Stylus pens, antenna modules, touch sensors, and electronic devices

Abstract

To provide an electronic device capable of reducing noise in a touch signal and improving touch sensing performance by a stylus pen.SOLUTION: An electronic device 2 according to the present invention includes: a loop coil 264; a display unit (display 250) including a plurality of pixels; a display drive unit (display controller 252) that applies data signals and scan signals to a plurality of pixels according to vertical and horizontal synchronous signals.; a plurality of touch electrodes that are located on the display unit; a driving and receiving unit (touch controller 262) that applies a driving signal to a loop coil during a first period and receives a sensing signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes during a second period after the first period; and a control unit 270 that generates touch information using the sensing signal, where the driving signal is synchronized with at least one pulse of the vertical and the horizontal synchronous signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a stylus pen, an antenna module, a touch sensor, and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Touch sensors are incorporated into a wide variety of electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartphones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (personal digital assistants), PMPs (portable multimedia players), navigation systems, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultrabooks, and wearable devices.

[0003] Touch sensors within such electronic devices can be located on a display panel that shows an image, or they can be located as part of the electronic device itself. By allowing the user to interact with the electronic device by touching the touch sensor, the electronic device can provide the user with an intuitive user interface.

[0004] Users can use a stylus pen for precise touch input. Stylus pens are classified into active and passive types depending on whether they contain a battery and electronic components.

[0005] Active stylus pens have the advantage of superior basic performance and the ability to offer additional functions (pressure sensitivity, hovering, buttons) compared to passive stylus pens, but they have the disadvantage of being difficult to use while the battery is charging.

[0006] Passive stylus pens have the advantages of being cheaper and not requiring batteries compared to active stylus pens, but they have the disadvantage of being less capable of precise touch recognition.

[0007] In particular, with passive stylus pens, especially those using the EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) method, the digitizer transmits an electromagnetic signal to the pen, and then the pen inputs a resonant signal to the digitizer. In other words, since the signal is transmitted and received only by the digitizer, there is a problem that simultaneous transmission and reception of signals cannot be performed and must be done in time-division multiplexing. Similarly, with passive stylus pens, especially those using the ECR (Electrically Coupled Resonance) method, the touch electrode transmits an electromagnetic signal to the pen, and then the pen inputs a resonant signal to the touch electrode. In other words, since the signal is transmitted and received only by the touch electrode, there is a problem that simultaneous transmission and reception of signals cannot be performed and must be done in time-division multiplexing.

[0008] Furthermore, electronic devices contain noise for various reasons, and such noise can act as a factor that degrades the sensing performance of electronic devices. In particular, in the case of stylus pens, if noise exists in a frequency band similar to the resonant frequency of the stylus pen, the accuracy of touch sensing becomes very low.

[0009] Furthermore, touch sensors are vulnerable to noise with frequencies similar to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit built into the stylus pen. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The present invention provides an antenna module and an electronic device including the same that reduce noise in touch signals.

[0011] The present invention provides an antenna module that can be realized on one layer and an electronic device including the same.

[0012] The present invention provides an antenna module that can improve touch sensing performance by a stylus pen and an electronic device including the same.

[0013] The present invention provides a foldable electronic device that is easy to use a stylus pen and a driving method thereof.

[0014] The present invention provides a foldable electronic device that can improve touch sensing performance by a stylus pen and a driving method thereof.

[0015] The present invention provides an antenna module that is driven by a smaller current and an electronic device including the same.

[0016] The present invention provides an antenna module capable of reducing power consumption and an electronic device including the same.

[0017] The present invention provides an antenna module capable of wireless charging without a separate wireless charging module and an electronic device including the same.

[0018] The present invention provides an electronic device that amplifies a magnetic field generated by a coil at the same voltage and a control method thereof.

[0019] The present invention provides an electronic device that prevents noise by a display panel and a control method thereof.

[0020] The present invention provides an electronic device that can improve touch sensing performance by a stylus pen in a noise environment in a frequency band similar to a resonance signal of the stylus pen and a touch detection method thereof.

[0021] The present invention provides a stylus pen that generates a sufficient resonance signal.

[0022] The present invention provides a stylus pen that transmits a signal of an appropriate size to a touch sensor.

[0023] The present invention provides a stylus pen in which a resonance frequency is maintained.

[0024] The present invention provides a stylus pen having a plurality of resonance frequencies, a touch sensor that receives a signal with reduced noise using the same, and an electronic device.

[0025] The present invention provides a stylus pen capable of wireless charging during use of the stylus pen, an electronic device, and an input system.

[0026] The present invention provides a stylus pen, an electronic device, and an input system capable of wireless charging without a separate wireless charging module.

[0027] The present invention provides a stylus pen, an electronic device, and an input system capable of touch input and sensor input.

[0028] The present invention provides a stylus pen, an electronic device, and an input system capable of changing a resonance frequency.

[0029] The present invention provides a stylus pen, an electronic device, and an input system capable of communicating with a commercially available communication protocol.

[0030] The present invention provides a stylus pen capable of wireless charging with maximum efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0031] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of antenna loops formed spaced apart from each other on a substrate, wherein the plurality of antenna loops include a first antenna loop connecting a first pad and a second pad on the substrate, and a second antenna loop connecting a third pad and a fourth pad, and a flexible circuit board electrically connected to the first to fourth pads, wherein the flexible circuit board includes connecting wiring that connects the second pad and the third pad to each other, and a coil driver that applies drive signals to the first pad and the second pad.

[0032] A foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor and a loop coil located beneath the touch sensor, wherein the loop coil includes a ferrite sheet located in the region excluding the folding region that forms a curved surface in the folded state and an antenna loop located on the ferrite sheet.

[0033] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a resonant circuit including a loop coil and a capacitor connected in parallel with the loop coil, a cutoff capacitor connected in series with the resonant circuit, and a power supply that transmits a drive signal of a predetermined frequency to the cutoff capacitor.

[0034] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a loop coil and a coil driver that applies a drive signal of a predetermined frequency to both ends of the loop coil, the coil driver applying drive signals that are out of phase to both ends of the loop coil.

[0035] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor including touch electrodes and a loop coil with different distances between windings corresponding to the arrangement of the touch electrodes.

[0036] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a loop coil, a touch panel including a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in a first direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a coil driver that applies a coil drive signal to the loop coil, a drive receiving unit that applies drive signals to the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes and receives sensing signals from the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes, and a control unit that controls the coil driver to change the length of the section in which the coil driver operates based on the sensing signals output from the receiving unit.

[0037] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a loop coil, a display unit including a plurality of pixels, a display drive unit that applies a data signal and a scan signal to the plurality of pixels by a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, a plurality of touch electrodes located on the display unit, a drive receiving unit that applies a drive signal to the loop coil during a first interval and receives a sensing signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes during a second interval after the first interval, and a control unit that generates touch information using the sensing signal, wherein the drive signal is synchronized with at least one pulse of the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0038] The drive receiver unit can receive the sensing signal by being synchronized with the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0039] The control unit can generate touch information using a portion of the sensing signals received from a sensing section determined in correspondence with the horizontal synchronization signal in the sensing signal.

[0040] The control unit determines the sensing period to be the interval from the time the horizontal synchronization signal pulse is generated (after a preset 1st hour) to the time the horizontal synchronization signal pulse is generated (after a preset 2nd hour), and the preset 2nd hour can exceed the preset 1st hour.

[0041] The control unit can determine the sensing interval as the period in which the scan signal applied to one pixel among multiple pixels is received, excluding the enable level period.

[0042] The control unit can determine the sensing interval as the period excluding the time when a data signal is applied to one of the multiple pixels.

[0043] The drive receiving unit can receive the sensing signal at two points in time within one cycle of the drive signal frequency, where the phases are opposite to each other.

[0044] The control unit can generate touch information using the difference between the sensing signals received at two different points in time.

[0045] The display driver unit further applies a light emission control signal to control multiple pixels to emit light, and the two time points are within the period excluding the time when the light emission control signal applied to one of the multiple pixels transitions to the enable level.

[0046] The frequency of the drive signal is a constant multiple of 2 or more of the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0047] A touch device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a touch device on a display that displays a single frame of video by applying a scan signal and a data signal to a plurality of pixels using a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, and includes a touch sensor unit including a plurality of electrodes, a drive receiving unit that applies a drive signal to at least one of the plurality of electrodes during a first interval and receives a sensing signal having a predetermined phase difference from the drive signal from at least one of the plurality of electrodes during a second interval after the first interval, and a control unit that generates touch information using the sensing signal, wherein the drive signal is synchronized with at least one pulse of the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0048] The drive receiver unit can receive the sensing signal by being synchronized with the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0049] The control unit can generate touch information using a portion of the sensing signals received from a sensing section determined in correspondence with the horizontal synchronization signal in the sensing signal.

[0050] The control unit determines the sensing period to be the interval from the time the horizontal synchronization signal pulse is generated (after a preset 1st hour) to the time the horizontal synchronization signal pulse is generated (after a preset 2nd hour), and the preset 2nd hour can exceed the preset 1st hour.

[0051] The control unit can determine the sensing interval as the period in which the scan signal applied to one pixel among multiple pixels is received, excluding the enable level period.

[0052] The control unit can determine the sensing interval as the period excluding the time when a data signal is applied to one of the multiple pixels.

[0053] The drive receiving unit can receive the sensing signal at two points in time within one cycle of the drive signal frequency, where the phases are opposite to each other.

[0054] The control unit can generate touch information using the difference between the sensing signals received at two different points in time.

[0055] The frequency of the drive signal is a constant multiple of 2 or more of the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0056] A touch system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a stylus including a resonant circuit, a display including a display unit including a plurality of pixels and a display drive unit that applies data signals and scan signals to the plurality of pixels by a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, a plurality of touch electrodes located on the display unit, a drive receiving unit that applies a drive signal to a loop coil during a first interval and receives a sensing signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes during a second interval after the first interval, and a touch sensor including a control unit that generates touch information using the sensing signal, wherein the drive signal is synchronized with at least one pulse of the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal.

[0057] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a loop coil, a coil driver that applies a drive signal of a predetermined frequency to the loop coil, a touch electrode, and a touch drive unit that receives a sensing signal from the touch electrode, wherein the touch drive unit receives the sensing signal in a section where no drive signal is applied.

[0058] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a loop coil, a touch panel including a plurality of touch electrodes, and a drive / receive unit that applies a drive signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of a stylus pen to the loop coil and receives sensing signals from the plurality of touch electrodes, wherein the drive signal may include a first drive signal and a second drive signal having a different phase from the first drive signal.

[0059] A stylus pen according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, a conductive tip exposed to the outside within the main body, a ferrite core located within the main body, an inductor portion connected to the conductive tip and including a multilayer wound coil on at least a portion of the ferrite core, and a capacitor portion located within the main body and electrically connected to the inductor portion to form a resonant circuit.

[0060] A stylus pen according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a conductive tip (tip) in which at least a portion is exposed to the outside of the housing, a resonant circuit portion located inside the housing that resonates magnetic signals, and a conductive shielding member located corresponding to the portion of the housing in which the conductive tip is exposed to the outside.

[0061] A stylus pen according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, a conductive tip exposed to the outside within the main body, a grounding portion electrically connectable to the user, and a resonant circuit portion located within the main body and electrically connected between the conductive tip and the grounding portion, which includes at least one resonant circuit that resonates with electromagnetic signals of different frequencies transmitted through the main body and outputs resonant signals of different frequencies.

[0062] A stylus pen according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor for sensing an external input, a resonant circuit, and a controller that receives power from the resonant circuit and controls a resonant signal generated by the resonant circuit according to the sensing value of the sensor.

[0063] A stylus pen according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a resonant circuit, an inductor coupled to the resonant circuit by mutual inductance, and an active module coupled to the inductor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0064] The present invention has the advantage of being able to reduce the manufacturing cost of antenna modules and electronic devices containing them.

[0065] The present invention has the advantage of providing a thinner and smaller form factor.

[0066] It has the advantage of being able to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal output from the stylus pen.

[0067] The present invention has the advantage of being able to improve the reception sensitivity of touch input.

[0068] The present invention has the advantage of being able to calculate the touch position more accurately.

[0069] The present invention has the advantage of enabling palm rejection.

[0070] The present invention has the advantage of reducing the power consumption of antenna modules and electronic devices including them.

[0071] The present invention has the advantage of being able to increase the energy transmitted to the stylus pen.

[0072] According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the power necessary for using the stylus pen can be transmitted simultaneously with the use of the stylus pen, without the need for separate wireless charging to be performed beforehand.

[0073] The present invention has the advantage of being able to reduce the manufacturing cost of antenna modules and electronic devices containing them.

[0074] According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that energy consumption in the section where a drive signal is output to the touch sensor due to the resonance of the stylus pen can be reduced, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the touch sensor.

[0075] The present invention has the advantage of being able to improve the touch sensing performance of a stylus pen in a noise environment with a frequency band similar to the resonant signal of the stylus pen.

[0076] According to the present invention, by presenting an optimal structure for the resonant circuit of a stylus pen, it has the advantage of being able to generate a sufficient output signal even with a thin diameter.

[0077] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage in that a stylus pen can be provided that prevents unintended touch input.

[0078] The present invention has the advantage of providing a stylus pen that is robust against external factors.

[0079] The present invention has the advantage of being able to detect additional input from a user using a stylus pen.

[0080] According to the present invention, there is the advantage of being able to wirelessly charge the stylus pen while it is in use.

[0081] According to the present invention, there is the advantage of being able to charge the stylus pen faster.

[0082] The present invention has the advantage of reducing power consumption for charging the stylus pen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0083] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in general terms. [Figure 3] This figure shows a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the use of a stylus pen in an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of an antenna pattern being implemented on one surface of a circuit board. [Figure 6] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 7] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 8] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 9] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 10] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 11] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 12] This figure shows an antenna module according to the first embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 13] This figure shows an antenna module according to the first embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 14] This figure shows an antenna module according to the first embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 15] This figure shows an antenna module according to a second embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 16] This figure shows an antenna module according to a second embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 17] This figure shows an antenna module according to a third embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 18] This figure shows an antenna module according to a third embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 19] This figure shows an antenna module according to a fourth embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 20] This figure shows an antenna module according to a fourth embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same. [Figure 21] This figure shows an antenna module according to the fifth embodiment and a part of the electronic device including it. [Figure 22] This figure shows an antenna module according to the fifth embodiment and a part of the electronic device including it. [Figure 23] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and a foldable electronic device. [Figure 24] This diagram shows the case where a conventional stylus pen is used in a foldable electronic device. [Figure 25] This diagram shows the case where a conventional stylus pen is used in a foldable electronic device. [Figure 26] This figure shows a foldable electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 27] This figure shows a foldable electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 28] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 29] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 30] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 31] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 32]This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 33] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 34] This figure schematically shows a part of a touch module according to one embodiment. [Figure 35] This figure shows the drive signal of a loop coil and the resonance signal of a stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 36] This figure shows a foldable electronic device according to another embodiment. [Figure 37] This figure shows a foldable electronic device according to another embodiment. [Figure 38] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil according to another embodiment. [Figure 39] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil according to another embodiment. [Figure 40] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil according to another embodiment. [Figure 41] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil according to another embodiment. [Figure 42] This figure schematically shows a part of a touch module according to one embodiment. [Figure 43] This figure shows the case where a stylus pen is in close proximity to several positions in a foldable electronic device according to another embodiment. [Figure 44] This figure shows the drive signal for the loop coil and the resonance signal of the stylus pen according to the position of the stylus pen. [Figure 45] This figure schematically shows the magnetic field generated when the drive signal shown in Figure 44 is applied. [Figure 46] This figure schematically shows the magnetic field generated when the drive signal shown in Figure 44 is applied. [Figure 47] This figure schematically shows the magnetic field generated when the drive signal shown in Figure 44 is applied. [Figure 48] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil. [Figure 49] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil. [Figure 50] This figure shows a more detailed arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil shown in Figure 48. [Figure 51] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 52] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 53] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 54] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 55] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment. [Figure 56] This graph compares the touch signal and noise signal of one embodiment and a comparative example. [Figure 57] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in another embodiment. [Figure 58] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in another embodiment. [Figure 59] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in another embodiment. [Figure 60] This figure shows the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in another embodiment. [Figure 61] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 62] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 63] This figure shows an antenna module and stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 64]This diagram shows the drive signal applied by the coil driver to the loop coil and the resonant signal of the stylus pen. [Figure 65] This figure shows the drive signal applied to the loop coil and the resonant signal of the stylus pen in a coil driver according to one embodiment. [Figure 66] Figure 65 is a diagram that specifically illustrates the coil driver. [Figure 67] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch sensor and loop coil. [Figure 68] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch sensor and loop coil. [Figure 69] This diagram shows the arrangement of the touch sensor and loop coil. [Figure 70] This diagram shows a stylus pen in close proximity to an electronic device. [Figure 71] This diagram shows a stylus pen in close proximity to an electronic device. [Figure 72] This diagram shows a stylus pen in close proximity to an electronic device. [Figure 73] This diagram shows a stylus pen in close proximity to an electronic device. [Figure 74] This diagram shows a stylus pen in close proximity to an electronic device. [Figure 75] This diagram shows a state in which a stylus pen is in close proximity to an electronic device and is sending and receiving signals. [Figure 76] This diagram shows a state in which a stylus pen is in close proximity to an electronic device and is sending and receiving signals. [Figure 77] This is a conceptual diagram specifically illustrating the stylus pen shown in Figure 3 and the electronic device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 78] Figure 77 is a conceptual diagram specifically showing the inductor section of the stylus pen. [Figure 79] This figure shows the inductance and Q value as the frequency changes. [Figure 80] This is a diagram showing enameled wire. [Figure 81] This figure shows the Litz curve. [Figure 82] This diagram shows a multi-layer winding system. [Figure 83] This graph shows the results of a comparative experiment. [Figure 84] This graph shows the results of a comparative experiment. [Figure 85] This graph shows the results of a comparative experiment. [Figure 86] This figure shows another example of the inductor section of the stylus pen shown in Figure 77. [Figure 87] This graph shows the magnitude of the resonant signal due to the structure of the inductor. [Figure 88] This graph shows the magnitude of the resonant signal due to the structure of the inductor. [Figure 89] This figure shows another example of a resonant circuit. [Figure 90] This figure shows another example of a resonant circuit. [Figure 91] This diagram shows touch input using a stylus pen while it is hovering. [Figure 92] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and an electronic device when the stylus pen is held in the hand. [Figure 93] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing the stylus pen and electronic devices when the stylus pen is held. [Figure 94] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing the stylus pen and electronic devices when the stylus pen is held. [Figure 95] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a stylus pen. [Figure 96] This figure shows an example of eddy currents generated in a stylus pen, as shown in Figure 95. [Figure 97] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 98] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 99] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 100]This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 101] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 102] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 103] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 104] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 105] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 106] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the blocking member of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 107] This is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the blocking member of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 108] This figure shows touch input by hovering a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 109] This diagram shows the structure of the main body of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 110] This diagram shows the structure of the main body of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 111] This diagram shows the structure of the main body of a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 112] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen with an LLC structure. [Figure 113] This figure shows various examples of shielding members. [Figure 114] This diagram schematically shows the driving timing of a touch sensor according to one embodiment. [Figure 115] This figure shows the drive timing of the touch sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 116] This figure shows the drive timing of the touch sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 117] This figure shows the drive timing of the touch sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 118]This figure shows the drive timing of the touch sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 119] This is a waveform diagram showing a drive signal according to one embodiment. [Figure 120] This is a waveform diagram showing a drive signal according to one embodiment. [Figure 121] This is a waveform diagram showing a drive signal according to one embodiment. [Figure 122] This is a waveform diagram showing a drive signal according to one embodiment. [Figure 123] This is a waveform diagram showing a drive signal according to one embodiment. [Figure 124] This is a waveform diagram showing a drive signal according to one embodiment. [Figure 125] This is a flowchart showing a method for driving an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 126] This timing diagram shows an example of a horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync) and a drive signal using the drive method shown in Figure 125. [Figure 127] This is a block diagram schematically showing one embodiment of the display unit shown in Figure 2. [Figure 128] This figure shows the pixels of the display section in Figure 127. [Figure 129] This is a timing diagram showing an example of a drive signal used to drive the display unit in Figure 127. [Figure 130] This timing diagram shows the point in time when an electronic device according to one embodiment is synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal of the display unit in Figure 126 by the driving method in Figure 125 and receives a sensing signal. [Figure 131] This timing diagram shows the point in time when an electronic device according to one embodiment is synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal of the display unit in Figure 126 by the driving method in Figure 125 and receives a sensing signal. [Figure 132] This is a block diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the display unit in Figure 2. [Figure 133] This figure shows the pixels of the display section in Figure 132. [Figure 134]This timing diagram shows the point in time when an electronic device according to one embodiment is synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal of the display unit in Figure 132 by the driving method in Figure 125 and receives a sensing signal. [Figure 135] This flowchart shows a method for controlling an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 136] This figure shows the arrangement of a touch panel and loop coil in an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 137] This figure shows the drive signal applied to the loop coil and the resonant signal of the stylus pen in a coil driver according to one embodiment. [Figure 138] This figure shows the drive signal applied to the loop coil and the resonant signal of the stylus pen in a coil driver according to another embodiment. [Figure 139] This diagram illustrates the effect of noise on the touch sensing performance of a touch sensor. [Figure 140] This flowchart shows a touch detection method according to an embodiment. [Figure 141] This figure illustrates how to filter noise using the touch detection method shown in Figure 140. [Figure 142] This waveform diagram shows an example where a touch sensor outputs first and second drive signals that are out of phase with each other. [Figure 143] This waveform diagram shows an example where a touch sensor outputs first and second drive signals that are out of phase with each other. [Figure 144] This waveform diagram shows an example where a touch sensor outputs first and second drive signals that are out of phase with each other. [Figure 145] This waveform diagram shows an example where a touch sensor outputs first and second drive signals that are out of phase with each other. [Figure 146] This is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and a touch sensor that receives a sensing signal. [Figure 147] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 148]This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen that includes resonant circuits that resonate with drive signals having different frequencies. [Figure 149] This flowchart shows a method for controlling an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 150] Figure 149 shows a waveform diagram illustrating an example of drive signals and resonant signals corresponding to the control method of the electronic device. [Figure 151] This flowchart shows a method for controlling an electronic device according to another embodiment. [Figure 152] Figure 151 is a waveform diagram showing the drive signals according to the control method of the electronic device. [Figure 153] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 154] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 155] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 156] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 157] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 158] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 159] This figure shows a stylus pen and a part of an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 160] This is a flowchart showing the sensor input operation of a stylus pen and an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 161] Figure 160 shows a waveform diagram illustrating an example of the drive signal and resonant signal. [Figure 162] This is a flowchart showing the resonant frequency change operation of a stylus pen and an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 163] Figure 162 shows a waveform diagram illustrating an example of the drive signal and resonant signal. [Figure 164] This figure shows a stylus pen and a part of an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 165] This flowchart shows the sensor input operation of a stylus pen and an electronic device according to another embodiment. [Figure 166] This flowchart shows the resonant frequency modification operation of a stylus pen and an electronic device according to another embodiment. [Figure 167] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 168] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 169] This is a circuit diagram that shows the stylus pen in more detail, as shown in Figure 168. [Figure 170] This is a circuit diagram that shows the stylus pen in more detail, as shown in Figure 168. [Figure 171] This is a schematic circuit diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 172] This is a circuit diagram that shows the stylus pen in more detail, as shown in Figure 171. [Figure 173] This is a circuit diagram that shows the stylus pen in more detail, as shown in Figure 171. [Figure 174] This figure shows a stylus pen and a part of an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 175] This figure shows a stylus pen and a part of an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 176] This figure shows a stylus pen and a part of an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 177] This is a block diagram of the touch module and host. [Figure 178] This figure shows an example of touch data provided from a touch module to the host. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0084] Various embodiments of this specification will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this should not be understood as limiting the technology described herein to any particular embodiment, but rather as including various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the embodiments described herein. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for similar components.

[0085] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrary for illustrative purposes, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses are shown enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are shown exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

[0086] Furthermore, when we say that a layer, membrane, region, plate, or other part is "on top of" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly above" the other part, but also the case where there is yet another part in between. Conversely, when we say that one part is "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Also, "on top of" the part in question means that it is located above or below the part in question, and does not necessarily mean that it is located on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0087] In this specification, terms such as “having,” “may have,” “include,” or “may include” indicate the presence of a corresponding feature (e.g., a component such as a numerical value, function, operation, or part) and do not exclude the presence of additional functions.

[0088] In this specification, terms such as “A or B,” “A or / and at least one of B,” or “one or more of A or / and B” include all possible combinations of the items listed with them. For example, “A or B,” “A and at least one of B,” or “at least one of A or B” means (1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including at least one A and at least one B.

[0089] The terms "first" and "second" used herein may refer to a variety of components, regardless of procedure and / or importance, and are used to distinguish one component from another without limiting the components. For example, the first user device and the second user device refer to each other's user devices, regardless of procedure or importance. For example, the first component may be named as the second component without departing from the scope of the invention, and similarly, the second component may be named as the first component.

[0090] When a component (e.g., component 1) is "coupled with / to" or "connected to" another component (e.g., component 2), it will be understood that the component can be directly coupled with the other component, or connected via another component (e.g., component 3). Conversely, when a component (e.g., component 1) is "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component (e.g., component 2), it will be understood that there is no other component (e.g., component 3) in between the two components.

[0091] As used herein, the expression “configured to” is interchangeable with, depending on the context, “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of.” The term “configured to” does not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” at the hardware level. Instead, the expression “a device configured from” means that the device is “capable” to perform certain actions in conjunction with other devices or components. For example, “a processor configured to perform A, B, and C” means a dedicated processor for performing those actions (e.g., an embedded processor) or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that can perform those actions by running one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

[0092] The terms used herein are merely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Terms used herein, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealistic or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein. In some cases, terms defined herein should not be interpreted in a way that excludes the embodiments described herein.

[0093] The various embodiments of this specification may include, for example, at least one of the following: smartphones, tablet personal computers, mobile phones, video phones, e-book readers, laptop personal computers, netbook computers, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. According to the various embodiments, wearable devices may include at least one of the following: accessory types (e.g., watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted displays (HMDs)), textile or clothing-integrated types (e.g., electronic clothing), body-worn types (e.g., skin pads or tattoos), and bio-implantable types (e.g., implantable circuits).

[0094] The following describes an electronic device and its driving method according to an embodiment, with reference to the drawings.

[0095] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and an electronic device, Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the electronic device, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

[0096] As shown in Figure 1, the stylus pen 10 can receive signals output from the electronic device 2 or the touchscreen 20 around the touchscreen 20 of the electronic device 2 and transmit signals to the touchscreen 20.

[0097] The electronic device 2 includes a wireless communication unit 210, a memory 220, an interface unit 230, a power supply unit 240, a display unit 250, a touch module 260, and a control unit 270, among others. The components shown in Figure 2 are not necessarily required to embody the electronic device, so the electronic device described herein may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

[0098] More specifically, among the components, the wireless communication unit 210 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the electronic device 2 and a wireless communication system, between the electronic device 2 and other electronic devices 2, or between the electronic device 2 and an external server. The wireless communication unit 210 may also include one or more modules that connect the electronic device 2 to one or more networks.

[0099] Such a wireless communication unit 210 may include a wireless internet module 211 and a short-range communication module 212, etc.

[0100] The wireless internet module 211 is a module for wireless internet connectivity and is built into the electronic device 2. The wireless internet module 211 is configured to send and receive wireless signals from a communication network using wireless internet technology. Examples of wireless internet technologies include WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access), NR (New Radio), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced). The wireless internet module 211 will send and receive data using at least one wireless internet technology, including internet technologies not listed above.

[0101] The short-range communication module 212 is for short-range communication and uses Bluetooth. TMThe short-range communication module 212 can support short-range communication using at least one of the following technologies: RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus). Such a short-range communication module 212 can support wireless communication between the electronic device 2 and a wireless communication system, between the electronic device 2 and a wireless communication-capable device, or between the electronic device 2 and a network where an external server is located, via a Wireless Area Network. The said Near-Range Wireless Network may be a Wireless Personal Area Network.

[0102] Here, the wireless communication device may be a mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone, tablet PC, notebook, etc.) that can exchange (or interact with) data with the electronic device 2 according to the present invention. The short-range communication module 212 can sense (or recognize) wireless communication devices capable of communicating with the electronic device 2 in the vicinity of the electronic device 2. Furthermore, if the sensed wireless communication device is a device authenticated to communicate with the electronic device 2 according to one embodiment, the control unit 270 can transmit at least a portion of the data processed by the electronic device 2 to the wireless communication device via the short-range communication module 212. Therefore, a user of the wireless communication device can access the data processed by the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication device.

[0103] Furthermore, memory 220 stores data that supports the various functions of electronic device 2. Memory 220 can store numerous application programs or applications driven by electronic device 2, data for the operation of electronic device 2, and instruction words.

[0104] The interface unit 230 serves as a passage for various types of external devices connected to the electronic device 2. Such an interface unit 230 may include at least one of the following: a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device equipped with an identification module, an audio I / O (input / output) port, a video I / O port, or an earphone port.

[0105] Under the control of the control unit 270, the power supply unit 240 receives external and internal power, supplying power to each component included in the electronic device 2. Such a power supply unit 240 includes a battery, which may be an internal battery or a removable battery.

[0106] The display unit 250 displays (outputs) information processed by the electronic device 2. For example, the display unit 250 can display execution screen information of an application program driven by the electronic device 2, or UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) information based on such execution screen information.

[0107] The display unit 250 may include LCD (liquid crystal display), OLED (organic light emitting diode) display, e-ink display, quantum dot light emitting display, micro-LED (light emitting diode) display, and the like.

[0108] The display unit 250 includes a display panel 251 that displays images, and a display controller 252 that is connected to the display panel 251 and supplies signals to the display panel 251 for displaying images. For example, the display panel 251 may have multiple pixels connected by signal lines such as multiple scan lines and multiple data lines, and a scan drive / receive unit that supplies scan signals via the scan lines. The display controller 252 may include a data drive IC that generates data signals to be applied to the data lines, a timing controller that processes video signals and controls the overall operation of the display unit 250, a power management IC, and the like.

[0109] The touch module 260 senses touches (or touch inputs) applied to the touch area using a capacitive method. For example, the touch module 260 is configured to convert changes in capacitance, voltage, or current occurring at a specific location into electrical input signals. The touch module 260 is configured to detect the position, area, and capacitance at the time of touch of a touch object that applies a touch to the touch area. Here, the touch object is an object that applies a touch to the touch sensor, and may be, for example, a part of the user's body (fingers, palm, etc.), or a passive or active stylus pen 10.

[0110] The touch module 260 includes a touch sensor 261 on which touch electrodes are located, and a touch controller 262 that applies a drive signal to the touch sensor 261, receives a sensing signal from the touch sensor 261, and transmits touch data to the control unit 270 and / or the display controller 252.

[0111] The touch controller 262 may include a first drive / receive unit connected to at least one of a plurality of first touch electrodes to apply a drive signal and receive a sensing signal, a second drive / receive unit connected to at least one of a plurality of second touch electrodes to apply a drive signal and receive a sensing signal, and an MCU (micro control unit) that controls the operation of the first drive / receive unit and the second drive / receive unit and acquires the touch position using the sensing signals output from the first and second drive / receive units.

[0112] The display panel 251 is formed in an interlayer structure with the touch sensor 261, or as an integrated unit, and may also be referred to as the touchscreen 20.

[0113] The touch module 260 further includes a loop coil 264 and a coil driver 263 that applies a drive signal to the loop coil 264. The loop coil 264 may be positioned around the touchscreen 20 or at any location within the electronic device 2. The loop coil 264 may also consist of an antenna for a near-field communication module 212, such as RFID or NFC. The drive signal includes an AC voltage or AC current having a predetermined frequency.

[0114] The control unit 270 controls the drive of the electronic device 2 and can output touch coordinate information in response to the touch detection result of the electronic device 2. Furthermore, the control unit 270 can change the frequency of the drive signal in response to the touch detection result.

[0115] In addition to operations related to the application program, the control unit 270 typically controls the overall operation of the electronic device 2. The control unit 270 can provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user by processing signals, data, information, etc. that are input or output via the above-described components, or by driving application programs stored in the memory 220.

[0116] Furthermore, the control unit 270 can control at least some of the components shown in Figure 2 in order to drive the application program stored in the memory 220. In addition, the control unit 270 can operate at least two or more of the components included in the electronic device 2 in combination with each other in order to drive the application program.

[0117] Figure 3 shows a stylus pen according to an embodiment. The stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c include a conductive tip 11 and a resonant circuit section 12.

[0118] The conductive tip 11 may, but may not be, be formed of at least a portion of a conductive material (e.g., metal, conductive rubber, conductive fabric, conductive silicone, etc.).

[0119] The resonant circuit section 12 is an LC resonant circuit and can resonate with the drive signal output from the loop coil 264. The drive signal may include a signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit section 12 (e.g., a sine wave, a square wave, etc.). For resonance, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit section 12 and the frequency of the drive signal must be the same or very similar. The resonant frequencies of the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c are determined by the design value of the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c. When the loop coil 264 generates a magnetic field due to the drive signal, the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 resonates using the signal received due to the change in the magnetic field.

[0120] The elements of the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c are housed in a housing. The housing may have, but is not limited to, a cylindrical, polygonal prism, a columnar shape with at least a curved surface, an entasis shape, a frustum of pyramid shape, a circular truncated cone shape, and the like. Since the housing is hollow inside, it can house the elements of the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c, such as the conductive tip 11 and the resonant circuit section 12. Such a housing is made of a non-conductive material.

[0121] The stylus pen 10a shown in Figure 3(a) may include a conductive tip 11 and a resonant circuit 12 directly connected to the conductive tip 11. The resonant circuit 12 resonates using energy transmitted from the loop coil 264, and the resonant energy is output directly through the conductive tip 11.

[0122] During the section in which a drive signal is input to the loop coil 264 and the section thereafter, a resonant signal due to resonance is output to the touchscreen 20 through the conductive chip 11. The resonant circuit section 12 is located inside the housing and is electrically connected to the ground.

[0123] The stylus pen 10b shown in Figure 3(b) includes a conductive tip 11, a resonant circuit section 12, a rectifier 13, a power storage 14, and an active circuit section 15. The stylus pen 10 may also further include a sensor (not shown) and / or a communication module (not shown).

[0124] The resonant circuit section 12 resonates using the energy transmitted from the loop coil 264, and the resonant energy is rectified by the rectifier 13 and can be used to charge the power storage 14. The power storage 14 includes a rechargeable battery or a capacitor such as an EDLC (electric double layered capacitor).

[0125] The active circuit section 15 receives power from the power storage 14, allowing it to modify the magnitude, frequency, and phase of the resonant signal transmitted to the touchscreen 20. Furthermore, the active circuit section 15 can transmit additional signals other than touch input to the short-range communication module 212 of the electronic device 2.

[0126] The stylus pen 10c shown in Figure 3(c) includes a conductive tip 11, a resonant circuit section 12, a battery 50 connected to the resonant circuit section 12 for storing power, and an active stylus module 60 connected to the conductive tip 11.

[0127] The resonant circuit section 12 resonates using the energy transmitted from the loop coil 264, and the resonant energy can be used to charge the battery 50. Power is transmitted from the battery 50 to the active stylus module 60, which can transmit signals to the touchscreen 20.

[0128] Figure 4 shows an example of using a stylus pen in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0129] As shown in Figure 4, the touchscreen 20 of the electronic device includes a display panel 251, a touch sensor 261 on the display panel 251, and a loop coil 264 below the display panel 251.

[0130] The touch sensor 261 may include a substrate 23, a touch electrode layer 21 on the substrate, and a window 22 on the touch electrode layer 21.

[0131] The substrate 23 may be the sealing substrate for the display panel 251 or the color filter substrate for the display panel 251, and it is preferable that it be made of a transparent material.

[0132] The touch electrode layer 21 includes a plurality of first touch electrodes for detecting touch coordinates in a first direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes for detecting touch coordinates in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In Figure 4, the touch electrode layer 21 is shown as a single layer, but the first and second touch electrodes may be arranged in different layers, may be arranged overlapping each other, may be arranged without overlapping each other, and there may be another layer between the first and second touch electrodes, but are not limited to these.

[0133] A window 22 may be located on the touch electrode layer 21. The touch electrode layer 21, the conductive chip 11, and the window 22 can form a capacitance. Therefore, a signal generated by the stylus pen 10 (a resonant signal or an active touch signal) is transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21 via the capacitance.

[0134] The loop coil 264 includes a substrate 24 on which the antenna loop is arranged and a ferrite sheet 25. The antenna loop is made of a conductive material such as copper or silver. As will be described later, in Figures 14 to 19, the antenna loop can be located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21 in addition to the substrate 24. In this case, the antenna loop is made of a conductive material exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as ITO, graphene, or silver nanowire. Also, the antenna loop is located below the window 22, in which case the substrate 24 may not be included in the loop coil 264.

[0135] The substrate 24 is mounted on the rear surface of the display panel 251. The substrate 24 may be located on the rear surface of the display panel 251. The substrate 24 may be a single-layer PCB (single-layer FPCB), such as a single-side PCB, a double-side PCB, or a multilayer PCB, but preferably a single-layer FPCB, such as a single-side FPCB or a double-side FPCB, in order to achieve a thinner and smaller touchscreen 20. Since such a single-side FPCB can be made thinner, it can also be used in bendable, foldable, and stretchable electronic devices. In Figure 4, the substrates 23 and 24 may be FPCBs or rigid PCBs.

[0136] If the substrate 24 is composed of a double-sided FPCB, a conductive layer may be located on the other side of the surface where the antenna loop is located. The conductive layer is made of a conductive material and may be, for example, a copper clad layer.

[0137] The substrate 24 may include a base film. The base film is made of a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, or another known flexible material. The base film may be flexible. The base film may have at least one antenna loop formed by at least one wiring.

[0138] The antenna loop 241 formed on the substrate 24 will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0139] Figure 5 shows an example of an antenna pattern being implemented on one surface of a substrate.

[0140] Referring to Figure 5, the antenna loop 241 is formed on the base film 242 by conductive wiring. For example, the antenna loop may be printed on the base film 242 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering. The method for positioning the antenna loop on the base film 242 is not limited to the above description.

[0141] Due to the design value of the inductance of the antenna loop 241 and its radiation performance, the antenna loop 241 has a spiral pattern. However, if the spiral pattern is realized on only one surface of the base film 242, there is a problem that the wiring of the antenna loop 241 will be short-circuited at one point (SP) on that surface of the base film 242. It is considered to realize such a spiral pattern using a double-sided PCB. For example, an opening or hole is formed in the base film 242, and the wiring located on one surface is connected to the wiring located on the other surface through the opening or hole. However, if copper foil is attached to the other surface of the double-sided PCB, a problem may arise in which the wiring located on the other surface and the copper foil come into contact with each other or are electrically connected.

[0142] Next, with reference to Figures 6 to 13, we will explain an example of how a stylus pen and an electronic device send and receive signals.

[0143] Figures 6 to 11 are schematic circuit diagrams showing a stylus pen and electronic devices.

[0144] The resonant circuit section 12 in Figure 3 can be represented by an equivalent circuit including a resistor Rp, an inductor Lp, and a capacitor Cp, or by an equivalent circuit including a resistor Rs, an inductor Ls, and a capacitor Cs.

[0145] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the loop coil L0 forms a magnetic field due to the power supply 40 that transmits the drive signal, a current is induced in the inductor Lp of the stylus pen 10, causing the resonant circuit section 12 to resonate.

[0146] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, when the loop coil and internal capacitor resonate due to the power supply 40 that transmits the drive signal, the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 can also resonate with each other, with the loop coil and internal capacitor resonating together.

[0147] Figure 8 shows the case where the loop coil Ldp and the internal capacitor Cdp are connected in parallel, and the resistor Rp, inductor Lp, and capacitor Cp of the resonant circuit section 12 are connected in parallel.

[0148] Figure 9 shows the case where the loop coil Ldp and the internal capacitor Cdp are connected in parallel, and the resistor Rs, inductor Ls, and capacitor Cs of the resonant circuit section 12 are connected in series.

[0149] Figure 10 shows the case where the loop coil Lds and the internal capacitor Cds are connected in series, and the resistor Rp, inductor Lp, and capacitor Cp of the resonant circuit section 12 are connected in parallel.

[0150] Figure 11 shows the case where the loop coil Lds and the internal capacitor Cds are connected in series, and the resistor Rs, inductor Ls, and capacitor Cs of the resonant circuit section 12 are connected in series.

[0151] Next, with reference to Figures 12 to 22, we will describe the spiral pattern antenna loop realized on a single plane according to the present invention. Hereafter, we will omit the explanation of components identical to those described in Figure 4.

[0152] Figures 12 to 14 show an antenna module according to the first embodiment and a part of the electronic device including it.

[0153] As shown in Figure 12, multiple sub-antenna loops 241a and 241b are located on the base film 242. The antenna loops 241 may be formed from conductive materials exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as ITO, graphene, or silver nanowires.

[0154] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 13, it is shown that multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b are located on one surface of the base film 242 spaced apart from the ferrite sheet 25, but this is not limited to this view.

[0155] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a and 241b is spaced apart from each other on one surface of the base film 242 and does not come into direct contact with one another. The first sub-antenna loop 241a has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243a among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243b. The second sub-antenna loop 241b has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243c among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243d.

[0156] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although it has been shown that each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b is generally rectangular, they may have, and are not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or polygonal with rounded corners.

[0157] Furthermore, the first sub-antenna loop 241a is located at the outer corner of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The first sub-antenna loop 241a may have an extended form along the periphery of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The shortest distance between adjacent first sub-antenna loops 241a and second sub-antenna loops 241b may be the same on one surface of the base film 242, but is not limited thereto. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be wirings of the same width, but is not limited thereto. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be manufactured from the same material, but is not limited thereto.

[0158] The flexible circuit board 27 is connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d of the base film 242. The flexible circuit board 27 may also be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). A coil driver 263 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 27.

[0159] The flexible circuit board 27 is electrically connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) on the flexible circuit board 27, which are connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and a connecting line 272, are connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d via a connector 26. The connector 26 may be a ZIF connector (zero insertion force connector), a BTB connector (board-to-board connector), or the like, but is not limited to these. A socket for the connector 26 is formed on the substrate 24, and by inserting the flexible circuit board 27 into the socket of the connector 26, the multiple pads (not shown) and the multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are electrically connected to each other.

[0160] As another example, multiple pads (not shown) on a flexible circuit board 27 can be bonded to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) on a flexible circuit board 27 connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and a connecting line 272, and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are bonded to each other using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) in an outer lead bonding (OLB) manner.

[0161] In addition, various connection methods are used for the electrical and physical connection of multiple pads (not shown) of the flexible circuit board 27 and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d.

[0162] The flexible circuit board 27 includes a plurality of signal transmission lines 271a, 271b located on one side of the board and connecting lines 272 located on the other side. Such lines 271a, 271b, 272 can be printed by methods such as photolithography or sputtering. The method for positioning the lines 271a, 271b, 272 on the flexible circuit board 27 is not limited to the above description. Furthermore, although it has been described above that the signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and the connecting lines 272 are arranged on both sides of a single board, they may be arranged on different boards, and are not limited to this.

[0163] Each signal transmission wire 271a connects the pad 243a connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a to the coil driver 263, and the signal transmission wire 271b connects the pad 243d connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b to the coil driver 263.

[0164] The connecting wire 272 connects pad 243b, which is connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a, and pad 243c, which is connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b. In other words, the first sub-antenna loop 241a and the second sub-antenna loop 241b are electrically connected to each other through the connecting wire 272 located on the flexible circuit board 27. Therefore, the current drawn from the coil driver 263 through the signal transmission wire 271a to pad 243a flows in the following order: first sub-antenna loop 241a, pad 243b, connecting wire 272, pad 243c, second sub-antenna loop 241b, pad 243d, and then back to the signal transmission wire 271b.

[0165] In other words, according to one embodiment of the antenna module, even without forming wiring in a spiral pattern on the base film 242, it has substantially the same effect as an antenna loop formed in a spiral pattern. In such an antenna module, since all the wiring is formed on one surface of the base film 242, a copper foil layer can be formed on the other surface, which reduces manufacturing costs and has the effect of making the touchscreen 20 thinner and smaller.

[0166] The above description illustrates an example of achieving a spiral pattern using two sub-antenna loops. However, depending on the design, it is also possible to achieve a spiral pattern using three or more sub-antenna loops by connecting each sub-antenna loop using connecting wiring 272 formed on the multilayer substrate of the flexible circuit board 27.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of antenna loops can be arranged on the touch screen 20. The first sub-antenna loop 241a, the connection wiring 272a, and the second sub-antenna loop 241b form the first antenna loop in a spiral pattern. The third sub-antenna loop 241c, the connection wiring 272b, and the fourth sub-antenna loop 241d form the second antenna loop in a spiral pattern. The first antenna loop and the second antenna loop are spaced apart from each other in the y-axis direction. Here, the ferrite sheet 25 can be individually arranged in each of the regions where the first antenna loop is arranged and the region where the second antenna loop is arranged.

[0168] The coil driver 263 can apply a driving signal having the same or similar phase to the first antenna loop and the second antenna loop, apply a driving signal having an opposite phase, or selectively drive them.

[0169] FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams showing an antenna module according to the second embodiment and a part of an electronic device including the same.

[0170] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a loop coil 264 including an antenna loop 241 arranged in the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21 when the touch sensor 261 is embodied as an on-cell type touch sensor.

[0171] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the loop coil 264 includes an antenna loop 241 located in the touch electrode layer 21 and a ferrite sheet 25 located under the display panel 251.

[0172] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B' in Figure 15. As shown in Figure 16, the antenna loops 241a, 241b and the touch electrode layer 21 are arranged on the same layer on the sealing substrate 23 of the display panel 251. The antenna loops 241a, 241b can also be made from the same material as the first and second touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. For example, the antenna loops 241a, 241b can be formed from conductive materials exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as ITO, graphene, or silver nanowires. However, the antenna loops 241a, 241b can be located on a different layer from the touch electrode layer 21 and can be made from different materials than the first and second touch electrodes.

[0173] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a and 241b is spaced apart from each other on one surface of the sealing substrate 23 and does not come into direct contact with one another. The first sub-antenna loop 241a has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243a among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243b. The second sub-antenna loop 241b has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243c among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243d. Meanwhile, the first and second touch electrodes are connected to pad 243e.

[0174] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although it has been shown that each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b is generally rectangular, they may have, and are not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or polygonal with rounded corners.

[0175] Furthermore, the first sub-antenna loop 241a is located at the outer corner of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The first sub-antenna loop 241a may have an extended form along the periphery of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The shortest distance between adjacent first sub-antenna loops 241a and second sub-antenna loops 241b may be the same on one surface of the sealing substrate 23, but is not limited thereto. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be wirings of the same width, but is not limited thereto. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be manufactured from the same material, but is not limited thereto.

[0176] The flexible circuit board 27 is connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d of the encapsulating substrate 23.

[0177] Multiple pads (not shown) of the flexible circuit board 27, which are connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and connecting lines 272, are electrically connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. Multiple pads (not shown) can be bonded to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d can be connected using an outer lead bonding (OLB) method with an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) or the like.

[0178] In addition, various connection methods are used for the electrical and physical connection of multiple pads (not shown) and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d.

[0179] The flexible circuit board 27 includes a plurality of signal transmission lines 271a, 271b located on one side of the board and connecting lines 272 located on the other side. Such lines 271a, 271b, 272 can be printed by methods such as photolithography and sputtering. The method for positioning the lines 271a, 271b, 272 on the flexible circuit board 27 is not limited to the above description. Furthermore, although it has been described above that the signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and the connecting lines 272 are located on both sides of a single board, they can also be located on different boards, and are not limited to this.

[0180] Each signal transmission wire 271a connects the pad 243a connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a to the coil driver 263, and the signal transmission wire 271b connects the pad 243d connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b to the coil driver 263.

[0181] The connecting wire 272 connects pad 243b, which is connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a, and pad 243c, which is connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b. In other words, the first sub-antenna loop 241a and the second sub-antenna loop 241b are electrically connected to each other through the connecting wire 272 located on the flexible circuit board 27. Therefore, the current drawn from the coil driver 263 through the signal transmission wire 271a to pad 243a flows in the following order: first sub-antenna loop 241a, pad 243b, connecting wire 272, pad 243c, second sub-antenna loop 241b, pad 243d, and then back to the signal transmission wire 271b.

[0182] In other words, according to one embodiment of the antenna module, even without forming wiring in a spiral pattern on the sealing substrate 23, it has substantially the same effect as an antenna loop formed in a spiral pattern. Since all the wiring in such an antenna module is formed on one surface of the sealing substrate 23, manufacturing costs are reduced, and the touchscreen 20 can be made thinner and smaller.

[0183] Figures 17 and 18 show an antenna module according to a third embodiment and a portion of the electronic device including it.

[0184] Figures 17 and 18 show a loop coil 264 including an antenna loop 241 located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21, when the touch sensor 261 is implemented as an in-cell type touch sensor.

[0185] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the loop coil 264 includes an antenna loop 241 located in the touch electrode layer 21 and a ferrite sheet 25 located beneath the display panel 251.

[0186] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C' in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 18, the antenna loops 241a, 241b and the touch electrode layer 21 can be located on the same layer between the color filter substrate 23 and the TFT substrate of the display panel 251. The touch electrode layer 21 and the antenna loops 241a, 241b can all be located above and below the color filter substrate 23.

[0187] The antenna loops 241a and 241b can also be manufactured from the same material as the first and second touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. For example, the antenna loops 241a and 241b can be formed from conductive materials exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as ITO, graphene, or silver nanowires. However, the antenna loops 241a and 241b may be placed in a different layer from the touch electrode layer 21 and can be manufactured from different materials than the first and second touch electrodes.

[0188] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a and 241b is spaced apart from each other on one surface of the color filter substrate 23 and does not come into direct contact with one another. The first sub-antenna loop 241a has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243a among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243b. The second sub-antenna loop 241b has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243c among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243d. Meanwhile, the first and second touch electrodes are connected to pad 243e.

[0189] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although it has been shown that each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b is generally rectangular, they may have, and are not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or polygonal with rounded corners.

[0190] Furthermore, the first sub-antenna loop 241a is located at the outer corner of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The first sub-antenna loop 241a may have an extended form along the periphery of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The shortest distance between adjacent first sub-antenna loops 241a and second sub-antenna loops 241b may be the same on one surface of the color filter substrate 23, but is not limited to this. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may have wiring of the same width, but is not limited to this. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be manufactured from the same material, but is not limited to this.

[0191] The flexible circuit board 27 is connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d of the color filter board 23.

[0192] The plurality of pads (not shown) of the flexible circuit board 27 connected to the plurality of signal transmission wirings 271a, 271b and the connection wiring 272 are electrically connected to the plurality of pads 243a, 243b, 243c, 243d. The plurality of pads (not shown) can be bonded to the plurality of pads 243a, 243b, 243c, 243d. For example, the plurality of pads (not shown) and the plurality of pads 243a, 243b, 243c, 243d are connected by an outer lead bonding (OLB) method using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) or the like.

[0193] In addition, various connection methods for the electrical and physical connection between the plurality of pads (not shown) and the plurality of pads 243a, 243b, 243c, 243d are used.

[0194] The flexible circuit board 27 includes a plurality of signal transmission wirings 271a, 271b located on one surface of the board and a connection wiring 272 located on the other surface. Such wirings 271a, 271b, 272 can be printed by methods such as photolithography, sputtering, etc. The method for positioning the wirings 271a, 271b, 272 on the flexible circuit board 27 is not limited to the above description. Also, although it has been described above that the signal transmission wirings 271a, 271b and the connection wiring 272 are respectively arranged on both sides of one substrate, they can also be respectively located on different substrates, and are not limited thereto.

[0195] Each of the signal transmission wirings 271a connects the pad 243a connected to the first sub - antenna loop 241a and the coil driver 263, and the signal transmission wiring 271b connects the pad 243d connected to the second sub - antenna loop 241b and the coil driver 263.

[0196] The connecting wire 272 connects pad 243b, which is connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a, and pad 243c, which is connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b. In other words, the first sub-antenna loop 241a and the second sub-antenna loop 241b are electrically connected to each other through the connecting wire 272 located on the flexible circuit board 27. Therefore, the current drawn from the coil driver 263 through the signal transmission wire 271a to pad 243a flows in the following order: first sub-antenna loop 241a, pad 243b, connecting wire 272, pad 243c, second sub-antenna loop 241b, pad 243d, and then back to the signal transmission wire 271b.

[0197] In other words, according to one embodiment of the antenna module, even without forming wiring in a spiral pattern on the color filter substrate 23, it has substantially the same effect as an antenna loop formed in a spiral pattern. Since all the wiring in such an antenna module is formed on one surface of the color filter substrate 23, manufacturing costs are reduced, and the touchscreen 20 can be made thinner and smaller.

[0198] Figures 19 and 20 show an antenna module according to a fourth embodiment and some of the electronic devices including it.

[0199] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the loop coil 264 includes antenna loops 241a and 241b located below the window 22, a ferrite sheet 25a located below the display panel 251, and a ferrite sheet 25b located below the antenna loops 241a and 241b.

[0200] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D' in Figure 19. As shown in Figure 20, the antenna loops 241a and 241b are printed onto the window 22 by methods such as photolithography and sputtering, or printed onto a sheet by methods such as photolithography and sputtering and attached to the window 22, and the method for positioning the antenna loops 241a and 241b on the window 22 is not limited to the above description.

[0201] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a and 241b is spaced apart from each other on one plane of the window 22 and does not come into direct contact with one another. The first sub-antenna loop 241a has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243a among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243b. The second sub-antenna loop 241b has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243c among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243d.

[0202] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although it has been shown that each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b is generally rectangular, they may have, and are not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or polygonal with rounded corners.

[0203] Furthermore, the first sub-antenna loop 241a is located at the outer corner of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The first sub-antenna loop 241a may have an extended form along the periphery of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The shortest distance between adjacent first sub-antenna loops 241a and second sub-antenna loops 241b may be the same on one surface of the window 22, but is not limited thereto. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be wiring of the same width, but is not limited thereto. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be manufactured from the same material, but is not limited thereto.

[0204] The flexible circuit board 27 is connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. The flexible circuit board 27 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a chip-on-film (COF). Since a coil driver 263 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 27, the following description will focus on the case where the flexible circuit board 27 is a chip-on-film (COF).

[0205] The flexible circuit board 27 is electrically connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) on the flexible circuit board 27, which are connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and a connecting line 272, are connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d via a connector 26. The connector 26 may be, but is not limited to, a ZIF connector (zero insertion force connector) or a BTB connector (board-to-board connector). A socket for the connector 26 is formed in the window 24, and by inserting the flexible circuit board 27 into the socket of the connector 26, the multiple pads (not shown) and the multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are electrically connected to each other.

[0206] As another example, multiple pads (not shown) on a flexible circuit board 27 can be bonded to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) on a flexible circuit board 27 connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and a connecting line 272, and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are bonded to each other using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) in an outer lead bonding (OLB) manner.

[0207] In addition, various connection methods are used for the electrical and physical connection of multiple pads (not shown) and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d.

[0208] The flexible circuit board 27 includes a plurality of signal transmission lines 271a, 271b located on one side of the board and connecting lines 272 located on the other side. Such lines 271a, 271b, 272 can be printed by methods such as photolithography or sputtering. The method for positioning the lines 271a, 271b, 272 on the flexible circuit board 27 is not limited to the above description. Furthermore, although it has been described above that the signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and the connecting lines 272 are arranged on both sides of a single board, they may be arranged on different boards, and are not limited to this.

[0209] Each signal transmission wire 271a connects the pad 243a connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a to the coil driver 263, and the signal transmission wire 271b connects the pad 243d connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b to the coil driver 263.

[0210] The connecting wire 272 connects pad 243b, which is connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a, and pad 243c, which is connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b. In other words, the first sub-antenna loop 241a and the second sub-antenna loop 241b are electrically connected to each other through the connecting wire 272 located on the flexible circuit board 27. Therefore, the current drawn from the coil driver 263 through the signal transmission wire 271a to pad 243a flows in the following order: first sub-antenna loop 241a, pad 243b, connecting wire 272, pad 243c, second sub-antenna loop 241b, pad 243d, and then back to the signal transmission wire 271b.

[0211] In other words, according to one embodiment of the antenna module, even without forming wiring in a spiral pattern on the base film 242, it has substantially the same effect as an antenna loop formed in a spiral pattern. Since all the wiring in such an antenna module is formed on one surface of the window 22, manufacturing costs are reduced, and the touchscreen 20 can be made thinner and smaller.

[0212] Figures 21 and 22 show an antenna module according to a fifth embodiment and a portion of the electronic device including it.

[0213] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the loop coil 264 includes antenna loops 241a and 241b located beneath the display panel 251, and a ferrite sheet 25 located beneath the antenna loops 241a and 241b and the display panel 251.

[0214] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D' in Figure 21. As shown in Figure 22, the antenna loops 241a and 241b may be printed onto the display panel 251 by methods such as photolithography and sputtering, and the method for positioning the antenna loops 241a and 241b on the display panel 251 is not limited to the above description.

[0215] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a and 241b is spaced apart from each other on one surface of the display panel 251 and does not come into direct contact with one another. The first sub-antenna loop 241a has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243a among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243b. The second sub-antenna loop 241b has one end connected to a corresponding pad 243c among the multiple pads and the other end connected to a corresponding pad 243d. The multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are formed on one surface of the display panel 251.

[0216] Each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although it has been shown that each of the multiple sub-antenna loops 241a, 241b is generally rectangular, they may have, and are not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or polygonal with rounded corners.

[0217] Furthermore, the first sub-antenna loop 241a is located at the outer corner of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The first sub-antenna loop 241a may have an extended form along the periphery of the second sub-antenna loop 241b. The shortest distance between adjacent first sub-antenna loops 241a and second sub-antenna loops 241b may be the same on one surface of the display panel 251, but is not limited to this. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be wiring of the same width, but is not limited to this. The first sub-antenna loop 241a and second sub-antenna loop 241b may be manufactured from the same material, but is not limited to this.

[0218] The flexible circuit board 27 is connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. The flexible circuit board 27 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a chip-on-film (COF). Since a coil driver 263 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 27, the following description will focus on the case where the flexible circuit board 27 is a chip-on-film (COF).

[0219] The flexible circuit board 27 is electrically connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) on the flexible circuit board 27, which are connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and a connecting line 272, are connected to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d via a connector 26. The connector 26 may be, but is not limited to, a ZIF connector (zero insertion force connector) or a BTB connector (board-to-board connector). A socket for the connector 26 is formed in the display panel 251, and by inserting the flexible circuit board 27 into the socket of the connector 26, the multiple pads (not shown) and the multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are electrically connected to each other.

[0220] As another example, multiple pads (not shown) on a flexible circuit board 27 can be bonded to multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d. For example, multiple pads (not shown) on a flexible circuit board 27 connected to multiple signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and a connecting line 272, and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d are bonded to each other using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) in an outer lead bonding (OLB) manner.

[0221] In addition, various connection methods are used for the electrical and physical connection of multiple pads (not shown) and multiple pads 243a, 243b, 243c, and 243d.

[0222] The flexible circuit board 27 includes a plurality of signal transmission lines 271a, 271b located on one side of the board and connecting lines 272 located on the other side. Such lines 271a, 271b, 272 can be printed by methods such as photolithography and sputtering. The method for positioning the lines 271a, 271b, 272 on the flexible circuit board 27 is not limited to the above description. Furthermore, although it has been described above that the signal transmission lines 271a, 271b and the connecting lines 272 are located on both sides of a single board, they can also be located on different boards, and are not limited to this.

[0223] Each signal transmission wire 271a connects the pad 243a connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a to the coil driver 263, and the signal transmission wire 271b connects the pad 243d connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b to the coil driver 263.

[0224] The connecting wire 272 connects pad 243b, which is connected to the first sub-antenna loop 241a, and pad 243c, which is connected to the second sub-antenna loop 241b. In other words, the first sub-antenna loop 241a and the second sub-antenna loop 241b are electrically connected to each other through the connecting wire 272 located on the flexible circuit board 27. Therefore, the current drawn from the coil driver 263 through the signal transmission wire 271a to pad 243a flows in the following order: first sub-antenna loop 241a, pad 243b, connecting wire 272, pad 243c, second sub-antenna loop 241b, pad 243d, and then back to the signal transmission wire 271b.

[0225] That is, according to the antenna module according to one embodiment, even if wiring is not formed in a spiral pattern on the base film 242, it has substantially the same effect as an antenna loop formed in a spiral pattern. Since such an antenna module has all the antenna loop wiring formed on the lower surface of the display panel 251, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the touch screen 20 is thinned and miniaturized.

[0226] Hereinafter, when the electronic device according to the embodiment is a foldable device embodied as a foldable device, the electronic device and its driving method will be described.

[0227] FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and a foldable electronic device.

[0228] The foldable electronic device 2 may include the configuration of the electronic device described in FIG. 2.

[0229] As shown in FIG. 23, in a rectangular foldable electronic device 2 or a member such as the touch screen 20 included therein, the long side located on the left side on the plane is referred to as the first long side LS1, the long side located on the right side is referred to as the second long side LS2, the short side located on the upper side is referred to as the first short side SS1, and the short side located on the lower side is referred to as the second short side SS2.

[0230] The foldable electronic device 2 is folded along a predetermined folding direction with respect to a folding axis AXIS_F that crosses the first short side SS1 and the second short side SS2. That is, the foldable electronic device 2 can be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state along the folding direction with respect to the folding axis AXIS_F.

[0231] Next, referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, a case where a conventional stylus pen, for example, a pen of the EMR method, is used for the foldable electronic device will be described.

[0232] Figures 24 and 25 show the case when a conventional stylus pen is used in a foldable electronic device.

[0233] The foldable electronic devices described herein have a flat state or unfolded state as shown in Figure 24, a folded state as shown in Figure 25, and an intermediate state between the flat state and the folded state. Unless otherwise specified, "folded state" here means "fully folded state."

[0234] As shown in Figure 24, in the case of an EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) type pen among passive stylus pens, the digitizer 33 transmits an electromagnetic signal B1 to the EMR type stylus pen 30, and then the digitizer 33 receives a resonant signal B2 from the EMR type stylus pen 30.

[0235] The digitizer 33 is mounted beneath the display panel 251 and includes an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) 34 with multiple conductive antenna loops and a ferrite sheet 35 that blocks the magnetic field generated by the antenna loops.

[0236] The FPCB34 consists of multiple layers of antenna loops designed to sense the location where the resonant signal is input. Each antenna loop is superimposed on at least one other antenna loop in the Z-axis direction. This increases the thickness of the FPCB34.

[0237] As shown in Figure 25, when folding occurs in relation to the folding axis AXIS_F, deformation of the FPCB34 attached to the folded region (hereinafter referred to as the folding region) FA may occur. Repeated folding puts stress on the wiring members that form the antenna loop, ultimately leading to damage to the wiring members. In the folded state, the folding region FA consists of a curved surface having a predetermined curvature in at least a portion of it.

[0238] The ferrite sheet 35 blocks the influence of the magnetic field generated by the antenna loop on the inside of the foldable electronic device 2. The ferrite sheet 35 is also thick, making it prone to deformation when the foldable electronic device 2 is folded, and repeated folding can cause damage.

[0239] Therefore, it is difficult to apply an EMR-type stylus pen 30 to the foldable electronic device 2. In addition, with the EMR method, signals are transmitted and received only by the digitizer 33, so it is not possible to transmit signal B1 and receive signal B2 simultaneously, and there is a problem that signal transmission and signal reception must be performed separately at different times.

[0240] Figures 26 and 27 show a foldable electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0241] The touchscreen 20 of the foldable electronic device includes a display panel 251, a touch sensor 261 on the display panel 251, and a loop coil 264 below the display panel 251.

[0242] The touch sensor 261 includes a substrate 23, a touch electrode layer 21 on the substrate, and a window 22 on the touch electrode layer 21.

[0243] The substrate 23 may be a sealing substrate for the display panel 251 or a color filter substrate for the display panel 251, and it is preferable that it be made of a transparent material.

[0244] The touch electrode layer 21 includes a plurality of first touch electrodes for detecting touch coordinates in a first direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes for detecting touch coordinates in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In Figure 26, the touch electrode layer 21 is shown as a single layer, but the first and second touch electrodes may be arranged in different layers, may be arranged overlapping each other, may be arranged without overlapping each other, and there may be another layer between the first and second touch electrodes, but are not limited to these.

[0245] A window 22 is positioned on the touch electrode layer 21. The touch electrode layer 21, the conductive chip 11, and the window 22 can form a capacitance. Therefore, a signal (resonant signal or active touch signal) generated by the stylus pen 10 is transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21 via the capacitance.

[0246] The loop coil 264 may include the substrate 24 on which the antenna loop is located and the ferrite sheet 25. As will be described later in Figures 28 to 33, the antenna loop may be located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21, or below the window 22, in which case the substrate 24 may not be included in the loop coil 264.

[0247] The substrate 24 is attached to the rear surface of the display panel 251. The substrate 24 may be located in the area of ​​the rear surface of the display panel 251 that includes the folding region FA. The substrate 24 may be a single-side FPCB, a double-side FPCB, or a multilayer PCB, but is preferably a single-side FPCB or a double-side FPCB. Therefore, even if the folding region FA is folded with respect to the folding axis AXIS_F, the risk of damage to the substrate 24 due to the force applied to the substrate 24 is reduced.

[0248] The substrate 24 may include a flexible base film. The base film is made of a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, or another known flexible material. The base film may have at least one antenna loop formed by at least one wiring.

[0249] The antenna loop is formed on the substrate 24 by conductive wiring. For example, the antenna loop can be printed on the substrate 24 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering. The method for positioning the antenna loop on the substrate 24 is not limited to the above description.

[0250] The ferrite sheet 25 may be located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the XY plane. Here, the region excluding the folding region FA means the region where the force acting on the ferrite sheet 25 when the foldable electronic device 2 is in the folded state does not damage the ferrite sheet 25, and does not mean that the ferrite sheet 25 is not located at all within the folding region FA. For example, even if the ferrite sheet 25 is located in a part of the folding region FA, if the ferrite sheet 25 is not damaged when the foldable electronic device 2 deforms repeatedly between the folded state and the flat state, this also corresponds to the region excluding the folding region FA. Therefore, even if the folding region FA is folded with respect to the folding axis AXIS_F, there is an effect of reducing the risk of damage to the ferrite sheet 25.

[0251] After the loop coil 264 transmits the electromagnetic signal B1 to the stylus pen 10, the touch sensor 261 receives a resonant signal E1 from the stylus pen 10.

[0252] The resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 can resonate with the loop coil 264, and the degree of mutual resonance between the inductor of the resonant circuit section 12 and the loop coil 264 is affected by the mutual inductance. Alternatively, the resonant circuit section 12 can resonate with the magnetic field generated by the loop coil 264. In this regard, refer to the description of Figures 6 to 11.

[0253] Figures 28 to 33 show the arrangement of touch panels and loop coils in various embodiments.

[0254] As shown in Figure 28(a), the loop coil 264 is located beneath the display panel 251. The loop coil 264 includes a substrate 24 and a ferrite sheet 25. The substrate 24 includes a base film 242 and an antenna loop 241.

[0255] As shown in Figure 28(b), the antenna loop 241 may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although the antenna loop 241 is shown to be generally rectangular, it may have, and is not limited to, a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or rounded polygonal shape. The antenna loop 241 may also be formed from a conductive material exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as ITO, graphene, or silver nanowire. The antenna loop 241 may be superimposed on the region where the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the XY plane.

[0256] The ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0257] As shown in Figure 29(a), the antenna loop 241 can be directly printed onto the substrate of the display panel 251 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering. The methods for directly forming the antenna loop 241 on the substrate of the display panel 251 are not limited to those described above.

[0258] As shown in Figure 29(b), the ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0259] The antenna loop 241 may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. Although the antenna loop 241 is generally rectangular, it may have, and is not limited to, a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or rounded polygonal shape. The antenna loop 241 may also be formed from a conductive material exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as ITO, graphene, or silver nanowire. The antenna loop 241 may be superimposed on the region where the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the XY plane.

[0260] Next, Figure 30 shows a loop coil 264 including an antenna loop 241 located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21 in the case of an on-cell type touch sensor, and Figure 31 shows a loop coil 264 including an antenna loop 241 located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21 in the case of an in-cell type touch sensor.

[0261] The antenna loop 241 can be manufactured from the same material as the first and second touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. However, the antenna loop 241 can be located in a different layer from the touch electrode layer 21 and can be manufactured from a different material than the first and second touch electrodes.

[0262] As shown in Figures 30(a) and 31(a), the loop coil 264 includes an antenna loop 241 located in the touch electrode layer 21 and a ferrite sheet 25 located beneath the display panel 251.

[0263] As shown in Figure 30(b), the antenna loop 241 and the touch electrode layer 21 are located on the same layer on the sealing substrate 23 of the display panel 251.

[0264] The antenna loop 241 may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. The antenna loop 241 may superimpose the area where the ferrite sheet 25 is located on the XY plane.

[0265] The ferrite sheet 25 may include a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0266] As shown in Figure 31(b), the display panel 251 includes a touch electrode layer 21 and a loop coil 264. That is, the substrate 23 may be the color filter substrate of the display panel 251, and the touch electrode layer 21 and antenna loop 241 may be located between the color filter substrate 23 and the TFT substrate of the display panel 251. Alternatively, the touch electrode layer 21 and antenna loop 241 may be located entirely above and below the color filter substrate 23.

[0267] The antenna loop 241 may be a conductive wiring having a form that extends along the boundary of the display area DP. The antenna loop 241 may superimpose the area where the ferrite sheet 25 is located on the XY plane.

[0268] The ferrite sheet 25 may include a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0269] In Figures 28 to 31, the antenna loop 241 is shown to be located inside the display area DP and extending along the boundary of the display area DP. However, the antenna loop 241 can also be located outside the display area DP. Furthermore, the antenna loop 241 may not overlap the touch electrodes located on the touch electrode layer 21 in the XY plane, but rather surround the area where the touch electrodes are placed.

[0270] As shown in Figure 32(a), the antenna loop 241 is printed onto the window 22 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering, or printed onto a sheet by methods such as photolithography or sputtering and attached to the window 22. The method for positioning the antenna loop 241 on the window 22 is not limited to the above description.

[0271] The ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a attached to the rear surface of the display panel 251 and located in the area between the folding area FA and the long side LS1, a second sheet 25b attached to the rear surface of the display panel 251 and located in the area between the folding area FA and the long side LS2, as well as a third sheet 25c located on the long side LS1 and below the antenna loop 241 attached to the window 22, and a third sheet 25d located on the long side LS2 and below the antenna loop 241 attached to the window 22.

[0272] As shown in Figure 33(a), the loop coil 264 is located beneath the display panel 251. The loop coil 264 includes a substrate 24 and a ferrite sheet 25. The substrate 24 includes a base film 242 and antenna loops 241a and 241b.

[0273] As shown in Figure 33(b), the ferrite sheet 25 may include a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, and in this case as well, the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0274] The antenna loop 241a may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS1, and the antenna loop 241b may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS2. The antenna loop 241a may overlap the area where the first sheet 25a is located on the XY plane, and the antenna loop 241b may overlap the area where the second sheet 25b is located on the XY plane.

[0275] Next, a method for driving the touch module 260, including the antenna module according to the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 34 and 35.

[0276] Figure 34 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a touch module according to one embodiment.

[0277] A touch module 260 according to one embodiment includes a touch sensor 261, a loop coil 264, a coil driver 263 for driving the loop coil 264, and a touch controller 262 for controlling the touch sensor 261. The touch controller 262 includes a first drive / receive unit 2620, a second drive / receive unit 2622, and a control unit 2624 for sending and receiving signals with the touch sensor 261.

[0278] The touch sensor 261 includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m for detecting touch coordinates in a first direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n for detecting touch coordinates in a second direction intersecting the first direction. For example, the plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m have a configuration that extends in the second direction, and the plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n have a configuration that extends in the first direction. Within the touch sensor 261, the plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m are arranged along the first direction, and the plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n are arranged along the second direction.

[0279] The first drive / receive unit 2620 can apply drive signals to a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The second drive / receive unit 2622 can apply drive signals to a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0280] The first drive / receive unit 2620 can receive sensing signals from multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The second drive / receive unit 2622 can receive sensing signals from multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0281] Although the touch sensor 261 is described above as being implemented using a mutual capacitance method, the touch sensor 261 can also be implemented using a self-capacitance method. It would be easy for an average engineer to modify the touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, 121-1 to 121-n, the first drive / receiver unit 2620, and the second drive / receiver unit 2622 in the mutual capacitance method, or to add new components or omit some components to adapt it to a self-capacitance method.

[0282] In other words, the touch sensor 261 can include multiple self-capacitance touch electrodes, in which case the touch electrodes may be arranged in a dot configuration, or they may be arranged in a configuration that extends in one direction, as described above.

[0283] The coil driver 263 applies a drive signal to the loop coil 264. The drive signal may include a signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit section 12 (e.g., a sine wave, a square wave, etc.), and may be an AC voltage or AC current having a predetermined frequency. The frequency and magnitude of such a drive signal can be changed by the control unit 2624.

[0284] The control unit 2624 can receive sensor input from the stylus pen 10 by demodulating the touch signal received by at least one of the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622. The control unit 2624 can also modulate the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264 so that the resonant signal frequency of the stylus pen 10 is changed. In this case, the demodulation method of the touch signal and the modulation method of the frequency change request drive signal in the control unit 2624 are performed using methods such as OOK (On / Off Keying), ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), and FSK (Frequency Shift Keying). Similarly, the modulation method of the touch signal and the demodulation method of the frequency change request drive signal in the stylus pen 10 are performed using methods such as OOK and ASK.

[0285] The aforementioned drive signal will be explained with reference to Figure 35.

[0286] Figure 35 shows the drive signal of a loop coil and the resonance signal of a stylus pen according to one embodiment.

[0287] As shown in Figure 35, the coil driver 263 can apply a drive signal D_264 to the loop coil 264. The drive signal D_264 has a predetermined frequency, that is, a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10, and may, but is not limited to, an alternating current oscillating between the first level IH and the second level IL. When this happens, the magnetic field generated in the loop coil 264 by the drive signal D_264 causes the resonant circuit section 12 to resonate. The signal resonated by the resonant circuit section 12 is transmitted to the touch sensor 261 via the capacitance formed with the touch sensor 261, and the sensing signals from the stylus pen 10 are received by the multiple touch electrodes 111 and multiple touch electrodes 121.

[0288] Next, with reference to Figures 36 to 47, a foldable electronic device and a driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0289] Figures 36 and 37 show foldable electronic devices according to other embodiments.

[0290] Compared to the foldable electronic devices described in Figures 24 and 25, the substrate 24 is similar except that it is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the XY plane, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0291] Referring to Figure 36, the loop coil 264 includes the substrate 24 on which the antenna loop is located and the ferrite sheet 25. As will be described later in Figures 38 to 41, the antenna loop can also be located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21, in addition to the substrate 24, in which case the substrate 24 may not be included in the loop coil 264.

[0292] The loop coil 264 may be located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the XY plane. The loop coil 264 includes at least two sub-loop coils 24a and 24b. Sub-loop coil 24a is located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and sub-loop coil 24b is located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The two sub-loop coils 24a and 24b may be driven by a drive signal having the same or similar phase, a drive signal having opposite phase, or selectively driven.

[0293] This further reduces the risk of damage to the loop coil 264 even when the folding region FA is folded relative to the folding axis AXIS_F.

[0294] Figures 38 to 41 show arrangements of touch panels and loop coils according to several other embodiments.

[0295] As shown in Figure 38(a), the loop coil 264 is located beneath the display panel 251. The loop coil 264 includes several sub-loop coils 24a, 24b and a ferrite sheet 25.

[0296] Subloop coil 24a includes base film 242a and antenna loop 241a, and subloop coil 24b includes base film 242b and antenna loop 241b. Subloop coil 24a is located in the region between folding region FA and long side LS1, and subloop coil 24b is located in the region between folding region FA and long side LS2. The base films 242a and 242b in Figure 38 may be FPCB or rigid PCB.

[0297] As shown in Figure 38(b), the ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0298] The antenna loop 241a of the sub-loop coil 24a may be a conductive wiring having an extended form along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS1, and the antenna loop 241b of the sub-loop coil 24b may be a conductive wiring having an extended form along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS2. The antenna loop 241a may overlap the area where the first sheet 25a is located on the XY plane, and the antenna loop 241b may overlap the area where the second sheet 25b is located on the XY plane.

[0299] As shown in Figure 39(a), the antenna loops 241a and 241b can be directly printed onto the substrate of the display panel 251 by methods such as photolithography and sputtering. The method for directly forming the antenna loops 241a and 241b on the substrate of the display panel 251 is not limited to the above description.

[0300] As shown in Figure 39(b), the ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0301] The antenna loop 241a may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS1, and the antenna loop 241b may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS2. The antenna loop 241a may overlap the area where the first sheet 25a is located on the XY plane, and the antenna loop 241b may overlap the area where the second sheet 25b is located on the XY plane.

[0302] Next, Figure 40 shows a loop coil 264 including an antenna loop 241 located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21 in the case of an on-cell type touch sensor, and Figure 41 shows a loop coil 264 including an antenna loop 241 located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21 in the case of an in-cell type touch sensor.

[0303] The antenna loop 241 can be manufactured from the same material as the first and second touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. However, the antenna loop 241 can be located in a different layer from the touch electrode layer 21 and can be manufactured from a different material than the first and second touch electrodes.

[0304] As shown in Figures 40(a) and 41(a), the loop coil 264 includes an antenna loop 241 located in the touch electrode layer 21 and a ferrite sheet 25 located beneath the display panel 251.

[0305] As shown in Figure 40(b), the antenna loop 241 and the touch electrode layer 21 are located on the same layer on the sealing substrate 23 of the display panel 251.

[0306] The antenna loop 241a may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS1, and the antenna loop 241b may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS2. The antenna loop 241a may overlap the area where the first sheet 25a is located on the XY plane, and the antenna loop 241b may overlap the area where the second sheet 25b is located on the XY plane.

[0307] The ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0308] As shown in Figure 41(b), the display panel 251 includes a touch electrode layer 21 and a loop coil 264. In other words, the substrate 23 may be the color filter substrate of the display panel 251, and the touch electrode layer 21 and antenna loop 241 may be placed between the color filter substrate 23 and the TFT substrate of the display panel 251. Alternatively, the touch electrode layer 21 and antenna loop 241 may be placed entirely above and below the color filter substrate 23.

[0309] The antenna loop 241a may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS1, and the antenna loop 241b may be a conductive wiring having an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA on the long side LS2. The antenna loop 241a may overlap the area where the first sheet 25a is located on the XY plane, and the antenna loop 241b may overlap the area where the second sheet 25b is located on the XY plane.

[0310] The ferrite sheet 25 includes a first sheet 25a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 25b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The ferrite sheet 25 may include more than two sheets, in which case the ferrite sheet 25 is located in the region excluding the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0311] In Figures 38 to 40, the antenna loops 241a and 241b are shown to have an extension along the boundary between the display area DP and the folding area FA, but the antenna loops 241a and 241b may be located outside the display area DP. Also, the antenna loop 241 may not overlap the touch electrodes located on the touch electrode layer 21 in the XY plane, but may be arranged to surround the area where the touch electrodes are located.

[0312] The operation of the touch panel and loop coil shown in Figures 33, 38-41, and 42-47 will be explained below with reference to Figures 42-47.

[0313] Figure 42 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a touch module according to one embodiment.

[0314] Compared to the foldable electronic device described in Figure 34, it is similar except that the multiple loop coils 264a and 264b are located in the region excluding the folding region FA, so the explanation is omitted.

[0315] Loop coil 264a is located to the left of the folding axis AXIS_F, and loop coil 264b is located to the right of the folding axis AXIS_F. Loop coils 264a and 264b are connected to the coil driver 263.

[0316] The coil driver 263 applies drive signals to the loop coils 264a and 264b, respectively. The coil driver 263 can apply different drive signals using the position of the stylus pen 10 on the touchscreen 20. This will be explained with reference to Figures 43 to 47.

[0317] Figure 43 shows the case where a stylus pen is in close proximity to several positions in a foldable electronic device according to another embodiment, and Figure 44 shows the drive signal of the loop coil and the resonant signal of the stylus pen depending on the position of the stylus pen.

[0318] As shown in Figures 43(a) and (c), when the stylus pen 10 is located in an area covered by the loop coil on the XY plane, that is, in the area between the folding area FA and the long side LS1 or between the folding area FA and the long side LS2, the coil driver 263 resonates the resonant circuit section 12 by applying drive signals to the respective antenna loops 241a and 241b. However, as shown in Figure 43(b), when the stylus pen 10 is located in an area not covered by the loop coil on the XY plane, that is, in the folding area FA, applying drive signals individually to the antenna loops 241a and 241b may attenuate the signal resonated by the resonant circuit section 12, potentially reducing the reception sensitivity of the touch input detected by the touch sensor 261.

[0319] Therefore, as shown in Figure 44, when the stylus pen 10 is located in an area on the XY plane not covered by the loop coils, that is, during section (b), the coil driver 263 applies the same or similar phase drive signals to both antenna loops 241a and 241b. Here, the position of the stylus pen 10 can be determined by the touch controller 262, which can control the coil driver 263 so that when the stylus pen 10 enters an area on the XY plane not covered by the loop coils, a drive signal like that in section (b) is applied to each of the antenna loops 241a and 241b.

[0320] Figures 45 to 47 schematically show the magnetic field generated when the drive signal shown in Figure 44 is applied.

[0321] Figure 45 shows the magnetic field Ba when a drive signal like the one in section (a) of Figure 44 is applied. Since the magnetic field Ba is mainly formed within the region covered by the loop coil 264a on the XY plane due to the current I_264a flowing through the loop coil 264a, the resonant circuit 12 of the stylus pen 10 can be made to resonate.

[0322] Figure 46 shows the magnetic fields Ba, Bb, and Bc when a drive signal like the one in section (b) of Figure 44 is applied. The currents I_264a and I_264b flowing through the loop coil 264a and 264b create magnetic fields Ba and Bc in the region covered by the loop coils 264a and 264b on the XY plane. In addition, the magnetic field Bb is also created in the region not covered by the loop coils 264a and 264b on the XY plane, which allows the resonant circuit 12 of the stylus pen 10 to resonate.

[0323] Figure 47 shows the magnetic field Bc when a drive signal like the one in section (c) of Figure 44 is applied. Since the magnetic field Bc is mainly formed within the region covered by the loop coil 264b on the XY plane by the current I_264b flowing through the loop coil 264b, the resonant circuit 12 of the stylus pen 10 can be made to resonate.

[0324] Next, with reference to Figures 48 and 49, we will describe the areas within the touch sensor where the reception sensitivity is low.

[0325] Figures 48 and 49 show the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil.

[0326] As shown in Figure 48, the touch electrodes 111 and 121 within the touch sensor are connected to the peripheral traces 112 and 122 located at the periphery of the touch area. The first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, ... are connected to their respective traces 112, and the second touch electrodes 121-1, 121-2, 121-3, ... are connected to their respective traces 122.

[0327] Since the first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, ... are longer than the second touch electrodes 121-1, 121-2, 121-3, ... there is a possibility of RC delay occurring, so traces 112 are connected to one end and the other end of each of the first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, ....

[0328] As shown in Figure 49, when a current due to the drive signal DS flows through the antenna loop 241, the magnitude of the magnetic field formed in the central region A1 of the touch sensor and the magnitude of the magnetic fields formed in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the touch sensor are different from each other.

[0329] In the central region A1 of the touch sensor, a magnetic field is generated in exactly the same direction (the -Z axis direction in Figure 12) by the current flowing through the antenna loop 241. The stylus pen 10 can be used at an angle of at least 60 degrees from the Z axis direction. When the stylus pen 10 is positioned along the Z axis direction, the coil of the inductor in the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 is wound perpendicular to the Z axis. In other words, in region A1, the direction of the magnetic field (-Z axis) and the winding direction of the coil are perpendicular, so the energy transmitted to the resonant circuit section 12 is large. In contrast, in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the touch sensor, the direction of the magnetic field generated by the antenna loop 241 is perpendicular to the Z axis. The direction of the coil wound around the inductor in the resonant circuit section 12 is almost parallel to the direction of the magnetic field. In other words, the energy transmitted to the resonant circuit section 12 in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 is smaller than in region A1.

[0330] Therefore, the magnitude of the signal output from the stylus pen 10 located in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the touch sensor may be reduced, or the signal output may be stopped.

[0331] Therefore, there is a need to design an antenna module that can increase the magnetic energy transmitted to the stylus pen 10 located in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the touch sensor.

[0332] The trace layer 26 is formed in the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21. Furthermore, the trace layer 26 is formed from a conductive material exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as silver nanowires. However, the trace layer 26 can be located in a different layer from the touch electrode layer 21 and can be manufactured from ITO, graphene, etc., and is not limited to these.

[0333] The antenna loop 241 is then placed on the base film 242. The antenna loop 241 may be printed onto the base film 242 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering. Alternatively, the antenna loop 241 may be printed onto the window 22 by photolithography or sputtering. A sheet with the antenna loop 241 formed on it can also be attached to the window 22. The antenna loop 241 may be located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21. In this case, the antenna loop 241 may be manufactured from the same material as the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21. However, the antenna loop 241 may be located on a different layer from the touch electrode layer 21 and may be manufactured from a different material than the touch electrode. Although Figure 13 shows one antenna loop 241, there may be two or more antenna loops 241, and the method for positioning the antenna loop 241 on the touchscreen 20 is not limited to the above description.

[0334] When a touch object, such as a human body, touches the peripheral area of ​​the touch sensor, capacitance Cc is formed between the conductive antenna loop 241 and the touch object. Capacitance Ct is also formed between the touch object and traces 112 and 122, and capacitance Ce is also formed between the touch object and the touch electrodes 111 and 121 located in the touch electrode layer 21.

[0335] When the drive signal DS is applied to the antenna loop 241, the drive signal DS affects the traces 112, 122 and the touch electrodes 111, 121 through the electrical coupling Cc, Ct, and Ce.

[0336] For example, while the drive signal DS is applied to the antenna loop 241, noise may be generated by the drive signal DS transmitted to the touch electrodes 111 and 121 through the touch object when the sensing signal from the stylus pen 10 is received by the touch electrodes 111 and 121. Also, while the drive signal DS is applied to the antenna loop 241, noise may be generated by the drive signal DS transmitted to the touch controller 262 through the touch object when the sensing signal received by the touch electrodes 111 and 121 is transmitted to the touch controller 262 through the traces 112 and 122.

[0337] Furthermore, even when a touch object is not being touched, the antenna loop 241, touch electrodes 111, 121, and traces 112, 122 electrically influence each other. For example, the touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122 can form a direct capacitive coupling with the antenna loop 241. Therefore, when a voltage of a predetermined frequency is applied to the loop coil 264, noise may be generated in the sensing signals detected by the touch electrodes 111, 121 or the sensing signals transmitted to the touch controller 262 by the traces 112, 122.

[0338] Furthermore, when current flows through the antenna loop 241, a magnetic field Mc is generated, and such a magnetic field can consequently generate current (e.g., eddy current) in the touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122. In other words, electromagnetic induction can cause noise to be generated in the sensing signals detected by the touch electrodes 111, 121 or the sensing signals transmitted to the touch controller 262 by traces 112, 122.

[0339] In particular, when the extension direction of the trace 112 and the touch electrode 111 are the same, the noise due to such electromagnetic coupling may be greater. This will be explained with reference to Figure 14.

[0340] Figure 50 is a diagram showing in more detail the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil shown in Figure 48.

[0341] Referring to Figure 50, touch electrodes 111-1, ..., 111-16 are connected to traces 112-1, ..., 112-16, respectively, and touch electrodes 121-1, ..., 121-28 are connected to traces 122-1, ..., 122-28, respectively.

[0342] In this case, greater noise may be generated between interconnected and adjacent traces and touch electrodes.

[0343] As shown in Figure 50, the touch electrode 111-1 and the trace 112-1, which are extended in the Y-axis direction, are connected to each other. The touch electrode 111-1 and the trace 112-1 are located adjacent to each other. In other words, there are no other traces or touch electrodes located between the touch electrode 111-1 and the trace 112-1. In this case, if the length of the antenna loop 241, which is extended in the Y-axis direction and is located within the maximum width of the touch electrode 111-1 in the X-axis direction, is more than twice the length of the touch electrode 111-1 in the Y-axis direction, then both the touch electrode 111-1 and the trace 112-1 will be affected by the drive signal DS applied to the antenna loop 241.

[0344] In other words, when a touch object is touched in the region P1 where the touch electrode 111-1 and trace 112-1 are located, both the touch electrode 111-1, which receives the sensing signal, and the trace 112-1, which transmits the received sensing signal to the touch controller 262, are affected by the drive signal DS applied to the antenna loop 241, which is located within the region corresponding to the maximum width of the touch electrode 111-1 in the X-axis direction.

[0345] However, even when a touch object is touching region P2, touch electrodes 111-2, ... 111-15, 111-16 can be affected by the drive signal DS applied to the antenna loop 241, whereas traces 112-2, ... 112-15, 112-16, which are connected to each other but not adjacent, are less affected by the drive signal DS applied to the antenna loop 241.

[0346] Furthermore, when a touch object is touched adjacent to traces 112-1, ... 112-15, 112-28, touch electrodes 121-1, ... 121-28 can be affected by the drive signal DS applied to the antenna loop 241, but the area affected is smaller than that of touch electrodes 111-1, ... 111-16. When a touch object is touched adjacent to touch electrodes 121-1, ... 121-28, touch electrodes 121-1, ... 121-28 can be affected by the drive signal DS applied to the antenna loop 241, but traces 112-1, ... 112-15, 112-28 are less affected by the drive signal DS.

[0347] In other words, between traces and touch electrodes that are connected to each other, adjacent to each other, and arranged in the same or similar directions, there may be even greater noise than between traces and touch electrodes that are connected to each other, arranged in the same or similar directions but not adjacent to each other, and between traces and touch electrodes that are connected to each other, adjacent to each other, but not arranged in the same or similar directions.

[0348] The inventors confirmed that when a trace and a touch electrode, both extended in the Y-axis direction, are adjacent to each other and connected, if the length of the Y-axis extended antenna loop superimposed on the touch electrode within the maximum width of the touch electrode in the X-axis direction is more than twice the length of the touch electrode in the Y-axis direction, the noise caused by driving the antenna loop is greater than the normal touch signal to the touch electrode.

[0349] Therefore, there is a need for antenna module designs that can reduce such noise.

[0350] Figures 51 to 55 show various arrangements of the touch panel and loop coil in one embodiment.

[0351] The arrangement of touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122 in Figures 51-55 is assumed to be the same as that of the touch sensors shown in Figures 48 and 50. The antenna loop 241 is shown as a solid or dotted line to indicate that it may be located on different layers.

[0352] In Figures 51 to 55, in region P1 where the trace 112-1 and touch electrode 111-1, which are extended in the Y-axis direction, are adjacent to each other while being connected, the length of a portion of the antenna loop 241, which is extended in the Y-axis direction and overlaps with the touch electrode within the maximum width of the touch electrode 111-1 in the X-axis direction, is less than twice the length of the touch electrode 111-1 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the density of antenna loops 241 located in region P1 is even lower than the density of antenna loops 241 located in region P2. Here, density is assumed to be the length over which the touch electrode and antenna loop 241, which are extended in the same direction, overlap on the XY plane.

[0353] Referring to Figures 51 and 52, the length in the Y-axis direction of the antenna loop 241, which is extended in the Y-axis direction and superimposed on the touch electrode 111-1, which is extended in the Y-axis direction, is 1 or less the length in the Y-axis direction of the touch electrode 111-1. Since the antenna loop 241 is wound, the first winding of the antenna loop 241 located in region P1 and the second winding of the antenna loop 241 adjacent to region P1 may be located on different touch electrodes in the Y-axis direction.

[0354] As shown in Figure 51, the separation distance between the first and second windings of the antenna loop 241 (separation distance in the X-axis direction) and the minimum separation distance between the second and third windings of the antenna loop 241 may be substantially the same.

[0355] As shown in Figure 52, the separation distance between the first and second windings of the antenna loop 241 may be greater than the minimum separation distance between the second and third windings of the antenna loop 241. The separation distance between the first and second windings of the antenna loop 241 may be substantially the same as the minimum separation distance between the third and fourth windings of the antenna loop 241.

[0356] Referring to Figures 53 and 54, the Y-axis length of the Y-axis extended antenna loop 241, which superimposes the Y-axis length of the Y-axis extended touch electrode 111-1 along the Y-axis, is less than twice the Y-axis length of the touch electrode 111-1.

[0357] As shown in Figure 53, the antenna loop 241 includes a first portion extended in the Y-axis direction and a second portion in which an inverted S-shaped pattern is repeated along the Y-axis direction. In this case, a portion of the second portion may be located in region P1. That is, a portion of the second portion may overlap the touch electrode 111-1 which is extended in the Y-axis direction.

[0358] As shown in Figure 54, the antenna loop 241 may be configured in a symmetrical arrangement of a structure including a first portion extended in the Y-axis direction and a second portion in which an inverted S-shaped pattern is repeated along the Y-axis direction. In this case, a portion of the second portion may be located in region P1. That is, a portion of the second portion may overlap the touch electrode 111-1 which is extended in the Y-axis direction.

[0359] Referring to Figure 55, multiple antenna loops 241a and 241b may be located. The sum of the Y-axis length of the Y-axis extended antenna loop 241a superimposed on the Y-axis extended touch electrode 111-1 and the Y-axis extended antenna loop 241b superimposed on the Y-axis extended touch electrode 111-1 is less than or equal to 1x the Y-axis length of the touch electrode 111-1.

[0360] Each antenna loop 241a and 241b is driven independently of each other. Therefore, if the drive signal is applied only to antenna loop 241a or only to antenna loop 241b, the impact on the touch electrode 111-1 and trace 112-1 is further reduced.

[0361] Referring to Figure 56, the noise reduction effect when using the antenna loop 241 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

[0362] Figure 56 is a graph comparing the touch signal and noise signal of one embodiment and a comparative example.

[0363] The Y-axis represents the magnitude of the signal detected by each touch electrode, and the X-axis represents the number of the touch electrode. This is illustrated by the fact that the first electrode is touch electrode 111-1, and the 16th electrode is touch electrode 111-16.

[0364] The signals 2010 and 2012 sensed by the antenna loop 241 structure shown in Figure 50 are explained below. Since the difference between the noise signal 2010 and the touch signal 2012 sensed by the touch electrodes 111-2, ..., 111-16 is greater than or equal to a critical value, the touch controller 262 can sense the touch signal 2012 as a touch input. However, in the case of the first electrode 111-1, the magnitude of the touch signal 2012 is even smaller than the magnitude of the noise signal 2020, so the touch controller 262 cannot sense the touch signal 2012 as a touch input.

[0365] The signals 2020 and 2022 sensed by the antenna loop 241 structure shown in Figures 51 to 55 are described below. Since the magnitude of the touch signal 2022 sensed by the touch electrodes 111-1, ..., 111-16 is even greater than the magnitude of the noise signal 2020, the touch controller 262 can sense the touch signal 2022 as a touch input.

[0366] Next, with reference to Figures 57 to 59, we will describe an antenna module that can increase the magnetic energy transmitted to the stylus pen 10 located in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the touch sensor.

[0367] Figures 57 to 60 show the arrangement of the touch panel and loop coil in several other embodiments.

[0368] In Figures 57 and 58, the number of times the antenna loop 241 was wound in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 is greater than the number of times it was wound in the other regions.

[0369] As shown in Figure 57, the antenna loop 241 may be wound twice across adjacent corner regions C1 and C2, C3 and C4, or as shown in Figure 58, the antenna loop 241 may be wound twice in each of the corner regions C1, C2, C3 and C4.

[0370] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 58, after winding in each of the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4, winding may also be applied once to the central region.

[0371] By increasing the number of windings in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 in this way, the magnetic energy transmitted to the stylus pen 10 located in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 can be increased.

[0372] Referring to Figure 59, corner patterns 241x may be located in corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4 in order to form magnetic fields in the vertex directions P1, P2, P3, and P4. Corner patterns 241x have a repeating zigzag pattern in each of the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4.

[0373] Referring to Figure 60, if the base film 242 is a double-sided PCB, the corner patterns 241x may be located alternately on both sides of the base film 242. If the base film 242 is a multilayer PCB, the corner patterns 241x may be located on several layers of the base film 242. This is to realize a solenoid with the corner patterns 241x.

[0374] The solenoids embodied in the corner pattern 241x can form a magnetic field in the vertex direction or in a direction where the vertex direction and the Z-axis direction are coupled. Therefore, the antenna loop 241 can also increase the transmission of magnetic energy to the stylus pen 10 tilted in the vertex direction in the corner regions C1, C2, C3, and C4.

[0375] According to this embodiment, there is an advantage in that the sensitivity of receiving touch input can be improved and the touch position can be calculated more accurately.

[0376] According to the embodiment, there is an advantage in that the energy transmitted to the stylus pen in the corner region of the antenna loop can be increased.

[0377] Next, with reference to Figures 61 and 62, an example of a stylus pen and an electronic device according to one embodiment transmitting and receiving signals will be described.

[0378] Figures 61 and 62 are schematic circuit diagrams showing a stylus pen and electronic devices.

[0379] The resonant circuit section 12 in Figure 61 can be represented by an equivalent circuit including a resistor Rp, an inductor Lp, and a capacitor Cp, or by an equivalent circuit including a resistor Rs, an inductor Ls, and a capacitor Cs.

[0380] As shown in Figures 61 and 62, when the loop coil and internal capacitor resonate due to the power supply 40 that transmits the drive signal, the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 can also resonate with each other, with the loop coil and internal capacitor resonating together.

[0381] Figure 61 shows the case where the loop coil Ldp and the internal capacitor Cdp are connected in parallel, and the resistor Rp, inductor Lp, and capacitor Cp of the resonant circuit section 12 are connected in parallel.

[0382] Figure 62 shows the case where the loop coil Ldp and the internal capacitor Cdp are connected in parallel, and the resistor Rs, inductor Ls, and capacitor Cs of the resonant circuit section 12 are connected in series.

[0383] In Figures 61 and 62, when the blocking capacitor Cb is not connected in series with the resonant circuit 42, the magnetic field generated by the drive signal is as follows: [Formula 1]

number

[0384] The change in the magnetic field generated by the resonant circuit 42 generates an induced electromotive force, as shown in equation 2 below. [Formula 2]

number

[0385] As seen in Equation 1, when a magnetic field is induced by an electric field, both alternating and direct currents contribute to inducing the magnetic field. However, as shown in Equation 2, when an electric field is induced by a magnetic field, the electric field is induced only by a magnetic field that changes over time. Therefore, the DC component current J in Equation 1 consumes power even though it does not contribute to the induced electromotive force of the resonant circuit section 12.

[0386] Therefore, by connecting the blocking capacitor Cb in series with the resonant circuit 42, it is possible to prevent the DC component of the current from flowing into the resonant circuit 42, as shown in equation 3 below. [Formula 3]

number

[0387] This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the resonant circuit 42.

[0388] Next, with reference to Figure 63, an example of a loop coil 264 and a coil driver 263 of an electronic device 2 according to one embodiment will be described.

[0389] Figure 63 shows an antenna module and stylus pen according to one embodiment.

[0390] Referring to Figure 63, the loop coil 264 located on the touch sensor 261 side forms a resonant circuit with the capacitor Cdp. The resonant circuit and the blocking capacitor Cb are connected in series.

[0391] The resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen will not resonate unless energy is transmitted from the loop coil 264 by a magnetic field generated by a drive signal of a predetermined frequency applied by the power supply 40. In this case, the stylus pen can use the resonant energy to transmit a touch input signal to the touch sensor 261. For example, the stylus pens 10a and 10b in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) can transmit the signal resonated in the resonant circuit section 12 as a touch input to the touch sensor 261. In the stylus pen 10c in Figure 3(c), the active stylus module 60 generates a signal using the power generated from the signal resonated in the resonant circuit section 12 and transmits it to the touch sensor 261.

[0392] Next, referring to Figures 64 and 65, we will explain the amplitude change of the resonant signal based on the increased magnetic field due to the method of applying the drive signal.

[0393] Figure 64 shows the drive signal applied to the loop coil by the coil driver and the resonant signal of the stylus pen, and Figure 65 shows the drive signal applied to the loop coil by the coil driver and the resonant signal of the stylus pen according to one embodiment.

[0394] As shown in Figure 64, the coil driver 263 can apply a drive signal to each end of the loop coil 264. The other end of the loop coil 264 is connected to ground, and a drive signal, i.e., a voltage with a predetermined frequency, is applied to one end of the loop coil 264. Since voltages of different magnitudes (voltage difference between the ends = (Vb - Va)) are applied to both ends of the loop coil 264, a current Id flows through the loop coil 264. The strength of the current changes with the change in voltage, or its direction remains constant. As shown in Equation 1 above, the change in current (current strength) forms a magnetic field around the loop coil 264.

[0395] The change in the magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the resonant circuit section 12, as shown in equation 2.

[0396] The peak-to-peak (PP) voltage of the resonant signal generated by the induced electromotive force in the resonant circuit section 12 is V0.

[0397] Referring to Figure 65, drive signals with opposite phases are applied to both ends of the loop coil 264. At this time, the PP voltage of the drive signal is Vb-Va, which is the same as the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264 in Figure 64. Since voltages of different magnitudes are applied to both ends of the loop coil 264 (voltage difference between the ends = 2*(Vb-Va)), a current Id flows through the loop coil 264. The strength and direction of the current change with the change in voltage.

[0398] As shown in Equation 1 above, a change in current (current strength) creates a magnetic field around the loop coil 264. The change in the magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the resonant circuit section 12, as shown in Equation 2 above. The PP voltage of the resonant signal generated by the electromotive force in the resonant circuit section 12 is V1 (V1>V0).

[0399] Furthermore, a stronger alternating current generates an even larger change in the magnetic field, and an even larger change in the magnetic field induces an even larger induced electromotive force. According to the control method for the electronic device of the present invention, by simultaneously applying an out-of-phase drive signal to both ends of the loop coil 264, it is possible to amplify the magnetic field generated by the coil even with the same voltage.

[0400] In other words, according to the control method for the electronic device of the present invention, the coil driver 263 can increase the energy transmitted to the resonant circuit portion 12 of the stylus pen 10 without increasing the PP voltage.

[0401] Next, we will describe the case where the coil driver 263, which uses the method of applying the drive signal shown in Figure 65, is equipped with a cutoff capacitor Cb.

[0402] Figure 66 is a diagram that specifically illustrates the coil driver shown in Figure 65.

[0403] Referring to Figure 66, the loop coil Ldp and the internal capacitor Cdp are connected in parallel. One electrode of the internal capacitor Cdp is connected to one electrode of the blocking capacitor Cb1, and the other electrode of the internal capacitor Cdp is connected to one electrode of the blocking capacitor Cb2.

[0404] Drive signals with different phases (for example, opposite phases) are applied to the other electrode of the blocking capacitor Cb1 and the other electrode of the blocking capacitor Cb2, respectively. For example, the phases of the drive signal applied to the other electrode of blocking capacitor Cb1 and the drive signal applied to the other electrode of blocking capacitor Cb2 are opposite.

[0405] As explained in Figure 65, by simultaneously applying opposite-phase drive signals to both ends of the loop coil 264, it is possible to amplify the magnetic field generated by the coil even with the same voltage.

[0406] Furthermore, by connecting the blocking capacitors Cb1 and Cb2 to the resonant circuit 42, it is possible to prevent the DC component of the current from flowing into the resonant circuit 42, as shown in equation 3 above.

[0407] According to the above, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the antenna module and the electronic devices including it, increase the energy transmitted to the stylus pen, and transmit the power necessary for using the stylus pen simultaneously with its use, without requiring separate wireless charging beforehand.

[0408] Figures 67 to 69 show the arrangement of the touch sensor and loop coil.

[0409] As shown in Figure 67, the loop coil 264 may be positioned so as to surround the touch sensor 261, rather than overlapping it. The loop coil 264 receives a current I with an AC waveform as a drive signal. D It is applied.

[0410] As shown in Figure 68, the loop coil 264 may be located in a region that overlaps with the touch sensor 261. The loop coil 264 receives a current I with an AC waveform due to the drive signal. D It is applied.

[0411] As shown in Figure 69, the loop coil 264 may include a plurality of sub-loop coils 2640, 2641, 2642, and 2643. The plurality of sub-loop coils 2640, 2641, 2642, and 2643 may, but are not limited to, be located in a region overlapping with the touch sensor 261. The plurality of sub-loop coils 2640, 2641, 2642, and 2643 receive a current I with an AC waveform due to the drive signal. D0 , I D1 , I D2 , I D3 These are applied to each of them.

[0412] Figures 70 to 74 show the state when a stylus pen is in close proximity to an electronic device.

[0413] As shown in Figures 70 to 74, the stylus pen 10 and the touchscreen 20 may be in close proximity to each other.

[0414] The stylus pen 10 shown in Figures 70 to 74 can generate touch input (resonant signal or active touch signal) by resonating with the drive signal applied to the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21.

[0415] The touchscreen 20 in Figures 70 to 74 includes a display panel 251 and a touch sensor 261 on the display panel 251. The touch sensor 261 may include a substrate 23, touch electrodes of a touch electrode layer 21 on the substrate, and a window 22 on the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21.

[0416] The substrate 23 may also be a encapsulating substrate for the display panel 251, and it is preferable that this is made of a transparent material.

[0417] The touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 include a plurality of first touch electrodes having a form extended in a first direction and arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes having a form extended in the second direction and arranged along the first direction. In the figure, the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 are shown as a single layer, but the first touch electrodes and second touch electrodes can be located in different layers, and are not limited to this.

[0418] A window 22 may be located on the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21. The touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21, the conductive chip 11, and the window 22 can form a capacitance Cx. Therefore, a signal (resonant signal or active touch signal) generated by the stylus pen 10 is transmitted to the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21.

[0419] As shown in Figures 70 to 74, the resonant circuit section 12 can resonate with the loop coil 264, and the degree of mutual resonance between the inductor of the resonant circuit section 12 and the loop coil 264 is affected by the mutual inductance M. Alternatively, the resonant circuit section 12 can resonate with the magnetic field generated by the loop coil 264.

[0420] As shown in Figures 71, 72, and 73, the loop coil 264 may be located in an area that does not overlap with the touch sensor 261.

[0421] Referring to Figure 71, the loop coil 264 is printed onto the window 22 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering, or printed onto a sheet by methods such as photolithography or sputtering and attached to the window 22. The method for positioning the loop coil 264 on the window 22 is not limited to the above description.

[0422] Figure 72 shows the arrangement of the loop coil 264 located on the same layer as the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21 in the case of an on-cell type touch sensor, and Figure 73 shows the arrangement of the loop coil 264 located on the same layer as the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer 21 in the case of an in-cell type touch sensor.

[0423] Referring to Figures 72 and 73, the loop coil 264 may be located on the same layer as the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. The loop coil 264 may also be manufactured from the same material as the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. However, the loop coil 264 may be located on a different layer from the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 and may be manufactured from a different material.

[0424] In Figure 72, the loop coil 264 and the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 are located on the same layer on the sealing substrate 23 of the display panel 251.

[0425] In Figure 73, the display panel 251 includes the touch electrodes and loop coils 264 of the touch electrode layer 21. That is, the substrate 23 may be the color filter substrate of the display panel 251, and the touch electrodes and loop coils 264 of the touch electrode layer 21 may be located between the color filter substrate 23 and the TFT substrate of the display panel 251. Alternatively, the touch electrodes and loop coils 264 of the touch electrode layer 21 may all be located above and below the color filter substrate 23.

[0426] As shown in Figures 74 and 75, the loop coil 264 may be positioned in an area overlapping with the touch sensor 261. The loop coil 264 may be directly printed onto the substrate of the display panel 251 by methods such as photolithography or sputtering, or printed onto a sheet by methods such as photolithography or sputtering and attached to the substrate of the display panel 251. The method for positioning the loop coil 264 on the substrate of the display panel 251 is not limited to the above description.

[0427] As shown in Figure 74, the loop coil 264 may be positioned only near the outer corners of the touch sensor 261, or, as shown in Figure 75, the loop coil 264 may be positioned to cover the entire area of ​​the touch sensor 261.

[0428] Furthermore, the loop coil 264 may be located on a different layer from the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. However, as shown in Figures 71 and 72, the loop coil 264 may be located on the same layer as the touch electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 in the region where it overlaps with the touch sensor 261, and it may also be manufactured from the same material.

[0429] Figures 75 and 76 illustrate the state in which a stylus pen is in close proximity to an electronic device and is transmitting and receiving signals.

[0430] As shown in Figure 75, when a drive signal is applied to the loop coil 264, the resulting magnetic field B causes the resonant circuit section 12 to resonate.

[0431] As a result, as shown in Figure 76, the signal RS from the stylus pen 10 is transmitted either directly from the conductive tip 11 to the touch electrode side of the touch electrode layer 21, or through the air or a non-conductive housing to the touch electrode side of the touch electrode layer 21.

[0432] Figure 77 is a conceptual diagram specifically illustrating the stylus pen shown in Figure 3 and the electronic device shown in Figure 2.

[0433] The stylus pen 10 includes a conductive tip 11, a resonant circuit section 12, and a housing 19. The resonant circuit section 12 includes a capacitor section 113 and an inductor section 114. The housing 19 includes a holder section 19a adjacent to the tip 11 and a main body section 19b separated from the tip 11.

[0434] The capacitor section 113 may include multiple capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor may have a different capacitance and can be trimmed during the manufacturing process.

[0435] The inductor section 114 includes a ferrite core 115 and a coil 116 wound around the ferrite core 115.

[0436] The capacitor section 113 and the inductor section 114 are connected in parallel, and a resonant signal is generated in response to the drive signal due to the LC resonance between the capacitor section 113 and the inductor section 114.

[0437] Figure 78 is a conceptual diagram specifically showing the inductor section of the stylus pen as shown in Figure 77.

[0438] Referring to Figure 78, the inductor section 114 includes a ferrite core 115 and a coil 116 wound around the ferrite core 115.

[0439] At this time, the inductance of the inductor section 114 is determined by the following equation 4. [Equation 4]

number

[0440] As can be seen from equation 4, the inductance is proportional to the permeability of the ferrite core 115, the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil 116, and the square of the number of windings, and inversely proportional to the length of the windings of the coil 116.

[0441] The design of the inductor section 114 in the resonant circuit section 12 housed in the stylus pen is extremely important.

[0442] Figure 79 shows the inductance and Q value as the frequency changes.

[0443] As shown in Figure 79, inductance L and Q value are very important parameters in the design of the inductor section 114. Here, the Q value is given by Q = 2dfL / R, which is a quantity that indicates the characteristics of the coil as a resonant circuit element. Here, L and R are the inductance and resistance of the coil, respectively, and f is the frequency. The larger the Q value of the coil used, the sharper the resonant characteristics can be obtained.

[0444] In designing a stylus pen, the inductance (L) must have a sufficiently large self-resonance frequency for the intended frequency, and the Q value should preferably have its maximum value at the intended frequency. To satisfy this, the ferrite core material, coil wire type, and winding scheme must be optimized. Furthermore, a method is needed to maintain a thin pen diameter while obtaining a high output signal.

[0445] In the following embodiments, we will describe the most optimized stylus pen design among a variety of ferrite core materials, coil wire types, and winding schemes.

[0446] (1) Material of the ferrite core In this embodiment, manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) were used as the materials for the ferrite core.

[0447] (2) Types of wires In this embodiment, enameled wire and litz wire were used as the types of wire for the coil.

[0448] Figures 80 and 81 show enameled wire and Litz wire, respectively.

[0449] As shown in Figure 80, the enameled wire 100 is an electric wire made by coating the surface of a copper wire 101 with insulating enamel 102 and heating it at a high temperature, and is used for winding and wiring of electrical equipment, communication equipment, and electric instruments. In this embodiment, an enameled wire with an overall thickness T of 0.2 mm, a wire diameter Φ of 0.18 mm, and a coating thickness t of 0.01 mm was used.

[0450] As shown in Figure 81, Litz wire 200 is a special insulated wire made by twisting together multiple thin insulated wires 100 (for example, enameled wire) with a diameter of about 0.1 mm, and then covering them with an insulating coating 201 made of nylon or similar material. By increasing the surface area, Litz wire 200 can reduce the skin effect and is used in coils for high-frequency circuits.

[0451] In this embodiment, a Litz wire with an overall thickness T of 0.2 mm, a wire diameter Φ of 0.06 mm, and a coating thickness t of 0.007 mm was used.

[0452] (3) Winding method In embodiments of the present invention, a winding method having a multi-layer winding structure was used to obtain a sufficient inductance value (i.e., a sufficient number of windings) in the limited space of a stylus pen. Specifically, as shown in Figures 82(A) and (B), two types of multi-layer winding methods were used.

[0453] Figure 82 shows a multi-layer winding method.

[0454] The winding method shown in Figure 82(A) is the simplest winding method, a sequential layer winding scheme in which winding of the layer immediately above is started as soon as the winding of the lower layer is completed. In this case, method (A) in Figure 82 is a method in which winding of the layer immediately above begins at the point where winding of the previous layer ends, and this will be referred to as the U-type winding method below.

[0455] The winding scheme in Figure 82(B) is an alternate layer winding scheme in which adjacent winding layers are wound alternately, and the windings of adjacent layers are wound in a zigzag pattern. Hereafter, this will be referred to as the zigzag type winding scheme. This zigzag type winding scheme has the advantage of minimizing the voltage difference between adjacent winding layers and reducing winding self-capacitance. In this case, winding self-capacitance, which is a type of parasitic capacitance, is a parameter that indicates the electric field energy stored in the winding.

[0456] Comparative Experiment 1 (Comparison of characteristic values ​​by material) The Q-factor was measured with the coil wire type being enameled wire and wound using a U-type winding method, while the ferrite core material was changed to manganese, nickel, and magnesium.

[0457] The measurement results showed almost no difference in the Q-value characteristics of each core material, and the measured Q-values ​​were at a level far below what would be achieved in a product.

[0458] Comparative Experiment 2 (Comparison of Characteristic Values ​​by Winding Type) The Q values ​​were measured for inductors 1 and 2, which were manufactured using manganese (Mn) ferrite cores and a U-type winding method, with enameled wire and litz wire used for the coils, respectively.

[0459] Figures 83 to 85 are graphs showing the results of the comparative experiment.

[0460] Figure 83 shows the Q values ​​of inductor 1 and inductor 2 measured at different frequencies using an E4980A precision LCR meter manufactured by KEYSIGHT TECHNOGIES.

[0461] In Figure 83, a is a waveform showing the change in Q value with respect to frequency for inductor 1 (manganese core / enameled wire / U-type winding method), and b is a waveform showing the change in Q value with respect to frequency for inductor 2 (manganese core / litz wire / U-type winding method).

[0462] In inductor 2, which was made with Litz wire, the Q value is nearly maximum at a frequency of around 400 kHz (frequency f1), while inductor 1, which was made with enameled wire, the Q value is nearly maximum at a frequency of around 150 kHz (frequency f2).

[0463] Comparing a and b in Figure 83, it was found that the maximum Q value of inductor 2 is approximately 1.5 times higher than the maximum Q value of inductor 1. Therefore, it was found that Litz wire is superior to enameled wire as a coil for the inductor that forms the resonant circuit of the stylus pen.

[0464] However, the maximum Q value of inductor 2 measured in comparative experiment 2 was also the target value (Q) required for commercialization. target It was only about half the level of the previous level.

[0465] Comparative Experiment 3 (Comparison of Characteristic Values ​​by Winding Method) With the ferrite core made of manganese (Mn), the Q values were measured for Inductors 3 to 5 manufactured by changing the winding method of the wire to U type and zigzag type using enameled wire and Litz wire.

[0466] Figure 84 is a diagram showing the Q values of Inductors 3 to 5 measured by changing the frequency using an E4980A precision LCR meter manufactured by KEYSIGHT TECHNOGIES.

[0467] In Figure 84, a is a waveform showing the change in the Q value with respect to the frequency of Inductor 3 (manganese core / enameled wire / U-type winding method), b is a waveform showing the change in the Q value with respect to the frequency of Inductor 4 (manganese core / enameled wire / zigzag-type winding method), and c is a waveform showing the change in the Q value with respect to the frequency of Inductor 5 (manganese core / Litz wire / zigzag-type winding method).

[0468] As can be seen from the c waveform in Figure 84, in Inductor 5 manufactured by the Litz wire / zigzag winding method, the Q value shows almost the maximum value at a frequency around 300 kHz (frequency f3). In Inductor 4 manufactured by the enameled wire / zigzag winding method and Inductor 3 manufactured by the enameled wire / U-type winding method, the Q value shows almost the maximum value at a frequency around 150 kHz (frequency f2).

[0469] Also, as a result of comparing a, b, and c in Figure 84, it was found that the maximum Q value of Inductor 5 is approximately 1.5 times higher than the maximum Q value of Inductor 4 and more than twice higher than the maximum Q value of Inductor 3. Therefore, it was found that the zigzag-type winding method of the inductor forming the resonance circuit of the stylus pen is superior to the U-type winding method.

[0470] However, it was only at a level that was only about 3 / 4 of the target value (Q target ) required for the commercialization of Inductor 5 (manganese core / Litz wire / zigzag-type winding method) measured in Comparative Experiment 2.

[0471] Comparative Experiment 4 (Comparison of Characteristic Values ​​by Core Material) In this embodiment, manganese and nickel are used as the material for the ferrite core. It is generally known that the magnetic permeability of nickel is 200 to 300, and the magnetic permeability of manganese is 3000 to 5000.

[0472] Since the manganese used in this embodiment has a magnetic permeability approximately 15 times higher than that of nickel, assuming the same cross-sectional area and length of the coil, it has the advantage that the number of manganese windings can be reduced to approximately four times that of nickel windings in order to obtain the same inductance value. Therefore, from the standpoint of the number of windings, it was found that using manganese is more effective than using nickel.

[0473] On the other hand, the inductor section 114 has a complex structure that includes a coil wound around the core, which further forms parasitic capacitance. This parasitic capacitance reduces the Q factor, which leads to a problem of reducing the amplitude of the resonant signal.

[0474] Parasitic capacitance formed in the inductor section 114 can occur between the wound coils and between the core and the coils, but as described above, by adopting a zigzag type winding method, the parasitic capacitance between the wound coils can be reduced.

[0475] On the other hand, in this embodiment, in order to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the core and the coil, core materials with a lower dielectric constant than manganese were tested, and the test results confirmed that nickel cores are optimal as ferrite core materials. The important physical property for manganese and nickel, which are mainly used as ferrite core elements, is permeability, which has a significant effect on the inductance value as shown in Equation 4. However, for manganese and nickel as ferrite elements, dielectric constant is a physical property of little interest, and in fact, in the case of nickel, there is no relevant information even in the datasheets provided by manufacturers.

[0476] In this embodiment, to confirm the dielectric constants of manganese and nickel, the dielectric constants (permittivity) of manganese and nickel were measured using an E4980A precision LCR meter manufactured by KEYSIGHT TECHNOGIES, and the measurement results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0477] [Table 1]

[0478] Measurements 1 and 2 were performed using the same KEYSIGHT TECHNOGIES E4980A precision LCR meter. Measurement 1 shows the dielectric constant automatically calculated by the measurement software. According to Measurement 1, the dielectric constant of manganese is 2400, but the dielectric constant of nickel was not measured. Measurement 2 was performed by measuring the capacitance, area, and distance between ferrite cores and calculating the dielectric constant. According to Measurement 2, the dielectric constant of manganese is 8300, and the dielectric constant of nickel is 2. There is a significant difference in the dielectric constant results between Measurement 1 and Measurement 2, and in particular, it was confirmed that there are considerable errors in Measurement 2 due to capacitance, area, distance, etc. However, the results of Measurement 1 and Measurement 2 show that the dielectric constant of nickel is at least 1 / 1000 smaller than that of manganese.

[0479] In comparative experiment 4, the Q values ​​were measured for inductors 6 and 7, which were manufactured by changing the winding method from U-type to zigzag type, while using nickel as the ferrite core material and Litz wire as the wire type.

[0480] Figure 85 shows the Q values ​​of inductors 6 and 7 measured by changing the frequency using an E4980A precision LCR meter manufactured by KEYSIGHT TECHNOGIES.

[0481] In Figure 85, a is a waveform showing the change in Q value with respect to frequency for inductor 6 (nickel core / litz wire / U-type winding method), and b is a waveform showing the change in Q value with respect to frequency for inductor 7 (nickel core / litz wire / zigzag-type winding method).

[0482] As can be seen from waveform b in Figure 85, the Q value of inductor 7, which was manufactured using a nickel core / litz wire / zigzag winding method, is approximately maximum at a frequency of around 400 kHz (frequency f5). The Q value of inductor 6, which was manufactured using a nickel core / litz wire / U-type winding method, is approximately maximum at a frequency of around 200 kHz (frequency f6). Comparing a and b in Figure 85, it was found that the maximum Q value of inductor 7 is approximately twice as high as the maximum Q value of inductor 6.

[0483] On the other hand, the maximum Q value of inductor 7 (nickel core / litz wire / zigzag type winding method) measured in comparative experiment 4 was the target value (Q) required for commercialization. target It was found that it had almost reached that point.

[0484] In the comparative experiments 1-4 described above, inductors were fabricated and their Q values ​​were tested by changing the combination of ferrite core material, coil wire type, and winding scheme. The test results showed that the highest Q value was obtained when the inductor section of the stylus pen was designed with a nickel core, litz wire, and a zigzag winding scheme. The maximum Q value of the inductor fabricated with this combination was then set to the target value (Q) for commercialization. target It was found that it had reached ).

[0485] On the other hand, in this embodiment, a nickel core was used as the ferrite core and Litz wire was used as the core wire in the experiment. However, similar results can be obtained if a material with a dielectric constant of 1000 or less is used as the ferrite core in addition to a nickel core, and if a wire in a form in which one coil surrounds two or more insulated wires (strands) is used in addition to Litz wire.

[0486] In this embodiment, except that nickel having a lower dielectric constant than manganese is used to further reduce the parasitic capacitance between the core and the coil, a method of increasing the distance between the core and the coil by providing a bobbin between the core and the coil can be used, as described below.

[0487] Figure 86 shows another example of an inductor section.

[0488] Referring to Figure 86, the inductor section 114 includes a ferrite core 115, a bobbin 141 surrounding at least a portion of the ferrite core 115, and a coil 116 wound around at least a portion of the bobbin 141. The bobbin 141 is fixed in close contact with the ferrite core 115 by the force of the winding of the coil 116. Such a bobbin 141 may be made of the same or different material as the housing 19, for example, plastic or metal with an insulated surface. Specifically, the bobbin 141 can be made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal polyester (LCP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and phenolic resins, etc.

[0489] Thus, when the bobbin 141 surrounds the ferrite core 115 and the bobbin 141 is wound with the coil 116, the distance between the ferrite core 115 and the coil 116 increases, allowing the parasitic capacitance Cp2 value in Figure 86 to be set even smaller than the parasitic capacitance Cp1 value in Figure 78.

[0490] Figures 87 and 88 are graphs showing the magnitude of the resonant signal based on the structure of the inductor.

[0491] Referring to Figure 87, when the inductor section 114 includes only the ferrite core 115 and the coil 116, the maximum amplitude of the resonant signal was measured to be approximately 2V (+1V to -1V). Referring to Figure 88, when the inductor section 114 includes the ferrite core 115, the bobbin 141, and the coil 116, the maximum amplitude of the resonant signal was measured to be approximately 4V (+2V to -2V). In other words, it can be seen that if at least a portion of the ferrite core 115 is surrounded by the bobbin 141 and the coil 116 is wound on the bobbin 141, the amplitude of the resonant signal can be made even larger.

[0492] On the other hand, when using nickel as the ferrite core to design the optimal inductor section according to this embodiment, as mentioned above, nickel has a magnetic permeability about 1 / 15 times lower than manganese. Therefore, to obtain the same inductance value, the number of nickel windings must be increased to about four times that of manganese windings. This has the disadvantage that the diameter must be larger than that of manganese to obtain the same inductance.

[0493] In this embodiment, we propose a method of using multiple inductors to reduce the diameter of the stylus pen and obtain a high output signal.

[0494] Figures 89 and 90 show other examples of resonant circuits.

[0495] Figure 89 shows an equivalent circuit in which two thin-diameter inductors are connected in series, and a capacitor is connected in parallel between the ends of the two inductors. Hereafter, this type of resonant circuit will be referred to as an "LLC resonant circuit." Although Figure 89 shows two inductors connected in series, this embodiment is not limited to this, and three or more inductors can be connected in series. With an LLC resonant circuit, the inductance L is twice as large as that of a resonant circuit with one inductor and a capacitor (hereinafter referred to as an "LC resonant circuit"), so the capacitance must be reduced by half in the design. In other words, while an LLC resonant circuit can have a thinner diameter than an LC resonant circuit, it has the disadvantage of being more sensitive to the influence of capacitance.

[0496] On the other hand, Figure 90 shows an equivalent circuit for a system in which two LC resonant circuits are connected in series (hereinafter referred to as "LCLC resonant circuit"), and two resonant signals are output together. Although Figure 90 shows two LC resonant circuits connected in series, this embodiment is not limited to this, and three or more LC resonant circuits can be connected in series.

[0497] According to LCLC resonant circuits, the resonant frequencies of the two resonant circuits must be the same, which has the disadvantage that the circuits must be tuned to have identical resonant frequencies during the manufacturing process.

[0498] As explained above, despite the increase in the number of windings caused by using nickel as the ferrite core, using two or more inductors, as shown in Figures 89 and 90, allows for the suppression of an increase in the diameter of the inductor section and the production of a stylus pen with a thin diameter.

[0499] As shown in Figure 77, the signal RS from the stylus pen 10 is transmitted either directly from the conductive tip 11 to the touch electrode layer 21, or through the air or a non-conductive housing to the touch electrode layer 21.

[0500] Even when the stylus pen 10 is in a hovering state, the touch controller 262 can receive a sensing signal from the signal RS transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21. When the touch controller 262 generates touch data based on such a sensing signal, it may generate touch data that the user did not intend, or inaccurate or unstable touch data.

[0501] Touch input via signal RS transmission in the hovering state will be explained with reference to Figure 91.

[0502] Figure 91 shows touch input by hovering a stylus pen.

[0503] For example, when writing, to draw the previous stroke and then the next stroke, the stylus pen 10 can move from the end point A of the previous stroke to the start point C of the next stroke within the touchscreen 20.

[0504] The conductive tip 11 of the stylus pen 10 contacts the window 22 at point A and also at point C. Signals RS0 and RS2 from the conductive tip 11 in contact with the window 22 are transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21. Signal RS0 generates touch data corresponding to point A, and signal RS2 generates touch data corresponding to point C.

[0505] In region B between point A and point C, the stylus pen 10 is separated from window 22. In other words, the stylus pen 10 is in a hovering state in region B. A signal RS0 from the conductive tip 11 of the hovering stylus pen 10 is transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21. The signal RS1 generates touch data corresponding to the connected drawing NL in region B. In other words, when the touch controller 262 generates touch data based on the signal RS1 transmitted from the hovering stylus pen 10, touch data corresponding to a connected drawing unintended by the user is generated and displayed on the touchscreen 20.

[0506] The embodiment provides a stylus pen that prevents signal transmission in a hovering state.

[0507] Meanwhile, the user holds the stylus pen 10 and touches the touchscreen 20 with the conductive tip 11. This will be explained with reference to Figures 92 to 94.

[0508] Figure 92 is a conceptual diagram showing the stylus pen and electronic device when the stylus pen is held, and Figures 93 and 94 are schematic circuit diagrams showing the stylus pen and electronic device when the stylus pen is held.

[0509] In Figure 92, the user holds the stylus pen 10 and touches the tip of the stylus pen 10 to the touchscreen 20 to input a touch.

[0510] The stylus pen 10 is held by the user's fingertip UF, and at this time, parasitic capacitances Cf1 and Cf2 are formed between the fingertip UF and the internal conductors of the stylus pen 10 (such as the coil 116 or the wires connecting each element of the stylus pen 10).

[0511] Figures 93 and 94 are equivalent circuits illustrating the effect of parasitic capacitance Cf imposed by the user. Referring to Figures 93 and 94, the parasitic capacitance Cf changes the resonant frequency of the stylus pen 10. As a result, the frequency of the power supply 40 that transmits the drive signal no longer matches the resonant frequency of the stylus pen 10, leading to a problem where the magnitude of the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 decreases.

[0512] A stylus pen that prevents changes in the resonant frequency due to the user's grip will be explained with reference to Figure 95.

[0513] Figure 95 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a stylus pen.

[0514] The stylus pen 10' shown in Figure 95 further includes a blocking member 17 compared to the stylus pen 10 in Figure 92.

[0515] The blocking member 17 is a conductive member that surrounds at least a portion of the housing 19 or is a conductive member that is at least a portion of the housing 19, and can prevent the formation of parasitic capacitance by the user. However, the blocking member 17 has the problem of generating eddy currents. This will be explained in relation to Figure 96.

[0516] Figure 96 is an illustrative diagram showing the eddy current generated by the stylus pen shown in Figure 95.

[0517] As shown in Figure 96(a), a current I1 flows through the coil 116 due to resonance. A magnetic field M1 is formed by the current I1 flowing through the coil 116.

[0518] The magnetic field M1 generates a current I2 in a specific direction in the blocking member 17. The current I2 can be formed on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field M1 formed by the inductor 140. These currents I2 merge to generate a clockwise eddy current I3, as shown in Figure 96(b).

[0519] The magnetic field M1 generated by coil 116 is suppressed by these eddy currents I3. As a result, the inductance of inductor section 114 changes, and this change in inductance causes a problem in which the resonant frequency of stylus pen 10 changes.

[0520] In this embodiment, a stylus pen is provided that further prevents changes in the resonant frequency due to user gripping and the generation of eddy currents.

[0521] Figures 97 to 105 are conceptual diagrams showing the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

[0522] Figure 97 shows a stylus pen that prevents resonant signal transmission in a hovering state, Figure 98 shows a stylus pen that further prevents resonant signal transmission in a hovering state and changes in the resonant frequency due to the generation of eddy currents, Figures 99 and 100 show a stylus pen that further prevents resonant signal transmission in a hovering state and changes in the resonant frequency due to user gripping and the generation of eddy currents, and Figures 101 and 105 show a stylus pen that further prevents changes in the resonant frequency due to user gripping and the generation of eddy currents.

[0523] The stylus pen 10 shown in Figures 97 to 105 may include a conductive tip 110, a resonant circuit section, a blocking member 170, a grounding section 180, and a housing 190. For ease of explanation, only the inductor section 140 of the resonant circuit section is shown in Figures 97 to 100, but the resonant circuit section may include a capacitor section, and the capacitor section may be located inside the housing 190.

[0524] Referring to Figures 97 to 105, the conductive tip 110 may be formed entirely or partially from a conductive material (e.g., metal), or the conductive tip 110 may be located inside a non-conductive housing, with a portion of the conductive tip 110 exposed to the outside through an opening in the housing, and is not limited to these configurations.

[0525] The capacitor section (not shown) and the inductor section 140 are located within the housing 190. The capacitor section (not shown) may include multiple capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor has a different capacitance and is trimmed during the manufacturing process. The inductor section 140 may be located at a distance of approximately 1 distance d1 from the conductive tip 110.

[0526] The housing 190 can accommodate the elements of the stylus pen 10. Since the housing 190 is hollow inside, it can house the conductive tip 110, the resonant circuit section, and the ground section 180. Such a housing 190 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0527] The housing 190 includes a holder portion 190a adjacent to the conductive tip 110 and a main body portion 190b spaced apart from the conductive tip 110. The holder portion 190a and the main body portion 190b can be formed integrally. Although the configuration in which the holder portion 190a and the main body portion 190b are integrally joined is shown, the holder portion 190a and the main body portion 190b can also be separated.

[0528] The holder portion 190a may be a frustum as shown in Figure 97(a) or a column as shown in Figure 97(b). Alternatively, the holder portion 190a may be a column with a dome 192 attached as shown in Figure 97(c). Alternatively, the holder portion 190a may be a pipe as shown in Figure 97(d).

[0529] The main body 190b may have, but is not limited to, a cylindrical shape, a polygonal prism, a column shape with at least a curved surface, an entasis shape, a frustum of pyramid shape, a circular truncated cone shape, or the like.

[0530] The blocking member 170a may be located in a region corresponding to a portion of the housing in which the conductive tip 110 is exposed to the outside. For example, the blocking member 170a may be located within 0 mm to 20 mm of the opening of the holder portion 190a in which the conductive tip 110 is exposed to the outside. Specifically, the blocking member 170a may be located between the opening of the holder portion 190a and a portion 20 mm away from the opening of the holder portion 190a. Furthermore, the blocking member 170a may be located between a portion 0.1 mm or more away from the opening of the holder portion 190a and a portion 10 mm away from the opening of the holder portion 190a, and between a portion 1 mm or more away from the opening and a portion 5 mm away from the opening of the holder portion 190a. In other words, the blocking member 170a may be located in a region adjacent to the portion of the housing in which the conductive tip 110 is exposed to the outside, within at least 25 mm.

[0531] The blocking member 170a may be a conductive member that surrounds at least a portion of the holder portion 190a. The blocking member 170a may be a conductive member that is at least a portion of the holder portion 190a. Such a blocking member 170a is connected to the ground portion 180 through a conductive connecting member 112. The blocking member 170a is electrically connected to the ground portion 180 and grounded.

[0532] The blocking member 170a may be located inside or outside the holder portion 190a. In Figure 97, the conductive tip 110 is shown to be located inside the holder portion 190a, but if the conductive tip 110 extends into the main body portion 190b, the blocking member 170a may be located inside or outside the main body portion 190b.

[0533] Furthermore, depending on the positions of the capacitor and inductor 140, the blocking member 170a can also surround at least a portion of the capacitor and inductor 140. For example, if the capacitor and inductor 140 are located inside the holder portion 190a, the blocking member 170a can surround at least a portion of the capacitor and inductor 140.

[0534] As shown in Figure 97, when the inductor portion 140 is separated from the blocking member 170a by a predetermined distance or more, the blocking member 170a may have the form of a single conductive plate. Alternatively, the blocking member 170a may be a conductive coil within the holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may be a conductive coil wound in contact with the inside of the holder portion 190a.

[0535] The blocking member 170a is spaced approximately 1 distance d1 from the ferrite core of the inductor section 140 along direction PD. Even if the blocking member 170a is not formed of multiple blocking sections, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core of the inductor section 140 is minimal.

[0536] In Figure 97(a), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the frustoconical holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the side surface of the frustoconical holder portion 190a adjacent to the tip 110.

[0537] In Figure 97(b), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a adjacent to the chip 110.

[0538] In Figure 97(c), the blocking member 170a has a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a and the outer surface of the dome 192. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the outer surface of the dome 192 and the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a adjacent to the chip 110.

[0539] In Figure 97(d), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the inner surface of the pipe-shaped holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the inner surface of the pipe-shaped holder portion 190a adjacent to the tip 110.

[0540] As shown in Figure 98, when the inductor portion 140 is separated from the interrupting member 170a by a second distance d2 or less which is shorter than the first distance d1, the interrupting member 170a may include a plurality of first interrupting portions 171a. For example, the interrupting member 170a may include a plurality of first interrupting portions 171a that are separated from each other while forming a closed loop around the holder portion 190a.

[0541] The multiple first interruption sections 171a extend in a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, that is, in a direction parallel to the axial direction PD of the ferrite core in the inductor section 140, and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. The multiple first interruption sections 171a may be spaced apart at intervals of 0.03 mm or more along the direction ED of the eddy current. Since the interruption member 170 includes multiple first interruption sections 171a spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents will not flow along the interruption member 170a, and the generation of eddy currents will be interrupted. Although it has been described that the multiple first interruption sections 171a extend along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, the multiple first interruption sections 171a may also extend along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees) to the direction PD.

[0542] Multiple first interruption units 171a are electrically connected through connecting units 174a. Furthermore, the connecting units 174a are electrically connected to the grounding unit 180. In other words, multiple first interruption units 171a are connected to the grounding unit 180 through conductive connecting members 112. The interruption unit 170a is electrically connected to the grounding unit 180 and grounded.

[0543] In Figure 98(a), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the frustoconical holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the side surface of the frustoconical holder portion 190a adjacent to the tip 110.

[0544] In Figure 98(b), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a adjacent to the chip 110.

[0545] In Figure 98(c), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a and the outer surface of the dome 192. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the outer surface of the dome 192 and the side surface of the column-shaped holder portion 190a adjacent to the chip 110.

[0546] In Figure 98(d), the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds at least a portion of the inner surface of the pipe-shaped holder portion 190a. For example, the blocking member 170a may have a configuration that surrounds only the portion of the inner surface of the pipe-shaped holder portion 190a adjacent to the tip 110.

[0547] The stylus pen 10 shown in Figure 99 further includes a blocking member 170b compared to the stylus pen 10 shown in Figure 97. The stylus pen 10 shown in Figure 100 further includes a blocking member 170b compared to the stylus pen 10 shown in Figure 26. The blocking member 170b includes a conductive member surrounding the inductor portion 140. The blocking member 170b may include a plurality of first blocking portions 171b. For example, the blocking member 170b may include a plurality of second blocking portions 171b that are spaced apart from each other while forming a closed loop around the main body portion 190b.

[0548] The blocking member 170b may be located inside or outside the main body 190b so as to surround at least a portion of the inductor portion 140. In Figure 99, the inductor portion 140 is shown to be located inside the main body 190b, but if the inductor portion 140 extends inside the holder portion 190a, the blocking member 170b may be located inside or outside the holder portion 190a.

[0549] The multiple first interruption sections 171b extend in a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, that is, in a direction parallel to the axial direction PD of the ferrite core in the inductor section 140, and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. Since the interruption member 170b includes multiple first interruption sections 171b spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents will not flow along the interruption member 170b, and the generation of eddy currents will be interrupted. Although it has been described that the multiple first interruption sections 171b extend along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, the multiple first interruption sections 171b may also extend along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees) to the direction PD.

[0550] The blocking member 170a and the blocking member 170b are electrically connected to each other. For example, the blocking member 170a and the multiple first blocking units 171b are electrically connected at the boundary between the holder unit 190a and the main body unit 190b. The multiple first blocking units 171b are then electrically connected through the connecting unit 174b. The connecting unit 174b is electrically connected to the grounding unit 180. In other words, the multiple first blocking units 171b are connected to the grounding unit 180 through the conductive connecting member 112. All of the blocking members 170a and 170b are electrically connected to the grounding unit 180 and grounded.

[0551] Referring to Figure 101(a), the stylus pen 10 may include a conductive tip 110, a conductive connecting member 120, a capacitor section 130, an inductor section 140, a blocking member 170, a grounding section 180, and a housing 190.

[0552] The blocking member 170 includes a conductive member that surrounds the capacitor section 130 and the inductor section 140. The blocking member 170 is connected to the ground section 180.

[0553] Furthermore, both ends of the blocking member 170 are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. In connection with this, Figures 101(b) to (e) show the blocking member 170 in detail.

[0554] Referring to Figure 101(b), the blocking member 170 includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents. The slit GP extends along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents. The ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170 are separated by the slit GP. In this embodiment, the slit GP may have a width of 0.03 mm or more along the direction ED of the eddy currents.

[0555] Although it has been explained that the slit GP extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, the slit GP may also extend along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees) to the direction PD.

[0556] The ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170 are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the blocking member 170, thus blocking the generation of eddy currents.

[0557] Referring to Figure 101(c), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of first blocking sections 171. The plurality of first blocking sections 171 extend along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. Similarly, since the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of first blocking sections 171 spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents will not flow along the blocking member 170, and the generation of eddy currents will be blocked. Although it has been described that the plurality of first blocking sections 171 extend along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, the plurality of first blocking sections 171 may also extend along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees) to the direction PD.

[0558] Referring to Figure 101(d), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172. The plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and the ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. Similarly, since the ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 included in the blocking member 170 are spaced apart along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents do not flow along the blocking member 170, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0559] Referring to Figure 101(e), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of third blocking sections 173. The plurality of third blocking sections 173 are spaced apart from each other along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and along the direction ED of the eddy current. Similarly, since the plurality of third blocking sections 173 included in the blocking member 170 are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents do not flow along the blocking member 170, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0560] The housing 190 may include a form in which a frustum and a column are joined together. Although the housing 190 shows a form in which the frustum portion and the column portion are integrally joined, the two parts can also be separated. The column portion may have, but is not limited to, a cylindrical, polygonal prism, a column with at least one curved surface, an entasis form, a frustum of a pyramid, a frustum of a cone, and the like. Such a housing 190 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0561] The blocking member 170 can be located on the inner surface, outer surface, or inside of the housing 190, as will be described later with reference to Figures 109 to 111.

[0562] Next, referring to Figure 102(a), the stylus pen 10 differs from the stylus pen 10 in Figure 101(a) in that the blocking member 170 is connected to the grounding portion 180. Furthermore, the blocking member 170 and the grounding portion 180 can be connected at a position separated from the inductor portion 140.

[0563] In this regard, Figures 102(b) to (d) show in detail the blocking member 170 connected to the grounding portion 180.

[0564] Referring to Figure 102(b), the blocking member 170 includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents and a connecting portion 174 that connects both ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170. The slit GP extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents. The ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170 are separated by the slit GP. The ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170 are separated along the direction ED of the eddy currents.

[0565] The connecting portion 174 is located at a position separated from the inductor portion 140 along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and can connect both ends 1701 and 1702 of the interrupting member 170. At the position of the connecting portion 174, the interrupting member 170 can be connected to the grounding portion 180.

[0566] Referring to Figure 102(c), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of first blocking portions 171 and a first connecting portion 175 that connects the plurality of first blocking portions 171 to each other.

[0567] Multiple first interruption sections 171 extend along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current.

[0568] The first connecting portion 175 can connect multiple first interrupting portions 171 at a position spaced apart from the inductor portion 140 along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current. At the position of the connecting portion 175, the interrupting member 170 can be connected to the grounding portion 180.

[0569] Referring to Figure 102(d), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172, a second connecting section 176 that connects the plurality of second blocking sections 172 to each other, and an additional grounding section 177.

[0570] Multiple second interruption sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and both ends of each of the multiple second interruption sections 172 are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current.

[0571] The second connecting section 176 extends from the inductor section 140 along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and can connect a plurality of second interrupting sections 172 and an additional grounding section 177.

[0572] The additional grounding section 177 may be connected to the grounding section 180. The additional grounding section 177 and the grounding section 180 may be connected at a position separated from the inductor section 140.

[0573] Next, referring to Figure 103(a), the stylus pen 10 differs from the stylus pen 10 in Figure 102(a) in that the blocking member 170 includes a first blocking member 170a located corresponding to the inductor portion 140 and a second blocking member 170b connected to the ground portion 180.

[0574] The first interruption member 170a may extend in a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, beyond the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140. The second interruption member 170b is connected to the first interruption member 170a.

[0575] In this regard, Figures 103(b) to (d) show in detail the blocking member 170, which includes the first blocking member 170a and the second blocking member 170b.

[0576] Referring to Figure 103(b), the first blocking member 170a includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents. The slit GP extends along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents to the lower end of the second blocking member 170b. The length ES1 of the first blocking member 170a may be greater than or equal to the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140. The length of the slit GP also corresponds to the length ES1 of the first blocking member 170a.

[0577] The ends 1701 and 1702 of the first blocking member 170a are separated by a single slit GP. The ends 1701 and 1702 of the first blocking member 170a are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the first blocking member 170a, and thus the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0578] The second blocking member 170b is connected to the upper end of the first blocking member 170a. The second blocking member 170b can be connected to the grounding portion 180. The second blocking member 170b is spaced apart from the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140 along direction PD. Therefore, even if a slit is not formed in the second blocking member 170b, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core 150 is minimal.

[0579] Referring to Figure 103(c), the first interrupting member 170a includes a plurality of first interrupting sections 171. The plurality of first interrupting sections 171 extend along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. The length ES2 of the first interrupting member 170a may be greater than or equal to the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor section 140. The lengths of the plurality of first interrupting sections 171 also correspond to the length ES2 of the first interrupting member 170a. Therefore, since eddy currents no longer flow along the first interrupting member 170a, the generation of eddy currents is interrupted.

[0580] The second interruption member 170b is connected to the upper end of the first interruption member 170a. The second interruption member 170b can be connected to the grounding portion 180. The second interruption member 170b is separated from the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140 along direction PD. Therefore, even if the second interruption member 170b is not formed by multiple interruption portions, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core 150 is minimal.

[0581] Referring to Figure 103(d), the first blocking member 170a includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172 and a second connecting section 176 that connects the plurality of second blocking sections 172 to each other. The plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and both ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the first blocking member 170a, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked. The length ES3 of the first blocking member 170a may be greater than or equal to the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor section 140.

[0582] The second connecting portion 176 extends from the inductor portion 140 along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and can connect the first blocking member 170a and the second blocking member 170b.

[0583] The second interruption member 170b is connected to the upper end of the first interruption member 170a. The second interruption member 170b can be connected to the grounding portion 180. The second interruption member 170b is separated from the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140 along direction PD. Therefore, even if the second interruption member 170b is not formed by multiple interruption portions, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core 150 is minimal.

[0584] Next, referring to Figure 104(a), the stylus pen 10 may include a conductive tip 110, a conductive connecting member 120, a capacitor section 130, an inductor section 140, a blocking member 170, a grounding section 180, and a housing 190. Components that are the same as or similar to those shown in Figure 102(a) will not be described.

[0585] The position of the inductor 140 within the housing 190 of the stylus pen 10 is different from the position of the inductor 140 within the housing 190 of the stylus pen 10 shown in Figure 103(a). Within the housing 190 of the stylus pen 10, the inductor 140 is separated from the conductive tip 110.

[0586] In this regard, Figures 104(b) to (d) are diagrams showing in detail the blocking member 170, which includes the first blocking member 170a and the second blocking member 170b.

[0587] Referring to Figure 104(b), the first blocking member 170a includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents. The slit GP extends to the upper end of the second blocking member 170b along the opposite direction to the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents. The length ES1 of the first blocking member 170a may be greater than or equal to the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140. The length of the slit GP also corresponds to the length ES1 of the first blocking member 170a.

[0588] The ends 1701 and 1702 of the first blocking member 170a are separated by a single slit GP. The ends 1701 and 1702 of the first blocking member 170a are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the first blocking member 170a, and thus the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0589] The second blocking member 170b is connected to the lower end of the first blocking member 170a. The second blocking member 170b is separated from the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140 along the opposite direction of direction PD. Therefore, even if a slit is not formed in the second blocking member 170b, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core 150 is minimal.

[0590] Referring to Figure 104(c), the first interrupting member 170a includes a plurality of first interrupting sections 171. The plurality of first interrupting sections 171 extend along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. The length ES1 of the first interrupting member 170a may be greater than or equal to the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor section 140. The lengths of the plurality of first interrupting sections 171 also correspond to the length ES1 of the first interrupting member 170a. Therefore, since eddy currents no longer flow along the first interrupting member 170a, the generation of eddy currents is interrupted.

[0591] The second blocking member 170b is connected to the lower end of the first blocking member 170a. The second blocking member 170b is separated from the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140 along the opposite direction of direction PD. Therefore, even if the second blocking member 170b is not formed by multiple blocking portions, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core 150 is minimal.

[0592] Referring to Figure 104(d), the first blocking member 170a includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172 and a second connecting section 176 that connects the plurality of second blocking sections 172 to each other. The plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and both ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the first blocking member 170a, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0593] The second connecting portion 176 extends from the inductor portion 140 along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and can connect the first blocking member 170a and the second blocking member 170b.

[0594] The second blocking member 170b is coupled to the lower end of the first blocking member 170a. The second blocking member 170b is separated from the ferrite core 150 of the inductor portion 140 along the opposite direction of direction PD. Therefore, even if the second blocking member 170b is not formed by multiple blocking portions, the influence of the magnetic field formed by the ferrite core 150 is minimal.

[0595] Next, referring to Figure 105(a), the stylus pen 10 may include a conductive tip 110, a conductive connecting member 120, a capacitor section 130, an inductor section 140, a blocking member 170, a grounding section 180, and a housing 190. Components that are the same as or similar to those shown in Figure 102(a) will not be described.

[0596] The position of the capacitor 130 within the housing 190 of the stylus pen 10 is different from the position of the capacitor 130 in Figures 101(a), 102(a), and 103(a). Within the housing 190 of the stylus pen 10, the capacitor 130 is separated from the conductive tip 110.

[0597] Similarly, the inductor portion 140 is located within the housing 190 of the stylus pen 10, separated from the conductive tip 110.

[0598] The conductive tip 110 and conductive connecting member 120 are located in the front part of the stylus pen 10, while the capacitor part 130 and inductor part 140 are located in the rear part of the stylus pen 10.

[0599] To minimize the influence of the user's hand on the conductive connecting member 120 and to prevent the generation of eddy currents by the inductor section 140, the stylus pen 10 further includes a blocking member 170.

[0600] In this regard, Figures 105(b) to (d) show the blocking member 170 in detail.

[0601] Referring to Figure 105(b), the blocking member 170 includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents. The slit GP extends in the opposite direction to the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents. The length ES1 of the blocking member 170 can correspond to the length of the conductive connecting member 120.

[0602] The ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170 are separated by a single slit GP. The ends 1701 and 1702 of the blocking member 170 are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the blocking member 170, and thus the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0603] Referring to Figure 105(c), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of first blocking portions 171 and a first connecting portion 175 that connects the plurality of first blocking portions 171 to each other.

[0604] Multiple first interruption sections 171 extend along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. The length ES2 of the interruption member 170 may be greater than or equal to the length CL of the ferrite core 150 of the inductor section 140. The lengths of the multiple first interruption sections 171 also correspond to the length ES2 of the interruption member 170. Therefore, since eddy currents no longer flow along the interruption member 170, the generation of eddy currents is interrupted.

[0605] The first connecting portion 175 can connect multiple first interrupting portions 171 to each other. At the location of the connecting portion 175, the interrupting member 170 can be electrically connected to the grounding portion 180.

[0606] Referring to Figure 105(d), the blocking member 170 includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172 and a second connecting section 176 that connects the plurality of second blocking sections 172 to each other. The plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and both ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents no longer flow along the blocking member 170, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0607] The second connecting portion 176 extends from the inductor portion 140 along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current.

[0608] Figures 106 and 107 are conceptual diagrams showing the structure of the blocking member of a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

[0609] As shown in Figure 106, both ends of the shielding member 170a are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. The shielding member 170a can be printed onto a sheet by methods such as plating, photolithography, or sputtering and attached to the holder portion 190a, or it can be printed directly onto the holder portion 190a by methods such as plating, photolithography, or sputtering, and is not limited to these methods.

[0610] Referring to Figure 106(a), the blocking member 170a includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents and a connecting portion 174a that connects both ends 1701a and 1702a of the blocking member 170a. The slit GP extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents. The ends 1701a and 1702a of the blocking member 170a are separated by the slit GP. The ends 1701a and 1702a of the blocking member 170a are separated along the direction ED of the eddy currents. The connecting portion 174a can connect the ends 1701a and 1702a of the blocking member 170a.

[0611] Referring to Figure 106(b), the blocking member 170a includes a plurality of first blocking sections 171a and a connecting section 174a that connects the plurality of first blocking sections 171a to each other. The plurality of first blocking sections 171a extend along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. The connecting section 174a can connect the plurality of first blocking sections 171a.

[0612] Referring to Figure 106(c), the blocking member 170a includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172a and connecting sections 174a and 176a that connect the plurality of second blocking sections 172a.

[0613] Multiple second interruption sections 172a are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and both ends of each of the multiple second interruption sections 172a are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED perpendicular to the eddy current. The connecting section 176a extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and can connect multiple second interruption sections 172a.

[0614] As shown in Figure 107, both ends of the shielding member 170b are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. The shielding member 170b can be printed onto a sheet by methods such as plating, photolithography, or sputtering and attached to the main body 190b, or it can be printed directly onto the main body 190b by methods such as plating, photolithography, or sputtering, and is not limited to these methods.

[0615] Referring to Figure 107(a), the blocking member 170b includes a slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents and a connecting portion 174b that connects both ends 1701b and 1702b of the blocking member 170b. The slit GP extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents. The ends 1701b and 1702b of the blocking member 170b are separated by the slit GP. The ends 1701b and 1702b of the blocking member 170b are separated along the direction ED of the eddy currents. The connecting portion 174b can connect the ends 1701b and 1702b of the blocking member 170b.

[0616] Referring to Figure 107(b), the blocking member 170b includes a plurality of first blocking sections 171b and a connecting section 174b that connects the plurality of first blocking sections 171b to each other. The plurality of first blocking sections 171b extend along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. The connecting section 174b can connect the plurality of first blocking sections 171b.

[0617] Referring to Figure 107(c), the blocking member 170b includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172b and connecting sections 174b and 176b that connect the plurality of second blocking sections 172b.

[0618] Multiple second interruption sections 172b are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and both ends of each of the multiple second interruption sections 172b are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED perpendicular to the eddy current. The connecting section 176b extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and can connect multiple second interruption sections 172b.

[0619] Figure 108 shows touch input by hovering a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

[0620] As explained in Figure 91, in order to draw the previous stroke and then the next stroke when writing, the stylus pen 10 can move from the end point A of the previous stroke to the start point C of the next stroke within the touchscreen 20.

[0621] The conductive tip 110 of the stylus pen 10 contacts the window 22 at point A and also at point C. Signals RS3 and RS5 from the conductive tip 110 in contact with the window 22 are transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21. Signal RS3 generates touch data corresponding to point A, and signal RS5 generates touch data corresponding to point C.

[0622] In region B between point A and point C, the stylus pen 10 is separated from window 22. That is, the stylus pen 10 is in a hovering state in region B. In the hovering state, the signal RS4 from the conductive tip 110 of the stylus pen 10 according to this embodiment is transmitted to the touch electrode layer 21 at a very small value or not transmitted at all. The touch controller 262 does not generate touch data based on the signal RS4. That is, no touch data corresponding to the connected drawing NL in region B is generated.

[0623] According to at least one of the embodiments, there is an advantage in that a stylus pen can be provided that prevents unintended touch input by a stylus pen in a hovering state.

[0624] According to at least one of the embodiments, there is an advantage in that a stylus pen can be provided that is robust against external factors such as the user's grip.

[0625] According to at least one of the embodiments, the inductance and capacitance values ​​of the stylus pen can be kept constant, and the resonant frequency can be kept constant, which has the advantage of improving touch sensitivity to the touch sensor.

[0626] Next, the positional relationship between the blocking member 170 and the housing 190 will be explained with reference to Figures 109 to 111.

[0627] Figures 109 to 111 show the structure of the main body of a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

[0628] First, referring to Figure 109(a), the stylus pen 10 includes a blocking member 170b with a plurality of first blocking portions 171b and a main body portion 190b.

[0629] Figure 109(b) shows a cross-section of the stylus pen 10 cut along the cutting surfaces A1-A2-A3-A4. According to one embodiment, the first blocking portion 171b may be located on the inner surface 1902 of the main body portion 190b.

[0630] Next, referring to Figure 110(a), the stylus pen 10 includes a blocking member 170b with a plurality of first blocking portions 171b and a main body portion 190b.

[0631] Figure 110(b) shows a cross-section of the stylus pen 10 cut along the cutting surfaces B1-B2-B3-B4. According to one embodiment, the first blocking portion 171b may be located on the outer surface 1900 of the main body portion 190b.

[0632] Finally, referring to Figure 111(a), the stylus pen 10 includes a blocking member 170b with a plurality of first blocking portions 171b and a main body portion 190b.

[0633] Figure 111(b) shows a cross-section of the stylus pen 10 cut along the cutting planes CP-C2-C3-C4. According to one embodiment, the first blocking portion 171b can be housed between the outer surface 1900 and the inner surface 1902 of the main body portion 190b.

[0634] Although only the blocking member 170b is described in Figures 109 to 111, the blocking member 170a may also be located on the inner or outer surface of the holder portion 190a, or may be built in between the outer and inner surfaces.

[0635] On the other hand, the effect of parasitic capacitance Cf is even greater in the LLC circuit shown in Figure 89 compared to the LC resonant circuit or LCLC resonant circuit. This is because, when designed at the same resonant frequency, the capacitance of the LLC resonant circuit is about half that of the LC resonant circuit or LCLC resonant circuit. Therefore, when using an LLC type resonant circuit as shown in Figure 89, the above-described structure can be applied to minimize the effect of the capacitance, which has been reduced by half.

[0636] Figure 112 is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen with an LLC structure.

[0637] As shown in Figure 112, the stylus pen 10 includes a conductive tip 11, a capacitor section 113, two inductor sections 114 and 114', a blocking member 17, a grounding section 18, and a housing 19.

[0638] Each inductor section 114 and 114' includes two ferrite cores 115 and 115', and coils 116 and 116' wound around the ferrite cores 115 and 115'. In this configuration, the two inductor sections 114 and 114' are connected in series.

[0639] The blocking member 17 is a conductive member that surrounds the capacitor portion 113 and the inductor portions 114 and 114', and can prevent the formation of parasitic capacitance due to the user's hand UF.

[0640] In this case, the blocking member 117 can be designed so that both ends of the blocking member 17 are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current in order to minimize the influence of the eddy current generated by the stylus pen 10.

[0641] In this regard, the blocking member 17 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 113(a) to (d).

[0642] Figure 113 shows various examples of shielding members.

[0643] As shown in Figure 112, a drive signal transmitted from the conductive tip 11 causes a clockwise current to flow through coils 116 and 16', and a magnetic field is formed by the current flowing through coils 116 and 116'. At this time, the change in the magnetic field generated by the current in the coils creates eddy currents in the counterclockwise direction, which is opposite to the direction of the current in the coils, and counterclockwise eddy currents flow through the blocking member 17.

[0644] Referring to Figure 113(a), the blocking member 17 includes a single slit GP that blocks the generation of eddy currents. The slit GP extends along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy currents (counterclockwise in Figure 113). The ends 17a and 17b of the blocking member 17 are separated by the single slit GP. In this embodiment, the slit GP may have a width of 0.03 mm or more along the direction ED of the eddy currents.

[0645] Although it has been explained that the slit GP extends along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, the slit GP may also extend along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees) to the direction PD. The ends 17a and 17b of the blocking member 17 are separated along the direction ED of the eddy current. Therefore, eddy currents will not flow along the blocking member 17, and thus the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0646] Referring to Figure 113(b), the blocking member 17 includes a plurality of first blocking sections 171. The plurality of first blocking sections 171 extend along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. Similarly, since the blocking member 17 includes a plurality of first blocking sections 171 spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents will not flow along the blocking member 17, and the generation of eddy currents will be blocked. Although it has been described that the plurality of first blocking sections 171 extend along a direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, the plurality of first blocking sections 171 may also extend along a direction inclined at a predetermined angle (greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees) to the direction PD.

[0647] Referring to Figure 113(c), the blocking member 17 includes a plurality of second blocking sections 172. The plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart along the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current, and the ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 are spaced apart from each other along the direction ED of the eddy current. Similarly, since the ends of each of the plurality of second blocking sections 172 included in the blocking member 17 are spaced apart along the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents do not flow along the blocking member 17, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0648] Referring to Figure 113(d), the blocking member 17 includes a plurality of third blocking sections 173. The plurality of third blocking sections 173 are spaced apart from each other in the direction PD perpendicular to the eddy current and in the direction ED of the eddy current. Similarly, since the plurality of third blocking sections 173 included in the blocking member 17 are spaced apart from each other in the direction ED of the eddy current, eddy currents do not flow along the blocking member 17, and the generation of eddy currents is blocked.

[0649] Furthermore, the LLC structure stylus pen may include, in addition to the blocking member 17, blocking members 170, 170a, and 170b shown in Figures 97 to 111.

[0650] Figure 114 is a schematic diagram showing the driving timing of a touch sensor according to one embodiment.

[0651] As shown in Figure 114, the electronic device 2 can operate in a first mode IN1 and a second mode IN2.

[0652] The first mode, IN1, is a mode in which input is mainly received from touches made by the user's body parts (fingers, palms, etc.). In the first mode, IN1, a drive signal is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 111 (FTX), and a sensing signal corresponding to the drive signal is received by multiple second touch electrodes 121 (FRX).

[0653] During the first mode IN1, a period STX in which a drive signal is applied to the loop coil 264 to resonate the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 is repeated at a predetermined period (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, etc.). At this time, multiple first touch electrodes 111 and multiple second touch electrodes 121 can receive sensing signals (SRX). Furthermore, the first mode IN1 may be a mode that receives input only from the user's body parts, in which case the period (STX) in which the drive signal is applied to the loop coil 264 is not required.

[0654] When a signal output from the stylus pen 10 due to the resonance of the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 is detected by the touch sensor 261, the electronic device 2 operates in second mode IN2. Furthermore, the touch sensor 261 can also enter and operate in second mode IN2 by an external controller. For example, it can operate in second mode IN2 if an application program that operates to receive touch input from the stylus pen 10 is executed, or if touch input from the stylus pen 10 is expected to be received by another sensor.

[0655] The second mode, IN2, is a mode in which touch input from the stylus pen 10 is the primary input. During the second mode, IN2, a drive signal is applied to the loop coil 264 (STX), and the signals output from the stylus pen 10 are received by multiple first touch electrodes 111 and multiple second touch electrodes 121 (SRX). Based on the waveform of the sensing signal output from the stylus pen 10, the touch sensor 261 can identify the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c shown in Figure 3, respectively.

[0656] During the second mode IN2, a period (FTX / FRX) in which touch input from a body part is received is repeated at a predetermined cycle (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, etc.). At this time, a drive signal is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 111 (FTX), and a sensing signal corresponding to the drive signal is received by multiple second touch electrodes 121 (FRX). If it is identified as stylus pen 10a or stylus pen 10b in Figure 3, a drive signal may not be applied to the loop coil 264 during this period in order to conserve power due to the application of the drive signal. If it is identified as stylus pen 10c in Figure 3, a drive signal can be applied to the loop coil 264 during this period. In this case, power can be charged to stylus pen 10c even during the period in which touch input from a body part is received. Furthermore, the second mode IN2 may be a mode that only receives input from stylus pen 10, in which case the period (FTX / FRX) in which touch input from a body part is received is not required.

[0657] Figures 115 to 118 show the drive timing of the touch sensor according to the embodiment.

[0658] Figures 115 and 116 show the timing when the touch sensor 261 operates in a mutual capacitance manner, and Figures 25 and 26 show the timing when the touch sensor 261 operates in a self-capacitance manner.

[0659] As shown in Figure 115, during interval Ta, a drive signal D_111 is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 111, and a sensing signal corresponding to the drive signal D_111 is received by multiple second touch electrodes 121. At this time, the drive signal D_121 is not applied to the multiple second touch electrodes 121.

[0660] Next, a drive signal D_264 is applied to the loop coil 264 during section Tb. As a result, the resonant signal in the resonant circuit section 12 increases. Multiple first touch electrodes 111 and multiple second touch electrodes 121 receive sensing signals from the stylus pen 10.

[0661] As shown in Figure 116, during section Ta, a drive signal D_111 is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 111, and a sensing signal corresponding to the drive signal D_111 is received by multiple second touch electrodes 121. At this time, the drive signal D_121 is not applied to the multiple second touch electrodes 121, and a drive signal D_264 is applied to the loop coil 264. The resonant signal in the resonant circuit section 12 increases.

[0662] Since the sampling frequencies at the multiple second touch electrodes 121 correspond to the drive signal D_111, the touch sensor 261 can receive touches from body parts during the interval Ta.

[0663] During section Tb, the drive signal D_264 is applied only to the loop coil 264. Multiple first touch electrodes 111 and multiple second touch electrodes 121 receive sensing signals from the stylus pen 10.

[0664] As shown in Figure 117, during the first to second interval T1 to T2, a drive signal D_111 is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 111, a drive signal D_121 is applied to multiple second touch electrodes 121, and a drive signal D_264 is applied to the loop coil 264.

[0665] In this case, the sampling frequencies of the multiple first touch electrodes 111 and the multiple second touch electrodes 121 can be set to frequencies corresponding to the drive signal D_111 to receive touches from body parts, or they can be set to frequencies corresponding to the signal output from the stylus pen 10 to receive touches from the stylus pen 10.

[0666] As shown in Figure 118, during section Ta, a drive signal D_111 is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 111 to receive touch signals from body parts, and a sensing signal from the stylus pen 10 is received by multiple second touch electrodes 121. At this time, the drive signal D_121 is not applied to the multiple second touch electrodes 121, and a drive signal D_264 is applied to the loop coil 264. The resonant signal in the resonant circuit section 12 increases.

[0667] During section Tb, a drive signal D_121 is applied to multiple first touch electrodes 121 to receive touch signals from body parts, and a sensing signal from the stylus pen 10 is received by multiple first touch electrodes 111. At this time, the drive signal D_111 is not applied to the multiple first touch electrodes 111, and a drive signal D_264 is applied to the loop coil 264. The resonant signal in the resonant circuit section 12 is maintained.

[0668] As explained above, in the touch sensor according to the present invention, while the loop coil 264 transmits electromagnetic signals to the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c, the touch electrodes 111 and 121 can receive resonant signals from the stylus pens 10a, 10b, and 10c. In the case of EMR and ECR methods, since the resonant signal is input from the stylus pen after the transmission of electromagnetic signals has stopped, there was a problem in that the resonant signal at the stylus pen was attenuated. Because the touch input was judged based on the attenuated resonant signal, the touch input was not recognized accurately, which resulted in the disadvantage of reduced touch sensitivity.

[0669] In the touch sensor according to the present invention, signal transmission is performed by the loop coil 264, and signal reception is performed by the touch electrodes 111 and 121. That is, while the signal is transmitted by the loop coil 264, a resonant signal is input to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, so the signal resonated by the stylus pen 10a is not attenuated and is received by the touch electrodes 111 and 121. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal and enhances the reception sensitivity of the touch input. Next, if it is identified as the stylus pen 10a or stylus pen 10b shown in Figure 3, the waveform of the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264 can be changed in order to reduce power consumption due to the application of the drive signal.

[0670] This will be explained in relation to Figures 119 to 124.

[0671] Figures 119 to 124 are waveform diagrams showing drive signals in various configurations of one embodiment.

[0672] Referring to Figure 119, during the initial interval to rapidly bring the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 to a predetermined level, the coil driver 263 outputs a drive signal of a predetermined frequency to the loop coil 264. This allows the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 to rapidly reach the predetermined level. Subsequently, during the effective interval, the coil driver 263 outputs a drive signal that is a modified version of the drive signal of the predetermined frequency (for example, with a reduced duty cycle). This maintains the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 at the effective level.

[0673] In other words, a drive signal with a lower duty cycle (or duty cycle) compared to a drive signal of a predetermined frequency is output to the loop coil 264 during the effective period. For example, if the duty cycle of the drive signal output during the initial period is 1, the duty cycle of the drive signal output from the effective period onward will be reduced to 1 / 3 due to the increase in off-duty cycle caused by pulse skipping.

[0674] Referring to Figure 120, the coil driver 263 outputs a periodic drive signal to the loop coil 264 during the initial period to raise the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 to a predetermined level. Then, in the subsequent effective period, compared to the drive signal output to the loop coil 264 in the initial period, the drive signal is output to the loop coil 264 in a form in which the next pulse is omitted every two pulses output, thereby maintaining the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 at the effective level. In other words, in the effective period, the drive signal is output in a form in which the next pulse is omitted after two pulses are output. As a result, the drive signal output in the effective period repeats a first period t1 in which a pulse signal with the same duty cycle as the pulses output during the initial period is output, and a second period T2 in which a pulse signal with a lower duty cycle than that of the first period t1 is output. For example, if the duty cycle in the first period t1 is 1, the duty cycle in the second period T2 will be reduced to 1 / 3 due to the increase in off-duty due to pulse skipping.

[0675] The fewer sections in the active interval where pulse output is skipped, the greater the energy that can be transmitted from the loop coil 264 to the stylus pen 10. Therefore, the fewer sections in the active interval where pulse output is skipped, the greater the signal level of the pen's resonant signal generated in the active interval. Taking Figures 119 and 120 as examples, in the drive signal of Figure 120, one pulse is omitted for every two pulses output, so the signal level of the corresponding pen's resonant signal can be increased compared to the drive signal of Figure 119, where one pulse is omitted for every one pulse output.

[0676] Furthermore, the more sections in the active period in which pulse output is skipped, the less energy can be consumed for outputting the drive signal. Therefore, the more sections in the active period in which pulse output is skipped, the less energy can be consumed by the touch sensor 261 in the active period. Taking Figures 119 and 120 as examples, in the drive signal of Figure 119, one pulse is omitted each time one pulse is output, so the energy consumed by the touch sensor 261 can be reduced compared to the drive signal of Figure 120, where one pulse is omitted for every two pulses output.

[0677] On the other hand, Figures 119 and 120 show examples of drive signals output from the coil driver 263 to the loop coil 264, and the sections in which pulse output is skipped during the effective section can be varied in various ways.

[0678] Referring to Figure 121, the length of the interval in which the same pulse is continuously output in the drive signal output to the loop coil 264 during the effective interval can be varied in various ways. For example, one pulse can be omitted every three pulses output, or one pulse can be omitted every four pulses output. Alternatively, one pulse can be omitted every five pulses output, or one pulse can be omitted every six pulses output. Furthermore, one pulse can be omitted every seven pulses output, or one pulse can be omitted every eight pulses output, or one pulse can be omitted every nine pulses output. In this way, when one pulse is periodically omitted, the duty cycle in the pulse skip interval can have a value of 1 / (2N+1)=1 / 3.

[0679] On the other hand, the number of pulses that are continuously skipped in the drive signal output to the loop coil 264 during the effective period can also be varied in various ways. For example, Figure 121 shows an example where only one pulse is periodically omitted during the effective period, but the number of pulses that are periodically omitted in the effective period can be changed to two or more. Taking Figure 122 as an example, the drive signal is output so that multiple consecutive pulses (two pulses, three pulses, four pulses, etc.) are periodically skipped during the effective period. For example, if two consecutive pulses are periodically skipped during the effective period, and the duty cycle of the drive signal output from the initial period is 1, the duty cycle in the pulse skipping section of the effective period may be 1 / (2N+1) = 1 / 5. Also, for example, if three consecutive pulses are periodically skipped during the effective period, and the duty cycle of the drive signal output from the initial period is 1, the duty cycle in the pulse skipping section of the effective period may be 1 / (2N+1) = 1 / 7. Furthermore, for example, if four consecutive pulses are periodically skipped within the valid interval, and the duty cycle of the drive signal output from the initial interval is 1, then the duty cycle in the pulse-skipping interval of the valid interval may have a value of 1 / (2N+1)=1 / 9.

[0680] Furthermore, while Figures 119 to 121 show an example where, in the effective section, a pulse is output after a pulse skip, approximately the duration of the off-duty cycle, the timing at which a new pulse is output after a pulse skip can also be changed. Taking Figure 123 as an example, in the effective section, pulse output can be immediately resumed at time t3, when the pulse skip period (t3 to t4 section) ends. As a result, the pulse signal output after the pulse skip may have the opposite phase to the pulse signal output before the pulse skip. In this case, if the duty cycle of the drive signal output from the initial section is 1, the duty cycle in the pulse skip section of the effective section may have a value of 1 / 2N = 1 / 2.

[0681] As described above, the fewer sections in the active section in which pulse output is skipped, the more energy is transmitted from the loop coil 264 to the stylus pen 10. Therefore, the more pulses continuously output in the active section in which the number of pulses increases, the more energy can be transmitted from the loop coil 264 to the stylus pen 10. Consequently, compared to using a drive signal in which one pulse is omitted every three pulses output, using a drive signal in which one pulse is omitted every nine pulses output increases the energy transmitted from the loop coil 264 to the stylus pen 10, and the corresponding signal level of the pen's resonant signal can increase. Also, the more sections in the active section in which pulse output is skipped, the less energy is consumed for the output of the drive signal. Therefore, the fewer pulses continuously output in the active section in which the number of pulses decreases, the less energy can be consumed by the touch sensor 261. Consequently, compared to using a drive signal in which one pulse is omitted every nine pulses output, using a drive signal in which one pulse is omitted every three pulses output can reduce the energy consumption of the touch sensor 261 in the active section.

[0682] On the other hand, while Figures 119 to 121 show an example where the signal levels of the pulses output from the initial section and the active section are the same, the signal levels of the pulses output from the initial section and the active section may be different. For example, the touch sensor 261 can set the signal level of the pulse output from the initial section higher than the signal level of the pulse output from the active section in order to reduce the time it takes for the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 to reach a predetermined level. Also, for example, the touch sensor 261 can set the signal level of the pulse output from the active section higher than the signal level of the pulse output from the initial section in order to increase the energy transmitted to the stylus pen 10 in the active section.

[0683] Referring to Figure 124, during the initial interval, a first drive signal is applied to the loop coil 264, in which high-level IH pulses are repeated at a predetermined period. During the initial interval, the first drive signal allows the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 to rapidly reach a predetermined voltage level (i.e., saturate).

[0684] During the effective period, a drive signal having multiple sections with different disable level intervals is applied to the loop coil 264.

[0685] For example, if the duty cycle of the first drive signal output from the initial section (the ratio of the disabled level section to the enabled level section within one repeating period P) is 1:1, then the drive signal output from the active section may have duty cycles such as a:2b+1, a:2b+2, a:2b+3, a:2b+4, a:(3b+1), a:2(b+3)+1, a:2(b+3), a:(2b+1), etc., where a and b are integers. The period corresponding to one period P of the drive signal output from the active section may include a section in which the enabled level section and the disabled level section are repeated at least n times, and a section in which the disabled level section is maintained at least 2n times. The enabled level section corresponds to a section in which the drive signal has the enabled level IH, and the disabled level section corresponds to a section in which the drive signal has the disabled level IL. The duty cycle of the drive signal is merely one example and may include all ratios that ensure the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10, once it reaches a predetermined level, is maintained at an effective level.

[0686] The resonant signal of the stylus pen 10, which reaches a predetermined level due to the first drive signal in the initial section, is maintained at an effective level by the drive signal in the effective section. Here, the effective level means the level at which the touch controller 262 can perceive the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 as a touch signal.

[0687] The drive signal in the active section may be a signal in which at least one pulse is periodically omitted from the first drive signal in the initial section. As described above, since the drive signal in the active section is output in a form in which at least one pulse is periodically omitted compared to the first drive signal in the initial section, the pulse speeds of the first drive signal in the initial section and the drive signal in the active section are different. In other words, the pulse speed of the drive signal in the active section may be lower than that of the first drive signal in the initial section. Here, the pulse speed may be the number of pulses output per unit time (e.g., 1 second).

[0688] The fewer pulses of the drive signal that are skipped during the effective interval, the greater the energy that can be transmitted from the touch sensor 261 to the stylus pen 10. Therefore, the fewer pulses of the drive signal that are skipped during the effective interval, the greater the signal level of the pen's resonant signal generated during the effective interval. Also, the more pulses of the drive signal that are skipped during the effective interval, the less energy can be consumed for the output of the drive signal. Therefore, the more pulses of the drive signal that are skipped during the effective interval, the less energy can be consumed by the touch sensor 261 during the effective interval.

[0689] According to this embodiment, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal output from the stylus pen can be improved, which has the advantage of improving the sensitivity of touch input reception and enabling more accurate calculation of the touch position.

[0690] According to the embodiment, there is the advantage of being able to perform palm rejection, and there is the advantage of reducing the energy consumption of the touch sensor by reducing the energy consumption in the section where a drive signal is output to the touch sensor due to the resonance of the stylus pen.

[0691] Next, with reference to Figure 125, a method for driving an electronic device according to one embodiment will be described.

[0692] Figure 125 is a flowchart showing a method for driving an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0693] In the first section, the electronic device 2 is driven in the first mode (S10). The first mode is a mode in which a drive signal is applied to the touch sensor 261 to detect touch input from a touch object other than the stylus pen 10.

[0694] For example, in the first mode, the first drive / receive unit 2620 outputs drive signals to a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second drive / receive unit 2622 receives touch-response signals from a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0695] The control unit 2624 can determine whether a sensing signal is a valid touch signal based on whether the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the first section exceeds a first critical value, and can acquire touch coordinate information using the valid touch signal.

[0696] For example, the control unit 2624 calculates touch coordinates using the sensing signal if the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the first section exceeds a first critical value. If the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the first section is less than or equal to the first critical value, the control unit 2624 does not calculate touch coordinates corresponding to the sensing signal whose magnitude is less than or equal to the first critical value. Also, if the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the first section exceeds a first critical value, the control unit 2624 can calculate the touch area using the sensing signal. The sensing signal acquired in the first section includes at least one of a first sensing signal from a user's body part (fingers, palm, etc.) and a second sensing signal from the stylus pen 10. The first critical value is set so that the first sensing signal is determined to be a valid touch signal and the second sensing signal is filtered.

[0697] During the first sub-period of the second section, the electronic device 2 is driven in the second mode (S20). The second mode is a mode in which a drive signal is applied to the loop coil 264 to detect touch input from the stylus pen 10. For example, the coil driver 263 simultaneously applies a drive signal to the loop coil 264.

[0698] It is assumed that the frequency of the drive signal applied to the touch sensor 261 in the first section is less than or equal to the frequency of the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264 in the first sub-period. Furthermore, the frequency of the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264 in the first sub-period is a constant multiple of 2 or more of the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal of the signal control unit 220.

[0699] During the second subperiod of the second section, the electronic device 2 receives a resonant sensing signal based on the drive signal at least once (S30).

[0700] For example, the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 resonates with the drive signal, which generates a resonant signal that is transmitted to the touch sensor 261 through the conductive tip 11.

[0701] In one embodiment, the first drive / receive unit 2620 receives a sensing signal transmitted from a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m at least once, and the second drive / receive unit 2622 receives a sensing signal transmitted from a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n at least once. In this case, the timing at which the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 receive the sensing signal may be the same. The first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 can then process the received sensing signal and transmit it to the control unit 2624.

[0702] In the second sub-period described above, the first drive / receiver 2620 receives sensing signals transmitted from a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second drive / receiver 2622 receives sensing signals transmitted from a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. However, in the second sub-period of the second section, the first drive / receiver 2620 receives sensing signals transmitted from at least one of the plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second drive / receiver 2622 receives sensing signals transmitted from a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. The sensing signal may be received from at least one of 1-n, or in the second sub-period of the second interval, only the first drive / receiver unit 2620 may receive a sensing signal from at least one of the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, or in the second sub-period of the second interval, only the second drive / receiver unit 2622 may receive a sensing signal from at least one of the multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n, and the sensing signal receiving operation of the first drive / receiver unit 2620 and the second drive / receiver unit 2622 is not limited to the above.

[0703] Furthermore, during the second sub-period, the first drive / receive unit 2620 may receive a sensing signal from at least one of the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, or it may receive sensing signals from all of the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m. Similarly, the second drive / receive unit 2622 may receive a sensing signal from at least one of the multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n, or it may receive sensing signals from all of the multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0704] The control unit 2624 generates touch information using a portion of the sensing signal received from a section determined in correspondence with the horizontal synchronization signal in the sensing signal received at least once by the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622.

[0705] In other embodiments, the first drive / receive unit 2620 is synchronized to a horizontal synchronization signal and receives sensing signals transmitted from a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second drive / receive unit 2622 is also synchronized to a horizontal synchronization signal and receives sensing signals transmitted from a plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. The first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 can then process the received sensing signals and transmit them to the control unit 2624.

[0706] The control unit 2624 is synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal and generates touch information using the sensing signals received by the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622.

[0707] The control unit 2624 determines whether the sensing signal acquired in the second sub-period is a valid touch signal based on whether the magnitude of the sensing signal exceeds the second critical value, and can acquire touch coordinate information of the point where the stylus pen 10 touch occurred using the valid touch signal.

[0708] For example, if the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the second sub-period exceeds the second critical value, the control unit 2624 calculates the touch coordinates using the sensing signal. If the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the second sub-period is less than or equal to the second critical value, the control unit 2624 does not calculate the touch coordinates corresponding to the sensing signal whose magnitude is less than or equal to the second critical value. Also, if the magnitude of the sensing signal acquired in the second sub-period exceeds the second critical value, the control unit 2624 can calculate the touch area using the sensing signal.

[0709] In this case, the drive signal in the second sub-period of the second section may be a signal in which at least one pulse is periodically omitted, as described above. For example, the coil driver 263 outputs a periodic drive signal to the loop coil 264 during the first sub-period to raise the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 to a predetermined level. Then, in the subsequent second sub-period, compared to the drive signal output to the loop coil 264 in the initial section, the coil driver outputs a drive signal to the loop coil 264 in which the next pulse is omitted every two pulses output, thereby maintaining the resonant signal of the stylus pen 10 at an effective level.

[0710] Next, with reference to Figure 126, the drive signal applied in the first and second sections, the resonance signal of the stylus pen 10, and the sensing signal will be described.

[0711] Figure 126 is a timing diagram showing an example of a drive signal using the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the drive method shown in Figure 125.

[0712] A single touch report frame period, defined by the touch report rate, includes a first interval T1 and a second interval T2. The touch report rate refers to the speed or frequency (Hz) at which the touch sensor 261 drives the touch electrodes and outputs the acquired touch data to the control unit 270 for reporting.

[0713] In the first section T1, the first drive / receive unit 2620 outputs a drive signal to at least one of the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. When the first drive / receive unit 2620 outputs a drive signal to the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, the second drive / receive unit 2622 can receive sensing signals from the multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. The touch controller 262 can acquire touch coordinate information based on the magnitude of the sensing signal.

[0714] During the first sub-period T21 within the second section T2, the coil driver 263 applies a drive signal to the loop coil 264.

[0715] The frequency of the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264 during the first sub-period T21 corresponds to the resonant frequency of the stylus pen 10. For example, the frequency of the drive signal output to the loop coil 264 during the first sub-period T21 is a constant multiple of 2 or more of the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal. In contrast, the frequency of the drive signal output to the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m during the first interval T1 is different from the resonant frequency of the stylus pen 10.

[0716] The frequency settings for the drive signals described above are merely examples, and they can be set to values ​​different from those described above. Specifically, the touch controller 262 can receive the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, scan drive control signal, data drive control signal, etc., from the signal control unit (e.g., 2524 in Figure 24). Then, the touch controller 262 can set the frequency of the drive signal provided to the loop coil 264 based on the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and synchronize the drive signal to the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync. For example, the touch controller 262 can set the frequency of the drive signal to a constant multiple of 2 or more of the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync. Then, the resonant frequency of the stylus pen 10 can be designed to have a constant multiple of 2 or more of the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync. The touch controller 262 can synchronize the drive signal to the pulses of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync.

[0717] During the second sub-period T22 within the second section T2, synchronized with each pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the first drive / receiver unit 2620 receives sensing signals from multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second drive / receiver unit 2622 receives sensing signals from multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. Also, during the second sub-period T22, both the first drive / receiver unit 2620 and the second drive / receiver unit 2622 can receive a sensing signal at least once.

[0718] During the second sub-period T22 in which no further drive signals are applied, the resonant signal output by the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pen 10 is received by at least one of the multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0719] The pulse period of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is 1H, which is the horizontal period required to write data to one row of pixels PX. After each pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync occurs, data signals can be written to pixels PX during the data writing period TA. The data writing period is the period during which data signals are applied to the data lines and scan signals are applied to the scan lines in order to write data signals to pixels PX. Since the data lines and scan lines form parasitic capacitance with the touch electrodes, the voltages applied to the data lines and scan lines during the data writing period TA cause noise in the sensing signals transmitted to the touch electrodes.

[0720] In one embodiment, the touch controller 262 can generate touch information using a sensing signal received during a noise-free period TB, excluding the data writing period TA. The data writing period TA and the noise-free period TB can be set differently depending on the display device and the driving method of the display device.

[0721] Specifically, during the second sub-period T22, at each of the multiple sampling time points, the first drive / receive unit 2620 receives sensing signals from multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second drive / receive unit 2622 receives sensing signals from multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0722] The touch controller 262 generates a received signal using the sensing signal received at the sampling time within the noise-free period TB.

[0723] For example, if the touch controller 262 receives only the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the touch controller 262 can determine the data writing period TA to be from a preset first time after the generation of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync pulse to a preset second time, and the preset second time exceeds the preset first time, which can be set in various ways depending on the driving method of the display unit 250, and is not limited to this. In this case, the touch controller 262 generates a received signal using the remaining sensing signals excluding the sensing signals sampled during the data writing period TA.

[0724] As another example, when the touch controller 262 receives a scan drive control signal, the touch controller 262 can determine from the scan drive control signal the period during which the scan signal has an enable level as the data write period TA. Then, the touch controller 262 generates a received signal using the remaining sensing signal, excluding the sensing signal sampled during the data write period TA.

[0725] As yet another example, when the touch controller 262 receives a data-driven control signal, the touch controller 262 can determine from the data-driven control signal the period during which the data signal is applied to the data line as the data writing period TA. Then, the touch controller 262 generates a received signal using the remaining signal after excluding the sensing signal sampled during the data writing period TA.

[0726] In other embodiments, it is preferable that the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 receive the sensing signal during the noise-free period TB, excluding the data writing period TA.

[0727] Specifically, the first drive / receive unit 2620 receives sensing signals from multiple first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m during the noise-free period TB, excluding the data writing period TA. Similarly, the second drive / receive unit 2622 receives sensing signals from multiple second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

[0728] In other words, the touch controller 262 can receive a sensing signal from the touch sensor 261 for a period of time excluding the period during which the scan signal has an enabled level, based on at least one of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the scan drive control signal. When the touch controller 262 receives the scan drive control signal, the touch controller 262 can determine from the scan drive control signal the period during which the scan signal has a disabled level. When the touch controller 262 receives only the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the touch controller 262 can determine that the period from a preset third time after the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync occurs to a preset fourth time from the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync occurs is the period during which the scan signal has an enabled level. The preset fourth time exceeds the preset third time, and this can be set in various ways depending on the driving method of the display unit 250, and is not limited to this.

[0729] Furthermore, the touch controller 262 can receive sensing signals from the touch sensor 261 for a period excluding the period during which a data signal is applied to the data lines of the display panel 251, based on at least one of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the data drive control signal. When the touch controller 262 receives the data drive control signal, the touch controller 262 can determine from the data drive control signal the period during which a data signal is applied to the data lines. When the touch controller 262 receives only the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the touch controller 262 can determine that the period during which a data signal is applied to the data lines is from a preset 5th hour after the time the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is generated until a preset 6th hour after that, and this preset 5th hour exceeds the preset 6th hour, and this can be set in various ways depending on the driving method of the display unit 250, and is not limited to this.

[0730] The second interval T2 contains multiple instances of the first sub-period T21 and the second sub-period T22. For example, within the second interval T2, the combination of the first sub-period T21 and the second sub-period T22 is repeated eight times.

[0731] Although the above describes a scenario where the second section T2 occurs after the first section T1, the first section T1 can also occur after the second section T2. ​​The duration of the first section T1 and the second section T2 can be varied between multiple touch report frames, and the driving method of the electronic device 2 in this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0732] Next, an embodiment of the display unit will be described with reference to Figures 127 to 129.

[0733] Figure 127 is a schematic block diagram showing one embodiment of the display unit in Figure 2, Figure 128 is a diagram showing the pixels of the display unit in Figure 127, and Figure 129 is a timing diagram showing an example of the drive signals that drive the display unit in Figure 127.

[0734] As shown in Figure 127, the display unit includes a display panel 251 containing multiple pixels PX, a data drive unit 2522, a scan drive unit 2520, and a signal control unit 2524.

[0735] The display panel 251 includes a plurality of pixels PX arranged in a substantially matrix. While not particularly limited, the plurality of scan lines S1-Si extend opposite each other in the substantially row direction in the pixel arrangement and are nearly parallel to one another, and the plurality of data lines D1-Dj extend in a substantially column direction and are nearly parallel to one another.

[0736] Each of the multiple pixels PX is connected to one corresponding scan line from among multiple scan lines S1 to Si connected to the display panel 251, and to one corresponding data line from among multiple data lines D1 to Dj. Although not directly shown on the display panel 251 in Figure 127, each of the multiple pixels PX is also connected to a power supply connected to the display panel 251, and is supplied with a first power supply voltage ELVDD and a second power supply voltage ELVSS.

[0737] Each of the multiple pixels PX emits light at a predetermined brightness by a drive current supplied to an organic light-emitting diode by a corresponding data signal transmitted through multiple data lines D1 to Dj.

[0738] The scan drive unit 2520 generates and transmits scan signals corresponding to each pixel through multiple scan lines S1 to Si. In other words, the scan drive unit 2520 transmits scan signals through scan lines corresponding to each of the multiple pixels contained in each pixel row.

[0739] The scan drive unit 2520 receives the scan drive control signal CONT2 from the signal control unit 2524, generates multiple scan signals, and sequentially supplies the scan signals to multiple scan lines S1 to Si connected to each pixel row. The scan drive unit 2520 also generates a common control signal and supplies it to a common control line connected to all of the multiple pixels PX.

[0740] The data drive unit 2522 transmits data signals to each pixel through multiple data lines D1 to Dj.

[0741] The data drive unit 2522 receives a data drive control signal CONT1 from the signal control unit 2524 and supplies data signals corresponding to multiple data lines D1 to Dj connected to each of the multiple pixels contained in each pixel row.

[0742] The signal control unit 2524 converts the video signal transmitted from the outside into video data DATA and transmits it to the data drive unit 2522. The signal control unit 2524 receives external control signals such as the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the clock signal, and the data enable signal, and generates and transmits control signals to control the operation of the scan drive unit 2520 and the data drive unit 2522, respectively. In other words, the signal control unit 2524 generates and transmits the scan drive control signal CONT2 for controlling the scan drive unit 2520 and the data drive control signal CONT1 for controlling the data drive unit 2522, respectively.

[0743] As shown in Figure 128, pixel PX_lk may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a first transistor TR1, a second transistor TR2, and a storage capacitor Cst. Pixel PX_lk may be located in the first pixel row and the kth pixel column. For convenience of explanation, each transistor is assumed to be a PMOS transistor.

[0744] The first transistor TR1 may be a drive transistor. In one embodiment, the first transistor TR1 may include a gate connected to a first node N1, a source connected to a first power supply voltage ELVDD, and a drain connected to the anode of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

[0745] The drive current is the current corresponding to the voltage difference between the gate and source of the first transistor TR1, and the drive current differs depending on the voltage corresponding to the data signal applied to the data line Dl.

[0746] The second transistor TR2 can be turned on by the level of the scan signal applied to the scan line Sk and connect the first node N1 to the data line Dl. In one embodiment, the second transistor TR2 may include a gate connected to the scan line Sk, a source connected to the data line Dl, and a drain connected to the first node N1. The second transistor TR2 transmits a data voltage to the first node N1 corresponding to the data signal D[1] transmitted through the first data line D1 in response to the corresponding scan signal S[k] transmitted through the k-th scan line Sk.

[0747] The storage capacitor Cst is connected between the first power supply voltage ELVDD and the first node N1. In one embodiment, the storage capacitor Cst may include one electrode connected to the first power supply voltage ELVDD and the other electrode connected to the first node N1.

[0748] An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) can emit light in response to a drive current flowing from a first transistor TR1. In one embodiment, the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) may include an anode connected to the drain of the first transistor TR1 and a cathode connected to a second power supply voltage ELVSS.

[0749] As shown in Figure 129, the pulse period of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync can be the duration of one frame of the display panel 251, depending on the display frame rate.

[0750] During one frame period (1 FRAME), the data drive unit 2522 is synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and can apply enable-level data signals to multiple data lines D1 to Dj. For example, with each pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the data drive unit 2522 applies data signals corresponding to pixels connected to scan lines to which a scan signal with a low-level voltage L is applied to all of the multiple data lines D1 to Dj.

[0751] During one frame period, the scan drive unit 2520 can synchronize with the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and sequentially apply scan signals (S[1], S[2], ..., S[k-1], S[k]) with a low level voltage L to multiple scan lines S1 to Si. For example, the scan drive unit 2520 applies a scan signal with a low level voltage L to one corresponding scan line for each pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync.

[0752] Within one horizontal period (1H), that is, one period of the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, there is a period dwp during which the data signal is applied to the data line and a period sp during which the scan signal is at a low level voltage L.

[0753] In relation to the periods dwp and sp, we will explain using pixels connected to scan lines Sk and data lines Dl as an example.

[0754] At t00, one horizontal period (1H) begins. At t01, the data signal DATA[k] is applied to the data line Dl. At t10, the scan signal S[k] applied to the scan line Sk is changed to a low-level voltage L.

[0755] The time t10 at which the scan signal S[k] is changed to a low-level voltage L and the time t01 at which the data signal DATA[k] begins to be applied to the data line Dl are the same or different. For example, considering the RC delay of the data line Dl, the data signal DATA[k] is applied to the data line Dl before the scan signal S[k] is changed to a low-level voltage L.

[0756] At t11, the scan signal S[k] is changed to a high-level voltage H. At t12, the application of the data signal DATA[k] to the data line Dl is interrupted. At t22, one horizontal period (1H) ends.

[0757] The time t11 at which the scan signal S[k] is changed to a high-level voltage H and the time t12 at which the application of the data signal DATA[k] to the data line Dl is interrupted are the same or different. For example, after the scan signal S[k] is changed to a high-level voltage H, the application of the data signal DATA[k] to the data line Dl is interrupted.

[0758] The data writing period TA, as explained in Figure 126, includes period dwp and period sp. Specifically, the data writing period TA is from the earlier of the start of period dwp and the start of period sp, to the later of the end of period dwp and the end of period sp. For example, the data writing period TA may be the period from t01 to t12.

[0759] The operation of the touch sensor 261 coupled to such a display panel 251 will be explained with reference to Figures 27 and 28.

[0760] Figures 130 and 131 are timing diagrams showing the point in time when an electronic device according to one embodiment receives a sensing signal synchronized with the horizontal synchronization signal of the display unit in Figure 126 by the driving method in Figure 125.

[0761] As shown in Figure 130, the frequency of the drive signal D_264 in the first sub-period T21 may be twice the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync.

[0762] In the second sub-period T22, the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 can sample the sensing signal in accordance with the frequency of the drive signal D_264 applied in the first sub-period T21. For example, the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 can sample the sensing signal at at least one sampling time point s00, s01, s02, s03, s10, s11, s12, s13, ... by a clock signal having a predetermined frequency. As shown in Figure 27, the clock signal for sampling the sensing signal has a frequency four times that of the drive signal D_264. The at least one sampling time point s00, s01, s02, s03, s10, s11, s12, s13, ... in this invention can be any timing that can be periodically set in relation to the frequency of the drive signal D_264.

[0763] After the drive signal is synchronized with the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, if the period of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is changed due to an interface delay between the signal control unit 220 and the touch controller 262, a mismatch of one horizontal period (1H) may occur between the sampling point periodically set by the frequency of the drive signal D_264 (for example, the clock signal for sampling the sensing signal has a frequency four times that of the drive signal D_264) and the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync with a changed period.

[0764] For example, if the period of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is changed after it has been synchronized with the first pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the timing of the sampling point within one horizontal period (1H) will change because the clock signal for sampling the sensing signal is synchronized with the first pulse. In that case, it becomes difficult to distinguish whether the sensing signal sampled within one horizontal period (1H) is a sensing signal sampled within periods dwp and sp, or a sensing signal sampled within a period other than periods dwp and sp.

[0765] Therefore, the drive signal D_264 is synchronized by at least one of the pulses of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. In other words, the timing of the drive signal is refreshed every predetermined horizontal period or every predetermined frame.

[0766] For example, the drive signal D_264 is synchronized with the pulses of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, which has a predetermined period. For instance, the pulse of the drive signal D_264 starts after being synchronized with the first pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, and then the pulse of the drive signal D_264 starts again after being synchronized with the i-th pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal. As a result, the sampling point, which is periodically set by the frequency of the drive signal D_264, can be any desired point within one horizontal period (1H), even if the period of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is changed.

[0767] As another example, the drive signal D_264 is synchronized with the pulse of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync at each frame of a predetermined period. As shown in Figure 129, the pulse of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync can be changed to enable level H at the same timing as the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync at one horizontal period (1H). Therefore, by synchronizing the pulse of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync and the drive signal D_264 at each frame, it is possible to prevent a discrepancy between the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the sampling time within that frame. For example, after the pulse of the drive signal D_264 starts synchronized with the pulse of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync in the first frame, the pulse of the drive signal D_264 starts again synchronized with the pulse of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync in the second frame. As a result, the sampling time, which is periodically set by the frequency of the drive signal D_264, can be any desired time within one horizontal period (1H) within the frame synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, even if the period of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is changed.

[0768] Furthermore, at least one sampling time point s00, s01, s02, s03, s10, s11, s12, s13,... in the present invention may include at least two time points within one period of the frequency of the drive signal D_264 whose phases are opposite to each other. The invention is not limited to the foregoing description.

[0769] Furthermore, at least one sampling time point s00, s01, s02, s03, s10, s11, s12, s13, ... in the present invention may include at least two time points in which the phase changes within one period of the frequency of the drive signal D_264. The description is not limited to the foregoing.

[0770] The touch controller 262 generates touch information using sensing signals sampled during periods other than period dwp and period sp within one horizontal period (1H). In other words, the touch controller 262 can generate touch information indicating touch coordinates, touch strength, etc., using sensing signals sampled by the first drive / receiver unit 2620 and the second drive / receiver unit 2622 at at least one sampling time point s10, s11, s12, s13, ...

[0771] At this time, the touch controller 262 can obtain the magnitude, or amplitude, of the sensing signal using the difference between the signal value sampled at the first sampling time s10 and the signal value sampled at the third sampling time s12. The touch controller 262 can also obtain the magnitude of the sensing signal using the difference between the signal value received at the second sampling time s11 and the signal value received at the fourth sampling time s13. Based on the magnitude of the sensing signal, the touch controller 262 can determine whether a touch is necessary, the touch coordinates, and so on.

[0772] Alternatively, the touch controller 262 can control the first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 to sample the sensing signal during periods other than period dwp and period sp within one horizontal period (1H).

[0773] As shown in Figure 131, the frequency of the drive signal D_264 during the first sub-period T21 can be three times the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync.

[0774] According to one embodiment, the touch controller 262 selects a portion of the sensing signals sampled at least once within the second sub-period T22 based on the horizontal synchronization signal, and generates touch information using the selected portion of sensing signals. In other words, the touch controller 262 uses sensing signals sampled in periods other than period dwp and period sp within one horizontal period (1H) within the second sub-period T22 as touch information.

[0775] Within one horizontal period (1H), by using the sampled sensing signal during the time excluding the period dwp when the touch controller 262 applies a data signal to the data line and the period sp when the scan signal is at a low voltage L, the sensing signal, which is noisy due to the signals applied to the data line and scan line that can form a parasitic capacitance with the touch electrode, is not used as touch information, thus improving the SNR.

[0776] According to another embodiment, within one horizontal period (1H) in the second sub-period T22, the first drive / receiver unit 2620 receives sensing signals from a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m during peri...

Claims

1. Loop coil and Multiple touch electrodes, A touch module that applies a first drive signal to one end of the loop coil, applies a second drive signal having the opposite phase to the first drive signal to the other end of the loop coil, and receives a sensing signal generated based on the first drive signal and the second drive signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes. Includes, One end of the plurality of touch electrodes is connected to the touch module, The other ends of the aforementioned plurality of touch electrodes are open. The touch module applies the first drive signal and the second drive signal to the loop coil during the first interval, and during the second interval following the first interval, it receives the sensing signal emitted from a stylus pen including a resonant circuit from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes, with the application of the drive signal to the loop coil being stopped. Touch device.

2. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the touch module applies the first drive signal and the second drive signal to the loop coil during a first interval, and receives the sensing signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes during a second interval following the first interval.

3. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are located in the same layer as the loop coil.

4. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the loop coil and the plurality of touch electrodes contain the same material.

5. The loop coil includes first and second wirings extending in a first direction, and a third wiring extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein a touch electrode extending in the first direction is located between the first wiring and the second wiring among the plurality of touch electrodes.

6. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the loop coil includes a plurality of antenna loops.

7. The touch device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of antenna loops include wiring of the same width to each other.

8. The touch device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of antenna loops contain the same material.

9. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the amplitudes of the first drive signal and the second drive signal are substantially the same.

10. A display unit containing multiple pixels, An antenna loop and a plurality of touch electrodes located above the display unit, A touch module that applies a first drive signal to one end of the antenna loop, applies a second drive signal having a different phase from the first drive signal to the other end of the antenna loop, and receives a sensing signal generated based on the first drive signal and the second drive signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes. Includes, One end of the plurality of touch electrodes is connected to the touch module, The other ends of the aforementioned plurality of touch electrodes are open. The touch module applies the first drive signal and the second drive signal to the antenna loop during the first interval, and during the second interval following the first interval, it receives the sensing signal emitted from a stylus pen including a resonant circuit from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes while the application of the drive signal to the antenna loop is stopped. Electronic devices.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the touch module applies the first drive signal and the second drive signal to the antenna loop during a first interval, and receives the sensing signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes during a second interval following the first interval.

12. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are located in the same layer as the antenna loop.

13. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes contain the same material as the antenna loop.

14. The antenna loop includes a first wiring and a second wiring extending in a first direction, and a third wiring extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein a touch electrode extending in the first direction is located between the first wiring and the second wiring among the plurality of touch electrodes.

15. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the amplitudes of the first drive signal and the second drive signal are substantially the same.

16. A stylus pen containing a resonant circuit, An electronic device including an antenna loop, a plurality of touch electrodes, and a touch module which applies a first drive signal to one end of the antenna loop, applies a second drive signal having a different phase from the first drive signal to the other end of the antenna loop, and receives a sensing signal generated by the resonant circuit based on the first drive signal and the second drive signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes. Includes, One end of the plurality of touch electrodes is connected to the touch module, The other ends of the aforementioned plurality of touch electrodes are open. The touch module applies the first drive signal and the second drive signal to the antenna loop during the first interval, and during the second interval following the first interval, it receives the sensing signal emitted from the stylus pen including the resonant circuit from at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes while the application of the drive signal to the antenna loop is stopped. Touch system.

17. The touch system according to claim 16, wherein the sensing signal is generated based on a signal resonated by the resonant circuit by the first drive signal and the second drive signal.

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