Electronic device
The electronic device addresses the challenge of improved visibility and sensing performance by employing a dual-layer structure with a sophisticated sensor layer connected to a differential amplifier, resulting in enhanced user input detection and reduced bezel width.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024206342
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-28
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing electronic devices struggle with improved visibility and enhanced sensing performance of input sensors, particularly in multimedia devices that require intuitive and convenient input methods.
The electronic device incorporates a dual-layer structure with a display layer and a sensor layer. The sensor layer includes row and column sensing electrodes, trace lines, and bridge electrodes, connected to a differential amplifier via a sensor driving unit, to enhance sensing performance.
This configuration provides improved visibility and enhanced sensing performance, allowing for accurate detection of user inputs and reduced bezel width, thereby improving the overall user experience.
Smart Images

Figure 2025086897000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device with improved visibility.
Background Art
[0002] Multimedia electronic devices such as televisions, mobile phones, tablet computers, navigation systems, game consoles, vehicle displays, etc. can display images and provide a touch-based input method that allows users to intuitively and conveniently input information or commands in addition to ordinary input methods such as buttons, keyboards, and mice.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with improved visibility and improved sensing performance of an input sensor.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display layer in which a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area are defined, and a sensor layer in which a sensing area corresponding to the display area and a non-sensing area adjacent to the sensing area are defined.
[0006] The sensor layer includes a plurality of row sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing region and including a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes arranged along a first direction, a plurality of first trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of row sensing electrodes and overlapping the sensing region, a plurality of column sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing region and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of second trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of column sensing electrodes, and bridge electrodes connecting a first and a second sub-sensing electrodes spaced apart in the first direction among the plurality of sub-sensing electrodes to each other.
[0007] Each of the plurality of column sensing electrodes extends in the second direction and includes an opening provided to overlap one of the plurality of first trace lines.
[0008] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display layer in which a display region and a non-display region adjacent to the display region are defined, a sensor layer in which a sensing region corresponding to the display region and a non-sensing region adjacent to the sensing region are defined, and a sensor driving unit connected to the sensor layer and including a differential amplifier.
[0009] The sensor layer includes a first segment sensing electrode disposed in the sensing region, a second segment sensing electrode disposed in the sensing region and alternately arranged with the first segment sensing electrode in the first direction, a plurality of first segment trace lines overlapping the sensing region and connecting the first segment sensing electrode to a first terminal of the differential amplifier, a plurality of second segment trace lines overlapping the sensing region and connecting the second segment sensing electrode to a second terminal of the differential amplifier, a plurality of column sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing region and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of second trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of column sensing electrodes.
[0010] Among the plurality of column sensing electrodes, the first column sensing electrode extends in the second direction and includes a first opening provided to overlap with one of the first segment trace lines among the first segment trace lines. Among the plurality of column sensing electrodes, the second column sensing electrode extends in the second direction and includes a second opening provided to overlap with one of the second segment trace lines among the second segment trace lines.
Advantages of the Invention
[0011] According to the above, an electronic device with improved visibility and enhanced sensing performance of the input sensor can be provided.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0012]
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In this specification, when a predetermined component (or region, layer, portion, etc.) is described as being "on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another component, it means that it can be directly disposed / connected / coupled on the other component, or a third component can also be disposed therebetween.
[0014] The same reference numerals denote the same components. Also, in the drawings, the thickness, ratio, and dimensions of the components are exaggerated for efficient explanation of the technical content. "And / or" includes all one or more combinations that can be defined by the related components.
[0015] The terms "first", "second", etc. can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component can be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component can be referred to as the first component. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0016] Also, terms such as "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. are used to explain the association relationship of the components illustrated in the drawings. These terms are relative concepts and are explained based on the directions shown in the drawings.
[0017] Terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and it should be understood that they do not pre-exclude the existence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.
[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Also, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and here, unless explicitly defined, they should not be interpreted as being overly ideal or having an overly formal meaning.
[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device ELD according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device ELD can be a device that is activated (activated) in response to an electrical signal. For example, the electronic device ELD can be a mobile phone, a foldable mobile phone, a notebook computer, a television, a tablet, a car navigation system, a game console, or a wearable device, but is not limited thereto. In FIG. 1, the electronic device ELD is illustratively shown as a tablet.
[0022] The electronic device ELD can display an image and sense an input applied from the outside. The external input can be a user input. The user input can include various forms of external inputs such as a part US_F of the user's body, a pen PN, light, heat, or pressure. The user input can include all inputs that can change the capacitance of the input sensor.
[0023] An active area AA and a peripheral area NAA can be defined in the electronic device ELD. The electronic device ELD can display an image through the active area AA. The active area AA can include a surface defined by a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2. The peripheral area NAA can surround the periphery of the active area AA. In one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral area NAA may be omitted.
[0024] The thickness direction of the electronic device ELD can be parallel to a third direction DR3 that intersects the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. Therefore, the front surface (or, upper surface) and the back surface (or, lower surface) of the members constituting the electronic device ELD can be defined with reference to the third direction DR3.
[0025] In FIG. 1, a bar-type electronic device ELD having a certain shape, for example, is illustratively shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the aspects described below can be applied to various electronic devices ELD such as foldable electronic devices, rollable electronic devices, or slidable electronic devices with deformable shapes.
[0026] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are cross-sectional views of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2A, the electronic device ELD can include a display module DM and a window WM. The display module DM generates an image and senses an external input. The display module DM can include a display panel DP and an input sensor ISP. In this specification, the display panel DP can be referred to as a "display layer", and the input sensor ISP can be referred to as a "sensor layer".
[0028] The display panel DP includes a display area and a non-display area corresponding to the active area AA (see FIG. 1) and the peripheral area NAA (see FIG. 1) of the electronic device ELD, respectively.
[0029] The display panel DP is not particularly limited and can be, for example, a light-emitting display panel such as an organic light emitting display panel or an inorganic light emitting display panel.
[0030] The input sensor ISP can be directly disposed on the display panel DP. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the input sensor ISP can be formed on the display panel DP by a continuous process. That is, when the input sensor ISP is directly disposed on the display panel DP, an internal adhesive layer IAL is not disposed between the input sensor ISP and the display panel DP. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, an internal adhesive layer IAL can be disposed between the input sensor ISP and the display panel DP. In this case, the input sensor ISP is not manufactured by a continuous process with the display panel DP, and after being manufactured through a separate process from the display panel DP, it can be fixed to the upper surface of the display panel DP by the internal adhesive layer IAL.
[0031] The electronic device ELD can further include an optical member disposed on the display module DM. The optical member can be an antireflection layer capable of reducing the external light reflectance. The optical member can include a polarizer and a retarder. The polarizer and the retarder can be of a stretched type or a coating type. For a coating type optical film, an optical axis is defined along the stretching direction of the functional film. The coating type optical film can include liquid crystal molecules arranged on a base film.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical member can be omitted. At this time, the display module DM can further include a color filter and a black matrix that replace the optical member. The color filter and the black matrix can be directly disposed on the upper surface of the input sensor ISP through a continuous process. The upper surface of the input sensor ISP can be provided by an insulating layer disposed on the uppermost side of the input sensor ISP.
[0033] The window WM provides the outer surface of the electronic device ELD. The window WM includes a base substrate and can further include functional layers such as an antireflection layer and an antiglare layer.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display module DM can further include at least one adhesive layer ADL. The adhesive layer ADL can bond the components of the display module DM. The adhesive layer ADL can be an optically clear adhesive layer or a vacuum adhesive layer. For example, the window WM and the display module DM can be bonded by the adhesive layer ADL. However, the adhesive layer ADL can be omitted by forming the window WM continuously laminated on the display module DM.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the window WM can include a light-shielding pattern WBM for defining a peripheral area NAA (see FIG. 1). The light-shielding pattern WBM can be formed, for example, by a coating method as a colored organic film on one surface of the window base layer WM-BS.
[0036] FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D are cross-sectional views of a display module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 2C, the display module DM can include a display panel DP and an input sensor ISP. The display panel DP can include a base layer BL, a circuit element layer DP-CL disposed on the base layer BL, a display element layer DP-ED, a sealing substrate ES, and a sealant SM that bonds the base layer BL and the sealing substrate ES. The input sensor ISP can be disposed directly on the sealing substrate ES.
[0038] The base layer BL can include at least one plastic film. The base layer BL can include a plastic substrate, a glass substrate, a metal substrate, or an organic / inorganic composite material substrate, etc. In this embodiment, the base layer BL can be a thin film glass substrate having a thickness of several tens to several hundreds of μm. The base layer BL can have a multilayer structure. For example, it can include an organic layer (e.g., a polyimide layer) / at least one inorganic layer / an organic layer (e.g., a polyimide layer).
[0039] The circuit element layer DP-CL includes at least one insulating layer and circuit elements. The insulating layer includes at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. The circuit elements include signal lines, pixel circuits, etc. A detailed description thereof will be given later.
[0040] The display element layer DP-ED includes at least light-emitting elements. The display element layer DP-ED can further include an organic layer such as a pixel defining film.
[0041] The sealing substrate ES can be separated from the display element layer DP-ED via a predetermined gap GP. The base layer BL and the sealing substrate ES can include a plastic substrate, a glass substrate, a metal substrate, or an organic / inorganic composite material substrate, etc. The sealant SM can include an organic adhesive or frit, etc. The gap GP may be filled with a predetermined substance. A moisture absorbent or a resinous substance can be filled in the gap GP.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2D, the display panel DP includes a base layer BL, a circuit element layer DP-CL disposed on the base layer BL, a display element layer DP-ED, and an upper protection layer TFL. The upper protection layer TFL includes a plurality of thin films. The upper protection layer TFL can include a capping layer for protecting the light-emitting element. The upper protection layer TFL can further include a sealing layer including at least an inorganic layer / an organic layer / an inorganic layer. The sealing layer can be disposed on the capping layer. The input sensor ISP can be directly disposed on the upper protection layer TFL.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device ELD can include a display panel DP, an input sensor ISP, a display driving unit 100C, a sensor driving unit 200C, a main driving unit 1000C, and a power supply circuit 1000P.
[0045] The input sensor ISP can sense a first input 2000 or a second input 3000 applied from the outside. Each of the first input 2000 and the second input 3000 can be an input means that provides a change in the capacitance of the input sensor ISP, or an input means that can cause an induced current in the input sensor ISP. For example, the first input 2000 can be a passive type of input means such as a user's body. The second input 3000 can be an input by a pen PN or an input by an RFIC tag. For example, the pen PN can be a passive type of pen or an active type of pen.
[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pen PN can be a device that generates a magnetic field having a predetermined resonance frequency. The pen PN can be configured to transmit an output signal based on an electromagnetic resonance method. The pen PN can be referred to as an input device, an input pen, a magnetic pen, a stylus pen, or an electromagnetic resonance type pen.
[0047] The pen PN can include an RLC resonance circuit, and the RLC resonance circuit can include an inductor L and a capacitor C. In one embodiment of the present invention, the RLC resonance circuit can be a variable resonance circuit that varies the resonance frequency. In this case, the inductor L can be a variable inductor and / or the capacitor C can be a variable capacitor, but it is not particularly limited thereto.
[0048] The inductor L generates a current by a magnetic field formed by the input sensor ISP. However, it is not particularly limited thereto. For example, when the pen PN operates in an active type, the pen PN may generate a current even without an external magnetic field being provided. The generated current is transmitted to the capacitor C. The capacitor C charges the current input from the inductor L and discharges the charged current to the inductor L. Thereafter, the inductor L can emit a magnetic field having a resonance frequency. An induced current flows through the input sensor ISP by the magnetic field emitted by the pen PN, and the induced current can be transmitted to the sensor driving unit 200C as a reception signal (or, a sensing signal).
[0049] The main driving unit 1000C can control the overall operation of the electronic device ELD. For example, the main driving unit 1000C can control the operations of the display driving unit 100C and the sensor driving unit 200C. The main driving unit 1000C includes at least one microprocessor and can further include a graphic controller. The main driving unit 1000C can be referred to as an application processor, a central processing unit, or a main processor.
[0050] The display driving unit 100C can drive the display panel DP. The display driving unit 100C can receive video data and control signals from the main driving unit 1000C. The control signals can include various signals. For example, the control signals can include an input vertical synchronization signal, an input horizontal synchronization signal, a main clock, and a data enable signal, etc.
[0051] The sensor driving unit 200C can drive the input sensor ISP. The sensor driving unit 200C can receive a control signal from the main driving unit 1000C. The control signal can include a clock signal of the sensor driving unit 200C. Further, the control signal can further include a mode determination signal for determining the driving modes of the sensor driving unit 200C and the input sensor ISP.
[0052] The sensor driving unit 200C can be embodied as an integrated circuit (IC) and electrically connected to the input sensor ISP. For example, the sensor driving unit 200C can be directly mounted on a predetermined area of the display panel or mounted on another printed circuit board in a chip on film (COF) manner and electrically connected to the input sensor ISP.
[0053] The sensor driving unit 200C and the input sensor ISP can selectively operate in a first mode or a second mode. For example, the first mode can be a mode for sensing a touch input, such as a first input 2000. The second mode can be a mode for sensing a pen PN input, such as a second input 3000. The first mode can be referred to as a touch sensing mode, and the second mode can be referred to as a pen sensing mode.
[0054] The switching between the first mode and the second mode can be performed in various ways. For example, the sensor driving unit 200C and the input sensor ISP are driven in a time-division manner in the first mode and the second mode, and the first input 2000 and the second input 3000 can be sensed. Alternatively, the switching between the first mode and the second mode is caused by the user's selection or the user's specific action, or either one of the first mode and the second mode is activated or deactivated by the activation or deactivation of a specific application, or is switched from one to the other. Alternatively, while the sensor driving unit 200C and the input sensor ISP operate alternately in the first mode and the second mode, if the first input 2000 is sensed, it can be maintained in the first mode, or if the second input 3000 is sensed, it can be maintained in the second mode.
[0055] The sensor driving unit 200C can calculate the coordinate information of the input based on the signal received from the input sensor ISP, and provide a coordinate signal having the coordinate information to the main driving unit 1000C. The main driving unit 1000C executes an operation corresponding to the user input based on the coordinate signal. For example, the main driving unit 1000C can operate the display driving unit 100C so that a new application image is displayed on the display panel DP.
[0056] The power supply circuit 1000P can include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The power supply circuit 1000P can generate a plurality of driving voltages for driving the display panel DP, the input sensor ISP, the display driving unit 100C, and the sensor driving unit 200C. For example, the plurality of driving voltages can include a first driving voltage (e.g., ELVSS voltage), a second driving voltage (e.g., ELVDD voltage), an initialization voltage, etc., but are not particularly limited to the above examples.
[0057] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is illustrated based on the display module of FIG. 2D.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, the display module DM can include a display panel DP and an input sensor ISP disposed directly on the display panel DP. The display panel DP can include a base layer BL, a circuit element layer DP-CL, a display element layer DP-ED, and an upper protective layer TFL. The input sensor ISP can be disposed directly on the upper protective layer TFL.
[0059] The display panel DP can include a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area adjacent to the display area. In FIG. 4, a part of the display area is shown enlarged.
[0060] The base layer BL can provide a base surface on which the circuit element layer DP-CL is disposed. The circuit element layer DP-CL can be disposed on the base layer BL. The circuit element layer DP-CL can include an insulating layer, a semiconductor pattern, a conductive pattern, signal lines, and the like. The insulating layer, semiconductor layer, and conductive layer can be formed on the base layer BL by methods such as coating and vapor deposition, and then the insulating layer, semiconductor layer, and conductive layer can be selectively patterned through a plurality of photolithography processes. Thereafter, the semiconductor pattern, conductive pattern, and signal lines included in the circuit element layer DP-CL can be formed.
[0061] At least one inorganic layer is formed on the upper surface of the base layer BL. In this embodiment, an example in which the circuit element layer DP-CL includes a buffer layer BFL is illustrated. The buffer layer BFL can improve the bonding force between the base layer BL and the semiconductor pattern. The buffer layer BFL can include a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer, and the silicon oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer can be alternately laminated.
[0062] The semiconductor pattern can be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The semiconductor pattern can include polysilicon. However, it is not limited thereto, and the semiconductor pattern may include amorphous silicon or a metal oxide.
[0063] FIG. 4 only shows some semiconductor patterns, and semiconductor patterns can be further arranged in other regions. The semiconductor patterns can be arranged according to a specific rule across the pixels. The semiconductor patterns can have different electrical properties depending on the dopability. The semiconductor patterns can include a first region with high conductivity and a second region with low conductivity. The first region can be doped with an N-type dopant or a P-type dopant. The P-type transistor includes a doping region doped with a P-type dopant. The second region can be an undoped region or can be doped at a lower concentration compared to the first region.
[0064] The conductivity of the first region is greater than that of the second region and substantially serves as an electrode or a signal line. The second region can substantially correspond to the channel region of the pixel transistor TR-P. In other words, a part of the semiconductor pattern is the active region of the transistor, and the other part can be the source region or the drain region of the transistor.
[0065] Each pixel has an equivalent circuit including seven transistors, one capacitor, and a light-emitting element, and the equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel can be deformed into various forms. FIG. 4 exemplarily shows one pixel transistor TR-P and a light-emitting element ED included in the pixel.
[0066] The source region SR, the channel region CHR, and the drain region DR of the pixel transistor TR-P can be formed from the semiconductor pattern. The source region SR and the drain region DR can extend in opposite directions from the channel region CHR in cross section. FIG. 4 shows a part of the signal transmission region SCL formed in the first region of the semiconductor pattern. Although not shown separately, the signal transmission region SCL can be electrically connected to the pixel transistor TR-P on the plane.
[0067] The first insulating layer IL1 can be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The first insulating layer IL1 can commonly overlap a plurality of pixels and cover the semiconductor pattern. The first insulating layer IL1 is an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer, and can have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. The first insulating layer IL1 can include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide. In this embodiment, the first insulating layer IL1 can be a single-layer silicon oxide layer. Not only the first insulating layer IL1, but also the insulating layer of the circuit element layer DP-CL described later is an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer, and can have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. The inorganic layer can include at least one of the substances described above, but is not limited thereto.
[0068] The gate GE of the pixel transistor TR-P is disposed on the first insulating layer IL1. The gate GE can be a part of the metal pattern. The gate GE overlaps the channel region CHR. The gate GE can function as a mask in the process of doping the semiconductor pattern.
[0069] The second insulating layer IL2 is disposed on the first insulating layer IL1 and can cover the gate GE. The second insulating layer IL2 can commonly overlap the pixels. The second insulating layer IL2 is an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer, and can have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. In this embodiment, the second insulating layer IL2 can be a single-layer silicon oxide layer.
[0070] The third insulating layer IL3 can be disposed on the second insulating layer IL2, and in this embodiment, the third insulating layer IL3 can be a single-layer silicon oxide layer. The first connection electrode CNE1 can be disposed on the third insulating layer IL3. The first connection electrode CNE1 can be connected to the signal transmission region SCL through the contact hole CNT1 that penetrates the first, second, and third insulating layers IL1, IL2, IL3.
[0071] The fourth insulating layer IL4 can be disposed on the third insulating layer IL3. The fourth insulating layer IL4 can be a single-layer silicon oxide layer. The fifth insulating layer IL5 can be disposed on the fourth insulating layer IL4. The fifth insulating layer IL5 can be an organic layer. On the other hand, the fourth insulating layer IL4 can be omitted, and the fifth insulating layer IL5 can be disposed on the third insulating layer IL3.
[0072] The second connection electrode CNE2 can be disposed on the fifth insulating layer IL5. The second connection electrode CNE2 can be connected to the first connection electrode CNE1 through a contact hole CNT2 that penetrates the fourth insulating layer IL4 and the fifth insulating layer IL5.
[0073] The sixth insulating layer IL6 is disposed on the fifth insulating layer IL5 and can cover the second connection electrode CNE2. The sixth insulating layer IL6 can be an organic layer. The display element layer DP-ED can be disposed on the circuit element layer DP-CL. The display element layer DP-ED can include a light-emitting element ED. The light-emitting element ED can include a first electrode AE, a light-emitting layer EL, and a second electrode CE. For example, the light-emitting layer EL can include an organic light-emitting substance, quantum dots, quantum rods, micro LEDs, or nano LEDs.
[0074] The first electrode AE can be disposed on the sixth insulating layer IL6. The first electrode AE can be connected to the second connection electrode CNE2 through a contact hole CNT3 that penetrates the sixth insulating layer IL6.
[0075] The pixel definition film IL7 is disposed on the sixth insulating layer IL6 and can cover a part of the first electrode AE. An opening OP7 is defined in the pixel definition film IL7. The opening OP7 of the pixel definition film IL7 exposes at least a part of the first electrode AE. In this embodiment, the light-emitting region PXA is defined to correspond to a partial region of the first electrode AE exposed by the opening OP7. The non-light-emitting region NPXA can surround the light-emitting region PXA.
[0076] The light-emitting layer EL can be disposed on the first electrode AE. The light-emitting layer EL can be disposed corresponding to the opening OP7. That is, the light-emitting layer EL can be formed separately for each pixel. When the light-emitting layer EL is formed separately for each pixel, each of the light-emitting layers EL can emit light of at least one color among blue, red, and green. However, without being limited thereto, the light-emitting layer EL may be connected to the pixels and provided in common. In this case, the light-emitting layer EL can also provide blue light or white light.
[0077] The second electrode CE can be disposed on the light-emitting layer EL. The second electrode CE has an integral shape and can be commonly disposed for a plurality of pixels. A common voltage is provided to the second electrode CE, and the second electrode CE can be referred to as a common electrode.
[0078] Although not shown, a hole control layer can be disposed between the first electrode AE and the light-emitting layer EL. The hole control layer can be commonly disposed in the light-emitting region PXA and the non-light-emitting region NPXA. The hole control layer includes a hole transport layer and can further include a hole injection layer. An electron control layer can be disposed between the light-emitting layer EL and the second electrode CE. The electron control layer includes an electron transport layer and can further include an electron injection layer. The hole control layer and the electron control layer can be commonly formed for the pixels using an open mask. The second electrode CE can be covered by an upper protection layer TFL.
[0079] The input sensor ISP can be directly formed on the upper surface of the upper protection layer TFL through a continuous process. The input sensor ISP can include a first sensor insulating layer IIL1, a first sensor conductive layer ICL1, a second sensor insulating layer IIL2, a second sensor conductive layer ICL2, and a third sensor insulating layer IIL3. In this specification, the first sensor insulating layer IIL1 can be referred to as a "base insulating layer".
[0080] Each of the first sensor conductive layer ICL1 and the second sensor conductive layer ICL2 can have a single-layer structure or can include a plurality of patterns having a multilayer structure laminated along the third direction DR3. The conductive layer having a single-layer structure can include a metal layer or a transparent conductive layer. The metal layer can include molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof. The transparent conductive layer can include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO). In addition, the transparent conductive layer can include a conductive polymer such as PEDOT, metal nanowires, graphene, or the like.
[0081] The conductive layer having a multilayer structure can include a metal layer. The metal layer can have, for example, a three-layer structure of titanium / aluminum / titanium. The conductive layer having a multilayer structure can include at least one metal layer and at least one transparent conductive layer.
[0082] The second sensor insulating layer IIL2 covers the first sensor conductive layer ICL1, and the third sensor insulating layer IIL3 covers the second sensor conductive layer ICL2. Although the first sensor insulating layer IIL1 to the third sensor insulating layer IIL3 are illustrated as a single layer, it is not limited thereto.
[0083] At least one of the first sensor insulating layer IIL1 and the second sensor insulating layer IIL2 can include an inorganic film. The inorganic film can include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide.
[0084] At least one of the second sensor insulating layer IIL2 and the third sensor insulating layer IIL3 can include an organic film. The organic film can include at least one of an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, a polyisoprene, a vinyl resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a cellulose resin, a siloxane resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide resin, and a perylene resin.
[0085] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an input sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing an enlargement of BB of the input sensor shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line I-I shown in FIG. 6.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the input sensor ISP includes a sensing region SA and a non-sensing region NSA adjacent to the sensing region SA. The sensing region SA and the non-sensing region NSA can be regions corresponding to the display region and the non-display region of the display panel DP (see FIG. 3), respectively. The sensing region SA can be a region activated in response to an electrical signal. The sensing controller TIC can be disposed in the non-sensing region NSA. The sensing controller TIC can be a configuration included in the sensor driving unit 200C shown in FIG. 3.
[0087] The input sensor ISP can include a plurality of row sensing electrodes RE and a plurality of column sensing electrodes TE. The row sensing electrodes RE and the column sensing electrodes TE are electrically insulated from each other and intersect each other.
[0088] Each of the row sensing electrodes RE can extend in the first direction DR1. The row sensing electrodes RE can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. For example, the row sensing electrodes RE can include the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5. Although FIG. 5 illustrates that the number of row sensing electrodes RE is five, the number of row sensing electrodes RE is not limited thereto. Each of the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 can include one or more sub-row sensing electrodes. Although FIG. 5 exemplarily shows a structure in which each of the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 includes two sub-row sensing electrodes, the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0089] As an example of the present invention, the first row sensing electrode RE1 includes the first and second sub-row sensing electrodes RE1-1 and RE1-2, and the second row sensing electrode RE2 includes the third and fourth sub-row sensing electrodes RE2-1 and RE2-2. The third row sensing electrode RE3 includes the fifth and sixth sub-row sensing electrodes RE3-1 and RE3-2, and the fourth row sensing electrode RE4 includes the seventh and eighth sub-row sensing electrodes RE4-1 and RE4-2. The fifth row sensing electrode RE5 includes the ninth and tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE5-1 and RE5-2.
[0090] The first row sensing electrode RE1 further includes a first connection electrode RCL1 that connects the first and second sub-row sensing electrodes RE1-1 and RE1-2 to each other, and the second row sensing electrode RE2 further includes a second connection electrode RCL2 that connects the third and fourth sub-row sensing electrodes RE2-1 and RE2-2 to each other. The third row sensing electrode RE3 further includes a third connection electrode RCL3 that connects the fifth and sixth sub-row sensing electrodes RE3-1 and RE3-2 to each other, and the fourth row sensing electrode RE4 further includes a fourth connection electrode RCL4 that connects the seventh and eighth sub-row sensing electrodes RE4-1 and RE4-2 to each other. The fifth row sensing electrode RE5 further includes a fifth connection electrode RCL5 that connects the ninth and tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE5-1 and RE5-2 to each other. As an example of the present invention, each of the first to fifth connection electrodes RCL1 to RCL5 can be disposed in the non-sensing area NSA and can be connected to the ends of the corresponding two sub-row sensing electrodes.
[0091] Each of the first to tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE1-1 to RE5-2 can be extended in the first direction DR1. The first to tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE1-1 to RE5-2 can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. Each of the first to tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE1-1 to RE5-2 includes a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes arranged along the first direction DR1. Each of the plurality of sub-sensing electrodes can have a rectangular shape including two horizontal sides parallel to the first direction DR1 and two vertical sides parallel to the second direction DR2. Two adjacent sub-sensing electrodes among the plurality of sub-sensing electrodes can be electrically connected to each other through a bridge electrode BE.
[0092] Each of the column sensing electrodes TE (the first column sensing electrode TE1, the second column sensing electrode TE2, the third column sensing electrode TE3, the fourth column sensing electrode TE4, the fifth column sensing electrode TE5, the sixth column sensing electrode TE6) can be extended in the second direction DR2. The plurality of column sensing electrodes TE can be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1. For example, the column sensing electrodes TE can include the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6. Although FIG. 5 illustrates that the number of column sensing electrodes TE is six, the number of column sensing electrodes TE is not limited thereto.
[0093] Each of the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 can include an opening T_OP extended in the second direction DR2. A boundary opening T_BOP can be defined between two column sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other among the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6.
[0094] As an example of the present invention, a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes can be arranged corresponding to the opening T_OP and the boundary opening T_BOP. Hereinafter, among the plurality of sub-sensing electrodes, the sub-sensing electrode arranged corresponding to the opening T_OP is referred to as the first sub-sensing electrode S_RE1, and the sub-sensing electrode arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP is referred to as the second sub-sensing electrode S_RE2. As an example of the present invention, the first and second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1, S_RE2 can have different shapes or different areas from each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first and second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1, S_RE2 can have the same shape or the same area as each other. In the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, in a plan view, the opening T_OP is formed corresponding to a trace line arranged along the second direction DR2 and a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes (the first sub-sensing electrode S_RE1 in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6) arranged spaced apart from each other along the second direction. The trace line arranged to extend along the second direction DR2 is arranged so as to overlap each of the plurality of sub-sensing electrodes arranged along the second direction DR2. And the opening T_OP is formed to have each peripheral portion that surrounds while being spaced apart from the periphery of each first sub-sensing electrode S_RE1, and an extension portion that communicates with each peripheral portion while being spaced apart from and surrounding the periphery of the trace line. According to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the opening T_OP is formed as a closed space within the column sensing electrode TE in a plan view and is not formed to communicate with the non-sensing area NSA. Also, in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, in a plan view, the boundary opening T_BOP is formed corresponding to a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes (the second sub-sensing electrode S_RE2 in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6) arranged spaced apart from each other along the second direction. And the boundary opening T_BOP is formed to have each peripheral portion that surrounds while being spaced apart from the periphery of each second sub-sensing electrode S_RE2, and an extension portion that communicates with each peripheral portion. According to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the boundary opening T_BOP is formed such that the extension portion communicates with the non-sensing area NSA in a plan view. With such configurations of the opening T_OP and the boundary opening T_BOP, a first sub-sensing electrode S_RE1 and a trace line are arranged corresponding to the opening T_OP, which is a closed space surrounded by each column sensing electrode TE, and a second sub-sensing electrode S_RE2 is arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP between adjacent column sensing electrodes TE.
[0095] Each of the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 includes a first sensing portion TP1 and a second sensing portion TP2. The first sensing portion TP1 is arranged between the first and second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1 and S_RE2 in the first direction DR1. The second sensing portion TP2 extends from the first sensing portion TP1 in the second direction DR2 and has a width larger than the width of the first sensing portion TP1. In the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the first sensing portion TP1 has a shape extending long in the second direction DR2. Also, the second sensing portion TP2 is continuously formed from the first sensing portion TP1 in the second direction DR2. The second sensing portion TP2 is arranged at both ends of the sensing region SA in the second direction DR2 in a plan view. Also, the second sensing portion TP2 is arranged between adjacent first sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1 in the second direction DR2 or between adjacent second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE2 in the second direction DR2. The second sensing portion TP2 arranged between adjacent first sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1 in the second direction DR2 is formed to protrude in the first direction DR1 more than the first sensing portion TP1. Also, the second sensing portion TP2 is separated from the second sensing portion TP2 adjacent in the first direction DR1 with the trace line and the opening T_OP interposed therebetween. Also, the second sensing portion TP2 arranged between adjacent second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE2 in the second direction DR2 is formed to protrude in the first direction DR1 more than the first sensing portion TP1 and is separated from the second sensing portion TP2 adjacent with the boundary opening T_BOP interposed therebetween. As an example of the present invention, the first and second sensing portions TP1 and TP2 are provided in an integral shape. The bridge electrode BE can overlap with the first sensing portion TP1 in a plan view.
[0096] In this embodiment, the row sensing electrode RE can be longer and provided in a smaller number than the column sensing electrode TE, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.
[0097] The input sensor ISP can acquire information on the user's input through changes in the mutual capacitance between the row sensing electrode RE and the column sensing electrode TE.
[0098] The input sensor ISP can include a first trace line SL1 electrically connected to the row sensing electrode RE and a second trace line SL2 electrically connected to the column sensing electrode TE. At least one of the first trace lines SL1 can overlap the sensing area SA on the plane. The second trace line SL2 does not overlap the sensing area SA and can overlap the non-sensing area NSA.
[0099] The row sensing electrode RE can be electrically connected to the sensing controller TIC through the first trace line SL1, and the column sensing electrode TE can be electrically connected to the sensing controller TIC through the second trace line SL2. The column sensing electrode TE can receive a transmission signal from the sensing controller TIC through the second trace line SL2. A change can occur in the mutual capacitance between the column sensing electrode TE and the row sensing electrode RE at the position where the user's input is provided. The sensing controller TIC can generate coordinate values for the position where the user's input is provided based on the received signal received on the first trace line SL1.
[0100] Each of the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 is connected to one or more first trace lines SL1. As an example of the present invention, each of the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 is connected to one first trace line SL1. The first trace line SL1 includes first-1 trace lines SL1-1, first-2 trace lines SL1-2, first-3 trace lines SL1-3, first-4 trace lines SL1-4, and first-5 trace lines SL1-5 that are respectively connected to the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5. Each of the first-1 to first-5 trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 extends in the second direction DR2 in the sensing area SA.
[0101] FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which all of the first-1 to first-5 trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 overlap the sensing area SA. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, at least one of the first-1 to first-5 trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 can be arranged to overlap the non-sensing area NSA. The first-1 to first-5 trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 can be connected to the sensing controller TIC in the non-sensing area NSA.
[0102] The first 1-1 trace line SL1-1 is arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the opening T_OP of the first column sensing electrode TE1, and the first 1-2 trace line SL1-2 is arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the opening T_OP of the second column sensing electrode TE2. The first 1-3 trace line SL1-3 is arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the opening T_OP of the third column sensing electrode TE3, and the first 1-4 trace line SL1-4 is arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the opening T_OP of the fourth column sensing electrode TE4. The first 1-5 trace line SL1-5 is arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the opening T_OP of the fifth column sensing electrode TE5. Alternatively, at least one of the first 1-1 to first 1-5 trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 may be arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the boundary opening T_BOP. In this alternative case, the trace line SL arranged corresponding to (or overlapping with) the boundary opening T_BOP can be connected to the second sub-sensing electrode S_RE2.
[0103] The first 1-1 trace line SL1-1 can partially overlap with the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 within the opening T_OP of the first column sensing electrode TE1. The first 1-2 trace line SL1-2 can partially overlap with the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 within the opening T_OP of the second column sensing electrode TE2. The first 1-3 trace line SL1-3 can partially overlap with the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 within the opening T_OP of the third column sensing electrode TE3. The first 1-4 trace line SL1-4 can partially overlap with the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 within the opening T_OP of the fourth column sensing electrode TE4. The first 1-5 trace line SL1-5 can partially overlap with the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 within the opening T_OP of the fifth column sensing electrode TE5.
[0104] Each of the first to fifth trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 can be disposed below the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 in the third direction DR3. An insulating layer (for example, the second sensor insulating layer IIL2 (see FIG. 4)) can be disposed between the first to fifth trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 and the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5.
[0105] The first row sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first-fifth trace line SL1-5 through the first contact hole CH1. As an example of the present invention, the first contact hole CH1 can include first and second sub-contact holes CH1-1, CH1-2. The first sub-row sensing electrode RE1-1 of the first row sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first-fifth trace line SL1-5 through the first sub-contact hole CH1-1, and the second sub-row sensing electrode RE1-2 of the first row sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first-fifth trace line SL1-5 through the second sub-contact hole CH1-2.
[0106] The second row sensing electrode RE2 is connected to the first-fourth trace line SL1-4 through the second contact hole CH2. As an example of the present invention, the second contact hole CH2 can include third and fourth sub-contact holes CH2-1, CH2-2. The third sub-row sensing electrode RE2-1 of the second row sensing electrode RE2 is connected to the first-fourth trace line SL1-4 through the third sub-contact hole CH2-1, and the fourth sub-row sensing electrode RE2-2 of the second row sensing electrode RE2 is connected to the first-fourth trace line SL1-4 through the fourth sub-contact hole CH2-2.
[0107] The third row sensing electrode RE3 is connected to the first to third trace lines SL1-3 through the third contact hole CH3. As an example of the present invention, the third contact hole CH3 can include fifth and sixth sub-contact holes CH3-1, CH3-2. The fifth sub-row sensing electrode RE3-1 of the third row sensing electrode RE3 is connected to the first to third trace lines SL1-3 through the fifth sub-contact hole CH3-1, and the sixth sub-row sensing electrode RE3-2 of the third row sensing electrode RE3 is connected to the first to third trace lines SL1-3 through the sixth sub-contact hole CH3-2.
[0108] The fourth row sensing electrode RE4 is connected to the first and second trace lines SL1-2 through the fourth contact hole CH4. As an example of the present invention, the fourth contact hole CH4 can include seventh and eighth sub-contact holes CH4-1, CH4-2. The seventh sub-row sensing electrode RE4-1 of the fourth row sensing electrode RE4 is connected to the first and second trace lines SL1-2 through the seventh sub-contact hole CH4-1, and the eighth sub-row sensing electrode RE4-2 of the fourth row sensing electrode RE4 is connected to the first and second trace lines SL1-2 through the eighth sub-contact hole CH4-2.
[0109] The fifth row sensing electrode RE5 is connected to the first and first trace lines SL1-1 through the fifth contact hole CH5. As an example of the present invention, the fifth contact hole CH5 can include ninth and tenth sub-contact holes CH5-1, CH5-2. The ninth sub-row sensing electrode RE5-1 of the fifth row sensing electrode RE5 is connected to the first and first trace lines SL1-1 through the ninth sub-contact hole CH5-1, and the tenth sub-row sensing electrode RE5-2 of the fifth row sensing electrode RE5 is connected to the first and first trace lines SL1-1 through the tenth sub-contact hole CH5-2.
[0110] The first to tenth sub-contact holes CH1-1 to CH5-2 can be formed through the second sensor insulating layer IIL2.
[0111] Each of the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 is connected to one second trace line SL2. As an example of the present invention, the second trace line SL2 includes a second-1 trace line SL2-1, a second-2 trace line SL2-2, a second-3 trace line SL2-3, a second-4 trace line SL2-4, a second-5 trace line SL2-5, and a second-6 trace line SL2-6, which are respectively connected to the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6. The second-1 to second-6 trace lines SL2-1 to SL2-6 are arranged in the non-sensing area NSA and can be connected to the sensing controller TIC in the non-sensing area NSA.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 6, each of the row sensing electrode RE and the column sensing electrode TE can include a plurality of mesh lines that intersect each other, and have a mesh shape in which a plurality of mesh openings M_OP are defined by the plurality of mesh lines. The plurality of mesh openings M_OP can correspond to the light emitting regions PXA (see FIG. 4) of each pixel provided in the display panel DP. In the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of mesh openings M_OP are formed in the row sensing electrode RE (the first and second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1, S_RE2). Each mesh opening M_OP is square-shaped in the example of FIG. 6. In plan view, the size of each mesh opening M_OP is smaller than the size of the row sensing electrode RE, so that a plurality of mesh openings M_OP can be formed in the first and second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1, S_RE2. In the example of FIG. 6, the plurality of mesh openings M_OP are arranged along the second direction DR2 and are arranged in a plurality of rows spaced apart in the first direction DR1 within one row sensing electrode RE (the first and second sub-sensing electrodes S_RE1, S_RE2) in plan view. The mesh line is a continuous part, for example, in the part excluding the mesh opening M_OP. The mesh line is the part of the row sensing electrode RE where the part excluding the mesh opening M_OP is along the second direction DR2, and is also, for example, the part of the row sensing electrode RE where the part excluding the mesh opening M_OP is along the first direction DR1. Also, in the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of mesh openings M_OP are similarly formed in the column sensing electrodes TE (the first and second sensing portions TP1, TP2). Each mesh opening M_OP is rectangular in the example of FIG. 6. In plan view, the size of each mesh opening M_OP is smaller than the size of the column sensing electrode TE, so that a plurality of mesh openings M_OP can be formed in the first and second sensing portions TP1, TP2. The plurality of mesh openings M_OP are arranged along the second direction DR2 and are arranged in a plurality of rows spaced apart in the first direction DR1 within one column sensing electrode TE (the first and second sensing portions TP1, TP2) in plan view. The mesh lines are, for example, continuous portions in the portions excluding the mesh openings M_OP. The mesh lines are, for example, the portions of the column sensing electrode TE where the portions excluding the mesh openings M_OP are along the second direction DR2, and also, for example, the portions of the column sensing electrode TE where the portions excluding the mesh openings M_OP are along the first direction DR1.
[0113] The bridge electrode BE can be disposed below the row sensing electrode RE and the column sensing electrode TE in the third direction DR3. The bridge electrode BE and the first to fifth trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 can be disposed on the same insulating layer (for example, the first sensor insulating layer IIL1 (see FIG. 4)). The bridge electrode BE can overlap the mesh lines of the row sensing electrode RE and / or the mesh lines of the column sensing electrode TE on the plane as shown in FIG. 6.
[0114] As an example of the present invention, each of the first to fifth trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5 may include a plurality of mesh lines that intersect each other and have a mesh shape in which a plurality of mesh openings M_OP are defined by the plurality of mesh lines. In the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of mesh openings M_OP are formed in each of the trace lines (the first to fifth trace lines SL1-1 to SL1-5). Each mesh opening M_OP is rectangular in the example of FIG. 6. In plan view, the size of each mesh opening M_OP is smaller than the size of the trace line, so that a plurality of mesh openings M_OP can be formed within the trace line. In the example of FIG. 6, the plurality of mesh openings M_OP are arranged along the second direction DR2 within one trace line in plan view. Note that the plurality of mesh openings M_OP may be formed in a plurality of rows within one trace line. The mesh line is a continuous portion, for example, in a portion excluding the mesh opening M_OP. The mesh line is a portion of the trace line along the second direction DR2 of the portion excluding the mesh opening M_OP, and is also, for example, a portion of the trace line along the first direction DR1 of the portion excluding the mesh opening M_OP.
[0115] In this way, the sides defining each of the row sensing electrodes RE and the column sensing electrodes TE can be arranged to be parallel to the first and second directions DR1 and DR2. Therefore, when the pen PN (see FIG. 3) moves in the first direction DR1, the capacitance between the column sensing electrode TE and the row sensing electrode RE does not change and is kept constant. As a result, the position and the degree of gradient of the pen PN can be accurately sensed. That is, usually, for example, when a pen PN or the like to be sensed touches an arbitrary location on the display panel DP, the capacitance between the column sensing electrode TE and the row sensing electrode RE at the time of touch changes from the capacitance before the pen PN touches the arbitrary position on the display panel DP. Thereby, the arbitrary position can be detected. Here, according to the above configuration, particularly since the row sensing electrode RE is arranged along the first direction DR1, when the pen PN is moved along this first direction DR1, the variation in the amount of change in capacitance due to the movement along the first direction DR1 (the fluctuation in the amount of change in capacitance) is unlikely to occur. For example, when the pen PN touches the display panel DP at a plurality of points along the first direction DR1, if the conditions such as the inclination and the pressing force of the pen PN are the same, the amount of change in capacitance before and after the touch can be the same at any point. In other words, when the pen PN touches the display panel DP so as to move in a direction different from the first direction DR1, the amount of change in capacitance before and after the touch becomes different from the amount of change in capacitance before and after the touch when moving along the first direction DR1. Therefore, when the pen PN is moved along the first direction DR1 in the above configuration, the amount of change in capacitance due to the movement is constant at any point along the first direction DR1. Thus, if there is a variation in the amount of change in capacitance, it is due to something other than the movement. Therefore, based on the variation in the amount of change in capacitance, the position, the degree of gradient, the pressing force, etc. of the pen PN can be accurately sensed.
[0116] Also, when the first trace line SL1 is arranged to overlap the sensing area SA, the width of the non-sensing area NSA is reduced, and as a result, the bezel width of the electronic device ELD (see FIG. 1) (that is, the width of the peripheral area NAA (see FIG. 1)) can be reduced as a whole. In particular, according to the above configuration, mesh openings M_OP are formed in the first trace line SL1. Therefore, even if the first trace line SL1 is disposed in the sensing region SA, the emission of light from the light emitting region PXA and the like are less likely to be inhibited. Also, according to the above configuration, each of the row sensing electrodes RE and the column sensing electrodes TE also has a plurality of mesh openings M_OP. Therefore, even if the row sensing electrodes RE and the column sensing electrodes TE are disposed to overlap the sensing region SA, the emission of light from the light emitting region PXA and the like are less likely to be inhibited.
[0117] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an input sensor further including a dummy trace line according to an embodiment of the present invention. Description of the same configuration as that in FIG. 5 and the like is omitted or simplified.
[0118] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the input sensor ISPa can further include a dummy trace line DSL. As an example of the present invention, the dummy trace line DSL is electrically connected to the row sensing electrode RE. The dummy trace line DSL can overlap the sensing region SA on a plane.
[0119] Although not shown in FIG. 8, the dummy trace line DSL is connected to a sensing controller TIC (see FIG. 5) in a non-sensing region NSA. Therefore, the row sensing electrode RE can be connected to the sensing controller TIC not only through the first trace line SL1 but also through the dummy trace line DSL.
[0120] Each of the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 is connected to one or more dummy trace lines DSL. As an example of the present invention, each of the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 is connected to one dummy trace line DSL. The dummy trace lines DSL include a first dummy trace line DSL1, a second dummy trace line DSL2, a third dummy trace line DSL3, a fourth dummy trace line DSL4, and a fifth dummy trace line DSL5, which are respectively connected to the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5. Each of the first to fifth dummy trace lines DSL1 to DSL5 can be extended in the second direction DR2.
[0121] In FIG. 8, it is illustrated and shown that the first to fifth dummy trace lines DSL1 to DSL5 are all arranged to overlap the sensing area SA. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, at least one of the first to fifth dummy trace lines DSL1 to DSL5 can be arranged to overlap the non-sensing area NSA.
[0122] The first dummy trace line DSL1 is arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP (see FIG. 6) between the second and third column sensing electrodes TE2 and TE3, and the second dummy trace line DSL2 is arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP between the third and fourth column sensing electrodes TE3 and TE4. The third dummy trace line DSL3 is arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP between the fourth and fifth column sensing electrodes TE4 and TE5, and the fourth dummy trace line DSL4 is arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP between the fifth and sixth column sensing electrodes TE5 and TE6. The fifth dummy trace line DSL5 can be arranged corresponding to the opening T_OP of the sixth column sensing electrode TE6.
[0123] The first to fifth dummy trace lines DSL1 to DSL5 can be arranged below the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5 in the third direction DR3. An insulating layer (for example, the second sensor insulating layer IIL2 (see FIG. 4)) can be arranged between the first to fifth dummy trace lines DSL1 to DSL5 and the first to fifth row sensing electrodes RE1 to RE5.
[0124] The first row sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first dummy trace line DSL1 through the first dummy contact hole DCH1. As an example of the present invention, the first dummy contact hole DCH1 can include the first and second sub-dummy contact holes DCH1-1, DCH1-2. The first sub-row sensing electrode RE1-1 of the first row sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first dummy trace line DSL1 through the first sub-dummy contact hole DCH1-1, and the second sub-row sensing electrode RE1-2 of the first row sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first dummy trace line DSL1 through the second sub-dummy contact hole DCH1-2.
[0125] The second row sensing electrode RE2 is connected to the second dummy trace line DSL2 through the second dummy contact hole DCH2. As an example of the present invention, the second dummy contact hole DCH2 can include the third and fourth sub-dummy contact holes DCH2-1, DCH2-2. The third sub-row sensing electrode RE2-1 of the second row sensing electrode RE2 is connected to the second dummy trace line DSL2 through the third sub-dummy contact hole DCH2-1, and the fourth sub-row sensing electrode RE2-2 of the second row sensing electrode RE2 is connected to the second dummy trace line DSL2 through the fourth sub-dummy contact hole DCH2-2.
[0126] The third-row sensing electrode RE3 is connected to the third dummy trace line DSL3 through the third dummy contact hole DCH3. As an example of the present invention, the third dummy contact hole DCH3 can include fifth and sixth sub-dummy contact holes DCH3-1 and DCH3-2. The fifth sub-row sensing electrode RE3-1 of the third-row sensing electrode RE3 is connected to the third dummy trace line DSL3 through the fifth sub-dummy contact hole DCH3-1, and the sixth sub-row sensing electrode RE3-2 of the third-row sensing electrode RE3 is connected to the third dummy trace line DSL3 through the sixth sub-dummy contact hole DCH3-2.
[0127] The fourth-row sensing electrode RE4 is connected to the fourth dummy trace line DSL4 through the fourth dummy contact hole DCH4. As an example of the present invention, the fourth dummy contact hole DCH4 can include seventh and eighth sub-dummy contact holes DCH4-1 and DCH4-2. The seventh sub-row sensing electrode RE4-1 of the fourth-row sensing electrode RE4 is connected to the fourth dummy trace line DSL4 through the seventh sub-dummy contact hole DCH4-1, and the eighth sub-row sensing electrode RE4-2 of the fourth-row sensing electrode RE4 is connected to the fourth dummy trace line DSL4 through the eighth sub-dummy contact hole DCH4-2.
[0128] The fifth-row sensing electrode RE5 is connected to the fifth dummy trace line DSL5 through the fifth dummy contact hole DCH5. As an example of the present invention, the fifth dummy contact hole DCH5 can include ninth and tenth sub-dummy contact holes DCH5-1 and DCH5-2. The ninth sub-row sensing electrode RE5-1 of the fifth-row sensing electrode RE5 is connected to the fifth dummy trace line DSL5 through the ninth sub-dummy contact hole DCH5-1, and the tenth sub-row sensing electrode RE5-2 of the fifth-row sensing electrode RE5 is connected to the fifth dummy trace line DSL5 through the tenth sub-dummy contact hole DCH5-2.
[0129] The first to tenth sub-dummy contact holes DCH1-1 to DCH5-2 can be formed to penetrate the second sensor insulating layer IIL2.
[0130] The sensing controller TIC can detect a touch input based on the received signal received through the first trace line SL1 and the dummy received signal received through the dummy trace line DSL. For example, the sensing controller TIC recognizes a normal touch only when there is a difference between the received signal and the dummy received signal from all the preset reference values. However, when there is a difference from the reference value in only one of the received signal and the dummy received signal, the sensing controller TIC can recognize it as an abnormal touch (for example, a ghost touch). In this way, by further receiving the dummy received signal through the dummy trace line DSL by the sensing controller TIC, the sensing accuracy for external inputs (particularly touch inputs) of the electronic device ELD (see FIG. 1) can be improved. For example, when the pen PN touches the display panel DP at an arbitrary position of the first row sensing electrode RE1, the sensing controller TIC receives, as the amount of change in capacitance, the received signal through the first - 1 trace line SL1 - 1 and the dummy received signal through the fifth dummy trace line DSL5. The sensing controller TIC determines that the contact of the pen PN with the display panel DP is normal when the amount of change derived from the received signal through the first - 1 trace line SL1 - 1 is equal to or greater than the reference value and the amount of change derived from the dummy received signal through the fifth dummy trace line DSL5 is equal to or greater than the reference value for the amount of change in capacitance before and after the pen PN touches the display panel DP. Thereby, it is possible to suppress detecting the contact of the display panel DP by the pen PN based on the change in capacitance due to malfunction or the like. Similarly, the sensing controller TIC determines that the contact of the pen PN with the display panel DP is normal when the amount of change derived from the received signal through the first - 2 trace line SL1 - 2 is equal to or greater than the reference value and the amount of change derived from the dummy received signal through the fourth dummy trace line DSL4 is equal to or greater than the reference value for the amount of change in capacitance before and after the pen PN touches the display panel DP. Similarly, the sensing controller TIC determines that the contact of the pen PN with the display panel DP is normal when the amount of change in capacitance before and after the pen PN contacts the display panel DP, as derived from the received signals via the first to third trace lines SL1 - 3, is equal to or greater than a reference value, and the amount of change derived from the dummy received signal via the third dummy trace line DSL3 is equal to or greater than the reference value. Similarly, the sensing controller TIC determines that the contact of the pen PN with the display panel DP is normal when the amount of change in capacitance before and after the pen PN contacts the display panel DP, as derived from the received signals via the first to fourth trace lines SL1 - 4, is equal to or greater than a reference value, and the amount of change derived from the dummy received signal via the second dummy trace line DSL2 is equal to or greater than the reference value. Similarly, the sensing controller TIC determines that the contact of the pen PN with the display panel DP is normal when the amount of change in capacitance before and after the pen PN contacts the display panel DP, as derived from the received signals via the first to first trace lines SL1 - 1, is equal to or greater than a reference value, and the amount of change derived from the dummy received signal via the first dummy trace line DSL1 is equal to or greater than the reference value.
[0131] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an input sensor including first and second sub - sensing regions according to an embodiment of the present invention. Descriptions of the same configurations as in FIG. 5 etc. are omitted or simplified. As in the example of FIG. 9, the sensing region SA can be divided into a plurality of sub - sensing regions, and sensing control can be performed for each sub - sensing region. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the sensing region SA is divided into two sub - sensing regions.
[0132] Referring to FIG. 9, the input sensor ISPb includes a first sub - sensing region SA1, a second sub - sensing region SA2, and a non - sensing region NSA. The first and second sub - sensing regions SA1, SA2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1.
[0133] The input sensor ISPb can include a plurality of first-side row sensing electrodes L_RE, a plurality of first-side column sensing electrodes L_TE, a plurality of second-side row sensing electrodes R_RE, and a plurality of second-side column sensing electrodes R_TE. The first-side row sensing electrodes L_RE and the first-side column sensing electrodes L_TE are arranged in a first sub-sensing region SA1, and the second-side row sensing electrodes R_RE and the second-side column sensing electrodes R_TE are arranged in a second sub-sensing region SA2. The plurality of first-side row sensing electrodes L_RE can be spaced apart from the second-side row sensing electrodes R_RE in a first direction DR1.
[0134] The first-side row sensing electrodes L_RE include first to tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE11-1 to RE15-2, and the second-side row sensing electrodes R_RE include eleventh to twentieth sub-row sensing electrodes RE21-1 to RE25-2. The first to tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE11-1 to RE15-2 extend in the first direction DR1 and are arranged in a second direction DR2. The first and second sub-row sensing electrodes RE11-1, RE11-2 are connected to each other by a first connection electrode RCL1-1, and the third and fourth sub-row sensing electrodes RE12-1, RE12-2 are connected to each other by a second connection electrode RCL1-2. The fifth and sixth sub-row sensing electrodes RE13-1, RE13-2 are connected to each other by a third connection electrode RCL1-3, and the seventh and eighth sub-row sensing electrodes RE14-1, RE14-2 are connected to each other by a fourth connection electrode RCL1-4. The ninth and tenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE15-1, RE15-2 are connected to each other by a fifth connection electrode RCL1-5, and the eleventh and twelfth sub-row sensing electrodes RE21-1, RE22-2 are connected to each other by a sixth connection electrode RCL2-1. The thirteenth and fourteenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE22-1, RE22-2 are connected to each other by a seventh connection electrode RCL2-2, and the fifteenth and sixteenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE23-1, RE23-2 are connected to each other by an eighth connection electrode RCL2-3. The seventeenth and eighteenth sub-row sensing electrodes RE24-1, RE24-2 are connected to each other by a ninth connection electrode RCL2-4, and the nineteenth and twentieth sub-row sensing electrodes RE25-1, RE25-2 are connected to each other by a tenth connection electrode RCL2-5.
[0135] The first side column sensing electrode L_TE includes the first to fourth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE4, and the second side column sensing electrode R_TE includes the fifth to eighth column sensing electrodes TE5 to TE8. The first to eighth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE8 extend in the second direction DR2 and can be arranged in the first direction DR1. An opening T_OP (see FIG. 6) extending in the second direction DR2 is defined for each of the first to eighth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE8, and a boundary opening T_BOP (see FIG. 6) is defined between two column sensing electrodes separated from each other among the first to eighth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE8. The first to fourth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE4 are electrically connected to the first sensing controller TIC1 by the second-1 to second-4 trace lines SL2-1 to SL2-4 respectively, and the fifth to eighth column sensing electrodes TE5 to TE8 are electrically connected to the second sensing controller TIC2 by the second-5 to second-8 trace lines SL2-5 to SL2-8 respectively.
[0136] The first and second sensing controllers TIC1 and TIC2 are arranged in the non-sensing area NSA. As an example of the present invention, the first sensing controller TIC1 is electrically connected to the first side row sensing electrode L_RE and the first side column sensing electrode L_TE, and the second sensing controller TIC2 is electrically connected to the second side row sensing electrode R_RE and the second side column sensing electrode R_TE.
[0137] The first side row sensing electrode L_RE is connected to the first sensing controller TIC1 by the first-1 side trace lines SL11-1 to SL11-5, and the second side row sensing electrode R_RE is connected to the second sensing controller TIC2 by the first-2 side trace lines SL12-1 to SL12-5. The first-1 side trace lines SL11-1 to SL11-5 overlap with the first sub-sensing area SA1, and the first-2 side trace lines SL12-1 to SL12-5 overlap with the second sub-sensing area SA2.
[0138] The first to fifth first-side trace lines SL11-1 to SL11-5 can be arranged to correspond to or overlap with an opening T_OP defined in the first-side column sensing electrode L_TE or a boundary opening T_BOP defined between the first-side column sensing electrodes L_TE in the first sub-sensing region SA1. The first to fifth second-side trace lines SL12-1 to SL12-5 can be arranged to correspond to or overlap with an opening T_OP defined in the second-side column sensing electrode R_TE or a boundary opening T_BOP defined between the second-side column sensing electrodes R_TE in the second sub-sensing region SA2.
[0139] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an input sensor including first to fourth sub-sensing regions according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is an enlarged plan view showing an enlarged view of the CC portion of the input sensor shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line II-II shown in FIG. 11A. Description of the same configuration as in FIG. 5 etc. is omitted or simplified. As in the example of FIG. 10, the sensing region SA can be divided into a plurality of sub-sensing regions, and sensing control can be performed for each sub-sensing region. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the sensing region SA is divided into four sub-sensing regions.
[0140] Referring to FIG. 10, the input sensor ISPc includes a first sub-sensing region SA1, a second sub-sensing region SA2, a third sub-sensing region SA3, a fourth sub-sensing region SA4, and a non-sensing region NSA (a region excluding the sub-sensing regions). The first and second sub-sensing regions SA1 and SA2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1, and the third and fourth sub-sensing regions SA3 and SA4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1. The first and third sub-sensing regions SA1 and SA3 are arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction DR2, and the second and fourth sub-sensing regions SA2 and SA4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction DR2.
[0141] The input sensor ISPc can include a plurality of first - 1 side row sensing electrodes L_RE1, a plurality of first - 1 side column sensing electrodes L_TE1, a plurality of second - 1 side row sensing electrodes R_RE1, a plurality of second - 1 side column sensing electrodes R_TE1, a plurality of first - 2 side row sensing electrodes L_RE2, a plurality of first - 2 side column sensing electrodes L_TE2, a plurality of second - 2 side row sensing electrodes R_RE2, and a plurality of second - 2 side column sensing electrodes R_TE2. The first - 1 side row sensing electrodes L_RE1 and the first - 1 side column sensing electrodes L_TE1 are arranged in the first sub - sensing region SA1, and the second - 1 side row sensing electrodes R_RE1 and the second - 1 side column sensing electrodes R_TE1 are arranged in the second sub - sensing region SA2. The first - 2 side row sensing electrodes L_RE2 and the first - 2 side column sensing electrodes L_TE2 are arranged in the third sub - sensing region SA3, and the second - 2 side row sensing electrodes R_RE2 and the second - 2 side column sensing electrodes R_TE2 are arranged in the fourth sub - sensing region SA4.
[0142] The first - 1 side row sensing electrode L_RE1 includes the first to sixth sub - row sensing electrodes RE11 - 1 to RE13 - 2, and the first to third connecting electrodes RCL1 - 1, RCL1 - 2, RCL1 - 3. The first - 2 side row sensing electrode L_RE2 includes the seventh to twelfth sub - row sensing electrodes RE14 - 1 to RE16 - 2, and the fourth to sixth connecting electrodes RCL1 - 4, RCL1 - 5, RCL1 - 6. The second - 1 side row sensing electrode R_RE1 includes the thirteenth to eighteenth sub - row sensing electrodes RE21 - 1 to RE23 - 2, and the seventh to ninth connecting electrodes RCL2 - 1, RCL2 - 2, RCL2 - 3. The second - 2 side row sensing electrode R_RE2 includes the nineteenth to twenty - fourth sub - row sensing electrodes RE24 - 1 to RE26 - 2, and the tenth to twelfth connecting electrodes RCL2 - 4, RCL2 - 5, RCL2 - 6.
[0143] The first to twenty - fourth sub - row sensing electrodes RE11 - 1 to RE26 - 2 extend in the first direction DR1 and are arranged in the second direction DR2.
[0144] The first - 1 side - column sensing electrode L_TE1 includes the first to fourth column sensing electrodes TE11 to TE14, and the second - 1 side - column sensing electrode R_TE1 includes the fifth to eighth column sensing electrodes TE15 to TE18. The first - 2 side - column sensing electrode L_TE2 includes the ninth to twelfth column sensing electrodes TE21 to TE24, and the second - 2 side - column sensing electrode R_TE2 includes the thirteenth to sixteenth column sensing electrodes TE25 to TE28.
[0145] The first to sixteenth column sensing electrodes TE11 to TE18, TE21 to TE28 extend in the second direction DR2 and can be arranged in the first direction DR1. An opening T_OP (see FIG. 6) extending in the second direction DR2 is defined for each of the first to sixteenth column sensing electrodes TE11 to TE18, TE21 to TE28, and a boundary opening T_BOP (see FIG. 6) is defined between two column sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other among the first to sixteenth column sensing electrodes TE11 to TE18, TE21 to TE28.
[0146] The first and second sensing controllers TIC1, TIC2 (see FIG. 9) are arranged in the non - sensing area NSA. As an example of the present invention, the first sensing controller TIC1 is electrically connected to the first - 1 side - row sensing electrode L_RE1, the first - 2 side - row sensing electrode L_RE2, the first - 1 side - column sensing electrode L_TE1, and the first - 2 side - column sensing electrode L_TE2. The second sensing controller TIC2 is electrically connected to the second - 1 side - row sensing electrode R_RE1, the second - 2 side - row sensing electrode R_RE2, the second - 1 side - column sensing electrode R_TE1, and the second - 2 side - column sensing electrode R_TE2.
[0147] The first - 1 side - row sensing electrodes L_RE1 and the first - 2 side - row sensing electrodes L_RE2 are connected to the first sensing controller TIC1 by the first - 1 side trace lines SL11 - 1 to SL11 - 6. The second - 1 side - row sensing electrodes R_RE1 and the second - 2 side - row sensing electrodes R_RE2 are connected to the second sensing controller TIC2 by the first - 2 side trace lines SL12 - 1 to SL12 - 6. The first - 1 side trace lines SL11 - 1 to SL11 - 6 overlap with the first and third sub - sensing regions SA1, SA3, and the first - 2 side trace lines SL12 - 1 to SL12 - 6 overlap with the second and fourth sub - sensing regions SA2, SA4.
[0148] The first - 1 side trace lines SL11 - 1 to SL11 - 6 can be arranged to correspond (or overlap) with an opening T_OP (see FIG. 6) defined within the first - 1 side column sensing electrode L_TE1 in the first sub - sensing region SA1 or a boundary opening T_BOP (see FIG. 6) defined between the first - 1 side column sensing electrodes L_TE1. The first - 1 side trace lines SL11 - 1 to SL11 - 6 can be arranged to correspond (or overlap) with an opening T_OP defined within the first - 2 side column sensing electrode L_TE2 in the third sub - sensing region SA3 or a boundary opening T_BOP defined between the first - 2 side column sensing electrodes L_TE2.
[0149] The first - 2 side trace lines SL12 - 1 to SL12 - 6 can be arranged to correspond or overlap with an opening T_OP defined within the second - 1 side column sensing electrode R_TE1 in the second sub - sensing region SA2 or a boundary opening T_BOP defined between the second - 1 side column sensing electrodes R_TE1. The first - 2 side trace lines SL12 - 1 to SL12 - 6 can be arranged to correspond (or overlap) with an opening T_OP defined within the second - 2 side column sensing electrode R_TE2 in the fourth sub - sensing region SA4 or a boundary opening T_BOP defined between the second - 2 side column sensing electrodes R_TE2.
[0150] The first side column sensing electrode L_TE1 is connected to the first sensing controller TIC1 by the second side trace lines SL21-1 to SL21-4. The second side column sensing electrode R_TE1 is connected to the second sensing controller TIC2 by the second side trace lines SL21-5 to SL21-8. The second side column sensing electrode L_TE2 is connected to the first sensing controller TIC1 by the second side trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-4. The second side column sensing electrode R_TE2 is connected to the second sensing controller TIC2 by the second side trace lines SL22-5 to SL22-8. The second side trace lines SL21-1 to SL21-4 are referred to as the second side 1 trace lines, and the second side trace lines SL21-5 to SL21-8 are referred to as the second side 2 trace lines. The second side trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-4 are referred to as the second side 3 trace lines, and the second side trace lines SL22-5 to SL22-8 are referred to as the second side 4 trace lines.
[0151] The second side trace lines SL21-1 to SL21-8 are respectively connected to the first to eighth column sensing electrodes TE11 to TE18, and the second side trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-8 are respectively connected to the ninth to sixteenth column sensing electrodes TE21 to TE28. The second side trace lines SL21-1 to SL21-8 are arranged in the non-sensing area NSA and do not overlap with the first and second sub-sensing areas SA1 and SA2. The second side trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-8 overlap with the non-sensing area NSA, the first and second sub-sensing areas SA1 and SA2.
[0152] The 2-9th to 2-12th trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-4 extend to the 3rd sub-sensing region SA3 via the non-sensing region NSA and the 1st sub-sensing region SA1. The 2-13th to 2-16th trace lines SL22-5 to SL22-8 extend to the 4th sub-sensing region SA4 via the non-sensing region NSA and the 2nd sub-sensing region SA2. That is, in the present invention, the 2-9th to 2-12th trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-4 overlap with the 1st to 4th column sensing electrodes TE11 to TE14 arranged in the 1st sub-sensing region SA1 respectively, and extend to the positions connected to the 9th to 12th column sensing electrodes TE21 to TE24. The 2-13th to 2-16th trace lines SL22-5 to SL22-8 overlap with the 5th to 8th column sensing electrodes TE15 to TE18 arranged in the 2nd sub-sensing region SA2 respectively, and extend to the positions connected to the 13th to 16th column sensing electrodes TE25 to TE28. Each of the 2-9th to 2-16th trace lines SL22-1 to SL22-8 includes a 1st line portion LP1 and a 2nd line portion LP2. The 1st and 2nd line portions LP1, LP2 are electrically connected to each other and can be arranged on different layers from each other.
[0153] Referring to FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B, the 2-9th trace line SL22-1 overlaps with the 1st column sensing electrode TE11 arranged in the 1st sub-sensing region SA1, and is connected to the 9th column sensing electrode TE21 through the contact hole TCNT in the 3rd sub-sensing region SA3. The 1st line portion LP1 of the 2-9th trace line SL22-1 can be arranged below the 1st and 9th column sensing electrodes TE11, TE21 in the 3rd direction DR3. The 1st line portion LP1 of the 2-9th trace line SL22-1 and the 1-1 side trace lines SL11-1 to SL11-6 can be arranged on the same insulating layer (for example, the 1st sensor insulating layer IIL1).
[0154] The first line portion LP1 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1 and the 1st - 1 side trace lines SL11 - 1 to SL11 - 6 are covered by the second sensor insulating layer IIL2. The second line portion LP2 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1, the 1st and 9th column sensing electrodes TE11, TE21 are disposed on the second sensor insulating layer IIL2. The second sensor insulating layer IIL2 is provided with first and second line contact holes BCNT1, BCNT2 for exposing the first line portion LP1 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1. The second line portion LP2 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1 can be connected to the first line portion LP1 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1 through the first and second line contact holes BCNT1, BCNT2.
[0155] A line opening TE - OP is provided in the first column sensing electrode TE11 corresponding to the second line portion LP2 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1. The first column sensing electrode TE11 and the second line portion LP2 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1 can be separated from each other by the line opening TE - OP. Therefore, even if the first column sensing electrode TE11 and the second line portion LP2 of the 2nd - 9th trace line SL22 - 1 are disposed on the same layer, they can be electrically separated from each other.
[0156] FIG. 10 exemplarily shows a structure in which the 2nd - 9th to 2nd - 16th trace lines SL22 - 1 to SL22 - 8 overlap with the first or second sub - sensing regions SA1, SA2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the 2nd - 9th to 2nd - 16th trace lines SL22 - 1 to SL22 - 8 can be non - overlapping with the first or second sub - sensing regions SA1, SA2 and disposed only in a mere non - sensing region NSA. However, when the 2nd - 9th to 2nd - 16th trace lines SL22 - 1 to SL22 - 8 are arranged to overlap with the first or second sub - sensing regions SA1, SA2, the width of the non - sensing region NSA can be reduced, and as a result, the bezel width of the electronic device ELD (see FIG. 1) (i.e., the width of the peripheral region NAA (see FIG. 1)) can be reduced as a whole.
[0157] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a row sensing electrode driven by a differential drive method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is an enlarged plan view showing an enlarged view of the EE portion of the input sensor shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line III-III shown in FIG. 13A. The description of the same configuration as that in FIG. 5 and the like is omitted or simplified.
[0158] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 13B, the input sensor ISPd can include first segment sensing electrodes SME11, SME21, SME31, SME41, SME51, second segment sensing electrodes SME12, SME22, SME32, SME42, SME52, and a plurality of column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6.
[0159] Each of the column sensing electrodes TE can extend in the second direction DR2. The plurality of column sensing electrodes TE can be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1. For example, the column sensing electrodes TE can include first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6. Although FIG. 12 illustrates that the number of column sensing electrodes TE is six, the number of column sensing electrodes TE is not limited thereto.
[0160] Each of the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 can include openings T_OP1, T_OP2 extending in the second direction DR2. The openings T_OP1, T_OP2 have the same configuration as the opening T_OP in FIG. 6. A boundary opening T_BOP can be defined between two column sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other among the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6. The opening T_BOP has the same configuration as the opening T_BOP in FIG. 6. For simplicity of explanation, the openings defined in each of the odd-numbered column sensing electrodes TE1, TE3, TE5 among the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 are referred to as first openings T_OP1, and the openings defined in each of the even-numbered column sensing electrodes TE2, TE4, TE6 are referred to as second openings T_OP2.
[0161] The first segment sensing electrodes SME11, SME21, SME31, SME41, SME51 include a first - 1 segment sensing electrode SME11, a first - 2 segment sensing electrode SME21, a first - 3 segment sensing electrode SME31, a first - 4 segment sensing electrode SME41, and a first - 5 segment sensing electrode SME51. The second segment sensing electrodes SME12, SME22, SME32, SME42, SME52 include a second - 1 segment sensing electrode SME12, a second - 2 segment sensing electrode SME22, a second - 3 segment sensing electrode SME32, a second - 4 segment sensing electrode SME42, and a second - 5 segment sensing electrode SME52.
[0162] Each of the first - 1 to first - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME11 to SME51 can include a plurality of first sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME1 spaced apart from each other in the first and second directions DR1, DR2. FIG. 12 shows an example in which each of the first - 1 to first - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME11 to SME51 includes six first sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first - 1 to first - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME11 to SME51 may include two first sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME1 spaced apart in the second direction DR2. The plurality of first sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME1 can be electrically connected to each other by a first sub - bridge electrode SBE1. Each of the first sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME1 can have a rectangular shape including two horizontal sides parallel to the first direction DR1 and two vertical sides parallel to the second direction DR2.
[0163] Each of the second - 1 to second - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME12 to SME52 can include a plurality of second sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME2 spaced apart from each other in the first and second directions DR1 and DR2. FIG. 12 shows an example in which each of the second - 1 to second - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME12 to SME52 includes six second sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the second - 1 to second - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME12 to SME52 may include two second sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME2 spaced apart in the second direction DR2. The plurality of second sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME2 can be electrically connected to each other by the second sub - bridge electrode SBE2. Each of the second sub - segment sensing electrodes S_SME2 can have a rectangular shape including two horizontal sides parallel to the first direction DR1 and two vertical sides parallel to the second direction DR2.
[0164] In the first row, the first - 1 segment sensing electrode SME11 and the second - 1 segment sensing electrode SME12 are alternately arranged in the first direction DR1. In the second row, the first - 2 segment sensing electrode SME21 and the second - 2 segment sensing electrode SME22 are alternately arranged in the first direction DR1. In the third row, the first - 3 segment sensing electrode SME31 and the second - 3 segment sensing electrode SME32 are alternately arranged in the first direction DR1. In the fourth row, the first - 4 segment sensing electrode SME41 and the second - 4 segment sensing electrode SME42 are alternately arranged in the first direction DR1. In the fifth row, the first - 5 segment sensing electrode SME51 and the second - 5 segment sensing electrode SME52 are alternately arranged in the first direction DR1. As an example of the present invention, the first - 1 to first - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME11 to SME51 are arranged corresponding to the first openings T_OP1 of the odd - numbered column sensing electrodes TE1, TE3, TE5, and the second - 1 to second - 5 segment sensing electrodes SME12 to SME52 are arranged corresponding to the second openings T_OP2 of the even - numbered column sensing electrodes TE2, TE4, TE6.
[0165] The input sensor ISPd further includes a first-1 connection wiring SCL11 that electrically connects the first-1 segment sensing electrode SME11 and a second-1 connection wiring SCL12 that electrically connects the second-1 segment sensing electrode SME12. The input sensor ISPd further includes a first-2 connection wiring SCL21 that electrically connects the first-2 segment sensing electrode SME21 and a second-2 connection wiring SCL22 that electrically connects the second-2 segment sensing electrode SME22.
[0166] The input sensor ISPd further includes a first-3 connection wiring SCL31 that electrically connects the first-3 segment sensing electrode SME31 and a second-3 connection wiring SCL32 that electrically connects the second-3 segment sensing electrode SME32. The input sensor ISPd further includes a first-4 connection wiring SCL41 that electrically connects the first-4 segment sensing electrode SME41 and a second-4 connection wiring SCL42 that electrically connects the second-4 segment sensing electrode SME42. The input sensor ISPd further includes a first-5 connection wiring SCL51 that electrically connects the first-5 segment sensing electrode SME51 and a second-5 connection wiring SCL52 that electrically connects the second-5 segment sensing electrode SME52.
[0167] The first-1 to first-5 segment sensing electrodes SME11 to SME51 are respectively connected to the first-1 to first-5 connection wirings SCL11 to SCL51 through the first connection contact hole CCH1, and the second-1 to second-5 segment sensing electrodes SME12 to SME52 are respectively connected to the second-1 to second-5 connection wirings SCL12 to SCL52 through the second connection contact hole CCH2. The first-1 to first-5 connection wirings SCL11 to SCL51 extend in the first direction DR1, and the second-1 to second-5 connection wirings SCL12 to SCL52 extend in the first direction DR1. The first-1 to first-5 connection wirings SCL11 to SCL51 and the second-1 to second-5 connection wirings SCL12 to SCL52 can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2.
[0168] The input sensor ISPd further includes a first segment trace line connected to the first segment sensing electrodes SME11, SME21, SME31, SME41, SME51 and a second segment trace line connected to the second segment sensing electrodes SME12, SME22, SME32, SME42, SME52. As an example of the present invention, the first segment trace line includes the first - 1 to first - 5 segment trace lines, and the second segment trace line includes the second - 1 to second - 5 segment trace lines. However, for simplicity of explanation in FIG. 12, among the first - 1 to first - 5 segment trace lines, the first - 3 to first - 5 segment trace lines SSL31, SSL41, SSL51 and among the second - 1 to second - 5 segment trace lines, the second - 3 to second - 5 segment trace lines SSL32, SSL42, SSL52 are illustrated.
[0169] The first - 3 to first - 5 segment trace lines SSL31, SSL41, SSL51 and the second - 3 to second - 5 segment trace lines SSL32, SSL42, SSL52 extend in the second direction DR2. Each of the first - 3 to first - 5 segment trace lines SSL31, SSL41, SSL51 and the second - 3 to second - 5 segment trace lines SSL32, SSL42, SSL52 can be arranged within the sensing area SA. As an example of the present invention, the first - 3 to first - 5 segment trace lines SSL31, SSL41, SSL51 are arranged corresponding to the first openings T_OP1 of the odd - numbered column sensing electrodes TE1, TE3, TE5, and the second - 3 to second - 5 segment trace lines SSL32, SSL42, SSL52 are arranged corresponding to the second openings T_OP2 of the even - numbered column sensing electrodes TE2, TE4, TE6.
[0170] The 1st - 3rd segment trace line SSL31 can be connected to one of the 1st - 3rd segment sensing electrodes SME31 through the 1st - 3rd segment contact hole SCH31. The 1st - 3rd segment trace line SSL31 can be electrically connected to the rest of the 1st - 3rd segment sensing electrodes SME31 through the 1st - 3rd connection wiring SCL31. The 2nd - 3rd segment trace line SSL32 can be connected to one of the 2nd - 3rd segment sensing electrodes SME32 through the 2nd - 3rd segment contact hole SCH32. The 2nd - 3rd segment trace line SSL32 can be electrically connected to the rest of the 2nd - 3rd segment sensing electrodes SME32 through the 2nd - 3rd connection wiring SCL32.
[0171] The 1st - 4th segment trace line SSL41 can be connected to one of the 1st - 4th segment sensing electrodes SME41 through the 1st - 4th segment contact hole SCH41. The 1st - 4th segment trace line SSL41 can be electrically connected to the rest of the 1st - 4th segment sensing electrodes SME41 through the 1st - 4th connection wiring SCL41. The 2nd - 4th segment trace line SSL42 can be connected to one of the 2nd - 4th segment sensing electrodes SME42 through the 2nd - 4th segment contact hole SCH42. The 2nd - 4th segment trace line SSL42 can be electrically connected to the rest of the 2nd - 4th segment sensing electrodes SME42 through the 2nd - 4th connection wiring SCL42.
[0172] The 1st - 5th segment trace line SSL51 can be connected through one of the 1st - 5th segment sensing electrodes SME51 and the 1st - 5th segment contact hole SCH51. The 1st - 5th segment trace line SSL51 can be electrically connected to the rest of the 1st - 5th segment sensing electrodes SME51 through the 1st - 5th connecting wiring SCL51. The 2nd - 5th segment trace line SSL52 can be connected through one of the 2nd - 5th segment sensing electrodes SME52 and the 2nd - 5th segment contact hole SCH52. The 2nd - 5th segment trace line SSL52 can be electrically connected to the rest of the 2nd - 5th segment sensing electrodes SME52 through the 2nd - 5th connecting wiring SCL52.
[0173] Alternatively, a part of the 1st segment trace line and a part of the 2nd segment trace line can be arranged corresponding to the boundary opening T_BOP.
[0174] Each of the 1st and 2nd segment trace lines includes an intersection part SLP2 and a non - intersection part SLP1. The intersection part SLP2 is the part that intersects with the 1st - 1st to 1st - 5th connecting wirings SCL11 to SCL51 and the 2nd - 1st to 2nd - 5th connecting wirings SCL12 to SCL52, and the non - intersection part SLP1 is the part that does not intersect with the 1st - 1st to 1st - 5th connecting wirings SCL11 to SCL51 and the 2nd - 1st to 2nd - 5th connecting wirings SCL12 to SCL52. As shown in FIG. 13A, as an example of the present invention, the intersection part SLP2 of the 1st - 5th segment trace line SSL51 can intersect with the 1st - 5th and 2nd - 4th connecting wirings SCL51, SCL42, and the intersection part SLP2 of the 2nd - 5th segment trace line SSL52 can intersect with the 1st - 5th and 2nd - 4th connecting wirings SCL51, SCL42. The non - intersection part SLP1 of the 1st - 5th segment trace line SSL51 and the non - intersection part SLP1 of the 2nd - 5th segment trace line SSL52 can be the parts that do not intersect with the 1st - 5th and 2nd - 4th connecting wirings SCL51, SCL42.
[0175] The intersection SLP2 of each segment trace line is arranged on a layer different from the non-intersection part SLP1. The non-intersection parts SLP1 of the first and second segment trace lines, the first to fifth connection wirings SCL11 to SCL51, and the second to fifth connection wirings SCL12 to SCL52 are arranged on the same layer (for example, the first sensor insulating layer IIL1). The intersection SLP2 of the first and second segment trace lines, the first and second segment sensing electrodes are arranged on the same layer (for example, the second sensor insulating layer IIL2). For example, the intersection SLP2 of the second-fifth segment trace line SSL52 is arranged on the second sensor insulating layer IIL2, and the second sensor insulating layer IIL2 is provided with third and fourth line contact holes BCNT3 and BCNT4 for exposing the non-intersection part SLP1 of the second-fifth segment trace line SSL52. Therefore, the intersection SLP2 of the second-fifth segment trace line SSL52 can be connected to the non-intersection part SLP1 of the second-fifth segment trace line SSL52 through the third and fourth line contact holes BCNT3 and BCNT4.
[0176] Therefore, even if each segment trace line intersects with the first to fifth connection wirings SCL11 to SCL51 and the second to fifth connection wirings SCL12 to SCL52, they are not electrically connected to each other at the intersecting parts.
[0177] The sensing controller TIC (see Fig. 5) can include a plurality of differential amplifiers. As an example of the present invention, the sensing controller TIC can include five differential amplifiers (i.e., the first to fifth differential amplifiers). In Fig. 12, only three of the five differential amplifiers (i.e., the third to fifth differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5) are exemplarily illustrated. The first terminals (e.g., negative (-) terminals) of the third to fifth differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5 are respectively connected to the first-3 to first-5 segment trace lines SSL31, SSL41, SSL51. The second terminals (e.g., positive (+) terminals) of the third to fifth differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5 are respectively connected to the second-3 to second-5 segment trace lines SSL32, SSL42, SSL52.
[0178] The signal input to each of the first terminals of the third to fifth differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5 is referred to as the first received signal, and the signal input to each of the second terminals of the third to fifth differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5 is referred to as the second received signal. Each of the third to fifth differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5 can generate the difference between the first received signal and the second received signal as the output signal. That is, the sensing controller TIC (see Fig. 5) can obtain touch information in the sensing area SA by using the difference between the first received signal and the second received signal.
[0179] In one row, the first segment sensing electrodes SME11, SME21, SME31, SME41, SME51 and the second segment sensing electrodes SME12, SME22, SME32, SME42, SME52 are alternately arranged. Then, the first segment sensing electrodes SME11, SME21, SME31, SME41, SME51 and the second segment sensing electrodes SME12, SME22, SME32, SME42, SME52 provide the signals sensed at their respective positions (i.e., the first and second received signals) to the corresponding differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5. The sensing controller TIC can compensate the touch detection signal based on the difference between the first and second received signals received through the differential amplifiers DAMP3, DAMP4, DAMP5, so that the noise included in the first or second received signal can be removed by the other received signals. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved, and the overall sensing sensitivity of the input sensor ISPd can be enhanced.
[0180] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing column sensing electrodes driven by a differential driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Among the components illustrated in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are also assigned to the components identical to those illustrated in FIG. 12, and the specific description thereof is omitted.
[0181] Referring to FIG. 14, the input sensor ISPd can include first segment sensing electrodes SME11, SME21, SME31, SME41, SME51, second segment sensing electrodes SME12, SME22, SME32, SME42, SME52, and a plurality of column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6.
[0182] Each of the column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 can extend in the second direction DR2. The plurality of column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 can be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1. For example, the column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 can include first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6.
[0183] The first to sixth transmission signals TS1 to TS6 can be respectively applied to the first to sixth sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 of the first to sixth columns. The first to sixth transmission signals TS1 to TS6 can be respectively applied to the first to sixth sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6 of the first to sixth columns simultaneously (i.e., at the same time). Alternatively, in the first scan cycle, the first and second transmission signals TS1 and TS2 can be simultaneously applied to the first and second column sensing electrodes TE1 and TE2, and in the second scan cycle, the third and fourth transmission signals TS3 and TS4 can be simultaneously applied to the third and fourth column sensing electrodes TE3 and TE4.
[0184] As an example of the present invention, two transmission signals applied to two adjacent column sensing electrodes among the first to sixth transmission signals TS1 to TS6 can have phases inverted from each other. For example, the first, third, and fifth transmission signals TS1, TS3, and TS5 respectively applied to the odd-numbered column sensing electrodes TE1, TE3, and TE5 have phases inverted from the second, fourth, and sixth transmission signals TS2, TS4, and TS6 respectively applied to the even-numbered column sensing electrodes TE2, TE4, and TE6, and can swing. The first, third, and fifth transmission signals TS1, TS3, and TS5 can have the same phase as each other, and the second, fourth, and sixth transmission signals TS2, TS4, and TS6 can have the same phase as each other.
[0185] When the first to sixth transmission signals TS1 to TS6 with phases inverted from each other are supplied to the first to sixth column sensing electrodes TE1 to TE6, even if a ripple occurs in the potential of the second electrode CE due to the parasitic capacitance between the input sensor ISP and the second electrode CE (see FIG. 4), an effect of canceling out the ripple can be obtained. Therefore, flicker due to the parasitic capacitance can be removed, and as a result, when sensing an external input, the problem of deterioration in the display quality of the display panel DP due to the parasitic capacitance can be improved.
[0186] FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view showing an enlarged view of the FF portion of the input sensor shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line IV-IV shown in FIG. 15.
[0187] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, each of the row sensing electrodes RE can include a plurality of mesh lines that cross each other, and can have a mesh shape in which a plurality of mesh openings M_OP1, M_OP2, M_OP3 are defined by the plurality of mesh lines. The plurality of mesh openings M_OP1, M_OP2, M_OP3 can correspond to the light emitting regions R-PXA, G-PXA, B-PXA of each pixel provided in the display panel DP.
[0188] As an example of the present invention, the mesh openings M_OP1, M_OP2, M_OP3 can include three mesh openings having different sizes from each other (i.e., the first mesh opening M_OP1, the second mesh opening M_OP2, and the third mesh opening M_OP3). The first mesh opening M_OP1 corresponds to the first light emitting region (i.e., the red light emitting region R-PXA) among the light emitting regions R-PXA, G-PXA, B-PXA, the second mesh opening M_OP2 corresponds to the second light emitting region (i.e., the green light emitting region G-PXA), and the third mesh opening M_OP3 can correspond to the third light emitting region (i.e., the blue light emitting region B-PXA). As an example of the present invention, the third mesh opening M_OP3 can have a size larger than that of the second mesh opening M_OP2, and the second mesh opening M_OP2 can have a size larger than that of the first mesh opening M_OP1.
[0189] A cut region M_CA can be provided in the plurality of mesh lines. That is, the mesh lines can be separated (or, disconnected) at the cut region M_CA.
[0190] As shown in FIG. 16, the row sensing electrode RE can be disposed on a layer different from the first trace line SL1. That is, the first trace line SL1 is disposed on the first sensor insulating layer IIL1, and the row sensing electrode RE is disposed on the second sensor insulating layer IIL2. As an example of the present invention, the first width W1 of the first trace line SL1 can be smaller than each second width W2 of the mesh lines. Therefore, even if the first trace line SL1 is disposed under the row sensing electrode RE within the sensing region SA (see FIG. 5), the phenomenon that the first trace line SL1 is visually recognized can be prevented.
[0191] Each of the first trace lines SL1 can have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure in which a plurality of films are stacked along the third direction DR3 (see FIG. 4). When the first trace line SL1 has a multilayer structure within the same width, the wiring resistance of each of the first trace lines SL1 can be reduced. As an example of the present invention, each of the first trace lines SL1 can have a three-layer structure. For example, each of the first trace lines SL1 can include a first metal film ML1, a second metal film ML2, and a third metal film ML3 that are sequentially stacked. The first and third metal films ML1, ML3 can include titanium, and the second metal film ML2 can include aluminum. As an example of the present invention, for reducing the wiring resistance of each of the first trace lines SL1, the second metal film ML2 can have a thickness of 6000 Å or more. Therefore, even if the first width W1 of each of the first trace lines SL1 is smaller than the second width W2, the phenomenon that the wiring resistance increases can be prevented.
[0192] Although only the first trace line SL1 is shown in FIG. 16, wirings disposed on the first sensor insulating layer IIL1 in FIGS. 5 to 14, such as the bridge electrode BE, the connection wirings SCL11 to SCL52, the second trace line SL2, the first and second sub-bridge electrodes SBE1, SBE2, etc. can also be designed to have a width smaller than that of the mesh lines to improve visibility.
[0193] The second sensor insulating layer IIL2 can include an organic film. The organic film can include at least any one of an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, a polyisoprene, a vinyl resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a cellulose resin, a siloxane resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide resin, and a perylene resin.
[0194] The mesh lines of the row sensing electrodes RE are disposed on the second sensor insulating layer IIL2 and can have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure. As an example of the present invention, each of the mesh lines can have a three-layer structure. For example, each of the mesh lines can include a fourth metal film ML4, a fifth metal film ML5, and a sixth metal film ML6 that are sequentially laminated. The fourth and sixth metal films ML4, ML6 can include titanium, and the fifth metal film ML5 can include aluminum.
[0195] In the above, the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the relevant technical field or those having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims to be described later. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the content described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be determined by the claims.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0196] ELD Electronic device DM Display module DP Display panel, display layer ISP Input sensor, sensor layer RE Row sensing electrode TE Column sensing electrode SL1 First trace line SL2 Second trace line SA Sensing area NSA Non-sensing area TIC Sensing controller T_OP Opening T_BOP boundary opening BE bridge electrode SME11~SME51 first segment sensing electrodes SME12~SME52 second segment sensing electrodes SCL11 to SCL51 first to fifth connection wirings SCL12 to SCL52 second to fifth connection wirings SBE1 first sub-bridge electrode SBE2 second sub-bridge electrode DAMP3~DAMP5 differential amplifiers PN pen
Claims
1. a display layer defining a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; a sensor layer having a sensing area corresponding to the display area and a non-sensing area adjacent to the sensing area defined therein; The sensor layer comprises: a plurality of row sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing area and including a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes arranged along a first direction; a plurality of first trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of row sensing electrodes and overlapping the sensing area; a plurality of column sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing area and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of column sensing electrodes; a bridge electrode connecting first and second sub-sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other in the first direction among the plurality of sub-sensing electrodes, Each of the plurality of column sensing electrodes extends in the second direction and includes an opening provided to overlap one of the plurality of first trace lines.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein a boundary opening is defined between two spaced apart column sensing electrodes among the plurality of column sensing electrodes.
3. the first sub-sensing electrode overlaps the opening; The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the second sub-sensing electrode overlaps the boundary opening.
4. Each of the plurality of column sensing electrodes a first sensing portion disposed between the first and second sub-sensing electrodes in the first direction; a second sensing portion extending in the second direction from the first sensing portion and having a width greater than a width of the first sensing portion, The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second sensing portions are provided in a unitary form.
5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the bridge electrode overlaps the first sensing portion.
6. Each of the plurality of row sensing electrodes a first sub-row sensing electrode; a second sub-row sensing electrode spaced apart from the first sub-row sensing electrode in the second direction; The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second sub-row sensing electrodes are electrically connected to each other.
7. Each of the plurality of first trace lines comprises: connected to the first sub-row sensing electrode through a first sub-contact hole; The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the second row sensing electrode is connected to the second sub-row sensing electrode through a second sub-contact hole.
8. Each of the plurality of row sensing electrodes The electronic device of claim 6 , further comprising a connecting electrode disposed in the non-sensing area and connecting the first and second sub-row sensing electrodes to each other.
9. The sensor layer comprises: The electronic device of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of dummy trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of row sensing electrodes and overlapping the sensing area.
10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein a dummy trace line among the plurality of dummy trace lines overlaps the boundary opening.
11. The sensing area is a first sensing region and a second sensing region spaced apart from each other in the first direction; The plurality of row sensing electrodes include: a first collateral sensing electrode disposed in the first sub-sensing region; and a second side sensing electrode disposed in the second sub-sensing region.
12. the first by-row sensing electrode is spaced apart from the second by-row sensing electrode in the first direction and is electrically isolated from the second by-row sensing electrode; The plurality of first trace lines include a first side trace line overlapping the first sub-sensing region and electrically connected to the first side row sensing electrode; The electronic device of claim 11 , further comprising: a second side trace line overlapping the second sub-sensing region and electrically coupled to the second side row sensing electrode.
13. The sensing area is first and second sub-sensing regions spaced apart from each other in the first direction; the first and second sub-sensing regions are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the third and fourth sub-sensing regions are spaced apart from each other in the second direction, The plurality of row sensing electrodes include: a first collateral sensing electrode disposed in the first sub-sensing region; a second side sensing electrode disposed in the second sub-sensing region; a third side sensing electrode disposed in the third sub-sensing region; and a fourth side row sensing electrode disposed in the fourth sub-sensing region.
14. the first by-row sensing electrode is spaced apart from the second by-row sensing electrode in the first direction and is electrically isolated from the second by-row sensing electrode; the third by-row sensing electrode is spaced apart from and electrically isolated from the fourth by-row sensing electrode in the first direction; The plurality of first trace lines include a first-1 trace line overlapping the first sub-sensing region and electrically connected to the first side sensing electrode; a first-second trace line overlapping the second sub-sensing region and electrically connected to the second side sensing electrode; a first-third trace line overlapping the third sub-sensing region and electrically connected to the third side row sensing electrode; 14. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising: a first-fourth trace line overlapping the fourth sub-sensing region and electrically coupled to the fourth side row sensing electrode.
15. The plurality of column sensing electrodes include: a first row sensing electrode disposed in the first sub-sensing region; a second row sensing electrode disposed in the second sub-sensing region; a third side row sensing electrode disposed in the third sub-sensing region and spaced apart from the first side row sensing electrode in the second direction; The electronic device of claim 13 , further comprising: a fourth side column sensing electrode disposed in the fourth sub-sensing region and spaced apart from the second side column sensing electrode in the second direction.
16. The plurality of second trace lines are a second-first side trace line electrically connected to the first side row sensing electrodes; a second-2 side trace line electrically connected to the second side row sensing electrodes; a second-third side trace line overlapping the first sub-sensing area and electrically connected to the third side row sensing electrodes; 16. The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising: a second-fourth side trace line overlapping the second sub-sensing region and electrically connected to the fourth side column sensing electrode.
17. Each of the second-third side trace line and the second-fourth side trace line is A first line portion disposed on the same layer as the first trace line; and a second line portion disposed on the same layer as the column sensing electrodes.
18. each of the row and column sensing electrodes includes mesh lines; The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first trace lines has a width smaller than each of the mesh lines within the sensing area.
19. The electronic device of claim 18 , wherein each of the first trace lines has a multi-layer structure.
20. a display layer defining a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; a sensor layer defining a sensing area corresponding to the display area and a peripheral area adjacent to the sensing area; a sensor driver coupled to the sensor layer and including a differential amplifier; The sensor layer comprises: a first segment sensing electrode disposed in the sensing area; second segmented sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing area and alternating with the first segmented sensing electrodes in a first direction; a plurality of first segment trace lines overlapping the sensing area and connecting the first segment sensing electrodes to a first terminal of the differential amplifier; a plurality of second segment trace lines overlapping the sensing area and connecting the second segment sensing electrodes to a second terminal of the differential amplifier; a plurality of column sensing electrodes disposed in the sensing area and extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of column sensing electrodes; a first column sensing electrode of the plurality of column sensing electrodes extends in the second direction and includes a first opening provided to overlap one of the first segment trace lines; A second column sensing electrode among the plurality of column sensing electrodes extends in the second direction and includes a second opening provided to overlap one of the second segment trace lines.
21. The sensor layer comprises: a first connection wire connecting segment sensing electrodes 1-1 arranged in a first row among the first segment sensing electrodes; a second connection wire connecting the second-segment sensing electrodes arranged in the first row among the second-segment sensing electrodes; The electronic device of claim 20 , wherein the first and second connection wires extend in the first direction and cross the column sensing electrodes on a plane.
22. Each of the first and second segment trace lines comprises: an intersection portion where the first and second connecting lines intersect; a non-intersecting portion that does not intersect with the first and second connecting lines, The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the intersection portion and the non-intersection portion are disposed on different layers.
23. the non-intersecting portion and the first and second connecting wires are disposed on a first sensor insulating layer; 23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the intersection portion and the first and second segmented sensing electrodes are disposed on a second sensor insulating layer.
24. Each of the first segment sensing electrodes comprises: A plurality of first sub-segment electrodes; a first sub-bridge electrode connecting the first sub-segment electrodes; Each of the second segment sensing electrodes comprises: A plurality of second sub-segment electrodes; and a second sub-bridge electrode connecting the plurality of second sub-segment electrodes.
25. the first and second sub-bridge electrodes are disposed on a layer different from that of the first and second sub-segment electrodes; The electronic device of claim 24 , wherein the first and second sub-bridge electrodes and the first and second connecting wires are disposed on the same layer.
26. The sensor driving unit is providing a first transmission signal to a first column sensing electrode among the plurality of column sensing electrodes; providing a second transmission signal to a second column sensing electrode adjacent to the first column sensing electrode among the plurality of column sensing electrodes; 21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the first and second transmission signals have opposite phases to each other.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
US11、531、438B2