Transparent display device with touch sensor

Abstract

A transparent display device having a touch sensor that can minimize light transmission loss due to the touch sensor and a touch line and can detect a defective touch sensor among a plurality of touch sensors disposed in a touch block is provided. The transparent display device includes a substrate provided with a transmissive area and a non-transmissive area, a touch sensor disposed in the transmissive area above the substrate, including a touch sensor electrode, a pixel disposed in the non-transmissive area above the substrate, including a plurality of light emitting elements including an anode electrode, a light emitting layer, and a cathode electrode, a reference line disposed in the non-transmissive area, a plurality of switching transistors connecting the reference line with each of the plurality of light emitting elements, and a touch transistor connecting the reference line with the touch sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a transparent display device having a touch sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, research has been actively conducted on transparent display devices, in which users can view objects or images located on opposite sides of the display device. The transparent display device includes a display area on which images are displayed, wherein the display area can include transmissive and non-transmissive areas capable of transmitting external light, and the transmissive areas can have high light transmittance.

[0003] Transparent display devices can incorporate multiple touch sensors and touch lines to enable touch functionality. However, a problem with transparent display devices is that it is not easy to fabricate multiple touch sensors and touch lines, or the manufacturing process is complex, and the light transmittance may be reduced due to the presence of multiple touch sensors and touch lines. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a transparent display device that can reduce or minimize light transmittance loss due to touch sensors and touch lines.

[0005] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a transparent display device that can detect defective touch sensors among a plurality of touch sensors disposed in a touch block.

[0006] In addition to the purposes of this disclosure as stated above, other purposes and features of this disclosure will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the above and other objectives can be achieved by providing a transparent display device with a touch sensor, the transparent display device comprising: a substrate having a transmissive region and a non-transmissive region; a touch sensor disposed in the transmissive region on the substrate, including touch sensor electrodes; a pixel disposed in the non-transmissive region on the substrate, including a plurality of light-emitting elements composed of an anode electrode, a light-emitting layer and a cathode electrode; a reference line disposed in the non-transmissive region; a plurality of switching transistors connecting the reference line to each of the plurality of light-emitting elements; and a touch transistor connecting the reference line to the touch sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view showing a transparent display panel;

[0010] Figure 2 It shows the setting Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an example of pixels in region A;

[0011] Figure 3 It shows the setting Figure 2 A view of examples of signal lines, touch lines, and touch sensors in area B;

[0012] Figure 4 It is a view showing the connection relationships between multiple touch blocks and multiple touch lines;

[0013] Figure 5 It is a view showing the connection relationships between multiple touch lines and multiple touch sensors in a touch block;

[0014] Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I';

[0015] Figure 7 This is a view showing an example of setting up a cathode electrode and a touch sensor electrode;

[0016] Figure 8 This is a view showing an example of a defective touch sensor in the first undercut structure due to particles;

[0017] Figure 9 This is a circuit diagram showing an example of a pixel circuit;

[0018] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 3 A magnified view of region C;

[0019] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of line II-II' (example);

[0020] Figure 12 It is shown Figure 3 A magnified view of region D;

[0021] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of line III-III' (example);

[0022] Figure 14 This is a view showing the current path in a defective touch sensor; and

[0023] Figure 15 This is a view showing the voltage difference between a normal touch sensor and a defective touch sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The advantages and features of this disclosure, and its implementation methods, will be illustrated by the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, this disclosure is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0025] The shapes, dimensions, scales, angles, and numbers disclosed in the accompanying drawings used to describe embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the details shown. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions of relevant known functions or configurations will be omitted where such descriptions unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure. Where terms such as "comprising," "having," and "including" are used in this specification, additional parts may be added unless "only" is used. Singular terms may include plural forms unless otherwise stated.

[0026] When constructing an element, it is interpreted as including a range of errors, although this is not explicitly described.

[0027] When describing positional relationships, such as when the positional relationship is described as "on," "above," "below," and "next to," one or more parts may be arranged between two other parts, unless "right" or "exactly" is used.

[0028] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0029] In describing the elements of this disclosure, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used. These terms are intended to identify corresponding elements from other elements, and the basis, order, or number of corresponding elements is not limited by these terms. The expression that an element is “connected” or “linked” to another element should be understood to mean that the element can be directly connected to or linked to another element, but may be directly connected to or linked to another element unless specifically mentioned, or a third element may be inserted between the corresponding elements.

[0030] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be linked or combined with each other in part or in whole, and may interoperate with each other in various ways and be technically driven, as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art. Embodiments of this disclosure may be performed independently of each other or may be performed together in an interdependent relationship.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view showing a transparent display panel.

[0032] In the following, the X-axis represents the line parallel to the scan line, the Y-axis represents the line parallel to the data line, and the Z-axis represents the height direction of the transparent display device 100.

[0033] Although the transparent display device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described as an organic light-emitting display device, the transparent display device 100 may be implemented as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel (PDP), a quantum dot light-emitting display (QLED) or an electrophoretic display device.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transparent display device includes a transparent display panel 110. The transparent display panel 110 may include a display area DA provided with pixels for displaying images and a non-display area NDA not used for displaying images.

[0035] The display area DA can be configured with a first signal line SL1, a second signal line SL2, and pixels. The non-display area NDA can be configured with a pad area PA and at least one gate driver 205, wherein pads are configured in the pad area PA.

[0036] The first signal line SL1 may extend along a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The first signal line SL1 may intersect with the second signal line SL2 in the display area DA. The second signal line SL2 may extend along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) in the display area DA. Pixels may be disposed in the area where the first signal line SL1 is disposed or in the area where the first signal line SL1 and the second signal line SL2 intersect each other, and emit predetermined or selected light to display an image.

[0037] Gate driver 205 is connected to scan lines and provides scan signals to scan lines. Gate driver 205 can be disposed in non-display area NDA on one or both sides of display area DA of transparent display panel 110 by means of in-panel gate driver (GIP) method or tape auto-bonding (TAB) method.

[0038] To enable touch functionality, in addition to the first signal line SL1, the second signal line SL2, and pixels, the transparent display panel 110 may also include touch lines and touch sensors. Detailed descriptions of the touch lines and touch sensors will be provided later. Figures 2 to 15 Detailed description.

[0039] Figure 2 It shows the setting Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of pixels in region A, and Figure 3It shows the setting Figure 2 A view of examples of signal lines, touch lines, and touch sensors in area B.

[0040] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The display area DA includes a transmissive area TA and a non-transmissive area NTA. The transmissive area TA is the region through which most external incident light passes, and the non-transmissive area NTA is the region through which most external incident light cannot pass. For example, the transmissive area TA can be a region with a light transmittance greater than α% (e.g., about 90%), and the non-transmissive area NTA can be a region with a light transmittance less than β% (e.g., about 50%). In this case, α is greater than β. Due to the transmissive area TA, the user can view objects or backgrounds arranged on the rear surface of the transparent display panel 110.

[0041] The non-transmissive region NTA may include a first non-transmissive region NTA1, a second non-transmissive region NTA2, and a plurality of pixels P. Pixel P may be located in the first non-transmissive region NTA1, or in the overlapping area of ​​the first non-transmissive region NTA1 and the second non-transmissive region NTA2, and emits predetermined or selected light to display an image. The emitting region EA may correspond to the area in pixel P from which light is emitted.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, each pixel P may include at least one of a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, a third sub-pixel SP3, and a fourth sub-pixel SP4. The first sub-pixel SP1 may include a first emitting region EA1 that emits light of a first color. The second sub-pixel SP2 may include a second emitting region EA2 that emits light of a second color. The third sub-pixel SP3 may include a third emitting region EA3 that emits light of a third color. The fourth sub-pixel SP4 may include a fourth emitting region EA4 that emits light of a fourth color.

[0043] The first to fourth luminescent regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4 can emit different colors of light. For example, the first luminescent region EA1 can emit green light. The second luminescent region EA2 can emit red light. The third luminescent region EA3 can emit blue light. The fourth luminescent region EA4 can emit white light. However, the luminescent regions are not limited to this example. Each pixel P can also include subpixels that emit light of colors other than red, green, blue, and white. Furthermore, the arrangement order of subpixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 can be changed in various ways.

[0044] The first non-transmissive region NTA1 may extend in the display region DA along a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and may be configured to at least partially overlap the light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4. A plurality of first non-transmissive regions NTA1 may be provided in the transparent display panel 110, and a transmissive region TA may be provided between two adjacent first non-transmissive regions NTA1. In the first non-transmissive region NTA1, a first signal line SL1 extending along the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and a touch line TL extending along the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) may be configured to be spaced apart from each other.

[0045] For example, the first signal line SL1 may include at least one of the following: pixel power line VDDL, common power line VSSL, reference line REFL, and data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4.

[0046] The pixel power line VDDL can provide a primary power supply to the driving transistors DTR of each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 located in the display area DA. The primary power supply can be an anode power supply.

[0047] The common power line VSSL can provide a second power supply to the cathode electrodes of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 located in the display area DA. In this case, the second power supply can be a cathode power supply. The cathode power supply can be a common power supply commonly provided to sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4.

[0048] The common power line VSSL can supply cathode power to the cathode electrode through the cathode contact portion CCT. The cathode contact portion CCT can be disposed between the transmission region TA and the common power line VSSL. The power connection line VCL can be disposed between the common power line VSSL and the cathode contact portion CCT. One end of the power connection line VCL can be connected to the common power line VSSL through the first contact hole CH1, while its other end can be connected to the cathode contact portion CCT. The cathode electrode can be connected to the cathode contact portion CCT. As a result, the cathode electrode can be electrically connected to the common power line VSSL through the power connection line VCL and the cathode contact portion CCT.

[0049] The reference line REFL can provide an initialization voltage (or reference voltage) to the driving transistors DTR of each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 located in the display area DA. The reference line REFL can be positioned between multiple data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4. For example, the reference line REFL can be positioned in the center of the multiple data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4, that is, between the second data line DL2 and the third data line DL3.

[0050] The reference line REFL can branch and connect to multiple sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. Specifically, the reference line REFL can connect to the circuitry elements of the multiple sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 to provide an initialization voltage (or reference voltage) to each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4.

[0051] When the reference line REFL is positioned near the edge of the first non-transmissive region NTA1, the deviation between the connection lengths from the bifurcation point to the circuit elements of the plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 increases. In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference line REFL is positioned in the middle region of the first non-transmissive region NTA1, thereby reducing or minimizing the deviation between the connection lengths of each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 to the circuit elements. Therefore, the reference line REFL can uniformly provide signals to the circuit elements of the plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4.

[0052] Furthermore, the reference line REFL can be connected to the touch transistor TTR. The reference line REFL may include a reference connection line RCL extending along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and can be connected to the touch transistor TTR disposed in the transmissive region TA via the reference connection line RCL. The reference connection line RCL can be connected to the reference line REFL at one end and to the touch transistor TTR at the other end. In this case, the reference connection line RCL can be formed from a single layer, but is not limited thereto. The reference connection line RCL can be formed from multiple layers so that it is not connected to the first signal line SL1 extending and intersecting along the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction).

[0053] Each of the data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 can provide a data voltage to sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. For example, the first data line DL1 can provide a first data voltage to the first driving transistor of the first sub-pixel SP1, the second data line DL2 can provide a second data voltage to the second driving transistor of the second sub-pixel SP2, the third data line DL3 can provide a third data voltage to the third driving transistor of the third sub-pixel SP3, and the fourth data line DL4 can provide a fourth data voltage to the fourth driving transistor of the fourth sub-pixel SP4.

[0054] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, touch lines TL may be further disposed in a first non-transmissive region NTA1. At least two touch lines TL may be provided in a first non-transmissive region NTA1. When multiple touch lines TL are disposed in the transmissive region TA of the transparent display panel 110, the light transmittance may be degraded due to the multiple touch lines TL.

[0055] Furthermore, slits, particularly elongated linear or rectangular shapes, can be provided between the multiple touch lines TL. When external light passes through the slits, diffraction may occur. According to diffraction, when light passes through the slits, light corresponding to a plane wave may become a spherical wave, and interference may occur within the spherical wave. Therefore, constructive and destructive interference occur in the spherical wave, resulting in irregular light intensities for the external light passing through the slits. Consequently, the sharpness of objects or images on opposite sides of the transparent display panel 110 may be reduced. For this reason, the multiple touch lines TL are preferably located in the first non-transmissive region NTA1, rather than in the transmissive region TA.

[0056] Multiple touch lines TL can be positioned between the first signal line SL1 in the first non-transmissive region NTA1 and the transmissive region TA, such as... Figure 3 As shown. For example, six touch lines TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4, TL5, and TL6 can be arranged in a first non-transmissive region NTA1. Three of the six touch lines TL1, TL2, and TL3 can be arranged between the pixel power line VDDL and the transmissive region TA, while the other three touch lines TL4, TL5, and TL6 can be arranged between the common power line VSSL and the transmissive region TA, but are not limited to this arrangement. Multiple touch lines TL are needed so as not to overlap with the circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4 where circuit elements are located, and various modifications can be made to the arrangement order of the multiple touch lines TL and the first signal line SL1.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transparent display panel 110 includes pixels P between adjacent transmissive regions TA, and each pixel P may include light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4 in which light-emitting elements are disposed to emit light. Since the size of the non-transmissive region NTA in the transparent display panel 110 is small, the circuit elements can be arranged to at least partially overlap with the light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4. That is, the light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4 may include circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4 in which circuit elements are disposed.

[0058] For example, the circuit region may include: a first circuit region CA1, wherein a circuit element connected to a first sub-pixel SP1 is provided; a second circuit region CA2, wherein a circuit element connected to a second sub-pixel SP2 is provided; a third circuit region CA3, wherein a circuit element connected to a third sub-pixel SP3 is provided; and a fourth circuit region CA4, wherein a circuit element connected to a fourth sub-pixel SP4 is provided.

[0059] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple touch lines TL do not overlap with circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4, thereby reducing or minimizing the parasitic capacitance of the touch lines TL caused by circuit elements.

[0060] Furthermore, the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of this disclosure can reduce the horizontal distance difference between touch lines TL. Since at least two transistors and one capacitor are disposed in circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4, it may be difficult for the touch lines TL to be formed in a straight line in circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4, and it may be difficult to have a constant horizontal distance. Therefore, the horizontal distance difference between touch lines TL increases, thereby potentially resulting in very low uniformity of parasitic capacitance.

[0061] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch lines TL can be configured not to overlap with the circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4, thereby reducing the influence of circuit elements and simultaneously reducing the horizontal distance difference between the touch lines TL to improve the uniformity of parasitic capacitance.

[0062] The second non-transmissive region NTA2 can be as follows Figure 3 The second non-transmissive region NTA2 extends from the display area DA along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and can be configured to at least partially overlap with the light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4. A plurality of second non-transmissive regions NTA2 are provided in the transparent display panel 110, and a transmissive region TA can be provided between two adjacent second non-transmissive regions NTA2. The second signal line SL2, the touch bridge line TBL, and the gate on voltage line VGHL can be spaced apart from each other within the second non-transmissive regions NTA2.

[0063] The second signal line SL2 may extend along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and may include, for example, a scan line SCANL. The scan line SCANL may provide scan signals to the sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 of pixel P.

[0064] The touch bridge cable TBL can connect any one of multiple touch lines TL to a touch sensor TS. The touch bridge cable TBL can be connected to any one of the multiple touch lines TL via a second contact hole CH2. Furthermore, the touch bridge cable TBL can be connected to at least two touch sensors TS arranged and extending along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction).

[0065] In one embodiment, the touch bridge line TBL can be formed of multiple layers, such as two layers. The touch bridge line TBL may include a first touch bridge line disposed in a first layer in a region overlapping with the first non-transmissive region NTA1, and a second touch bridge line disposed in a second layer in a region not overlapping with the first non-transmissive region NTA1. A first touch bridge line can be connected at one end to a second touch bridge line through a third contact hole CH3, and at the other end to another second touch bridge line through a fourth contact hole CH4. For example, the first layer may be the same layer as the gate of the driving transistor, and the second layer may be the same layer as the source and drain of the driving transistor.

[0066] A gate-on voltage line VGHL can apply a gate-on voltage to a touch transistor TTR. The gate-on voltage line VGHL can be connected to at least two touch transistors TTRs arranged and extending along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). Figure 3 In this configuration, the gate conduction voltage line VGHL is disposed in the second non-transmissive region NTA2, but is not limited thereto. The gate conduction voltage line VGHL may be provided in the first non-transmissive region NTA1. In this case, the gate conduction voltage line VGHL may be connected to at least two touch transistors TTRs arranged and extending along the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction).

[0067] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple touch lines TL can be provided in a first non-transmissive region NTA1 that is not a second non-transmissive region NTA2, thereby preventing the light transmittance from deteriorating due to the multiple touch lines TL. The second non-transmissive region NTA2, extending along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), intersects between adjacent transmissive regions TA, such as... Figure 3 As shown, when the width of the second non-transmissive region NTA2, which intersects with the transmissive region TA, increases, the size of the transmissive region TA will necessarily decrease.

[0068] When multiple touch lines TL are set in the second non-transmissive region NTA2, the width of the second non-transmissive region NTA2 increases to accommodate a large number of lines, and the size of the transmissive region TA decreases. That is to say, the light transmittance of the transparent display panel 110 may decrease due to the multiple touch lines TL.

[0069] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple touch lines TL are disposed in a first non-transmissive region NTA1, and a single touch bridge line TBL for connecting multiple touch sensors TS is disposed in a second non-transmissive region NTA2. Therefore, the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce or minimize the reduction in the size of the transmissive region TA or the decrease in light transmittance caused by the multiple touch lines TL and the touch bridge line TBL.

[0070] A touch sensor TS can be disposed in a transmission area TA. The touch sensor TS can be disposed in each of multiple transmission areas TA and its capacitance can change during user contact. A touch driver (not shown) can be connected to multiple touch sensors TS via multiple touch lines TL to detect capacitance changes in the multiple touch sensors TS.

[0071] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 4 and Figure 5 This section describes in more detail the connection relationships between multiple touch sensors (TS), multiple touch lines (TL), and multiple touch bridge lines (TBL).

[0072] Figure 4 This is a view showing the connection relationships between multiple touch blocks and multiple touch lines. Figure 5 It is a view showing the connection relationships between multiple touch lines and multiple touch sensors in a touch block.

[0073] Reference Figures 4 to 5 According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the transparent display panel 110 may include a plurality of touch blocks TB. Each of the plurality of touch blocks TB may include a plurality of pixels P and a plurality of transmissive regions TA, wherein the plurality of transmissive regions TA are configured to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of pixels P as basic units for determining the user's touch position. For example, each of the plurality of touch blocks TB may include 12×15 pixels P and 12×15 touch sensors TS. In this case, when the image resolution is 1920×1080, the touch resolution may be 160×72.

[0074] In this case, the touch sensor TS may include a touch sensor electrode TSE. The touch sensor electrode TSE may comprise the same material in the same layer as the cathode electrode CE of the pixel P. In this configuration, the touch sensor electrode TSE and the cathode electrode CE may be spaced apart from each other.

[0075] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when each of the plurality of touch lines TL is connected to one of the plurality of touch blocks TB, a change in capacitance of the touch sensor TS disposed in the connected touch block TB can be sensed. That is, the plurality of touch lines TL disposed in the transparent display panel 110 can correspond one-to-one with the plurality of touch blocks TB. Therefore, the number of touch lines TL can be the same as the number of touch blocks TB in the transparent display panel 110. For example, when the number of touch blocks TB is 160×72, the touch lines TL can also be 160×72, and can be connected to the touch driver TIC.

[0076] As described above, in order to form as many touch lines TL as there are touch blocks TB, at least two touch lines TL should be provided in a first non-transmissive area NTA1. For example, when the image resolution is 1920×1080 and the touch resolution is 160×72, six touch lines TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4, TL5, and TL6 can be provided in a first non-transmissive area NTA1, such as... Figure 3 As shown, this is to form 160×72 touch lines TL in the transparent display panel 110.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, multiple touch sensors TS disposed in a touch block TB can be connected to one of multiple touch lines TL disposed in the touch block TB. For example, twelve first non-transmissive regions NTA1 can be provided in a touch block TB, and six touch lines TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4, TL5, and TL6 can be disposed in each of the twelve first non-transmissive regions NTA1. As a result, a touch block TB can be provided with 72 touch lines TL1, ..., TL72. In this case, the multiple touch sensors TS disposed in a touch block TB can be connected to a specific touch line TL among the 72 touch lines TL1, ..., TL72. At this time, the specific touch line TL can be connected to the multiple touch sensors TS arranged in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) through a touch bridge line TBL extending along the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). As a result, the multiple touch sensors TS disposed in a touch block TB can be electrically connected through the specific touch line TL and the touch bridge line TBL.

[0078] Each of the multiple touch lines TL corresponds one-to-one with a touch block TB. Therefore, multiple touch blocks TB are connected to different touch lines and are thus electrically isolated from each other. Each touch line TL can connect multiple touch sensors TS disposed in the corresponding touch block TB to the touch driver TIC. Specifically, each touch line TL can transmit the changing capacitance provided by the touch sensors TS disposed in the touch block TB to the touch driver TIC. The touch driver TIC can sense the changing capacitance and determine the user's touch position. Furthermore, each touch line TL can provide the sensing voltage generated from the touch driver TIC to the touch sensors TS disposed in the touch block TB.

[0079] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 6 to 7 A more detailed description of the light-emitting element in the light-emitting area EA and the touch sensor TS in the transmission area TA.

[0080] Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'. Figure 7 This is a view showing an example of the arrangement of the cathode electrode and the touch sensor electrode. Figure 8 This is a view showing an example of a defective touch sensor in the first undercut structure due to particles.

[0081] Reference Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8 The first non-transmissive region NTA1 includes circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4 in which at least one transistor and a capacitor are disposed, and may be provided with pixel power lines VDDL, common power lines VSSL, reference lines REFL, data lines DL, and touch lines TL extending along a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and configured not to overlap with the circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4. The second non-transmissive region NTA2 may be provided with scan lines SCANL, touch bridge lines TBL, and gate on voltage lines VGHL extending along a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction).

[0082] At least one transistor may include a drive transistor DTR and a switching transistor. The switching transistor may be switched according to a scan signal provided to the scan line SCANL to charge a capacitor with a data voltage provided from the data line DL or to provide a reference voltage to the drive transistor DTR.

[0083] The driving transistor DTR is switched according to the data voltage charged in the capacitor to generate a data current from the power supply provided by the pixel power line VDDL and to supply the data current to the first electrode 120 of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3 and SP4. The driving transistor DTR may include an active layer ACT1, a gate GE1, a source SE1 and a drain DE1.

[0084] like Figure 6 As shown, a light-shielding layer LS can be provided on the first substrate 111. The light-shielding layer LS can be used to shield external light incident on the active layer ACT in the region where the driving transistor DTR is disposed. The light-shielding layer LS may comprise a single layer or multiple layers made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu) or alloys thereof.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transparent display panel 110 may form at least one of pixel power lines VDDL, common power lines VSSL, reference lines REFL, data lines DL, and touch lines TL in the same layer as the light shielding layer LS. For example, the reference lines REFL and touch lines TL may comprise the same material as the light shielding layer LS and may be disposed in the same layer as the light shielding layer LS, but are not limited thereto.

[0086] A buffer layer BF can be provided on the optical shielding layer LS. The buffer layer BF is used to protect the transistor DTR from water that permeates through the first substrate 111, which is easily permeable by water, and may include inorganic layers, such as silicon oxide layer (SiOx), silicon nitride layer (SiNx), or a multilayer of silicon oxide layer and silicon nitride layer.

[0087] The active layer ACT1 for driving the transistor DTR can be disposed on the buffer layer BF. The active layer ACT1 can include silicon-based semiconductor materials or oxide-based semiconductor materials.

[0088] A gate insulating layer GI can be provided on the active layer ACT1 of the driving transistor DTR. The gate insulating layer GI can be disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA and the transmissive region TA. However, in order to form a first undercut structure UC1 in the transmissive region TA, the gate insulating layer GI can be provided with a first opening region OA1, which is configured to expose the buffer layer BF and is not disposed in at least a portion of the transmissive region TA. The gate insulating layer GI can include inorganic layers, such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), or a multilayer of silicon oxide and silicon nitride layers.

[0089] The gate GE1 of the driving transistor DTR can be disposed on the gate insulating layer GI. The gate GE1 may comprise a single layer or multiple layers made of one or an alloy of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd) and copper (Cu).

[0090] An interlayer dielectric layer (ILD) can be provided on the gate GE1 of the driving transistor DTR. The ILD can be disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA and the transmissive region TA. However, the ILD can have a first opening region OA1 that exposes the buffer layer BF and is not disposed in at least a portion of the transmissive region TA, to form a first undercut structure UC1 in the transmissive region TA. The ILD may include inorganic layers, such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), or a multilayer of silicon oxide and silicon nitride layers.

[0091] The source SE1 and drain DE1 of the driving transistor DTR can be disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer ILD. The source SE1 and drain DE1 of the driving transistor DTR can be connected to the active layer ACT1 of the driving transistor DTR through the fifth contact hole CH5 passing through the gate insulating layer GI and the interlayer dielectric layer ILD. The source SE1 and drain DE1 of the driving transistor DTR can be made of a single layer or multiple layers made of one or an alloy of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd) and copper (Cu).

[0092] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the pixel power line VDDL, common power line VSSL, reference line REFL, data line DL, and touch line TL can be disposed in the same layer as the source SE1 and drain DE1 of the driving transistor DTR. For example, the pixel power line VDDL, common power line VSSL, and data line DL can be disposed in the same layer as the source SE1 and drain DE1, but are not limited thereto.

[0093] A passivation layer PAS for insulating the driving transistor DTR can be provided on the source SE1 and drain DE1 of the driving transistor DTR. The passivation layer PAS can be disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA and the transmissive region TA. However, the passivation layer PAS can have a first opening region OA1 that exposes the buffer layer BF and is not disposed in at least a portion of the transmissive region TA, to form a first undercut structure UC1 in the transmissive region TA. The first opening region OA1 of the passivation layer PAS can at least partially overlap with the first opening region OA1 of the interlayer dielectric layer ILD and the first opening region OA1 of the gate insulating layer GI. The passivation layer PAS can include inorganic layers, such as a silicon oxide layer (SiOx), a silicon nitride layer (SiNx), or a multilayer of silicon oxide and silicon nitride layers.

[0094] A planarization layer PLN can be provided on the passivation layer PAS to planarize the step difference caused by the driving transistor DTR and multiple signal lines. The planarization layer PLN can be disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA, and may not be disposed in at least a portion of the transmissive region TA to form a first undercut structure UC1 in the transmissive region TA. The planarization layer PLN may include an organic layer, such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, and polyimide resin.

[0095] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first undercut structure UC1 can be formed using a planarization layer PLN and a plurality of inorganic insulating layers (e.g., a passivation layer PAS, an interlayer dielectric layer ILD, and a gate insulating layer GI). Specifically, the first undercut structure UC1 can be formed such that the planarization layer PLN protrudes more than the plurality of inorganic insulating layers (e.g., the passivation layer PAS, the interlayer dielectric layer ILD, and the gate insulating layer GI) in the direction of the transmission region TA. Therefore, the first undercut structure UC1 can expose at least a portion of the lower surface of the planarization layer PLN, and the plurality of inorganic insulating layers may not be disposed below the exposed lower surface, thereby providing a gap space with the buffer layer BF.

[0096] The first undercut structure UC1 can be formed by a wet etching process. Considering the characteristics, the wet etching process used to form the first undercut structure UC1 can be isotropic etching. Therefore, in the first undercut structure UC1, the first gap distance d1 from the end of the planarization layer PLN to the ends of the plurality of inorganic insulating layers can be formed in the same manner as the second gap distance d2 from the lower surface of the planarization layer PLN to the upper surface of the buffer layer BF. At this time, the first gap distance d1 of the first undercut structure UC1 should have a minimum distance value, for example, 2 μm or greater, in order to ensure isolation between the cathode electrode CE and the touch sensor electrode TSE. Therefore, since the second gap distance d2 of the first undercut structure UC1 should be greater than or equal to 2 μm, the sum of the thicknesses of the passivation layer PAS, the interlayer dielectric layer ILD, and the gate insulating layer GI can be 2 μm or greater.

[0097] The first undercut structure UC1 is disposed in the transmission region TA and may have a planar closed shape. For example, the first undercut structure UC1 may be disposed along the edge of the transmission region TA. In this case, the first undercut structure UC1 may be provided to surround the touch sensor TS.

[0098] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first undercut structure UC1 can be formed using a planarization layer PLN and a plurality of inorganic insulating layers, thereby preventing a decrease in light transmittance due to the first undercut structure UC1.

[0099] A light-emitting element comprising a first electrode 120, an organic light-emitting layer 130, a second electrode 140, and a dam 125 can be provided on a planarization layer PLN.

[0100] A first electrode 120 can be provided on the planarization layer PLN for each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. The first electrode 120 is not disposed in the transmission region TA. The first electrode 120 can be connected to the driving transistor DTR. Specifically, the first electrode 120 can be connected to one of the source SE1 and drain DE1 of the driving transistor DTR through a contact hole (not shown) passing through the planarization layer PLN and the passivation layer PAS.

[0101] The first electrode 120 may include a metallic material with high reflectivity, such as a stacked structure of aluminum and titanium (Ti / Al / Ti), a stacked structure of aluminum and ITO (ITO / Al / ITO), an Ag alloy, a stacked structure of Ag alloy and ITO (ITO / Ag alloy / ITO), a MoTi alloy, and a stacked structure of MoTi alloy and ITO (ITO / MoTi alloy / ITO). The Ag alloy may be an alloy of silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), copper (Cu), etc. The MoTi alloy may be an alloy of molybdenum (Mo) and titanium (Ti). The first electrode 120 may be the anode of the light-emitting element.

[0102] A dam 125 can be provided on the planarization layer PLN. The dam 125 can be provided to at least partially cover the edge of the first electrode 120 and expose a portion of the first electrode 120. Therefore, the dam 125 can prevent the problem of luminous efficiency degradation due to current concentration at the end of the first electrode 120.

[0103] The dam 125 can define the light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4 of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. The light-emitting regions EA1, EA2, EA3, and EA4 of each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 represent areas where the first electrode 120, the organic light-emitting layer 130, and the cathode electrode CE are stacked sequentially, and holes from the first electrode 120 and electrons from the cathode electrode CE combine with each other in the organic light-emitting layer 130 to emit light. In this case, the area where the dam 125 is provided can become a non-light-emitting region NEA because light is not emitted from it, and the area where the dam 125 is not provided and the first electrode is exposed can become a light-emitting region EA.

[0104] The embankment 125 may include an organic layer, such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, and polyimide resin.

[0105] An organic light-emitting layer 130 may be disposed on the first electrode 120. The organic light-emitting layer 130 may include a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron transport layer. In this case, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode 120 and the cathode electrode CE, holes and electrons move to the light-emitting layer through the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer, respectively, and combine with each other in the light-emitting layer to emit light.

[0106] In one embodiment, the organic light-emitting layer 130 may be a common layer disposed in sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. In this case, the light-emitting layer may be a white light emitting layer for emitting white light.

[0107] In another embodiment, an organic light-emitting layer 130 can be provided for each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. For example, a green light-emitting layer for emitting green light can be provided in the first sub-pixel SP1, a red light-emitting layer for emitting red light can be provided in the second sub-pixel SP2, a blue light-emitting layer for emitting blue light can be provided in the third sub-pixel SP3, and a white light-emitting layer for emitting white light can be provided in the fourth sub-pixel SP4. In this case, the light-emitting layer of the organic light-emitting layer 130 is not disposed in the transmission region TA.

[0108] The organic light-emitting layer 130 can be separated from the non-transmissive region NTA and the transmissive region TA through the first undercut structure UC1. Specifically, the organic light-emitting layer 130 can be separated from the organic light-emitting layer 131 disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA and the organic light-emitting layer 132 disposed in the transmissive region TA through the first undercut structure UC1. That is, the organic light-emitting layer 131 disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA and the organic light-emitting layer 132 disposed in the transmissive region TA can be separated from each other through the first undercut structure UC1.

[0109] The second electrode 140 can be disposed on the organic light-emitting layer 130 and the embankment 125. When the second electrode 140 is deposited on the entire surface, the second electrode 140 can be separated and discontinuous between the non-transmissive region NTA and the transmissive region TA by the first undercut structure UC1. Specifically, the second electrode 140 can be divided into a second electrode disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA and a second electrode disposed in the transmissive region TA by the first undercut structure UC1.

[0110] In this configuration, the second electrode disposed in the non-transmissive region NTA can be a cathode electrode CE, and is a component constituting the light-emitting element. The cathode electrode CE can be connected to the cathode contact portion CCT to receive power from the common power line VSSL. The cathode electrode CE can be a common layer disposed in sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 to apply the same voltage.

[0111] Furthermore, the second electrode disposed in the transmission region TA is the touch sensor electrode TSE, and can be a component constituting the touch sensor TS. The touch sensor electrode TSE can be connected to the second touch contact electrode TCT2 to provide capacitance changes to the touch line TL.

[0112] The second electrode 140, which includes the cathode electrode CE and the touch sensor electrode TSE, may comprise a transparent conductive material (TCO) that is transmissive to light, such as ITO and IZO, or a semi-transmissive conductive material, such as magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), or an alloy of magnesium (Mg) and silver (Ag). When the second electrode 140 comprises a semi-transmissive conductive material, the luminous efficiency can be improved through the microcavity.

[0113] An encapsulation layer 150 may be provided on the light-emitting element and the touch sensor TS. The encapsulation layer 150 may be disposed on the cathode electrode CE and the touch sensor electrode TSE to at least partially cover the cathode electrode CE and the touch sensor electrode TSE. The encapsulation layer 150 serves to prevent oxygen or water from penetrating into the organic light-emitting layer 130, the cathode electrode CE, and the touch sensor electrode TSE. For this purpose, the encapsulation layer 150 may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer.

[0114] A color filter CF can be provided on the encapsulation layer 150. The color filter CF can be disposed on a surface of the second substrate 112 facing the first substrate 111. In this case, the first substrate 111 with the encapsulation layer 150 and the second substrate 112 with the color filter CF can be bonded to each other by an adhesive layer 160. Here, the adhesive layer 160 can be an optically clear resin (OCR) layer or an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film.

[0115] A color filter CF can be provided, patterned for each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. A black matrix BM can be positioned between the color filters CF. The black matrix BM can be positioned between sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 to prevent color mixing between adjacent sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. In addition, the black matrix BM can prevent externally incident light from being reflected by multiple lines (such as scan lines SCANL, pixel power lines VDDL, common power lines VSSL, reference lines REFL, data lines DL, etc.) positioned between sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4.

[0116] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch sensor electrode TSE of the touch sensor TS and the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element can be formed in the same layer using a first undercut structure UC1. In the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch process is simplified, and a separate mask for the touch sensor electrode TSE is not required.

[0117] Furthermore, in a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first undercut structure UC1 can be formed using a planarization layer PLN and a plurality of inorganic insulating layers, thereby forming the first undercut structure UC1 without losing light transmittance.

[0118] Furthermore, in a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch line TL can be disposed below the light-emitting element, thereby preventing the light-emitting efficiency of pixel P from being degraded due to the touch line TL.

[0119] Furthermore, in a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch line TL can be configured not to overlap with the circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4, thereby minimizing or reducing the influence caused by circuit elements and improving the uniformity of parasitic capacitance.

[0120] Furthermore, in a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple touch lines TL can be disposed in a first non-transmissive region NTA1, and only one touch bridge line TBL for connecting multiple touch sensors TS can be disposed in a second non-transmissive region NTA2, thereby minimizing or reducing the reduction in the size of the transmissive region TA or the decrease in light transmittance caused by the multiple touch lines TL and the touch bridge line TBL.

[0121] As described above, in a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch sensor electrode TSE of the touch sensor TS and the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element can be separated from each other through a first undercut structure UC1. However, during the manufacturing process, particles P may, as Figure 8 This is shown in the first undercut structure UC1. In this case, the touch sensor electrode TSE of the touch sensor TS and the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element can be electrically connected to each other without being separated.

[0122] Because all touch sensors TS included in a single touch block TB are electrically connected to each other, even if a defect occurs in only one touch sensor TS, all touch sensor TS included in the corresponding touch block TB will malfunction. Therefore, as Figure 8As shown, when the touch sensor electrode TSE of the touch sensor TS and the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element are connected to each other to generate a defective touch sensor TS, the user's touch is not sensed in the entire touch block TB including the defective touch sensor TS.

[0123] A transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include elements capable of detecting a defective touch sensor TS when it occurs. In the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detected defective touch sensor TS and touch bridge line TBL can be electrically separated from each other through a repair process. Specifically, the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a touch transistor TTR for connecting the touch sensor TS to a reference line REFL and a touch connection portion TC for connecting the touch sensor TS to the touch bridge line TBL, and the defective touch sensor TS can be detected by using the touch transistor TTR and the touch connection portion TC. Furthermore, in the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a defective touch sensor TS is detected, the touch connection portion TC for connecting the defective touch sensor TS to the touch bridge line TBL can be laser-cut, so that the defective touch sensor TS and touch bridge line TBL can be electrically separated from each other. As a result, the other touch sensors TS of the corresponding touch block TB can operate normally.

[0124] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 9 to 15 Detailed description of the touch transistor TTR and the touch connection section TC.

[0125] Figure 9 This is a circuit diagram showing an example of a pixel circuit. Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 A magnified view of region C. Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of line II-II' (example). Figure 12 It shows Figure 3 A magnified view of region D. Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of line III-III' (example). Figure 14 This is a view showing the current path in a defective touch sensor, and Figure 15 This is a view showing the voltage difference between a normal touch sensor and a defective touch sensor.

[0126] like Figure 9As shown, a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include circuit elements including first and second switching transistors TR1 and TR2, a driving transistor DTR, a capacitor Cst, a light-emitting element OLED, and a touch transistor TTR. In this case, each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 may be provided with the first and second switching transistors TR1 and TR2, the driving transistor DTR, the capacitor Cst, and the light-emitting element OLED.

[0127] The first switching transistor TR1 charges the capacitor Cst with the data voltage Vdata supplied from the data line DL. Specifically, the gate of the first switching transistor TR1 can be connected to the scan line SCANL, and its first electrode can be connected to the data line DL. Furthermore, the second electrode of the first switching transistor TR1 can be connected to one end of the capacitor Cst and the gate GE of the driving transistor DTR. The first switching transistor TR1 can be turned on in response to the scan signal Scan applied through the scan line SCANL. When the first switching transistor TR1 is turned on, the data voltage Vdata applied through the data line DL can be transferred to one end of the capacitor Cst.

[0128] The gate of the second switching transistor TR2 can be connected to the scan line SCANL, and its first electrode can be connected to the reference line REFL. Furthermore, the second electrode of the second switching transistor TR2 can be connected to the source of the driving transistor DTR and the other end of the capacitor Cst.

[0129] The reference line REFL can be connected to the reference voltage source VREF and is therefore initialized to the reference voltage Vref. The second switching transistor TR2 can be turned on in response to the scan signal Scan applied through the scan line SCANL. When the second switching transistor TR2 is turned on, the reference voltage Vref applied through the reference line REFL can be transferred to the other end of the capacitor Cst. Furthermore, the reference voltage Vref can be applied to the source of the driving transistor DTR.

[0130] The driving transistor DTR generates a data current from the first power supply EVDD provided by the pixel power line VDDL and supplies the data current to the first electrodes 120 of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. Specifically, the gate of the driving transistor DTR can be connected to one end of the capacitor Cst, and its drain can be connected to the pixel power line VDDL. Furthermore, the source of the driving transistor DTR can be connected to the anode of the light-emitting element OLED.

[0131] The driving transistor DTR can be turned on according to the data voltage charged in the capacitor Cst. When the driving transistor DTR is turned on, the first power supply EVDD applied through the pixel power line VDDL can be transferred to the anode of the light-emitting element OLED.

[0132] The anode of an OLED can be connected to the source of a driving transistor (DTR), and its cathode can be connected to a common power line (VSSL). The OLED emits light in response to the driving current generated by the DTR.

[0133] The gate of the touch transistor TTR can be connected to the gate on-voltage line VGHL, and its first electrode can be connected to the reference line REFL. Furthermore, the second electrode of the touch transistor TTR can be connected to the touch sensor electrode TSE of the touch sensor TS. The touch transistor TTR can be turned on in response to a gate on-voltage applied through the gate on-voltage line VGHL. When the touch transistor TTR is turned on, the touch sensor electrode TSE and the reference line REFL can be connected to each other.

[0134] The first and second switching transistors TR1 and TR2, the driving transistor DTR, the capacitor Cst, and the light-emitting element OLED can be disposed in each of the circuit regions CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4 of the first non-transmissive region NTA1. Figure 3 and Figure 10 As shown, a touch transistor TTR can be provided to at least partially overlap with a touch sensor TS.

[0135] More specifically, each of the multiple touch sensors TS can be connected to the reference line REFL via a touch transistor TTR. The touch transistor TTR may include an active layer ACT2, a gate GE2, a source SE2, and a drain DE2. Figure 10 In one embodiment, the active layer ACT2, gate GE2, source SE2, and drain DE2 of the touch transistor TTR are configured to at least partially overlap with the touch sensor electrode TSE, but are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the drain DE2 and active layer ACT2 of the touch transistor TTR may overlap with the touch sensor electrode TSE, and the gate GE2 and source SE2 of the touch transistor TTR may not overlap with the touch sensor electrode TSE.

[0136] The gate GE2 of the touch transistor TTR can be connected to the gate on-voltage line VGHL. Specifically, the gate GE2 of the touch transistor TTR can be connected to the gate on-voltage line VGHL via the connection electrode CTE. One end of the connection electrode CTE can be connected to the gate on-voltage line VGHL via the ninth contact hole CH9, while the other end can be connected to the gate GE2 via the tenth contact hole CH10.

[0137] The active layer ACT2 of the touch transistor TTR can be disposed below the gate GE2, at least partially overlapping the gate GE2. One end of the active layer ACT2 can be connected to the source SE2 through the seventh contact hole CH7, while the other end can be connected to the drain DE2 through the eighth contact hole CH8.

[0138] One end of the source SE2 of the touch transistor TTR can be connected to the reference line REFL through the sixth contact hole CH6, while the other end can be connected to the active layer ACT2 through the seventh contact hole CH7. One end of the drain DE2 of the touch transistor TTR can be connected to the active layer ACT2 through the eighth contact hole CH8, and the other end can be in contact with the first touch contact electrode TCT1. The drain DE2 of the touch transistor TTR and the first touch contact electrode TCT1 can be integrally formed.

[0139] The first touch contact electrode TCT1 can be disposed in the transmission region TA. The first touch contact electrode TCT1 can be disposed between the drain DE2 of the touch transistor TTR and the touch sensor electrode TSE, so as to electrically connect the drain DE2 to the touch sensor electrode TSE.

[0140] Furthermore, a portion of the upper surface of the first touch contact electrode TCT1 can be exposed through the second undercut structure UC2, and the touch sensor electrode TSE can be connected to the exposed upper surface. Specifically, the first touch contact electrode TCT1 can be formed in a layer disposed between the buffer layer BF and the passivation layer PAS. In one embodiment, the first touch contact electrode TCT1 can be disposed between the interlayer dielectric layer ILD and the passivation layer PAS. In this case, the passivation layer PAS can have a second opening region OA2 formed to expose at least a portion of the upper surface of the first touch contact electrode TCT1. The second undercut structure UC2 can be formed such that a first organic pattern OP1 disposed on the passivation layer PAS in the transmission region TA protrudes more than the passivation layer PAS in the second opening region OA2. The first organic pattern OP1 can be formed of the same material as the planarization layer PLN and can overlap with at least a portion of the second opening region OA2 of the passivation layer PAS. Therefore, the second undercut structure UC2 can expose at least a portion of the lower surface of the first organic pattern OP1 and at least a portion of the upper surface of the first touch contact electrode TCT1 without exposing the passivation layer PAS beneath the exposed lower surface of the first organic pattern OP1. The second undercut structure UC2 can be disposed in the region where the first undercut structure UC1 is formed. That is, the second undercut structure UC2 can be disposed in the region where the touch sensor TS is disposed.

[0141] The touch sensor electrode TSE can be deposited on the exposed upper surface of the first touch contact electrode TCT1 to form a first contact area CTA1, and can be electrically connected to the first touch contact electrode TCT1.

[0142] Each of the multiple touch sensors TS can be connected to the touch bridge line TBL via the touch connection section TC, such as Figure 3 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown. The touch connection portion TC may overlap at least partially with the touch sensor TS at one end and at least partially with the touch bridge line TBL at the other end to connect the touch sensor TS to the touch bridge line TBL. The touch connection portion TC may include a touch connection line TCL and a second touch contact electrode TCT2.

[0143] The touch connection cable TCL connects the touch bridge cable TBL to the touch sensor TS. Specifically, one end of the touch connection cable TCL can be connected to the touch bridge cable TBL, and the other end can be connected to the second touch contact electrode TCT2 through the eleventh contact hole CH11, and can be electrically connected to the touch sensor TS through the second touch contact electrode TCT2.

[0144] Touch connection lines (TCLs) can be formed in a layer provided between the first substrate 111 and the driving transistor DTR. In one embodiment, the touch connection lines (TCLs) can be formed of the same material as the light shielding layer LS in the same layer. The touch connection lines (TCLs) can extend through the first undercut structure UC1. The first undercut structure UC1 can be formed by a wet etching process. In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch connection lines (TCLs) can be formed in the same layer as the light shielding layer LS, thereby preventing the touch connection lines (TCLs) from being lost during the wet etching process used to form the first undercut structure UC1.

[0145] The second touch contact electrode TCT2 can be disposed in the transmission region TA. The second touch contact electrode TCT2 can be disposed between the touch connection line TCL and the touch sensor electrode TSE to electrically connect the touch connection line TCL and the touch sensor electrode TSE. The second touch contact electrode TCT2 can be connected to the touch connection line TCL through the eleventh contact hole CH11.

[0146] Furthermore, at least a portion of the upper surface of the second touch contact electrode TCT2 can be exposed through the third undercut structure UC3, and the touch sensor electrode TSE can be connected to the exposed upper surface. Specifically, the second touch contact electrode TCT2 can be formed in a layer disposed between the buffer layer BF and the passivation layer PAS. In one embodiment, the second touch contact electrode TCT2 can be disposed between the interlayer dielectric layer ILD and the passivation layer PAS. In this case, the passivation layer PAS can be provided with a third opening region OA3 formed to expose at least a portion of the upper surface of the second touch contact electrode TCT2. The third undercut structure UC3 can be formed such that a second organic pattern OP2 disposed on the passivation layer PAS in the transmission region TA protrudes more than the passivation layer PAS in the third opening region OA3. The second organic pattern OP2 can be formed of the same material as the planarization layer PLN and can overlap with at least a portion of the third opening region OA3 of the passivation layer PAS. Therefore, the third undercut structure UC3 can expose at least a portion of the lower surface of the second organic pattern OP2 and at least a portion of the upper surface of the second touch contact electrode TCT2 without exposing the passivation layer PAS beneath the exposed lower surface of the second organic pattern OP2. The third undercut structure UC3 can be disposed in the region where the first undercut structure UC1 is formed. That is, the third undercut structure UC3 can be disposed in the region where the touch sensor TS is disposed.

[0147] The touch sensor electrode TSE can be deposited on the exposed upper surface of the second touch contact electrode TCT2 to form a second contact area CTA2, and can be electrically connected to the second touch contact electrode TCT2. The second touch contact electrode TCT2 can transmit the capacitance change of the touch sensor electrode TSE to the touch line TL through the touch connection line TCL and the touch bridge line TBL.

[0148] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transparent display panel 110 can easily detect defective touch sensors on a pixel-by-pixel basis using a touch transistor TTR. Specifically, as described above, particles P may appear in the first undercut structure UC1, and the touch sensor electrode TSE of the touch sensor TS and the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element can be electrically connected to each other without being separated. In a defective touch sensor TS, when different voltages are applied to the common power line VSSL and the reference line REFL, current flows from the touch sensor electrode TSE to the cathode electrode CE.

[0149] For example, a first voltage V1, such as 20V, can be applied to the reference line REFL, and a second voltage, such as 0V, can be applied to the common power line VSSL. A gate turn-on voltage can be applied to the gate turn-on voltage line VGHL, thereby turning on multiple touch transistors TTR. A scan signal can be applied to the scan line SCANL to turn on multiple second switching transistors TR2.

[0150] In this case, multiple pixels P1, P2, P3 and P4 corresponding to touch sensors TS1, TS2, TS3 and TS4 generate current from the reference line REFL to the common power line VSSL, thereby enabling multiple pixels P1, P2, P3 and P4 to emit light of a predetermined or selected color.

[0151] At this time, the current flowing from the reference line REFL to the common power line VSSL can include a first current flowing from the reference line REFL to the light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W via the second switching transistor TR2, and a second current flowing from the reference line REFL to the touch sensor electrode TSE via the touch transistor TTR. The first current can flow through a first current path CP1, which flows from the reference line REFL to the light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W via the second switching transistor TR2 and then to the common power line VSSL via the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W. The second current can flow through a second current path, which flows from the reference line REFL to the touch sensor electrode TSE via the touch transistor TTR and then to the common power line VSSL via the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W. The light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W of the plurality of pixels P1, P2, P3, and P4 can emit light of a predetermined or selected color via the first current.

[0152] Pixels P1, P3, and P4 corresponding to normal touch sensors TS1, TS3, and TS4 may differ in the first current amount from pixel P2 corresponding to the defective touch sensor TS2. The touch sensor electrodes TSE of normal touch sensors TS1, TS3, and TS4 may be electrically isolated from the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element. Therefore, current will not flow to the touch sensor electrodes TSE of normal touch sensors TS1, TS3, and TS4. That is, a first current having the same or similar amount as the current flowing from the reference line REFL to the common power line VSSL may flow to pixels P1, P3, and P4 corresponding to normal touch sensors TS1, TS3, and TS4.

[0153] On the other hand, the touch sensor electrodes of the defective touch sensor TS2 can be electrically connected to the cathode electrode CE of the light-emitting element. Therefore, as... Figure 14As shown, the second current in the current flowing from the reference line REFL to the common power line VSSL can flow along the second current path CP2. A first current, having the amount obtained by subtracting the second current from the current flowing from the reference line REFL to the common power line VSSL, can flow to pixel P2 corresponding to the defective touch sensor TS2. As a result, the amount of the first current flowing to pixel P2 corresponding to the defective touch sensor TS2 is less than the amount of the first current flowing to pixels P1, P3, and P4 corresponding to the normal touch sensors TS1, TS3, and TS4, as shown... Figure 15 As shown.

[0154] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the current flowing to the light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W of a plurality of pixels P1, P2, P3, and P4 can be measured to detect a defective touch sensor TS. In the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pixel P in which the current flowing to the light-emitting elements R, G, B, and W is less than a reference value can be identified as a short-circuit point SCP, and a touch sensor TS located at the short-circuit point SCP can be detected as a defective touch sensor.

[0155] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a defective touch sensor TS is detected, the touch connection portion TC used to connect the defective touch sensor TS to the touch bridge line TBL can be laser-cut, so that the defective touch sensor TS and the touch bridge line TBL can be electrically separated from each other. As a result, the other touch sensors TS of the corresponding touch block TB can operate normally.

[0156] In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch connection line TCL can be laser-cut due to the touch connection portion TC. In a transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch connection line TCL disposed in the same layer as the light shielding layer LS can be laser-cut, thereby allowing repair processing to be performed without damaging the light-emitting elements disposed on the upper part.

[0157] As described above, in the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, defective touch sensors TS can be accurately detected in a touch block TB on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Therefore, the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce the touch defect rate and improve the touch recognition rate.

[0158] Furthermore, in the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is not necessary to detect touch blocks including defective touch sensors TS among multiple touch blocks TB. That is, in the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is not necessary to inspect on a touch block-by-touch basis, and a touch transistor TTR for connecting a reference line REFL to a touch sensor TS can be used to detect defective touch sensors TS from multiple touch sensors TS at once. Therefore, the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can shorten the inspection time.

[0159] Furthermore, in the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, defective touch sensors can be detected using only the touch transistor TTR connected to the existing reference line REFL. In the transparent display panel 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since a separate signal line for sensing the voltage of the touch sensor TS is not required, transmittance can be further improved compared to a structure that uses a separate sensing line to sense the voltage of the touch sensor TS.

[0160] The following advantages can be obtained according to this disclosure.

[0161] In this disclosure, an undercut structure is used to simultaneously form the touch sensor electrode of the touch sensor and the cathode electrode of the light-emitting element, thereby simplifying the touch process and eliminating the need for a separate mask for the touch sensor electrode.

[0162] Furthermore, in this disclosure, defective touch sensors can be easily detected on a pixel-by-pixel basis by using a touch transistor for connecting a reference line to a touch sensor.

[0163] Furthermore, in this disclosure, inspection on a per-touch-block basis is unnecessary, and defective touch sensors can be detected in a single step using touch transistors. Therefore, this disclosure reduces the time required to detect defective touch sensors.

[0164] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the touch transistor is connected to an existing reference line, thus eliminating the need for a separate signal line for sensing the voltage of the touch sensor. This disclosure also allows for significantly improved transmittance compared to a structure using a separate sensing line to sense the voltage of the touch sensor.

[0165] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above, and that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made in this disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and all variations or modifications derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concepts of the claims are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A transparent display device with a touch sensor, the transparent display device comprising: A substrate having a transmissive region and a non-transmissive region; A touch sensor is disposed above the substrate in the transmission region, and the touch sensor includes touch sensor electrodes; A pixel is disposed above the substrate in the non-transmissive region. The pixel includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, each of which includes an anode electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode electrode. Reference lines are set in the non-transmissive region; A plurality of switching transistors, each of which connects the reference line to a corresponding light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements; as well as A touch transistor that connects the reference line to the touch sensor and is disposed in the transmissive region. The touch transistor includes a source connected to the reference line and a drain connected to the touch sensor electrode.

2. The transparent display device according to claim 1, further comprising scan lines disposed in the non-transmissive region to which a scan signal is applied. in, Each of the plurality of switching transistors has a gate connected to the scan line, and when the scan signal is applied through the scan line, each of the plurality of switching transistors is turned on to connect the reference line to the light-emitting element.

3. The transparent display device according to claim 1, further comprising a gate conduction voltage line disposed in the non-transmissive region, wherein a gate conduction voltage is applied to the gate conduction voltage line. in, The touch transistor has a gate connected to the gate conduction voltage line, and when the gate conduction voltage is applied through the gate conduction voltage line, the touch transistor is turned on to connect the reference line to the touch sensor.

4. The transparent display device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch transistor also includes: The gate connected to the gate conduction voltage line; and An active layer that at least partially overlaps with the gate. The source electrode has one end connected to the reference line and the other end connected to the active layer, and The drain electrode has one end connected to the active layer and the other end electrically connected to the touch sensor electrode.

5. The transparent display device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch transistor overlaps with at least a portion of the touch sensor.

6. The transparent display device according to claim 1, wherein, It is equipped with multiple touch sensors and multiple pixels, and The plurality of touch sensors are configured to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of pixels.

7. The transparent display device according to claim 1, wherein, The cathode electrode of the light-emitting element and the touch sensor electrode of the touch sensor are disposed in the same layer.

8. The transparent display device according to claim 7, further comprising a first undercut structure disposed in the transmissive region, the first undercut structure having a planar closed shape. in, The cathode electrode and the touch sensor electrode are separated from each other by the first undercut structure.

9. The transparent display device according to claim 7, wherein, It is equipped with multiple touch sensors and multiple pixels, and The multiple touch sensors are configured to correspond one-to-one with multiple pixels.

10. The transparent display device according to claim 9, further comprising a common power supply line connected to the cathode electrode. in, When different voltages are applied to each of the reference line and the common power line, a defective touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors is detected based on the current flowing to the plurality of light-emitting elements, indicating a short circuit between the cathode electrode and the touch sensor electrode.

11. The transparent display device according to claim 10, wherein, When the short circuit exists between the cathode electrode and the touch sensor electrode, the current flowing from the reference line to the common power line includes a first current flowing from the reference line to the plurality of light-emitting elements through the switching transistor and a second current flowing from the reference line to the touch sensor electrode through the touch transistor.

12. The transparent display device according to claim 10, wherein, The multiple light-emitting elements included in the pixels corresponding to the defective touch sensor have a smaller current amount compared to the multiple light-emitting elements included in the pixels corresponding to a normal touch sensor.

13. The transparent display device according to claim 1, further comprising: Multiple touch lines are disposed in the non-transmissive area, and a touch sensing voltage is applied to the multiple touch lines; A touch bridge wire connected to one of the plurality of touch lines; as well as The touch connection portion that connects the touch bridge wire to the touch sensor.

14. The transparent display device according to claim 13, wherein, The touch connection portion is connected to the touch sensor via laser cutting, where a short circuit exists between the cathode electrode and the touch sensor electrode.

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