Touch input device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-functional touch input device capable of detecting a touch position and driving a stylus pen to detect a position of the stylus pen.SOLUTION: The sensor unit includes a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit, a plurality of second patterns extending in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first patterns, a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit, and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the third patterns and having one ends electrically floating and the other ends electrically connected to each other, and the first patterns include a first side 1a pattern and a second side 1b pattern disposed along the first direction. The second pattern includes a first side 2a pattern and a second side 2b pattern arranged along the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunctional touch input device that can detect a touch position, drive a stylus pen, and detect the position of the stylus pen. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of input devices are used to operate computing systems, such as buttons, keys, joysticks, and touch screens. Touch input devices with touch screens are increasingly being used to operate computing systems due to the ease and convenience of touch screens. Recently, stylus pens have also become available as an additional input device for operating touch input devices.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating how an output voltage (Vout) of a capacitance to voltage amplifier (CVA) changes depending on the position of a stylus pen 10 on a flexible display panel in a conventional touch input device.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, the reason why the CVA output varies depending on the position of the pen 10 on the flexible display panel is that the impedance ratio on both sides of the pen 10 on the sensing line changes.

[0005] Based on the long axis of a conventional flexible display panel, the resistance (R) of a metal mesh touch sensor is about 1.2k (ohm), and the capacitance (C) is about 250pF.

[0006] Based on 10 distributed models, at a drive frequency of 300kHz, the impedance of the capacitor is approximately 200 times greater than the resistance (120 ohms vs. 1 / (2π*300k*25pF)=21k ohms). Therefore, the capacitor is the main cause.

[0007] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining, through current sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differ depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining, through voltage sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differ depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1.

[0008] 2 and 3, the output voltage of the CVA varies depending on the position of the pen 10 on the sensing line. That is, the closer the pen 10 is to the sensing circuit unit 50, the larger the output voltage of the CVA becomes, and the farther the pen 10 is from the sensing circuit unit 50, the smaller the output voltage of the CVA becomes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional touch input device that can detect a touch position, drive a stylus pen, and detect the position of the stylus pen.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch input device that can widen the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch drive signal and the pen drive signal when the screen of the touch input device is expanded to the size of the screen of a tablet PC.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch input device that can reduce attenuation of a pen sensing signal when the screen of the touch input device is expanded to the size of the screen of a tablet PC. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit and a control unit, the sensor unit including a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit, a plurality of second patterns also extending in the first direction and arranged adjacent to the first patterns, a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit, and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and arranged adjacent to the third patterns, having one end electrically floating and the other end electrically connected to each other, the first patterns including patterns 1a and 1b arranged along the first direction, and the second patterns including patterns 2a and 2b arranged along the first direction.

[0013] Here, the other ends of the multiple 2a patterns of the multiple second patterns may be electrically connected to each other, and one ends of two adjacent patterns may be electrically connected to each other in the second direction and electrically connected to the control unit, and the other ends of the multiple 2b patterns of the multiple second patterns may be electrically connected to each other, and one ends of two adjacent patterns may be electrically connected to each other in the second direction and electrically connected to the control unit.

[0014] Here, the control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen. In the touch driving / sensing mode, the control unit applies touch driving signals in the plurality of first patterns and receives touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns. In the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies pen driving signals for driving the stylus pen in the plurality of second patterns. In the stylus sensing mode, the control unit receives pen sensing signals from the stylus pen through the plurality of first patterns and the plurality of third patterns.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a touch input device includes a sensor unit and a control unit, and the sensor unit includes a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and electrically connected to the control unit at one end; a plurality of second patterns extending in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first patterns, and having one end electrically connected to the control unit and the other ends electrically connected to each other; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the third patterns, and having one end electrically floating and the other ends electrically connected to each other.

[0016] Here, the control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen. In the touch driving / sensing mode, the control unit applies touch driving signals in the plurality of first patterns and receives touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns. In the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies pen driving signals for driving the stylus pen in the plurality of second patterns. In the stylus sensing mode, the control unit receives pen sensing signals from the stylus pen through the plurality of second patterns and the plurality of third patterns.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a touch input device includes a sensor unit and a control unit, and the sensor unit includes a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and electrically connected to the control unit at one end; a plurality of second patterns extending in the first direction and arranged adjacent to the first patterns, each having one end electrically floating and the other end electrically connected to each other; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and one end electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and arranged adjacent to the third patterns, each having one end electrically connected to the control unit and the other end electrically connected to each other.

[0018] Here, the control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen. In the touch driving / sensing mode, the control unit applies touch driving signals in the plurality of first patterns and receives touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns. In the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies pen driving signals for driving the stylus pen in the plurality of fourth patterns. In the stylus sensing mode, the control unit receives pen sensing signals from the stylus pen through the plurality of first patterns and the plurality of fourth patterns. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to detect the touch position, drive the stylus pen, and detect the position of the stylus pen.

[0020] In addition, when the screen of the touch input device is expanded to the size of the screen of a tablet PC, there is an advantage that the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal and the pen driving signal can be widened.

[0021] In addition, when the screen of the touch input device is expanded to the size of the screen of a tablet PC, there is an advantage that attenuation of the pen sensing signal can be alleviated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating that an output voltage (Vout) of a CVA (Capacitor Voltage Amplitude) changes depending on the position of a stylus pen 10 on a flexible display panel in a conventional touch input device. [Figure 2]2 is a diagram for explaining, through current sensing, that the output voltages (Vout11, Vout2) of the CVA vary depending on the position of the pen 10 in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram for explaining, through voltage sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA vary depending on the position of the pen 10 in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sensor unit 100 of a touch input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the configuration of the sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sensor unit 100' of a touch input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a sensor unit 100′ shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the configuration of the sensor unit 100′ shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of still another example of the sensor unit 100′ shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of still another example of the sensor unit 100′ shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] 9 is a diagram showing the touch input device shown in FIG. 8 in detail; [Figure 13] 12. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method in which the control unit 300 of FIG. 12 applies a pen driving signal for driving a stylus pen to a plurality of second patterns 102A shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 14(a) to 14(f) are diagrams for roughly explaining the operation principle of the touch input device of FIG. 12 in a stylus sensing mode. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram showing the touch input device shown in FIG. 9 in detail; [Figure 16] 11 is a diagram showing the touch input device shown in FIG. 10 in detail; [Figure 17] 12 is a diagram showing the touch input device shown in FIG. 11 in detail; [Figure 18] 8 is a view schematically illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100, 100' shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that various embodiments of the present invention, although different from one another, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein in connection with one embodiment may be embodied in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims, if properly interpreted, are entitled. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate the same or similar functionality throughout the various aspects.

[0024] The touch input device according to various embodiments of the present document may be a touch input device such as a typical smartphone, or may be a touch input device having a rectangular screen that is relatively larger than the screen of a typical smartphone, with a diagonal length of approximately 10 inches to 13 inches. For example, the touch input device may include at least one of a folder-type smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a vehicle display device, an e-book reader, a laptop personal computer, and a netbook computer.

[0025] In addition, the touch input device according to various embodiments of the present invention can not only detect the position of an object such as a finger placed on the screen, but also output a drive signal for driving a stylus pen and detect the position of the stylus pen placed on the screen by sensing the signal emitted from the stylus pen.

[0026] Various embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the sensor unit 100 of the touch input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The touch input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a portrait-type touch input device. In such a portrait-type touch input device, the width is smaller than the height, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the sensor unit 100 is disposed below the sensor unit 100. For example, this corresponds to the shape of a smartphone.

[0029] The sensor unit 100 can not only detect the position of an object such as a finger placed on the screen, but also drive a stylus pen placed on the screen and detect the position of the stylus pen placed on the screen by sensing a signal emitted from the stylus pen.

[0030] The sensor unit 100 includes a large number of patterns (or a large number of electrodes).

[0031] The sensor unit 100 may include a number of first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0032] The first pattern 101 has a shape extending along an arbitrary first direction y. The first direction may be the long axis direction of the screen of the touch input device. The first pattern 101 may also be named ATX (Active TX).

[0033] The second pattern 102 has a shape extending along the first direction y, is disposed adjacent to the first pattern 101, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first pattern 101. The second pattern 102 may also be named DTX (Dummy TX).

[0034] The third pattern 103 has a shape that extends along a second direction x that is different from the first direction. The second direction x may be perpendicular to the first direction y and may be the minor axis direction of the screen of the touch input device. The third pattern 103 may also be named ARX (Active RX).

[0035] The fourth pattern 104 has a shape extending along the second direction x, and is disposed adjacent to the third pattern 103, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the third pattern 103. The fourth pattern 104 may also be named DRX (dummy RX).

[0036] The third and fourth patterns 103 and 104 are disposed on the first and second patterns 101 and 102, and are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first and second patterns 101 and 102. Meanwhile, the sensor unit in which the first to fourth patterns are disposed on the same layer will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0037] The multiple first patterns 101 are arranged along the second direction x, and the multiple second patterns 102 are also arranged along the second direction x. The multiple third patterns 103 are arranged along the first direction y, and the multiple fourth patterns 104 are also arranged along the first direction y.

[0038] The first patterns 101 extend along a first direction y, and the third patterns 103 extend along a second direction x, and the first direction y is longer than the second direction x, so the number of the first patterns 101 is less than the number of the third patterns 103. Therefore, the number of channels of the first patterns 101 is less than the number of channels of the third patterns 103.

[0039] Here, the number of the first patterns 101 and the number of the third patterns 103 may be increased or decreased depending on the size of the screen of the touch input device.

[0040] The number of second patterns 102 may be the same as the number of first patterns 101. The other ends of the second patterns 102 are electrically connected to each other via a conductive pattern. Here, the conductive pattern may be a metal mesh or a silver trace.

[0041] 5, one end of two or more adjacent second patterns 102 among the plurality of second patterns 102 may be electrically connected via a conductive pattern. With this configuration, the number of channels of the plurality of second patterns 102 may be reduced to half the number of channels of the plurality of first patterns 101.

[0042] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of each of the second patterns 102 may be individually connected to one conductive pattern.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 4, the number of third patterns 103 is greater than the number of first patterns 101 because the third patterns 103 are arranged along the first direction y. Therefore, the number of channels in the multiple third patterns 103 is greater than the number of channels in the multiple first patterns 101 .

[0044] The number of fourth patterns 104 may be the same as the number of third patterns 103. The other ends of the fourth patterns 104 are electrically connected to each other via conductive patterns.

[0045] 4, the plurality of first patterns 101 and the plurality of third patterns 103 basically sense touches by an object such as a finger. To this end, the plurality of first patterns 101 may operate as touch driving electrodes to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the plurality of third patterns 103 may operate as touch sensing electrodes (or touch receiving electrodes) to which a touch sensing signal is received. Of course, they may also operate in the opposite manner.

[0046] 4 may use various combinations of first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 to drive and sense a stylus pen. Various combinations are shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1 below, "1" indicates multiple first patterns 101, "2" indicates multiple second patterns 102, "3" indicates multiple third patterns 103, and "4" indicates multiple fourth patterns 104. [Table 1]

[0047] Referring to Table 1 above, in various combinations (No. 1 to No. 32), the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103 sense a touch by an object such as a finger. Specifically, the multiple first patterns 101 operate as touch driving electrodes, and the multiple third patterns 103 operate as touch receiving electrodes.

[0048] One or two of the first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 may operate as a stylus driving electrode for driving a stylus pen. One or two of the first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 may be used to form a current loop for driving a stylus pen. X-axis driving may be any one of the first patterns 101 and the second patterns 102, and Y-axis driving may be any one of the third patterns 103 and the fourth patterns 104. The stylus pen may be driven by either X-axis driving or Y-axis driving, or both.

[0049] Two of the first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 may operate as sensing electrodes that sense stylus pen signals emitted from a stylus pen. Since both X-axis sensing and Y-axis sensing are required to sense the stylus pen signals, two of the first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 are used. X-axis sensing may be any one of the first patterns 101 and the second patterns 102, and Y-axis sensing may be any one of the third patterns 103 and the fourth patterns 104.

[0050] In Table 1 above, "magnitude of uplink signal" refers to the magnitude of the driving signal for driving the stylus pen 10. When the same stylus pen driving signal is applied to a number of first patterns 101 and a number of second patterns 102, and the magnitude of the signal received by the stylus pen is compared, the uplink signal is relatively larger when the stylus pen driving signal is applied to a number of second patterns 102 than when the stylus pen driving signal is applied to a number of first patterns 101.

[0051] This is because, although the other ends of the multiple second patterns 102 are electrically connected and at least one current loop is formed by appropriately selecting two or more second patterns to which a stylus pen driving signal is applied, the other ends of the multiple first patterns 101 are not electrically connected to each other and no current loop is formed. When a current flows through each first pattern 101, the RC of each first pattern 101 is charged, so the current does not flow smoothly from one end of each first pattern 101 to the other end. In addition, the stylus pen driving signal applied through the multiple first patterns 101 is transmitted to the multiple second patterns 102 with the current loop formed therein through capacitive coupling, and at this time, signal attenuation occurs due to capacitive coupling.

[0052] Similarly, when the stylus pen driving signal is applied to a plurality of the fourth patterns 104, the uplink signal is relatively larger than when the stylus pen driving signal is applied to a plurality of the third patterns 103.

[0053] In Table 1 above, "downlink signal magnitude" refers to the magnitude of the stylus pen signal received from the stylus pen 10. When the same stylus pen signal is received through the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple second patterns 102 and the signal magnitudes are compared, the downlink signal is relatively larger when the stylus pen signal is received through the multiple second patterns 102 than when the stylus pen signal is received through the multiple first patterns 101. This is because the multiple second patterns 102 are electrically connected at their other ends to form a current loop, but the multiple first patterns 101 are not electrically connected at their other ends, and in particular, the stylus pen signal is transmitted from the multiple second patterns 102, where a current loop is formed, to the multiple first patterns 101 through capacitive coupling, resulting in attenuation of the downlink signal.

[0054] Similarly, when the stylus pen signals are received via a number of the fourth patterns 104, the downlink signal is relatively larger than when the stylus pen signals are received via a number of the third patterns 103.

[0055] In Table 1 above, "additional stylus channel" refers to whether an additional channel must be configured for a stylus pen other than touch sensing. If multiple second patterns 102 and / or multiple fourth patterns 104 are used for driving and sensing the stylus pen, an additional channel is required (shown as "yes" in Table 1). On the other hand, if multiple first patterns 101 and / or multiple third patterns 103 for driving and sensing the stylus pen are used, an additional channel is not required (shown as "no" in Table 1).

[0056] Hereinafter, some examples of the various combinations (No. 1 to No. 32) in Table 1 above will be described in detail below. Combinations not described here will be fully understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description below.

[0057] In No. 1, the multiple first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object and also as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The multiple second patterns 102 are used as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen. The multiple third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object and also as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. And the multiple fourth patterns 104 are electrically floating.

[0058] In the case of No. 1, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively large because a plurality of second patterns 102 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively small because a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of third patterns 103 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. Furthermore, because a plurality of second patterns 102 are separately used as stylus driving electrodes, an additional channel for driving the stylus pen is required, but an additional channel for sensing the stylus pen is not required.

[0059] In No. 4, the multiple first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object. The multiple second patterns 102 are used as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen and also as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The multiple third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object. And the multiple fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal.

[0060] In the case of No. 4, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively large because the multiple second patterns 102 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively large because the multiple second patterns 102 and the multiple fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. Furthermore, because the multiple second patterns 102 are separately used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes, and the multiple fourth patterns 104 are separately used as stylus sensing electrodes, additional channels are required for driving and sensing the stylus pen.

[0061] In No. 8, a plurality of first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object. A plurality of second patterns 102 are used as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. A plurality of third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object. And a plurality of fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen and also as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal.

[0062] In the case of No. 8, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively large because a large number of fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively large because a large number of second patterns 102 and a large number of fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. In addition, because a large number of second patterns 102 are separately used as stylus sensing electrodes and a large number of fourth patterns 104 are separately used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes, additional channels are required for driving and sensing the stylus pen.

[0063] In No. 12, a plurality of first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object. A plurality of second patterns 102 are used as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. A plurality of third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object. And a plurality of fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal.

[0064] In the case of No. 12, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively large because the multiple second and fourth patterns 102 and 104 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively large because the multiple second patterns 102 and the multiple fourth patterns 104 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. Furthermore, because the multiple second patterns 102 are separately used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes, and the multiple fourth patterns 104 are separately used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes, additional channels are required for driving and sensing the stylus pen.

[0065] In No. 13, the plurality of first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object, as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen, and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The plurality of third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object, and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The plurality of second and fourth patterns 102 and 104 are electrically floating.

[0066] In the case of No. 13, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively small because the multiple first patterns 101 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively small because the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. Furthermore, because the multiple first patterns 101 are used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes and the multiple third patterns 103 are used as stylus sensing electrodes, no additional channels are required for driving and sensing the stylus pen.

[0067] In No. 17, the multiple first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The multiple third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object, as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen, and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The multiple second and fourth patterns 102 and 104 are electrically floating.

[0068] In the case of No. 17, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively small because a plurality of third patterns 103 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively small because a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of third patterns 103 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. Furthermore, because a plurality of first patterns 101 are used as stylus sensing electrodes and a plurality of third patterns 103 are used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes, no additional channels are required for driving and sensing the stylus pen.

[0069] In No. 21, the plurality of first patterns 101 are used as touch driving electrodes for touch sensing of an object, as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen, and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The plurality of third patterns 103 are used as touch sensing electrodes for touch sensing of an object, as stylus driving electrodes for driving a stylus pen, and as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing a stylus pen signal. The plurality of second and fourth patterns 102 and 104 are electrically floating.

[0070] In the case of No. 21, the magnitude of the uplink signal is relatively small because the multiple first and third patterns 101 and 103 are used as stylus driving electrodes. The magnitude of the downlink signal is relatively small because the multiple first patterns 101 and the multiple third patterns 103 are used as stylus sensing electrodes. Furthermore, because the multiple first patterns 101 are used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes and the multiple third patterns 103 are used as stylus driving electrodes and stylus sensing electrodes, no additional channels are required for driving and sensing the stylus pen.

[0071] Among the various combinations (No. 1 to No. 32) in Table 1 above, No. 1, 5, 9, 25, and 29 are in the "Stylus Additional Channel" column, with "Yes" for driving and "No" for sensing. No. 1, 5, 9, 25, and 29 use multiple first and third patterns 101 and 103 to sense the stylus pen and multiple second and / or fourth patterns 102 and 104 to drive the stylus pen. Even if multiple second and / or fourth patterns 102 and 104 are used when driving the stylus pen, it may be somewhat difficult to form a magnetic field for resonating the stylus pen. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, one end of two or more adjacent second patterns may be electrically connected. Similarly, one end of two or more adjacent fourth patterns may be electrically connected. This configuration has the advantage of reducing the number of additional channels for driving the stylus pen.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sensor unit 100' of a touch input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] The touch input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a landscape type touch input device. Such a landscape type touch input device has a width greater than a height, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the sensor unit 100' may be disposed below the sensor unit 100'. For example, such a touch input device corresponds to the shape of a tablet PC.

[0074] The configuration of the sensor unit 100' of the touch input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the sensor unit 100 of the touch input device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, except that the direction is rotated by 90 degrees.

[0075] The sensor unit 100′ of the touch input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104. The first pattern 101 and the second pattern 102 are disposed adjacent to each other and extend in one direction. The third pattern 103 and the fourth pattern 104 are disposed adjacent to each other and extend in a direction perpendicular to the one direction. The other ends of the plurality of second patterns 102 are electrically connected to each other, and the other ends of the plurality of fourth patterns 104 are also electrically connected to each other.

[0076] When the sensor unit 100' of the touch input device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is configured to have a screen size of approximately 10 to 14 inches, which is the screen size of a landscape type tablet PC, and is embodied as example No. 1 in Table 1 above, the number of total channels and the number of drive trace channels (TX trace channels) of the sensor unit 100' can be roughly summarized as shown in Table 2 below. [Table 2]

[0077] In Table 2 above, the number of channels of Stylus TX is the number of the plurality of first patterns 101 divided by 2. This is because although the number of the plurality of second patterns 102 is the same as the number of the plurality of first patterns 101, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of channels is reduced by half because two adjacent ends of the plurality of second patterns 102 are electrically connected to each other.

[0078] In Table 2 above, the number of TX trace channels is the sum of the number of Finger TX channels and the number of Stylus TX channels. The number of TX trace channels is a major factor that determines the thickness of the widthwise bezel of the touch input device according to the second embodiment. This is because the control unit (not shown) is disposed below (or above) the sensor unit 100′ in the touch input device according to the second embodiment. The fewer the number of TX trace channels, the thinner the widthwise bezel of the touch input device can be.

[0079] Meanwhile, if the screen size of the touch input device shown in FIG. 7 is the same as that of a smartphone, e.g., 6.9 inches, there is no particular problem. However, if the screen size of the touch input device shown in FIG. 7 is increased to 11 inches or 12.9 inches, which are the screen sizes of tablet PCs, the lengths of the first through fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the sensor unit 100′ also increase, resulting in an increase in the resistance and capacitance of the sensor unit 100′. The increase in the resistance and capacitance narrows the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal applied to the touch driving electrodes and the stylus driving signal for driving the stylus pen, which can result in a problem of not being able to obtain the operating frequency bandwidth required for the design. To solve this problem, one could consider reducing the resistance and capacitance of the sensor unit 100′, but there is a limit to how much this can be reduced, and even if these values ​​are reduced to the maximum extent, the above problem still remains.

[0080] In addition, the stylus pen signal received from the stylus pen and input to the controller is attenuated as the sensor unit 100' becomes larger. In particular, the stylus pen sensing signal from the part of the first through fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the sensor unit 100' that is located farthest from the controller is attenuated during transmission to the controller, resulting in a problem that the voltage value required by the design cannot be output.

[0081] The above-mentioned problem can be solved by using a plurality of second patterns 102 as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing stylus pen signals, as in the examples of Nos. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31, and 32 in Table 1, or by using a plurality of fourth patterns 104 as stylus sensing electrodes for sensing stylus pen signals, as in the examples of Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 in Table 1. In these examples, the plurality of second and fourth patterns 102 and 104 directly receive electromotive force through magnetic induction by the stylus pen, so there is no signal attenuation due to capacitive coupling from the second pattern 102 to the first pattern 101 or from the fourth pattern 104 to the third pattern 103.

[0082] As a specific example, when the sensor unit 100′ of the touch input device according to the second embodiment is configured to have a screen size of approximately 10 to 14 inches, which is the screen size of a landscape type tablet PC, and is embodied as example No. 3 in Table 1 above, the number of total channels and the number of drive trace channels (TX Trace Channels) of the sensor unit 100′ are summarized as shown in Table 3 below. [Table 3]

[0083] In Table 3 above, the number of channels of the Stylus TX is the same as the number of the second patterns 102. This is because the number of the second patterns 102 is the same as the number of the first patterns 101, and each end of the second patterns 102 is individually connected to one conductive pattern, as shown in FIG.

[0084] In Table 3 above, the number of TX trace channels is the sum of the number of Finger TX channels and the number of Stylus TX channels. The number of TX trace channels is the main factor that determines the thickness of the bezel on the minor axis of the touch input device. The fewer the number of TX trace channels, the thinner the bezel on the minor axis of the touch input device can be.

[0085] The example of Table 3 above has the disadvantage of having a slightly increased number of channels compared to Table 2 above, but has the advantage of having a larger voltage value of the stylus sensing signal received by the controller because the pen sensing signal from the stylus pen is received through a plurality of second patterns 102 rather than a plurality of first patterns 101. The applicant has confirmed through experiments that the voltage value of the stylus sensing signal received by the controller is about twice as large as that of Table 2.

[0086] In addition, since each of the multiple second patterns 102 is composed of one channel, when the multiple second patterns 102 are used as stylus driving electrodes (Stylus TX), the spacing between channels is reduced by half compared to the example in Table 2, which has the advantage of improving the resolution of stylus driving.

[0087] As another specific example, when the sensor unit 100′ of the touch input device according to the second embodiment is configured with a screen size of approximately 10 to 14 inches, which is the screen size of a landscape type tablet PC, and is embodied as example No. 8 in Table 1 above, the number of total channels and the number of drive trace channels (TX trace channels) of the sensor unit 100′ can be summarized as shown in Table 4 below. [Table 4]

[0088] In Table 4 above, the number of channels of the Stylus TX is the same as the number of the multiple fourth patterns 104. This is because the number of the multiple fourth patterns 104 is the same as the number of the multiple third patterns 103, and each end of the multiple fourth patterns 104 is individually connected to one conductive pattern, as shown in FIG.

[0089] In Table 4 above, the number of TX trace channels is the same as the number of Finger TX channels. The number of TX trace channels is the main factor that determines the thickness of the bezel on the minor axis of the touch input device. The fewer the number of TX trace channels, the thinner the bezel on the minor axis of the touch input device can be.

[0090] Table 4 above has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the total number of channels compared to the example of Table 2 above, but has the advantage of receiving pen sensing signals from the stylus pen through multiple fourth patterns 104, thereby increasing the voltage value of the pen sensing signals received by the control unit.

[0091] In addition, since each of the multiple fourth patterns 104 is composed of one channel, when the multiple fourth patterns 104 are used as driving electrodes (Stylus TX), the spacing between the channels is reduced by half compared to the example in Table 2 above, which has the advantage of improving driving resolution.

[0092] Also, the number of TX trace channels can be reduced to 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of the example in Table 2 above, which is advantageous in that the thickness of the width direction bezel B of the touch input device can be reduced.

[0093] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of still another example of the sensor unit 100' shown in FIG.

[0094] In the sensor unit 100'' of Figure 11, each first pattern 101' includes at least two or more 1a patterns 101a and 1b patterns 101b, and each second pattern 102' includes at least two or more 2a patterns 102a and 2b patterns 102b. The multiple third and fourth patterns 103, 104 are the same as those in the sensor unit 100 of Figure 7.

[0095] The 1a pattern 101a and the 1b pattern 101b are arranged along the extension direction of the first pattern 101'. The 2a pattern 102a and the 2b pattern 102b are arranged along the extension direction of the second pattern 102'.

[0096] The other ends of the plurality of 2a patterns 102a are electrically connected to each other, and the other ends of the plurality of 2b patterns 102b are electrically connected to each other, where the other ends of the plurality of 2a patterns 102a and the other ends of the plurality of 2b patterns 102b face each other.

[0097] One ends of the plurality of 2a patterns 102a may be electrically connected to two or more adjacent 2a patterns. One ends of the plurality of 2b patterns 102b may also be electrically connected to two or more adjacent 2b patterns. Here, one ends of the plurality of 2a patterns 102a and one ends of the plurality of 2b patterns 102b may be electrically connected to individual conductive patterns, as shown in FIG.

[0098] As a specific example, if the sensor unit 100″ shown in FIG. 11 is configured with a screen size of approximately 10 to 14 inches, which is the screen size of a landscape-type tablet PC, and is configured as in example No. 1 of Table 1 above, the number of total channels and the number of TX trace channels of the sensor unit 100″ can be summarized as shown in Table 5 below. [Table 5]

[0099] In Table 5 above, the number of channels of Stylus TX is the number of the plurality of second patterns 102′ divided by 2. This is because the number of the plurality of second patterns 102′ is the same as the number of the plurality of first patterns 101′, and the plurality of second patterns 102′ is formed by electrically connecting two adjacent second patterns to each other.

[0100] In Table 5 above, the number of TX trace channels is the sum of the number of Finger TX channels and the number of Stylus TX channels. The number of TX trace channels is the main factor that determines the thickness of the bezel in the width direction of the touch input device. The fewer the number of TX trace channels, the thinner the bezel in the minor axis of the touch input device can be.

[0101] Table 5 above has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the number of channels compared to the example in Table 2 above, but has the advantage of reducing the length of each of the first patterns 101′ and the second patterns 102′ by half, thereby reducing the resistance and capacitance of the sensor unit 100″ and widening the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal applied to the touch driving electrode and the pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen.

[0102] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of the touch input device shown in FIG.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 12, a touch input device 500 may include a sensor unit 100A and a control unit 300 for controlling the sensor unit 100A.

[0104] The sensor unit 100A is an example of the sensor unit 100' shown in Fig. 8. Therefore, the sensor unit 100A includes a number of first to fourth patterns 101A, 102A, 103A, and 104A.

[0105] The first pattern 101A has a shape extending along a first direction (width direction). The first direction may be the long axis direction L of the screen of the touch input device 500. The first pattern 101A may also be named ATX (Active TX).

[0106] The first pattern 101A may include a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions. Here, the main pattern portion may have a diamond shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion.

[0107] The first pattern 101A may have an opening in which the second pattern 102A is disposed. The shape of the opening may correspond to the outer shape of the first pattern 101A. The first pattern 101A may have a structure that surrounds the second pattern 102A. The first pattern 101A is disposed at a predetermined distance from the second pattern 102A.

[0108] The second pattern 102A has a shape extending along the first direction, is disposed adjacent to the first pattern 101A, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first pattern 101A. The second pattern 102A may also be named DTX (Dummy TX).

[0109] The second pattern 102A is disposed inside the first pattern 101A.

[0110] The second pattern 102A may include a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions. Here, the main pattern portion may have a diamond shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion.

[0111] The main pattern portion of second pattern 102A may have a shape corresponding to the main pattern portion of first pattern 101A, and the connect pattern portion of second pattern 102A may have a shape corresponding to the connect pattern portion of first pattern 101A.

[0112] The third pattern 103A has a shape that extends along a second direction different from the first direction. The second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction, and may be the minor axis direction S of the screen of the touch input device. The third pattern 103A may also be named ARX (Active RX).

[0113] The third pattern 103A may include a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions. Here, the main pattern portion may have a diamond shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion.

[0114] The third pattern 103A may have an opening in which the fourth pattern 104A is disposed. The shape of the opening may correspond to the outer shape of the third pattern 103A. The third pattern 103A may have a structure that surrounds the fourth pattern 104A. The third pattern 103A is disposed at a predetermined distance from the fourth pattern 104A.

[0115] The fourth pattern 104A has a shape extending along the second direction, is disposed adjacent to the third pattern 103A, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the third pattern 103A. The fourth pattern 104A may also be named DRX (dummy RX).

[0116] The fourth pattern 104A is disposed inside the third pattern 103A.

[0117] The fourth pattern 104A may include a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions. Here, the main pattern portion may have a diamond shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion.

[0118] The main pattern portion of fourth pattern 104A may have a shape corresponding to the main pattern portion of third pattern 103A, and the connect pattern portion of fourth pattern 104A may have a shape corresponding to the connect pattern portion of third pattern 103A.

[0119] The third and fourth patterns 103A and 104A are disposed on the first and second patterns 101A and 102A, and are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first and second patterns 101A and 102A. Meanwhile, the sensor unit in which the first to fourth patterns are disposed on the same layer will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0120] Although not shown in the drawings, one end of each of the first patterns 101A is electrically connected to the control unit 300, and the other end is electrically open. Here, one end is relatively close to the control unit 300, and the other end is relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0121] Although not shown in the drawings, one end of each of the first patterns 101A may be electrically connected to the control unit 300 via a conductive pattern. The conductive pattern connecting the first patterns 101A to the control unit 300 may be arranged inside a widthwise bezel B of the touch input device 500.

[0122] One ends of the second patterns 102A may be electrically connected to the control unit 300 via the second conductive pattern after two adjacent ones of the second patterns 102A are electrically connected to each other via the first conductive pattern. The other ends of the second patterns 102A are electrically connected to each other via the conductive pattern. One end is relatively close to the control unit 300, and the other end is relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0123] The second conductive patterns connecting the plurality of second patterns 102A and the control unit 300 may be arranged inside a widthwise bezel B of the touch input device 500 as shown in FIG. Here, the second conductive pattern connecting the plurality of second patterns 102A and the control unit 300 may be arranged inside the widthwise bezel B of the touch input device 500 together with a conductive pattern (not shown) connecting the plurality of first patterns 101A and the control unit 300.

[0124] If the other ends of the second patterns 102A are electrically connected to each other, the capacitance of each second pattern 102A is added, reducing the overall impedance, thus providing the same effect as if the other ends of the second patterns 102A were AC GND.

[0125] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the other ends of the plurality of second patterns 102A that are electrically connected to one another may be grounded. Also, although not shown in the drawings, the other ends of the plurality of second patterns 102A may not be electrically connected to one another, and a predetermined capacitor may be connected to the other end of each second pattern 102A.

[0126] The multiple first patterns 101A and the multiple second patterns 102A may be arranged on the same layer. A metal mesh can be used to form the multiple first patterns 101A and the multiple second patterns 102A on the same layer.

[0127] One end of each of the third patterns 103A is electrically connected to the control unit 300, and the other end is electrically open. Here, one end is relatively close to the control unit 300, and the other end is relatively far from the control unit 300. One end of each of the third patterns 103A may be electrically connected to the control unit 300 via a conductive pattern.

[0128] One end of the fourth patterns 104A may be electrically open, and the other end of the fourth patterns 104A may be electrically connected to the second patterns 102A in the same manner as the fourth patterns 104A, with one end being relatively close to the control unit 300 and the other end being relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0129] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the other ends of the plurality of fourth patterns 104A that are electrically connected to one another may be grounded. Alternatively, the other ends of the plurality of fourth patterns 104A may not be electrically connected to one another, and a predetermined capacitor may be connected to the other end of each fourth pattern 104A.

[0130] The plurality of third patterns 103A and the plurality of fourth patterns 104A may be arranged on the same layer. The plurality of third patterns 103A and the plurality of fourth patterns 104A may be formed on the same layer using a metal mesh. Here, the plurality of third patterns 103A and the plurality of fourth patterns 104A may be arranged on a different layer from the plurality of first patterns 101A and the plurality of second patterns 102A. For example, the plurality of third patterns 103A and the plurality of fourth patterns 104A may be arranged on a first floor, and the plurality of first patterns 101A and the plurality of second patterns 102A may be arranged on a second floor different from the first floor. Meanwhile, a sensor unit in which the first to fourth patterns are arranged on the same layer will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 15.

[0131] The control unit 300 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 100A and can control the operation of the sensor unit 100A. The control unit 300 and the sensor unit 100A may be electrically connected to each other via a number of conductive patterns.

[0132] The control unit 300 may include a number of driving circuit units 310 and a number of sensing circuit units 330 .

[0133] The plurality of driving circuits 310 may include a driving circuit unit that provides touch driving signals to the plurality of first patterns 101A for sensing a touch position of an object such as a finger, and a driving circuit unit that provides pen driving signals for driving a stylus pen.

[0134] The plurality of sensing circuits 330 may receive sensing signals via the plurality of third patterns 103A and may include a sensing circuit for detecting a touch position of an object such as a finger and a sensing circuit for sensing a stylus pen, where some of the plurality of sensing circuits may perform both sensing of the touch position and sensing of the stylus pen.

[0135] The controller 300 may control the sensor unit 100A to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode, an antenna driving mode, and a stylus pen sensing mode. The controller 300 may selectively electrically connect and control a plurality of driving / sensing circuits 310 and 330 to the sensor unit 100A according to each mode. To this end, the controller 300 may include a plurality of switches that electrically connect the plurality of driving / sensing circuits 310 and 330 to the sensor unit 100A according to a command from the controller 300.

[0136] The operation mode of the touch input device 500 shown in Fig. 12 will be described in detail. Here, Fig. 12 is shown as an example of No. 1 in Table 1 above, and therefore the description will be based on this.

[0137] In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuits 310 to a plurality of first patterns 101A of the sensor unit 100A to sense a touch position of an object such as a finger. The controller 300 can electrically connect conductive patterns connected to the plurality of first patterns 101A to a plurality of driving circuits 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0138] In addition, the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for sensing a touch position to a plurality of third patterns 103A of the sensor unit 100A. The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the plurality of third patterns 103A to the plurality of sensing circuit units 330 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0139] In this touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 simultaneously or sequentially applies driving signals (or touch driving signals) for touch sensing to the plurality of first patterns 101A and receives sensing signals (or touch sensing signals) from the plurality of third patterns 103A. The plurality of sensing circuits of the controller 300 electrically connected to the plurality of third patterns 103A can output information on capacitance change amounts included in the input sensing signals as predetermined voltage values. The controller 300 can process the output voltage values ​​to detect the touch position.

[0140] Meanwhile, in the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 may electrically connect the driving circuit units 310 to the second patterns 102A so that capacitive coupling between the first patterns 101A and the second patterns 102A does not occur. At this time, the controller 300 may control the second patterns 102A to apply the same driving signal as the driving signal applied to the first patterns 101A. Alternatively, the controller 300 may control the second patterns 102A to apply a predetermined reference potential when a driving signal is applied to the first patterns 101A.

[0141] In the antenna driving mode (or stylus driving mode or stylus uplink mode), the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuit units 310 for driving the antenna to a plurality of second patterns 102A of the sensor unit 100A. The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the plurality of second patterns 102A to a plurality of driving circuit units 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0142] The control unit 300 may control the driving signals (or pen driving signals) output from each driving circuit unit 310 connected to the second patterns 102A. For example, the control unit 300 may control the first driving circuit unit of the multiple driving circuits 310 connected to the second patterns 102A to output a pulse signal of a predetermined frequency, the second driving circuit unit to not output any pulse signal, and the third driving circuit unit to output an inverted pulse signal having an opposite phase to the pulse signal output from the first driving circuit. In this case, a current loop is formed between the second pattern electrically connected to the first driving circuit unit and the second pattern electrically connected to the third driving circuit unit. A magnetic field is generated by the formed current loop, and a stylus pen located near the sensor unit 100A may be driven by the magnetic field.

[0143] The control unit 300 may control any two of the drive circuits 310 electrically connected to the second patterns 102A to output opposite drive signals. Therefore, the control unit 300 may vary the size and position of the current loop. For example, when the control unit 300 detects the position of a stylus pen close to the sensor unit 100A, the control unit 300 may control the drive circuits electrically connected to two second patterns around the position of the stylus pen to output opposite pulse signals. When the control unit 300 cannot detect the position of the stylus pen, the control unit 300 may control the drive circuits electrically connected to the two second patterns located on the outermost sides of the second patterns 102A to output opposite pulse signals.

[0144] 13 is a diagram illustrating a method in which the control unit 300 of FIG. 12 applies a pen driving signal for driving a stylus pen to a plurality of second patterns 102A. For reference, in FIG. 13, one second pattern 102A shown in FIG. 12 is simply shown with one line Ch, and each line Ch corresponds to one channel.

[0145] As shown in Figure 13, two adjacent second patterns are electrically connected to form one channel. In this configuration, the same signal is simultaneously applied to the two electrically connected second patterns. Figure 13 shows 84 second patterns connected in pairs to form 42 channels Ch0, Ch1, ..., Ch41.

[0146] For example, if the stylus pen 50 is located between the second channel Ch2 and the third channel Ch3 among the 42 channels Ch0, Ch1, ..., Ch41, the control unit 300 can control the stylus pen 50 to output a pen driving signal from one or more channels located on the second channel Ch2 side relative to the stylus pen 50, and can control the stylus pen 50 to output a pen driving signal having an inverted phase of the pen driving signal from one or more channels located on the third channel Ch3 side relative to the stylus pen 50.

[0147] In the stylus sensing mode (or the stylus downlink mode), the controller 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for stylus sensing to a plurality of first patterns 101A and a plurality of third patterns 103A of the sensor unit 100A. The controller 300 can control a plurality of switches to electrically connect conductive patterns connected to the plurality of first patterns 101A and a plurality of third patterns 103A to a plurality of sensing circuit units 330.

[0148] The touch input device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an advantage that, in the stylus sensing mode, the output voltage values ​​of the multiple sensing circuits 330 are substantially unchanged depending on the position of the stylus pen on the sensor unit 100 A due to the configuration of the sensor unit 100 A. The specific principle behind this will be described with reference to (a) to (f) of FIG.

[0149] 14(a) to 14(f) are diagrams for roughly explaining the operation principle of the touch input device of FIG. 12 in a stylus sensing mode.

[0150] Figure 14(a) is a circuit diagram schematically modeling any one of the first patterns 101A shown in Figure 12 and the sensing circuit unit 330 of the control unit 300 electrically connected thereto, and Figure 14(b) is a circuit diagram schematically modeling a second pattern 102A disposed inside any one of the first patterns 101A. Figure 14(c) is a voltage distribution graph in the circuit diagram of Figure 14(a), and Figure 14(d) is a voltage distribution graph in the circuit diagram of Figure 14(b).

[0151] 14(a) and 14(c), when a stylus pen approaches point A on the first pattern 101A, which is as far away as possible from the sensing circuit unit 330, a voltage (Vemf, hereinafter referred to as "induced voltage") induced by a signal emitted from the stylus pen is generated at point A. When the induced voltage (Vemf) is generated at point A, the equivalent capacitance of the first pattern 101A viewed to the left of point A decreases, and the equivalent impedance increases. Therefore, most of the induced voltage (Vemf) is applied to the left of point A, and a voltage close to 0 (V) is applied to the right of point A, resulting in almost no current flow. Moreover, the voltage close to 0 (V) on the right of point A gradually decreases due to the equivalent resistance of the first pattern 101A, and almost no voltage is applied to the input terminal of the sensing circuit unit.

[0152] 14(b) and 14(d), when an induced voltage (Vemf) is generated at point A, the other ends of the second patterns 102A are electrically connected to each other on the left side of point A, so the equivalent capacitance when viewed from the left side of point A increases and the equivalent impedance approaches 0. Therefore, 0 (V) is applied to the left side of point A, and one end of the second pattern 102A is open on the right side of point A, so no voltage drop occurs due to the equivalent resistance and Vemf is applied directly.

[0153] 14(c) and 14(d), it can be seen that there is a potential difference of about Vemf at any position between the first pattern 101A and the second pattern 102A. The potential difference of about Vemf between the first pattern 101A and the second pattern 102A is due to capacitive coupling between the first pattern 101A and the second pattern 102A. 14(e), a current flows from the second pattern 102A to the first pattern 101A. As the position of the stylus pen moves farther away from the sensing circuit 330 of the control unit 300, the current generated in the first pattern 101A itself gradually decreases. However, since the current flows from the second pattern 102A to the first pattern 101A, the current output from the first pattern 101A to the sensing circuit 330 of the control unit 300 becomes almost the same as the position of the pen. Therefore, the control unit 300 can sense the position of the stylus pen through the sensing circuit 330 electrically connected to the first pattern 101A.

[0154] 14(a) to 14(e), even if point A moves left or right, the potential difference between the first pattern 101A and the second pattern 102A remains constant as Vemf. Therefore, regardless of whether the position of the stylus pen on the sensor unit 100A is close or far from the sensing circuit unit, the control unit 300 can sense the stylus pen from a constant signal output from the sensing circuit unit 330.

[0155] 14(e), the current flowing from the second pattern 102A to the first pattern 101A is due to capacitive coupling, but this is not limiting. For example, the current flowing from the second pattern 102A to the first pattern 101A can also be due to magnetic coupling.

[0156] The principles of (a) to (e) of Figure 14 described above are also directly applied to any one of the third pattern 103 and the fourth pattern 104 in the second direction, and are also directly applied to the touch input device according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0157] FIG. 14(f) is a voltage distribution graph showing the case where the sensing circuit unit 330 is connected to the open terminal on the right side of the modeled circuit diagram of the second pattern 102A shown in FIG. 14(b). That is, the voltage distribution graph of FIG. 14(f) illustrates the case where one end of the second pattern 102A is connected to the sensing circuit unit 330 of the control unit 300. Comparing FIG. 14(f) with FIG. 14(d), a voltage drop occurs due to equivalent resistance toward the right of point A in FIG. 14(f). Therefore, in the case of FIG. 14(f), a potential difference of Vemf between the first and second patterns cannot be maintained, as in FIG. 14(e), and current cannot transfer from the second pattern to the first pattern. Therefore, the current output from the first pattern decreases as the pen position moves farther from the control unit 300. In the stylus sensing mode, it is preferable to open one end of the second pattern 102A to allow it to float.

[0158] 12 is the same size as a smartphone screen, for example, 6.9 inches, there is no particular problem, but if the screen size of the touch input device shown in FIG. 12 is increased to approximately 10 to 14 inches, the same size as a tablet PC screen, the sensor unit 100A also increases in size, resulting in an increase in the resistance and capacitance of the sensor unit 100A. The increase in resistance and capacitance results in a much narrower operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal applied to the touch driving electrode and the pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen than that of a smartphone (6.9 inches), making it difficult to obtain the operating frequency bandwidth required for the design.

[0159] In addition, the pen detection signal received from the stylus pen is also attenuated as the sensor unit 100A becomes larger. In particular, the pen detection signal from the part of the sensor unit 100A located farthest from the control unit 300 is attenuated during transmission to the control unit 300, which can cause a problem that the voltage value required for the design cannot be output.

[0160] The following describes a touch input device that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0161] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of the touch input device shown in FIG.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 15, a touch input device 500'' may include a sensor unit 100A'' and a control unit 300 for controlling the sensor unit 100A''.

[0163] The sensor unit 100A'' includes a plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A, 102A'', 103A, and 104A. Here, the plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A, 103A, and 104A are the same as the plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A, 103A, and 104A shown in FIG. 12, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0164] Hereinafter, the plurality of second patterns 102A'' will be described, but a description of the same parts as the plurality of second patterns 102A in FIG. 12 will be omitted for the sake of convenience.

[0165] One end of each of the plurality of second patterns 102A'' may be electrically connected to the control unit 300 via a conductive pattern. This is different from the plurality of second patterns 102A of FIG.

[0166] The other ends of the second patterns 102A'' are electrically connected via conductive patterns. One end is relatively close to the control unit 300, and the other end is relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0167] The operation mode of the touch input device 500'' shown in FIG. 15 will now be described in detail.

[0168] In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuit units 310 to a plurality of first patterns 101A of the sensor unit 100A″ to sense a touch position of an object such as a finger. The controller 300 can electrically connect conductive patterns connected to a plurality of first patterns 101A to a plurality of driving circuit units 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0169] In addition, the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for sensing a touch position to a plurality of third patterns 103A of the sensor unit 100A″. The control unit 300 can electrically connect conductive patterns connected to a plurality of third patterns 103A to a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0170] In this touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 simultaneously or sequentially applies driving signals (or touch driving signals) for touch sensing to the plurality of first patterns 101A and receives sensing signals (or touch sensing signals) from the plurality of third patterns 103A. The plurality of sensing circuits of the controller 300 electrically connected to the plurality of third patterns 103A can output information on capacitance change amounts included in the input sensing signals as predetermined voltage values. The controller 300 can process the output voltage values ​​to detect the touch position.

[0171] In the antenna driving mode (or stylus driving mode or stylus uplink mode), the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuit units 310 for driving the antenna to a plurality of second patterns 102A″ of the sensor unit 100A″. The control unit 300 can electrically connect conductive patterns connected to a plurality of second patterns 102A″ to a plurality of driving circuit units 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0172] The control unit 300 can control the driving signals (or pen driving signals) output from each of the driving circuits 310 connected to the second patterns 102A''. The control unit 300 can control any two of the driving circuits 310 electrically connected to the second patterns 102A'' to output opposite pulse signals. Therefore, the control unit 300 can variably change and set the size and position of the current loop.

[0173] In the stylus sensing mode (or stylus downlink mode), the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for stylus sensing to a plurality of second patterns 101A″ and a plurality of third patterns 103A of the sensor unit 100A″. This is different from the stylus sensing mode of the touch input device shown in FIG. 12.

[0174] The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the second patterns 101A'' and the third patterns 103A to the sensing circuit units 330 by controlling the switches.

[0175] The touch input device 500″ shown in FIG. 15 differs from the touch input device shown in FIG. 12 in the configuration for connecting the multiple second patterns 102A″ of the sensor unit 100A″ to the controller 300. That is, in the multiple second patterns 102A of FIG. 12, two adjacent second patterns are electrically connected by a first conductive pattern and then connected to the controller 300 via the second conductive pattern, whereas the multiple second patterns 102A″ of FIG. 15 are each connected to the controller 300 via a conductive pattern. Due to this structural feature, the touch input device 500″ shown in FIG. 15 has a disadvantage of having more channels than the touch input device 500 of FIG. 12. However, it has the advantage of being able to reduce power consumption by applying a pen driving signal only to a specific portion where a stylus pen is located in an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen.

[0176] In addition, the touch input device 500 shown in FIG. 12 has a pattern for detecting signals emitted from a stylus pen in the stylus sensing mode, which is a plurality of first patterns 101A in the major axis direction L and a plurality of third patterns 103A in the minor axis direction S, whereas the touch input device 500'' shown in FIG. 15 has a pattern for detecting signals emitted from a stylus pen in the stylus sensing mode, which is a plurality of second patterns 102A'' in the major axis direction L and a plurality of third patterns 103A in the minor axis direction S.

[0177] In the touch input device 500'' shown in FIG. 15, if the pattern in the longitudinal direction L that senses the signal emitted from the stylus pen in the stylus sensing mode is a plurality of second patterns 102A'' instead of a plurality of first patterns 101A, the coupling capacitance between the first patterns 101A and the second patterns 102A'' can be reduced compared to the touch input device 500 shown in FIG. 12, thereby improving the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal and the touch sensing signal for sensing the touch position and improving the operating frequency bandwidth of the pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen.

[0178] In addition, since the controller 300 receives the pen sensing signal from the stylus pen through a plurality of second patterns 102A'' in the stylus sensing mode, the voltage value of the received pen sensing signal is relatively high. In particular, the voltage value of the pen sensing signal received at the point farthest from the controller 300 in the major axis direction L is relatively higher than that in the case of FIG. 12, which is advantageous in improving sensing sensitivity. This is because capacitive coupling between the first pattern 101A and the second pattern 102A does not need to be taken into consideration. Specifically, in the case of FIG. 12, as described in FIG. 14(e), current flows from the second pattern 102A to the first pattern 101A due to the capacitive coupling between the first pattern 101A and the second pattern 102A, and therefore attenuation of the pen sensing signal input to the controller 300 via the first pattern 101A occurs. However, in the touch input device 500'' of FIG. 15, the pen sensing signal is directly input to the control unit 300 through the second pattern 102A'' instead of the first pattern 101A without capacitive coupling, so there is no attenuation of the pen sensing signal due to capacitive coupling.

[0179] In addition, since each of the multiple second patterns 102A'' is composed of one channel, when the multiple second patterns 102A'' are used as driving electrodes (Stylus TX), the distance between the channels is reduced by half compared to the touch input device of FIG. 12, which has the advantage of improving driving resolution.

[0180] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of the touch input device shown in FIG.

[0181] Referring to FIG. 16, a touch input device 500''' may include a sensor unit 100A''' and a control unit 300 for controlling the sensor unit 100A'''.

[0182] The sensor unit 100A''' includes a plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A, 102A''', 103A, and 104A'. Here, the plurality of first and third patterns 101A and 103A are the same as the plurality of first and third patterns 101A and 103A shown in FIG. 12, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0183] Hereinafter, the second and fourth patterns 102A''', 104A' will be described, but for the sake of brevity, a description of the same parts as the second and fourth patterns 102A, 104A of FIG. 12 will be omitted.

[0184] One end of the plurality of second patterns 102A''' may be floating, and the other end of the plurality of second patterns 102A''' may be electrically connected via a conductive pattern. One end may be relatively close to the control unit 300, and the other end may be relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0185] One end of each of the fourth patterns 104A' is electrically connected to the control unit 300 through a conductive pattern, and the other end of each of the fourth patterns 104A' is electrically connected to the control unit 300 through the conductive pattern. One end is relatively close to the control unit 300, and the other end is relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0186] The operation mode of the touch input device 500''' shown in FIG. 16 will now be described in detail.

[0187] In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuit units 310 to a plurality of first patterns 101A of the sensor unit 100A''' to sense a touch position of an object such as a finger. The controller 300 can electrically connect conductive patterns connected to a plurality of first patterns 101A to a plurality of driving circuit units 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0188] In addition, the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for sensing a touch position to a plurality of third patterns 103A of the sensor unit 100A'''. The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the plurality of third patterns 103A to a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0189] In this touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 simultaneously or sequentially applies driving signals (or touch driving signals) for touch sensing to the plurality of first patterns 101A and receives sensing signals (or touch sensing signals) from the plurality of third patterns 103A. The plurality of sensing circuits of the controller 300 electrically connected to the plurality of third patterns 103A can output information on capacitance change amounts included in the input sensing signals as predetermined voltage values. The controller 300 can process the output voltage values ​​to detect the touch position.

[0190] In the antenna driving mode (or stylus driving mode or stylus uplink mode), the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuit units 310 for driving the antenna to a plurality of fourth patterns 104A' of the sensor unit 100A'''. The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the plurality of fourth patterns 104A' to a plurality of driving circuit units 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0191] The control unit 300 can control the driving signals (or pen driving signals) output from each of the driving circuits 310 connected to the fourth patterns 104A'. The control unit 300 can control any two of the driving circuits 310 electrically connected to the fourth patterns 104A' to output opposite pulse signals. Therefore, the control unit 300 can variably change and set the size and position of the current loop.

[0192] In the stylus sensing mode (or stylus downlink mode), the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for stylus sensing to a plurality of first patterns 101A and a plurality of fourth patterns 104A' of the sensor unit 100A'''. This is different from the stylus sensing mode of the touch input device of FIG. 12.

[0193] The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the first patterns 101A and the fourth patterns 104A′ to the sensing circuit units 330 by controlling the switches.

[0194] The touch input device 500''' shown in FIG. 16 differs from the touch input device shown in FIG. 12 in that the multiple second patterns 102A''' of the sensor unit 100A''' are electrically floating and unused, and the stylus pen is driven via the multiple fourth patterns 104A'. Due to this structural feature, the touch input device 500''' shown in FIG. 16 has the disadvantage of having an increased number of channels compared to the touch input device 500 of FIG. 12. However, since the multiple second patterns 102A are not used, there is no conductive pattern connected to one end of the multiple second patterns 102A. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the thickness of the left / right bezels B can be significantly reduced relatively compared to FIG. 12.

[0195] The touch input device shown in Fig. 16 has the disadvantage of having a slightly increased number of total channels compared to the touch input device of Fig. 12, but has the advantage of receiving a pen sensing signal directly from the stylus pen via multiple fourth patterns 104A', resulting in a higher voltage value of the pen sensing signal received by control unit 300. This is about twice as high as the voltage value of the pen sensing signal received by control unit 300 of the touch input device of Fig. 12.

[0196] In addition, since each of the multiple fourth patterns 104A' is composed of one channel, when the multiple fourth patterns 104A' are used as driving electrodes (Stylus TX), the spacing between channels is reduced by half compared to the touch input device of Figure 12, which has the advantage of improving driving resolution.

[0197] Also, the number of TX trace channels can be reduced to 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of that of the touch input device shown in FIG. 12, and the thickness of the bezel B can be reduced.

[0198] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of the touch input device shown in FIG.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 17, a touch input device 500' may include a sensor unit 100A'' and a control unit 300 for controlling the sensor unit 100A''.

[0200] The sensor unit 100A'' includes a plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A', 102A', 103A, and 104A. Here, the plurality of third and fourth patterns 103A and 104A are the same as the plurality of third and fourth patterns 103A and 104A shown in FIG. 12, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0201] Hereinafter, the first and second patterns 101A' and 102A' will be described, but a description of the same parts as the first and second patterns 101A and 102A of FIG. 12 will be omitted for the sake of convenience.

[0202] The first pattern 101A' has a shape extending along a first direction. The first direction may be a long axis direction L of the screen of the touch input device. The first pattern 101A' includes a pattern 1a' and a pattern 1b' 101b'. The pattern 1a' 101a' and the pattern 1b' 101b' are arranged along the first direction and spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The first pattern 101A' including the pattern 1a' 101a' and the pattern 1b' 101b' may also be called ATX (Active TX).

[0203] The second pattern 102A' has a shape extending along the first direction, is disposed adjacent to the first pattern 101A', and is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first pattern 101A'. The second pattern 102A' includes a 2a pattern 102a' and a 2b pattern 102b'. The 2a pattern 102a' and the 2b pattern 102b' are arranged along the first direction and spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other. The second pattern 102A' including the 2a pattern 102a' and the 2b pattern 102b' may also be called DTX (Dummy TX).

[0204] Of the plurality of first patterns 101A', one end of each of the plurality of 1a patterns 101a' is electrically connected to the control unit 300 and the other end is electrically open. Also, one end of each of the plurality of 1b patterns 101b' is electrically connected to the control unit 300 and the other end is electrically open. Here, one end is relatively close to the control unit 300 and the other end is relatively far from the control unit 300.

[0205] One end of each of the plurality of 1a patterns 101a' may be electrically connected to the control unit 300 via a conductive pattern. The conductive patterns connecting the plurality of 1a patterns 101a' to the control unit 300 may be arranged along the minor axis direction S inside the bezel B of the touch input device 500.

[0206] One end of each of the plurality of patterns 1b 101b′ may be electrically connected to the control unit 300 via a conductive pattern. The conductive patterns connecting the plurality of patterns 1b 101b′ to the control unit 300 may be arranged along the minor axis direction S inside the bezel B of the touch input device 500.

[0207] In the plurality of second patterns 102A', one end of each of the plurality of second patterns 102a' is electrically connected to the controller 300 via the second conductive pattern after two adjacent ends of the plurality of second patterns 102a' are electrically connected to each other via the first conductive pattern, and the other end of the plurality of second patterns 102a' is electrically connected to the controller 300 via the second conductive pattern. Similarly, one end of each of the plurality of second patterns 102b' is electrically connected to the controller 300 via the second conductive pattern after two adjacent ends of the plurality of second patterns 102b' are electrically connected to the controller 300 via the first conductive pattern, and the other end of the plurality of second patterns 102b' is electrically connected to the controller 300 via the conductive pattern. Here, one end is relatively close to the controller 300 and the other end is relatively far from the controller 300.

[0208] The second conductive patterns connecting the plurality of 2a and 2b patterns 102a', 102b' and the control unit 300 may be arranged in the minor axis direction S inside the bezel B of the touch input device 500'. Here, the second conductive patterns connecting the plurality of 2a and 2b patterns 102a', 102b' and the control unit 300 may be arranged inside the bezel B of the touch input device 500 together with a conductive pattern (not shown) connecting the plurality of first patterns 101A' and the control unit 300.

[0209] If the other ends of the multiple 2a patterns 102a' are electrically connected to each other, the capacitance of each 2a pattern 102a' is added, thereby reducing the overall impedance. This has the same effect as if the other ends of the multiple 2a patterns 102a' were AC GND. Similarly, if the other ends of the multiple 2b patterns 102b' are electrically connected to each other, the capacitance of each 2b pattern 102b' is added, thereby reducing the overall impedance. This has the same effect as if the other ends of the multiple 2b patterns 102b' were AC GND.

[0210] The operation mode of the touch input device 500' shown in FIG. 17 will now be described in detail.

[0211] In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuits 310 to a plurality of first patterns 101A' of the sensor unit 100A' to sense a touch position of an object such as a finger. The controller 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the plurality of first patterns 101A' to a plurality of driving circuits 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0212] In addition, the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuits 330 for sensing a touch position to a plurality of third patterns 103A of the sensor unit 100A'. The control unit 300 can electrically connect the conductive patterns connected to the third patterns 103A to the sensing circuit units 330 by controlling the switches.

[0213] In this touch driving / sensing mode, the controller 300 simultaneously or sequentially applies driving signals (or touch driving signals) for touch sensing to the plurality of first patterns 101A' and receives sensing signals (or touch sensing signals) from the plurality of third patterns 103A. The plurality of sensing circuits of the controller 300 electrically connected to the plurality of third patterns 103A can output information on capacitance change amounts included in the input sensing signals as predetermined voltage values. The controller 300 can process the output voltage values ​​to detect the touch position.

[0214] In the antenna driving mode (or stylus driving mode or stylus uplink mode), the control unit 300 can electrically connect a plurality of driving circuit units 310 for driving the antenna to a plurality of second a patterns 102a' and a plurality of second b patterns 102b' of the sensor unit 100A'. The control unit 300 can electrically connect conductive patterns connected to the plurality of second a patterns 102a' and a plurality of second b patterns 102b' to a plurality of driving circuit units 310 by controlling a plurality of switches.

[0215] The control unit 300 can control driving signals (or pen driving signals) output from each driving circuit unit 310 connected to the plurality of 2a patterns 102a' and the plurality of 2b patterns 102b'. The control unit 300 can control any two driving circuits 310 electrically connected to the plurality of 2a patterns 102a' and the plurality of 2b patterns 102b' to output opposite pulse signals. Therefore, the control unit 300 can change and set the size and position of the current loop in various ways.

[0216] In the stylus sensing mode (or stylus downlink mode), the controller 300 can electrically connect a plurality of sensing circuit units 330 for stylus sensing to a plurality of first patterns 101A' and a plurality of third patterns 103A' of the sensor unit 100A'. The controller 300 can control a plurality of switches to electrically connect conductive patterns connected to the plurality of first patterns 101A' and a plurality of third patterns 103A to a plurality of sensing circuit units 330.

[0217] The touch input device 500′ shown in FIG. 17 differs from the touch input device shown in FIG. 12 in the configuration of the multiple first and second patterns 101A′ and 102A′ of the sensor unit 100A′. That is, the multiple first and second patterns 101A′ and 102A′ are obtained by dividing the first and second patterns 101A and 102A of FIG. 12 in half, and therefore are twice as many as the multiple first and second patterns 101A and 102A of FIG. 12.

[0218] Due to these structural features, the touch input device 500' shown in FIG. 17 has the disadvantage of having more channels than the touch input device 500 of FIG. 12, but has the advantage of being able to reduce power consumption because a pen drive signal can be applied only to a specific part where the stylus pen is located in an antenna drive mode for driving the stylus pen.

[0219] In addition, the touch input device shown in FIG. 17 has the disadvantage of having a slightly increased number of channels compared to the touch input device of FIG. 12, but has the advantage that the length of each of the first patterns 101A′ and the second patterns 102A′ is reduced by half, thereby reducing the resistance and capacitance, thereby widening the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch driving signal applied to the touch driving electrode of the sensor unit 100A′ and the pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen.

[0220] FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100, 100' shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

[0221] 18 may be used as the sensor unit of the touch input device according to the various embodiments of the present invention described above. Therefore, the specific structure and shape of the sensor unit 100B will be described below, and the driving method of the touch input device including the sensor unit 100B will be substituted for the above-described method.

[0222] 18, the sensor unit 100B includes a plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A, 102A, 103B, and 104B. The plurality of first to fourth patterns 101A, 102A, 103B, and 104B are arranged together in the same layer.

[0223] The first pattern 101A has a shape extending along a first direction (width direction). The first direction may be the long axis direction of the screen of the touch input device. The first pattern 101A may also be named ATX (Active TX).

[0224] The first pattern 101A may include a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions. Here, the main pattern portion may have a diamond shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion.

[0225] The first pattern 101A may have an opening in which the second pattern 102A is disposed. The shape of the opening may correspond to the outer shape of the first pattern 101A. The first pattern 101A may have a structure that surrounds the second pattern 102A. The first pattern 101A is disposed at a predetermined distance from the second pattern 102A.

[0226] The second pattern 102A has a shape extending along the first direction, is disposed adjacent to the first pattern 101A, and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first pattern 101A. The second pattern 102A may also be named DTX (Dummy TX).

[0227] The second pattern 102A is disposed inside the first pattern 101A.

[0228] The second pattern 102A may include a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions. Here, the main pattern portion has a diamond shape, but is not limited thereto and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion.

[0229] The main pattern portion of second pattern 102A may have a shape corresponding to the main pattern portion of first pattern 101A, and the connect pattern portion of second pattern 102A may have a shape corresponding to the connect pattern portion of first pattern 101A.

[0230] The other ends of the second patterns 102A are electrically connected to one another by the second conductive pattern D2.

[0231] The third patterns 103B are disposed above and below one connecting pattern portion of the first pattern 101A. The third patterns 103B may have a diamond shape, but are not limited thereto and may have various shapes different from the connecting pattern portion. The third patterns 103B may have an opening in which the fourth pattern 104B is disposed. The shape of the opening may correspond to the outer shape of the third patterns 103B. The third pattern 103B may have a structure surrounding the fourth pattern 104B. The third pattern 103B is disposed at a predetermined distance from the fourth pattern 104B. The third pattern 103B may also be named ARX (Active RX), and the fourth pattern 104B may also be named DRX (Dummy RX).

[0232] The third patterns 103B arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction are electrically connected by the third conductive pattern D3. Therefore, the third patterns arranged along the second direction are electrically connected by the third conductive pattern D3, which may be the same electrical connection direction as the third patterns 103 shown in FIG. 4 or 7.

[0233] The third conductive pattern D3 is arranged so as to cross the connecting pattern portion of the first pattern 101A that is arranged between two adjacent third patterns.

[0234] The fourth patterns 104B arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction are electrically connected by the fourth conductive pattern D4. Therefore, the fourth patterns arranged along the second direction are electrically connected by the fourth conductive pattern D4, which may be the same electrical connection direction as the fourth patterns 104 shown in FIG. 4 or 7.

[0235] The fourth conductive pattern D4 is disposed so as to cross the connecting pattern portion of the first pattern 101A disposed between two adjacent fourth patterns 104B, and is disposed furthest from the control portion among the multiple fourth patterns 104B, electrically connecting the fourth patterns 104B arranged along the first direction.

[0236] The first through fourth patterns 101A, 102A, 103B, and 104B may be disposed together on the same first layer, and the second through fourth conductive patterns D2, D3, and D4 may be disposed together on the same second layer, where the first and second layers are physically and electrically separated from each other.

[0237] The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the above embodiments are included in one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. exemplified in each embodiment can be combined or modified in other embodiments by a person skilled in the art to which the embodiment belongs. Therefore, content related to such combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0238] Furthermore, although the above description has focused on the embodiments, these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and applications other than those illustrated above are possible within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. For example, each component specifically illustrated in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. Differences related to such modifications and applications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0239] 100: Sensor unit 300: Control unit 101: First pattern 102: Second pattern 103: Third Pattern 104: Fourth Pattern

Claims

1. a sensor unit and a control unit, the sensor unit includes a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; a plurality of second patterns extending in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first patterns; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the third patterns, having one end electrically floating and the other end electrically connected to each other, the first pattern includes a pattern 1a and a pattern 1b arranged along the first direction, The second pattern includes a pattern 2a and a pattern 2b arranged along the first direction.

2. the other ends of the second patterns of the second a patterns are electrically connected to each other, and one ends of the second patterns are electrically connected to two adjacent patterns in the second direction and are electrically connected to the control unit; 2. The touch input device of claim 1, wherein the other ends of the second b patterns of the second patterns are electrically connected to each other, and one ends of the second b patterns are electrically connected to two adjacent patterns in the second direction and electrically connected to the control unit.

3. The control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen, In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller applies touch driving signals through the plurality of first patterns and receives touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns; In the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies a pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen in the plurality of second patterns; The touch input device of claim 1 , wherein in the stylus sensing mode, the controller receives a pen sensing signal from the stylus pen via the plurality of first patterns and the plurality of third patterns.

4. a sensor unit and a control unit, the sensor unit includes: a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; a plurality of second patterns extending in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first patterns, having one end electrically connected to the control unit and the other ends electrically connected to each other; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the third patterns, having one end electrically floating and the other ends electrically connected to each other.

5. The control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen, In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller applies touch driving signals through the plurality of first patterns and receives touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns; In the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies a pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen in the plurality of second patterns; The touch input device of claim 4 , wherein in the stylus sensing mode, the control unit receives a pen sensing signal from the stylus pen via the plurality of second patterns and the plurality of third patterns.

6. a sensor unit and a control unit, the sensor unit includes: a plurality of first patterns extending in a first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; a plurality of second patterns extending in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first patterns, having one end electrically floating and the other end electrically connected to each other; a plurality of third patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one end electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns extending in the second direction and disposed adjacent to the third patterns, having one end electrically connected to the control unit and the other end electrically connected to each other.

7. The control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving / sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen, In the touch driving / sensing mode, the controller applies touch driving signals through the plurality of first patterns and receives touch sensing signals through the plurality of third patterns; In the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies a pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen in the plurality of fourth patterns; The touch input device of claim 6 , wherein in the stylus sensing mode, the control unit receives a pen sensing signal from the stylus pen via the first patterns and the fourth patterns.

8. Each of the first and second patterns includes a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions, the first pattern has an opening in which the second pattern is disposed; each of the third and fourth patterns includes a plurality of main pattern portions and a connecting pattern portion connecting two adjacent main pattern portions among the plurality of main pattern portions; the third pattern has an opening in which the fourth pattern is disposed; The touch input device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second patterns are disposed on the third and fourth patterns.

9. The touch input device according to claim 1 , wherein the diagonal length of the screen on which the sensor unit is arranged is between 10 inches and 14 inches.

Images