Touch panel with fingerprint identification function and method for fabricating the same

A touch panel with a fingerprint identification function includes a cover plate, a mask layer, a flexible substrate, and a fingerprint sensing array. The mask layer is disposed on the cover plate for defining an operating region and a non-operating region of the touch panel. The flexible substrate is disposed on the mask layer and at least in the non-operating region. The fingerprint sensing array is directly disposed on the flexible substrate in the non-operating region. Through the configuration that the fingerprint sensing array is disposed on the flexible substrate, the distance between the fingerprint sensing array and a user's fingers is reduced, thereby increasing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Application Serial Number 201510382111.8, filed in the People's Republic of China on Jul. 3, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to touch panels and methods for fabricating the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to touch panels with a fingerprint identification function and methods for fabricating the same.

Description of Related Art

Recently, fingerprint identification technologies have been widely utilized in various electronic devices. The fingerprint identification technologies provide good anti-theft functions and privacy protection for personal information in mobile devices, and therefore are becoming one of the main research thrusts in personal electronic devices.

In a fingerprint identification technology applied to electronic devices, fingerprints are detected by a fingerprint sensor chip module. However, with such design, the fingerprint sensor chip module may occupy too much space, and transducers in the fingerprint sensor chip are disposed far away from fingers which may result in poor sensitivity.

SUMMARY

For tackling the aforementioned poor sensitivity and space problems to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional technology, the present disclosure provides a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function. A fingerprint sensor array is disposed on a flexible substrate, and the distance between a user's fingers and a fingerprint sensing array is reduced, thereby increasing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification and resolving the problems of the fingerprint sensor chip module occupying too much space in the conventional technology.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function. The fingerprint sensing array is initially thrilled on a flexible substrate and then bonded with a cover plate, such that the distance between the fingerprint sensing array and a user's fingers is reduced. The combination of the fingerprint sensing array and the flexible substrate may be fitted with various cover plates of different sizes, types, or structures, thereby realizing mass customization.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function. The fingerprint sensing array and the touch sensing array are both formed on the same flexible substrate, and thereby the number of fabrication steps and the fabrication cost are reduced.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function, in which the touch panel includes a cover plate, a mask layer, a flexible substrate, and a fingerprint sensing array. The mask layer is disposed on the cover plate for defining an operating region and a non-operating region of the touch panel. The flexible substrate is disposed on the mask layer and at least in the non-operating region. The fingerprint sensing array is directly disposed on the flexible substrate in the non-operating region.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible substrate is an adhesive gel, such that the flexible substrate is disposed on the mask layer directly.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a thickness of the flexible substrate is in a range from 5 micrometers to 35 micrometers.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the touch panel further includes a touch sensing array, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed in both the operating region and the non-operating region, and the touch sensing array is disposed on the flexible substrate in the operating region.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the fingerprint sensing array is formed on the flexible substrate initially and then is bonded with the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the touch panel further includes an adhesive layer Which is configured to bond the flexible substrate with the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the fingerprint sensing array is disposed at a side of the flexible substrate facing the cover plate or at a side of the flexible substrate opposite to the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of the cover plate corresponding to the fingerprint sensing array has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the cover plate in the operating region.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover plate includes a first recess formed in the non-operating region, in which the first recess and the fingerprint sensing array are disposed at two opposite sides of the cover plate, and a orthographic projection of the first recess on the cover plate overlaps with a orthographic projection of the fingerprint sensing array on the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover plate includes a second recess formed in the non-operating region, in which the mask layer conforms to the second recess and at least one portion of the flexible substrate and the fingerprint sensing array are disposed in the second recess and conform to the second recess.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the fingerprint sensing may is formed from at least one patterned conductive layer.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible substrate is a thin film with a thickness in a range from 1 micrometer to 15 micrometers.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function. The method includes disposing, a mask layer on a cover plate for defining an operating region and a non-operating region of the touch panel; forming a conductive layer on a flexible substrate; patterning the conductive layer to form a fingerprint sensing array on the flexible substrate; and bonding the cover plate with the flexible substrate, in which the fingerprint sensing array is disposed in the non-operating region of the touch panel.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible substrate is an adhesive gel, and the step of bonding the cover plate with the flexible substrate is performed by directly bonding the cover plate with the flexible substrate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible substrate is a thin film, and the step of bonding the cover plate with the flexible substrate is performed by attaching the flexible substrate to the cover plate through an adhesion layer.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the step of patterning the conductive layer includes forming a touch sensing array on the flexible substrate, in which the touch sensing array is disposed in the operating region after the cover plate is bonded with the flexible substrate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes forming the flexible substrate on a plate before the conductive layer is formed on the flexible substrate; and separating the flexible substrate from the plate after the conductive layer is patterned.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes forming the flexible substrate on a plate before the conductive layer is formed on the flexible substrate; forming a protective layer on the fingerprint sensing array after the conductive layer is patterned; and separating the flexible substrate from the plate before the cover plate is bonded with the flexible substrate, wherein a side of the flexible substrate is bonded with the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes forming a first recess on the cover plate in the non-operating region, wherein the first recess and the fingerprint sensing array are disposed at two opposite sides of the cover plate, and a orthographic projection of the first recess on the cover plate overlaps with a orthographic projection of the fingerprint sensing array on the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes forming a second recess on the cover plate in the non-operating region, and the step of bonding the cover plate with the flexible substrate includes attaching the flexible substrate to the fingerprint sensing array in the second recess, in which the flexible substrate and the fingerprint sensing array conforms to the second recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The touch panel100includes a cover plate110, a mask layer120, a flexible substrate130, and a fingerprint sensing array142. The mask layer120is disposed on the cover plate110for defining an operating region OA and a non-operating region NA of the touch panel100. The flexible substrate130is disposed on the mask layer120and at least in the non-operating region NA. The fingerprint sensing array142is directly disposed on the flexible substrate130in the non-operating region NA. In some embodiments, the touch panel100further includes an adhesive layer150disposed between the flexible substrate130and the mask layer120, and the adhesive layer150is configured to bond the flexible substrate130to the cover plate110.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a transparent touch sensing array (not shown) is disposed in the operating region OA of the touch panel100, and the fingerprint sensing array142and other circuit configurations connected to the touch sensing, array are disposed in the non-operating region NA of the touch panel100.

In some embodiments, the fingerprint sensing, array142is initially formed on the flexible substrate130, and then the fingerprint sensing array142and the flexible substrate130are bonded with the cover plate110in the non-operating region NA through the adhesive layer150. Compared with an ordinary rigid glass substrate, the flexible substrate130has a small thickness and is bendable. Consequently, the combination of the fingerprint sensing array142and the flexible substrate130may be fitted with various cover plates of different sizes, types, or shapes, such as the cover plates having flat surfaces or tilted and curved surfaces, thereby realizing mass customization. When the fingerprint sensing array142is directly disposed on the flexible substrate130, compared with the conventional design utilizing a fingerprint sensor chip module, the designs of this embodiment may reduce the distance between the fingerprint sensing array142and the surface112of the cover plate110. In other words, the distance between a user's fingers and the fingerprint sensing array142is reduced, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover plate110is configured to hold plural components of the touch panel100, and has certain rigidity. A material forming the cover plate110may be glass or plastic. The cover plate110generally has high transmittance, such that the touch panel100may be fitted with a display panel (not shown) to form a touch display device.

The mask layer120is disposed in the non-operating region NA for shielding the circuit configuration in the non-operating region NA. The mask layer120has low transmittance, and may be black ink, black photoresist, white ink, white photoresist, or stacked layers thereof. The mask layer120may be formed by various appropriate methods, such as coating or printing. Consequently, the non-operating region NA of the touch panel100is opaque, and the operating region OA is transparent, such that a user may not see the other circuit configuration in the non-operating region NA of the touch panel100.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, comparing with the cover plate110, the flexible substrate130has better flexibility and a smaller thickness. The thickness of the flexible substrate is in a range from about 5 micrometers to about 35 micrometers. A material forming, the flexible substrate130may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The flexible substrate130may be a thin film with a thickness in a range from about 1 micrometer to about 15 micrometers. To be specific, the flexible substrate130may have a thickness in a range from about 2 micrometers to about 5 micrometers. In addition to the effect of reducing the distance, since the flexible substrate130has a small thickness, the volume of fingerprint sensors can be reduced and prevented from occupying much space. The fingerprint sensors can be attached to a flat surface or a tilted and curved surface of a component.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the fingerprint sensing array142may be formed from at least one patterned conductive layer. In other words, the fingerprint sensing array142may be sensing electrodes of one single layer or sensing electrodes of two layers. Herein, the sensing electrodes of one single layer are used as an example of the fingerprint sensing array142. For example, the patterned conductive layer may be formed on the flexible substrate130by fabrication processes such as deposition, lithography, and etching. The fingerprint sensing array142may be initially formed on the flexible substrate130and then bonded with the cover plate110. Herein, the fingerprint sensing array142may be formed from a transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), tin oxide (SnO2), indium oxide (In2O3), nano silver, nano copper, carbon nanotube or metal mesh. The fingerprint sensing array142may be formed from an opaque conductive material, such as copper, silver, or other metal materials.

In some embodiments, a protective layer160may be optionally formed on the fingerprint sensing array142. The protective layer160is configured to protect the fingerprint sensing array142from scratches. In some embodiments, the protective layer160may be a removable thin film. A material forming the protective layer160may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), photoresist, silicon oxide, and so on. A thickness of the protective layer160is in a range from about 2 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of the cover plate110corresponding to the fingerprint sensing array142has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the cover plate110in the operating region OA. To be specific, the cover plate110includes a first recess114formed in the non-operating region NA. Through the configuration of the first recess114, a distance between the surface112and the fingerprint sensing array142can be reduced, thereby increasing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification. In some embodiments, the first recess114and the fingerprint sensing array142are disposed at two opposite sides of the cover plate110. That is, the first recess114is disposed adjoining, the surface112of the cover plate110. An orthographic projection of the first recess114on the cover plate110overlaps with an orthographic projection of the fingerprint sensing array142on the cover plate110. In some embodiments, the cover plate110may not need to have the first recess114, and thus the configuration of the first recess114does not intend to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the fingerprint sensing array142is disposed at a side132of the flexible substrate130opposite to the cover plate110. That is, the fingerprint sensing array142is not disposed at the side134of the flexible substrate130which touches the adhesive layer150, and thus integrated circuit chips (not shown) can be electrically connected with the fingerprint sensing array142or subsequent circuits conveniently, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the fingerprint sensing array142is disposed at a side134of the flexible substrate130facing the cover plate110. Compared with the embodiments ofFIG. 1, since the fingerprint sensing array142of the present embodiment is disposed at the side134of the flexible substrate130adjacent to the cover plate110, the distance between the fingerprint sensing, array142and the surface112may be reduced, thereby increasing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification.

As illustrated previously, the fingerprint sensing array142is initially formed on the flexible substrate130, and then the fingerprint sensing array142and the flexible substrate130are bonded with the cover plate110through the adhesive layer150. In some embodiments, after the fingerprint sensing array142is formed on the flexible substrate130, a protective layer160may be disposed on the fingerprint sensing array142for protecting the fingerprint sensing array142from scratches.

In some embodiments, when the flexible substrate130is desired to be bonded with the cover plate110through the adhesive layer150, the protective layer160is removed, and the adhesive layer150may touch the fingerprint sensing array142directly. In some embodiments, a protective layer (not shown) is still disposed on the fingerprint sensing array142, meaning that the protective layer (not shown) may be kept between the adhesive layer150and the fingerprint sensing array142, such that the adhesive layer150does not contact the fingerprint sensing array142directly,

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. There is no adhesive layer130(referring toFIG. 1) configured to bond the flexible substrate130with the cover plate110in some embodiments.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible substrate130is a gel and is formed by applying the gel onto the mask layer120, such that the flexible substrate130is directly formed on the mask layer120. Herein, the gel may be an optical clear adhesive with high transmittance, a translucent adhesive, or an opaque adhesive. The gel may be adhered to the mask layer120in a conformal manner. Herein, a solidified optical clear adhesive is disposed as the flexible substrate130, and the fingerprint sensing, array142is directly disposed on the flexible substrate130(e. g. the solidified optical clear adhesive), such that the distance between the fingerprint sensing array142and the surface112may be reduced by omitting additional layers. The sensitivity of fingerprint identification is increased.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the touch panel further includes a second recess118, and the fingerprint sensing array142is disposed in the second recess118. The second recess118is disposed adjacent to the surface116of the cover plate110, in which the surface115is opposite to the surface112. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, portions of the mask layer120, the flexible substrate130, and the adhesive layer150may be disposed in the second recess118. Integrated circuit chips (not shown) electrically connected to the fingerprint sensing array142may be disposed on the flexible substrate130outside the second recess118. To be specific, the mask layer120may be formed by methods such as deposition, lithography, and etching, and attached to the second recess118in a conformal manner. A material of the adhesive layer150may be a solid gel or a liquid gel, and therefore the adhesive layer150may be formed on the mask layer120in the conformal manner. The flexible substrate130is flexible, and therefore at least one portion of the flexible substrate130and the fingerprint sensing array142may be disposed in the second recess118, in which the flexible substrate130and the fingerprint sensing array142conform to the second recess.

Through the configuration of the first recess114and the second recess118, the distance between the surface112and the fingerprint sensing array142may be reduced, thereby increasing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification. In addition, the first recess114is not a necessary component. In some embodiments, the first recess114may be omitted, while the second recess118is formed inside the touch panel100, such that the second recess118does not affect or destroy the appearance of the touch panel100. Therefore, the touch panel100is prevented from being damaged by stress concentration resulted from collisions, and the touch panel100may sustain the reliability thereof. On the other hand, compared with the process of directly forming the fingerprint sensing array142in the second recess118, the process of initially forming the fingerprint sensing array142on the flexible substrate130and then attaching the fingerprint sensing array142and the flexible substrate130to the second recess188is more feasible and may promote fabrication yield and efficiency.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The touch panel further includes a touch sensing array114, disposed in the operating region OA. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate130is disposed in both the operating region OA and the non-operating region NA, and the touch sensing array144is disposed on the flexible substrate130in the operating region OA.

As illustrated previously, the touch sensing array144may be formed by a transparent conductive material. In some embodiments, the material of the fingerprint sensing array142may be the same as that of the touch sensing array144. The fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144in the operating region OA may be formed on the same flexible substrate130through the same fabrication processes, and then the adhesive layer150bonds the flexible substrate130with the cover plate110to form the touch panel100. In other words, the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144may be formed from the same material through the same fabrication processes, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144may be formed from different materials, and formed on the flexible substrate130through different fabrication processes respectively or through partially the same fabrication processes. Then, the adhesive layer150bonds the flexible substrate130with the cover plate110to form the touch panel100.

Herein, the flexible substrate130in the non-operating region NA and the operating region OA is continuously connected or integrally formed, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate130where the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144are arranged may be divided into a fingerprint sensing portion and a touch sensing portion which are attached to the cover plate110in the non-operating region NA and the operating region OA respectively. That is, the flexible substrate130in the non-operating region NA and the operating region OA may be disconnected.

In some embodiments, the touch panel100does not include the first recess114(referring toFIG. 1), and only the embodiment without the recess is provided herein, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The touch panel100of the present embodiment may be configured with the first recess114.

Through the configuration, the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144may be initially formed on the flexible substrate130. Since the fabrication steps of the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144are similar, the fabrication steps may be combined and simplified, thereby reducing fabrication costs.

FIGS. 6A-6Dare schematic views showing a method for fabricating a touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides the method for fabricating the touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function, and the method includes the following steps.

At first, referring toFIG. 6A, a mask layer120is disposed on a cover plate110for defining an operating region OA and a non-operating region NA of the touch panel. Herein, it is optional to form a first recess114initially on the surface112of the cover plate110in the non-operating region NA. The mask layer120may be formed by coating black inks.

Next, referring toFIG. 6B, a gel130′ is formed on at least the mask layer120by a process such as coating, and the gel130′ is cured for forming the flexible substrate130(referring toFIG. 6C), in which the flexible substrate130is disposed at least in the non-operating region NA. In other words, the flexible substrate130is a gel130′, and the flexible substrate130is directly bonded with the cover plate110by coating the gel130′. In some embodiments, the gel130′ may be coated on the mask layer120and portions of the cover plate110which are not covered by the mask layer120, such that the flexible substrate130(referringFIG. 6C) is disposed in the non-operating region NA and the operating region OA. After the flexible substrate130is formed, additional protective layers (not shown) may be formed thereon and then removed in subsequent processes. For example, the additional protective layers may be removed after a conductive layer140′ is formed as shown inFIG. 6C.

Subsequently, referring toFIG. 6C, the conductive layer140′ is formed on the flexible substrate130. A material forming the conductive layer140′ may be a transparent conductive material. The conductive layer140′ may be formed on the flexible substrate130by deposition or other methods.

After that, referring, toFIG. 6D, the conductive layer140′ is patterned to form a fingerprint sensing army142on the flexible substrate130in the non-operating region NA and a touch sensing array144on the flexible substrate130in the operating region OA. The fingerprint sensing array142is configured to detect a user's fingerprint, while the touch sensing array144is configured to detect touch positions of the user's fingers. The electrode configurations of the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144may be different. Herein, the first recess114and the fingerprint sensing array142are disposed at two opposite sides of the cover plate110, and an orthographic projection of the first recess114on the cover plate110overlaps with an orthographic projection of the fingerprint sensing array142on the cover plate110.

Thereafter, an integrated circuit chip (not shown) configured to process fingerprint sensing information is attached to the flexible substrate130, and is electrically connected to the fingerprint sensing array142. Since the integrated circuit chip (not shown) is directly bonded with the fingerprint sensing array142, the signal transmitting path can be reduced, and the inspection precision of the fingerprint sensing array can be enhanced. Through the configuration, the touch panel100can inspect the user's fingerprint by the fingerprint sensing array142disposed on the flexible substrate130, thus achieving the purpose of fingerprint identification.

Various techniques may be included in the above fabrication process. For example, integrated circuit chips for processing touch-sensing information may be bonded and electrically connected to the touch sensing array144. The steps illustrated above do not intend to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7Dare schematic views showing a method for fabricating a touch panel with a fingerprint identification function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides the method for fabricating the touch panel100with a fingerprint identification function, and the method includes the following steps.

At first, referring toFIG. 7A, a mask layer120is disposed on the cover plate110for defining the non-operating region NA and the operating region OA. In some embodiments, a first recess114may be optionally formed on the surface112of the cover plate110in the non-operating region NA, or a second recess (not shown) may be optionally formed on the surface116in the non-operating region NA The mask layer120may be formed by coating black inks.

Next, referring toFIG. 7B, a conductive layer140′ is formed on the flexible substrate130. In some embodiments, since the flexible substrate130is thin and flexible, the flexible substrate130may be formed on a plate200or other protection films before the conductive layer140′ is formed on the flexible substrate130. The plate200is capable of supporting the flexible substrate130in the subsequent fabrication process, but does not constitute the finished touch panel. Though not shown in figures, in another embodiment, the flexible substrate130may be formed from an optical clear adhesive with protection films (not shown) disposed on upper and lower surfaces of the optical clear adhesive. Before the conductive layer140′ is formed, one of the protection films may be removed, and then the conductive layer140′ is disposed on the surface of the optical clear adhesive (the flexible substrate130). As illustrated previously, a material of the conductive layer140′ may be one of transparent conductive materials. A material of the flexible substrate130may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The conductive layer140may be formed on the flexible substrate130by deposition or other methods.

Subsequently, referring toFIG. 7C, the conductive layer140′ is patterned to form a fingerprint sensing array142and a touch sensing array144on the flexible substrate130. The fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144respectively correspond to the non-operating region NA (referring toFIG. 7A) and the operating region OA (referring toFIG. 7A) of the touch panel. In some embodiments, the fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144may be formed by the same fabrication processes for simplifying the fabrication processes, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The fingerprint sensing array142and the touch sensing array144may be formed through different fabrication processes.

In some embodiments, after the patterning of the conductive layer140′, a protective layer160is formed on the fingerprint sensing array142. Furthermore, before the cover plate110is bonded with the flexible substrate130, the flexible substrate130is separated from the plate200or other protection films. In some embodiments, the protective layer160is removed, and a side of the flexible substrate130is to be bonded with the cover plate110.

Thereafter, referring toFIG. 7D, the flexible substrate130and the cover plate110are bonded by adhesive layer150, in which a side of the flexible substrate130is bonded with the cover plate110. After the flexible substrate130and the cover plate110(referring toFIG. 7A) are bonded, the fingerprint sensing array142is disposed in the non-operating region NA (referring toFIG. 7A), and the touch sensing array144is disposed in the operating region OA (referring toFIG. 7A). Herein, the first recess114and the fingerprint sensing array142are disposed at two opposite sides of the cover plate110, and an orthographic projection of the first recess114on the cover plate110overlaps with an orthographic projection of the fingerprint sensing array142on the cover plate110.

In one or more embodiments, if the cover plate110includes the second recess (not shown), when the flexible substrate130and the cover plate110are bonded, the flexible substrate130and the fingerprint sensing array142are disposed in the second recess (not shown) and conform to the second recess (not shown). Thereafter, integrated circuit chips (not shown) configured to process fingerprint sensing information are attached to the flexible substrate130, and are electrically connected to the fingerprint sensing array142. Through the configuration, the touch panel100can inspect the fingerprint of users by the fingerprint sensing array142disposed on the flexible substrate130, thus achieving the purpose of fingerprint identification.

Various techniques may be included in the above fabrication process. For example, integrated circuit chips for processing touch-sensing information may be bonded and electrically connected to the touch sensing array144. The steps illustrated above are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a fingerprint sensing array is disposed on a flexible substrate. Since the flexible substrate is thin and flexible, the flexible substrate adheres and conforms to the cover plate, thereby reducing the distance between the fingerprint sensing array and the finger. In addition, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, integrated circuit chips and the fingerprint sensing array are disposed separately, thereby resolving the problems that the conventional fingerprint sensor chips occupies too much space.