Display device

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0111133, filed on Sep. 1, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

1. Field of Disclosure

The present inventive concept relates to a display device having an improved sensing reliability.

2. Description of the Related Art

Multimedia electronic devices, such as televisions, mobile phones, tablet computers, navigation units, and game units, include a display device to display an image. The electronic devices include an input sensor that provides a touch-based input method allowing users to easily and intuitively input information or commands in addition to the usual input methods, such as a button, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

The input sensor senses touch or pressure with the user's body. Meanwhile, there is an increasing demand for the use of an active pen for users who are familiar with the input of information with a writing instrument or for precise touch input for a specific application, for example, an application program for sketching or drawing.

The present disclosure provides a display device capable of more accurately sensing an input by a touch pen.

According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device includes a display panel, and an input sensing part disposed on the display panel. The input sensing part includes a first main electrode extending lengthwise in a first direction, a first sub-electrode extending lengthwise in the first direction and being adjacent to the first main electrode, a second main electrode extending lengthwise in a second direction different from the first direction and insulated from the first main electrode and the first sub-electrode, the second main electrode overlapping the first main electrode and the first sub-electrode, a second sub-electrode extending lengthwise in the second direction, disposed adjacent to the second main electrode, and insulated from the first main electrode and the first sub-electrode, the second sub-electrode overlapping the first main electrode and the first sub-electrode, a first group of switches selectively connecting a transmission line and one of the first main electrode and the first sub-electrode with each other, and a second group of switches selectively connecting a receiving line and one of the second main electrode and the second sub-electrode with each other.

According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device includes a display panel, and an input sensing part disposed on the display panel. The input sensing part includes a first main electrode extending lengthwise in a first direction, a plurality of first sub-electrodes extending lengthwise in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first main electrode, a second main electrode extending lengthwise in a second direction different from the first direction and insulated from the first main electrode and the plurality of first sub-electrodes, the second main electrode overlapping the first main electrode and the plurality of first sub-electrodes, a plurality of second sub-electrodes extending lengthwise in the second direction, disposed adjacent to the second main electrode, and insulated from the first main electrode and the plurality of first sub-electrodes, the plurality of second sub-electrodes overlapping the first main electrode and the plurality of first sub-electrodes, a first transmission line connected to the first main electrode, a first receiving line connected to the second main electrode, a first group of switches selectively connecting a second transmission line and one of the plurality of first sub-electrodes with each other, and a second group of switches selectively connecting a second receiving line and one of the plurality of second sub-electrodes with each other.

According to the above, since the uplink signal is transmitted through the sub-electrodes in a small area, a noise occurring in the display panel may be reduced compared with when the uplink signal is transmitted to the display panel through the main electrodes.

Since a coordinate of a position of the touch pen is calculated using the main electrodes and the sub-electrodes, a coordinate accuracy of the touch pen may be improved. Thus, a sensing reliability of the display device may be improved.

The above and other advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a folded state of the display device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a display panel shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the display panel shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a pixel shown in FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an input sensing part shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ shown in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a portion AA 1 shown in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a structure in which one first main electrode and one second main electrode are disposed on the same layer according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-IF shown in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a connection relation between first and second sensing electrodes of an input sensing part and first and second group of switches circuits according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are circuit diagrams showing one first group of switches circuit and one second group of switches circuit among the first and second group of switches circuits shown in FIG. 12 , respectively, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 14A is a view showing an uplink operation between a display device and a touch pen according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 14B is a view showing a downlink operation between a display device and a touch pen according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 7 to show a finger and a touch pen that are in contact with a portion of a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a signal of an input sensor receiving a first signal according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 18 is a view showing a connection relation between first and second sensing electrodes of an input sensing part and first and second group of switches circuits according to embodiment of the inventive concept.

In the present disclosure, it will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present.

Like numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the drawings, the thickness, ratio, and dimension of components are exaggerated for effective description of the technical content.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a display device DD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a folded state of the display device DD shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display device DD according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may have a rectangular shape defined by long sides extending in a first direction DR 1 and short sides extending in a second direction DR 2 crossing the first direction DR 1 . However, the shape of the display device DD is not limited to the rectangular shape, and the display device DD may have various shapes, such as a circular shape and a polygonal shape. The display device DD may be a flexible display device.

Hereinafter, a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 may be referred to as a “third direction DR 3 ”. In the present disclosure, the expression “viewed in the plan” may mean a state of being viewed in the third direction DR 3 .

The display device DD may include a folding area FA and a plurality of non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 . The non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 may include a first non-folding area NFA 1 and a second non-folding area NFA 2 which are spaced apart from each other. The folding area FA may be disposed between the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 . The second non-folding area NFA 2 , the folding area FA, and the first non-folding area NFA 1 may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 .

For example, one folding area FA and two non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 are shown as a representative example. However, the number of the folding areas FA and the number of non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 is not limited thereto. For example, the display device DD may include more than two non-folding areas and a plurality of folding areas disposed between the non-folding areas.

An upper surface of the display device DD may be referred to as a “display surface DS” and may be a plane surface defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . Images IM generated by the display device DD may be provided to a user through the display surface DS.

The display surface DS may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA around the display area DA. The display area DA displays the image, and the non-display area NDA does not display the image. The non-display area NDA surrounds the display area DA and defines an edge of the display device DD, which is printed by a predetermined color.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display device DD may be, but not limited to, a foldable display device DD that is folded or unfolded while in use. For example, the folding area FA may be folded about a folding axis FX substantially parallel to the second direction DR 2 , and thus, the display device DD may be folded. The folding axis FX may be defined as a minor axis substantially parallel to the short sides of the display device DD.

When the display device DD is folded, the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 face each other, and thus, the display device DD may be inwardly folded (in-folding) such that the display surface DS is not exposed to the outside.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device DD shown in FIG. 1 .

As an example, FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the display device DD when viewed in the first direction DR 1 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the display device DD may include a display panel DP, an input sensing part ISP, an anti-reflective layer RPL, a window WIN, a panel protective film PPF, and first, second, and third adhesive layers AL 1 , AL 2 , and AL 3 .

The display panel DP may be a flexible display panel. The display panel DP may be a light-emitting type display panel. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the display panel DP may be an organic light emitting display panel or a quantum dot light emitting display panel. A light emitting layer of the organic light emitting display panel may include an organic light emitting material. A light emitting layer of the quantum dot light emitting display panel may include a quantum dot or a quantum rod. Hereinafter, the organic light emitting display panel will be described as a representative example of the display panel DP.

The input sensing part ISP may be disposed on the display panel DP. The input sensing part ISP may include a plurality of sensors (not shown) to sense an external input (e.g., a finger touch or a pen input) by a capacitive method. The input sensing part ISP may be manufactured directly on the display panel DP when the display device is manufactured. However, the present inventive concept is not be limited thereto. In an embodiment, the input sensing part ISP may be attached to the display panel DP by an adhesive after being manufactured separately from the display panel DP.

The anti-reflective layer RPL may be disposed on the input sensing part ISP. The anti-reflective layer RPL may reduce a reflectance of an external light incident to the display panel DP from the above of the display device DD. In an embodiment, the anti-reflective layer RPL may include a retarder and/or a polarizer.

The window WIN may be disposed on the anti-reflective layer RPL. The window WIN may protect the display panel DP, the input sensing part ISP, and the anti-reflective layer RPL from external scratches and impacts.

The panel protective film PPF may be disposed under the display panel DP. The panel protective film PPF may protect a lower portion of the display panel DP. The panel protective film PPF may include a flexible plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The first adhesive layer AL 1 may be disposed between the display panel DP and the panel protective film PPF. The display panel DP and the panel protective film PPF may be coupled to each other by the first adhesive layer AL 1 .

The second adhesive layer AL 2 may be disposed between the anti-reflective layer RPL and the input sensing part ISP. The anti-reflective layer RPL and the input sensing part ISP may be coupled to each other by the second adhesive layer AL 2 .

The third adhesive layer AL 3 may be disposed between the window WIN and the anti-reflective layer RPL. The window WIN and the anti-reflective layer RPL may be coupled to each other by the third adhesive layer AL 3 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the display panel DP shown in FIG. 3 .

As an example, FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the display panel DP when viewed in the first direction DR 1 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the display panel DP may include a substrate SUB, a circuit element layer DP-CL disposed on the substrate SUB, a display element layer DP-OLED disposed on the circuit element layer DP-CL, and a thin film encapsulation layer TFE disposed on the display element layer DP-OLED.

The substrate SUB may include the display area DA and the non-display area NDA around the display area DA. The substrate SUB may include a flexible plastic material. For example, the substrate SUB may include polyimide (PI). The display element layer DP-OLED may be disposed in the display area DA.

A plurality of pixels may be disposed in the circuit element layer DP-CL and the display element layer DP-OLED. Each pixel may include two or more transistors and a light emitting element disposed on the display element layer DP-OLED and connected to the transistors. The pixel will be described in detail later.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the circuit element layer DP-CL to cover the display element layer DP-OLED. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include inorganic layers and organic layers disposed between the inorganic layers. The inorganic layers may protect the pixels from moisture and oxygen. The organic layers may protect the pixel from a foreign substance such as dust particles.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the display panel DP shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the display device DD may include the display panel DP, a scan driver SDV, a data driver DDV, an emission driver EDV, and a plurality of first pads PD 1 .

The display panel DP may have a rectangular shape having long sides extending in the first direction DR 1 and short sides extending in the second direction DR 2 . The shape of the display panel DP, however, is not limited thereto. The display panel DP may include the display area DA and the non-display area NDA surrounding the display area DA.

The display panel DP may include a plurality of pixels PX, a plurality of scan lines SL 1 to SLm, a plurality of data lines DL 1 to DLn, a plurality of emission lines EL 1 to ELm, first and second control lines CSL 1 and CSL 2 , first and second power lines PL 1 and PL 2 , and connection lines CNL. Each of “m” and “n” is a natural number.

The pixels PX may be arranged in the display area DA. The scan driver SDV and the emission driver EDV may be disposed in the non-display area NDA to be respectively adjacent to the long sides of the display panel DP. The data driver DDV may be disposed in the non-display area NDA to be adjacent to one short side of the short sides of the display panel DP. When the display device DD is viewed in a plan view, the data driver DDV may be disposed to be adjacent to a lower end of the display panel DP.

The scan lines SL 1 to SLm may extend lengthwise in the second direction DR 2 and may be connected to the pixels PX and the scan driver SDV. The data lines DL 1 to DLn may extend lengthwise in the first direction DR 1 and may be connected to the pixels PX and the data driver DDV. The emission lines EL 1 to ELm may extend lengthwise in the second direction DR 2 and may be connected to the pixels PX and the emission driver EDV.

The first power line PL 1 may extend lengthwise in the first direction DR 1 and may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The first power line PL 1 may be disposed between the display area DA and the emission driver EDV. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first power line PL 1 may be disposed between the display area DA and the scan driver SDV.

The connection lines CNL may extend lengthwise in the second direction DR 2 and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR 1 . The connection lines CNL may be connected to the first power line PL 1 and the pixels PX. A first voltage may be applied to the pixels PX through the first power line PL 1 and the connection lines CNL connected to the first power line PL 1 .

The second power line PL 2 may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The second power line PL 2 may extend along the long sides of the display panel DP and a short side at which the data driver DDV is not disposed in the display panel DP. The second power line PL 2 may be disposed outside the scan driver SDV and the emission driver EDV.

Although not shown in figures, the second power line PL 2 may extend to the display area DA and may be connected to the pixels PX. A second voltage having a level lower than that of the first voltage may be applied to the pixels PX through the second power line PL 2 .

The first control line CSL 1 may be connected to the scan driver SDV and may extend toward a lower end of the display panel DP when the display device DD is viewed in a plan view. The second control line CSL 2 may be connected to the emission driver EDV and may extend toward the lower end of the display panel DP when the display device DD is viewed in a plan view. The data driver DDV may be disposed between the first control line CSL 1 and the second control line CSL 2 .

The first pads PD 1 may be disposed on the display panel DP. The first pads PD 1 may be closer to the lower end of the display panel DP than the data driver DDV is. The data driver DDV, the first power line PL 1 , the second power line PL 2 , the first control line CSL 1 , and the second control line CSL 2 may be connected to the first pads PD 1 . The data lines DL 1 to DLn may be connected to the data driver DDV, and the data driver DDV may be connected to the first pads PD 1 corresponding to the data lines DL 1 to DLn.

Although not shown in figures, the display device DD may further include a timing controller to control an operation of the scan driver SDV, the data driver DDV, and the emission driver EDV and a voltage generator to generate the first and second voltages. The timing controller and the voltage generator may be connected to corresponding first pads PD 1 through a printed circuit board.

The scan driver SDV may generate a plurality of scan signals, and the scan signals may be applied to the pixels PX through the scan lines SL 1 to SLm. The data driver DDV may generate a plurality of data voltages, and the data voltages may be applied to the pixels PX through the data lines DL 1 to DLn. The emission driver EDV may generate a plurality of emission signals, and the emission signals may be applied to the pixels PX through the emission lines EL 1 to ELm.

The pixels PX may receive the data voltages in response to the scan signals. The pixels PX may emit a light having a luminance corresponding to the data voltages in response to the emission signals, and thus, the image may be displayed. An emission time of the pixels PX may be controlled by the emission signals.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the pixel PX shown in FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the pixel PX may be disposed on a substrate SUB and may include a transistor TR and a light emitting element OLED. The light emitting element OLED may include a first electrode AE, a second electrode CE, and a hole control layer HCL, an electron control layer ECL, and a light emitting layer EML. The first electrode AE may be an anode electrode, and the second electrode CE may be a cathode electrode.

The transistor TR and the light emitting element OLED may be disposed on the substrate SUB. For the simplicity of drawings, one transistor TR is shown in FIG. 6 . However, the pixel PX may include a plurality of transistors and at least one capacitor to drive the light emitting element OLED.

The display area DA may include a light emitting area PA corresponding to each pixel PX and a non-light-emitting area NPA around the light emitting area PA. The light emitting element OLED may be disposed in the light emitting area PA.

The substrate SUB may include a flexible plastic material. In an embodiment, the substrate SUB may include transparent polyimide PI. A buffer layer BFL may be disposed on the substrate SUB, and the buffer layer BFL may be an inorganic layer. A semiconductor pattern may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The semiconductor pattern may include or may be formed of a polycrystalline silicon. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the semiconductor pattern may include or may be formed of amorphous silicon or metal oxide.

The semiconductor pattern may be doped with an N-type dopant or a P-type dopant. The semiconductor pattern may have different electrical properties depending on whether it is doped with the P-type dopant or the N-type dopant. The semiconductor pattern may include a high-doped region and a low-doped region. The high-doped region may have a conductivity greater than that of the low-doped region and may substantially serve as a source electrode and a drain electrode of the transistor TR. The low-doped region may substantially correspond to an active (or channel) of the transistor TR.

A source S, an active A, and a drain D of the transistor TR may be formed from the semiconductor pattern. A first insulating layer INS 1 may be disposed on the semiconductor pattern. A gate G of the transistor TR may be disposed on the first insulating layer INS 1 . A second insulating layer INS 2 may be disposed on the gate G A third insulating layer INS 3 may be disposed on the second insulating layer INS 2 .

A connection electrode CNE may be disposed between the transistor TR and the light emitting element OLED to connect the transistor TR to the light emitting element OLED. The connection electrode CNE may include a first connection electrode CNE 1 and a second connection electrode CNE 2 .

The first connection electrode CNE 1 may be disposed on the third insulating layer INS 3 and may be connected to the drain D through a first contact hole CH 1 defined through the first, second, and third insulating layers INS 1 , INS 2 , and INS 3 . A fourth insulating layer INS 4 may be disposed on the first connection electrode CNE 1 . A fifth insulating layer INS 5 may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer INS 4 .

The second connection electrode CNE 2 may be disposed on the fifth insulating layer INS 5 and may be connected to the first connection electrode CNE 1 through a second contact hole CH 2 defined through the fourth insulating layer INS 4 and the fifth insulating layer INS 5 . A sixth insulating layer INS 6 may be disposed on the second connection electrode CNE 2 . Each of the first to sixth insulating layers INS 1 to INS 6 may be an inorganic layer or an organic layer.

The first electrode AE may be disposed on the sixth insulating layer INS 6 . The first electrode AE may be connected to the second connection electrode CNE 2 through a third contact hole CH 3 defined through the sixth insulating layer INS 6 . A pixel definition layer PDL may be disposed on the first electrode AE and the sixth insulating layer INS 6 to expose a predetermined portion of the first electrode AE. The pixel definition layer PDL may be provided with an opening PX_OP defined therethrough to expose the portion of the first electrode AE.

The hole control layer HCL may be disposed on the first electrode AE and the pixel definition layer PDL. The hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposed in the light emitting area PA and the non-light-emitting area NPA. The hole control layer HCL may include a hole transport layer and a hole injection layer.

The light emitting layer EML may be disposed on the hole control layer HCL. The light emitting layer EML may be disposed in an area corresponding to the opening PX_OP. The light emitting layer EML may include an organic material and/or an inorganic material. The light emitting layer EML may generate a light having one of a plurality of colors including, without being limited to, red, green, and blue colors.

The electron control layer ECL may be disposed on the light emitting layer EML and the hole control layer HCL. The electron control layer ECL may be commonly disposed in the light emitting area PA and the non-light-emitting area NPA. The electron control layer ECL may include an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer.

The second electrode CE may be disposed on the electron control layer ECL. The second electrode CE may be commonly disposed in the pixels PX. Layers from the buffer layer BFL to the light emitting element OLED may be collectively referred to as a pixel layer PXL.

A thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the light emitting element OLED. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the second electrode CE to cover the pixel PX. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include a first encapsulation layer disposed on the second electrode CE, a second encapsulation layer disposed on the first encapsulation layer, and a third encapsulation layer disposed on the second encapsulation layer.

Each of the first and third encapsulation layers may be an inorganic layer, and the second encapsulation layer may be an organic layer. The first and third encapsulation layers may protect the pixel PX from moisture and oxygen. The second encapsulation layer may protect the pixel PX from a foreign substance such as dust particles.

The first voltage may be applied to the first electrode AE through the transistor TR, and the second voltage, which has a voltage level lower than that of the first voltage, may be applied to the second electrode CE. Holes and electrons injected into the light emitting layer EML may be recombined to generate excitons, and the light emitting element OLED may emit the light by the excitons when returning to a ground state from an excited state.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an input sensing part ISP shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the input sensing part ISP may include a plurality of first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 , a plurality of first and second lines SNL 1 and SNL 2 , and a plurality of second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 . The first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 , the first and second lines SNL 1 and SNL 2 , and the second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 may be disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer TFE.

The input sensing part ISP may include an active area AA and a non-active area NAA around the active area AA. The active area AA may overlap the display area DA, and the non-active area NAA may overlap the non-display area NDA. The first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 may be disposed in the active area AA, and the second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 may be disposed in the non-active area NAA.

The first and second lines SNL 1 and SNL 2 may be connected to one ends of the first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 , may extend to the non-active area NAA, and may be connected to the second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 . Although not shown in figures, the second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 may be connected to the printed circuit board. The group of switches and the sensing controller may be connected to the second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 through the printed circuit board.

The first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 may include a plurality of first sensing electrodes TE 1 extending lengthwise in the first direction DR 1 and being spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR 2 , and a plurality of second sensing electrodes TE 2 extending lengthwise in the second direction DR 2 and being spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR 1 , respectively. The second sensing electrodes TE 2 may be insulated from the first sensing electrodes TE 1 while overlapping the first sensing electrodes TE 1 .

The first lines SNL 1 may be connected to the second pads PD 2 . The second lines SNL 2 may be connected to the third pads PD 3 .

The first sensing electrodes TE 1 may be defined as input sensing electrodes, and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may be defined as output sensing electrodes. The input sensing part ISP may be operated in a mutual sensing mode. For example, driving signals are applied to the first sensing electrodes TE 1 through the first lines SNL 1 , and sensing signals may be output from the second sensing electrodes TE 2 through the second lines SNL 2 . The driving signals may be sequentially applied to the first sensing electrodes TE 1 .

Although not shown in figures, a touch driving controller may be disposed outside of the input sensing part ISP to control an operation of the input sensing part ISP. The touch driving controller may provide the driving signals and may receive sensing signals to calculate a touched position. The touch driving controller may include a group of switches. The group of switches will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B . The touch driving controller will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B .

The first sensing electrodes TE 1 may include a plurality of first main electrodes ME 1 and a plurality of first sub-electrodes SE 1 . The first main electrodes ME 1 may extend lengthwise in the first direction DR 1 and may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR 2 . The first sub-electrodes SE 1 may extend lengthwise in the first direction DR 1 . Each of the first main electrodes ME 1 may be interposed between corresponding two adjacent first sub-electrodes SE 1 . The first main electrodes ME 1 may have a width, in the second direction DR 2 , greater than a width, in the second direction DR 2 , of the first sub-electrodes SE 1 .

Each of the first sensing electrodes TE 1 may include a first main electrode ME 1 and two first sub-electrodes SE 1 . The first main electrode ME 1 may be disposed between the first sub-electrodes SE 1 . The second sensing electrodes TE 2 may include a plurality of second main electrodes ME 2 and a plurality of second sub-electrodes SE 2 . The second main electrodes ME 2 may extend lengthwise in the second direction DR 2 and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR 1 . Each of the second main electrodes ME 2 may be interposed between corresponding two second sub-electrodes SE 2 . The second main electrodes ME 2 may have a width, in the first direction DR 1 , greater than a width, in the first direction DR 1 , of the second sub-electrodes SE 2 . The second main electrodes ME 2 may be insulated from the first main electrodes ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 while overlapping the first main electrodes ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 . The second sub-electrodes SE 2 may be insulated from the first main electrodes ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 while overlapping the first main electrodes ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 .

Each of the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may include a second main electrode ME 2 and two second sub-electrodes SE 2 . The second main electrode ME 2 may be disposed between the second sub-electrodes SE 2 .

For the simplicity of drawings, four first sensing electrodes TE 1 and five second sensing electrodes TE 2 are shown in FIG. 7 . The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto.

The first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may be disposed in different layers from each other. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may be disposed in the same layer as each other. The first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 do not overlap each other, and the first sensing electrodes TE 1 may be connected to each other by a bridge pattern. The first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 , which are disposed in the same layer, will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 .

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , the input sensing part ISP may be disposed between the thin film encapsulation layer TFE and the anti-reflective layer RPL. The input sensing part ISP may be disposed directly on the thin film encapsulation layer TFE. The expression that the input sensing part ISP is disposed directly on the thin film encapsulation layer means that no intervening elements are present between the input sensing part ISP and the thin film encapsulation layer. A separate adhesive member is not disposed between the input sensing part ISP and the thin film encapsulation layer. The present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the input sensing part ISP may be combined with the thin film encapsulation layer TFE by using an adhesive member. The adhesive member may include an ordinary adhesive.

The input sensing part ISP may include the first sensing electrodes TE 1 , the second sensing electrodes TE 2 , a first sensing insulating layer ILL a second sensing insulating layer IL 2 , and a third sensing insulating layer IL 3 .

The first sensing insulating layer IL 1 may be disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer TFE. The first sensing insulating layer IL 1 may be an inorganic layer including at least one of silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and silicon oxide. The present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first sensing insulating layer IL 1 may be an organic layer including an epoxy-based resin, an acrylic-based resin, or an imide-based resin.

The second sensing electrodes TE 2 may be disposed on the first sensing insulating layer IL 1 . The second sensing insulating layer IL 2 may be disposed on the second sensing electrodes TE 2 . The first sensing electrodes TE 1 may be disposed on the second sensing insulating layer IL 2 . The third sensing insulating layer IL 3 may be disposed on the first sensing electrodes TE 1 . The third sensing insulating layer IL 3 may cover the first sensing electrodes TE 1 .

At least one of the second sensing insulating layer IL 2 and the third sensing insulating layer IL 3 may include an inorganic layer. The inorganic layer may include or may be formed of at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide.

At least one of the second sensing insulating layer IL 2 and the third sensing insulating layer IL 3 may include or may be formed of an organic layer. The organic layer may include at least one of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, cellulose resin, siloxane resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and perylene resin.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a portion AA 1 shown in FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 9 , each of the first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 may include a plurality of first branches BP 1 extending lengthwise in the first direction DR 1 and a plurality of second branches BP 2 extending lengthwise in the second direction DR 2 . The first branches BP 1 and the second branches BP 2 may be connected each other to form a mesh shape.

The first main electrodes ME 1 may include the first and second branches BP 1 and BP 2 to have the mesh shape. The first sub-electrodes SE 1 may be formed by the first branches BP 1 extending in the first direction DR 1 . However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first sub-electrodes SE 1 may have a mesh structure similar to that of the first main electrodes ME 1 .

The second main electrodes ME 2 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 may have substantially the same shapes as those of the first main electrodes ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 except that a direction in which the second main electrodes ME 2 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 extend is different from that of the first main electrodes ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 .

Touch openings TOP, each having a quadrangular shape, may be defined by the first branches BP 1 and the second branches BP 2 . The first and second branches BP 1 and BP 2 may overlap the non-light-emitting area NPA between the light emitting areas PA.

The light emitting area PA shown in FIG. 6 may be one of the light emitting areas PA shown in FIG. 9 . The light emitting areas PA may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . Each light emitting area PA may have the quadrangular shape. The touch openings TOP may overlap the light emitting areas PA. The touch openings TOP may have the quadrangular shape corresponding to the shape of the light emitting areas PA. For example, each of the light emitting areas PA is disposed in a corresponding touch opening TOP.

Since the first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 are disposed in the non-light-emitting area NPA, a light generated by the light emitting areas PA may be normally emitted without being influenced by the first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 .

Although not shown in figures, the light emitting areas PA may include a plurality of light emitting areas displaying a red color, a plurality of light emitting areas displaying a green color, and a plurality of light emitting areas displaying a blue color.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a structure in which one first main electrode and one second main electrode are disposed in the same layer.

Referring to FIG. 10 a portion of the first main electrode ME 1 and a portion of the second main electrode ME 2 may be adjacent to each other in a direction in which they cross each other.

The first main electrode ME 1 may include mesh patterns MP and bridge patterns BRP electrically connected to the mesh patterns MP. The mesh patterns MP may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR 1 with the second main electrode ME 2 interposed therebetween. The bridge patterns BRP may overlap the second main electrode ME 2 , and the bridge patterns BRP may be insulated from the second main electrode ME 2 while overlapping the second main electrode ME 2 . Although not shown in figures, the mesh patterns MP may have the mesh shape shown in FIG. 9 .

The mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 may be disposed in the same layer as each other, and the bridge patterns BRP may be disposed in a layer different from the layer in which the mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 are disposed. For example, an insulating layer (not shown) may be interposed between a layer having the bridge patterns BRP and a layer having the mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 . For example, the bridge patterns BRP are disposed on a bottom surface of the insulating layer, and the mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 are disposed on a top surface of the insulating layer. This structure may be called a bottom bridge structure. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the bridge patterns BRP may be disposed on a top surface of the insulating layer (not shown), and the mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 may be disposed on a bottom surface. This structure may be called a top bridge structure. Although not shown in figures, the first sub-electrodes SE 1 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 overlapping the first sub-electrodes SE 1 may have a similar structure as the first and second main electrodes ME 1 and ME 2 .

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-IF shown in FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIG. 11 , the bridge pattern BRP may be a layer different from a layer of the second main electrode ME 2 and the mesh patterns MP. FIG. 11 shows the bottom bridge structure as a representative example.

The bridge pattern BRP may be disposed on the first sensing insulating layer ILL The second sensing insulating layer IL 2 may be disposed on the bridge pattern BRP. The second sensing insulating layer IL 2 may cover the bridge pattern BRP.

The mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 may be disposed on the second sensing insulating layer IL 2 .

A plurality of contact holes CNT may be defined through the second sensing insulating layer IL 2 in the third direction DR 3 . The mesh patterns MP adjacent to each other among the mesh patterns MP may be electrically connected to the bridge pattern BRP through the contact holes CNT.

The third sensing insulating layer IL 3 may be disposed on the mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 . The third sensing insulating layer IL 3 may cover the mesh patterns MP and the second main electrode ME 2 .

FIG. 12 is a view showing a connection relation between the first and second sensing electrodes of the input sensing part and the first and second group of switches.

For the convenience of explanation, the second and third pads PD 2 and PD 3 that connect the first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 to first and second group of switches MUX 1 and MUX 2 are omitted in FIG. 12 .

Referring to FIG. 12 , the display device DD may include the touch driving controller TDC. The touch driving controller TDC may include the first group of switches MUX 1 and the second group of switches MUX 2 . Transmission lines TL may be connected to the first group of switches MUX 1 , respectively. Receiving lines RL may be connected to the second group of switches MUX 2 , respectively.

The first group of switches MUX 1 may include a plurality of first switches SW 1 and a plurality of second switches SW 2 . The second group of switches MUX 2 may include a plurality of third switches SW 3 and a plurality of fourth switches SW 4 .

Each of the first group of switches MUX 1 may include a pair of first and second switches SW 1 and SW 2 . Each of the second group of switches MUX 2 may include a pair of third and fourth switches SW 3 and SW 4 .

Each of the transmission lines TL may be connected to the first switch SW 1 and the second switch SW 2 of a corresponding first group of switches MUX 1 among the first group of switches MUX 1 . Each of the receiving lines RL may be connected to the third switch SW 3 and the fourth switch SW 4 of a corresponding second group of switches MUX 2 among the second group of switches MUX 2 .

The first switches SW 1 may be connected to the first main electrodes ME 1 . The second switches SW 2 may be connected to the first sub-electrodes SE 1 . The third switches SW 3 may be connected to the second main electrodes ME 2 . The fourth switches SW 4 may be connected to the second sub-electrodes SE 2 .

The first control signal CS 1 and the second control signal CS 2 may control switching operations of the first and second switches SW 1 and SW 2 and switching operations of the third and fourth switches SW 3 and SW 4 . For example, the first control signal CS 1 and the second control signal CS 2 may turn on and turn off the first and second switches SW 1 and SW 2 and the third and fourth switches SW 3 and SW 4 . After the first control signal CS 1 is applied, the second control signal CS 2 may be applied. After the second control signal CS 2 is applied, the first control signal CS 1 may be applied.

The first switches SW 1 of the first group of switches MUX 1 may be turned on in response to the first control signal CS 1 . The transmission lines TL may be, in response to the first control signal CS 1 , connected to the first main electrodes ME 1 through the first switches SW 1 of the first group of switches MUX 1 .

The second switches SW 2 of the first group of switches MUX 1 may be turned on in response to the second control signal CS 2 . The transmission lines TL may be, in response to the second control signal CS 2 , connected to the first sub-electrodes SE 1 through the second switches SW 2 of the first group of switches MUX 1 .

The third switches SW 3 of the second group of switches MUX 2 may be turned on in response to the first control signal CS 1 . In an embodiment, the third switches SW 3 may be turned on together with the first switches SW 1 . The receiving lines RL may be, in response to the first control signal CS 1 , connected to the second main electrodes ME 2 through the third switches SW 3 of the second group of switches MUX 2 .

The fourth switches SW 4 of the second group of switches MUX 2 may be turned on in response to the second control signal CS 2 . In an embodiment, the fourth switches SW 4 may be turned on together with the second switches SW 2 . The receiving lines RL may be, in response to the second control signal CS 2 , connected to the second sub-electrodes SE 2 through the fourth switches SW 4 of the second group of switches MUX 2 .

When the first and third switches SW 1 and SW 3 are turned on, the second and fourth switches SW 2 and SW 4 are turned off. When the second and fourth switches SW 2 and SW 4 are turned on, the first and third switches SW 1 and SW 3 may be turned off.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are circuit diagrams showing one first group of switches MUX 1 and one second group of switches MUX 2 among the first and second group of switches shown in FIG. 12 , respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B , the first group of switches MUX 1 may include the first switch SW 1 and the second switch SW 2 . As an example, each of the first switch SW 1 and the second switch SW 2 may be a transistor.

The first switch SW 1 may include a first input terminal INL 1 connected to a corresponding transmission line among the transmission lines TL, a first output terminal OL 1 connected to a corresponding first main electrode ME 1 among the first main electrodes ME 1 , and a first control terminal CL 1 receiving the first control signal CS 1 . In an embodiment, the first input terminal INL 1 and the first output terminal OL 1 may be a source and a drain of the transistor, respectively, and the first control terminal CL 1 may be a gate of the transistor.

The second switch SW 2 may include a second input terminal INL 2 connected to a corresponding transmission line among the transmission lines TL, a second output terminal OL 2 connected to a corresponding first sub-electrodes SE 1 among the first sub-electrodes SE 1 , and a second control terminal CL 2 receiving the second control signal CS 2 . In an embodiment, the second input terminal INL 2 and the second output terminal OL 2 may be a source and a drain of the transistor, respectively, and the second control terminal CL 2 may be a gate of the transistor. The first group of switches MUX 1 may selectively connect the transmission line TL to one of the first main electrode ME 1 and the first sub-electrodes SE 1 .

The second group of switches MUX 2 may include the third switch SW 3 and the fourth switch SW 4 . In an embodiment, each of the third switch SW 3 and the fourth switch SW 4 may be a transistor.

The third switch SW 3 may include a third input terminal INL 3 connected to a corresponding receiving line among the receiving lines RL, a third output terminal OL 3 connected to a corresponding second main electrode ME 2 among the second main electrodes ME 2 , and a third control terminal CL 3 receiving the first control signal CS 1 . In an embodiment, the third input terminal INL 3 and the third output terminal OL 3 may be a source and a drain of the transistor, and the third control terminal CL 3 may be a gate of the transistor.

The fourth switch SW 4 may include a fourth input terminal INL 4 connected to a corresponding receiving line among the receiving lines RL, a fourth output terminal OL 4 connected to a corresponding second sub-electrodes SE 2 among the second sub-electrodes SE 2 , and a fourth control terminal CL 4 receiving the second control signal CS 2 . In an embodiment, the fourth input terminal INL 4 and the fourth output terminal OL 4 may be a source and a drain of the transistor, respectively, and the fourth control terminal CL 4 may be a gate of the transistor.

The second group of switches MUX 2 may selectively connect the receiving line RL to one of the second main electrode ME 2 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 .

FIG. 14A is a view showing an uplink operation between a display device and a touch pen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14A , the touch pen may approach the display panel. The touch pen (e.g., an active pen) may be an active type of an input member that provides a driving signal. Accordingly, the touch pen may be referred to as the active pen, the input member, or the input unit. The first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 may be used as a transmission electrode to provide an uplink signal provided from the touch driving controller to the touch pen. For example, the uplink signal may include panel information, information on protocol version, or the like. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto.

FIG. 14A shows an example in which both the first sub-electrodes SE 1 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 are used as the transmission electrode. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. For example, the first sub-electrodes SE 1 may be used as the transmission electrode, or the second sub-electrodes SE 2 may be used as the transmission electrode.

In response to the touch pen approaching the display panel, the touch driving controller TDC may generate the uplink signal, the first control signal CS 1 , and the second control signal CS 2 . The uplink signal is transmitted from the touch driving controller TDC to the transmission line TL. The first control signal CS 1 may turn off the first switches SW 1 . The second control signal CS 2 may turn on the second switches SW 2 . The first control signal CS 1 may turn off the third switches SW 3 . The second control signal CS 2 may turn on the fourth switches SW 4 .

The transmission lines TL may be connected to the first sub-electrodes SE 1 through the second switches SW 2 . The receiving lines RL may be connected to the second sub-electrodes SE 2 through the fourth switches SW 4 . Accordingly, the uplink signals transmitted through the transmission lines TL and the receiving lines RL may be provided to the first sub-electrodes SE 1 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 through the second switches SW 2 and the fourth switches SW 4 .

The uplink signals may be transmitted to the touch pen PN through the first sub-electrodes SE 1 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 .

The uplink signal may be transmitted to the touch pen PN through the first sub-electrodes SE 1 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 , which have an area smaller than that of the first main electrodes ME 1 and the second main electrodes ME 2 . The uplink signal ULS may affect the display panel DP, and thus, a noise may occur in the display panel DP. The noise may be proportional to an area of an electrode through which the uplink signal ULS is transmitted.

Since the uplink signal is transmitted through a small area, the noise occurring in the display panel DP may be reduced compared to when the uplink signal is transmitted to the display panel DP through the first and second main electrodes ME 1 and ME 2 .

FIG. 14B is a view showing a downlink operation between a display device and a touch pen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14B , the first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 may be operated in a first mode and a second mode. An operation to sense an input by the touch pen PN may be operated in the first mode. An operation to sense an input by the user's hand may be operated in the second mode.

The first mode may be a mode in which the display device DD and the touch pen PN transmit and receive data to and from each other. In the first mode, each of the first sub-electrodes SE 1 and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 may be used as the transmission electrode to provide the uplink signal provided from the touch sensing driver to the touch pen PN. The uplink operation has been previously described in FIG. 13A , so details thereof will be omitted.

When the touch pen PN touches the display panel DP after the uplink operation is completed, each of the first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may be used as a receiving electrode to transmit a sensing signal induced from the touch pen PN to a touch sensing driver. For example, the touch pen PN may transmit a downlink signal to the display device DD.

In response to the touch pen PN which touches the display panel DP, the touch driving controller TDC may generate the first and second control signals CS 1 and CS 2 . The first switches SW 1 of the first group of switches MUX 1 and the third switches SW 3 of the second group of switches MUX 2 may be turned on in response to the first control signal CS 1 . The transmission lines TL may be used as the receiving lines. The receiving lines RL may be connected to the second main electrodes ME 2 through the second group of switches MUX 2 . The downlink signal may be received by the first and second main electrodes ME 1 and ME 2 .

After the first control signal CS 1 is applied, the second control signal CS 2 may be applied. The second switches SW 2 of the first group of switches MUX 1 may be turned on in response to the second control signal CS 2 . The transmission lines TL may be connected to the first sub-electrodes SE 1 through the first group of switches MUX 1 . The transmission lines TL may be used as the receiving lines. The receiving lines RL may be connected to the second sub-electrodes SE 2 through the second group of switches MUX 2 . The downlink signal may be received by the first and second sub-electrodes SE 1 and SE 2 .

In the second mode, the external input may be sensed by detecting a variation in mutual capacitance between the first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 .

In response to the finger which touches the display panel DP, the touch driving controller TDC may generate the first and second control signals CS 1 and CS 2 . The first switches SW 1 of the first group of switches MUX 1 may be turned on in response to the first control signal CS 1 . For example, the first switches SW 1 may be turned on by the first control signal CS 1 , and the transmission lines TL may be connected to the first main electrodes ME 1 . The first main electrodes ME 1 may serve as the transmission electrode.

The third switches SW 3 of the second group of switches MUX 2 may be turned on in response to the first control signal CS 1 . For example, the third switches SW 3 may be turned on by the first control signal CS 1 , and the receiving lines RL may be connected to the second main electrodes ME 2 . The second main electrodes ME 2 may serve as the receiving electrode. The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first main electrodes ME 1 may serve as the receiving electrode, and the second main electrodes ME 2 may serve as the transmission electrode.

The driving signal may be applied to the first main electrodes ME 1 through the transmission lines TL, and the sensing signals may be output to the receiving lines RL through the second main electrodes ME 2 .

After the first control signal CS 1 is applied, the second control signal CS 2 may be applied. The second switches SW 2 of the first group of switches MUX 1 may be turned on in response to the second control signal CS 2 . The first sub-electrodes SE 1 may serve as the transmission electrode. The fourth switches SW 4 of the second group of switches MUX 2 may be turned on in response to the second control signal CS 2 . The second sub-electrodes SE 2 may serve as the receiving electrode, however, they should not be limited thereto or thereby. For example, the first sub-electrodes SE 1 may serve as the receiving electrode, and the second sub-electrodes SE 2 may serve as the transmission electrode.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 7 to show a finger FIN and a touch pen PN that are in contact with a portion of the display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIGS. 15 and 16 , the same reference numerals denote the same elements in FIGS. 3 and 7 , and thus, detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted. FIG. 17 is a graph showing a signal of the input sensor receiving the first signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the finger FIN may be disposed on the window WIN.

When the finger FIN touches the window WIN, the touch sensing driver may operate in the second mode. The first sensing electrodes TE 1 may transmit the driving signal, and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may receive the sensing signal. In the second mode, the touch sensing driver may sense the input by the finger FIN by detecting the variation in mutual capacitance between the first sensing electrodes TE 1 and the second sensing electrodes TE 2 . The present inventive concept, however, is not limited thereto. For example, the second sensing electrodes TE 2 may serve as the transmission electrode, and the first sensing electrodes TE 1 may serve as the receiving electrode.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 , the touch pen PN may be disposed on the window WIN and may transmit a first signal SG 1 .

A sensing portion DT may be disposed at an end of the touch pen PN. The sensing portion DT may be connected to a body portion BD to form the touch pen PN.

A first_second sensing electrode TE 1 _ 2 and a first_third sensing electrode TE 1 _ 3 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR 2 with a first_first sensing electrode TE 1 _ 1 interposed therebetween. The first_second sensing electrode TE 1 _ 2 may include a first_second main electrode ME 1 _ 2 and a first_second sub-electrode SE 1 _ 2 . The first_third sensing electrode TE 1 _ 3 may include a first_third main electrode ME 1 _ 3 and a first_third sub-electrode SE 1 _ 3 .

The sensing portion DT of the touch pen PN may transmit the first signal SG 1 . The first signal SG 1 may form an electric field. The touch sensing driver may calculate the sensing signal with the shape of a Gaussian distribution from the first_first, first_second, and first_third sensing electrodes TE 1 _ 1 , TE 1 _ 2 , and TE 1 _ 3 that sense the electric field.

The first signal SG 1 may include a first sub-signal SG 1 _ 1 , a second sub-signal SG 1 _ 2 , a third sub-signal SG 1 _ 3 , a fourth sub-signal SG 1 _ 4 , a fifth sub-signal SG 1 _ 5 , a sixth sub-signal SG 2 _ 3 , and a seventh sub-signal SG 3 _ 3 . The first sub-signal SG 1 _ 1 , the second sub-signal SG 1 _ 2 , the third sub-signal SG 1 _ 3 , the fourth sub-signal SG 1 _ 4 , the fifth sub-signal SG 1 _ 5 , the sixth sub-signal SG 2 _ 3 , and the seventh sub-signal SG 3 _ 3 are classified according to an angle at which the first signal SG 1 is emitted.

The first_second sub-electrode SE 1 _ 2 may sense the first sub-signal SG 1 _ 1 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a first sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 1 of the first sensing intensity SP 1 at a position of the first_second sub-electrode SE 1 _ 2 .

The first_first sub-electrode SE 1 _ 1 may sense the second sub-signal SG 1 _ 2 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a second sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 2 of the second sensing intensity SP 2 at a position of the first_first sub-electrode SE 1 _ 1 .

The first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 may sense the third sub-signal SG 1 _ 3 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a third sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 3 of the third sensing intensity SP 3 at a position of the first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 .

The first_first sub-electrode SE 1 _ 1 may sense the fourth sub-signal SG 1 _ 4 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a fourth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 4 of the fourth sensing intensity SP 4 at a position of the first_first sub-electrode SE 1 _ 1 .

The first_third sub-electrode SE 1 _ 3 may sense the fifth sub-signal SG 1 _ 5 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a fifth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 5 of the fifth sensing intensity SP 5 at a position of the first_third sub-electrode SE 1 _ 3 .

The first_second main electrode ME 1 _ 2 may sense the sixth sub-signal SG 2 _ 3 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a sixth sensing signal SP_SG 2 _ 3 of the sixth sensing intensity SP 3 _ 1 at a position of the first_second main electrode ME 1 _ 2 .

The first_third main electrode ME 1 _ 3 may sense the seventh sub-signal SG 3 _ 3 , and the touch sensing driver may calculate a seventh sensing signal SP_SG 3 _ 3 of the seventh sensing intensity SP 3 _ 2 of the first_third main electrode ME 1 _ 3 .

The touch sensing driver may combine the first sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 1 , the second sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 2 , the third sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 3 , the fourth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 4 , the fifth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 5 , the sixth sensing signal SP_SG 2 _ 3 , and the seventh sensing signal SP_SG 3 _ 3 to form a first combination signal SP_SG 1 .

In a case where the sub-electrodes are not provided, the first_second main electrode ME 1 _ 2 may calculate the sixth sensing signal SP_SG 2 _ 3 , the first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 may calculate the third sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 3 , and the first_third main electrode ME 1 _ 3 may calculate the seventh sensing signal SP_SG 3 _ 3 . The touch sensing driver may combine the third sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 3 , the sixth sensing signal SP_SG 2 _ 3 , and the seventh sensing signal SP_SG 3 _ 3 to form a second combination signal SP_SG′.

Referring to FIG. 17 , the first combination signal SP_SG 1 may have a sensing intensity with a gentler slope than the second combination signal SP_SG 1 ′. The first combination signal SP_SG 1 are obtained by combining more peripheral signals than the second combination signal SP_SG 1 ′, and thus, an accuracy of coordinates of a position at which the touch pen PN is disposed may be improved.

In FIG. 17 , a first sensing intensity SP 1 is the same as a fifth sensing intensity SP 5 , a second sensing intensity SP 2 is the same as a fourth sensing intensity SP 4 , and a sixth sensing intensity SP 3 _ 1 is the same as a seventh sensing intensity SP 3 _ 2 . However, depending on the position of the touch pen PN, the first sensing intensity SP 1 may be recognized as being different from the fifth sensing intensity SP 5 , the second sensing intensity SP 2 may be recognized as being different from the fourth sensing intensity SP 4 , and the sixth sensing intensity SP 3 _ 1 may be recognized as being different from the seventh sensing intensity SP 3 _ 2 .

For example, when the first sensing intensity SP 1 of the first sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 1 is different from the fifth sensing intensity SP 5 of the fifth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 5 , the position of the touch pen PN may be accurately calculated by comparing the first sensing intensity SP 1 with the fifth sensing intensity SP 5 . For example, when the first sensing intensity SP 1 is greater than the fifth sensing intensity SP 5 , the touch sensing driver may calculate the position of the touch pen PN as coordinates moved from a center of the first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 to a fourth direction DR 4 that is a direction opposite to the second direction DR 2 . When the second sensing intensity SP 2 is smaller than the fourth sensing intensity SP 4 , the touch sensing driver may calculate the position of the touch pen PN as coordinates moved from the center of the first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 to the second direction DR 2 .

According to the present disclosure, each of the first_first sub-electrodes SE 1 _ 1 may be disposed between the first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 and the first_second sub-electrode SE 1 _ 2 and between the first_first main electrode ME 1 _ 1 and the first_third sub-electrode SE 1 _ 3 . The first_second sub-electrode SE 1 _ 2 may be disposed between the first_first sub-electrode SE 1 _ 1 and the first_second main electrode ME 1 _ 2 . The first_third sub-electrode SE 1 _ 3 may be disposed between the first_first sub-electrode SE 1 _ 1 and the first_third main electrode ME 1 _ 3 . The first_second sub-electrode SE 1 _ 2 , the first_first sub-electrodes SE 1 _ 1 , and the first_third sub-electrode SE 1 _ 3 may sense the first signal SG 1 .

The touch sensing driver may correct the coordinates of the position of the touch pen PN using the first sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 1 , the second sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 2 , the fourth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 4 , and the fifth sensing signal SP_SG 1 _ 5 . The coordinate accuracy of the display device DD with respect to the first signal SG 1 of the touch pen PN may be improved. Accordingly, a sensing reliability of the display device DD may be improved.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a connection relation between first and second sensing electrodes of an input sensing part and first and second group of switches according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a connection relation between first and second sensing electrodes TE 1 and TE 2 and first and second group of switches MUX 1 ′ and MUX 2 ′ of the of the input sensing part according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 18 . In FIG. 18 , the same reference numerals denote the same elements in FIG. 12 , and thus, detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 18 , first transmission lines TL 1 may be respectively connected to first main electrodes ME 1 . Second transmission line TL 2 may be selectively connected to first sub-electrodes SE 1 through the first group of switches MUX 1 ′.

First receiving lines RL 1 may be respectively connected to second main electrodes ME 2 . Second receiving line RL 2 may be selectively connected to second sub-electrodes SE 2 through the second group of switches MUX 2 ′.

The first group of switches MUX 1 ′ may include a first switch SW 1 ′, a second switch SW 2 ′, and a third switch SW 3 ′. The second group of switches MUX 2 ′ may include a fourth switch SW 4 ′, a fifth switch SW 5 ′, and a sixth switch SW 6 ′.

Driving signals may be sequentially provided to the first main electrodes ME 1 through the first transmission lines TL 1 . Sensing signals may be sequentially output through the second main electrodes ME 2 and the first receiving lines RL 1 .

The driving signals may be applied through the second transmission line TL 2 after being applied through the first transmission lines TL 1 . The first switch SW 1 ′, the second switch SW 2 ′, and the third switch SW 3 ′ of the first group of switches MUX 1 ′ may be sequentially turned on in response to a first control signal CS 1 ′, a second control signal CS 2 ′, and a third control signal CS 3 ′. The driving signals may be sequentially provided to the first sub-electrodes SE 1 through the second transmission line TL 2 .

The fourth switch SW 4 ′, the fifth switch SW 5 ′, and the sixth switch SW 6 ′ of the second group of switches MUX 2 ′ may be sequentially turned on in response to the first control signal CS 1 ′, the second control signal CS 2 ′, and the third control signal CS 3 ′. The sensing signals may be sequentially output through the second sub-electrodes SE 2 and the second receiving line RL 2 .

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is understood that the present disclosure should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as hereinafter claimed. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, and the scope of the present inventive concept shall be determined according to the attached claims.