Electronic device

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device and, more specifically, to an electronic device comprising: a sensor unit capable of driving and / or sensing a stylus pen; and at least one controller for controlling the sensor unit, wherein the controller can prevent or alleviate the occurrence of flicker on a display screen due to a stylus pen driving signal input to the sensor unit. The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sensor unit; and a controller configured to control the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit includes a plurality of patterns, the controller is configured to simultaneously apply pen driving signals for driving a stylus pen to some of the plurality of patterns, and if the total sum of the pen driving signals simultaneously applied during a given time interval is not '0', the controller applies an additional pen signal to one or more of the remaining patterns to which no pen driving signals have been applied, such that the total sum of the pen driving signals and the additional pen signal becomes '0'.

Description

electronic devices

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device, and more specifically, to an electronic device including a sensor unit capable of driving and / or sensing a stylus pen and at least one controller for controlling the sensor unit, and capable of preventing or alleviating flickering on a display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal input to the sensor unit by the controller.

[0002] A stylus is a pen-shaped tool designed for use with a touchscreen. It typically has a tip made of conductive rubber or capacitive plastic, allowing for thinner and more precise input than a finger.

[0003] The EMR (Electro Magnetic Resonance) stylus pen is characterized by its ability to operate without a battery. This technology utilizes electromagnetic signals between the pen and the tablet to recognize handwriting or drawings. A digitizer embedded beneath the tablet's screen accurately detects the pen's position, pressure, and tilt. However, the built-in digitizer can increase the tablet's production cost.

[0004] Flickering on a display panel refers to rapid flickering on the screen. Flickering is generally thought to occur when the display's internal hardware malfunctions due to a mismatch between the display's frequency and the graphics card's frequency, or when there's a problem with the AC power supply. Flickering can affect individuals differently, and some may experience headaches or dizziness. Recent display products are mitigating these issues by incorporating "Flicker-Free" technology.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of alleviating or preventing flickering on a display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal.

[0006] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sensor unit; and a controller configured to control the sensor unit; wherein the sensor unit includes a plurality of patterns; and the controller is configured to simultaneously apply pen driving signals for driving a stylus pen with some of the plurality of patterns; and, if the total sum of the pen driving signals simultaneously applied in an arbitrary time period is not '0', the controller controls the application of an additional pen signal with at least one pattern among the remaining patterns to which the pen driving signals are not applied so that the total sum of the pen driving signals and the additional pen signal becomes '0'.

[0007] At least one of the remaining patterns may be arranged farthest from the some of the patterns among the plurality of patterns.

[0008] If any one of the above-mentioned patterns is a pattern disposed on one edge of the plurality of patterns, at least one pattern of the remaining patterns may be a pattern disposed on the other edge of the plurality of patterns.

[0009] The controller may be configured to apply, when the pen driving signal is applied to a pattern located at one edge of the plurality of patterns during a predetermined time period, a first additional pen signal and a second additional pen signal, which are opposite to each other, to a pattern located at the other edge of the plurality of patterns and another pattern immediately adjacent thereto, respectively.

[0010] The electronic device further includes a display panel having an active area and an inactive area, wherein one edge pattern and the other edge pattern among the plurality of patterns may be arranged to overlap the inactive area, and the remaining patterns may be arranged to overlap the active area.

[0011] The plurality of patterns of the sensor unit include: a plurality of first patterns each formed in a first direction; a plurality of second patterns each formed in the first direction and arranged adjacent to the first patterns; a plurality of third patterns each formed in a second direction different from the first direction; and a plurality of fourth patterns each formed in the second direction and arranged adjacent to the third patterns; and ends of the plurality of second patterns may be electrically connected to each other, and ends of the plurality of fourth patterns may be electrically connected to each other.

[0012] The first pattern may include a first receiving pattern and a second receiving pattern alternately arranged one by one along the first direction.

[0013] The third pattern may include a first driving pattern and a second driving pattern alternately arranged one by one along the second direction.

[0014] The first pattern may include a first receiving pattern and a second receiving pattern alternately arranged one by one along the first direction, and the third pattern may include a first driving pattern and a second driving pattern alternately arranged one by one along the second direction.

[0015] The plurality of patterns of the sensor unit include a plurality of first patterns each formed in a first direction; a plurality of second-first patterns each formed in a second direction different from the first direction; and a plurality of second-second patterns each formed in the second direction and arranged adjacent to the second-first patterns; and both ends of each of the first patterns are electrically connected to the controller, and ends of the plurality of fourth patterns can be electrically connected to each other.

[0016] Using an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of preventing flickering on a display screen caused by a stylus pen driving signal, thereby improving display distortion.

[0017] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a part of a sensor unit (1500A) according to a first embodiment that can be applied to the sensor unit (1500) of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining one embodiment of the sensor unit (1500A) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0020] Figures 4 and 5 are drawings for explaining the principle of flickering on a display screen.

[0021] Figure 6 is a drawing for explaining changes in sensing data according to changes in the display screen.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a table for explaining an example of a multi-driving method for applying multiple pen driving signals from the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 to the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a table for explaining an example of a driving method of a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a table for explaining another example of a driving method of a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0026] Figures 11 and 12 are drawings for explaining driving methods of a touch controller that controls the sensor unit illustrated in Figure 10.

[0027] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0028] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0029] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0030] FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0031] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining the first mode (or touch sensing mode) for sensing an object by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0032] FIGS. 18 and 19 are drawings for explaining a second mode (or uplink mode) for driving a stylus pen by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0033] FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining a third mode (or downlink mode) for sensing (or detecting) a stylus pen by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0034] The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention, while different from each other, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the positions or arrangements of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly described. Like reference numerals in the drawings designate the same or similar functions throughout the several aspects.

[0035] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present document may include, for example, at least one of a smartphone, a tablet personal computer, an in-vehicle display device, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a laptop personal computer, a netbook computer, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. Here, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, a contact lens, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing-integrated type (e.g., an electronic garment), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or a tattoo), or a bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit (1500), a display panel (1000), a touch controller (2000), and a display controller (3000).

[0038] The sensor unit (1500) may be included in the display panel (1000) or may be configured separately. The sensor unit (1500) may include at least two electrodes (or patterns). For example, the sensor unit (1500) may include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. Here, the plurality of first electrodes may be a plurality of driving electrodes for conventional general touch sensing, and the plurality of second electrodes may be a plurality of conventional receiving electrodes.

[0039] The touch controller (2000) controls the sensor unit (1500). The touch controller (2000) can detect an object, such as a finger, located on the sensor unit (1500) using the sensor unit (1500).

[0040] The touch controller (2000) may include a driving and sensing unit (2100) configured to supply a touch driving signal for touch sensing to at least one electrode among at least two electrodes (or patterns) of the sensor unit (1500) and receive a touch detection signal from one electrode, and a control unit (2200) that controls the driving and sensing unit (2100).

[0041] The touch controller (2000) can convert the above touch detection signal from analog to digital and output a digital touch detection signal.

[0042] A display panel (1000) may have a plurality of scan lines (or gate lines) and a plurality of data lines arranged. Subpixels may be positioned in areas where the scan lines and data lines intersect.

[0043] The display panel (1000) may include an active area in which a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged, and an inactive area (dead space or bezel) located outside the active area. The active area may constitute a display screen of an electronic device. The display screen may have various shapes. For example, the display screen may have a landscape shape in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length. Alternatively, the display screen may have a portrait shape in which the vertical length is longer than the horizontal length.

[0044] The display controller (3000) controls the display panel (1000) and may include a gate driving circuit (3100) that drives a gate line, a data driving circuit (3300) that drives a data line, and a display control unit (3200) that controls the gate driving circuit (3100) and the data driving circuit (3300).

[0045] The touch controller (2000) and the display controller (300) illustrated in FIG. 1 may be physically integrated into one. The integrated touch controller (2000) and the display controller (300) may be referred to as a touch display controller (or controller).

[0046] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a part of a sensor unit (1500A) according to a first embodiment that can be applied to the sensor unit (1500) of FIG. 1.

[0047] An electronic device including a sensor unit (1500A) according to the first embodiment is configured to detect the position of a conductive object, such as a finger, located on a display screen, as well as to detect the position of a stylus pen that is in proximity to or in contact with the display screen by driving a stylus pen or detecting a pen signal emitted from the stylus pen.

[0048] The sensor unit (1500A) includes a plurality of patterns (or a plurality of electrodes).

[0049] The sensor unit (1500A) may include a plurality of first to fourth patterns (101, 102, 103, 104). Here, the plurality of second patterns (102) or / and the plurality of fourth patterns (104) may be omitted.

[0050] The first pattern (101) has a shape extending along an arbitrary first direction (X). The first direction may be either the long-axis direction or the short-axis direction of the display screen of the electronic device.

[0051] One end of each of the plurality of first patterns (101) is electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 through a trace (not illustrated). The other end of each of the plurality of first patterns (101) can be electrically floated.

[0052] The second pattern (102) has a shape extending along the first direction (X), is arranged adjacent to the first pattern (101), and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first pattern (101).

[0053] One end of the second pattern (102) is electrically connected to one end of at least one other second pattern via a trace (102t). The other end of the second pattern (102) may be electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) via a trace (not shown) or may be electrically floated.

[0054] The third pattern (103) has a shape extending along a second direction (Y) different from the first direction. The second direction (Y) may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X) and may be either the short-axis direction or the long-axis direction of the display screen of the electronic device.

[0055] One end of each of the plurality of third patterns (103) is electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) via a trace (not shown). The other end of each of the plurality of third patterns (103) can be electrically floated.

[0056] The fourth pattern (104) has a shape extending along the second direction (Y), is arranged adjacent to the third pattern (103), and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the third pattern (103).

[0057] One end of the fourth pattern (104) is electrically connected to one end of at least one other fourth pattern via a trace (104t). The other end of the fourth pattern (104) may be electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) via a trace (not shown) or may be electrically floated.

[0058] The third and fourth patterns (103, 104) may be arranged on different layers from the first and second patterns (101, 102). An insulating layer (not shown) may be arranged between the third and fourth patterns (103, 104) and the first and second patterns (101, 102).

[0059] Meanwhile, unlike what is shown in the drawing, a plurality of first to fourth patterns (101, 102, 103, 104) may be arranged together on the same layer.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining one embodiment of the sensor unit (1500A) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, a sensor unit according to one embodiment may include a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5). Here, a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) may correspond to a plurality of first patterns (101) illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) may correspond to a plurality of second patterns (102) illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) may correspond to a plurality of third patterns (103) illustrated in FIG. 2, and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) may correspond to a plurality of fourth patterns (104) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0062] Each of the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) may be arranged in the same direction (X) as a scan line of a display panel (not shown). Here, the same direction (X) as the scan line may be a short axis direction of the display screen. Each of the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) may be an electrode to which a touch driving signal for sensing an object such as a finger or a conductive member is applied by the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0063] Each of the first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) is arranged adjacent to the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9). Each of the first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) may be arranged in the same direction (Y) as a scan line of a display panel (not shown). Each of the first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) may receive a pen driving signal for driving a stylus pen by the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1, or may transmit a pen signal from the stylus pen to the touch controller (2000).

[0064] Each end of the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) is electrically connected to each other through a conductive pattern (STxC). Here, the conductive pattern (STxC) may be a metal mesh or a silver trace. The plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) and the conductive pattern (STxC) may be formed integrally.

[0065] Each of the second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) is arranged in a different direction (Y) from the direction in which each of the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) is arranged. Each of the second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) can be an electrode that outputs a touch detection signal for sensing an object such as a finger or a conductive member.

[0066] Each of the second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) is arranged adjacent to the second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5). Each of the second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) may be arranged in a different direction (Y) from the first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9). Each of the second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) may receive a pen driving signal for driving a stylus pen by the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1, or may transmit a pen signal from the stylus pen to the touch controller (2000).

[0067] Each end of the plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) is electrically connected to each other through a conductive pattern (SRxC). Here, the conductive pattern (SRxC) may be a metal mesh or a silver trace. The plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) and the conductive pattern (SRxC) may be formed integrally.

[0068] A plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) may be arranged on a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), and may be arranged at a predetermined distance from a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9).

[0069] The number of the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) and the number of the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) may increase or decrease depending on the size of the display screen or the relative lengths of the major and minor axes.

[0070] A plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) sense touch of an object such as a finger or a conductive member. To this end, the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) may operate as touch driving electrodes to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) may operate as touch detection electrodes to which a touch detection signal is received. Of course, the opposite operation may also be performed.

[0071] In order for the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 to drive or / and sense the stylus pen by the touch controller (2000), the touch controller (2000) can control a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) in various combinations. The various combinations are as shown in below. In below, '1' refers to a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), '2' refers to a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), '3' refers to a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and '4' refers to a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5).

[0072]

[0073] Referring to the above , in various combinations (No. 1 to No. 32), a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) sense the touch of a conductive object such as a finger. Although not shown in , the opposite is also possible.

[0074] One or two of the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and the plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) can operate as stylus driving electrodes for driving the stylus pen. A current loop for driving a stylus pen can be formed using a pattern of one or two of a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5). The X-axis drive may be any one type of electrode among a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9), and the Y-axis drive may be any one type of electrode among a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5). The stylus pen may be driven by either the X-axis drive or the Y-axis drive, or by both.

[0075] Two electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and the plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5) can operate as sensing electrodes that sense a stylus pen signal emitted from the stylus pen. In order to sense a stylus pen signal, both X-axis sensing and Y-axis sensing are required, so two patterns can be used among a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5). The X-axis sensing may be any one type of electrode among a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx8, FTx9) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx9), and the Y-axis sensing may be any one type of electrode among a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1,..., SRx4, SRx5).

[0076] In the above , 'uplink signal size' refers to the size of the stylus pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen. 'downlink signal size' refers to the relative size of the stylus pen signal received from the stylus pen. 'Stylus additional channel' refers to whether an additional channel should be configured for the stylus pen in addition to touch sensing.

[0077] An electronic device including a sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 can also perform proximity sensing using the sensor unit. When performing proximity sensing, the touch controller (2000) can control to simultaneously apply driving signals to a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9), and can control to apply positive (+) driving signals to the first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx4) arranged on the upper side among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9), and to apply negative (-) driving signals to the first touch electrodes (FTx5, FTx6, ..., FTx9) arranged on the lower side. In addition, the touch controller (2000) can detect whether an object is in proximity based on detection signals output from a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1,..., FRx4, FRx5).

[0078] Meanwhile, when the touch controller applies a pen driving signal to drive the stylus pen to one type of electrode (hereinafter referred to as “multiple pen driving patterns”) among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9), the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9), the plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5), and the plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) of the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, flicker may occur on the display screen of the display panel.

[0079] The above flicker may occur when the touch controller simultaneously applies the pen driving signal with at least two pen driving patterns among the plurality of pen driving patterns.

[0080] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) are multiple pen driving patterns, the touch controller can simultaneously apply pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) to some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) among the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) at any time interval. In addition, assuming that the pen driving signal (Ss0) applied to STx0 is a signal of '1', the pen driving signals (Ss2, Ss3) applied to STx2 and STx3 can be '-1'. Here, the signal of '1' is a square wave signal or a sine signal having a predetermined frequency, and the signal of '-1' is the same as the signal of '1' whose phase is inverted by 180 degrees.

[0081] In this way, when the touch controller simultaneously applies pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) in an arbitrary time interval (multi-driving), a parasitic capacitance (Cs) is formed between some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) and the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel, and the pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) may generate an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) in the ELVSS layer (20) through the parasitic capacitance (Cs). The generated voltage signal (Sc) changes the voltage of the ELVSS layer (20).

[0082] The voltage change of the above ELVSS layer (20) may 1) cause flickering on the display screen, or 2) cause errors or noise according to changes in the display screen. The problems 1) and 2) caused by the voltage change of the above ELVSS layer (20) are described in detail below.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when pen driving signals (Ss0, Ss2, Ss3) are simultaneously applied to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) arranged on the display panel, an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) is generated in the ELVSS layer (20), and the voltage signal (Sc) may cause an error in the display pixel data of the display panel (1000), which may cause distortion on the display screen.

[0084] Figure 6 is a drawing for explaining changes in sensing data according to changes in the display screen.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6, when the display screen of the display panel changes from the first screen (41) to the second screen (42), especially when the display screen and brightness change together, a change in pixel capacitance (pixel cap) occurs according to the pixel diode current, so that the overall capacitance (cap) of the ELVSS layer (20) may appear to change according to the display screen. As a result, the voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) due to the pen driving signal changes according to the display screen and brightness. This voltage change (Sc -> Sc') is again transmitted to the other electrode (FTx) through Cs, causing an error (noise).

[0086] FIG. 7 is a table for explaining an example of a multi-driving method for applying multiple pen driving signals from the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 to the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0087] In the table in Fig. 7, the vertical axis represents pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1,..., STx8, STx10) to which multiple pen driving signals (1 or -1) are applied, and the horizontal axis represents each time interval (t0, t1, t16) to which multiple pen driving signals (1 or -1) are applied simultaneously.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in each time interval from the first time interval (t1) to the fifteenth time interval (t15), a pen driving signal (1 or -1) is applied to some of the pen driving patterns among the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx10), and the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied for each time interval is '0'. Here, the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) may mean the total sum of the amplitudes of the pen driving signals (1 or -1).

[0089] However, in the 0th time interval (t0) or the 16th time interval (t16), the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns is not '0'. Specifically, in the 0th time interval (t0), the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) is '-1', and in the 16th time interval (t16), the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns (STx7, STx8, STx10) is '1'.

[0090] In this way, in an arbitrary time interval (t0, t16), if the total sum of pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied with some pen driving patterns is not '0', or if the total sum is '-1' or '1', as mentioned in Fig. 5, an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) may be generated in the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel, which may cause distortion such as flickering on the display screen. In addition, as mentioned in Fig. 6, the voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) may vary depending on the display screen and brightness, which may cause an error (noise).

[0091] FIG. 8 is a table for explaining an example of a driving method of a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 8, the touch controller (2000) can solve the technical problems mentioned in FIG. 7 by controlling the sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some of the pen driving patterns among the entire pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx10) to be '0'.

[0093] Specifically, the touch controller (2000) can control to apply an additional pen signal (1 or -1) (or a compensation signal) to at least one other pen driving pattern (STx10, STx0) to which no pen driving signals (1 or -1) are applied so that the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns in the time interval (t0, t16) is not '0', if the total sum of the pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied to some pen driving patterns in the time interval (t0, t16) is '0'. Here, the at least one other pen driving pattern (STx10, STx0) may be a pattern that is relatively farthest from some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3 / STx7, STx8, STx10), and the additional pen signal may be a signal (1 or -1) that makes the total sum of the signals in the corresponding time interval '0'.

[0094] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, since the total sum of the pen driving signals (1, -1, -1) applied to some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) in the 0th time interval (t0) is '-1', the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 can control to apply an additional pen signal of '1' to at least one other pen driving pattern (STx10) that is arranged relatively farthest from some of the pen driving patterns (STx0, STx2, STx3) in order to make the total sum of the pen driving signals '0'.

[0095] In addition, since the total sum of the pen driving signals (1, 1, -1) applied to some of the pen driving patterns (STx7, STx8, STx10) in the 16th time section (t16) is '1', the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 can control to apply an additional pen signal of '-1' to at least one other pen driving pattern (STx0) that is arranged relatively farthest from some of the pen driving patterns (STx7, STx8, STx10) in order to make the total sum of the pen driving signals '0'.

[0096] According to the driving method of the touch controller (2000), the total sum of the pen driving signals can be made '0' in each of all time sections (t0 to t16) in which at least two or more pen driving signals are applied. Therefore, since an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) is not generated in the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel mentioned in FIG. 5, not only can the occurrence of distortion such as flicker on the display screen be prevented, but also since an unwanted voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) mentioned in FIG. 6 is not generated, there is an advantage in that the occurrence of noise according to the display screen and brightness can be prevented.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a table for explaining another example of a driving method of a touch controller (2000) that can solve the technical problem mentioned in FIG. 7.

[0098] The driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 9 is a method of controlling the application of additional pen signals (1 or -1) with two or more different pen driving patterns so that the total sum of pen driving signals (1 or -1) applied simultaneously in each time section becomes '0', similar to the driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0099] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the touch controller (2000) applies a first additional pen signal (1) and a second additional pen signal (-1), which are opposite to each other, to a pattern (STx10) located at the other edge and a pattern (STx9) immediately adjacent thereto, respectively, during time intervals (t0 to t3) in which a pen driving signal (1) is applied to a pattern (STx0) located at one edge among the entire pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx10). In addition, the touch controller (2000) controls to apply an additional pen signal (1) to a pattern (STx8) that is positioned relatively farthest from a pattern (STx0) located at one edge among the remaining pen driving patterns (STx1, STx4, STx5, STx6, STx7, STx8) in a time section (t0) where the total sum of pen driving signals applied to each time section is not '0', in order to make it '0'.

[0100] Alternatively, the touch controller (2000) applies a first additional pen signal (1) and a second additional pen signal (-1) that are opposite to each other to the pattern (STx0) located at one edge and the pattern (STx1) immediately adjacent thereto, respectively, during time intervals (t13 to t16) in which a pen driving signal (-1) is applied to a pattern (STx10) located at the other edge among the entire pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx10). In addition, the touch controller (2000) controls to apply an additional pen signal (-1) to the pattern (STx2) that is relatively farthest from the pattern (STx10) located at the other edge among the remaining pen driving patterns (STx2, STx3, STx4, STx5, STx6, STx9) in a time section (t16) in which the total sum of pen driving signals applied to each time section is not '0'.

[0101] The driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 9 has an advantage in that, compared to FIG. 8, first and second additional pen signals are additionally applied in predetermined time intervals (t0 to t3, t13 to t16), so that power can be continuously and stably supplied to the external stylus pen wherever it is positioned on the entire pen driving patterns (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx10). Meanwhile, the driving method of the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 8 has an advantage in that power consumption can be relatively reduced compared to FIG. 9.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0103] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10, like the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, includes a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx(n-1), FTxn), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, ..., FRxm), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, ..., SRxm). Here, a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) may correspond to a plurality of first patterns (101) illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) may correspond to a plurality of second patterns (102) illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) may correspond to a plurality of third patterns (103) illustrated in FIG. 2, and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, SRx1, ..., SRx4, SRx5) may correspond to a plurality of fourth patterns (104) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0104] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10 is different from the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 in that a plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx(n-1), FTxn) and a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn) extend in the Y direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0, ..., FRxm) and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0, ..., SRxm) extend in the X direction.

[0105] In addition, the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10, unlike the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, further includes first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2). The first side pattern (STxside1) is arranged adjacent to one side of the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn), and the second side pattern (STxside2) is arranged adjacent to the other side of the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn). More specifically, the first side pattern (STxside1) is arranged adjacent to the first pen electrode (STx0) arranged at one edge, and the second side pattern (STxside2) is arranged adjacent to the first pen electrode (STxn) arranged at the other edge. One end of the first side pattern (STxside1) is electrically connected to a conductive pattern (STxC) that electrically connects one end of a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn), and one end of the second side pattern (STxside2) is also electrically connected to the conductive pattern (STxC).

[0106] A plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1,..., FTx(n-1), FTxn), a plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1,..., STx(n-1), STxn), a plurality of second touch electrodes (FRx0,..., FRxm), and a plurality of second pen electrodes (SRx0,..., SRxm) of the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10 are arranged in an active area (AA) of the display panel, and the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) are arranged in an inactive area (NAA).

[0107] Here, the active area (AA, or display area) is the area on the screen of the display panel where an image is displayed, and the non-active area (NAA, or dead space) is an area for some wiring (electronic circuit) or / and mechanical bonding of the side portion required to drive the pixels of the display panel, and refers to an area located at the edge of the active area (AA).

[0108] When the touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 applies a pen driving signal only to the 1-0 pen electrode (STx0) positioned at one edge among the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx8, STx9) of the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3, current due to the pen driving signal flows to the 1-0 pen electrode (STx0), but current does not flow to other pen electrodes around the 1-0 pen electrode (STx0), so when an external stylus pen is positioned between the active area of ​​the display panel and the 1-0 pen electrode (STx0), it may be difficult to sufficiently drive the stylus pen.

[0109] However, since the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 10 is further arranged in the non-active area (NAA) so that the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) are electrically connected to the conductive pattern (STxC) that electrically connects the ends of the plurality of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx(n-1), STxn), there is an advantage in that even if an external stylus pen is positioned between the active area (AA) of the display panel and the first-0th pen electrode (STx0), or between the active area (AA) and the first-nth pen electrode (STxn), the touch controller (2000) can form a current loop by applying a predetermined pen driving signal to the first or second side pattern (STxside1, STxside2).

[0110] The touch controller (2000) illustrated in Fig. 1 can directly apply the driving method illustrated in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 to the sensor unit illustrated in Fig. 10. Specifically, this will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

[0111] Figures 11 and 12 are drawings for explaining driving methods of a touch controller that controls the sensor unit illustrated in Figure 10. Here, Figures 11 and 12 assume that the number of first pen electrodes (STx0, STx1, ..., STx7, STx8) illustrated in Figure 10 is nine.

[0112] The driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, similarly to the driving methods illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, can make the total sum of the pen driving signals '0' in each of all time sections (t0 to t16) in which at least two or more pen driving signals are applied, thereby preventing the occurrence of distortion such as flicker on the display screen by preventing an unwanted voltage signal (Sc) from being generated in the ELVSS layer (20) of the display panel mentioned in FIG. 5, and also have the advantage of preventing the occurrence of noise according to the display screen and brightness by preventing the occurrence of an unwanted voltage (Sc) applied to the ELVSS layer (20) mentioned in FIG. 6.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0114] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 13 is different from the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3 in that each of the plurality of second touch electrodes includes a pair of first receiving electrode units (FRx0a, FRx1a, ..., FRx5a) and second receiving electrode units (FRx0b, FRx1b, ..., FRx5b), and the rest is the same.

[0115] The first receiving electrode portion (FRx0a, FRx1a,..., FRx5a) and the second receiving electrode portion (FRx0b, FRx1b,..., FRx5b) can be arranged alternately one by one along one direction (Y).

[0116] The first receiving electrode portion (FRx0a, FRx1a, ..., FRx5a) may be arranged so as to form mutual capacitance with some of the driving electrodes (FTx0, FTx2, FTx4, FTx6, FTx8) among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) or to be arranged so as to be directly adjacent to them, and may be arranged so as to form little or no mutual capacitance with the remaining driving electrodes (FTx1, FTx3, FTx5, FTx7, FTx9).

[0117] The second receiving electrode portion (FRx0b, FRx1b, ..., FRx5b) may be arranged so as to form mutual capacitance with the remaining driving electrodes (FTx1, FTx3, FTx5, FTx7, FTx9) among the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0, FTx1, ..., FTx8, FTx9) or to be arranged so as to be directly adjacent to them, and may be arranged so as to form little or no mutual capacitance with some of the driving electrodes (FTx0, FTx2, FTx4, FTx6, FTx8).

[0118] The touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 1 has the advantage of being able to improve proximity sensing sensitivity by differentiating between two detection signals output from a pair of receiving electrodes of each second touch electrode, thereby eliminating noise (display noise, LGM noise, etc.) during proximity sensing.

[0119] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0120] The sensor unit illustrated in Fig. 14 is different from the sensor unit illustrated in Fig. 3 in that there are differences in the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0', FTx1', ..., FTx8', FTx9'), and the rest is the same.

[0121] Each of the plurality of first touch electrodes (FTx0', FTx1',..., FTx8', FTx9') includes a pair of first driving electrode portions (FTx0a, FTx1a,..., FTx9a) and second driving electrode portions (FTx0b, FTx1b,..., FTx9b).

[0122] The first driving electrode portion (FTx0a, FTx1a,..., FTx9a) and the second driving electrode portion (FTx0b, FTx1b,..., FTx9b) can be arranged alternately one by one in one direction (X).

[0123] The first driving electrode section (FTx0a, FTx1a, ..., FTx9a) may be arranged so as to form mutual capacitance with some of the receiving electrodes (FRx0, FRx2, FRx4) among the plurality of receiving driving electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) or be arranged so as to be directly adjacent to them, and may be arranged so as to form little or no mutual capacitance with the remaining receiving electrodes (FRx1, FRx3, FRx5).

[0124] The second driving electrode section (FTx0b, FTx1b, ..., FTx9b) may be arranged so as to form mutual capacitance with the remaining receiving electrodes (FRx1, FRx3, FRx5) among the plurality of receiving driving electrodes (FRx0, FRx1, ..., FRx4, FRx5) or be arranged so as to be directly adjacent to them, and may be arranged so as to form little or no mutual capacitance with some of the receiving electrodes (FRx0, FRx2, FRx4).

[0125] A first driving signal and a second driving signal can be simultaneously applied to a pair of first and second driving electrode portions of each of the first touch electrodes (FTx0', FTx1',..., FTx8', FTx9'). Here, the first driving signal and the second driving signal can be pulse signals or sine signals whose phases are shifted by 180 degrees from each other.

[0126] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0127] The sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 15 has a difference in the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes compared to the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0128] Each of the plurality of second touch electrodes illustrated in FIG. 15 includes a pair of first receiving electrode portions (FRx0a, FRx1a, ..., FRx5a) and second receiving electrode portions (FRx0b, FRx1b, ..., FRx5b). In addition, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes includes a pair of first driving electrode portions (FTx0a, FTx1a, ..., FTx9a) and second driving electrode portions (FTx0b, FTx1b, ..., FTx9b).

[0129] FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining a sensor unit according to another embodiment to which the driving methods of the touch controller illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 9 can be applied.

[0130] The sensor unit illustrated in Fig. 16 includes a plurality of first patterns (101), a plurality of third patterns (103), and a plurality of fourth patterns (104).

[0131] In the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 16, compared to the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of second patterns (102) are omitted, and both ends of each first pattern (101) arranged in the first direction (X) are electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) through traces. More specifically, one end of each first pattern (101) is connected to the touch controller (2000) through one trace (or trace pattern), and the other end is connected to the touch controller (2000) through another trace (trace pattern). In this way, the method in which both ends of each of the plurality of first patterns (101) are electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) through traces is hereinafter referred to as a 'double routing method'.

[0132] In the sensor unit (100) of FIG. 16, the first pattern (101) can be named as the first pattern in the first direction (X), the third pattern (103) can be named as the first pattern in the second direction (Y), and the fourth pattern (104) can be named as the second pattern in the second direction (Y).

[0133] Among the two ends of the third pattern (103) arranged in the second direction (Y), one end that is arranged closer to the touch controller (2000) is electrically connected to the touch controller (2000) through a trace, and the other end is electrically floated.

[0134] One end of the fourth pattern (104) arranged adjacent to the third pattern (103) and arranged in the second direction (Y) and closer to the touch controller (2000) is electrically floated, and the other end is electrically connected to the other ends of the fourth patterns through one or more traces.

[0135] An electronic device including a sensor unit (100) and a touch controller (2000) illustrated in FIG. 16 can detect the position of an object, such as a finger, located on a display screen of the electronic device, as well as operate a stylus pen that is in proximity to or in contact with the screen, and detect the position of the stylus pen located on the screen by sensing a signal emitted from the stylus pen. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20.

[0136] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a first mode (or touch sensing mode) for sensing an object by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 16, FIGS. 18 to 19 are drawings for explaining a second mode (or uplink mode) for driving a stylus pen by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 16, and FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining a third mode (or downlink mode) for sensing (or detecting) a stylus pen by the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0137] The touch controller (2000) can detect an object, such as a finger, that is close to or in contact with the sensor unit by using a plurality of first patterns (101) and a plurality of third patterns (103) of the sensor unit. Specifically, referring to FIG. 17, the touch controller (2000) can use a plurality of first patterns (101) of the sensor unit as touch drive electrodes (TX) to which a touch drive signal is applied, and can use a plurality of third patterns (103) as touch reception electrodes (RX) to which a touch reception signal is output. The opposite configuration may also be used.

[0138] The control unit (240) of the touch controller (2000) can control the touch driving signals to be applied to a plurality of first patterns (101) from the first circuit unit (210) and the second circuit unit (220). To this end, each of the first circuit unit (210) and the second circuit unit (220) can be configured to output a touch driving signal by a control signal from the control unit (240).

[0139] By the control unit (240), the first circuit unit (210) can apply a touch driving signal to one end of a plurality of first patterns (101), and the second circuit unit (220) can simultaneously apply the touch driving signal to the other end of the plurality of first patterns (101). When the same touch driving signal is applied simultaneously to both ends of each first pattern (101) in this way, the location of maximum resistance in each first pattern (101) can be the center of the corresponding first pattern (101).

[0140] The control unit (240) can receive touch detection signals through a plurality of third patterns (103). Each received touch detection signal includes information regarding the amount of change in electrostatic capacity between the first pattern (101) and the third pattern (103). The control unit (240) can determine the position of the object based on the amount of change in electrostatic capacity.

[0141] Meanwhile, although not illustrated in a separate drawing, the control unit (240) can control so that a touch driving signal is applied to each of the first pattern (101) and the third pattern (103), and a touch detection signal is output from each of the first pattern (101) and the third pattern (103).

[0142] The touch controller (2000) can form a current loop for driving a stylus pen using a plurality of first patterns (101). The touch controller (2000) can form a current loop for driving a stylus pen through a sensor unit using one of two methods to be described below with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. Here, the current loop can be formed by applying a pen driving signal to some of the first patterns among the plurality of first patterns (101).

[0143] First, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the touch controller (2000) controls a preset current to flow in a first direction (X) by applying a pen driving signal to one or more first patterns among a plurality of first patterns (101), and simultaneously applies a pen driving signal to one or more other first patterns to flow a preset current in a first opposite direction (-X). Here, the touch controller (2000) can select one or more first patterns and one or more other first patterns according to a proximity or contact position of the stylus pen (10). The first pattern(s) arranged above the position of the stylus pen (10) can become the one or more first patterns, and the first pattern(s) arranged below can become the one or more other first patterns.

[0144] The control unit (240) controls a first pen driving signal to be applied to one end of one or more first patterns (101) among a plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and controls a first inverse pen driving signal, which is an inverse signal of the first pen driving signal, to be applied to the other end of the one or more first patterns through the second circuit unit (220), thereby allowing a current in the first direction (X) to flow in the one or more first patterns. Here, the first driving signal may be a pulse waveform signal or a sine waveform signal.

[0145] At the same time, the control unit (240) controls the first inverse pen driving signal to be applied to one end of one or more other first patterns among a plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and controls the first pen driving signal to be applied to the other end of one or more other first patterns through the second circuit unit (220), thereby allowing a current in the first opposite direction (-X) to flow in the remaining first patterns.

[0146] At least one current loop can be formed around the stylus pen (10) by a current flowing in a first direction (X) in the first pattern of the above-mentioned part and a current flowing in a first opposite direction (-X) in the other first pattern of the above-mentioned part. The formed current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field can drive the stylus pen (10) by resonating a resonance circuit provided inside the stylus pen (10).

[0147] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the control unit (240) may control a first pen driving signal to be applied to one end of some of the first patterns among the plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and may control the other end of some of the first patterns to be grounded through the second circuit unit (220), thereby allowing current in the first direction (X) to flow in the some of the first patterns. At the same time, the control unit (240) may control a first pen driving signal to be applied to one end of the remaining first patterns among the plurality of first patterns (101) through the first circuit unit (210), and may control the other end of the remaining first patterns to be grounded through the second circuit unit (220), thereby allowing current in the first opposite direction (-X) to flow in the remaining first patterns.

[0148] At least one current loop can be formed around the stylus pen (10) by a current flowing in the first direction (X) of the first pattern of the above-mentioned part and a current flowing in the first opposite direction (-X) of the remaining first pattern. The current loop generates a magnetic field, and the generated magnetic field can drive the stylus pen (10) by resonating a resonance circuit provided inside the stylus pen (10).

[0149] Here, the touch controller (2000) can apply the driving method illustrated in FIG. 8 to prevent the occurrence of flicker on the display screen or suppress the occurrence of noise due to changes in the display screen. The touch controller (2000) can control a plurality of first patterns (101) illustrated in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 to become a plurality of pen driving electrodes (STx0 to STx10) illustrated in FIG. 8. In addition, the touch controller (2000) can apply the driving method illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 as is.

[0150] Furthermore, the sensor unit illustrated in FIG. 16 may further include the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) illustrated in FIG. 10. Although not illustrated in a separate drawing, when the first and second side patterns (STxside1, STxside2) illustrated in FIG. 10 are applied to the sensor unit of FIG. 16, a first site pattern (not illustrated) may be arranged on a first pattern (101) arranged at the uppermost side among a plurality of first patterns (101), and a second site pattern (not illustrated) may be arranged below a first pattern arranged at the lowermost side among a plurality of first patterns (101). In this case, the touch controller (2000) may control the sensor unit of FIG. 16 including the first and second side patterns using the driving method illustrated in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12.

[0151] The touch controller (2000) can receive a stylus pen signal (hereinafter referred to as a pen signal) emitted from a stylus pen using a plurality of first patterns (101) and a plurality of third patterns (103), and determine the position of the stylus pen based on the received pen signal.

[0152] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 20, a pen signal can be detected using a plurality of first patterns (101) and a plurality of third patterns (103).

[0153] The control unit (240) can control the third circuit unit (230) to receive pen signals from each of the plurality of third patterns (103). The control unit (240) can determine the position of the stylus pen in the first direction (X) based on the pen signals received by the third circuit unit (230). Here, the pen signals can be received through the plurality of third patterns (103) because the induced signal induced in the fourth pattern (104) is transmitted to the third pattern (103) arranged adjacent thereto through the capacitive coupling formed between the adjacent third pattern (103) and the fourth pattern (104).

[0154] In addition, the control unit (240) can control the first circuit unit (210) so that one end of the plurality of first patterns (101) is electrically grounded, and the second circuit unit (220) can control the pen signal to be received from the other end of each of the plurality of first patterns (101). The control unit (240) can determine the position of the stylus pen in the second direction (Y) based on the pen signals received by the second circuit unit (220).

[0155] In FIG. 20, the first circuit unit (210) is configured to electrically ground one end of a plurality of first patterns (101) and the second circuit unit (220) is configured to receive a pen signal from the other end of the plurality of first patterns (101), but the opposite may also be configured.

[0156] While the above description focuses on embodiments, these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiments. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. In addition, differences related to such modifications and applications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sensor unit; and a controller configured to control the sensor unit; The above sensor part includes a plurality of patterns, The controller is configured to simultaneously apply pen driving signals for driving the stylus pen with some of the plurality of patterns, The controller controls the sum of the pen driving signals applied simultaneously in an arbitrary time interval to be '0' by applying an additional pen signal in at least one pattern among the remaining patterns to which the pen driving signals are not applied so that the sum of the pen driving signals and the additional pen signal becomes '0'. Electronic devices.

2. In paragraph 1, An electronic device wherein at least one of the remaining patterns is arranged farthest from the some of the patterns among the plurality of patterns.

3. In paragraph 1, An electronic device, wherein if any one of the above-mentioned patterns is a pattern disposed on one edge of the plurality of patterns, at least one pattern of the remaining patterns is a pattern disposed on the other edge of the plurality of patterns.

4. In paragraph 1, The controller is an electronic device configured to apply a first additional pen signal and a second additional pen signal, which are opposite to each other, to a pattern located at the other edge of the plurality of patterns and another pattern immediately adjacent thereto, respectively, when the pen driving signal is applied to a pattern located at one edge of the plurality of patterns during a predetermined time period.

5. In paragraph 1, A display panel having an active area and an inactive area; further comprising: An electronic device wherein one edge pattern and the other edge pattern among the plurality of patterns are arranged to overlap the inactive area, and the remaining patterns are arranged to overlap the active area.

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, The multiple patterns of the above sensor part are: A plurality of first patterns each formed in a first direction; A plurality of second patterns each formed in the first direction and arranged adjacent to the first pattern; A plurality of third patterns each formed in a second direction different from the first direction; and Each of the fourth patterns is formed in the second direction and is arranged adjacent to the third pattern; One end of the above plurality of second patterns is electrically connected to each other, One end of the above plurality of fourth patterns is electrically connected to each other, Electronic devices.

7. In paragraph 6, The first pattern includes a first receiving pattern and a second receiving pattern alternately arranged along the first direction. Electronic devices.

8. In paragraph 6, The third pattern includes a first driving pattern and a second driving pattern alternately arranged along the second direction. Electronic devices.

9. In paragraph 6, The first pattern includes a first receiving pattern and a second receiving pattern alternately arranged one by one along the first direction, The third pattern includes a first driving pattern and a second driving pattern alternately arranged along the second direction. Electronic devices.

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, The multiple patterns of the above sensor part are: A plurality of first patterns each formed in a first direction; a plurality of second-1 patterns each formed in a second direction different from the first direction; and Each of which comprises a plurality of second-2 patterns formed in the second direction and arranged adjacent to the second-1 pattern; Both ends of each of the above first patterns are electrically connected to the controller, One end of the above plurality of fourth patterns is electrically connected to each other, Electronic devices.

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