Integrated optical light sensitive active matrix liquid crystal display

• US 20060125971A1
• Filed: 02/08/2006
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Planar Systems Incorporated (Leyard Optoelectronic Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Planar Systems Incorporated (Leyard Optoelectronic Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Abileah, Adiel, Boer, Willem den, Tuenge, Richard T., Larsson, Terrance S.
• Application Number:
  US11/351,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125971A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/42
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13312 Circuits comprising photodetectors for purposes other than feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133565 inside the LC elements, i.e. between the cell substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136213 Storage capacitors associated with the pixel electrode

Abstract

A liquid crystal device including a front electrode layer, rear electrode layer, a liquid crystal material located between the front electrode layer and the rear electrode layer. A polarizer is located between the liquid crystal material and the front electrode layer and changing an electrical potential between the rear electrode layer and the front electrode layer modifies portions of the liquid crystal material to change the polarization of the light incident thereon. A plurality of light sensitive elements are located together with the rear electrode layer and a processor determines the position of at least one of the plurality of light sensitive elements that has been inhibited from sensing ambient light.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal device comprising:

(a) a front electrode layer;

(b) a rear electrode layer;

(c) a liquid crystal material located between said front electrode layer and said rear electrode layer;

(d) changing an electrical potential between said rear electrode layer and said front electrode layer to selectively modify portions of said liquid crystal material to change the polarization of the light incident thereon;

(e) a plurality of light sensitive elements located together with said rear electrode layer; and

(f) a processor that determines the position of at least one of said plurality of light sensitive elements that has been inhibited from sensing ambient light, whereby said processor distinguishes between ambient surroundings and said at least one of said plurality of light sensitive elements said inhibited from sensing said ambient light.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein it is free from a cover plate exterior to a supporting element for said front electrode layer.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said light sensitive elements include a transistor.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein each of said light sensitive elements includes a first transistor that senses ambient light, and a second transistor that is inhibited from sensing ambient light with respect to said first transistor.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein at least one of said first transistor and said second transistor is a thin-film transistor.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said thin-film transistor includes amorphous silicon.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein a terminal of said first transistor is connected to a terminal of said second transistor with a first conductor.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said first conductor is capacitively coupled to a common line.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said common line has a voltage potential less than said first conductor.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is an active matrix liquid crystal device.

11. A liquid crystal device comprising:

(a) a front electrode layer;

(b) a rear electrode layer;

(c) a liquid crystal material located between said front electrode layer and said rear electrode layer;

(d) changing an electrical potential between said rear electrode layer and said front electrode layer to selectively modify portions of said liquid crystal material to change the polarization of the light incident thereon;

(e) a plurality of light sensitive elements located together with said rear electrode layer; and

(f) a processor that determines the position of at least one of said plurality of light sensitive elements that has been inhibited from sensing ambient light, whereby said processor senses at least three different levels as a result of one of said light sensitive elements said inhibited from sensing ambient light and provides at least three different output levels in response thereto.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein it is free from a cover plate exterior to a supporting element for said front electrode layer.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein each of said light sensitive elements include a transistor.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein each of said light sensitive elements includes a first transistor that senses ambient light, and a second transistor that is inhibited from sensing ambient light with respect to said first transistor.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein at least one of said first transistor and said second transistor is a thin-film transistor.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein a terminal of said first transistor is connected to a terminal of said second transistor with a first conductor.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said first conductor is capacitively coupled to a common line.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said common line has a voltage potential less than said first conductor.

19. A liquid crystal device comprising:

(a) a front electrode layer;

(b) a rear electrode layer;

(c) a liquid crystal material located between said front electrode layer and said rear electrode layer;

(d) changing an electrical potential between said rear electrode layer and said front electrode layer to selectively modify portions of said liquid crystal material to change the polarization of the light incident thereon;

(e) a plurality of light sensitive elements located together with said rear electrode layer wherein said light sensitive elements include a transistor that includes a first terminal interconnected to a first terminal of a capacitor and a second terminal interconnected to a second terminal of said transistor and a third terminal comprising a gate interconnected to a bias point in common with other gates of other said transistors; and

(f) a processor that determines the position of at least one of said plurality of light sensitive elements that has been inhibited from sensing ambient light.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein it is free from a cover plate exterior to a supporting element for said front electrode layer.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein each of said light sensitive elements includes a first transistor that senses ambient light, and a second transistor that is inhibited from sensing ambient light with respect to said first transistor.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein a terminal of said first transistor is connected to a terminal of said second transistor with a first conductor.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said first conductor is capacitively coupled to a common line.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said common line has a voltage potential less than said first conductor.