KR20140040512A - Conductor pattern, touch panel module, and electric device - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch panel includes a pattern formed by arranging multiple pixels continuously in the horizontal direction. The pixel includes a drive electrode cell which comprises a left-wing and a right-wing spaced apart in the horizontal direction and a sensing electrode cell which is arranged between the left-wing and the right-wing with a predetermined gap. The disclosed touch panel has a drive signal service wire between the sensing electrode cell and the right-wing and between the sensing electrode cell and the left-wing to deliver a drive signal to the drive electrode cell.

Description

A conductive pattern, a touch panel module, and an electronic device.

The present invention relates to a pattern of a conductor used in a capacitive touch input device, a touch panel module having such a pattern, and an electronic device using the same.

The touch input device refers to an input device that detects a contact position of a finger or the like on a touch panel and provides information about the sensed contact position as input information. There are many types of touch input devices, and typically there are resistive methods and capacitive methods. The capacitive method is largely divided into a magnetic storage method and a mutual storage method.

The mutual power storage method has an operation pattern and a sensing pattern made of a transparent conductive material, and capacitance may be formed between the two patterns. Moving or touching a finger near these two patterns will change the value of the capacitance formed between the two patterns. Therefore, by measuring whether or not the value of the capacitance formed between the two patterns is changed, it is possible to determine whether or not the finger touches the touch panel. To this end, when an electrical signal is applied to the operation pattern, charge is injected into the sensing pattern. Since the amount of charge injected depends on the capacitance value formed between the two patterns, the change in capacitance can be determined by measuring the amount of charge injected, and as a result, whether or not the touch input has been made can be known.

The present invention provides a technique for approximating the interpolation response profile characteristics in a touch panel including a plurality of sensing electrodes and a plurality of driving electrodes crossing the sensing electrodes in an ideal state.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel including: a driving electrode cell formed of a left-wing and a right-wing spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction; and a driving electrode cell formed between the left-wing and the right- And a plurality of pixels constituted by the sensing electrode cells arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween in the left-right direction. At this time, a driving signal lead line for applying a driving signal to the driving electrode cell is disposed between the sensing electrode cell and the left-wing, and between the sensing electrode cell and the right-wing.

Here, the right-wing of the left driving electrode cell among the two driving electrode cells that are adjacent to the left and right in the touch panel may be integrally formed with the left-wing of the right driving electrode cell.

At this time, the gap may include a left gap existing between the left-wing and the sensing electrode cell, and a right gap existing between the right-wing and the sensing electrode cell. At this time, a driving electrode pull-in line for driving the driving pixel electrode of the first pixel existing in the first column is connected from the left gap in the region except for the driving electrode cell existing at the edge of the touch panel The driving electrode pull line for driving the driving electrode cells of the second pixel adjacent in the vertical direction of the first pixel may be connected from the right gap.

At this time, the driving electrode cell, the sensing electrode cell, and the driving signal lead line may be formed on the same layer.

At this time, the sensing electrode cell may have a rectangular shape extending vertically.

At this time, the sensing electrode cell may have a symmetrical shape.

At this time, the driving electrode cells may be disposed in the leftmost region and the rightmost region of the touch panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel including a first driving electrode cell including a first left-wing and a first right-wing spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction, A first pixel constituted by a first sensing electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the right and wings; A second driving electrode cell composed of a second left-wing and a second right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, and a second driving electrode cell composed of a second driving- electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the second left- A second pixel composed of two sensing electrode cells; A first driving signal pull line for applying a driving signal to the first driving electrode cell between the first sensing electrode cell and the first left-wing or between the first sensing electrode cell and the first right-wing; And a second driving signal input line for applying a driving signal to the second driving electrode cell between the second sensing electrode cell and the second left-wing or between the second sensing electrode cell and the second right- .

A touch panel according to another aspect of the present invention is provided. The touch panel includes a sensing electrode cell consisting of left-wing and right-wing spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction, and a pixel consisting of a driving electrode cell disposed with a predetermined gap between the left-wing and the right-wing. The pattern includes a plurality formed in a row in the horizontal direction. At this time, a driving signal lead line for applying a driving signal to the driving electrode cell is disposed between the driving electrode cell and the left-wing, and between the driving electrode cell and the right-wing.

At this time, the right-wing belonging to the left pixel among the left and right adjacent pixels may be connected to the left-wing belonging to the right pixel to constitute one sensing electrode.

At this time, the gap may include a left gap existing between the left-wing and the driving electrode cell, and a right gap existing between the right-wing and the driving electrode cell. And at least a driving electrode lead line for driving the driving electrode cell of the first pixel in the first column in the region excluding the driving electrode cell existing at the edge of the touch panel from the left gap. The driving electrode lead line for driving the driving electrode cells of the second pixel adjacent in the vertical direction of the first pixel may be connected from the right gap.

It is possible to provide a touch panel exhibiting characteristics similar to ideal interpolation response profile characteristics by the pattern of the sensing electrode and the driving electrode according to the present invention.

1 shows an example of an electronic device including a touch input device.
2A to 2E show the touch panel of FIG. 1 in detail.
3A to 3C are views for explaining a change in capacitance according to a touch input position in the touch panel.
4A shows a layout of a touch panel according to the related art.
FIG. 4B is a more detailed illustration of only the driving signal lead wire groups shown in FIG. 4A.
5A shows a layout of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B shows only the driving signal lead line groups shown in FIG. 5A in detail, FIG. 5C shows a square The box area is shown in detail.
5A shows a layout of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B shows only the driving signal lead line groups shown in FIG. 5A in detail, FIG. 5C shows a square The box area is shown in detail.
6 illustrates the layout of the touch panel 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate examples of shapes of sensing electrodes that can be used in a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which the arrangement of driving signal lead groups shown in Fig. 5B is modified.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining that the pixels defined in FIG. 5 can be defined in different ways. FIG.
10A to 10C are further illustrations for explaining the arrangement of a driving signal lead line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. Also, the singular forms as used below include plural forms unless the phrases expressly have the opposite meaning. The drawings attached hereto are exaggerated or partially exaggerated for ease of explanation, and the scale of each part of the elements shown in the drawings may vary when actual embodiments of the present invention are practiced.

1 illustrates an example of an electronic device using a conductor pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic device 100 can receive an input signal through the touch panel 1. [ The touch panel 1 may be formed to include a substrate having a matrix-shaped electrode pattern formed thereon. The electronic device 100 is configured to output a signal for driving the touch panel 1 and the touch panel 1 configured to transmit a touch input signal and to receive an input signal from the touch panel 1 The touch panel control device 3 receives a touch panel drive signal from the touch panel control device 3 and generates a touch panel drive voltage. The voltage driver 2 receives the touch input signal from the touch panel control device 3 A main processor 4 for executing a program stored in the storage device 5, a storage device 5 for storing one or more programs to be executed in accordance with the touch input signal, A display device 6 may be included. The display device 6 and the touch panel 1 can overlap each other.

The touch panel control device 3 includes a touch sensing unit configured to sense a signal input from the touch panel 1, a panel driving unit configured to generate a touch panel driving signal to transmit an input signal to the touch panel 1, And a touch panel processor adapted to control the touch panel. The touch panel processor may be a reprogrammable processor or a type of processor operated by dedicated logic such as a state machine.

In addition, although not shown, the electronic device 100 may include a RAM or another type of storage device, and may further include other devices such as a watchdog.

FIG. 2A shows the touch panel of FIG. 1 in detail.

The touch panel 1 includes a plurality of transparent electrodes C1 to CM extending in a first direction, for example, a vertical direction, and a plurality of transparent electrodes R1 to RN extending in a second direction, for example, And the like. Here, the first direction and the second direction may be directions perpendicular to each other, but are not limited thereto. Herein, the electrode in the vertical direction may be referred to as a column electrode or the sensing electrode 20 for convenience, and the electrode in the horizontal direction may be referred to as a row electrode or a driving electrode 10). ≪ / RTI > When the sensing electrodes 20 and the driving electrodes 10 are formed on different layers, the sensing electrodes 20 and the driving electrodes 10 may intersect with each other. pixel (15). Alternatively, the sensing electrodes 20 and the driving electrodes 10 may be formed on the same layer, wherein a portion of the driving electrode 10 and a portion of the sensing electrode 20 disposed immediately adjacent to the sensing electrode 20 , An area including the reference point of touch input position detection can be referred to as a pixel 15. [

In each pixel 15, stray capacitance (Cstray), which is an electrostatic capacitance existing between parts of the electronic circuit, wiring, wiring and parts and substrate, may exist. The stray capacitance acts as a condenser in high frequency circuits and pulse circuits, and may affect its operation.

When a voltage is applied to the driving electrode 10, a charge is injected to the sensing electrodes 20 through mutual capacitance Csense at the intersection of the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 . The amount of charge Qsense input to each sensing electrode 20 can be expressed as a product of the first level Vdrive of the driving signal and the mutual capacitance Csense (i.e., Qsense = Vdrive * Csense).

A driving signal such as a pulse train in which the voltage of the first level (Vdrive) and the voltage of the second level (0V) are periodically repeated is applied to one electrode (R1 in Fig. 2A) of the driving electrode 10 . When the specific time period is over, the driving electrode 10 to which the driving signal is inputted can be changed. A DC voltage, for example, a voltage of 0 V, may be applied to the driving electrodes 10 other than the driving electrode 10 to which the driving signal is input.

The touch panel 1 may have a multi-layer structure. The driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 may be formed on different layers or on the same layer. FIGS. 2B and 2C show an example in which the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 are formed on different layers. FIGS. 2D and 2E show an example in which the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 are formed on the same layer . The insulating layer 50 may be provided between the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 so that the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 are not short-circuited. A protective layer 30 may be formed on the sensing electrode 20 and the driving electrode 10. When a voltage is applied to the driving electrode 10, an electric field 510 from the driving electrode 10 to the sensing electrode 20 is formed. The value of the mutual capacitance Csense between the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 can be determined according to the amount of the electric field 510. 2C or 2E, a portion of the electric field 510 emanating from the driving electrode 10 is blocked by the finger 600, so that the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 can vary (Csense? Csense -? Csense).

When the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 are formed on the same layer as shown in FIGS. 2d and 2e, the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 are formed so that the intersection of the driving electrode 10 and the sensing electrode 20 is not short- 10 and the sensing electrode 20 may be provided with an insulator.

3A to 3C are views for explaining a change in capacitance according to a touch input position in the touch panel.

3A shows a touch panel in which eight sensing electrodes C1 to C8 and a total of twelve driving electrodes R1 to R12 are formed for convenience of explanation. In the touch panel of FIG. 3A, it is assumed that the sensing electrode and the driving electrode are formed on different layers. The area of each node where the sensing electrode and each driving electrode intersect is indicated by a square. When touching with a finger, a region that actually blocks the electric field from the driving electrode to the sensing electrode may be modeled as an ellipse or a circle. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the model is circular.

FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the node ([R3, C4]), the node ([R3, C5]), and the node ([R3, C6]) in FIG. The touch input can be made around the point indicated by the index ([-9] to [9]) shown in FIG. 3B. When touch input is made around the points indicated by the index ([-9]), the index ([0]), and the index ([9]), the electric field is cut off by the circular area (A [-9]), Circular region A [0], and circular region A [9].

The x-axis value in FIG. 3C represents the capacitance change value of the node ([R3, C5]), and the + x axis and the -x axis are distances from the center point of the node (R3, C5) . The indices ([-9] to [9]) in FIG. 3C correspond to the indices ([-9] to [9]) in FIG. 3B, respectively. When the touch input is performed around the point indicated by the index ([0]), the electric field on the node ([R3, C5]) is blocked most. When the touch input is made around the point indicated by the index ([-9]) or the index ([9]), the electric field on the node ([R3, C5]) is not blocked. The straight line L-I shown in Fig. 3C shows the change of the ideal capacitance depending on the touch input position, and the curve L-R shows the change of the actual capacitance according to the touch input position. The reason why the straight line L-I is ideal is that the calculation to be performed by the touch input processor can be simplified if the change of the capacitance due to the change of the touch input position satisfies the linearity. D (xn) shown in Fig. 3C represents a difference value between the straight line L-I and the curve L-R at the point xn.

In the present invention, the degree of interpolation suitable for interpolation is defined as Interpolability, which can be obtained by measuring the magnitude of the capacitance change between adjacent two cells according to the distance. Equation (1) quantifies the difference between the ideal interpolation response profile (IRP) and the actual interpolation response profile.

[Equation 1]

According to Equation (1), it can be seen that the larger the Interpolability, the closer to the ideal IRP.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the density of the line (sensing line) of the pattern in the sensing electrode and / or the driving electrode may be designed to be maximized in order to increase the IRP. The density of the sensing line determines the distribution of the fringing cap in one cell node, and the fringing capacitance is proportional to the length of the opposing driving and sensing electrodes.

4A shows a layout of a touch panel according to the related art.

The touch panel 200 according to FIG. 4A has eight columns and eight rows and the sensing electrodes C1 to C8 and the driving electrodes R1 to R8 are arranged in the same first layer . Each column 26 extending upward and downward represents one sensing electrode 20. In the touch panel 200, eight driving electrode cells 11 belonging to the same row are used as the driving electrode cells 11, One driving electrode is formed.

The touch panel 200 has a layout having a left-right symmetrical structure around an imaginary vertical dividing line 19 that divides the touch panel 200 evenly from side to side. A total of 8 * 4 = 32 pixels 151 are present on the left side surface 29 of the vertical dividing line 19. A driving electrode cell 11 is disposed on the left side of each pixel 151, A cell 21 is disposed. In the same way, there are a total of 8 * 4 = 32 pixels 152 on the right side surface 39 of the vertical dividing line 19. A sensing electrode cell 21 is disposed on the left side of each pixel 152, A cell 11 is disposed. Here, the sensing electrode cells 21 belonging to the same sensing electrode are vertically connected.

On the other hand, the same driving signal must be input to one driving electrode at a specific time. To this end, the same electrical signal must be input to all the driving electrode cells constituting one driving electrode. However, each of the driving electrode cells 11 of the touch panel 200 are vertically and horizontally spaced apart from each other. Therefore, eight driving electrode cells 11 forming each driving electrode, for example, eight driving electrode cells 11 forming the driving electrode R2, must be electrically connected to each other. However, the eight driving electrode cells belonging to each driving electrode can not be directly connected to the left and right on the above-mentioned first layer because of the sensing electrode arranged to extend vertically. Accordingly, in order to input the same electrical signal to the eight driving electrode cells constituting one driving electrode, the driving signal lead wire groups 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 and 260 are connected to the sensing electrodes C1, C2, C3, C6, C7, and C8.

The driving signal leader groups 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, and 260 may be disposed between the sensing electrode and the pattern of the driving electrode, thereby affecting the performance of the touch input sensing. Therefore, it is important to appropriately adjust the shape and size of the space occupied by the drive signal lead wire groups 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 and 260.

On the other hand, the driving signal input lines for inputting the driving signals to the 28 driving electrode cells 11 arranged outermost among the 8 * 8 = 64 driving electrode cells 11 shown in FIG. 4A, It can be easily understood through the layout of Fig. 4A that it is not necessary to be disposed between the patterns of the driving electrodes. Therefore, in this specification, for convenience of explanation, it is not shown how separate driving signal lead lines for inputting driving signals to the above-mentioned 28 outermost driving electrode cells 11 are arranged. For example, these separate drive signal imprints may or may not be included in the drive signal lead group 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 described above.

FIG. 4B is a more detailed illustration of only the driving signal lead wire groups shown in FIG. 4A.

The drive signal lead wire group 210, the drive signal lead wire group 220, the drive signal lead wire group 230, the drive signal lead wire group 240, the drive signal lead wire group 250, and the drive signal lead wire group 260, The lead wires 211 to 216, the lead wires 221 to 226, the lead wires 231 to 236, the lead wires 241 to 246, the lead wires 251 to 256 and the lead wires 261 to 266. At this time, the lead wires 211, 221, 231, 241, 251 and 261 are electrically connected to each other and the lead wires 212, 222, 232, 242, 252 and 262 are electrically connected to each other, The lead wires 214, 224, 234, 244, 254, and 264 are electrically connected to each other and the lead wires 215, 225, 235, 245, and 245 are electrically connected to each other. 255 and 265 are electrically connected to each other and the lead wires 216, 226, 236, 246, 256 and 266 are electrically connected to each other. In addition, among the eight driving electrode cells constituting the specific driving electrode, the leftmost and rightmost driving electrode cells are electrically connected to the lead lines connected to the six driving electrode cells therebetween. Therefore, eight driving electrode cells constituting any one of the driving electrodes R1 to R6 can always have the same potential.

The area occupied by the driving signal lead wire groups 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, and 260 may serve as a kind of dead zone for touch input sensing. The reason can be explained using, for example, the case where the driving electrode R2 is driven. At this time, a driving signal is applied to the lead line 216, but all of the lead lines 211 to 215 are connected to a specific potential, for example, a reference potential. A part of the electric force lines extending from the driving electrode cell 11 connected to the lead line 216 is converged on the lead lines 211 to 215. As a result, the electric force line to converge to the sensing electrode is reduced, The performance may deteriorate. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for reducing the area occupied by the driving signal lead wire groups 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, and 260 in the touch panel, and minimizing the influence thereof.

In addition, although the interpolation response profile shown in FIG. 3C shows a bilaterally symmetrical shape, this profile is mainly used when the driving electrode cell included in each pixel of the touch panel has a symmetrical pattern with respect to the vertical center axis of the sensing electrode . However, when the driving electrode and the sensing electrode are disposed on a single layer like the touch panel 200 shown in FIG. 4A, a driving electrode cell included in a certain pixel has a left-right asymmetric pattern around the vertical center axis of the sensing electrode It is difficult to have a symmetrical profile like the interpolation response profile shown in Fig. 3C. If the interpolation response profile is asymmetric, the uniformity of touch input sensing may be degraded.

Hereinafter, a layout of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

5A shows a layout of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B shows only the driving signal lead line groups shown in FIG. 5A in detail, FIG. 5C shows a square The box area is shown in detail.

The touch panel 300 according to FIG. 5A has an eight column * 8 row structure and the sensing electrodes C1 to C8 and the driving electrodes R1 to R8 are arranged in the same first layer. Each column 26 extending up and down represents one sensing electrode. The sensing electrode may be divided into a plurality of sensing electrode cells 21, and one sensing electrode may be formed by connecting a plurality of sensing electrode cells 21 up and down. In Fig. 5A, a portion indicated by a dotted box in the form of a square box represents one pixel 15. Fig.

The driving electrode of the touch panel 300 according to FIG. 5A includes 8 * 9 = 72 driving electrode parts 123. At this time, one driving electrode is formed by nine driving electrode parts arranged along the horizontal direction. Each drive electrode part is spaced apart from each other and disposed on the same first layer as the sensing electrodes C1 to C8. Therefore, it is difficult to connect the plurality of driving electrode parts constituting one driving electrode directly to each other horizontally on the first layer, like the touch panel 200 according to FIG. 4A.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the touch panel 300 according to FIG. 5A, a driving signal for providing a driving signal to a plurality of driving electrode parts is provided between two adjacent sensing electrodes (for example, C2 and C3) The lead line groups 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, and 370 may be disposed. (Driving electrode parts labeled 'B') of the driving electrode parts 123 (outermost driving electrode parts 123) of the 8 * 9 = 72 driving electrode parts 123 shown in FIG. 5A, It can be easily understood through the layout of FIG. 5A that there is no need to include separate drive signal imprints for inputting the driving signal impulse lines 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, . Therefore, in this specification, for convenience of description, it is not shown how separate driving signal lead lines for inputting the driving signal to the above-mentioned thirty driving electrode parts 123 arranged outermost are arranged. For example, these separate drive signal imprints may or may not be included in the drive signal impeller group 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, and 370 described above.

5B is a more detailed illustration of only the driving signal lead wire groups shown in FIG. 5A.

The drive signal lead wire group 310, the drive signal lead wire group 320, the drive signal lead wire group 330, the drive signal lead wire group 340, the drive signal lead wire group 350, the drive signal lead wire group 360, The signal lead line group 370 includes lead wires 311 to 316, lead wires 321 to 326, lead wires 331 to 336, lead wires 341 to 346, lead wires 351 to 356, lead wires 361 to 366, And lead-in lines 371 to 376. At this time, the lead wires 311, 321, 331, 341, 351, 361, and 371 are electrically connected to each other and the lead wires 312, 322, 332, 342, 352, 362, and 372 are electrically connected to each other, The lead wires 313, 323, 333, 343, 353, 363 and 373 are electrically connected to each other and the lead wires 314, 324, 334, 344, 354, 364 and 374 are electrically connected to each other, And the lead wires 316, 326, 336, 346, 356, 366, 376 are electrically connected to each other. The leftmost and rightmost driving electrode parts of the driving electrode parts 123 constituting the specific driving electrode are electrically connected to the lead wires connected to the seven driving electrode parts therebetween. Therefore, the nine driving electrode parts constituting any of the driving electrodes R1 to R6 can always have the same potential.

5A and 5C, a portion indicated by a dotted box in the form of a square box represents one pixel 15, which is formed by the left-wing 111 and the right-wing 112 included in the pixel 15 One driving electrode cell 11 is formed. In the touch panel 300, one driving electrode is formed by eight driving electrode cells 11 belonging to the same row.

As described above, the touch panel 300 of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5A is composed of 8 * 8 = 64 pixels 15 in total. Each pixel 15 includes a sensing electrode cell 21 disposed with a predetermined gap between the left-wing 111, the right-wing 112, and the left-wing 111 and the right- Lt; / RTI > At this time, one driving electrode cell 11 is composed of one left-wing 111 and one right-wing 112. According to the structure of the touch panel 300 shown in FIG. 5A, the pixels 15 are different from the touch panel 200 according to FIG. 4A in that the pixels 15 have symmetrical structures in the left and right.

According to the structure of the touch panel 300 shown in FIG. 5A, the right-wing 112 belonging to the left pixel 153 among the two pixels 153 and 154 adjacent to the left and right sides is a left- And may be formed integrally with the wing 111.

The driving signal lead-in lines may be arranged along the outer periphery of the touch panel 300. In this case, when the sensing electrodes are disposed at the leftmost and rightmost sides of the touch panel 300, the driving voltage applied to the driving signal input lines disposed at the outer periphery of the touch panel 300 may be affected by the driving voltage. A detection error may occur. Therefore, as in the case of the touch panel 300 shown in FIG. 5A, the driving electrodes other than the sensing electrodes may be disposed on the leftmost and rightmost sides of the touch panel 300. [

5C, since the driving electrode cell 11 included in one pixel has a symmetrical structure with respect to the vertical center line of the sensing electrode cell 21 included in one pixel, the above-described interpolation response profile It can be made close to the symmetrical shape.

6 illustrates the layout of the touch panel 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The touch panel 400 shown in FIG. 6 is a modified embodiment of the touch panel 300 shown in FIG. 5A. The sensing electrode 20 of the touch panel 400 shown in Fig. 6 has a structure in which a branch 23 is formed at a predetermined interval in a sensing electrode having a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction as shown in the touch panel 300 shown in Fig. different. In addition, the shape of the driving signal lead group and the shape of the driving electrode 10 are different from the edge shape of the sensing electrode 20.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate examples of shapes of sensing electrodes that can be used in a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B show a sensing electrode used in the touch panel shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, and FIG. 7C shows a shape of a sensing electrode used in a touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention . It is apparent that the sensing electrode may be provided in various forms according to the embodiment, and the shapes of the driving signal impression line groups and the shape of the driving electrode 10 may be modified according to the shape of the edge of the sensing electrode. The scope of right of the present invention is not limited by the shape of the sensing electrode.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the arrangement of the driving signal leader groups shown in FIG. 5B is modified. Resistors are present in the drive signal lead-in lines 311 to 316, 321 to 326, 331 to 336, 341 to 346, 351 to 356, 361 to 366, and 371 to 376 shown in Figs. 5B and 8. In this case, when the length of the driving signal impulse line sequentially increases as the driving signal is lowered to the lower driving electrode R 1 → R 8 as shown in FIG. 5B, the driving signal impulses 311 and 312 existing at the left side of the driving signal impulse line group 310 And 313 and the sum of the resistance values of the driving signal lead lines 314, 315, and 316 present on the right side are large. However, as shown in FIG. 8, it can be easily understood that such a problem can be alleviated in the case of constructing such that the length of the drive signal lead line in one drive signal lead line group increases alternately to the left and right. 8, the sum of the resistance values of the driving signal lead lines 311, 312, and 313 located at the left side of the driving signal lead line group 310 and the sum of the resistance values of the driving signal lead lines 314, 315, ) Is smaller than that of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining that the pixels defined in FIG. 5 can be defined in different ways. FIG.

FIG. 9A has the same layout as FIG. 5A, but the boundaries of the pixels 16 are defined differently. That is, as can be seen in FIG. 9B, one pixel 16 shown in a dotted box form includes left-wing 21L and right-wing 21R spaced apart from each other. The left-wing 21L and the right-wing 21R belong to different sensing electrodes 21, respectively. A driving electrode 11 is disposed between the left-wing 21L and the right-wing 21R. A driving electrode lead line may be disposed between the driving electrode 11 and the left-wing 21L and between the driving electrode 11 and the right-wing 21R.

The touch panel 300 shown in FIG. 9A may be understood to include a structure in which the pixels 16 defined as shown in FIG. 9B are arranged vertically and horizontally.

FIG. 10A is another diagram illustrating the arrangement of a driving signal impulse line of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although FIG. 5A does not show drive signal input lines for thirty drive electrode parts 123 (drive electrode parts labeled 'B') disposed on the outermost side of the touch panel 300, 411 to 416, 420 and 427, respectively. The drive signal input lines 411 to 416 receive the same drive signals as the drive signal lead lines 311 to 317 shown in FIG. 5A, respectively. The driving signal input line 420 and the driving signal input line 427 are adapted to receive driving signals for the driving electrodes located at the uppermost and lower sides of the touch panel 300, respectively. However, in other embodiments, it can be easily understood that the driving signal lead-in lines 411 to 416, 420 and 427 may be arranged to be disposed between the sensing electrode cell and the driving electrode cell existing on the left or right side of the sensing electrode.

FIG. 10B is a view for explaining the arrangement of a driving signal lead line of a touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. The driving electrode lead line connected to a total of eight rows may be formed four on the left side and four on the right side of each of the transparent electrodes C1 to C8 formed by extending in the longitudinal direction. The driving electrode lead lines connected to the driving electrode parts formed at the leftmost R1 to R4 are formed extending from the leftmost side of the touch panel layout and the driving electrode lead lines connected to the driving electrode parts formed at the rightmost R5 to R8 are touch And may extend from the rightmost side of the panel layout.

10C is a view for explaining the arrangement of a driving signal impulse line of a touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. 10C is similar to FIG. 10B except that the driving electrode lead lines connected to the driving electrode parts formed at the leftmost R1 through R4 extend from the right side of each driving electrode part, and the driving electrode parts formed at the rightmost R5- The driving electrode lead line connected to the driving electrode part can be formed extending from the left side of each driving electrode part.

The patterns of the driving electrode lead lines shown in Figs. 10A to 10C include the same pattern as shown in Fig. 5B. However, it can be easily understood that the pattern of the driving electrode lead line shown in Figs. 10A to 10C can be changed in a manner including the same pattern as shown in Fig.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 5A to 5C.

The touch panel 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a driving electrode cell 11 including a left-wing 111 and a right-wing 112 spaced apart in the left-right direction, and a left- And a sensing electrode cell 21 having a predetermined gap between the right-hand side wing 112 and the right-hand side wing 112, and a plurality of pixels 15 arranged in the left-right direction. At this time, a driving signal input line (not shown) for applying a driving signal to the driving electrode cell 11 is provided between the sensing electrode cell 21 and the left-wing 111 and between the sensing electrode cell 21 and the right- 334, 335, 336, 341, 342, and 343 are disposed.

At this time, the gap is formed between the left gap GL existing between the left-wing 111 and the sensing electrode cell 21 and the right gap GR existing between the right-wing 112 and the sensing electrode cell 21, And a driving electrode for driving a driving electrode cell of a first pixel existing in a first column in a region excluding a driving electrode cell B existing at an edge of the touch panel 300, A driving electrode lead line for driving the driving electrode cells of the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the vertical direction of the first pixel may be connected from the right gap GR (see FIG. 8).

At this time, the right-wing 112 belonging to the left driving electrode cell among the two driving electrode cells belonging to the two pixels 153 and 154 adjacent to the right and left in the touch panel 300 is positioned at the left side -Wing (111) and may be integrally formed. However, in other embodiments, the right-wing 112 of the left driving electrode cell may be separated from the left-wing 111 of the right driving electrode cell (not shown).

The driving electrode cell 11, the sensing electrode cell 21, and the driving signal lead-in lines 334 to 336 and 341 to 343 are formed on the same layer.

The sensing electrode cell 21 may have a rectangular shape extending in the up-and-down direction (FIG. 7A), or a symmetrical shape (FIGS. 7B and 7C).

The driving electrode cell 11 may be disposed in the leftmost region B and the rightmost region B of the touch panel 300.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described from a different point of view with reference to Figs. 5A to 5C.

The touch panel 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first driving electrode cell including a first left-wing and a first right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, And a first pixel 153 composed of a first sensing electrode cell disposed with a predetermined gap between the first right-hand and wing. Further, a second driving electrode cell composed of a second left-wing and a second right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction and a second driving electrode cell having a predetermined gap between the second left-wing and the second right- And a second pixel 154 composed of a second sensing electrode cell. And a first driving signal input line for applying a driving signal to the first driving electrode cell between the first sensing electrode cell and the first left-wing or between the first sensing electrode cell and the first right- (334, 335, 336, 341, 342, or 343). A second driving signal for applying a driving signal to the second driving electrode cell between the second sensing electrode cell and the second left-wing or between the second sensing electrode cell and the second right-wing, And may include lead wires 344, 345, 346, 351, 352, or 353.

Hereinafter, a touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The touch panel 300 includes a sensing electrode cell 21 formed of a left-wing 21L and a right-wing 21R spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and a sensing electrode cell 21 including a left-wing 21L and a right- And a driving electrode cell 11 arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween. The plurality of pixels 16 are arranged in the left-right direction. At this time, between the driving electrode cell 11 and the left-wing 21L, and between the driving electrode cell 11 and the right-wing 21R, a driving signal input line 333 are disposed. At this time, the left-wing 21L and the right-wing 21R constitute a part of different sensing electrode cells.

At this time, the right-wing 21R belonging to the left pixel among the two pixels that are adjacent to the left and right in the touch panel 300 may be formed integrally with the left-wing 21L belonging to the right pixel. The right-wing 21R belonging to the left pixel and the left-wing 21L belonging to the right pixel thus formed constitute one sensing electrode cell.

At this time, the gap is formed between the left gap GL existing between the left-wing 21L and the driving electrode cell 11 and the right gap GR existing between the right-wing 21R and the driving electrode cell 11, And a driving electrode for driving a driving electrode cell of a first pixel existing in a first column in an area excluding a driving electrode cell B existing at an edge of the touch panel 300, A driving electrode lead line for driving the driving electrode cells of the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the vertical direction of the first pixel may be connected from the right gap GR (see FIG. 8).

Embodiment in which the driving electrode and the sensing electrode are changed from each other

In the touch panels shown in Figs. 1 to 10, rectangular electrodes arranged in the form of 8 * 8 or 8 * 9 matrix are defined as driving electrodes, and they are extended in the longitudinal direction and eight The electrode was defined as the sensing electrode. However, in another embodiment, a rectangular electrode arranged in the form of an 8 * 8 or 8 * 9 matrix may be defined as a sensing electrode, and an electrode extending in the longitudinal direction and having eight electrodes arranged in the right and left directions may be defined as a driving electrode . In this case, it can be understood that the upper, lower, left, and right scales of the elongated electrodes in the square and / or the top and bottom can be adjusted to be optimized. In addition, a component referred to as a 'driving electrode lead line' in FIGS. 1 to 10 may be referred to as a 'sensing electrode lead line'.

Another embodiment of the present invention can be described with reference to FIG. 5C. The touch panel includes a sensing electrode cell 11 composed of a left-wing 111 and a right-wing 112 separated from each other in the left-right direction, and a sensing electrode cell 11 formed between the left-wing 111 and the right- And a plurality of pixels 15 constituted by driving electrode cells 21 arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween in the left-right direction. At this time, a sensing signal for drawing out a signal sensed by the sensing electrode cell 11 between the driving electrode cell 21 and the left-wing 111 and between the driving electrode cell 21 and the right- Lines 334 to 336 and 341 to 343 may be arranged.

Alternatively, another embodiment of the present invention like this can be described with reference to FIG. 9B. The touch panel includes a driving electrode cell 21 constituted by a left-wing 21L and a right-wing 21R spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and a driving electrode cell 21 including a left-wing 21L and a right- And a plurality of pixels 16 formed by the sensing electrode cells 11 arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween in the left-right direction. At this time, a sensing signal for drawing out a signal sensed by the sensing electrode cell 11 is applied between the sensing electrode cell 11 and the left-wing 21L and between the sensing electrode cell 11 and the right-wing 21R. Lines 331 to 336 may be disposed.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. .

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and that the true scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof, .

111, 21L: left-wing
112, 21R: right-wing
11: driving electrode cell (or sensing electrode cell)
21: sensing electrode cell (or driving electrode cell)
15, 16: pixel
123: Driving Electrode Part
311 to 316, 321 to 326, 331 to 336, 341 to 346, 351 to 356, 361 to 366, 371 to 376:

Claims (13)

A driving electrode cell composed of left-wing and right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, and a sensing electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the left-wing and the right- A touch panel comprising a plurality of patterns formed in a continuous arrangement,
A driving signal lead line for applying a driving signal to the driving electrode cell is disposed between the sensing electrode cell and the left wing and between the sensing electrode cell and the right wing;
Touch panel. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the right-wing belonging to a left pixel among the two pixels horizontally adjacent in the touch panel is integrally formed with the left-wing belonging to a right pixel. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the gap includes a left gap existing between the left-wing and the sensing electrode cell, and a right gap existing between the right-wing and the sensing electrode cell,
When a driving electrode lead line for driving a driving electrode cell of a first pixel existing in a first column is connected from the left gap in an area except for a driving electrode cell existing at an edge of the touch panel, And a driving electrode lead line for driving the driving electrode cell of the second pixel adjacent in the vertical direction of the first pixel is connected from the right gap,
Touch panel. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein the driving electrode cell, the sensing electrode cell, and the driving signal lead line are formed on the same layer. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein the sensing electrode cell has a rectangular shape extending in a vertical direction. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein the sensing electrode cell has a symmetrical shape. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the driving electrode cells are arranged in the leftmost region and the rightmost region of the touch panel. A first driving electrode cell composed of a first left-wing and a first right-wing spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and a second driving electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the first left-wing and the first right- A first pixel consisting of one sensing electrode cell;
A second driving electrode cell composed of a second left-wing and a second right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, and a second driving electrode cell composed of a second driving- electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the second left- A second pixel composed of two sensing electrode cells;
A first driving signal pull line for applying a driving signal to the first driving electrode cell between the first sensing electrode cell and the first left-wing or between the first sensing electrode cell and the first right-wing; And
A second drive signal input line for applying a drive signal to the second drive electrode cell between the second sensing electrode cell and the second left-wing or between the second sensing electrode cell and the second right-
/ RTI >
Touch panel. A sensing electrode consisting of a left-wing and a right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, and a driving electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the left-wing and the right- A touch panel comprising a plurality of patterns formed in a continuous arrangement,
A drive signal lead line for applying a drive signal to the drive electrode cell is disposed between the drive electrode cell and the left wing and between the drive electrode cell and the right wing;
Touch panel. The touch panel as set forth in claim 9, wherein the right-wing belonging to the left pixel of the two left and right adjacent pixels is connected to the left wing belonging to the right pixel to form one sensing electrode. 10. The method of claim 9,
The gap includes a left gap existing between the left wing and the driving electrode cell, and a right gap existing between the right wing and the driving electrode cell.
When a driving electrode lead line for driving a driving electrode cell of a first pixel existing in a first column is connected from the left gap in an area except for a driving electrode cell existing at an edge of the touch panel, And a driving electrode lead line for driving the driving electrode cell of the second pixel adjacent in the vertical direction of the first pixel is connected from the right gap,
Touch panel. A sensing electrode consisting of a left-wing and a right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, and a driving electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the left-wing and the right- A touch panel comprising a plurality of patterns formed in a continuous arrangement,
A detection signal leader line is arranged between the driving electrode cell and the left-wing and between the driving electrode cell and the right-wing to detect a signal detected by the sensing electrode cell.
Touch panel. A driving electrode cell composed of left-wing and right-wing spaced from each other in the left-right direction, and a sensing electrode cell arranged with a predetermined gap between the left-wing and the right- A touch panel comprising a plurality of patterns formed in a continuous arrangement,
A detection signal leader line is arranged between the sensing electrode cell and the left-wing and between the sensing electrode cell and the right-wing, for sensing a signal detected by the sensing electrode cell.
Touch panel.

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