Patent Description:
There are various types of touch panels, but capacitive touch panels are most actively used. The capacitive touch panel recognizes a touch based on a change in an electric field existing between two electrodes, and the two electrodes may be implemented in a form of a sheet.

<CIT> and <CIT> both disclose an apparatus for and method of testing a touch panel for faults.

There have been various attempts to identify a defect of an electrode sheet, but the existing defect identification method identifies the defect after assembling by bonding a transmission (TX) electrode sheet and a reception (RX) electrode sheet is finished, and thus there was a limitation that it is impossible to reuse the electrode sheet identified to be defective, and additional work by a user was required because a location where the defect exists was unknown.

Therefore, there is a need for a technology capable of identifying a defect and acquiring a location where the defect exists even before assembling by bonding the electrode sheets constituting a touch panel.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to identify whether a defect exists in a transparent electrode sheet constituting a touch panel based on a signal received from an external device.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an electronic apparatus is provided according to claim <NUM>.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of controlling an electronic apparatus is provided according to claim <NUM>.

The technical problems of the disclosure are not limited to the technical problem described above, and the other technical problems not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure as described above, the electronic apparatus may identify whether a defect exists in an electrode sheet even before assembling by bonding electrode sheets constituting a touch panel. Also, the electronic apparatus may acquire a location where the defect exists in the electrode sheet.

In addition, effects acquirable or predicted by embodiments of the disclosure are to be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure. For example, various effects predicted according to embodiments of the disclosure will be disclosed in the detailed description to be described below.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which:.

It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

The terms used in example embodiments will be briefly explained, and example embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Terms used in the disclosure are selected as general terminologies currently widely used in consideration of the configuration and functions of the disclosure, but may be different depending on intention of those skilled in the art, a precedent, appearance of new technologies, or the like. Further, in specific cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected. In this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in the description of the corresponding embodiments. Accordingly, the terms used in the description should not necessarily be construed as simple names of the terms, but be defined based on meanings of the terms and overall contents of the disclosure.

The example embodiments may vary, and may be provided in different example embodiments. Various example embodiments will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, this does not necessarily limit the scope of the various embodiments to a specific embodiment form. Instead, modifications, equivalents and replacements included in the disclosed concept and technical scope of this specification may be employed. While describing various embodiments, if it is identified that the specific description regarding a known technology obscures the gist of the disclosure, the specific description is omitted.

The terms such as "first," "second," and so on may be used to describe a variety of elements, but the elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms used herein are solely intended to explain specific example embodiments, and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terms "include", "comprise", "is configured to," etc., of the description are used to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combination thereof, and they should not exclude the possibilities of combination or addition of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or a combination thereof.

The example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail below in a manner that will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. However, various embodiments may be realized in a variety of different configurations, and not limited to descriptions provided herein. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the disclosure with unnecessary detail.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a configuration of a touch panel defect identification system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a touch panel defect identification system <NUM> may include an electronic apparatus <NUM>, an external device <NUM>, and a touch panel <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> may include an anti-glare (AG) film <NUM>, a cover window <NUM>, an upper optical clear adhesive (OCA) film <NUM>, an upper electrode sheet <NUM>, and a lower OCA film <NUM> and a lower electrode sheet <NUM>. The electrode sheets <NUM> and <NUM> may be transparent. For example, the upper electrode sheet <NUM> may be a TX electrode sheet, and the lower electrode sheet <NUM> may be an RX electrode sheet. However, this is only an embodiment, and the upper electrode sheet <NUM> may be the RX electrode sheet, and the lower electrode sheet <NUM> may be the TX electrode sheet.

The external device <NUM> is an impedance measuring device. For example, the external device <NUM> may include a time domain reflectometer (TDR) device. The external device <NUM> may apply a first signal to the electrode sheets <NUM> and <NUM>, and acquire a second signal (i.e., a response signal to the first signal) that the first signal is reflected back from the electrode sheets <NUM> and <NUM>. The external device <NUM> may acquire information on the first signal and information on the second signal. Information on each signal may include a voltage magnitude of a signal over time, that is, a waveform of a signal. In the disclosure, the second signal may also be referred to as a response signal.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire information on the first signal and information on the second signal by communicating with the external device <NUM>. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the touch panel <NUM> based on the information on the first signal and the information on the second signal. Although the electronic apparatus <NUM> is illustrated as a personal computer (PC) in <FIG>, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be a mobile device.

Although not shown, the electrode sheets <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) and may be electrically connected to the external device <NUM>. In addition, a MUX circuit connecting a plurality of lines included in the electrode sheets <NUM> and <NUM>, and the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may control the MUX circuit to sequentially apply the first signal to each of the plurality of lines included in the electrode sheet.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may include a communication interface <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>. The communication interface <NUM> may include at least one communication circuit and may communicate with an external device or an external server. For example, when a user command for testing a performance of an electrode sheet is acquired, the communication interface <NUM> may transmit, to the external device, a control signal requesting the external device to apply the first signal to the electrode sheet. Alternatively, the communication interface <NUM> may transmit a switching control signal to the MUX circuit. The communication interface <NUM> may also receive, from an external device, information on a first signal applied to the electrode sheet and information on a second signal that is a response signal to the first signal.

The communication interface <NUM> may include at least one communication terminal. For example, the communication interface <NUM> may include at least one of a universal serial bus (USB) port, a local area network (LAN) port, and a wide area network (WAN) port. The communication interface <NUM> may include a wired communication module and a wireless communication module. The wired communication module may include an Ethernet module. Wireless communication modules may include at least one of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, Wi-Fi communication module, cellular communication module, 3rd generation (<NUM>) mobile communication module, 4th generation (<NUM>) mobile communication module, 4th generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication module, 5th generation (<NUM>) mobile communication module.

The display <NUM> may display various information under a control of the processor <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> may display information on defects present in the touch panel or the electrode sheet. The information about the defect may include a type and location of the defect. The display <NUM> may be implemented as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), etc., and the display <NUM> may be implemented as a flexible display, a transparent display, or the like. However, the display <NUM> according to the disclosure is not limited to a specific type.

The memory <NUM> may store an operating system (OS) for controlling the overall operation of components of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and commands or data related to components of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be implemented as a nonvolatile memory (e.g., a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory), a volatile memory, or the like.

The memory <NUM> may store a reference value for identifying the defect of the electrode sheet. For example, the memory <NUM> may store a predetermined time range. When a difference between a first point at which the first signal is applied to the electrode sheet and a second point at which the second signal is acquired by an external device is outside a predetermined time range (e.g., <NUM> ns to <NUM> ns), the processor <NUM> may identify that there is a defect in the electrode sheet. In the disclosure, the second point at which the second signal is acquired means a point at which a reflection signal corresponding to the first signal is acquired.

The memory <NUM> may store a predetermined voltage range. When a voltage magnitude of the second signal is outside a predetermined voltage range (e.g., <NUM>. 95V to <NUM>. 05V), the processor <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the electrode sheet. The predetermined time range and the predetermined voltage range may be set by a user.

The processor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the memory <NUM> to control overall functions and operations of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. For example, when a user command for inspecting a defect of the electrode sheet is acquired, the processor <NUM> may control the communication interface <NUM> to transmit a control signal to an external device. The control signal may be a signal requesting the external device to apply the first signal to a transparent electrode sheet connected to the external device.

The processor <NUM> may receive information about a first signal from an external device and information about a second signal that is a signal from which the first signal is reflected from the transparent electrode sheet. The information on the first signal may include a first point at which the first signal is applied to the transparent electrode sheet. The information on the second point may receive a second point at which the second signal is acquired by an external device, and a waveform of the second signal.

The processor <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet based on a difference between the first point and the second point and the waveform of the second signal. For example, when the difference between the first point and the second point is outside a predetermined time range, the processor <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet. Alternatively, when a voltage magnitude of the second signal is outside a predetermined voltage range, the processor <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet.

When the difference between the first point and the second point is less than the predetermined time, and the voltage magnitude of the second signal is less than the predetermined value, the processor <NUM> may identify that at least some of a plurality of lines included in the transparent electrode sheet are shorted to each other or that at least some of the plurality of lines are shorted to a ground.

When a rise time of the second signal is greater than a predetermined time (e.g., <NUM> ns to <NUM> ns), the processor <NUM> may identify that a foreign material is present in the transparent electrode sheet. When a defect test is performed after the transparent electrode sheet is bonded to the other transparent electrode sheet (e.g., the upper electrode sheet <NUM> and the lower electrode sheet <NUM> of <FIG> are bonded), the rise time of the second signal is greater than the predetermined time, the processor <NUM> may identify that a degree of compression between the electrode sheets <NUM> and <NUM> is outside a predetermined range.

The processor <NUM> may acquire a location of a defect present in the transparent electrode sheet based on the difference between the first point and the second point. The processor <NUM> may calculate an impedance of a line based on the difference between the first point and the second point. For example, a line of <NUM> ohms may correspond to <NUM> ps. The processor <NUM> may acquire a length of the line based on the calculated impedance, and may acquire the location of the defect based on the length of the line. Physical properties (e.g., resistivity, conductivity) of the line may be previously stored in the memory <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may acquire a similarity between the waveform of the second signal and a predetermined waveform. For example, the processor <NUM> may acquire the similarity between the waveform of the second signal and predetermined waveform by using a similarity identification algorithm or a neural network model for identifying similarity. In this case, the similarity identification algorithm or the neural network model for identifying the similarity may be previously stored in the memory <NUM>. If the similarity is less than a predetermined value, the processor <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet. If the similarity is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the processor <NUM> may identify that a defect does not exist in the transparent electrode sheet.

While it is described in the disclosure that the external device <NUM> is a TDR device, this is only an example, and the external device <NUM> may be implemented as a jig board using a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIS). The jig board may include a pulse generator that generates a pulse signal to be applied to an electrode sheet, a time-to-digital converter (TDC), and a comparator. The jig board may store information on the pulse signal and the response signal. For example, the jig board may store a first point at which the pulse signal is applied to the jig board, a second point at which the response signal is acquired, a difference between the first point and the second point, and a size of the response signal. The jig board may transmit stored information to the electronic apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a waveform of a response signal according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a first response signal <NUM> may have a form in which a voltage magnitude instantaneously increases and then decreases. These waveforms may appear when an inductance of a line exists. For example, when an air gap is formed in the line, the inductance of the line may increase.

Referring to <FIG>, a second response signal <NUM> may have a form in which a voltage magnitude instantaneously decreases and then increases. These waveforms may appear when a capacitance of the line is increased. For example, when a foreign matter exists or dents occur in the line, the capacitance of the line may increase. Line dents may occur during bonding by pressing an electrode sheet and an adhesive film.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the line based on the waveform of the response signal, and may identify a type of the defect. For example, when a waveform of the received response signal has the same shape as the first response signal <NUM>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the line. In this case, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that an air gap is formed in the line. When a waveform of the received response signal has the same shape as the second response signal <NUM>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the line. In this case, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a foreign material is present in the line or that a dent has occurred.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may store a waveform of a reference response signal when the electrode sheet is normal. When a difference between a size of the reference response signal and a size of the received response signal is greater than a predetermined value, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the line. Alternatively, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire the inductance or capacitance of the line by analyzing the waveform of the received response signal. When the difference between the acquired inductance or capacitance, and the reference value is greater than a predetermined value, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the line.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram when an electrode sheet is normal according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are circuit diagrams when a defect exits in an electrode sheet according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a response signal corresponding to the circuit diagram of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a TDR device may acquire a response signal by applying a pulse signal to an electrode sheet including a plurality of lines. The response signal may be a signal in which the pulse signal is reflected by the electrode sheet. The TDR device may acquire a waveform shown in <FIG> and transmit it to the electronic apparatus <NUM>. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the electrode sheet by analyzing the received waveform. Although not illustrated, the electrode sheet may be disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB), and a MUX circuit connecting the plurality of lines included in the electrode sheet and the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode sheet <NUM> may include a plurality of lines. For example, the plurality of lines may include a first line <NUM>. The first line <NUM> may include a plurality of transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The first line <NUM> may have an electrical length of a reference length d0.

Referring to <FIG>, when a pulse signal is applied to the first line <NUM>, the TDR device may acquire a reference response signal <NUM>. Since the first line <NUM> is in an open state, a size of the reference response signal <NUM> may increase up to a first voltage V1 when the pulse signal is applied, and up to a second voltage V2 after a reference point t0. The reference point t0 is a point at which a reflection signal corresponding to the pulse signal applied to the first line <NUM> is acquired.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a first point t0 by analyzing a waveform of the reference response signal <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify the first point t0 by identifying a point at which a value acquired by differentiating the reference response signal <NUM> is greater than a predetermined value. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may define a reference time range (TR) and a reference voltage range (VR) based on the first point t0. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the electrode sheet by analyzing the response signal based on the reference time range TR and the reference voltage range VR. For example, when a point at which the reflected signal corresponding to the pulse signal is acquired by the TDR device is outside the reference time range TR, or a size of the response signal in the reference time range TR is outside the reference voltage range VR, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the electrode sheet.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode sheet <NUM> may include a first line <NUM> and a second line <NUM>. From the TDR device, the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> may be shorted at a point where an electrical length is a first length d1.

Referring to <FIG>, when a pulse signal is applied to the first line <NUM>, the TDR device may acquire a first response signal <NUM>. Since the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> are shorted from the TDR device at the first length d1 whose electrical length is smaller than the reference length d0, a reflected signal corresponding to the pulse signal applied to the first line <NUM> may be sensed at a first point t1 that is smaller than a reference point t0. In addition, since the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> are connected in parallel, an impedance of the first line <NUM> may be reduced, and a size of the first response signal <NUM> may be reduced to a third voltage V3 at the first point t1.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the electrode sheet <NUM> by analyzing a waveform of the first response signal <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a point at which a value acquired by differentiating the first response signal <NUM> becomes greater than a predetermined value for the first time, as a first point t1. In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a change in the size of the first response signal <NUM> at the first point t1. Since the first point t1 is smaller than the reference point t0 and the third voltage V3 is smaller than the first voltage V1, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that there is a defect in which the impedance of the first line <NUM> decreases at a point where the electrical length from the TDR device is smaller than the reference length d0. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that the first line <NUM> is shorted with the other line at a point where the electrical length from the TDR device is less than the reference length d0.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire a location where a defect exists based on the first point t1. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may calculate an electrical length of the first line <NUM> based on the first point t1. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may calculate the electrical length of the first line <NUM> by comparing the first point t1 and the reference point t0. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a location where the reflected signal corresponding to the pulse signal is reflected based on the electrical length of the first line <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an electrode sheet <NUM> may include a first line <NUM> and a second line <NUM>. From the TDR device, the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> may be shorted at a point where the electrical length is a second length d2.

Referring to <FIG>, when a pulse signal is applied to the first line <NUM>, the TDR device may acquire a second response signal <NUM>. Since the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> are connected in series such that the electrical length from the TDR device is greater than the reference length d0, a reflected signal corresponding to the pulse signal applied to the first line <NUM> may be acquired at a second point t2 that is greater than the reference point t0. In addition, since the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> are in an open state, a size of the second response signal <NUM> may increase up to the first voltage V1 when the pulse signal is applied, and up to the second voltage V2 after the second point t2.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the electrode sheet <NUM> by analyzing a waveform of the second response signal <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a point at which a value acquired by differentiating the second response signal <NUM> becomes greater than a predetermined value, as the second point t2. Since the second point t2 is greater than the reference point t0, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect that increases the electrical length of the first line <NUM> exists in the electrode sheet <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that the first line <NUM> and the other line are connected in series.

Referring to <FIG>, an electrode sheet <NUM> may include a first line <NUM> and a second line <NUM>. The first line <NUM> may be shorted to a ground at a point where an electrical length from the TDR device is a third length d3.

Referring to <FIG>, when a pulse signal is applied to the first line <NUM>, the TDR device may acquire a third response signal <NUM>. Since the first line <NUM> is shorted to the ground at a third length d3 having an electrical length smaller than the reference length d0 from the TDR device, a third point t3 at which the reflected signal corresponding to the pulse signal applied to the first line <NUM> is acquired may be smaller than the reference point t0. In addition, since the impedance of the first line <NUM> is reduced as the first line <NUM> is shorted to the ground, the size of the third response signal <NUM> may decrease to a fourth voltage V4 smaller than the first voltage V1 at the third point t3.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the electrode sheet <NUM> by analyzing a waveform of the third response signal <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a point at which a value acquired by differentiating the third response signal <NUM> becomes greater than a predetermined value, as the third point t3. Since the third point t3 is smaller than the reference point t0, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect in which the electrical length of the first line <NUM> decreases exists in the electrode sheet <NUM>. In addition, since the size of the third response signal <NUM> has become smaller than the first voltage V1 after the third point t3, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect in which the impedance of the first response signal <NUM> decreases exists. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that the first line <NUM> is shorted to the ground at a point corresponding to a third distance d3.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the upper electrode sheet <NUM> or the lower electrode sheet <NUM> even after the upper electrode sheet <NUM> and the lower electrode sheet <NUM> are bonded.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a circuit diagram of an electrode sheet according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a response signal corresponding to the circuit diagrams of <FIG> and <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, horizontal lines <NUM> and <NUM> may constitute an upper electrode sheet <NUM>, and vertical lines <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may constitute the lower electrode sheet <NUM>. Capacitances C1, C2, and C3 may be formed between the upper electrode sheet <NUM> and the lower electrode sheet <NUM>. The TDR device may acquire a response signal by applying a pulse signal to the first line <NUM>. For example, a first response signal <NUM>, a second response signal <NUM>, and a third response signal <NUM> of <FIG> may be acquired.

Referring to <FIG>, the first response signal <NUM> is a signal when there is no defect in a bonded electrode sheet. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may define a reference time range TR ', a reference voltage range VR" based on the first response signal <NUM>. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may identify a reference point at which a size of the first response signal <NUM> becomes equal to a predetermined value, and the reference time range TR ' based on the reference point Also, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may define the reference voltage range VR' based on a reference voltage V0' of the first response signal <NUM> at reference point.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet by analyzing the response signal based on the reference time range TR" and the reference voltage range VR". For example, when a point at which the reflected signal corresponding to the pulse signal is acquired by the TDR device is outside the reference time range TR", or a size of the response signal in the reference time range TR" is outside the reference voltage range VR", the apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet.

The second response signal <NUM> is a response signal when capacitances C1, C2, and C3 are greater than a predetermined value. As the capacitance increases, a rise time of the response signal may increase. Accordingly, it may be identified that a time for the second response signal <NUM> to reach the reference voltage V0' is greater than a time for the first response signal <NUM> to reach the reference voltage V0'.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet by analyzing a waveform of the response signal. For example, if the response signal is the same as the second response signal <NUM>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that there is a defect in which the capacitance increases than a predetermined value, in the bonded electrode sheet,.

As shown in the circuit diagram of <FIG>, the third response signal <NUM> is a response signal when a short circuit occurs between the lines <NUM> and <NUM>. Since the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> are shorted from the TDR device at a point where an electrical length is smaller than a reference length d0, a reflected signal corresponding to a pulse signal applied to the first line <NUM> may be acquired a first point t1' that is smaller than the point t0'. In addition, since the first line <NUM> and the second line <NUM> are connected in parallel, an impedance of the first line <NUM> may be reduced, and a size of the third response signal <NUM> may be reduced at the first point t1'.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet by analyzing a waveform of the response signal. For example, if the response signal is the same as the third response signal <NUM>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that there is a defect in which the electrical length and impedance of the first line <NUM> are reduced.

A method of identifying whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet based on a signal acquired from the upper electrode sheet <NUM> has been described in <FIG>. However, this is only an embodiment, and the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet by analyzing a signal acquired from the lower electrode sheet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram of a bonded electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a graph illustrating a signal acquired by the oscilloscope of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an oscilloscope <NUM> may be connected to lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> constituting the lower electrode sheet <NUM>. For example, a probe of the oscilloscope <NUM> may be coupled to nodes N1, N2, N3, and N4.

Referring to <FIG>, a first response signal <NUM> is a signal sensed by a first node N1, a second response signal <NUM> is a signal sensed by a second node N2, and a third response signal <NUM> is a signal sensed by a third node N3, and a fourth response signal <NUM> is a signal sensed by a fourth node N4.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may receive a response signal from the oscilloscope <NUM> and identify whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet by analyzing the response signal. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet by identifying whether the response signal satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the predetermined condition may include a first condition that a time difference between points at which two adjacent response signals are acquired must be within a predetermined range. When the first condition is satisfied, it means that the capacitors formed between the upper electrode sheet <NUM> and the lower electrode sheet <NUM> are formed at regular intervals, that is, uniformly. Accordingly, when the first condition is not satisfied, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect that a capacitor formed on the bonded electrode sheet is non-uniform exists. The preset condition may include a second condition that a size of the response signal sensed at a location having a greater electrical length from the TDR device should be smaller. When a short occurs between lines included in the bonded electrode sheet, an electrical length may be changed, and accordingly, a point at which a response signal is acquired may change. Accordingly, if the second condition is not satisfied, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the bonded electrode sheet. When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that there is no defect in the bonded electrode sheet.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire a time difference by comparing a point at which a size of each response signal becomes maximum. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire a first time difference (Δt<NUM>) between a point at which the first response signal <NUM> is acquired and a point at which the second response signal <NUM> is acquired. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire a second time difference (Δt<NUM>) between a point at which the second response signal <NUM> is acquired and a point at which the third response signal <NUM> is acquired. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire a third time difference (Δt<NUM>) between a point at which the third response signal <NUM> is acquired and a point at which the fourth response signal <NUM> is acquired.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether the first condition is satisfied based on the first time difference (Δt1), the second time difference (Δt2), and the third time difference (Δt3). If the first time difference (Δt1), the second time difference (Δt2), and the third time difference (Δt3) are all within a predetermined range (e.g., <NUM> ns to <NUM> ns), the electronic apparatus <NUM> identifies that the first condition is satisfied. Meanwhile, if at least one of the first time difference (Δt1), the second time difference (Δt2), and the third time difference (Δt3) is out of the predetermined range, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that the first condition is not satisfied.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether the second condition is satisfied by identifying a maximum value of a size of each response signal and comparing the identified maximum value. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a first maximum value V1 " the first response signal <NUM>, a second maximum value V2 " of the second response signal <NUM>, and a third maximum value V3 " of the third response signal <NUM>, and a fourth maximum value V4 " of the fourth response signal <NUM>. Since the first maximum value V1' is greater than the second maximum value V2', the second maximum value V2' is greater than the third maximum value V3', and the third maximum value V3' is greater than the maximum value V4', the apparatus <NUM> may identify that second condition is Accordingly, when a response signal as in <FIG> is acquired, the apparatus <NUM> may identify that is no defect in the bonded circuit. Meanwhile, if the first maximum value V1' is smaller than the second maximum value V2', the apparatus <NUM> may identify that the second condition is not satisfied.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may perform communication connection with an external device at operation S1510 and transmit a control signal requesting that the external device applies a first signal to a transparent electrode sheet connected to the external device at operation S1520.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may receive a first point at which a first signal is applied to the transparent electrode sheet from the external device, a second point at which a second signal that is a response signal to the first signal is acquired by the external device, and a waveform of the second point at operation S1530.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify whether a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet based on a difference between the first point and the second point, and the waveform of the second signal at operation S1540. For example, when the difference between the first point and the second point is outside a predetermined time range, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet. Alternatively, when a voltage magnitude of the second signal is outside a predetermined voltage range, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet.

When the difference between the first point and the second point is less than the predetermined time, and the voltage magnitude of the second signal is less than the predetermined value, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that at least some of a plurality of wires included in the transparent electrode sheet are shorted to each other or that at least some of the plurality of wires are shorted to a ground.

When a rise time of the second signal is greater than a predetermined time, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a foreign material is present in the transparent electrode sheet or that a degree of compression between the transparent electrode sheet and the other transparent electrode sheet is outside a predetermined range.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify a location of the defect present in the transparent electrode sheet based on the difference between the first point and the second point. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may display information about the defect including the location of the defect through the display <NUM>.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may acquire a similarity between the waveform of the second signal and a predetermined waveform. If the similarity is less than a predetermined value, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet. If the similarity is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may identify that a defect does not exist in the transparent electrode sheet.

In addition, various embodiments described above may be implemented in a recording media that may be read by a computer or a similar device to the computer by suing software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the processor itself. In a software configuration, various embodiments described in the specification such as a procedure and a function may be implemented as separate software modules. The software modules may respectively perform one or more functions and operations described in the disclosure.

According to various embodiments described above, computer instructions for performing processing operations of a device according to the various embodiments described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium may cause a particular device to perform processing operations on the device according to the various embodiments described above when executed by the processor of the particularly device.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium does not refer to a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, memory, etc., but semi-permanently stores data and is available of reading by the device. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), a hard disc, Blu-ray disc, USB, a memory card, read only memory (ROM), or the like.

Claim 1:
An electronic apparatus comprising:
a communication interface (<NUM>) configured to communicate with an external device (<NUM>), wherein the external device (<NUM>) includes a time domain reflectometer device;
a memory (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>),
wherein the processor is configured to:
transmit a control signal to the external device requesting the external device to apply a first signal to a transparent electrode sheet for a touch panel (<NUM>), the transparent electrode sheet being connected to the external device,
receive, from the external device, a first point at which the first signal is applied to the transparent electrode sheet, a second point at which a second signal that is a response signal to the first signal is acquired by the external device, and a waveform of the second signal, and
identify whether a defect exists in the transparent electrode sheet based on a difference between the first point and the second point, and the waveform of the second signal, characterised in that:
based on the difference between the first point and the second point being less than a predetermined time and a voltage magnitude of the second signal being less than a predetermined value, the processor is configured to identify that at least two of a plurality of lines included in the transparent electrode sheet are shorted to each other or at least some of the plurality of lines are shorted to a ground.