Sensor, sensor controller, and position detection device

Abstract

Provided are a sensor, a sensor controller, and a position detection device capable of more effectively improving the accuracy of position detection of a pen. The sensor (30) includes: a plurality of Y electrodes (30y) arranged side by side from one end to the other end in the Y direction within the touch surface; a plurality of terminals (Ty) provided for each of the plurality of Y electrodes (30y) and connected to the sensor controller (31); and a plurality of path selection lines (RLy) connecting the plurality of Y electrodes (30y) to the corresponding terminals (Ty). Each of the plurality of Y electrodes (30y) is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length decreases continuously or stepwise in accordance with the wiring distance from the portion connected to the corresponding path selection line (RLy). The plurality of path selection lines (RLy) are formed such that the difference in wiring resistance between any two of the plurality of Y electrodes (30y) is smaller than when the wiring resistance per unit length of each of the plurality of path selection lines (RLy) is constant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor, a sensor controller and a position detection device. Background Art

[0002] The position detection device of the active electrostatic coupling method is configured to include a sensor arranged in the touch surface and a sensor controller that uses the sensor to detect the position of the pen. The sensor is configured to include a plurality of sensor electrodes composed of a plurality of linear electrodes arranged in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as "X electrodes") and a plurality of linear electrodes arranged in the Y direction (hereinafter referred to as "Y electrodes"), a terminal group composed of a plurality of terminals arranged along one side of the touch surface extending in the X direction, and a plurality of path selection lines that connect the plurality of sensor electrodes to each terminal in the terminal group. The plurality of terminals constituting the terminal group are respectively connected to the sensor controller through wiring in the flexible printed circuit board. The sensor controller receives the pen signal sent by the pen via each sensor electrode and derives the position of the pen in the touch surface based on the distribution of its received intensity. Examples of position detection devices with such a structure are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-149161

[0006] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2019 / 235322

[0007] Patent Document 3: International Publication No. 2019 / 069696 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, the aforementioned conventional position detection device suffers from the following problem: the attenuation of the pen signal in the pen signal reception path from the sensor electrodes to the sensor controller varies depending on the pen's position within the touch surface, thus preventing improved pen position detection accuracy. Specifically, the pen signal reception path from the sensor electrodes to the sensor controller is comprised of the sensor electrodes, path selection lines, and wiring within the flexible printed circuit board. However, the length of the pen signal reception path within the sensor electrodes varies depending on the pen's position in the direction in which the sensor electrodes extend. Furthermore, the length of the path selection lines varies between sensor electrodes. As a result, the wiring resistance of the pen signal reception path varies depending on the pen's position within the touch surface. Consequently, as described above, the attenuation of the pen signal varies depending on the pen's position within the touch surface.

[0010] Regarding this, in Patent Document 3Figure 3 In the disclosed structure, a part of each of the plurality of path selection lines connected to the plurality of Y electrodes (the parts denoted by reference numerals A and B in Patent Document 3) Figure 3 is formed with a line width larger than that of the other parts. Among them, particularly with respect to the part denoted by reference numeral A, only the path selection lines corresponding to about half of the Y electrodes arranged at a position relatively far from the terminal group become the object, and thus it has the effect of reducing the wiring resistance of about half of the path selection lines starting from the longer one. As a result, it has the effect of reducing the difference in wiring resistance between the path selection lines (about half of the path selection lines starting from the shorter one) and the other path selection lines.

[0011] However, in the structure of Patent Document 3, it is impossible to reduce the difference in wiring resistance between about half of the path selection lines starting from the shorter one. In addition, it is also impossible to reduce the difference in wiring resistance caused by the position of the nib in the sensor electrode. Therefore, the effect of improving the accuracy of pen position detection obtained by the structure of Patent Document 3 is extremely limited.

[0012] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a sensor capable of effectively improving the accuracy of pen position detection as compared with the background art.

[0013] In addition, in a conventional position detection device, due to the request for narrow bezelization in a display arranged overlapping with the sensor, sometimes path selection lines are connected to one end in the X direction for about half of the Y electrodes starting from one side in the Y direction, and path selection lines are connected to the other end in the X direction for the remaining half of the Y electrodes. In this case, when the position of the nib is near the boundary where the connection position of the path selection lines is switched and this position is close to one side in the X direction, the reception path lengths of the pen signals in the Y electrodes are significantly different between the two Y electrodes at the boundary, and the accuracy of position detection deteriorates further.

[0014] Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor, a sensor controller, and a position detection device capable of accurately detecting the position of the pen even when path selection lines are connected to one end in the X direction for about half of the Y electrodes starting from one side in the Y direction and path selection lines are connected to the other end in the X direction for the remaining half of the Y electrodes.

[0015] Means for Solving the Problem

[0016] The sensors on the first side of the present invention include: a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged from one end to the other end in a first direction within a touch surface; a plurality of terminals provided for each of the plurality of sensor electrodes and respectively connected to a sensor controller; and a plurality of path selection lines connecting the plurality of sensor electrodes to the corresponding terminals respectively. The plurality of sensor electrodes are each formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or stepwise decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line. The plurality of path selection lines are formed such that the wiring resistance difference between any two of the plurality of sensor electrodes is smaller than that in the case where the wiring resistance per unit length of each of them is constant.

[0017] The sensors on the second side of the present invention include: n (n≥3) sensor electrodes respectively extending in a first direction and arranged along a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and a plurality of path selection lines connecting the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor controller respectively. Among the plurality of sensor electrodes, m (1≤m≤n - 2) sensor electrodes starting from one side in the second direction are connected to the corresponding path selection lines at one end in the first direction, and n - m - 1 sensor electrodes starting from the other side in the second direction are connected to the corresponding path selection lines at the other end in the first direction. The (m + 1)-th sensor electrode starting from one side in the second direction among the plurality of sensor electrodes includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode whose lengths in the first direction are the same as those of the other sensor electrodes respectively, but whose lengths in the second direction are shorter than those of the other sensor electrodes respectively. The first sub-electrode is connected to the corresponding path selection line at one end in the first direction, and the second sub-electrode is connected to the corresponding path selection line at the other end in the first direction.

[0018] The sensors on the third side of the present invention include: n (n≥3) sensor electrodes respectively extending in a first direction and arranged along a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and a plurality of path selection lines connecting the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor controller respectively. The n sensor electrodes sequentially include m (m≥1) first sensor electrodes, k (k≥1) second sensor electrodes, and n - m - k third sensor electrodes starting from one side in the second direction. The plurality of path selection lines include m + k first path selection lines connecting one end in the first direction of each of the m first sensor electrodes and the k second sensor electrodes to the sensor controller, and n - m second path selection lines connecting the other end in the first direction of each of the k second sensor electrodes and the n - m - k third sensor electrodes to the sensor controller.

[0019] The sensor controller of the present invention is a sensor controller used together with the sensor on the third side of the present invention. Among them, either the m + k first path selection lines and the n - m second path selection lines are selected, and the position of the pen in the second direction is derived based on the reception intensity of the pen signal obtained through the selected one.

[0020] The position detection device of the present invention includes the sensor controller of the present invention and k switches respectively provided corresponding to the k second sensor electrodes. Each of the k switches is configured to be able to connect either the corresponding first path selection line and the second path selection line to the sensor controller according to the control of the sensor controller. The sensor controller obtains the reception intensity of the pen signal through either the m + k first path selection lines and the n - m second path selection lines by controlling the k switches.

[0021] Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the accuracy of pen position detection can be effectively improved compared with the background art.

[0023] According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, even when the path selection lines are connected to one end in the X direction for half of the Y electrodes starting from one side in the Y direction and to the other end in the X direction for the remaining half of the Y electrodes, the position of the pen can be detected with high accuracy. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing the system structure of the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is shown in detail Figure 1 the structure of the position detection device 34 shown in the figure.

[0026] Figure 3 FIG. (a) shows the relationship between the wiring distance from the corresponding terminal Ty and the wiring resistance of the portion from the corresponding terminal Ty to the position represented by the wiring distance for the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y in the comparative example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. (b) shows the relationship between the wiring distance from the corresponding terminal Ty and the wiring resistance of the portion from the corresponding terminal Ty to the position represented by the wiring distance for the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y in the example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of the specific shape of the Y electrode 30y in the first embodiment of the present invention (when the Y electrode 30y is formed of a plate-like conductor).

[0028] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the specific shape of the Y electrode 30y according to the first embodiment of the present invention (in the case where the Y electrode 30y is formed of a mesh conductor).

[0029] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the specific shape of the path selection line RLy according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the specific shape of the path selection line RLy according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 (a) of is the same diagram as Figure 3 (a) of, and (b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the wiring distance from the corresponding terminal Ty and the wiring resistance of the portion from the corresponding terminal Ty to the position represented by this wiring distance for the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing in detail the structure of the position detection device 34 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 10 (a) of is a partially enlarged view of the sensor 30 in the background art of the present invention, and (b) is a partially enlarged view of the sensor 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 11 (a) of is [[ID=3 0]] Figure 10 (a) of is a schematic circuit diagram of the sensor 30 in the background art of the present invention when the pen 2 is in the position shown in Figure 10 (b) of is a schematic circuit diagram of the sensor 30 according to the present embodiment when the pen 2 is in the position shown in

[0035] Figure 12 (a) of is the same diagram as Figure 10 (a) of, and (b) is a partially enlarged view of the sensor 30 according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing in detail the structure of the position detection device 34 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 14 This is a diagram for explaining the problems that occur when performing position detection of the pen 2 using the sensor 30 in the background art of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 15This is a diagram illustrating a method for the sensor 30 of the third embodiment of the present invention to perform position detection of the pen 2.

[0039] Figure 16 This is a flowchart of the processing performed by the sensor controller 31 of the third embodiment of the present invention to derive the position of the pen 2.

[0040] Figure 17 This is a flowchart of the processing performed by the sensor controller 31 of the third embodiment of the present invention to derive the position of the pen 2. Detailed Embodiment

[0041] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached Figure 1 while referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the system configuration of the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this diagram, the position detection system 1 is configured to include a pen 2 and an electronic device 3 having a touch surface 3a. The pen 2 is an active pen that supports the active electrostatic coupling method. The electronic device 3 is, for example, a tablet-type computer, and as shown in this diagram, is configured to include a sensor 30, a sensor controller 31, a display 32, and a host processor 33.

[0043] The pen 2 is configured to receive the uplink signal US transmitted by the sensor controller 31 via the sensor 30 and transmit a pen signal PS based on the received uplink signal US. The uplink signal US is a signal periodically transmitted by the sensor controller 31, and has the function of notifying the pen 2 of the transmission timing of the pen signal PS and the reception timing of the next uplink signal US and transmitting a command for the pen 2. The pen 2 that has received the uplink signal US determines the transmission and reception schedule of the pen signal PS and the next uplink signal US based on the reception timing of the uplink signal US, and performs the transmission of the pen signal PS and the reception of the next uplink signal US according to the determined schedule. In addition, the pen 2 generates the pen signal PS according to the command included in the uplink signal US.

[0044] The pen signal PS is a signal including a position signal and a data signal. The position signal is an unmodulated carrier signal, and the data signal is a carrier signal based on data modulation. Among them, the position signal is used for the sensor controller 31 to derive the position of the pen 2. In addition, the data signal is used to transmit specified data from the pen 2 to the sensor controller 31. Among the data transmitted through the data signal, there are included a pen ID pre-assigned to the pen 2, a pen pressure value indicating the magnitude of the pressure applied to the tip of the pen 2, information indicating the on / off state of a switch provided on the surface of the pen 2, and the like.

[0045] The sensor 30 and the sensor controller 31 constitute a position detection device 34 that detects the position of the pen 2 within the touch surface 3a. Specifically, first, the sensor 30 is configured to include a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed directly below a flat surface, i.e., the touch surface 3a. The sensor controller 31 is an integrated circuit that is connected to each sensor electrode within the sensor 30 via a plurality of FPC wirings FL provided within a flexible printed circuit board. The sensor controller 31 performs the following processes: periodically transmits an uplink signal US using a part or all of the sensor electrodes within the sensor 30, and receives a pen signal PS transmitted by the pen 2 based on the uplink signal US via the sensor 30.

[0046] In the case where a position signal is not received from the undetected pen 2, the sensor controller 31 obtains the reception intensity of the position signal at each of all the sensor electrodes, derives a distribution curve of the reception intensity based on the result, and thereby derives the position of the pen 2 within the touch surface 3a (global scan). In a more specific example, the sensor controller 31 is configured to perform the following processes for the X direction and the Y direction shown below Figure 2 respectively: search for the peak of the obtained reception intensity (the maximum reception intensity), derive a distribution curve of the reception intensity based on a total of three reception intensities, i.e., the reception intensity that is the peak and the two reception intensities obtained by the sensor electrodes located on both sides of the sensor electrode corresponding to the peak, and obtain the vertex thereof as the position of the pen 2. Since such a position derivation process uses three sensor electrodes, it is called the "three-point method". It should be noted that the sensor controller 31 may also derive the position of the pen 2 using a "four-point method" that uses, in addition to the three sensor electrodes used in the three-point method, another sensor electrode (the one with a larger reception intensity among the two sensor electrodes adjacent to the three sensor electrodes).

[0047] On the other hand, in the case where a position signal is received from the detected pen 2, the sensor controller 31 obtains the reception intensity of the position signal at each of a specified number of sensor electrodes located near the position derived last time, derives a distribution curve of the reception intensity based on the result, and thereby updates the position of the pen 2 within the touch surface 3a (local scan). The position derivation in this case can also be performed by the above-described three-point method or four-point method.

[0048] When receiving a data signal from the pen 2, the sensor controller 31 obtains the data transmitted by the pen 2 by receiving the data signal at one or a specified number of sensor electrodes located near the position derived last time and demodulating it. The sensor controller 31 is configured to supply the position and the data derived as described above to the host processor 33 each time.

[0049] The host processor 33 is the central processing unit of the electronic device 3, and functions to execute the operating system and various application programs of the electronic device 3 by reading and executing programs stored in a memory (not shown). The application programs executed by the host processor 33 include a drawing application program.

[0050] The drawing application program is a program that causes the host processor 33 to execute a process of generating stroke data based on the positions and data sequentially supplied from the sensor controller 31. The processes that the drawing application program causes the host processor 33 to execute further include a process of saving the generated stroke data to the memory, a process of generating an image signal by rendering the generated stroke data, and a process of displaying the generated stroke data on the display 32 by supplying the generated image signal to the display 32.

[0051] The display 32 is a display device having a display panel with a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and a drive circuit that performs arbitrary display by driving the display panel. In a specific example, the display 32 can be composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an electronic paper, etc. The drive circuit is configured to drive each pixel of the display panel according to the image signal supplied from the host processor 33.

[0052] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram showing in detail the structure of the position detection device 34. It should be noted that in this figure, the expansion of the width described with reference to the following is not reflected. This also applies to the following Figures 4 to 7 which will be described later. Figures 9 to 15 is the same.

[0053] As Figure 2 shown, the sensor 30 is configured to have a plurality of X electrodes 30x arranged in a row from one end to the other end in the X direction within the touch surface 3a and a plurality of Y electrodes 30y arranged in a row from one end to the other end in the Y direction (a direction orthogonal to the X direction) within the touch surface 3a as the above-mentioned plurality of sensor electrodes. The plurality of X electrodes 30x are each composed of a linear conductor extending in the Y direction and are arranged at equal intervals in the X direction. In addition, the plurality of Y electrodes 30y are each composed of a linear conductor extending in the X direction and are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction. It should be noted that in Figure 2 and the following figures, for the sake of readability of the drawings, only 8 X electrodes 30x and Y electrodes 30y (X electrodes 30x1 to 30x8, Y electrodes 30y1 to 30y8) are shown respectively, but in fact, more X electrodes 30x and Y electrodes 30y are provided.

[0054] The X electrode 30x and the Y electrode 30y are configured so as not to obstruct the visual confirmation of the display 32 disposed on the lower side of the sensor 30 as much as possible when viewed from the touch surface 3a. As a specific example, the X electrode 30x and the Y electrode 30y may be plate-shaped conductors formed of a transparent material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), or may be formed of a mesh conductor. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the X electrode 30x and the Y electrode 30y are plate-shaped conductors formed of a transparent material and the description will continue.

[0055] In addition, the sensor 30 is configured to have a terminal group including a plurality of terminals Tx provided for each of the plurality of X electrodes 30x and a plurality of terminals Ty provided for each of the plurality of Y electrodes 30y, a plurality of path selection lines RLx that connect the plurality of X electrodes 30x to the corresponding terminals Tx respectively, and a plurality of path selection lines RLy that connect the plurality of Y electrodes 30y to the corresponding terminals Ty respectively. Each of the plurality of path selection lines RLx and RLy extends and is provided within the border area of the display 32 when viewed in plan. Each of the terminals Tx and Ty constituting the terminal group is arranged and disposed on one side (the lower side of the drawing) in the Y direction of the setting area (rectangular area) of the sensor 30. Each of the terminals Tx and Ty is connected to the sensor controller 31 by a plurality of FPC wirings FL provided in the flexible printed circuit board.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the plurality of path selection lines RLy are connected to the corresponding Y electrodes 30y at the other end in the X direction (the left end in the drawing) of the corresponding Y electrodes 30y. In addition, the plurality of path selection lines RLx are connected to the corresponding X electrodes 30x at one end in the Y direction (the lower end in the drawing) of the corresponding X electrodes 30x.

[0057] Figure 3 FIG. (a) shows the relationship between the wiring distance from the corresponding terminal Ty and the wiring resistance of the portion from the corresponding terminal Ty to the position represented by the wiring distance for the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y of the comparative example of the present embodiment. Figure 3 FIG. (b) shows the relationship between the wiring distance from the corresponding terminal Ty and the wiring resistance of the portion from the corresponding terminal Ty to the position represented by the wiring distance for the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y of the example of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, while referring to FIGS. (a) and (b) Figure 3 the outline of the characteristic part of the sensor 30 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0058] In Figure 3In the comparative example of (a), each path selection line RLy and each Y electrode 30y are formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length is a constant value. Taking the case where each path selection line RLy and each Y electrode 30y are plate-shaped conductors as an example, this means that the resistivity, width, and thickness of the conductors are constant values. In this case, the wiring resistance of the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y is proportional to their respective wiring distances. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3 of (a), the wiring resistance from the terminal Ty to an arbitrary position increases linearly except at the connection points between the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y.

[0059] In Figure 3 the comparative example of (a), if the wiring resistance of each Y electrode 30y is denoted as Rs, the maximum difference in wiring resistance caused by the difference in the reception path length of the pen signal PS within the Y electrode 30y is Rs. Additionally, if the wiring resistance of the path selection line RLy corresponding to the Y electrode 30ym (m is a natural number from 1 to 7) is denoted as Rm, and the wiring resistance of the path selection line RLy corresponding to the Y electrode 30yn (n is a natural number greater than m and 8 or less) is denoted as Rn, then between the Y electrode 30ym and the Y electrode 30yn, the difference in wiring resistance caused by the difference in the length of the path selection line RLy is Rm - Rn.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 of (b), each Y electrode 30y is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. By doing so, the wiring resistance Rs becomes smaller compared to the comparative example of Figure 3 of (a). Therefore, compared to the comparative example of Figure 3 of (a), the difference in wiring resistance caused by the difference in the reception path length of the pen signal PS within the Y electrode 30y can be reduced. It should be noted that in Figure 3 of (b), an example is shown where each Y electrode 30y is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously decreases, but each Y electrode 30y can also be formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length decreases step by step.

[0061] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present embodiment, the difference in wiring resistance Rm - Rn between any two Y electrodes 30y is made smaller for each path selection line RLy compared to the case where the wiring resistance per unit length is constant for each of them. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3 of (b), each path selection line RLy is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty. By doing so, for any m and n, compared to Figure 3The wiring resistance difference Rm - Rn becomes smaller compared to the comparative example of (a), and thus, compared to the comparative example of (a) of Figure 3 , it is possible to reduce the difference in wiring resistance caused by the difference in the length of the path selection line RLy. It should be noted that in Figure 3 , (b) shows an example in which each path selection line RLy is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously decreases, but each path selection line RLy may also be formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length decreases step by step.

[0062] Figure 4 And Figure 5 are diagrams showing examples of the specific shape of the Y electrode 30y of the present embodiment. In Figure 4 , a case where the Y electrode 30y is formed of a plate-shaped conductor is shown, and in Figure 5 , a case where the Y electrode 30y is formed of a mesh-shaped conductor is shown.

[0063] Figure 4 , the example shown in (a) is an example of the Y electrode 30y formed such that the width continuously expands according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. It should be noted that in this figure, an example where the width continuously expands is shown, but the Y electrode 30y may also be formed such that the width expands step by step. In addition, Figure 4 , the example shown in (b) is an example of the Y electrode 30y formed such that the thickness continuously increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. The illustrated Z direction is the direction perpendicular to the touch surface 3a. It should be noted that in this figure, an example where the thickness continuously increases is shown, but the Y electrode 30y may also be formed such that the thickness increases step by step. In either example, it is possible to form the Y electrode 30y, which is a plate-shaped conductor, such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or step by step decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy.

[0064] Figure 5 , the example shown in (a) is, like the example of (a) of Figure 4 , an example of the Y electrode 30y formed such that the width continuously expands according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. The fact that the Y electrode 30y may also be formed such that the width expands step by step is also the same as the example of (a) of Figure 4 . In addition, Figure 5 , the example shown in (b) is, like the example of (b) of Figure 4 , an example of the Y electrode 30y formed such that the thickness continuously increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. The fact that the Y electrode 30y may also be formed such that the thickness increases step by step is also the same as Figure 4The example of (a) is the same. Regardless of which example is used, it is possible to form the Y electrode 30y, which is a mesh-shaped conductor, such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or stepwise decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy.

[0065] Figure 5 The example shown in (c) is an example of the Y electrode 30y in which the number of intersections per unit length in the mesh-shaped conductor increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. In the example of this figure, in the order of the illustrated regions A1 to A5, the number of intersections per unit length increases by 1 each time. Additionally, Figure 5 The example shown in (d) is an example of the Y electrode 30y in which the mesh density (the wiring density of the mesh-shaped conductor) increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy. The conductor shown by the dashed line in this figure is a conductor that does not actually exist. In the example of this figure, in the order of the illustrated regions A1 to A4, the mesh density increases stepwise. Through these examples, it is also possible to form the Y electrode 30y, which is a mesh-shaped conductor, such that the wiring resistance per unit length decreases stepwise according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy.

[0066] Here, in Figure 4 the (b) and Figure 5 the (d), the thickness of the Y electrode 30y increases downward according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy because the Y electrode 30y is formed using an imprint technique. That is, the Y electrode 30y is formed by forming a groove having the shape of the Y electrode 30y and filling a conductor therein. The increase in the thickness of the Y electrode 30y is achieved by adjusting the depth of this groove. This is the same for the path selection line RLy, the X electrode 30x, and the path selection line RLx described with reference to Figure 7 below.

[0067] Figure 6 and Figure 7 are diagrams showing examples of the specific shape of the path selection line RLy of the present embodiment. It should be noted that the actual path selection line RLy has a bent portion in the middle as shown in Figure 2 , but the depiction of the bend is omitted in Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0068] Figure 6 The example shown in (a) is an example of the path selection line RLy formed such that the width continuously expands according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty. Additionally, Figure 6The examples shown in (b) and (c) are examples of a path selection line RLy formed such that the width gradually increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty. In Figure 6 (b), an example in which the width is expanded to both sides in the length direction of the path selection line RLy is shown. In Figure 6 (d), an example in which the width is expanded only to one side in the length direction of the path selection line RLy is shown. According to these examples, it is possible to form the path selection line RLy such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or gradually decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty.

[0069] Figure 7 The example shown in (a) is an example of a path selection line RLy formed such that the thickness continuously increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty. In addition, Figure 7 (b), an example of a path selection line RLy formed such that the thickness gradually increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty is shown. Through these examples, it is also possible to form the path selection line RLy such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or gradually decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal Ty.

[0070] As described above, according to the sensor 30 of the present embodiment, since each Y electrode 30y is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line RLy, and each path selection line RLy is formed such that the difference in wiring resistance between any two Y electrodes 30y is smaller than in the case where the wiring resistance per unit length is constant, it is possible to reduce the difference in wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS due to the difference in the position of the pen within the touch surface. Therefore, it is possible to effectively improve the accuracy of pen position detection as compared with the structure of Patent Document 3 described above.

[0071] Note that, in the present embodiment, examples in which the wiring resistance is adjusted by adjusting either the width or the thickness of the Y electrode 30y and the path selection line RLy are described, but the wiring resistance can also be adjusted by adjusting both the width and the thickness. In addition, the wiring resistance can be adjusted based on the width and thickness only for either the Y electrode 30y or the path selection line RLy.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, the Y electrode 30y and the path selection line RLy are focused on and described, but the present invention can also be similarly applied to the X electrode 30x and the path selection line RLx.

[0073] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which each Y electrode 30y and each path selection line RLy are formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or stepwise decreases. However, in a case where the wiring resistance per unit length can be decreased over the entire length of each Y electrode 30y or each path selection line RLy, this can also be done. The specific method for decreasing the wiring resistance per unit length over the entire length is not particularly limited. For example, the width can be increased over the entire length, the thickness can be increased over the entire length, or the material can be replaced with a material having a low resistivity.

[0074] Figure 8 FIG. (b) shows the relationship between the wiring distance from the corresponding terminal Ty and the wiring resistance of the portion from the corresponding terminal Ty to the position represented by the wiring distance for the path selection line RLy and the Y electrode 30y according to a modified example of the present embodiment. Figure 8 FIG. (a) is the same as Figure 3 FIG. (a). In Figure 8 FIG. (b), an example is shown in which the wiring resistance per unit length is decreased over the entire length of each Y electrode 30y and each path selection line RLy as compared with the comparative example described in Figure 8 FIG. (a). Thus, it is also possible to reduce the difference in the wiring resistance of the pen signal reception paths due to the difference in the position of the pen within the touch surface. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively improve the accuracy of pen position detection as compared with the structure of Patent Document 3 described above.

[0075] Next, the position detection system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The position detection system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the position detection system 1 of the first embodiment in that the sensor 30 is configured such that the path selection line RLy is connected to one end in the X direction for half of the Y electrodes 30y starting from one side in the Y direction and the path selection line RLy is connected to the other end in the X direction for the remaining half of the Y electrodes 30y. In addition, the position detection system 1 of the present embodiment is also different from the position detection system 1 of the first embodiment in that one of the two Y electrodes RLy located at the boundary where the connection position of the path selection line RLy is switched is divided into two sub-electrodes in order to obtain high position detection accuracy even with such a structure. In other respects, the position detection system 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the position detection system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, the description will continue focusing on the differences from the position detection system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0076] Figure 9This is a diagram showing in detail the structure of the position detection device 34 of the present embodiment. As shown in this diagram, in the present embodiment, m (1 ≤ m ≤ n - 2, m = 3 in the present embodiment) of the n (n is a natural number of 3 or more, n = 8 in the present embodiment) Y electrodes 30y starting from one side in the Y direction are connected to the corresponding path selection line RLy at one end in the X direction (the end on the right side of the drawing), and n - m - 1 (4 in the present embodiment) of the n Y electrodes 30y starting from the other side in the Y direction are connected to the corresponding path selection line RLy at the other end in the X direction (the end on the left side of the drawing).

[0077] In addition, the (m + 1)-th Y electrode 30y (the 4th Y electrode 30y4 in the present embodiment) starting from one side in the Y direction among the n Y electrodes 30y is composed of a first sub-electrode 30y4a and a second sub-electrode 30y4b whose lengths in the X direction are the same as those of the other Y electrodes 30y but whose lengths in the Y direction are shorter than those of the other Y electrodes 30y respectively. The specific lengths in the Y direction of the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the second sub-electrode 30y4b can be, for example, half of those of the other Y electrodes 30y. The first sub-electrode 30y4a extends in a state physically and electrically separated from the second sub-electrode 30y4b on the side closer to the Y direction than the second sub-electrode 30y4b. And, the first sub-electrode 30y4a is connected to the corresponding path selection line RLy at one end in the X direction, and the second sub-electrode 30y4b is connected to the corresponding path selection line RLy at the other end in the X direction. The path selection line RLy connected to the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the path selection line RLy connected to the second sub-electrode 30y4b are connected within the frame area and are connected to the same terminal Ty.

[0078] Figure 10 (a) of is a partially enlarged view of the sensor 30 in the background art of the present invention, Figure 10 (b) of is a partially enlarged view of the sensor 30 of the present embodiment. In these figures, each Y electrode 30y is depicted by a mesh-like conductor, but each Y electrode 30y can also be a plate-like conductor. This is the same in the Figure 12 described later.

[0079] First, focusing on Figure 10 (a) of, in the sensor 30 in the background art of the present invention, the Y electrode 30y4 is composed of the same one electrode as the Y electrodes 30y3, 30y5, etc., and is connected to the path selection line RLy at one end in the X direction. In such a sensor 30 in the background art, as shown in the figure, consider the position where the tip of the pen 2 is close to the other end in the X direction of the Y electrode 30y4 (specifically, the position at a distance L1 (< L) from the other end in the X direction in the full length L in the X direction of the Y electrode 30y4. In the Figure 10The same as in (b) of the above. In this case, according to the above three-point method, the sensor controller 31 derives the position of the pen 2 based on the reception intensity of the pen signal PS at each of the three Y electrodes 30y3 to 30y5. However, since the tip of the pen 2 is close to the other end in the X direction of the Y electrode 30y4, the reception path lengths of the pen signal PS in the Y electrode 30y are significantly different among the Y electrodes 30y3, 30y4, and Y electrode 30y5. Therefore, it is impossible to expect to accurately derive the position of the pen 2.

[0080] Figure 11 In (a), the pen 2 is in Figure 10 FIG. (a) is a schematic circuit diagram of the sensor 30 of the background art of the present invention when the pen 2 is in the position shown. As shown in this figure, in this case, the wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS formed in each Y electrode 30y becomes Rs·(L - L1) / L in the Y electrodes 30y3 and 30y4, and Rs·L1 / L in the Y electrode 30y5. Therefore, the wiring resistance difference between the Y electrodes 30y3, 30y4 and the Y electrode 30y5 becomes Rs·(L - L1) / L - Rs·L1 / L = Rs·(L - 2L1) / L. Correspondingly, there will be a difference in the reception intensity of the pen signal PS received via the Y electrodes 30y3, 30y4 and the reception intensity of the pen signal PS received via the Y electrode 30y5.

[0081] Return Figure 10 , then focusing on FIG. (b), in the sensor 30 of the present embodiment, as described above, the Y electrode 30y4 is composed of the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the second sub-electrode 30y4b. In the sensor 30 of such a present embodiment, when the tip of the pen 2 is Figure 10 in the same position as in (a) and close to the other end in the X direction of the Y electrode 30y4, the wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS in the Y electrode 30y4 becomes the combined resistance of the wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS formed in the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS formed in the second sub-electrode 30y4b.

[0082] Figure 11 In (b), it shows that the pen 2 is in Figure 10Schematic circuit diagram of the sensor 30 of the present embodiment in the case of the position shown in (b) thereof. As can be understood from this figure, in this case, the wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS in the Y electrode 30y4 becomes the combined resistance 2Rs·L1(L - L1) / L2 of the wiring resistance 2Rs·(L - L1) / L of the reception path via the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the wiring resistance 2Rs·L1 / L of the reception path via the second sub-electrode 30y4b. The wiring resistance of the reception path of the pen signal PS formed in the Y electrodes 30y3 and 30y5 is the same as that in the case of Figure 11 (a). Therefore, the wiring resistance difference between the Y electrode 30y3 and the Y electrode 30y4 becomes Rs·(L - L1) / L - 2Rs·L1(L - L1) / L2 = Rs·(L - 2L1)·(L - L1) / L2, and the wiring resistance difference between the Y electrode 30y4 and the Y electrode 30y5 becomes 2Rs·L1(L - L1) / L2 - Rs·L1 / L = Rs·(L - 2L1)·L1 / L2. Since both are smaller than the wiring resistance difference Rs·(L - 2L1) / L in the example of Figure 11 (a), it can be said that: according to the present embodiment, the difference in the reception intensity of the pen signal PS received via the Y electrodes 30y3 and 30y4 and the reception intensity of the pen signal PS received via the Y electrode 30y5 can be reduced. Therefore, it can be said that: the sensor controller 31 can accurately derive the position of the pen 2.

[0083] As described above, according to the sensor 30 of the present embodiment, since one of the two Y electrodes 30y at the boundary where the connection position of the path selection line RLy is switched is divided into two sub-electrodes, although half of the Y electrodes 30y starting from one side in the Y direction are connected to the path selection line RLy at one end in the X direction and the remaining half of the Y electrodes 30y are connected to the path selection line RLy at the other end in the X direction, the position of the pen 2 can be accurately detected.

[0084] Figure 12 (b) is a partial enlarged view of the sensor 30 of a modified example of the present embodiment. Figure 12 (a) is the same as Figure 10 (a). The sensor 30 of this modified example is different from the sensor 30 of the present embodiment in that the mesh density of each of the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the second sub-electrode 30y4b constituting the Y electrode 30y4 is higher than the mesh density of the other Y electrodes 30y. By doing so, the wiring resistance per unit length of the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the second sub-electrode 30y4b becomes smaller than that of the present embodiment, and therefore, the wiring resistance of each of the first sub-electrode 30y4a and the second sub-electrode 30y4b with a width narrower than that of the other Y electrodes 30y can be made close to the wiring resistance of the other Y electrodes 30y.

[0085] Next, the position detection system 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The position detection system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the position detection system 1 of the second embodiment in that some Y electrodes RLy located at the boundary where the connection position of the path selection line RLy is switched are connected to the path selection line RLy at both the one end and the other end in the X direction, in that there is a switch for selectively connecting only one of the path selection lines RLy connected to the one end in the X direction of such a Y electrode RLy and the path selection line RLy connected to the other end to the sensor controller 31, and in that the Y electrodes RLy located at the boundary where the connection position of the path selection line RLy is not switched are not divided into two sub-electrodes. In addition, it is also different from the position detection system 1 of the second embodiment in terms of the position derivation process performed by the sensor controller 31. In other respects, the position detection system 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the position detection system 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, the description will continue focusing on the differences from the position detection system 1 of the second embodiment.

[0086] Figure 13 FIG. is a diagram showing in detail the structure of the position detection device 34 of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the present embodiment, n (n is a natural number of 3 or more. In the present embodiment, n = 8) Y electrodes 30y are classified into m (m≥1. In the present embodiment, m = 3) first sensor electrodes SE1, k (k≥1. In the present embodiment, k = 2) second sensor electrodes SE2, and n - m - k (3 in the present embodiment) third sensor electrodes SE3 in order from one side in the Y direction. And the sensor 30 is configured to include m + k path selection lines RLy1 that connect the one ends in the X direction of the m first sensor electrodes SE1 and the k second sensor electrodes SE2 to the sensor controller 31, and n - m path selection lines RLy2 that connect the other ends in the X direction of the k second sensor electrodes SE2 and the n - m - k third sensor electrodes SE3 to the sensor controller 31.

[0087] The position detection device 34 is configured to have k two - throw switches 40 each having a controlled object circuit (stage) corresponding to the k second sensor electrodes SE2. The switch 40 is configured to be able to connect either the path selection line RLy1 or RLy2 to the sensor controller 31 for each controlled object circuit (i.e., each second sensor electrode SE2) according to the control of the sensor controller 31.

[0088] Figure 14This is a diagram illustrating the problems that occur when the position of the pen 2 is detected using the sensor 30 in the background art of the present embodiment. The structure of the sensor 30 in the background art of the present embodiment is shown in (a) and (c) of this diagram. As shown in these diagrams, the sensor 30 in the background art of the present embodiment has a structure in which the path selection line RLy is connected to one end in the X direction for the Y electrodes 30y1 to 30y4 that are half from one side in the Y direction, and the path selection line RLy is connected to the other end in the X direction for the remaining half of the Y electrodes 30y5 to 30y8.

[0089] Figure 14 (b) shows the reception intensity of the pen signal PS from the pen 2 at the position shown in (a) at each Y electrode 30y (the reception intensity obtained by the sensor controller 31). Figure 14 The position of the tip of the pen 2 shown in (a) is a position close to the other end on the Y electrode 30y3 and close to the Y electrode 30y2. Figure 14 The position of the tip of the pen 2 shown in (a) is a position close to the other end on the Y electrode 30y3 and close to the Y electrode 30y2.

[0090] In addition, Figure 14 (d) shows the reception intensity of the pen signal PS from the pen 2 at the position shown in (c) at each Y electrode 30y (the reception intensity obtained by the sensor controller 31). Figure 14 The position of the tip of the pen 2 shown in (c) is a position close to the other end on the Y electrode 30y5 and close to the Y electrode 30y6. Figure 14 The position of the tip of the pen 2 shown in (c) is a position close to the other end on the Y electrode 30y5 and close to the Y electrode 30y6.

[0091] As shown in (b) and (d), according to Figure 14 the background art described, when the tip of the pen 2 is located at a position close to the other end of any Y electrode 30y, the attenuation amount of the pen signal PS received by the Y electrodes 30y1 to 30y4 is larger than the attenuation amount of the pen signal PS received by the Y electrodes 30y5 to 30y8. This is caused by the difference in the connection to the end of the path selection line RLy. And, as a result, if the reception intensity of the Y electrode 30y3 in (b) and Figure 14 the reception intensity of the Y electrode 30y5 in (d), both of which are peaks, are compared, the latter is larger. Figure 14 the reception intensity of the Y electrode 30y3 in (b) and Figure 14 the reception intensity of the Y electrode 30y5 in (d), both of which are peaks, are compared, the latter is larger.

[0092] The problem occurs as shown in Figure 14The case where the tip of the pen 2 is near the boundary of the connection position switching of the path selection line RLy as in the example of (c). In this case, among the Y electrodes 30y5 corresponding to the peak, the Y electrode 30y6 adjacent to one side thereof, and the Y electrode 30y4 adjacent to the other side thereof, the path lengths of the reception paths of the pen signal PS in the Y electrode 30y are significantly different. As a result, the attenuation amounts in the Y electrode 30y are significantly different between the pen signal PS received via the Y electrodes 30y5 and 30y6 and the pen signal PS received via the Y electrode 30y4. Therefore, the sensor controller 31 cannot correctly derive the position of the pen 2 even if the above-described three-point method is used.

[0093] Figure 15 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting the position of the pen 2 using the sensor 30 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, while referring to this Figure 15 the position derivation process performed by the sensor controller 31 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0094] The sensor controller 31 of the present embodiment switches the path selection line connected to the sensor controller 31 by controlling the switch 40, thereby performing the process of receiving the pen signal PS using the path selection line RLy1 and the process of receiving the pen signal PS using the path selection line RLy2 in a time-division manner. In the former process, the reception intensities are obtained for the Y electrodes 30y1 to 30y5, and the reception intensities are not obtained for the Y electrodes 30y6 to 30y8. Further, in the latter process, the reception intensities are obtained for the Y electrodes 30y4 to 30y8, and the reception intensities are not obtained for the Y electrodes 30y1 to 30y3.

[0095] Figure 15 (b) of FIG. shows the reception intensities (the reception intensities obtained by the sensor controller 31) of the pen signal PS of the pen 2 from the position shown in Figure 15 (a) of FIG. (the same position as that shown in Figure 14 (a) of FIG.) at each Y electrode 30y for the case where the pen signal PS is received using the path selection line RLy1 and for the case where the pen signal PS is received using the path selection line RLy2, respectively.

[0096] In addition, Figure 15 (d) of FIG. shows the reception intensities (the reception intensities obtained by the sensor controller 31) of the pen signal PS of the pen 2 from the position shown in Figure 15 (c) of FIG. (the same position as that shown in Figure 14 (c) of FIG.) at each Y electrode 30y for the case where the pen signal PS is received using the path selection line RLy1 and for the case where the pen signal PS is received using the path selection line RLy2, respectively.

[0097] IfFigure 15 of (d) and Figure 14 When comparing (d) of Figure 14 with (d) of Figure 15 , it can be understood that in this embodiment, when a peak is detected at the Y electrode 30y5, if the reception intensity of the pen signal PS received using the path selection line RLy2 is observed, the pen signal PS can also be received at each of the two adjacent Y electrodes 30y4 and 30y6 on both sides thereof with the same attenuation amount as the Y electrode 30y5. Therefore, compared with the background art, the sensor controller 31 can correctly derive the position of the pen 2.

[0098] Here, in order to correctly derive the position of the pen 2, the sensor controller 31 needs to select either the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy1 or the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy2 and use the selected one to perform position derivation. Hereinafter, regarding the processing performed by the sensor controller 31 for this purpose, while referring to the processing flow Figure 1 it will be described in detail.

[0099] Figure 16 and Figure 17 FIGS. Figure 16 and Figure 17 are flowcharts showing the processing executed by the sensor controller 31 of this embodiment to derive the position of the pen 2. It should be noted that this processing can be applied to either the above-mentioned global scan or local scan, but here it will be described by taking the case of being applied to the global scan as an example.

[0100] First, referring to Figure 16 FIG. Figure 16 , the sensor controller 31 of this embodiment first switches the switch 40 to the path selection line RLy1 side, whereby the reception intensities of the pen signal PS at each of the Y electrodes 30y1 to 30y5 are obtained through the path selection line RLy1 (step S1). Then, the sensor controller 31 searches for the peak of the obtained reception intensity (step S2) and determines whether a peak is detected (step S3).

[0101] If it is determined in step S3 that no peak is detected, the sensor controller 31 moves the processing to Figure 17 step S10 of Figure 17 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that a peak is detected, the sensor controller 31 determines whether the Y electrode 30y corresponding to the peak is the Y electrode 30y5 (i.e., the second sensor electrode SE2 adjacent to the third sensor electrode SE3) (steps S4, S5).

[0102] If it is determined in steps S4 and S5 that it is the Y electrode 30y5, the sensor controller 31 moves the processing to Figure 17Step S10. On the other hand, when it is determined in Steps S4 and S5 that it is not the Y electrode 30y5, the sensor controller 31 derives the position of the pen by performing the above-described three-point method using the reception intensity of the pen signal obtained in Step S1 (Step S6), and ends the process. In this case, the sensor controller 31 selects the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy1.

[0103] Next, referring to Figure 17 , the sensor controller 31 that advances the process to Step S10 switches the switch 40 to the path selection line RLy2 side, whereby the reception intensities of the pen signals PS at the respective positions of the Y electrodes 30y4 to 30y8 are obtained through the path selection line RLy2 (Step S10). Then, the sensor controller 31 searches for the peak of the obtained reception intensity (Step S11) and determines whether a peak is detected (Step S12).

[0104] When it is determined in Step S12 that no peak is detected, the sensor controller 31 decides not to derive the position of the pen 2 (Step S20) and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined in Step S12 that a peak is detected, the sensor controller 31 determines whether the Y electrode 30y corresponding to the peak is the Y electrode 30y4 (i.e., the second sensor electrode SE2 adjacent to the first sensor electrode SE1) (Steps S13 and S14).

[0105] When it is determined in Steps S13 and S14 that it is the Y electrode 30y4, the sensor controller 31 decides not to derive the position of the pen 2 (Step S20) and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined in Steps S13 and S14 that it is not the Y electrode 30y4, the sensor controller 31 derives the position of the pen by performing the above-described three-point method using the reception intensity of the pen signal obtained in Step S10 (Step S15) and ends the process. In this case, the sensor controller 31 selects the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy2.

[0106] As described above, the process by which the sensor controller 31 selects either the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy1 or the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy2 has been described. By performing this process, the sensor controller 31 can derive the position of the pen 2 in a state where the pen signals PS can be received at the same attenuation amount at the respective positions of the two Y electrodes 30y adjacent to both sides of the Y electrode 30y corresponding to the peak. Therefore, the position of the pen 2 can be derived correctly.

[0107] As described above, in the position detection device 34 according to the present embodiment, since the sensor 30 is configured such that the Y electrodes connected to both ends are at the boundary where the connection position of the path selection line is switched, and the sensor controller 31 is configured to select either one of the path selection lines to derive the position of the pen 2, similar to the second embodiment, even though half of the Y electrodes 30y starting from one side in the Y direction are connected to the path selection line RLy at one end in the X direction and the remaining half of the Y electrodes 30y are connected to the path selection line RLy at the other end in the X direction, the position of the pen 2 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0108] It should be noted that, with reference to Figure 16 and Figure 17 the processing described, the path selection line RLy2 is used to obtain a series of reception intensities only when the position is not derived based on the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy1. However, the sensor controller 31 may use the path selection line RLy2 to obtain a series of reception intensities regardless of whether the position is derived based on the series of reception intensities received using the path selection line RLy1. In this way, after the sensor controller 31 confirms the reception results of the pen signals obtained from both the path selection lines RLy1 and RLy2, a more appropriate one can be used to derive the position of the pen 2.

[0109] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is in no way limited to such embodiments, and the present invention can of course be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist.

[0110] Description of Reference Numerals

[0111] 1 Position detection system

[0112] 2 Pen

[0113] 3 Electronic device

[0114] 3a Touch surface

[0115] 30 Sensor

[0116] 30x, 30x1 to 30x8 X electrodes

[0117] 30y, 30y1 to 30y8 Y electrodes

[0118] 30y4a First sub - electrode

[0119] 30y4b Second sub - electrode

[0120] 31 Sensor controller

[0121] 32 Display

[0122] 33 Host Processor

[0123] 34 Position Detection Device

[0124] 40 Switch

[0125] FL FPC Wiring

[0126] PS Pen Signal

[0127] RLx, RLy, RLy1, RLy2 Path Selection Lines

[0128] SE1 First Sensor Electrode

[0129] SE2 Second Sensor Electrode

[0130] SE3 Third Sensor Electrode

[0131] Tx, Ty Terminals

[0132] US Uplink Signal.

Claims

1. A sensor, comprising: A plurality of sensor electrodes arranged from one end to the other end in a first direction within a touch surface; A plurality of terminals provided for each of the plurality of sensor electrodes and respectively connected to a sensor controller; and A plurality of path selection lines respectively connecting the plurality of sensor electrodes to the corresponding terminals, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or stepwise decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line, The plurality of path selection lines are formed such that the difference in wiring resistance between any two of the plurality of sensor electrodes is smaller than that in the case where the wiring resistance per unit length is constant for each of them.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, The plurality of path selection lines are formed such that the wiring resistance per unit length continuously or stepwise decreases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, Each of the plurality of path selection lines is formed such that the width continuously or stepwise expands according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal.

4. The sensor according to claim 2, Each of the plurality of path selection lines is formed such that the thickness continuously or stepwise increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding terminal.

5. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is formed such that the width continuously or stepwise expands according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line.

6. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is formed such that the thickness continuously or stepwise increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line.

7. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is constituted by a mesh-shaped conductor, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is formed such that the number of intersections per unit length in the mesh-shaped conductor increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line.

8. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is constituted by a mesh-shaped conductor, Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is formed such that the wiring density of the mesh-shaped conductor increases according to the wiring distance from the connection portion with the corresponding path selection line.

9. A sensor, comprising: n sensor electrodes respectively extending in a first direction and arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, where n≥3; and A plurality of path selection lines respectively connecting the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor controller, m of the plurality of sensor electrodes starting from one side in the second direction are connected to the corresponding path selection lines at one end in the first direction, where 1≤m≤n-2, n-m-1 of the plurality of sensor electrodes starting from the other side in the second direction are connected to the corresponding path selection lines at the other end in the first direction, The (m + 1)-th sensor electrode among the plurality of sensor electrodes, starting from one side in the second direction, includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode. The lengths of the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode in the first direction are the same as those of the other sensor electrodes, respectively, but the lengths of the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode in the second direction are shorter than those of the other sensor electrodes, respectively. One end of the first sub-electrode in the first direction is connected to the corresponding path selection line. One end of the second sub-electrode in the first direction is connected to the corresponding path selection line.

10. The sensor according to claim 9, The first sub-electrode extends on a side closer to the second direction than the second sub-electrode.

11. The sensor according to claim 9 or 10, The n sensor electrodes are each composed of a mesh conductor. The wiring density of the mesh conductor forming the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode is higher than the wiring density of the mesh conductor forming the other sensor electrodes.

12. A sensor includes: n sensor electrodes, each extending in a first direction and arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, where n ≥ 3; and A plurality of path selection lines that connect the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor controller, respectively. The n sensor electrodes sequentially include m first sensor electrodes, k second sensor electrodes, and n - m - k third sensor electrodes starting from one side in the second direction, where m ≥ 1, k ≥ 1. The plurality of path selection lines include m + k first path selection lines that connect one end of each of the m first sensor electrodes and the k second sensor electrodes in the first direction to the sensor controller, and n - m second path selection lines that connect the other end of each of the k second sensor electrodes and the n - m - k third sensor electrodes in the first direction to the sensor controller.

13. A sensor controller is a sensor controller used together with the sensor according to claim 12, where Either the m + k first path selection lines or the n - m second path selection lines are selected, and the position of the pen in the second direction is derived based on the reception intensity of the pen signal obtained through the selected one.

14. The sensor controller according to claim 13, It is determined whether the sensor electrode corresponding to the peak of the reception intensity of the pen signal obtained through the m + k first path selection lines is the second sensor electrode adjacent to the third sensor electrode. If a negative result is obtained, the m + k first path selection lines are selected.

15. A position detection device includes: The sensor according to claim 12; The sensor controller according to claim 13 or 14; and Switches, provided corresponding to the k second sensor electrodes. The switches are configured to be able to connect either the first path selection line or the second path selection line to the sensor controller for each of the k second sensor electrodes according to the control of the sensor controller. The sensor controller obtains the reception intensity of the pen signal via one of the m + k first path selection lines and the n - m second path selection lines by controlling the switch.

Images