Sensor, sensor controller, and position detection device
By positioning the outermost electrode to overlap with lead wires and connecting it to a fixed potential, the sensor system enhances the detection range and accuracy for both electromagnetic induction pens and passive pointers, addressing the limitations of conventional EMR-capacitive sensors.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing EMR-capacitive sensors face limitations in detecting the x-coordinate of electromagnetic induction pens due to electric field leakage from lead wires, restricting the detectable range to the length of first electrodes, and errors occur when detecting passive pointers.
The sensor design includes a configuration where the outermost second electrode overlaps with lead wires and is connected to a fixed potential, preventing electric field interference and allowing detection up to the position of the outermost electrode, while using a sensor controller to manage potential states for accurate position detection of both electromagnetic induction pens and passive pointers.
This configuration enables wider detection of the x-coordinate for electromagnetic induction pens and precise positioning of passive pointers, overcoming the range limitations and interference issues in conventional sensors.
Smart Images

Figure JP2025032570_02042026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Sensor, sensor controller, and position detection device
[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor, a sensor controller, and a position detection device.
[0002] A position detection device is known that uses a single sensor to detect the position of an electromagnetic induction pen using the electromagnetic induction method (EMR method) and the position of a passive pointer (such as a human finger) using the capacitance method. Hereinafter, this type of sensor will be referred to as an "EMR-capacitance combined sensor." Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a position detection device having an EMR-capacitance combined sensor.
[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 238517
[0004] The EMR-capacitive sensor comprises a plurality of first electrodes (e.g., linear electrodes) each extending in the x-direction and arranged in a line in the y-direction, and a plurality of second electrodes (e.g., loop-shaped electrodes) each extending in the y-direction and arranged in a line in the x-direction. When detecting the position of an electromagnetic induction pen, the plurality of first electrodes are used to emit an alternating magnetic field from the sensor, and the plurality of second electrodes are used to detect the alternating magnetic field emitted from the electromagnetic induction pen. On the other hand, when detecting the position of a passive pointer, the plurality of first electrodes are used to transmit a touch detection signal, and the plurality of second electrodes are used to receive a touch detection signal.
[0005] Incidentally, in EMR-capacitive sensors, when detecting the position of a passive pointer, if the electric field leaking from the lead wire of the first electrode (not the first electrode itself) enters the second electrode due to the application of a touch detection signal, an error occurs in the detected position. Therefore, to prevent this error, a dummy electrode extending in the y-direction is provided along the outermost electrode, which is the outermost of the multiple second electrodes. Conventionally, the electric field leaking from the lead wire of the first electrode enters the second electrode by fixing the potential of this dummy electrode.
[0006] However, in order to reliably prevent the electric field generated by the lead wire of the first electrode from entering the second electrode using a dummy electrode, the second electrode can only be positioned to a point where it overlaps with the first electrode in a plan view. As a result, even for electromagnetic induction pens that do not use an electric field and therefore do not experience the electric field leakage problem described above, the detectable range of the x-coordinate is limited by the length of the first electrode in the x-direction, so improvement was needed.
[0007] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a sensor and a position detection device that can detect the x-coordinate of an electromagnetic induction pen over a range wider than the x-direction length of the first electrode.
[0008] The sensor according to the present invention includes a plurality of first electrodes, each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes, each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of lead wires, each connected to one of the plurality of first electrodes at an end in the first direction, wherein the outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, located at the end in the first direction, is positioned to overlap with the plurality of lead wires in a plan view.
[0009] The sensor according to the present invention may include a plurality of first electrodes, each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes, each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of lead wires, each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the width in the first direction of the outermost electrode, which is located at the end of the plurality of second electrodes in the first direction, is smaller than the width in the first direction of at least one of the plurality of second electrodes other than the outermost electrode.
[0010] The sensor controller according to the present invention is a sensor controller connected to a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of lead wires each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, which is located at the end in the first direction, is positioned to overlap with the plurality of lead wires in a plan view, and the sensor controller connects the outermost electrode to a fixed potential when detecting the position of a passive pointer using the sensor, and uses the outermost electrode to detect the alternating magnetic field emitted by the pen when detecting the position of a pen using the sensor.
[0011] The position detection device according to the present invention includes a sensor and a sensor controller connected to the sensor, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of lead wires each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, which is located at the end in the first direction, is positioned to overlap with the plurality of lead wires in a plan view, and the sensor controller connects the outermost electrode to a fixed potential when detecting the position of a passive pointer using the sensor, and uses the outermost electrode to detect the alternating magnetic field emitted by the pen when detecting the position of a pen using the sensor.
[0012] According to the present invention, when detecting the position of a passive pointer, supplying a fixed potential to the outermost electrode prevents the electric field generated at the lead wire of the first electrode from entering each of the second electrodes, and when detecting the position of an electromagnetic induction pen, the coordinates in the first direction can be detected up to the position of the outermost electrode. Furthermore, such an outermost electrode can be positioned so as to overlap with the lead wire of the first electrode in a plan view. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect the x-coordinate (coordinates in the first direction) of the electromagnetic induction pen over a wider range than the length of the x-direction (first direction) of the first electrode.
[0013] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer L1 which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a among the configurations of the sensor 31 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the second layer L2 which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a among the configurations of the sensor 31 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the switch unit 33. This is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the switch unit 33. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer L1 which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a among the configurations of the sensor 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the second layer L2 which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a among the configurations of the sensor 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a modified version of the second embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer L1 relatively close to the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the second layer L2 relatively far from the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer L1 relatively close to the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the second layer L2 relatively far from the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer L1 relatively close to the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the second layer L2 relatively far from the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer L1 which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the second layer L2 which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a in the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is the first unit mesh electrode MS according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. EM (c) is a diagram showing the shape of the second unit mesh electrode MS according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. LCx This figure shows the shape of (a) a sensor 31 according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (b) a first unit mesh electrode MS according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. EM (c) is a diagram showing the shape of the second unit mesh electrode MS according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. LCx This figure shows the shape of the device. This figure shows a part of the configuration of the display 32 of the position detection device 3 according to the third modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention (the area near the edge on the switch 33c side shown in Figure 4). This figure shows a cross-section of the position detection device 3 along line A-A shown in Figure 18. This figure shows the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the configuration of the display 32 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view of the position detection device 3 corresponding to line B-B shown in Figures 20 and 21.
[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[0015] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a position detection system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the position detection system 1 is configured to include an electromagnetic induction pen P and a position detection device 3. The electromagnetic induction pen P is a pen (indicator) that corresponds to position detection using the EMR method, and is configured to have a resonant circuit including a coil and a capacitor inside.
[0016] The position detection device 3 is an electronic device that supports position detection of an electromagnetic induction pen P using the EMR method and position detection of a passive pointer using the capacitive method. The finger F shown in Figure 1 is an example of a passive pointer. A typical example of the position detection device 3 is a computer in which the touch surface also serves as the display surface, such as a notebook computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone. In the following description, we will assume that the position detection device 3 is such a computer, but the present invention is also applicable to position detection devices in which the touch surface does not serve as the display surface, such as a digitizer.
[0017] The position detection device 3 comprises a cover glass 30, a sensor 31, a display 32, a switch unit 33, a sensor controller 34, and a host processor 35.
[0018] The cover glass 30 is a plate-shaped glass that covers the entire sensor 31, and its surface constitutes the panel surface 3a of the position detection device 3. In the position detection device 3, this panel surface 3a serves as both a touch surface and a display surface, and the position detection device 3 is configured to detect the positions of the electromagnetic induction pen P and the passive pointer within the panel surface 3a. The position detection device 3 may also be configured to be foldable along a straight line parallel to the y-direction or x-direction as shown in the figure, in which case a foldable cover film is used instead of the cover glass 30.
[0019] The sensor 31 is the EMR-capacitance combined sensor described above, and is configured to have a plurality of first electrodes that extend in the x direction as shown in the figure and are arranged in the y direction as shown in the figure, and a plurality of second electrodes that extend in the y direction and are arranged in the x direction. Each first electrode and each second electrode is connected to the sensor controller 34 via a switch in the switch unit 33. If the position detection device 3 is configured to be foldable, the sensor 31 is also configured to be foldable at the same position.
[0020] Here, the first electrode is typically a linear electrode (hereinafter referred to as "linear electrode"), but it may also be a loop-shaped electrode (hereinafter referred to as "loop coil"). In this embodiment, as well as in the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments described later, an example in which the first electrode is a linear electrode will be described, and in the second embodiment described later, an example in which the first electrode is a loop coil will be described. In addition, although the second electrode is typically a loop coil, multiple second electrodes may be composed of comb-shaped electrodes (electrodes in which multiple comb teeth extending in the y direction are connected to a single base extending in the x direction). In this case, multiple switches for separating each comb tooth are provided on the base, and when detecting a passive pointer, these switches are turned off so that each comb tooth is used as an independent linear electrode. In this embodiment, the second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, an example in which the second electrode is a loop coil will be described.
[0021] The display 32 is a display device for displaying video signals supplied from the host processor 35 on the panel surface 3a. The specific type of display 32 is not limited, but may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.
[0022] The switch unit 33 is an assembly of switches composed of multiple switches for switching the connections between each of the multiple first and second electrodes constituting the sensor 31 and the sensor controller 34. The switch unit 33 may be provided on a dedicated circuit board or integrated circuit, or it may be provided on the same integrated circuit as the sensor controller 34. The switching state of the switch unit 33 is controlled by the sensor controller 34. Details of the switch unit 33 will be described later.
[0023] The sensor controller 34 is an integrated circuit that has the function of detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P within the panel surface 3a using the EMR method, and the function of detecting the position of the passive pointer within the panel surface 3a using the capacitance method. The electromagnetic induction pen P is further configured to acquire data transmitted by the electromagnetic induction pen P by demodulating the alternating magnetic field emitted by the electromagnetic induction pen P. The detection of the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P and the acquisition of data from the electromagnetic induction pen P, and the detection of the position of the passive pointer are performed in a time-division multiplexer. The sensor controller 34 is configured to sequentially supply the detected position and acquired data to the host processor 35.
[0024] The host processor 35 is the central processing unit of the position detection device 3, and is configured to execute the operating system and various applications of the position detection device 3 by executing a program stored in a memory (not shown). The host processor 35 also generates video signals according to the execution results of the applications and supplies them to the display 32.
[0025] The program executed by the host processor 35 includes processing based on position and data supplied to the host processor 35 from the sensor controller 34. This processing includes moving the cursor displayed on the panel surface 3a and generating stroke data that shows the trajectory of the electromagnetic induction pen P or passive pointer within the panel surface 3a. Regarding the stroke data, the host processor 35 is configured to perform processing such as rendering and displaying the generated stroke data, generating and recording digital ink containing the generated stroke data, and transmitting the generated digital ink to an external device in response to user instructions.
[0026] Figures 2 and 3(a) and 3(b) show the configuration of the sensor 31. Referring first to Figure 2, the sensor 31 is composed of a plurality of linear electrodes EM, which are the first electrodes as described above; a plurality of loop coils LCx, which are the second electrodes as described above; two dummy electrodes DM, which are rod-shaped conductors extending in the y direction; a plurality of lead wires PLx and Ply; and a plurality of lead electrodes Ex and Ey.
[0027] The sensor 31 has a two-layer structure. Figure 3(a) shows the configuration of the first layer L1, which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a, and Figure 3(b) shows the configuration of the second layer L2, which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a. As shown in Figure 3(a), the components of the sensor 31, including multiple loop coils LCx, two dummy electrodes DM, multiple lead wires PLx, and multiple lead electrodes Ex, are formed in the first layer L1. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3(b), the components of the sensor 31, including multiple linear electrodes EM, multiple lead wires Ply, and multiple lead electrodes Ey, are formed in the second layer L2.
[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), the multiple linear electrodes EM are formed to extend in the x-direction and arranged side by side in the y-direction. Each linear electrode EM is made of a transparent material such as indium tin oxide, or a mesh electrode made of a combination of thin wires, so as not to obstruct the visibility of the display 32. Multiple lead wires Ply are provided at a ratio of two per linear electrode EM, with one lead wire Ply extending to one side of the region where the multiple linear electrodes EM are formed, and the other lead wire Ply extending to the other side of the region where the multiple linear electrodes EM are formed. Multiple lead electrodes Ey are arranged along one side of the rectangular sensor 31 parallel to the x-direction, one lead wire Ply at a time. Each lead wire Ply serves to connect one or the other end of the corresponding linear electrode EM to the corresponding lead electrode Ey.
[0029] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), the multiple loop coils LCx are each formed to extend in the y direction and are arranged side by side in the x direction. In the following description, the two outermost loop coils (outermost electrodes) that are placed one at each end in the x direction of the multiple loop coils LCx may be referred to as "loop coil LCxS" to distinguish them from the other loop coils LCx. The two dummy electrodes DM are linear electrodes that extend in the y direction, and one is placed on each side of the region where the multiple loop coils LCx are formed, along the loop coils LCxS. Multiple lead wires PLx are provided at a ratio of two for each loop coil LCx and one for each dummy electrode DM, and each extends to one side of the region in the y direction of the region where the multiple loop coils LCx are formed. Multiple lead electrodes Ex are placed along one side of the sensor 31, the same side on which the lead electrode Ey is placed, for each lead wire PLx. Each lead wire PLx serves to connect one or the other end of the corresponding loop coil LCx, or one end of the corresponding dummy electrode DM, to the corresponding lead electrode Ey.
[0030] At least a portion of each loop coil LCxS is positioned outside the detectable area of the capacitive passive pointer. More specifically, each loop coil LCxS is positioned to overlap with multiple leader lines Ply in a plan view. On the other hand, multiple loop coils LCx other than loop coil LCxS are positioned to overlap with multiple linear electrodes EM in a plan view.
[0031] As shown in Figure 3(a), each loop coil LCx is composed of two long sides LS1 and LS2 extending in the y direction, and two short sides SS1 and SS2 extending in the x direction. Of these, the short side SS1 is divided in the middle, with each part forming one end and the other end of the loop coil LCx.
[0032] The long sides LS1 and LS2 of each loop coil LCx are, in principle, made of the same transparent material or mesh electrode as each linear electrode EM, so as not to obstruct the visibility of the display 32. On the other hand, the short sides SS1 and SS2 of each loop coil LCx are formed outside the display area of the display 32, and are therefore made of an opaque conductor with lower DC resistance than the transparent material or mesh electrode. The same applies to the dummy electrode DM, which is formed outside the display area of the display 32 and is therefore made of an opaque conductor. For the outermost loop coil, loop coil LCxS, if there is a part or all of the long side LS1 or long side LS2 that is located outside the display area of the display 32, that part may be made of an opaque conductor.
[0033] The width of each loop coil LCx in the x-direction is, in principle, W1 as shown in Figure 3(a). However, for the outermost loop coil, loop coil LCxS, it is not possible to secure the space necessary to form it with a width W1, so it is formed with a width W2 that is smaller than W1. In this case, in order to prevent distortion in the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P detected near the x-edge of the panel surface 3a, it is preferable that each loop coil LCx is formed such that its width in the x-direction gradually decreases from the center of the x-direction of the panel surface 3a towards the x-edge. Figure 3(a) shows a two-stage example in which the four loop coils LCx (including loop coil LCxS) located at both ends in the x-direction have a width W2, and the other loop coils LCx have a width W1, but of course, the width can be adjusted in more stages. Conversely, all loop coils LCx other than loop coil LCxS may be formed with a width W1.
[0034] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the internal configuration of the switch unit 33. FIG. 4 shows the state of the switch unit 33 when the sensor controller 34 performs position detection of the passive pointer, and FIG. 5 shows the state of the switch unit 33 when the sensor controller 34 performs position detection of the electromagnetic induction pen P. For simplicity, FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example in which there are only three loop coils LCx other than the loop coil LCxS, but of course, the actual sensor 31 has more loop coils LCx. Also, regarding the linear electrodes EM, only five of the more linear electrodes EM are shown. m-2 ~EL m+2 only.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the switch unit 33 includes four types of switches 33a to 33d, a drive circuit 33e, a plurality of operational amplifiers 33f, and a plurality of differential amplifiers 33g.
[0036] The switch 33a is configured to supply an alternating current Tx_EMR for generating an alternating magnetic field on the panel surface 3a to a plurality of linear electrodes EM. It has four input pins connected to the drive circuit 33e and output pins provided for each linear electrode EM. Each output pin is connected to one end of the corresponding linear electrode EM in the x direction. The switch 33a serves to connect each input pin to any one of the output pins according to the control of the sensor controller 34.
[0037] The drive circuit 33e generates alternating currents i A , i B according to the alternating current Tx_EMR supplied from the sensor controller 34 and supplies them to the linear electrodes EM via the switch 33a. The drive circuit 33e is configured to supply the alternating current i A to two of the four input pins of the switch 33a and supply the alternating current i B to the other two.
[0038] The alternating current i A is a current generated by amplifying the alternating current Tx_EMR using, for example, a buffer circuit. On the other hand, the alternating current i B is the alternating current i AThis is the current generated such that the time derivatives of each are in opposite phase to each other. This relationship can be expressed mathematically as shown in equation (1) below. The relationship in equation (1) is for alternating current i A As the increase in i becomes larger, the alternating current i B The decrease in the alternating current i becomes larger. A As the decrease increases, the alternating current i B It can also be said that the increase in i is a significant factor, and the alternating current i A As the increase in potential between the other end of each of the one or more linear electrodes EM supplying the current increases, the alternating current i B It can also be said that this relationship is such that the increase in potential at one end relative to the other end in the longitudinal direction of each of the one or more linear electrodes EM supplying the current becomes larger.
[0039]
[0040] A typical alternating current i that satisfies the relationship in equation (1) B It is expressed by the following equation (2), where A is an arbitrary constant. When A = 0, the alternating current i B i is an alternating current A This results in an inverted signal. In this case, the alternating current i A and alternating current i B This means that their signs are different. On the other hand, A is an alternating current i A If it is greater than the maximum value, the alternating current i A and alternating current i B This refers to currents that have the same sign but are at different levels. Note that AC current i A The inverted signal can be generated, for example, using an inverting buffer circuit. Figures 4 and 5 show an example using this inverting buffer circuit.
[0041]
[0042] alternating current i A , i B The potential at the other end of each linear electrode EM receiving the AC current i A The potential generated at one end of the linear electrode EM to which the current is supplied, and the alternating current i BIt is preferable that the potential is the midpoint between the potential generated at one end of the supplied linear electrode EM and the potential at the midpoint between the two. When A = 0, this potential becomes 0 (i.e., the ground potential).
[0043] Switch 33b is configured to supply touch detection signals Tx_TP for detecting the position of a passive pointer to multiple linear electrodes EM, and has a set of input and output pins provided for each linear electrode EM. Touch detection signals Tx_TP are supplied to each input pin from the sensor controller 34. Each output pin is connected to the corresponding linear electrode EM. Switch 33b plays the role of connecting each input pin to the corresponding output pin according to the control of the sensor controller 34.
[0044] The switch 33c is configured to switch between a state in which the other end of the linear electrode EM in the x-direction is connected to the midpoint potential described above, and a floating state in which it is not connected to anything. Figures 4 and 5 show the case where the midpoint potential described above is the ground potential, and in this case, the switch 33c is configured to have a set of input pins and ground pins provided for each linear electrode EM. The following explanation will continue on the premise that the midpoint potential described above is the ground potential.
[0045] Each input pin of switch 33c is connected to the other end in the x-direction of the corresponding linear electrode EM. On the other hand, each ground pin of switch 33c is connected to the ground terminal to which the ground potential is supplied. Switch 33c is provided because, when the sensor controller 34 detects the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P, it is preferable to set the other end in the x-direction of each linear electrode EM to ground potential as described above, while when the sensor controller 34 detects the position of a passive pointer, it is necessary to put the other end in the x-direction of each linear electrode EM into a floating state. Switch 33c plays the role of switching the connection state between each input pin and the corresponding ground pin according to the control of the sensor controller 34.
[0046] Switch 33d is configured to supply the alternating current generated by the alternating magnetic field (the alternating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction pen P in response to the alternating magnetic field generated by the alternating current Tx_EMR) detected by each loop coil LCx when the sensor controller 34 detects the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P to the differential amplifier 33g, while supplying the touch detection signal Tx_TP received by each loop coil LCx other than loop coil LCxS to the operational amplifier 33f when the sensor controller 34 detects the position of the passive pointer, and to supply the ground potential GND to the loop coil LCxS and the dummy electrode DM.
[0047] To explain in more detail, first, the switch 33d is configured to have an input pin provided at each end of the loop coil LCx, and two output pins provided for each input pin. The switch 33d plays the role of connecting each input pin to one of the two corresponding output pins in accordance with the control of the sensor controller 34. The switch 33d is also configured to have an input pin provided at each dummy electrode DM, and one output pin provided for each input pin. The switch 33d plays the role of opening and closing the connection between each input pin and the corresponding output pin in accordance with the control of the sensor controller 34.
[0048] The differential amplifier 33g is a circuit that generates an EMR-type received signal Rx_EMR by amplifying the potential difference between two input signals at a predetermined amplification factor and outputs it to the sensor controller 34, and is provided for each loop coil LCx. One input terminal of the differential amplifier 33g is connected to the other of two output pins corresponding to one end of the corresponding loop coil LCx, and the other input terminal of the differential amplifier 33g is connected to the other of two output pins corresponding to the other end of the corresponding loop coil LCx.
[0049] The operational amplifier 33f is a circuit that generates a capacitive receiving signal Rx_TP by amplifying the voltage difference between the input terminal and the ground terminal and outputs it to the sensor controller 34. It is provided for each loop coil LCx, except for the loop coil LCxS. The input terminal of the operational amplifier 33f is connected to both one of the two output pins corresponding to one end of the corresponding loop coil LCx and one of the two output pins corresponding to the other end of the corresponding loop coil LCx. The operational amplifier 33f is provided with a parallel capacitor to remove high-frequency noise.
[0050] Referring to Figure 4, the operation of the sensor controller 34 when detecting the position of a passive pointer will be explained in detail. In this case, the sensor controller 34 first controls the switch 33d so that a ground potential GND is supplied to each dummy electrode DM and each loop coil LCxS, and each loop coil LCx other than loop coil LCxS is connected to the operational amplifier 33f.
[0051] Here, the reason for supplying ground potential GND to the loop coil LCxS is to prevent the electric field generated in each lead wire Ply by the application of the touch detection signal Tx_TP from entering each loop coil LCx other than loop coil LCxS. Since ground potential GND is supplied to loop coil LCxS, it is not necessarily required to supply ground potential GND to the dummy electrode DM, but supplying ground potential GND to the dummy electrode DM as well makes it possible to more reliably prevent the electric field generated in each lead wire Ply from entering each loop coil LCx. Alternatively, other fixed potentials may be supplied to each dummy electrode DM and each loop coil LCxS instead of ground potential GND.
[0052] Next, the sensor controller 34 controls switch 33b so that each input pin is connected to its corresponding output pin. As a result, the sensor controller 34 supplies a touch detection signal Tx_TP to one end of each linear electrode EM in the x-direction. The sensor controller 34 also controls switch 33c so that each input pin is disconnected from its corresponding ground pin, thereby floating the other end of each linear electrode EM in the x-direction.
[0053] The specific contents of the touch detection signal Tx_TP generated by the sensor controller 34 can be represented by the matrix A shown in equation (3) below. Matrix A is a square matrix having multiple rows that correspond one-to-one with multiple linear electrodes EM, and each element of matrix A (A 11 The subscripts attached to (etc.) indicate the output order from the sensor controller 34 on the left and the serial number of the linear electrode EM on the right. M is the total number of linear electrodes EM. The specific value of each element is either "1" or "-1". Matrix A is preferably an orthogonal matrix, but it does not have to be an orthogonal matrix.
[0054]
[0055] The sensor controller 34 generates a touch detection signal Tx_TP for each column of matrix A and supplies it to each linear electrode EM. In a typical example, the touch detection signal Tx_TP is a binary pulse signal that is high when the corresponding element of matrix A is 1, and low when it is 1. Hereinafter, the touch detection signal Tx_TP corresponding to one column of matrix A will be referred to as the "partial touch detection signal Tx_TP".
[0056] The sensor controller 34 receives a received signal Rx_TP supplied from each operational amplifier 33f while supplying one partial touch detection signal Tx_TP to each linear electrode EM. Here, the mth linear electrode EM m And the nth loop coil LCx n The capacitance formed between C mn In this case, the partial touch detection signal Tx_TP corresponding to the x-th column of matrix A is supplied to each linear electrode EM, and the received signal Rx_TP supplied from the n-th operational amplifier 33f to the sensor controller 34 is the value shown in the following equation (4).
[0057]
[0058] Therefore, the nth loop coil LCx is supplied while the partial touch detection signals Tx_TP corresponding to each column of matrix A are being supplied. nThe received signal Rx_TP obtained for this will be represented as a vector b shown in equation (5) below.
[0059]
[0060] The sensor controller 34 performs the calculation shown on the left side of the following equation (6) on this vector b, thereby determining the capacitance C for each linear electrode EM. mn Separately obtain the matrix A shown in equation (6). -1 This is the inverse matrix of matrix A. As shown in equation (6), matrix A is inverse matrix A -1 Since multiplying by results in the identity matrix I, the sensor controller 34 performs this operation, and as shown on the right side of equation (6), the nth loop coil LCx n Regarding each linear electrode EM m Capacitance C at the intersection with mn This will allow us to obtain them separately.
[0061]
[0062] The sensor controller 34 performs the same calculation as in equation (6) for each loop coil LCx other than loop coil LCxS, thereby determining the capacitance C at each intersection of the linear electrode EM and the loop coils LCx other than loop coil LCxS. mn The following is derived. The sensor controller 34 then uses each of the derived capacitances C mn The position (two-dimensional position) of the passive pointer is derived based on the distribution within the panel surface 3a. Specifically, the position corresponding to the vertex of the distribution can be derived as the position of the passive pointer.
[0063] Next, referring to Figure 5, the operation of the sensor controller 34 when detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P will be explained in detail. In this case, the sensor controller 34 first controls switch 33d so that the ends of each loop coil LCx, including loop coil LCxS, are connected to the input terminals of the corresponding differential amplifier 33g, and that a ground potential GND is supplied to the dummy electrode DM. In this case as well, a ground potential GND is supplied to the dummy electrode DM to shield against noise coming from the outside, unlike when detecting the position of a passive pointer. When using the position detection device 3 in an environment where noise coming from the outside is not a problem, it is not necessary to supply a ground potential GND to the dummy electrode DM. Alternatively, as with passive pointer detection, another fixed potential may be supplied to each dummy electrode DM instead of the ground potential GND.
[0064] Next, the sensor controller 34 uses a single linear electrode EM m Two linear electrodes EM adjacent to each other on one side, flanking the other. m-1 , EL m-2 AC current i A A supply is provided, and two adjacent linear electrodes EM are connected to the other side. m+1 , EL m+2 AC current i B The switch 33a is controlled so that the necessary power is supplied. The sensor controller 34 also controls the switch 33c so that each input pin is connected to the corresponding ground pin, thereby grounding the other end of each linear electrode EM in the x direction.
[0065] This control enables linear electrode EM m A pseudo-coil is formed around the linear electrode EM on the panel surface 3a (especially the linear electrode EM). m An alternating magnetic field will be generated above (the) the linear electrode EM. Below, the generation of an alternating magnetic field in this manner will be referred to as "linear electrode EM". m It emits an alternating magnetic field from the sensor controller 34. The sensor controller 34 sequentially transmits the linear electrodes EM, excluding the four linear electrodes EM located at both ends of the entire linear electrode EM. m By performing a similar process, these linear electrode EMs are configured to sequentially emit similar alternating magnetic fields.
[0066] Furthermore, in order to enable position detection of the electromagnetic induction pen P across the entire panel surface 3a, it is preferable that the four linear electrodes EM that are excluded from the execution of the above process are positioned outside the detection area of the electromagnetic induction pen P. In addition, in this embodiment, the linear electrodes EM that emit the alternating magnetic field m Although alternating current is currently flowing through two linear electrodes EM on each side, it is sufficient to flow alternating current through one or a predetermined number of linear electrodes EM on each side. For example, alternating current may be flowed through one linear electrode EM on each side, or through three or more linear electrodes EM on each side.
[0067] The sensor controller 34 uses a linear electrode EM m While an alternating magnetic field is being emitted from the linear electrode EM, the sensor controller 34 acquires the received signal Rx_EMR supplied from each differential amplifier 33g. m By switching between the two, the received signal Rx_EMR supplied from each differential amplifier 33g is acquired, thereby obtaining the received signal Rx_EMR at each intersection of the loop coil LCx, including the loop coil LCxS, and the linear electrode EM. Then, based on the distribution of the received intensity of the received signal Rx_EMR within the panel surface 3a, the position (two-dimensional position) of the electromagnetic induction pen P is derived. Specifically, the position corresponding to the peak of the distribution can be derived as the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P. The sensor controller 34 also acquires the data transmitted by the electromagnetic induction pen P by demodulating the received signal Rx_EMR received with the strongest intensity.
[0068] As described above, according to the position detection system 1 of this embodiment, when detecting the position of a passive pointer, a fixed potential can be supplied to the outermost loop coil, loop coil LCxS, thereby preventing the electric field generated by each lead wire Ply from entering each loop coil LCx. When detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P, the x-coordinate can be detected up to the position of the outermost loop coil, loop coil LCxS. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect the x-coordinate of the electromagnetic induction pen P over a wider range than the x-direction length of the linear electrode EM.
[0069] Furthermore, an on / off switch may be provided on the short side SS2 of the loop coil LCx, and an operational amplifier 33f may be provided at each end of the loop coil LCx. The sensor controller 34 may turn off the switch to electrically isolate the long sides LS1 and LS2 of the loop coil LCx when detecting the position of the passive pointer, and turn on the switch to electrically connect the long sides LS1 and LS2 of the loop coil LCx when detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P. This makes it possible to detect the position of the passive pointer with higher resolution.
[0070] Next, a position detection system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The position detection system 1 according to this embodiment differs from the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it uses a loop coil instead of a linear electrode as the first electrode. In other respects, it is the same as the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment, so the following description will focus on the differences from the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0071] Figures 6 and 7(a) and 7(b) show the configuration of the sensor 31 according to this embodiment. Figure 7(a) shows the configuration of the first layer L1 of the sensor 31, which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a, and Figure 7(b) shows the configuration of the second layer L2 of the sensor 31, which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a. Referring first to Figure 6, the sensor 31 is configured to have a plurality of loop coils LCy, which are the first electrodes described above, and a plurality of loop coils LCx, which are the second electrodes described above. The fact that the plurality of loop coils LCx includes loop coil LCxS is the same as in the first embodiment. Although Figures 6 and 7(a) and 7(b) show six loop coils LCx and four loop coils LCy, in reality, more loop coils LCx and LCy are arranged. Furthermore, although Figures 6 and 7(a) and 7(b) show the loop coils LCx and LCy as solid white, in reality, at least the portion of the loop coils LCx and LCy that is formed within the display area of the display 32 in a plan view is made of a transparent material or mesh electrode, similar to the linear electrode EM and loop coil LCx in the first embodiment.
[0072] Multiple loop coils LCy are formed to extend in the x-direction and are loop-shaped electrodes arranged side by side in the y-direction, and are alternately connected to lead wires Ply on one side and the other side in the x-direction. The reason for alternating the x-direction ends connected to lead wires Ply is to equalize the number of lead wires Ply on one side and the other side in the x-direction, thereby making the width of the region that the electromagnetic induction pen P cannot detect (width in the x-direction) uniform. If it is not necessary to make the width of the region that the electromagnetic induction pen P cannot detect uniform, each loop coil LCy may be connected to lead wire Ply on the same side in the x-direction.
[0073] In this embodiment, when detecting the position of a passive pointer, the sensor controller 34 supplies signals corresponding to the same row of matrix A described above to both ends of each loop coil LCy. As a result, each loop coil LCy behaves similarly to the linear electrode EM described in the first embodiment, and the sensor controller 34 can detect the position of the passive pointer in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this case, the sensor controller 34 in this embodiment also supplies a ground potential GND to each loop coil LCxS, similar to the first embodiment. This prevents the electric field generated in each lead wire Ply from entering each loop coil LCx.
[0074] Here, as shown in Figure 7(b), each loop coil LCy is configured to have two protrusions 40 at the intersection with each loop coil LCx. One of the two protrusions 40 has a shape that projects from one of the two long sides of the loop coil LCy toward the other, and the other has a shape that projects from the other of the two long sides of the loop coil LCy toward the other. By providing such protrusions 40 on each loop coil LCy, the capacitance generated between the loop coil LCy and the loop coil LCx can be increased compared to when the protrusions 40 are not provided, and therefore, the amplitude of the received signal Rx_TP can be increased.
[0075] Next, when detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P, the sensor controller 34 according to this embodiment supplies alternating current to each loop coil LCy in sequence. Since an alternating magnetic field is emitted from the loop coil LCy to which the alternating current is supplied, the sensor controller 34 can detect the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0076] In this embodiment, the sensor 31 is not provided with a dummy electrode DM. Therefore, unlike the sensor controller 34 of the first embodiment, the sensor controller 34 of this embodiment does not supply ground potential GND to the dummy electrode DM when detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P. However, the sensor 31 of this embodiment may also be provided with a dummy electrode DM, which would make it possible to shield against noise coming from the outside.
[0077] As described above, with the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment, when detecting the position of a passive pointer, a fixed potential can be supplied to the outermost loop coil, loop coil LCxS, thereby preventing the electric field generated by each lead wire Ply from entering each loop coil LCx. When detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P, the x-coordinate can be detected up to the position of the outermost loop coil, loop coil LCxS. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect the x-coordinate of the electromagnetic induction pen P over a wider range than the x-direction length of the loop coil LCy.
[0078] Figures 8 and 9(a) and 9(b) show the configuration of a modified sensor 31 according to this embodiment. Figure 9(a) shows the configuration of the first layer L1 of the sensor 31, which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a, and Figure 9(b) shows the configuration of the second layer L2 of the sensor 31, which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a. As shown in these figures, the sensor 31 according to this modified embodiment differs from the sensor 31 according to this embodiment in that the multiple loop coils LCy also include the outermost loop coil (loop coil LCyS) which is located outside the detectable area of the passive pointer. Of the two loop coils LCyS, the one on the lead electrode Ex and Ey side is positioned to overlap with the multiple lead lines PLx in a plan view. For the same reasons as the loop coil LCxS, the width (width in the y direction) of the loop coil LCyS is narrower than the width of the other loop coils LCy.
[0079] According to this modified version, the sensor controller 34 can emit an alternating magnetic field outside the detectable area of the passive pointer. Therefore, according to this modified version, it becomes possible to detect the x-coordinate of the electromagnetic induction pen P over a wider range than the x-length of the loop coil LCy, and also to detect the y-coordinate of the electromagnetic induction pen P over a wider range than the y-length of the loop coil LCx.
[0080] Here, as shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), in this modified example, each loop coil LCx other than loop coil LCxS has four protrusions 41 at the intersection with each loop coil LCy, and each loop coil LCy other than loop coil LCyS has a cross-shaped protrusion 42 at the intersection with each loop coil LCx. The four protrusions 41 are each positioned so as not to overlap with the protrusions 42 in a plan view. These protrusions 41 and 42 can also be used to increase the amplitude of the received signal Rx_TP, similar to the protrusions 40 in this embodiment. Note that the loop coils LCxS and LCyS do not have protrusions because they are only used as dummy electrodes when detecting a passive pointer. Note that a fixed potential may be supplied to the loop coils LCxS and LCyS as dummy electrodes, or no potential may be supplied.
[0081] Next, a position detection system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The position detection system 1 according to this embodiment differs from the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment in that multiple linear electrodes EM are arranged outside both ends of the loop coil LCx in the y direction. In other respects, it is the same as the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment, so the following description will focus on the differences from the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0082] Figures 10 and 11(a) and 11(b) show the configuration of the sensor 31 according to this embodiment. Figure 11(a) shows the configuration of the first layer L1, which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a, and Figure 11(b) shows the configuration of the second layer L2, which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a. In the following description, of the two outermost linear electrodes (outermost electrodes) of the multiple linear electrodes EM, one is placed at each end in the y direction. The one on the lead electrode Ex side is sometimes referred to as "linear electrode EMSb," and the one on the opposite side is sometimes referred to as "linear electrode EMSt," to distinguish it from the other linear electrodes EM.
[0083] As shown in Figure 10, the linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt are positioned so that at least a portion of their width in the y-direction does not overlap with the loop coil LCx. In this embodiment, a portion of the width of the linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt in the y-direction overlaps with the loop coil LCx. In other words, the linear electrode EMSb is positioned so as to overlap with the end of the loop coil LCx in a plan view, and the linear electrode EMSt is positioned so as to overlap with the short side SS1 of the loop coil LCx (the folded portion provided to connect the two parts (long sides LS1 and LS2) extending in the y-direction) in a plan view. The linear electrode EMSb also overlaps with the leader wire PLx in a plan view.
[0084] The linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt, like the loop coil LCyS of the sensor 31 in the modified second embodiment shown in Figure 8, play the role of emitting an alternating magnetic field outside the detectable area of the passive pointer when detecting the electromagnetic induction pen P, and act as dummy electrodes when detecting the passive pointer.
[0085] As explained with reference to Figure 5, when the sensor controller 34 detects the electromagnetic induction pen P, it transmits an alternating current i to two linear electrodes EM (hereinafter referred to as the "driving center electrode") that are adjacent to each other on one side. A It supplies AC current i to two adjacent linear electrodes EM on the other side. BIt is configured to supply AC current to the two linear electrodes EM in this way in order to lower the apparent resistance by driving the two linear electrodes EM simultaneously. Driving multiple linear electrodes EM simultaneously in order to lower this apparent resistance will be referred to as "bundled driving" below.
[0086] In the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment, which requires two linear electrodes EM to be driven together, the two linear electrodes EM at each end of the y-direction cannot become the driving center electrodes mentioned above. Therefore, the detectable range of the electromagnetic induction pen P in the y-direction is limited accordingly. However, in the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment, the linear electrodes EM (specifically, linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt) are positioned further out in the y-direction compared to the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, even if it is necessary to drive two linear electrodes EM together as in the first embodiment, it is possible to extend the number of driving center electrodes by one on each side of the y-direction. Consequently, it becomes possible to expand the detection area of the electromagnetic induction pen P in the y-direction compared to the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0087] Furthermore, the linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt, which are not involved in the detection of the passive pointer, can be formed to have lower resistance values compared to the other linear electrodes EM. Specifically, they can be formed thicker, wider, or made from materials with lower resistance than the other linear electrodes EM. In this way, sufficient low resistance can be obtained for the linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt without using bundled drive, making it possible to add one more drive center electrode on each side in the y direction. Consequently, the detection area of the electromagnetic induction pen P can be further expanded in the y direction.
[0088] As described above, the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to expand the detection area of the electromagnetic induction pen P in the y direction compared to the position detection system 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0089] Figures 12 and 13(a) and 13(b) show the configuration of a modified sensor 31 according to this embodiment. Figure 13(a) shows the configuration of the first layer L1 of the sensor 31, which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a, and Figure 14(b) shows the configuration of the second layer L2 of the sensor 31, which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a. As shown in these figures, the sensor 31 according to this modified embodiment differs from the sensor 31 according to this embodiment in that the linear electrode EMSt, its lead wire Ply, and lead electrode Ey are formed in the first layer L1.
[0090] According to this modified example, the lead wire Ply of the linear electrode EMSt can be formed in a position that overlaps with other lead wires Ply in a plan view, making it possible to narrow the wiring area on both sides in the x direction compared to the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment. Furthermore, because there is ample space, it is possible to form the lead wire Ply of the linear electrode EMSt thicker than other lead wires Ply, as shown in the figure, and therefore it is possible to further reduce the resistance of the linear electrode EMSt.
[0091] Next, a position detection system 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The position detection system 1 according to this embodiment differs from the position detection system 1 according to the third embodiment in that both the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM are provided in the first layer L1, and that an additional loop coil ALC is provided instead of the dummy electrode DM. In other respects, it is the same as the position detection system 1 according to the third embodiment, so the following description will focus on the differences from the position detection system 1 according to the third embodiment.
[0092] Figures 14 and 15(a) and 15(b) show the configuration of the sensor 31 according to this embodiment. Figure 15(a) shows the configuration of the first layer L1 of the sensor 31, which is relatively close to the panel surface 3a, and Figure 15(b) shows the configuration of the second layer L2 of the sensor 31, which is relatively far from the panel surface 3a.
[0093] As shown in Figure 15(a), the first layer L1 according to this embodiment consists of a plurality of first unit mesh electrodes MS arranged alternately in a grid pattern. EMand the second unit mesh electrode MS LCx It is configured to have the following: First unit mesh electrode MS EM and the second unit mesh electrode MS LCx Both have a square shape and are arranged in a grid pattern at angles of 45 degrees to the x and y directions, respectively. However, the second unit mesh electrode MS LCx The first unit mesh electrode is placed within the grid in a state where it has been divided into two partial mesh electrodes by a straight line passing through the center in the x direction and extending in the y direction. This point will be explained in more detail later. In addition, the second unit mesh electrode MS is located at the edge of the placement area. LCx The outer shape is a triangular shape, formed by removing the parts that extend outside the placement area.
[0094] Each of the multiple linear electrodes EM is connected to a first unit mesh electrode MS aligned in the x direction. EM It is formed by connecting these with a bridge conductor BR extending in the x direction. Both ends of each linear electrode EM are connected to a lead electrode Ey by a lead wire Ply, similar to the linear electrode EM in the third embodiment. In this embodiment as well, the lead wire Ply is provided in the second layer L2 and is connected to the linear electrode EM formed in the first layer L1 by via conductors provided at both ends of the linear electrode EM.
[0095] Each of the multiple loop coils LCx is a square second unit mesh electrode MS LCx to the second unit mesh electrode MS LCx The partial mesh electrodes obtained by dividing the x-center with a straight line extending in the y-direction are connected by jumper wiring JP extending in the y-direction, and each of the wirings extending in the y-direction obtained by this connection is connected to the first unit mesh electrode MS EMEach of the two adjacent wires, separated by the loop coil LCx, is formed by connecting them with a connecting wire CL at the end furthest from the lead electrode Ex. The jumper wire JP is a mesh electrode formed in the second layer L2 and is connected to each of the two corresponding partial mesh electrodes by via conductors provided at both ends. Since the connecting wire CL is a wire that extends outside the display area of the display 32, it does not have to be a mesh electrode, similar to the short sides SS1 and SS2 of the loop coil LCx described in the first embodiment. Also, the connecting wire CL may be provided with an on / off switch, similar to the short side SS2 of the loop coil LCx described in the first embodiment. Both ends of each loop coil LCx are connected to the lead electrode Ex by lead wires PLx, similar to the loop coil LCx of the third embodiment.
[0096] The additional loop coil ALC is a coil that plays a similar role to the loop coil LCxS in the third embodiment, and like the loop coil LCxS, it is positioned to overlap with the multiple lead wires Ply in a plan view. Since this position is outside the display area of the display 32, the additional loop coil ALC does not need to be a mesh electrode. When the sensor controller 34 detects the position of the passive pointer, it supplies a ground potential GND to the additional loop coil ALC to prevent the electric field generated in each lead wire Ply by the application of the touch detection signal Tx_TP from entering each loop coil LCx. On the other hand, when detecting the position of the electromagnetic induction pen P, it uses the additional loop coil ALC to receive the received signal Rx_EMR. This makes it possible to detect the x-coordinate of the electromagnetic induction pen P over a wider range than the x-direction length of the linear electrode EM.
[0097] As described above, the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to provide both the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM in the first layer L1.
[0098] Figure 16(a) shows the configuration of the sensor 31 according to the first modification of this embodiment. Figure 16(b) shows the first unit mesh electrode MS according to this modification. EM This figure shows the shape of the second unit mesh electrode MS according to this modified example. Figure 16(c) shows the second unit mesh electrode MS according to this modified example.LCx This figure shows the shape of the first unit mesh electrode MS. EM and the second unit mesh electrode MS LCx This embodiment differs from the other in terms of its specific shape. These will be explained in detail below.
[0099] The first unit mesh electrode MS according to this modified example EM As shown in Figure 16(b), it comprises a linear first main wiring section ML1 extending in the x direction, a first protruding section PR1 projecting from one side of the first main wiring section ML1 in the y direction, and a first unit mesh electrode MS EM A second protrusion PR2 has a shape symmetrical to the first protrusion PR1 across the x-direction center line Ly, and a first unit mesh electrode MS EM The first main wiring section ML1 is configured to have a third protrusion PR3 which is symmetrical to the first protrusion PR1 with respect to the center line Ly in the y direction, and a fourth protrusion PR4 which is symmetrical to the second protrusion PR2 with respect to the center line Ly in the y direction. The first protrusion PR1 is configured to have a first portion P1 which protrudes linearly along the y direction from one side of the first main wiring section ML1 in the y direction, and a second portion P2 which protrudes diagonally from the tip of the first portion P1 toward the second protrusion PR2.
[0100] On the other hand, the second unit mesh electrode MS according to this modified example LCx As shown in Figure 16(c), it comprises a linear second main wiring section ML2 extending in the y direction, a fifth projection PR5 protruding from one side of the second main wiring section ML2 in the x direction, and a second unit mesh electrode MS LCx A sixth protrusion PR6 has a shape symmetrical to the fifth protrusion PR5 across the y-direction center line Ly, and a second unit mesh electrode MS LCxThe fifth protrusion PR5 has a shape symmetrical to the fifth protrusion PR5 across the x-center line Lx, and the eighth protrusion PR8 has a shape symmetrical to the sixth protrusion PR6 across the same center line Lx. The fifth protrusion PR5 is formed in a roughly C-shape by a third portion P3 that protrudes diagonally from one side of the second main wiring section ML2 in the x-direction toward the sixth protrusion PR6, a fourth portion P4 that protrudes from the tip of the third portion P3 toward the sixth protrusion PR6, and a fifth portion P5 that protrudes from the tip of the fourth portion P4 toward the second main wiring section ML2 parallel to the third portion P3.
[0101] By adopting the shape described above, this modified version allows the distance between the sides of the loop coil LCx and the sides of the linear electrode EM to be longer compared to this embodiment, thus making it possible to increase the capacitance generated between the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM compared to this embodiment. Furthermore, since no current flows through the protrusions, this modified version allows the width of the current path to be kept substantially constant for both the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM. Therefore, compared to this embodiment where the width of the current path fluctuates, it becomes possible to stably detect the electromagnetic induction pen P.
[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16(a), the sensor 31 in this modified example has a mesh electrode MS that is not electrically connected anywhere in the empty space between the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM. FL It has such a mesh electrode MS FL By providing this feature, according to this modified example, the transmittance of light emitted from the display 32 is made uniform across the entire sensor 31.
[0103] Figure 17(a) shows the configuration of the sensor 31 according to a second modification of this embodiment. Figure 17(b) shows the first unit mesh electrode MS according to this modification. EM This figure shows the shape of the second unit mesh electrode MS according to this modification. Figure 17(c) shows the second unit mesh electrode MS according to this modification. LCx This figure shows the shape of the first unit mesh electrode MS. EM and the second unit mesh electrode MS LCxIn terms of the specific shape of each, it is different from the present embodiment. This will be described in detail below.
[0104] The first unit mesh electrode MS according to this modification EM As shown in FIG. 17(b), includes a linear first main wiring portion ML1 extending in the x direction, a first protruding portion PR1 protruding linearly along the y direction from one side of the first main wiring portion ML1 in the y direction, and a first unit mesh electrode MS EM has a second protruding portion PR2 having a shape line-symmetrical to the first protruding portion PR1 with respect to the x-direction center line Lx of the first unit mesh electrode MS, and a first unit mesh electrode MS EM has a third protruding portion PR3 having a shape line-symmetrical to the first protruding portion PR1 with respect to the y-direction center line Ly of the first unit mesh electrode MS, and a fourth protruding portion PR4 having a shape line-symmetrical to the second protruding portion PR2 with respect to the center line Ly.
[0105] On the other hand, the second unit mesh electrode MS according to this modification LCx As shown in FIG. 17(c), includes a linear second main wiring portion ML2 extending in the y direction, a fifth protruding portion PR5 protruding from one side of the second main wiring portion ML2 in the x direction, and a sixth protruding portion PR6 having a shape line-symmetrical to the fifth protruding portion PR5 with respect to the x-direction center line Lx of the second main wiring portion ML2. The fifth protruding portion PR5 has a ring-shaped first portion P1 and a linear second portion P2 parallel to the x direction connecting the first portion P1 to the central portion of the second main wiring portion ML2 in the y direction.
[0106] By adopting the above-described shape, according to this modification, the distance between the side of the loop coil LCx and the side of the linear electrode EM where they face each other can be made longer than that in the present embodiment, so the capacitance generated between the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM can be made larger than that in the present embodiment. Also, since no current flows through each protruding portion, according to this modification, for both the loop coil LCx and the linear electrode EM, the width of the current path can be made substantially constant. Therefore, it becomes possible to stably detect the electromagnetic induction pen P compared to the present embodiment where the width of the current path fluctuates.
[0107] Note that in this modification, the mesh electrode MS described in the first modificationFL Although it does not employ the first modification, the first unit mesh electrode MS EM and the second unit mesh electrode MS EM In the region between them, there is a mesh electrode MS that is not electrically connected to anything. FL Alternatively, the sensor may be positioned in a similar manner, which makes it possible to uniformize the light transmittance from the display 32 across the entire sensor 31, even in this modified example.
[0108] Figure 18 shows a part of the configuration of the display 32 of the position detection device 3 according to a third modification of this embodiment (the area near the edge on the switch 33c side shown in Figure 4). Figure 19 shows a cross-section of the position detection device 3 along the line A-A shown in Figure 18. Note that the area to the left of the broken line in Figure 19 schematically shows only one intersection of the linear electrode EM and the loop coil LCx, and one pixel.
[0109] In this modified example, the switch 33c shown in Figure 4 is provided inside the display 32, and for this reason, the lead wire Ply connected to the other end of the linear electrode EM is introduced into the display 32 at the edge of the display 32. These points will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 18 and 19. In this modified example, the type of display 32 is not particularly limited, but in the following explanation, it will be assumed to be an organic EL display.
[0110] As shown in Figure 19, the display 32 is configured to have a pixel region PA in which a plurality of pixels, each including a selection thin-film transistor ST and a light-emitting element LE, are arranged in a matrix. In Figure 18, this pixel region PA is located outside the drawing on the left side of the drawing.
[0111] As shown in Figure 18, the display 32 is further configured to include a gate driver group GD and an emitter driver group ED. These are arranged between the pixel region PA and the edge of the display 32, in the order of the pixel region PA, gate driver group GD, and emitter driver group ED. The gate driver group GD has the role of selecting pixels row by row by controlling the on / off state of a selection thin-film transistor ST by driving the gate line GL shown in Figure 19. The emitter driver group ED has the role of supplying current to the light-emitting element LE in the pixel selected by the gate line GL by driving the data line DL shown in Figure 19.
[0112] Referring to Figure 19, the layer structure of the display 32 will be described as follows: The display 32 has a structure in which a buffer layer 61, a gate insulating layer 62, an insulating layer 63, a planarization layer 64, and a bank 65 are stacked in that order on the upper surface of the substrate 60. A semiconductor layer 70 (polysilicon) is formed between the buffer layer 61 and the gate insulating layer 62, a gate layer wiring 71 is formed between the gate insulating layer 62 and the insulating layer 63, a source-drain layer wiring 72 is formed between the insulating layer 63 and the planarization layer 64, and an anode wiring 73 is formed between the planarization layer 64 and the bank 65. In addition, an emitting layer 74 and a cathode wiring 75 are formed in this order on the upper surface of the bank 65.
[0113] The gate line GL constituting the gate of the selective thin-film transistor ST is formed by gate layer wiring 71, the data line DL constituting the source of the selective thin-film transistor ST, and the drain of the selective thin-film transistor ST are each formed by source-drain layer wiring 72. The channel of the selective thin-film transistor ST is formed by semiconductor layer 70. The anode of the light-emitting element LE is formed by anode wiring 73, the light-emitting layer is formed by light-emitting layer 74, and the cathode is formed by cathode wiring 75.
[0114] Furthermore, a sealing layer 76 for sealing the pixel region PA is provided above the cathode wiring 75, and a sensor 31 is formed on the upper surface of the sealing layer 76. The sealing layer 76 has a structure in which a first inorganic layer 77, an organic layer 78, and a second inorganic layer 79 are stacked in this order. The sensor 31 is composed of a first touch insulating layer 80, a second touch insulating layer 81, and a protective layer 82 from bottom to top. A second layer L2, shown in Figure 15(b), is formed between the first touch insulating layer 80 and the second touch insulating layer 81, and a first layer L1, shown in Figure 15(a), is formed between the second touch insulating layer 81 and the protective layer 82.
[0115] In addition to the structure described so far, the edges of the display 32 are provided with three dams D1, D2, and D3 in order from the inside. These dams D1, D2, and D3 are insulators provided to prevent the outflow of the constituent material of the sealing layer 76, thereby maintaining its thickness, and to prevent water, oxygen, etc. from entering the pixel area PA. They are formed after the flattening layer 64 is formed and before the sealing layer 76 is formed. Here, an example of providing three dams D1, D2, and D3 is described, but two or four or more dams may also be provided.
[0116] Referring again to Figure 18, the switch 33c is positioned in the empty space between the emitter driver group ED and the dam D1. Although not shown in Figure 4, in the implementation of the sensor 31, an electrostatic discharge circuit (ESD) is provided between the switch 33c and the linear electrode EM. The electrostatic discharge circuit ESD is a circuit to prevent static electricity arriving at the linear electrode EM from the outside from damaging the switch 33c and the sensor controller 34.
[0117] The switch 33c and the electrostatic discharge circuit ESD are components of the sensor 31, but in this modified example, as can be seen from Figures 18 and 19, they are formed using the gate insulating layer 62, semiconductor layer 70, gate layer wiring 71, and source / drain layer wiring 72, which are components of the display 32. Specifically, the gate layer wiring 71 is used to form the wiring 51 that connects the linear electrode EM and the switch 33c, and the wiring 52 that constitutes the gate electrode of the switch 33c. The source / drain layer wiring 72 is used to form the wiring 53 that constitutes the source or drain of the electrostatic discharge circuit ESD, the wiring 54 for supplying the ground potential VSS to the anode of the diode (whose cathode is connected to the wiring 51) that constitutes the electrostatic discharge circuit ESD, the wiring 55 for supplying the power supply potential VDD to the cathode of the diode (whose anode is connected to the wiring 51) that constitutes the electrostatic discharge circuit ESD, the wiring 56 that constitutes the source of the switch 33c, and the wiring 57 that constitutes the drain of the switch 33c. The ground potential VSS is supplied to wirings 54 and 57, and the power supply potential VDD is supplied to wiring 55. Wiring 56 is connected to wiring 51, and wiring 52 is connected to the sensor controller 34. The semiconductor layer of the diode (diode-connected thin-film transistor) that constitutes the electrostatic discharge circuit ESD and the semiconductor layer of the thin-film transistor that constitutes the switch 33c are made up of semiconductor layer 70.
[0118] The connection between the wiring 51 and the linear electrode EM is ensured through via conductors V1 and V2 shown in Figure 19. Via conductors V1 and V2 are formed by providing a notch CO in the dam D2. Specifically, when forming the sensor 31 on the upper surface of the sealing layer 76, after forming the protective layer 82, a notch CO is provided in the dam D2 by etching a part of the dam D2 from above the protective layer 82. Then, vias are provided in the insulating layer 63 and the planarization layer 64 through the notch CO, and a conductor is embedded in them to form the via conductor V1. Subsequently, a conductor constituting the lead wire Ply is formed, thereby forming a via conductor V2 connected to the lead wire Ply within the notch CO. In this way, the connection between the wiring 51 and the linear electrode EM is ensured.
[0119] Here, the dam D2 provided with the notch CO is preferably the dam D2 between the innermost dam D1 and the outermost dam D3, rather than the innermost dam D1 or the outermost dam D3. By doing so, the possibility that the effect of the dam is reduced by providing the notch CO can be minimized. When using a double dam, it is preferable to provide the notch CO in the inner dam.
[0120] As described above, according to this modification example, it becomes possible to arrange the switch 33c and the electrostatic discharge circuit ESD in the empty space within the display 32. In this modification example, the switch 33c has been described. However, regarding the other switches 33a, 33b, 33d shown in FIG. 4, as well as the drive circuit 33e, the operational amplifier 33f, and the differential amplifier 33g, by adopting a similar configuration, they can also be arranged within the display 32.
[0121] Next, the position detection system 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The position detection system 1 according to this embodiment is different from the position detection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment in that the additional loop coils ALC (two) and their lead wires PLx, the linear electrode EMSb and its lead wire Ply, and the linear electrode EMSt and its lead wire Ply are provided not in the sensor 31 but in the display 32. Since it is the same as the position detection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment in other aspects, the following description will continue focusing on the differences from the position detection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment.
[0122] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 31 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the display 32 according to this embodiment. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the position detection device 3 corresponding to the B - B line shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. In the sensor 31 shown in FIG. 20, compared with the sensor 31 shown in FIG. 14, each of the plurality of first unit mesh electrodes MS EM and the second unit mesh electrode MS LCxAlthough the number of columns and rows in the grid formed by these elements is increasing, both Figure 20 and Figure 14 are merely examples, and the number of columns and rows in the grid is appropriately selected according to the shape and area of the display surface of the display 32. Figure 20 shows an example of a grid when the position detection device 3 is a smartphone.
[0123] As can be seen by comparing Figure 20 and Figure 14, the sensor 31 according to this embodiment has multiple first unit mesh electrodes MS EM and the second unit mesh electrode MS LCx The same layer as the grid formed by the above does not contain additional loop coils ALC (2) and their lead wires PLx, linear electrode EMSb and its lead wire Ply, or linear electrode EMSt and its lead wire Ply. In the position detection device 3 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, these are all formed within the display 32.
[0124] The display 32 according to this embodiment is an organic EL display and is configured to have a pixel region PA and a gate driver group GD as described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the pixel region PA is located in the center of the display 32, and the gate driver group GD is located on both sides of the pixel region PA in the x direction. Figure 21 shows only the outer perimeters of the pixel region PA and the gate driver group GD, and as shown in the figure, the outer perimeter of the pixel region PA is rectangular, and the outer perimeter of the gate driver group GD is rectangular with a length in the y direction that is approximately the same as the outer perimeter of the pixel region PA.
[0125] As shown in Figure 21, the additional loop coil ALC is arranged to surround the gate driver group GD. The linear electrode EMSb is provided along the sides of the rectangle that make up the outer perimeter of the pixel region PA, on the side of the lead electrodes Ex and Ey, while the linear electrode EMSt is provided along the side opposite to the lead electrodes Ex and Ey. The lead wire Ply of the linear electrode EMSt extends to the outside of the additional loop coil ALC.
[0126] As described above, the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to arrange the additional loop coil ALC and linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt in the empty space within the display 32. Furthermore, since there is more space inside the display 32 compared to inside the sensor 31, the position detection system 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to form the additional loop coil ALC and linear electrodes EMSb and EMSt with lower resistance compared to the position detection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment.
[0127] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence.
[0128] For example, the sensor according to the present invention may also be configured as shown in the following configurations A1 to A3. (Configuration A1) A sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of second leader lines each connected to the end of any of the plurality of second electrodes in the second direction, wherein the plurality of first electrodes include two first outermost electrodes located at both ends of the second direction, one of the two first outermost electrodes is positioned such that, in a plan view, at least a portion of the width in the second direction does not overlap with the plurality of second electrodes, and the other of the two first outermost electrodes is positioned such that, in a plan view, it overlaps with the plurality of second leader lines. (Configuration A2) A sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a plurality of second electrodes each extending in the second direction and arranged in a first direction, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are each constructed using mesh electrodes. (Configuration A3) A sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of first lead wires each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the sensor is positioned on the upper surface of a display device, the display device has two or more dams to prevent the outflow of a sealing layer for sealing a pixel area, and the plurality of first lead wires are each connected to wiring formed in the display device via via conductors formed inside notches provided in dams different from the outermost dam of the two or more dams.
[0129] 1 Position detection system 3 Position detection device 3a Panel surface 30 Cover glass 31 Sensor 32 Display 33 Switch section 33a-33d Switch 33e Drive circuit 33f Operational amplifier 33g Differential amplifier 34 Sensor controller 35 Host processor 40-42 Protrusions 51-57 Wiring 60 Substrate 61 Buffer layer 62 Gate insulation layer 63 Insulation layer 64 Planarization layer 65 Bank 70 Semiconductor layer 71 Gate layer wiring 72 Source-drain layer wiring 73 Anode wiring 74 Light-emitting layer 75 Cathode wiring 76 Sealing layer 77 First inorganic layer 78 Organic layer 79 Second inorganic layer 80 First touch insulation layer 81 Second touch insulation layer 82 Protective layer ALC Additional loop coil BR Bridge conductor CL Connection wiring CO Notch D1, D2, D3 Dam DL Data line DM Dummy electrode ED Emitter driver group EM Linear electrode EMSb, EMSt Outermost linear electrode ESD Electrostatic discharge circuit Ex, Ey Lead electrode F Finger GD Gate driver group GL Gate line JP Jumper wiring L1 First layer L2 Second layer LCx, LCy Loop coil LCxS, LCyS Outermost loop coil LE Light-emitting element LS1, LS2 Long side Lx Center line in x direction Ly Center line in y direction ML1 First main wiring section ML2 Second main wiring section MS EMFirst unit mesh electrode MS LCx Second unit mesh electrode P Electromagnetic induction pen P1-P5 First to fifth parts PA Pixel area PLx, Ply Leader lines PR1-PR8 First to eighth protrusions SS1, SS2 Short side ST Selective thin film transistor V1, V2 Via conductor
Claims
1. A sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of first lead wires each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the second outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, located at the end in the first direction, is positioned to overlap with the plurality of first lead wires in a plan view.
2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is used to detect the position of an electromagnetic induction pen and the position of a passive pointer, and at least a portion of the second outermost electrode is outside the detectable area of the passive pointer.
3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second outermost electrode is opaque.
4. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a dummy electrode to which a fixed potential is supplied, located outside the second outermost electrode.
5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the width of the second outermost electrode in the first direction is smaller than the width of at least one of the plurality of second electrodes other than the second outermost electrode in the first direction.
6. The sensor according to claim 5, wherein the width of each of the plurality of second electrodes in the first direction is progressively smaller from the center of the panel surface in the first direction toward the edges in the first direction.
7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second electrodes other than the second outermost electrode has a plurality of protrusions projecting inward.
8. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes is a linear electrode, and each of the plurality of second electrodes is a loop electrode.
9. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes and each of the plurality of second electrodes is a loop-shaped electrode.
10. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, configured to be bendable in a straight line parallel to the first or second direction.
11. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second lead wires, each connected to the end of any of the plurality of second electrodes in the second direction, wherein the plurality of first electrodes comprises two first outermost electrodes positioned at both ends in the second direction, one of the two first outermost electrodes positioned such that, in a plan view, at least a portion of the width in the second direction does not overlap with the plurality of second electrodes, and the other of the two first outermost electrodes positioned such that, in a plan view, it overlaps with the plurality of second lead wires.
12. The sensor according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of second electrodes is a loop-shaped electrode, and one of the two first outermost electrodes is positioned in a plan view to overlap with the folded portion of each of the plurality of second electrodes.
13. The sensor according to claim 11, wherein one of the two first outermost electrodes is formed in the same layer as the plurality of second electrodes, and the other of the two first outermost electrodes is formed in the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes.
14. The sensor according to claim 11, wherein the two first outermost electrodes are configured to have a lower resistance value compared to the other first electrodes.
15. The sensor according to claim 11, wherein the two first outermost electrodes are formed within a display that is arranged in superimposed on the sensor.
16. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes is configured using mesh electrodes.
17. The sensor according to claim 16, comprising first unit mesh electrodes and second unit mesh electrodes arranged alternately in a grid, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes is formed by connecting the first unit mesh electrodes arranged in the first direction with a bridge conductor extending in the first direction, and each of the plurality of second electrodes is formed by connecting partial mesh electrodes obtained by dividing the second unit mesh electrodes arranged in the second direction with a straight line passing through the center of the second unit mesh electrode in the first direction and extending in the second direction with jumper wiring extending in the second direction.
18. The sensor according to claim 17, wherein the outer shape of the first unit mesh electrode and the second unit mesh electrode are both square, and they are arranged in the grid pattern at an angle of 45 degrees to the first direction and the second direction, respectively.
19. The first unit mesh electrode has a linear first main wiring portion extending in the first direction, a first projection protruding from one side of the first main wiring portion in the second direction, a second projection symmetrical to the first projection with respect to the center line of the first unit mesh electrode in the first direction, a third projection symmetrical to the first projection with respect to the center line of the first unit mesh electrode in the second direction, and a fourth projection symmetrical to the second projection with respect to the center line of the first unit mesh electrode in the second direction, wherein the first projection has a first portion protruding linearly along the second direction from one side of the first main wiring portion in the second direction, and a second portion protruding diagonally from the tip of the first portion toward the second projection, and the second unit mesh electrode has a linear second main wiring portion extending in the second direction, The sensor according to claim 17, comprising: a fifth projection projecting from one side of the second main wiring portion in the first direction; a sixth projection symmetrical to the fifth projection with respect to the center line of the second unit mesh electrode in the second direction; a seventh projection symmetrical to the fifth projection with respect to the center line of the second unit mesh electrode in the first direction; and an eighth projection symmetrical to the sixth projection with respect to the center line of the second unit mesh electrode in the first direction, wherein the fifth projection is formed in a substantially C shape by a third portion projecting diagonally toward the sixth projection from one side of the second main wiring portion in the first direction; a fourth portion projecting away from the sixth projection from the tip of the third portion; and a fifth portion projecting toward the second main wiring portion parallel to the third portion from the tip of the fourth portion.
20. The first unit mesh electrode has a linear first main wiring portion extending in the first direction, a first projection extending linearly from one side of the first main wiring portion in the second direction along the second direction, a second projection symmetrical to the first projection with respect to the center line of the first unit mesh electrode in the first direction, a third projection symmetrical to the first projection with respect to the center line of the first unit mesh electrode in the second direction, and a fourth projection symmetrical to the second projection with respect to the center line of the first unit mesh electrode in the second direction; the second unit mesh electrode has a linear second main wiring portion extending in the second direction, and a fifth projection extending from one side of the second main wiring portion in the first direction; The sensor according to claim 17, further comprising: a second unit mesh electrode having a sixth projection symmetrical to the fifth projection with respect to the center line of the first direction of the second unit mesh electrode, wherein the fifth projection has a ring-shaped first portion and a linear second portion parallel to the first direction that connects the first portion to the central portion of the second main wiring portion in the second direction.
21. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned on the upper surface of the display device, the display device has two or more dams for preventing the outflow of a sealing layer for sealing a pixel area, and each of the plurality of first lead wires is connected to wiring formed in the display device via via conductors formed inside notches provided in dams different from the outermost dam of the two or more dams.
22. The sensor according to claim 21, wherein the double or more dams are triple or more dams, and the notch is provided in a dam that is different from both the innermost and outermost dams among the triple or more dams.
23. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned on the upper surface of the display device, and the second outermost electrode is formed within the display device.
24. The sensor according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is positioned on the upper surface of the display device, and the first outermost electrode is formed within the display device.
25. A sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes, each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes, each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of lead wires, each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the width in the first direction of the outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, located at the end in the first direction, is smaller than the width in the first direction of at least one of the plurality of second electrodes other than the outermost electrode.
26. A sensor controller connected to a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of lead wires each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, which is located at the end in the first direction, is positioned to overlap with the plurality of lead wires in a plan view, and the sensor controller connects the outermost electrode to a fixed potential when detecting the position of a passive pointer using the sensor, and uses the outermost electrode to detect the alternating magnetic field emitted by the pen when detecting the position of a pen using the sensor.
27. A position detection device comprising: a sensor; and a sensor controller connected to the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises: a plurality of first electrodes each extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrodes each extending in a second direction and arranged in a first direction; and a plurality of lead wires each connected to the end of any of the plurality of first electrodes in the first direction, wherein the outermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, which is located at the end in the first direction, is positioned to overlap with the plurality of lead wires in a plan view; and the sensor controller connects the outermost electrode to a fixed potential when detecting the position of a passive pointer using the sensor; and uses the outermost electrode to detect an alternating magnetic field emitted by the pen when detecting the position of a pen using the sensor.
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