Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device that does not need an additional sensor for driving and / or sensing a stylus pen.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes a sensor part 100 and a touch controller 200. The sensor part 100 includes many first patterns 101 formed by extending in a first direction with both ends respectively and electrically connected to the touch controller 200, and many third patterns 103 formed by extending in a second direction different from the first direction so as to cross the many first patterns 101 with at least one end of both ends electrically connected to the touch controller 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device capable of sensing both an object such as a finger and a stylus pen that are in close proximity or in contact with the outside, and capable of reducing the number of channels between a sensor unit and a touch controller. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, smart phones and tablet PCs have become increasingly popular, and the development of technology for built-in contact position measuring devices has also progressed vigorously.

[0003] A smartphone or tablet PC is mainly equipped with a touch screen, and a user can specify specific coordinates on the touch screen using a finger or a stylus pen. By specifying specific coordinates on the touch screen, the user can input a specific signal into the smartphone.

[0004] The touch screen can operate based on an electrical method, an infrared method, an ultrasonic method, etc., and an R-type touch screen (resistive touch screen) or a C-type touch screen (capacitive touch screen) can be mentioned as an example of an electrical operation method.

[0005] Up until now, R-type touchscreens have been widely used as they can simultaneously recognize the user's finger and a stylus pen. However, R-type touchscreens have problems due to reflection caused by the air gap between the ITO layers. As a result, C-type touchscreens have recently been widely used. C-type touchscreens operate by detecting the difference in capacitance between transparent electrodes that occurs when an object touches them. However, C-type touchscreens have the disadvantage that it is difficult to physically distinguish between an object such as a finger and a stylus pen, and operation errors may occur due to unintentional contact with the hand when using a stylus pen.

[0006] In order to improve this drawback, a separate software that distinguishes between hands and pens according to the contact area has been used in the past, or a position measuring device that uses an EMR (Electro Magnetic Resonance) method in addition to a C-type touch screen has been used to distinguish between hands and stylus pens. Here, the EMR method has the advantage of being insensitive to display and external noise by using a magnetic field instead of an electric field as a driving force when using a touch function with a stylus pen while touch and display are operating.

[0007] However, in order for the EMR to generate a magnetic field and transmit it to the stylus pen, and to receive the magnetic field generated by the stylus pen again, an additional sensor film made of a separate FPCB must be attached to the lower surface of the display panel.

[0008] The sensor film is also called a digitizer, and when the position of the stylus pen that generates a magnetic field is moved, a separate EMR direct circuit detects the change in the magnetic field that occurs as a result of the interaction.

[0009] Meanwhile, a stylus pen is a pen-shaped device that can input data by lightly touching the screen when dragging or clicking. Users use a stylus pen for precise touch input.

[0010] Stylus pens can be classified into active stylus pens and passive stylus pens depending on whether they have a battery and electronic components inside.

[0011] Recently, inductive resonance (Electro Magnetic Resonance) and capacitive resonance technologies have been proposed to realize a passive stylus pen capable of precise touch recognition.

[0012] The EMR method, which is a type of inductive resonance method, is superior in terms of the quality of writing / drawing, which is the core function of a stylus pen, but has the disadvantage that an electronic device equipped with this method is thick and costs are added because a separate EMR sensor panel and EMR direct circuit must be added in addition to the touch screen.

[0013] The capacitive resonance method is a method that supports touch of a stylus pen without additional configuration or cost by using a general touch sensor and a touch controller. However, according to the capacitive resonance method, even if the resonance frequency and the frequency of the driving signal match, the attenuation of the signal transmission is very large, making it difficult to transmit signals between them.

[0014] In both the inductive resonance method and the capacitive resonance method, the magnitude (amplitude) of the resonance signal must be large in order to more accurately identify the touch by a stylus pen, and it is important that the frequency of the drive signal transmitted to the stylus pen is approximately the same as the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit built into the stylus pen.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating how an output voltage (Vout) of a capacitance to voltage amplifier (CVA) changes depending on the position of a stylus pen 10 on a flexible display panel in a conventional touch input device.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, the reason why the output of the CVA varies depending on the position of the pen 10 on the flexible display panel is that the impedance ratio on both sides of the sensing line centered on the pen 10 changes.

[0017] Based on the long axis of a conventional flexible display panel, the resistance R of a metal mesh touch sensor is about 1.2k (ohm) and the capacitance C is about 250pF.

[0018] Based on the 10 distributed models, at a drive frequency of 300kHz, the impedance of the capacitor is about 200 times larger than the resistor (120 (ohm) vs. 1 / (2π*300k*25pF)=21k (ohm)). Therefore, the capacitor becomes the main element.

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining, through current sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differ depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining, through voltage sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differ depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1.

[0020] 2 and 3, the output voltage of the CVA varies depending on the position of the pen 10 on the sensing line. That is, the closer the pen 10 is to the sensing circuit unit 50, the higher the output voltage of the CVA becomes, and the farther the pen 10 is from the sensing circuit unit 50, the lower the output voltage of the CVA becomes.

[0021] When the screen size of the electronic device becomes large, such as 11 to 16 inches, or when the screen is foldable, the length of the sensor pattern of the sensor unit also becomes long, which causes a problem of increasing the resistance and capacitance of the sensor unit.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a foldable device, which is an example of a conventional electronic device.

[0023] 4, the foldable device has one or more internal screens and one or more external screens. The foldable device includes an internal touch screen 20 for implementing the internal screen, an external touch screen 25 for implementing the external screen, and digitizers 30 and 35 for driving and sensing the stylus pen 10 under the internal / external touch screens 20 and 25.

[0024] The inductive resonance type stylus pen 10, which is a type of passive stylus pen, receives an electromagnetic signal from the digitizers 30, 35, and the resonance signal emitted from the stylus pen 10 is received by the digitizers 30, 35.

[0025] The digitizers 30 and 35 have finely arranged coils in which a current can be induced by an electromagnetic signal to receive the electromagnetic signal from the stylus pen 10. As such, since the foldable device additionally includes the digitizers 30 and 35 for the internal / external touch screens 20 and 25, there is a limit to how small and slim the entire device can be, and there is also a problem that it is difficult to flexibly design the internal structure.

[0026] In addition, since a magnetic field shielding material (not shown) and a copper layer (not shown) of a certain thickness are additionally attached to the lower surface of the digitizers 30 and 35, there is a further limit to reducing the thickness of the entire device.

[0027] In particular, most currently popular foldable smartphones have touch screens 20, 25 on both the outer and inner sides based on the folded shape, but the essential stylus function is supported only by the inner touch screen 20 on the inner side, and not by the outer touch screen 25 on the outer side. The reason for this is that in order to operate the EMR type stylus pen 10, as shown in Fig. 4, digitizers 30, 35 must be attached to the bottom of the inner touch screen 20 and the outer touch screen 25, respectively, which leads to problems such as an increase in the thickness of the entire device and manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0028] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that does not require a separate sensor for driving and / or sensing a stylus pen.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of double routing.

[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of reducing the number of channels between a sensor unit capable of sensing both an object and a stylus pen and a touch controller.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can support a stylus pen function not only on an internal touch screen but also on an external touch screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0032] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit and a touch controller, the sensor unit including a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction, both ends of which are electrically connected to the touch controller, and a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction different from the first direction to intersect with the plurality of first patterns, at least one of both ends of which is electrically connected to the touch controller.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including a sensor unit and a touch controller, the sensor unit including: a plurality of first patterns, each extending in a first direction and having at least one end electrically connected to the touch controller; a plurality of second patterns, each disposed adjacent to the first patterns, each extending in the first direction and having one end electrically connected to each other; a plurality of third patterns, each extending in a second direction different from the first direction to cross the plurality of first patterns, each having at least one end electrically connected to the touch controller; and a plurality of fourth patterns, each disposed adjacent to the third patterns, each extending in the second direction and having one end electrically connected to each other, the plurality of first patterns including some first patterns having one end electrically connected to the touch controller and other some first patterns having the other end electrically connected to the touch controller, the some first patterns and the other some first patterns being alternately arranged one by one along the second direction. Effect of the Invention

[0034] The use of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that a separate sensor for driving and / or sensing a stylus pen is not required.

[0035] Another advantage is that double routing is possible.

[0036] Also, there is an advantage that the number of channels between the sensor unit capable of sensing both the object and the stylus pen and the touch controller can be reduced.

[0037] Also, there is an advantage that the stylus pen function can be supported not only on the internal touch screen but also on the external touch screen. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating how an output voltage (Vout) of a Capacitor Voltage Amplitude (CVA) changes depending on the position of a stylus pen 10 on a flexible display panel in a conventional electronic device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining, through current sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA are different depending on the position of the pen 10 in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining, through voltage sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differ depending on the position of the pen 10 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a problem that occurs when a stylus pen function is implemented on an internal and external screen by applying a conventional EMR pen to a display panel in a conventional electronic device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first mode (or touch sensing mode) for sensing an object by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a second mode (or an uplink mode) in which the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 drives a stylus pen. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a second mode (or an uplink mode) in which the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 drives a stylus pen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third mode (or downlink mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 to sense a stylus pen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 12a] FIG. 12a is a diagram illustrating a modification of the touch controller 200 of the electronic device shown in FIG. [Figure 12b] FIG. 12b is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the differential amplifier unit 250 shown in FIG. 12a. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the sensor unit 100' shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram simply illustrating a modification of the sensor unit 10 shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram simply illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 10' shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram simply illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 10'' shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram simply illustrating yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10'' shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10' shown in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a simplified modification of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 shown in FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram simply illustrating another modified example of the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram simply illustrating yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a simplified structure of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram simply illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a simplified modification of the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing another modified example of the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a conventional landscape type sensor unit. [Diagram 32] FIGS. 32(A) and 32(B) are diagrams for explaining another conventional landscape-type sensor unit. [Diagram 33] 33A and 33B are views illustrating a sensor unit of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 35]FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a stack-up structure of an electronic device according to various embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 34. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram of a foldable device, which is an example of the electronic device described in FIG. 5 to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different from one another, but are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a specific shape, structure, and characteristic described herein may be embodied in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, together with the full scope of equivalents that such claims, if properly interpreted, are to be given. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar features throughout the various aspects.

[0040] The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present document may be an electronic device such as a typical smartphone, or may be an electronic device having a rectangular screen relatively larger than the screen of a typical smartphone, with a diagonal length of between about 10 inches and 13 inches. For example, the electronic device may include at least one of a folder-type smartphone, a tablet personal computer, a display device for a vehicle, an e-book reader, a laptop personal computer, and a netbook computer.

[0041] In addition, electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present invention can not only detect the position of an object such as a finger placed on a screen, but also output a drive signal for driving a stylus pen and detect the position of the stylus pen placed on the screen by sensing a signal emitted from the stylus pen.

[0042] In addition, electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present invention include foldable devices in which at least one screen is foldable, and the foldable devices include not only smartphones but also tablet PCs, notebook PCs, and the like.

[0043] Various embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device according to the first embodiment includes a sensor unit 10 and a touch controller 20, and includes a number of traces that electrically connect between the sensor unit 10 and the touch controller 20 or electrically connect two or more patterns of the sensor unit 10.

[0046] The sensor unit 10 is configured to be capable of sensing an object such as a finger, and to be capable of driving and / or sensing a stylus pen.

[0047] The sensor unit 10 includes a number of patterns (or a number of electrodes).

[0048] The sensor unit 10 may include a number of first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0049] The first pattern 101 has a shape extending along an arbitrary first direction X. The first direction may be a long axis direction of a display screen of an electronic device. The first pattern 101 may also be named TX (first touch electrode or touch drive electrode).

[0050] One end of each of the first patterns 101 is electrically connected to the touch controller 20 via a trace, and the other end of each of the first patterns 101 is electrically floating.

[0051] The second pattern 102 has a shape extending along the first direction X, is disposed adjacent to the first pattern 101, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first pattern 101. The second pattern 102 may also be named STX (Stylus TX, first pen electrode, or pen driving electrode).

[0052] One end of the second pattern 102 is electrically connected to at least one other second pattern via a trace, and the other end is electrically connected to the touch controller 20 via a trace.

[0053] Among the multiple second patterns 102, some of the second patterns may have one end disposed on the left side and the other end disposed on the right side, whereas the remaining second patterns may have one end disposed on the right side and the other end disposed on the left side.

[0054] The third pattern 103 has a shape extending along a second direction Y different from the first direction. The second direction Y may be perpendicular to the first direction X and may be a minor axis direction of a display screen of the electronic device. The third pattern 103 may also be named RX (second touch electrode or touch receiving electrode).

[0055] One end of each of the third patterns 103 is electrically connected to the touch controller 20 via a trace, and the other end of each of the third patterns 103 is electrically floating.

[0056] The fourth pattern 104 has a shape extending along the second direction Y, is disposed adjacent to the third pattern 103, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the third pattern 103. The fourth pattern 104 may also be named SRX (Stylus RX, second pen electrode, or pen receiving electrode).

[0057] One end of each of the fourth patterns 104 may be electrically connected via at least one trace, and the other end may be electrically floating.

[0058] The third and fourth patterns 103, 104 are arranged in the same layer as the first and second patterns 101, 102 or in different layers, and are arranged at a predetermined interval from the first and second patterns 101, 102.

[0059] The multiple first patterns 101 are arranged along a second direction Y, and the multiple second patterns 102 are also arranged along the second direction Y. The multiple third patterns 103 are arranged along a first direction X, and the multiple fourth patterns 104 are also arranged along the first direction X.

[0060] Since the first pattern 101 extends along a first direction X and the third pattern 103 extends along a second direction Y, and the first direction X is shorter than the second direction Y, the number of the multiple first patterns 101 is less than the number of the multiple third patterns 103. Therefore, the number of channels of the multiple first patterns 101 is less than the number of channels of the multiple third patterns 103. Here, the number of the multiple first patterns 101 and the number of the multiple third patterns 103 may be increased or decreased depending on the screen size of the electronic device.

[0061] In a tablet PC, a notebook computer, or a foldable device, which is an example of an electronic device, the number of channels of the third patterns 103 (e.g., 8) is relatively greater than the number of channels of the first patterns 101 (e.g., 5) because the display screen is in a landscape format. Therefore, a number of second patterns 102 for driving and / or sensing a stylus pen must be arranged as many as the number of channels of the first patterns 101 (5). In this case, the overall resistance of the sensor unit 100 increases due to the traces electrically connecting the second patterns 102 and the touch controller 200. As a result, parasitic capacitance may be formed between the traces. For example, in the case of an 11-inch to 16-inch tablet PC, the number of channels of the added second patterns 102 exceeds about 30, and the parasitic capacitance acts as a significant burden on the electronic device.

[0062] With reference to the following drawings, embodiments of an electronic device that can solve such problems will be described in detail.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 100 and a touch controller 200, and includes a number of traces electrically connecting the sensor unit 100 and the touch controller 200.

[0065] The sensor unit 100 includes a number of first patterns 101, a number of third patterns 103, and a number of fourth patterns 104, and the touch controller 200 includes a first circuit unit 210, a second circuit unit 220, a third circuit unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0066] 5, the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 6 omits the second pattern 102, and both ends of the first pattern 101 arranged in a first direction (or long axis direction) are electrically connected to the touch controller 200 via traces. In more detail, one end of the first pattern 101 is connected to the first circuit unit 210 of the touch controller 200 via one trace (or trace pattern), and the other end is connected to the second circuit unit 220 of the touch controller 200 via another trace (trace pattern). Hereinafter, a method in which both ends of each of the multiple first patterns 101 are electrically connected to the touch controller 200 via traces will be referred to as a "double routing method."

[0067] In the sensor unit 100 of FIG. 6, the first pattern 101 may be named a first pattern in a first direction X, the third pattern 103 may be named a first pattern in a second direction Y, and the fourth pattern 104 may be named a second pattern in the second direction Y.

[0068] Of both ends of the third pattern 103 arranged in the second direction (or the short axis direction), one end arranged closer to the touch controller 200 is electrically connected to the touch controller 200 via a trace, and the other end is electrically floating. Here, one end of the third pattern 103 may be connected to the third circuit unit 230 of the touch controller 200.

[0069] Of the two ends of the fourth pattern 104 arranged adjacent to the third pattern 103 and in the second direction (or the short axis direction), one end that is closer to the touch controller 200 is electrically floating, and the other end is electrically connected to the other end of the other third pattern via one or more traces.

[0070] The first circuit unit 210 and the second circuit unit 220 of the touch controller 200 may include a touch driving circuit unit that outputs a touch driving signal, a first driving circuit unit that outputs a first driving signal, a first inverse driving circuit unit that outputs an inverted signal of the first driving signal, a ground circuit unit, and a receiving circuit unit that receives a pen signal. The third circuit unit 230 may include a receiving circuit unit that receives a touch sensing signal or a pen signal.

[0071] The sensor unit 100 of the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can sense an object such as a finger as well as drive and / or sense a stylus pen, even though it does not have a large number of second patterns 102, when compared with the sensor unit 10 of the electronic device shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the number of channels between the sensor unit 100 and the touch controller 200 can also be reduced.

[0072] The electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be a landscape type electronic device. The sensor unit 100 of the landscape type electronic device is configured such that the width in a first direction is greater than the height in a second direction, and the touch controller 200 for controlling the sensor unit 100 is disposed below the sensor unit 100. The landscape type electronic device corresponds to the shape of, for example, a tablet PC or a foldable smartphone.

[0073] The electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, including the sensor unit 100 and the touch controller 200, can detect the position of an object such as a finger placed on the screen of the electronic device, as well as drive a stylus pen that is in close proximity to or in contact with the screen and detect the position of the stylus pen placed on the screen by sensing a signal emitted from the stylus pen, which will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a first mode (or touch sensing mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 to sense an object, FIGS. 8 to 9 are diagrams for explaining a second mode (or uplink mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 to drive a stylus pen, and FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third mode (or downlink mode) for the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 to sense (or detect) a stylus pen.

[0075] The touch controller 200 of an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can sense an object, such as a finger, approaching or touching the sensor unit 100' using a number of first patterns 101 and a number of third patterns 103 of the sensor unit 100'.

[0076] 7, the touch controller 200 may use the first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 100 as touch driving electrodes TX to which a touch driving signal is applied and the third patterns 103 as touch receiving electrodes RX to which a touch receiving signal is output.

[0077] The control unit 240 of the touch controller 200 may control the first circuit unit 210 and the second circuit unit 220 to apply touch driving signals to a plurality of first patterns 101. To this end, each of the first circuit unit 210 and the second circuit unit 220 may be configured to output a touch driving signal in response to a control signal from the control unit 240.

[0078] The control unit 240 allows the first circuit unit 210 to apply touch driving signals to one ends of the multiple first patterns 101, and the second circuit unit 220 to simultaneously apply the touch driving signals to the other ends of the multiple first patterns 101. If the same touch driving signals are applied to both ends of each of the first patterns 101 in this manner, the position of maximum resistance in each of the first patterns 101 may be the center of the corresponding first pattern 101.

[0079] The controller 240 may receive touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns 103. Each of the received touch sensing signals includes information regarding a change in capacitance between the first pattern 101 and the third pattern 103. The controller 240 may determine a position of an object based on the change in capacitance.

[0080] Meanwhile, although not shown in a separate drawing, the controller 240 may control the first pattern 101 and the third pattern 103 to respectively receive touch driving signals and output touch sensing signals from the first pattern 101 and the third pattern 103.

[0081] The touch controller 200 of the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can use a number of first patterns 101 to form a current loop for driving a stylus pen.

[0082] The touch controller 200 can form a current loop in the sensor unit 100 for driving the stylus pen in one of two ways described below with reference to FIGS.

[0083] First, as shown in Fig. 8, the touch controller 200 controls one or more first patterns among a plurality of first patterns 101 to flow a preset current in a first direction X, and simultaneously controls one or more other first patterns to flow the current in a first opposite direction -X, which is the opposite direction of the first direction X. Here, the touch controller 200 may select the one or more first patterns and the one or more other first patterns according to a position where the stylus pen 10 is in proximity or contact. Based on the position of the stylus pen 10, the first pattern arranged on the upper side may become the one or more first patterns, and the first pattern arranged on the lower side may become the one or more other first patterns.

[0084] The control unit 240 controls the first circuit unit 210 to apply a first driving signal to one end of the one or more first patterns among the multiple first patterns 101, and controls the second circuit unit 220 to apply a first inverse driving signal, which is an inverse signal of the first driving signal, to the other end of the one or more first patterns, so that a current in a first direction X flows through the one or more first patterns. Here, the first driving signal may be a pulse waveform signal or a sine waveform signal.

[0085] At the same time, the control unit 240 controls the first circuit unit 210 to apply a first inverse driving signal to one end of the one or more other first patterns among the multiple first patterns 101, and controls the second circuit unit 220 to apply a first driving signal to the other end of the one or more other first patterns, so that a current in the first opposite direction -X flows in the remaining first patterns.

[0086] At least one current loop may be formed around the stylus pen 10 by a current in a first direction X flowing through the part of the first patterns and a current in a first opposite direction -X flowing through the other part of the first patterns. The formed current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field can resonate a resonant circuit unit provided inside the stylus pen 10 to drive the stylus pen 10.

[0087] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 240 controls the first circuit unit 210 so that a first driving signal is applied to one end of the partial first pattern among the multiple first patterns 101, and controls the second circuit unit 220 so that the other end of the partial first pattern is grounded, thereby allowing a current to flow in a first direction X through the partial first pattern.

[0088] At the same time, the control unit 240 controls the first circuit unit 210 to apply a first driving signal to one end of the remaining first pattern among the multiple first patterns 101, and controls the second circuit unit 220 to ground the other end of the remaining first pattern, so that a current in a first opposite direction -X flows in the remaining first pattern.

[0089] At least one current loop may be formed around the stylus pen 10 by a current in a first direction X flowing through the part of the first patterns and a current in a first opposite direction -X flowing through the remaining first patterns. The current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field resonates a resonant circuit unit provided inside the stylus pen 10 to drive the stylus pen 10.

[0090] The touch controller 200 of the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can receive a stylus pen signal (hereinafter referred to as a pen signal) emitted from a stylus pen using a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of third patterns 103, and can determine the position of the stylus pen based on the received pen signal.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10, a number of first patterns 101 and a number of third patterns 103 can be used to sense pen signals.

[0092] The control unit 240 may control the third circuit unit 230 to receive a pen signal from each of the plurality of third patterns 103. The control unit 240 may determine the position of the stylus pen in the first direction X based on the pen signal received by the third circuit unit 230. Here, the reason why the pen signal can be received through the plurality of third patterns 103 is that an induced signal induced in the fourth pattern 104 is transmitted to the third pattern 103 disposed adjacent thereto through capacitive coupling formed between the third pattern 103 and the fourth pattern 104 adjacent to each other.

[0093] In addition, the control unit 240 may control the first circuit unit 210 so that one end of each of the first patterns 101 is electrically grounded, and may control the second circuit unit 220 to receive a pen signal from the other end of each of the first patterns 101. The control unit 240 may determine the position of the stylus pen in the second direction Y based on the pen signal received by the second circuit unit 220.

[0094] In FIG. 10, the first circuit portion 210 is configured to electrically ground one end of the multiple first patterns 101, and the second circuit portion 220 is configured to receive a pen signal from the other end of the multiple first patterns 101, but the configuration may be reversed.

[0095] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the electronic device shown in FIG.

[0096] Compared with the electronic device shown in FIG. 6, both ends of each first pattern 101 of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 11 are electrically connected to each other via conductive traces and then connected to a touch controller 200′.

[0097] The touch controller 200′ may apply touch driving signals to a plurality of first patterns 101 using a single first circuit unit 210, and may receive touch sensing signals from a plurality of third patterns 103 using a third circuit unit 230.

[0098] Meanwhile, although not shown in Fig. 11, a multiplexer (not shown) may be disposed between the sensor unit 100 and the touch controller 200'. The multiplexer (not shown) may include a switch that electrically connects (shorts) or disconnects (opens) both ends of each first pattern 101 according to a control signal. When the switch is turned on by the control signal, both ends of each first pattern 101 may be electrically connected as shown in Fig. 11, and when the switch is turned off by the control signal, both ends of each first pattern 101 may be electrically disconnected from each other.

[0099] FIG. 12a is a diagram illustrating a modification of the touch controller 200 of the electronic device shown in FIG.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 12 a , the touch controller 200 ′ includes a third circuit unit 230 , a control unit 240 and a differential amplifier unit 250 .

[0101] The touch controller 200' shown in FIG. 12a replaces the first circuit unit 210 and the second circuit unit 220 shown in FIG.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 12a, the third circuit unit 230 receives stylus pen signals from a number of third patterns 103, and the control unit 240 can determine the position of the stylus pen in the first direction X based on the signals detected by the third circuit unit 230.

[0103] In addition, the differential amplifier 250 receives a stylus pen signal from both ends of each first pattern 101 and differentially amplifies it, and the control unit 240 can determine the position of the stylus pen in the second direction Y based on the differential signal output from the differential amplifier 250.

[0104] FIG. 12b is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the differential amplifier unit 250 shown in FIG. 12a.

[0105] As shown in Fig. 12b, the differential amplifier unit 250' may include a number of differential amplifiers DP1, DPn, DP1n. A pair of input terminals of the first differential amplifier DP1 is connected to both ends of any one of the first patterns 101-1, and a pair of input terminals of the second differential amplifier DPn is connected to both ends of the other one of the first patterns 101-n. A pair of input terminals of the third differential amplifier DP1n is connected to the output terminal of the first differential amplifier DP1 and the output terminal of the second differential amplifier DPn, respectively. The output terminal of the third differential amplifier DPn1 is connected to the control unit 240 of Fig. 11a.

[0106] Here, another first pattern 101-n may be immediately adjacent to any one of the first patterns 101-1.

[0107] Alternatively, another one of the first patterns 101-n may be disposed at a predetermined distance from any one of the first patterns 101-1. For example, one or more further first patterns (not shown) may be disposed between the other one of the first patterns 101-n and any one of the first patterns 101-1.

[0108] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG.

[0109] The sensor unit 100' shown in Fig. 13 includes the multiple first patterns 101, multiple third patterns 103, and multiple fourth patterns 104 shown in the sensor unit 100 shown in Fig. 6, and further includes uplink channels UC1 and UC2. For reference, in Fig. 13, the multiple first patterns 101, multiple third patterns 103, and multiple fourth patterns 104 are represented by lines, unlike Fig. 6.

[0110] The first patterns 101, the third patterns 103, and the fourth patterns 104 are arranged in an active area AA of a display panel, whereas the uplink channels UC1 and UC2 are arranged in a dead space (or bezel) of the display panel.

[0111] Each of the uplink channels UC1 and UC2 may include an uplink trace arranged in a first direction X, which is the same direction as the multiple first patterns 101, and a pair of connecting traces connecting both ends of the uplink trace to a pad (PAD). Here, the uplink trace and the connecting trace may be integrally configured.

[0112] The uplink trace of the first uplink channel UC1 may be disposed above the multiple first patterns 101, and the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2 may be disposed below the multiple first patterns 101. The multiple first patterns 101 may be disposed between the uplink trace of the first uplink channel UC1 and the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2.

[0113] In the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 6, when the stylus pen 10 approaches or contacts the upper or lower edge region of the active area AA, it is difficult to form a current loop around the stylus pen 10 because there are no separate patterns or traces through which current can flow in the dead space outside the active area AA.

[0114] However, in the sensor unit 100' shown in FIG. 13, additional uplink channels UC1 and UC2 are arranged in the dead space, so that even if the stylus pen approaches or touches the upper edge region or the lower edge region of the active area AA, a predetermined current can be caused to flow through the uplink channels UC1 and UC2, thereby forming a current loop around the stylus pen.

[0115] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the sensor unit 100' shown in FIG.

[0116] The sensor unit 100'' shown in FIG. 14 is different from the sensor unit 100' shown in FIG. 13 in that it has a second uplink channel UC2', but the remaining configurations are the same.

[0117] The uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2' may be formed to be relatively longer than the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2 shown in FIG.

[0118] The uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2' may be formed to be relatively longer than the uplink trace of the first uplink channel UC1.

[0119] The connecting traces of the second uplink channel UC2' may include a portion of parallel traces P' arranged in parallel with the uplink traces of the second uplink channel UC2'. In this case, it is preferable that the portion of parallel traces P' is arranged as far away from the connecting traces of the second uplink channel UC2' as possible. For example, it is preferable that a trace connected to one end of the multiple first patterns 101 is arranged between the uplink traces of the second uplink channel UC2' and the portion of parallel traces P'. The reason for this will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0120] When a predetermined current flows in the second uplink channel UC2 of the sensor unit 100' shown in FIG. 13, the direction of the current flowing in the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2 and the direction of the current flowing in a portion of the parallel trace P of the second uplink channel UC2 are opposite to each other, and the magnetic field for driving the stylus pen may be partially canceled out.

[0121] However, the sensor section 100'' shown in FIG. 14 may minimize magnetic field cancellation because the uplink traces of the second uplink channel UC2' are positioned farther apart relative to some of the parallel traces P'.

[0122] FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 15, an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 100A and a touch controller 200A, and includes a number of traces electrically connecting the sensor unit 100A and the touch controller 200A.

[0124] The sensor unit 100A includes a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of third patterns 103. The sensor unit 100A shown in Fig. 15 is different from the sensor unit 100 shown in Fig. 6 in that the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are omitted and both ends of each of the third patterns 103 are electrically connected to the touch controller 200A via traces. That is, in the sensor unit 100A shown in Fig. 15, not only the plurality of first patterns 101 but also the plurality of third patterns 103 are directly connected to the touch controller 200A in a double routing manner.

[0125] The touch controller 200A may include the first to third circuit units 210, 220, and 230 and the control unit 240, similar to the touch controller 200 shown in FIG.

[0126] The electronic device shown in FIG. 15 is a landscape type electronic device, and the number of third patterns 103 may be greater than the number of first patterns 101.

[0127] The sensor unit 100A and touch controller 200A of the electronic device shown in FIG. 15 can not only detect the position of an object such as a finger placed on the display screen, but also drive a stylus pen that is in close proximity to or in contact with the display screen, and detect the position of the stylus pen placed on the display screen by sensing a signal emitted from the stylus pen.

[0128] Specifically, as mentioned in FIG. 7, the touch controller 200A controls touch driving signals to be applied to both ends of a number of first patterns 101, and receives touch sensing signals through a number of third patterns 103 to determine the position of an object.

[0129] As mentioned in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, the touch controller 200A may control a current in a first direction X to flow through some of the first patterns divided based on the position of the stylus pen, and control a current in a first opposite direction −X to flow through other parts of the first patterns, thereby resonating a resonant circuit unit of the stylus pen.

[0130] As mentioned in FIG 10, the touch controller 200A can receive a pen signal emitted from a stylus pen using the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103, and can determine the position of the stylus pen based on the received pen signal. Here, since the sensor unit 100A shown in FIG 15 does not have the multiple fourth patterns 104, the touch controller 200A can receive a pen signal by controlling both ends of the multiple third patterns 103 to be the same as both ends of the multiple first patterns 101. That is, the sensor unit 100A shown in FIG 15 can directly receive a pen signal through the third pattern 103 without using the capacitive coupling method described in FIG 10.

[0131] Although not shown in a separate drawing, the uplink channels UC1 and UC2 shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 may be directly applied to the sensor unit 100A shown in FIG.

[0132] 15, since each of the first patterns 101 is connected to the touch controller 200A in a double routing manner, when the touch controller 200A operates in the third mode (or the downlink mode) for sensing a pen signal shown in FIG. 10, the pen signal outputted through the first patterns 101 may be directly received by the touch controller 200A. Similarly, since each of the third patterns 103 is connected to the touch controller 200A in a double routing manner, when the touch controller 200A operates in the third mode (or the downlink mode), the pen signal outputted through the third patterns 103 may be directly received by the touch controller 200A.

[0133] FIG. 16 is a diagram simply illustrating a modification of the sensor unit 10 shown in FIG.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 16, the sensor unit 10' includes first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0135] 16, one end (left end) of the first patterns 101 of the half located on the upper side with respect to the second direction Y is connected to a trace 101cl for connection with a touch controller (not shown), and the other end (right end) is floating. And, the other end (right end) of the first patterns 101 of the remaining half located on the lower side with respect to the second direction Y is connected to a trace 101cr for connection with a touch controller (not shown), and one end (left end) is floating.

[0136] 16, the right ends of the upper half of the second patterns 102 in the second direction Y are electrically connected via traces 102cr, and the left ends are floating. The left ends of the lower half of the second patterns 102 in the second direction Y are electrically connected via traces 102cl, and the right ends are floating.

[0137] The lower ends of the multiple third patterns 103 of the sensor unit 10' of FIG. 16 are connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces, and the upper ends are floating.

[0138] The upper ends of the fourth patterns 104 of the sensor unit 10' of Fig. 16 are electrically connected to each other via traces 104c. The lower ends of the fourth patterns 104 may be connected to each other in parallel in pairs to be connected to a touch controller (not shown). This is a difference from the sensor unit 10 of Fig. 5.

[0139] A touch controller (not shown) can operate the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103 in a first mode (touch sensing mode) for sensing an object such as a finger.

[0140] A touch controller (not shown) can operate multiple fourth patterns 104 in a second mode (uplink mode) for driving a stylus pen.

[0141] A touch controller (not shown) may operate in a third mode (downlink mode) for sensing a stylus pen through the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103. In this case, pen signals output from the multiple first patterns 101 may be transferred from the multiple second patterns 102 by capacitive coupling, and pen signals output from the multiple third patterns 103 may be transferred from the multiple fourth patterns 104 by capacitive coupling.

[0142] The sensor unit 10' shown in FIG. 16 has an advantage over the sensor unit 10 shown in FIG. 5 in that the number of channels (or the number of pins) of a touch controller (not shown) can be reduced. This is because the lower ends of the multiple fourth patterns 104 are arranged in pairs. For example, if the number of the first patterns 101 and the second patterns 102 is 35 and the number of the third patterns 103 and the fourth patterns 104 is 42, the touch controller (not shown) requires 35 pins connected to the 35 first patterns 101, 42 pins connected to the 42 third patterns 103, and 21 (=42*1 / 2) pins connected to the 42 fourth patterns 104. That is, the touch controller (not shown) requires a total of 98 pins. On the other hand, in the case of the sensor unit 10 of FIG. 5, since the lower ends of the fourth patterns 104 are not connected in parallel to each other in pairs, the touch controller 20 requires 21 additional pins for the fourth patterns 104.

[0143] Use of the sensor unit 10' shown in FIG. 16 has the advantage that the number of channels of a touch controller (not shown) can be reduced, thereby reducing the size and manufacturing cost of the touch controller (not shown).

[0144] 16, the left ends of some of the first patterns 101 arranged on the upper side with respect to the second direction Y among the multiple first patterns 101 are connected to a touch controller (not shown), and the right ends of the remaining first patterns arranged on the lower side are connected to a touch controller (not shown). With this arrangement, the number of traces arranged in the bezel regions on both sides of the display panel can be reduced.

[0145] Meanwhile, in the sensor unit 10' shown in Fig. 16, the first pattern 101lb arranged at the bottom of the first patterns 101 connected at the left end to a touch controller (not shown) and the first pattern 101ru arranged at the top of the remaining first patterns 101 connected at the right end to a touch controller (not shown) are connected to the traces in opposite directions, not in the same direction. Therefore, when a signal output from the first pattern 101lb arranged at the bottom and a signal output from the first pattern 101ru arranged at the top are made differential with each other in the touch controller (not shown), a problem occurs in which a distortion occurs in the output differential signal. This is also called "half-half distortion". Such half-half distortion may cause a ghost touch that is not intended by the user.

[0146] FIG. 17 is a diagram simply illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 10' shown in FIG.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 17, the sensor unit 10 ″ includes first to fourth patterns 101 , 102 , 103 , and 104 .

[0148] The sensor unit 10'' of FIG. 17 differs from the sensor unit 10' shown in FIG. 16 in that all left ends of the plurality of first patterns 101 are electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces 101cl, and all right ends of the plurality of second patterns 102 are electrically connected via traces 102cr. This difference has the advantage that the above-mentioned half-and-half distortion does not occur even if a touch controller (not shown) differentiates signals outputted via the plurality of first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 10'' of FIG. 17.

[0149] A touch controller (not shown) can operate the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103 in a first mode (touch sensing mode) for sensing an object such as a finger.

[0150] A touch controller (not shown) can operate multiple fourth patterns 104 in a second mode (uplink mode) for driving a stylus pen.

[0151] A touch controller (not shown) may operate in a third mode (downlink mode) for sensing the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103 with a stylus pen. In this case, pen signals output from the multiple first patterns 101 may be transferred from the multiple second patterns 102 by capacitive coupling, and pen signals output from the multiple third patterns 103 may be transferred from the multiple fourth patterns 104 by capacitive coupling.

[0152] The number of channels of a touch controller (not shown) for sensor unit 10'' in FIG. 17 is the same as the number of channels of a touch controller (not shown) for sensor unit 10' in FIG.

[0153] Meanwhile, in the sensor unit 10'' of Fig. 17, since all left ends of the multiple first patterns 101 are connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces 101cl, the number of traces 101cl disposed in the left bezel area may be relatively large, and the bezel may become relatively thick. In addition, since the resistance is relatively increased by the traces 101cl, a problem of narrowing the touch bandwidth may occur.

[0154] FIG. 18 is a diagram simply illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 10'' shown in FIG.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 18, the sensor unit 10''' includes first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0156] The sensor unit 10'' of FIG. 18 differs from the sensor unit 10'' shown in FIG. 17 in that the lower ends of the multiple fourth patterns 104 are not connected in parallel to each other two by two, but are individually connected to a touch controller (not shown).

[0157] The sensor unit 10''' of FIG. 18 can directly use the multiple fourth patterns 104 to sense the pen signal emitted from the stylus pen.

[0158] In the sensor unit 10''' in FIG. 18, similarly to the sensor unit 10'' in FIG. 17, the trace 101cl is connected to the left ends of a number of first patterns 101, and therefore half-and-half distortion does not occur.

[0159] 18 can directly use a plurality of fourth patterns 104 to sense a pen signal emitted from a stylus pen, and therefore does not use capacitive coupling Cc between adjacent third patterns 103 and fourth patterns 104. Therefore, the capacitance value of the sensor unit 10''' is reduced, and the touch bandwidth can be relatively expanded more than that of the sensor unit 10'' of FIG.

[0160] Meanwhile, the number of channels (or the number of pins) of a touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'' of FIG. 18 is greater than the number of channels of a touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'' of FIG. 17. This is because each of the multiple fourth patterns 104 is connected to a touch controller (not shown).

[0161] FIG. 19 is a diagram simply illustrating yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10'' shown in FIG.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 19, the sensor unit 10'''' includes first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0163] The sensor unit 10'''' of FIG. 19 differs from the sensor unit 10'' shown in FIG. 17 in that it employs a double routing scheme in which not only the left ends but also the right ends of the plurality of first patterns 101 are electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces 101cl and 101cr. This difference has the advantage that the touch bandwidth is further expanded compared to the sensor unit 10'' of FIG. 17.

[0164] 17. Similarly, in the sensor unit 10'''' in FIG. 19, half-and-half distortion does not occur, like the sensor unit 10'' in FIG.

[0165] Meanwhile, the number of channels (or pins) of a touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'''' in FIG. 19 is greater than the number of channels of a touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'' in FIG. 17. This is because a number of first patterns 101 are connected to the touch controller (not shown) in a double routing manner.

[0166] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10' shown in FIG.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 20, the sensor unit 10'''' includes first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0168] The sensor unit 10'''''' in FIG. 20 differs from the sensor unit 10' in FIG. 16 in that it has a large number of first patterns 101 and a large number of second patterns 102.

[0169] The first patterns 101 include a portion of the first patterns connected to a trace 101cl' on one side for connection to a touch controller (not shown) and another portion of the first patterns connected to a trace 101cr' on the other side. The portion of the first patterns and the other portion of the first patterns are alternately arranged one by one along the second direction Y.

[0170] The second patterns 102 also include some second patterns connected to the traces 102cl on one side for connection to a touch controller (not shown) and other some second patterns connected to the traces 102cr on the other side. The some second patterns and the other some second patterns are alternately arranged one by one along the second direction Y.

[0171] If the left end of any one of the multiple first patterns 101 is connected to trace 101cl', then any one of the multiple second patterns 102 that is arranged adjacent to any one of the first patterns 101 may have the right end of its two ends connected to trace 102cr.

[0172] The traces 101cl', 101cr' connecting the multiple first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 10'''''' shown in FIG. 20 to the touch controller (not shown) are arranged alternately, once on the left side and once on the right side, along the second direction Y, which has the advantage that the numbers of traces arranged on the left and right sides are the same or similar, thereby maintaining uniformity.

[0173] A touch controller (not shown) can sense a touch of an object such as a finger (first mode), drive a stylus pen (second mode), and sense a pen signal from the stylus pen (third mode) using the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG. 20. Specifically, with reference to Table 1 below, how the touch controller (not shown) drives the sensor unit 10''''' for each mode will be described.

[0174] [Table 1]

[0175] Referring to FIG. 20 and Table 1 together, a touch controller (not shown) can operate the sensor unit 10'''''' in a first mode (Touch).

[0176] As an example of the first mode (Touch), a touch controller (not shown) may apply a touch driving signal to at least one of the multiple first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 10''''' and receive touch sensing signals from the multiple third patterns 103. Here, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate the touch sensing signals received from the multiple third patterns 103.

[0177] As another example of the first mode (Touch), a touch controller (not shown) may apply a touch driving signal to at least one of the multiple third patterns 103 of the sensor unit 10''''' and receive touch sensing signals from the multiple first patterns 101. Here, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate the touch sensing signals received from the multiple first patterns 101. When the touch controller (not shown) differentiates the touch sensing signals, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate touch sensing signals output from an Nth first pattern 101 and an N+2th first pattern 101n from the top of the multiple first patterns 101 to prevent the occurrence of the "half-and-half distortion" mentioned above.

[0178] A touch controller (not shown) can operate the sensor unit 10'''' in a second mode (Stylus / driving). As an example, the touch controller (not shown) can apply a pen driving signal to at least one or more fourth patterns 104 among the multiple fourth patterns 104 of the sensor unit 10''''.

[0179] A touch controller (not shown) can operate the sensor unit 10'''''' in a third mode (Stylus / receive).

[0180] As an example of the third mode (Stylus / reception), a touch controller (not shown) may receive pen sensing signals from a number of first patterns 101 and a number of third patterns 103 of the sensor unit 10'''''. The pen sensing signals output from each of the first patterns 101 are transferred from a second pattern 102 adjacent to the corresponding first pattern 101 via capacitive coupling. The pen sensing signals output from each of the third patterns 103 are transferred from a fourth pattern 104 adjacent to the corresponding third pattern 103 via capacitive coupling. Here, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate the pen sensing signals received from the number of first patterns 101 (or the number of third patterns 103). When the touch controller (not shown) differentiates the pen sensing signals, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate the pen sensing signals output from the Nth first pattern 101 and the N+2th first pattern 101n from the top among the number of first patterns 101 to prevent the occurrence of the "half-and-half distortion" mentioned above.

[0181] As another example of the third mode (Stylus / reception), a touch controller (not shown) may receive pen sensing signals from a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of fourth patterns 104 of the sensor unit 10'''''. The pen sensing signals output from each of the first patterns 101 are transferred from the second pattern 102 adjacent to the corresponding first pattern 101 via capacitive coupling. The pen sensing signals output from the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are signals directly induced from pen signals from an external stylus pen, and are not signals transferred via capacitive coupling. Here, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate the pen sensing signals received from the plurality of first patterns 101 (or the plurality of fourth patterns 104). When the touch controller (not shown) differentiates the pen sensing signals, the touch controller (not shown) may differentiate the pen sensing signals output from the Nth first pattern 101 and the N+2th first pattern (101n) from the top among the plurality of first patterns 101 to prevent the occurrence of the "half-half distortion" mentioned above.

[0182] Although not shown in a separate drawing, when one end that is electrically floating in the plurality of second patterns 102 of the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG. 20 is electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown), the touch controller (not shown) can operate the sensor unit (not shown) in a third mode (Stylus / reception). When operating in the third mode, the controller (not shown) can receive pen sensing signals from the plurality of second patterns (not shown) and the plurality of third patterns 103 of the sensor unit (not shown), and can also receive pen sensing signals from the plurality of second patterns (not shown) and the plurality of fourth patterns 104.

[0183] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a simplified modification of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in FIG.

[0184] As shown in FIG. 21, the sensor unit 10 ″″″ includes first to fourth patterns 101 , 102 , 103 ′, and 104 .

[0185] The sensor portion 10'''''' in FIG. 21 differs from the sensor portion 10'''''' in FIG. 20 in that it has a large number of third patterns 103'.

[0186] Each of the multiple third patterns 103' includes a 3-1 pattern 103-1 and a 3-2 pattern 103-2 arranged adjacent to each other.

[0187] Pattern 3-1 103-1 includes a plurality of main pattern portions 103-1a arranged along second direction Y, and connecting pattern portions 103-1c connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 103-1a among the plurality of main pattern portions 103-1a. Each main pattern portion 103-1a of pattern 3-1 103-1 may have a rectangular, rhombus, or diamond shape and may have an opening therein into which each main pattern portion 103-2a of pattern 3-2 103-2 may be disposed.

[0188] The 3-2 pattern 103-2 includes a plurality of main pattern portions 103-2a arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern portion 103-2c connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 103-2a among the plurality of main pattern portions 103-2a. Each main pattern portion 103-2a of the 3-2 pattern 103-2 may have a square, rhombus, or diamond shape. Each main pattern portion 103-2a of the 3-2 pattern 103-2 may have a shape corresponding to each main pattern portion 103-1a of the 3-1 pattern 103-1.

[0189] Each main pattern portion 103-1a of the 3-1 pattern 103-1 is disposed relatively closer to the first pattern 101 than each main pattern portion 103-2a of the 3-2 pattern 103-2.

[0190] Each of the third patterns 103' includes a 3-1 pattern 103-1 and a 3-2 pattern 103-2, and the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 are connected to a touch controller (not shown). Therefore, the number of pins for the third patterns 103' is doubled in the touch controller (not shown) compared with the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG. 20, but the touch controller (not shown) applies a touch driving signal to the first patterns 101 when driving in a first mode (touch driving mode) and differentiates two touch sensing signals output from the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2, respectively, to cancel display noise acting on the sensor unit 10'''''' and LGM (Low Ground Mass) due to poor ground of the object, thereby improving sensing sensitivity.

[0191] FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 shown in FIG.

[0192] 22, pattern 3-1' includes a plurality of main pattern portions 103-1a', 103-1b' arranged along second direction Y, and a connecting pattern portion 103-1c' connecting adjacent two main pattern portions 103-1a', 103-1b' of main pattern portions 103-1a', 103-1b'. Each of main pattern portions 103-1a', 103-1b' of pattern 3-1' may include a first main pattern portion 103-1a' and a second main pattern portion 103-1b'. First main pattern portion 103-1a' and second main pattern portion 103-1b' may have shapes symmetrical to each other in first direction X. For example, first main pattern portion 103-1a' may have an inverted triangular shape, and second main pattern portion 103-1b' may have an inverted triangular shape. The first main pattern portion 103-1a' and the second main pattern portion 103-1b' may be electrically connected to each other.

[0193] Pattern 3-2' includes a plurality of main pattern portions 103-2a', 103-2b' arranged along second direction Y, and a connecting pattern portion 103-2c' connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 103-2a', 103-2b' among main pattern portions 103-2a', 103-2b'. Each of main pattern portions 103-2a', 103-2b' of pattern 3-2' may include a first main pattern portion 103-2a' and a second main pattern portion 103-2b'. First main pattern portion 103-2a' and second main pattern portion 103-2b' may have shapes symmetrical to each other in first direction X. For example, first main pattern portion 103-2a' may have an inverted triangular shape, and second main pattern portion 103-2b' may have an inverted triangular shape. The first main pattern portion 103-2a' and the second main pattern portion 103-2b' may be electrically connected to each other.

[0194] The main pattern portions 103-1a', 103-1b' of the 3-1 pattern 103-1' and the main pattern portions 103-2a', 103-2b' of the 3-2 pattern 103-2' are alternately arranged in the second direction Y, one by one.

[0195] FIG. 23 is a diagram simply illustrating another modified example of the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 23, the sensor unit 10''''''' includes first to fourth patterns 101', 102, 103, and 104.

[0197] The sensor unit 10'''''''' in FIG. 23 differs from the sensor unit 10'''''' in FIG. 20 in that it has a large number of first patterns 101'.

[0198] Each of the multiple first patterns 101' includes a 1-1 pattern 101-1 and a 1-2 pattern 101-2.

[0199] Pattern 1-1 (101-1) includes a plurality of main pattern portions (101-1a) arranged along first direction (X) and a connecting pattern portion (101-1c) connecting two adjacent main pattern portions (101-1a) among the plurality of main pattern portions (101-1a). Each main pattern portion (101-1a) of pattern 1-1 (101-1) may have a rectangular, rhombus, or diamond shape and may have an opening therein into which each main pattern portion (103-2a) of pattern 1-2 (101-2) may be disposed.

[0200] 1-2 pattern 101-2 includes a plurality of main pattern portions 101-2a arranged along first direction X, and a connecting pattern portion 101-2c connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 101-2a among the plurality of main pattern portions 101-2a. Each main pattern portion 101-2 of 1-2 pattern 101-2 may have a square, rhombus, or diamond shape. Each main pattern portion 101-2a of 1-2 pattern 101-2 may have a shape corresponding to each main pattern portion 101-1a of 1-1 pattern 101-1.

[0201] Each main pattern portion 101-1a of 1-1 pattern 101-1 is disposed relatively closer to third pattern 103 than each main pattern portion 101-2a of 1-2 pattern 101-2.

[0202] Each of the first patterns 101' includes a 1-1 pattern 101-1 and a 1-2 pattern 101-2, and the 1-1 pattern 101-1 and the 1-2 pattern 101-2 are connected to a touch controller (not shown). Therefore, compared with the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG. 20, the number of pins for the first patterns 101' in the touch controller (not shown) is doubled. However, when the touch controller (not shown) applies a touch driving signal to the 1-1 pattern 101-1 and simultaneously applies a touch driving signal with a phase inverted by 180 degrees to the 1-2 pattern 101-2 in the first mode (touch driving mode), it is possible to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of flicker in a display panel including the sensor unit 10''''''''. The flicker refers to the occurrence of flicker in the display panel due to the addition of touch driving signals simultaneously applied to at least two or more first patterns of the first patterns 101 of FIG. 20, which affects the display panel. In the sensor unit 10'''''''' of FIG. 23, two touch driving signals of opposite phases are simultaneously applied to each first pattern 101', so even if the two touch driving signals are added to each other, the sum becomes "0", so there is no effect on the display panel and the flicker phenomenon does not occur.

[0203] Meanwhile, although not shown in a separate drawing, the 1-1 pattern 101-1 and the 1-2 pattern 101-2 of each of the first patterns 101' may have the pattern shape shown in FIG.

[0204] FIG. 24 is a diagram simply illustrating yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10''''' shown in FIG.

[0205] As shown in FIG. 24, the sensor unit 10 ″″″″ includes first to fourth patterns 101 ′, 102, 103 ′, and 104.

[0206] The sensor unit 10'''''''' in FIG. 24 differs from the sensor unit 10'''''' in FIG. 20 in that it has multiple first patterns 101' and third patterns 103'. The multiple first patterns 101' are the same as the multiple first patterns 101' shown in FIG. 23, and the multiple third patterns 103' are the same as the multiple third patterns 103' shown in FIG. 21.

[0207] Although the use of sensor unit 10'''''''' of FIG. 24 has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the number of pins of a touch controller (not shown), the technical effects of sensor units 10'''''', 10'''''''' of FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 can both be achieved. That is, display noise acting on sensor unit 10'''''''' and LGM (Low Ground Mass) due to poor ground of an object can be offset, sensing sensitivity can be improved, and flicker occurrence in a display panel including sensor unit 10'''''''' can be reduced or eliminated.

[0208] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a simplified structure of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG.

[0209] 25, the sensor unit 100 includes a first pattern 101, a third pattern 103, and a fourth pattern 104. Here, the first pattern 101 may be named a first pattern in a first direction X, the third pattern 103 may be named a first pattern in a second direction Y, and the fourth pattern 104 may be named a second pattern in the second direction Y.

[0210] 25 is connected to a touch controller (not shown) in a double routing manner, which has the advantage that the touch bandwidth is expanded and that half-half distortion does not occur.

[0211] 25 may be floating without being electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown). When the touch controller (not shown) drives the sensor unit 100 in a third mode (or a downlink mode) for sensing a pen signal, the touch controller (not shown) may sense the pen signal through the third patterns 103. The pen signals from the third patterns 103 are transferred from the fourth patterns 104 by capacitive coupling. The touch controller (not shown) may also directly receive the pen signals through the first patterns 101.

[0212] At least one fourth pattern 104a of the plurality of fourth patterns 104 of the sensor unit 100 shown in Fig. 25 may be electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controller (not shown) may control the plurality of fourth patterns 104 to be electrically grounded when the sensor unit 100 is operated in a first mode (touch sensing mode). In this way, the influence of the plurality of fourth patterns 104 in the first mode may be minimized.

[0213] On the other hand, when the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 25 uses a plurality of first patterns 101 to drive a stylus pen, the total resistance of the plurality of first patterns 101 and the traces connected thereto is relatively larger than when the double routing method is not used, so that the power consumption in the second mode (uplink mode) is relatively large. However, since all or almost all of the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are not used, there is an advantage that the number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) can be reduced.

[0214] FIG. 26 is a diagram simply illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG.

[0215] As shown in FIG. 26, the sensor unit 100 ′″ includes a first pattern 101 , a third pattern 103 , and a fourth pattern 104 .

[0216] The sensor unit 100'' shown in FIG. 26 differs from the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 25 in that the lower ends of the multiple fourth patterns 104 are connected in parallel, two by two, and the parallel-connected portions are electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown).

[0217] When operating in a first mode (touch sensing mode), a touch controller (not shown) may use a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of third patterns 103. Specifically, the touch controller (not shown) may be configured to apply touch driving signals to the plurality of first patterns 101 and receive touch sensing signals from the plurality of third patterns 103. The touch controller (not shown) may operate in the first mode in the manner described with reference to FIG. 7 or FIG. 11.

[0218] When the touch controller (not shown) operates in the second mode (uplink mode), the plurality of fourth patterns 104 can be used as a pattern for driving a stylus pen. In this case, the overall resistance of the plurality of fourth patterns 104 is relatively reduced as compared to the sensor unit 100 of Fig. 25, since the lower ends of the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are connected in parallel in pairs. Therefore, there is an advantage that the power consumption can be reduced by up to half compared to when the stylus pen is driven using the sensor unit 100 of Fig. 25.

[0219] Also, the touch controller (not shown) may directly receive pen signals via the plurality of first patterns 101, and may also receive pen signals via the plurality of third patterns 103. Here, the pen signals from the plurality of first patterns 101 may be sensed in any one of the manners shown in Figs. 10, 12a, and 12b, and the pen signals from the plurality of third patterns 103 may be transmitted to and sensed from the plurality of fourth patterns 104 via capacitive coupling.

[0220] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a simplified modification of the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 27, the sensor unit 100 ″″ includes a first pattern 101 ′, a third pattern 103 and a fourth pattern 104 .

[0222] The sensor unit 100'''' shown in FIG. 27 differs from the sensor unit 100'''' shown in FIG. 26 in that it has a number of first patterns 101'.

[0223] Each of the multiple first patterns 101' includes a 1-1 pattern 101l and a 1-2 pattern 101r. The 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction X. The 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r are physically separated from each other and configured to form a capacitive coupling between each other.

[0224] One end (left end) of the 1-1 pattern 101l is electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown) via a trace 101cl, and the other end (right end) of the 1-2 pattern 101r is electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown) via a trace 101cr.

[0225] Pattern 1-1 (101l) includes a plurality of main pattern portions (101-1a) arranged along first direction (X) and a connecting pattern portion (101-1c) connecting two adjacent main pattern portions (101-1a) among the plurality of main pattern portions (101-1a). Each main pattern portion (101-1a) of pattern 1-1 (101l) may have a rectangular, rhombus, or diamond shape and may have an opening within which each main pattern portion (101-2a) of pattern 1-2 (101r) may be disposed.

[0226] The 1-2 pattern 101r includes a plurality of main pattern portions 101-2a arranged along the first direction X, and a connecting pattern portion 101-2c connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 101-2a among the plurality of main pattern portions 101-2a. Each main pattern portion 101-2a of the 1-2 pattern 101r may have a rectangular, rhombus, or diamond shape. Each main pattern portion 101-2a of the 1-2 pattern 101r may have a shape corresponding to each main pattern portion 101-1a of the 1-1 pattern 101l.

[0227] Each main pattern portion 101-1a of 1-1 pattern 101l is disposed relatively closer to third pattern 103 than each main pattern portion 101-2a of 1-2 pattern 101r.

[0228] Each of the first patterns 101' includes a 1-1 pattern 101l and a 1-2 pattern 101r, and the 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r are connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces 101cl and 101cr, respectively. Therefore, compared with the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG. 26, the number of pins for the first patterns 101' in the touch controller (not shown) is doubled, but the touch controller (not shown) applies a touch driving signal to the third patterns 103 when driven in the first mode (touch driving mode) and differentiates two touch sensing signals output from the 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r, respectively, to cancel display noise acting on the sensor unit 100'''' and LGM (Low Ground Mass) due to poor ground of the object, thereby improving sensing sensitivity.

[0229] Meanwhile, although not shown in a separate drawing, the 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r of each of the first patterns 101' may have the pattern shape shown in FIG.

[0230] On the other hand, the touch controller (not shown) can operate in a second mode (uplink mode) using a number of fourth patterns 104.

[0231] Also, the touch controller (not shown) may operate in a third mode (downlink mode) using a plurality of first patterns 101' and a plurality of third patterns 103. Here, the touch controller (not shown) may be configured to receive pen signals transferred from the fourth pattern 104 to the third pattern 103 by capacitive coupling via a plurality of third patterns 103. The touch controller (not shown) may be configured to directly receive pen signals induced to a plurality of first patterns 101'.

[0232] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing another modified example of the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG.

[0233] As shown in FIG. 28, the sensor unit 100 ′″″ includes a first pattern 101 , a third pattern 103 ′, and a fourth pattern 104 .

[0234] The sensor unit 100''''' shown in FIG. 28 differs from the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG. 26 in that it has a number of third patterns 103'.

[0235] Each of the multiple third patterns 103' includes a 3-1 pattern 103-1 and a 3-2 pattern 103-2 arranged adjacent to each other.

[0236] Pattern 3-1 103-1 includes a plurality of main pattern portions 103-1a arranged along second direction Y, and connecting pattern portions 103-1c connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 103-1a among the plurality of main pattern portions 103-1a. Each main pattern portion 103-1a of pattern 3-1 103-1 may have a rectangular, rhombus, or diamond shape and may have an opening therein in which each main pattern portion 103-2a of pattern 3-2 103-2 may be disposed.

[0237] The 3-2 pattern 103-2 includes a plurality of main pattern portions 103-2a arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern portion 103-2c connecting two adjacent main pattern portions 103-2a among the plurality of main pattern portions 103-2a. Each main pattern portion 103-2a of the 3-2 pattern 103-2 may have a square, rhombus, or diamond shape. Each main pattern portion 103-2a of the 3-2 pattern 103-2 may have a shape corresponding to each main pattern portion 103-1a of the 3-1 pattern 103-1.

[0238] Each main pattern portion 103-1a of the 3-1 pattern 103-1 is disposed relatively closer to the first pattern 101 than each main pattern portion 103-2a of the 3-2 pattern 103-2.

[0239] Each of the plurality of third patterns 103' includes a 3-1 pattern 103-1 and a 3-2 pattern 103-2, and the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 are respectively connected to a touch controller (not shown). Therefore, compared with the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG. 26, the number of pins for the plurality of first patterns 101' in the touch controller (not shown) is doubled, but when the touch controller (not shown) applies a touch driving signal to the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and simultaneously applies a touch driving signal having a phase inverted by 180 degrees to the 3-2 pattern 103-2 in the first mode (touch driving mode), it is possible to reduce or eliminate flicker generation in a display panel including the sensor unit 100'''''.

[0240] Meanwhile, although not shown in a separate drawing, the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 of each of the third patterns 103' may have the pattern shape shown in FIG.

[0241] FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 100''' shown in FIG.

[0242] As shown in FIG. 29, the sensor unit 100 ″″″ includes a first pattern 101 ′, a third pattern 103 ′, and a fourth pattern 104 .

[0243] The sensor unit 100'''''' in FIG. 29 differs from the sensor unit 100'''' in FIG. 26 in that it has multiple first patterns 101' and multiple third patterns 103'. The multiple first patterns 101' are the same as the multiple first patterns 101' shown in FIG. 27, and the multiple third patterns 103' are the same as the multiple third patterns 103' shown in FIG. 28.

[0244] Although the use of the sensor unit 100'''''' of FIG. 29 has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the number of pins of a touch controller (not shown), the technical effects of the sensor units 100'''', and 100'''''' of FIGs. 27 and 28 may both be achieved. That is, display noise acting on the sensor unit 100'''' and low ground mass (LGM) due to poor grounding of an object, etc., can be offset, sensing sensitivity can be improved, and flicker occurrence in a display panel including the sensor unit 100'''' can be reduced or eliminated.

[0245] FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0246] 30, the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 1500, a display panel 1000, a touch controller 2000, and a display controller 3000.

[0247] The sensor unit 1500 may be included in the display panel 1000 or may be configured separately. The sensor unit 1500 may include any one of the sensor units shown in FIGS.

[0248] The sensor unit 1500 includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes become a plurality of driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, and Tx7, and the plurality of second electrodes become a plurality of receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3.

[0249] The plurality of drive electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, and Tx7 may be a plurality of first patterns 101 shown in Figures 5 to 26, and the plurality of receive electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 may be a plurality of third patterns 103 shown in Figures 5 to 26. Conversely, the plurality of drive electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, and Tx7 may be a plurality of third patterns 103 shown in Figures 5 to 26, and the plurality of receive electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 may be a plurality of first patterns 101 shown in Figures 5 to 26.

[0250] The touch controller 2000 controls the sensor unit 1500. The touch controller 2000 may include any one of the touch controllers shown in Figures 5 to 26. The touch controller 2000 may include a driving and sensing unit 2100 and a control unit 2200.

[0251] The touch controller 2000 can sequentially supply drive signals to the multiple drive electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, and Tx7 of the sensor unit 1500, or can simultaneously supply a predetermined drive signal to at least two or more of the multiple drive electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, and Tx7.

[0252] The touch controller 2000 receives sensing signals output from a plurality of receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 of the sensor unit 1500. The sensing signals may include information on the amount of capacitance change between each receiving electrode and its adjacent driving electrode, an LGM noise signal, a display noise signal, and the like.

[0253] Each of the receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 may be configured as a pair of receiving electrodes. For example, the 0th receiving electrode Rx0 may include a pair of receiving electrodes Rx0a and Rx0b, and the pairs of receiving electrodes Rx0a and Rx0b may be alternately arranged in a large number, and the 0ath receiving electrodes Rx0a may be electrically connected to each other, and the 0bth receiving electrodes Rx0b may be electrically connected to each other.

[0254] The 0ath receiving electrode Rx0a may be arranged to form a dominant mutual capacitance with the 0th drive electrode Tx0, the second drive electrode Tx2, the fourth drive electrode Tx4, and the sixth drive electrode Tx6, and the 0bth receiving electrode Rx0b may be arranged to form a dominant mutual capacitance with the first drive electrode Tx1, the third drive electrode Tx3, the fifth drive electrode Tx5, and the seventh drive electrode Tx7. Meanwhile, the 0ath receiving electrode Rx0a may be arranged to form a relatively insignificant mutual capacitance with the first drive electrode Tx1, the third drive electrode Tx3, the fifth drive electrode Tx5, and the seventh drive electrode Tx7, and the 0bth receiving electrode Rx0b may be arranged to form a relatively insignificant mutual capacitance with the 0th drive electrode Tx0, the second drive electrode Tx2, the fourth drive electrode Tx4, and the sixth drive electrode Tx6.

[0255] The remaining receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 may be configured similarly to the 0th receiving electrode Rx0.

[0256] The touch controller 2000 may perform analog-to-digital conversion on sensing signals output from the plurality of receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3, and output digital sensing signals.

[0257] The touch controller 2000 may output two of the sensing signals output from the plurality of receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 as differential signals and may output the output signals after analog-to-digital conversion. The touch controller 2000 may detect the presence or absence of a touch and / or a touch position based on the output digital signals.

[0258] The touch controller 2000 may include a driving and sensing unit 2100 that applies driving signals to at least one driving electrode Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, and Tx7 of the sensor unit 1500 and receives sensing signals from multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 of the sensor unit 1500, and a control unit 2200 that controls the driving and sensing unit 2100.

[0259] A number of scan lines (or gate lines) and a number of data lines may be arranged on the display panel 1000. Sub-pixels may be located in areas where the scan lines and the data lines intersect.

[0260] The display panel 1000 may include an active area in which a number of sub-pixels are arranged, and a non-active area (dead space or bezel) located outside the active area. The active area may constitute a display screen of an electronic device. The display screen may have a landscape shape in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length. Alternatively, the display screen may have a portrait shape in which the vertical length is longer than the horizontal length.

[0261] The display controller (3000) controls the display panel 1000 and includes a gate driving circuit 3100, a display control unit 3200, and a data driving circuit 3300.

[0262] FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a conventional landscape type sensor unit.

[0263] The sensor unit shown in Fig. 31 is configured to detect only the touch position of an object such as a finger. This sensor unit is configured with a number of first patterns 101 extending in a first direction X, which is a major axis, and a number of third patterns 103 extending in a second direction Y, which is a minor axis. The number of first patterns 101 and the number of third patterns 103 are arranged to cross each other and are configured to be electrically insulated from each other.

[0264] 31, the third patterns 103 function as driving electrodes TX to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the first patterns 101 function as receiving electrodes RX to which a touch sensing signal is output. Each of the first patterns 101 is divided into two with respect to a virtual cutting line CL.

[0265] 31, the plurality of first patterns 101 are configured with a total of 112 pieces. With respect to the cutting line CL as a reference, 56 pieces of the first patterns 101 are arranged on the left side, and 56 pieces of the first patterns 101 are arranged on the right side. And, the plurality of third patterns 103 are configured with a total of 82 pieces. Therefore, the total number of channels (or the number of pins) of the touch controller (not shown) for controlling the sensor unit shown in FIG. 31 is 194 pieces.

[0266] FIGS. 32(A) and 32(B) are diagrams for explaining another conventional landscape-type sensor unit.

[0267] The conventional sensor unit shown in Fig. 32(A) can sense the position of an object such as a finger, as well as drive a stylus pen and sense the position of the stylus pen. For this purpose, the conventional sensor unit shown in Fig. 32(A) further includes a second pattern 102 and a fourth pattern 104 in addition to the sensor unit shown in Fig. 31. Also, for noise removal, each third pattern 103 functioning as a receiving electrode RX is composed of a pair of electrodes 103a, 103b arranged alternately in a large number along the second direction Y as shown in Fig. 30.

[0268] 32A is different from the conventional sensor unit shown in FIG 31 in that a plurality of second patterns 102 and a plurality of fourth patterns 104 are further added and each third pattern 103 is composed of a pair of electrodes 103a, 103b, so that the total number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) is 358, which is the sum of the number of first patterns 101 (56) arranged on the left side of the cutting line CL, the number of first patterns (56) arranged on the right side of the cutting line CL, the number of third patterns 103 (164), and the number of fourth patterns 104 (82). Here, the number of second patterns 102 are excluded from the number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) because they are not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown).

[0269] Compared to the sensor unit shown in FIG. 32(A), the sensor unit shown in FIG. 32(B) has a plurality of first patterns 101 functioning as receiving electrodes RX and a plurality of third patterns 103 functioning as driving electrodes TX, and each first pattern 101 is composed of a pair of electrodes 101a, 101b arranged alternately in a plurality of places along the first direction X.

[0270] Compared to the conventional sensor unit shown in FIG. 32(A), the conventional sensor unit shown in FIG. 32(B) has a first pattern 101 that is composed of a pair of electrodes 101a, 101b arranged alternately in a large number along the first direction X, so that the total number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) is 388.

[0271] Comparing FIG. 32(A) with FIG. 32(B), due to the characteristics of the landscape shape, a touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit of FIG. 32(B) requires a relatively larger number of channels.

[0272] 33A and 33B are views illustrating a sensor unit of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0273] The sensor unit shown in (A) of FIG. 33 is a sensor unit shown in FIG. 6 connected to a touch controller (not shown) in a double routing manner of a plurality of first patterns 101, in which each third pattern 103 is composed of a pair of electrodes 103a, 103b arranged alternately in a plurality of places along the second direction Y, as shown in FIG. 30.

[0274] The number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Fig. 33(A) is 276. Here, the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown). Compared with the conventional touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Fig. 32(A), the plurality of first patterns 101 connected in a double routing manner also function in the second mode for driving the stylus pen, which is advantageous in that the number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) can be relatively further reduced by about 22%.

[0275] The sensor unit shown in FIG. 33(B) is the sensor unit shown in FIG. 6, in which each first pattern 101 is composed of a pair of electrodes 101a, 101b arranged alternately in large numbers along the first direction X, as shown in FIG.

[0276] The number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Fig. 33(B) is 306. Here, the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown). Compared with the conventional touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Fig. 32(B), the plurality of first patterns 101 connected in a double routing manner also function in the second mode for driving the stylus pen, which is advantageous in that the number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) can be relatively further reduced by about 22%.

[0277] If the size of the display screen of the electronic device having the sensor unit shown in Fig. 32 and Fig. 33 is the size of a typical smartphone screen, for example, 6.9 inches, there is no particular problem, but if the size of the display screen is increased to 11 inches to 16 inches, such as in a tablet PC or a foldable device, the lengths of the first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the sensor unit shown in Fig. 32 also increase, so that the overall resistance and capacitance value of the sensor unit increases. The increase in resistance and capacitance value narrows the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal applied to the touch driving electrode TX and the pen driving signal applied to the stylus pen driving electrode STX, so that a problem of not being able to obtain the operating frequency bandwidth required at the time of design may occur.

[0278] On the other hand, in the case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 33, since there is no dedicated channel for the pen driving electrode STX, it is possible to reduce the resistance and capacitance values, and it is possible to expand the operating frequency bandwidth required for the design.

[0279] FIG. 34 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0280] The electronic device shown in FIG. 34 has the following differences compared to the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

[0281] In the sensor unit 1500 shown in FIG. 30, the multiple first electrodes become multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, Tx7, and the multiple second electrodes become multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, whereas in the sensor unit 1500' shown in FIG. 34, the multiple first electrodes become multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, Rx7, and the multiple second electrodes become multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3.

[0282] The plurality of driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, and Tx3 may be a plurality of first patterns 101 shown in Figures 5 to 26 and 33, and the plurality of receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, and Rx7 may be a plurality of third patterns 103 shown in Figures 5 to 26 and 33. Conversely, the plurality of driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, and Tx3 may be a plurality of third patterns 103 shown in Figures 5 to 26 and 33, and the plurality of receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, and Rx7 may be a plurality of first patterns 101 shown in Figures 5 to 26 and 33.

[0283] It may be determined under the control of the control unit 2200 whether the first electrodes become a plurality of driving electrodes as shown in FIG. 30 or a plurality of receiving electrodes as shown in FIG.

[0284] In the control unit 2200, when a driving signal is applied to a plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes can become a plurality of driving electrodes, and when a driving signal is applied to a plurality of second electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes can become a plurality of receiving electrodes.

[0285] The multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, and Tx3 and the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, and Rx7 may be arranged to cross each other. Each of the driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, and Tx3 may extend in a second axis direction, and each of the receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, and Rx7 may extend in a first axis direction different from the first axis direction. Here, the first axis direction may be perpendicular to the second axis direction.

[0286] Some of the driving electrodes Tx0a, Tx1a, Tx2a, Tx3a, ... among the multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3 may be arranged so that a mutual capacitance Cm is formed with some of the even-numbered receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, ... among the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx2, Rx4, Rx6, ..., and the remaining driving electrodes Tx0b, Tx1b, Tx2b, Tx3b, ... among the multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3 may be arranged so that a mutual capacitance Cm is formed with the remaining odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, ... among the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, ....

[0287] Some of the multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, such as driving electrodes Tx0a, Tx1a, Tx2a, Tx3a, ..., may be arranged so as to be immediately adjacent to some of the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, ... that are even-numbered, and may be arranged so as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from the remaining odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, ..., without being immediately adjacent to them.

[0288] Here, at least one other electrode may be disposed between some of the driving electrodes Tx0a, Tx1a, Tx2a, Tx3a, ... and the remaining odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, .... The other electrodes may be some of the even-numbered receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx2, Rx4, Rx6, ....

[0289] The remaining driving electrodes Tx0b, Tx1b, Tx2b, Tx3b, ... among the multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3 may be arranged immediately adjacent to the remaining odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, ... among the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, ..., and may be arranged a predetermined distance apart from some of the even-numbered receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx2, Rx4, Rx6, ... without being immediately adjacent to them.

[0290] Here, at least one other electrode may be disposed between the remaining driving electrodes Tx0b, Tx1b, Tx2b, Tx3b, ... and some of the even-numbered receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx2, Rx4, Rx6, .... The other electrodes may be the remaining odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, ....

[0291] The drive signals applied to the remaining drive electrodes Tx0b, Tx1b, Tx2b, Tx3b, . . . may be inverted drive signals in which only the phase is inverted by 180 degrees from the drive signals applied to some of the drive electrodes Tx0a, Tx1a, Tx2a, Tx3a, .

[0292] For example, in a pair of drive electrodes Tx0a, Tx0b of the 0th drive electrode Tx0, the drive signal applied to Tx0b is an inverted drive signal obtained by inverting the drive signal applied to Tx0a.

[0293] 34 is capable of multi-driving by simultaneously applying driving signals to all driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, ... of the sensor unit 1500', and has the advantage that such multi-driving does not cause a flicker problem in the display panel. In addition, since all driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, ... are multi-driven, the driving time for performing mutual sensing can be reduced. Furthermore, the turn-on time of the analog front end (AFE) can be reduced, so that power consumption can be further reduced.

[0294] FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a stack-up structure of an electronic device according to various embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 34. As shown in FIG.

[0295] The electronic device may include a cover layer 310 , a sensor portion 320 , a display portion 330 , a magnetic field shielding layer 340 , and a conductive layer 350 .

[0296] The cover layer 310 is disposed on the display unit 330 and is made of a transparent material, so that the tip of a stylus pen can directly contact the surface (or touch surface) of the cover layer 310 .

[0297] The display unit 330 is disposed under the cover layer 310 and visually presents predetermined information in response to control by a display controller (not shown). For example, the display unit 330 may be a flexible LCD module or a flexible OLED module.

[0298] A sensor unit 320 capable of sensing a finger as well as driving and / or sensing a stylus pen may be disposed between the cover layer 310 and the display unit 330. The sensor unit 320 may include at least one of the sensor units described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 34.

[0299] The magnetic field shielding layer 340 can block the magnetic field so that other electronic components inside the electronic device are not affected by the magnetic field, and can also diffuse heat emitted from the electronic components and block electromagnetic waves (EMI) from the electronic components.

[0300] The conductive layer 350 may be a metal, such as copper or aluminum, or may be an alloy made by adding at least one metal to other metallic or non-metallic elements. The conductive layer 350 may have an electrical ground potential.

[0301] FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram of a foldable device, which is an example of the electronic device described in FIG. 5 to FIG.

[0302] The foldable device includes an internal touch screen 200 and an external touch screen 250.

[0303] As described above, since the electronic devices shown in Figures 5 to 35 can drive and / or sense not only objects such as a finger but also a stylus pen with a sensor unit, the foldable device as an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention does not require the digitizer described in Figure 4. Therefore, it is not necessary for a digitizer to be attached to the bottom of each of the internal touch screen 200 and the external touch screen 250, and an increase in the overall thickness and manufacturing costs of the foldable device can be prevented.

[0304] In addition, the stylus pen function can be supported not only on the internal touch screen but also on the external touch screen.

[0305] In addition, by connecting the first pattern to the touch controller using a double routing method, the connection conditions of the sensor, such as drive, reception, grounding, and floating, during object touch and stylus touch, can be flexibly controlled according to the user's requirements.

[0306] In addition, switching via a multiplexer in the touch controller is no longer necessary, preventing current loss due to the resistance of the multiplexer itself and simplifying the configuration of the electronic device.

[0307] In addition, in the case of tablet PCs or foldable devices with large screen sizes, the number of touch drive trace channels is reduced as an additional stylus detection sensor is not required, and the number of channels is significantly reduced compared to conventional finger touch and stylus touch screens, making it possible to significantly reduce the thickness of the width-wise bezel of the electronic device.

[0308] In addition, since an additional stylus detection sensor is not required, stylus functionality is possible on both the internal and external touch screens of the foldable device without increasing the thickness of the display panel and increasing manufacturing costs.

[0309] In the above, the features, structures, effects, etc. described in the embodiments are included in one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. exemplified in each embodiment can be combined or modified in other embodiments by a person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the embodiment belongs. Therefore, the contents related to such combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0310] In addition, although the above description focuses on the embodiment, this is merely an example and does not limit the present invention. A person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention belongs will understand that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. For example, each component specifically illustrated in the embodiment can be modified and implemented. The differences related to such modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sensor unit and a touch controller are included. The sensor unit includes: A plurality of first patterns are formed to extend in a first direction, and both ends of the first patterns are electrically connected to the touch controller; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction different from the first direction to cross the plurality of first patterns, at least one end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller; 2. An electronic device comprising:

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein both ends of the third patterns are electrically coupled to the touch controller, respectively.

3. The sensor unit includes:

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fourth patterns, each arranged adjacent to the third pattern, extending in the second direction, one end of each of which is electrically connected to the touch controller or is floating, and the other ends of each of which are electrically connected to each other.

4. 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein one end of at least one of the fourth patterns is electrically connected to the touch controller, and one end of the remaining fourth patterns is electrically floating.

5. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein one ends of the fourth patterns are connected in parallel in pairs to be electrically connected to the touch controller.

6. the sensor unit further includes a plurality of second patterns disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of first patterns, The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein one ends of the second patterns are electrically floating, and other ends of the second patterns are electrically connected to each other.

7. Each of the multiple first patterns includes: a first pattern, one end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller; The electronic device of claim 3 , further comprising: a first-2 pattern disposed adjacent to the first-1 pattern, the other end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller.

8. Each of the multiple third patterns comprises: A third pattern, one end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller; The electronic device of claim 3 , further comprising: a 3-2 pattern disposed adjacent to the 3-1 pattern, one end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller.

9. A sensor unit and a touch controller are included. The sensor unit includes: A plurality of first patterns are formed to extend in a first direction, and at least one end of the first patterns is electrically connected to the touch controller; a plurality of second patterns disposed adjacent to each of the first patterns, extending in the first direction, and having one end electrically connected to each other; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction different from the first direction to cross the plurality of first patterns, at least one end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller; a plurality of fourth patterns disposed adjacent to each of the third patterns, extending in the second direction, and having one end electrically connected to each other; the first patterns include a portion of the first patterns, one end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller, and another portion of the first patterns, the other end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller; The electronic device, wherein the portion of the first patterns and the other portion of the first patterns are arranged alternately one by one along the second direction.

10. the plurality of second patterns include a portion of second patterns having one end electrically connected to one another and another portion of second patterns having the other end electrically connected to one another, The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the part of the second patterns and the other part of the second patterns are arranged alternately one by one along the second direction.

11. Each of the multiple third patterns comprises: Pattern 3-1 and A 3-2 pattern disposed adjacent to the 3-1 pattern, The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the 3-1 pattern is disposed closer to the first pattern than the 3-2 pattern.

12. Each of the multiple first patterns includes: Pattern 1-1 and A 1-2 pattern disposed adjacent to the 1-1 pattern, The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the 1-1 pattern is disposed closer to the 3rd pattern than the 1-2 pattern.

13. a display panel on which the sensor unit is arranged, the display panel includes an active area in which the first patterns and the third patterns are disposed, and a dead space outside the active area; The sensor unit further includes at least one uplink channel disposed in the dead space, The uplink channel includes an uplink trace extending in the first direction, and a connection trace connecting the uplink trace to the touch controller.

13. An electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. the uplink channels include a first uplink channel and a second uplink channel; The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the multiple first patterns are disposed between the first uplink channel and the second uplink channel.

15. the connecting traces include a portion of a parallel trace arranged in parallel with the uplink traces; The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein a number of traces coupled to one end of the number of first patterns are disposed between the uplink traces and the parallel traces.

16. The touch controller is configured to control the sensor unit to operate in one of a number of modes; The multiple modes include: an uplink mode in which a current is controlled to flow in the first direction through some of the first patterns among the multiple first patterns, and a current is controlled to flow in a direction opposite to the first direction through other first patterns; a downlink mode for controlling to receive a stylus pen signal from the multiple first patterns and the multiple third patterns; 9. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising:

17. In the uplink mode, the touch controller: A pen driving signal is applied to one end of the first pattern, and an inverse pen driving signal is applied to the other end of the first pattern, or the other end of the first pattern is grounded; The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising: a control circuit for controlling the inverse pen driving signal to be applied to one end of the other portion of the first pattern; a control circuit for controlling the one end of the other portion of the first pattern to be grounded; and a control circuit for controlling the pen driving signal to be applied to the other end of the other portion of the first pattern.

18. The touch controller comprises: a first circuit unit including a driving circuit connected to one end of the first patterns and outputting a pen driving signal, an inverse driving circuit outputting an inverse pen driving signal, and a ground circuit; a second circuit unit connected to the other ends of the first patterns and including a driving circuit for outputting a pen driving signal, an inverse driving circuit for outputting an inverse pen driving signal, and a receiving circuit for receiving a stylus pen signal; a third circuit unit including a receiving circuit connected to one end of the third patterns and configured to receive a stylus pen signal; 9. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to control the first, second and third circuit units.

19. The touch controller comprises: a differential amplifier connected to both ends of the first patterns; a circuit unit including a receiving circuit connected to one end of the third patterns and configured to receive a stylus pen signal; 9. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising:

20. The touch controller is configured to control the sensor unit to operate in one of a number of modes; The multiple modes include a touch sensing mode and a pen signal sensing mode; the touch sensing mode, the touch controller controls the touch controller to apply touch driving signals to the third patterns and receives touch sensing signals from the first patterns; the pen signal sensing mode, in which the touch controller receives pen signals from the first patterns and the third patterns; the touch controller is configured to differentially output two signals output from an Nth (where N is a natural number)-th first pattern and an N+2th first pattern from the top along the second direction among the multiple first patterns; 13. An electronic device according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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