Electronic device

Abstract

To narrow a bezel of a tablet type electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: The present invention is an invention of an electronic device including an integrated circuit and a sensor panel. The sensor panel includes a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction, arranged side by side in a second direction different from the first direction, and connected to the integrated circuit by first routing lines different from each other, and a plurality of second electrodes arranged side by side in the first direction and connected to the integrated circuit by second routing lines different from each other, wherein at least one of first and second outer electrodes located at an outermost end among the plurality of first electrodes is arranged to have a first cover portion covering at least a part of the second routing line outside the active area. The integrated circuit determines a position of the active pen based on a reception strength of a signal from the active pen in at least one of the first and second outer electrodes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor panel, and more particularly to a sensor panel that is used by being superimposed on a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a tablet-type electronic device having a function for detecting the position of a finger or a stylus, a sensor panel is disposed overlapping a display panel. The sensor panel has, in an area overlapping with the active area (display region) of the display panel, a plurality of linear electrodes, each of which includes a plurality of x-electrodes extending in the y-direction and arranged at equal intervals in the x-direction, and a plurality of y-electrodes extending in the x-direction and arranged at equal intervals in the y-direction. These linear electrodes are connected to an integrated circuit (sensor controller) that performs detection processing for the finger or stylus via a plurality of wirings and FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) connection terminals arranged in an area overlapping with the bezel region of the display panel.

[0003] Active pens are also known as a type of stylus. An active pen is a stylus equipped with a power supply and a signal processing circuit, and configured to transmit a pen signal by supplying an electric charge corresponding to a signal generated by the signal processing circuit to an electrode (pen electrode) provided near the pen tip. When detecting an active pen, the pen signal is received by one of the multiple linear electrodes in the sensor panel that is closest to the pen tip and supplied to the sensor controller via the FPC connection terminal. The sensor controller determines the x-coordinate of the active pen based on the reception level of the pen signal at each x-electrode, and determines the y-coordinate of the active pen based on the reception level of the pen signal at each y-electrode, thereby detecting the position of the active pen on the touch surface.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a position detection device that can detect both a finger and an active pen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-063249 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the sensor panel is placed on top of the display device as described above, the area of ​​the part of the sensor panel that must be placed outside the active area may become large, which would hinder the recent trend toward narrower bezels, and therefore improvement was needed.

[0007] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a sensor panel that can realize a narrow bezel for a tablet-type electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A sensor panel according to a first aspect of the present invention is a sensor panel that is used by being superimposed on a display device and is connected to an integrated circuit that detects the position of an active pen at least within the active area of ​​the display device, and includes: a plurality of first electrodes that each extend in a first direction and are arranged side by side in a second direction different from the first direction, and are connected to the integrated circuit by first routing lines that are different from each other; and a plurality of second electrodes that each extend in the second direction and are arranged side by side in the first direction, and are connected to the integrated circuit by second routing lines that are different from each other; the plurality of first electrodes include first and second outer electrodes that are located at the ends, and a plurality of first inner electrodes that are each the first electrodes other than the first and second outer electrodes; and the width in the second direction of at least one of the first and second outer electrodes is smaller than the width in the second direction of each of the plurality of first inner electrodes.

[0009] A sensor panel according to a second aspect of the present invention is a sensor panel that is used by being superimposed on a display device and is connected to an integrated circuit that detects the position of an active pen at least within the active area of ​​the display device, and includes: a plurality of first electrodes that each extend in a first direction and are arranged side by side in a second direction different from the first direction, and are connected to the integrated circuit by first routing lines that are different from each other; and a plurality of second electrodes that each extend in the second direction and are arranged side by side in the first direction, and are connected to the integrated circuit by second routing lines that are different from each other; and at least one of the first and second outer electrodes that are located at the ends of the plurality of first electrodes is arranged so as to have a first cover portion that covers at least a portion of the second routing line.

[0010] A sensor panel according to a third aspect of the present invention is a sensor panel that is used by being superimposed on a display device and is connected to an integrated circuit that detects the position of an active pen at least within an active area of ​​the display device, and includes: a plurality of first electrodes that each extend in a first direction and are arranged side by side in a second direction different from the first direction, and are connected to the integrated circuit by first routing lines that are different from each other; and a plurality of second electrodes that each extend in the second direction and are arranged side by side in the first direction, and are connected to the integrated circuit by second routing lines that are different from each other; the plurality of first electrodes include first and second outer electrodes that are located at the ends, and a plurality of first inner electrodes that are each the first electrodes other than the first and second outer electrodes; and at least one of the first and second outer electrodes is constituted by a mesh-like conductor that is formed so that the mesh density outside the active area is higher than the mesh density within the active area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the width of the portion of at least one of the first and second outer electrodes that must be placed outside the active area can be made smaller than in the past, and the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel that must be placed outside the active area can be made smaller than in the past, thereby making it possible to realize a narrower bezel for tablet-type electronic devices.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first and second outer electrodes can be arranged to overlap the second routing line, thereby reducing the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel that must be installed outside the active area compared to conventional devices, thereby enabling a narrower bezel for tablet-type electronic devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device 1 and an active pen 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a part of the sensor panel 5 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating detection of a pointed position by an active electrostatic coupling method. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 corresponding to the line BB shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to a first modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating problems that may occur in the sensor panel 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]10(a) to 10(c) are schematic enlarged views of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to second to fourth modified examples of the second embodiment of the present invention, respectively. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a part of a sensor panel 5 according to the background art of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 corresponding to the CC line shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device 1 and an active pen 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the sensor panel 5 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 corresponding to line AA shown in Fig. 2. Note that Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic views and do not necessarily coincide with Fig. 1.

[0016] The electronic device 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, a tablet computer, and includes a host controller 2, a display panel 3 (display device), a sensor controller 4, and a sensor panel 5, as shown in FIG.

[0017] The host controller 2 is a computer having a processor and memory (neither shown), and the processor reads and executes programs stored in the memory to perform various processes such as controlling each part of the electronic device 1, including the illustrated display panel 3 and sensor controller 4, and executing various applications including a drawing application. The memory includes a main memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory.

[0018] The display panel 3 is configured to have an active area A and a bezel area B shown in FIG. 3. The active area A is a rectangular area in which a plurality of pixels (not shown) are arranged in a matrix. A drive circuit (not shown) provided within the display panel 3 drives each of these pixels under the control of the host controller 2, thereby producing any display within the active area A. The bezel area B is a strip-shaped area provided between the outer periphery Aa of the active area A and the outer edge of the display panel 3. The drive circuit and wiring (not shown) that connects each pixel within the active area A to the drive circuit are arranged in the bezel area B. Specific examples of the display panel 3 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and electronic paper.

[0019] The sensor controller 4 and the sensor panel 5 are input devices for the host controller 2. Of these, the sensor controller 4 is an integrated circuit (IC) that detects the positions of the active pen 10 and the user's finger (not shown) at least within the active area A of the display panel 3. The sensor controller 4 may detect and output the positions of the active pen 10 and the user's finger outside the active area A in addition to within the active area A. Furthermore, it is not essential for the sensor controller 4 to have a function for detecting the position of a finger in the present invention. The sensor panel 5 is a device that is used by being superimposed on the display panel 3, and is connected to the sensor controller 4.

[0020] First, to explain the sensor panel 5 in detail, the sensor panel 5 is composed of a plurality of linear electrodes 5x, 5y and a plurality of wirings 6x, 6y shown in Figures 1 to 3, a plurality of guard wirings LG shown in Figure 1, and an adhesive sheet 23, a film 24, an adhesive sheet 25, and a cover glass 26 shown in Figure 3.

[0021] Each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, 5y is a plate-like or mesh-like conductor. When the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, 5y are mesh-like conductors, the shape shown in Fig. 1 etc. represents the overall outer shape, and the shape and arrangement of the linear electrodes 5x, 5y described below apply to this outer shape. Note that Figs. 10 and 11 shown below specifically show examples of mesh-like conductors.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of linear electrodes 5x (first electrodes) extend in the y direction (first direction) and are arranged side by side in the x direction (second direction different from the first direction) perpendicular to the y direction. Hereinafter, the two most outermost linear electrodes 5x among the plurality of linear electrodes 5x will be referred to as outer electrodes 5xa and 5xb (first and second outer electrodes), respectively, and the remaining linear electrodes 5x will be referred to as inner electrodes 5x (first inner electrodes) to distinguish them. The outer electrodes 5xa and 5xb are each disposed at a position covering the outer periphery Aa of the active area A. Each linear electrode 5x is connected to the sensor controller 4 via a different wiring 6x (first routing line) and an FPC connection terminal T.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of linear electrodes 5y (second electrodes) extend in the x direction and are arranged side by side in the y direction. Hereinafter, the two most peripheral electrodes of the plurality of linear electrodes 5y will be referred to as outer electrodes 5ya and 5yb (third and fourth outer electrodes), respectively, and the remaining electrodes will be referred to as inner electrodes 5y (second inner electrodes) to distinguish them. The outer electrodes 5ya and 5yb are each disposed in a position covering the outer periphery Aa of the active area A. Each linear electrode 5y is connected to the sensor controller 4 via a different wiring 6y (second routing line) and an FPC connection terminal T. Although all the linear electrodes 5y are connected to the wiring 6y on the same side in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the figures described below, each linear electrode 5y may be connected to the wiring 6y alternately at the right and left ends of the drawings from the outer electrode 5ya to the outer electrode 5yb.

[0024] The multiple guard wires LG are wires that serve to insulate the multiple wires 6x from the multiple wires 6y, and are wired so as to sandwich both sides of the multiple wires 6x and both sides of the multiple wires 6y, as shown in Fig. 1. The multiple guard wires LG are also connected to the sensor controller 4 via corresponding FPC connection terminals T. The sensor controller 4 is configured to supply a specific potential such as ground potential to each guard wire LG.

[0025] The multiple guard wires LG are not an essential component. The guard wires LG may be linear conductors or mesh conductors. Furthermore, the guard wires LG may be used as electrodes for detecting whether or not a pen is present at the bezel position.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , the adhesive sheet 23, the film 24, the adhesive sheet 25, and the cover glass 26 are layered in this order from the side closest to the display panel 3. The adhesive sheets 23 and 25 are made of a transparent adhesive such as OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) or OCR (Optical Clear Resin). A plurality of linear electrodes 5x, a plurality of wires 6x, a plurality of guard wires LG, and a plurality of FPC connection terminals T connected to the plurality of wires 6x and the plurality of guard wires LG are arranged on the upper surface of the film 24 (the surface facing the cover glass 26), and the adhesive sheet 25 serves to fix these to the film 24. Furthermore, a plurality of linear electrodes 5y, a plurality of wires 6y, a plurality of guard wires LG, and a plurality of FPC connection terminals T connected to the plurality of wires 6y and the plurality of guard wires LG are arranged on the lower surface of the film 24, and the adhesive sheet 23 serves to fix these to the film 24. If necessary, the wiring formed on the upper surface of the film 24 and the wiring formed on the lower surface of the film 24 may be connected to each other by via electrodes that penetrate the film 24. Note that the multiple FPC connection terminals T are arranged side by side along one side of the rectangular sensor panel 5 that is parallel to the x direction, as shown in FIG.

[0027] The upper surface of the cover glass 26 forms a touch surface 26a, which is a flat surface to be touched by the pen tip 10a of the active pen 10 or a user's finger (not shown). Each component of the sensor panel 5, including this cover glass 26, is made of a transparent material or a non-transparent material whose arrangement density is designed to allow light to pass through, at least within the region overlapping with the active area A, so that the user can view the image displayed on the active area A through the sensor panel 5.

[0028] Next, the sensor controller 4 has a processor and memory (neither of which are shown), and is mounted on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board or a rigid board (not shown). The board on which the sensor controller 4 is mounted is crimped to a plurality of FPC connection terminals T arranged in the wiring area of ​​the sensor panel 5, and the sensor controller 4 and each wiring in the sensor panel 5 are electrically connected through this crimping.

[0029] Functionally, the sensor controller 4 is configured to detect the position pointed by the active pen 10 and the user's finger (not shown) on the touch surface 26a and receive data signals transmitted by the active pen 10, by having the processor read and execute programs stored in the memory. The detection of the position pointed by the active pen 10 is performed using an active electrostatic coupling method, while the detection of the position of the user's finger is performed using an electrostatic capacitance method.

[0030] The capacitance method acquires the pointed position based on changes in capacitance between the multiple linear electrodes 5x and 5y and the user's finger. When detecting a position using the capacitance method, the sensor controller 4 sequentially supplies a predetermined detection signal to each of the multiple linear electrodes 5x and measures the potential of each of the multiple linear electrodes 5y. When the user's finger approaches the intersection of a certain linear electrode 5x and a linear electrode 5y, part of the current flowing from that linear electrode 5x to that linear electrode 5y flows out toward the user's body, reducing the potential measured for that linear electrode 5y. The sensor controller 4 uses this change in potential to detect the pointed position.

[0031] The active electrostatic coupling method is a method in which a pen signal transmitted by the active pen 10 is received by the sensor panel 5 and the position indicated by the active pen 10 is detected based on the result. The pen signal includes a position signal, which is an unmodulated burst signal, and a data signal indicating various data related to the active pen 10. The various data includes writing pressure data indicating the pressure applied to the pen tip 10a of the active pen 10. The active pen 10 may transmit a pen signal in response to receiving an uplink signal transmitted by the sensor controller 4 via the multiple linear electrodes 5x, 5y. In this case, it is preferable that the active pen 10 determine the specific content of the data to be transmitted by the data signal in accordance with a command included in the uplink signal.

[0032] When detecting a pointed position using the active electrostatic coupling method, the sensor controller 4 receives a position signal from each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, 5y, and detects the pointed position of the active pen 10 based on the received position signal. The specific method of this detection will be described in detail later. The sensor controller 4 also detects the data signal sent by the active pen 10 using one of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, 5y that is closest to the detected pointed position.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating detection of a pointed position using the active electrostatic coupling method. Below, with reference to FIG. 4, we will explain a case where the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel that must be installed outside the active area is large. Note that the pointed position detection method described below was invented by the inventor of the present application and was not publicly known as of the priority date of the present application.

[0034] 4 shows an outer electrode 5xa and three inner electrodes 5x-1 to 5x-3 in order from the side closest to the outer electrode 5xa. The following description focuses on these four electrodes, but the same applies to the other linear electrodes 5x and 5y.

[0035] 4 indicates the area where the reception strength of the position signal is greatest at the outer electrode 5xa. Similarly, areas DA1 to DA3 indicate the areas where the reception strength of the position signal is greatest at the inner electrodes 5x-1 to 5x-3, respectively.

[0036] When the pen tip 10a of the active pen 10 is within area DA1, the sensor controller 4 detects the x-coordinate of the pen tip 10a by referring to the reception strength of the position signal received by the inner electrode 5x-1 as well as the two linear electrodes 5x on either side of it, i.e., the outer electrode 5xa and the inner electrode 5x-2. Specifically, based on the reception strength at the inner electrode 5x-1, it is first determined whether the pen tip 10a is on the center line of the inner electrode 5x-1 in the x direction or is slightly shifted in the x direction. This determination makes use of the property of reception strength that the signal becomes weaker the further the pen tip 10a is from the center line in the x direction.

[0037] If the former is determined, the sensor controller 4 determines the x-coordinate of the center line of the inner electrode 5x-1 in the x direction as the x-coordinate of the pen tip 10a. On the other hand, if the latter is determined, the sensor controller 4 determines the direction of the deviation, i.e., whether it is toward the outer electrode 5xa or toward the inner electrode 5x-2, based on the ratio of the reception strength at the outer electrode 5xa to the reception strength at the inner electrode 5x-2. Next, the sensor controller 4 determines the magnitude of the deviation based on the reception strength at either the outer electrode 5xa or the inner electrode 5x-2, whichever is in the direction of the deviation. Then, the sensor controller 4 determines the x-coordinate of the pen tip 10a based on the result. In this way, the sensor controller 4 sequentially determines the presence or absence of deviation, the direction of deviation, and the magnitude of deviation, and detects the x-coordinate of the pen tip 10a based on the result.

[0038] According to this position detection method, when the maximum reception intensity is observed at the outer electrode 5xa, the sensor controller 4 cannot determine the x-coordinate. This is because there are no other linear electrodes 5x on one side of the outer electrode 5xa in the x-direction, making it impossible to determine the direction of displacement. Therefore, the sensor controller 4 is configured to consider the direction of the inner electrode 5x-1 as the direction of displacement when the maximum reception intensity is observed at the outer electrode 5xa. However, simply configuring the sensor controller 4 in this manner would prevent the x-coordinate from being detected outside the center line of the outer electrode 5xa (the side where no adjacent linear electrodes 5x exist). Therefore, the arrangement of the multiple linear electrodes 5x is determined so that the center line of the outer electrode 5xa in the x-direction overlaps (i.e., coincides with) the outer periphery Aa of the active area A or is located outside the outer periphery Aa. The inventors of the present application refer to this type of linear electrode arrangement method as the "active area outer periphery covering method." The same applies to the outer electrode 5xb located at the opposite end and the outer electrodes 5ya and 5yb of the plurality of linear electrodes 5y.

[0039] The active area outer periphery covering method makes it possible to detect coordinates properly without coordinate fluctuations up to the edge of the active area A. However, since linear electrodes must also be arranged outside the active area A, the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel 5 that must be installed outside the active area A increases. This can be a factor hindering the recent trend toward narrower bezels. This embodiment solves this problem and provides a sensor panel 5 that can achieve a narrower bezel for a tablet-type electronic device 1.

[0040] Returning to the explanation of Figures 1 to 3, the sensor controller 4 is configured to report to the host controller 2 the coordinates indicating the pointing positions of the active pen 10 and the user's finger detected as described above, and various data included in the data signal received from the active pen 10. The sensor controller 4 is also configured to obtain pen-down information indicating that the active pen 10 has come into contact with the touch surface and pen-up information indicating that the active pen 10 has been released from the touch surface, based on the writing pressure data received from the active pen 10, and to report this information to the host controller 2 at each timing.

[0041] The host controller 2 performs at least one of displaying a pointer and generating ink data upon receiving the coordinates from the sensor controller 4. The pointer is displayed by displaying a predetermined pointer image at a position on the active area A of the display panel 3 that corresponds to the input coordinates.

[0042] The ink data includes control points formed by a plurality of coordinates sequentially supplied from the sensor controller 4, and curve data obtained by interpolating between the control points using a predetermined interpolation curve. The host controller 2 starts generating ink data for the user's finger when coordinate input begins and ends the generation of ink data when coordinate input ends. Meanwhile, the host controller 2 starts generating ink data for the active pen 10 when pen-down information is input and ends the generation of ink data when pen-up information is input. When generating ink data for the active pen 10, the host controller 2 also controls the width and / or transparency of the curve data constituting the ink data based on the writing pressure data received from the active pen 10. The host controller 2 renders the generated ink data to display it on the display panel 3 and stores the generated ink data in its memory.

[0043] So far, we have explained the basic configuration of the electronic device 1. Next, we will explain the characteristic features of the sensor panel 5 according to the present invention. First, we will explain the problems in the background art with reference to the drawings, and then we will explain in detail the characteristic features of the sensor panel 5 according to the present invention.

[0044] 11 is a schematic enlarged view of a part of a sensor panel 5 according to the background art of the present invention. Also, FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 corresponding to the line CC shown in FIG.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the sensor panel 5 according to the background art, the width in the x-direction of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x and the width in the y-direction of the plurality of linear electrodes 5y are both fixed values W1 (for example, 4 mm). Therefore, for example, when determining the arrangement of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x such that the center line in the x-direction of the outer electrode 5xa overlaps with the outer periphery Aa of the active area A, the width WP of the outer electrode 5xa that protrudes outside the active area A is equal to W1 / 2 (for example, 2 mm). The same applies to the other outer electrodes 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb.

[0046] However, if the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb protrude W1 / 2 outside the active area A in this way, the area of the portion of the sensor panel 5 that has to be installed outside the active area A will increase. Since this hinders the narrowing of the bezels of the electronic device 1 that has been progressing in recent years, improvement has been required. The sensor panel 5 according to the present embodiment was invented in view of such problems, and compared with the background art, it realizes reducing the area of the portion of the sensor panel 5 that has to be installed outside the active area A, thereby realizing the narrowing of the bezels of the electronic device 1.

[0047] Hereinafter, referring again to FIG. 2, the characteristic portions of the sensor panel 5 according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0048] In the sensor panel 5 according to the present embodiment, the widths of each of the inner electrodes 5x and 5y are both fixed values W1, similar to the sensor panel 5 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. On the other hand, the widths of each of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb are set to a fixed value W2 (<W1) smaller than the fixed value W1. Therefore, for example, when determining the arrangement of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x such that the center line in the x-direction of the outer electrode 5xa overlaps with the outer periphery Aa of the active area A, the width WP of the outer electrode 5xa that protrudes outside the active area A is equal to W2 / 2. The same applies to the other outer electrodes 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb.

[0049] W2 / 2 is a value smaller than W1 / 2. Therefore, it can be said that the sensor panel 5 according to this embodiment achieves a smaller width for the portions of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb that must be placed outside the active area A, compared to the background art shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0050] As described above, according to the sensor panel 5 of this embodiment, for at least one of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, 5yb, the width of the portion that must be placed outside the active area A can be made smaller than in the past. Therefore, the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel 5 that must be placed outside the active area A can be made smaller than in the past, making it possible to achieve a narrower bezel for the tablet-type electronic device 1.

[0051] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of electronic device 1 corresponding to line BB shown in Fig. 5.

[0052] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that at least one of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb is arranged to overlap at least a portion of the plurality of wirings 6y, and at least one of the outer electrodes 5ya, 5yb is arranged to overlap at least a portion of the wiring 6x. Since the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, with the same reference numerals assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer electrode 5xa is arranged to have a cover portion Cx (first cover portion) that covers at least a portion (preferably two or more) of the multiple wirings 6y. Although not shown, the same applies to the outer electrode 5xb. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer electrode 5ya is arranged to have a cover portion Cy (second cover portion) that covers at least a portion (preferably two or more) of the multiple wirings 6x. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the outer electrode 5yb does not need to have a cover portion because there are no wirings 6x in the corresponding region. Note that the width of each of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb in this embodiment is W2, which is smaller than the width W1 of the inner electrodes 5x and 5y, as in the first embodiment.

[0054] According to this embodiment, at least one of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb can be arranged to overlap the wirings 6x and 6y, so that the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel 5 that must be placed outside the active area A can be made smaller than in the past. Therefore, this embodiment also makes it possible to realize a narrow bezel for the tablet-type electronic device 1.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the linear electrodes 5x, 5y are arranged over most of the area within the bezel area, which provides the further advantage of enabling the active pen 10 located within the bezel area to receive the above-mentioned uplink signal.

[0056] 7 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to a first modification of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the width of each of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb is set to W2, the same as in the first embodiment. However, in this modification, the width of each of the outer electrodes 5xa, 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb is set to W1, the same as the width of the inner electrodes 5x and 5y. Even in this modification, the effect of reducing the area of ​​the portion of the sensor panel 5 that must be installed outside the active area A compared to the conventional embodiment can be obtained, as in the present embodiment, and therefore it is possible to realize a narrower bezel for the tablet-type electronic device 1.

[0057] However, according to this embodiment, a completely different problem may arise, and therefore, this problem and the configuration of the sensor panel 5 for solving it will be described below.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a problem that may arise in the sensor panel 5 according to this embodiment. As described above, the multiple FPC connection terminals T are arranged along one side of the rectangular sensor panel 5 that is parallel to the x-direction (see FIG. 1). As a result, among the regions overlapping with the outer electrodes 5xa, the density of the wiring 6y differs between the remote area Ar, which is relatively far from the region where the multiple FPC connection terminals T are arranged (hereinafter referred to as the terminal area TA), and the nearby area An, which is relatively close to the terminal area TA. This results in a difference in the reception strength of the pen signal between the remote area Ar and the wiring 6y. In other words, the parasitic capacitance generated between the remote area Ar and the wiring 6y is smaller than that in the nearby area An, and therefore the pen signal is received more strongly.

[0059] Thus, if there is a difference in the reception strength of the pen signal between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An, the x coordinate calculated in both areas will differ. In other words, even if the pen tip of the active pen 10 is actually at the same position when viewed in the x direction, an x ​​coordinate detected near the remote area Ar will be further outward than that detected near the nearby area An. Since such a difference in the x coordinate calculated between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An is undesirable, improvement is required.

[0060] 9(a) to 9(c) are schematic enlarged views of portions of the sensor panel 5 according to second to fourth modified examples of the second embodiment of the present invention, respectively. Each of these has a configuration that prevents differences in the coordinates calculated for the remote area Ar and the nearby area An. Note that these figures omit the depiction of the linear electrodes 5x other than the outer electrode 5xa. Each will be described in detail below.

[0061] 9(a) shows a sensor panel 5 according to a second modification including dummy wirings D arranged overlapping with an outer electrode 5xa. The dummy wirings D are arranged in the same layer as the plurality of wirings 6y so as not to be connected to either of the plurality of wirings 6x, 6y, and are arranged more densely in areas where the density of the wirings 6y is sparse. The dummy wirings D are supplied with a ground potential from the sensor controller 4, similar to the guard wirings LG described above.

[0062] According to this modification, the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance generated between the outer electrode 5xa and the wiring superimposed thereon can be made uniform between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An, and therefore the received strength of the pen signal can be made uniform, preventing differences in the x coordinates calculated between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An.

[0063] 9(b) and 9(c), the outer electrodes 5xa are formed so that the width Wr in the x-direction in the remote area Ar is smaller than the width Wn in the x-direction in the nearby area. The difference between the third and fourth modifications is that in the third modification, the outer electrodes 5xa become thinner in stages according to the number of wirings 6y, whereas in the fourth modification, the outer electrodes 5xa become thinner according to the distance from the terminal area TA.

[0064] In both the third and fourth modifications, the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance generated between the outer electrode 5xa and the wiring superimposed thereon can be made uniform between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An, and therefore the received strength of the pen signal can be made uniform, preventing differences in the x coordinates calculated between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An.

[0065] Although the second to fourth modified examples have been described focusing on the outer electrode 5xa, these modified examples can also be applied to the outer electrodes 5xb and 5ya. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the outer electrode 5yb does not have any overlapping wiring 6x, so the second to fourth modified examples do not need to be applied. However, if it is necessary to equalize the reception strength of the pen signal between the outer electrodes 5ya and 5yb, a dummy wiring D may also be provided for the outer electrode 5yb, and the outer electrode 5yb may be formed thinner than the outer electrode 5ya.

[0066] Furthermore, since the phenomenon of differences in coordinates depending on the area occurs only in a part of the active area A, depending on the required accuracy of coordinates, it may be possible to use the second embodiment without applying the second to fourth modified examples. Furthermore, since the specific degree of difference in coordinates calculated between the remote area Ar and the nearby area An is determined when the configuration of the sensor panel 5 is determined, it may be possible to address this by incorporating a correction process into the coordinate calculation process of the sensor controller 4, rather than correcting by a physical configuration as in the second to fourth modified examples.

[0067] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 10 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of a sensor panel 5 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a configuration that can be particularly adopted when the plurality of linear electrodes 5x, 5y are each formed of a mesh-like conductor will be described. The overall configuration of the electronic device 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the sensor panel 5 is as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Therefore, in the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0068] 10 specifically depicts the mesh-like conductors that make up each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5x. Each of the plurality of linear electrodes 5y is also a mesh-like conductor, but is not depicted to avoid complicating the drawing.

[0069] 10, in this embodiment, the outer electrode 5xa is formed of a mesh-shaped conductor formed so that the mesh density outside the active area A is higher than the mesh density inside the active area A. More specifically, it is preferable to form the outer electrode 5xa so that the mesh density increases gradually or in steps from inside the active area A to outside the active area A. Although not shown, the same applies to the outer electrodes 5xb, 5ya, and 5yb.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the intensity distribution of the pen signal near the outer electrode 5xa can be shifted outward compared to when the outer electrode 5xa is formed using a uniform mesh conductor or a uniform plate conductor. As a result, the sensor controller 4 can detect the x coordinate further outward from the center line of the outer electrode 5xa in the x direction. This allows the width WP of the portion of the outer electrode 5xa that needs to be placed outside the active area A to be set to a value smaller than W1 / 2, as shown in FIG. 10. This means that the active area A can be expanded outward compared to the background art. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a narrower bezel for the tablet-type electronic device 1, as in the first and second embodiments.

[0071] The third embodiment can also be applied to an outer electrode that is not a mesh electrode. That is, the outer electrode may be configured so that when the pen tip 10a of the active pen 10 is located outside the active area A, the coupling capacitance formed between the electrode provided on the pen tip 10a and the outer electrode is larger than when the pen tip 10a is located inside the active area A.

[0072] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0073] For example, the sensor panel may have linear electrodes further outside the outer electrodes. Such linear electrodes are used, for example, to detect the presence of an active pen within the bezel area. In this case, the outer electrodes referred to in the present invention are the most outer linear electrodes among the plurality of linear electrodes used to detect coordinates within the active area.

[0074] Alternatively, the outer electrodes may be entirely located outside the active area. The sensor panel 5 described in the second embodiment is an example of a sensor panel having such an outer electrode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Electronic equipment 2 Host Controller 3 Display panel 4 Sensor Controller 5 Sensor Panel 5x,5y linear electrode (inner electrode) 5xa,5xb,5ya,5yb outer electrode 6x,6y wiring 10 Active Pen 10a Active Pen 10 nib 23,25 Adhesive sheet 24 Film 26 Coverslip 26a Touch surface A Active Area Aa Outer periphery of active area A An Nearby Area Ar Remote Area B Bezel area Cx, Cy cover D Dummy wiring LG guard wiring T FPC connection terminal TA terminal area

Claims

1. an integrated circuit that determines a position of the active pen within at least an active area of ​​the display device based on signals received from the active pen; a sensor panel connected to the integrated circuit and arranged to overlap the display device; An electronic device comprising: The sensor panel includes: a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged side by side in a second direction different from the first direction, the first electrodes connected to the integrated circuit by first routing lines different from each other; a plurality of second electrodes each extending in the second direction and arranged side by side in the first direction, the second electrodes being connected to the integrated circuit by different second routing lines; At least one of a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode located at an end of the plurality of first electrodes is arranged to have a first cover portion that covers at least a portion of the second routing line outside the active area; the integrated circuit determines a position of the active pen based on a received strength of a signal from the active pen at the at least one of the first and second outer electrodes. electronic equipment.

2. the first cover portion is formed to cover at least two or more of the plurality of second routing lines; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. further including a dummy wiring arranged to overlap at least one of the first and second outer electrodes, 3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the dummy wiring is not connected to any of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes; The electronic device according to claim 3 .

5. A ground potential is supplied to the dummy wiring.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. a terminal area in which a plurality of terminals are arranged, each terminal connected to one of the plurality of second routing lines; at least one of the first and second outer electrodes is formed so that a width in the second direction in a remote area that is relatively far from the terminal area is smaller than a width in the second direction in a nearby area that is relatively close to the terminal area; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

7. At least one of a third outer electrode and a fourth outer electrode located at an end of the plurality of second electrodes is arranged to have a second cover portion covering at least a part of the first routing line. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

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