Abstract: A display device for detecting light includes a display surface, at least one light sensitive element arranged behind the display surface, and a liquid crystal element arranged between the display surface and the at least one light sensitive element. The liquid crystal element is operative to polarization shift light incident on the at least one light sensitive element based on an orientation of the plurality of molecules. The display device further includes at least one electrode operative to change an orientation of the plurality of molecules. The at least one electrode is patterned to define a geometry of at least one field of view of the at least one light sensitive element. A controller is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode, wherein the controller is configured to apply a voltage to the at least one electrode to effect selection of the at least one field of view.

Abstract: A light sensing system comprises a first light sensor (21?), a second light sensor (21) and a first light shielding material (24) disposed over the first light sensor (21?) but not over the second light sensor (21) so as to block ambient light from being incident on the first light sensor (21). A first electrically conductive material (23a) is disposed between the first light shielding layer (24) and the first light sensor and a second electrically conductive material (23b) is disposed over the second light sensor. The second electrically conductive material (23b) is at least partially light-transmissive. Providing the first electrically conductive material (23a) between the first light shielding layer (24) and the first light sensor eliminates any parasitic capacitance that would otherwise be set up by the light shielding layer (24) (which is typically a metallic layer).

Abstract: An image sensor, for example for incorporation within an active matrix display, comprises an array of sensor elements 10. Each sensor element (10) comprise an amplifying transistor (M1) whose gate is connected to an integrating node (11). The integrating node (11) is connected to one plate of an integrating capacitor (C1) and to one electrode of a photodiode (D1), whose other electrode is connected to a resetting line (RST). The sensor element (10) performs a repeating sensing cycle comprising a resetting phase, an integrating phase and a reading phase. During the resetting phase, the resetting line (RST) receives a voltage which forward-biases the photodiode (D1) so as to charge the integrating node (11) to a predetermined voltage. The resetting line (RST) is then returned to a voltage for reverse-biasing the photodiode (D1) so that the integrating and reading phases may be performed.

Abstract: A combined image sensor and display device comprises an array of device elements (18), each of which comprises a display pixel (M4, C2, CLC). The display pixels have data inputs connected to column data lines (SL, 6,6?). The array includes sensor elements (10), each comprising a transistor (M1), an integrating capacitor (C1) and a photodiode (D1) connected together to an integrating node (11). The transistor (M1) is connected between column data lines (6,6?). The capacitor (C1) is connected to a control input (RS) which receives a first voltage during a sensing phase for switching off the transistor (M1) and a second voltage during a reading phase for enabling the transistor (M1).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless interface is provided for supplying all signals and power exclusively wirelessly from a transmitting section to a receiving section. The transmitting section includes a transmitter arranged to modulate a carrier with signals, such as data, control and timing signals. The transmitter is connected to a transmit antenna which comprises a parallel resonant circuit in series with a series resonant circuit. The parallel and series resonant circuits include inductors which are inductively coupled to an inductor of a receive antenna in the receiving section.

Abstract: A method is provided of compensating for stray light in a light sensor having a detection photosensor (7) and a reference photosensor (20), the reference photosensor (7) being for use in compensating for stray light falling on the detection photosensor (20). The method comprises using the reference photosensor (20) at least in part to determine a bias voltage applied to the detection photosensor (7). Based on this method, a display device is provided comprising a backlight and a light sensor for determining an ambient light level with the effects of stray light from the backlight substantially removed, with means provided for controlling the intensity of the backlight in dependence upon the determined ambient light level.

Abstract: A method of operating a photosensor comprising: applying a bias voltage to a photosensor (12) comprising n (n>1) photo-sensitive elements (8) connected in series, and determining the photocurrent in the photosensor (12) at a time when the applied bias voltage across the photosensor maintains the photosensor at or close to the point at which it has the greatest signal-to-noise ratio. This may conveniently be done by determining the current in the photosensor at a time when the applied bias voltage across the photosensor is equal or approximately equal to n×Vbi, where Vbi is the bias voltage about which the current in a single one of the photo-sensitive elements (8), in the dark, changes sign. In an embodiment in which the photo-sensitive elements (8) are photodiodes, the bias voltage Vbi is the “built-in” voltage of the photodiodes. The photocurrent generated when n series-connected photodiodes are illuminated is approximately equal to the photocurrent generated when one photodiode is illuminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced runtime hosting are described. In one aspect the runtime hosting interface includes a host abstraction interface. The HAI allowing the runtime to configure host execution environment parameters and/or notify the host of a runtime event. In particular, the host abstraction interface (HAI) corresponds to execution environment abstractions supported by a host application. Responsive to an action or event, the runtime invokes an identified HAI or an associated object during execution of runtime managed code.

Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display (1) comprises a display substrate (2) on which are formed a pixel matrix (3) and source and gate line drivers (4, 5) formed with polysilicon thin film transistors. A DC-DC converter (9) is also formed on the substrate (2) and converts an incoming supply voltage to a higher voltage needed to operate the transistors and the pixels formed on the substrate (2). The converter (9) comprises a voltage-boosting circuit (11) which is powered, at least during a start-up phase of operation of the display (1) by a photovoltaic cell (10) illuminated by a backlight (8) of the display (1). The cell (10) supplies sufficient power to the converter (9) so that it can convert the incoming supply voltage to the higher supply voltage required by the circuitry on the substrate (2).

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced runtime hosting are described. In one aspect the runtime hosting interface includes a host abstraction interface. The HAI allowing the runtime to configure host execution environment parameters and/or notify the host of a runtime event. In particular, the host abstraction interface (HAI) corresponds to execution environment abstractions supported by a host application. Responsive to an action or event, the runtime invokes an identified HAI or an associated object during execution of runtime managed code.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which integrates sensor functionality with an active matrix display such as an AMLCD. A conventional active matrix 6 of LCD pixels 10 is provided with standard display source and gate drivers 4 and 5. The display source driver 4 supplies data signals for generating the required pixel response to column electrodes 12 which are also connected to an output arrangement 19 including sense amplifiers 20. During a display phase of operation, the AMLCD operates conventionally with the matrix 6 being refreshed a row at a time and frame by frame. Between frames, the sense amplifiers 20 are enabled and the matrix 6 is again scanned by the gate driver 5. The characteristics of each pixel represent an external stimulus which is sensed by the relevant sense amplifier 20 and supplied at an output 23 of the arrangement.

Abstract: A level shifting circuit comprises a first low power, low speed level shifter 30 and a second high power, high speed level shifter stage 31. Both the stages 30, 31 have signal inputs connected to a common input IN for receiving signals, at least one of whose levels is to be shifted. The output of the first stage 30 is connected to an enable input EN2 of the second stage 31 and switches the operation of the second stage 31 between an enabled state and a disabled state in which the second stage 31 consumes little or no power. The first stage 30 has an enable input EN1 which may be permanently enabled.

Abstract: A level shifting circuit comprises a first low power, low speed level shifter 30 and a second high power, high speed level shifter stage 31. Both the stages 30, 31 have signal inputs connected to a common input IN for receiving signals, at least one of whose levels is to be shifted. The output of the first stage 30 is connected to an enable input EN2 of the second stage 31 and switches the operation of the second stage 31 between an enabled state and a disabled state in which the second stage 31 consumes little or no power. The first stage 30 has an enable input EN1 which may be permanently enabled.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for making a realistic three-dimensional animal decoy. The method includes steps of photographing an array of views of an animal that is to be the subject of the decoy. The photographic views are arranged to make a flattened, aerial view of the animal. A screen is prepared that receives the view. The screen is positioned over a three-dimensional vacuum mold, and, with application of heat and pressure, is permanently formed into a three-dimensional animal shell decoy that has photographically realistic features.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for making a realistic three-dimensional animal decoy. The method includes steps of photographing an array of views of an animal that is to be the subject of the decoy. The photographic views are arranged to make a flattened, aerial view of the animal. A screen is prepared that receives the view. The screen is positioned over a three-dimensional vacuum mold, and, with application of heat and pressure, is permanently formed into a three-dimensional animal shell decoy that has photographically realistic features.