# US 10,372,163 B2 · Input device comprising sensor panel, information processing device comprising input device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,372,163 B2 - Document ID: US10372163B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/724,336 - Filed: 2015-05-28 - Published: 2015-12-03 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-30 - Assignees: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyake - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372163B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1652: {the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable} - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - G06F 3/0445: {using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer} - G06F 3/0446: {using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes} - G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures - G09F 9/301: {flexible foldable or roll-able electronic displays, e.g. thin LCD, OLED} - G06F 2203/04102: Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper - G06F 2203/04103: Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices - G06F 2203/04111: Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS ## Abstract A novel input device that is highly convenient or reliable is provided. Alternatively, a novel input device is provided. The input device includes a sensor panel that can be folded, a housing that enables the sensor panel to be folded, and a sensing portion that senses the folded state of the sensor panel and supplies folding information. Furthermore, the sensor panel includes a signal line extending in the column direction, and a part of one signal line is placed to face another part of the signal line in the folded state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An input device comprising: a sensor panel; a control portion; an output portion; a housing; and a light-blocking layer, wherein the sensor panel is supplied with a control signal, supplies a sensing signal, and is in a folded state or an unfolded state, wherein the control portion supplies the control signal, wherein the output portion is supplied with the sensing signal and supplies sensing information, wherein the sensor panel comprises a control line, a signal line, and a flexible base, wherein the control line is supplied with the control signal and extends in a row direction, wherein the signal line supplies the sensing signal and extends in a column direction, wherein the base supports the control line and the signal line, wherein a part of the signal line faces another part of the signal line in the folded state of the sensor panel, wherein the sensor panel is configured to provide similar electrical interferences generated on the signal line in the folded state and in the unfolded state when a sensing object is close or is in contact with the sensor panel, wherein the control line comprises a first control line and a second control line, wherein the signal line comprises a signal line intersecting with the first control line and the second control line, wherein the control portion supplies a first control signal modulated by a first method to the first control line and supplies a second control signal modulated by a second method that is different from the first method to the second control line, wherein the output portion is electrically connected to the signal line and separates a first sensing signal based on the first control signal and a second sensing signal based on the second control signal from the sensing signals supplied to the signal line, wherein the first control signal is supplied to the first control line and the second control signal is supplied to the second control line at substantially the same time, wherein the sensor panel comprises a first electrode electrically connected to the control line and a second electrode electrically connected to the signal line and including a portion not overlapping with the first electrode, wherein the base supports the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the light-blocking layer is between the first electrode and the base and between the second electrode and the base, and wherein the light-blocking layer overlaps with the first electrode and the second electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the second electrode faces another part of the second electrode in the folded state of the sensor panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The input device according to claim 2, wherein a part of the first electrode is folded in the folded state of the sensor panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The input device according to claim 2, further comprising a display portion overlapping with the sensor panel, wherein the display portion comprises a pixel, and wherein the first electrode or the second electrode includes a net-like conductive film including an opening portion at a position overlapping with the pixel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The input device according to claim 4, wherein the net-like conductive film includes a metal film. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The input device according to claim 4, wherein the housing is configured to make the display portion be in a folded state and an unfolded state together with the sensor panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to make the sensor panel be in the folded state and the unfolded state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An information processing device comprising: the input device according to claim 1; and a hinge, an antenna, or a battery. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first control signal has a first frequency, wherein the second control signal has a second frequency, and wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the signal line comprises a first signal line and a second signal line, and wherein the output portion further separates a third sensing signal based on the first control signal and a fourth sensing signal based on the second control signal from the sensing signals supplied to the second signal line. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein a difference between a capacitance of the signal line in the folded state and a capacitance of the signal line in the unfolded state is small. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the part of the signal line faces another part of the signal line in the folded state of the sensor panel so that a capacitance of the signal line in the folded state of the sensor panel is substantially equal to a capacitance of the signal line in the unfolded state of the sensor panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor panel is configured to detect the sensing object in the folded state and in the unfolded state on the basis of a same threshold voltage. ### Claim 14 An input device comprising: a sensor panel; a fold sensing portion; a control portion; an output portion; a housing; and a light-blocking layer, wherein the sensor panel is supplied with a control signal, supplies a sensing signal, and is folded and unfolded, wherein the fold sensing portion senses a folded state and an unfolded state of the sensor panel and supplies folding information, wherein the control portion supplies the control signal, wherein the output portion is supplied with the sensing signal and the folding information and supplies sensing information on the basis of the sensing signal and the folding information, wherein the sensor panel comprises a control line, a signal line, and a flexible base, wherein the control line is supplied with the control signal and extends in a row direction, wherein the signal line supplies the sensing signal and extends in a column direction, wherein the base supports the control line and the signal line, wherein a part of the signal line faces another part of the signal line in the folded state of the sensor panel, wherein the sensor panel is configured to provide similar electrical interferences generated on the signal line in the folded state and in the unfolded state when a sensing object is close or is in contact with the sensor panel, wherein the control line comprises a first control line and a second control line, wherein the signal line comprises a signal line intersecting with the first control line and the second control line, wherein the control portion supplies a first control signal modulated by a first method to the first control line and supplies a second control signal modulated by a second method that is different from the first method to the second control line, and wherein the output portion is electrically connected to the signal line and separates a first sensing signal based on the first control signal and a second sensing signal based on the second control signal from the sensing signals supplied to the signal line, wherein the first control signal is supplied to the first control line and the second control signal is supplied to the second control line at substantially the same time, wherein the sensor panel comprises a first electrode electrically connected to the control line and a second electrode electrically connected to the signal line and including a portion not overlapping with the first electrode, wherein the base supports the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the light-blocking layer is between the first electrode and the base and between the second electrode and the base, and wherein the light-blocking layer overlaps with the first electrode and the second electrode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The input device according to claim 14, wherein a part of the second electrode is located to face another part of the second electrode in the folded state of the sensor panel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The input device according to claim 15, wherein a part of the first electrode is folded in the folded state of the sensor panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The input device according to claim 15, further comprising a display portion overlapping with the sensor panel, wherein the display portion comprises a pixel, and wherein the first electrode or the second electrode includes a net-like conductive film including an opening portion at a position overlapping with the pixel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The input device according to claim 17, wherein the net-like conductive film includes a metal film. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The input device according to claim 17, wherein the housing is configured to make the display portion be in a folded state and an unfolded state together with the sensor panel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The input device according to claim 14, wherein the housing is configured to make the sensor panel be in the folded state and the unfolded state. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) An information processing device comprising: the input device according to claim 14; and a hinge, an antenna, or a battery. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The input device according to claim 14, wherein the first control signal has a first frequency, wherein the second control signal has a second frequency, and wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The input device according to claim 14, wherein the signal line comprises a first signal line and a second signal line, and wherein the output portion further separates a third sensing signal based on the first control signal and a fourth sensing signal based on the second control signal from the sensing signals supplied to the second signal line. ### Claim 24 An input device comprising: a sensor panel; a control portion; an output portion; and a housing; wherein the sensor panel is supplied with a control signal, supplies a sensing signal, and is in a folded state or an unfolded state wherein the control portion supplies the control signal, wherein the output portion is supplied with the sensing signal and supplies sensing information, wherein the sensor panel comprises a control line, a signal line, and a flexible base, wherein the control line is supplied with the control signal and extends in a row direction, wherein the signal line supplies the sensing signal and extends in a column direction, wherein the base supports the control line and the signal line, wherein a part of the signal line faces another part of the signal line in the folded state of the sensor panel, and wherein the sensor panel is configured to provide similar electrical interferences generated on the signal line in the folded state and in the unfolded state when a sensing object is close or is in contact with the sensor panel. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The input device according to claim 24, wherein the sensor panel comprises a first electrode electrically connected to the control line and a second electrode electrically connected to the signal line and including a portion not overlapping with the first electrode, wherein the base supports the first electrode and the second electrode, and wherein a part of the second electrode faces another part of the second electrode in the folded state of the sensor panel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The input device according to claim 24, further comprising a light-blocking layer between the control line and the base and between the signal line and the base. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The input device according to claim 25, further comprising a display portion overlapping with the sensor panel each other, wherein the display portion comprises a pixel, and wherein the first electrode or the second electrode includes a net-like conductive film including an opening portion at a position overlapping with the pixel.