Patent Publication Number: US-2007097278-A1

Title: Display substrate, method of manufacturing the same and display panel having the same

Description:
This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0104885, filed on Nov. 3, 2005, and Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0117933, filed on Dec. 6, 2005 and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, and the contents of which in their entireties are herein incorporated by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a display substrate, a method of manufacturing the display substrate, and a display panel having the display substrate. More particularly, the present invention relates to the display substrate capable of reducing a manufacturing cost and enhancing a production convenience by simplifying a manufacturing process, a method of manufacturing the display substrate, and the display panel having the display substrate.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Generally, a display apparatus displays an image for a user to recognize data processed by an information processing unit. A flat panel display apparatus has merits such as miniaturization, lightweight structure, high resolution and so on, so that the flat panel display apparatus is widely used.  
      A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus is a frequently used flat panel display apparatus. The LCD apparatus displays an image by using a liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal changes a light transmissivity according to electric field intensity applied thereto.  
      The LCD apparatus includes an LCD panel having an array substrate, an opposite substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The array substrate has a thin film transistor (“TFT”) which is a switching element formed thereon. The opposite substrate is combined with the array substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the array substrate and the opposite substrate.  
      Generally, the LCD apparatus has an input part including an operation interface, and a system part processing data inputted by the input part. The LCD apparatus displays an image through a uni-directional communication using a control signal outputted from the system part.  
      Recently, the LCD apparatus utilizes a touch panel to which a user&#39;s instructions are directly inputted by using demonstrated icons of the LCD panel instead of the uni-directional communication.  
      The touch panel is disposed over the LCD panel, and has the demonstrated icons on the LCD panel screen. When the user touches the demonstrated icons with a finger or a light pen, etc. and selects orders to be performed, the touch panel detects the touch point and drives the LCD apparatus according to the orders that the selected icons have.  
      The touch panel can be used without an input apparatus such as a keyboard or a mouse when used for a computer, and without an input apparatus such as a keypad when used for a mobile product, so that the touch panel having the touch screen thereon is more and more broadly used.  
      However, since the touch panel is disposed over the LCD panel, a thickness or a size of the product having the touch panel becomes larger. To solve this problem, the touch panel and the LCD panel are integrally formed.  
      The LCD panel integrally formed with the touch panel having a light sensor therein is one of the representative examples of touch panels. The light sensor senses an input point from a shadow or a light generated by a light pen, when the finger or the light pen etc. is contacted thereto.  
      However, when the peripheral light becomes intensive or weakened, a sensitivity of the light senor becomes larger or smaller. Therefore, the LCD panel having the light sensor has a problem that a decision of the touch point is difficult when a peripheral light becomes intensive or weakened.  
      To solve the above-mentioned problem, a touch screen type LCD panel is developed. The touch screen type LCD panel has a conductive protrusion formed on the opposite substrate. The touch screen type LCD panel also has a detecting line formed on the array substrate corresponding to the conductive structure. Therefore, the touch screen type LCD panel detects a touch point coordination through an electrical short between the conductive protrusion and the detecting line, when a user touches the touch screen type LCD panel.  
      Therefore, an LCD panel can be more thinly manufactured by embodying the touch screen function through the array substrate and the opposite substrate, and can also detect the touch point coordination more exactly according to a fluctuation of a voltage or a current.  
      In addition, the LCD panel having the conductive protrusion and the detecting line formed therein to have the touch screen function, further includes a supporting element, in other word, a column spacer which maintains a gap between the array substrate and the opposite substrate and supports both substrates. The conductive protrusion should be formed to have a lower height than that of the column spacer to carry out the touch screen function. Due to the differing heights, the conductive protrusion and the column spacer are hard to be integrally manufactured through one process, and a manufacturing process would be increased.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a display substrate capable of simplifying a manufacturing process.  
      The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the display substrate.  
      The present invention also provides a display panel having the display substrate.  
      In exemplary embodiments of a display substrate according to the present invention, the display substrate of a display panel having a touch screen function detecting a coordinate of a touch point, the display substrate electrically connected to an array substrate at the touch point, the array substrate having a plurality of pixel portions, a first line and a second line formed thereon, the plurality of pixel portions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, the first and second lines detecting the touch point, includes a base substrate, a supporting pattern, a first protrusion pattern and a second protrusion pattern. The supporting pattern is directly formed on the base substrate with a first length and maintains a uniform separation distance from the array substrate. The first and second protrusion patterns are directly formed on the base substrate with a second length and are electrically connected to the first and second lines respectively in the touch point. The first length may be longer than the second length.  
      Here, the first and second protrusion patterns may have a conductive layer formed thereon, and the display substrate may further include a color filter layer formed thereon corresponding to the pixel portion.  
      In exemplary embodiments of a method of manufacturing the exemplary display substrate according to the present invention, the method of manufacturing a display substrate of a display panel having a touch screen function determining a coordinate of a touch point and being electrically connected to an array substrate at the touch point, the array substrate having a plurality of pixel portions, a first line and a second line formed thereon, the plurality of pixel portions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, the first and second lines detecting the touch point, includes coating an organic material layer on the base substrate, disposing an exposure mask over an upper portion of the organic material layer and away from the organic material layer, the exposure mask including a first mask pattern and a second mask pattern formed thereon, the first mask pattern forming a supporting pattern, the second mask pattern forming a first protrusion pattern and a second protrusion pattern, exposing the organic material layer while maintaining a uniform separation distance between the exposure mask and the organic material layer, and developing exposed organic material layer to form the supporting pattern and the first and second protrusion patterns.  
      The method may further include eliminating the organic material layer in an exposed area and forming a color filter layer, forming a conductive layer on an upper portion of the color filter layer, the organic material layer and the light-blocking layer, patterning the conductive layer, and eliminating the conductive layer in an area corresponding to the supporting pattern.  
      In other exemplary embodiments of methods of manufacturing the exemplary display substrate according to the present invention, the methods of manufacturing a display substrate corresponding to an array substrate having a plurality of pixel portions and signal lines formed thereon, the plurality of pixel portions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, the signal lines detecting a touch point, includes forming color filter patterns corresponding to the pixel portions on a base substrate, forming an organic material layer on the base substrate having the color filter patterns formed thereon, patterning the organic material layer, and forming a supporting pattern and a protrusion pattern having a different diameter respectively, forming a transparent electrode layer on the base substrate having the protrusion pattern formed thereon and forming a protrusion electrode covering the protrusion pattern, and forming the supporting pattern and the protrusion pattern having a different height respectively through a heat compressing process on the base substrate having the transparent electrode layer formed thereon.  
      In still other exemplary embodiments of a method of manufacturing the display substrate according to the present invention, the method of manufacturing a display substrate having a plurality of pixel portions, switching elements and signal lines formed thereon, the plurality of pixel portions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element formed on each pixel portion, the signal lines detecting a touch point, includes forming an organic material layer on a base substrate having the switching elements formed thereon, patterning the organic material layer, and forming a supporting pattern and a protrusion pattern having a different diameter respectively, forming a transparent electrode layer on the base substrate having the supporting pattern and the protrusion pattern formed thereon, patterning the transparent electrode layer and forming a protrusion electrode covering the protrusion pattern and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the switching element, and forming the supporting pattern and the protrusion pattern having a different height respectively through a heat compressing process on the base substrate having the pixel electrode formed thereon.  
      In still other exemplary embodiments of a display panel according to the present invention, the display panel includes an array substrate and an opposite substrate. The array substrate has a plurality of pixel portions, first signal lines and second signal lines formed thereon, the plurality of pixel portions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, the first and second signal lines detecting a touch point and formed in the same direction of the gate lines and the data lines respectively. The opposite substrate is combined with the array substrate, and receives a liquid crystal material.  
      The opposite substrate includes a light-blocking layer, a supporting pattern, a first protrusion pattern and a second protrusion pattern. The light-blocking layer is formed on a base substrate in areas corresponding to the gate lines and the data lines. The supporting pattern is directly formed on the light-blocking layer with a first length, and maintains a uniform separation distance from the array substrate. The first and second protrusion patterns are directly formed on the light-blocking layer with a second length.  
      In still other exemplary embodiments of a display substrate according to the present invention, the display substrate of a display panel having a touch screen function detecting a coordinate of a touch point, the display substrate electrically connected to an opposite substrate at the touch point, includes a plurality of pixel portions defined by a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction and a plurality of data lines extending in a second direction, switching elements formed in the plurality of pixel portions, first signal lines extending in the first direction, second signal lines extending in the second direction, a supporting pattern formed on the switching elements, the supporting pattern having a first length, first and second protrusion patterns formed on the first and second signal lines, respectively, the first and second protrusion patterns having a second length less than the first length, and first and second sensing electrodes formed on the first and second protrusion patterns, respectively, the first and second sensing electrodes electrically connected to the first and second signal lines, respectively.  
      Therefore, the protrusion pattern carrying out the touch screen function and the supporting pattern supporting the separation distance between the array substrate and the opposite substrate, are integrally formed, and thus the manufacturing process can be simplified. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detailed exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating the exemplary display apparatus in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary array substrate and an exemplary opposite substrate of the exemplary display apparatus separately in  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a portion of the exemplary display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a bent shape of the exemplary display panel applied by an external force;  
       FIG. 7  is a timing chart illustrating an exemplary method for detecting a touch point according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic plan view embodying an exemplary detecting portion for detecting the touch point in  FIG. 1  according to the exemplary timing chart in  FIG. 7 ;  
      FIGS.  9  to  16  are cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary manufacturing process for the exemplary display substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 17  is a graph illustrating a relation between a size of an exemplary mask pattern formed on an exposure mask and a thickness of a remaining layer after an exemplary developing process;  
       FIG. 18  is a graph illustrating a variation of the thickness of the remaining layer after the exemplary developing process according to a separation distance between the exemplary exposure mask and a photosensitivity macromolecule organic material;  
       FIG. 19  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 4  and illustrating the exemplary display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 20 and 21  are cross-sectional views illustrating the exemplary manufacturing process of a protrusion pattern and a supporting pattern in  FIG. 19 ;  
       FIGS. 22 and 23  are process diagrams illustrating perspective views of an exemplary assembly process of the exemplary display panel;  
       FIG. 24  is a graph illustrating a variation of strain according to a sectional area of the exemplary supporting pattern when a constant external force is applied thereto;  
       FIGS. 25A  to  25 C are conceptual diagrams illustrating a strain process of the exemplary protrusion pattern and the exemplary supporting pattern;  
       FIG. 26  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 4  and illustrating the exemplary display panel according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIGS. 27A and 27B  are cross-sectional perspective views illustrating the exemplary manufacturing process of an exemplary protrusion pattern and an exemplary supporting pattern in  FIG. 26 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described below may be varied modified in many different ways without departing from the inventive principles disclosed herein, and the scope of the present invention is therefore not limited to these particular flowing embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by way of example and not of limitation. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.  
      It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present there between. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.  
      It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.  
      The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.  
      Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.  
      Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.  
      Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the present invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.  
      Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanied drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating the exemplary display apparatus in  FIG. 1 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a display substrate  100  includes a display panel  200 , a panel driving part  300 , a position detecting part  400 , and a positioning part  500 .  
      The display panel  200  includes an array substrate  210 , an opposite substrate  220 , and a liquid crystal layer (not shown). The array substrate  210  has m-number of data lines DL 1 ˜DLm formed in a direction D 2  and n-number of gate lines GL 1 ˜GLn formed in a direction D 1  formed on the array substrate  210 , wherein ‘m’ and ‘n’ are natural numbers. The data lines DL 1 ˜DLm and the gate lines GL 1 ˜GLn are intersected to each other and insulated from each other.  
      A switching element such as a thin film transistor (“TFT”) is formed on every area where each of the data lines DL 1 ˜DLm and each of the gate lines GL 1 ˜GLn are intersected.  
      For example, a first switching element TFT 1  and a first pixel electrode PE 1  are formed on an area where a first data line DL 1  and a first gate line GL 1  are intersected. A gate electrode of the first switching element TFT 1  is electrically connected to the first gate line GL 1 . A source electrode of the first switching element TFT 1  is electrically connected to the first data line DL 1 . A drain electrode of the first switching element TFT 1 , formed within the same layer as the source electrode but electrically separated from the source electrode, is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode PE 1 .  
      Likewise, the switching element TFT and the pixel electrode PE are respectively formed on an area where a second to an m th  data lines DL 2  to DLm and a second to an n th  gate lines GL 2  to GLn are intersected.  
      In addition, the array substrate  210  has first signal lines and second signal lines formed thereon, as will be further described below, to carry out a touch screen function.  
      The first signal lines SL 1  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) extend in a first direction D 1  as the gate lines GL 1 ˜GLn, and the second signal lines SL 2  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) extend in a second direction D 2  as the data lines DL 1 ˜DLm. The first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  intersect each other, and are electrically insulated from each other.  
      The first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  have a driving voltage Vid having a predetermined initial voltage level, and the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  are electrically connected to the position detecting part  400 .  
      Here, the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  may be formed in every unit pixel having a red (R) pixel, a green (G) pixel and a blue (B) pixel, although alternately colored pixels forming a unit pixel part would also be within the scope of these embodiments, and may also be formed in every plurality of unit pixels. For example, the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  may be formed in every four unit pixels.  
      The opposite substrate  220  is combined with the array substrate  210  such that a liquid crystal layer (not shown) is between the opposite substrate  220  and the array substrate  210 . The opposite substrate  220  has a color filter layer formed thereon in every unit pixel and displays a predetermined color. Alternatively, the color filters may be formed on the array substrate  210 .  
      In addition, the opposite substrate  220  has a protrusion electrode part ER formed thereon to carry out the touch screen function. The protrusion electrode part ER has first protrusion electrodes ER 1  and second protrusion electrodes ER 2  formed thereon. The first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2  are electrically connected to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 , respectively according to an external force applied thereto.  
      Here, the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2  may be formed in every unit pixel having, for example, a red (R) pixel, a green (G) pixel and a blue (B) pixel, and may also be formed in every plurality of unit pixels. For example, the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  may be formed in every four unit pixels.  
      The first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  formed on the array substrate  210 , and the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2  formed on the opposite substrate  220 , are further described below with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
      With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the panel driving part  300  includes a timing control part  310 , a power supply part  320 , a gray scale voltage generating part  330 , a data driving part  340 , and a gate driving part  350 .  
      The timing control part  310  controls an operation of the display apparatus  100 . From a host system such as an external graphic controller, an original data signal DATA_ 0  of the red (R) pixel, the green (G) pixel and the blue (B) pixel, and a first control signal CNTL 1 , are applied to the timing control part  310 . Then, the timing control part  310  controls an output timing of the original data signal DATA_ 0  to display an image on the display panel  200 , and outputs a first data signal DATA 1 , a second control signal CNTL 2 , a third control signal CNTL 3 , a fourth control signal CNTL 4 , and a fifth control signal CNTL 5 .  
      Particularly, the first control signal CNTL 1  includes a main clock signal MCLK, a horizontal synchronized signal HSYNC, and a vertical synchronized signal VSYNC. The second control signal CNTL 2  includes a horizontal start signal STH, a reversed signal REV, and a data load signal TP to control the data driving part  340 . The third control signal CNTL 3  includes a start signal STV, a clock signal CK, a print enable signal OE, etc. to control the gate driving part  350 . The fourth control signal CNTL 4  includes a clock signal CLK, the reversed signal REV, etc. to control the power supply part  320 .  
      The timing control part  310  further outputs the fifth control signal CNTL 5  to control the position detecting part  400 . The fifth control signal CNTL 5  includes a sampling signal SS, etc., for controlling the initial driving power Vid outputted from the power supply part  320  to be applied to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 .  
      The power supply part  320  outputs common voltages Vcom and Vcst, the initial driving voltage Vid, an analog driving voltage AVDD, a gate on/off voltage Von, Voff, etc. in response to the fourth control signal CNTL 4  provided from the timing control part  310 . The common voltages Vcom and Vcst are applied to the display panel  200 . The initial driving voltage Vid is applied to the array substrate  210  to carry out the touch screen function. The analog driving voltage AVDD is applied to the gray scale voltage generating part  330 . The on/off voltage Von, Voff is applied to the gate driving part  350 .  
      The gray scale voltage generating part  330  outputs a plurality of reference gray scale voltages VGMA_R corresponding to a gradation level number on the basis of a distribution resistance. The distribution resistance includes a resistance ratio adjusted according to a gamma curvature applied thereto by using the analog driving voltage AVDD as a reference voltage.  
      The data driving part  340  includes a data tape carrier package (“TCP”)  341  and a data driving chip  342 . The m-number of data lines DL may be divided into a plurality of data line blocks, and a plurality of data TCPs  341  may be formed to drive the data line blocks, respectively. The array substrate  210  is electrically connected to a data printed circuit board (“PCB”)  360  on which the timing controlling part  310  may be formed through the data TCP  341 .  
      In addition, the data driving part  340  generates a plurality of gray scale voltages VGMA on the basis of the reference gray scale voltages VGMA_R outputted from the gray scale voltage generation part  330 . The data driving part  340  converts the digital type first data signal DATA 1  into data signals D 1 ˜Dm of an analog type on the basis of the second control signal CNTL 2  provided from the timing control part  310  and the gray scale voltage VGMA, and controls an output timing of the data signals D 1 ˜Dm to output into the data lines DL 1 ˜DLm.  
      The gate driving part  350  includes a gate TCP  351  and a gate driving chip  352 . The n-number of gate lines GL may be divided into a plurality of gate line blocks, and a plurality of gate TCPs  351  may be formed to drive the gate line blocks, respectively.  
      The gate driving part  350  generates gate signals G 1 ˜Gn in response to the third control signal CNTL 3  from the timing control part  310  and the gate on/off voltage Von, Voff from the power supply part  320 , and outputs to the gate lines GL 1 ˜GLn.  
      The position detecting part  400  detects a location, a coordinate, of the external force PO applied to an upper portion of the opposite substrate  220 .  
      For example, when the first protrusion electrodes ER 1  formed on the opposite substrate  220  make contact with the first signal lines SL 1  formed on the array substrate  210  by the external force PO, a variation of the initial driving voltage Vid applied to the first signal lines SL 1  is detected and a Y-axis coordinate of the external force is obtained.  
      In addition, when the second protrusion electrodes ER 2  formed on the opposite substrate  220  make contact with the second signal lines SL 2  formed on the array substrate  210  by the external force PO, a variation of the initial driving voltage Vid applied to the second signal lines SL 2  is detected and an X-axis coordinate of the external force PO is obtained.  
      The position detecting part  400  includes a power supply control part and a data sampling part, as will be further described below with respect to  FIG. 8 . The power supply control part provides the initial driving power Vid to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  in response to the fifth control signal CNTL 5 . The data sampling part detects the initial driving power Vid in the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 , and outputs a first detecting signal DS 1  and a second detecting signal DS 2   
      The position detecting part  400  may be formed in the data driving part  340  of the panel driving part  300 . The position detecting part  400  may be integrally formed with a data driving chip  342  on the data TCP  341  of the data driving part  340 . When the position detecting part  400  is integrally formed with the data driving chip  342 , the data driving chip  342  may further include additional pads electrically connected to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 .  
      The positioning part  500  processes the X-axis and Y-axis coordinates based on the first and second detecting signals DS 1  and DS 2  outputted by the position detecting part  400  to determine an exact point on the display panel  200  where the external force PO is applied.  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary array substrate and an exemplary opposite substrate of the exemplary display apparatus separately in  FIG. 2 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the display panel  200  includes the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  220 .  
      The array substrate  210  has a plurality of data lines DL formed thereon and extending to a direction D 2 , and a plurality of gate lines GL formed thereon and extending to a direction D 1 .  
      In addition, the array substrate  210  has a plurality of first signal lines SL 1  and a plurality of second signal lines SL 2  formed thereon to carry out the touch screen function. The first signal lines SL 1  extend to the first direction D 1 , and the second signal lines SL 2  extend to the second direction D 2 .  
      The array substrate  210  may further include a plurality of sensing electrodes ES formed on an upper portion of the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 . The sensing electrodes ES include first and second sensing electrodes ES 1  and ES 2  electrically connected to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  through contact holes CTH  1  and CTH  2 , respectively.  
      The opposite substrate  220  has a plurality of protrusion electrodes ER and a plurality of supporting patterns  226 . The protrusion electrodes ER have a first length to carry out the touch screen function. A plurality of the supporting patterns  226  has a second length to maintain a separation distance, such as the cell gap, between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  220 . The protrusion electrodes ER and the supporting patterns  226  are directly formed on the base substrate of the opposite substrate  220  to contact the base substrate included in the array substrate  210 .  
      The protrusion electrodes ER include first protrusion electrodes ER 1  electrically connectable to the first signal lines SL 1 , and second protrusion electrodes ER 2  electrically connectable to the second signal lines SL 2 . The first protrusion electrodes ER 1  are formed on the opposite substrate  220  such that the first protrusion electrodes ER 1  correspond to the first sensing electrode ES 1 , and the second protrusion electrodes ER 2  are formed on the opposite substrate  220  such that the second protrusion electrodes ER 2  correspond to the second sensing electrode ES 2 .  
      Since the first length of the protrusion electrode ER is smaller than that of the second length of the supporting pattern  226 , the first protrusion electrodes ER 1  electrically contact the first sensing electrode ES 1  and the second protrusion electrodes ER 2  electrically contact the second sensing electrode ES 2  when an external force PO is applied thereto.  
      Therefore, upon application of the external force PO, the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 , which are electrically connected with the first and second sensing electrodes ES 1  and ES 2 , respectively, are electrically connected with the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2 , respectively.  
      In addition, the common voltage Vcom outputted from the power supply part  320  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is applied to the protrusion electrodes ER. The initial driving voltage Vid outputted from the power supply part  320 , is applied to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 . Since the protrusion electrodes ER applied with the common voltage Vcom electrically contacts the sensing electrode ES by the external force PO, a potential of the initial driving voltage Vid applied to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  in the contacting point, is changed.  
      The potential change of the initial driving voltage Vid in the first signal line SL 1  is used for determining the Y-axis, or the first direction D 1 , coordinate. The potential change of the initial driving voltage Vid in the second signal line SL 2  is used for determining the X-axis, or the second direction D 2 , coordinate.  
       FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a portion of the exemplary display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bent shape of the exemplary display panel applied by an external force.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the display substrate  200  includes the array substrate  210 , the opposite substrate  220  and the liquid crystal (not shown) layer disposed between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  220 .  
      The array substrate  210  has a plurality of pixels, which is a standard unit for displaying the image on the base substrate, formed thereon in a matrix shape. Among the plurality of pixels, a ji th  pixel Pji includes a j th  gate line GLj, an i th  data line DLi, a ji th  TFT Tji and a ji th  pixel electrode PEji.  
      The j th  gate line GLj extends in the first direction D 1 . The i th  data line DLi and the j th  gate line GLj are electrically insulated from each other. The i th  data line DLi extends in the second direction D 2 , substantially perpendicular to the first direction D 1 , and intersects the j th  gate line GLj.  
      A ji th  pixel area PAji is defined by the j th  data line DLi and j th  gate line GLj that are adjacent to i+1 th  data line DLi+1 and j−1 th  gate line GLj−1, respectively. The ji th  pixel area PAji has the ji th  TFT Tji and the ji th  pixel electrode PEji formed thereon.  
      The gate electrode G of the ji th  TFT Tji is diverged from the j th  gate line GLj, the source electrode S is diverged from the i th  data line DLi, and the drain electrode D is electrically connected to the ji th  pixel electrode PEji. The data signal is transferred through the i th  data line DLi, and the gate signal is applied to the j th  gate line GLj. Therefore, the TFT Tji outputs the data signal into the ji th  pixel electrode PEji in response to the gate signal.  
      In addition, the ji th  pixel Pji may further include a ji-th storage voltage line SEji that receives a common voltage Vcom and defines a sub capacitor Cst.  
      The array substrate  210  has the first signal lines SL 1  formed thereon and extending to the first direction D 1  in parallel with the gate lines GL, and the second signal lines SL 2  formed thereon and extending to the second direction D 2  in parallel with the data line DL.  
      The first signal lines SL 1  may be formed on the same layer as the gate lines GL, and the second signal lines SL 2  may be formed on the same layer as that of the data lines DL to reduce a manufacturing process of the array substrate  210  and a thickness of the display panel  200 . The initial driving voltage Vid is provided to the first signal lines SL 1  and the second signal lines SL 2 .  
      The array substrate  210  includes the first sensing electrodes ES 1  formed there on, and the first sensing electrodes ES 1  are disposed over the upper portion of the first signal lines SL 1  and electrically connected to the first protrusion electrodes ER 1  formed on the opposite substrate  220 . In addition, the array substrate  210  further includes the second sensing electrodes ES 2  formed thereon, and the second sensing electrodes ES 2  are disposed on the upper portion of the second signal lines SL 2  and electrically connected to the second protrusion electrodes ER 2  formed on the opposite substrate  220 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the array substrate  210  includes a first base substrate  211 , a TFT array layer  212 , and the pixel electrode PE.  
      The first base substrate  211  includes a transparent material such as, but not limited to, glass.  
      The first base substrate  211  has the TFT array layer  212  formed thereon. The TFT array layer includes a plurality of TFTs, a protective layer  213 , a planarizing layer  214  and the first signal line SL 1 .  
      Each of the plurality of TFTs includes a gate electrode  212   a,  a gate insulating layer  212   b,  an active layer  212   c,  an ohmic contact layer  212   d,  a source electrode  212   f  and a drain electrode  212   e.    
      The protective layer  213 , or passivation layer, includes, for example, an organic insulating layer, an inorganic insulating layer, or a combination thereof, covering the TFT.  
      In addition, a contact hole CTH 3  is formed on the protective layer  213  and the planarizing layer  214  to expose the drain electrode  212   e  of the TFT.  
      Since the first signal line SL 1  is formed on the same layer as the gate electrode  212   a,  the gate insulating layer  212   b,  the protective layer  213  and the planarizing layer  214  cover the upper portion of the first signal line SL 1 . Therefore, the first signal line SL 1  is electrically insulated from the first protrusion electrode ER 1 .  
      The second signal lines SL 2  may be formed on the gate insulating layer  212   b  from a substantially same layer as the source electrodes  212   f  and the drain electrodes  212   e  as well as the data lines DL. The protective layer  213  and the planarizing layer  214  cover the second signal lines SL 2 . Thus, the second signal lines SL 2  are electrically insulated from the second protruded electrodes ER 2 .  
      The pixel electrode PE includes a transparent conductive material, for example indium tin oxide (“ITO”), and is formed on the planarizing layer  214  corresponding to each pixel area.  
      The first sensing electrode ES 1  for electrical contact between the first signal line SL 1  and the first protrusion electrode ER 1  is formed through an etching process for forming the pixel electrode PE. Therefore, the first sensing electrode ES 1  is formed on an upper portion of the planarizing layer  214 , as is the pixel electrode PE.  
      Likewise, the second sensing electrode ES 2  for electrical contact between the second signal line SL 2  and the second protrusion electrode ER 2  is formed on the planarizing layer  214 , in a same layer as the pixel electrode PE.  
      The gate insulating layer  212   b,  the protective layer  213  and the planarizing layer  214  have a contact hole CTH 1  formed thereon, and the contact hole CTH 1  exposes the first signal line SL 1 , or a branch line BR (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the first signal line SL 1 , to electrically connect the first sensing electrode ES 1  to the first signal line SL 1 .  
      The second sensing electrode ES 2  may be electrically connected to the second signal line SL 2  through a contact hole CTH 2  through which the second signal line SL 2  is partially exposed. The contact hole CTH 2  for partially exposing the second signal line SL 2  may be formed through the protective layer  213  and the planarizing layer  214 .  
      The opposite substrate  220  includes a second base substrate  221 , a light-blocking layer (or black matrix)  222 , a color filter layer  223 , a planarizing layer  224 , a protrusion pattern  225 , a supporting pattern  226 , and a common electrode layer  227 .  
      The second base substrate  221  includes a transparent insulating material such as glass or polycarbonate (“PC”). In one embodiment, the second base substrate  221  is flexible to be bent when an external force PO is applied thereto, so that the display panel  200  has the touch screen function, in which case the second base substrate  221  may include a plastic material substrate such as PC.  
      Alternatively, a glass substrate may be etched or grinded to have a thin thickness of about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm and the glass substrate having a thickness of about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm may be employed as the second base substrate  221 .  
      The light-blocking layer  222  of the opposite substrate  220  is formed to face the TFT, the data line DL, the gate line GL, the first signal line SL 1  and the second signal line SL 2  of the array substrate  210 . The light-blocking layer  222  blocks light passing through a liquid crystal which is disposed in an area not controlled by the pixel electrode PE, and enhances a contrast ratio of the display panel.  
      The color filter layer  223  includes, for example, a red filter pattern R, a green filter pattern G and a blue filter pattern B, and is correspondingly formed to a pixel. For example, the color filter layer  223  partially overlaps the light-blocking layer  222 .  
      The planarizing layer  224  is formed on an upper portion of color filter layer  223 , and may be an organic insulating layer planarizing the opposite substrate  220 .  
      The protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  may be formed through a photolithography process. In other words, a photosensitive macromolecule organic material PP is coated on the second base substrate  221  having the light-blocking layer  222  formed thereon, and an exposure mask is disposed over the photosensitive macromolecule organic material. Then, the organic material is exposed and developed.  
      The protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  are formed to have a different length from each other, based on a different development property according to the amount of exposure or an exposing time. Therefore, the supporting pattern  226  has a first length a 1  to maintain a separation distance substantially equal to a cell gap between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  220 , and the protrusion pattern  225  has a second length a 2  that is smaller than the first length a 1  of the supporting pattern  226  to carry out the touch screen function. Thus, the supporting pattern  226  serves as a set of column spacers for the display panel  200 .  
      In addition, the protrusion pattern  225  is formed in plural in regions corresponding to the first signal lines SL 1  formed on the array substrate  210 . Like wise, the protrusion pattern  225  is formed in plural in regions corresponding to the second signal lines SL 2  formed on the array substrate  210 .  
      For example, the supporting pattern  226  is formed in a shading area, not to affect a light transmissivity of the display panel  200  due to the supporting pattern  226 . The supporting pattern  226  may be formed on each pixel, or on each unit pixel having a predetermined number of pixels. For example, the supporting pattern  226  is formed with a uniform density.  
      The common electrode layer  227  includes a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), etc., and is formed on the planarizing layer  224  such that the common electrode layer  227  covers the protrusion pattern  225 . During a process of forming the common electrode  227 , a transparent conductive layer may also be formed on the top of the supporting pattern  226 . Preferably, the transparent conductive layer formed on the top of the supporting pattern  226  is removed. Additionally, the transparent conductive layer covering the remaining portions of the supporting pattern  226  may be removed.  
      The common electrode layer  227  is formed such that the common electrode layer  227  covers an upper portion of the protrusion pattern  225 , so that the first protrusion electrode ER 1  including the protrusion pattern  225  and the common electrode layer  227  is completed. Also, it should be understood that the common electrode layer  227  further covers an upper portion of the protrusion pattern  225 , so that the second protrusion electrode ER 2  including the protrusion pattern  225  and the common electrode layer  227  is completed.  
      Therefore, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first protrusion electrode ER 1  together with the second base substrate  221  bent by the external force PO, moves toward the array substrate  210 , and the first protrusion electrode ER 1  is electrically connected to the first sensing electrode ES 1 . As described above, the potential of the initial driving voltage Vid applied to the signal lines SL varies according to the contact between the protrusion electrode ER and the sensing electrode ES, and thus the coordinate of the external force PO applied thereto can be detected.  
      The first protrusion electrode ER 1  is formed on the light-blocking layer  222 . In other words, the first protrusion electrode ER 1  and the first sensing electrode ES 1  are formed so as not to be overlapped with a transmissive area of the pixels, so that an aperture ratio of the pixels should not be affected.  
      For this purpose, the first signal line SL 1  has a branch line BR connected thereto, and the first protrusion electrode ER 1  and the first sensing electrode ES 1  may be formed in a light-blocking layer area. The branch line BR is extended along the second direction D 2  from the first signal line SL 1  extended along the first direction D 1 , and is formed on the light-blocking layer area.  
      In addition, to form the first protrusion electrode ER 1 , the light-blocking layer  222  is preferably formed to have an enough width for covering the first protrusion electrode ER 1  between a unit pixel and an adjacent unit pixel. The unit pixel includes, for example, a ji−1 th  pixel Pji−1, a ji th  pixel Pji, a ji+1 th  pixel Pji+1 each displaying the R, G, B color.  
      Furthermore, the first sensing electrode ES 1  is formed on the same layer as that of a ji+1 th  pixel electrode PEji+1,and formed to have a separation distance from the ji+1 th  pixel electrode PEji+1 to prevent a coupling phenomenon between the first sensing electrode ES 1  and the ji+1 th  pixel electrode PEji+1. Therefore, the pixel electrode PEji+1 adjacent to the first sensing electrode ES 1  may be formed to have a recessed area toward a ji+1 th  pixel area PAji+1, so that the pixel electrode PEji+1 has a concave portion when viewed on a plane as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      As described above, the protrusion electrode ER and the signal line SL have been described with respect to the first protrusion ER 1  and the first signal line SL 1 , but it would have been obvious to any person skilled in the art to which it pertains that a second protrusion electrode ER 2  and a second signal line SL 2  are formed through substantially the same method for forming the first protrusion electrode ER 1  and the first signal line SL 1 .  
      Furthermore, it has been illustrated in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2 , and the first and second sensing electrodes ES 1  and ES 2  corresponding to the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2 , respectively are formed in the areas corresponding to the light-blocking layer  222 . Alternatively, the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2  are adjacent to each other, and the first and second sensing electrodes ES 1  and ES 2  may be formed in the same light blocking layer area, by adjacently forming the branch line BR of the first signal line SL 1  and the second signal line SL 2  in the same light-blocking layer  222 , and forming the first and second sensing electrodes ES 1  and ES 2  on an upper portion of the branch line BR and the second signal line SL 2 , respectively.  
      Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2  may be integrally formed to form a united protrusion electrode, by adjacently forming the first and second sensing electrodes ES 1  and ES 2  in the same light-blocking layer  222 , and by integrally forming the first and second protrusion pattern  225 .  
      A method of carrying out the touch screen function of the display panel will be described as follows.  
       FIG. 7  is a timing chart illustrating an exemplary method for detecting a touch point according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic plan view embodying an exemplary detecting portion for detecting the touch point in  FIG. 1  according to the timing chart in  FIG. 7 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a power supply control part  410  is driven in response to the fifth control signal CNTL 5  outputted from the timing control part  310  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , under a condition that the common electrode layer  227  has the common voltage Vcom applied thereto (a period before SY 1 ). Then, the initial driving voltage Vid outputted from the power supply part  320  is applied to the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  (during a period between SY 1  and SY 2 ).  
      When predetermined protrusion electrodes ER 1 p+q and ER 2 p+q among the first and second protrusion electrodes ER 1  and ER 2  formed on the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 , contact the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  by the external force (during a period between SY 2  and SY 3 ), respectively, a voltage level of the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  contacted by the protrusion electrodes ER 1 p+q and ER 2 p+q varies.  
      When a potential of the common voltage Vcom is lower than that of the initial driving voltage Vid, for example when the common voltage Vcom is about 0V and the initial driving voltage Vid is about 5 V, a current transferred by the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  is applied to the common electrode layer  227  and the voltage level of the first and second lines SL 1  and SL 2  approaches or becomes the potential of the common voltage Vcom (during a period between SY 3  and SY 4 ).  
      In this condition, a data sampling part  420  latches the varied voltage level of the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2  in response to a sampling signal SS provided by the timing control part  310 , such as during the period between SY 3  and SY 4 , and generates and outputs the first and second detecting signals DS 1  and DS 2 .  
      For this purpose, the data sampling part  420  may include a latch receiving the sampling signal SS as a control input.  
      The data sampling part  420  may be independently formed at each first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 . In addition, the power supply control part  410  may be formed with a switching element such as a metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) transistor, etc., and may be commonly connected to both the first and second signal lines SL 1  and SL 2 .  
      Thereafter, the positioning part  500  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , combines the Y and X axis coordinates and determines the touch point on the display panel  200  where the external force PO is applied. The Y and X axis coordinates are determined based on the first and second detecting signals DS 1  and DS 2  outputted by the data sampling part  420 .  
      FIGS.  9  to  16  are cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary manufacturing process for the exemplary display substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, the opposite substrate  220  having the protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  formed thereon in  FIG. 5  is illustrated.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , each pixel is divided on an upper portion of the second base substrate  221  of the opposite substrate  220 , and the light-blocking layer  222  is formed on each pixel so that the light does not flow into each pixel from the exterior. The light-blocking layer  222  may include a metallic thin film such as chromium (Cr) or an organic material such as carbonate. The light-blocking layer  222  may also include a double layer such as chromium (Cr)/chromium oxide (CrOx) to reduce a reflectivity. While particular exemplary materials are described, it should be understood that alternate suitable materials would be within the scope of these embodiments.  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , the photosensitive macromolecule organic material PP is coated on a total area of the second base substrate  221  having the light-blocking layer  222  formed thereon. The thickness of the photosensitive macromolecule organic material PP is, preferably, the same as the first length a 1  of the supporting pattern  226  illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 11 , an exposure mask MASK is disposed with a predetermined distance b on an upper portion of the photosensitive macromolecule organic material PP. A light source is disposed over the exposure mask MASK, and then exposes the photosensitive macromolecule organic material PP. The exposure mask MASK includes a shading material such as chromium (Cr) to shade the light. In addition, the exposure mask has a first mask pattern MP 1  and a second mask pattern MP 2  formed thereon, and a light shading area LCA is formed outside of the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2 .  
      The first mask pattern MP 1  is a mask pattern to form the supporting pattern  226  on the second base substrate  221 , and the second mask pattern MP 2  is a mask pattern to form the protrusion pattern  225  on the second base substrate  221 . In addition, the first mask pattern MP 1  has substantially the same peripheral shape as the second mask pattern MP 2 , but is relatively larger than the second mask pattern MP 2 . For example, when the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2  have a circular shape, a diameter of the first mask pattern MP 1  is longer than a diameter of the second mask pattern MP 2 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 12 , when the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is exposed by a proximity type exposure process using the exposure mask MASK, the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP in an area corresponding to the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2  is exposed but the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP in an area corresponding to the light shading area LCA is not exposed.  
      According to a size of the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2 , a diffraction of the light changes, and thus an exposed area varies. In other words, the first mask pattern MP 1  having a relatively larger size than the second mask pattern MP 2 , has a smaller diffraction quantity. Therefore, the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP in an area corresponding to the first mask pattern MP 1  is exposed much more than the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP in an area corresponding to the second mask pattern MP 2 .  
      A baking process and a developing process are performed on the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP having a different exposure quantity. Then, the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP corresponding to the light shading area LCA is eliminated. Therefore, according to the different exposure quantity, the supporting pattern  226  almost maintaining an initial coated thickness of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP and having the first length a 1 , is formed on a lower portion of the first mask pattern MP 1 .  
      In addition, according to the different exposure quantity, the protrusion pattern  225  eliminated with a predetermined thickness from the initial coated thickness of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP and having the second length a 2 , is formed on a lower portion of the second mask pattern MP 2 .  
      A separation distance b between the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP and the exposure mask MASK may control the first length a 1  of the supporting pattern  226  and the second length a 2  of the protrusion pattern  225 . In other words, in the proximity type exposure process, since the exposure process is performed by equipment controlling the separation distance b, the length of the supporting pattern  226  and the protrusion pattern  225  can be controlled. That is, a principle that an incident angle having 90° decreases and thus the exposure quantity decreases when the separation distance b increases, and the incident angle having 90° increases and thus the exposure quantity increases when the separation distance b decreases, is used for controlling the exposure quantity of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the exposure and developing process are performed using the mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2  formed at the exposure mask MASK, and then a remaining thickness of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is decided in proportion to the size of the mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , a remaining thickness of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is decided in inverse proportion to the separation distance b between the exposure mask MASK and the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP.  
      Referring to  FIG. 13 , the color filter layer  223  is formed on the upper portion of the second base substrate  221  having the supporting pattern  226  and the protrusion pattern  225  formed thereon. The color filter layer  223  is formed on a position where color filter patterns of R, G and B, for example, correspond to the pixel unit along the light-blocking layer  222 .  
      The color filter layer  223  is formed by, for example, a spin coating process for a uniform thickness. In the spin coating process, a pigment forming the color filter is spouted from a lower portion as compared to the upper portion of the supporting pattern  226  and the protrusion pattern  225 , and thus the color filter layer  223  is not formed on the upper portion of the supporting pattern  226  and the protrusion pattern  225 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 14 , the planarizing layer  224  is formed on the upper portion of the second base substrate  221  having the color filter layer  223  formed thereon. The planarizing layer  224  protects the color filter layer  223  and planarizes the opposite substrate  220 . The planarizing layer  224  may include acryl or polyimide resin.  
      Referring to  FIG. 15 , the common electrode layer  227  is formed on the upper portion of the second base substrate  221  having the planarizing layer  224  formed thereon. The common electrode layer  227  is coated on the planarizing layer  224  as well as on the protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226 . The common electrode layer  227 , for applying the common voltage Vcom to the liquid crystal material, is formed by sputtering and depositing a transparent conductive material, such as ITO, having a high transmissivity, conductivity, chemical safety and thermal safety. The protrusion pattern  225  and the common electrode layer  227  forms the protrusion electrode ER and the protrusion electrode ER electrically contacts to the signal lines SL illustrated in  FIG. 5  by the external force PO. The electric contact changes the voltage level of the initial driving voltage Vid as described with respect to  FIG. 7 , and thus the coordinate of the external force PO applied thereto may be detected.  
      Referring to  FIG. 16 , he common electrode layer  227  is eliminated by an additional process from the supporting pattern  226  and a nonconductive supporting pattern  226  is formed. Therefore, the common voltage Vcom applied to the common electrode layer  227  is prevented from changing due to the electrical connection to the array substrate  210  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and so that an electrical effect on elements formed on the array substrate  210  due to the common voltage Vcom does not exist.  
      In this exemplary embodiment, while a negative type exposure process that the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is remained by the developing process, has been described, it should be understood that a positive type exposure process can also be applicable in an alternative embodiment.  
      As previously referenced,  FIG. 17  is a graph showing a relation between a size of a mask pattern formed on an exemplary exposure mask and a thickness of a remaining layer after an exemplary developing process. Referring to  FIG. 17 , it can be seen that the larger size the mask pattern has, the thicker thickness does the remaining layer after the developing process has.  
       FIG. 18  is a graph illustrating a variation of the thickness of the remaining layer after the exemplary developing process according to a separation distance between the exemplary exposure mask and a photosensitivity macromolecule organic material. Referring to  FIG. 18 , it can be seen that the larger the separation distance between the mask and the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP, the thicker the thickness of the remaining layer after the developing process.  
       FIG. 19  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 4  and illustrating the exemplary display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIG. 19 , a display panel  600  includes an array substrate  210 , an opposite substrate  620 , and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 19 , the display panel  600  of  FIG. 19  includes the same structural array substrate  210  as the display panel  200  of  FIG. 5 . Therefore, a specific description on the array substrate  210  illustrated in  FIG. 19  will be omitted.  
      The opposite substrate  620  includes a base substrate  621 , a black matrix  622 , a color filter layer  623 , a planarizing layer  624 , a protrusion pattern  625 , a supporting pattern  626 , and a common electrode layer  627 . The base substrate  621 , the black matrix  622 , and the color filter layer  623  may be formed with the same structure as the opposite substrate  220  of the display panel  200  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, any further explanation of these elements will be omitted.  
      The planarizing layer  624  is formed on the color filter layer  623  and includes an organic insulating layer planarizing the opposite substrate  620 .  
      The protrusion pattern  625  and the supporting pattern  626  may be formed by a photolithography process including coating the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP on the planarizing layer  624 , disposing the mask on an upper portion of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP and exposing the mask. The protrusion pattern  625  and the supporting pattern  626  may be formed within the same positions as the protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  formed on the display panel  200  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
      The protrusion pattern  625  is formed on the base substrate  621 . The protrusion pattern  625  protrudes toward the direction of the array substrate  210  with a predetermined protrusion height. The protrusion height of the protrusion pattern  625  is formed to be less than a cell gap between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620 .  
      The supporting pattern  626  is simultaneously formed with the protrusion pattern  625 , and has a larger diameter than the protrusion pattern  625 . In addition, the supporting pattern  626  is formed with a same height as the cell gap between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620 . Therefore, the supporting pattern  626  maintains the separation distance between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620  and supports the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620 .  
      Preferably, the supporting pattern  626  is formed over the black matrix, so as not to affect a light transmissivity of the display panel  600 . In addition, since the common electrode layer  627  is formed on the supporting pattern  626 , the supporting pattern  626  is preferably formed in a black matrix area in which the supporting pattern  626  does not electrically contact the pixel electrode PE formed on the array substrate  210  or the first sensing electrode ES 1 . The supporting pattern  626  may be formed on each pixel, or on each unit pixel having a predetermined number of pixels. Preferably, the supporting pattern  626  is formed with a uniform density in an entire display panel  600 .  
      The common electrode layer  627  includes transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), etc., and is formed on a front surface of the base substrate  621  to cover the protrusion pattern  625  and the supporting pattern  626 . A first protrusion electrode ER 1  protruded from the base substrate  621  to the direction of the array substrate  210 , is formed by the protrusion pattern  625  and the common electrode layer  627  formed on an upper portion of the protrusion pattern  625 .  
       FIGS. 20 and 21  are cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary manufacturing process of the exemplary protrusion pattern and the exemplary supporting pattern in  FIG. 19 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 20 , the planarizing layer  624  of the opposite substrate  620  has a uniform thickness of photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP formed thereon. The exposure mask MASK to expose the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is disposed over the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP. The exposure mask MASK includes a shading material.  
      The exposure mask MASK includes the first mask pattern MP 1  and the second mask pattern MP 2 . The diameter of the second mask pattern MP 2  is larger than that of the first mask pattern MP 1 . The light shading area LCA is formed outside of the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2 .  
      When the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is exposed, the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP in an area corresponding to the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2  is exposed but the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP in an area corresponding to the light shading area LCA is not exposed.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , when the exposed photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is developed, the unexposed photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is eliminated and a protrusion pattern portion  625   a  and a supporting pattern portion  626   a  both having a column spacer shape are formed on the base substrate  621 . The protrusion pattern portion  625   a  is exposed by the first mask pattern MP 1  and is formed. The protrusion pattern portion  626   a  is exposed by the second mask pattern MP 2  and is formed.  
      The protrusion pattern portion  626   a  and the supporting pattern portion  625   a  and  626   a  have a same height. The supporting pattern portion  626   a  has a wider diameter than the protrusion pattern portion  625   a.  For example, the diameter of the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  may be about 10 μm, and the diameter of the supporting pattern portion  626   a  may be about 17 μm.  
      Both surface sides of the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  and the supporting pattern portion  626   a  may have step-shapes having decreasing diameters along a direction to the direction of the array substrate. An edge portion contacting the array substrate may have a round shape.  
       FIGS. 22 and 23  are process diagrams illustrating an exemplary assembly process of the exemplary display panel.  
      Referring to  FIG. 22 , a sealant is spread around the edge of the array substrate  210  by a sealant dispenser SD, and a seal pattern SP is formed adjacent the periphery of the array substrate  210 . The sealant, for example, includes thermosetting resin, and a width and a height of the seal pattern SP may be substantially uniform.  
      Then, referring to  FIG. 23 , the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620  are arranged to face each other, and then the sealant in the seal pattern SP is hardened through a hot press process. Through the hot press process, the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620  are combined with each other having a uniform distance, and the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  and the supporting pattern portion  626   a  formed in the opposite substrate  620  are deformed by the external force of the hot press process.  
       FIG. 24  is a graph illustrating a variation of strains according to a sectional area of the exemplary supporting pattern when a constant external force is applied thereto.  
      Referring to  FIG. 24 , it can be found out that the strain with the constant external force decreases when a cross-sectional area of the supporting pattern (column spacer) increases, and the strain increases when the cross-sectional area of the supporting pattern (column spacer) decreases.  
      Therefore, in the hot press process pressing the array substrate and the opposite substrate together, the protrusion pattern portion having a smaller diameter than the supporting pattern portion has a higher compression strain ratio.  
      Table 1 shows a cell gap of liquid crystal after applying the same external force to the display panel having different supporting patterns.  
                           TABLE 1                                   Sample 1   Sample 2                                                Cell gap after applying the external force [μm]   3.27   3.35                  
 
      Sample 1 includes display panels having a 10 μm diameter of the supporting pattern, and Sample 2 includes display panels having a 17 μm diameter of the supporting pattern. The height of the supporting patterns and the cell gap before applying the external force are the same in Sample 1 and Sample 2.  
      Considering results in Table 1, Sample 1 has an average cell gap of about is 3.27 μm and Sample 2 about 3.35 μm. In other words, the cell gap of liquid crystal in the supporting pattern having the smaller diameter, Sample 1, is smaller than that of in Sample 2. Therefore, it can be noted that the compression strain ratio increases in accordance with decreasing the diameter of the supporting pattern.  
       FIGS. 25A  to  25 C are conceptual diagrams illustrating an exemplary strain  20  process of the exemplary protrusion pattern and the exemplary supporting pattern.  
       FIG. 25A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel  600  before performing the hot press process,  FIG. 25B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel  600  during performing the hot press process, and  FIG. 25C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel  600  after performing the hot press process.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 25A and 25B , the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  and the supporting pattern portion  626   a  before performing the hot press process after forming the seal pattern SP, has a same first height a. During the hot press process, the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  and the supporting pattern portion  626   a  has a same second height b due to the external force of the hot press process, where a&gt;b.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 25B and 25C , since the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  has a smaller diameter and a higher compression strain ratio as compared to the supporting pattern portion  626   a,  the height of the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  is not retrieved after the hot press process. However, since the supporting pattern portion  626   a  has a larger diameter and a smaller compression strain ratio as compared to the protrusion pattern portion  625   a,  the height of the supporting pattern portion  626   a  is almost retrieved to the first height a.  
      Therefore, a height difference between the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  and the supporting protrusion pattern portion  626   a  occurs, with the height of the supporting protrusion pattern portion  626   a  being greater than the height of the protrusion pattern portion  625   a.    
      Thus, the protrusion pattern portion  625   a  becomes the protrusion pattern  625  having enough height to contact the array substrate during application of the external force PO. The protrusion pattern  625  becomes the protrusion electrode ER having the touch screen function by the common electrode layer  627  formed on the whole surface of the opposite substrate including covering the protrusion pattern  625 .  
      Since the supporting pattern portion  626   a  experiences little change in height due to a lower compression strain ratio, the supporting pattern portion  626   a  becomes the supporting pattern  626  maintaining the separation distance between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620 .  
      The protrusion pattern  625  and the supporting pattern  626  having different functions may be formed simultaneously through the hot press process of the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  620 .  
       FIG. 26  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 4  and illustrating the exemplary display panel according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIG. 26 , a display panel  700  includes the array substrate  210 , an opposite substrate  720 , and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  720 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 26 , the display panel  700  according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may include substantially the same array substrate as the display panel  200  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 5 . Thus, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts as those described in the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 5 .  
      The array substrate  210  includes the first base substrate  211 , the TFT array layer  212 , the first protrusion electrode ER 1 , the supporting pattern  226 , and the pixel electrode PE. Although not illustrated, it should be understood that the array substrate  210  further includes the second protrusion electrode ER 2 .  
      The first base substrate  211  includes a transparent material such as a glass.  
      The TFT array layer  212  is formed on the first base substrate  211 . The TFT array layer  212  includes the plurality of TFTs, the protective layer  213 , and the first signal line SL 1 . Although not illustrated, it should be understood that the TFT array layer  212  further includes the second signal line SL 2 .  
      Each of the plurality of TFTs includes the gate electrode  212   a,  the gate insulating layer  212   b,  the active layer  212   c,  the ohmic contact layer  212   d,  the source electrode  212   f  and the drain electrode  212   e.    
      The protective layer  213  includes, for example, the organic insulating layer covering the TFT.  
      In addition, the contact hole CTH 3  is formed through the protective layer  213  in order to expose the drain electrode  212   e  of the TFT. The protective layer  213  may further include the planarizing layer to planarize the array substrate  210 .  
      Since the first signal line SL 1  is formed on the same layer as the gate electrode  212   a,  the gate insulating layer  212   b  and the protective layer  213  cover the upper portion of the first signal line SL 1 .  
      The TFT array layer  212  has the protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  formed thereon.  
      The protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  are formed using substantially the same photolithography process described in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , but in this exemplary embodiment, the protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  are formed on the array substrate  210 . In other words, the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is coated on the array substrate  210  having the protective layer  213  formed thereon, the photolithography process using the exposure mask is performed, and then the protrusion pattern  225  and the supporting pattern  226  are formed. A plurality of protrusion patterns  225  is formed corresponding to the first signal lines SL 1 , and a plurality of protrusion patterns  225  is formed corresponding to the second signal lines SL 2  (not shown).  
      The protrusion pattern  225  is protruded toward the direction of the opposite substrate  720  from the array substrate  210  with a predetermined protrusion height. The protrusion height of the protrusion pattern  225  is formed lower than a cell gap between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  720 .  
      The supporting pattern  226  is simultaneously formed with the protrusion pattern  225 , and has a larger diameter than the protrusion pattern  225 . In addition, the supporting pattern  226  is formed with the same height as the cell gap between the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  720 . Therefore, the supporting pattern  226  disposes the array substrate  210  in the separation distance from the opposite substrate  720  and supports the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  720 .  
      Preferably, the supporting pattern  226  is formed under a black matrix  722 , so as not to affect a light transmissivity of the display panel  700  due to the shape of the supporting pattern  226 .  
      The supporting pattern  226  may be formed on each pixel, or on each unit pixel having a predetermined number of pixels. Preferably, the supporting pattern  226  is formed with a uniform density within the entire display panel  700 .  
      The pixel electrode layer PE includes a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”), and is formed on the protective layer  213  corresponding to each pixel.  
      In the photolithography process forming the pixel electrode layer PE, the first sensing electrode ES 1  is formed on the protrusion pattern  225 . The first sensing electrode ES 1  electrically connects the first signal line SL 1  to a common electrode  727  formed in the opposite substrate  720  upon application of an external force PO.  
      The first sensing electrode ES 1  includes the same material as the pixel electrode PE and is formed on the same layer as the pixel electrode PE. The second sensing electrode ES 2  (not shown) may also be formed on the same layer as the pixel electrode PE.  
      The first protrusion electrode ER 1  is protruded toward the direction of the opposite substrate  720  from the array substrate  210 , by the protrusion pattern  225  and the first sensing electrode ES 1  formed on an upper surface of the protrusion pattern  225 .  
      The gate insulating layer  212   b  and the protective layer  213  have a contact hole CTH 1  (not shown) formed there through, and the contact hole CTH 1  exposes the first signal lines SL 1  to electrically connect the first sensing electrodes ES 1  to the first signal lines SL 1 .  
      The opposite substrate  720  includes a base substrate  721 , the black matrix  722 , a color filter layer  723 , a planarizing layer  724 , and the common electrode layer  727 .  
      The base substrate  721  includes a transparent insulating material such as glass or polycarbonate (“PC”). The base substrate  721  should be bendable upon application of the small external force to endow the display panel  200  with the touch screen function, so the base substrate  721  may include the plastic material substrate such as polycarbonate (“PC”).  
      The black matrix  722  is formed corresponding to the TFT, the data line DL, the gate line (not shown), the first signal line SL 1  and the second signal line (not shown).  
      The color filter layer  723 , for example, includes a red filter pattern, a green filter pattern and a blue filter pattern, and is formed corresponding to the pixels. The color filter layer  723  preferably overlaps a small portion of the black matrix  722 .  
      The planarizing layer  724  is formed on an upper portion of the color filter layer  723  and the exposed portions of the black matrix  722 , and includes an organic insulating layer planarizing the second substrate  120 .  
      The common electrode layer  727  includes a transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), and is formed on the planarizing layer  724 .  
      While the first protrusion electrode ER 1  and the first signal line SL 1  have been described it should be understood that a second protrusion electrode ER 2  and a second signal line SL 2  illustrated in  FIG. 4  may also be formed with substantially the same method.  
       FIGS. 27A and 27B  are cross-sectional views illustrating the exemplary manufacturing process of the exemplary protrusion pattern and the exemplary supporting pattern in  FIG. 26 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 27A , the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is formed with a uniform thickness on the protective layer  213  of the array substrate  210 . An exposure mask MASK is disposed over the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP to pattern the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP. The exposure mask MASK includes a shading material to shade the light.  
      In addition, the exposure mask MASK has a first mask pattern MP 1  and a second mask pattern MP 2  formed thereon, and a light shading area LCA is formed outside of the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2 .  
      The first mask pattern MP 1  is a mask pattern to form the supporting pattern  226  on the array substrate  210 , and the second mask pattern MP 2  is to form the protrusion pattern  225  on the array substrate  210 . In addition, the first mask pattern MP 1  has substantially the same shape as the second mask pattern MP 2 , and has a relatively larger size than the second mask pattern MP 2 . For example, when the first and second mask patterns MP 1 , MP 2  are formed with a circular shape, a diameter of the first mask pattern MP 1  is longer than that of the second mask pattern MP 2 .  
      When the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is exposed, an upper surface of the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP corresponding to the first and second mask patterns MP 1  and MP 2  is fully exposed, but the photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP corresponding to the light shading area LCA is not exposed.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 27B , when the exposed photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is developed, the unexposed photosensitivity macromolecule organic material PP is eliminated. Therefore, the protective layer  213  has a protrusion pattern portion  225   a  and a supporting pattern portion  226   a  both having the column spacer shape formed thereon. The protrusion pattern portion and the supporting pattern portion  225   a,    226   a  have a same height. The supporting pattern is portion  226   a  has a wider diameter than the protrusion pattern portion  225   a.  For example, the diameter of the protrusion pattern portion  225   a  may be about 10 μm, and the diameter of the supporting pattern portion  226   a  may be about 17 μm.  
      Although not shown in the figure, by a photolithography process, a pixel electrode PE corresponding to each pixel portion and a first sensing electrode ES 1  corresponding to the protrusion pattern portion  225 , are formed on the protective layer  213  having the protrusion pattern portion  225   a  and the supporting pattern portion  226   a  formed thereon. Then, the array substrate  210  and the opposite substrate  720  are thermally compressed using the assembly process described in  FIGS. 22 and 23 .  
      The protrusion pattern portion  225   a  and the supporting pattern portion  226   a  formed on the array substrate are deformed by the external force in the assembly process described in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . In this occasion, as described in  FIG. 24  and Table 1, since the protrusion pattern portion  225   a  having a lower diameter has the higher compression strain ratio, a strain of the protrusion pattern portion  225   a  is larger than that of the supporting pattern portion  226   a.    
      Therefore, referring  FIGS. 26 and 27 B, the protrusion pattern portion  225   a  becomes the protrusion pattern  225  having enough height to contact the opposite substrate  720  when the opposite substrate is bent by the external force PO applied to the display panel  700 . The protrusion pattern  225  becomes the first protrusion electrode ER 1  having the touch screen function by the first sensing electrode ES 1  formed on the upper portion of the protrusion pattern  225 .  
      Since the supporting pattern portion  226   a  has the lower compression strain ratio and experiences little change in height during the assembly process, the supporting pattern portion  226   a  becomes the supporting pattern  226  disposing the array substrate  210  in the separation distance from the opposite substrate  720 .  
      According to the present invention, the opposite substrate of the display panel is electrically connected to the array substrate having the first and second signal lines to detect the touch point and has the touch function determining the positional coordinate of the touch point. In this occasion, the total process for manufacturing the display substrate can be reduced by forming the protrusion pattern and a supporting member in one process. The protrusion pattern is electrically connected to the first and second signal lines and detects the positional coordinate of the touch point. The supporting member maintains the separation distance between the array substrate and the opposite substrate.  
      Therefore, the total process for manufacturing the display substrate can be simplified, a manufacturing convenience can be enhanced and a cost price can also be reduced.  
      Having described the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its advantages, it is noted that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by appended claims.