Fingerprint recognition combined with touch sensor and electronic device including same

Abstract

To provide a fingerprint recognition touch sensor and an electronic device having the same.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a touch sensor 100 configured to perform both fingerprint recognition and touch sensing and to offer improved touch-sensing accuracy, precision, and linearity in a touch-sensing mode, and an electronic device having the same. The touch sensor 100 comprises a plurality of parallel transmission lines 121, a plurality of parallel reception lines 131, a transmission driver 120 configured to apply drive signals to the transmission lines 121, and a signal output unit 130 configured to receive touch signals from the reception lines 131. The transmission driver 120 is configured to apply the drive signals of a first voltage in a first mode, and apply the drive signals of a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage in a second mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch sensor and an electronic device including the same, and more particularly to a fingerprint recognition touch sensor capable of performing both fingerprint recognition and touch sensing, and an electronic device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A touch screen is an input device that recognizes the position and related information when a user touches or presses the screen with a finger and transmits it to a system, and has the advantage of being simple yet easy to use. In particular, capacitive touch screens have the advantages of high transmittance, excellent durability, excellent touch resolution, and multi-touch capabilities. Touch screen panels are used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including automated teller machines (ATMs), automatic ticket vending machines, and navigation systems, as well as mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs (personal computers).

[0003] Recently, the need for personal authentication for various mobile devices and electronic devices is gradually expanding. Personal authentication functions that use individual characteristics such as fingerprints, voice, face, and irises are widely used in mobile devices, access control machines, and financial devices. Existing fingerprint recognition technology for smartphones and tablet PCs is structured to configure a fingerprint recognition module separately from the touch screen module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0135061 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 2018-0090705 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0050151 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Pat. No. 8,593,416 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a fingerprint recognition combined touch sensor capable of performing both fingerprint recognition and touch sensing, and an electronic device including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment, a touch sensor is provided that includes a plurality of parallel transmission lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of parallel receiving lines extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, a transmission driver configured to apply a first drive signal of a first voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a first mode and to apply a second drive signal of a second voltage different from the first voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a second mode, and a signal output unit that receives touch signals from the plurality of receiving lines.

[0007] The transmit driver is also configured to sequentially apply a first drive signal at a first voltage to each respective transmit line in a first mode.

[0008] The transmission driver may include a plurality of transmission groups arranged along a second direction, and each transmission group may include adjacent portions of the plurality of transmission lines.

[0009] The transmit driver is also configured to sequentially apply a second drive signal of a second voltage to each of the transmit groups in a second mode.

[0010] The plurality of delivery groups may include a first delivery group and a second delivery group that are adjacent to each other.

[0011] In a second mode, the transmit driver can simultaneously apply a second drive signal of a second voltage to a plurality of transmit lines arranged in the first transmit group, and then apply a second drive signal of a second voltage to a plurality of transmit lines arranged in the second transmit group.

[0012] The transmission driver may include a plurality of transmission circuits each connected to the plurality of transmission lines, a first voltage line supplying a first voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits, and a second voltage line supplying a second voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits.

[0013] The transmit driver is also configured to couple the first voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in a first mode and to couple the second voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in a second mode.

[0014] The transmit driver is also configured to sequentially activate each individual transmit circuit in a first mode, and to simultaneously activate multiple transmit circuits arranged in a transmit group in a second mode.

[0015] The signal output unit may include a plurality of receiving groups arranged along a first direction, and each receiving group may include adjacent parts of the plurality of receiving lines.

[0016] The signal output unit may include a plurality of first receiving circuits arranged to correspond respectively to the plurality of receiving lines, and second receiving circuits arranged to correspond respectively to the plurality of receiving groups.

[0017] The signal output unit is also configured, in a first mode, to couple the plurality of receiving lines to respective corresponding first receiving circuits and to simultaneously receive touch signals via all of the first receiving circuits respectively coupled to the plurality of receiving lines.

[0018] The signal output unit is also configured, in a second mode, to couple a plurality of receiving lines arranged in one receiving group to a second receiving circuit corresponding to the one receiving group, and to receive a touch signal via the second receiving circuit coupled to the plurality of receiving lines.

[0019] The first receiver circuit may include a first feedback capacitor having a first capacitance, and the second receiver circuit may include a second feedback capacitor having a second capacitance greater than the first capacitance.

[0020] The transmit driver is also configured, in a third mode, to apply a third drive signal of a third voltage lower than the first voltage and higher than the second voltage to a first portion of the transmit lines arranged consecutively in one transmit group, and then apply a third drive signal of the third voltage to a second portion of the transmit lines arranged consecutively in the one transmit group.

[0021] The transmission driver may include a plurality of transmission circuits each connected to the plurality of transmission lines, a first voltage line supplying a first voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits, a second voltage line supplying the second voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits, and a third voltage line supplying a third voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits.

[0022] The transmit driver is also configured to couple the first voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in a first mode, couple the second voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in a second mode, and couple the third voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in a third mode.

[0023] The transmit driver is also configured to sequentially activate individual transmit circuits in a first mode, to simultaneously activate a plurality of transmit circuits arranged in one transmit group in a second mode, and to simultaneously activate transmit circuits coupled to a first portion of the transmit lines in one transmit group and then simultaneously activate transmit circuits coupled to a second portion of the transmit lines in a third mode.

[0024] The signal output unit may include a plurality of receiving groups arranged along a first direction, each receiving group including a plurality of receiving lines arranged adjacent to each other, and the signal output unit may include a plurality of first receiving circuits arranged to correspond respectively to the plurality of receiving lines, and a plurality of second receiving circuits arranged to correspond respectively to the plurality of receiving groups.

[0025] The signal output unit is also configured, in a third mode, to receive a touch signal by connecting a first portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in one receiving group to a second receiving circuit corresponding to the one receiving group, and then to receive a touch signal by connecting a second portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in the one receiving group to a second receiving circuit corresponding to the one receiving group.

[0026] The signal output unit may include a plurality of receiving groups arranged along a first direction, each receiving group including a plurality of receiving lines arranged adjacently, and the signal output unit may include a plurality of first receiving circuits arranged to correspond respectively to the plurality of receiving lines, a second receiving circuit arranged to correspond to a first portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in each receiving group, and a third receiving circuit arranged to correspond to a second portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in each receiving group.

[0027] In a third mode, the signal output unit is configured to receive a touch signal by connecting a first portion of the receiving lines that are consecutively arranged in one receiving group to the second receiving circuit, and simultaneously receive a touch signal by connecting a second portion of the receiving lines that are consecutively arranged in one receiving group to the third receiving circuit.

[0028] The signal output unit may include a plurality of receiving groups arranged along a first direction, each receiving group including a plurality of receiving lines arranged adjacent to each other, and the signal output unit may include a plurality of receiving circuits arranged to correspond respectively to the plurality of receiving lines.

[0029] The signal output unit is configured in a first mode to couple the plurality of receiving lines to their corresponding receiving circuits and to simultaneously receive touch signals via all of the first receiving circuits respectively connected to the plurality of receiving lines; in a second mode, the signal output unit is configured to couple the plurality of receiving lines arranged in one receiving group to any one of the receiving circuits in the one receiving group to receive touch signals; and in a third mode, the signal output unit is also configured to couple a first portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in one receiving group to any one of the receiving circuits in the one receiving group and to couple a second portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in the one receiving group to another of the receiving circuits in the one receiving group to receive touch signals.

[0030] The first mode is a fingerprint recognition mode, the second mode is a low-resolution touch-sensing mode, and the third mode is also a high-resolution touch-sensing mode.

[0031] According to another embodiment, there is provided an electronic device including a display panel and a touch sensor as previously described.

[0032] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a touch sensor including a plurality of parallel transmitting lines extending along a first direction, a plurality of parallel receiving lines extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, a transmitting driver configured to apply a first driving signal of a first voltage to the plurality of transmitting lines in a fingerprint recognition mode, to apply a second driving signal of a second voltage different from the first voltage to the plurality of transmitting lines in a low-resolution touch sensing mode, and to apply a third driving signal of a third voltage different from the first voltage and the second voltage to the plurality of transmitting lines in a high-resolution touch sensing mode, and a signal output unit that receives touch signals from the plurality of receiving lines.

[0033] The transmission driver is also configured to sequentially apply a first driving signal of the first voltage to each of the plurality of transmission lines in a fingerprint recognition mode, sequentially apply a second driving signal of the second voltage to each of a plurality of transmission groups arranged along a second direction, each of which includes adjacent parts of the plurality of transmission lines, in a low-resolution touch sensing mode, and sequentially apply a third driving signal of the third voltage to each subgroup of the plurality of transmission lines included in each of the plurality of transmission groups in a high-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0034] The signal output unit is also configured to simultaneously receive touch signals from all receiving lines in a fingerprint recognition mode, to receive touch signals from one of a plurality of receiving groups arranged along a first direction, each of which includes adjacent parts of the plurality of receiving lines, in a low-resolution touch sensing mode, and to sequentially receive touch signals from each sub-group of a plurality of receiving lines included in one of the plurality of receiving groups in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a schematic example configuration of a touch sensor according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A]10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a fingerprint recognition mode. [Figure 2B] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a fingerprint recognition mode. [Figure 3A] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a transmission circuit disposed in a transmission driver in a fingerprint recognition mode. [Figure 3B] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a transmission circuit disposed in a transmission driver in a fingerprint recognition mode. [Figure 4] 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit in a fingerprint recognition mode. FIG. [Figure 5A] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a touch sensing mode. [Figure 5B] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a touch sensing mode. [Figure 6] 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a transmission circuit disposed in a transmission driver in a touch sensing mode. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit in a touch sensing mode. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a schematic structure of a receiving circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an order in which a touch is sensed for each area on a touch panel in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 10] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 12A] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 12B] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 13]11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 14] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a touch sensor in a high-resolution touch sensing mode. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a receiving circuit arranged in a signal output unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a receiving circuit arranged in a signal output unit according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a receiving circuit disposed in a signal output unit according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 22] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an electronic device including a touch sensor according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, a fingerprint recognition combined touch sensor and an electronic device including the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same components, and the size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, the embodiments described below are merely exemplary, and various modifications are possible from such embodiments. In addition, in the layer structure described below, the expression "upper" or "above" may include not only those that are in contact and directly above / below / left / right, but also those that are not in contact and are located above, below, left, or right.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a touch sensor according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, a touch sensor 100 according to an embodiment may include a touch panel 110 in which a plurality of parallel transmission lines 121 and a plurality of parallel reception lines 131 are arranged crossing each other, a transmission driver 120 that applies a driving signal to the plurality of transmission lines 121, and a signal output unit 130 that receives a touch signal from the plurality of reception lines 131. The touch sensor 100 may further include a control circuit 140 that controls the operation of the transmission driver 120 and the signal output unit 130. Although the transmission driver 120, the signal output unit 130, and the control circuit 140 are illustrated separately in the drawings for convenience of explanation, the transmission driver 120, the signal output unit 130, and the control circuit 140 may be embodied by one electronic circuit. The control circuit 140 may also be disposed in an electronic device including the touch sensor 100. The touch panel 110 may be disposed on a display panel of the electronic device, or may be fabricated integrally with the display panel of the electronic device.

[0038] A plurality of parallel transmission lines 121 (hereinafter also referred to as a plurality of transmission lines 121) extend long along a first direction. One end of each of the transmission lines 121 is connected to the transmission driver 120. A plurality of parallel reception lines 131 (hereinafter also referred to as a plurality of reception lines 131) extend long along a second direction intersecting with the plurality of transmission lines 121. One end of each reception line 131 is also connected to the signal output unit 130. The plurality of transmission lines 121 and the plurality of reception lines 131 are also arranged on different layers in the height direction in the touch panel 110 so as not to contact each other. A dielectric (not shown) is arranged between the layer on which the plurality of transmission lines 121 are arranged and the layer on which the plurality of reception lines 131 are arranged. Therefore, the nodes where each of the transmission lines 121 and each of the reception lines 131 intersect can act as capacitors.

[0039] Such a touch sensor 100 can sense touch, for example, by a capacitance method. In this case, a change in self capacitance or mutual capacitance occurs due to touch input or fingerprint input at a node where a transmission line 121 and a reception line 131 intersect, and the coordinates of the touch input or an image of the touched fingerprint can be calculated from the capacitance change at the touched nodes. Therefore, the node where a transmission line 121 and a reception line 131 intersect can function as a pixel that senses a touch input or a fingerprint input. In the drawings, the transmission line 121 and the reception line 131 are shown by thin solid lines for the sake of convenience, but in practice, a plurality of transparent electrode patterns may be arranged along each of the transmission line 121 and the reception line 131.

[0040] The touch sensor 100 is also configured to perform both fingerprint recognition and touch sensing. To obtain sufficient resolution for accurate recognition of fingerprint patterns, the transmission lines 121 and the reception lines 131 are arranged at intervals that are much closer than those of a typical touch sensor that only senses touch. For example, the transmission lines 121 and the reception lines 131 are arranged at intervals of about 50 μm to about 70 μm.

[0041] Meanwhile, touch sensing, which detects a touch, does not require a high resolution compared to fingerprint recognition. If touch sensing is performed in the same manner as fingerprint recognition, the power consumption of the touch sensor 100 increases and the time required to scan the entire area of ​​the touch panel 110 is extended. Therefore, the operation of the touch sensor 100 can be distinguished into a fingerprint recognition mode and a touch sensing mode, and the touch sensor 100 can be operated differently in the fingerprint recognition mode and the touch sensing mode.

[0042] For this purpose, according to the present embodiment, some of the transmission lines 121 can be divided into a plurality of groups, and some of the reception lines 131 can be divided into a plurality of groups. For example, the transmission driver 120 of the touch sensor 100 includes a plurality of transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e arranged along a second direction in which the transmission lines 121 are arranged. Each of the transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e may include some of the transmission lines 121 arranged adjacent to each other. Similarly, the signal output unit 130 of the touch sensor 100 includes a plurality of reception groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e arranged along a first direction in which the reception lines 131 are arranged. Each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e may include a portion of a plurality of receiving lines 131 arranged adjacently in series.

[0043] For example, in FIG. 1, for convenience, the transmit driver 120 is illustrated as including five transmit groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e, with each transmit group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e including eight transmit lines 121, and the signal output section 130 is illustrated as including five receive groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e, with each receive group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e including eight receive lines 131. However, this is merely an example, and the actual numbers of transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e and receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e, and the actual numbers of transmitting lines 121 and receiving lines 131 may be even more than that. Also, the number of transmitting lines 121 assigned to one transmitting group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e and the number of receiving lines 131 assigned to one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e may be four, ten, twelve, or more, instead of eight. Furthermore, the number of transmitting lines 121 assigned to one of the transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e and the number of receiving lines 131 assigned to one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e may be different from each other.

[0044] In the fingerprint recognition mode, the touch sensor 100 may apply driving signals sequentially to each individual transmission line 121 without considering the transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B exemplarily illustrate the operation of the touch sensor 100 in the fingerprint recognition mode. Referring to FIG. 2A, the transmission driver 120 applies a driving signal to the first transmission line 121 indicated by a thick solid line under the control of the control circuit 140, and does not apply a driving signal to the remaining transmission lines 121. Then, referring to FIG. 2B, the transmission driver 120 applies a driving signal to the second transmission line 121 indicated by a thick solid line, and does not apply a driving signal to the remaining transmission lines 121. In this manner, the transmission driver 120 may apply driving signals sequentially line by line from the first transmission line 121 to the last transmission line 121 under the control of the control circuit 140. In that case, as indicated by "A" in FIG. 2A, a region where one transmission line 121 and one reception line 131 intersect also becomes one sensing unit.

[0045] 3A and 3B exemplarily illustrate the operation of a transmission circuit disposed in the transmission driver 120 in a fingerprint recognition mode. Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the transmission driver 120 may include a plurality of transmission circuits 122, a first voltage line VDDH_H for supplying a first voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits 122, and a second voltage line VDDH_L for supplying a second voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits 122. Each transmission circuit 122 is connected to a corresponding one transmission line 121, and may apply a driving signal to the corresponding transmission line 121. Thus, the number of transmission circuits 122 in the transmission driver 120 is the same as the number of transmission lines 121. The first voltage line VDDH_H may provide a relatively high voltage to the transmission circuits 122, and the second voltage line VDDH_L may provide a relatively low voltage to the transmission circuits 122.

[0046] 3A, the first transmitting circuit 122 is activated by a transmit control signal TX_EN from the control circuit 140. At the same time, the control circuit 140 connects a first voltage line VDDH_H, which provides a relatively high voltage, to the transmitting circuit 122. The activated first transmitting circuit 122 then applies the high voltage received from the first voltage line VDDH_H as a drive signal to the first transmitting line 121 connected thereto. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3A, a high voltage drive signal is applied to the first transmitting line 121.

[0047] 3B, the second transmitting circuit 122 is activated by the transmission control signal TX_EN of the control circuit 140. The activated second transmitting circuit 122 then applies the high voltage received from the first voltage line VDDH_H as a driving signal to the second transmitting line 121 connected thereto. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2B, a high voltage driving signal is applied to the second transmitting line 121.

[0048] In the fingerprint recognition mode, the mutual capacitance is small because the area of ​​the sensing unit marked with "A" is small. Therefore, in order to ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), in the fingerprint recognition mode, the first voltage line VDDH_H is connected to the transmission circuit 122 and a high-voltage driving signal is provided to the transmission line 121. This increases the sensing sensitivity and improves the accuracy of fingerprint recognition.

[0049] 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the receiving circuits arranged in the signal output unit 130 in the fingerprint recognition mode. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates the receiving circuits arranged in one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e of the signal output unit 130. Referring to FIG. 4, the signal output unit 130 may include a plurality of receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition and a plurality of receiving circuits 133 for touch sensing. Each of the receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition is connected to a corresponding one of the receiving lines 131, and a mutual capacitance change ΔC MThe touch signal generated by the touch sensor 132 is received from the receiving line 131 connected thereto. Therefore, the total number of the receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition in the signal output unit 130 is the same as the total number of the receiving lines 131.

[0050] The touch sensing receiving circuits 133 are arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e, one by one. In other words, one touch sensing receiving circuit 133 is arranged in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e. Therefore, the total number of touch sensing receiving circuits 133 in the signal output unit 130 is the same as the total number of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e. One touch sensing receiving circuit 133 is also connected to all the receiving lines 131 arranged in the corresponding receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e.

[0051] In the fingerprint recognition mode, the signal output unit 130 can simultaneously receive touch signals individually from all the receiving lines 131. To this end, the control circuit 140 connects all the receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition in the signal output unit 130 to the corresponding receiving lines 131 via a first receiving control signal RX_EN1. Also, the control circuit 140 disconnects the receiving circuit 133 for touch sensing from the corresponding receiving line 131 via a second receiving control signal RX_EN2. As a result, touch signals generated at a node between one transmitting line 121 to which a driving signal is applied and a plurality of receiving lines 131 intersecting the transmitting line 121 can be individually sensed.

[0052] In the fingerprint recognition mode, in this manner, driving signals are sequentially applied to the plurality of transmission lines 121 one by one, while touch signals are individually received from the plurality of reception lines 131. As described above, since the area of ​​node A where one transmission line 121 and one reception line 131 intersect is small, it is possible to scan the touch panel 110 with high resolution and recognize a fingerprint precisely. Also, since the voltage of the driving signal applied to the transmission line 121 is high, the accuracy of fingerprint recognition is improved.

[0053] 5A and 5B exemplarily show the operation of the touch sensor 100 in the touch sensing mode. Referring to FIG. 5A, the transmission driver 120 simultaneously applies drive signals to all transmission lines 121 indicated by thick solid lines in the first transmission group 120a under the control of the control circuit 140, and does not apply drive signals to the transmission lines 121 in the remaining transmission groups 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e. Then, referring to FIG. 5B, the transmission driver 120 simultaneously applies drive signals to all transmission lines 121 indicated by thick solid lines arranged in the second transmission group 120b, and does not apply drive signals to the transmission lines 121 in the remaining transmission groups 120a, 120c, 120d, and 120e. In this manner, the transmission driver 120 can sequentially apply drive signals to each transmission group from the first transmission group 120a to the last transmission group 120e under the control of the control circuit 140. In that case, as indicated by "B" in FIG. 5A, the area where one of the transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e intersects with one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e also becomes one sensing unit.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the transmission circuit 122 arranged in the transmission driver 120 in the touch sensing mode. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates the transmission circuits 122 arranged in one transmission group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e of the transmission driver 120. Referring to FIG. 6, in the stage illustrated in FIG. 5A, all the transmission circuits 122 in the first transmission group 120a are simultaneously activated by the transmission control signal TX_EN of the control circuit 140. As a result, a drive signal is applied to all the transmission lines 121 in the first transmission group 120a at the same time. Then, in the stage illustrated in FIG. 5B, all the transmission circuits 122 in the second transmission group 120b are simultaneously activated by the transmission control signal TX_EN of the control circuit 140. As a result, a drive signal is applied to all the transmission lines 121 in the second transmission group 120b at the same time.

[0055] In addition, in the touch sensing mode, the control circuit 140 connects the second voltage line VDDH_L providing a relatively low voltage to the transmission circuit 122. Thus, the activated transmission circuit 122 applies the low voltage received from the second voltage line VDDH_L as a driving signal to the transmission line 121 connected thereto. Thus, a low-voltage driving signal is applied to the transmission line 121.

[0056] In the touch sensing mode, the mutual capacitance is also large because the area of ​​the sensing unit indicated by "B" is large. For example, if one transmitting group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e includes eight transmitting lines 121 and one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e includes eight receiving lines 131, the mutual capacitance in the touch sensing mode is approximately 64 times that in the fingerprint recognition mode. As a result, the intensity of the touch signal becomes very large in the touch sensing mode, which places a large load on the signal output unit 130 that processes the touch signal. Therefore, in order to reduce the intensity of the touch signal, in the touch sensing mode, the second voltage line VDDH_L is connected to the transmitting circuit 122 and a low-voltage driving signal is provided to the transmitting line 121. For example, in the fingerprint recognition mode, the change in mutual capacitance due to touch (ΔC M = ΔV C M ), and in the touch sensing mode, a first voltage supplied by the first voltage line VDDH_H and a second voltage supplied by the second voltage line VDDH_L can be determined so that the change in mutual capacitance due to a touch is the same.

[0057] In the touch sensing mode, the signal output unit 130 receives touch signals simultaneously through a plurality of receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e in units of each receiving group. In other words, one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e receives one touch signal. For example, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating the operation of the receiving circuits 132 and 133 arranged in the signal output unit 130 in the touch sensing mode. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates the receiving circuit 132 for fingerprint recognition and the receiving circuit 133 for touch sensing arranged in one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e of the signal output unit 130.

[0058] 7, in the touch sensing mode, the signal output unit 130 can connect a plurality of receiving lines 131 arranged in one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e to one receiving circuit 133 for touch sensing to receive a touch signal. To this end, the control circuit 140 disconnects all of the receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition in the signal output unit 130 from the corresponding receiving lines 131 via a first receiving control signal RX_EN1. Also, the control circuit 140 connects the receiving circuit 133 for touch sensing to the corresponding receiving line 131 via a second receiving control signal RX_EN2. Thus, one touch sensing receiver circuit 133 arranged in one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e can receive touch signals from all of the receiving lines 131 arranged in that receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e. With this method, touch signals generated at nodes of one transmitting group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e to which a driving signal is applied and multiple receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e intersecting therewith can be individually sensed.

[0059] As described above, in the fingerprint recognition mode, a touch signal is received through the receiving circuit for fingerprint recognition 132, and in the touch sensing mode, a touch signal is received through the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133. The receiving circuit for fingerprint recognition 132 and the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 have the same structure, but include capacitors with different capacitances. For example, FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic structure of the receiving circuit for fingerprint recognition 132 and the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, the receiving circuit for fingerprint recognition 132 and the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 include a feedback capacitor C F In FIG. 8, "C M" is a mutual capacitance capacitor formed at the node where the transmission line 121 and the reception line 131 intersect. As described above, the mutual capacitance in the touch sensing mode is different from the mutual capacitance in the fingerprint recognition mode. Taking this into consideration, the feedback capacitor C F and the feedback capacitor C of the touch sensing receiving circuit 133. F The capacitance of the capacitor can be determined.

[0060] If the fingerprint recognition receiving circuit 132 and the touch sensing receiving circuit 133 have the same capacitance feedback capacitor C F If the first voltage provided by the first voltage line VDDH_H and the second voltage provided by the second voltage line VDDH_L have the same ratio as the ratio of the mutual capacitance in the touch sensing mode to the mutual capacitance in the fingerprint recognition mode. For example, if one transmitting group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e includes eight transmitting lines 121 and one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e includes eight receiving lines 131, the first voltage is 64 times higher than the second voltage. In that case, the first voltage is too high.

[0061] The strength of the touch signal is proportional to the change in mutual capacitance and inversely proportional to the capacitance of the feedback capacitor (i.e., Vout ∝ ΔV C M / C F ), the feedback capacitor C F The capacitance of the feedback capacitor C F For example, the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C of the touch sensing receiving circuit 133 can be selected to be larger than the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C of the touch sensing receiving circuit 133, thereby making the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage small. F The capacitance of the feedback capacitor C FThe capacitance of the feedback capacitor C of the fingerprint recognition receiving circuit 132 may be set to 8 times larger than the capacitance of the transmission lines 121 in each of the transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e, the number of reception lines 131 in each of the reception groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e, and the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C of the fingerprint recognition receiving circuit 132 may be set to 8 times larger than the capacitance of the transmission lines 121 in each of the transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e. F and the feedback capacitor C of the touch sensing receiving circuit 133. F The ratio of the capacitance of the first voltage to the capacitance of the second voltage and the ratio of the capacitance of the first voltage to the capacitance of the second voltage can be selected in various ways depending on the design of the touch sensor 100.

[0062] As described above, the touch sensor 100 according to the present embodiment can perform both touch sensing and fingerprint recognition. In particular, in the fingerprint recognition mode, the driving voltage is increased to increase sensitivity, and in the touch sensing mode, the driving voltage is decreased and the entire transmitting line 121 and the receiving line 131 are both utilized to improve the accuracy, precision, and linearity of touch sensing.

[0063] Meanwhile, in the touch sensing mode, when scrolling the screen or selecting a specific screen area, a low resolution is not inconvenient, but when inputting letters or numbers by handwriting through touch, a high resolution is advantageous. Therefore, the touch sensing resolution can be increased by dividing the sending groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e and the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e into two or more groups and performing touch sensing. Hereinafter, such a group division type touch sensing mode is called a high-resolution touch sensing mode, and the touch sensing mode described in FIG. 5A to FIG. 7 is called a low-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0064] For example, Fig. 9 exemplarily illustrates an order in which touch is sensed for each region on the touch panel 110 in the high-resolution touch sensing mode. Referring to Fig. 9, each of the transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e can be divided into two, and each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e can be divided into two, and then touch sensing can be performed. As a result, the sensing unit indicated by "B" in Fig. 5A is divided into four, so that the high-resolution touch sensing mode can have a resolution four times higher than the low-resolution touch sensing mode. In the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the four divided regions can be scanned, for example, in the order of the numbers shown in Fig. 9.

[0065] 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 13, and 14 exemplarily show the operation of the touch sensor 100 in such a high-resolution touch sensing mode. First, referring to Fig. 10, the transmission driver 120, under the control of the control circuit 140, simultaneously applies drive signals to some of the transmission lines 121 in the first transmission group 120a, and does not apply drive signals to the remaining transmission lines 121. For example, as shown by thick solid lines in Fig. 10, the transmission driver 120 can simultaneously apply drive signals to only some of the transmission lines 121 arranged consecutively in the first transmission group 120a.

[0066] 11, some of the transmitting circuits 122 arranged consecutively in the first transmitting group 120a are simultaneously activated by the transmission control signal TX_EN of the control circuit 140. As a result, driving signals are simultaneously applied to some of the transmitting lines 121 connected to some of the activated transmitting circuits 122 in the first transmitting group 120a. In this case, as indicated by "C" in FIG. 10, an area where a part of each of the transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e intersects with a part of each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e also becomes one sensing unit.

[0067] The transmission driver 120 may further include a third voltage line VDDH_M that supplies a third voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage to the multiple transmission circuits 122. In the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the control circuit 140 connects the third voltage line VDDH_M to the transmission circuits 122. Thus, the activated transmission circuits 122 apply the third voltage received from the third voltage line VDDH_M to the transmission lines 121 connected thereto as a driving signal. Thus, a driving signal of the third voltage is applied to the transmission lines 121.

[0068] In the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the area of ​​the sensing unit marked with "C" is smaller than the area of ​​the sensing unit (B) in the low-resolution touch sensing mode, so the mutual capacitance is also less, as described above. For example, if each of the transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e is divided into two and each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e is divided into two in the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the mutual capacitance in the high-resolution touch sensing mode becomes 1 / 4 of the mutual capacitance in the low-resolution touch sensing mode. Therefore, in the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the third voltage is higher than the second voltage so that the change in the mutual capacitance can be maintained the same as in the low-resolution touch sensing mode and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be ensured. Also, the third voltage is lower than the first voltage supplied in the fingerprint recognition mode. For example, if each of the transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e is divided into two and each of the reception groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e is divided into two, the third voltage is four times higher than the second voltage. However, even in the above example, the numerical values ​​are merely for the purpose of aiding understanding, and the third voltage is selected to be different depending on the number of divisions into which each of the transmission groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e and each of the reception groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e are divided.

[0069] In addition, the feedback capacitor C Fand the feedback capacitor C of the touch sensing receiving circuit 133. F The first voltage and the third voltage may be the same depending on the ratio of the mutual capacitance in the high-resolution touch sensing mode to the mutual capacitance in the low-resolution touch sensing mode. For example, if one transmitting group 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e includes eight transmitting lines 121 and one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e includes eight receiving lines 131, the feedback capacitor C F The capacitance of the feedback capacitor C F If the capacitance of each of the transmitting groups 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and 120e is selected to be 16 times larger than the capacitance of each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e in the high resolution touch sensing mode, the third voltage is four times higher than the second voltage, and therefore is equal to the first voltage. In this case, the transmitting driver 120 does not include the third voltage line VDDH_M, and the control circuit 140 may connect the first voltage line VDDH_H to the transmitting circuit 122 in the high resolution touch sensing mode.

[0070] In the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the signal output unit 130 receives touch signals from some of the receiving lines 131 arranged consecutively in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e, and then receives touch signals from the remaining receiving lines 131 arranged consecutively in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e. For example, in FIG. 9, the signal output unit 130 receives touch signals simultaneously from the receiving lines 131 corresponding to the area marked "1" and then receives touch signals simultaneously from the receiving lines 131 corresponding to the area marked "2."

[0071] 12A, in the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the signal output unit 130 may connect some of the receiving lines 131 arranged consecutively in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e to one receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 to receive a touch signal. To this end, the control circuit 140 disconnects all of the receiving circuits for fingerprint recognition 132 in the signal output unit 130 from the corresponding receiving lines 131 via the first receiving control signal RX_EN1. In addition, the control circuit 140 connects the receiving lines 131 corresponding to the regions indicated by "1" in FIG. 9 in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e to the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 via the second receiving control signal RX_EN2. As a result, one touch sensing receiving circuit 133 arranged in each receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, or 130e can receive a touch signal from a portion of the receiving lines 131 arranged continuously in that receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, or 130e.

[0072] 12B, the signal output unit 130 can connect the remaining part of the receiving lines 131 arranged continuously in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e to one receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 to receive a touch signal. To this end, the control circuit 140 can disconnect the receiving lines 131 corresponding to the area indicated by "1" in FIG. 9 from the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133 in each of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e via the second receiving control signal RX_EN2, and connect the receiving lines 131 corresponding to the area indicated by "2" in FIG. 9 to the receiving circuit for touch sensing 133. As a result, one touch sensing receiving circuit 133 arranged in each receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, or 130e can receive a touch signal from the remaining receiving lines 131 arranged continuously in each receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, or 130e.

[0073] 13, the transmission driver 120 simultaneously applies drive signals to some of the remaining transmission lines 121 in the first transmission group 120a under the control of the control circuit 140, and does not apply drive signals to the other transmission lines 121. For example, as shown by a thick solid line in FIG. 13, it is possible to simultaneously apply drive signals to only some of the remaining transmission lines 121 arranged consecutively in the first transmission group 120a. To this end, referring to FIG. 14, some of the remaining transmission circuits 122 arranged consecutively in the first transmission group 120a are simultaneously activated by the transmission control signal TX_EN of the control circuit 140. As a result, drive signals are simultaneously applied to some of the transmission lines 121 connected to some of the remaining transmission circuits 122 activated in the first transmission group 120a.

[0074] While driving signals are simultaneously applied to the remaining part of the transmission lines 121 arranged consecutively in the first transmission group 120a, the signal output unit 130 receives touch signals in the manner described in Figures 12A and 12B. In this manner, the signal output unit 130 divides the transmission lines 121 up to the last transmission group 120e and applies driving signals to some of the transmission lines 121, thereby performing a high-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0075] In the above manner, in the touch sensing mode, the touch sensing resolution can be adjusted as required by selecting various groups of the transmitting lines 121 and the receiving lines 131. Also, by appropriately changing the driving voltage according to the touch sensing resolution, a constant touch sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio can be maintained regardless of the change in the touch sensing resolution.

[0076] As described above, in the fingerprint recognition mode, the touch signal is received by the receiving circuit 132 for fingerprint recognition, and in the touch sensing mode, the touch signal is received by the receiving circuit 133 for touch sensing. However, in both the fingerprint recognition mode and the touch sensing mode, the touch signal can be received by only one type of receiving circuit. For example, FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of a plurality of receiving circuits 132a to 132h arranged in the signal output unit 130 according to another embodiment. In particular, FIG. 15 illustrates receiving circuits arranged in one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e of the signal output unit 130.

[0077] 15, the signal output unit 130 may include a plurality of first through eighth receiving circuits 132a through 132h corresponding to a plurality of first through eighth receiving lines 131a through 131h, respectively. The first through eighth receiving circuits 132a through 132h are also connected to the corresponding first through eighth receiving lines 131a through 131h by a first receiving control signal RX_EN1 of the control circuit 140. In addition, the second through eighth receiving lines 131b through 131h are selectively connected to the first receiving line 131a, and the sixth through eighth receiving lines 131f through 131h are selectively connected to the fifth receiving line 131e by a second receiving control signal RX_EN2 of the control circuit 140. The control circuit 140 can use the first receiving control signal RX_EN1 and the second receiving control signal RX_EN2 to control the connections between the first receiving line 131a to the eighth receiving line 131h and the first receiving circuit 132a to the eighth receiving circuit 132h, and the connections between the first receiving line 131a to the eighth receiving line 131h according to the fingerprint recognition mode, the low-resolution touch sensing mode, and the high-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0078] For example, Fig. 16, Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 are circuit diagrams illustrating the operation of the first to eighth receiving circuits 132a to 132h disposed in the signal output unit 130 according to another embodiment. First, referring to Fig. 16, in the fingerprint recognition mode, the control circuit 140 connects the first to eighth receiving circuits 132a to 132h to the corresponding first to eighth receiving lines 131a to 131h, respectively, using the first receiving control signal RX_EN1. The control circuit 140 also disconnects the first to eighth receiving lines 131a to 131h using the second receiving control signal RX_EN2. Thus, the first to eighth receiving circuits 132a to 132h can simultaneously receive touch signals through the corresponding first to eighth receiving lines 131a to 131h.

[0079] 17, in the low-resolution touch sensing mode, the control circuit 140 uses the first reception control signal RX_EN1 to connect only the first reception circuit 132a to the first reception line 131a and disconnects the second reception circuit 132b to the eighth reception circuit 132h from the second reception lines 131b to the eighth reception lines 131h. Also, the control circuit 140 uses the second reception control signal RX_EN2 to connect the second reception lines 131b to the eighth reception lines 131h to the first reception line 131a. Thus, one first reception circuit 132a connected to the first reception line 131a can simultaneously receive touch signals from the first reception lines 131a to the eighth reception lines 131h. Therefore, in the low-resolution touch sensing mode, a touch signal generated in one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e can be received by one first receiving circuit 132a.

[0080] 18, in the high resolution touch sensing mode, the control circuit 140 uses the first reception control signal RX_EN1 to connect the first reception circuit 132a to the first reception line 131a, connect the fifth reception circuit 132e to the fifth reception line 131e, and disconnect the second reception circuit 132b to the fourth reception circuit 132d and the sixth reception circuit 132f to the eighth reception circuit 132h from the second reception line 131b to the fourth reception line 131d and the sixth reception line 131f to the eighth reception line 131h. In addition, the control circuit 140 uses the second receive control signal RX_EN2 to disconnect the sixth receive line 131f through the eighth receive line 131h from the first receive line 131a, connect the second receive line 131b through the fourth receive line 131d to the first receive line 131a, and connect the sixth receive line 131f through the eighth receive line 131h to the fifth receive line 131e.

[0081] As a result, the first receiving circuit 132a connected to the first receiving line 131a can simultaneously receive touch signals from the first receiving line 131a to the fourth receiving line 131d arranged in succession, and the fifth receiving circuit 132e connected to the fifth receiving line 131e can simultaneously receive touch signals from the fifth receiving line 131e to the eighth receiving line 131h arranged in succession. Therefore, in the high resolution touch sensing mode, the first receiving circuit 132a can receive touch signals generated in a part of an area of ​​one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e, and the fifth receiving circuit 132e can receive touch signals generated in another part of an area of ​​one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the first receiving circuit 132a and the fifth receiving circuit 132e can simultaneously receive touch signals generated in different regions of one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e. Therefore, the operation speed of the high-resolution touch sensing mode can be improved. In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, the high-resolution touch sensing mode having a resolution four times higher than the low-resolution touch sensing mode requires four times as much time as the low-resolution touch sensing mode. Meanwhile, in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, the high-resolution touch sensing mode having a resolution four times higher than the low-resolution touch sensing mode requires only twice as much time as the low-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0083] On the other hand, in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, the feedback capacitor C F and the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C in touch sensing mode. F Therefore, the ratio of the first voltage supplied by the first voltage line VDDH_H to the second voltage supplied by the second voltage line VDDH_L is also the same as the ratio of the mutual capacitance in the touch sensing mode to the mutual capacitance in the fingerprint recognition mode.

[0084] 19 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a plurality of receiving circuits 132, 133a, and 133b arranged in a signal output unit 130 according to another embodiment. In particular, FIG. 19 illustrates a plurality of receiving circuits 132, 133a, and 133b arranged in one receiving group 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e of the signal output unit 130. Referring to FIG. 19, the signal output unit 130 may include a plurality of receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition corresponding to the first to eighth receiving lines 131a to 131h, respectively, and two receiving circuits 133a and 133b for touch sensing. Thus, compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the signal output unit 130 illustrated in FIG. 19 is different in that it includes one more receiving circuit for touch sensing.

[0085] Each of the receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition is also connected to the corresponding first receiving line 131a to eighth receiving line 131h by a first receiving control signal RX_EN1 of the control circuit 140. The first receiving circuit 133a for touch sensing is selectively connected to the first receiving line 131a to eighth receiving line 131h or to the fifth receiving line 131e to eighth receiving line 131h by a second receiving control signal RX_EN2 of the control circuit 140. The second receiving circuit 133b for touch sensing is selectively connected to the first receiving line 131a to fourth receiving line 131d by a second receiving control signal RX_EN2 of the control circuit 140. The control circuit 140 can use the first receiving control signal RX_EN1 and the second receiving control signal RX_EN2 to connect the first receiving line 131a to the eighth receiving line 131h to the receiving circuit for fingerprint recognition 132, the receiving circuit for first touch sensing 133a or the receiving circuit for second touch sensing 133b according to the fingerprint recognition mode, the low-resolution touch sensing mode or the high-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0086] For example, in the fingerprint recognition mode, the control circuit 140 uses the first receiving control signal RX_EN1 to connect each of the receiving circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition to the corresponding first receiving line 131a to eighth receiving line 131h, respectively. The control circuit 140 can also use the second receiving control signal RX_EN2 to disconnect all of the first receiving lines 131a to eighth receiving lines 131h from the first receiving circuit for touch sensing 133a and disconnect all of the fifth receiving lines 131e to eighth receiving lines 131h from the second receiving circuit for touch sensing 133b.

[0087] 20 and 21 are circuit diagrams illustrating exemplary operations of the receiving circuits 132, 133a, and 133b arranged in the signal output unit 130 according to still another embodiment.

[0088] 20, in the low-resolution touch sensing mode, the control circuit 140 uses the first receiving control signal RX_EN1 to disconnect the first receiving line 131a to the eighth receiving line 131h from the corresponding receiving circuit 132 for fingerprint recognition. In addition, the control circuit 140 uses the second receiving control signal RX_EN2 to connect the first receiving line 131a to the eighth receiving line 131h to the first receiving circuit for touch sensing 133a and disconnect the fifth receiving line 131e to the eighth receiving line 131h from the second receiving circuit for touch sensing 133b. As a result, the first receiving circuit for touch sensing 133a can simultaneously receive touch signals from the first receiving line 131a to the eighth receiving line 131h. Therefore, in the low-resolution touch sensing mode, a touch signal generated in one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e can be received by one first receiving circuit for touch sensing 133a.

[0089] 21, in the high resolution touch sensing mode, the control circuit 140 uses the first reception control signal RX_EN1 to disconnect all of the first to eighth reception lines 131a to 131h from the corresponding reception circuits 132 for fingerprint recognition. In addition, the control circuit 140 uses the second reception control signal RX_EN2 to connect only the consecutively arranged fifth to eighth reception lines 131e to 131h to the first reception circuit for touch sensing 133a and disconnect the first to fourth reception lines 131a to 131d from the first reception circuit for touch sensing 133a. In addition, the control circuit 140 connects the consecutively arranged first to fourth reception lines 131a to 131d to the second reception circuit for touch sensing 133b. As a result, the first touch sensing receiving circuit 133a can simultaneously receive touch signals from the fifth receiving line 131e to the eighth receiving line 131h, and the second touch sensing receiving circuit 133b can simultaneously receive touch signals from the first receiving line 131a to the fourth receiving line 131d.

[0090] 19 to 21, in the high-resolution touch sensing mode, the first receiving circuit for touch sensing 133a can receive a touch signal generated in a part of one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e. At the same time, the second receiving circuit for touch sensing 133b can receive a touch signal generated in another part of one of the receiving groups 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, and 130e. Therefore, in this embodiment, the high-resolution touch sensing mode, which has a resolution four times higher than the low-resolution touch sensing mode, requires only twice as much time as the low-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0091] In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, the feedback capacitor C F and the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C in touch sensing mode. F Therefore, the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C F and the capacitance of the feedback capacitor C of the first touch sensing receiving circuit 133a and the second touch sensing receiving circuit 133b. F Taking into account the capacitance of the first and second voltages, a ratio between the first voltage supplied by the first voltage line VDDH_H and the second voltage supplied by the second voltage line VDDH_L can be determined.

[0092] The touch sensor 100 described above can be applied to various electronic devices such as a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a television, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable multimedia player (PMP). For example, FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an electronic device including the touch sensor 100 according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 22, the electronic device 1000 may include, for example, a central processing unit 1110, a mobile communication unit 1111, a short-range communication unit 1112, a broadcast receiving unit 1113, a camera unit 1114, a sensor unit 1115, a GPS receiving unit 1116, an input / output unit 1120, a power supply unit 1130, and a memory 1140. Here, the term "unit" refers to a hardware component and / or a software component executed by the hardware component.

[0093] The mobile communication unit 1111 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signals may include various types of data such as a voice call signal, a video call signal, or text / multimedia message transmission and reception. The short-range communication unit 1112 performs a function for short-range wireless communication. It may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)) communication unit, a ZigBee (registered trademark) communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra wideband (UWB) communication unit, and an Ant+ communication unit.

[0094] The broadcast receiving unit 1113 receives a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) broadcast signal. The camera unit 1114 includes a lens and optical elements for taking pictures and videos. The sensor unit 1115 may include, for example, a gravity sensor for detecting the movement of the electronic device 1000, an illuminance sensor for detecting the brightness of light, a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of a person, and a motion sensor for detecting the movement of a person. The GPS (global position system) receiving unit 1116 receives a GPS signal from an artificial satellite. Using such a GPS signal, various services are provided to the user.

[0095] The input / output unit 1120 can provide an interface with an external device or a user, and may include a button 1121, a microphone 1122, a speaker 1123, a vibration motor 1124, a connector 1125, a display panel 1126, etc. The power supply unit 1130 is connected to a battery or an external power source to supply necessary power to the electronic device 1000.

[0096] The memory 1140 may store various programs executed by the central processing unit 1110. The central processing unit 1110 may control the operations of the programs stored in the memory 1140 and the other components described above. The programs stored in the memory 1140 may be classified into a number of modules according to their functions, such as a mobile communication module 1141, a Wi-Fi module 1142, a Bluetooth module 1143, a DMB module 1144, a camera module 1145, a sensor module 1146, a GPS module 1147, a video playback module 1148, an audio playback module 1149, a power module 1150, a UI (user interface) module 1152, and a fingerprint recognition module 1153.

[0097] The electronic device 1000 may further include a touch sensor 100 and a touch screen controller 1161. The touch sensor 100 is disposed on the display panel 1126 or is integrally manufactured with the display panel 1126. The touch screen controller 1161 can cooperate with the control circuit 140 of the touch sensor 100 to control the operation of the transmission driver 120 and the signal output unit 130 of the touch sensor 100. The touch screen controller 1161 is integrally formed with the control circuit 140 of the touch sensor 100 in the electronic device 1000, or is software installed in the electronic device 1000.

[0098] When the user authentication is requested in the electronic device 1000 in a state where the user has previously set to perform user authentication through fingerprint recognition, the touch screen controller 1161 may convert the operation of the touch sensor 100 to a fingerprint recognition mode. For example, when the electronic device 1000 is in a screen-locked state and the user authentication is required to unlock the screen, the fingerprint recognition mode is started. Alternatively, when the user authentication is required to perform online banking, online payment, etc. using the electronic device 1000, the fingerprint recognition mode is started. When the fingerprint recognition mode is started, the central processing unit 1110 may, for example, execute the fingerprint recognition module 1153, and the fingerprint recognition module 1153 may control the transmission driver 120 and the signal output unit 130 via the touch screen controller 1161. Thus, the electronic device 1000 may perform fingerprint recognition for user authentication, for example, by simply touching a finger on the display panel 1126. Therefore, since there is no need to mount a separate fingerprint sensor, it is possible to save space for the fingerprint sensor.

[0099] Meanwhile, when a general touch operation is performed to select a specific screen area on the display panel 1126 or scroll a screen, the touch screen controller 1161 may switch the operation of the touch sensor 100 to a low-resolution touch sensing mode. Also, when a handwriting input program is executed in which a user can input letters and numbers by handwriting through touch, the touch screen controller 1161 may switch the operation of the touch sensor 100 to a high-resolution touch sensing mode.

[0100] The above-mentioned fingerprint recognition combined touch sensor and electronic device including the same have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but they are merely exemplary, and a person skilled in the art would understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is set forth in the claims, not in the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of the invention should be construed as being within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100 touch sensor, 110 Touch panel, 120 Transmitting driver, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e transmission groups, 121 transmission line, 122 transmitting circuit, 130 signal output unit, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e receiving groups, 131 receiving line, 132 Fingerprint recognition receiving circuit, 132a~132h receiving circuit, 133, 133a, 133b touch sensing receiving circuit; 140 control circuit, 1000 electronic devices.

Claims

1. a plurality of parallel transmission lines extending along a first direction; a plurality of parallel receiving lines extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a transmit driver configured to apply a first drive signal at a first voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a first mode and to apply a second drive signal at a second voltage, different from the first voltage, to the plurality of transmission lines in a second mode; a signal output unit for receiving touch signals from the plurality of receiving lines; the transmission driver is configured to apply the first drive signal of the first voltage to each individual transmission line in sequence in the first mode, and includes a plurality of transmission groups arranged along the second direction, each of the transmission groups including adjacent portions of the plurality of transmission lines; the transmission driver is configured to sequentially apply the second drive signal of the second voltage to each of the transmission groups in the second mode; the transmit driver is configured in a third mode to apply a third drive signal of a third voltage higher than the second voltage to a first portion of the transmit lines arranged consecutively in one transmit group, and then apply a third drive signal of the third voltage to a second portion of the transmit lines arranged consecutively in one transmit group; The first mode is a fingerprint recognition mode, the second mode is a low-resolution touch-sensing mode, and the third mode is a high-resolution touch-sensing mode; The first voltage is greater than the second voltage and is equal to or greater than the third voltage.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, characterized in that the first voltage and the second voltage are determined so that the change in mutual capacitance formed at the node where the transmitting line and the receiving line intersect is the same in the first mode and the second mode.

3. the plurality of destination groups include a first destination group and a second destination group that are adjacent to each other; 2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein in the second mode, the transmission driver simultaneously applies the second drive signal of the second voltage to the plurality of transmission lines arranged in the first transmission group, and then applies the second drive signal of the second voltage to the plurality of transmission lines arranged in the second transmission group.

4. 2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the transmission driver includes a plurality of transmission circuits each connected to the plurality of transmission lines, a first voltage line for supplying the first voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits, and a second voltage line for supplying the second voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits.

5. 5. The touch sensor of claim 4, wherein the transmit driver is configured to couple the first voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in the first mode and to couple the second voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in the second mode.

6. 6. The touch sensor of claim 5, wherein the transmit driver is configured to sequentially activate individual transmit circuits in the first mode and simultaneously activate the transmit circuits arranged in a transmit group in the second mode.

7. 2 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the signal output unit includes a plurality of receiving groups arranged along the first direction, and each of the receiving groups includes adjacent receiving lines among the plurality of receiving lines.

8. 8. The touch sensor according to claim 7, wherein the signal output unit includes a plurality of first receiving circuits arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving lines, one each, and a plurality of second receiving circuits arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving groups, one each.

9. 9. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein the signal output unit is configured to, in the first mode, connect the plurality of receiving lines to first receiving circuits respectively corresponding thereto, and to simultaneously receive touch signals via all of the first receiving circuits respectively connected to the plurality of receiving lines.

10. 9. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein in the second mode, the signal output unit is configured to connect a plurality of receiving lines arranged in one receiving group to a second receiving circuit corresponding to the one receiving group, and to receive a touch signal via the second receiving circuit connected to the plurality of receiving lines.

11. 9. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein the first receiving circuit includes a first feedback capacitor having a first capacitance, and the second receiving circuit includes a second feedback capacitor having a second capacitance greater than the first capacitance.

12. A touch sensor as described in claim 1, wherein the third voltage is lower than the first voltage.

13. 13. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the transmission driver includes a plurality of transmission circuits each connected to the plurality of transmission lines, a first voltage line for supplying the first voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits, a second voltage line for supplying the second voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits, and a third voltage line for supplying a third voltage to the plurality of transmission circuits.

14. 14. The touch sensor of claim 13, wherein the transmit driver is configured to couple the first voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in the first mode, couple the second voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in the second mode, and couple the third voltage line to the plurality of transmit circuits in the third mode.

15. 15. The touch sensor of claim 14, wherein the transmission driver is configured to sequentially activate each individual transmission circuit in the first mode, simultaneously activate a plurality of transmission circuits arranged in one transmission group in the second mode, and simultaneously activate the transmission circuits connected to the first portion of the transmission lines in one transmission group and then simultaneously activate the transmission circuits connected to the second portion of the transmission lines in the third mode.

16. the signal output unit includes a plurality of receiving groups arranged along the first direction, each receiving group including the plurality of receiving lines arranged adjacent to each other; 13. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the signal output unit includes a plurality of first receiving circuits arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving lines, respectively, and a plurality of second receiving circuits arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving groups, respectively.

17. 17. The touch sensor of claim 16, wherein in the third mode, the signal output unit is configured to connect a first portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in one receiving group to a second receiving circuit corresponding to the one receiving group to receive a touch signal, and then connect a second portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in the one receiving group to a second receiving circuit corresponding to the one receiving group to receive a touch signal.

18. the signal output unit includes a plurality of receiving groups arranged along the first direction, each receiving group including the plurality of receiving lines arranged adjacent to each other; 13. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the signal output unit includes a plurality of first receiving circuits arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving lines, respectively, a second receiving circuit arranged to correspond to a first portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in each receiving group, and a third receiving circuit arranged to correspond to a second portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in each receiving group.

19. 20. The touch sensor of claim 18, wherein the signal output unit is configured to, in the third mode, connect a first portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in one receiving group to the second receiving circuit to receive a touch signal, and simultaneously connect a second portion of the receiving lines arranged consecutively in one receiving group to the third receiving circuit to receive a touch signal.

20. the signal output unit includes a plurality of receiving groups arranged along the first direction, each receiving group including a plurality of receiving lines arranged adjacent to each other; The touch sensor according to claim 12 , wherein the signal output unit includes a plurality of receiving circuits arranged to correspond to the plurality of receiving lines, respectively.

21. The signal output unit is In the first mode, the plurality of receiving lines are coupled to corresponding receiving circuits, and a touch signal is simultaneously received via all first receiving circuits respectively coupled to the plurality of receiving lines; In the second mode, a plurality of receiving lines arranged in one receiving group are connected to one of the receiving circuits in the one receiving group to receive a touch signal; 21. The touch sensor of claim 20, wherein in the third mode, a first portion of the receiving lines arranged contiguously within one receiving group is connected to one of the receiving circuits within the one receiving group, and a second portion of the receiving lines arranged contiguously within the one receiving group is connected to another of the receiving circuits within the one receiving group to receive a touch signal.

22. A touch sensor as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the second mode and the third mode, the second voltage and the third voltage are determined so that the change in mutual capacitance formed at the node where the transmitting line and the receiving line intersect is the same.

23. A display panel; A touch sensor, The touch sensor includes: a plurality of parallel transmission lines extending along a first direction; a plurality of parallel receiving lines extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a transmit driver configured to apply a first drive signal at a first voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a first mode and to apply a second drive signal at a second voltage, different from the first voltage, to the plurality of transmission lines in a second mode; a signal output unit for receiving touch signals from the plurality of receiving lines; the transmission driver is configured to apply the first drive signal of the first voltage to each individual transmission line in sequence in the first mode, and includes a plurality of transmission groups arranged along the second direction, each of the transmission groups including adjacent portions of the plurality of transmission lines; the transmission driver is configured to sequentially apply the second drive signal of the second voltage to each of the transmission groups in the second mode; the transmit driver is configured in a third mode to apply a third drive signal of a third voltage higher than the second voltage to a first portion of the transmit lines arranged consecutively in one transmit group, and then apply a third drive signal of the third voltage to a second portion of the transmit lines arranged consecutively in one transmit group; The first mode is a fingerprint recognition mode, the second mode is a low-resolution touch-sensing mode, and the third mode is a high-resolution touch-sensing mode; The first voltage is greater than the second voltage and is equal to or greater than the third voltage.

24. 24. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage are determined so that a change in mutual capacitance formed at a node where the transmission line and the reception line intersect is the same in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode.

25. 25. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein the transmission driver is configured to apply, in a third mode, a third drive signal of a third voltage lower than the first voltage and higher than the second voltage to a first portion of transmission lines arranged consecutively in one transmission group, and then apply a third drive signal of the third voltage to a second portion of transmission lines arranged consecutively in the one transmission group.

26. a plurality of parallel transmission lines extending along a first direction; a plurality of parallel receiving lines extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a transmit driver configured to apply first drive signals of a first voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a fingerprint recognition mode, apply second drive signals of a second voltage different from the first voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a low resolution touch sensing mode, and apply third drive signals of a third voltage different from the first voltage and the second voltage to the plurality of transmission lines in a high resolution touch sensing mode; a signal output unit for receiving touch signals from the plurality of receiving lines; The transmit driver includes: sequentially applying a first driving signal of the first voltage to each of the plurality of transmission lines in a fingerprint recognition mode; sequentially applying second driving signals of the second voltage to a plurality of transmission groups, each of which includes some of the transmission lines adjacent to each other and is arranged along the second direction, in a low-resolution touch sensing mode; configured to sequentially apply a third driving signal of the third voltage to each sub-group of a plurality of transmission lines included in each of the plurality of transmission groups in a high resolution touch sensing mode; The touch sensor, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage, and the third voltage is the same as the first voltage or is lower than the first voltage and higher than the second voltage.

27. The touch sensor of claim 26, wherein the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage are determined so that the change in mutual capacitance formed at the node where the transmitting line and the receiving line intersect is the same in the fingerprint recognition mode and the low resolution touch sensing mode.

28. The signal output unit is In fingerprint recognition mode, touch signals are received simultaneously from all receiving lines, receiving a touch signal from one of a plurality of receiving groups arranged along the first direction, the receiving groups including adjacent receiving lines of the plurality of receiving lines in a low-resolution touch sensing mode; 27. The touch sensor of claim 26, configured to sequentially receive touch signals from respective subgroups of a plurality of receiving lines included in one of the plurality of receiving groups in a high-resolution touch sensing mode.

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