KR102530493B1 - Display device and method of driving the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display area and a sensing area overlapping each other; pixels arranged in the display area; an encapsulation layer disposed on the pixels; sensing electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer, overlapping the sensing area, and including first electrode cells including openings and first connection parts connecting the first electrode cells along a first direction; drive electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer and including second electrode cells spaced apart from the first electrode cells and second connectors connecting the second electrode cells along a second direction; conductive patterns including a plurality of electrode parts disposed spaced apart from the first electrode cells in openings of each of the first electrode cells and connection lines connecting at least some of the electrode parts; wires connected to one end of the conductive patterns adjacent to one edge of the sensing area; and a driving circuit unit generating a noise compensation signal based on the image data of each frame and supplying the noise compensation signal to the conductive patterns through wires.
The first connection parts or the second connection parts are disposed on the same layer as the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells, and at least one of the first connection parts, the second connection parts, the first electrode cells, and the second electrode cells is It is placed directly on the upper surface of the encapsulation layer.

Description

Display device and its driving method {DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device and a driving method thereof, and more particularly, to a display device having a touch sensor and a driving method thereof.

A touch sensor may be provided and used in a display device. For example, the touch sensor may be attached to one surface of the display panel or manufactured integrally with the display panel to detect a touch input.

A technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a display device having a high-performance touch sensor and a driving method thereof.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display area and a sensing area overlapping each other; pixels arranged in the display area; an encapsulation layer disposed on the pixels; sensing electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer, overlapping the sensing region, and including first electrode cells including openings and first connection parts connecting the first electrode cells along a first direction; Drive electrodes including second electrode cells disposed on the encapsulation layer, overlapping the sensing region, and spaced apart from the first electrode cells, and second connectors connecting the second electrode cells along a second direction ; conductive patterns including a plurality of electrode parts disposed apart from the first electrode cells in the openings of each of the first electrode cells and connection lines connecting at least some of the electrode parts; wires connected to one end of the conductive patterns adjacent to one edge of the sensing area; and a driving circuit unit generating a noise compensation signal based on image data of each frame and supplying the noise compensation signal to the conductive patterns through the wire. The first connection parts or the second connection parts are disposed on the same layer as the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells, and the first connection parts, the second connection parts, the first electrode cells, and the At least one of the second electrode cells may be directly disposed on the upper surface of the encapsulation layer.

Depending on the embodiment, the electrode parts may be spaced apart from each other on the same layer as the first connection part.

Depending on the embodiment, the first connection part may be disposed on a layer different from that of the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells.

Depending on the embodiment, the first electrode cells may have a shape surrounding each electrode unit.

Depending on the embodiment, when viewed from a plan view, the first electrode cells may be disposed between the electrode parts and the second electrode cells.

Depending on the embodiment, the opening may be disposed at a central portion of each of the first electrode cells.

Depending on the embodiment, the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells may be alternately disposed in the sensing area.

According to the display device and its driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a noise compensation electrode is formed in a sensing region of a touch sensor, and a noise compensation signal corresponding to image data of each frame is supplied to the noise compensation electrode. Accordingly, display noise flowing into the sensor unit of the touch sensor according to display driving may be effectively removed. According to this embodiment of the present invention, in a display device having a touch sensor, malfunction of the touch sensor due to display noise can be prevented and performance of the touch sensor can be improved.

1 schematically shows a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a sensor unit of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows display noise transmitted to the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4 .
FIG. 6 illustrates display noise and a noise compensation signal transmitted to the sensor unit of FIG. 4 and a noise canceling effect according thereto.
7 shows a display driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 shows a compensation circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 shows one area of the sensor unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 .
FIG. 11A shows an example of a cross section along the line II' of FIG. 10 .
FIG. 11B shows an example of a cross section taken along line II-II' in FIG. 10 .
12 shows an example of a cross section of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 to 15 show different embodiments of one area of the sensor unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention and other matters necessary for those skilled in the art to easily understand the contents of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described below are only examples regardless of whether they are expressed or not. That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be changed and implemented in various forms. In addition, in the following description, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a case where it is directly connected but also a case where another element is interposed therebetween.

Meanwhile, in the drawings, some elements not directly related to the features of the present invention may be omitted to clearly show the present invention. In addition, the size or ratio of some components in the drawings may be slightly exaggerated. For the same or similar components throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and symbols have been given as much as possible even though they are shown on different drawings.

1 schematically shows a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 2 shows the sensor unit of the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1 , a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 100 , a touch driver 200 , a display panel 300 and a display driver 400 . The sensor unit 100 and the display panel 300 may be arranged to overlap each other or integrally manufactured, and they constitute the panel unit 10 of the display device. The touch driving unit 200 and the display driving unit 400 are for driving the sensor unit 100 and the display panel 300, respectively, and constitute the driving circuit unit 20 of the display device. Depending on the embodiment, the touch driver 200 and the display driver 400 may be configured to be separated from each other, or at least a part of them may be integrated into the same driver IC. Meanwhile, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor, and the touch sensor may be configured by the sensor unit 100 and the touch driver 200 .

Depending on the embodiment, the sensor unit 100 may be provided on at least one area of the display panel 300 . For example, the sensor unit 100 may be provided on at least one surface of the display panel 300 to overlap the display panel 300 . For example, the sensor unit 100 may be disposed on one surface (eg, upper surface) of both sides of the display panel 300 in a direction in which an image is projected.

In another embodiment, the sensor unit 100 may be formed directly on at least one of both sides of the display panel 300 or inside the display panel 300 . For example, the sensor unit 100 may be directly formed on an outer surface (eg, an upper surface of the upper substrate or a lower surface of the lower substrate) of the upper substrate (or encapsulation layer) or the lower substrate of the display panel 300, or It may be directly formed on the inner surface of the upper substrate or the lower substrate (eg, the lower surface of the upper substrate or the upper surface of the lower substrate).

The sensor unit 100 includes a sensing area 101 that responds to a touch input and a peripheral area 102 surrounding at least a portion of the sensing area 101 . That is, the sensing area 101 is an area capable of sensing a touch input by a user and may be an active area of a touch sensor. Depending on the embodiment, the sensing area 101 is arranged to correspond to the display area 301 of the display panel 300, and the peripheral area 102 is arranged to correspond to the non-display area 302 of the display panel 300. It can be. For example, the sensing area 101 may overlap the display area 301 and the peripheral area 102 may overlap the non-display area 302 .

Depending on the embodiment, the sensing area 101 includes at least one electrode for detecting a touch input, for example, a plurality of sensing electrodes (first electrodes) 120 spaced apart from each other and drive electrodes (third electrodes). ) 130 may be disposed. Depending on the embodiment, the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 may be disposed on the display area 301 and overlap with at least one display electrode provided in the display panel 300 . For example, when the display panel 300 is an organic light emitting display panel or a liquid crystal display panel, the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 may overlap at least a cathode electrode or a common electrode.

Depending on the embodiment, the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 may be disposed to cross each other in the sensing area 101 . For example, each of the sensing electrodes 120 is disposed in the sensing area 101 in a first direction (eg, X direction), and each of the driving electrodes 130 crosses the sensing area 120 ( 101) in a second direction (eg, Y direction). The sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 may be insulated from each other by an insulating film, an insulating pattern, and/or a separation space.

A capacitance Cse is formed between the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130, particularly at an intersection thereof. This capacitance Cse is changed when a touch input occurs at or around the corresponding point. Accordingly, a touch input may be sensed by detecting a change in capacitance Cse.

The shape, size, and/or arrangement direction of the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 are not particularly limited. As a non-limiting example in this regard, the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 may be configured as shown in FIG. 2 . In FIGS. 1 and 2, the mutual capacitance touch sensor is disclosed as a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, but the touch sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is necessarily limited to the mutual capacitance touch sensor. It doesn't work.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the sensor unit 100 includes a base substrate 110 including a sensing area 101 and a peripheral area 102, and a plurality of sensing provided on the sensing area 101 on the base substrate 110. It includes electrodes 120 and driving electrodes 130 , a plurality of wires 140 and a pad part 150 provided in the peripheral area 102 on the base substrate 110 . Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, the touch sensor may be implemented as a self-capacitance type touch sensor. In this case, a plurality of sensor electrodes may be distributed at each coordinate point of the sensing region 101 .

The base substrate 110 is a sensor substrate used as a substrate of the sensor unit 100 and may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. For example, the base substrate 110 may be a rigid substrate made of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate made of a flexible plastic or metal thin film. Meanwhile, depending on embodiments, the base substrate 110 may be one of a display substrate constituting the display panel 300 and one or more insulating layers. For example, in an embodiment in which the sensor unit 100 and the display panel 300 are integrally implemented, the base substrate 110 may include at least one display substrate (eg, an upper or lower substrate) or a thin film of the display panel 300. It may be a thin film encapsulation (TFE).

The sensing electrodes 120 may extend along a first direction, for example, an X direction within the sensing area 101 . According to the embodiment, each of the sensing electrodes 120 includes a plurality of first electrode cells 122 arranged along a first direction and the first electrode cells 122 constituting each sensing electrode 120 . It may include at least one first connection part 124 connected along one direction. In describing the embodiments of the present invention, "connection" may comprehensively mean "connection" in terms of physical and/or electrical aspects. When each of the sensing electrodes 120 includes three or more first electrode cells 122 , each of the sensing electrodes 120 may include a plurality of first connectors 124 . Depending on the embodiment, the first connection parts 124 may be formed integrally with the first electrode cells 122 or may be formed in a bridge-shaped connection pattern.

Meanwhile, although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the first connectors 124 are disposed in the first direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the first connection parts 124 may be disposed in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the first direction. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the first connectors 124 have a linear shape (or bar shape), the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, at least one area of the first connection parts 124 may have a bent or bent shape. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which two adjacent first electrode cells 122 are connected to each other through one first connection portion 124 disposed therebetween, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, two adjacent first electrode cells 122 may be connected to each other through two or more first connection parts 124 disposed therebetween.

Depending on the embodiment, the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connection parts 124 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. For example, the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connectors 124 may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti) ), at least one of various metal materials including nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), or the like, or an alloy thereof. In addition, the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connectors 124 may include silver nanowires (AgNW), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), ITZO ( Indium Tin Zinc Oxide), ZnO (Zinc Oxide), SnO ₂ (Tin Oxide), carbon nano tube (Carbon Nano Tube), graphene (graphene), and the like, and may include at least one of various transparent conductive materials. In addition to this, the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connectors 124 may include at least one of various conductive materials capable of providing conductivity. Depending on the embodiment, each of the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connectors 124 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers.

When the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is a mutual capacitance type touch sensor, the sensing electrodes 120 may output a sensing signal corresponding to a touch driving signal input to the driving electrodes 130. . For example, the sensing electrodes 120 may be Rx electrodes that output a sensing signal corresponding to a touch input to the touch driver 200 .

The driving electrodes 130 may extend along the second direction, for example, the Y direction within the sensing region 101 . According to the embodiment, each of the driving electrodes 130 includes a plurality of second electrode cells 132 arranged along the second direction and the second electrode cells 132 constituting each driving electrode 130 . It may include at least one second connection part 134 connecting along two directions. When each of the driving electrodes 130 includes three or more second electrode cells 132 , each of the driving electrodes 130 may include a plurality of second connectors 134 . Depending on the embodiment, the second connection parts 134 may be integrally formed with the second electrode cells 132 or may be formed in a bridge-shaped connection pattern. When the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is a mutual capacitance type touch sensor, the drive electrodes 130 receive a touch drive signal from the touch driver 200 during a predetermined touch sensing period in which the touch sensor is activated. may be Tx electrodes that do.

Meanwhile, although the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 are shown in a diamond shape in FIG. 2 for convenience, the shape and size of the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 may be variously changed. For example, the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 may have other shapes such as circular or hexagonal. Also, in another embodiment, the sensing electrodes 120 and/or the driving electrodes 130 may be implemented as an integral bar type electrode or the like.

In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the second connectors 134 are disposed in the second direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the second connectors 134 may be disposed in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the second direction. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the second connectors 134 have a straight (or bar) shape, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, at least one area of the second connectors 134 may have a bent or bent shape. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which two adjacent second electrode cells 132 are connected to each other through one second connection portion 134 disposed therebetween, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, two adjacent second electrode cells 132 may be connected to each other through two or more second connection parts 134 disposed therebetween.

Depending on the embodiment, the second electrode cells 132 and/or the second connectors 134 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. For example, the second electrode cells 132 and/or the second connectors 134 may include at least one of the conductive materials mentioned above as the constituent materials of the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connectors 124 . may contain one. In addition, the second electrode cells 132 and/or the second connection parts 134 are made of the same material as the conductive material constituting the first electrode cells 122 and/or the first connection parts 124, Or it may be composed of a material different from these. In addition, each of the second electrode cells 132 and/or the second connectors 134 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers.

Depending on the embodiment, the floating dummy patterns 136 may be provided on at least one edge area of the sensing area 101 . For example, a plurality of dummy patterns 136 floating in an island shape may be provided at both edge regions of the sensing region 101 . Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the dummy patterns 136 are omitted, or the dummy patterns 136 are connected in the first or second direction to form at least one other sensing electrode 120 or driving electrode 130. can also be configured.

Depending on the embodiment, wires 140 for electrically connecting the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 provided in the sensing area 101 to the touch driver 200 and the like are disposed in the peripheral area 102 . It can be. According to an embodiment, the wirings 140 may include first wirings 142 for electrically connecting each of the sensing electrodes 120 to the pad part 150 and each of the driving electrodes 130 to the pad part. It may include second wires 144 for electrical connection with 150 . For example, each of the wires 140 may electrically connect one of the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 to a predetermined pad 152 included in the pad unit 150 .

Meanwhile, for convenience, FIG. 2 shows that the first wires 142 and the second wires 144 are connected to one end of the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130, respectively, but the sensing electrodes 120 A connection structure between the driving electrodes 130 and the first and second wires 142 and 144 may be variously changed. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first wires 142 and the second wires 144 may be connected to both ends of each sensing electrode 120 or the driving electrode 130 .

The pad unit 150 may include a plurality of pads 152 for electrically connecting the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 to an external driving circuit, for example, the touch driver 200 . The sensor unit 100 and the touch driver 200 may communicate through the pad unit 150 .

Referring back to FIG. 1 , the touch driver 200 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 100 to transmit/receive signals necessary for driving the sensor unit 100 . For example, the touch driver 200 may supply a touch driving signal to the sensor unit 100 and then receive a detection signal corresponding to the touch driving signal from the sensor unit 100 . The touch driver 200 may detect a touch input based on the detection signal. To this end, the touch driver 200 may include a touch driving circuit and a sensing circuit. According to embodiments, the touch driving circuit and the sensing circuit may be integrated inside one touch IC (T-IC), but is not limited thereto. Also, according to embodiments, the touch driver 200 and the display driver 400 may be integrated into one driver IC.

Depending on the embodiment, the touch driving circuit may be electrically connected to the driving electrodes 130 of the sensor unit 100 and sequentially supply touch driving signals to the driving electrodes 130 during a predetermined touch sensing period. . According to the embodiment, the sensing circuit is electrically connected to the sensing electrodes 120 of the sensor unit 100, receives a sensing signal from each of the sensing electrodes 120, and performs a touch input using the sensing signal. can detect

The display panel 300 includes a display area 301 and a non-display area 302 surrounding at least one area of the display area 301 . A plurality of scan lines 310 and data lines 320 and a plurality of pixels PXL connected to the scan lines 310 and data lines 320 are disposed in the display area 301 . Wires for supplying various driving signals and/or driving power for driving the pixels PXL may be disposed in the non-display area 302 .

In the present invention, the type of display panel 300 is not particularly limited. For example, the display panel 300 may be a self-luminous display panel such as an organic light emitting display panel (OLED panel). Alternatively, the display panel 300 includes a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel), an electro-phoretic display panel (EPD panel), and an electro-wetting display panel (EWD panel). It may be a non-emissive display panel such as When the display panel 300 is a non-emissive display panel, the display device may further include a back-light unit (BLU) for supplying light to the display panel 300 .

The display driver 400 drives the pixels PXL in response to image data input from the outside. To this end, the display driver 400 is electrically connected to the display panel 300 and supplies signals necessary for driving the pixels PXL to the display panel 300 . The display driver 400 includes a scan driver for supplying scan signals to the scan lines 310, a data driver for supplying data signals to the data lines 320, and a timing controller for driving the scan driver and data driver. may contain at least one. According to embodiments, the scan driver, data driver, and/or timing controller may be integrated into one display IC (D-IC), but is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, at least one (or a part thereof) of a scan driver, a data driver, and a timing controller may be embedded in the display panel 300 .

The display device described above provides convenience in use by including a touch sensor. For example, the user can easily control the display device by touching the screen while viewing the image displayed on the display area 301 .

3 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, in FIG. 3 , one sensing electrode and one driving electrode among sensing electrodes and driving electrodes provided in the sensor unit and a capacitance formed at an intersection thereof are illustrated. In addition, in FIG. 3 , a touch driving circuit and a sensing circuit are illustrated centering on the sensing electrode and the driving electrode forming the capacitance.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the sensor unit 100 includes at least one pair of sensing electrodes 120 and driving electrodes 130 forming a capacitance Cse. The driving electrode 130 is electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 210 , and the sensing electrode 120 is electrically connected to the sensing circuit 220 . Depending on the embodiment, the touch driving circuit 210 and the sensing circuit 220 may be integrated within the touch driving unit 200 .

Describing a method for driving a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch driving signal Sdr is supplied from the touch driving circuit 210 to the driving electrode 130 during a touch sensing period in which the touch sensor is activated. Depending on the embodiment, the touch driving signal Sdr may be an AC signal having a predetermined period, such as a pulse wave.

When the sensor unit 100 includes a plurality of driving electrodes 130 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the driving circuit 210 sequentially supplies the driving electrodes 130 for a predetermined touch sensing period. A touch driving signal Sdr may be supplied. Then, the sensing signal Sse corresponding to the touch driving signal Sdr applied to each driving electrode 130 is output through each sensing electrode 120 due to a coupling action of the capacitance Cse. This detection signal Sse is input to the detection circuit 220 and used to detect a touch input.

Depending on the embodiment, when the sensor unit 100 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 120 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sensing circuit 220 is electrically connected to each sensing electrode 120 . It may have multiple sensing channels (Rx channels) 222 connected thereto. The sensing circuit 220 may receive the sensing signal Sse from each of the sensing electrodes 120 through the sensing channels 222 .

Meanwhile, depending on the embodiment, each sensing electrode 120 may be regarded as configuring each sensing channel 222 together with an amplifier (AMP) connected to the sensing electrode 120 . However, for convenience of description, the sensing electrodes 120 provided to the sensor unit 100 will be separately described from the sensing channels 222 provided to the sensing circuit 220 .

The sensing circuit 220 amplifies, converts, and processes the sensing signal Sse input from each sensing electrode 120 and detects a touch input according to the result. To this end, the sensing circuit 220 includes a plurality of sensing channels 222 corresponding to each sensing electrode 120 and at least one analog-to-digital converter connected to the sensing channels 222. A digital converter; hereinafter referred to as "ADC") 224 and a processor 226 may be included.

Depending on the embodiment, each of the sensing channels 222 may be configured with an analog front end (hereinafter referred to as “AFE”) that receives a sensing signal from the sensing electrodes 120 corresponding thereto. . According to an embodiment, each sensing channel 222 may be implemented as an AFE including at least one amplifier (AMP) such as an operational amplifier (OP amp).

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensing channels 222 includes a first input terminal IN1 (eg, an inverting input terminal of the amplifier AMP) and a second input terminal IN2 (eg, a non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier AMP). input terminal). Depending on the embodiment, the first input terminal IN1 of each of the sensing channels 222 may be connected to different sensing electrodes 120 among the sensing electrodes 120 . That is, the sensing channels 222 and the sensing electrodes 120 may be connected 1:1. In this case, the sensing signal Sse from one of the sensing electrodes 120 may be input to the first input terminal IN1 of each of the sensing channels 222 .

Depending on the embodiment, the second input terminal IN2 of each of the sensing channels 222 may be a reference potential terminal, and may be connected to a reference voltage source (reference voltage source) such as, for example, the ground power source GND. In this case, each sensing channel 222 may amplify and output the sensing signal Sse input to the first input terminal IN1 based on the potential of the second input terminal IN2 . That is, each sensing channel 222 receives the sensing signal Sse from each sensing electrode 120 through the first input terminal IN1, and the voltage of the first input terminal IN1 and the second input The sensing signal Sse may be amplified by amplifying and outputting a signal corresponding to the voltage difference between the terminals IN2.

According to embodiments, the amplifier AMP may be implemented as an integrator. In this case, a capacitor C and a reset switch SW may be connected in parallel between the first input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OUT1 of the amplifier AMP.

The ADC 224 converts an analog signal input from each sensing channel 222 into a digital signal. Depending on the embodiment, the ADC 224 may be provided as many as the number of sensing electrodes 120 to correspond 1:1 to each sensing channel 222 corresponding to each sensing electrode 120 . Alternatively, in another embodiment, a plurality of sense channels 222 may share one ADC 224. In this case, a switching circuit for channel selection may be additionally provided between the sensing channels 222 and the ADC 224 .

The processor 226 processes the digital signal converted by the ADC 224 and detects a touch input according to the signal processing result. For example, the processor 226 comprehensively integrates signals (amplified and digitally converted sensing signals Sse) input from the plurality of sensing electrodes 120 via respective sensing channels 222 and the ADC 224. By analyzing, it is possible to detect whether a touch input has occurred and its location.

Depending on the embodiment, the processor 226 may be implemented as a microprocessor (MPU). In this case, a memory necessary for driving the processor 226 may be additionally provided inside the sensing circuit 220 . Meanwhile, the configuration of the processor 226 is not limited thereto. As another example, the processor 226 may be implemented as a microcontroller (MCU) or the like.

The touch sensor as described above may be coupled to the display panel 300 or the like. For example, the sensor unit 100 of the touch sensor may be integrally manufactured with the display panel 300 or may be manufactured separately from the display panel 300 and attached to at least one surface of the display panel 300 .

As such, when the sensor unit 100 is coupled to the display panel 300, parasitic capacitance is generated between the sensor unit 100 and the display panel 300. For example, the sensing electrode 120 and the driving electrode 130 of the sensor unit 100 may be disposed to overlap the cathode electrode or the common electrode of the display panel 300, and thus the sensor unit 100 and the display panel A parasitic capacitance occurs between (300).

Display noise from the display panel 300 may be transmitted to the touch sensor, in particular, the sensor unit 100 due to the coupling action of the parasitic capacitance. For example, display noise due to a display driving signal applied to the display panel 300 may flow into the sensor unit 100 .

For example, in the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 300 may be an organic light emitting display panel having a thin film encapsulation layer, and the sensor unit 100 may be one surface of the thin film encapsulation layer (eg, , upper surface) may be composed of on-cell type sensor electrodes on which the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 are directly formed. In this case, at least one electrode (for example, a cathode electrode) included in the organic light emitting display panel, the sensing electrodes 120 and the driving electrodes 130 are positioned close to each other. Accordingly, display noise caused by display driving may be transmitted to the sensor unit 100 with relatively high intensity.

The display noise transmitted to the sensor unit 100 causes ripples in the detection signals Sse, and as a result, the sensitivity of the touch sensor may decrease. Accordingly, the present invention provides various embodiments capable of preventing malfunction of a touch sensor included in a display device and improving performance (eg, sensitivity) of the touch sensor.

4 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4 , components similar to or identical to those of FIGS. 1 to 3 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. FIG. 5 shows display noise transmitted to the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4 , and in particular, represents the size (eg, amplitude) of display noise transmitted from the display panel corresponding to the position of each of the sensing electrodes. FIG. 6 illustrates display noise and a noise compensation signal transmitted to the sensor unit of FIG. 4 and a noise canceling effect according thereto.

First of all, referring to FIG. 4 , the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 100 including a plurality of sensing electrodes 120 and driving electrodes 130, and the sensor unit 100 It includes a touch driving circuit 210 and a sensing circuit 220 connected thereto. In addition, the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of noise compensation electrodes (second electrodes) 160 extending in one direction (eg, first or second direction) in the sensing area 101 . ) and a compensation signal supply unit 230 connected to the noise compensation electrodes 160.

Depending on the embodiment, the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be disposed in the second direction, for example, the Y direction, in the sensing region 101 to cross the sensing electrodes 120 . For example, the noise compensation electrodes 160 may extend along the second direction in the same way as the driving electrodes 130 , but may be spaced apart from the driving electrodes 130 . For example, the noise compensation electrodes 160 and the driving electrodes 130 may be alternately disposed in the sensing region 101 . Also, the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be spaced apart from the sensing electrodes 120 by an insulating film, an insulating pattern, and/or a separation space. That is, the sensing electrodes 120, the driving electrodes 130, and the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be insulated from each other.

Depending on the embodiment, each of the noise compensation electrodes 160 includes a plurality of electrode parts 162 arranged along the second direction within the sensing area 101, and the electrode parts 162 along the second direction. It may include at least one connection line 164 for connecting. Depending on the embodiment, when each of the noise compensating electrodes 160 includes three or more electrode parts 162, each of the noise compensating electrodes 160 may include a plurality of connection lines 164. . Meanwhile, the shape and/or configuration of the noise compensation electrodes 160 are not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, each of the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be implemented as an integral bar type electrode.

Depending on the embodiment, each of the electrode units 162 may be disposed to correspond to (for example, to overlap) one of the first electrode cells 122 constituting the sensing electrodes 120 . For example, the electrode parts 162 of the noise compensation electrode 160 disposed in the first column are the first electrode cells 122 constituting each of the sensing electrodes 120 and disposed in the first column. It may overlap with the electrode cells 122 .

On the other hand, although the electrode parts 162 are shown in a diamond shape in FIG. 4 for convenience, the shape and size of the electrode parts 162 may be variously changed. For example, the electrode units 162 may have other shapes such as circular or hexagonal shapes. 4 shows that each of the electrode parts 162 has an area smaller than that of the corresponding first electrode cell 122 and is disposed in the center of the first electrode cell 122, but the present invention Not limited. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode parts 162 may overlap each of the first electrode cells 122 while having a similar or substantially the same area as the first electrode cells 122 . Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the center of each of the first electrode cells 122 is opened to form an opening, and each electrode part 162 may be disposed in the opening.

Depending on the embodiment, the connection lines 164 may be formed integrally with the electrode parts 162 or may be formed in a bridge-shaped connection pattern. In addition, although FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which the connection lines 164 are disposed in the second direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the second connectors 134 may be disposed in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the second direction, or may have a bent or bent shape in at least one region.

In addition, although FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which two adjacent electrode parts 162 are connected to each other through one connection line 164 disposed therebetween, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, two adjacent electrode parts 162 may be connected to each other through two or more connection lines 164 disposed therebetween.

Depending on the embodiment, the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. As an example, the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 are the first electrode cells 122, the first connection parts 124, the second electrode cells 132 and/or the second connection parts. As a constituent material of (134), at least one of the aforementioned conductive materials may be included.

In addition, the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 may include the first electrode cells 122, the first connection parts 124, the second electrode cells 132 and/or the second connection parts 134 ) and can be placed on the same layer. For example, when the first connection parts 124 are implemented as bridge patterns disposed on a different layer from the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132, the electrode parts 162 and the connection lines 164 may be disposed on the same layer as the first connection parts 124 and spaced apart from the first connection parts 124 . However, the materials constituting the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 or their placement positions may be variously changed. For example, the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 may be formed on another layer different from a layer on which the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 and the first and second connection parts 124 and 134 are disposed. may be placed on top. In addition, each of the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers, and the structure thereof is not particularly limited.

According to exemplary embodiments, each of the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be connected to the driving circuit unit 20 through at least one third wire 146 . For example, a plurality of third wires 146 are connected between the noise compensation electrodes 160 and the driving circuit unit 20, and each noise compensation electrode 160 is connected to one of the third wires 146. It may be connected to the driving circuit unit 20 (eg, the compensation signal supply unit 230 provided in the driving circuit unit 20) through one.

Depending on the embodiment, the third wirings 146 may be connected to one end of each of the noise compensation electrodes 160 in an edge region on one side of the sensing region 101 . In particular, in an embodiment of the present invention, the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be arranged to extend along a direction in which display noise is gradually changed (increased or decreased). Also, the third wirings 146 may be connected to one end of each of the noise compensation electrodes 160 in an edge region (first edge region) on one side of the sensing region 101 where the relatively largest display noise is transferred. .

Depending on the embodiment, display noise may be introduced in different sizes and/or degrees according to positions of the sensing electrodes 120 within the sensing area 101 . As an example, display noise may be transmitted in different sizes and/or degrees according to positions of the sensing electrodes 120 within the sensing area 101 according to the transfer direction of the display driving signal supplied to the display panel 300 . That is, different magnitudes and/or degrees of display noise may be transmitted to each sensing electrode 120 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , sensing electrodes 120 corresponding to the first to nth (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) sensing channels Rx1 to Rxn from the bottom to the top of the sensing region 101 . When this is arranged, the magnitude of display noise (for example, the magnitude of noise voltage) transmitted to the sensing electrodes 120 corresponding to the first to n th sensing channels Rx1 to Rxn may gradually increase. there is. For example, the sensing electrode adjacent to the upper edge area of the sensing area 101 (sensing electrode corresponding to the nth sensing channel Rx) 120 includes the sensing electrode adjacent to the lower edge area of the sensing area 101 (the first sensing electrode corresponding to the nth sensing channel Rx) 120 . Display noise greater than that transmitted to the sensing electrode 120 corresponding to the sensing channel Rx1 may be transferred.

In this case, each noise compensation electrode 160 extends in a column direction within the sensing area 101 and intersects the sensing electrodes 120 arranged in a row direction, and the sensing electrodes 120 and The area may be partially expanded at the intersection of . Also, the third wirings 146 may be connected to one end of the noise compensation electrodes 160 in an upper edge region of the sensing region 101 .

Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, the sensing electrodes 120 are disposed along a direction in which the magnitude of display noise gradually changes, for example, the Y direction, and the driving electrodes 130 are disposed along another direction, for example, the X direction. Assuming that the noise compensation electrodes 160 are disposed along the same direction as the sensing electrodes 120 while forming a pair with each sensing electrode 120 , the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be arranged in the same direction. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the sensing electrodes 120 and the noise compensation electrodes 160 form a pair while extending along a direction in which the magnitude of display noise gradually changes, and a pair of sensing electrodes ( 120) and the noise compensating electrode 160 may be disposed to overlap each other. Even in this case, the third wires 146 may be connected to the noise compensation electrodes 160 in an area where display noise is relatively large.

Depending on the embodiment, the driving circuit unit 20 may supply a noise compensation signal Scp corresponding to image data to the noise compensation electrodes 160 while the pixels PXL of the display panel 300 are driven. . For example, the driving circuit unit 20 uses the noise compensating electrodes 160 for each frame period in which the pixels PXL are driven (or for each predetermined frame period) to image data of each frame (or corresponding frame). (hereinafter, referred to as “frame data”) may be supplied with a noise compensation signal Scp corresponding to it.

To this end, the driving circuit unit 20 may include a compensation signal supply unit 230 for supplying the noise compensation signal Scp to the noise compensation electrodes 160 . Depending on the embodiment, the compensation signal supplier 230 may be included in the touch driver 200, but is not limited thereto. For example, the compensation signal supply unit 230 may be included in the display driver 400 described above. That is, the compensation signal supply unit 230 may be provided in the driving circuit unit 20, and its location is not particularly limited. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the display driver 400 may directly supply the noise compensation signal Scp to the sensor unit 100, and in this case, a separate compensation signal supply unit 230 may not be provided. .

That is, the compensation signal supply unit 230 may be configured separately within the touch sensor or integrated with the display driving unit 400 . In addition, the compensation signal supply unit 230 receives image data from the display driver 400 to directly generate a noise compensation signal Scp, or receives the noise compensation signal Scp supplied from the display driver 400 to generate the noise compensation signal Scp. It can be transmitted to the noise compensation electrodes 160 .

According to an embodiment, the noise compensation signal Scp may be generated by inverting display noise corresponding to each frame of data. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 , the noise compensation signal Scp has a waveform opposite to that of the display noise, and may be an inverse signal of the display noise. Therefore, when the noise compensation signal Scp is supplied to the noise compensation electrodes 160 during each frame period during which the pixels PXL are driven, a noise cancellation effect occurs in the sensor unit 100 and Display noise may be removed or reduced. Accordingly, ripple of the detection signal Sse due to display noise may be prevented.

Meanwhile, as described above, a size deviation of display noise may occur even inside the sensing region 101 according to its position. Accordingly, in the above-described embodiment, the noise compensation signal Scp is supplied to the noise compensation electrodes 160 through the region where relatively large display noise is introduced. In this case, the magnitude of the noise compensation signal Scp gradually decreases from one end to which the noise compensation signal Scp is applied to the other end opposite to it due to the RC delay generated while passing through each of the noise compensation electrodes 160. can do.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the size of the noise compensation signal Scp is also changed corresponding to the distribution and/or change in size of the display noise within the detection area 101 . Therefore, it is possible to effectively remove the display noise in the first half of the sensing region 101 by compensating for even the size deviation of the display noise. According to this embodiment of the present invention, display noise can be effectively removed even if the size of the display device is increased.

Briefly describing the driving method of the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, the touch driving circuit 210 and the compensation signal supply unit 230 are driven by the driving electrodes 130 and the noise compensation electrodes during the period in which the touch sensor is activated. A touch driving signal Sdr and a noise compensation signal Scp are supplied to 160, respectively. At this time, the sensing circuit 220 receives a sensing signal Sse from each of the sensing electrodes 120 and detects a touch input using the sensing signal Sse.

Depending on the embodiment, the touch driving circuit 210 may sequentially supply the touch driving signal Sdr to each driving electrode 130 . For example, assuming that the drive electrodes 130 corresponding to the first to mth (m is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) drive channels Tx1 to Txm are disposed from the left side to the right side of the sensing area 101, the touch drive The circuit 210 may sequentially supply the touch driving signal Sdr to each of the driving electrodes 130 corresponding to the first to mth driving channels Tx1 to Txm, where m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

Meanwhile, the noise compensation signal Scp is generated using image data input from the outside, and the noise compensation signal Scp is generated prior to supplying the noise compensation signal Scp. Also, while the pixels PXL are driven in response to the image data, the noise compensation signal Scp corresponding to the image data may be supplied to the noise compensation electrodes 160 . For example, display noise flowing into the sensor unit 100 may be predicted in correspondence to each frame data, and a noise compensation signal Scp of each frame may be generated in response to the display noise. In addition, the display noise introduced into the sensor unit 100 is reduced by supplying the noise compensation signal Scp corresponding to the corresponding frame data to the noise compensation electrodes 160 for each frame period during which the pixels PXL are driven. can be eliminated or reduced.

According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the noise compensation electrodes 160 are formed in the sensing area 101 of the touch sensor overlapping the pixels PXL, and the noise compensation electrodes 160 are used for each frame. A noise compensation signal Scp corresponding to the data is supplied. As a result, display noise can be effectively removed. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, malfunction of the touch sensor due to display noise can be prevented and performance (eg, sensitivity) of the touch sensor can be improved.

7 shows a display driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 8 shows a compensation circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to FIG. 7 , the display driver 400 includes a timing controller 410 , a scan driver 420 and a data driver 430 . According to embodiments, the display driver 400 may be implemented as a TCON embedded driver IC (TED D-IC) in which the timing controller 410 is embedded, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the timing controller 410, the scan driver 420, and the data driver 430 may be separated. For example, at least one of the timing controller 410, the scan driver 420, and the data driver 430 is formed inside the display panel 300 along with the pixels PXL, or is formed within the display panel 300. It can be mounted on one area.

The timing controller 410 receives image data DATA and a driving control signal CS from an external source such as a host processor, and drives the scan driver 420 and the data driver 430 in response thereto. Depending on the embodiment, the drive control signal CS may include various timing signals (eg, a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal) for controlling driving of the display device.

The timing controller 410 generates a scan control signal SCS and a data control signal DCS in response to the drive control signal CS, transmits the scan control signal SCS to the scan driver 420, and transmits the data control signal SCS to the scan driver 420. The control signal DCS may be supplied to the data driver 430 . Also, the timing controller 410 may rearrange the image data DATA and supply the rearranged image data DATA to the data driver 430 . Then, the scan driver 420 generates a scan signal SS in response to the scan control signal SCS and sequentially supplies the scan signal SS to the scan lines 310 . Also, the data driver 430 generates a data signal DS corresponding to the data control signal DCS and the image data DATA, and supplies the data signal DS to the data lines 320 . Accordingly, the data signal DS is transmitted to the pixels PXL, and the pixels PXL emit light having a luminance corresponding to the data signal DS.

Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the timing controller 410 may generate a noise compensation signal Scp corresponding to the image data DATA and the driving control signal CS. To this end, the timing control unit 410 may include a compensation circuit unit 412 as shown in FIG. 8 .

Depending on the embodiment, the compensation circuit unit 412 may include a representative value generator 4121 and a compensation signal generator 4122. The representative value generator 4121 may generate a representative value of each frame data using the image data DATA. For example, the representative value generating unit 4121 may extract one of the highest grayscale value, the middle grayscale value, and the average grayscale value of each frame data included in the image data DATA, and output it as a representative value. Depending on the embodiment, the representative value generating unit 4121 may be composed of representative value calculating circuits having various currently known structures, and its structure and driving method are not particularly limited.

The compensation signal generator 4122 generates a noise compensation signal Scp using the representative value input from the representative value generator 4121 . For example, the compensation signal generation unit 4122 may generate the noise compensation signal Scp by predicting (eg, calculating or extracting) display noise corresponding to a representative value of each frame data and inverting the display noise. . Depending on the embodiment, the compensation signal generation unit 4122 calculates or extracts display noise corresponding to the representative value of each frame data from pre-stored formulas, rules and/or graphs, or pre-stored corresponding to each representative value. By extracting the display noise from the noise information, the display noise of each frame can be predicted.

The noise compensation signal Scp generated by the compensation signal generator 4122 may be directly transferred to the noise compensation electrodes 160 or may be transferred to the noise compensation electrodes 160 via the compensation signal supply unit 230. there is.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the compensation circuit unit 412 is provided inside the timing controller 410, but in the present invention, the position of the compensation circuit unit 412 is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the compensation circuit unit 412 may be configured outside the timing controller 410 (eg, inside the touch driver 200 and/or the compensation signal supply unit 230). In this case, the timing controller 410 may transfer the image data DATA to the compensation circuit unit 412 .

FIG. 9 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in particular, shows a modified embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 4 . In FIG. 9, components similar or identical to those in FIG. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment, the compensation signal supply unit 230 may be connected to a predetermined reference voltage source such as the ground power supply (GND). That is, instead of being connected to the timing control unit 410 or a separate compensation circuit unit 412, the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be connected to the ground power supply (GND) and maintained at a constant potential according to embodiments. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or reduce the voltage fluctuation of the detection signal Sse due to display noise and improve the sensitivity of the touch sensor.

FIG. 10 shows an area of the sensor unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 , and particularly shows an embodiment of sensor patterns. FIG. 11A shows an example of a cross section taken along line II' of FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B shows an example of a cross section taken along line II-II' of FIG. In FIGS. 10 to 11B, components similar to or identical to those of FIGS. 4 and 9 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11B , according to embodiments, the first electrode cells 122 and the second electrode cells 132 may be disposed on the same layer. Also, one of the first connection parts 124 and the second connection parts 134 may be disposed on the same layer as the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 . For example, the second connectors 134 may be integrally connected to the second electrode cells 132 .

Also, according to embodiments, the first connection parts 124 and the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be provided on the same layer and spaced apart from each other. For example, the first connection parts 124 and the electrode parts 162 may be spaced apart from each other on the same layer, and the connection lines 164 may be integrally connected to the electrode parts 162 .

Depending on the embodiment, the sensing electrodes 120 and the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be insulated by an insulating layer 170 provided between them. In addition, the first connection parts 124 and the second connection parts 134 may also be insulated by the insulating layer 170 . In this case, the first connection parts 124 may be connected to adjacent first electrode cells 122 through first contact holes CH1 penetrating the insulating layer 170 .

11A and 11B according to an embodiment, the first connectors 124 are shown to be disposed on a lower layer of the layer on which the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 are disposed, but the present invention It is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the first connectors 124 may be disposed on a layer above the layer on which the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 are disposed.

In addition, according to the embodiment, in FIGS. 11A and 11B , the electrode parts 162 are the lower layer of the layer on which the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 are disposed (for example, the first connection parts 124). disposed layer), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode parts 162 may be disposed on the same layer as the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 . For example, the center of the first electrode cells 122 may be opened, and the electrode parts 162 may be disposed inside the opening formed thereby. In this case, the electrode parts 162 and the connection lines 164 are disposed on different layers, and additional contact holes (not shown) for connecting the electrode parts 162 and the connection lines 164 are provided. will be able to form Also, in another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode parts 162 and/or the connection lines 164 may be disposed on a layer above the layer on which the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 are disposed. There will be.

In the above-described embodiment, each electrode part 162 is disposed inside (for example, the central part) of the corresponding first electrode cell 122 . In this case, a separation distance between the driving electrodes 130 and the noise compensating electrodes 160 may be secured to minimize signal interference between the driving electrodes 130 and the noise compensating electrodes 160 .

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode parts 162 and the connection lines 164, the first and second electrode cells 122 and 132 and the first and second connection parts 124 and 134 It may be disposed on another layer different from the layer on which it is disposed. For example, a sensor electrode layer on which the sensing electrodes 120 and driving electrodes 130 are disposed and a noise compensation layer on which the noise detection electrodes 160 are disposed are separated, and the noise compensation layer is separated from the sensor electrode layer and the pixel Display noise may be compensated for and/or shielded by being disposed in an intermediate layer between display pattern layers on which the PXL is disposed.

Meanwhile, according to embodiments, the base substrate 110 serving as a substrate for the sensor unit 100 may be a thin film encapsulation layer of an organic light emitting display panel. In this case, the base substrate 110 may be implemented as a multilayer including at least one organic layer and an inorganic layer, or as a single layer including an organic-inorganic hybrid material. For example, the base substrate 110 may be composed of multiple layers including a plurality of inorganic layers and at least one organic layer interposed between the plurality of inorganic layers. According to an embodiment, in a display device in which the base substrate 110 is implemented as a thin film encapsulation layer of an organic light emitting display panel, sensor patterns constituting the sensor unit 100 are formed on different surfaces of the base substrate 110 and , display patterns constituting the display panel 300 may be disposed. That is, at least one of the sensing electrodes 120, the driving electrodes 130, and the noise compensation electrodes 160 configured in the sensor unit 100 is part of the encapsulation layer covering the pixels PXL of the display panel 300. It can be formed and/or placed directly on one side.

12 shows an example of a cross section of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and particularly shows an embodiment related to an arrangement structure of a sensor unit and a display panel. In describing FIG. 12 , a detailed description of the structure of the sensor unit described above will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 12 , the sensor unit 100 may be directly formed and/or provided on the thin film encapsulation layer 110 of the display panel (eg, organic light emitting display panel) 300 . Accordingly, a sensor-display integrated organic light emitting display panel may be provided. That is, according to the embodiment, the base substrate 110 of the sensor unit 100 described above may be the thin film encapsulation layer 110 of the display panel 300, and therefore, the same reference numerals will be given to them. For convenience, in FIG. 12 , only a light emitting element (eg, an organic light emitting diode) (OLED) and one thin film transistor (TFT) connected thereto are shown among the pixel patterns provided in each pixel area of the display panel 300 . do.

According to an embodiment, the display panel 300 includes a first substrate 330, a light emitting device OLED provided on one surface of the first substrate 330, and pixels PXL including the light emitting device OLED. ) and a thin film encapsulation layer 110 covering at least the display area 301 . Also, according to embodiments, the display panel 300 may further include at least one thin film transistor (TFT) connected to the light emitting element (OLED). Depending on the embodiment, the thin film transistor TFT may be positioned between the first substrate 330 and the light emitting device OLED. In addition, the display panel 300 may further include at least one power line, a signal line, and/or a capacitor, which are not shown.

Depending on the embodiment, the first substrate 330 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and the material is not particularly limited. For example, the first substrate 330 may be a thin film substrate having a flexible property. A buffer layer BFL is provided on one surface of the first substrate 330 . The buffer layer BFL may prevent diffusion of impurities from the first substrate 330 and improve flatness of the first substrate 330 . Depending on the embodiment, the buffer layer (BFL) may be provided as a single layer, but may also be provided as a multilayer of at least two or more layers. Depending on the embodiment, the buffer layer BFL may be an inorganic insulating layer made of an inorganic material. For example, the buffer layer BFL may be formed of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon oxynitride. When the buffer layer BFL is provided in multiple layers, each layer may be formed of the same material or different materials. Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the buffer layer (BFL) may be omitted.

A thin film transistor (TFT) is provided on the buffer layer (BFL). The thin film transistor (TFT) includes an active layer (ACT), a gate electrode (GE), a source electrode (SE), and a drain electrode (DE). According to an embodiment, the active layer ACT is provided on the buffer layer BFL and may be formed of a semiconductor material. For example, the active layer ACT may be a semiconductor pattern made of polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor, and may be made of a semiconductor layer doped with impurities or not doped with impurities. Alternatively, one region of the active layer ACT may not be doped with impurities, and the other region may be doped with impurities.

Depending on the embodiment, a gate insulating layer GI may be provided on the active layer ACT, and a gate electrode GE may be provided on the gate insulating layer GI. In addition, an interlayer insulating layer IL may be provided on the gate electrode GE, and a source electrode SE and a drain electrode DE may be provided on the interlayer insulating layer IL. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be connected to different regions of the active layer ACT by respective second contact holes CH2 penetrating the gate insulating layer GI and the interlayer insulating layer IL. can

According to an embodiment, a passivation layer (PSV) is provided on the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE. The protective layer PSV may planarize a top surface of the thin film transistor TFT while covering it.

According to an embodiment, the light emitting device OLED is provided on the protective layer PSV. The light emitting element OLED may include the first electrode ELT1 and the second electrode ELT2 and the light emitting layer EML interposed between the first and second electrodes ELT1 and ELT2. Depending on the embodiment, the first electrode ELT1 of the light emitting element OLED may be an anode electrode, but is not limited thereto. The first electrode ELT1 of the light emitting element OLED is connected to one electrode, for example, the drain electrode DE, of the thin film transistor TFT through the third contact hole CH3 penetrating the passivation layer PSV. .

A pixel defining layer PDL that partitions each pixel area (or the light emitting area of each pixel) is provided on one surface of the first substrate 330 on which the first electrode ELT1 of the light emitting element OLED is formed. Depending on the exemplary embodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may expose an upper surface of the first electrode ELT1 and may protrude from the first substrate 330 along the circumference of each pixel area.

An emission layer EML is provided in the pixel area surrounded by the pixel defining layer PDL. For example, the light emitting layer EML may be disposed on the exposed surface of the first electrode ELT1. Depending on the embodiment, the light emitting layer EML may have a multilayer thin film structure including at least a light generation layer. For example, the light emitting layer (EML) may include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light generating layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. An electron injection layer may be provided. Depending on the embodiment, the color of light generated from the light emitting layer EML may be one of red, green, blue, and white, but is not limited thereto.

Depending on the embodiment, the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting element OLED may be disposed on the light emitting layer EML. Depending on the embodiment, the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting element OLED may be a cathode electrode, but is not limited thereto.

Depending on the embodiment, a thin film encapsulation layer 110 may be provided on the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting device OLED to cover the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting device OLED. When the display area 301 of the display panel 300 is sealed using the thin film encapsulation layer 110 , the thickness of the display panel 300 may be reduced and flexibility may be secured.

Depending on the embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer 110 may have a multi-layer or single-layer structure. For example, the thin film encapsulation layer 110 includes a first inorganic layer 111 and a second inorganic layer 113 overlapping each other, and an organic layer interposed between the first and second inorganic layers 111 and 113. (112). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer 110 may be implemented as a single layer including an organic-inorganic hybrid material.

Depending on the embodiment, the organic layer 112 may have a greater thickness than the first and second inorganic layers 111 and 113 . For example, the organic layer 112 may have a thickness of approximately 4 μm to 10 μm, and the first and second inorganic layers 111 and 113 may each have a thickness of 8000 Å to 10000 Å.

In the display device according to the above-described embodiment, the display panel 300 is implemented as an organic light emitting display panel having a thin film encapsulation layer 110, and the sensor of the sensor unit 100 on the thin film encapsulation layer 110. Patterns are formed directly. For example, the sensing electrodes 120 , the driving electrodes 130 and/or the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be directly formed on the top surface of the thin film encapsulation layer 110 . In this case, the sensing electrodes 120, the driving electrodes 130, and/or the noise compensation electrodes 160 overlap the pixels PXL with the thin film encapsulation layer 110 interposed therebetween, and the sensor patterns are It is located close to the display patterns provided on the display panel 300, in particular, the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting element OLED.

Accordingly, display noise from the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting device OLED may flow into the sensor patterns. However, in the present invention, as in the above-described embodiments, by supplying the noise compensation signal Scp to the noise compensation electrodes 160 or connecting the noise compensation electrodes 160 to the ground power supply (GND), Display noise can be removed or shielded.

Therefore, as an example, even when a sensor-display integrated panel as shown in FIG. 12 is implemented and the organic film 112 of the thin film encapsulation layer 110 is thinly formed to a thickness of about 10 μm or less, the sensitivity of the touch sensor is reduced. enough can be secured. For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, even if the entire thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 110 is designed to be 10 μm or less, it is possible to sufficiently secure the sensitivity of the touch sensor.

13 to 15 show different embodiments of one area of the sensor unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 , and in particular, different modified embodiments of the embodiment of FIG. 10 . In FIGS. 13 to 15, components similar to or identical to those of FIGS. 4 and 9 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 13 , each electrode unit 162 may be expanded to have a similar or substantially the same area as the corresponding first electrode cell 122 . Depending on the embodiment, the noise compensation electrodes 160 may be disposed on a different layer from the sensing electrodes 120, and may be disposed between the display panel 300 and the sensing electrodes 120, for example. . As in the above-described embodiment, when the electrode portion 162 and the first electrode cell 122 corresponding to each other are formed to have the same size and/or area and overlap them, display noise can be more effectively compensated or shielded. do.

Referring to FIG. 14 , according to an exemplary embodiment, each first electrode cell 122 includes an opening OP provided at an inner side (eg, a central portion), and each electrode portion 162 corresponds to the first opening OP. It may be disposed within the opening OP of the one-electrode cell 122 . In this case, the electrode part 162 may be spaced apart from the first electrode cell 122 on the same layer as the first electrode cell 122 . Alternatively, in another embodiment, the electrode parts 162 and the first electrode cells 122 are disposed on different layers, and each of the electrode parts 162 forms an opening (OP) of any one first electrode cell 122. It may be arranged to overlap with. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the electrode parts 162 and the first electrode cells 122 are disposed on different layers, and each electrode part 162 is disposed in the opening OP of the first electrode cells 122. ) and overlapping dummy patterns (not shown) may be disposed.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the sensing electrodes 120, the driving electrodes 130, and/or the noise compensation electrodes 160 are meshes each including a plurality of conductive fine lines (FL). It may be implemented in the form of an electrode and/or a pattern. For example, at least some of the first electrode cells 122, the first connection parts 124, the second electrode cells 132, the second connection parts 134, the electrode parts 162, and the connection lines 164. may be implemented as electrodes and/or patterns in the form of a mesh, respectively.

That is, in the present invention, the position, shape, and structure of the sensing electrodes 120, the driving electrodes 130, and/or the noise compensation electrodes 160, and the arrangement relationship between them may be variously changed and implemented. . For example, the sensor unit 100 may be designed by comprehensively considering various factors such as visibility characteristics of a display area (sensing area), noise compensation or shielding effect, and/or signal interference.

Although the technical spirit of the present invention has been specifically described according to the foregoing embodiments, it should be noted that the above embodiments are for explanation and not for limitation. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims. In addition, all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: panel unit 20: driving circuit unit
100: sensor unit 101: detection area
102: peripheral area 110: base substrate (thin film encapsulation layer)
120: sensing electrode (first electrode) 122: first electrode cell
124: first connection part 130: driving electrode (third electrode)
132: second electrode cell 134: second connection part
142: first wire 144: second wire
146: third wire 160: noise compensation electrode (second electrode)
162: electrode part 164: connection line
170: insulating film 200: touch driver
210: touch driving circuit 220: sensing circuit
230: compensation signal supply unit 300: display panel
301: display area 302: non-display area
400: display driving unit 410: timing control unit
412: compensation circuit unit 4121: representative value generation unit
4122: compensation signal generator 420: scan driver
430: data driving unit

Claims (7)

a display area and a sensing area overlapping each other;
pixels arranged in the display area;
an encapsulation layer disposed on the pixels;
sensing electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer, overlapping the sensing region, and including first electrode cells including openings and first connection parts connecting the first electrode cells along a first direction;
Drive electrodes including second electrode cells disposed on the encapsulation layer, overlapping the sensing region, and spaced apart from the first electrode cells, and second connectors connecting the second electrode cells along a second direction ;
conductive patterns including a plurality of electrode parts disposed spaced apart from the first electrode cells in the opening of each of the first electrode cells and connection lines connecting at least some of the electrode parts;
wires connected to one end of the conductive patterns adjacent to one edge of the sensing area; and
a driving circuit unit generating a noise compensation signal based on image data of each frame and supplying the noise compensation signal to the conductive patterns through the wiring;
The first connection parts or the second connection parts are disposed on the same layer as the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells,
At least one of the first connection parts, the second connection parts, the first electrode cells, and the second electrode cells is directly disposed on the upper surface of the encapsulation layer. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode parts are spaced apart from each other on the same layer as the first connection part. The display device of claim 2 , wherein the first connection part is disposed on a layer different from that of the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode cells have a shape surrounding each electrode unit. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode cells are disposed between the electrode parts and the second electrode cells when viewed from a plan view. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the opening is disposed at a central portion of each of the first electrode cells. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells are alternately disposed in the sensing area.

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