Sensor module and display device including sensor module

Abstract

To provide a non-contact type sensor which can accurately identify a position of approaching input means, and a display device including the non-contact type sensor.SOLUTION: A sensor module includes: a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; a plurality of terminals respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes; and a plurality of sensor wirings respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes. Each of the plurality of sensor wirings electrically connects the corresponding sensor electrode to the corresponding terminals, respectively, without passing through any other sensor electrode. Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap at least the plurality of sensor wirings other than the corresponding sensor wiring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sensor module and a display device including the sensor module. For example, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a non-contact sensor module and a display device including the non-contact sensor module. [Background technology]

[0002] Touch sensors are widely used as one of the interfaces for inputting information into information terminals. Currently, mainstream touch sensors identify the position where a person's finger or hand directly touches the touch sensor. In contrast, non-contact sensors (hover sensors) have been developed in recent years that allow information to be input by simply positioning an input tool such as a person's finger, palm, or touch pen (hereinafter also referred to as input means) near the touch sensor without touching the sensor (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0049486 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0342498 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0049508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a non-contact sensor having a new structure and a display device including the non-contact sensor. Alternatively, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a non-contact sensor that can accurately identify the position of an input means in proximity and a display device including the non-contact sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is a sensor module. The sensor module includes a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a plurality of terminals corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes, and a plurality of sensor wires corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes. Each of the plurality of sensor wires electrically connects the corresponding sensor electrode to the corresponding terminal without passing through other sensor electrodes. Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap with the plurality of sensor wires except for at least the corresponding sensor wire.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a display device. The display device includes a display module including an array substrate having a plurality of pixels, and a sensor module on the display module. The sensor module includes a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a plurality of terminals corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes, and a plurality of sensor wires corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes. Each of the plurality of sensor wires electrically connects the corresponding sensor electrode to the corresponding terminal without passing through other sensor electrodes. Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap with the plurality of sensor wires except for at least the corresponding sensor wire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, etc. However, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below.

[0009] In order to clarify the description, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In this specification and each drawing, elements having the same function as those described in the previous drawings may be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted. This reference numeral is used to collectively represent multiple identical or similar structures, and when these are individually represented, a hyphen and a natural number are added after the reference numeral. In addition, when representing a part of a single structure, a lowercase alphabet may be added after the reference numeral.

[0010] In this specification and claims, when expressing an aspect of placing another structure on top of a certain structure, the term "on top" is used, unless otherwise specified, to include both a case where another structure is placed directly on top of a certain structure so as to be in contact with the certain structure, and a case where another structure is placed above a certain structure via yet another structure.

[0011] In this specification and claims, the expression "a structure exposed from another structure" means a state in which a part of a structure is not covered by another structure, and includes a state in which the part not covered by another structure is covered by yet another structure. The state expressed by this expression also includes a state in which a structure is not in contact with another structure.

[0012] In the embodiment of the present invention, when multiple films are formed simultaneously in the same process, these films have the same layer structure, the same material, and the same composition, and therefore these multiple films are defined as existing in the same layer.

[0013] The following describes the structure of a sensor module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a display device 100 including the sensor module 200.

[0014] 1.Overall structure 1 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a display device 100. The display device 100 includes a display module 110 and a sensor module 200 disposed on the display module 110. The display module 110 and the sensor module 200 are fixed to each other by an adhesive layer not shown in FIG.

[0015] 2. Display module The display module 110 is a device capable of displaying images and basically comprises an array substrate 112, a plurality of pixels 116 formed on the array substrate 112, and a counter substrate 114 on the array substrate 112. The minimum rectangular area surrounding the plurality of pixels 116 is called the display area 120. Each pixel 116 includes a display element and functions as the smallest unit for providing color information. Examples of display elements include liquid crystal elements and electroluminescent elements such as organic electroluminescent devices (OLEDs). When liquid crystal elements are used, the display module 110 is further provided with a light source (backlight) (not shown). Each pixel 116 operates in response to power and a video signal supplied via a connector 118, such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board, and provides light of a specific color with a gradation based on the video signal. Images can be displayed on the display area 120 by controlling the operation of the pixels 116 based on the video signal.

[0016] There are no restrictions on the size of the display module 110, and it may be, for example, a size used in mobile communication terminals such as 12.1 inches (31 cm), a size suitable for monitors, televisions, signage, etc. connected to computers (for example, 14.1 inches (36 cm) to 32 inches (81 cm)), or even a larger size.

[0017] 3. Sensor module 3-1.Configuration The sensor module 200 is a device that transmits light from the display module 110 and functions as an interface for inputting information to the display device 100. The sensor module 200 is a so-called non-contact sensor module, and has a function of detecting an input means, such as a finger, a palm, or a touch pen with a resin tip, when it comes into contact with the sensor module 200, and also detecting the input means when the input means is placed nearby the sensor module 200 without contacting it (for example, within 5 mm, 10 mm, or 20 mm from the outermost surface of the sensor module 200), and identifying the position of the input means on the sensor module 200.

[0018] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 and a schematic top view (FIG. 2), the sensor module 200 includes a sensor substrate 202 and a cover substrate 204 facing the sensor substrate 202, and a plurality of sensor electrodes 206 are provided between the sensor substrate 202 and the cover substrate 204. The plurality of sensor electrodes 206 are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. In the example shown in FIG. 2, 24 sensor electrodes 206 arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 6 columns are provided in the sensor module 200. The number and size of the sensor electrodes 206 may be set appropriately depending on the size of the display device 100, the detection accuracy required of the sensor module 200, and the like. Here, the smallest rectangular area surrounding all of the sensor electrodes 206 is referred to as a sensor area 208.

[0019] The sensor substrate 202 and the cover substrate 204 are made of a material that transmits visible light so that the image displayed by the display module 110 can be viewed. For this reason, the sensor substrate 202 and the cover substrate 204 are made of glass, quartz, or a polymer material such as polyimide, polyamide, or polycarbonate.

[0020] Each of the sensor electrodes 206 is arranged to overlap multiple pixels 116 and at least a portion of the display area 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the sensor electrode 206 is arranged so that a sensor area 208 indicated by a dashed line overlaps the entire display area 120. Although not shown, the sensor area 208 and the display area 120 may have the same shape. Alternatively, the sensor area 208 may be smaller than the display area 120. In this case, the sensor electrode 206 is arranged so that the entire sensor area 208 overlaps the display area 120.

[0021] The sensor electrodes 206 contain a conductive oxide that transmits visible light, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), or a metal (zero-valent metal) such as molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, aluminum, or copper. The sensor electrodes 206 may have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure. For example, the sensor electrodes 206 may have a multilayer structure in which a layer containing a conductive oxide and a layer containing a metal are stacked. As will be described later, each sensor electrode 206 is connected to a sensor wiring. That is, a plurality of sensor wirings corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes 206 are provided on the sensor substrate 202. Each sensor wiring is exposed on the sensor substrate 202 to form a terminal 224a.

[0022] A first connector 212, such as an FPC board, is electrically connected to the terminal 224a, and the first connector 212 is connected to an external circuit (not shown). The first connector 212 may include a power supply circuit 216, a detector 218, a computing element 220, an interface 222, and the like. The power supply circuit 216 converts power supplied from an external circuit into a pulsed AC voltage and supplies this AC voltage to each sensor electrode 206 via the terminal 224a and the sensor wiring. The detector 218, also known as an analog front end (AFE), detects changes in the capacitance of the sensor electrode 206 as potential fluctuations, digitizes these potential fluctuations, and converts them into detection signals. The detection signal generated by the detector 218 is input to the computing element 220, which generates coordinates representing the position of the input means based on this detection signal. The detector 218 and the computing element 220 may be configured as a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. The interface 222 is used for connection to an external circuit and is configured based on standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a portion of the sensor module 200. As shown in this figure, a corresponding sensor wiring 224 is provided for each sensor electrode 206. That is, the sensor module 200 is provided with the same number of sensor wirings 224 as the number of sensor electrodes 206, and each sensor wiring 224 is electrically connected to one sensor electrode 206. This electrically connects the sensor electrode 206 to the terminal 224a. Furthermore, each sensor wiring 224 connects the corresponding sensor electrode 206 to the corresponding terminal 224a without passing through another sensor electrode 206. In other words, one sensor wiring 224 is not connected to multiple sensor electrodes 206, and similarly, one sensor electrode 206 is not connected to multiple sensor wirings 224. In the example shown in FIG. 3, sensor wirings 224-1 to 224-4 correspond to and are electrically connected to sensor electrodes 206-1 to 206-4, respectively.

[0024] As described above, an in-phase pulsed AC voltage is applied to the sensor electrodes 206 via the sensor wiring 224. When the input means approaches the sensor electrodes 206, a virtual capacitance element is formed between the input means and the sensor electrodes 206, resulting in a change in the potential of each sensor electrode 206. This potential change is detected by the detector 218 and converted into a digital signal, and the calculation element 220 identifies the coordinates of the position where the input means is approaching based on the amount of potential change and the position (coordinates) of each sensor electrode 206. In this way, the sensor module 200 functions as a capacitive (self-capacitive) non-contact sensor (hover sensor).

[0025] 4(A) shows a schematic diagram of an end surface taken along the chain line AA' in FIG. 3. FIG. 4(A) also shows the counter substrate 114 of the display module 110. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the display module 110 and the sensor module 200 are fixed to each other by an adhesive layer 102 that transmits visible light. When the display module 110 is a liquid crystal display device, a polarizing plate or the like is provided on the counter substrate 114.

[0026] As an optional configuration, a noise shield layer 226 may be provided between the sensor substrate 202 and the counter substrate 114 to shield the display module 110 from electrical influences. The noise shield layer 226 may be provided on or below the adhesive layer 102. The noise shield layer 226 may contain a conductive, translucent oxide such as ITO or IZO, or a metal. In the latter case, a mesh-like metal film with multiple openings may be used as the noise shield layer 226 to allow visible light to pass through. The noise shield layer 226 is provided so as to overlap the multiple sensor electrodes 206. A second connector 210 such as an FPC board is electrically connected to the noise shield layer 226 (see FIG. 1), and a pulsed AC voltage having the same phase as the potential applied to the sensor electrodes 206 is applied to the noise shield layer 226. Therefore, the noise shield layer 226 and the sensor electrodes 206 are always at the same potential.

[0027] 3-2. Sensor electrode and sensor wiring layout On the sensor substrate 202, a sensor wiring 224 is provided either directly or via an insulating undercoat (not shown), and a sensor electrode 206 is disposed thereon. In this case, the sensor electrode 206 may be disposed directly on the sensor wiring 224, or may be disposed via an interlayer insulating film 228 containing a silicon-containing inorganic compound such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, as shown in FIG. 4(A). In the latter case, the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224 are electrically connected to each other via an opening provided in the interlayer insulating film 228. There is no restriction on the hierarchical relationship between the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224; the sensor wiring 224 may be disposed on top of the sensor electrode 206, as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0028] 5, the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224 may be provided so as to be present in the same layer. That is, the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224 having the same composition may be formed simultaneously in the same process. In this case, it is preferable that the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224 contain a metal to prevent an increase in the resistance of the sensor wiring 224. Alternatively, the sensor wiring 224 and the sensor electrode 206 may have a layered structure of a film containing a conductive translucent oxide and a film containing a metal.

[0029] If the sensor electrode 206 contains metal, it is preferable to form the sensor electrode 206 in a mesh shape to prevent its influence on the image displayed by the display module 110. When the sensor electrode 206 has a layered structure of a film containing a conductive, light-transmitting oxide and a film containing a metal, both films or the latter film may be formed in a mesh shape. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, which is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5, each sensor electrode 206 is configured to have multiple openings 206b formed by a frame 206a so that the image can be viewed through the openings 206b. This allows the image from the display module 110 to be viewed while ensuring sufficient conductivity of the sensor electrode 206. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor wiring 224 may also be configured to have a mesh shape. The mesh patterns of the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224 are preferably identical or substantially identical. That is, the width of the frame 206a constituting the mesh of the sensor electrode 206 is preferably identical or substantially identical to the width of the frame 224b constituting the mesh shape of the sensor wiring 224. Similarly, the shape, size, and pitch of mesh openings 206b of sensor electrode 206 are preferably the same as or substantially the same as the shape, size, and pitch of mesh openings 224c of sensor wiring 224. By giving sensor wiring 224 the same mesh shape as sensor electrode 206, it is possible to prevent moire from occurring.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , it is preferable to arrange multiple dummy electrodes 207 between adjacent sensor electrodes 206 and between the sensor electrodes 206 and the sensor wiring 224, on the same layer as the sensor electrodes 206 and the sensor wiring 224. The multiple dummy electrodes 207 are not connected to each other, are electrically insulated from the sensor electrodes 206 and the sensor wiring 224, and are electrically floating. It is preferable that the multiple dummy electrodes 207 have the same or substantially the same width as the frames 206a and 224b, and that the direction in which at least a portion of each dummy electrode 207 extends is parallel to a portion of the frames 206a and 224b. It is also preferable that the pitch of the multiple dummy electrodes 207 is the same or substantially the same as the pitch of the openings 206b and 224c. By adopting such a configuration, the layer on which the sensor electrodes 206, the sensor wiring 224, and the dummy electrodes 207 are formed can achieve substantially uniform optical characteristics throughout the entire sensor region 208, thereby effectively preventing moiré. 6, the dummy electrode 207 is hatched differently from the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224, but they may have the same composition and layer structure. Also, the dummy electrode 207 shown in FIG. 6 is bent to form a V-shape, but the dummy electrode 207 may be further divided at the bent portion. Instead of being limited to such a shape, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a straight thin wire forming the dummy electrode 207 is divided midway.

[0031] 3, 4(A), and 4(B), each sensor wiring 224 is arranged so as not to overlap with any of the sensor electrodes 206 except for at least the sensor electrode 206 connected to that sensor wiring 224. In other words, each sensor wiring 224 is arranged so as to be completely exposed from all of the sensor electrodes 206 except for at least the sensor electrode 206 connected to that sensor wiring 224. For example, focusing on the sensor wiring 224-3 connected to the sensor electrode 206-3 located in the third row, the sensor wiring 224-3 may overlap with the sensor electrode 206-3 connected to it (see FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B)), but does not overlap with any of the sensor electrodes 206 other than this sensor electrode 206-3 and is completely exposed from the sensor electrodes 206 other than the sensor electrode 206-3.

[0032] 3 and 5, each sensor wiring 224 is arranged so as not to overlap with any of the sensor electrodes 206, including the sensor electrode 206 connected to that sensor wiring 224. In other words, each sensor wiring 224 is arranged so as to be completely exposed from all of the sensor electrodes 206, including the sensor electrode 206 connected to that sensor wiring 224.

[0033] By configuring and arranging the sensor electrodes 206 and the sensor wiring 224 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the formation of capacitance (parasitic capacitance) between the sensor wiring 224 and the sensor electrode 206. Focusing on the sensor wiring 224-1 connected to the sensor electrode 206 located in the first row (see FIG. 3), this sensor wiring 224-1 does not overlap with the sensor electrodes 206-2 to 206-4 and is completely exposed from them. Therefore, although the sensor wiring 224-1 forms capacitance with the sensor electrodes 206-2 to 206-4, the effect of this capacitance is small. Therefore, even if the potential of the sensor wiring 224-1 fluctuates as the input device approaches the sensor electrode 206-1, this potential fluctuation does not affect the other sensor electrodes 206. As a result, the detection signal of the sensor electrode 206-1 is not dispersed to the other sensor electrodes 206, and the detection position (coordinates) of the input device can be accurately identified.

[0034] A protective film 230 may be provided on the sensor wiring 224 and the sensor electrode 206 as an optional configuration. The protective film 230 has a single layer or a multilayer structure and is composed of a film containing a resin such as a silicon-containing inorganic compound, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, or silicone resin. FIGS. 4A to 5 illustrate an example of the protective film 230 in which a first protective film 230-1 containing an inorganic compound and a second protective film 230-2 containing a resin are laminated. The order in which the first protective film 230-1 and the second protective film 230-2 are laminated is not limited, and the first protective film 230-1 may be laminated on the second protective film 230-2. The first protective film 230-1 containing a resin also functions as a planarization film. The cover substrate 204 is fixed onto the protective film 230 via an adhesive layer 232 that transmits visible light.

[0035] 3-3. Modified Examples (1) Variation 1 In the above-described arrangement of the sensor wirings 224, when the distance between the sensor wiring 224 and the sensor electrode 206 in the adjacent column is relatively small, the sensor wiring 224 is susceptible to potential fluctuations in the sensor electrode 206 in the adjacent column. Furthermore, this influence is greater for sensor wirings 224 connected to sensor electrodes 206 farther from terminal 224a. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3 , the sensor wiring 224-1 connected to the sensor electrode 206-1 arranged in the first row, which is farthest from terminal 224a in each column, is adjacent to all of the sensor electrodes 206-5 to 206-8 in the adjacent column, and is therefore affected by potential fluctuations in all of the sensor electrodes 206 in the adjacent column. Meanwhile, the sensor wiring 224-4 connected to the sensor electrode 206-4 in the fourth row, which is closest to terminal 224a, does not have an adjacent sensor electrode 206 in the row direction.

[0036] For this reason, shield wiring 234 may be arranged to reduce the influence of the sensor electrodes 206 in adjacent columns. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, one or more shield wirings 234 extending in the column direction as a whole and penetrating multiple rows are arranged in the sensor module 200. Each shield wiring 234 is spaced apart from the sensor electrodes 206. When multiple shield wirings 234 are provided, for example, the same number of shield wirings 234 as the number of columns or the number of columns minus one may be arranged so that the sensor electrodes 206 and the shield wirings 234 alternate in each row.

[0037] Each shield wiring 234 is exposed near an end of the sensor substrate 202 to form a terminal 234a, and a pulsed AC voltage in phase with the sensor electrode 206 is applied from the power supply circuit 216 to the shield wiring 234. Because the shield wiring 234 does not need to contribute to determining the coordinates of the input means, the shield wiring 234 does not need to be connected to the detector 218. On the other hand, the end of the shield wiring 234 opposite the terminal 234a may be located either inside or outside the sensor region 208. Each shield wiring 234 can also be configured to include a conductive, translucent oxide or metal. In the latter case, by configuring the shield wiring 234 to have a mesh-like shape, like the sensor electrodes 206 and sensor wiring 224, an image can be viewed through the sensor electrodes 206 and shield wiring 234 and the occurrence of moire can be prevented.

[0038] By disposing the shield wiring 234, the shield wiring 234 is present between the sensor wiring 224 and the sensor electrodes 206 disposed in the adjacent column, thereby reducing the influence of potential fluctuations on the sensor electrodes 206 in the adjacent column, and as a result, the coordinates of the input means can be identified more accurately.

[0039] (2) Variation 2 3 and 7, the sensor module 200 is configured such that, in each row, the area of ​​the sensor electrodes 206 increases with increasing distance from the terminal 224a. By adopting such an arrangement, the layout of the sensor wiring 224 is simplified and the sensor electrodes 206 can be arranged at high density.

[0040] However, the configuration of the sensor module 200 is not limited to this, and the sensor module 200 may be configured so that all of the sensor electrodes 206 have the same shape and area, as shown in Fig. 8. By making the areas of the sensor electrodes 206 the same, the row dependency of the amount of potential fluctuation caused by the proximity of the input means is reduced, and the coordinates of the input means can be identified more accurately.

[0041] 8, with this arrangement, the area occupied by the sensor wiring 224 between adjacent sensor electrodes 206 in the row direction decreases with increasing distance from the terminal 224a. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, the shield wiring 234 may be arranged in the same manner as in Modification 1, and configured so that its width (i.e., its length in the row direction) increases stepwise or continuously with increasing distance from the terminal 224a. By arranging the shield wiring 234 with a variable width in the column direction in this way, the electric field between the adjacent input means and the sensor region 208 becomes uniform without distortion, and the electric field that overlaps with the sensor electrode 206 is detected as a capacitance change, enabling detection without variation independent of the row.

[0042] (3) Variation 3 As described above, in the sensor module 200, the sensor electrodes 206 are arranged in multiple columns and multiple rows. The sensor wiring 224 connected to these sensor electrodes 206 extends toward one side of the sensor substrate 202 and forms a terminal 224a at the end of the sensor substrate 202. Therefore, the density of the sensor wiring 224 increases closer to the terminal 224a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 , when an input device approaches position P1 far from the terminal 224a, only the potential of the sensor electrode 206-1 in the first row near position P1 and the sensor wiring 224-1 connected thereto fluctuates, allowing the accurate coordinates of the input device to be determined. However, when the input device approaches position P2 close to the terminal 224a, not only does the potential of the sensor electrode 206-4 in the fourth row fluctuate, but virtual capacitance elements may also be formed on the sensor wiring 224 connected to the other sensor electrodes 206. As a result, the potentials of the sensor electrodes 206 other than the sensor electrode 206-4 in the fourth row also fluctuate, making it difficult to accurately determine the coordinates of the input device.

[0043] For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10 , auxiliary wiring 236 different from the sensor wiring 224 may be provided for each sensor electrode 206. Specifically, multiple auxiliary wiring 236 are provided corresponding to the multiple sensor electrodes 206, respectively. Each auxiliary wiring 236 is selectively connected to one sensor electrode 206 and extends in the opposite direction from the terminal 224a. The auxiliary wiring 236 is not connected to any other conductive components except for the sensor electrode 206 to which it is connected. Therefore, a pulsed AC voltage in phase with the sensor electrode 206 is also applied to the auxiliary wiring 236. Each auxiliary wiring 236 can also be configured to include a conductive, translucent oxide or metal. In the latter case, configuring both the sensor electrode 206 and the auxiliary wiring 236 to have a mesh-like shape allows images to be viewed through the sensor electrode 206 and the auxiliary wiring 236, while preventing moire.

[0044] Similar to the sensor wiring 224, each auxiliary wiring 236 does not overlap with any of the sensor electrodes 206 except for at least the sensor electrode 206 connected to it. That is, each auxiliary wiring 236 is exposed from all of the sensor electrodes 206 except for at least the sensor electrode 206 connected to it. Alternatively, similar to the sensor wiring 224, when the sensor electrode 206 and the auxiliary wiring 236 are present in the same layer, each auxiliary wiring 236 does not overlap with any of the sensor electrodes 206. That is, each auxiliary wiring 236 is exposed from all of the sensor electrodes 206.

[0045] By providing the auxiliary wiring 236 in this manner, the wiring density, i.e., the sum of the areas of the sensor wiring 224 and the auxiliary wiring 236, becomes approximately constant in the column direction. Therefore, for example, when an input means approaches position P2 close to terminal 224a, the largest potential fluctuation occurs in the sensor electrode 206-4 in the fourth row, which is closest to that coordinate, and secondary potential fluctuations also occur in the sensor wiring 224 arranged near the sensor electrode 206 in the fourth row and in the sensor electrodes 206 in the first to third rows connected to the sensor wiring 224. Similarly, when an input means approaches position P1 away from terminal 224a, the largest potential fluctuation occurs in the sensor electrode 206 in the first row, which is closest to that coordinate, and secondary potential fluctuations also occur in the auxiliary wiring 236 connected to the sensor electrodes 206 in the second to fourth rows, resulting in secondary potential fluctuations also in the sensor electrodes 206 in the second to fourth rows. That is, it is possible to detect a large potential variation in a sensor electrode 206 close to the input means, without depending on the coordinates of the input means, while inducing approximately the same secondary potential variation in other sensor electrodes 206 in the row in which that sensor electrode 206 is arranged. As a result, the dependency of the secondary potential variation on the coordinates of the input means is eliminated, and the coordinates of the input means can be accurately identified.

[0046] Preferably, the auxiliary wiring 236 is arranged so that the end of the auxiliary wiring 236 opposite the terminal 224a (the end opposite the end connected to the sensor electrode 206) is located outside the sensor region 208 (see FIG. 1) (FIG. 10). Alternatively, the auxiliary wiring 236 is arranged so that this end is located outside the sensor region 208 and outside the display region 120. The length L of the portion of the auxiliary wiring 236 extending from the end of the sensor region 208 or the display region 120 to the side opposite the terminal 224a is preferably 1 mm or more and 1 cm or less. By controlling the position of the end of the auxiliary wiring 236 in this manner, a virtual capacitance formed between the auxiliary wiring 236 and the input means is ensured even if the input means is close to the end of the display region 120. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the same detection accuracy as in other regions of the sensor region 208 (for example, near the center).

[0047] Furthermore, although the sensor wiring 224 has a small width, it also functions as a sensor electrode when a pulsed AC voltage is applied. Thus, if the sensor electrode 206 and the sensor wiring 224 are considered together as a single sensor electrode, the size of the sensor electrode 206 differs when viewed in the row direction, even in the configuration of FIG. 9 . In contrast, in the configuration of FIG. 10 , an auxiliary wiring 236 is added to the sensor electrode 206, and the auxiliary wiring 236 extends in a direction away from the terminal 224 a. That is, the auxiliary wiring 236-4 connected to the sensor electrode 206-4 closest to the detector 218 extends in a direction away from the detector 218 and passes between the other sensor electrodes 206, while the auxiliary wiring 236-1 connected to the sensor electrode 206-1 farthest from the detector 218 is extremely short. With this configuration, the sensor wiring 224 and the auxiliary wiring 236 also function as part of the sensor electrode 206 (sensor electrode connected to the detector 218), so that the areas of the portions functioning as sensor electrodes between the sensor electrodes 206 are approximately the same, thereby reducing the difference in capacitance caused by the difference in distance from the detector 218. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the auxiliary wiring is not required for the sensor electrode 206-1 located farthest from the detector 218.

[0048] (4) Variation 4 Compared to conventional contact sensors, non-contact sensors are more susceptible to electrical influence from the display module 110. To reduce this influence, multiple shield electrodes may be arranged around the sensor area 208. A specific configuration is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a schematic top view including two sides of the sensor substrate 202, and FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of an area facing the area shown in FIG. 11, with the sensor area 208 as the base.

[0049] As shown in these figures, one shield electrode (first shield electrode) 238 can be provided for each column. In each column, the shield electrode 238 is disposed on the opposite side of the terminal 244a from the sensor region 208 (i.e., all of the sensor electrodes 206). The shield electrode 238 is disposed so as not to overlap with the display region 120. In other words, all of the multiple pixels 116 are exposed from the shield electrode 238. When the end of the auxiliary wiring 236 connected to the sensor electrode 206 is disposed outside the sensor region 208, the shape and arrangement of the shield electrode 238 may be adjusted so that this end overlaps with the shield electrode 238 provided in the same column in the row and column directions. A pulsed AC voltage in phase with the sensor electrode 206 is also applied to the shield electrode 238. Therefore, the shield electrode 238 may be electrically connected to each of the multiple shield wirings 234 described above. Since the shield electrode 238 does not contribute to identifying the coordinates of the input means, it does not need to be connected to the detector 218.

[0050] Alternatively, a pair of shield electrodes (second shield electrodes) 240 may be arranged in each row together with or instead of the shield electrode 238. The pair of shield electrodes 240 is arranged to sandwich all of the sensor electrodes 206 in each row. The shield electrodes 240 are also arranged so as not to overlap with the display area 120. Therefore, all of the multiple pixels 116 are exposed from the shield electrodes 240. A pulsed AC voltage in phase with the sensor electrodes 206 is also applied to the shield electrodes 240. Therefore, shield wiring 242 is electrically connected to each shield electrode 240. The shield wiring 242 is exposed near the edge of the sensor substrate 202 to form a terminal 242a. The terminal 242a is connected to the first connector 212, thereby allowing the shield wiring 242 to receive a voltage supply from the power supply circuit 216. Like the shield electrode 238, the shield electrode 240 does not contribute to identifying the coordinates of the input means and therefore does not need to be connected to the detector 218. Although not shown, similar to the sensor wiring 224, each shield wiring 242 does not overlap with any other shield wiring 242 and is exposed, except for at least the shield electrode 240 to which it is connected. Alternatively, each shield wiring 242 does not overlap with any other shield wiring 242 and is exposed.

[0051] Similar to the sensor electrode 206, auxiliary wiring (auxiliary shield wiring) 244 may be connected to the shield electrode 240. That is, auxiliary shield wiring 244 corresponding to each of the multiple shield electrodes 240 may be provided outside the sensor region 208. One end of each auxiliary shield wiring 244 is electrically connected to the corresponding shield electrode 240, and the other end is not connected to any other conductive component.

[0052] As described above, in the sensor module 200, the shield electrode 238 and / or the shield electrode 240 are provided outside the sensor area 208. Therefore, even if an input means is close to the edge of the sensor area 208, a uniform electric field is generated between the input means and the sensor area 208, and the electric field that overlaps with the sensor electrode 206 is detected as a change in capacitance, enabling detection without variation. Furthermore, since the formation of capacitance between the outside of the sensor area 208 and the input means can be suppressed, there is no decrease in detection accuracy.

[0053] Furthermore, multiple shield electrodes 238 and / or multiple shield electrodes 240 are provided. If a single shield electrode is installed outside the sensor area 208, when an input means approaches an edge of the sensor area 208, the effect extends to the entire outer periphery of the sensor area 208. However, by providing multiple shield electrodes 238 and / or multiple shield electrodes 240, the decrease in the amount of potential fluctuation of the sensor electrode 206 that occurs when the input means approaches the edge of the sensor area 208 can be limited to a localized area, making it possible to maintain detection accuracy even at the edge of the sensor area 208 and more accurately identify the coordinates of the input means.

[0054] Furthermore, by providing shield electrode 238 and / or shield electrode 240, a configuration similar to sensor area 208 can be constructed outside display area 120, which not only maintains detection sensitivity at the edge of display area 120 but also effectively shields against influences from display module 110.

[0055] The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, a display device in which a person skilled in the art appropriately adds or deletes components or modifies the design, or adds or omits processes or modifies conditions, based on the display device of each embodiment, is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the gist of the present invention.

[0056] Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the aspects of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, those that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100: display device, 102: adhesive layer, 110: display module, 112: array substrate, 114: counter substrate, 116: pixel, 118: connector, 120: display area, 200: sensor module, 202: sensor substrate, 204: cover substrate, 206: sensor electrode, 206-1: sensor electrode, 206-2: sensor electrode, 206-3: sensor electrode, 206-4: sensor electrode, 206-5: sensor electrode, 206a: frame, 206b: opening, 207: dummy electrode, 208: sensor area, 210: second connector, 212: first connector, 216: power supply circuit, 218: detector, 22 0: arithmetic element, 222: interface, 224: sensor wiring, 224-1: sensor wiring, 224-2: sensor wiring, 224-3: sensor wiring, 224-4: sensor wiring, 224a: terminal, 224b: frame, 224c: opening, 226: noise shield layer, 228: interlayer insulating film, 230: protective film, 230-1: first protective film, 230-2: second protective film, 232: adhesive layer, 234: shield wiring, 234a: terminal, 236: auxiliary wiring, 238: shield electrode, 240: shield electrode, 242: shield wiring, 242a: terminal, 244: auxiliary shield wiring, 244a: terminal

Claims

1. A sensor substrate, a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the sensor substrate; a plurality of terminals respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes; a plurality of sensor wirings respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes; a plurality of shielding wires passing through the plurality of rows; and a plurality of shield electrodes electrically connected to the plurality of shield wirings, respectively; each of the plurality of sensor wirings electrically connects the corresponding sensor electrode to the corresponding terminal without passing through another sensor electrode; Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap with the plurality of sensor wirings other than at least the corresponding sensor wiring in a normal direction of the sensor substrate; the plurality of shield wirings are all spaced apart from the plurality of sensor electrodes; In each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of shield wirings and the plurality of sensor electrodes alternate with each other, the plurality of shield electrodes are located outside a sensor area, which is a minimum area surrounding the plurality of sensor electrodes, and are located on the opposite side of the sensor area to the plurality of terminals, Each of the plurality of shield electrodes overlaps with at least one of the plurality of sensor electrodes in the column direction.

2. The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap with the plurality of sensor wirings including the corresponding sensor wiring in the normal direction.

3. The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein in each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of sensor electrodes increase in area as the distance from the terminal increases.

4. The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein an end of each of the plurality of shielding wires opposite to the terminal is located outside the sensor area.

5. The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein the length of each of the plurality of shielding wires in the row direction increases as the distance from the terminal increases.

6. further comprising a plurality of auxiliary wirings corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes, The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary wirings is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the sensor electrodes and extends in an opposite direction to the terminal.

7. The sensor module according to claim 6 , wherein an end of each of the plurality of auxiliary wirings opposite to the terminal is located outside the sensor area.

8. a display module including an array substrate having a plurality of pixels; a sensor module on the display module; The sensor module includes: sensor board, a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the sensor substrate; a plurality of terminals respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes; a plurality of sensor wirings respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes; a plurality of shielding wires passing through the plurality of rows; and a plurality of shield electrodes electrically connected to the plurality of shield wirings, respectively; each of the plurality of sensor wirings electrically connects the corresponding sensor electrode to the corresponding terminal without passing through another sensor electrode; Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes does not overlap with the plurality of sensor wirings other than at least the corresponding sensor wiring in a normal direction of the sensor substrate; the plurality of shield wirings are all spaced apart from the plurality of sensor electrodes; In each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of shield wirings and the plurality of sensor electrodes alternate with each other, the plurality of shield electrodes are located outside a sensor area, which is a minimum area surrounding the plurality of sensor electrodes, and are located on the opposite side of the sensor area to the plurality of terminals, A display device, wherein each of the plurality of shield electrodes overlaps with at least one of the plurality of sensor electrodes in the column direction.

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