KR20170127991A - Touch screen device and its driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of recognizing a real position of a touch pen without an error even when the touch pen contacts to a touch screen in a tilted state, and a driving method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the touch screen device comprises: a display panel having multiple touch electrodes; a touch driving circuit applying a touch electrode driving signal to the multiple touch electrodes; and the touch pen receiving the touch electrode driving signal from the touch electrode, responding to the received touch electrode driving signal to transmit a pen output signal to the display panel, and transmitting a reversed output signal having the same amplitude with the pen output signal and a phase reversed 180 degrees.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a touch screen device,

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a touch screen device and a driving method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Flat panel displays for displaying images using digital data include a liquid crystal display (LCD) using liquid crystal, a plasma display panel (PDP) using an inert gas discharge, an organic light emitting diode An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, and the like.

In recent years, a touch screen device having a touch panel added to a flat panel display device as described above has been mass-produced. Examples thereof include a smart phone and a smart book. Such a touch screen device is configured to be capable of handwriting or drawing using a touch pen as well as a human touch using a finger. The touch input using the touch pen has more advantages than the human touch, so it is easy to draw detailed drawings and write.

The touch pen receives a touch electrode driving signal DR applied to a plurality of touch electrodes provided on a touch screen, and transmits a pen output signal to the touch screen in response to the received touch electrode driving signal DR. The touch pen transmits a pen output signal to the touch screen through a conductive tip partially protruding to one side of the housing.

When the touch pen touches the touch screen vertically, the pen output signal is accurately transmitted to the touch electrode at a position where the touch pen touches the touch screen. However, when the touch pen touches the touch screen in a state tilted obliquely, a pen output signal is transmitted not only to a position where the touch pen touches the touch screen but also to a touch electrode in a direction in which the touch pen tilts. Accordingly, in the touch screen, there is a problem that the position of the touch pen tilts toward the direction in which the touch pen tilts, rather than the position actually touched by the touch pen.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide a touch screen device and a method of driving the touch screen device capable of recognizing a contact position of a touch pen with no error even when the touch pen is tilted at an oblique angle to the touch screen.

A touch screen device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel having a plurality of touch electrodes, a touch driving circuit for applying a touch electrode driving signal to a plurality of touch electrodes, And a touch pen for transmitting a pen output signal to the display panel in response to the electrode driving signal and transmitting an inverted output signal having the same amplitude as the pen output signal and inverted in phase by 180 °.

The touch pen of the touch screen device according to the embodiment of the present invention can transmit an inversion output signal in the head cap disposed on the side of the conductive tip to cancel the pen output signal transmitted to the side of the conductive tip. Accordingly, the touch screen device according to the embodiment of the present invention can transmit the pen output signal only to the touch electrode provided at the position where the conductive tip contacts the touch screen, thereby accurately detecting the contact position of the touch pen on the touch screen And even when the touch pen is tilted at an angle to the touch screen, the position actually touched by the touch pen can be recognized without any error.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch screen device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a display panel and a control unit of the touch screen device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a waveform diagram illustrating time division driving of a display panel in a touch screen apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are block diagrams illustrating a touch screen and a touch control unit of the touch screen device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a modification of the touch screen shown in Fig. 4A.
6 is a graph showing the intensity of a pen output signal transmitted to a touch electrode of a conventional display panel.
7 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of the touch pen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a waveform diagram showing a touch electrode driving signal, a synchronization signal, a pen output signal, and an inverted output signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a touch pen according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a waveform diagram showing a touch electrode driving signal, a synchronization signal, a pen output signal, and an inverted output signal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the touch pen according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a graph illustrating the intensity of a pen output signal transmitted to a touch electrode of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a flowchart of a method of driving a touch screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like disclosed in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, and thus the present invention is not limited thereto. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Where the terms "comprises," "having," "consisting of," and the like are used in this specification, other portions may be added as long as "only" is not used. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, including the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In interpreting the constituent elements, it is construed to include the error range even if there is no separate description.

In the case of a description of the positional relationship, for example, if the positional relationship between two parts is described as 'on', 'on top', 'under', and 'next to' Or " direct " is not used, one or more other portions may be located between the two portions.

In the case of a description of a temporal relationship, for example, if the temporal relationship is described by 'after', 'after', 'after', 'before', etc., May not be continuous unless they are not used.

The first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

The terms "X-axis direction "," Y-axis direction ", and "Z-axis direction" should not be construed solely by the geometric relationship in which the relationship between them is vertical, It may mean having directionality.

It should be understood that the term "at least one" includes all possible combinations from one or more related items. For example, the meaning of "at least one of the first item, the second item and the third item" means not only the first item, the second item or the third item, but also the second item and the second item among the first item, May refer to any combination of items that may be presented from more than one.

It is to be understood that each of the features of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or combined with each other, partially or wholly, technically various interlocking and driving, and that the embodiments may be practiced independently of each other, It is possible.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the touch screen device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch screen device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the touch screen device of the present invention includes a display panel 200 serving as a display function and a touch detection function, and a touch pen 100 performing a touch detection function by contacting a specific area.

The display panel 200 is also capable of touch detection by a finger as well as the touch pen 100. The display panel 200 has a built-in capacitive touch screen inside. The touch screen may be in the form of a touch electrode (or a touch wiring) having an independent configuration on a glass substrate. In addition, the touch screen may be implemented in an in-cell manner having a connection wiring connected to the touch electrode and the touch electrode in the same process as forming the pixel array provided for display on the display panel 200. [ In the case of the in-cell method, the supporting substrate can be omitted, and the completed display panel 200 has approximately the same thickness and weight as the thickness and weight of the display panel having the original screen display function.

Meanwhile, the display panel 200 may be a liquid crystal panel, a field emission display panel, a plasma display panel, an organic light emitting diode display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, and the like. When the display panel 200 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel, the touch electrodes constituting the touch screen may be simultaneously formed in the process of forming the wiring of the display panel 200.

The embodiment of the present invention uses the conductive tip 110 of the touch pen 100 as a medium for receiving the touch electrode driving signal DR of the touch screen. The conductive tip 110 is used as a medium for transmitting the pen output signal TX generated in the touch pen 100. The touch pen 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention synchronously outputs the pen output signal TX based on the touch electrode driving signal DR of the received touch screen.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention can accurately detect whether or not the pen touches the driving section of the touch screen, so that the accuracy of the touch detection can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to implement a high-sensitivity input pen. Further, the linearity of the touch detection can be maintained, and the touch performance can be improved. Further, even if a separate electrode for driving the touch pen 100 is not added on the display panel, high sensitivity of the touch sensing can be maintained and the structure can be simplified.

The touch pen 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. FIG.

2 is a block diagram showing a display panel 200 of the touch screen apparatus of the present invention and its control unit.

2, the display panel 200 of the touch screen device of the present invention is connected to the gate drive circuits 26 and 20 and the data drive circuit 24, which are pixel array drive circuits. The display panel 200 is connected to the touch driving circuit 300, which is a touch screen driving circuit. The pixel array driving circuit and the touch screen driving circuit are all connected to the timing controller 22, and they can be housed in a single module (not shown).

When the display panel 200 is a liquid crystal panel, it includes a liquid crystal layer formed between two substrates. The substrates may be made of a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, a film substrate, or the like. The pixel array formed on the lower substrate of the display panel 200 includes data lines, gate lines crossing the data lines, and pixels arranged in a matrix form. The pixel array includes a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) formed at intersections of data lines and gate lines, pixel electrodes for charging data voltages to the pixels, pixel electrodes connected to the pixel electrodes, And a storage capacitor for holding the capacitor.

The pixels of the display panel 200 are formed in a pixel region defined by the data lines D1 to Dm and the gate lines G1 to Gn and arranged in a matrix form. Each liquid crystal cell of the pixels adjusts the amount of incident light to be transmitted according to the voltage difference between the data voltage applied to the pixel electrode and the common voltage applied to the common electrode. The thin film transistors are turned on in response to a gate pulse from the gate line to supply a voltage from the data lines D1 to Dm to the pixel electrodes of the liquid crystal cell. The common electrode may be formed on the lower substrate or the upper substrate.

The upper substrate of the display panel 200 may include a black matrix, a color filter, and the like. On the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the display panel 200, a polarizing plate is attached, and an alignment film for forming a pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal on the inner surface in contact with the liquid crystal is formed. A spacer for maintaining the cell gap of the liquid crystal cell is formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the display panel 200.

The display panel 200 may be implemented by any known liquid crystal mode such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, IPS (In Plane Switching) mode, FFS (Fringe Field Switching)

On the other hand, a backlight unit may be selectively disposed on the back surface of the display panel 200. [ The backlight unit is implemented as an edge type or direct type backlight unit to irradiate the display panel 200 with light.

The data driving circuit 24 converts the digital video data RGB input from the timing controller 22 into an analog positive / negative gamma compensation voltage to generate a data voltage. The data driving circuit 24 supplies the data voltage to the data lines under the control of the timing controller 22, and reverses the polarity of the data voltage.

The gate driving circuits 26 and 30 sequentially supply gate pulses (or scan pulses) synchronized with the data voltages to the gate lines to select the lines of the display panel 200 in which the data voltages are written. The gate driving circuits 26 and 30 include a level shifter 26 and a shift register 30. The shift register 30 may be formed directly on the substrate of the display panel 200 in a gate in panel (GIP) manner.

The level shifter 26 may be formed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 20 electrically connected to the lower substrate of the display panel 200. The level shifter 26 outputs clock signals swinging between the gate high voltage VGH and the gate low voltage VGL under the control of the timing controller 22. The gate high voltage VGH is set to a voltage equal to or higher than the threshold voltage of the thin film transistor formed in the pixel array of the display panel 200. [ The gate low voltage VGL is set to a voltage lower than the threshold voltage of the TFT formed in the pixel array of the display panel 200. [ The level shifter 26 receives the gate high voltage VGH and the gate low voltage VGL in response to the start pulse ST, the first clock GCLK and the second clock MCLK input from the timing controller 22, And outputs a start pulse VST and a clock signal CLK swinging between the start pulse VST and the clock signal CLK. The clock signals CLK output from the level shifter 26 are sequentially shifted in phase and transferred to the shift register 30 formed on the display panel 200. [

The shift register 30 starts to operate in response to the start pulse VST input from the level shifter 26 and shifts the output in response to the clock signals CLK, And sequentially supplies pulses.

The timing controller 22 supplies digital video data (RGB) input from an external host system to integrated circuits (ICs) of the data driving circuit 24. The timing controller 22 receives a timing signal such as a vertical synchronizing signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, a data enable signal DE and a clock input from an external host system, 24 and the gate driving circuits 26, 30, respectively. The timing controller 22 or the host system generates a synchronization signal SYNC for controlling the operation timing of the pixel array driving circuit and the touch driving circuit 300.

The touch driving circuit 300 applies a touch electrode driving signal DR to the touch electrodes (or wirings), counts a rising or falling edge delay time of the driving signal voltage before and after the touch, sensing the capacitance change, do. The touch driving circuit 300 converts the sensing data received from the capacitance of the touch screen into digital data and outputs touch raw data. Then, the touch-driving circuit 300 analyzes the touch row data by executing a preset touch recognition algorithm to detect touch (or proximity) input.

3 is a waveform diagram illustrating time division driving of a display panel in a touch screen device of the present invention.

3, the display panel 200 and the touch screen may be time-division-driven. That is, one frame period can be divided into a pixel array driving period T1 and a touch screen driving period T2.

"Vsync" is a first vertical synchronizing signal inputted to the timing controller 22, and "SYNC" is a second vertical synchronizing signal inputted to the touch driving circuit 300. The timing controller 22 modulates the first vertical synchronization signal Vsync input from the host system to define the pixel array driving period T1 and the touch screen driving period T2 in one frame period, Signal SYNC. Alternatively, the host system generates the second vertical synchronization signal SYNC, and the timing controller 22 generates the second vertical synchronization signal SYNC in response to the second vertical synchronization signal SYNC input from the host system, It is possible to control the period T2. That is, one of the timing controller and the host system can control the operation timing of the pixel array driving circuit and the touch driving circuit by time-sharing one frame period with the pixel array driving period and the touch screen driving period.

For example, when the display panel is driven at a frequency of 60 Hz, 1/60 second becomes 1 frame period, and the 1 frame period is divided into the pixel array driving period T1 and the touch screen driving period T2 will be. The reason for dividing the pixel array driving and the touch screen driving in the time division manner is that when the pixel array and the touch screen are driven at the same point of time, driving interference between them is so severe that the display screen is uneven, Because.

During the pixel array driving period T1, the data driving circuit 24 supplies the data voltages to the data lines under the control of the timing controller 22, and the gate driving circuits 26 and 30 apply gate pulses To the gate lines sequentially. The touch driving circuit 300 does not supply the touch electrode driving signal DR to the touch electrodes during the pixel array driving period T1.

During the touch screen driving period T2, the pixel array driving circuit is not driven and the touch driving circuit 300 is driven. Accordingly, the touch driving circuit 300 supplies the touch electrode driving signal DR to the touch electrodes and senses the touch (or proximity) input position during the touch screen driving period T2.

4A and 4B are block diagrams illustrating a touch screen and a touch control unit of the touch screen device of the present invention in detail.

4A, the touch screen of the touch screen device of the present invention is of an in-cell type and includes touch electrodes COM1 to COMn for detecting the position of the input tool in the display panel 200. As shown in FIG.

For example, if the display panel 200 is a liquid crystal panel having a pixel array on a lower substrate and a color filter array on an upper substrate, the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn may be formed of a pixel array and a lower substrate, May be formed on the color filter array. In addition, the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn can be used by patterning a common electrode formed on a lower substrate or an upper substrate. If the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn are formed by patterning the common electrodes, the common electrodes are uniformly applied so that the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn function as common electrodes when driving the pixel array.

The touch electrodes COM1 to COMn are connected to the sensing lines S1 to Sn in a one-to-one relationship and the sensing lines S1 to Sn are connected to the touch driving circuit 300. [

The touch driving circuit 300 includes a receiving system circuit group including a receiving amplifier 30, an analog / digital converting circuit 32, a detecting unit 34, a storing unit 36 and a position calculating unit 38 as shown in Fig. Respectively.

The receiving circuit group is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 40 connected to an external host. The central processing unit 40 is connected to a control unit 42 for overall touch control and the control unit 42 is connected to the drive signal generating unit 46 to generate a touch electrode drive signal (DR) are supplied to the respective touch electrodes COM1 to COMn through the sensing lines S1 to Sn.

The touch screen according to the embodiment of the present invention is a self capacitance type, and the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn are used for driving signal detection and reception signal detection together.

The size of each of the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn is larger than the size of the pixels, for example, the size of overlapping a plurality of pixels. The touch electrodes COM1 to COMn are formed of a transparent conductive material so as not to lower the aperture ratio in the display period of the pixel array drive.

A common voltage source (not shown) supplies the common voltage Vcom to the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn through the sensing lines S1 to Sn during the pixel array driving period T1. Accordingly, the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn operate as common electrodes during the pixel array driving period T1.

In addition, the touch-driving circuit 300 is connected to the selection circuit 50. The selection circuit 50 plays a role of selecting the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn.

The touch driving circuit 300 is disabled during the pixel array driving period T1 and is enabled during the touch screen driving period T2 to sense the touch electrode driving signal DR only during the touch screen driving period T2 To the lines S1 to Sn simultaneously.

Fig. 5 is a modification of the touch screen shown in Fig. 4A.

5, a signal input terminal of the touch electrodes COM1 to COMn is further provided with a multiplexer 302 in order to reduce the number of signal application wiring lines from the touch driving circuit 300, It is also possible to apply a signal to the sensing lines S1 to Sn by time division. One or more multiplexers 302 may be provided. For example, when the multiplexer 302 is a multiplexer with 1: k (k is a natural number smaller than or equal to 2 and less than n), the multiplexer 302 is connected to the touch driving circuit 300 through n / k signal- . In this case, the n touch electrodes COM1 to COMn are grouped into k. The k touch electrode groups receive the k time division touch electrode drive signals DR.

6 is a graph showing the intensity of the pen output signal TX sent to the touch electrode of the conventional display panel 200. As shown in FIG. 6, three touch electrodes COM1 to COM3 among the touch electrodes on the display panel 200 are disposed adjacent to each other, and the touch pen 100 is in contact with a touch electrode disposed at the center. The second touch electrode COM2 and the touch electrode disposed opposite to the tilted side of the touch pen 100 are referred to as a first touch electrode COM1 and a touch pen 100. [ The touch electrode disposed on the side where the first touch electrode COM1 and the second touch electrode COM2 are inclined is referred to as a third touch electrode COM3.

In the case of the conventional display panel 200, the touch electrode receives a pen output signal TX to be transmitted. The pen output signal is radiated or circularly emitted from the touch pen 100. The display panel 200 detects the contact position of the touch pen 100 in such a manner that the touch pen 100 recognizes that the pen output signal TX has the highest intensity.

When the touch pen 100 touches the display panel 200 in an inclined state, not only the second touch electrode COM2 actually brought into contact with the display panel 200 but also the third touch electrode COM3 arranged on the tilted side of the touch pen 100 The pen output signal TX is transmitted. Comparing the intensities of the pen output signals TX on the touch electrodes COM1 to COM3 shows that the intensity of the pen output signal TX on the second touch electrode COM2 is the highest and that on the third touch electrode COM3 The intensity of the pen output signal TX of the first touch electrode COM1 is the next strongest and the intensity of the pen output signal TX of the first touch electrode COM1 is the smallest. Accordingly, in the case of the conventional display panel 200, a problem occurs that the touch pen 100 erroneously recognizes contact between the second touch electrode COM2 and the third touch electrode COM3.

7 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the touch pen 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The touch pen 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 180, a conductive tip 110 protruding from one side of the housing 180, and a conductive tip 110 electrically insulated from the conductive tip 110, A switching unit 120 connected to the conductive tip 110 in the housing 180 and a receiving unit 130 connected in parallel with the switching unit 120. The head cap 111 is provided on a side surface of the housing 110, A signal processing unit 150 for receiving a signal received from the receiving unit 130 to perform signal processing to perform synchronization and a signal processing unit 150 for connecting to the signal processing unit 150. [ A power supply source 160 for supplying power, and an input / output interface 170 to the outside.

The conductive tip 110 is made of a conductive material such as a metal or the like and is time-divided to serve as a receiving electrode and a transmitting electrode. The conductive tip 110 is coupled with the touch electrode COMx provided on the touch screen, which is superimposed on the display panel 200 or overlapped on the touch panel, and receives the touch electrode driving signal DR received from the touch electrode Or transmits a pen output signal TX from the inside of the touch pen 100 to the touch screen side.

A polarizing plate or a protective film is disposed on the upper surface of the display panel 200. The polarizing plate or protective film functions as an insulating layer to form a sensing capacitance Csen between the conductive tip 110 and the touch electrode COMx. When the conductive tip 110 contacts the display panel 200, the value of the sensing capacitance Csen which is constant on the touch electrode COMx of the corresponding portion changes. The touch driving circuit 300 can detect a contact position of the touch pen 100 by reading a change in the sensed capacitance Csen.

The head cap 111 is made of a conductive material such as a metal or the like and serves as a transmitting electrode. The head cap 111 may be spaced apart from the conductive tip 110 by a predetermined distance or may be formed by coating the surface of the head cap 111 adjacent to the conductive tip 110 with an insulating material, A separate insulating layer may be provided between the conductive tip 111 and the conductive tip 110. The head cap 111 must be electrically insulated from the conductive tip 110. The head cap 111 can receive the inverted output signal INVTX from the inverting driver 141 without being affected by the pen output signal TX supplied to the conductive tip 100. [ The head cap 111 outputs the inverted output signal INVTX in the lateral direction of the conductive tip 110. [

The switching unit 120 is electrically connected to the conductive tip 110 when the touch pen 100 touches the display panel 200 to determine whether the conductive tip 110 functions as a receiving electrode or a transmitting electrode do.

The receiving unit 130 amplifies and processes the signal received through the conductive tip 110. The signal received by the conductive tip 110 is a touch electrode driving signal DR applied to the touch electrode COMx provided in a region where the touch pen 100 is contacted.

When the touch pen 100 is brought into contact with the display panel 200 after the touch pen 100 operates in an on state, the conductive tip 110 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 130 through the switching unit 120 Respectively. The receiving unit 130 amplifies the received touch electrode driving signal DR through an amplifier provided therein and supplies the amplified touch electrode driving signal DR to the signal processing unit 150.

The signal processor 150 analyzes the signal provided through the receiver 130 and generates a synchronization signal RX synchronized with the touch electrode drive signal DR and supplies the synchronization signal RX to the driver 140. [

The driving unit 140 includes a level shifter. The driving unit 140 generates a pen output signal TX that swings between the set high voltage and the low voltage in synchronization with the timing of the touch electrode driving signal DR. The driving unit 140 supplies the generated pen output signal TX to the conductive tip 110 through the switching unit 120. In addition, the driving unit 140 supplies the generated pen output signal TX to the inversion driving unit 141.

The inversion driving unit 141 receives the pen output signal TX. The inversion driving section 141 inverts the pen output signal TX to generate an inverted output signal INVTX whose amplitude is the same as that of the pen output signal TX and whose phase is inverted by 180 degrees. When the pen output signal TX is a high logic level, the inverted output signal INVTX has a low logic level. Further, when the pen output signal TX is a low logic level, the inverted output signal INVTX has a high logic level. The inverting driver 141 may be configured as a single inverter to generate the inverted output signal INVTX. The inversion driving unit 141 supplies the generated inversion output signal INVTX to the head cap 111. [

In the housing 180, a power supply source 160 and an input / output interface 170 are provided. The touch pen 100 controls the on operation of the touch pen 100 through the input / output interface 170. The input / output interface 170 is connected to a power supply source 160 in the housing 180 and supplies necessary power to the receiving unit 130, the driving unit 140, the inversion driving unit 141, and the signal processing unit 150.

The input / output interface 170 is electrically connected to the power source 160 by a pressing operation. The touch pen 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input / output interface 170 to control the operation of the touch pen 100 by a user's pressing operation.

8 is a waveform diagram showing a touch electrode drive signal DR, a synchronization signal RX, a pen output signal TX, and an inverted output signal INVTX according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The touch electrode COMx transmits the touch electrode driving signal DR in response to a touch using the user's touch pen 100 or a finger or the like. The conductive tip 110 of the touch pen 100 receives the touch electrode driving signal DR.

The conductive tip 110 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 130 through the switching unit 120 when the touch pen 100 is in the ON state when the touch electrode driving signal DR is received . The receiving unit 130 amplifies the touch electrode driving signal DR and supplies the amplified touch electrode driving signal DR to the signal processing unit 150.

The signal processing unit 150 generates a synchronization signal RX corresponding to the touch electrode driving signal DR and supplies the generated synchronization signal RX to the driving unit 140.

The driving unit 140 generates a pen output signal TX corresponding to the synchronization signal RX and supplies the pen output signal TX to the conductive tip 110 through the switching unit 120 and to the inversion driving unit 141 as well.

The inversion driving unit 141 inverts the pen output signal TX to generate an inverted output signal INVTX and supplies it to the head cap 111. [

The touch pen 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention sends out the inverted output signal INVTX from the head cap 111 provided on the side of the conductive tip 110 and sends out the inverted output signal INVTX to the side of the conductive tip 110 The pen output signal TX can be canceled. Accordingly, the touch pen 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can transmit the pen output signal TX only to the touch electrode COMx provided at a position where the conductive tip 110 and the touch screen are in contact with each other , It is possible to accurately detect the contact position of the touch pen 100 on the touch screen.

9 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the touch pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The touch pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 180, a conductive tip 110 projecting outward from one side of the housing 180, and a conductive tip 110 electrically insulated from the conductive tip 110, A switching unit 120 connected to the conductive tip 110 in the housing 180 and a receiving unit 130 connected in parallel with the switching unit 120. The head cap 111 is provided on a side surface of the housing 110, A power supply source 160 connected to the signal processing unit 150 and supplying power to the signal processing unit 150 and a power supply unit 160 connected to the signal processing unit 150, And an input / output interface 170 to the input / output interface 170.

The configuration of the housing 180, the conductive tip 110, the switching unit 120, the receiving unit 130, the power supply source 160, and the input / output interface 170 of the touch pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention The conductive tip 110, the switching unit 120, the receiving unit 130, the power source 160, and the input / output interface 170 of the touch pen 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. And therefore description thereof will be omitted.

The head cap 111 is made of a conductive material such as a metal or the like and serves as a transmitting electrode. The head cap 111 may be spaced apart from the conductive tip 110 by a predetermined distance or may be formed by coating the surface of the head cap 111 adjacent to the conductive tip 110 with an insulating material, A separate insulating layer may be provided between the conductive tip 111 and the conductive tip 110. The head cap 111 must be electrically insulated from the conductive tip 110. The head cap 111 can receive the inverted output signal INVTX from the signal processing unit 150 without being affected by the pen output signal TX supplied to the conductive tip 100. [ The head cap 111 outputs the inverted output signal INVTX in the lateral direction of the conductive tip 110. [

The driving unit 140 includes a level shifter. The driving unit 140 generates a pen output signal TX that swings between the set high voltage and the low voltage in synchronization with the timing of the touch electrode driving signal DR. The driving unit 140 supplies the generated pen output signal TX to the conductive tip 110 through the switching unit 120.

The signal processor 150 analyzes the signal provided through the receiver 130 and generates a synchronization signal RX synchronized with the touch electrode drive signal DR and supplies the synchronization signal RX to the driver 140. [ When the synchronization signal RX is supplied to the driving unit 140, the signal processing unit 150 outputs the inverted output signal having the same amplitude as the pen output signal TX generated by the driving unit 140, (INVTX) to the head cap (111). Unlike the inverted output signal INVTX according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the inverted output signal INVTX according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a high logic level in the section where the pen output signal TX is not supplied Non-low logic levels.

10 is a waveform diagram showing a touch electrode drive signal DR, a synchronization signal RX, a pen output signal TX, and an inverted output signal INVTX according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The touch electrode COMx transmits the touch electrode driving signal DR in response to a touch using the user's touch pen 100 or a finger or the like. The conductive tip 110 of the touch pen 100 receives the touch electrode driving signal DR.

The conductive tip 110 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 130 through the switching unit 120 when the touch pen 100 is in the ON state when the touch electrode driving signal DR is received . The receiving unit 130 amplifies the touch electrode driving signal DR and supplies the amplified touch electrode driving signal DR to the signal processing unit 150.

The signal processing unit 150 generates a synchronization signal RX corresponding to the touch electrode driving signal DR and supplies the generated synchronization signal RX to the driving unit 140. The signal processor 150 generates an inversion output signal INVTX and supplies the inverted output signal INVTX to the head cap 111 when the synchronization signal RX is generated and supplied to the driving unit 140.

The driving unit 140 generates a pen output signal TX corresponding to the synchronization signal RX and supplies the generated signal to the conductive tip 110 through the switching unit 120.

The inverted output signal INVTX of the touch pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention maintains a low logic level rather than a high logic level in a period in which the pen output signal TX is not supplied. The touch pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention unnecessarily outputs the inverted output signal INVTX even when the pen output signal TX is not supplied and it is not necessary to cancel the pen output signal TX, The power consumption of the touch pen 100 can be reduced.

11 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the touch pen 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The touch pen 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 180, a conductive tip 110 protruding from one side of the housing 180, and a conductive tip 110 electrically insulated from the conductive tip 110, A switching unit 120 connected to the conductive tip 110 in the housing 180 and a receiving unit 130 connected in parallel with the switching unit 120. The head cap 111 is provided on a side surface of the housing 110, A power supply source 160 connected to the signal processing unit 150 and supplying power to the signal processing unit 150 and a power supply unit 160 connected to the signal processing unit 150, Output interface 170 connected to the signal processing unit 150 and a sensing unit 190 connected to the signal processing unit 150 to supply sensing information.

The conductive tip 110, the head cap 111, the switching unit 120, the receiving unit 130, the driving unit 140, the power supply source 140, and the power supply unit 150 of the touch pen 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The conductive tip 110, the switching unit 120, the receiving unit 130, and the input / output interface 170 of the touch pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, The power supply source 160, and the input / output interface 170, the description thereof will be omitted.

The sensing unit 190 senses an angle at which the touch pen 100 and the display panel 200 are disposed, and generates angle information. When the display panel 200 is disposed horizontally or vertically with respect to the ground surface, the sensing unit 190 may be implemented using a gyro sensor that senses an inclined direction and an inclined angle with respect to the ground surface have. The sensing unit 190 supplies the angle information to the signal processor 150.

The signal processing unit 150 generates a synchronization signal RX corresponding to the touch electrode driving signal DR and supplies the generated synchronization signal RX to the driving unit 140. The signal processing unit 150 receives angle information from the sensing unit 190. The angle information controls to generate an inverted output signal INVTX when the angle at which the touch pen 100 and the display panel 200 are disposed is not perpendicular. The signal processing unit 150 sends the generated inverted output signal INVTX to the head cap 111. [

When the touch pen 100 and the display panel 200 are arranged vertically, the pen output signal TX is transmitted only to the touch electrode contacting the touch pen 100 at a maximum, The pen output signal TX is uniformly transmitted without shifting in a specific direction. That is, even if the pen output signal TX is sent to the adjacent touch electrode, there is no problem of recognizing the touch point at a position different from the actual touch position. In this case, the signal processing unit 150 does not generate the inverted output signal INVTX for canceling the pen output signal TX.

The touch pen 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention does not generate an inverted output signal INVTX when the touch pen 100 is disposed perpendicularly to the display panel 200. [ Accordingly, the touch pen 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention can prevent unnecessary transmission of the inverted output signal INVTX even when it is unnecessary to cancel the pen output signal TX, The power consumption of the pen 100 can be reduced.

12 is a graph showing the intensity of a pen output signal transmitted to a touch electrode of a display panel 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 12, three touch electrodes COM1 through COM3 among the touch electrodes on the display panel 200 are disposed adjacent to each other and a case where the touch pen 100 touches the center of the touch electrode is shown in FIG. Respectively. The second touch electrode COM2 and the touch electrode disposed opposite to the tilted side of the touch pen 100 are referred to as a first touch electrode COM1 and a touch pen 100. [ The touch electrode disposed on the side where the first touch electrode COM1 and the second touch electrode COM2 are inclined is referred to as a third touch electrode COM3.

In the case of the display panel 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the touch electrode receives a pen output signal TX to be transmitted. The pen output signal is radiated or circularly emitted from the touch pen 100. The display panel 200 detects the contact position of the touch pen 100 in such a manner that the touch pen 100 recognizes that the pen output signal TX has the highest intensity.

When the touch pen 100 touches the display panel 200 in a tilted state, the pen output signal TX is transmitted only to the second touch electrode COM2 actually in contact. The pen output signal TX is not transmitted to the third touch electrode COM3 disposed on the side where the touch pen 100 is tilted. Comparing the intensities of the pen output signals TX on the touch electrodes COM1 to COM3 shows that the intensity of the pen output signal TX on the second touch electrode COM2 is the highest and that on the third touch electrode COM3 The pen output signal TX of the second touch electrode COM1 and the pen output signal TX of the first touch electrode COM1 are negligibly small as compared with the pen output signal TX of the second touch electrode COM2. Accordingly, in the case of the display panel 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the touch pen 100 correctly recognizes that the touch pen 100 is in contact with the second touch electrode COM2, It is possible to prevent the problem of biasing in the inclined direction.

13 is a flowchart of a method of driving a touch screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the touch pen 100 receives a touch electrode driving signal DR applied to a plurality of touch electrodes COM1 to COMn provided on the display panel 200. [ The conductive tip 110 protruding outward from one side of the touch pen 100 is coupled with the touch electrode COMx provided on the touch screen, which is superimposed or overlapped when the touch panel 100 is in contact with the display panel 200, And receives the touch-electrode driving signal DR received from the touch-electrode driving circuit. (S101 in Fig. 13)

Secondly, the touch pen 100 generates a pen output signal TX in response to the received touch electrode driving signal DR, and sends the pen output signal TX to the display panel 200. When the touch pen 100 is brought into contact with the display panel 200 after the touch pen 100 operates in an on state, the conductive tip 110 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 130 through the switching unit 120 Respectively. The receiving unit 130 amplifies the received touch electrode driving signal DR through an amplifier provided therein and supplies the amplified touch electrode driving signal DR to the signal processing unit 150. The signal processor 150 analyzes the signal provided through the receiver 130 and generates a synchronization signal RX synchronized with the touch electrode drive signal DR and supplies the synchronization signal RX to the driver 140. [ The driving unit 140 includes a level shifter. The driving unit 140 generates a pen output signal TX that swings between the set high voltage and the low voltage in synchronization with the timing of the touch electrode driving signal DR. The driving unit 140 supplies the generated pen output signal TX to the conductive tip 110 through the switching unit 120. The conductive tip 110 sends out the pen output signal TX to the display panel 200. (S102 in Fig. 13)

Third, an inverted output signal INVTX having the same amplitude as the pen output signal TX and inverted in phase by 180 is generated and sent out. In the case of the touch screen device according to the first embodiment, the inversion output signal INVTX can be generated by inverting the pen output signal TX in the inversion driving unit 141 inside the touch pen. (S103 in Fig. 13)

Alternatively, in the case of the touch screen device according to the second embodiment, the signal processing unit 150 in the touch pen 100 may generate an inverted output signal INVTX responding to the synchronization signal RX. (S104 in Fig. 13)

The generated inverted output signal INVTX is sent to the head cap 111 disposed on the side of the conductive tip 110 partially protruding to one side of the housing 180 of the touch pen 100. Accordingly, the pen output signal TX is transmitted only to the position where the display panel 200 and the conductive tip 110 are in contact with each other, and the pen output signal TX transmitted to the side of the conductive tip 110 is canceled. The driving method of the touch screen device according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the pen output signal TX to be transmitted only to the touch electrode with which the touch pen 100 touches, It is possible to prevent the problem of biased recognition in the inclined direction.

In the case of the touch screen device according to the third embodiment, the angle at which the touch pen 100 and the display panel 200 are disposed is detected. Thereafter, when the angle at which the touch pen 100 and the display panel 200 are arranged is not vertical, control is performed to generate an inverted output signal INVTX.

When the touch pen 100 and the display panel 200 are arranged vertically, the pen output signal TX is transmitted only to the touch electrode contacting the touch pen 100 at a maximum, The pen output signal TX is uniformly transmitted without shifting in a specific direction. That is, even if the pen output signal TX is transmitted to the adjacent touch electrode, there is no problem that the user recognizes that the touch point is touched with the touch point different from the touch point. In this case, the signal processing unit 150 does not generate the inverted output signal INVTX for canceling the pen output signal TX. Accordingly, the touch pen 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention does not generate the inverted output signal INVTX when the touch pen 100 is disposed perpendicularly to the display panel 200, . (S105 in Fig. 13)

The touch pen of the touch screen device according to the embodiment of the present invention can transmit an inversion output signal in the head cap disposed on the side of the conductive tip to cancel the pen output signal transmitted to the side of the conductive tip. Accordingly, the touch screen device according to the embodiment of the present invention can transmit the pen output signal only to the touch electrode provided at the position where the conductive tip contacts the touch screen, thereby accurately detecting the contact position of the touch pen on the touch screen And even when the touch pen is tilted at an angle to the touch screen, the position actually touched by the touch pen can be recognized without any error.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

100: touch pen 110: conductive tip
111: head cap 120: switching part
130: Receiver 140:
141: inverting driver 150: signal processor
160: power supply source 170: input / output interface
180: Housing 190:
200: display panel

Claims (10)

A display panel having a plurality of touch electrodes;
A touch driving circuit for applying a touch electrode driving signal to the plurality of touch electrodes; And
And a display control unit for receiving the touch electrode driving signal from the touch electrode and sending a pen output signal to the display panel in response to the received touch electrode driving signal, And a touch pen for transmitting an output signal. The touch pen according to claim 1,
A conductive tip partially protruding to one side of the housing;
A head cap electrically insulated from the conductive tip to be provided on a side surface of the conductive tip;
A switching unit coupled to the conductive tip;
A receiving unit for amplifying, processing and outputting the touch electrode driving signal received through the switching unit;
A signal processor for analyzing a signal provided from the receiver and outputting a synchronization signal;
A driving unit for supplying the pen output signal synchronized with the touch electrode driving signal to the switching unit and the inversion driving unit in response to the synchronization signal; And
And an inverting driver for inverting a pen output signal from the driving unit to generate the inverted output signal and for transmitting the inverted output signal to the head cap. The touch pen according to claim 1,
A conductive tip partially protruding to one side of the housing;
A head cap electrically insulated from the conductive tip to be provided on a side surface of the conductive tip;
A switching unit coupled to the conductive tip;
A receiving unit for amplifying, processing and outputting the touch electrode driving signal received through the switching unit;
A signal processor for analyzing a signal provided from the receiver and outputting a synchronization signal; And
And a driving unit for supplying the switching unit with the pen output signal synchronized with the touch electrode driving signal in response to the synchronization signal,
Wherein the signal processing unit sends the inverted output signal to the head cap when the driving unit supplies the pen output signal. 4. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
Wherein the head cap is provided on a side surface of the conductive tip to transmit the inverted output signal in a lateral direction of the conductive tip. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the head cap is electrically insulated from the conductive tip. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
And a sensing unit for sensing the angle at which the touch pen and the display panel are disposed to generate angle information and supplying the angle information to the signal processing unit. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the angle information controls the signal processing unit to generate the inverted output signal when the angle at which the touch pen and the display panel are disposed is not perpendicular. Receiving a touch electrode driving signal applied to a plurality of touch electrodes provided on a display panel at a touch pen;
Generating a pen output signal in response to the received touch electrode driving signal and transmitting the generated pen output signal to the display panel; And
And generating and transmitting an inverted output signal having the same amplitude as the pen output signal and inverted in phase by 180 °. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating and transmitting the inverted output signal comprises:
Generating the inverted output signal and sending it to a head cap disposed on a side of a conductive tip partially protruding to one side of the housing of the touch pen to transmit the pen output signal only to a position where the display panel and the conductive tip are in contact with each other And canceling the pen output signal sent to the side of the conductive tip. 9. The method of claim 8,
Sensing an angle at which the touch pen and the display panel are disposed; And
Further comprising the step of controlling to generate the inverted output signal when the angle at which the touch pen and the display panel are disposed is not vertical.

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