Electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device that can sense both an externally approached or touching object, such as a finger, and a stylus pen, thereby reducing the number of channels between the sensor unit and the touch controller. [Solution] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 100 and a touch controller 200, the sensor unit including a plurality of first patterns 101 that are extended in a first direction and whose ends are electrically connected to the touch controller, and a plurality of third patterns 103 that are extended in a second direction different from the first direction so as to intersect with the plurality of first patterns and whose ends, at least one of the ends, are electrically connected to the touch controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device capable of sensing both an object such as a finger approaching or contacting from the outside and a stylus pen, and reducing the number of channels between a sensor unit and a touch controller.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the spread of smartphones or tablet PCs has been actively progressing, and the development of technologies for built-in contact position measurement devices has also been actively progressing.

[0003] Smartphones or tablet PCs mainly include a touch screen, and a user can specify a specific coordinate on the touch screen using a finger or a stylus pen. By specifying a specific coordinate on the touch screen, the user can input a specific signal to the smartphone.

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

[0005] Traditionally, R-type touchscreens, which can simultaneously recognize the user's finger and stylus pen, were widely used. However, R-type touchscreens had problems due to reflection caused by the air layer between the ITO layers. As a result, C-type touchscreens have recently become more common. C-type touchscreens operate by sensing the difference in capacitance of transparent electrodes caused by contact with an object. However, C-type touchscreens have the disadvantage that it is difficult to physically distinguish between objects such as fingers and stylus pens, and operation errors can occur due to unintended hand contact when the user is using a stylus pen.

[0006] To improve these shortcomings, conventional methods have involved using separate software to differentiate between the hand and the pen based on the contact area, or using an EMR (Electro Magnetic Resonance) type position measuring device in addition to a Type-C touchscreen to differentiate between the hand and the stylus pen. Here, the EMR method has the advantage of being insensitive to the display and external noise because, when using the touch function with a stylus pen while the touch and display are operating, the driving force is a magnetic field instead of an electric field.

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

[0008] The sensor film mentioned above is also called a digitizer. In a digitizer, if the position of the stylus pen that generates the magnetic field moves, a separate direct EMR circuit detects the change in the magnetic field generated by the interaction.

[0009] On the other hand, a stylus pen is a pen-shaped device that allows data to be entered by lightly touching the screen while dragging or clicking. Users use a stylus pen for precise touch input.

[0010] Stylus pens can be classified into active stylus pens and passive stylus pens depending on whether or not they contain a battery and electronic components internally.

[0011] Recently, inductive electromagnetic resonance and capacitive resonance technologies have been proposed to realize passive stylus pens capable of sophisticated touch recognition.

[0012] EMR, a type of inductive resonant technology, excels in the quality of writing and drawing, which is the core function of a stylus pen. However, it has the disadvantage of being thicker and more expensive because it requires a separate EMR sensor panel and direct EMR circuit in addition to the touchscreen.

[0013] Capacitive resonant technology is a method that uses a standard touch sensor and touch controller to support stylus pen touch without additional configuration or cost. However, capacitive resonant technology has the problem that even if the resonant frequency and the drive signal frequency match, the signal transmission attenuation is very large, making signal transmission between them difficult.

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

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the output voltage (Vout) of the CVA (Capacitance to Voltage Amplifier) ​​changes depending on the position of the stylus pen 10 on the flexible display panel within a conventional touch input device.

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

[0017] In conventional flexible display panels, the resistance R of a metal mesh touch sensor is approximately 1.2kΩ, and the capacitance C is approximately 250pF, based on the long axis.

[0018] Based on 10 distributed models, at a driving frequency of 300kHz, the impedance of the capacitor is approximately 200 times greater than that of the resistor (120 ohms vs. 1 / (2π*300k*25pF)=21k ohms). Therefore, the capacitor becomes the primary component.

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagram used to explain, via current sensing, that the output voltage of the CVA (Vout1, Vout2) differs depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram used to explain, via voltage sensing, that the output voltage of the CVA (Vout1, Vout2) differs depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1.

[0020] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the output voltage of CVA differs depending on the position of the pen 10 on the sensing line. That is, the closer the pen 10 is to the sensing circuit 50, the higher the output voltage of CVA, and the further it is from the sensing circuit 50, the lower the output voltage of CVA.

[0021] When the screen size of the electronic device increases to around 11 to 16 inches, or when the screen is foldable, the length of the sensor pattern in the sensor section also increases, which leads to the problem of increased resistance and capacitance values ​​in the sensor section.

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

[0023] Referring to Figure 4, the foldable device has one or more internal screens and one or more external screens. The foldable device includes an internal touchscreen 20 to represent the internal screen and an external touchscreen 25 to represent the external screen. Below the internal / external touchscreens 20, 25 are digitizers 30, 35 for driving and sensing a stylus pen 10.

[0024] The inductive resonant stylus pen 10, a type of passive stylus pen, receives electromagnetic signals from the digitizers 30 and 35, and the resonant signals emitted from the stylus pen 10 are received by the digitizers 30 and 35.

[0025] The digitizers 30 and 35 are equipped with a fine arrangement of coils that can induce an electric current from electromagnetic signals received from the stylus pen 10. Thus, since the foldable device has an additional digitizer 30 or 35 for each internal / external touchscreen 20 or 25, there are limitations to miniaturizing and slimming the overall device, and there are also problems with designing the internal structure flexibly.

[0026] Furthermore, since a magnetic field shielding material (not shown) and a copper layer (not shown) of a predetermined thickness are additionally bonded to the underside of the digitizers 30 and 35, there are further limitations on reducing the overall thickness of the device.

[0027] In particular, most of the currently popular foldable smartphones have touchscreens 20 and 25 on both the outer and inner surfaces based on the folded form. However, the crucial stylus function is only supported on the inner touchscreen 20 on the inner surface and not on the outer touchscreen 25 on the outer surface. The reason is that in order to operate the EMR-based stylus pen 10, as shown in FIG. 4, digitizers 30 and 35 must be attached to the lower parts of the inner touchscreen 20 and the outer touchscreen 25 respectively, which causes problems such as an increase in the thickness of the entire device and production costs.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0028] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device that does not require a separate sensor for driving or / and sensing a stylus pen.

[0029] Another problem is to provide an electronic device that enables double routing.

[0030] Another problem is to provide an electronic device that can reduce the number of channels between a sensor unit and a touch controller that can sense both an object and a stylus pen.

[0031] Another problem is to provide an electronic device that can support the stylus pen function not only on the inner touchscreen but also on the outer touchscreen.

Means for Solving the Problems

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

[0033] An electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit and a touch controller, the sensor unit including a number of first patterns extending in a first direction and at least one end of each of its ends electrically connected to the touch controller, a number of second patterns arranged adjacent to each of the first patterns and extending in the first direction with one end electrically connected to each other, a number of third patterns extending in a second direction different from the first direction so as to intersect with the number of first patterns and at least one end of each of its ends electrically connected to the touch controller, and a number of fourth patterns arranged adjacent to each of the third patterns and extending in the second direction with one end electrically connected to each other, wherein the number of first patterns includes a portion of first patterns with one end of each of its ends electrically connected to the touch controller and another portion of first patterns with the other end of each of its ends electrically connected to the touch controller, and the portion of first patterns and the other portion of first patterns are arranged alternately one by one along the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] Using the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of eliminating the need for a separate sensor to drive and / or sense the stylus pen.

[0035] Furthermore, it has the advantage of enabling double routing.

[0036] Furthermore, it has the advantage of reducing the number of channels between the sensor unit, which can sense both the object and the stylus pen, and the touch controller.

[0037] Furthermore, it has the advantage of supporting stylus pen functionality not only with the internal touchscreen but also with the external touchscreen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the output voltage (Vout) of the Capacitor Voltage Amplitude (CVA) changes depending on the position of the stylus pen 10 on a flexible display panel within a conventional electronic device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram used to explain, via current sensing, that the output voltages (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differ depending on the position of the pen 10 in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram used to explain, via voltage sensing, that the output voltage (Vout1, Vout2) of the CVA differs depending on the position of pen 10 in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the problems that arise when applying an existing EMR pen to a display panel within a conventional electronic device to implement stylus pen functionality on internal and external screens. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the first mode (or touch sensing mode) for the electronic device shown in Figure 6 to sense an object. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the second mode (or uplink mode) in which the electronic device shown in Figure 6 drives the stylus pen. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the second mode (or uplink mode) for the electronic device shown in Figure 6 to drive the stylus pen. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the third mode (or downlink mode) for the electronic device shown in Figure 6 to sense (or detect) the stylus pen. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6. [Figure 12a] Figure 12a is a diagram illustrating a modified version of the touch controller 200 of the electronic device shown in Figure 10. [Figure 12b] Figure 12b is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the differential amplifier 250 shown in Figure 12a. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100' shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 10 shown in Figure 5. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a simplified diagram showing a modified version of the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 10'' shown in Figure 17. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modification of the sensor unit 10'' shown in Figure 17. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating modified examples of the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 shown in Figure 21. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a simplified diagram showing another modified example of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modification of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a simplified diagram of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 25. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a simplified diagram showing another modified example of the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a diagram illustrating a conventional landscape-type sensor unit. [Figure 32] Figures 32(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating other sensor components in a conventional landscape configuration. [Figure 33] Figures 33(A) and 33(B) are diagrams illustrating the sensor portion of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35]Figure 35 is a diagram illustrating the stack-up structure of electronic devices according to various embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 34. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of a foldable device, which is an example of an electronic device described in Figures 5 to 35. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] The detailed description of the present invention described herein refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating specific embodiments in which the present invention may be carried out. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to be sufficient for those skilled in the art to carry out the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are distinct from one another but do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. For example, certain shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be embodied in other embodiments in relation to one embodiment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that the position or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be modified, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the detailed description described herein is not intended to be taken as restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims, along with all equivalent claims, if appropriately described. Similar reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same or similar functions in various aspects.

[0040] The various embodiments of the electronic devices described herein may be electronic devices such as ordinary smartphones, or electronic devices having a rectangular screen that is relatively larger than the screen of an ordinary smartphone, with a diagonal length between approximately 10 inches and 13 inches. For example, they may include at least one of the following: a foldable smartphone, a tablet PC (tablet personal computer), a vehicle display device, an e-book reader, a laptop PC (laptop personal computer), or a netbook computer.

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

[0042] Furthermore, the various embodiments of the present invention include electronic devices that are foldable, with at least one screen being foldable, and such foldable devices include not only smartphones but also tablet PCs or notebook PCs.

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

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

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

[0046] The sensor unit 10 is configured to be able to sense objects such as fingers and to drive and / or sense a stylus pen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0053] Of the numerous second patterns 102, some may have one end positioned on the left and the other on the right. Conversely, the remaining second patterns may have one end positioned on the right and the other on the left.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0061] In electronic devices such as tablet PCs, laptops, or foldable devices, the display screen is in landscape orientation, resulting in a relatively larger number of channels (e.g., 8) in the numerous third patterns 103 compared to the number of channels (e.g., 5) in the numerous first patterns 101. Therefore, a number of second patterns 102 for driving and / or sensing the stylus pen must be arranged in addition to the number of channels (5) in the numerous first patterns 101. In this case, the overall resistance of the sensor unit 100 increases due to the traces electrically connecting the numerous second patterns 102 and the touch controller 200. This may result in the formation of parasitic capacitance between the traces. For example, in the case of an 11-inch to 16-inch tablet PC, the number of additional channels in the second patterns 102 exceeds approximately 30, so the parasitic capacitance acts as a considerable burden on the electronic device.

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

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

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

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

[0066] The sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6 omits the second pattern 102 compared to the sensor unit 10 shown in Figure 5, and both ends of the first pattern 101, which is arranged in the first direction (or along the long axis), are electrically connected to the touch controller 200 via traces. More specifically, one end of the first pattern 101 is connected to the first circuit unit 210 of the touch controller 200 via one trace (or trace pattern), and the other end is connected to the second circuit unit 220 of the touch controller 200 via another trace (trace pattern). This method, in which both ends of each of the numerous first patterns 101 are electrically connected to the touch controller 200 via traces, will be hereafter referred to as the "double routing method".

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

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

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

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

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

[0072] An electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention may be a landscape-type electronic device. In a landscape-type electronic device, the sensor unit 100 is configured such that its width in the first direction is greater than its height in the second direction, and a touch controller 200 for controlling the sensor unit 100 is positioned below the sensor unit 100. A landscape-type electronic device can take the form of, for example, a tablet PC or a foldable smartphone.

[0073] An electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which includes a sensor unit 100 and a touch controller 200, can not only detect the position of an object such as a finger located on the screen of the electronic device, but can also drive a stylus pen that is close to or in contact with the screen, and can sense the signal emitted from the stylus pen to detect the position of the stylus pen located on the screen. The details will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

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

[0075] The touch controller 200 of the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can sense an object such as a finger that is close to or in contact with the sensor unit 100' using a plurality of first patterns 101 and a plurality of third patterns 103 of the sensor unit 100'.

[0076] Specifically, referring to Figure 7, the touch controller 200 can use a number of first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 100 as touch drive electrodes TX to which touch drive signals are applied, and a number of third patterns 103 as touch receive electrodes RX to which touch reception signals are output. The reverse configuration is also acceptable.

[0077] The control unit 240 of the touch controller 200 can control the first circuit unit 210 and the second circuit unit 220 so that touch drive signals are applied to a number of first patterns 101. For this purpose, the first circuit unit 210 and the second circuit unit 220 may each be configured to output touch drive signals based on control signals from the control unit 240.

[0078] The control unit 240 allows the first circuit unit 210 to apply a touch drive signal to one end of a plurality of first patterns 101, and the second circuit unit 220 to simultaneously apply the touch drive signal to the other end of a plurality of first patterns 101. In this way, if the same touch drive signal is applied to both ends of each first pattern 101, the position of maximum resistance in each first pattern 101 can be the center of that first pattern 101.

[0079] The control unit 240 can receive touch-sensing signals via a number of third patterns 103. Each received touch-sensing signal contains information about the change in capacitance between the first pattern 101 and the third pattern 103. The control unit 240 can determine the position of an object based on the change in capacitance.

[0080] On the other hand, although not shown in the separate drawings, the control unit 240 can control the system so that a touch drive signal is applied to the first pattern 101 and the third pattern 103, respectively, and a touch sensing signal is output from the first pattern 101 and the third pattern 103, respectively.

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

[0082] The touch controller 200 can form a current loop in the sensor unit 100 for driving the stylus pen using one of the two methods described below in Figures 8 and 9.

[0083] First, as shown in Figure 8, the touch controller 200 controls one or more of the numerous first patterns 101 to flow a preset current in a first direction X, and simultaneously controls one or more other first patterns to flow the same current in a first opposite direction -X, which is the opposite direction to the first direction X. Here, the touch controller 200 can select the one or more first patterns and the one or more other first patterns based on the proximity or contact position of the stylus pen 10. With respect to the position of the stylus pen 10, the first patterns positioned above may be the one or more first patterns, and the first patterns positioned below may be the one or more other first patterns.

[0084] The control unit 240 controls the application of a first drive signal to one or more of the numerous first patterns 101 via the first circuit unit 210, and controls the application of a first inverse drive signal, which is an inverse signal of the first drive signal, to the other end of the one or more first patterns via the second circuit unit 220, thereby causing a current to flow in the first direction X through the one or more first patterns. Here, the first drive signal may be a pulse waveform signal or a sine waveform signal.

[0085] Simultaneously, the control unit 240 can control the first circuit unit 210 to apply a first inverse drive signal to one end of one or more of the numerous first patterns 101, and the second circuit unit 220 to apply a first drive signal to the other end of the one or more other first patterns, so that a current in the first opposite direction -X flows through the remaining first patterns.

[0086] The current flowing in a first direction X through one of the first patterns and the current flowing in a first opposite direction -X through another part of the first pattern may form at least one current loop around the stylus pen 10. The formed current loop generates a magnetic field, which causes a resonant circuit inside the stylus pen 10 to resonate, thereby driving the stylus pen 10.

[0087] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the control unit 240 controls the system so that a first drive signal is applied to one end of some of the numerous first patterns 101 via the first circuit unit 210, and so that the other end of some of the first patterns is grounded via the second circuit unit 220, thereby allowing a current to flow in the first direction X through some of the first patterns.

[0088] Simultaneously, the control unit 240 can control the system so that a first drive signal is applied to one end of the remaining first pattern 101 via the first circuit unit 210, and so that the other end of the remaining first pattern is grounded via the second circuit unit 220, causing a current in the first opposite direction -X to flow through the remaining first pattern.

[0089] The current flowing in a first direction X through a portion of the first pattern and the current flowing in the first opposite direction -X through the remaining first pattern may form at least one current loop around the stylus pen 10. The current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field resonates a resonant circuit inside the stylus pen 10, thereby driving the stylus pen 10.

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

[0091] As shown in Figure 10, the pen signal can be detected using a large number of first patterns 101 and a large number of third patterns 103.

[0092] The control unit 240 can control the third circuit unit 230 to receive pen signals from each of the numerous third patterns 103. The control unit 240 can determine the position of the stylus pen in the first direction X based on the pen signals received by the third circuit unit 230. Here, the ability to receive pen signals via multiple third patterns 103 is due to the fact that the induction signal induced in the fourth pattern 104 is transmitted to the adjacent third pattern 103 via a capacitive coupling formed between adjacent third patterns 103 and fourth patterns 104.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 240 can control the first circuit unit 210 so that one end of each of the numerous first patterns 101 is electrically grounded, and can control the second circuit unit 220 so that it receives pen signals from the other end of each of the numerous first patterns 101. Based on the pen signals received by the second circuit unit 220, the control unit 240 can determine the position of the stylus pen in the second direction Y.

[0094] In Figure 10, the first circuit section 210 is configured to electrically ground one end of the numerous first patterns 101, and the second circuit section 220 is configured to receive pen signals from the other ends of the numerous first patterns 101; however, the configuration may be reversed.

[0095] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified version of the electronic device shown in Figure 6.

[0096] In comparison to the electronic device shown in Figure 6, the ends of each first pattern 101 of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 11 are electrically connected to each other via conductive traces, and then connected to the touch controller 200'.

[0097] The touch controller 200' can apply touch drive signals to a number of first patterns 101 using one first circuit unit 210, and can receive touch sensing signals from a number of third patterns 103 using a third circuit unit 230.

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

[0099] Figure 12a is a diagram illustrating a modified version of the touch controller 200 of the electronic device shown in Figure 10.

[0100] Referring to Figure 12a, the touch controller 200' includes a third circuit section 230, a control section 240, and a differential amplifier section 250.

[0101] The touch controller 200' shown in Figure 12a replaces the first circuit section 210 and the second circuit section 220 shown in Figure 10 with a single differential amplifier section 250.

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

[0103] Furthermore, the differential amplifier unit 250 receives stylus pen signals from both ends of each first pattern 101 and performs differential amplification, and the control unit 240 can determine the position of the stylus pen in the second direction Y based on the differential signal output from the differential amplifier unit 250.

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

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

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

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

[0108] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6.

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

[0110] Numerous first patterns 101, numerous third patterns 103, and numerous fourth patterns 104 are placed in the active area (AA) of the display panel. Conversely, the uplink channels UC1 and UC2 are placed in the dead space (or bezel) of the display panel.

[0111] Each of the uplink channels UC1 and UC2 may include an uplink trace positioned in a first direction X which is the same direction as a number of first patterns 101, and a pair of connecting traces that connect both ends of the uplink trace to a pad (PAD). Here, the uplink trace and the connecting trace may be formed as a single unit.

[0112] The uplink trace of the first uplink channel UC1 may be placed on a number of first patterns 101, and the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2 may be placed below a number of first patterns 101. A number of first patterns 101 may be placed between the uplink trace of the first uplink channel UC1 and the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2.

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

[0114] However, in the sensor unit 100' shown in Figure 13, since uplink channels UC1 and UC2 are additionally arranged in the dead space, even if the stylus pen approaches or comes into contact with the upper or lower edge region of the active region AA, a predetermined current can be flowed through the uplink channels UC1 and UC2, thereby forming a current loop around the stylus pen.

[0115] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the sensor unit 100' shown in Figure 13.

[0116] The sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 14 differs from the sensor unit 100' shown in Figure 13 in the second uplink channel UC2', but the remaining configuration is identical.

[0117] The uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2' may be formed to be relatively longer than the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2 shown in Figure 13.

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

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

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

[0121] However, the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 14 minimizes magnetic field cancellation because the uplink trace of the second uplink channel UC2' is positioned further away from some of the parallel traces P'.

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

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

[0124] The sensor unit 100A includes a number of first patterns 101 and a number of third patterns 103. The sensor unit 100A shown in Figure 15 differs from the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6 in that the number of fourth patterns 104 is omitted, and both ends of each third pattern 103 are electrically connected to the touch controller 200A via traces. In other words, in the sensor unit 100A shown in Figure 15, not only the number of first patterns 101 but also the number of third patterns 103 are directly connected to the touch controller 200A using a double routing method.

[0125] The touch controller 200A may include the same first to third circuit sections 210, 220, 230 and control section 240 as the touch controller 200 shown in Figure 6.

[0126] The electronic devices shown in Figure 15 are landscape-type electronic devices, and the number of devices in the third pattern 103 may be greater than the number of devices in the first pattern 101.

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

[0128] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the touch controller 200A controls the application of touch drive signals to both ends of a number of first patterns 101 and can receive touch sensing signals via a number of third patterns 103 to determine the position of an object.

[0129] As shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9, the touch controller 200A can cause the resonant circuit of the stylus pen to resonate by controlling a current in a first direction X to flow through a portion of the first patterns, which are separated based on the position of the stylus pen, and by controlling a current in a first opposite direction -X to flow through another portion of the first patterns.

[0130] As mentioned in Figure 10, the touch controller 200A can receive pen signals emitted from a stylus pen using a number of first patterns 101 and a number of third patterns 103, and can determine the position of the stylus pen based on the received pen signals. Here, the sensor unit 100A shown in Figure 15 does not have a number of fourth patterns 104, so the touch controller 200A can receive pen signals by controlling both ends of the number of third patterns 103 in the same way as both ends of the number of first patterns 101. In other words, the sensor unit 100A shown in Figure 15 can receive pen signals directly via the third patterns 103 without using the capacitive coupling method described in Figure 10.

[0131] Although not shown in separate drawings, the uplink channels UC1 and UC2 shown in Figure 13 or Figure 14 may be directly applied to the sensor unit 100A shown in Figure 15.

[0132] In the electronic device shown in Figure 15, each first pattern 101 is connected to the touch controller 200A using a double routing method. Therefore, when the touch controller 200A is driven in the third mode (or downlink mode) that senses the pen signal shown in Figure 10, the pen signal output via the first pattern 101 may be received directly by the touch controller 200A. Similarly, since each third pattern 103 is connected to the touch controller 200A using a double routing method, when the touch controller 200A is driven in the third mode (or downlink mode), the pen signal output via the third pattern 103 may be received directly by the touch controller 200A.

[0133] Figure 16 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 10 shown in Figure 5.

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

[0135] Of the numerous first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 10' in Figure 16, one end (left end) of the first pattern 101 located above the second direction Y is connected to a trace 101cl for connection to a touch controller (not shown), and the other end (right end) is floating. Then, of the numerous first patterns 101, the other end (right end) of the remaining half of the first pattern 101 located below the second direction Y is connected to a trace 101cr for connection to a touch controller (not shown), and one end (left end) is floating.

[0136] Of the numerous second patterns 102 in the sensor unit 10' in Figure 16, the right end of the half of the second patterns 102 located above the second direction Y is electrically connected via trace 102cr, while the left end is floating. Then, of the remaining half of the numerous second patterns 102 located below the second direction Y, the left end of the second pattern 102 is electrically connected via trace 102cl, while the right end is floating.

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

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

[0139] A touch controller (not shown) can be operated in a first mode (touch sensing mode) for sensing finger-like objects, consisting of multiple first patterns 101 and multiple third patterns 103.

[0140] The touch controller (not shown) can operate a number of fourth patterns 104 in a second mode (uplink mode) to drive the stylus pen.

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

[0142] The sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16 has the advantage of reducing the number of channels (or pins) of the touch controller (not shown) compared to the sensor unit 10 shown in Figure 5. This is due to the fact that the lower ends of the numerous fourth patterns 104 are arranged in pairs. For example, if there are 35 first patterns 101 and 35 second patterns 102, and 42 third patterns 103 and 44 fourth patterns 104, the touch controller (not shown) would require 35 pins to connect to the 35 first patterns 101, 42 pins to connect to the 42 third patterns 103, and 21 pins (= 42 * 1 / 2) to connect to the 42 fourth patterns 104. In other words, the touch controller (not shown) would require a total of 98 pins. On the other hand, in the case of the sensor unit 10 in Figure 5, since the lower ends of the fourth pattern 104 are not connected in parallel in pairs, the touch controller 20 requires an additional 21 pins for the fourth pattern 104.

[0143] Using the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16, the number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) can be reduced, which has the advantage of lowering the size and manufacturing cost of the touch controller (not shown).

[0144] Furthermore, in the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16, the left end of some of the first patterns 101, which are positioned above the second direction Y, are connected to a touch controller (not shown), and the right end of the remaining first patterns, which are positioned below, are connected to a touch controller (not shown). This arrangement reduces the number of traces that are placed in the bezel areas on both sides of the display panel.

[0145] On the other hand, in the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16, the first pattern 101lb, which is located at the bottom of the partial first pattern 101 whose left end is connected to a touch controller (not shown), and the first pattern 101ru, which is located at the top of the remaining first patterns whose right end is connected to a touch controller (not shown), are connected to the trace in opposite directions, not in the same direction. Therefore, if the signal output from the first pattern 101lb located at the bottom and the signal output from the first pattern 101ru located at the top are differentially connected in the touch controller (not shown), a problem arises in which distortion occurs in the output differential signal. This is also known as "half-half distortion." Such half-half distortion can cause ghost touches that the user did not intend.

[0146] Figure 17 is a simplified diagram showing a modified version of the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16.

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

[0148] The sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17 differs from the sensor unit 10'' shown in Figure 16 in that all left ends of the numerous first patterns 101 are connected to a touch controller (not shown) via trace 101cl, and all right ends of the numerous second patterns 102 are electrically connected via trace 102cr. This difference has the advantage that even if the touch controller (not shown) differentially outputs the signal through the numerous first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17, the aforementioned half-and-half distortion does not occur.

[0149] A touch controller (not shown) can be operated in a first mode (touch sensing mode) for sensing finger-like objects, consisting of multiple first patterns 101 and multiple third patterns 103.

[0150] The touch controller (not shown) can operate a number of fourth patterns 104 in a second mode (uplink mode) to drive the stylus pen.

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

[0152] The number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17 is the same as the number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10' in Figure 16.

[0153] On the other hand, in the sensor section 10'' of Figure 17, since all left ends of the numerous first patterns 101 are connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces 101cl, the number of traces 101cl placed in the left bezel area becomes relatively large, which can make the bezel relatively thicker. Also, since the resistance increases relatively due to the traces 101cl, a problem may arise in which the touch bandwidth becomes narrower.

[0154] Figure 18 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 10'' shown in Figure 17.

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

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

[0157] The sensor unit 10'' in Figure 18 can sense the pen signal emitted from the stylus pen by directly using a number of fourth patterns 104.

[0158] The sensor unit 10'' in Figure 18, like the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17, has traces 101cl connected to the left end of a large number of first patterns 101, so that half-and-half distortion does not occur.

[0159] Furthermore, the sensor unit 10''' in Figure 18 can sense the pen signal emitted from the stylus pen by directly using a large number of fourth patterns 104, and therefore does not use capacitive coupling Cc between adjacent third patterns 103 and fourth patterns 104. Consequently, the capacitance value of the sensor unit 10''' is reduced, and the touch bandwidth can be further expanded relative to that of the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17.

[0160] On the other hand, the number of channels (or pins) of the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 18 is even greater than the number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17. This is because each of the numerous fourth patterns 104 is connected to a touch controller (not shown).

[0161] Figure 19 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modification of the sensor unit 10'' shown in Figure 17.

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

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

[0164] Furthermore, the sensor unit 10'''' in Figure 19 does not exhibit the same 50 / 50 distortion as the sensor unit 10'' in Figure 17.

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

[0166] Figure 20 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 10' shown in Figure 16.

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

[0168] The sensor unit 10'''''' in Figure 20 differs from the sensor unit 10' in Figure 16 in the numerous first patterns 101 and numerous second patterns 102.

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

[0170] The numerous second patterns 102 also include some second patterns connected to one side trace 102cl for connection with a touch controller (not shown), and other parts of second patterns connected to the other side trace 102cr. The aforementioned partial second patterns and the other partial second patterns are arranged alternately one by one along the second direction Y.

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

[0172] As shown in Figure 20, the numerous first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 10'''''' and the traces 101cl', 101cr' that connect to the touch controller (not shown) are arranged alternately along the second direction Y, once on the left and once on the right. This has the advantage of maintaining uniformity, as the number of traces arranged on the left and right sides is the same or similar.

[0173] The touch controller (not shown) can use the sensor unit 10'''''' shown in Figure 20 to sense the touch of an object such as a finger (first mode), drive a stylus pen (second mode), and sense a pen signal from the stylus pen (third mode). Specifically, refer to Table 1 below to explain how the touch controller (not shown) drives the sensor unit 10'''''' in each mode.

[0174] [Table 1]

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

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

[0177] As another example of the first mode (Touch), a touch controller (not shown) can apply a touch drive signal to at least one of the many third patterns 103 of the sensor unit 10''''' and receive touch sensing signals from the many first patterns 101. Here, the touch controller (not shown) can differentially process the touch sensing signals received from the many first patterns 101. When the touch controller (not shown) differentially processes the touch sensing signals, it can differentially process the touch sensing signals output from the Nth first pattern 101 and the N+2th first pattern 101n from the many first patterns 101 in order to prevent the occurrence of the aforementioned "half-and-half distortion".

[0178] A touch controller (not shown) can operate the sensor unit 10''''' in a second mode (Stylus / drive). For example, the touch controller (not shown) can apply a pen drive signal to the sensor unit 10''''' using at least one of the many fourth patterns 104.

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

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

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

[0182] Although not shown in separate drawings, if one end of the numerous second patterns 102 of the sensor unit 10''''' shown in Figure 20 is electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown), the touch controller (not shown) can operate such a sensor unit (not shown) in a third mode (Stylus / receive). When operating in the third mode, the controller (not shown) can receive pen detection signals from numerous second patterns (not shown) and numerous third patterns 103 of the sensor unit (not shown), and can also receive pen detection signals from numerous second patterns (not shown) and numerous fourth patterns 104.

[0183] Figure 21 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20.

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

[0185] The sensor unit 10'''''' in Figure 21 differs from the sensor unit 10'''''' in Figure 20 in numerous third patterns 103'.

[0186] Each of the numerous third patterns 103' includes a third-first pattern 103-1 and a third-second pattern 103-2, which are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0187] The third-first pattern 103-1 includes a number of main pattern portions 103-1a arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern portion 103-1c that connects two adjacent main pattern portions 103-1a to each other. Each main pattern portion 103-1a of the third-first pattern 103-1 may have a square, rhombic, or diamond shape, and may have an opening in which each main pattern portion 103-2a of the third-second pattern 103-2 can be arranged.

[0188] The third-second pattern 103-2 includes a number of main pattern sections 103-2a arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern section 103-2c that connects two adjacent main pattern sections 103-2a to each other. Each main pattern section 103-2a of the third-second pattern 103-2 may have a square, rhombus, or diamond shape. Each main pattern section 103-2a of the third-second pattern 103-2 may have a shape corresponding to each main pattern section 103-1a of the third-first pattern 103-1.

[0189] Each main pattern section 103-1a of pattern 3-1 103-1 is positioned more adjacent to pattern 101 relative to each main pattern section 103-2a of pattern 3-2 103-2.

[0190] Each of the numerous third patterns 103' includes a third-first pattern 103-1 and a third-second pattern 103-2, and the third-first pattern 103-1 and the third-second pattern 103-2 are connected to a touch controller (not shown), respectively. Therefore, compared to the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20, the number of pins for the numerous third patterns 103' doubles in the touch controller (not shown). However, when the touch controller (not shown) is driven in the first mode (touch drive mode), it applies a touch drive signal to the numerous first patterns 101 and differentially generates the two touch sensing signals output from the third-first pattern 103-1 and the third-second pattern 103-2, respectively. This has the advantage of canceling out display noise and LGM (Low Ground Mass) due to poor grounding of objects acting on the sensor unit 10'''''', thereby improving sensing sensitivity.

[0191] Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating modified examples of the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 shown in Figure 21.

[0192] Referring to Figure 22, the third-first pattern 103-1' includes a number of main pattern sections 103-1a', 103-1b' arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern section 103-1c' that connects two adjacent main pattern sections 103-1a', 103-1b' from the number of main pattern sections 103-1a', 103-1b'. Each main pattern section 103-1a', 103-1b' of the third-first pattern 103-1' may include a first main pattern section 103-1a' and a second main pattern section 103-1b'. The first main pattern section 103-1a' and the second main pattern section 103-1b' may have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the first direction X. For example, the first main pattern section 103-1a' may have an inverted triangular shape, and the second main pattern section 103-1b' may have an inverted triangular shape. The first main pattern section 103-1a' and the second main pattern section 103-1b' may be electrically connected to each other.

[0193] The third-second pattern 103-2' includes a number of main pattern sections 103-2a', 103-2b' arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern section 103-2c' that connects two adjacent main pattern sections 103-2a', 103-2b' from the number of main pattern sections 103-2a', 103-2b'. Each main pattern section 103-2a', 103-2b' of the third-second pattern 103-2' may include a first main pattern section 103-2a' and a second main pattern section 103-2b'. The first main pattern section 103-2a' and the second main pattern section 103-2b' may have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the first direction X. For example, the first main pattern section 103-2a' may have an inverted triangular shape, and the second main pattern section 103-2b' may have an inverted triangular shape. The first main pattern section 103-2a' and the second main pattern section 103-2b' may be electrically connected to each other.

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

[0195] Figure 23 is a simplified diagram showing another modified example of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20.

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

[0197] The sensor unit 10'''''''' in Figure 23 differs from the sensor unit 10'''''' in Figure 20 in numerous first patterns 101'.

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

[0199] The first-first pattern 101-1 includes a number of main pattern portions 101-1a arranged along a first direction X, and a connecting pattern portion 101-1c that connects two adjacent main pattern portions 101-1a to each other. Each main pattern portion 101-1a of the first-first pattern 101-1 may have a square, rhombus, or diamond shape, and may have an opening in which each main pattern portion 103-2a of the first-second pattern 101-2 can be arranged.

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

[0201] Each main pattern section 101-1a of the first-first pattern 101-1 is positioned more adjacent to the third pattern 103 than each main pattern section 101-2a of the first-second pattern 101-2.

[0202] Each of the numerous first patterns 101' includes a 1-1 pattern 101-1 and a 1-2 pattern 101-2, and the 1-1 pattern 101-1 and the 1-2 pattern 101-2 are connected to a touch controller (not shown), respectively. Therefore, compared to the sensor unit 10'''''' shown in Figure 20, the number of pins for the numerous first patterns 101' doubles in the touch controller (not shown). However, when the touch controller (not shown) is driven in first mode (touch drive mode), if it applies a touch drive signal to the 1-1 pattern 101-1 and simultaneously applies a touch drive signal to the 1-2 pattern 101-2 with a phase inverted by 180 degrees, it can reduce or eliminate the occurrence of flicker in the display panel equipped with the sensor unit 10''''''''. The flicker refers to the appearance of flicker on the display panel due to the combined effect of touch drive signals simultaneously applied to at least two or more of the numerous first patterns 101' in Figure 20, affecting the display panel. In the sensor unit 10'''''''' shown in Figure 23, two touch drive signals with opposite phases are simultaneously applied to each first pattern 101'. Therefore, even when the two touch drive signals are added together, their sum becomes "0", thus not affecting the display panel and preventing the flicker phenomenon.

[0203] On the other hand, although not shown in separate drawings, the 1-1 pattern 101-1 and the 1-2 pattern 101-2 of each of the first patterns 101' may have the pattern shapes shown in Figure 22.

[0204] Figure 24 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modification of the sensor unit 10'''' shown in Figure 20.

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

[0206] The sensor unit 10'''''''' in Figure 24 differs from the sensor unit 10'''''' in Figure 20 in the numerous first patterns 101' and third patterns 103'. The numerous first patterns 101' are identical to the numerous first patterns 101' shown in Figure 23, and the numerous third patterns 103' are identical to the numerous third patterns 103' shown in Figure 21.

[0207] Using the sensor unit 10'''''''' in Figure 24 has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the number of pins in the touch controller (not shown), but the technical effects of the sensor units 10'''''',10'''''' in Figures 21 and 23 can be achieved together. In other words, display noise and LGM (Low Ground Mass) caused by poor grounding of objects acting on the sensor unit 10'''''''' can be canceled out, improving sensing sensitivity and reducing or eliminating flicker in the display panel equipped with the sensor unit 10''''''''.

[0208] Figure 25 is a simplified diagram of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 6.

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

[0210] As shown in Figure 25, numerous first patterns 101 of the sensor unit 100 are connected to a touch controller (not shown) using a double routing method. Therefore, there is the advantage of expanded touch bandwidth and the advantage of no half-and-half distortion occurring.

[0211] The numerous fourth patterns 104 of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 25 may be floating and not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown). When the touch controller (not shown) drives the sensor unit 100 in a third mode (or downlink mode) that senses a pen signal, it can sense the pen signal via the numerous third patterns 103. The pen signals from the numerous third patterns 103 are transmitted from the numerous fourth patterns 104 by capacitive coupling. The touch controller (not shown) can also directly receive the pen signal via the numerous first patterns 101.

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

[0213] On the other hand, the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 25, when using a large number of first patterns 101 to drive the stylus pen, has the advantage of reducing the number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) because the total resistance of the large number of first patterns 101 and the traces connected to them is relatively larger than when the double routing method is not used.

[0214] Figure 26 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 25.

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

[0216] The sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26 differs from the sensor unit 100 shown in Figure 25 in that the lower ends of numerous fourth patterns 104 are connected in parallel in pairs, and the parallel-connected portion is electrically connected to a touch controller (not shown).

[0217] A touch controller (not shown) can use a number of first patterns 101 and a number of third patterns 103 when operating in the first mode (touch sensing mode). Specifically, the touch controller (not shown) may be configured to apply touch drive signals to a number of first patterns 101 and to receive touch sensing signals from a number of third patterns 103. The touch controller (not shown) can operate in the first mode in the manner described in Figure 7 or Figure 11.

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

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

[0220] Figure 27 is a simplified diagram showing a modified example of the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26.

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

[0222] The sensor unit 100'''' shown in Figure 27 differs from the sensor unit 100'''' shown in Figure 26 in numerous first patterns 101'.

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

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

[0225] The first-first pattern 101l includes a number of main pattern portions 101-1a arranged along a first direction X, and a connecting pattern portion 101-1c that connects two adjacent main pattern portions 101-1a to each other. Each main pattern portion 101-1a of the first-first pattern 101l may have a square, rhombic, or diamond shape, and may have an opening in which each main pattern portion 101-2a of the first-second pattern 101r can be arranged.

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

[0227] Each main pattern section 101-1a of pattern 1-1l is positioned more adjacent to pattern 3 103 relative to each main pattern section 101-2a of pattern 1-2r.

[0228] Each of the numerous first patterns 101' includes a 1-1 pattern 101l and a 1-2 pattern 101r, and the 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r are connected to a touch controller (not shown) via traces 101cl and 101cr, respectively. Therefore, compared to the sensor unit 100''' shown in Figure 26, the touch controller (not shown) has twice the number of pins for the numerous first patterns 101'. However, when the touch controller (not shown) is driven in first mode (touch drive mode), it applies a touch drive signal to the numerous third patterns 103 and differentially generates the two touch sensing signals output from the 1-1 pattern 101l and the 1-2 pattern 101r, respectively. This has the advantage of canceling out display noise and LGM (Low Ground Mass) due to poor grounding of objects acting on the sensor unit 100'''', thereby improving sensing sensitivity.

[0229] On the other hand, although not shown in separate drawings, the 1-1 pattern 101l and 1-2 pattern 101r of each of the first patterns 101' may have the pattern shapes shown in Figure 22.

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

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

[0232] Figure 28 is a simplified diagram showing another modified example of the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26.

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

[0234] The sensor unit 100'''' shown in Figure 28 differs from the sensor unit 100'''' shown in Figure 26 in numerous third patterns 103'.

[0235] Each of the numerous third patterns 103' includes a third-first pattern 103-1 and a third-second pattern 103-2, which are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0236] The third-first pattern 103-1 includes a number of main pattern sections 103-1a arranged along a second direction Y, and connecting pattern sections 103-1c that connect two adjacent main pattern sections 103-1a to each other. Each main pattern section 103-1a of the third-first pattern 103-1 may have a square, rhombic, or diamond shape, and may have an opening in which each main pattern section 103-2a of the third-second pattern 103-2 can be arranged.

[0237] The third-second pattern 103-2 includes a number of main pattern sections 103-2a arranged along the second direction Y, and a connecting pattern section 103-2c that connects two adjacent main pattern sections 103-2a to each other. Each main pattern section 103-2a of the third-second pattern 103-2 may have a square, rhombus, or diamond shape. Each main pattern section 103-2a of the third-second pattern 103-2 may have a shape corresponding to each main pattern section 103-1a of the third-first pattern 103-1.

[0238] Each main pattern section 103-1a of pattern 3-1 103-1 is positioned more adjacent to pattern 101 relative to each main pattern section 103-2a of pattern 3-2 103-2.

[0239] Each of the numerous third patterns 103' includes a third-first pattern 103-1 and a third-second pattern 103-2, and the third-first pattern 103-1 and the third-second pattern 103-2 are connected to a touch controller (not shown), respectively. Therefore, compared to the sensor unit 100'''' shown in Figure 26, the number of pins for the numerous first patterns 101' doubles in the touch controller (not shown), but when the touch controller (not shown) is driven in first mode (touch drive mode), if it applies a touch drive signal to the third-first pattern 103-1 and simultaneously applies a touch drive signal to the third-second pattern 103-2 with the phase of the touch drive signal inverted by 180 degrees, it can reduce or eliminate the occurrence of flicker in the display panel equipped with the sensor unit 100''''''.

[0240] On the other hand, although not shown in separate drawings, the 3-1 pattern 103-1 and the 3-2 pattern 103-2 of each of the 3rd patterns 103' may have the pattern shapes shown in Figure 22.

[0241] Figure 29 is a simplified diagram showing yet another modified example of the sensor unit 100'' shown in Figure 26.

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

[0243] The sensor unit 100'''''' in Figure 29 differs from the sensor unit 100''' in Figure 26 in the numerous first patterns 101' and third patterns 103'. The numerous first patterns 101' are identical to the numerous first patterns 101' shown in Figure 27, and the numerous third patterns 103' are identical to the numerous third patterns 103' shown in Figure 28.

[0244] Using the sensor unit 100'''''' in Figure 29 has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the number of pins in the touch controller (not shown), but the technical effects of both the sensor units 100'''',100'''''' in Figures 27 and 28 can be achieved. That is, display noise and LGM (Low Ground Mass) due to poor grounding of objects acting on the sensor unit 100'''' can be canceled out, sensing sensitivity can be improved, and the occurrence of flicker in the display panel equipped with the sensor unit 100'''''' can be reduced or eliminated.

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

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

[0247] The sensor unit 1500 may be included in the display panel 1000 or may be configured separately. The sensor unit 1500 may include any one of the sensor units shown in Figures 5 to 26.

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

[0249] Multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, Tx7 may be a number of first patterns 101 shown in Figures 5 to 26, and multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3 may be a number of third patterns 103 shown in Figures 5 to 26. Conversely, multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, Tx7 may be a number of third patterns 103 shown in Figures 5 to 26, and multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, Rx3 may be a number of first patterns 101 shown in Figures 5 to 26.

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

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

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

[0253] Each receiving electrode Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 may consist of a pair of receiving electrodes. For example, the 0th receiving electrode Rx0 includes a pair of receiving electrodes Rx0a and Rx0b, and many pairs of receiving electrodes Rx0a and Rx0b may be arranged alternately. Multiple 0a receiving electrodes Rx0a may be electrically connected to each other, and multiple 0b receiving electrodes Rx0b may be electrically connected to each other.

[0254] The 0a receiving electrode Rx0a may be arranged to form a dominant mutual capacitance with the 0th driving electrode Tx0, the 2nd driving electrode Tx2, the 4th driving electrode Tx4, and the 6th driving electrode Tx6, and the 0b receiving electrode Rx0b may be arranged to form a dominant mutual capacitance with the 1st driving electrode Tx1, the 3rd driving electrode Tx3, the 5th driving electrode Tx5, and the 7th driving electrode Tx7. On the other hand, the 0a receiving electrode Rx0a may be arranged to form a relatively small mutual capacitance with the 1st driving electrode Tx1, the 3rd driving electrode Tx3, the 5th driving electrode Tx5, and the 7th driving electrode Tx7, and the 0b receiving electrode Rx0b may be arranged to form a relatively small mutual capacitance with the 0th driving electrode Tx0, the 2nd driving electrode Tx2, the 4th driving electrode Tx4, and the 6th driving electrode Tx6.

[0255] The remaining receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 may be configured in the same way as the 0th receiving electrode Rx0.

[0256] The touch controller 2000 can convert the sensing signals output from multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 from analog to digital and output a digital sensing signal.

[0257] The touch controller 2000 can output a differential signal obtained by differentiating two of the sensing signals output from multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3, and can output the output signal by converting the analog signal to a digital signal. Based on the output digital signal, such a touch controller 2000 can detect the presence or absence of a touch and / or the location of the touch.

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

[0259] The display panel 1000 may have a large number of scan lines (or gate lines) and a large number of data lines. Subpixels can be located in the region where the scan lines and data lines intersect.

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

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

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

[0263] The sensor unit shown in Figure 31 is configured to detect only the touch position of an object such as a finger. Such a sensor unit consists of a number of first patterns 101 extending in the first direction X, which is the long axis, and a number of third patterns 103 extending in the second direction Y, which is the short axis. The number of first patterns 101 and the number of third patterns 103 are arranged to intersect each other and are configured to be electrically isolated from each other.

[0264] In the sensor unit shown in Figure 31, a number of third patterns 103 function as drive electrodes TX to which a touch drive signal is applied, and a number of first patterns 101 function as receiving electrodes RX to which a touch sensing signal is output. Each first pattern 101 is separated into two with respect to a virtual cutting line CL.

[0265] In Figure 31, the numerous first patterns 101 consist of a total of 112 units. With respect to the cutting line CL, 56 first patterns 101 are arranged on the left side and 56 first patterns 101 are arranged on the right side. The numerous third patterns 103 consist of a total of 82 units. Therefore, the total number of channels (or pins) of the touch controller (not shown) for controlling the sensor unit shown in Figure 31 is 194.

[0266] Figures 32(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating other sensor components in a conventional landscape configuration.

[0267] The conventional sensor unit shown in Figure 32(A) can not only sense the position of an object such as a finger, but can also drive a stylus pen and sense the position of the stylus pen. For this purpose, the conventional sensor unit shown in Figure 32(A) has a second pattern 102 and a fourth pattern 104 added to the sensor unit shown in Figure 31. Also, for noise reduction, each third pattern 103 that functions at the receiving electrode RX consists of a pair of electrodes 103a, 103b arranged alternately along the second direction Y, as shown in Figure 30.

[0268] The conventional sensor unit shown in (A) of FIG. 32 has a larger number of second patterns 102 and a larger number of fourth patterns 104 added as compared with the conventional sensor unit shown in FIG. 31. Since each third pattern 103 is composed of a pair of electrodes 103a and 103b, the total number of channels of a touch controller (not shown) is the number of a large number of first patterns 101 arranged on the left side (56) based on the cutting line CL, the number of a large number of first patterns arranged on the right side (56), the number of a large number of third patterns 103 (164), and the number of a large number of fourth patterns 104 (82), which amounts to 358 in total. Here, since a large number of second patterns 102 are not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown), they are excluded from the number of channels of the touch controller (not shown).

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

[0270] The conventional sensor unit shown in (B) of FIG. 32, as compared with the conventional sensor unit shown in (A) of FIG. 32, is composed of a pair of electrodes 101a and 101b in which each first pattern 101 is arranged alternately in large numbers along the first direction X, so the total number of channels of the touch controller (not shown) is 388.

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

[0272] FIGS. 33(A) to (B) are diagrams for explaining the sensor unit of the electronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

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

[0274] The number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Figure 33(A) is 276. Here, the numerous fourth patterns 104 are not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown). Compared to the conventional touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Figure 32(A), the numerous first patterns 101 connected in a double routing method also function in the second mode where the stylus pen is driven, which has the advantage of being able to relatively reduce the number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) by about 22%.

[0275] The sensor unit shown in Figure 33(B) is such that, in the sensor unit shown in Figure 6, each first pattern 101 is composed of a pair of electrodes 101a, 101b arranged alternately along the first direction X, as shown in Figure 30.

[0276] The touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Figure 33(B) has 306 channels. Here, the numerous fourth patterns 104 are not electrically connected to the touch controller (not shown). Compared to the conventional touch controller (not shown) for the sensor unit shown in Figure 32(B), the numerous first patterns 101 connected in a double routing method also function in the second mode where the stylus pen is driven, which has the advantage of being able to relatively reduce the number of channels in the touch controller (not shown) by about 22%.

[0277] While there are no particular problems if the display screen size of the electronic device having the sensor section shown in Figures 32 and 33 is the size of a typical smartphone screen, for example, 6.9 inches, if the display screen size is larger, such as 11 inches or 16 inches, as in a tablet PC or foldable device, the lengths of the first to fourth patterns 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the sensor section shown in Figure 32 will also increase, thus increasing the overall resistance and capacitance of the sensor section. This increase in resistance and capacitance narrows the operating frequency bandwidth of the touch drive signal applied to the touch drive electrode TX and the pen drive signal applied to the stylus pen drive electrode STX, which may result in the inability to obtain the operating frequency bandwidth required during the design phase.

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

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

[0280] The electronic device shown in Figure 34 differs from the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 30 in the following ways.

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

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

[0283] Whether the multiple first electrodes become multiple drive electrodes, as shown in Figure 30, or multiple receiving electrodes, as shown in Figure 34, can be determined by the control of the control unit 2200.

[0284] In the control unit 2200, if a drive signal is applied to multiple first electrodes, the multiple first electrodes can become multiple drive electrodes, and if a drive signal is applied to multiple second electrodes, the multiple second electrodes can become multiple receiving electrodes.

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

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

[0287] Some of the multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx0a, Tx1a, Tx2a, Tx3a, ... may be positioned so as to be immediately adjacent to some of the even-numbered receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx2, Rx4, Rx6, ... of the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, ..., while they may be positioned so as to be separated by a predetermined distance from the remaining odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, ...

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

[0289] Of the multiple driving electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, the remaining driving electrodes Tx0b, Tx1b, Tx2b, Tx3b, ... may be arranged so as to be immediately adjacent to the odd-numbered receiving electrodes Rx1, Rx3, Rx5, Rx7, ... of the multiple receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, ..., and may be arranged so as to be separated by a predetermined distance from some of the even-numbered receiving electrodes Rx0, Rx2, Rx4, Rx6, ... rather than being immediately adjacent.

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

[0291] The drive signals applied to the remaining drive electrodes Tx0b, Tx1b, Tx2b, Tx3b,... may be inverted drive signals obtained by inverting only the phase of the drive signals applied to some of the drive electrodes Tx0a, Tx1a, Tx2a, Tx3a,....

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

[0293] The electronic device shown in FIG. 34 can perform multi-drive by simultaneously applying drive signals to all the drive electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3,... of the sensor unit 1500', and has the advantage that no flicker problem occurs in the display panel even when such multi-drive is performed. Also, since all the drive electrodes Tx0, Tx1, Tx2, Tx3,... can be multi-driven, the drive time for performing mutual sensing can be reduced. Furthermore, since the turn-on time of the analog front end (AFE) can also be reduced, the power consumption can be further reduced.

[0294] FIG. 35 is a drawing for explaining the stack-up structure of an electronic device according to various embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 34.

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

[0296] The cover layer 310 is placed on the display section 330 and is made of a transparent material, allowing the tip of a stylus pen to make direct contact with the surface (or touch surface) of the cover layer 310.

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

[0298] A sensor unit 320 capable of not only sensing a finger but also driving and / or sensing a stylus pen may be placed between the cover layer 310 and the display unit 330. The sensor unit 320 may include at least one of the sensor units described earlier with reference to Figures 5 to 34.

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

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

[0301] Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of a foldable device, which is an example of an electronic device described in Figures 5 to 35.

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

[0303] As described above, the electronic devices shown in Figures 5 to 35 can drive and / or sense not only objects such as fingers but also a stylus pen at the sensor part. Therefore, the foldable device as an electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention does not require the digitizer described in Figure 4. Consequently, the digitizer does not need to be attached to the bottom of the internal touchscreen 200 and the external touchscreen 250, thereby preventing an increase in the overall thickness and manufacturing cost of the foldable device.

[0304] Furthermore, stylus pen functionality can be supported not only by the internal touchscreen but also by the external touchscreen.

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

[0306] Furthermore, switching via a multiplexer within the touch controller becomes unnecessary, preventing current loss due to the resistance of the multiplexer itself and simplifying the configuration of the electronic device.

[0307] Furthermore, in the case of tablet PCs or foldable devices with larger screens, the elimination of the need for additional stylus sensing sensors reduces the number of touch-driven trace channels. This significantly reduces the number of channels compared to conventional finger-touch and stylus-touch screens, allowing for a substantial reduction in the thickness of the bezel in the width direction of the electronic device.

[0308] Furthermore, by eliminating the need for additional stylus sensing sensors, stylus functionality becomes possible on both the internal and external touchscreens of foldable devices without increasing the thickness of the display panel or manufacturing costs.

[0309] In the foregoing, the features, structures, and effects described in the embodiments are included in one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to just one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, and effects exemplified in each embodiment can be combined or modified and implemented in other embodiments by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiment belongs. Therefore, the content related to such combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0310] Furthermore, although the above description has focused on embodiments, these are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs will understand that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible, as long as they do not deviate from the essential characteristics of these embodiments. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. Such differences in modifications and applications should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Including the sensor unit and touch controller, The aforementioned sensor unit is A number of first patterns are formed extending in a first direction, with each end electrically connected to the touch controller, A number of third patterns are formed extending in a second direction different from the first direction so as to intersect with the number of first patterns, and at least one end of both ends is electrically connected to the touch controller. Electronic devices, including those mentioned above.

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

3. The aforementioned sensor unit is The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a number of fourth patterns, each arranged adjacent to the third pattern, extending in the second direction, with one end of each pattern electrically connected to or floating with the touch controller and the other end electrically connected to each other.

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

5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein one end of each of the numerous fourth patterns is connected in parallel in pairs and electrically connected to the touch controller.

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

7. Each of the aforementioned numerous first patterns is A first-first pattern in which one end of both ends is electrically connected to the touch controller, The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising a first-second pattern arranged adjacent to the first-first pattern, the other end of which is electrically connected to the touch controller.

8. Each of the aforementioned numerous third patterns is: A third-first pattern in which one end of both ends is electrically connected to the touch controller, The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising a third-second pattern arranged adjacent to the third-first pattern, with one end of both ends electrically connected to the touch controller.

9. Including the sensor unit and touch controller, The aforementioned sensor unit is A number of first patterns are formed extending in a first direction, with at least one end of each end electrically connected to the touch controller, A number of second patterns are arranged adjacent to each of the aforementioned first patterns, extending in the first direction, with one end electrically connected to the other. A number of third patterns are formed extending in a second direction different from the first direction so as to intersect with the number of first patterns, and at least one end of both ends is electrically connected to the touch controller. It includes a number of fourth patterns, each of which is positioned adjacent to the third pattern, extends in the second direction, and has one end electrically connected to the other. The aforementioned number of first patterns include a portion of the first patterns in which one end of the two ends is electrically connected to the touch controller, and another portion of the first patterns in which the other end of the two ends is electrically connected to the touch controller. An electronic device in which the aforementioned partial first pattern and the aforementioned other partial first pattern are arranged alternately one by one along the second direction.

10. The aforementioned number of second patterns include some second patterns in which one end of each of the two ends is electrically connected to one another, and other some second patterns in which the other end of each of the two ends is electrically connected to one another. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the aforementioned partial second pattern and the aforementioned other partial second pattern are arranged alternately one by one along the second direction.

11. Each of the aforementioned numerous third patterns is: Pattern 3-1 and, This includes the aforementioned pattern 3-1 and a pattern 3-2 arranged adjacent to it, The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the 3-1 pattern is positioned closer to the 1st pattern than the 3-2 pattern.

12. Each of the aforementioned numerous first patterns is Pattern 1-1 and, This includes the first-second pattern arranged adjacent to the first-first pattern, The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the 1-1 pattern is positioned even closer to the 3rd pattern than the 1-2 pattern.

13. The display panel includes the sensor unit on which the sensor unit is located. The display panel includes an active area on which the numerous first patterns and the numerous third patterns are arranged, and a dead space outside the active area. The sensor unit further includes at least one uplink channel located in the dead space, The uplink channel includes an uplink trace that extends in the first direction and a connecting trace that connects the uplink trace to the touch controller. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The uplink channel includes a first uplink channel and a second uplink channel. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of first patterns are arranged between the first uplink channel and the second uplink channel.

15. The linked trace includes a portion of parallel traces arranged parallel to the uplink trace, The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of traces connected to one end of the plurality of first patterns are arranged between the uplink trace and the parallel trace.

16. The touch controller is configured to control the sensor unit and operate in one of a number of modes. The aforementioned numerous modes are Uplink mode, which controls some of the numerous first patterns to allow current to flow in the first direction, and controls other parts of the first patterns to allow current to flow in the opposite direction to the first direction, A downlink mode controls the device to receive stylus pen signals from the aforementioned numerous first patterns and the aforementioned numerous third patterns, An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including the electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

17. In the uplink mode, the touch controller Control the system so that a pen drive signal is applied to one end of the aforementioned partial first pattern, and so that an inverse pen drive signal is applied to the other end of the aforementioned partial first pattern, or so that the other end of the aforementioned partial first pattern is grounded. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the inverse pen drive signal is controlled to be applied to one end of the other part of the first pattern, or one end of the other part of the first pattern is controlled to be grounded, and the pen drive signal is applied to the other end of the other part of the first pattern.

18. The aforementioned touch controller is A first circuit section is connected to one end of the aforementioned number of first patterns and includes a drive circuit that outputs a pen drive signal, an inverse drive circuit that outputs an inverse pen drive signal, and a ground circuit. A second circuit section is connected to the other end of the aforementioned number of first patterns and includes a drive circuit that outputs a pen drive signal, an inverse drive circuit that outputs an inverse pen drive signal, and a receiving circuit that receives a stylus pen signal. A third circuit section is connected to one end of the aforementioned number of third patterns and includes a receiving circuit for receiving the stylus pen signal, The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a control unit configured to control the first to third circuit sections.

19. The aforementioned touch controller is A differential amplifier connected to both ends of the aforementioned number of first patterns, A circuit section connected to one end of the aforementioned number of third patterns, including a receiving circuit for receiving stylus pen signals, An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including the electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. The touch controller is configured to control the sensor unit and operate in one of a number of modes. The aforementioned numerous modes include touch sensing mode and pen signal sensing mode. The touch sensing mode involves controlling the touch controller to apply touch drive signals to the plurality of third patterns and receiving touch sensing signals from the plurality of first patterns. The aforementioned pen signal sensing mode is such that the touch controller receives pen signals from the plurality of first patterns and the plurality of third patterns. The touch controller is configured to output two signals differentially from the Nth (where N is a natural number)-th first pattern and the N+2th first pattern, along the second direction from the top of the numerous first patterns. The electronic device according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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