Touch panel apparatus for measuring biosignals and method of measuring biosignals by using the same

A method of measuring biosignals by using a touch panel apparatus, the method comprising:

• applying a driving power to a second electrode array comprising driving electrodes, to couple the second electrode array to a first electrode array comprising reception electrodes detecting a touch input directly on at least one location of a screen of the touch panel apparatus, the screen being disposed on the first electrode array, and the first electrode array and the second electrode array forming a stack structure;
• determining an operation mode of the touch panel apparatus as a manipulation mode configured to manipulate the screen, in response to the touch input being detected directly on the at least one location of the screen and then detected to move within a period of time;
• determining the operation mode as a measuring mode configured to measure the biosignals, in response to the touch input being detected to be held for the period of time directly on the at least one location of the screen;
• connecting the second electrode array to a source of the driving power, in response to the operation mode being determined as the manipulation mode;
• and
• connecting all of the driving electrodes comprised in an entire portion of the second electrode array to ground, and measuring the biosignals, based on the touch input that is detected, in response to the operation mode being determined as the measuring mode.

A touch panel apparatus comprising:

• a screen;
• a first electrode array on which the screen is disposed, the first electrode array comprising reception electrodes configured to detect a touch input directly on at least one location of the screen;
• a second electrode array comprising driving electrodes configured to be coupled to the first electrode array, based on a driving power, the first electrode array and the second electrode array forming a stack structure;
• a mode converter configured to:
• connect the second electrode array to a source of the driving power, in response to the touch input being detected directly on the at least one location of the screen and then detected to move within a period of time;
• and
• connect all of the driving electrodes comprised in an entire portion of the second electrode array to ground, in response to the touch input being detected to be held for the period of time directly on the at least one location of the screen.