Touch devices, methods for driving them, and touch systems

Abstract

To provide a touch device capable of improving touch sensing performance of a stylus pen, a driving method thereof, and a touch system.SOLUTION: An electronic device disclosed herein is a touch device for detecting the position of a stylus pen comprising a resonance circuit, and comprises a touch electrode layer 21 comprising multiple electrodes, and a touch controller configured to receive sensing signals from the multiple electrodes to determine the position of the stylus pen 10a. The multiple electrodes include electrodes having electrical current induced therein in opposite directions from each other by the resonance circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch device, a driving method thereof, and a touch system. Background Art

[0002] Various electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDA), portable multimedia players (PMP), navigation devices, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultrabooks, and wearable devices are equipped with touch sensors.

[0003] A touch sensor in such an electronic device may be located on a display panel that displays an image, or may be located on a part of the electronic device. When a user touches the touch sensor to interact with the electronic device, the electronic device can provide an intuitive user interface to the user.

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

[0005] Active stylus pens have advantages over passive stylus pens in that they have superior basic performance and can provide additional functions (pen pressure, hovering, buttons), but they have the disadvantage of being difficult to use while the battery is being charged.

[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, in the case of passive stylus pens using the EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) method, the digitizer transmits an electromagnetic signal to the pen, and then a resonant signal is input from the pen to the digitizer. Such digitizers have a fine arrangement of coils that can induce an electric current by magnetic signals in order to receive touch information from the pen. However, such digitizers have the problem of not being able to keep up with the miniaturization and thinning of electronic devices, and they cannot be designed flexibly. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] This invention provides a touch device that can be implemented on a single layer, a method for driving the same, and a touch system.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a touch device, a method for driving the same, and a touch system that can improve the touch sensing performance of a stylus pen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A touch device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a touch device that detects the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, and may include a display panel, a window located above the display panel, a plurality of electrodes between the display panel and the window, and a touch controller that receives sensing signals from the plurality of electrodes and determines the position of a stylus close to the window.

[0011] Some of the electrodes are located in the touch area, and the touch device further includes multiple traces located around the periphery of the touch area and connected to the electrodes, and the multiple traces may include traces in which the direction of current induced in the multiple traces by a resonant circuit is opposite to that of the multiple traces.

[0012] Multiple electrodes can induce currents in the same direction as the correspondingly connected traces.

[0013] Multiple electrodes can induce currents in directions different from those in the correspondingly connected traces.

[0014] The plurality of electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes extended in a first direction, and the plurality of traces extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction and may include a first trace connected to one end of a portion of the plurality of first electrodes and a second trace connected to the other end of a portion of the plurality of first electrodes.

[0015] A touch controller can determine the stylus position between electrodes where the directions of the induced currents are opposite to each other.

[0016] The touch controller can determine the stylus position between electrodes where the difference in the magnitude of the induced current is greatest.

[0017] The touch controller further includes an antenna comprising multiple electrodes, multiple dummy electrodes formed on the same layer, and multiple bridges connecting the multiple dummy electrodes to each other, and can output a magnetic signal that causes the antenna to sense the resonant circuit by applying a drive signal to the antenna, such that the antenna outputs an electromagnetic signal that causes the resonant circuit to resonate.

[0018] Each of the multiple electrodes includes two signal input terminals, and the touch controller can be grounded to one of the two signal input terminals and a drive signal applied to the other, such that each of the multiple electrodes outputs an electromagnetic signal that causes a resonant circuit to resonate.

[0019] Each of the multiple electrodes includes two signal input terminals, and each of the multiple electrodes outputs an electromagnetic signal that causes a resonant circuit to resonate. The touch controller can output a magnetic signal that causes the resonant circuit to sense by applying drive signals that are out of phase to the two signal input terminals.

[0020] The system may further include multiple electrodes and magnetic field shielding layers formed in different layers.

[0021] The display panel has a folding region that folds along a folding axis and a non-folding region separated by the folding region, and the magnetic field shielding layer may be positioned corresponding to both the folding region and the non-folding region.

[0022] The display panel has a folding region that folds along a folding axis and a non-folding region separated by the folding region, and the magnetic field shielding layer may be positioned separately in correspondence with the non-folding region.

[0023] Multiple electrodes can be formed from a metal mesh.

[0024] A method for driving a touch device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for driving a touch device that detects the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, and includes the steps of: outputting a drive signal to a plurality of electrodes; receiving a sensing signal from the plurality of electrodes - the sensing signal includes currents induced in the plurality of electrodes in opposite directions by the resonant circuit - and determining the position of the stylus from the sensing signal.

[0025] Some of the multiple electrodes are located in the touch area, and the touch device further includes multiple traces located around the periphery of the touch area and connected to the multiple electrodes, and the sensing signal may include currents induced in the multiple traces in opposite directions by a resonant circuit.

[0026] Currents in the same direction as the correspondingly connected traces can be induced in the plurality of electrodes.

[0027] Currents in directions different from the correspondingly connected traces can be induced in the plurality of electrodes.

[0028] The step of determining the position of the stylus may comprise the step of determining the position of the stylus as between electrodes where the directions of the induced currents are opposite to each other.

[0029] The step of determining the position of the stylus may comprise the step of determining the position of the stylus as between electrodes where the difference in magnitude of the induced currents is maximum.

[0030] A touch system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a stylus including a resonant circuit, and a touch sensor that receives sensing signals from a plurality of electrodes and determines the position of the stylus, wherein the plurality of electrodes may include electrodes in which the directions of currents induced to the plurality of electrodes by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other.

[0031] A part of the plurality of electrodes is located in a touch area, and the touch sensor further comprises a plurality of traces located at a periphery of the touch area and connected correspondingly to the plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of traces may include traces in which the directions of currents induced to the plurality of traces by the resonant circuit are opposite to each other.

[0032] The stylus further comprises a power supply, and the resonant circuit can resonate by means of the power supply. Effects of the Invention

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost of a touch device can be reduced.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that a thinner and smaller form factor can be provided.

[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, there is an advantage in that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal output from the stylus pen can be improved.

[0036] According to embodiments of the present invention, there is an advantage in that the sensitivity of touch input reception can be improved.

[0037] According to embodiments of the present invention, there is an advantage in being able to calculate the touch position more accurately.

[0038] According to embodiments of the present invention, there is the advantage that palm rejection can be performed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1a] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 1b] This is a conceptual diagram showing a stylus pen and electronic devices. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically illustrates the signal transmission operation between a stylus pen and an electronic device. [Figure 3a] This figure schematically shows a portion of the stacked structure of the electronic device shown in Figure 1a. [Figure 3b] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram showing a partial layered structure of the electronic device. [Figure 3c] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram showing a partial layered structure of the electronic device. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in general terms. [Figure 5] This figure shows a stylus pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure schematically shows a part of a touch device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces in a touch device according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces in a touch device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9]This figure shows a case where a stylus pen is positioned on a touch device according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a graph illustrating a method for measuring the signal of a touch device according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] This graph shows the sensing signal from a stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] This graph shows the sensing signal from a stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] This graph shows the sensing signals from a stylus pen in another embodiment. [Figure 14] This graph shows the sensing signals from a stylus pen in another embodiment. [Figure 15] This figure shows a case where a stylus pen is positioned on a touch device according to one embodiment. [Figure 16] This graph shows the sensing signal from a stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 17] This graph shows the sensing signal from a stylus pen according to one embodiment. [Figure 18] This graph shows the sensing signals from a stylus pen in another embodiment. [Figure 19] This graph shows the sensing signals from a stylus pen in another embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in general terms. [Figure 21] This figure schematically shows a part of a touch device according to another embodiment. [Figure 22] This figure shows an example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces in a touch device according to another embodiment. [Figure 23] This is a block diagram of the touch module and host. [Figure 24] This figure shows an example of touch data provided from a touch module to the host. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 features.

[0044] 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.

[0045] As used herein, terms such as “first” and “second” can refer to a variety of components, regardless of procedure and / or importance, and are used to distinguish one component from others 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, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named as the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named as the first component.

[0046] 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 may 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.

[0047] 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 work with other devices or components in a particular situation. For example, “a processor configured to do A, B and C” means a dedicated processor for performing those operations (e.g., an embedded processor) or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that can perform those operations by running one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

[0048] 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 that are 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 not as ideal or overly formal unless expressly defined herein. In some cases, terms defined herein should not be interpreted in a way that excludes the embodiments described herein.

[0049] 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).

[0050] A touch device and its driving method according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0051] Figures 1a and 1b are conceptual diagrams showing a stylus pen and an electronic device.

[0052] Referring to Figure 1a, 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.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1b, the electronic device 2 can be folded. The stylus pen 10 can receive signals output from the electronic device 20 or the touchscreen 20 around the touchscreen 20 of the foldable electronic device 2 and transmit signals to the touchscreen 20.

[0054] In a rectangular foldable electronic device 2 or a component such as a touchscreen 20 contained therein, the long side located on the left side of the plane is referred to as the first long side LS1, the long side located on the right side as the second long side LS2, the short side located on the top as the first short side SS1, and the short side located on the bottom as the second short side SS2.

[0055] 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. In other words, the foldable electronic device 2 can be converted between a folded state and an unfolded state along the folding direction with respect to the folding axis (AXIS_F).

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the signal transmission operation between the stylus pen and the electronic device. Referring to Figure 2(a), the touchscreen 20a includes a digitizer 29, a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0057] In the case of an EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) type passive stylus pen, when the digitizer 29 transmits a magnetic signal B to the EMR type stylus pen 10a, the resonant circuit contained in the stylus pen 10a resonates with the magnetic signal B. As a result, the resonant magnetic signal B from the stylus pen 10a is input to the digitizer 33.

[0058] The digitizer 29 is mounted beneath the display panel 251 and includes a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) with multiple conductive antenna loops, and a ferrite sheet that blocks the magnetic field generated by the antenna loops and blocks eddy currents that can be generated by other electrical elements and components when the antenna loops form a magnetic field.

[0059] The FPCB consists of multiple layers of antenna loops for sensing the position where the resonant signal is input. Each antenna loop has a configuration in which it is superimposed in the Z-axis direction with at least one other antenna loop. This increases the thickness of the FPCB. Therefore, when using the digitizer 29, it is difficult to make the electronic device 2 thinner and smaller.

[0060] When such a digitizer 29 is mounted on a foldable / flexible electronic device 2, deformation may occur in the FPCB attached to the folding region when the device is folded. Repeated folding puts stress on the wiring components that form the antenna loop, resulting in damage to the wiring components. The ferrite sheet blocks the influence of the magnetic field generated by the antenna loop on the inside of the electronic device 2. The ferrite sheet is also thick and is prone to deformation when the electronic device 2 is folded, and can be damaged by repeated folding.

[0061] Referring to Figure 2(b), the touchscreen 20c includes a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0062] In the case of a stylus pen 10 that includes a resonant circuit, when the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 transmit a magnetic signal B to the stylus pen 10, the resonant circuit contained in the stylus pen 10 resonates with the magnetic signal B. As a result, the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 receive resonant electromagnetic signals (E and / or B) from the stylus pen 10. If the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 are formed from a metal mesh with low resistance, it becomes possible to detect the magnetic signal from the stylus pen 10.

[0063] Similarly, compared to the digitizer 29, the touchscreen 20c does not require any additional units or modules to transmit magnetic signals to the stylus pen 10, which allows for a thinner touchscreen 20b and offers advantages in terms of manufacturing costs.

[0064] Referring to Figure 2(c), the touchscreen 20b includes a loop coil 264, a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0065] In the case of a stylus pen 10 that includes a resonant circuit, when the loop coil 264 transmits a magnetic signal B to the stylus pen 10, the resonant circuit contained in the stylus pen 10 resonates with the magnetic signal B. As a result, the resonant electromagnetic signals (E and / or B) from the stylus pen 10 are input to the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21.

[0066] Compared to the digitizer 29, the loop coil 264 does not receive the magnetic signal B for detecting the touch position, resulting in a simpler wiring structure and enabling a thinner touchscreen 20b. Therefore, the electronic device 2 can be made thinner and smaller. Furthermore, since the loop coil 264 can be formed in various sizes and positions, such a touchscreen 20b can also be applied to foldable / flexible electronic devices 2.

[0067] The loop coil 264 includes a substrate on which the antenna loop is located and a ferrite sheet. The antenna loop is made of a conductive material such as copper or silver. The antenna loop can also be located on the same layer as the touch electrode layer 21, in addition to the substrate. In this case, the antenna loop is made of a conductive material exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as metal mesh, ITO, graphene, or silver nanowires. Alternatively, the antenna loop may be located below the window, in which case the substrate may not be included in the loop coil 264.

[0068] 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 2, the touch electrode layer 21 is shown as a single layer, but the first touch electrodes and the 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 touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes, but are not limited to these.

[0069] Referring to Figure 2(d), the touchscreen 20d includes a display panel 251, a touch electrode layer 21, and a window 22.

[0070] In the case of an active stylus pen 10' that includes a resonant circuit, the resonant circuit included in the active stylus pen 10' resonates using a power source within the active stylus pen 10' (e.g., a battery (including a secondary battery) and a capacitor such as an EDLC (electric double layered capacitor) for storing power). This results in the resonant electromagnetic signals (E and / or B) from the stylus pen 10' being input to the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21. If the electrodes of the touch electrode layer 21 are formed from a metal mesh with low resistance, it becomes possible to detect the magnetic signals from the stylus pen 10'. The active stylus pen 10' may include not only a resonant circuit to generate electromagnetic signals, but also a circuit that uses a power source to output electromagnetic signals (E and / or B) having a predetermined frequency. Alternatively, the active stylus pen 10' may include both the resonant circuit and the circuit that outputs electromagnetic signals (E and / or B) having a predetermined frequency.

[0071] The touchscreen 20d can receive electromagnetic signals from the stylus pen 10' without transmitting magnetic signals to the stylus pen 10'. In other words, the touchscreen 20d does not require any additional units or modules to generate signals that resonate the resonant circuit contained in the stylus pen 10', which allows for a thinner and smaller touchscreen 20d, and also offers advantages in terms of power consumption and manufacturing costs.

[0072] Next, with reference to Figures 3a to 3c, the structure of the touchscreen 20b in Figure 2(b) will be described in detail.

[0073] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram showing a partial layered structure of the electronic device shown in Figure 1a.

[0074] Referring to Figure 3a, the display panel 251 may include a circuit driving layer 2512 disposed on the substrate 2510. The circuit driving layer 2512 may include a circuit for driving the light-emitting layers 2514 of the pixels that display the image. For example, the circuit driving layer 2512 may include a plurality of thin-film transistors and capacitors.

[0075] A light-emitting layer 2514 is placed on the circuit drive layer 2512. The light-emitting layer 2514 includes an organic light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer 2514 can emit light at various brightness levels depending on the drive signal transmitted from the circuit drive layer 2512.

[0076] A common electrode layer 2516 is placed on the light-emitting layer 2514. The common electrode layer 2516 has at least one slit-shaped opening.

[0077] A sealing layer 2518 is placed on the common electrode layer 2516. The sealing layer 2518 may include an inorganic film or a laminated film of an inorganic film and an organic film. Other examples include using glass or a sealing film as the sealing layer 2518.

[0078] A touch electrode layer 21 or touch electrodes are arranged on the sealing layer 2518. The touch electrode layer 21 is a layer that recognizes touch input and can perform the function of a touch member. The touch electrode layer 21 includes a plurality of touch areas and touch electrodes.

[0079] A polarizing layer 23 is placed on the touch electrode layer 21. The polarizing layer 23 plays a role in reducing the reflection of ambient light. The polarizing layer 23 is attached to the touch electrode layer 21 via an adhesive layer. The polarizing layer 23 can be omitted.

[0080] A protective layer 22 is placed on the polarizing layer 23. The protective layer 22 includes, for example, a window member. The protective layer 22 is attached to the polarizing layer 23 by an optically transparent adhesive or the like.

[0081] A magnetic field shielding layer 24 is placed beneath the display panel 251. The magnetic field shielding layer 24 includes a ferrite sheet that blocks magnetic fields. In addition, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may also include ferrite powder bonded beneath the substrate 2510. The magnetic field shielding layer 24 can block eddy currents that may be generated in other electrical elements and components when the touch electrode layer 21 and / or stylus pen 10 form a magnetic field.

[0082] Figures 3b and 3c schematically show a portion of the stacked structure of the electronic device shown in Figure 1b.

[0083] The stacked structure in Figure 3b is similar to the stacked structure in Figure 3a, but a magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be placed in the folding region (hereinafter referred to as the folding region, FA) when the foldable electronic device 2 is folded with respect to the folding axis (AXIS_F). Furthermore, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be placed in at least one region other than the folding region FA.

[0084] In the laminated structure of Figure 3c, compared to the laminated structure of Figure 3b, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be arranged in a region other than the folding region FA or one region included in the folding region FA. For example, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may include a first sheet 24a located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS1, and a second sheet 24b located in the region between the folding region FA and the long side LS2. The magnetic field shielding layer 24 may include more than two sheets, and in this case as well, the magnetic field shielding layer 24 may be arranged in a region excluding the folding region FA or a region excluding a part of the folding region FA on the rear surface of the display panel 251.

[0085] Next, an electronic device 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0086] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device.

[0087] As shown in Figure 4, 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, etc. The components shown in Figure 4 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] Such a wireless communication unit 210 may include a wireless internet module 211 and a short-range communication module 212, etc.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The short-range communication module 212 is for short-range communication and can support short-range communication using at least one of the following technologies: Bluetooth, 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 an electronic device 2 and a wireless communication system, between an electronic device 2 and a wireless communication-capable device, or between an electronic device 2 and a network where an external server is located, via a wireless area network. The said wireless area network may be a wireless personal area network.

[0092] 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 that can communicate 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] Furthermore, the control unit 270 can control at least some of the components shown in Figure 4 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.

[0106] Although the touch module 260 was described above as being included in the electronic device 2 together with the display unit 250, the electronic device 2 may also include only the touch module 260.

[0107] Figure 5 shows a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

[0108] The stylus pens in Figure 5 all include a resonant circuit section 12 within the housing.

[0109] The resonant circuit section 12 is an LC resonant circuit and can resonate with the drive signal output from the touchscreen 20. 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 to occur, 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 and 10b are determined by the design value of the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pens 10a and 10b. When the electrode 21 in Figure 2(b) or the loop coil 264 in Figure 2(c) generates an electromagnetic field due to the drive signal, the resonant circuit section 12 of the stylus pens 10a and 10b resonates using the signal received due to the change in the magnetic field.

[0110] The elements of the stylus pens 10a and 10b are housed in a housing. The housing may have, but is not limited to, a cylindrical shape, a 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, the elements of the stylus pens 10a and 10b, such as the resonant circuit section 12, can be housed inside. Such a housing is made of a non-conductive material.

[0111] As shown in Figure 5(a), the EMR type stylus pen 10a includes a core body 11a and a resonant circuit section 12. The resonant circuit section 12 includes an inductor section 14 and a capacitor section 13. The inductor section 14 includes a ferrite core 115 through which the core body 11a passes, and a coil 116 wound on the outer surface of the ferrite core 115.

[0112] One end of the core body 11a is a pen tip that protrudes from the ferrite core 115. The core body 11a is composed of an electrode core made of a conductor, such as a hard resin mixed with conductive metal or conductive powder.

[0113] The ferrite core 115 has, for example, an axial through hole of a predetermined diameter (e.g., 1 mm) formed in a cylindrical ferrite material for inserting the core body 11a.

[0114] The coil 116 is wound over the entire axial length of the ferrite core 115, or over a portion of its length. The coil 116 is electrically connected to the capacitor section 13.

[0115] The capacitor section 13 includes multiple capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor on the printed circuit board has a different capacitance and is trimmed during the manufacturing process.

[0116] As shown in Figure 5(b), the ECR (Electrically Coupled Resonance) stylus pen 10b includes a conductive tip 11b and a resonant circuit section 12. The resonant circuit section 12 includes an inductor section 14 and a capacitor section 13. The inductor section 14 includes a ferrite core 115 and a coil 116 wound on the outer surface of the ferrite core 115.

[0117] The conductive tip 11b 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.).

[0118] The coil 116 is wound over the entire axial length of the ferrite core 115, or over a portion of its length. The coil 116 is electrically connected to the capacitor section 13.

[0119] The capacitor section 13 includes multiple capacitors connected in parallel. Each capacitor on the printed circuit board has a different capacitance and is trimmed during the manufacturing process.

[0120] The following describes how to detect touch using the resonant signal from the stylus pen, as explained in Figure 5.

[0121] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a touch device according to one embodiment.

[0122] A touch module (i.e., a touch device) 260 according to one embodiment includes a touch sensor 261 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] The first drive / receive unit 2620 can apply drive signals to 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.

[0125] Although the above describes how the touch sensor 261 is 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 by appropriately altering them, adding new components, or omitting some components to adapt them to the self-capacitance method.

[0126] In other words, the touch sensor 261 can include multiple self-capacitance touch electrodes, in which case the touch electrodes can be arranged in a dot configuration, or they can be arranged in a configuration that extends in one direction as described above.

[0127] Next, the electrodes and traces will be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0128] Figure 7 shows an example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces in a touch device according to one embodiment.

[0129] The touch sensor includes an antenna to which touch electrodes 111, 121 and dummy electrodes are connected. For example, multiple dummy electrodes 121D are located on the same layer as the touch electrodes 111, 121, and some of the multiple dummy electrodes 121D are connected to each other by a bridge 121B. The bridge 121B is connected to pads 113a, 113b through a trace 112.

[0130] The touch controller 262 can apply a drive signal to the antenna 121A to resonate the stylus pen 10. 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 are changed by the control unit 2624. Specifically, the touch controller 262 applies the drive signal to one of two adjacent bridges 121B and grounds the other.

[0131] The touch electrodes 111 and 121 are connected to the pads 113a and 113b through peripheral traces 112, 122a, and 122b 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 122a and 122b.

[0132] The touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b are formed in the same layer. The touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b are formed from conductive materials exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as metal mesh or silver nanowires. However, the touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b may be placed in different layers and may be made from ITO or graphene, but are not limited to these.

[0133] Pads 113a and 113b are connected to a touch controller 262, which transmits signals from the touch controller 262 (e.g., drive signals) to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, and transmits signals from the touch electrodes 111 and 121 (e.g., sensing signals) to the touch controller 262.

[0134] Figure 8 shows another example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces in a touch device according to one embodiment.

[0135] Similar to Figure 7, the touch electrodes 111 and 121 are connected to the pads 113a and 113b through peripheral traces 112, 122a, and 122b located at the periphery of the touch area.

[0136] A single touch electrode has two signal input terminals, and the two signal input terminals are connected corresponding to two traces. For example, the second touch electrode 121-9 is a U-shaped electrode with a first signal input terminal TE1 located on the upper side and a second signal input terminal TE2 located on the lower side.

[0137] One of the two signal input terminals is connected to ground via a switch, or to the drive / receive unit 2620. For example, the first signal input terminal TE1 is connected to the drive / receive unit 2620, and the second signal input terminal TE2 is connected to a switch (SW). The switch (SW) connects the second signal input terminal TE2 to ground or to the drive / receive unit 2620.

[0138] The touch controller 262 can connect one signal input terminal to ground and apply a drive signal to resonate the stylus pen 10. The touch controller 262 can receive sensing signals simultaneously from two signal input terminals. In addition, when driving for typical finger touch, the touch controller 262 can also apply drive signals with the same phase to both signal input terminals.

[0139] The above describes connecting one signal input terminal to ground and applying a drive signal, but the touch controller 262 can also apply drive signals with opposite phases to two signal input terminals.

[0140] Next, referring to Figure 9, we will describe the signals induced in the touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b when a stylus pen 10a or 10b is positioned on the touchscreen 20.

[0141] Figure 9 shows a case where a stylus pen is positioned on a touch device according to one embodiment.

[0142] As shown in Figure 9, the inductor portions 14 of the stylus pens 10a and 10b are located on the touchscreen 20 between the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6, and between the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9.

[0143] The stylus pens 10a and 10b resonate due to a drive signal applied to the antenna 121A or the touch electrodes 111 and 121, which have two signal input terminals. Resonance causes a current Ir to flow through the coil of the inductor section 14. This current Ir induces eddy currents in the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b. These eddy currents are formed in the opposite direction to the current Ir.

[0144] Therefore, currents Ia1 and Ia2 are formed in the -Y direction at the first touch electrodes 111-4 and 111-5 located to the left (-X direction) of the inductor section 14, and currents Ia3 and Ia4 are formed in the +Y direction at the first touch electrodes 111-6 and 111-7 located to the right (+X direction) of the inductor section 14. In other words, the direction of the current induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-5 is opposite to the direction of the current induced in the first touch electrodes 111-6 to 111-10.

[0145] Currents Ib1 and Ib2 are formed in the -X direction at the second touch electrodes 121-7 and 121-8 located on the upper side (+Y axis direction) of the inductor section 14, and currents Ib3 and Ib4 are formed in the +X direction at the second touch electrodes 121-9 and 121-10 located on the lower side (-Y axis direction) of the inductor section 14. In other words, the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 is opposite to the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16.

[0146] Currents Ic1 and Ic2 are formed in the -Y axis direction at trace 122a, located on the left side of the inductor section 14, while currents Ic3 and Ic4 are formed in the +Y axis direction at trace 122b, located on the right side of the inductor section 14. In other words, the direction of the current induced in trace 122a and the direction of the current induced in trace 122b are opposite to each other.

[0147] Furthermore, the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 is the same as the direction of the current induced in the trace 122a connected to the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8. The direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 is the same as the direction of the current induced in the trace 122b connected to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16.

[0148] If we consider the direction of the current at a given point in time with respect to pads 113a and 113b, current can flow from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 into pad 113a. Depending on the magnitude of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 and the trace 122b connected to them, current can be drawn from pad 113b to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16, or current can be drawn from the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 into pad 113b. However, in Figure 9, the inductor part 14 of the stylus pen 10 is located even closer to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 than to the trace 122b, so current is drawn from the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 into pad 113b.

[0149] Separately, in the case of the stylus pen 10b in Figure 5(b), an electric field signal E is output to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, so a sensing signal is received from the electric field signal E applied to the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 and the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9.

[0150] In relation to this, the signal measurement method will be explained with reference to Figure 10.

[0151] Figure 10 is a graph showing a method for measuring the signal of a touch device according to an embodiment.

[0152] Figure 10 shows the voltage changes V8 at the second touch electrode 121-8 and V9 at the second touch electrode 121-9, which induce currents in opposite directions.

[0153] The first drive / receive unit 2620 and the second drive / receive unit 2622 sampled voltage changes corresponding to the frequency of the drive signal in order to measure the sensing signal caused by the voltage change. At least one sampling point (I, Q, IB, QB) is an arbitrary timing that can be set periodically in relation to the frequency of the drive signal. For example, the period between I and I is the same as half a period of the drive signal.

[0154] The sensing signal includes the difference (ΔI) between the voltage value measured at time I and the voltage value measured at time I, and / or the difference (ΔQ) between the voltage value measured at time Q and the voltage value measured at time QB.

[0155] Next, with reference to Figures 11 and 12, the sensing signal from the stylus pen 10b in Figure 5(b) will be described.

[0156] Figures 11 and 12 are graphs showing the sensing signals from a stylus pen according to one embodiment.

[0157] Figure 11 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-10.

[0158] As shown in Figure 11, the current directions between the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-5 and the first touch electrodes 111-6 to 111-10 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signals AB1 measured in this way have opposite signs at the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6. Furthermore, since an even larger current is induced closer to the inductor 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-4 and 111-7 to 111-10.

[0159] The stylus pen 10b outputs an electric field signal E to the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 through the conductive tip 11b, and a sensing signal AE1 is received as a result.

[0160] The sensing signal AC1 received by the first drive / receive unit 2620 has a form in which sensing signals AB1 and AE1 are combined. In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 where the difference in magnitude of sensing signal AC1 is the largest, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0161] Figure 12 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16.

[0162] As shown in Figure 12, the current directions between the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 and the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signals AB2 measured in this way have opposite signs at the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9. Furthermore, since a larger current is induced closer to the inductor 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-7 and 121-10 to 121-16.

[0163] The stylus pen 10b outputs an electric field signal E to the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 through the conductive tip 11b, and a sensing signal AE2 is received as a result.

[0164] The sensing signal AC2 received by the second drive / receiving unit 2622 has a form in which sensing signals AB2 and sensing signals AE2 are combined. In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 where the difference in magnitude of sensing signal AC2 is the largest, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0165] Next, with reference to Figures 13 and 14, the sensing signal from the stylus pen 10a in Figure 5(a) will be described.

[0166] Figures 13 and 14 are graphs showing sensing signals from a stylus pen according to other embodiments.

[0167] Figure 13 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-10.

[0168] As shown in Figure 13, the current directions between the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-5 and the first touch electrodes 111-6 to 111-10 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signals AB3 received by the first drive / receive unit 2620 have opposite signs at the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6. Furthermore, since a larger current is induced closer to the inductor unit 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-4 and 111-7 to 111-10.

[0169] In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be the area between the two first touch electrodes 111-5 and 111-6, where the sign of the sensing signal AB3 is reversed and the magnitude of each signal is large, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like. In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be the region where the maximum value is obtained by differentiating the sensing signal AB3.

[0170] Figure 14 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16.

[0171] As shown in Figure 14, the current directions between the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-8 and the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signals AB4 received by the second drive / receive unit 2622 have opposite signs at the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9. Furthermore, since a larger current is induced closer to the inductor unit 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-7 and 121-10 to 121-16.

[0172] In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two second touch electrodes 121-8 and 121-9, where the sign of the sensing signal AB4 is reversed and the magnitude of each signal is large, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0173] Next, referring to Figure 15, we will describe the signals induced in the touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b when a stylus pen 10a or stylus pen 10b is positioned on the touchscreen 20.

[0174] Figure 15 shows a case where a stylus pen is positioned on a touch device according to one embodiment.

[0175] As shown in Figure 15, the inductor portions 14 of the stylus pens 10a and 10b are located on the touchscreen 20 between the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3, and between the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3.

[0176] The stylus pens 10a and 10b resonate due to a drive signal applied to the antenna 121A or the touch electrodes 111 and 121, which have two signal input terminals. Resonance causes a current Ir to flow through the coil of the inductor section 14. This current Ir induces eddy currents in the touch electrodes 111 and 121 and the traces 112, 122a, and 122b. These eddy currents are formed in the opposite direction to the current Ir.

[0177] Therefore, currents Ia1 and Ia2 are formed in the -Y direction at the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 located on the left side (-X direction) of the inductor section 14, and currents Ia3 and Ia4 are formed in the +Y direction at the first touch electrodes 111-3 and 111-4 located on the right side (+X direction) of the inductor section 14. In other words, the direction of the current induced in the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 is opposite to the direction of the current induced in the first touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-10.

[0178] Currents Ib1 and Ib2 are formed in the -X direction at the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 located on the upper side (+Y axis direction) of the inductor section 14, while currents Ib3, Ib4, Ib5, and Ib6 are formed in the +X direction at the second touch electrodes 121-3, 121-4, 121-9, and 121-10 located on the lower side (-Y axis direction) of the inductor section 14. In other words, the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 is opposite to the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16.

[0179] Currents Ic1 to Ic4 are formed in the -Y axis direction at trace 122a, located on the left side of the inductor section 14, while currents Ic5 and Ic6 are formed in the +Y axis direction at trace 122b, located on the right side of the inductor section 14. In other words, the direction of the current induced in trace 122a and the direction of the current induced in trace 122b are opposite to each other.

[0180] Furthermore, the direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 is the same as the direction of the current induced in the trace 122a connected to the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2. The direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-8 is the same as the direction of the current induced in the trace 122a connected to the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-8. The direction of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16 is the same as the direction of the current induced in the trace 122b connected to the second touch electrodes 121-9 to 121-16.

[0181] If we consider the direction of the current at a given point in time with respect to pads 113a and 113b, current is drawn from the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 to pad 113a. Depending on the magnitude of the current induced in the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 and the traces 122a and 122b connected to them, current is drawn from pads 113a and 113b to the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16, or current is drawn from the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 to pads 113a and 113b.

[0182] Separately, in the case of the stylus pen 10b in Figure 5(b), an electric field signal E is output to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, so a sensing signal is received from the electric field signal E applied to the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 and the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3.

[0183] Next, with reference to Figures 16 and 17, the sensing signal from the stylus pen 10b in Figure 5(b) will be described.

[0184] Figures 16 and 17 are graphs showing the sensing signals from a stylus pen according to one embodiment.

[0185] As shown in Figure 16, the current directions between the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 and the first touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-10 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signals AB5 measured in this way have opposite signs at the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3. Furthermore, since an even larger current is induced closer to the inductor 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-4 to 111-10.

[0186] The stylus pen 10b outputs an electric field signal E to the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 through the conductive tip 11b, and a sensing signal AE5 is received as a result.

[0187] The sensing signal AC5 received by the first drive / receive unit 2620 has a form in which sensing signals AB5 and sensing signals AE5 are combined. In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 where the difference in magnitude of sensing signal AC5 is maximum, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0188] Figure 17 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16.

[0189] As shown in Figure 17, the current directions between the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 and the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signals AB6 measured in this way have opposite signs at the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3. Furthermore, since an even larger current is induced closer to the inductor 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other second touch electrodes 121-1, 121-4 to 121-16.

[0190] The stylus pen 10b outputs an electric field signal E to the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 through the conductive tip 11b, and a sensing signal AE6 is received as a result.

[0191] The sensing signal AC6 received by the second drive / receiving unit 2622 has a form in which sensing signals AB6 and sensing signals AE6 are combined. In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 where the difference in magnitude of sensing signal AC6 is maximum, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0192] Next, with reference to Figures 18 and 19, the sensing signal from the stylus pen 10a in Figure 5(a) will be described.

[0193] Figures 18 and 19 are graphs showing sensing signals from a stylus pen according to other embodiments.

[0194] Figure 18 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-10.

[0195] As shown in Figure 18, the current directions between the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 and the first touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-10 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signal AB7 received by the first drive / receive unit 2620 has opposite signs at the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3. Furthermore, since a larger current is induced closer to the inductor unit 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other first touch electrodes 111-1, 111-4 to 111-10.

[0196] In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two first touch electrodes 111-2 and 111-3, where the sign of the sensing signal AB7 is reversed and the magnitude of each signal is large, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0197] Figure 19 is a graph of the sensing signals received from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-16.

[0198] As shown in Figure 19, the current directions between the second touch electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 and the second touch electrodes 121-3 to 121-16 are induced in opposite directions. Therefore, the sensing signal AB8 received by the second drive / receive unit 2622 has opposite signs at the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3. Furthermore, since a larger current is induced closer to the inductor unit 14, the magnitude of the current induced at the second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 is even larger than the magnitude of the current induced at the other second touch electrodes 121-1, 121-4 to 121-16.

[0199] In this case, the control unit 2624 can determine the touch point to be between the two second touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3, where the sign of the sensing signal AB8 is reversed and the magnitude of each signal is large, and the exact touch point can be calculated using interpolation or the like.

[0200] Next, with reference to Figure 20, we will describe the electronic device 2 having the touchscreen 20c shown in Figure 2(c).

[0201] Figure 20 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in general terms.

[0202] The electronic device in Figure 20, compared to the electronic device in Figure 4, further includes a loop coil 264 and a coil driver 263 that applies a drive signal to the loop coil 264.

[0203] 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 short-range communication module 212, such as RFID or NFC. The drive signal includes an AC voltage or AC current having a predetermined frequency.

[0204] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a touch device according to one embodiment.

[0205] The touch device in Figure 21 further includes a loop coil 264 and a coil driver 263 that drives the loop coil 264, compared to the touch device in Figure 6.

[0206] 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 are changed by the control unit 2624.

[0207] The stylus pens 10a and 10b resonate in response to the drive signal applied to the loop coil 264. This resonance causes a current Ir to flow through the coil of the inductor section 14.

[0208] Figure 22 shows an example of the arrangement of electrodes and traces in a touch device according to another embodiment.

[0209] The touch electrodes 111 and 121 within the touch sensor are connected to the pads 113a and 113b through peripheral traces 112, 122a, and 122b 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 122a and 122b.

[0210] The touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b are formed in the same layer. The touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b are formed from conductive materials exhibiting high transmittance and low impedance, such as metal mesh or silver nanowires. However, the touch electrodes 111, 121 and traces 112, 122a, 122b may be placed in different layers and may be made from ITO or graphene, but are not limited to these.

[0211] Pads 113a and 113b are connected to a touch controller 262, which transmits signals from the touch controller 262 (e.g., drive signals) to the touch electrodes 111 and 121, and transmits signals from the touch electrodes 111 and 121 (e.g., sensing signals) to the touch controller 262.

[0212] Figure 23 is a block diagram showing the touch module and host, and Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of touch data provided from the touch module to the host.

[0213] Referring to Figure 23, the host 270 can receive touch data from the touch controller 262 included in the touch module 260. For example, the host 270 may be a mobile SoC (System on Chip), an application processor (AP), a media processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or a similar device.

[0214] After a frame has finished, the touch module 260 can generate touch data containing information about the touches received during that frame and transmit it to the host 270.

[0215] Referring to Figures 23 and 24, the touch data 600 is transmitted from the touch module 260 to the host 270 and includes a touch count field 610 and at least one touch entity field 612, 614. The touch data 600 may also further include sensor input data from the stylus pen 10, data indicating changes in the resonant signal, and so on.

[0216] The touch count field 610 can store a value indicating the number of touches entered during a single frame interval. The touch entity fields 612 and 614 contain fields that indicate information for each touch input. For example, the touch entity fields 612 and 614 include a flag field 620, an X-axis coordinate field 621, a Y-axis coordinate field 622, a Z-value field 623, an area field 624, and a touch action field 625.

[0217] The number of touch entities in touch entity fields 612 and 614 may be the same as the value written in touch count field 610.

[0218] The flag field 620 is where a value indicating the touch object is written. For example, a finger, palm, and stylus pen will each have different values ​​written to the flag field 620. The X-axis coordinate field 621 and the Y-axis coordinate field 622 are where values ​​indicating the calculated touch coordinates are written. The Z-value field 623 is where a value corresponding to the signal strength of the sensing signal is written. The area field 624 is where a value corresponding to the area of ​​the touched region is written.

[0219] According to the embodiment, the host 270 to which the touch data 600 is transmitted uses the value of the area field 624 to determine that the touch object is a finger if the touch area is greater than a critical value, and to determine that the touch object is a stylus pen 10 if the touch area is less than or equal to the critical value.

[0220] According to one embodiment, the host 270 to which the touch data 600 is transmitted can also use the value of the flag field 620 to identify whether the touch object is a finger or a stylus pen 10.

[0221] The electronic devices disclosed herein in various embodiments may be of various forms. These electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or consumer electronics devices. The electronic devices according to embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the devices described above.

[0222] The various embodiments and terminology used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to any particular embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of such embodiments. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar components. Singular nouns corresponding to items include plural nouns unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0223] In this specification, each of the terms “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated with them. Terms such as “first” or “second” are used simply to distinguish one component from another, and the component is not limited to other aspects (e.g., importance or procedure). When a component (e.g., first component) is referred to as being “combined” or “linked” with another component (e.g., second component) with the term “(operationally or communicatively)” or without such terminology, it means that the component is linked with the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via the third component.

[0224] As used herein, the term “module” may include units embodied in hardware, software, or firmware, and is used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be a component configured as a whole or the smallest unit or part of such component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module is embodied in the form of an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

Claims

1. A touch device that detects the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, Display panel and, A window located above the aforementioned display panel, A plurality of electrodes between the display panel and the window, Includes a touch controller that receives sensing signals from the plurality of electrodes and determines the position of the stylus in close proximity to the window, The direction of the current induced in two of the multiple electrodes by the resonant circuit is opposite to that of the other electrodes. The touch controller is a touch device that determines the position of the stylus as the space between electrodes where the difference in magnitude of the induced current is greatest.

2. Some of the aforementioned multiple electrodes are located in the touch area. The touch device further includes a plurality of traces located at the periphery of the touch area and connected to the plurality of electrodes, The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of traces include traces in which the direction of the current induced in the plurality of traces by the resonant circuit is opposite to that of the plurality of traces.

3. The touch device according to claim 2, wherein a current in the same direction as the correspondingly connected traces is induced in the plurality of electrodes.

4. The touch device according to claim 2, wherein a current in a direction different from that of the correspondingly connected traces is induced in the plurality of electrodes.

5. The plurality of electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes extended in the first direction, The touch device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of traces extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and include a first trace connected to one end of a first electrode of a portion of the plurality of first electrodes, and a second trace connected to the other end of a first electrode of another portion of the plurality of first electrodes.

6. The antenna further includes a plurality of dummy electrodes formed on the same layer as the plurality of electrodes and a plurality of bridges connecting the plurality of dummy electrodes to each other. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the touch controller applies a drive signal to the antenna so as to output an electromagnetic signal that causes the resonant circuit to resonate.

7. Each of the aforementioned plurality of electrodes includes two signal input terminals, The touch device according to claim 1, wherein one of the two signal input terminals is grounded and a drive signal is applied to the other, such that each of the electrodes outputs an electromagnetic signal that causes the resonant circuit to resonate.

8. Each of the aforementioned plurality of electrodes includes two signal input terminals, The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the touch controller applies drive signals that are out of phase to each of the two signal input terminals such that each of the electrodes outputs an electromagnetic signal that causes the resonant circuit to resonate.

9. The touch device according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic field shielding layer formed in a different layer from the plurality of electrodes.

10. The display panel has a folding region that folds along the folding axis and a non-folding region separated by the folding region. The touch device according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic field shielding layer is located corresponding to all of the folding region and the non-folding region.

11. The display panel has a folding region that folds along the folding axis and a non-folding region separated by the folding region. The touch device according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic field shielding layer is located at a distance corresponding to the non-folding region.

12. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed from a metal mesh.

13. A method for driving a touch device that detects the position of a stylus including a resonant circuit, The step of outputting a drive signal to multiple electrodes, A step of receiving a sensing signal from the plurality of electrodes, wherein the sensing signal includes currents induced in the plurality of electrodes in opposite directions by the resonant circuit, The step of determining the position of the stylus from the sensing signal is included, The step of determining the position of the stylus is: The step includes determining the position of the stylus between electrodes where the difference in the magnitude of the induced current is greatest, A method for operating a touch device.

14. Some of the aforementioned multiple electrodes are located in the touch area. The touch device further includes a plurality of traces located at the periphery of the touch area and connected to the plurality of electrodes, The method for driving a touch device according to claim 13, wherein the sensing signal includes currents induced in the plurality of traces in opposite directions by the resonant circuit.

15. The method for driving a touch device according to claim 14, wherein a current in the same direction as the correspondingly connected traces is induced in the plurality of electrodes.

16. The method for driving a touch device according to claim 14, wherein a current in a direction different from that of the correspondingly connected traces is induced in the plurality of electrodes.

17. A stylus including a resonant circuit, It includes a touch sensor that receives sensing signals from multiple electrodes to determine the position of the stylus, The direction of the current induced in two of the multiple electrodes by the resonant circuit is opposite to that of the other electrodes. The touch sensor is a touch system that determines the position of the stylus as the space between electrodes where the difference in magnitude of the induced current is greatest.

18. Some of the aforementioned multiple electrodes are located in the touch area. The touch sensor further includes a plurality of traces located at the periphery of the touch area and connected to the plurality of electrodes, The touch system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of traces include traces in which the direction of the current induced in the plurality of traces by the resonant circuit is opposite to that of the plurality of traces.

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