calculate the difference at each of a plurality of points in the first region, and determine that the noise exists in the first region in response to the number of points outside the reference range of the difference exceeding a reference number.

[0020] In some embodiments, the display panel includes: light-emitting elements on a substrate; and an insulating layer on and covering the light-emitting elements, and wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes and the at least one sub-electrode are directly on the insulating layer.

[0021] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor electrodes overlap with the cathode electrode of the light-emitting element in the second region, and in the first region, a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap with the cathode electrode, or the thickness of the cathode electrode is thinner than the average thickness of the cathode electrode.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device is provided, the display device includes: a display panel; a plurality of sensor electrodes and a plurality of sub-electrodes on the display panel, the plurality of sensor electrodes include a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode, and the plurality of sub-electrodes include a first sub-electrode paired with the first sensor electrode and a second sub-electrode paired with the second sensor electrode; and a driver electrically connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and the plurality of sub-electrodes, and configured to sense an input to the display panel based on a sensing signal received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and a reference signal received from the plurality of sub-electrodes, wherein the driver is configured to sense a first input at a position corresponding to the first sensor electrode based on a first sensing signal of the first sensor electrode and a first reference signal of the first sub-electrode, and sense a second input at a position corresponding to the second sensor electrode based on a second sensing signal of the second sensor electrode rather than a second reference signal of the second sub-electrode.

[0023] In some embodiments, in a plan view, the plurality of sensor electrodes extend in a first direction and are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plurality of sub-electrodes extend in the first direction and are arranged along the second direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, in a plan view, the first sub-electrode is positioned inside the first sensor electrode and is substantially surrounded by the first sensor electrode, and the second sub-electrode is positioned inside the second sensor electrode and is substantially surrounded by the second sensor electrode.

[0025] In some embodiments, the display panel displays an image in a frame period, the frame period includes an activation period and a blanking period, and the driver is configured to receive a first sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the activation period, receive a second sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the blanking period, and identify the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode based on a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

[0026] In some embodiments, in response to the difference for one of the plurality of sensor electrodes being outside a reference range, the driver is configured to identify the one of the plurality of sensor electrodes as the first sensor electrode, and in response to the difference for one of the plurality of sensor electrodes being within the reference range, the driver is configured to identify the one of the plurality of sensor electrodes as the second sensor electrode.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of driving a display device is provided, the display device includes a display panel and a plurality of sensor electrodes located on the display panel, the method includes: receiving a first sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in an activation period of a frame; receiving a second sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in a blanking period of the frame; and identifying a region based on a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, in the region, noise caused by the display panel is generated.

[0028] In some embodiments, the display device further includes sub-electrodes located on the display panel, the method further includes: sensing an input to the region based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and a reference signal received from the sub-electrodes, and in the region, the sub-electrodes are arranged in pairs with one of the plurality of sensor electrodes.

[0029] The display device and the method of driving the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can sense or determine a region where noise (e.g., unwanted electrical interference) appears using a blanking period of a frame, and perform sensing operations on the region where noise appears and the remaining regions using different sensing methods.

[0030] The display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include sub-electrodes and sensor electrodes that are pair-located in a region where noise is expected to appear, and may use the sub-electrodes to eliminate noise. Therefore, a touch input by an object can be sensed more accurately.

[0031] Other aspects, features, and characteristics not described above can be more clearly understood from the drawings, the claims, and the detailed description. Description of the Drawings

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a Figure 1 cross-sectional view of the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a display panel and a display panel driver included in a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a touch panel included in a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a Figure 1 cross-sectional view of the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 is a diagram showing a process of sensing noise in a touch panel driver included in a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 10 and Figure 11 is a diagram showing a touch panel driver connected to a Figure 4 touch panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 is a plan view showing a touch panel included in a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0042] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing a method of driving a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

[0043] The present disclosure may be modified in various suitable ways and may be implemented in various suitable forms. Accordingly, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the specification. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, and the present disclosure includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another element, component, region, layer, or portion. Thus, a "first element", "first component", "first region", "first layer", or "first portion" discussed below may be referred to as a "second element", "second component", "second region", "second layer", or "second portion" without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept.

[0045] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "under", "underneath", "above", and "on" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as shown in the figures. It will be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as "beneath" or "below" or "underneath" another element or feature will then be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the example terms "beneath" and "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly. Additionally, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, the layer may be the only layer between the two layers, or there may be one or more intervening layers.

[0046] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the singular forms "a" and "an" are also intended to include the plural forms. It will also be understood that when used in this specification, the terms "include", "including", "comprises", "comprising", "has", "have", and "having" specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0047] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the expression "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B. When placed after a list of elements, expressions such as "one or more of..." and "at least one of..." modify the entire list of elements, rather than individual elements in the list. For example, the expressions "one or more of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C" mean only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, or all of A, B, and C.

[0048] In addition, when describing embodiments of the inventive concept, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the inventive concept". In addition, the term "exemplary" is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0049] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "connected to", "coupled to", or "adjacent to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly adjacent to the other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on", "directly connected to", "directly coupled to", "in contact with", "directly in contact with", or "immediately adjacent to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers.

[0050] As used herein, the terms "substantially", "about" and similar terms are used as approximate terms and not terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, if the term "substantially" is used in combination with a feature that can be represented by a numerical value, the term "substantially" means a range of + / - 5% of the value centered on the value.

[0051] As used herein, the terms "use", "using" and "used" may be considered to be synonymous with the terms "utilize", "utilizing" and "utilized", respectively.

[0052] Referring to the embodiments described in detail later with the appended Figure 1 drawings, aspects and features of the present disclosure and methods of implementing them will become apparent. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. In the following description, the case where a part is connected to another part includes the case where the part and the other part are electrically connected to each other and another element is interposed therebetween, and the case where the part and the other part are directly connected to each other. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "connected" between two configurations may mean the inclusive use of both electrical connection and physical connection.

[0053] Hereinafter, a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings related to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to Figure 1 , the display device 100 may include a touch panel 110 (or an input sensing panel), a display panel 120, a touch panel driver 130 (or a first driver), and a display panel driver 140 (or a second driver). The touch panel 110 and the touch panel driver 130 form an input sensing device (or sensor).

[0056] The touch panel 110 may sense external inputs such as touch, pressure, fingerprint, hover, proximity, and motion. For example, the touch panel 110 may include a touch sensor. In some embodiments (e.g., in the mutual capacitance method), the touch sensor may include driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. In some other embodiments (e.g., in the self-capacitance method), the touch sensor may utilize only one type of sensor.

[0057] The display panel 120 displays an image. For example, the display panel 120 may be implemented as a self-emitting type display panel, such as an organic light emitting display panel. In this case, the display panel 120 may include organic light emitting elements (e.g., organic light emitting diodes), inorganic light emitting elements (e.g., inorganic light emitting diodes), or quantum dot / well light emitting elements (e.g., quantum dot / well light emitting diodes), etc. In other examples, the display panel 120 may be implemented as a non-emissive display panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel. When the display panel 120 is implemented as a non-emissive type, the display device 100 may additionally include a light source such as a backlight unit.

[0058] In Figure 1 the touch panel 110 and the display panel 120 are separated from each other. However, this is only for functionally separating the touch panel 110 and the display panel 120 in the display device 100. For example, the touch panel 110 may be formed in a process separated from the display panel 120, and the touch panel 110 and the display panel 120 may be coupled to each other (e.g., the touch panel 110 may be attached and coupled to one surface of the display panel 120). That is, the touch panel 110 may be formed as an add-on type. In some examples, the touch panel 110 and the display panel 120 may be formed in one process (e.g., the process of manufacturing the display panel 120). That is, the touch panel 110 may be formed as an in-cell type.

[0059] The touch panel 110 may be provided on one surface of the display panel 120. For example, the touch panel 110 may be disposed on one surface (e.g., the upper surface) that emits an image from the surface. In some other embodiments, the touch panel 110 may be directly formed on at least one of the opposite surfaces of the display panel 120 or may be formed inside the display panel 120. For example, the touch panel 110 may be directly formed on the outer surface (i.e., the upper surface of the upper substrate or the lower surface of the lower substrate) of the upper substrate or the lower substrate of the display panel 120, or may be directly formed on the inner surface (i.e., the lower surface of the upper substrate) or the inner surface (i.e., the upper surface of the lower substrate) of the upper substrate or the lower substrate.

[0060] The touch panel driver 130 is electrically connected to the touch panel 110 to drive the touch panel 110. For example, the touch panel driver 130 may provide a driving signal to the touch sensor and receive a sensing signal from the touch sensor.

[0061] The display panel driver 140 may be electrically connected to the display panel 120 to drive the display panel 120. For example, the display panel driver 140 may provide a data signal to the display panel 120.

[0062] In some embodiments, each of the touch panel driver 130 and the display panel driver 140 may be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC). In some other embodiments, at least a portion of the touch panel driver 130 and the display panel driver 140 may be integrated together in one IC.

[0063] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] Referring to Figure 2 , the touch panel 110 may be disposed on the display panel 120, and the cover window CW may be disposed on the touch panel 110. In an embodiment, the display panel 120 may be disposed in a plane defined by a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2, and the touch panel 110 may be disposed on the display panel 120 in a third direction DR3 that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2.

[0065] The display panel 120 may include a substrate BSL, an element layer DSL, and a packaging layer TFE. The present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the display panel 120 may include a substrate BSL, an element layer DSL, a packaging layer TFE, and a light blocking layer LBL.

[0066] The substrate BSL may support the element layer DSL. The substrate BSL may include an insulating material. For example, the insulating material may include at least one of glass, quartz, ceramic, and plastic. The substrate BSL may be a rigid substrate, and according to some embodiments, the substrate BSL may be a flexible substrate.

[0067] The element layer DSL may be positioned on the substrate BSL. The element layer DSL may include sub-pixels and signal lines. The sub-pixels may include light-emitting elements, transistors, and capacitors. The signal lines may include gate lines configured to transmit gate signals to each sub-pixel and data lines configured to transmit data voltages. The sub-pixels included in the element layer DSL may be positioned in the display area DA.

[0068] The packaging layer TFE may be disposed on the element layer DSL. The packaging layer TFE may protect the element layer DSL from external moisture and / or oxygen. The packaging layer TFE may include two or more insulating layers formed on the element layer DSL. For example, the packaging layer TFE may include an inorganic layer formed on the element layer DSL, an organic layer formed on the inorganic layer, and an inorganic layer disposed on the organic layer. In some embodiments, the packaging layer TFE may be formed of a glass substrate and may cover the element layer DSL. The packaging layer TFE may cover the element layer DSL in the display area DA and the non-display area NDA.

[0069] The touch panel 110 may be disposed on the encapsulation layer TFE. In some embodiments, the touch panel 110 may be directly formed on the encapsulation layer TFE. In some embodiments, the touch panel 110 may be formed by a process separate from the display panel 120 and may be disposed (e.g., attached) on the encapsulation layer TFE. The touch panel 110 may have a sensing area in at least a part of the area overlapping with the display area DA.

[0070] The light blocking layer LBL may include a color filter and a light blocking member. According to some examples, the light blocking layer LBL may be omitted.

[0071] The cover window CW may be disposed on the touch panel 110. The cover window CW may protect the display panel 120 and the touch panel 110 from external impacts and the like. The cover window CW may be implemented as a film of a light-transmitting (e.g., transparent) material (e.g., glass and / or plastic material).

[0072] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a display panel and a display panel driver included in Figure 1 the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0073] Reference Figure 3 , the display panel 120 may include a display area DA for displaying an image and a non-display area NDA disposed adjacent to (e.g., surrounding) the display area DA.

[0074] The display panel 120 may include gate lines GL, data lines DL, and sub-pixels SP. The sub-pixels SP may be electrically connected to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL. The gate lines GL may extend in a first direction DR1, and the data lines DL may extend in a second direction DR2 intersecting the first direction DR1.

[0075] The display panel driver 140 may include a driving controller 141, a gate driver 142, and a data driver 143. In some embodiments, the driving controller 141 and the data driver 143 may be integrated into one chip. In some embodiments, the gate driver 142 may be mounted in the non-display area NDA of the display panel 120.

[0076] The driving controller 141 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from a main processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc.). For example, the input image data IMG may include red image data, green image data, and blue image data. For example, the input control signal CONT may include a main clock signal and a data enable signal. The input control signal CONT may further include a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal.

[0077] The driving controller 141 may generate a first control signal CONT1, a second control signal CONT2, and a data signal DATA based on the input image data IMG and the input control signal CONT. For example, the first control signal CONT1 may include a vertical start signal and a gate clock signal, and the second control signal CONT2 may include a horizontal start signal and a load signal.

[0078] The gate driver 142 may generate a gate signal in response to the first control signal CONT1. The gate driver 142 may output the gate signal to the gate line GL.

[0079] The data driver 143 may generate a data voltage by converting the data signal DATA into an analog voltage in response to the second control signal CONT2. The data driver 143 may output the data voltage to the data line DL.

[0080] Figure 4 is a plan view of a touch panel included in a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ease of description, Figure 4 the touch panel driver 130 is also shown in

[0081] Referring to Figure 4 , the touch panel 110 may include a substrate layer 111 (or a touch substrate). The substrate layer 111 may be Figure 2 the encapsulation layer TFE of Figure 2 or corresponding to the encapsulation layer TFE of

[0082] Sensor electrodes TE (e.g., sensors or touch electrodes) for sensing an external input may be provided and / or formed in the sensing area SA.

[0083] Lines TXL and RXL that are electrically connected to the sensor electrodes TE and used to receive and transmit sensing signals may be provided and / or formed in the non-sensing area NSA. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the lines TXL and RXL may be provided in the sensing area SA. The lines TXL and RXL may be electrically connected to the touch panel driver 130.

[0084] The sensor electrodes TE may include driving electrodes TX (e.g., first sensor electrodes or first sensors) and sensing electrodes RX (e.g., second sensor electrodes or second sensors).

[0085] The driving electrode TX may extend in the second direction DR2 and may be arranged along the first direction DR1. For example, the driving electrode TX may include a first driving electrode TX1, a second driving electrode TX2, and an m-th driving electrode TXm that are sequentially arranged along the first direction DR1. Here, m is a positive integer. The driving electrode TX may be connected to a driving line TXL. A driving signal may be provided to the driving electrode TX through the driving line TXL.

[0086] The sensing electrode RX may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be arranged along the second direction DR2. For example, the sensing electrode RX may include a first sensing electrode RX1, a second sensing electrode RX2, an (n - 1)-th sensing electrode RXn-1, and an n-th sensing electrode RXn that are sequentially arranged along the second direction DR2. Here, n is a positive integer. The sensing electrode RX may be connected to a sensing line RXL. A sensing signal may be output from the sensing electrode RX through the sensing line RXL. The touch panel driver 130 may identify an input (e.g., a touch) by an object by sensing a change amount of a mutual capacitance formed between the driving electrode TX and the sensing electrode RX.

[0087] In some embodiments, the sensor electrode TE may further include a sub-electrode RX_S. The sub-electrode RX_S may be provided or formed in a first region A1 of the substrate layer 111 (or the display panel). The first region A1 may be a region where the sub-electrode RX_S is provided, and the second region A2 may be the remaining part of the sensing region SA except the first region A1 (i.e., not including the first region A1). The sub-electrode RX_S is not provided in the second region A2.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first region A1 may be located outside the second region A2 based on the central region of the substrate layer 111 (or the display panel). That is, the first region A1 and the second region A2 may be centered at the center (or the central region) of the substrate layer 111 (or the display panel). For example, referring to Figure 4 , the first region A1 may correspond to the edge of the sensing region SA. For example, the first region A1 may include a first peripheral region corresponding to the first side (e.g., the upper side) of the substrate layer 111 (or the display panel) and a second peripheral region corresponding to the second side of the substrate layer 111 (e.g., the side facing (e.g., opposite to) the first side, e.g., the lower side). However, the first region A1 is not limited to Figure 4 the embodiment shown in. The first region A1 may be changed differently in a suitable manner, and some other embodiments of the first region A1 will be described later with reference to Figures 12 to 15 this.

[0089] In some embodiments, the sub - electrode RX_S may be arranged in pairs with the sensing electrode RX disposed in the first region A1. For example, the sub - electrode RX_S may include a first sub - electrode RX_S1 positioned in the first peripheral region and an nth sub - electrode RX_Sn positioned in the second peripheral region. The first sub - electrode RX_S1 may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be arranged in a pair with the first sensing electrode RX1. The first sub - electrode RX_S1 may be separated or spaced apart from the first sensing electrode RX1. The nth sub - electrode RX_Sn may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be arranged in a pair with the nth sensing electrode RXn, and the nth sub - electrode RX_Sn may be separated or spaced apart from the nth sensing electrode RXn.

[0090] In some embodiments, the sub - electrode RX_S (e.g., in a plan view) may be positioned inside the corresponding sensing electrode RX and may be substantially surrounded by the sensing electrode RX (e.g., surrounded by the sensing electrode RX on three sides). For example, the first sub - electrode RX_S1 (e.g., in a plan view) may be positioned inside the first sensing electrode RX1 and may be substantially surrounded by the first sensing electrode RX1 (e.g., surrounded by the first sensing electrode RX1 on three sides). As will be described later, the first sub - electrode RX_S1 may be used to sense the noise (e.g., unwanted electrical interference) of the first sensing electrode RX1 (or the sensing signal output from the first sensing electrode RX1). The nth sub - electrode RX_Sn (e.g., in a plan view) may be positioned inside the nth sensing electrode RXn and may be substantially surrounded by the nth sensing electrode RXn (e.g., surrounded by the nth sensing electrode RXn on three sides).

[0091] The sub - electrode RX_S may be connected to the sensing line RXL. The sensing signal (or reference signal) may be output from the sub - electrode RX_S through the sensing line RXL. The touch - panel driver 130 may sense the input through an object based on the sensing signal received from the sensing electrode RX and the sensing signal (or reference signal) received from the sub - electrode RX_S. For example, the touch - panel driver 130 may eliminate the noise of the sensing signal received from the first sensing electrode RX1 based on the sensing signal (or reference signal) received from the first sub - electrode RX_S1, and may accurately sense the input through an object based on the sensing signal from which the noise has been eliminated.

[0092] As described above, the touch panel 110 may include sub - electrodes arranged in pairs with the sensing electrodes RX in a part of the sensing area SA (or the first region A1, e.g., the region corresponding to the upper and lower sides of the sensing area SA). By using the sub - electrodes, the noise of the sensing electrodes RX can be eliminated, and the input through an object can be sensed more accurately.

[0093] Since the sub-electrode RX_S is only provided in a part of the sensing region SA, the number of sub-electrodes RX_S can be smaller than the number of sensing electrodes RX. In addition, compared with the case where the sub-electrodes RX_S are provided in the entire sensing region SA, the number of sensing lines RXL connected to the sub-electrodes RX_S can be reduced, and the width of the non-sensing region NSA can be reduced.

[0094] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the display device 100 based on one side of the display device 100.

[0095] Referring to Figure 5 , the display device 100 may include sub-pixels SP and sensor electrodes TE provided in the display area DA. Hereinafter, the stacked structure of the display device 100 in the display area DA will be described first, and then the stacked structure of the display device 100 in the non-display area NDA will be described.

[0096] The display device 100 may include a pixel circuit layer PCL, a display element layer DPL, a packaging layer TFE, and a touch panel 110 sequentially stacked on a substrate BSL. In the display area DA, the pixel circuit layer PCL may include a buffer layer BFL, a driving transistor Tdr, and a protective layer PSV. The driving transistor Tdr is a transistor that controls the driving current provided to the light-emitting element LD, and since the structures of the plurality of transistors T included in the sub-pixels SP are substantially the same or similar to each other, only the driving transistor Tdr is shown as a representative example.

[0097] The buffer layer BFL may be provided and / or formed on one surface UF of the substrate BSL. The buffer layer BFL may prevent impurities from diffusing into the driving transistor Tdr or substantially reduce such diffusion. The buffer layer BFL may be an insulating layer and may include an inorganic material. For example, the inorganic material may include nitrides, oxides, or oxynitrides such as silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), and / or aluminum oxide (AlO x ), etc. The buffer layer BFL may be omitted according to the material of the substrate BSL and process conditions, etc.

[0098] The driving transistor Tdr may be provided on the buffer layer BFL (or the base layer BSL). The driving transistor Tdr may include a semiconductor pattern SCL, a gate electrode GE, a first terminal SE, and a second terminal DE. The first terminal SE may be either a source electrode or a drain electrode, and the second terminal DE may be the other electrode of the source electrode and the drain electrode. For example, when the first terminal SE is a source electrode, the second terminal DE may be a drain electrode.

[0099] The semiconductor pattern SCL may be provided and / or formed on the buffer layer BFL. The semiconductor pattern SCL may include a first contact region in contact with the first terminal SE and a second contact region in contact with the second terminal DE. The region positioned between the first contact region and the second contact region and overlapping with the gate electrode GE may be the channel region of the driving transistor Tdr. The semiconductor pattern SCL may be a semiconductor pattern formed of polysilicon, amorphous silicon, and / or oxide semiconductor, etc. The channel region may be a semiconductor pattern not doped with impurities and may be an intrinsic semiconductor. The first contact region and the second contact region may be semiconductor patterns doped with impurities.

[0100] The gate insulating layer GI may be provided and / or formed on the semiconductor pattern SCL. The gate insulating layer GI may be an insulating layer and may include an inorganic material. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and according to some embodiments, the gate insulating layer GI may include an organic material.

[0101] The gate electrode GE may be provided and / or formed on the semiconductor pattern SCL, with the gate insulating layer GI interposed between the gate electrode GE and the semiconductor pattern SCL. The gate electrode GE may include a conductive material. For example, the conductive material may include metals such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and / or copper (Cu), etc.

[0102] The interlayer insulating layer ILD may be provided and / or formed on the gate electrode GE. The interlayer insulating layer ILD may be an insulating layer and may include an inorganic material. The interlayer insulating layer ILD may be formed as a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. According to some embodiments, the interlayer insulating layer ILD may include an organic material.

[0103] The respective first terminal SE and second terminal DE may be in contact with the first contact region and the second contact region of the semiconductor pattern SCL through contact holes passing through the interlayer insulating layer ILD and the gate insulating layer GI. The first terminal SE and the second terminal DE may include a conductive material. The first terminal SE and the second terminal DE may be formed as a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0104] The protective layer PSV can be provided and / or formed on the driving transistor Tdr.

[0105] The protective layer PSV can be an insulating layer and can be provided in the form of including an organic layer, an inorganic layer, and / or an organic layer provided on the inorganic layer. The inorganic layer can include an inorganic material. The organic layer can include an organic material. For example, the organic material can include acrylic resin (polyacrylate resin), epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyphenylene ether resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, and / or benzocyclobutene resin.

[0106] The display element layer DPL can be provided and / or formed on the protective layer PSV.

[0107] The display element layer DPL can be provided on the protective layer PSV and can include a light-emitting element LD that emits light. The light-emitting element LD can include a first electrode AE and a second electrode CE and an emission layer EML provided between the two electrodes AE and CE. One of the first electrode AE and the second electrode CE can be an anode electrode, and the remaining electrode can be a cathode electrode. For example, the first electrode AE can be an anode electrode, and the second electrode CE can be a cathode electrode. When the light-emitting element LD is a front-surface emission type organic light-emitting diode, the first electrode AE can be a reflective electrode, and the second electrode CE can be a transmissive electrode.

[0108] The first electrode AE can be electrically connected to the second terminal DE of the driving transistor Tdr through a contact hole passing through the protective layer PSV. The first electrode AE can include a reflective layer capable of reflecting light or a transparent conductive layer provided above or below the reflective layer. For example, the transparent conductive layer can include a transparent conductive material, and the transparent conductive material can include metal oxides (such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), and / or indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), etc.) and conductive polymers (such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), etc.). The reflective layer can include a metal material (such as silver (Ag), etc.).

[0109] The display element layer DPL can further include a pixel defining layer PDL having an opening exposing a part of the first electrode AE (for example, the upper surface of the first electrode AE). The pixel defining layer PDL can be an insulating layer and can include an organic material.

[0110] The emission layer EML may be disposed in a region corresponding to an opening of the pixel defining layer PDL. That is, the emission layer EML may be disposed on one surface of the exposed first electrode AE. The emission layer EML may have a multi-layer thin film structure including at least a light generating layer. The emission layer EML may include: a hole injection layer for injecting holes; a hole transport layer having excellent hole transport characteristics and for increasing the chance of recombination of holes and electrons by suppressing the movement of un-recombined electrons in the light generating layer; a light generating layer for emitting light by recombination of the injected electrons and holes; a hole blocking layer for suppressing the movement of un-recombined holes in the light generating layer; an electron transport layer for effectively (or smoothly) transporting electrons to the light generating layer; and an electron injection layer for injecting electrons.

[0111] The second electrode CE may be provided and / or formed on the emission layer EML. The second electrode CE may be a common layer commonly provided to the sub-pixel SP and another sub-pixel. The second electrode CE may be a transmissive electrode and may include a transparent conductive material.

[0112] The encapsulation layer TFE may be provided and / or formed on the second electrode CE.

[0113] The encapsulation layer TFE may include a first encapsulation layer ENC1, a second encapsulation layer ENC2, and a third encapsulation layer ENC3. The first encapsulation layer ENC1 may be provided and / or formed on the display element layer DPL and may be positioned to cover at least a part of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA. The second encapsulation layer ENC2 may be provided and / or formed on the first encapsulation layer ENC1 and may be positioned to cover at least a part of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA. The third encapsulation layer ENC3 may be provided and / or formed on the second encapsulation layer ENC2 and may be positioned to cover at least a part of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA. The first encapsulation layer ENC1 and the third encapsulation layer ENC3 may be formed of an inorganic layer including an inorganic material, and the second encapsulation layer ENC2 may be formed of an organic layer including an organic material.

[0114] In Figure 5 the display element layer DPL includes a light emitting element LD configured by an organic light emitting diode having a first electrode AE, an emission layer EML, and a second electrode CE, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the display element layer DPL may include an ultra-small inorganic light emitting element LD as small as micron scale or nano scale formed in a structure in which a nitride-based semiconductor is grown therein.

[0115] The touch panel 110 may be disposed on the encapsulation layer TFE. The touch panel 110 may be directly disposed or formed on the encapsulation layer TFE using the encapsulation layer TFE as a substrate layer. In other words, the touch panel 110 may be directly formed on the encapsulation layer TFE by a process after the process of forming the encapsulation layer TFE.

[0116] The touch panel 110 may include insulating layers sequentially stacked on the encapsulation layer TFE, that is, a first insulating layer YILD, a second insulating layer YCNT, and a third insulating layer YPVX. In addition, the touch panel 110 may include sensor electrodes TE disposed between the insulating layers.

[0117] The first insulating layer YILD may be a buffer layer and may include an inorganic material, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the first insulating layer YILD may be omitted.

[0118] The second insulating layer YCNT may be disposed on the first insulating layer YILD. The first insulating layer YILD may be an insulating layer and may include an inorganic material, but is not limited thereto.

[0119] The sensor electrodes TE may be disposed on the second insulating layer YCNT. The sensor electrodes TE may be disposed on the light-emitting element LD (or sub-pixel SP) and may not overlap the light-emitting element LD in the third direction DR3. For example, the sensor electrodes TE may have a mesh structure including a plurality of conductive thin lines and may have an opening corresponding to the light-emitting element LD.

[0120] A power electrode PWE for receiving driving power (e.g., a constant voltage) from the outside and a connection electrode E_CNT connected to the power electrode PWE may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. As Figure 5 shown, the connection electrode E_CNT may electrically connect the power electrode PWE and the second electrode CE of the light-emitting element LD. The connection electrode E_CNT may be formed by the same or substantially the same process as the first electrode AE, and the connection electrode E_CNT may include the same or substantially the same material as the first electrode AE.

[0121] The dams DAM1 and DAM2 can be provided at the edges of the display device 100. For example, in a plan view, the dams DAM1 and DAM2 can be disposed along the edges of the display device 100. The second dam DAM2 can be disposed outside the first dam DAM1. The first dam DAM1 can be formed concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with the protective layer PSV included in the pixel circuit layer PCL. The second dam DAM2 can include a lower portion DAMP1 formed concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with the protective layer PSV included in the pixel circuit layer PCL and an upper portion DAMP2 formed concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with the pixel defining layer PDL included in the display element layer DPL. According to some embodiments, the dams DAM1 and DAM2 can be formed concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with at least one of the plurality of insulating layers included in the pixel circuit layer PCL. In the process of forming the organic layer (e.g., the second encapsulation layer ENC2) included in the encapsulation layer TFE, the dams DAM1 and DAM2 can prevent the liquid organic material from overflowing to the outer region of the substrate BSL or substantially reduce such overflow.

[0122] In some embodiments, a portion of the sensor electrode TE may not overlap the second electrode CE in the third direction DR3, or the thickness of a portion of the cathode electrode may be thinner than the average thickness of the cathode electrode.

[0123] For example, in the display area DA, the sensor electrode TE may overlap the second electrode CE in the third direction DR3, and in the non-display area NDA, a portion of the sensor electrode TE may not overlap the second electrode CE in the third direction DR3. In other examples, the thickness of the edge portion of the second electrode CE that overlaps the sensor electrode TE may be thinner than the average thickness.

[0124] The second electrode CE may overlap the sensor electrode TE and thus can prevent or substantially reduce the interference of the lower structure of the second electrode CE (and the signal applied to the lower structure of the second electrode CE) (e.g., the lower portion of the second electrode CE and the signal applied to the lower portion of the second electrode CE) with the sensor electrode TE, and thus, eliminate or reduce the noise caused by the lower structure. However, when the sensor electrode TE does not overlap the second electrode CE or when the thickness of the second electrode CE is thin, the lower structure (e.g., the lower portion) of the second electrode CE may interfere with the sensor electrode TE and cause noise. Despite the process error, the second electrode CE can be formed wider to cover the entire sensor electrode TE, but the non-display area NDA may increase. The second electrode CE may be formed thicker, but the amount of light passing through the second electrode CE may be reduced, and the light emission characteristics of the display panel may deteriorate.

[0125] Therefore, a display device (or a touch panel) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can use the sub-electrode RX_S (e.g., refer toFigure 4 ) It is disposed in an area where noise is expected to occur and can use the sub - electrode RX_S to eliminate noise.

[0126] Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 are diagrams showing the process of sensing noise in a touch - panel driver included in a Figure 1 display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0127] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figures 6 to 9 , the display panel 120 can display an image in units of a frame period FRAME. The vertical synchronization signal V_SYNC can indicate the start of the frame period FRAME. The frame period FRAME can include a first period P1 and a second period P2. The first period P1 can be an activation period in which a valid data signal VDATA is provided from the display - panel driver 140 to the display panel 120, and the second period P2 can be a blanking period between the activation period and the next frame period FRAME. In the second period P2, the data signal VDATA does not have a valid value.

[0128] The blanking signal VB_SYNC can indicate the second period P2. For example, the blanking signal VB_SYNC can have a low level in the first period P1 and can have a high level in the second period P2. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The blanking signal VB_SYNC can be provided from the outside together with the vertical synchronization signal V_SYNC, and the touch - panel driver 130 can operate in response to the blanking signal VB_SYNC.

[0129] In some embodiments, the touch - panel driver 130 can perform a first sensing operation in the first period P1, perform a second sensing operation in the second period P2, and determine whether there is noise (e.g., unwanted electrical interference) caused by the display panel 120 based on the first sensing result and the second sensing result. Due to the valid data signal VDATA, noise may occur in the first period P1, and since the data signal VDATA does not have a valid value (e.g., a high value), noise may not occur in the second period P2.

[0130] In some embodiments, the touch - panel driver 130 can apply a driving signal to the driving electrode TX and receive a sensing signal (or a first sensing signal) from the sensing electrode RX in the first period P1. The touch - panel driver 130 can generate first sensing data SDATA1 based on the sensing signal of the first period P1. Referring to Figure 7, the first sensing data SDATA1 may include an eleventh value CM11_1 to an nm-th value CMnm_1. The eleventh value CM11_1 may be a value calculated based on a sensing signal output from the first sensing electrode RX1 according to a driving signal applied to the first driving electrode TX1, and may indicate a capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) between the first sensing electrode RX1 and the first driving electrode TX1 in the first period P1. The nm-th value CMnm_1 may be a value calculated based on a sensing signal output from the n-th sensing electrode RXn according to a driving signal applied to the m-th driving electrode TXm, and may indicate a capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) between the n-th sensing electrode RXn and the m-th driving electrode TXm in the first period P1.

[0131] Similar to the operation in the first period P1, the touch panel driver 130 may apply a driving signal to the driving electrode TX and receive a sensing signal (or a second sensing signal) in the second period P2. The touch panel driver 130 may generate second sensing data SDATA2 based on the sensing signal of the second period P2. Refer to Figure 7 , the second sensing data SDATA2 may include an eleventh value CM11_2 to an nm-th value CMnm_2. The eleventh value CM11_2 may indicate a capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) between the first sensing electrode RX1 and the first driving electrode TX1 in the second period P2. The nm-th value CMnm_2 may indicate a capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) between the n-th sensing electrode RXn and the m-th driving electrode TXm in the second period P2.

[0132] Since the sensing operations in the first period P1 and the second period P2 are for sensing noise, the sub-electrode RX_S for noise cancellation is not used (e.g., refer to Figure 4 )(or the sensing signal of the sub-electrode RX_S), and only the sensing electrode RX (or the sensing signal of the sensing electrode RX) is used.

[0133] In some embodiments, the touch panel driver 130 may determine whether there is noise based on the difference between the first sensing data SDATA1 and the second sensing data SDATA2. In other words, the touch panel driver 130 may determine whether there is noise based on the difference between the sensing signal of the first period P1 and the sensing signal of the second period P2.

[0134] For example, refer to Figure 8, the touch panel driver 130 may generate first differential data DDATA1 by performing a differential operation on the first sensed data SDATA1 and the second sensed data SDATA2. The first differential data DDATA1 may include an eleventh difference value DV11 to an nm-th difference value DVnm. The eleventh difference value DV11 may be the difference between the eleventh value CM11_1 of the first period P1 and the eleventh value CM11_2 of the second period P2. Since the remaining difference values are the same as the difference values shown in Figure 8 , the description of the remaining difference values is omitted.

[0135] For example, when the difference value is outside the reference range, the touch panel driver 130 may determine that there is noise at the corresponding position (or node). That is, when the difference between the value in the first period P1 and the value in the second period P2 is high (e.g., outside the reference range), it may be determined that the difference is due to noise. When the difference value is within the reference range, the touch panel driver 130 may determine that there is no noise at the corresponding position (or node).

[0136] In some embodiments, the touch panel driver 130 may determine the reference range based on the difference value DV_A2 corresponding to the second region A2 (e.g., refer to Figure 4 ). The difference value DV_A2 may refer to the difference between the sensed signals in the second region A2 and may include a twenty-first difference value DV21 to an (n - 1)m-th difference value DV(n - 1)m. Since the first region A1 is an area where noise is expected, only the difference value DV_A2 corresponding to the second region A2 may be used, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0137] For example, the touch panel driver 130 may average the difference values DV_A2 to calculate an average value DV_REF (or reference value) and compare each difference value with the average value DV_REF.

[0138] In some examples, refer to Figure 9 , the second differential data DDATA2 may be obtained by dividing the first differential data DDATA1 by the average value DV_REF. For example, the first value DV11 / DV_REF of the second differential data DDATA2 may indicate the ratio between the first difference value DV11 and the average value DV_REF. In addition, when the first value is 3 or greater, the touch panel driver 130 may determine that there is noise at the point corresponding to the first value (i.e., the region where a capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) is formed because the first driving electrode TX1 and the first sensing electrode RX1 cross or are adjacent to each other).

[0139] In some embodiments, when the number of values outside the reference range among the ratio values DV_RX1 and DV_RXn corresponding to the first region A1 exceeds the reference number, the touch panel driver 130 may determine that noise has occurred in the first region A1. For example, when the ratio of the values outside the reference range among the multiple ratio values DV_RX1 corresponding to the first sensing electrode RX1 (e.g., reference Figure 4 ) is 70% or greater, the touch panel driver 130 may determine that noise has occurred in the region corresponding to the first sensing electrode RX1. In this case, the touch panel driver 130 may sense an input to the corresponding region based on the sensing signal of the first sensing electrode RX1 and the sensing signal of the first sub-electrode RX_S1. In other examples, when the ratio of the values outside the reference range among the multiple ratio values DV_RXn corresponding to the nth sensing electrode RXn (e.g., reference Figure 4 ) is less than 70%, the touch panel driver 130 may determine that no noise has occurred in the region corresponding to the nth sensing electrode RXn. In this case, the touch panel driver 130 may sense an input to the corresponding region based on the sensing signal of the nth sensing electrode RXn rather than the sensing signal of the nth sub-electrode RX_Sn.

[0140] In some embodiments, the touch panel driver 130 may determine whether there is noise through the process described by referring to Figures 6 to 9 in the setting mode and accordingly determine the recognition sensing method (e.g., whether to use the sub-electrode RX_S), and may perform a sensing operation according to the sensing method determined in the normal mode.

[0141] As described above, by comparing the sensing signal in the first period P1 (i.e., the period in which noise may occur) with the sensing signal in the second period P2 (i.e., the period in which there is no noise), the touch panel driver 130 may determine whether there is noise and the region where the noise occurs.

[0142] Figure 10 And Figure 11 are diagrams showing a touch panel driver of a touch panel connected to Figure 4 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In Figure 10 , the touch panel driver 130 is shown based on the channels where noise occurs (e.g., the first sensing electrode RX1 and / or the nth sensing electrode RXn), and in Figure 11 , the touch panel driver 130 is shown based on the channels where no noise occurs (e.g., the kth sensing electrode RXk, where k is a positive integer less than n). For ease of description, in Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the driving electrode TX and the object OBJ are also shown.

[0143] First, referring to Figure 4 and Figure 10 , the touch panel driver 130 may include a receiving unit TSC (or receiving circuit) and a transmitting unit TDC (or transmitting circuit). The transmitting unit TDC may be connected to the driving electrode TX, and the receiving unit TSC may be connected to the first sensing electrode RX1.

[0144] The receiving unit TSC may include sensor channels 222, an analog-to-digital converter 224, and a processor 226. For example, each sensor channel 222 may be implemented as an analog front end (AFE) including at least one operational amplifier AMP. The analog-to-digital converter 224 and the processor 226 may be provided for each sensor channel 222 and may be shared by multiple sensor channels 222.

[0145] The first input terminal IN1 of the operational amplifier AMP may be connected to the first sensing electrode RX1, and the second input terminal IN2 of the operational amplifier AMP may be connected to the first sub-electrode RX_S1. For example, the first input terminal IN1 may be an inverting terminal, and the second input terminal IN2 may be a non-inverting terminal. A capacitor Ca and a switch SWr may be connected in parallel between the first input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OUT1 of the operational amplifier AMP. For example, when the switch SWr is turned on, the charge of the capacitor Ca may be initialized. At the time point of the received sensing signal, the switch SWr may be in an off state.

[0146] The sensor channel 222 may generate an output signal corresponding to the voltage difference between the first input terminal IN1 and the second input terminal IN2. Substantially the same noise may occur in the paired first sensing electrode RX1 and the first sub-electrode RX_S1, and the capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) between the first sensing electrode RX1 and the driving electrode TX may be greater than the capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) between the first sub-electrode RX_S1 and the driving electrode TX. Therefore, the sensor channel 222 connected to the first sensing electrode RX1 and the first sub-electrode RX_S1 may output a sensing signal from which noise is eliminated or a corresponding signal of the first sensing electrode RX1.

[0147] The analog-to-digital converter 224 may be connected to the output terminal OUT1 of the operational amplifier AMP. The analog-to-digital converter 224 may convert the output of the operational amplifier AMP into a digital sensing value and output the digital sensing value. The processor 226 may sense the input through the object OBJ by analyzing these sensing values.

[0148] When noise appears in the region where the n-th sensing electrode RXn is located, the sensor channel 220 for the n-th sensing electrode RXn can be connected to the n-th sub-electrode RX_Sn. The sensing method using the corresponding sensing electrode and the sub-electrode corresponding to the sensing electrode can be called the first sensing method, and the touch panel driver 130 can perform a sensing operation on the region where noise appears using the first sensing method.

[0149] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 , only change the connection structure of the second input terminal IN2 of the operational amplifier AMP. For example, the touch panel driver 130 can use switches, multiplexers, etc. to change the connection structure of the second input terminal IN2.

[0150] In some embodiments, when no noise appears in the region where the k-th sensing electrode RXk is located, the first input terminal IN1 of the operational amplifier AMP can be connected to the k-th sensing electrode RXk, and the reference signal REF can be applied to the second input terminal IN2 of the operational amplifier AMP. The reference signal REF can be a ground voltage (e.g., a ground reference voltage) or a voltage of a specific magnitude. According to some embodiments, the reference signal REF can be a signal provided by a dummy electrode TX_D (e.g., reference Figure 4 ). The dummy electrode TX_D can be arranged to correspond to the driving electrode TX, or can be one of the plurality of driving electrodes TX, but is not limited thereto. The reference signal REF can be commonly provided to the remaining sensor channels except Figure 10 the sensor channel 222 (i.e., not including Figure 10 the sensor channel 222). The sensing method using the reference signal REF can be called the second sensing method, and the touch panel driver 130 can perform a sensing operation on the region where no noise appears using the second sensing method.

[0151] In some other embodiments, the second input terminal IN2 of the operational amplifier AMP can be connected to an adjacent sensing electrode (e.g., the (k + 1)-th sensing electrode RXk+1 adjacent to the k-th sensing electrode RXk) instead of the reference signal REF. The sensing method using mutually adjacent sensing electrodes can be called the third sensing method, and the touch panel driver 130 can perform a sensing operation on the region where no noise appears using the third sensing method.

[0152] As described above, the touch panel driver 130 can perform a sensing operation on the region where noise appears using the first sensing method, and can perform a sensing operation on the region where no noise appears using the second sensing method or the third sensing method.

[0153] Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 andFigure 15 is a plan view showing a touch panel included in a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 in

[0154] Referring to Figure 4 and Figures 12 to 15 , except for the position of the sub-electrode RX_S (or the first region A1 where the sub-electrode RX_S is positioned), Figures 12 to 15 each of the touch panels 110_1 to 110_4 in Figure 4 can be the same as or similar to the touch panel 110 of

[0155] In some embodiments, the first region A1 may include a first peripheral region corresponding to the upper side of the substrate layer 111 (or the display panel) and a second peripheral region corresponding to the lower side of the substrate layer 111, and at least two sub-electrodes RX_S may be provided in each of the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region.

[0156] Referring to Figure 12 , for example, the first sub-electrode RX_S1 and the second sub-electrode RX_S2 may be provided in the first peripheral region corresponding to the upper side of the touch panel 110_1, and the (n - 1)th sub-electrode RX_Sn - 1 and the nth sub-electrode RX_Sn may be provided in the second peripheral region corresponding to the lower side. The second sub-electrode RX_S2 may be positioned in pairs with the second sensing electrode RX2, and the arrangement relationship between the second sub-electrode RX_S2 and the second sensing electrode RX2 may be the same as the arrangement relationship between the first sub-electrode RX_S1 and the first sensing electrode RX1. Similarly, the (n - 1)th sub-electrode RX_Sn - 1 may be positioned in pairs with the (n - 1)th sensing electrode RXn - 1.

[0157] The kth sensing electrode RXk is provided in the second region A2, and the sub-electrode RX_S is not provided in the second region A2.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first region A1 may only include a peripheral region corresponding to one side of the substrate layer 111 (or the display panel), and at least one sub-electrode RX_S may be provided in the peripheral region.

[0159] Referring to Figure 13 , for example, the first sub-electrode RX_S1 may be provided in the first peripheral region corresponding to the upper side of the touch panel 110_2. The sub-electrode RX_S is not provided in the remaining regions outside the first peripheral region. In other examples, the sub-electrode RX_S may be provided only in the second peripheral region corresponding to the lower side of the touch panel 110_2 instead of the upper side of the touch panel 110_2.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first region A1 may be positioned inside the second region A2.

[0161] Reference Figure 14 , for example, the central region of the touch panel 110_3 may be set as the first region A1, and the k-th sub-electrode RX_Sk may be disposed in the central region of the touch panel 110_3. The k-th sub-electrode RX_Sk may be positioned in pairs with the k-th sub-electrode RX_Sk. The sub-electrode RX_S is not disposed in the second region A2 of the touch panel 110_3 (e.g., in the peripheral region of the touch panel 110_3).

[0162] In some embodiments, the sub-electrode RX_S may be disposed in the entire sensing region SA. In other words, the entire sensing region SA may be set as the first region A1.

[0163] Reference Figure 15 , for example, the first sub-electrode RX_S1 to the n-th sub-electrode RX_Sn may be disposed in the entire sensing region SA of the touch panel 110_4. Compared with Figure 4 , the number of sensing lines RXL may be increased, and the space for disposing the sensing lines RXL (e.g., the non-sensing region NSA) may be increased.

[0164] As described above, any region where noise appears or is expected to appear in the sensing region SA may be set as the first region A1, and the sub-electrode RX_S may be disposed in the first region A1.

[0165] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0166] Reference Figure 16 , the electronic device 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory device 1020, a storage device 1030, an input / output (I / O) device 1040, a power supply 1050, and a display device 1060. At this time, the display device 1060 may be Figure 1 the display device 100. In addition, the electronic device 1000 may further include several ports capable of communicating with a video card, a sound card, a memory card, a universal serial bus (USB) device, and / or with other systems. In some embodiments, the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a smart phone. However, this is only an example, and the electronic device 1000 is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a mobile phone, a video phone, a smart pad, a smart watch, a tablet personal computer (PC), a vehicle navigation device, a computer monitor, a notebook computer, a head-mounted display device, or a television, etc.

[0167] The processor 1010 can perform specific calculations or tasks. According to some embodiments, the processor 1010 can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit, an application processor, etc. The processor 1010 can be connected to other components via an address bus, a control bus, a data bus, etc. According to some embodiments, the processor 1010 can also be connected to an expansion bus (such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus).

[0168] The memory device 1020 can store data used in the operation of the electronic device 1000. For example, the memory device 1020 can include non-volatile memory devices (such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) devices, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) devices, flash memory devices, phase change random access memory (PRAM) devices, resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices, nano-floating gate memory (NFGM) devices, polymer random access memory (PoRAM) devices, magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) devices) and / or volatile memory devices (such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, static random access memory (SRAM) devices, and mobile DRAM devices), etc.

[0169] The storage device 1030 can include a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0170] The input / output device 1040 can include input means such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touchpad, a touch screen, and a mouse, and output means such as a speaker and a printer. According to some embodiments, the display device 1060 can be included in the input / output device 1040.

[0171] The power supply 1050 can supply the power required for the operation of the electronic device 1000. For example, the power supply 1050 can be a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0172] The display device 1060 can display an image corresponding to the visual information of the electronic device 1000. At this time, the display device 1060 can be an organic light emitting display device or a quantum dot light emitting display device, but is not limited thereto. The display device 1060 can be connected to other components via a bus or other communication link.

[0173] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing a method of driving a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0174] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 17 , Figure 17 The method of Figure 1Execute in the display device 100.

[0175] Figure 17 The method may include receiving a first sensing signal (S100) from a sensing electrode RX (or a sensor electrode) during an activation period of a frame.

[0176] As described in reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 described, Figure 17 The method may include: receiving a sensing signal from the sensing electrode RX during a first period P1; and generating first sensing data SDATA1 based on the sensing signal of the first period P1.

[0177] Thereafter, Figure 17 The method may include: receiving a second sensing signal (S200) from the sensing electrode RX (or the sensor electrode) during a blanking period of a frame.

[0178] As described in reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 described, Figure 17 The method may include: receiving a sensing signal from the sensing electrode RX during a second period P2; and generating second sensing data SDATA2 based on the sensing signal of the second period P2.

[0179] Thereafter, Figure 17 The method may include: determining a region where noise due to the display panel 120 appears based on the difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal (S300). For example, the region may be a region of the touch panel 110 (e.g., Figure 4 the first region A1).

[0180] As described in reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 described, Figure 17 The method may include: generating first differential data DDATA1 by performing a differential operation on the first sensing data SDATA1 and the second sensing data SDATA2; determining whether each value of the first differential data DDATA1 is outside a reference range; and determining the region where noise appears based on the determined result. For example, Figure 17 The method may include: determining whether each of the difference values DV11 to DV1m and DVn1 to DVnm corresponding to the first region A1 (e.g., reference Figure 8 ) is outside the reference range; and determining that at least a part of the first region A1 is a region where noise appears based on the determined result.

[0181] Thereafter, Figure 17The method may include: using a sensing method for the regions where noise appears and using a sensing method for the remaining regions (i.e., the remaining regions of the sensing area SA). For example, as referred to in Figure 10 as described, Figure 17 the method may utilize a first sensing method using the sub - electrode RX_S for the regions where noise appears and a second sensing method using the reference signal REF (or dummy electrode TX_D) or a third sensing method using adjacent sensing electrodes for the remaining regions.

[0182] Thereafter, in the normal mode, Figure 17 the method may include: performing a sensing operation according to the set sensing method. For example, Figure 17 the method may include: sensing the input to the region (i.e., the region where noise appears) (S400) according to the first sensing method based on the sensing signal received from the sensing electrode RX and the sensing signal (or reference signal) received from the sub - electrode. In addition, Figure 17 the method may include: sensing the input to the remaining regions using only the sensing signals of the sensing electrodes other than the sensing signal (or reference signal) of the sub - electrode according to the second sensing method or the third sensing method.

[0183] As described above, Figure 17 the method may include sensing or determining the regions where noise appears using the blanking period of the frame, and may include performing sensing operations on the regions where noise appears and the remaining regions using different sensing methods.

[0184] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense rather than for purposes of limitation. The description of each feature or aspect within an embodiment should generally be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, wherein: The display device comprises: A display panel having a first area and a second area; a plurality of sensor electrodes in the first region and the second region; at least one sub-electrode in the first region and separated from the plurality of sensor electrodes; and A driver is electrically connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and the at least one sub-electrode, and the driver is configured to sense an input to the display panel based on sensing signals received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and a reference signal received from the at least one sub-electrode.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sub-electrode is not in the second region, and The number of the at least one sub-electrode is smaller than the number of the plurality of sensor electrodes.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: In a plan view, the plurality of sensor electrodes extend in a first direction and are arranged along a second direction crossing the first direction, and the at least one sub-electrode extends in the first direction.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: the plurality of sensor electrodes comprising a first sensor electrode positioned in the first region, Wherein, the at least one sub-electrode includes a first sub-electrode, and Wherein, in a plan view, the first sub-electrode is positioned inside the first sensor electrode and is surrounded by the first sensor electrode.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: In a plan view, the first region is positioned outside the second region, and the first region and the second region are centered at a central region of the display panel.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one sub-electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, wherein the first sub-electrode is positioned in a first peripheral region corresponding to a first side of the display panel, and Wherein, the second sub-electrode is positioned in a second peripheral area corresponding to a second side of the display panel opposite to the first side.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: In a plan view, the first region is positioned inside the second region.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of sensor electrodes include a first sensor electrode in the first region and a plurality of second sensor electrodes in the second region, and The driver is configured to sense input to the first area based on a first sensing signal received from the first sensor electrode and the reference signal, and to sense input to the second area based on a second sensing signal received from each of the plurality of second sensor electrodes instead of the reference signal.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The display panel displays an image in a frame period, the frame period includes an activation period and a blanking period, and The driver is configured to receive a first sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the activation period, receive a second sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the blanking period, and determine whether there is noise caused by the display panel based on a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: In response to the difference in the first region being outside a reference range, the driver is configured to determine that the noise exists in the first region and sense the input based on the reference signal and the first and second sensing signals, and In response to the difference in the first region being within the reference range, the driver is configured to determine that the noise is not present in the first region and sense the input based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal instead of the reference signal.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The reference range is set based on the difference in the second area.

12. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The driver is configured to calculate the difference at each of a plurality of points in the first area, and determine that the noise exists in the first area in response to the number of points where the difference is outside the reference range exceeding a reference number.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The display panel comprises: a light emitting element on the substrate; and an insulating layer on and covering the light emitting element, and Wherein, the plurality of sensor electrodes and the at least one sub-electrode are directly on the insulating layer.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The plurality of sensor electrodes overlap with the cathode electrode of the light emitting element in the second region, and In the first region, parts of the plurality of sensor electrodes do not overlap with the cathode electrode, or a thickness of the cathode electrode is thinner than an average thickness of the cathode electrode.

15. A display device, wherein: The display device comprises: Display panel; a plurality of sensor electrodes and a plurality of sub-electrodes, wherein on the display panel, the plurality of sensor electrodes include a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode, and the plurality of sub-electrodes include a first sub-electrode paired with the first sensor electrode and a second sub-electrode paired with the second sensor electrode; and a driver electrically connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and the plurality of sub-electrodes and configured to sense an input to the display panel based on sensing signals received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and reference signals received from the plurality of sub-electrodes, wherein the driver is configured to sense a first input at a position corresponding to the first sensor electrode based on a first sensing signal of the first sensor electrode and a first reference signal of the first sub-electrode, and to sense a second input at a position corresponding to the second sensor electrode based on a second sensing signal of the second sensor electrode instead of a second reference signal of the second sub-electrode.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein: In a plan view, the plurality of sensor electrodes extend in a first direction and are arranged along a second direction crossing the first direction, and the plurality of sub-electrodes extend in the first direction and are arranged along the second direction.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein: In a plan view, the first sub electrode is positioned inside the first sensor electrode and is surrounded by the first sensor electrode, and the second sub electrode is positioned inside the second sensor electrode and is surrounded by the second sensor electrode.

18. The display device according to claim 15, wherein: The display panel displays an image in a frame period, the frame period includes an activation period and a blanking period, and The driver is configured to receive a first sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the activation period, receive a second sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes in the blanking period, and identify the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode based on a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

19. The display device according to claim 18, wherein: In response to the difference for one of the multiple sensor electrodes being outside a reference range, the driver is configured to identify the one of the multiple sensor electrodes as the first sensor electrode, and in response to the difference for the one of the multiple sensor electrodes being within the reference range, the driver is configured to identify the one of the multiple sensor electrodes as the second sensor electrode.

20. A method for driving a display device, wherein: The display device includes a display panel and a plurality of sensor electrodes located on the display panel, and the method includes: receiving a first sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes during an active period of a frame; receiving a second sensing signal from the plurality of sensor electrodes during a blanking period of the frame; and An area where noise due to the display panel is generated is identified based on a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The display device further includes a sub-electrode located on the display panel, and the method further includes: sensing an input to the region based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal received from the plurality of sensor electrodes and a reference signal received from the sub-electrodes, and Wherein, in the region, the sub-electrode is arranged in pair with one of the plurality of sensor electrodes.

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