Information device

• US 6,747,290 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Koyama, Jun, Yamazaki, Shunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thinh T
• Application Number:
  US10/012,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20020079512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 257/59, 257/72, 250/214.R, 250/208.1, 345/810, 345/102, 348/272, 382/189
• US Class Current: 257/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14609 Pixel-elements with integrated switching, control, storage or amplification elements scanning details of imagers (circuitry of solid-state image sensors H04N25/00); circuitry of imagers H04N25/70
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14643 Photodiode arrays; MOS imagers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14678 Contact-type imagers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00392 Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/024 Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02445 in the same plane
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02472 using a single head, i.e. for pick up and reproduction H04N1/02436 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02805 with photodetectors arranged in a two-dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 39/32 Organic image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/40 OLEDs integrated with touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/60 OLEDs integrated with inorganic light-sensitive elements, e.g. with inorganic solar cells or inorganic photodiodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/65 OLEDs integrated with inorganic image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 65/00 Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element and at least one organic radiation-sensitive element, e.g. organic opto-couplers organic image sensors integrated with organic light-emitting devices H10K39/34; OLED displays integrated with photosensors H10K59/13

Abstract

Problems exist in areas such as image visibility, endurance of the device, precision, miniaturization, and electric power consumption in an information device having a conventional resistive film method or optical method pen input function. Both EL elements and photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in each pixel of a display device in an information device of the present invention having a pen input function. Information input is performed by the input of light to the photoelectric conversion elements in accordance with a pen that reflects light by a pen tip. An information device with a pen input function, capable of displaying a clear image without loss of brightness in the displayed image, having superior endurance, capable of being miniaturized, and having good precision can thus be obtained.

Claims

1. An information device comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels comprising an EL element and a photoelectric conversion element over a same substrate;

a means for making the EL element emit light;

an input pen for reflecting a light emitted by the EL element and for inputting the light to the photoelectric conversion element of a portion of pixels among the plurality of pixels; and

a means for detecting coordinates of the portion of the pixels.

2. An information device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a selection TFT, a buffer TFT, and a reset TFT;

the means of detecting the intensity of light emitted to the photoelectric conversion elements comprising;

a plurality of sensor output wirings;

a plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

a plurality of reset gate signal lines;

a plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a sensor source signal line driver circuit into which signals from the plurality of sensor output wirings are input; and

a sensor gate signal line driver circuit from which signals are output to the plurality of sensor gate signal lines and the plurality of reset gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor output wirings, and the remaining one of the source region and the drain region of the selection TFT is connected to a source region of the buffer TFT;

a drain region of the buffer TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a gate electrode of the buffer TFT is connected to a photodiode and a source region or a drain region of the reset TFT;

one of the source region and the drain region of the reset TFT, which is not connected to the buffer TFT, is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines; and

a gate electrode of the reset TFT is connected to one of the plurality of reset gate signal lines.

3. An information device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor source signal line driver circuit and the sensor gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

4. An information device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a switching TFT and an EL driver TFT;

the means of making the EL elements emit light comprising;

a plurality of EL display source signal lines;

a plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

a plurality of electric power source supply lines;

an EL display source signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display source signal lines; and

an EL display gate signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the switching of TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display source signal lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the switching TFT is connected to a gate electrode of the EL driver TFT; and

one of a source region and a drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to one of the plurality of electric power source supply lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to EL element.

5. An information device according to claim 4, wherein the EL display source signal line driver circuit and the EL display gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

6. An information device according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion element comprises a photodiode.

7. An information device according to claim 6, wherein the photodiode comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an organic material sandwiched between the anode and the cathode electrode.

8. An information device according to claim 6, wherein the photodiode comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an amorphous semiconductor sandwiched between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.

9. An information device according to claim 1, wherein the information device has a means for irradiating a light emitted from the EL element to a surface of an object, and inputting the light reflected by the surface of the object to the photoelectric conversion element.

10. An information device according to claim 9, wherein an information of the surface of the object is biological information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a palm print and a finger print.

51. An information device according to claim 1, wherein the information device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a portable telephone, and an electronic book.

11. An information device comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels comprising an EL element and a photoelectric conversion element over a same substrate;

a means for making the EL element emit light;

an input pen for reflecting a light emitted by the EL element and for inputting the light to the photoelectric conversion element of a portion of pixels among the plurality of pixels; and

a means for detecting an intensity of the light irradiated to the photoelectric conversion element.

12. An information device according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a selection TFT, a buffer TFT, and a reset TFT;

the means of detecting the intensity of light emitted to the photoelectric conversion elements comprising;

a plurality of sensor output wirings;

a plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

a plurality of reset gate signal lines;

a plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a sensor source signal line driver circuit into which signals from the plurality of sensor output wirings are input; and

a sensor gate signal line driver circuit from which signals are output to the plurality of sensor gate signal lines and the plurality of reset gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor output wirings, and the remaining one of the source region and the drain region of the selection TFT is connected to a source region of the buffer TFT;

a drain region of the buffer TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a gate electrode of the buffer TFT is connected to a photodiode and a source region or a drain region of the reset TFT;

one of the source region and the drain region of the reset TFT, which is not connected to the buffer TFT, is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines; and

a gate electrode of the reset TFT is connected to one of the plurality of reset gate signal lines.

13. An information device according to claim 12, wherein the sensor source signal line driver circuit and the sensor gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

14. An information device according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a switching TFT and an EL driver TFT;

the means of making the EL elements emit light comprising;

a plurality of EL display source signal lines;

a plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

a plurality of electric power source supply lines;

an EL display source signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display source signal lines; and

an EL display gate signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display source signal lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the switching TFT is connected to a gate electrode of the EL driver TFT; and

one of a source region and a drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to one of the plurality of electric power source supply lines and the other of the source region and the drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to the EL element.

15. An information device according to claim 14, wherein the EL display source signal line driver circuit and the EL display gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

16. An information device according to claim 11, wherein the photoelectric conversion element comprises a photodiode.

17. An information device according to claim 16, wherein the photodiode comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an organic material sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

18. An information device according to claim 16, wherein the photodiode comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an amorphous semiconductor sandwiched between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.

19. An information device according to claim 11, wherein the information device has a means for irradiating a light emitted from the EL element to a surface of an object, and inputting the light reflected by the surface of the object to the photoelectric conversion element.

20. An information device according to claim 19, wherein an information of the surface of the object is biological information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a palm print and a finger print.

52. An information device according to claim 11, wherein the information device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a portable telephone, and an electronic book.

21. An information device comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels comprising an EL element and a photoelectric conversion element over a same substrate;

a means for making the EL element emit light; and

a means for detecting an intensity of the light irradiated to the photoelectric conversion element.

22. An information device according to claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a selection TFT, a buffer TFT, and a reset TFT;

the means of detecting the intensity of light emitted to the photoelectric conversion elements comprising;

a plurality of sensor output wirings;

a plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

a plurality of reset gate signal lines;

a plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a sensor source signal line driver circuit into which signals from the plurality of sensor output wirings are input; and

a sensor gate signal line driver circuit from which signals are output to the plurality of sensor gate signal lines and the plurality of reset gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor output wirings, and the remaining one of the source region and the drain region of the selection TFT is connected to a source region of the buffer TFT;

a drain region of the buffer TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a gate electrode of the buffer TFT is connected to a photodiode and a source region or a drain region of the reset TFT;

one of the source region and the drain region of the reset TFT, which is not connected to the buffer TFT, is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines; and

a gate electrode of the reset TFT is connected to one of the plurality of reset gate signal lines.

23. An information device according to claim 22, wherein the sensor source signal line driver circuit and the sensor gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

24. An information device according to claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a switching TFT and an EL driver TFT;

the means of making the EL elements emit light comprising;

a plurality of EL display source signal lines;

a plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

a plurality of electric power source supply lines;

an EL display source signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display source signal lines; and

an EL display gate signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display source signal lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the switching TFT is connected to a gate electrode of the EL driver TFT; and

one of a source region and a drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to one of the plurality of electric power source supply lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to the EL element.

25. An information device according to claim 24, wherein the EL display source signal line driver circuit and the EL display gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

26. An information device according to claim 21, wherein the photoelectric conversion element comprises a photodiode.

27. An information device according to claim 26, wherein the photodiode comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an organic material sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

28. An information device according to claim 26, wherein the photodiode comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an amorphous semiconductor sandwiched between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.

29. An information device according to claim 21, wherein the information device has a means for irradiating a light emitted from the EL element to a surface of an object, and inputting the light reflected by the surface of the object to the photoelectric conversion element.

30. An information device according to claim 29, wherein an information of the surface of the object is biological information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a palm print and a finger print.

53. An information device according to claim 21, wherein the information device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a portable telephone, and an electronic book.

31. A portable information terminal comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels comprising an EL element and a photoelectric conversion element over a same substrate;

a means for making the EL element emit light;

an input pen for reflecting a light emitted by the EL element and for inputting the light to the photoelectric conversion element of a portion of pixels among the plurality of pixels; and

a means for detecting coordinates of the portion of the pixels.

32. A portable information terminal according to claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a selection TFT, a buffer TFT, and a reset TFT;

the means of detecting the intensity of light emitted to the photoelectric conversion elements comprising;

a plurality of sensor output wirings;

a plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

a plurality of reset gate signal lines;

a plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a sensor source signal line driver circuit into which signals from the plurality of sensor output wirings are input; and

a sensor gate signal line driver circuit from which signals are output to the plurality of sensor gate signal lines and the plurality of reset gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor output wirings, and the remaining one of the source region and the drain region of the selection TFT is connected to a source region of the buffer TFT;

a drain region of the buffer TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a gate electrode of the buffer TFT is connected to a photodiode and a source region or a drain region of the reset TFT;

one of the source region and the drain region of the reset TFT, which is not connected to the buffer TFT, is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines; and

a gate electrode of the reset TFT is connected to one of the plurality of reset gate signal lines.

33. A portable information terminal according to claim 32, wherein the sensor source signal line driver circuit and the sensor gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

34. A portable information terminal according to claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a switching TFT and an EL driver TFT;

the means of making the EL elements emit light comprising;

a plurality of EL display source signal lines;

a plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

a plurality of electric power source supply lines;

an EL display source signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display source signal lines; and

an EL display gate signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display source signal lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the switching TFT is connected to a gate electrode of the EL driver TFT; and

one of a source region and a drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to one of the plurality of electric power source supply lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to the EL element.

35. A portable information terminal according to claim 34, wherein the EL display source signal line driver circuit and the EL display gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

36. A portable information terminal according to claim 31, wherein the photoelectric conversion element comprises a photodiode.

37. A portable information terminal according to claim 36, wherein the photodiode comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an organic material sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

38. A portable information terminal according to claim 36 wherein the photodiode comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer, comprising an amorphous semiconductor sandwiched between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.

39. A portable information terminal according to claim 31, wherein the information device has a means for irradiating a light emitted from the EL element to a surface of an object, and inputting the light reflected by the surface of the object to the photoelectric conversion element.

40. A portable information terminal according to claim 39, wherein an information of the surface of the object is biological information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a palm print and a finger print.

54. A portable information terminal according to claim 31, wherein the portable information terminal is at least one selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a portable telephone, and an electronic book.

41. A portable information terminal comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels comprising an EL element and a photoelectric conversion element over a same substrate;

a means for making the EL element emit light;

an input pen for reflecting a light emitted by the EL element and for inputting the light to the photoelectric conversion element of a portion of pixels among the plurality of pixels; and

a means for detecting an intensity of the light irradiated to the photoelectric conversion element.

42. A portable information terminal according to claim 41, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a selection TFT, a buffer TFT, and a reset TFT;

the means of detecting the intensity of light emitted to the photoelectric conversion elements comprising;

a plurality of sensor output wirings;

a plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

a plurality of reset gate signal lines;

a plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a sensor source signal line driver circuit into which signals from the plurality of sensor output wirings are input; and

a sensor gate signal line driver circuit from which signals are output to the plurality of sensor gate signal lines and the plurality of reset gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the selection TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor output wirings, and the remaining one of the source region and the drain region of the selection TFT is connected to a source region of the buffer TFT;

a drain region of the buffer TFT is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines;

a gate electrode of the buffer TFT is connected to a photodiode and a source region or a drain region of the reset TFT;

one of the source region and the drain region of the reset TFT, which is not connected to the buffer TFT, is connected to one of the plurality of sensor electric power source lines; and

a gate electrode of the reset TFT is connected to one of the plurality of reset gate signal lines.

43. A portable information terminal according to claim 42, wherein the sensor source signal line driver circuit and the sensor gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

44. A portable information terminal according to claim 43, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a switching TFT and an EL driver TFT;

the means of making the EL elements emit light comprising;

a plurality of EL display source signal lines;

a plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

a plurality of electric power source supply lines;

an EL display source signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display source signal lines; and

an EL display gate signal line driver circuit for outputting signals to the plurality of EL display gate signal lines, wherein;

a gate electrode of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display gate signal lines;

one of a source region and a drain region of the switching TFT is connected to one of the plurality of EL display source signal lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the switching TFT is connected to a gate electrode of the EL driver TFT; and

one of a source region and a drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to one of the plurality of electric power source supply lines, and the other of the source region and the drain region of the EL driver TFT is connected to the EL element.

45. A portable information terminal according to claim 44, wherein the EL display source signal line driver circuit and the EL display gate signal line driver circuit are formed over the same substrate as the EL element and the photoelectric conversion element.

46. A portable information terminal according to claim 41, wherein the photoelectric conversion element comprises a photodiode.

47. A portable information terminal according to claim 46, wherein the photodiode comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an organic material sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

48. A portable information terminal according to claim 46, wherein the photodiode comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer comprising an amorphous semiconductor sandwiched between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.

49. A portable information terminal according to claim 41, wherein the information device has a means for irradiating a light emitted from the EL element to a surface of an object, and inputting the light reflected by the surface of the object to the photoelectric conversion element.

50. A portable information terminal according to claim 49, wherein an information of the surface of the object is biological information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a palm print and a finger print.

55. A portable information terminal according to claim 41, wherein the portable information terminal is at least one selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a portable telephone, and an electronic book.