In-cell touch display panel

The in-cell touch display panel has a display area and a non-display area. Multiple pixel structures are disposed in the display area. Transparent conductive layers, metal layers, and first to fourth insulation layers are disposed in the pixel structures. The thickness of the third insulation layer is greater than or equal to that of the second insulation layer. The thickness of the third insulation layer is 1.2 or more times of that of the fourth insulation layer. The thickness of the third insulation layer is greater than or equal to 5000 Å. The sum of the thickness of the third insulation layer and the thickness of the fourth insulation layer is greater than or equal to 7000 Å.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to China Application Serial Number 201611244094.2 filed Dec. 29, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a display and touch panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to an in-cell touch display panel with a narrow border.

Description of Related Art

A TDDI (Touch with Display Driver Integration) single chip is configured to connect all of data lines and touch sensing lines which are connected to touch electrodes, thereby enabling the single chip to control both functions of touch and display. However, the data lines and the touch sensing lines would concentrate toward the chip area in a non-display area, and thus are overlapped with each other. The signals transmitted on the data lines and the touch sensing lines may be interfered by each other, and therefore the functions of display and touch are both affected. It is an issue in the art that how to address the problems of overlapped trace routes and the interference between the data lines and the touch sensing lines in the non-display area.

SUMMARY

To solve the trace route problem, the invention provides an in-cell touch display panel, in which the conducting lines in the non-display are not overlapped with each other.

Embodiments of the invention provide an in-cell touch display panel having a display area and a non-display area, in which the in-cell touch display panel includes the following units. Multiple gate lines and multiple data lines are intersected with each other on a first substrate. Multiple touch sensing lines are disposed on the first substrate, in which the touch sensing lines are not spatially connected with the data lines in the display area. Multiple pixel regions are disposed in areas where the gate lines are intersected with the data lines in the display area, in which each of the pixel regions has a pixel structure, each of the pixel structures includes a pixel electrode formed by a first transparent conductive layer. A common electrode is formed by a patterned second transparent conductive layer, in which the common electrode includes multiple touch electrodes in the display area, each of the touch electrodes corresponds to more than one of the pixel electrodes, each of the pixel electrodes corresponds to a sub-common electrode which is a portion of the touch electrode, and each of the touch electrodes is electrically connected to at least one of the touch sensing lines. A thin film transistor is disposed in one of the pixel structures, in which the thin film transistor includes a gate, a source, a drain and a semiconductor layer, the source is electrically connected to one of the data lines, and one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the drain. Multiple display pads and multiple touch pads are disposed in the non-display area. A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and a second substrate. A first insulation layer is disposed between the gate and the semiconductor layer. A second insulation layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. A third insulation layer is disposed on the second insulation layer. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the third insulation layer. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on one of the third insulation layer and fourth insulation layer. The thickness of the third insulation layer is greater than or equal to the thickness of the second insulation layer. The thickness of the third insulation layer is 1.2 or more times of the thickness of the fourth insulation layer. The thickness of the third insulation layer is greater than or equal to 5000 Å. The sum of the thickness of the third insulation layer and the thickness of the fourth insulation layer is greater than or equal to 7000 Å.

In some embodiments, each of the data lines is electrically connected to one of the display pads. Each of the touch lines is electrically connected to one of the touch pads. The non-display area includes a signal line transferring area and a fan-out area, in which the signal line transferring area is located between the display area and the fan-out area, and the touch pads and the display pads are disposed in the fan-out area. One of the display pads is disposed between two of the touch pads, and one of the touch pads is disposed between two of the display pads.

In some embodiments, the number of the touch pads is less than the number of the display pads, the display pads and the touch pads are arranged as multiple rows, and one of the rows consists of a portion of the touch pads.

In some embodiments, the display pads are disposed between the touch pads and the display area.

In some embodiments, the touch pads are disposed between the display pads and the display area.

In some embodiments, the number of the touch pads is less than a number of the display pads. The display pads and the touch pads are arranged as multiple rows, a first row of the rows consists of a portion of the display pads, and a second row of the rows includes a portion of the display pads and a portion of the touch pads.

In some embodiments, the in-cell touch display panel further includes a driving circuit disposed in the non-display area and being electrically connected to the display pads and the touch pads. In a display period, the driving circuit transmits pixel data to one of the pixel electrodes through one of the data lines and the thin film transistor. In the touch sensing period, the driving circuit generates a touch sensing signal according to a voltage variation of the touch electrode.

In some embodiments, a first metal layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, and a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. A second metal layer disposed on the semiconductor layer, in which the second metal layer includes a source and a drain. A second insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer, and the second insulation layer has a first contact hole to expose the drain. A third insulation layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, and the third insulation layer has a second contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole. The pixel electrodes are disposed on the third insulation layer, and one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the drain through the second contact hole and the first contact hole. A third metal layer is disposed on the third insulation layer, in which the third metal layer includes the touch sensing lines. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the third metal layer, and the fourth insulation layer has a third contact hole to expose the touch sensing lines. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, and one of the sub-common electrodes is electrically connected to one of the touch sensing lines through the third contact hole.

In some embodiments, a first metal layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, and a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, the second metal layer includes a source and a drain. A second insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer, and the second insulation layer has a first contact hole to expose the drain. A third metal layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, in which the touch sensing lines are formed by the third metal layer in the display area. A third insulation layer is disposed on the third metal layer, the third insulation layer has a second contact hole to expose the touch sensing lines, and the third insulation layer has a third contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on the third insulation layer, one of the sub-common electrodes is electrically connected to one of the touch sensing lines through the second contact hole. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the sub-common electrodes, and the fourth insulation layer has a fourth contact hole corresponding to the third contact hole. The pixel electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the drain through the fourth contact hole, the third contact hole and the first contact hole.

In some embodiments, a first metal layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, and a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, in which the second metal layer includes a source and a drain. A second insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer, and the second insulation layer has a first contact hole to expose the drain. A third insulation layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, the third insulation layer has a second contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole. The pixel electrodes are disposed on the third insulation layer, one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the drain through the second contact hole and the first contact hole. A third metal layer disposed on the third insulation layer, in which the touch sensing lines are formed by the third metal layer in the display area. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the third metal layer, and the fourth insulation layer has a third contact hole to expose the touch sensing lines. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, one of the sub-common electrodes is electrically connected to one of the touch sensing lines through the third contact hole, and one of the touch sensing lines is at least partially overlapped with one of the data lines along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel.

In some embodiments, a first metal layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, and a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, in which the second metal layer includes a source and a drain. A second insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer, and the second insulation layer has a first contact hole to expose the drain. A third insulation layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, the third insulation layer has a second contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole, and the sub-common electrodes are disposed on the third insulation layer. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the sub-common electrodes and has a third contact hole and fourth contact hole, the third contact hole corresponds to the second contact hole, and the fourth contact hole exposes one of the sub-common electrodes. A third metal layer is disposed on the fourth insulation layer, in which the touch sensing lines are formed by the third metal layer in the display area, and one of the touch sensing lines is electrically connected to one of the sub-common electrodes through the fourth contact hole. A first transparent conductive layer includes the pixel electrodes and a touch sensing line protection layer, and disposed on the fourth insulation layer, in which one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the drain through the third contact hole, the second contact hole and the first contact hole. The touch sensing line protection layer covers one of the touch sensing lines, and the one of the touch sensing lines is at least partially overlapped with one of the data lines along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel.

In some embodiments, a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the semiconductor layer includes a source, a first lightly doped region, a channel region of a thin film transistor, a second lightly doped region, and a drain, in which the channel region is disposed between the first lightly doped region and the second lightly doped region. A first insulation layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, in which the first insulation layer has a first contact hole to expose the source, and a second contact hole to expose the drain. A first metal layer is disposed on the first insulation layer, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A second insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, and the second insulation layer has a third contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole and a fourth contact hole corresponding to the second contact hole and the pixel electrodes are disposed on the second insulation layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, in which the data lines are formed by the second metal layer in the display area, one of the data lines is electrically connected to the source through the third contact hole and the first contact hole, in which the second metal layer includes a filling structure which is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes and is electrically connected to the drain through the fourth contact hole and the second contact hole, and a third insulation layer is formed on the second metal layer. A third metal layer is disposed on the third insulation layer, in which the touch sensing lines are formed by the third metal layer in the display area. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the third metal layer, and the fourth insulation layer has a fifth contact hole to expose one of the touch sensing lines. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, and one of the sub-common electrodes is electrically connected to one of the touch sensing lines through the fifth contact hole, in which one of the touch sensing lines is at least partially overlapped with one of the data lines along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel.

In some embodiments, a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the semiconductor layer includes a source, a first lightly doped region, a channel region of a thin film transistor, a second lightly doped region, and a drain, in which the channel region is disposed between the first lightly doped region and the second lightly doped region. A first insulation layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, in which the first insulation layer has a first contact hole to expose the source and a second contact hole to expose the drain. A first metal layer is disposed on the first insulation layer, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A second insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, and the second insulation layer has a third contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole, and a fourth contact hole corresponding to the second contact hole. A second metal layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, in which the data lines are formed by the second metal layer in the display area, one of the data lines is electrically connected to the source through the third contact hole and the first contact hole, in which the second metal layer includes a filling structure which is electrically connected to the drain through the fourth contact hole and the second contact hole. A third insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer, the third insulation layer has a fifth contact hole to expose the filling structure, in which the sub-common electrodes are disposed on the third insulation layer. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the sub-common electrodes, and the fourth insulation layer has a sixth contact hole corresponding to the fifth contact hole and a seventh contact hole to expose one of the sub-common electrodes. A third metal layer is disposed on the third insulation layer, in which the touch sensing lines are formed by the third metal layer in the display area, one of the touch sensing lines is electrically connected to one of the sub-common electrodes through the seventh contact hole. A first transparent conductive layer includes the pixel electrodes and a touch sensing line protection layer, the pixel electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, and one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the filling structure through the sixth contact hole and the fifth contact hole. The touch sensing line protection layer covers the touch sensing lines, and one of the touch sensing lines is at least partially overlapped with one of the data lines along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel.

In some embodiments, a first metal layer is disposed on the first insulation layer, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the first insulation layer, and the semiconductor layer is metal oxide including indium, gallium and zinc. A second insulation layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, the second insulation layer has a first contact hole and a second contact hole to expose the semiconductor layer, and the pixel electrodes are disposed on the second insulation layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the second insulation layer to form a source, a drain and the data lines, in which the source and the drain are electrically connected to the second contact hole through the first contact hole and the semiconductor layer respectively, in which the drain is electrically connected to one of the pixel electrodes, and a third insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer. A third metal layer is disposed on the third insulation layer, in which the touch sensing lines are formed by the third metal layer in the display area, a fourth insulation layer is disposed on the third metal layer, and the fourth insulation layer has a third contact hole to expose one of the touch sensing lines. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, one of the sub-common electrodes is electrically connected to one of the touch sensing lines through the third contact hole, and one of the touch sensing lines is at least partially overlapped with one of the data lines along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel.

In some embodiments, a first metal layer is disposed on the first substrate, in which the first metal layer includes a gate. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer, a semiconductor layer is disposed on the first insulation layer, and the semiconductor layer is metal oxide including indium, gallium and zinc, in which a second insulation layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, and the second insulation layer has a first contact hole and a second contact hole to expose the semiconductor layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the second insulation layer to form a source, a drain and the touch sensing lines, in which the source and the drain are electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through the first contact hole and the second contact hole respectively. A third insulation layer is disposed on the second metal layer and has third contact hole to expose one of the touch sensing lines and a fourth contact hole to expose the drain. The pixel electrodes are disposed on the third insulation layer, one of the pixel electrodes is electrically connected to the drain through the fourth contact hole. A fourth insulation layer is disposed on the pixel electrodes, and the fourth insulation layer has a fifth contact hole corresponding to the third contact hole to expose one of the touch sensing lines. The sub-common electrodes are disposed on the fourth insulation layer, in which one of the touch sensing lines is electrically connected to one of the sub-common electrodes through the fifth contact hole and the third contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed by a first metal layer, the second portion is formed by a third metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: the first portion disposed on the first substrate; a first insulation layer having a first contact hole to expose the first portion; a second insulation layer having a second contact hole corresponding to the first contact hole; the second portion disposed on the second insulation layer; a fourth insulation layer having a third contact hole and a fourth contact hole, in which a third contact hole corresponds to the second contact hole, and a fourth contact hole exposes the second portion; and a second transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to the second portion through the fourth contact hole, and being electrically connected to the first portion through the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the third contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed by a first metal layer, the second portion is formed by a third metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: the first portion disposed on the first substrate; a first insulation layer disposed on a first metal layer and having a first contact hole to expose the first portion; a metal electrode formed by a second metal layer, and being electrically connected to the first portion through a first contact hole; a second insulation layer disposed on the second metal layer, and having a second contact hole to expose the first portion; the second portion being electrically connected to the first portion through the second contact hole; a third insulation layer having a third contact hole to expose the second portion; and an electric connecting portion formed by a second transparent conductive layer and being electrically connected to the second portion through the third contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed by a second metal layer, the second portion is formed by a third metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: a first insulation layer disposed on the first substrate; the first portion disposed on the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer disposed on the first portion and having a first contact hole to expose the first portion; the second portion disposed on a second insulation layer; a fourth insulation layer having a second contact hole and a third contact hole, in which the second contact hole corresponds to the first contact hole, and the third contact hole exposes the second portion; and a second transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to the second portion through the third contact hole, and being electrically connected to the first portion through the first contact hole and the second contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed by a second metal layer, the second portion is formed by a third metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: a first insulation layer disposed on the first substrate; the first portion disposed on the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer disposed on the first portion and having a first contact hole to expose the first portion; the second portion disposed on the second insulation layer and being electrically connected to the first portion through the first contact hole; a fourth insulation layer having a second contact hole to expose the second portion; and a second transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to the second portion through the second contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion are formed by a third metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: a first insulation layer disposed on the first substrate; a second insulation layer disposed on the first insulation layer; the first portion and the second portion disposed on the second insulation layer; a fourth insulation layer disposed on the second insulation layer and having a first contact hole to expose the first portion and a second contact hole to expose the second portion; and a second transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to the first portion through the first contact hole, and being electrically connected to the second portion through the second contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion are formed by a second metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: a first insulation layer disposed on the first substrate; the first portion and the second portion disposed on the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer disposed on the first insulation layer, and having a first contact hole to expose the first portion and a second contact hole to expose the second portion; and a first transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to the first portion through the first contact hole, and being electrically connected to the second portion through the second contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the touch sensing lines includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed by a first metal layer, the second portion is formed by a second metal layer, and the in-cell touch display panel further includes a connection structure disposed in the signal line transferring area and being electrically connected to the first portion and the second portion. The connection structure includes: a first insulation layer disposed on the first substrate; the first portion disposed on the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer disposed on the first portion, and having a first contact hole to expose the first portion; the second portion disposed on the second insulation layer; a third insulation layer having a second contact hole and a third contact hole, in which the second contact hole corresponds to the first contact hole, and the third contact hole exposes the second portion; and a first transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to the second portion through the third contact hole, and being electrically connected to the first portion through the first contact hole and the second contact hole.

In some embodiments, one of the data lines are parallel with one of the touch sensing lines in the display area, and are not overlapped with each other in the fan-out area.

In some embodiments, one of the data lines and one of the touch sensing lines are overlapped with each other in the display area along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel. The data lines and the touch sensing lines are formed by different metal layers in the display area.

In some embodiments, at least two of the touch sensing lines are electrically connected to each other and are electrically connected to one of the touch pads through a conducting line in the fan-out area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, the embodiments described are not intended to limit the present invention and it is not intended for the description of operation to limit the order of implementation. Moreover, any device with equivalent functions that is produced from a structure formed by a recombination of elements shall fall within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the drawings are only illustrative and are not drawn to actual size.

The using of “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. in the specification should be understood for identifying units or data described by the same terminology but are not referred to particular order or sequence.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating connections of data lines and touch sensing lines in an in-cell touch display panel in accordance with an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1, in an in-cell touch display panel100, electrodes for detecting touch are disposed in pixel structures on a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate.

The in-cell touch display panel100has a display area101and a non-display area102. The non-display area102includes a signal line transferring area103and a fan-out area104. The display area101is described first. The display area101includes multiple pixel regions which are formed in area where the gate lines are intersected with the data lines. Each pixel region has a pixel structure. To be specific, the display area101includes: pixel structures P11-P14, P21-P24, P31-P34and P41-P44; gate lines G1-G4extending along an X direction (also referred to a first direction); data lines D1-D4extending along a Y direction (also referred to a second direction), in which the data lines D1-D4are not connected to each other spatially; and touch sensing lines S1-S4extending along the Y direction. The data lines D1-D4are intersected with the gate lines G1-G4on the first substrate, and a pixel structure is disposed in one of the intersection areas. Each pixel structure includes a thin film transistor (TFT). Each of the data lines D1-D4is electrically connected to the source of the TFT in the corresponding pixel structure, and each of the gate lines G1-G4is electrically connected to the gate of the TFT in the corresponding pixel structure. For example, the pixel structure P11includes a TFT T1which has a gate T1G and a source T1S. The gate line G1is electrically connected to the gate T1G, and the data line D1is electrically connected to the source T1S. The display panel also includes a common electrode which is patterned to form touch electrodes C11, C12, C21and C22in the display area101. Each touch electrode corresponds to multiple pixel electrodes and is electrically connected to at least one touch sensing line through a contact hole. For example, the pixel structures P11-P14correspond to the touch electrode C11which is electrically connected to the touch sensing line S1; the pixel structures P21-P24correspond to the touch electrode C12which is electrically connected to the touch sensing line S3; the pixel structures P31-P34corresponds to the touch electrode C21which is electrically connected to the touch sensing line S2; and the pixel structures P44-P44corresponds to the touch electrode C22which is electrically connected to the touch sensing line S4.

A period of a frame is at least divided into one or more display periods and one or more touch sensing periods. During the display period, a common voltage is applied to the touch electrodes C11, C12, C21, and C22, and the voltage on the gate lines G1-G4are configured to turn on the TFTs in the corresponding pixel structures sequentially, and the driving circuit110transmits pixel data to the pixel electrodes in the corresponding pixel structures through the data lines D1-D4in order to set grey levels of pixels. During the touch sensing period, the touch electrodes C11, C12, C21, and C22are taken for detecting touch operations performed on the in-cell touch display panel100, and the driving circuit110generates a touch sensing signal according to the voltage variation on the touch electrodes C11, C12, C21, and C22.

The signal line transferring area103is located between the display area101and the fan-out area104. In the signal line transferring area103, the data lines D1-D4and the touch sensing lines S1-S4may be transferred to other metal layers. For example, the touch sensing lines S1-S4are in a third or second metal in the display area101, but are transferred to a first metal layer in the fan-out area104. Multiple connection structures are disposed in the signal line transferring area103for transferring the touch sensing lines S1-S4from the third or second metal layer to the first metal layer. The embodiment of the connection structure would be described in detail below. In addition, a protection circuit and a transparent or opaque conductive layer may be disposed in the signal line transferring area103to prevent the in-cell touch display panel100from damage by static discharge. In some embodiments, the width of the signal line transferring area103is essentially equal to width of half pixel to one pixel, which is not limited in the invention.

A driving circuit110is disposed in the non-display area102on the in-cell touch display panel100. The driving circuit110is electrically connected to display pads121-124and touch pads131-134which are disposed on the in-cell touch display panel100. The display pads121-124are electrically connected to the data lines D1-D4respectively and the touch pads131-134are electrically connected to the touch sensing lines S1-S4respectively. In particular, along the X direction, one of the display pads is disposed between two of the touch pads, and one of the touch pads is disposed between two of the display pads. For example, the display pad122is disposed between the touch pad131and the touch pad132, and the touch pad131is disposed between the display pad121and the display pad122. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the display pads121-124and the touch pads131-134are disposed in an interleaved way. In prior art (not shown), the display pads and the touch pads are arranged in a same row, and the display pads are continuously disposed, and then the touch pads are continuously disposed next to the display pad. Thus, the data lines D1-D4would be overlapped with the touch sensing lines S1-S4in the non-display area102. However, as shown inFIG. 1, the data lines D1-D4are parallel with the touch sensing lines S1-S4in the display area101, and they do not overlap with each other in the non-display area102because the display pads121-124and the touch pads131-134are disposed in the interleaved way.

In some embodiments, the driving circuit110is disposed on a flexible circuit board such as a Tape Carrier Package (TCP) or a Chip on Film (COF). Alternatively, the driving circuit110may be disposed on the thin film transistor substrate. In addition, the driving circuit110may be a Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI) single chip providing display and touch functions simultaneously. Or, the driving circuit110may include multiple chips which provide display function and touch function respectively. The driving circuit110may be a Gate-Driver In Plane (GIP) or an Integrated Gate Driver (IGD). Moreover, the number of the driving circuit110may be greater than one that are disposed at two sides (e.g. upper side and lower side, or left-hand side and right-hand side) of the panel or disposed just one side of the panel.

Every four pixel structures share one touch electrode InFIG. 1, but more or less pixel structures may share one common electrode in other embodiments. In addition, the number of the data lines D1-D4is equal to the number of the touch sensing lines S1-S4inFIG. 1, but in practice, every pixel structure (also referred to sub-pixel) generally renders a single color, and a pixel is composed of three sub-pixels which are generally arranged along the X direction. Therefore, the resolution of the pixel structures along the X direction is greater than the resolution of that along the Y direction. In some embodiments, at least two of the touch sensing lines are connected to each other and then is electrically connected to one touch pad though a conductive line. For example, referring toFIG. 2,FIG. 2is a schematic diagram illustrating connection between the touch sensing lines and the driving circuit in accordance with an embodiment. For simplification, conductive lines such as the data lines and the gate lines are not shown inFIG. 2. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, each of the touch electrodes C11, C21, and C31includes 27 pixel structures arranged as 3 rows and 9 columns. At least one of the touch sensing lines S1-S3is electrically connected to the touch electrode C11through a contact hole ch, and the touch sensing lines S1-S3are connected to each other in the signal line transferring area103, and then is electrically connected to one touch pad through a conductive line201. At least one of the touch sensing lines S4-S6is electrically connected to the touch electrode C21through the contact hole ch, and the touch sensing lines S4-S6are connected to each other in the signal line transferring area103, and then they are electrically connected to one touch pad through a conductive line202. At least one of the touch sensing lines S7-S9is electrically connected to the touch electrode C31through the contact hole ch, and the touch sensing lines S7-S9are connected to each other in the signal line transferring area103, and then they are electrically connected to one touch pad through a conductive line203. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, two of the touch sensing lines S1-S3are electrically connected to the touch electrode C11through two contact holes ch, one of the touch sensing lines S4-S6is electrically connected to the touch electrode C21through one contact hole ch, and three of the touch sensing lines S7-S9are electrically connected to the touch electrode C31through three contact holes ch. The number of touch sensing lines that each touch electrode is electrically connected to is not limited in the invention. For example, if there are five touch sensing lines passing through one touch electrode, then the touch electrode may be electrically connected to any number (ex. 1˜5) of the five touch sensing lines.

In addition, each pixel structure has at least a data line, and each data line is connected to one display pad. In other words, the number of the display pads is more than the number of touch pads. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, one touch pad is disposed between every three display pads, and thus the touch sensing lines and the data lines are not overlapped with each other in the non-display area102.

FIG. 3AtoFIG. 3Gis a schematic diagram illustrating disposition of display pads and touch pads in accordance with some embodiments. For simplification, the data lines and the touch sensing lines respectively connected to display pads DP and touch pads TP are not shown inFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3G.

Referring toFIG. 3A, in some embodiments, the display pads and the touch pads are arranged, along the Y direction, as a first row301, a second row302, and a third row303. The first row301only includes the touch pads TP, and the second row302and the third row303only include the display pads DP. In this embodiment, all touch pads are disposed in the first row301, but all touch pads may be arranged as several rows in other embodiments. In addition, the touch pads TP are disposed on the top inFIG. 3A, that is, the touch pads TP are disposed between the display area and the display pads DP.FIG. 3Bis similar toFIG. 3A, in which the display pads and the touch pads are arranged, along the Y direction, as a first row311, a second row312and a third row313. The second row312and the third row313only include the display pads DP, and the first row311only includes the touch pads TP. However, the touch pads TP are disposed on the bottom inFIG. 3B, that is, the display pads DP are disposed between the display area and the touch pads.

InFIG. 3C, the display pads and the touch pads are arranged, along the Y direction, as a first row321and a second row322. The first row321only includes a portion of the display pads DP, and the second row322includes a portion of the display pad DP and the touch pads TP. The touch pads TP are inserted into the display pads DP of the second row322inFIG. 3C. The first row321is disposed on the top, that is, the first row321is disposed between the display area and the second row322.FIG. 3Dis similar toFIG. 3, but the difference betweenFIG. 3CandFIG. 3Dis that the second row332having the touch pads TP and the display pads DP is disposed on the top, that is, the second row332is disposed between the display area and the first row331. The touch pads TP are inserted into the display pads DP of the second row332as shown inFIG. 3D.

InFIG. 3E, the display pads and the touch pads are arranged, along Y direction, as a first row341, a second row342, a third row343and a fourth row344. The first row341only includes touch pads TP; the second row342, the third row343and the fourth row344only include display pads DP. Moreover, the touch pads TP are overlapped with the display pads DP along Y direction.

InFIG. 3F, the touch pads TP are evenly distributed in the first row351, the second row352and the third row353. In the same row, three display pads DP are disposed between two adjacent touch pads TP. In addition, the touch pads TP are overlapped with each other along Y direction.

InFIG. 3G, a first row361only includes touch pads TP, a second row362and a third row363only include display pads DP, and a fourth row364only includes touch pads TP. Along Y direction, the touch pads TP in the first row361are overlapped with the touch pads TP in the fourth row364, and the display pads DP in the second row362are overlapped with the display pads DP in the third row363.

In the embodiments ofFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3G, the width of each touch pad TP along the X direction is equal to that of each display pad DP. However, in other embodiments, the width of each touch pad TP along the X direction may be wider than that of the display pad DP, which is not limited in the invention. Note that the description of “one display pad is disposed between two touch pads along X direction” may be interpreted as “the projection of one display pad onto X axis is disposed between the projections of two touch pads onto X axis”, and thus it encompass the embodiments ofFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3G. For example, inFIG. 3E, the display pads347is disposed between the touch pads345and the touch pads346along X direction, and the touch pads346is disposed between the display pads347and the display pads348. From another aspect, a projection of the display pads347onto X axis is located between two projections of the touch pads345and the touch pads346onto X axis. A projection of the touch pads346onto X axis is between two projections of the display pads347and the display pads348along X axis. The description may be applied toFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3D, andFIG. 3FtoFIG. 3G, and the description will not be repeated.

FIG. 4is a top view of pixel structure in accordance with an embodiment.FIG. 5Ais a cross-sectional view of pixel structure along a cross-sectional line AA′ ofFIG. 4. In the following description, the touch electrode in each pixel structure is referred to as the sub-common electrode. That is, each pixel electrode corresponds to one sub-common electrode which serves as a portion of the touch electrode in the touch sensing period. Referring toFIG. 4, a pixel structure410is taken as an example. The pixel structure410includes a TFT420, a pixel electrode PE and a sub-common electrode COM (not shown inFIG. 4). The TFT420includes a gate420G, a source420S and a drain420D. A gate line430formed in a first metal layer M1is connected to the gate420G. A data line431formed in a second metal layer M2is connected to the source420S. A touch sensing line432formed in a third metal layer M3is connected to the sub-common electrode COM. Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 5A, the first metal layer M1is formed on a substrate SUB, and the first metal layer M1includes the gate420G. A first insulation layer INS1(also referred to gate insulation layer) is formed on the first metal layer M1. A semiconductor layer420C is formed on the first insulation layer INS1as a channel region of the TFT420. The second metal layer M2is formed on the semiconductor layer420C. The second metal layer M2includes a source420S and a drain420D. A second insulation layer INS2is formed on the second metal layer M2, and has a first contact hole5A_1h. A third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and the third insulation layer INS3has a second contact hole5A_2hcorresponding to the first contact hole5A_1h. A third metal layer M3is formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The touch sensing lines432are formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area101. A first transparent conductive layer511is also formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The first transparent conductive layer511includes a pixel electrode PE which is electrically connected to the drain420D through the second contact hole5A_2hand the first contact hole5A_1h. A fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3and the first transparent conductive layer511, and has a third contact hole5A_3hto expose the touch sensing lines432. A second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4, and includes a sub-common electrode COM which has at least one slits512S. In the display area101, the touch sensing line432is electrically connected to the sub-common electrode COM through the contact hole5A_3h. Consequently, the common voltage is applied to the sub-common electrode COM in the display period, and an electric field between the sub-common electrode COM and the pixel electrode PE is configured to control the orientation of the liquid crystal. In the touch sensing period, the sub-common electrode COM serves as a portion of the touch electrode, and the voltage on which is transmitted to the driving circuit through the touch sensing line432to generate the touch sensing signal.

There are four insulation layers in the embodiment ofFIG. 5A, in which the first insulation layer INS1, the second insulation layer INS2, and the fourth insulation layer INS4may be formed by silicon nitride, silicon oxide or other suitable insulation layer; and the third insulation layer INS3may be an organic insulation layer. However, the invention is not limited thereto, the first insulation layer INS1to the fourth insulation layer INS4may be formed by any suitable material. In addition, the thickness of the third insulation layer INS3may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the second insulation layer INS2. The thickness of the third insulation layer INS3is 1.2 or more times of the thickness of the fourth insulation layer INS4, and thus the electric field between the sub-common electrode COM and the pixel electrode PE may not be interfered badly. Moreover, the thickness of the third insulation layer INS3is greater than or equal to 5000 Å so that the third insulation layer INS3can achieve better planarization. The sum of the thickness of the third insulation layer INS3and the thickness of the fourth insulation layer INS4is greater than or equal to 7000 Å. If the fourth insulation layer INS4is too thick, the electric field effect would not be ideal.

The sub-common electrode COM is above the pixel electrode PE in the embodiment ofFIG. 5A. However, the sub-common electrode COM may be below the pixel electrode PE in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 5B, the second insulation layer INS2is formed on the second metal layer M2, and the second insulation layer INS2has a first contact hole5E_1h. The third metal layer M3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The touch sensing lines432are formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area101. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The third insulation layer INS3has a second contact hole5E_2hto expose the touch sensing lines432. The third insulation layer INS3has a third contact hole5E_3hcorresponding to the first contact hole5E_1h. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The first transparent conductive layer511includes the sub-common electrode COM which is electrically connected to the touch sensing lines432through the second contact hole5E_2h. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the transparent conductive layer511, and has a fourth contact hole5E_4hcorresponding to the third contact hole5E_3h. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4. The second transparent conductive layer512includes the pixel electrode PE which has at least one slits512S. The pixel electrode PE is electrically connected to the drain420D through the fourth contact hole5E_4h, the third contact hole5E_3hand the first contact hole5E_1h.

In some embodiments, the sub-common electrode COM and the second metal layer M2are formed in the same layer. For example, referring toFIG. 5CandFIG. 5E,FIG. 5Cillustrates two pixel structure in an area540ofFIG. 5E. In order to distinguish two sub-common electrodes COM ofFIG. 5E, the sub-common electrodes in two adjacent pixel structures ofFIG. 5Care labeled as a first sub-common electrode COM1and a second sub-common electrode COM2. When the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2are disposed below the pixel electrode PE, the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2and the second metal layer M2are formed directly on the same layer (the first insulation layer INS1), that is, the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2and the second metal layer M2are in direct contact with the first insulation layer INS1. Consequently, the sub-common electrode COM1cannot across the data lines431to electrically connect the sub-common electrode COM2. Therefore, multiple metal connection structures (e.g. metal connection structure535) are disposed for electrically connecting the sub-common electrodes in two adjacent pixel structures. In addition, the metal connection structures are not formed in the second metal layer. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5C, the metal connection structures are formed in the third metal layer M3.

Referring toFIG. 5D, the sub-common electrodes COM1and COM2are electrically connected to each other through a metal connection structure535along the X direction. However, the sub-common electrodes would not across the second metal layer in the same layer along the Y direction, and thus the sub-common electrodes are electrically connected to each other through an extending portion. In detail, the sub-common electrode COM1and a sub-common electrode COM3, which are adjacent to each other along Y direction, are electrically connected to each other through an extending portion591; the sub-common electrode COM2and a sub-common electrode COM4, which are adjacent to each other along Y direction, are electrically connected to each other through an extending portion592. The extending portions591,592would across the gate lines430, and the width of the extending portion along X direction is less than that of the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4.

Referring toFIG. 5C,FIG. 5F,FIG. 5GandFIG. 5H,FIG. 5Fis a cross-sectional view of pixel structure along a cross-sectional line EE′ ofFIG. 5C,FIG. 5Gis a cross-sectional view of pixel structure along a cross-sectional line FF′ ofFIG. 5C, andFIG. 5Gis a cross-sectional view of pixel structure along across-sectional line GG′ ofFIG. 5C. The units ofFIG. 5FtoFIG. 5Gthat are similar to that ofFIG. 5Awill not be described again. InFIG. 5FtoFIG. 5G, the second metal layer M2and the first transparent conductive layer511are both disposed on the first insulation layer INS1and are in direct contact with the first insulation layer INS1. The first transparent conductive layer511includes the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the second metal layer M2and the first transparent conductive layer511. The second insulation layer INS2includes a contact hole530, a contact hole531and a contact hole534. The contact hole531exposes the drain420D. The contact holes530,534which are in a single pixel structure are disposed at two sides of the sub-common electrode to expose the sub-common electrode of the pixel structure. For example, the contact holes530,534are disposed at two sides of the sub-common electrode COM1, COM2. The third metal layer M3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. In the display area101, the touch sensing line432is formed by the third metal layer M3. The touch sensing line432is electrically connected to the sub-common electrode COM1, COM2through the contact hole530. In addition, the third metal layer M3also includes the metal connection structure535which is electrically connected to the touch sensing line432(also electrically connected to the sub-common electrode COM1), and extends to the contact hole534in the adjacent pixel structure from the contact hole530, and is electrically connected to the sub-common electrode COM2through the contact hole534. As a result, two adjacent sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2are electrically connected to each other through the metal connection structure535. Moreover, the third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2and the third metal layer M3, and the third insulation layer INS3has a contact hole532corresponding to the contact hole531. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and has the pixel electrode PE. In some embodiments, the pixel electrode PE has at least one slits533. In addition, the pixel electrode PE is electrically connected to the drain420D through the contact holes532,531.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 5C, the metal connection structure535is formed by the third metal layer M3, but it may be formed by the first metal layer M1in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 5I,FIG. 5JandFIG. 5K.FIG. 5Jis a cross-sectional view of the pixel structure along a cross-sectional line II′ ofFIG. 5I.FIG. 5Kis a cross-sectional view of pixel structure along a cross-sectional line JJ′ ofFIG. 5I. FIG. In the embodiment, the first metal layer M1includes the gate420G and a metal connection structure563. The first insulation layer INS1includes contact holes561,562to expose the metal connection structure563. The first transparent conductive layer511includes the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2. The sub-common electrode COM1is electrically connected to the metal connection structure563through the contact hole561. The metal connection structure563is electrically connected to the sub-common electrode COM2through the contact hole562. As a result, the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2are electrically connected to each other. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the second metal layer M2and the first transparent conductive layer511, and has a contact hole564to expose the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2. The third metal layer M3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and the touch sensing line432formed by the third metal layer M3is electrically connected to the sub-common electrodes COM1, COM2through the contact hole564.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, the data line431and the touch sensing line432are not overlapped with each other along a normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel, but the touch sensing line432is made of metal that would decrease the aperture ratio of the pixel structure. In some embodiments, the data line431and the touch sensing line432are partially overlapped with each other along the normal vector of the in-cell touch display panel, and the data line431and the touch sensing line432are formed in different metal layers in the display area. For example, referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 7A,FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating a top view of pixel structure according to another embodiment, andFIG. 7Ais a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the pixel structure along a cross-sectional line CC′ ofFIG. 6. The first metal layer M1is formed on the substrate SUB, and the first metal layer M1includes the gate420G. The first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first metal layer M1. The semiconductor layer420C is formed on the first insulation layer INS1as the channel region of the TFT420. The second metal layer M2is formed on the semiconductor layer420C, and includes the source420S and the drain420D. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the second metal layer M2. The second insulation layer INS2includes a first contact hole7A_1hto expose the drain420D. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and includes a second contact hole7A_2hcorresponding to the first contact hole7A_1h. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The second transparent conductive layer511includes the pixel electrode PE which is electrically connected to the drain420D through the second contact hole7A_2hand the first contact hole7A_1h. The third metal layer M3is formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The touch sensing line432is formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area101. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3, and includes a third contact hole7A_3hto expose the touch sensing line432. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4. The second transparent conductive layer512includes the sub-common electrode COM having at least one slits512S. In the display area101, the touch sensing line432is electrically connected to the sub-common electrode COM through the third contact hole7A_3h. In particular, the touch sensing line432is at least partially overlapped with the data line431along a normal vector720of the display panel.

The sub-common electrode COM is formed above the pixel electrode PE in the embodiment ofFIG. 7A, but the sub-common electrode COM may be formed below the pixel electrode PE in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 7B, the second insulation layer INS2has a first contact hole7C_1hto expose the drain420D. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and includes a second contact hole7C_2hcorresponding to the third insulation layer INS3. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and includes the sub-common electrode COM. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the first transparent conductive layer511, and has a third contact hole7C_3hcorresponding to the second contact hole7C_2hand a fourth contact hole7C_4hto expose the sub-common electrode COM. The third metal layer M3is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4. The touch sensing line432is formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area101. The touch sensing line432is at least partially overlapped with the data lines431along the normal vector720of the in-cell touch display panel. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4and the third metal layer M3. The second transparent conductive layer512includes the pixel electrode PE having at least one slits512S. The pixel electrode PE is electrically connected to the drain420D through the third contact hole7C_3h, the second contact hole7C_2hand the first contact hole7C_1h. In addition, the second transparent conductive layer512further includes a touch sensing line protection layer710to cover the touch sensing lines432. Note that the touch sensing line protection layer710is electrically insulated from the pixel electrode PE. The touch sensing line protection layer710is configured to protect the touch sensing lines432from the erosion of subsequent processes.

The channel of the thin film transistor is amorphous silicon in the aforementioned embodiments, but the channel of the thin film transistor may be polysilicon in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 7C, the semiconductor layer520is formed on the first substrate SUB. The semiconductor layer520includes a source520S, a first lightly doped region (lightly doped drain, LDD)520L_1, a second lightly doped region520L_2, a channel region520C, and the drain520D. The channel region520C is made of polysilicon formed by low temperature process (generally lower than 600° C.). The source520S and the drain520D are heavily doped. The channel region520C is formed between the first lightly doped region520L_1and the second lightly doped region520L_2. The first lightly doped region520L_1is formed between the source520S and the channel region520C. The second lightly doped region520L_2is formed between the channel region520C and the drain520D. The first insulation layer INS1is formed on the semiconductor layer520, and has a first contact hole5G_1hand a second contact hole5G_2hto expose the source520S and the drain520D respectively. The first metal layer M1is formed on the first insulation layer INS1. The first metal layer M1has a gate521G which is at least partially overlapped with the channel region520C along the normal vector720of the first substrate SUB. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the first insulation layer INS1, and has a third contact hole5G_3hcorresponding to the first contact hole5G_1hand a fourth contact hole5G_4hcorresponding to the second contact hole5G_2h. The gate521G is located between the third contact hole5G_3hand the fourth contact hole5G_4h. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and includes the pixel electrode PE. The second metal layer M2is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The data line431is formed by the second metal layer M2. The data line431is electrically connected to the source520S through the third contact hole5G_3hand the first contact hole5G_1h. The second metal layer M2also includes a filling structure530which is electrically connected to the pixel electrode PE, and is electrically connected to the drain520D through the fourth contact hole5G_4hand the second contact hole5G_2h. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second metal layer M2. The third metal layer M3is formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The touch sensing line432is formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3. The fourth insulation layer INS4has a fifth contact hole5G_5J to expose the touch sensing line432. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4, and is electrically connected to the touch sensing line432through the fifth contact hole5G_5J. The second transparent conductive layer512includes the sub-common electrode COM having at least one slits512S. The touch sensing line432is at least partially overlapped with the data line431along the normal vector of the first substrate SUB.

The second metal layer M2is formed above the first transparent conductive layer511in the embodiment ofFIG. 7C. However, the second metal layer M2may be formed below the first transparent conductive layer511in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 7D, the units ofFIG. 7Dthat is similar toFIG. 7Cwill not be described again. InFIG. 7D, the third insulation layer INS3has a sixth contact hole5G_6hto expose the filling structure530. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and is electrically connected to the filling structure530through the sixth contact hole5G_6h.

The sub-common electrode COM is formed above the pixel electrode PE in the embodiments ofFIG. 7CandFIG. 7D, but the sub-common electrode COM may be formed below the pixel electrode PE in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 7E, the units ofFIG. 7Ethat is similar toFIG. 7Cwill not be described again. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7E, the third insulation layer INS3has a fifth contact hole7F_5J to expose the filling structure530. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and includes the sub-common electrode COM. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the first transparent conductive layer511, and has a sixth contact hole7F_6hand a seventh contact hole7F_7h. The sixth contact hole7F_6hcorresponds to the fifth contact hole7F_5J. The seventh contact hole7F_7hexposes a portion of the first transparent conductive layer511. The third metal layer M3is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4. The touch sensing lines432is formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area. The touch sensing lines432is electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer511through the seventh contact hole7F_7h. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4, and includes the pixel electrode PE and the touch sensing line protection layer710. The touch sensing line protection layer710covers the touch sensing line432. The pixel electrode PE is electrically connected to the filling structure530through the sixth contact hole7F_6hand the seventh contact hole7F_7h. The touch sensing line432is at least partially overlapped with the data line431along the normal vector720of the first substrate SUB.

In some embodiments, the channel of the thin film transistor is made of metal oxide such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). For example, referring toFIG. 7F, the first metal layer M1is formed on the first substrate SUB. The first metal layer M1includes the gate420G of the thin film transistor. The first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first metal layer M1. The semiconductor layer420C is formed on the first insulation layer INS1. The semiconductor layer420C includes metal oxide including indium, gallium, and zinc. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the semiconductor layer420C, and has a first contact hole5K_1hand a second contact hole5K_2hto expose the semiconductor layer420C. The second metal layer M2is also formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The second metal layer M2includes the data line431, the source420S, the drain420D, and the touch sensing line432. The source420S (i.e. data line431) is electrically connected to the semiconductor layer420C through the first contact hole5K_1h. The drain420D is electrically connected to the semiconductor layer420C through the second contact hole5K_2h. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second metal layer M2, and has a third contact hole5K_3hto expose the touch sensing line432and a fourth contact hole5K_4hto expose the drain420D. The first transparent conductive layer511is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and includes the pixel electrode PE which is electrically connected to the drain420D through the fourth contact hole5K_4h. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and has a fifth contact hole5K_5J corresponding to the third contact hole5K_3h. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the third insulation layer INS4, and includes the sub-common electrode COM which is electrically connected to the touch sensing line432through the fifth contact hole5K_5J and the third contact hole5K_3h.

The sub-common electrode COM is formed above the pixel electrode PE in the embodiment ofFIG. 7F, but the sub-common electrode COM may be formed below the pixel electrode PE in other embodiments. For example, referring toFIG. 7G, the units ofFIG. 7Gthat is similar toFIG. 7Fwill not be described again. InFIG. 7G, the pixel electrode PE is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The second metal layer M2is formed on the second insulation layer INS2to form the source420S, the drain420D, and the data line431. The source420S and the drain420D are electrically connected to the semiconductor layer420C through the first contact hole5K_1hand the second contact hole5K_2hrespectively. The drain420D is electrically connected to the pixel electrode PE. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second metal layer M2. The third metal layer M3is formed on the third insulation layer INS3. The touch sensing line432is formed by the third metal layer M3in the display area. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3, and has a third contact hole7G_3hto expose the touch sensing line432. The sub-common electrode COM is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4. The sub-common electrode COM is electrically connected to the touch sensing line432through the third contact hole7G_3h. The touch sensing line432is at least partially overlapped with the data line431along the normal vector720of the in-cell touch display panel.

Referring toFIG. 4, the touch sensing line432includes a first portion441and a second portion442. The second portion442is formed by the third metal layer M3, but the first portion441may be formed by the first metal layer, the second metal layer or the third metal layer. A connection structure440is disposed in the signal line transferring area103for electrically connecting the first portion441to the second portion442. Multiple embodiments are provided below.

FIG. 8Ais a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the connection structure440along a cross-sectional line BB′ ofFIG. 4. The first portion441is formed in the first metal layer M1in the embodiment ofFIG. 8A. To be specific, the first portion441is formed on the substrate SUB. The first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first metal layer M1, and includes a first contact hole8A_1hto expose the first portion441. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the first insulation layer INS1, and includes a second contact hole8A_2hwhich is corresponding to the first contact hole8A_1h. The second portion442is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3and the second insulation layer INS2, and includes a third contact hole8A_3hand a fourth contact hole8A_4h. The third contact hole8A_3his corresponding to the second contact hole8A_2h, and the fourth contact hole8A_4hexposes the second portion442. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4, and is electrically connected to the second portion442through the fourth contact hole8A_4h, and is electrically connected to the first portion441through the first contact hole8A_1h, the second contact hole8A_1hand the third contact hole8A_3h. As a result, the first portion441is electrically connected to the second portion442.

FIG. 8Bis a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the connection structure440along a cross-sectional line BB′ ofFIG. 4. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8B, the first portion441is formed in the second metal layer M2. To be specific, the first insulation layer INS1is formed on the substrate SUB. The first portion441is formed on the first insulation layer INS1. The second insulation layer INS2includes a first contact hole8B_1hto expose the first portion441. The second portion442is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3, and includes a second contact hole8B_2hand a third contact hole8B_3h. The second contact hole8B_2hcorresponds to the first contact hole8B_1h. The third contact hole8B_3hexposes the second portion442. The second transparent conductive layer512is electrically connected to the second portion442through the third contact hole8B_3h, and is electrically connected to the first portion441through the first contact hole8B_1hand the second contact hole8B_2h.

FIG. 8Cis a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the connection structure440along a cross-sectional line BB′ ofFIG. 4. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8C, the first portion441is formed in the third metal layer M3. To be specific, the first portion441and the second portion442are formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The fourth insulation layer INS4includes a first contact hole8C_1hto expose the first portion441, and a second contact hole8C_2hto expose the second portion442. The second transparent conductive layer512is electrically connected to the first portion441through the first contact hole8C_1h, and is electrically connected to the second portion442through the second contact hole8C_2h.

Referring toFIG. 4, the data line431has a first portion461and a second portion462. A connection structure450is electrically connected to the first portion461and the second portion462. The second portion462is formed by the second metal layer, and the first portion461is formed by the first metal layer or the second metal layer. For example, referring toFIG. 8D, the first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first substrate SUB. The second metal layer M2is formed on the first insulation layer INS1, and includes the first portion461and the second portion462. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the second metal layer M2, and includes a first contact hole8E_1to expose the first portion461and a second contact hole8E_2hto expose the second portion462. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and is electrically connected to the first portion461through the first contact hole8E_1, and is electrically connected to the second portion462through the second contact hole8E_2h.

On the other hand, the embodiment ofFIG. 8Emay be applied to the embodiments ofFIG. 7CtoFIG. 7E. To be specific, the first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first substrate SUB. The first metal layer M1includes the first portion461, and is formed on the first insulation layer INS1. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the first metal layer M1, and has a first contact hole8H_1hto expose the first portion461. The second metal layer M2includes the second portion462, and is formed on the second insulation layer INS2. The third insulation layer INS3is formed on the second metal layer M2, and has a second contact hole8H_2hcorresponding to the first contact hole8H_1hand a third contact hole8H_3hto expose the second portion462. The second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the third insulation layer INS3, and is electrically connected to the first portion461through the second contact hole8H_2hand the first contact hole8H_1h, and is electrically connected to the second portion462through the third contact hole8H_3h.

The embodiments ofFIG. 8AtoFIG. 8Dmay be applied to the examples ofFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, in which the third insulation layer INS3is not formed inFIG. 8AtoFIG. 8Dbecause the third insulation layer INS3is an organic insulation layer in some embodiments. The thickness of the organic insulation layer is generally large, and thus the third insulation layer INS3is not formed in the connection structure to avoid deep contact hole.

Referring toFIG. 4, in some embodiments, the data line431is transferred to the first metal layer or the third metal layer, or remains in the second metal layer by a connection structure450. The connection structure450is similar to the connection structure440, and both of them electrically connect different metal layers through a transparent conductive layer. However, people in the art should be able to implement the connection structure450according to the disclosure inFIG. 8AtoFIG. 8C. On the other hand, in the embodiment ofFIG. 8C, although both of the first part441and the second part442are formed in the third metal layer M3, the disposition of the connection structure440can achieve the impedance matching between the touch sensing line432and the data line431.

Referring toFIG. 6, in the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the touch sensing line432has a first portion611and a second portion612. The second portion612is formed by the third metal layer, but the first portion611is formed by the first metal layer, second metal layer, or the third metal layer. The connection structure610is disposed in the non-display area102for electrically connecting the first portion611and the second portion612. Multiple embodiments will be provided to describe the connection structure610.

Referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 9A,FIG. 9Ais a cross-sectional view of the connection structure610along a cross-sectional line DD′ ofFIG. 6. In the embodiment ofFIG. 9A, the first portion611is formed by the first metal layer M1. To be specific, the first portion611of the first metal layer M1is formed on the first substrate SUB. The first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first metal layer M1, and has a first contact hole9A_1hto expose the first portion611. A metal electrode901formed by the second metal layer M2is electrically connected to the first portion611through the first contact hole9A_1h. The metal electrode901is not electrically connected to the data lines, the source, or the drain of the second metal layer M2. The second insulation layer INS2is formed on the metal electrode901. The second insulation layer INS2has a second contact hole9A_2hto expose the metal electrode901. The second portion612of the third metal layer M3is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and is electrically connected to the metal electrode901through the second contact hole9A_2h. The fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3. The fourth insulation layer INS4has a third contact hole9A_3hto expose the second portion612. An electric connecting portion912, which is formed by the second transparent conductive layer512, is electrically connected to the second portion612through the third contact hole9A_3h. The electric connecting portion912is not electrically connected to the pixel electrode or the sub-common electrode in the same second transparent conductive layer512. As a result, the second portion612is electrically connected to the first portion611through the metal electrode901. The function of the metal electrode901is to avoid deep contact hole configured in the connection structure610, and the electric connecting portion912is configured to prevent the second portion612from the erosion of subsequent processes.

Referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 9B, in the embodiment ofFIG. 9B, the first portion611is formed by the second metal layer M2. To be specific, the first insulation layer INS1is formed on the first substrate SUB. The first portion611is formed on the first insulation layer INS1. The second insulation layer INS2has a first contact hole96_1hto expose the first portion611. The second portion612is formed on the second insulation layer INS2, and is electrically connected to the first portion611through the first contact hole9B_1h. The fourth insulation layer INS4has a second contact hole9B_2hto expose the second portion612. An electric connecting portion921, which is formed by the second transparent conductive layer512, is electrically connected to the second portion612through the second contact hole96_2h. The electric connecting portion921is not electrically connected to the pixel electrode or the sub-common electrode in the same second transparent conductive layer512. The electric connecting portion921is configured to prevent the second portion612from the erosion of subsequent processes.

Referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 9C, in the embodiment ofFIG. 9C, the first portion611and the second portion612are both formed by the third metal layer M3. As shown inFIG. 9C, the first insulation layer INS1, the second insulation layer INS2, the third metal layer M3, and the second transparent conductive layer512are sequentially formed on the first substrate SUB. The second transparent conductive layer512is configured to prevent the third metal layer M3form the erosion of subsequent processes.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, a connection structure620is disposed on the data line431for transferring data line431to the first metal layer M1or the third metal layer M3, or keep in the second metal layer M2. People in the related art should be able to design the connection structure620based on the description of the connection structure610. The data line431and the touch sensing line432are in different metal layers after the transferring of the connection structures610and620.

Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 6, the connection structure440is used inFIG. 4, and the connection structure610is used inFIG. 6in the embodiments described above, but the invention is not limited thereto. The connection structure440may also be applied to the embodiment ofFIG. 6, and the connection structure610may be applied to the embodiment ofFIG. 4. On the other hand, the pixel electrode may be disposed above the common electrode, and vice versa. In other words, there are three options in these embodiments: whether the touch sensing line432covers the data line431; whether the pixel electrode is above the sub-common electrode; and whether the connection structure440or the connection structure610is used. These options can be arbitrarily chosen. In addition, whether the data line431and the touch sensing line432are transferred to the first metal layer M1, the second metal layer M2or the third metal layer M3is not limited in the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the data line431and the touch sensing line432are formed in different metal layers in the non-display area102, and thus the pitch between them could be reduced.

The signal line transferring area103exists in the embodiments above, and the connection structure therein is used to transfer the data lines/touch sensing lines to different metal layers. However, in some embodiments, if the resolution requirement of the panel is relatively lower, then the function of the connection structure may be implemented in the touch pads and/or display pads.

The self-conductive capacitance is used for sensing in the in-cell touch display panel in the specification. That is, a transmitter (TX) sensing signal and a receiver (RC) sensing signal is transmitted to the touch electrodes and the touch pads through the touch sensing lines. The metal layer in the specification may be a single layer of metal including aluminum, copper, titanium, tungsten, etc. or a composite metal layer including molybdenum/aluminum/molybdenum, titanium/aluminum/titanium, titanium/copper/titanium or other suitable composite metal layer, which is not limited in the invention. On the other hand, the insulation layer in the specification may be silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride or other suitable insulation layer. In addition, a single insulation layer in the figures may include more than one stacked insulation layers with different material. Moreover, some of the contact holes or openings have vertical sidewalls, and some of the contact holes or openings have tapered sidewalls, but it should be appreciated that all contact holes of openings have tapered sidewalls in practice. The figures are just for schematic illustration. When “contact hole to expose” is described, it means to partially expose the component beneath or to completely expose the component beneath, which is not limited in the invention.

Herein, examples are provided to describe the method for manufacturing the in-cell touch display panel.FIG. 10AtoFIG. 10Gare top views of intermediary stages for manufacturing pixel stricture in accordance with an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 10A, the first metal layer M1is first formed. Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 10B, the first insulation layer INS1(not shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 10B) is formed on the first metal layer M1, and then the semiconductor layer420C and ohmic contacts (not shown) on the semiconductor layer420C are formed. The first insulation layer INS1may be silicon nitride, silicon oxide or other suitable insulation layer. The semiconductor layer420C may be a-si, polysilicon, or metal oxide, which is not limited in the invention. The ohmic contacts may be N-type doped polysilicon or metal oxide with high conductivity for electrically connecting the semiconductor layer420C and the subsequent second metal layer M2.

Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 10C, the second metal layer M2is formed. The second metal layer M2includes the drain420D and the source420S. Next, the second insulation layer INS2and the third insulation layer INS3are formed on the second metal layer M2. For simplification, the second insulation layer INS2and the third insulation layer INS3are not shown inFIG. 10C. The second insulation layer INS2may be silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, or other suitable insulation layer. The third insulation layer INS3may be an organic insulation layer.

Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 10D, the first transparent conductive layer511is formed. The first transparent conductive layer511includes the pixel electrode PE. The first transparent conductive layer511may be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), fluorine tin oxide (FTO) or other conductive and transparent material.

Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 10E, the third metal layer M3is formed. The third metal layer M3includes the touch sensing line432. Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5A, andFIG. 10F, the fourth insulation layer INS4is formed on the third metal layer M3. The fourth insulation layer INS4has a contact hole5A_3hto expose a portion of the touch sensing line432. The fourth insulation layer INS4may be silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, or other suitable insulation layer.

Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5AandFIG. 10G, the second transparent conductive layer512is formed on the fourth insulation layer INS4. The second transparent conductive layer512is electrically connected to the touch sensing line432through the contact hole5A_3. The second transparent conductive layer512is taken as the sub-common electrode COM in the pixel structure, and it includes at least one slits512S. The second transparent conductive layer512may be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), fluorine tin oxide (FTO) or other conductive and transparent material.