U.S. patent application number 14/823802 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for touch panels and display devices having touch panels.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Display Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kwan-Young Han, Tae-Hyeog Jung, Sung-Ku Kang, Jung-Mok Park.
Application Number | 20150346882 14/823802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47225934 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150346882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Jung-Mok ; et
al. |
December 3, 2015 |
TOUCH PANELS AND DISPLAY DEVICES HAVING TOUCH PANELS
Abstract
A display device including a touch panel arranged on a display
panel, the touch panel including at least one phase retardation
layer, a polarization plate arranged on the at least one phase
retardation layer, a touch sensing structure including at least one
sensing pattern arranged directly on at least one of at least one
face of the phase retardation layer and at least one face of the
polarization plate, an adhesion layer arranged on the polarization
plate and a window arranged on the adhesion layer.
Inventors: |
Park; Jung-Mok;
(Yongin-City, KR) ; Han; Kwan-Young; (Yongin-City,
KR) ; Jung; Tae-Hyeog; (Yongin-City, KR) ;
Kang; Sung-Ku; (Yongin-City, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Display Co., Ltd. |
Yongin-City |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
47225934 |
Appl. No.: |
14/823802 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13495413 |
Jun 13, 2012 |
9122362 |
|
|
14823802 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/047 20130101;
G02F 2413/06 20130101; G02F 2001/133638 20130101; G06F 3/0443
20190501; G06F 3/0446 20190501; G06F 2203/04103 20130101; G06F
3/0445 20190501; G06F 2203/04112 20130101; G02F 2413/02 20130101;
H01L 27/323 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/047 20060101
G06F003/047; G09G 5/00 20060101 G09G005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 30, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0008847 |
Claims
1. A touch panel, comprising: at least one phase retardation layer;
a polarization plate arranged on the at least one phase retardation
layer; a touch sensing structure including a first sensing pattern
distinguished from a second sensing pattern, at least one of the
first and the second sensing patterns is arranged directly on at
least one of at least one face of the phase retardation layer and
at least one face of the polarization plate; an adhesion layer
arranged on the polarization plate; and a window arranged on the
adhesion layer.
2. (canceled)
3. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein the first sensing pattern is
arranged directly on a bottom face of the phase retardation layer;
and the second sensing pattern is arranged directly on an upper
face of the phase retardation layer, wherein the first and the
second sensing patterns respectively extend along directions
perpendicular to each other, and the phase retardation layer
includes a .lamda./4 phase retardation film.
4-5. (canceled)
6. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein the first sensing pattern is
arranged directly on an upper face of the phase retardation layer;
and the second sensing pattern is arranged directly on an upper
face of the polarization plate.
7. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein the first sensing pattern is
arranged directly on a bottom face of the phase retardation layer;
and the second sensing pattern is arranged directly on an upper
face of the polarization plate.
8. A touch panel, comprising: at least one phase retardation layer;
a polarization plate arranged on the at least one phase retardation
layer; a touch sensing structure including a first sensing pattern
distinguished from a second sensing pattern, at least one of the
first and the second sensing patterns is arranged directly on at
least one of at least one face of the phase retardation layer and
at least one face of the polarization plate; an adhesion layer
arranged on the polarization plate; and a window arranged on the
adhesion layer, wherein the at least one phase retardation layer
comprises: a first phase retardation layer; and a second phase
retardation layer arranged on the first phase retardation
layer.
9-10. (canceled)
11. The touch panel of claim 8, wherein the first sensing pattern
is arranged directly on a bottom face of the first phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on a bottom face of the second phase retardation
layer.
12. (canceled)
13. The touch panel of claim 8, wherein the first sensing pattern
is arranged directly on an upper face of the first phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on a bottom face of the second phase retardation
layer.
14-16. (canceled)
17. The touch panel of claim 8, wherein the first sensing pattern
is arranged directly on an upper face of the second phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on an upper face of the polarization plate.
18. The touch panel of claim 8, wherein the first sensing pattern
is arranged directly on a bottom face of the second phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on an upper face of the polarization plate.
19. The touch panel of claim 8, wherein the first sensing pattern
is arranged directly on a bottom face of the first phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on an upper face of the polarization plate.
20-25. (canceled)
26. A display device comprising a touch panel arranged on a display
panel, the touch panel comprising: at least one phase retardation
layer; a polarization plate arranged on the at least one phase
retardation layer; a touch sensing structure including a first
sensing pattern distinguished from a second sensing pattern, at
least one of the first and the second sensing patterns is arranged
directly on a face of at least one of the polarization plate and
the at least one phase retardation layer; an adhesion layer
arranged on the polarization plate; and a window arranged on the
adhesion layer.
27. (canceled)
28. The display device of claim 26, wherein the at least one phase
retardation layer comprises: a first phase retardation layer having
a .lamda./4 phase retardation film; and a second phase retardation
layer having a .lamda./2 phase retardation film, the second phase
retardation layer being arranged on the first phase retardation
layer, wherein the first sensing pattern is arranged directly on a
bottom face of the first phase retardation layer; and the second
sensing pattern is arranged directly on an upper face of the first
phase retardation layer.
29-34. (canceled)
35. The display device of claim 26, wherein the first sensing
pattern is arranged directly on an upper face of the phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on an upper face of the polarization plate.
36. The display device of claim 26, wherein the first sensing
pattern is arranged directly on a bottom face of the phase
retardation layer; and the second sensing pattern is arranged
directly on a bottom face of the polarization plate.
37. (canceled)
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the same
herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
from an application earlier filed in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office on 30 Jan. 2012 and there duly assigned Serial No.
10-2012-0008847.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Example embodiments of the invention relate to touch panels
including touch sensing structures directly provided on phase
retardation layers and/or polarization plates, and display devices
having touch panels including touch sensing structures.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A touch screen panel (TSP) employed in a display device such
as an organic light emitting display (OLED) device or a liquid
crystal display (LCD) device may generally recognize a contact
position by the hand of a user or an object though touch sensors
thereof. A recent display device may usually include such touch
screen panel attached to a display panel.
[0006] The conventional touch panel may include indium tin oxide
(ITO) patterns, a phase retardation layer, a polarization layer and
adhesion layers so as to achieve relatively high optical
transmittance thereof. For example, Korean Patent Application
Publication No. 2011-0039088 discloses a touch panel that has
adhesion layers, conductive films (patterned ITO layers) serving as
touch sensors, a phase retardation layer and a polarization plate,
which is disposed on a display panel. However, the conventional
touch panel includes the polarization plate, the phase retardation
plate, a base film and the touch sensors separately stacked on the
display panel, so that the conventional touch panel may not have a
small thickness. Thus, the conventional display device may not
ensure a desired slim thickness. Further, the manufacturing coat
for the conventional display device may be increased and also the
yield of the manufacturing processes for the conventional display
device may be reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Example embodiments provide a touch panel having a touch
sensing structure directly disposed on a phase retardation layer
and/or a polarization plate to reduce optical loss and thickness
thereof.
[0008] Example embodiments provide a display device including a
touch sensing structure directly disposed on a phase retardation
layer and/or a polarization plate to reduce optical loss and
thickness thereof.
[0009] According to one aspect of example embodiments, there is
provided a touch panel including at least one phase retardation
layer, a polarization plate arranged on the at least one phase
retardation layer, a touch sensing structure including at least one
sensing pattern arranged directly on at least one of at least one
face of the phase retardation layer and at least one face of the
polarization plate, an adhesion layer arranged on the polarization
plate; and a window arranged on the adhesion layer. The at least
one sensing pattern may include a first sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the phase retardation layer; and a
second sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the
phase retardation layer. The first and the second sensing patterns
respectively may extend along directions substantially
perpendicular to each other, and the phase retardation layer may
include a .lamda./4 phase retardation film.
[0010] The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the phase
retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on
a bottom face of the polarization plate. The at least one sensing
pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged
directly on an upper face of the phase retardation layer and a
second sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the
polarization plate. The at least one sensing pattern may instead
include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face
of the phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the polarization plate. The
at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first sensing
pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the phase retardation
layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper
face of the polarization plate.
[0011] The at least one phase retardation layer may include a first
phase retardation layer and a second phase retardation layer
arranged on the first phase retardation layer. The first phase
retardation layer may include a .lamda./4 phase retardation film
and the second phase retardation layer may include a .lamda./2
phase retardation film. The at least one sensing pattern may
include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face
of the first phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the first phase retardation
layer. The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the first
phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the second phase retardation layer.
The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the second
phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged
directly on an upper face of the second phase retardation layer.
The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first
sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the first
phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the second phase retardation layer.
The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the second
phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the polarization plate. The at least
one sensing pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the first phase retardation
layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom
face of the polarization plate. The at least one sensing pattern
may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on an
upper face of the second phase retardation layer and a second
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the
polarization plate. The at least one sensing pattern may instead
include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face
of the second phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the polarization plate. The
at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first sensing
pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the second phase
retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on
an upper face of the polarization plate. The at least one sensing
pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the first phase retardation layer and
a second sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the
polarization plate. The at least one sensing pattern may instead
include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face
of the first phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the second phase retardation
layer.
[0012] The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a
sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the second
phase retardation layer. The at least one sensing pattern may
instead include a sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom
face of the second phase retardation layer. The at least one
sensing pattern may instead include a sensing pattern arranged
directly on an upper face of the first phase retardation layer. The
phase retardation layer may include a .lamda./4 phase retardation
film, and the touch sensing structure may include a sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the phase retardation layer.
The phase retardation layer may include a .lamda./4 phase
retardation film, and the touch sensing structure may include the
at least one sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face the
phase retardation layer.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a display device that includes a touch panel arranged
on a display panel, the touch panel including at least one phase
retardation layer, a polarization plate arranged on the at least
one phase retardation layer, a touch sensing structure including at
least one sensing pattern arranged directly on a face of one of the
at least phase retardation layer and on a face of the polarization
plate, an adhesion layer arranged on the polarization plate and a
window arranged on the adhesion layer. The at least one phase
retardation layer may include a first phase retardation layer
having a .lamda./4 phase retardation film and a second phase
retardation layer having a .lamda./2 phase retardation film, the
second phase retardation layer being arranged on the first phase
retardation layer.
[0014] The at least one sensing pattern may include a first sensing
pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the first phase
retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on
an upper face of the first phase retardation layer. The at least
one sensing pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern
arranged directly on a bottom face of the first phase retardation
layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom
face of the second phase retardation layer. The at least one
sensing pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the second phase retardation
layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper
face of the polarization plate. The at least one sensing pattern
may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on an
upper face of the second phase retardation layer and a second
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the
polarization plate. The at least one sensing pattern may instead
include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face
of the second phase retardation layer and a second sensing pattern
arranged directly on an upper face of the polarization plate. The
at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first sensing
pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the first phase
retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on
an upper face of the polarization plate. The at least one sensing
pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the first phase retardation layer and
a second sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the
second phase retardation layer. The at least one sensing pattern
may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged directly on an
upper face of the phase retardation layer and a second sensing
pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the polarization
plate. The at least one sensing pattern may instead include a first
sensing pattern arranged directly on a bottom face of the phase
retardation layer and a second sensing pattern arranged directly on
a bottom face of the polarization plate. The at least one sensing
pattern may instead include a first sensing pattern arranged
directly on a bottom face of the phase retardation layer and a
second sensing pattern arranged directly on an upper face of the
polarization plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of
the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate the
same or similar components, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with example
embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
panel of a display device in accordance with example
embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating a phase retardation
layer and a touch sensing structure of a display device in
accordance with example embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments; and
[0036] FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device having a touch panel in accordance with some example
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] The example embodiments are described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein.
In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions
may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0038] 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. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or
layers present. Like or similar reference numerals refer to like or
similar elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items.
[0039] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
components, regions, layers, patterns and/or sections, these
elements, components, regions, layers, patterns and/or sections
should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to
distinguish one element, component, region, layer pattern or
section from another region, layer, pattern or section. Thus, a
first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below
could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or
section without departing from the teachings of example
embodiments.
[0040] 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. It
will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements
described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would
then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above
and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees
or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors
used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting of the invention. 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. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," 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.
[0042] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to
cross sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of
illustratively idealized example embodiments (and intermediate
structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes
of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing
techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example
embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular
shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations
in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The regions
illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes
are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a
device and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention.
[0043] 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
invention 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.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display
device including a touch panel in accordance with example
embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a
display panel of a display device in accordance with example
embodiments.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the display device may include a
display panel 10 and a touch panel disposed on the display panel
10. In example embodiments, the touch panel may have a phase
retardation layer 20, a touch sensing structure 30, a polarization
plate 35, an adhesion layer 40, a window 45, etc. The touch sensing
structure 30 may include a first sensing pattern 15 and a second
sensing pattern 25.
[0046] In some example embodiments, an additional adhesion layer
(not illustrated) may be disposed between the display panel 10 and
the touch panel to increase bonding strength between the display
panel 10 and the touch panel.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel 10 may include
a first substrate 50, a switching device, a first electrode 95, a
light emitting structure 105, a second electrode 110, a second
substrate 120, etc.
[0048] A buffer layer 55 may be disposed on the first substrate 50.
The first substrate 50 may include a transparent insulation
substrate. For example, the first substrate 50 may include a glass
substrate, a quartz substrate, a transparent resin substrate, etc.
Examples of the transparent resin substrate for the first substrate
50 may include polyimide-based resin, acryl-based resin,
polyacrylate-based resin, polycarbonate-based resin,
polyether-based resin, sulfonic acid containing resin,
polyethyleneterephthalate-based resin, etc.
[0049] In example embodiments, the buffer layer 55 may prevent
diffusion of metal atoms and/or impurities from the first substrate
50. Additionally, the buffer layer 55 may adjust heat transfer rate
of a successive crystallization process for an active layer 60, to
thereby obtaining a substantially uniform active layer 60. In case
that the first substrate 50 may have a relatively irregular
surface, the buffer layer 55 may improve flatness of the surface of
the first substrate 50. The buffer layer 55 may be formed using a
silicon compound. For example, the buffer layer 55 may include
silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride
(SiOxNy), silicon oxycarbide (SiOxCy), silicon carbon nitride
(SiCxNy), etc. These may be used alone or in a mixture thereof. The
buffer layer 55 may be obtained on the first substrate 50 by a spin
coating process, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a
plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process, a high
density plasma-chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process, a
printing process, etc. The buffer layer 55 may be a single layer
structure or a multi-layered structure. For example, the buffer
layer 55-may have a single-layered structure including a silicon
oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, a
silicon oxycarbide film or a silicon carbon nitride film.
Alternatively, the buffer layer 55 may have a multilayered
structure including at, least two of a silicon oxide film, a
silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, a silicon
oxycarbide film, a silicon carbon nitride film, etc. In some
example embodiments, the buffer layer 55 may not be formed on the
first substrate 50 in accordance with materials and/or surface
conditions of the first substrate 50.
[0050] The switching device may be provided on the buffer layer 55.
In example embodiments, the switching device may include a thin
film transistor (TFT) having the active layer 60 that may contain
silicon (Si). Here, the switching device may include the active
layer 60, a gate insulation layer 65, a gate electrode 70, a source
electrode 80, a drain electrode 85, etc. In some example
embodiments, the switching device may include an oxide
semiconductor device having an active layer that may contain
semiconductor oxides.
[0051] When the switching device includes the TFT, the active layer
may be disposed on the buffer layer 55. The active layer 60 may
have a source region and a drain region both of which are doped
with impurities. The active layer 60 may additionally include a
channel region provided between the source region and the drain
region.
[0052] In example embodiments, a semiconductor layer (not
illustrated) may be formed on the buffer layer 55, and then a
preliminary active layer (not illustrated) may be formed on the
buffer layer 55 by patterning the semiconductor layer. The
crystallization process may be performed about the preliminary
active layer to form the active layer 60 on the buffer layer 55.
Here, the semiconductor layer may be formed by a CVD process, a
PECVD process, a low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD)
process, a sputtering process, a printing process, etc. When the
semiconductor layer includes amorphous silicon, the active layer 60
may include polysilicon. The crystallization process for forming
the active layer 60 may include a laser irradiation process, a
thermal treatment process, a thermal process utilizing a catalyst,
etc.
[0053] In some example embodiments, a dehydrogenation process may
be performed about the semiconductor layer and/or the preliminary
active layer after forming the semiconductor layer and/or the
preliminary active layer on the buffer layer 55. The
dehydrogenation process may reduce the hydrogen concentration of
the semiconductor layer and/or the preliminary active layer, so
that the active layer 60 may ensure improved electrical
characteristics.
[0054] The gate insulation layer 65 may be disposed on the buffer
layer 55 to cover the active layer 60. The gate insulation layer 65
may be formed by a CVD process, a spin coating process, a PECVD
process, a sputtering process, a vacuum evaporation process, an
HDP-CVD process, a printing process, etc. The gate insulation layer
65 may include silicon oxide, metal oxide, etc. Examples of metal
oxide in the gate insulation layer 65 may include hafnium oxide
(HfOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx), zirconium oxide (ZrOx), titanium
oxide (TiOx), tantalum oxide (TaOx), etc. These may be used alone
or in a combination thereof. In example embodiments, the gate
insulation layer 65 may be uniformly formed on the buffer layer 55
along a profile of the active layer 60. Here, the gate insulation
layer 65 may have a substantially small thickness, such that a
stepped portion may be generated at a portion of the gate
insulation layer 65 adjacent to the active layer 60. In some
example embodiments, the gate insulation layer 65 may have a
relatively large thickness for sufficiently covering the active
layer 60, so that the gate insulation layer 65 may have a
substantially level surface.
[0055] The gate electrode 70 may be located on the gate insulation
layer 65. For example, the gate electrode 70 may be positioned on a
portion of the gate insulation layer 65 under which the active
layer 60 is located. In example embodiments, a first conductive
layer (not illustrated) may be formed on the gate insulation layer
65, and then the first conductive layer may be partially etched by
a photolithography process or an etching process using an
additional etching mask. Hence, the gate electrode 70 may be
provided on the gate insulation layer 65. The first conductive
layer may be formed by a printing process, a sputtering process, a
CVD process, a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process, a vacuum
evaporation process, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, etc.
The gate electrode 70 may include metal, alloy, conductive metal
oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. For example, the
gate electrode 70 may be formed using aluminum (Al), alloy
containing aluminum, aluminum nitride (AlNx), silver (Ag), alloy
containing silver, tungsten (W), tungsten nitride (WNx), copper
(Cu), alloy containing copper, nickel (Ni), alloy containing
nickel, chrome (Cr), chrome nitride (CrNx), molybdenum (Mo), alloy
containing molybdenum, titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiNx),
platinum (Pt), tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride (TaNx), neodymium
(Nd), scandium (Sc), strontium ruthenium oxide (SRO), zinc oxide
(ZnOx), indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnOx), indium oxide
(InOx), gallium oxide (GaOx), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc. These
may be used alone or in a combination thereof. In example
embodiments, the gate electrode 70 may have a single layer
structure or a multi layer structure, which may include a metal
film, an alloy film, a metal nitride film, a conductive metal oxide
film and/or a transparent conductive film.
[0056] Although it is now illustrated, a gate line may be formed on
the gate insulation layer 65 while forming the gate electrode 70 on
the gate insulation layer 65. The gate electrode 70 may make
contact with the gate line, and the gate line may extend on the
gate insulation layer 65 along a first direction.
[0057] An insulating interlayer 75 may be disposed on the gate
insulation layer 65 to cover the gate electrode 70. The insulating
interlayer 75 may electrically insulate the source and the drain
electrodes 80 and 85 from the gate electrode 70. The insulating
interlayer 75 having a substantially uniform thickness may be
conformally formed on the gate insulation layer 65 along a profile
of the gate electrode 70. Thus, a stepped portion may be generated
at a portion of the insulating interlayer 75 adjacent to the gate
electrode 70. The insulating interlayer 75 may be formed using a
silicon compound. For example, the insulating interlayer 75 may
include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon
oxycarbide and/or silicon carbon nitride. These may be used alone
or in a mixture thereof. The insulating interlayer 75 may be
obtained by a spin coating process, a CVD process, a PECVD process,
an HDP-CVD process, an HPCVD process, etc. In example embodiments,
the insulating interlayer 75 may have a single layer structure or a
multi layer structure, which may include a silicon oxide film, a
silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, a silicon
oxycarbide film and/or a silicon carbon nitride film.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the source electrode 80 and the
drain electrode 85 may be disposed on the insulating interlayer 75.
The source and the drain electrodes 80 and 85 may be separated each
other by a predetermined distance substantially centering the gate
electrode 75. The source and the drain electrodes 80 and 85 may
pass through the insulating interlayer 75, and may contact the
source and the drain regions of the active layer 60, respectively.
In example embodiments, the insulating interlayer 75 may be
partially etched to form contact holes exposing the source and the
drain regions, respectively. Then, a second conductive layer (not
illustrated) may be formed on the insulating interlayer 75 to fill
the contact holes. The second conductive layer may be removed until
the insulating interlayer 75 is exposed, so that the source and the
drain electrodes 80 and 85 may be formed on the source and the
drain regions, respectively. The second conductive layer may be
obtained by a sputtering process, a CVD process, a PLD process, a
vacuum evaporation process, an ALD process, a printing process,
etc. Each of the source and the drain electrodes 80 and 85 may
include metal, alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a
transparent conductive material, etc. For example, the source and
the drain electrodes 80 and 85 may be formed using aluminum, alloy
containing aluminum, aluminum nitride, silver, alloy containing
silver, tungsten, tungsten nitride, copper, alloy containing
copper, nickel, alloy containing nickel, chrome, chrome nitride,
molybdenum, alloy containing molybdenum, titanium, titanium
nitride, platinum, tantalum, tantalum nitride, neodymium, scandium,
strontium ruthenium oxide, zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, tin oxide,
indium oxide, gallium oxide, indium zinc oxide, etc. These may be
used alone or in a combination thereof. In example embodiments,
each of the source and the drain electrodes 80 and 85 may have a
single layer structure or a multi layer structure, which may
include a metal film, an alloy film, a metal nitride film, a
conductive metal oxide film and/or a transparent conductive
film.
[0059] Although it is not illustrated in FIG. 2, a data line may be
formed on the insulating interlayer 75 while forming the source and
the drain electrodes 80 and 85. The data line may extend on the
insulating interlayer 75 along a second direction. In this case,
the second direction of the date line may be substantially
perpendicular to the first direction of the gate line.
[0060] As the formation of the source and the drain electrodes 80
and 85 on the insulating interlayer 75, the switching device may be
provided on the first substrate 50. The switching device may
include the TFT that may have the active layer 60, the gate
insulation layer 65, the gate electrode 75, the source electrode 80
and the drain electrode 85.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 2, an insulation layer 90 may be
disposed on the insulating interlayer 75. The insulation layer 90
may have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure
including at least two insulation films. In example embodiments, a
planarization process may be executed on the insulation layer 90 to
enhance the flatness of the insulation layer 90. For example, the
insulation layer 90 may have a substantially level surface by a
chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, an etch-back process,
etc. The insulation layer 90 may be formed using an organic
material. For example, the insulation layer 90 may include
photoresist, acryl-based resin, polyimide-based resin,
polyamide-based resin, siloxane-based resin, etc. These may be used
alone or in a combination thereof. Alternatively, the insulation
layer 90 may include an inorganic material. For example, the
insulation layer 90 may be formed using silicon oxide, silicon
nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon oxycarbide, aluminum,
magnesium, zinc, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum
oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide,
hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, etc. These may be
used alone or in a mixture thereof. The insulation layer 90 may be
obtained by a spin coating process, a printing process, a
sputtering process, a CVD process, an ALD process, a PECVD process,
an HDP-CVD process or a vacuum evaporation process in accordance
with ingredients included in the insulation layer 90.
[0062] The insulation layer 90 may be partially etched by a
photolithography process or an etching process using an additional
etching mask such as a hard mask, so that a contact hole may be
formed through the insulation layer 90. The contact hole may
partially expose the drain electrode 85 of the switching device. In
example embodiments, the contact hole may have a sidewall inclined
by a predetermined angle relative to the first substrate 50. For
example, the contact hole may have an upper width substantially
larger than a lower width thereof.
[0063] The first electrode 95 may be disposed on the insulation
layer 90 to fill the contact hole formed through the insulation
layer 90. Thus, the first electrode 95 may make contact with the
drain electrode 85 exposed by the contact hole. In some example
embodiments, a contact, a plug or a pad may be formed in the
contact hole, and then the first electrode 95 may be formed on the
contact, the plug or the pad. Here, the first electrode 95 may be
electrically connected to the drain electrode 85 through the
contact, the plug or the pad.
[0064] The first electrode 95 may include a reflective material or
a transmissive material in accordance with the emission type of the
display device having the display panel 10 and the touch panel. For
example, the first electrode 95 may be formed using aluminum, alloy
containing aluminum, aluminum nitride, silver, alloy containing
silver, tungsten, tungsten nitride, copper, alloy containing
copper, nickel, alloy containing nickel, chrome, chrome nitride,
molybdenum, alloy containing molybdenum, titanium, titanium
nitride, platinum, tantalum, tantalum nitride, neodymium, scandium,
strontium ruthenium oxide, zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, tin oxide,
indium oxide, gallium oxide, indium zinc oxide, etc. These may be
used alone or in a combination thereof. The first electrode 95 may
be obtained by a printing process, a sputtering process, a CVD
process, an ALD process, a vacuum evaporation process, a PLD
process, etc. In example embodiments, the first electrode 95 may
have a single layer structure or a multi layer structure, which may
include a metal film, an alloy film, a metal nitride film, a
conductive metal oxide film and/or a transparent conductive
film.
[0065] A pixel defining layer 100 may be disposed on the first
electrode 95 and the insulation layer 90. The pixel defining layer
100 may include an organic material or an inorganic material. For
example, the pixel defining layer 100 may be formed using
photoresist, acryl-based resin, polyacryl-based resin,
polyimide-based resin, a silicon compound, etc. The pixel defining
layer 100 may be obtained by a spin coating process, a spray
process, a printing process, a CVD process, a PECVD process, an
HDP-CVD process, etc. In example embodiments, the pixel defining
layer 100 may be partially etched to form an opening partially
exposing the first electrode 95. The opening of the pixel defining
layer 100 may define a luminescent region and a non-luminescent
region of the display panel 10. For example, a portion of the
display panel 10 having the opening of the pixel defining layer 100
may be the luminescent region of the display device while another
portion of the display panel 10 around the opening of the pixel
defining layer 100 may be the non-luminescent region of the display
device.
[0066] The light emitting structure 105 may be positioned on the
first electrode 95 exposed by the opening of the pixel defining
layer 1 00. The light emitting structure 105 may extend on a
sidewall of the opening of the pixel defining layer 100. The light
emitting structure 105 may be formed by a laser induced thermal
imaging process, a printing process, etc. The light emitting
structure 1 05 may include an organic light emitting layer (EL), a
hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transfer layer (HTL), an
electron transfer layer (ETL), an electron injection layer (EIL),
etc. In example embodiments, a plurality of organic light emitting
layers may be formed using light emitting materials for generating
different colors of light such as a red color of light (R), a green
color of light (G) and a blue color of light (B) in accordance with
color pixels of the display device. In some example embodiments,
the organic light emitting layer of the of the light emitting
structure 105 may include a plurality of stacked light emitting
materials for generating a red color of light, a green color of
light and a blue color of light to thereby emitting a white color
of light.
[0067] The second electrode 110 may be disposed on the light
emitting structure 105 and the pixel defining layer 100. The second
electrode 100 may include a transmissive material or a reflective
material in accordance with the emission type of the display
device. For example, the second electrode 110 may be formed using
aluminum, alloy containing aluminum, aluminum nitride, silver,
alloy containing silver, tungsten, tungsten nitride, copper, alloy
containing copper, nickel, alloy containing nickel, chrome, chrome
nitride, molybdenum, alloy containing molybdenum, titanium,
titanium nitride, platinum, tantalum, tantalum nitride, neodymium,
scandium, strontium ruthenium oxide, zinc oxide, indium tin oxide,
tin oxide, indium oxide, gallium oxide, indium zinc oxide, etc.
These may be used alone or in a combination thereof. Additionally,
the second electrode 110 may be formed by a printing process, a
sputtering process, a CVD process, an ALD process, a vacuum
evaporation process, a PLD process, etc. In example embodiments,
the second electrode 110 may also have a single layer structure or
a multi layer structure, which may include a metal film, an alloy
film, a metal nitride film, a conductive metal oxide film and/or a
transparent conductive film.
[0068] The second substrate 120 may be positioned on the second
electrode 110. The second substrate 120 may include a transparent
insulation substrate. For example, the second substrate 120 may
include a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a transparent resin
substrate, etc. In example embodiments, a predetermined space may
be provided between the second electrode 110 and the second
substrate 120. This space may be filled with an air or an inactive
gas such as a nitrogen (N.sub.2) gas.
[0069] In some example embodiments, a protection layer (not
illustrated) may be additionally disposed between the second
electrode 110 and the second substrate 120. Here, the protection
layer may include a resin, for example, photoresist, acryl-based
resin, polyimide-based resin, polyamide-based resin, siloxane-based
resin, etc. These may be used or in a combination thereof.
[0070] Although the display device includes the display panel 10
such as an organic light emitting display (OLED) panel in FIG. 2,
the display device may include other various display panels such as
a liquid crystal display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, a
plasma display panel, etc. That is, the touch panel according to
example embodiments may be employed in various other display
devices having a liquid crystal display panel, an electrophoretic
display panel, a plasma display panel, etc.
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 1, the touch panel of the display
device may be disposed on the display panel 10 such as the organic
light emitting display panel, the liquid crystal display panel, the
electrophoretic display panel, the plasma display panel, etc. The
touch panel may include the phase retardation layer 20, the
polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40, the window 45, etc.
As described above, the additional adhesion layer may be interposed
between the display panel 10 and the phase retardation layer 20 to
increase combination strength between the display panel 10 and the
touch panel. The additional adhesion layer may fill a space between
the display panel 10 and the touch panel to thereby increase a
contact area between the display panel 10 and the touch panel.
Hence, the touch panel may be stably combined with the display
panel 10. For example, the additional adhesion layer may include
rubber-based adhesive, acryl-based adhesive, vinylether-based
adhesive, silicon-based adhesive, urethane-based adhesive, etc. In
some example embodiments, the additional adhesion layer may include
a pressure sensitive adhesive, such that the adhesion strength
between the display panel 10 and the touch panel may be more
increased when a predetermined pressure is applied to the display
panel 10 and/or the touch panel having the additional adhesion
layer.
[0072] In example embodiments, the phase retardation layer 20 may
includes a .lamda./4 phase retardation film. The .lamda./4 phase
retardation film may assign a phase retardation of about .lamda./4
to two polarizing components crossing a substantially right angle
and being substantially parallel to an optical axis of the phase
retardation layer 20. Thus, the .lamda./4 phase retardation film
may substantially convert a linear polarizing component of incident
light into a circularly polarizing component of incident light or
may change the circularly polarizing component into the linear
polarizing component. That is, the phase retardation layer 20 may
change a linear polarizing component of light emitted from the
display panel 10 into a circularly polarizing component of light or
may convert a circularly polarizing component of light emitted from
the display panel 10 into the linear polarizing component. The
phase retardation layer 20 may assign a predetermined retardation
value to the polarizing components of incident light. For example,
the phase retardation layer 20 may provide the polarizing
components of incident light with a retardation value of about 100
nm to about 200 nm.
[0073] The phase retardation layer 20 may include a polymer
birefringent film, a liquid crystal alignment film, a liquid
crystal polymer alignment film formed on a base film, etc. For
example, the phase retardation layer 20 may be formed using
polycarbonate, polyvinylalcohol, polystyrene, polypropylene,
polyolefine, polyarylate, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate,
polyethyleneterephthalate, triacetylcelluose, etc.
[0074] In example embodiments, the first and the second sensing
patterns 15 and 25 may be directly disposed on opposite faces of
the phase retardation layer 20, respectively. For example the first
sensing pattern 15 of the touch sensing structure 30 may be
directly formed on a first face of the phase retardation layer 20
(e.g., a bottom face of the phase retardation layer 20) while the
second sensing pattern 25 may be directly formed on a second face
of the phase retardation layer 20 (e.g., an upper face of the phase
retardation layer 20). In some example embodiments, the first
sensing pattern 15 may be positioned on the second face of the
phase retardation layer 20 whereas the second sensing pattern 25
may be located on the first face of the phase retardation layer 20.
In other example embodiments, the first sensing pattern 15 may be
directly formed on the bottom face of the phase retardation layer
20, and the second sensing pattern 25 may be directly formed on a
bottom face of the polarization plate 35.
[0075] Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is an exploded view
illustrating the phase retardation layer 20 and the touch sensing
structure 30 of the display device in accordance with example
embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the touch sensing
structure 30 may include the first and the second sensing patterns
15 and 25 directly disposed on the first and the second faces of
the phase retardation layer 20, respectively. In example
embodiments, the first sensing pattern 15 may extend along a
direction substantially different from a direction where the second
sensing pattern 25 extends. For example, the first sensing pattern
15 may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a
direction in which the second sensing pattern 25 extends.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first sensing pattern 15 may
include first sensing cells 18, a plurality of first connecting
portions 17 and a plurality of first pads 16. In example
embodiments, each of the first sensing cells 18 may have a rhombus
shape, a diamond shape, etc. Adjacent first sensing cells 18 may be
connected to each other by one first connecting portion 17
interposed therebetween. In this manner, the plurality of first
cells 18 may be connected to one another by interposing the
plurality of first connecting portions 17 therebetween. The first
sensing cells 18 may be regularly arranged on the first face of the
phase retardation layer 20. The first connecting portions 17 may
connect the first sensing cells 18 having the same x-coordinates or
the same y-coordinates. In some example embodiments, each of the
first sensing cells 18 may have various shapes such as a polygonal
shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a track shape, etc.
The shapes of the first sensing cells 18 may mainly depend on the
shape of the display panel 10 of the display device.
[0077] The first sensing pattern 15 may additionally the first pads
16. The first pads 16 may be electrically connected to the first
sensing cells 18 by the row or by the column. Further, the first
pads 16 may be disposed at an upper portion of the first face of
the phase retardation layer 20 or a lower portion of the first face
of the phase retardation layer 20 by the row or by the column. In
some example embodiments, the first pads 16 may be formed on both
of the upper and the lower portions of the phase retardation layer
20.
[0078] In example embodiments, the first sensing pattern 15 may
include a transparent conductive material. For example, a first
transparent conductive layer (not illustrated) may be formed on
first face of the phase retardation layer 20, and then the first
transparent conductive layer may be patterned, so that the first
sensing pattern 15 having the above-described structure may be
directly formed on the first face of the phase retardation layer
20. The first transparent conductive layer may be directly formed
on the phase retardation layer 20 by a sputtering process, a
printing process, a plating process, a PLD process, a vacuum
evaporation process, etc. The first sensing pattern 15 may be
obtained using indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO),
gallium oxide, indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide, tin oxide, etc.
These may be used alone or in a combination thereof. Further, the
first sensing pattern 15 may have a single layer structure or a
multi layer structure.
[0079] Referring now to FIG. 3, the second sensing pattern 25 may
include a second sensing cells 28, a plurality of second connecting
portions 27 and a plurality of second pads 26. In example
embodiments, each of the second sensing cells 28 may also have a
rhombus shape, a diamond shape, etc. The second connecting portions
27 may be disposed between adjacent second sensing cells 28. That
is, adjacent second patterns 28 may be spaced apart from each other
by a distance substantially the same as a width of one second
connecting portion 27. In this manner, the second sensing cells 28
may be arranged on the second face of the phase retardation layer
20. The second sensing cells 28 may also regularly disposed on the
second face of the phase retardation layer 20. Here, the second
sensing cells 28 may be partially overlapped relative to the first
sensing cells 18. Alternatively, the second sensing pattern 28 may
not be substantially overlapped with respect to the first sensing
pattern 18. For example, each of the first sensing cells 18 and
each of the second sensing cells 28 may be alternately formed on
the first face and the second face of the phase retardation layer
20, respectively.
[0080] The second connecting portions 27 may connect the second
sensing cells 28 having the same x-coordinates or the same
y-coordinates. That is, the second sensing cells 28 and the
plurality of second connecting portions 27 may be arranged on the
second face of the phase retardation layer 20 by the row or by the
column. In some example embodiments, each of the second sensing
cells 28 may have various shapes such as a polygonal shape, a
circular shape, an elliptical shape, a track shape, etc. The second
pads 26 of the second sensing pattern 25 may be connected to the
second sensing cells 28 by the row or by the column. Namely, the
second pads 26 may be disposed on a left portion of the second face
of the phase retardation layer 20 or the right portion of the
second face of the phase retardation layer 20 by the row.
Alternatively, the second pads 26 may be formed both of the left
and the right portions of the second face of the phase retardation
layer 20.
[0081] According to example embodiments, the second sensing pattern
25 may be formed using a transparent conductive material. For
example, a second transparent conductive layer (not illustrated)
may be formed on the second face of the phase retardation layer 20.
The second transparent conductive layer may be directly formed by a
sputtering process, a printing process, a plating process, a PLD
process, a vacuum evaporation process, etc. Then, the second
transparent conductive layer may be patterned to directly form the
second sensing pattern 25 having the above-described structure on
the second face of the phase retardation layer 20. The second
sensing pattern 25 may include indium tin oxide, zinc tin oxide,
gallium oxide, indium zinc oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, etc. These
may be used alone or in a combination thereof. Further, the first
sensing pattern 15 may have a single layer structure or a multi
layer structure.
[0082] In example embodiments, the second sensing pattern 25 may be
formed using a transparent conductive material substantially the
same as or substantially similar to those of the first sensing
pattern 15. Alternatively, the transparent conductive material
included in the second sensing pattern 25 may be different from
that included in the first sensing pattern 15.
[0083] When a user or an object contacts the touch panel including
the touch sensing structure 30 having the above-described
configuration, a variation of electrostatic capacity at a contact
position of the touch panel caused by the user or the object may be
generated between related the first and the second sensing patterns
15 and 25, and then the variation of electrostatic capacity may be
applied to a driving circuit (not illustrated) through the metal
wiring (not illustrated), and a position detecting wiring (not
illustrated). The variation of electrostatic capacity may be
converted to an electrical signal by the driving circuit so that
the contact position of the touch panel may be identified.
[0084] In some example embodiments, an additional protection layer
(not illustrated) may be disposed on the phase retardation layer 20
and the second sensing pattern 25. The additional protection layer
may be formed using a transparent insulation material.
[0085] According to example embodiments of the invention, the touch
panel may include the touch sensing structure 30 directly formed on
the phase retardation layer 20, so that the touch panel may have a
reduced thickness because the touch panel may not need a base film
having a large thickness of about 0.1mm to about 0.5mm for the
touch sensor of the conventional touch panel. When the touch
sensing structure 30 may be directly formed on the phase
retardation layer 20 without any additional layer, the
transmittance of light passing the touch panel may be increased
while reducing the reflectivity of light generated from the display
panel 10. Thus, the optical loss of the display device having the
touch panel may be considerably reduced. Further, the touch panel
according to example embodiments may have a simple configuration
without any additional layers comparing to that of the conventional
touch panel, such that the efficiency and yield of manufacturing
process for the display panel may be greatly improved.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 1, the polarization plate 35 may be
disposed on the second face of the phase retardation layer 20
having the second sensing pattern 25 thereon. The polarization
plate 35 may reduce the light reflection caused by external light
to thereby improve the visibility of image displayed by the display
panel 10. The polarization plate 35 may align the direction of
light passing through the phase retardation layer 20. For example,
the polarization plate 35 may pass one of the polarizing components
of the incident light while the polarization plate 35 may absorb or
distribute the other polarizing components of the incident light.
The polarization plate 35 may include an iodine type polarizing
film, a dye-based polarizing film, a polyene-based polarizing film,
etc. In example embodiments, polarization plate 35 may have an
absorption axis and a polarization axis. Here, the absorption axis
may be a stretch-aligned optical axis that may include iodine ion
chains or dichromic dyes. At the absorption axis of the
polarization plate 35, the incident light may interact with
electrons in the polarization plate 35, so that the energy of the
incident light may converted into the energy of the electrons to
there by extinct one of the polarizing components of the incident
light. The polarization axis may be substantially perpendicular to
the absorption axis. The other of the polarizing components of the
incident light may pass through the polarization plate 35 along the
polarization axis.
[0087] The window 45 may be disposed on the polarization plate 35.
The adhesion layer 40 may be interposed between the polarization
plate 35 and the window 45. The adhesion layer 40 may increase the
combination strength between the polarization plate 35 and the
window 45. The adhesion layer 40 may include rubber-based adhesive,
acryl-based adhesive, vinylether-based adhesive, silicon-based
adhesive, urethane-based adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive,
etc.
[0088] The window 45 may include a transparent material such as
glass, quartz, transparent resin, etc. The window 45 may protect
the display panel 10 and the underlying elements from external
impact, moisture, particles, etc.
[0089] Turning now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 4 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 1 except that the arrangement of FIG. 4 further
includes a second phase retardation layer 225 in addition to a
first phase retardation layer 210.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 4, the display device may include a
display panel 200 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include
the first phase retardation layer 210, a touch sensing structure
220, the second phase retardation layer 225, a polarization plate
230, an adhesion layer 235, a window 240, etc.
[0091] A first sensing pattern 205 of the touch sensing structure
220 may be directly disposed on a first face of the first phase
retardation layer 210 (e.g., a bottom face of the first phase
retardation layer 210), and a second sensing pattern 215 of the
touch sensing structure 220 may be directly formed on a second face
of the first phase retardation layer 210 (e.g., an upper face of
the first phase retardation layer 210). Alternatively, the second
sensing pattern 215 may be directly arranged on a first face of the
second phase retardation layer 225 (e.g., a bottom face of the
second phase retardation layer 225).
[0092] In example embodiments, the touch sensing structure 220
having the first and the second sensing patterns 205 and 215 may be
directly formed on the first phase retardation layer 210. In some
example embodiments, the first sensing pattern 205 of the touch
sensing structure 205 may be directly located on the first phase
retardation layer 210 while the second sensing pattern 215 of the
touch sensing structure 220 may be directly disposed on the second
phase retardation layer 225. In this case, the first and the second
sensing patterns 205 and 215 may have constructions substantially
the same as or substantially similar to those of the first and the
second sensing patterns 15 and 25 described with reference to FIG.
1, respectively.
[0093] In example embodiments, the first phase retardation layer
210 may include a .lamda./4 phase retardation film, and the second
phase retardation layer 225 may include a .lamda./2 phase
retardation film. An x-coordinate component and a y-coordinate
component of light emitted from the display panel 200 may have a
phase retardation of about .lamda./4 while passing through the
first phase retardation layer 210. Hence, the first phase
retardation layer 210 may change a circularly polarized component
of light into a linearly polarized component of light, or the first
phase retardation layer 210 may convert the linearly polarized
component of light into the circularly polarized component.
Additionally, the x-coordinate component and the y-coordinate
component of light may have a phase retardation of about .lamda./2
while passing through the second phase retardation layer 225. Thus,
the second phase retardation 225 may convert the linearly polarized
component of light into the circularly component of light or an
elliptically polarized component of light.
[0094] The polarization plate 230, the adhesive layer 235 and the
window 240 may be sequentially disposed on the second phase
retardation layer 225. The polarization plate 230, the adhesive
layer 235 and the window 240 may have constructions substantially
the same or substantially similar to those of the polarization
plate 35, the adhesive layer 40 and the window 45 described with
reference to FIG. 1, respectively.
[0095] Turning now to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. In FIG. 5, the display device may
have a construction substantially the same as or substantially
similar to that of the display device described with reference to
FIG. 1, except that two sensing patterns are not spaced apart from
each other by another layer such as a phase retardation layer.
[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the display device may include a
touch panel disposed on a display panel 250 such as an organic
light emitting display panel or a liquid crystal display panel. The
touch panel may include a phase retardation layer 255, a touch
sensing structure 260, a polarization plate 265, an adhesion layer
270, a window 275, etc.
[0097] In example embodiments, the phase retardation layer 255 may
include a .lamda./4 phase retardation film. The phase retardation
layer 255 may be disposed on the display panel 250. In some example
embodiments, to increase adhesion strength between the display
panel 250 and the phase retardation layer 255, an additional
adhesion layer (not illustrated) may be disposed between the
display panel 250 and the phase retardation layer 255.
[0098] The touch sensing structure 260 may be directly formed on
the phase retardation layer 255. In example embodiments, the touch
sensing structure 260 may include a plurality of sensing patterns
which may have a construction substantially the same or
substantially similar to one of the first and the second sensing
pattern 15 and 25 described with reference to FIG. 3. In some
example embodiments, the touch sensing structure 260 may have a
plurality of sensing patterns having a combination structure of the
first and the second sensing patterns 15 and 25 illustrated in FIG.
3. For example, the touch sensing structure 260 may include a
plurality of sensing patterns that may have a first sensing pattern
and a second sensing pattern alternately arranged on the phase
retardation layer 255 along a row direction or a column
direction.
[0099] The polarization plate 265, the adhesion layer 270 and the
window 275 may be disposed on the phase retardation layer 255
having the touch sensing structure 260 thereon. Here, the
polarization plate 265, the adhesion layer 270 and the window 275
may have constructions substantially the same as or substantially
similar to those of the polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer
40 and the window 45 described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0100] Turning now to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 6 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 5 except that the touch sensing structure is
arranged on a bottom side of the phase retardation layer.
[0101] Referring now to FIG. 6, the display device may include a
display panel 250 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include
the touch sensing structure 305, a phase retardation layer 310, a
polarization plate 315, an adhesion layer 320, a window 325, etc.
Here, the polarization plate 315, the adhesion layer 320 and the
window 325 may have constructions substantially the same as or
substantially similar to those of the polarization plate 35, the
adhesion layer 40 and the window 45 described with reference to
FIG. 1.
[0102] The touch sensing structure 305 may be directly formed on
one face of the phase retardation layer 310 substantially facing
the display panel 300. In this case, the touch sensing structure
305 may include a plurality of sensing patterns which may have a
construction substantially the same or substantially similar to one
of the first and the second sensing patterns 15 and 25 described
with reference to FIG. 3. Alternatively, the touch sensing
structure 305 may have a plurality of sensing patterns having a
combination structure of the first and the second sensing patterns
15 and 25 illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the touch sensing
structure 305 may include a plurality of sensing patterns that may
have a first sensing pattern and a second sensing pattern
alternately and repeatedly arranged on the phase retardation layer
255 along a row direction or a column direction without an
intervening layer as in FIG. 1.
[0103] Turning now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 7 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 1 except that the sensing patterns are arranged
adjacent to each face of the polarization plate instead of each
face of the phase retardation layer.
[0104] Referring now to FIG. 7, the display device may include a
display panel 350 and a touch panel disposed on the display panel
350. The touch panel may include a phase retardation layer 355, a
polarization layer 365, a touch sensing structure 375, an adhesion
layer 380, a window 385, etc. In this case, the phase retardation
layer 355, the polarization plate 365, the adhesion layer 380 and
the window 385 may have constructions substantially the same as or
substantially similar to those of the phase retardation layer 20,
the polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1. In some example embodiments, an
additional adhesion layer (not illustrated) may be interposed
between the display panel 350 and the phase retardation layer 355
to enhance the adhesion strength between the display panel 350 and
the touch panel.
[0105] The touch sensing structure 375 may include a first sensing
pattern 360 disposed on the phase retardation layer 355 and a
second sensing pattern 370 located on the polarization plate 365.
In example embodiments, the first sensing pattern 360 may be
directly formed on the phase retardation layer 355, and the second
sensing pattern 370 may be directly formed on the polarization
plate 365. Here, the first sensing pattern 360 may have a
construction substantially the same or substantially similar to
that of the first sensing pattern 15 described with reference to
FIG. 3. Additionally, the second sensing pattern 370 may have a
construction substantially the same or substantially similar to
that of the second sensing pattern 35 described with reference to
FIG. 3. Alternatively, the first and the second sensing patterns
360 and 370 may have constructions substantially the same or
substantially similar to those of the second and the first sensing
patterns 25 and 15 illustrated in FIG. 3, respectively.
[0106] Turning now to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. In FIG. 8, the display device may
have a construction substantially the same as or substantially
similar to that of the display device described with reference to
FIG. 1 except that both sensing patterns are adjacent to each other
and arranged in between the phase retardation layer and the
polarization plate.
[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the display device may include a
display panel 400 and a touch panel disposed on the display panel
400 such as an organic light emitting display panel or a liquid
crystal display panel. The touch panel may include a phase
retardation layer 405, a touch sensing structure 420 disposed on
the phase retardation layer 405, a polarization plate 425 located
on the touch sensing structure 420, an adhesion layer 430
positioned on the polarization plate 425, and a window 435 disposed
on the adhesion layer 430, etc. Here, the phase retardation layer
405, the polarization plate 425, the adhesion layer 430 and the
window 435 may have constructions substantially the same as or
substantially similar to those of the phase retardation layer 20,
the polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1. Further, an additional adhesion
layer (not illustrated) may be interposed between the display panel
400 and the phase retardation layer 405 to enhance the combination
strength between the display panel 400 and the touch panel.
[0108] In example embodiments, the touch sensing structure 420 may
include a first sensing pattern 410 disposed on an upper face of
the phase retardation layer 405 and a second sensing pattern 415
positioned on a bottom face of the polarization plate 425. In this
case, the first and the second sensing patterns 410 and 415 may
have constructions substantially the same or substantially similar
to those of the second and the first sensing patterns 25 and 15
described with reference to FIG. 3. In some example embodiments,
the first and the second sensing patterns 410 and 415 may have
constructions substantially the same or substantially similar to
those of the first and the second sensing patterns 15 and 25
illustrated in FIG. 3, respectively.
[0109] Turning now to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 9 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 1 except that the first and second sensing
patterns are switched.
[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the display device may include a
touch panel combined with a display panel 450, and the touch panel
may include the touch sensing structure 470, a phase retardation
layer 460, a polarization plate 475, an adhesion layer 480, a
window 485, etc. In FIG. 4, the phase retardation layer 460, the
polarization plate 475, the adhesion layer 480 and the window 485
may have constructions substantially the same as or substantially
similar to those of the polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer
40 and the window 45 described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0111] The touch sensing structure 470 may include a first sensing
pattern 455 and a second sensing pattern 465 directly formed on a
bottom face and an upper face of the phase retardation layer 460,
respectively. The first and the second sensing patterns 455 and 465
which may have constructions respectively substantially the same or
substantially similar to those of the second and the first sensing
patterns 25 and 15 described with reference to FIG. 3. In some
example embodiments, the first sensing pattern 455 may be directly
formed on the bottom face of the phase retardation layer 460
whereas the second sensing pattern 465 may be directly formed on
the bottom face of the polarization plate 475. For example, the
first and the second patterns 455 and 465 may be formed by a
printing process, a spraying process, a vacuum evaporation process,
a sputtering process, a PLD process, etc.
[0112] Turning now to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 10 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 1 except that the second sensing pattern is
arranged on top of the polarization plate instead of on top of the
phase retardation layer.
[0113] Referring now to FIG. 10, the display device may include a
display panel 500 and a touch panel disposed on the display panel
500. The touch panel may include the touch sensing structure 525, a
phase retardation layer 510, a polarization plate 515, an adhesion
layer 530, a window 535, etc. A first sensing pattern 505 of the
touch sensing structure 525 may be directly disposed on a bottom
face of the phase retardation layer 510, and a second sensing
pattern 520 of the touch sensing structure 525 may be directly
formed on an upper face of the polarization plate 515. Thus, the
polarization plate 515 may directly contact the phase retardation
layer 510. The first and the second sensing patterns 505 and 520
may have constructions substantially the same or substantially
similar to one of the second and the first sensing patterns 25 and
15 described with reference to FIG. 3, respectively.
[0114] According to example embodiments of the invention, the touch
panel may include the touch sensing structure 525 having the first
and the second sensing patterns 505 and 520 directly formed on the
phase retardation layer 510 and the polarization plate 515, so that
the touch panel may have a reduced thickness without any base film
having a large thickness. Further, the loss of light emitted from
the display panel 500 may be decreased because the sensing
structure 525 may be directly disposed on the phase retardation
layer 510 and the polarization plate 515.
[0115] Turning now to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 11 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 1 except that an additional phase retardation
layer 555 is included and is located beneath the first sensing
pattern.
[0116] Referring now to FIG. 11, the display device may include a
display panel 550 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include a
first phase retardation layer 555, a second phase retardation layer
565, the touch sensing structure 575 having first and second
sensing patterns 560 and 570, a polarization plate 580, an adhesion
layer 585, a window 590, etc. The first and the second phase
retardation layers 555 and 565 may have constructions substantially
the same or substantially similar to those of the first and the
second phase retardation layers 210 and 225 described with
reference to FIG. 4. Additionally, the polarization plate 580, the
adhesion layer 585 and the window 590 may have constructions
substantially the same as or substantially similar to those of the
polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0117] In example embodiments, the first sensing pattern 560 of the
touch sensing structure 575 may be directly disposed on an upper
face of the first phase retardation layer 555 while being directly
formed on a bottom face of the second retardation layer 565. The
second sensing pattern 570 of the touch sensing structure 575 may
be directly located on an upper face of the second phase
retardation layer 565 while being also arranged on the bottom face
of the polarization plate 580. The first and second sensing
patterns 560 and 570 may have constructions substantially the same
or substantially similar to those of the first and the second
sensing patterns 15 and 25 described with reference to FIG. 3,
respectively.
[0118] Turning now to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. In FIG. 12, the display device may
have a construction substantially the same as or substantially
similar to that of the display device described with reference to
FIG. 4 except that the touch sensing structure 615 is formed only
on top of second phase retardation layer 610.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 12, the display device may include a
display panel 600 and a touch panel combined with the display panel
600. The touch panel may include a first phase retardation layer
605, a second phase retardation layer 610, the touch sensing
structure 615, a polarization plate 620, an adhesion layer 625, a
window 630, etc. In this case, the first and the second phase
retardation layers 605 and 610 may have constructions substantially
the same as or substantially similar to those of the first and the
second phase retardation layers 210 and 225 described with
reference to FIG. 4. Further, the polarization plate 620, the
adhesion layer 625 and the window 630 may have constructions
substantially the same as or substantially similar to those of the
polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0120] In example embodiments, the touch sensing structure 615 may
be directly formed on an upper face of the second phase retardation
layer 610 or may be directly disposed on a bottom face of the
polarization plate 620. Here, the touch sensing structure 615 may
include a plurality of sensing patterns having constructions
substantially the same or substantially similar to one of the first
and the second sensing patterns 15 and 25 described with reference
to FIG. 3. Alternatively, the touch sensing structure 615 may have
a plurality of sensing patterns having a combination structure of
the first and the second sensing patterns 15 and 25 illustrated in
FIG. 3 and as illustrated in FIG. 15. For example, the touch
sensing structure 615 may include a plurality of sensing patterns
that may have a first sensing pattern and a second sensing pattern
alternately disposed on the second phase retardation layer 610 or
the polarization plate 620 along a row direction or a column
direction.
[0121] Turning now to FIG. 13, FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 13 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 12 except that the touch sensing structure 660 is
arranged between the two phase retardation layers and not on top of
them.
[0122] Referring now to FIG. 13, the display device may include a
display panel 650 and a touch panel combined with the display panel
650, for example, an organic light emitting display panel, a liquid
crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, etc. The touch panel
may include a first phase retardation layer 655, the touch sensing
structure 660, a second phase retardation layer 665, a polarization
plate 670, an adhesion layer 675, a window 680, etc. The first and
the second phase retardation layers 655 and 665 may have
constructions substantially the same as or substantially similar to
those of the first and the second phase retardation layers 210 and
225 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 605 and 610 of FIG. 12.
Additionally, the polarization plate 670, the adhesion layer 675
and the window 680 may have constructions substantially the same as
or substantially similar to those of the polarization plate 35, the
adhesion layer 40 and the window 45 described with reference to
FIG. 1.
[0123] In example embodiments, the touch sensing structure 660 may
be directly formed on an upper face of the first phase retardation
layer 655, or may be directly disposed on a bottom face of the
second phase retardation layer 665. Here, the touch sensing
structure 660 may have a construction substantially the same or
substantially similar to that of the touch sensing structure 260
described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0124] Turning now to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 14 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 4 except that the sensing patterns are arranged
about a polarization plate and not the first phase retardation
layer.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 14, the display device may include a
display panel 700 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include a
first phase retardation layer 705, a second phase retardation layer
710, the touch sensing structure 730, a polarization plate 720, an
adhesion layer 735, a window 740, etc. The first and the second
phase retardation layers 705 and 710 may have constructions
substantially the same as or substantially similar to the first and
the second phase retardation layers 210 and 225 described with
reference to FIG. 4, respectively. Further, the polarization plate
720, the adhesion layer 735 and the window 740 may have
constructions substantially the same as or substantially similar to
the polarization layer 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0126] In FIG. 14, the touch sensing structure 730 may include a
first sensing pattern 715 and a second sensing pattern 725. The
first sensing pattern 715 may be directly disposed on an upper face
of the second phase retardation layer 710 or a lower face of the
polarization plate 720. The second sensing pattern 725 may be
directly formed on an upper face of the polarization plate 720. The
first and the second sensing patterns 715 and 725 may have
constructions substantially the same as or substantially similar to
those of the second and the first sensing patterns 25 and 15
described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0127] Turning now to FIG. 15, FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. In FIG. 15, the display device may
have a construction substantially the same as or substantially
similar to that of the display device described with reference to
FIG. 8 except the inclusion of the second phase retardation layer
on the first phase retardation layer.
[0128] Referring now to FIG. 15, the display device may include a
display panel 750 and a touch panel combined with the display panel
750, the display panel being an organic light emitting display
panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an
electrophoretic display panel, etc. The touch panel may include a
first phase retardation layer 755, a second phase retardation layer
760, the touch sensing structure 775, a polarization plate 780, an
adhesion layer 785, a window 790, etc. The first and the second
phase retardation layers 755 and 760 may have constructions
substantially the same or substantially similar to those of the
first and the second phase retardation layers 210 and 225 described
with reference to FIG. 4. Additionally, the polarization plate 780,
the adhesion layer 785 and the window 790 may have constructions
substantially the same as or substantially similar to those of the
polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0129] In FIG. 15, the touch sensing structure 775 may include a
first sensing pattern 765 and a second sensing pattern 770. The
first sensing pattern 765 may be directly formed on an upper face
of the second phase retardation layer 760, and the second sensing
pattern 770 may be directly disposed on a bottom face of the
polarization plate 780. Here, the first and the second sensing
patterns 765 and 770 may have constructions substantially the same
as or substantially similar to those of the second and the first
sensing patterns 25 and 15 described with reference to FIG. 3,
respectively.
[0130] Turning now to FIG. 16, FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 16 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 1 except that an additional phase retardation
layer 805 is arranged between the display panel 800 and the touch
sensing structure 825.
[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the display device may include a
display panel 800 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include
the first phase retardation layer 805, the touch sensing structure
825, the second phase retardation layer 815, a polarization plate
830, an adhesion layer 835, a window 840, etc. The first and the
second phase retardation layers 805 and 815 may have constructions
substantially the same or substantially similar to those of the
first and the second phase retardation layers 210 and 225 described
with reference to FIG. 4. In some example embodiments, the touch
panel may include an additional adhesion layer (not illustrated)
located between the display panel 800 and the first phase
retardation layer 805. Further, the polarization plate 830, the
adhesion layer 835 and the window 840 may have constructions
substantially the same as or substantially similar to those of the
polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0132] In FIG. 16, the touch sensing structure 825 may include
first and second sensing patterns 810 and 820. The first sensing
pattern 810 may be directly positioned on an upper face of the
first phase retardation layer 805 or a bottom face of the second
phase retardation layer 815. The second sensing pattern 820 may be
directly formed on an upper face of the second phase retardation
layer 815 or on a bottom face of the polarization plate 830. The
first and the second sensing patterns 810 and 820 may have
constructions substantially the same or substantially similar to
one of the second and the first sensing patterns 25 and 15
described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0133] Turning now to FIG. 17, FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 17 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 4 with the exception that one of the sensing
patterns is arranged on top of the polarization plate instead of
underneath the first phase retardation layer.
[0134] Referring now to FIG. 17, the display device may include a
touch panel and a display panel 850. The touch panel may include a
first phase retardation layer 855, the touch sensing structure 880,
a second phase retardation layer 865, a polarization plate 870, an
adhesion layer 885, a window 890, etc. Here, the first and the
second phase retardation layers 855 and 865 may have constructions
substantially the same or substantially similar to those of the
first and the second phase retardation layers 210 and 225 described
with reference to FIG. 4. In some example embodiments, the touch
panel may further include an additional adhesion layer (not
illustrated) located between the display panel 850 and the first
phase retardation layer 855. Further, the polarization plate 870,
the adhesion layer 885 and the window 890 may have constructions
substantially the same as or substantially similar to those of the
polarization plate 35, the adhesion layer 40 and the window 45
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0135] In. FIG. 17, the first sensing pattern 860 of the touch
sensing structure 880 may be directly formed on an upper face of
the first phase retardation layer 855 or a bottom face of the
second phase retardation layer 865. The second sensing pattern 875
of the touch sensing structure 880 may be directly formed on an
upper face of the polarization plate 870. The first and the second
sensing patterns 860 and 875 may have constructions substantially
the same or substantially similar to those of the second and the
first sensing patterns 25 and 15 described with reference to FIG.
3.
[0136] Turning now to FIG. 18, FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 18 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 4 except the first and second sensing patterns
are switched.
[0137] Referring to FIG. 18, the display device may include a
display panel 900 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include
the touch sensing structure 920 having first and second sensing
patterns 905 and 915, a first phase retardation layer 910, a second
phase retardation layer 925, a polarization plate 930, an adhesion
layer 935, a window 940, etc.
[0138] In the touch sensing structure 920 according to example
embodiments, the first sensing pattern 905 may be directly formed
on a bottom face of the first phase retardation layer 910. The
second sensing pattern 915 may be directly positioned on an upper
face of the first phase retardation layer 910 or a bottom face of
the second phase retardation layer 925. In this case, the first and
the second sensing pattern 905 and 915 have constructions
substantially the same or substantially similar to those of the
second and the first sensing pattern 25 and 15 described with
reference to FIG. 3, respectively.
[0139] Turning now to FIG. 19, FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device including a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. In FIG. 19, the display device may
have a construction substantially the same as or substantially
similar to that of the display device described with reference to
FIG. 4 except that both sensing patterns of the touch sensing
structure 970 are arranged between the two phase retardation
layers.
[0140] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the display device may include a
display panel 950 and a touch panel. The touch panel may include a
first phase retardation layer 955, the touch sensing structure 970
having first and second sensing patterns 960 and 965, a second
phase retardation layer 975, a polarization plate 980, an adhesion
layer 985, a window 990, etc.
[0141] As for the touch sensing structure 970 according to example
embodiments, the first sensing pattern 960 may be directly disposed
on a top face of the first phase retardation layer 955, and the
second sensing pattern 965 may be directly formed on a bottom face
of the second phase retardation layer 975. Here, the first and the
second sensing patterns 960 and 965 may have constructions
substantially the same or substantially similar to those of the
second and the first sensing patterns 25 and 15 described with
reference to FIG. 3, respectively.
[0142] Turning now to FIG. 20, FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. The display device illustrated in
FIG. 20 may have a construction substantially the same as or
substantially similar to that of the display device described with
reference to FIG. 4 except that the second sensing pattern 1020 is
arranged on top of and not beneath the second phase retardation
layer 1015.
[0143] Referring now to FIG. 20, the display device may include a
display panel 1000 and a touch panel combined with the display
panel 1000, for example, an organic light emitting display panel, a
liquid crystal display panel, etc. The touch panel may include the
touch sensing structure 1025 having first and second sensing
patterns 1005 and 1020, the first phase retardation layer 1010, the
second phase retardation layer 1015, a polarization plate 1030, an
adhesion layer 1035, a window 1040, etc.
[0144] In the touch sensing structure 1025 according to example
embodiments, the first sensing pattern 1005 may be directly formed
on a bottom face of the first phase retardation layer 1010. The
second sensing pattern 1020 may be directly disposed on an upper
face of the second phase retardation layer 1015 or on a bottom face
of the polarization layer 1030. The first and the second sensing
patterns 1005 and 1020 may have constructions substantially the
same as or substantially similar to those of the second and the
first sensing patterns 25 and 15 described with reference to FIG.
3, respectively.
[0145] Turning now to FIG. 21, FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view
illustrating a display device having a touch panel in accordance
with some example embodiments. In FIG. 21, the display device may
have a construction substantially the same as or substantially
similar to that of the display device described with reference to
FIG. 4 except a touch sensing structure 1075.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 21, the display device may include a
display panel 1050 and a touch panel combined with the display
panel 1050, for example, an organic light emitting display panel, a
liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an
electrophoresis image display panel, etc. The touch panel may
include a first phase retardation layer 1055, the touch sensing
structure 1075 having first and second sensing patterns 1060 and
1070, a second phase retardation layer 1065, a polarization plate
1080, an adhesion layer 1085, a window 1090, etc. The first and the
second phase retardation layers 1055 and 1065 may have
constructions substantially the same as or substantially similar to
those of the first and the second phase retardation layers 210 and
225 described with reference to FIG. 4. In some example
embodiments, an additional adhesion layer (not illustrated) may be
disposed between the display panel 1050 and the touch panel. The
polarization plate 1080, the adhesion layer 1085 and the window
1090 may have constructions substantially the same as or
substantially similar to those of the polarization 35, the adhesion
layer 40 and the window 45 described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0147] In the touch sensing structure 1075 according to example
embodiments, the first sensing pattern 1060 may he directly formed
on an upper face of the first phase retardation layer 1055 or on a
bottom face of the second phase retardation layer 1065. The second
sensing pattern 1070 may be directly formed on an upper face of the
second phase retardation layer 1065 or on a bottom face of the
polarization plate 1080. The first and the second sensing patterns
1060 and 1070 may have constructions substantially the same as or
substantially similar to one of the second and the first sensing
patterns 25 and 15 described with reference to FIG. 3,
respectively.
[0148] According to example embodiments of the invention, a display
device may include a display panel and a touch panel having a touch
sensing structure directly formed on at least one phase retardation
layer and/or a polarization layer, so that the display device may
have a considerably small thickness by reducing a thickness of the
touch panel. Additionally, failures of manufacturing processes such
as particles or strains may be prevented in manufacturing the
display device because the touch panel may not require any
additional base film for the touch sensing structure. Furthermore,
the display device including the touch panel may reduce the loss of
light generated from the display panel by increasing the
transmittance of the light passing through the touch panel having a
simplified structure. As a result, the display device may ensure a
slim thickness and the quality of image displayed by the display
device may increase.
[0149] The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments, and is
not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few example
embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
example embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of example embodiments. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
example embodiments as defined in the claims. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore,
it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of
example embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the
disclosed example embodiments, as well as other example
embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims,
with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
* * * * *