US20010020987A1

US20010020987A1 - Position sensing liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same

Info

Publication number: US20010020987A1
Application number: US09/855,695
Authority: US
Inventors: Young Ahn; Sung Bae
Original assignee: Ahn Young Soo; Bae Sung Joon
Current assignee: LG Display Co Ltd
Priority date: 1997-10-31
Filing date: 2001-05-16
Publication date: 2001-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-30
Also published as: KR100293435B1; US6285417B1; US6388729B2; KR19990035643A

Abstract

A position sensing liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate bonded together, and a position sensing digitizer formed as an integral unit on a first or rear surface of at least one of the substrates, whereby minimizing a display panel thickness and allowing an accurate position sensing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a position sensing liquid crystal display (PSLCD), and more particularly to a position sensing liquid crystal display and a method for fabricating the same, in which position sensors, such as digitizers, are formed after bonding of upper and lower plates of the liquid crystal display.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, the liquid crystal display at large is provided with an upper plate, a lower plate, and a liquid crystal sealed between the upper plate and the lower plate. The upper plate has a black matrix layer, a common electrode, and color filter layers of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) for displaying colors disposed thereon. The lower plate has data lines and gate lines crossing the other to form a matrix of pixel regions, each having a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the

lower plate

1 is provided with a matrix of thin film transistors, each having a gate electrode gate extended from a scan line, a source electrode S and a drain electrode extended from a data line disposed at fixed intervals. Each of the pixel regions is provided with a pixel electrode 2 a having the drain electrode D of the thin film transistor 2 connected thereto. The upper plate 3 is provided with a matrix form of the black matrix layer 4 for blocking transmission of light for parts excluding the pixel electrodes 2 a on the lower plate 1. There are R, G, and B color filter layers 5 between the black matrix layer 4, each for displaying a color. A common electrode 6 is formed extended to the color filter layer 5 and the black matrix layer 4. Upon selective application of driving signals to the scanning lines and the data lines from external driving circuits, the liquid crystal display displays an image. Though the aforementioned liquid crystal display has been designed only to display images according to the external driving signals, recently researches are underway in which the liquid crystal display is provided with additional position sensors for efficient use of the display in a notebook computer. That is, if a character or graphic is drawn with a stylus (an electronic pen) on the liquid crystal display equipped with the position sensors, the character or graphic is displayed as drawn.

A related art position sensing liquid crystal display will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of the related art position sensing liquid crystal display.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first example of the related art position sensing liquid crystal display has a digitizer for sensing a position additionally provided outside of a general liquid crystal display independently, i.e., provided with a

liquid crystal display

21 and a digitizer panel 23. There is a position sensing layer 23 a (hereafter called, “digitizer”), a compensating resistor region 25 around the digitizer 23 a for compensating a voltage difference, and

signal applying parts

27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d at four corners of the compensating resistor region 25 for applying a position sensing signal. In the aforementioned position sensing liquid crystal display, when the

signal applying parts

27 a and 27 b are applied at a position signal and the

signal applying parts

27 c and 27 d are grounded, the digitizer 23 a has a potential distribution from upper side to lower side thereof. When the

signal applying parts

27 a and 27 c are applied at a position signal and the

signal applying parts

27 b and 27 d are grounded, the digitizer 23 a has a potential distribution from right side to left side thereof. Thus, when a stylus 29 is brought into contact with a point on the digitizer 23 a after selective application of a position sensing signal to the

signal applying parts

27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d, a present position of the stylus 29 can be sensed and determined. In the sensing of the position, a voltage of the position of the digitizer 24 a at which the stylus 29 is brought into contact is used. The position sensing of even a finger tip touch can be made, which is displayed in turn on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second example of the related art position sensing liquid crystal display. The second PSLCD has a position sensing digitizer provided inside a liquid crystal display panel. As explained in connection with FIG. 1, the second PSLCD is provided with metal, an insulating film, and a semiconductor layer on a glass for displaying an image, wherein a position sensing layer is embodied using the glass of an image data input electrical device. That is, the second PSLCD is provided with an

upper plate

21 a, a lower plate 21 b, and a digitizer 23 a between the upper plate 21 a and the lower plate 21 b. As explained, the upper plate 21 a has the black matrix layer (not shown), a color filter layer, and an ITO layer of a common electrode formed thereon. The lower plate 21 b has data lines 31, gate lines 33, and pixel electrodes (not shown), and the digitizer 23 a has a compensating resistor region 25 around the digitizer and

signal applying parts

27 b and 27 d at four corners of the compensating resistor region 25 (

signal applying parts

27 a and 27 c are not shown).

In the second PSLCD, when the

signal applying parts

27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d are applied of a position signal, the digitizer 23 a exhibits a potential distribution. Accordingly, when stylus 29 is brought into contact with the display, a voltage at the contact point is sensed, thereby allowing to sense the present position. A finger tip touch on the display can be also sensed. Thus, upon a stylus 29 is brought into contact with a position sensing digitizer 23 a after selective application of position signal through

signal applying parts

27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d, the PSLCD can sense the present position of the stylus 29 by using a capacitive coupling between the digitizer 23 a and the stylus 29.

However, the aforementioned related art PSLCD has the following problems. First, the first PSLCD is cumbersome to carry because of the digitizer provided additionally on the outside of the LCD, which makes the LCD thicker and bulkier.

Second, in the case of the second PSLCD, the severe signal interference and the non-uniform potential distribution of a position sensing layer caused by capacitive coupling between the position sensing layer in the digitizer and the common electrode disposed on opposite sides of an insulating film impedes accurate position sensing and degrades the picture quality.

Third, in a case of the first conventional PSLCD, the inaccurate voltage compensation caused by the misaligned digitizer with respect to the panel causes an inaccurate position sensing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a position sensing liquid crystal display and a method for fabricating the same that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a position sensing liquid crystal display and a method for fabricating the same which can sense an accurate position of the stylus.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a liquid crystal display panel has a first substrate having front and rear surfaces, a second substrate having front and rear surfaces, the front surface of the second substrate including a plurality of pixel electrodes and abutting against the rear surface of the first substrate, and a digitizer having intersecting grids fabricated on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the rear surface of the first substrate includes a black matrix layer having intersecting grids at a predetermined interval. Preferably, the digitizer is fabricated on the front surface of the first substrate, the intersecting grids of the digitizer being substantially aligned with the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer. The intersecting grids of the digitizer may be made of a conductive material, such as metal or Indium Tin Oxide. Instead of providing a digitizer separate from the black matrix, the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer may be used as the intersecting grids of the digitizer, in which the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer are fabricated with a conductive material.

In another aspect of the present invention, the digitizer may be fabricated on the rear surface of the second substrate, the intersecting grids of the digitizer being substantially aligned with the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer.

In another aspect of the present invention, input signal portions may be fabricated in the vicinity of four corners of the digitizer. The input signal portions provide a position signal, such as an input voltage, to the intersecting grids of the digitizer for detecting a stylus position. Alternatively, the input signal portions may be fabricated substantially in the middle of each side of the digitizer.

In the liquid crystal display panel with the digitizer according to the present invention, there are compensating resistors connected between the input signal portions and the intersecting grids of the digitizer. The compensating resistors formed near the input signal portions preferably have a higher resistivity than the compensating resistors formed farther away from the input signal portions to provide substantially equal potential to the intersecting grids of the digitizer. The compensating resistors include a tree shape of repetitive sequence of layers of primary interconnections between adjacent grids, secondary interconnections between adjacent primary interconnections, and tertiary interconnections between adjacent secondary interconnections.

In addition, there is at least one equipotential line connected between the input signal portions and the compensating resistors. Preferably, the equipotential line has a lower resistivity than the compensating resistors.

The PSLCD having a digitizer may be used with a controller that controls displayed images of the liquid crystal display panel. Such controller is necessary for using the PSLCD in computing devices and display devices.

The PSLCD having a digitizer may be fabricated by providing a first substrate having front and rear surfaces; providing a second substrate having front and rear surfaces, wherein the second substrate has a first display region in the front surface; forming a plurality of pixel electrodes in the first display region of the front surface of the second substrate; securing the front surface of the second substrate to the rear surface of the first substrate; and fabricating intersecting grids of the digitizer on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates.

Before securing the front surface of the second substrate to the rear surface of the first substrate, it is preferable to surround the first display region with a sealing material to define a first surrounded region, and surround the first surrounded region with the sealing material. Therefore, when the first and second substrates are secured together, the sealing material surrounding the first surrounded region substantially prohibits the intrusion of any foreign substance.

In an alternative method, it is preferable to fabricate multiple display regions on one substrate. To accomplish this task, before securing the front surface of the second substrate to the rear surface of the first substrate, provide the second substrate to define a second display region having a second set of pixel electrodes; form pixel electrodes in the second display region of the second substrate; surround the first display region with a sealing material to define a first surrounded region; surround the second display region with the sealing material to define the first surrounded region; surround the first and second surrounded regions with the sealing material. When the first and second substrates are secured together, the sealing material surrounding the first and second surrounded regions substantially prohibits the intrusion of a foreign substance.

In the above processes, the intersecting grids of the digitizer are fabricated on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates and in the first display region. Thereafter, the first and second substrates are scribed to separate the first display region from the second display region, each one of the first and second display regions having the digitizer.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0027]
FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a liquid crystal display; [0028]
FIG. 2 illustrates a first related art position sensing liquid crystal display; [0029]
FIG. 3 illustrates a second related art position sensing liquid crystal display; [0030]
FIG. 4 illustrates a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0031]
FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a liquid crystal display; [0032]
FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cut away view of glass substrates having a sealing material bonded thereto; [0033]
FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cut away view of another glass substrate having a sealing material bonded thereto; [0034]
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; [0035]
FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; [0036]
FIG. 10 illustrates a compensating resistor region used in the present invention; [0037]
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; [0038]
FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0039]
FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the compensating resistor region used in the present invention; and [0040]
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart showing the steps of a method for fabricating a PSLCD according to the present invention. [0041]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the present invention, a unitary digitizer is provided at a back side of a liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 4 illustrates a system of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0042]
Referring to FIG. 4, the position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid [0043] crystal display panel 21 having a first substrate 21 a (hereinafter called, “an upper plate”) and a second substrate 21 b (hereinafter called, “a lower plate”) bonded together, and a digitizer 23 a formed on a back surface of either the first substrate 21 a or the-second substrate 21 b.
Referring to FIG. 5, in the position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of [0044] black matrix patterns 71 is preferably formed on the first substrate 21 a, and color filter layers 73 (shaded portion) are formed between the black matrix layer patterns 71 for displaying colors. Then an overcoat layer (not shown) is formed on an entire surface inclusive of the color filter layer 73. An ITO layer (not shown) for use as a common electrode is formed on the overcoat layer.
A matrix of [0045] data lines 75 and gate lines 77 are formed on the second substrate 21 b. A thin film transistor (TFT) is formed at every crossing of the data lines 75 and the gate lines 77. After formation of required patterns on the first substrate 21 a and the second substrate 21 b, respectively, the first substrate 21 a and the second substrate 21 b are bonded with a sealing material. That is, for a simplification of a fabrication process, patterns for a plurality of displays are concurrently formed on a sheet of glass substrate, and the completed glass substrate is cut into display regions, which are bonded with the sealing material according to the following process.
FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cut away view of the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate bonded with a sealing material. In FIG. 6, there are multiple LCD panels formed on the substrate, each panel individually surrounded by a sealing material. Referring to FIG. 6, the sealing [0046] material 45 is applied around each liquid crystal sealing region of a display region in one pair of glass substrates 41, each having an area enough to fabricate a plurality of liquid crystal displays. A peripheral sealing material 45 a having an opening 45 b is applied to surround all the display regions or panels. The opening 45 b is formed having a length sufficient enough to prevent permeation of etchant used during a digitizer formation process and to prevent compression of air between the pair of glass substrate 41 during bonding process. Then each display region is separated. The pair of glass substrates 41 is sufficiently large to fabricate a plurality of liquid crystal display panels. Each display panel separated from the large glass substrates 41 is injected with liquid crystal into the liquid injection region 43 through a liquid injection port 47 provided at a portion of the sealing material, the liquid crystal injection port 47 is sealed, and a polarization plate is bonded at the back of each display, to complete a liquid crystal display.
FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cut away view of glass substrates of the present invention having an alternative display panel configuration and having a sealing material applied thereto. Referring to FIG. 7, the sealing [0047] material 85 is applied around each liquid crystal injection region 83 of display regions defined on a glass substrate 81 for the first time. Then sealing material 85 a is applied for the second time at an outer periphery of the sealing material 85, spatially spaced from the sealing material 85. The sealing material is applied twice around the display region, for prevention of unwanted etching of pads (PAD) of the display by etchant used during a digitizer formation process which follows. That is, the sealing material is applied twice around the display region, to protect the pads against HF solution when display regions are separated. Then an outer sealing material 85 b having an opening 85 c is applied to surround all the display regions. The opening 85 c is formed having a length sufficient enough to prevent permeation of etchant used during a digitizer formation process and to prevent compression of air between the first and second glass substrates 21 a and 21 b during bonding process. After applying the sealing materials twice around each display region and bonding the first substrate 21 a and the second substrate 21 b, a digitizer 23 a is formed on a back side of at least one of the substrates 21 a and 21 b.
The aforementioned PSLCD of the present invention will be explained in more detail. FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the PSLCD in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a [0048] liquid crystal panel 21 having a first substrate 21 a and a second substrate 21 b bonded together, a digitizer 23 a having X-axis grids 51 a and Y-axis grids 51 b at a back surface of at least one of the substrates 21 a and 21 b, and signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d at four corners of the liquid crystal display panel 21 for applying a position signal to the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b. The digitizer 23 a is directly patterned on the back surface of either the first substrate 21 a or the second substrate 21 b of ITO or metal which has a high resistance. If the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b are formed of a metal, the metal is patterned such that the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b are aligned or matched with the black matrix pattern (see FIG. 5) formed on the first substrate 21 a, for obtaining a high aperture.
In order to make the black matrix pattern and the metal pattern, the same alignment key used in formation of the black matrix pattern on the [0049] first substrate 21 a is used in metal patterning. Alternatively, if the X-axis grids 51 a and Y-axis grids 51 b are formed of ITO, which is transparent, the X-axis grids 51 a, Y-axis grids 51 b and the black matrix pattern 71 may not need to be matched. The X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b form a matrix with either an insulating layer or direct contact between the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b.
There is a compensating [0050] resistor region 53 between the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d and the digitizer 23 a for transferring the position signal from the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d to the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b. The compensating resistor region 53 includes equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b and equipotential compensating resistors 53 c. The equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b transmit the position signal provided through the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d to the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c, and the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c compensate voltages such that the position signal received from the equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b has an equal potential on entire surfaces of the X-axis and Y-axis grids.
In the aforementioned first embodiment of the present invention, a position can be sensed using a stylus after application of a position signal through the [0051] signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d preferably at four corners of the liquid crystal display panel 21. In this instance, a position of a stylus, or a finger tip, can be sensed. First, position sensing in a case of a stylus touch will be explained.
Referring to FIG. 8, the position signal provided through the [0052] signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d is applied to the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b through the compensating resistor region 53 having the equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b and the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c. When the stylus 29 is brought into contact at an arbitrary spot of the digitizer 23 a, a capacitive coupling is formed between the stylus 29 and a pertinent grid. Upon measuring and calculating the capacitive coupling, the position of the stylus 29 can be detected. If not a stylus touch, but a finger tip touch, is to be detected, a position signal is applied the same as above, and a leakage current flowing through a capacitive coupling between the finger tip, which is a virtual ground, and a pertinent grid is measured in each of the signal applying parts and calculated again, to sense the position of the finger tip.
FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the [0053] position sensing digitizer 23 a is not separately patterned in the X-axis and Y-axis grids, but formed as an integral unit.
Referring to FIG. 9, the position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid [0054] crystal display panel 21 having a first substrate 21 a and a second substrate 21 b attached together, a position sensing digitizer 23 a on a back surface of at least one of the substrates 21 a and 21 b of the liquid crystal display panel 21 formed as an integral unit with the liquid crystal display panel 21, and signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d in the near vicinity of four corners of the liquid crystal display panel 21 for applying a signal to the digitizer 23 a. There are equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b and equipotential compensating resistors 53 c provided between the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d and the digitizer 23 a.
Preferably, the [0055] digitizer 23 a is formed of an ITO layer, which is transparent. Accordingly, when a position signal is selectively applied to the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d, the stylus makes contact with a point on the digitizer 23 a and a capacitive coupling between the stylus and the digitizer 23 a is calculated, and thus a position of the stylus on the digitizer 23 a can be measured.
FIG. 10 illustrates a partial plan view of a PSLCD in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the PSLCD in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention includes a [0056] signal applying part 27 a for applying a voltage, a digitizer 23 a having a plurality of X-axis grids 51 a and Y-axis grids 51 b, and compensating resistor regions 53 for providing equal potential from the signal applying part 27 a to the X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b in the digitizer 23 a by regulating the potential with resistors. The compensating resistor region 53 has node resistors 53 a, equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b, and equipotential compensating resistors 53 c. The equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b are formed at four sides of the digitizer 23 a, and the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c are connected between the equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b and the X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b in the digitizer 23 a.
The [0057] node resistor 53 a transmits a position sensing signal provided from the signal applying part 27 a to the equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b. The equipotential compensating resistors 53 c compensate voltages such that the nearest and farthest X-axis, and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b from the signal applying part 27 a are at an equal potential. To accomplish this effect, the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c are patterned to have different lengths as shown in FIG. 10. The position sensing signal passes through the signal applying part 27 a, the node resistor 53 a, the equipotential maintaining resistor 53, and the equipotential compensating resistor 53 c, and finally applied to the X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b. A longer equilibrium compensating resistor provides a greater voltage drop between two points.
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the [0058] signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d for applying a position signal for detecting a position are disposed substantially in the middle of each side of the digitizer 23 a.
Referring to FIG. 11, the PSLCD in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid [0059] crystal display panel 21 having a first substrate 21 a affixed to a second substrate 21 b, a digitizer 23 a having X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b on a back surface of at least one of the substrates 21 a and 21 b, and signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d at middle of sides of the liquid crystal display panel 21 for applying a position signal to the X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b. The X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b are preferably formed of ITO or metal.
Moreover, there is a compensating [0060] resistor region 53 between the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d and the X-axis and Y- axis grids 51 a and 51 b. The compensating resistor region 53 includes equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b and equipotential compensating resistors 53 c. The equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b transmit the position signal provided through the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d to the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c, and the equipotential compensating resistors 53 c compensate voltages such that the position signal received from the equipotential maintaining resistors 53 b has an equal potential on entire surfaces of the X-axis and Y-axis grids. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d are positioned preferably in the middle of the four sides of the digitizer 23 a to minimize the separation distance from the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d to the nearest and the farthest grids (X-axis and Y-axis grids).
FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a position sensing liquid crystal display in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, the PSLCD includes a liquid [0061] crystal display panel 21 having a first substrate 21 a and a second substrate 21 b bonded together, a digitizer 23 a on a back surface of at least one of the substrates 21 a and 21 b, and signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d in the middle of the sides of the liquid crystal display panel 21. The digitizer 23 a is preferably formed as an integral part of at least one of the substrates 21 a and 21 b as opposed to a separate unit. There is a compensating resistor region between the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d and the digitizer 23 a for compensating voltages such that the position signal provided from the signal applying parts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d is substantially at an equal potential all over the digitizer 23 a. The operation of the fourth embodiment PSLCD of the present invention is omitted as the operation is the same with the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the compensating resistor region in the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the compensating resistor region includes a tree shape of repetitive sequence of layers of [0062] primary interconnections 130 between adjacent grids(Y-axis or X-axis grids), secondary interconnections 133 between adjacent primary interconnections 130, and tertiary interconnections 135 between adjacent secondary interconnections 133. According to this, lengths of the equipotential compensating resistors 130, 133, and 135 can be patterned the same all over the regions of the digitizer so that the position signal provided through the signal applying part 27 a (27 b, 27 c, and 27 d are not shown) is linearly equipotential. The X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b in the digitizer 23 a form a matrix with either an insulating layer or with direct contact between the X-axis grids 51 a and the Y-axis grids 51 b. Thus, by forming the equipotential compensating resistors in the hierarchical or tree shape with repetitive sequential layers of primary, secondary, tertiary, interconnections, lengths of passes of a position signal applied from the signal applying part 27 a to respective grids can be patterned the same, hence achieving substantially the same potential in X-axis and Y-axis grids.
A method for fabricating a PSLCD of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 14. Referring to FIG. 14, the method for fabricating a PSLCD of the present invention starts with forming a first and a second substrate (S[0063] 101) and bonding the first and second substrates together (S102). Then a highly resistant ITO (or metal) pattern is formed on a back surface of at least one of the first and second substrates, for use as a digitizer (S103). A low resistance metal pattern is formed around the highly resistant pattern for use as compensating resistors (S104). The joined first and second substrates are scribed (S105). Liquid crystal is then injected through a liquid injection port (S106), and then the liquid injection port is sealed (S107). A polarizer and a protection films are attached (S108) to complete a fabrication process of a PSLCD.
For reference, the present invention is applicable to displays in which two substrates are bonded together, such as TFT, IPS mode LCD, STN mode LCD, and the like. [0064]
As described above, the PSLCD and the method for fabricating the same of the present invention have the following advantages. First, because the digitizer is directly formed on one of the upper or lower plates, a separate digitizer glass is dispensed with, thus minimizing thickness and weight of a PSLCD. [0065]
Second, the formation of the digitizer grid pattern using the same alignment key used in patterning the upper and lower plates allows an exact alignment of patterns of the substrate and the digitizer, thus improving an aperture ratio and dispensing with the requirement for a position correction due to a misalignment. [0066]
Third, the formation of a digitizer on a back surface of either the upper or lower plate in place of the inside of the LCD panel, which provides greater spaces between various layers in the LCD panel and the digitizer and minimizes parasitic capacitances between the various layers and the digitizer, allows an accurate position sensing. [0067]
Fourth, the digitizer can be formed adaptive to a size of the LCD panel. [0068]
Fifth, the shorter distance from the finger tip to the position sensing digitizer can improve a position sensing sensitivity because a magnitude of a signal flowing through the finger, a virtual ground, becomes greater when a fixed magnitude of a position sensing signal is applied. [0069]
Sixth, the formation of the compensating resistors which compensates an equipotential of the digitizer in tree-shaped repetitive layers allows an accurate sensing of a position as an accurate equipotential can be provided from the signal applying part to the grids of the digitizer. [0070]
Seventh, the patterning of the digitizer on the front surface of the first substrate or the rear surface of the second substrate after bonding the first and second substrates prevents damage of the black matrix layer formed on the rear surface of the first or upper substrate. [0071]
Eighth, the double application of sealing material around the liquid crystal injection region and display region in separation of every display region can protect pads of the display exposed outside of the display region. [0072]
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the position sensing liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. [0073]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising:

a first substrate having front and rear surfaces;

a second substrate having front and rear surfaces, the front surface of the second substrate including a plurality of pixel electrodes and abutting against the rear surface of the first substrate; and

a digitizer having intersecting grids fabricated on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates.

2. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 1

, wherein the rear surface of the first substrate includes a black matrix layer having intersecting grids at a predetermined interval.

3. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 2

, wherein the digitizer is fabricated on the front surface of the first substrate, the intersecting grids of the digitizer being substantially aligned with the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer.

4. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 3

, wherein the intersecting grids of the digitizer are made of a conductive material.

5. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 4

, wherein the conductive material is one of metal and Indium Tin Oxide.

6. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 2

, wherein the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer are the intersecting grids of the digitizer, wherein the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer are fabricated with a conductive material.

7. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 2

, wherein the digitizer is fabricated on the rear surface of the second substrate, the intersecting grids of the digitizer being substantially aligned with the intersecting grids of the black matrix layer.

8. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 1

, further including input signal portions fabricated in the vicinity of four corners of the digitizer, the input signal portions providing a position signal to the intersecting grids of the digitizer for detecting a stylus position.

9. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 1

, further including input signal portions fabricated substantially in the middle of each side of the digitizer, the input signal portions providing a position signal to the intersecting grids of the digitizer for detecting a stylus position.

10. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 8

, further including compensating resistors connected between the input signal portions and the intersecting grids of the digitizer, wherein the compensating resistors formed near the input signal portions have a higher resistivity than the compensating resistors formed farther away from the input signal portions to provide substantially equal potential to the intersecting grids of the digitizer.

11. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 9

12. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 10

, further including at least one equipotential line connected between the input signal portions and the compensating resistors, wherein the equipotential line has a lower resistivity than the compensating resistors.

13. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 11

14. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 9

, wherein the compensating resistors include a tree shape of repetitive sequence of layers of:

primary interconnections between adjacent grids,

secondary interconnections between adjacent primary interconnections, and

tertiary interconnections between adjacent secondary interconnections.

15. A display device using a liquid crystal display panel, comprising:

a controller that controls displayed images of the liquid crystal display panel;

a first substrate having front and rear surfaces;

16. A display device of

claim 15

17. A display device of

claim 16

18. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 17

19. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 18

, wherein the conductive material is one of metal and Indium Tin Oxide.

20. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 16

21. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 16

22. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 15

23. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 15

24. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 22

, further including compensating resistors connected between the input signal portions and the intersecting grids of the digitizer, wherein the compensating resistors formed near the input signal portions have higher resistivity and the compensating resistors formed farther away from the input signal portions to provide substantially equal potential to the intersecting grids of the digitizer.

25. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 23

26. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 24

, further including at least one equipotential line connected between the input signal portions and the compensating resistors, wherein the equipotential line has lower resistivity than the compensating resistors.

27. A liquid crystal display panel of

claim 25

28. A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel having a digitizer, comprising the steps of:

providing a first substrate having front and rear surfaces;

providing a second substrate having front and rear surfaces, wherein the second substrate has a first display region in the front surface;

forming a plurality of pixel electrodes in the first display region of the front surface of the second substrate;

securing the front surface of the second substrate to the rear surface of the first substrate; and

fabricating intersecting grids of the digitizer on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates.

29. A method of

claim 28

, wherein before securing the front surface of the second substrate to the rear surface of the first substrate,

surrounding the first display region with a sealing material to define a first surrounded region; and

surrounding the first surrounded region with the sealing material, wherein when the first and second substrates are secured together, the sealing material surrounding the first surrounded region substantially prohibits the intrusion of a foreign substance.

30. A method of

claim 28

providing the second substrate to define a second display region;

forming pixel electrodes in the second display region of the second substrate;

surrounding the first display region with a sealing material to define a first surrounded region;

surrounding the second display region with the sealing material to define the first surrounded region;

surrounding the first and second surrounded regions with the sealing material, wherein when the first and second substrates are secured together, the sealing material surrounding the first and second surrounded regions substantially prohibits the intrusion of a foreign substance.

31. A method of

claim 29

, wherein the intersecting grids of the digitizer are fabricated on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates and in the first display region.

32. A method of

claim 30

, wherein the intersecting grids of the digitizer are fabricated on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second substrates and in the first display region and the intersecting grids of a second digitizer is fabricated in the second display region.

33. A method of

claim 32

, wherein the first and second substrates are scribed to separate the first display region from the second display region, each one of the first and second display regions having the digitizer.

34. A method of

claim 28

, wherein the digitizer is formed of a conductive material.

35. A method of

claim 34

, wherein the digitizer is formed one of Indium Tin Oxide and metal.

36. A liquid crystal display panel formed by the method of

claim 28

.