Abstract: An LCD includes a liquid crystal panel having a TFT substrate, a CF substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates; a TFT ambient light photosensor having a semiconductor layer for detecting external light; a photodetector unit having a capacitor in which a predetermined reference voltage is charged and a voltage charged by leakage current of the TFT ambient light photosensor is lowered; and an ambient light photosensor reader unit for reading a voltage charged in the capacitor for a predetermined read period. The photodetector unit is disposed on a first surface of the TFT substrate that is in contact with the liquid crystal layer, and the surface of the photodetector unit except for the semiconductor layer and its periphery is covered by a light-shielding layer. Malfunction or reduced sensitivity of an ambient light photosensor due to light from backlights is prevented with a simple structure.

Abstract: An LCD includes a liquid crystal panel having a TFT substrate, a CF substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates; a TFT ambient light photosensor having a semiconductor layer for detecting external light; a photodetector unit having a capacitor in which a predetermined reference voltage is charged and a voltage charged by leakage current of the TFT ambient light photosensor is lowered; and an ambient light photosensor reader unit for reading a voltage charged in the capacitor for a predetermined read period. The photodetector unit is disposed on a first surface of the TFT substrate that is in contact with the liquid crystal layer, and the surface of the photodetector unit except for the semiconductor layer and its periphery is covered by a light-shielding layer. Malfunction or reduced sensitivity of an ambient light photosensor due to light from backlights is prevented with a simple structure.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel having a TFT substrate 2, a CF substrate 25, and a liquid crystal layer 14 interposed between the two substrates; a TFT ambient light photosensor having a semiconductor layer 19L for detecting external light; a photodetector unit LS1 having a capacitor Cw in which a predetermined reference voltage is charged and a voltage charged by leakage current of the TFT ambient light photosensor is lowered; and an ambient light photosensor reader unit Re1 for reading a voltage charged in the capacitor for a predetermined read period. The photodetector unit is disposed on a first surface of the TFT substrate 2 that is in contact with the liquid crystal layer, and the surface of the photodetector unit except for the semiconductor layer 19L and its periphery is covered by a light-shielding layer 21.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, an illumination unit for the liquid crystal display panel, a plurality of photodetectors, and a control unit Cnt to control the brightness of the illumination unit. The photodetectors are TFT ambient light photosensors LS1 to LS3, for example, which produce outputs that require time to reach a predetermined value, which the time is correlated with the intensity of ambient light. Detection circuits coupled to the photodetectors include circuits (Cmp1 to Cmp3) logically inverted when an output from the TFT ambient light photosensors LS1 to LS3 reaches a predetermined value. The control unit Cnt includes a discrimination implement Maj that determines that the intensity of ambient light has changed when outputs from the majority of the detection circuits are logically inverted.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 1 having a liquid crystal display panel and an illuminating means controlled according to the output of the light sensing component. The light sensing component is deployed at the periphery of the TFT substrate's display area DA and uses a thin film transistor as photosensor. A capacitor C is connected between source and drain electrodes SL, DL for such TFT photosensor. One of the capacitor's terminals is connected to a standard voltage source VS via a switch element SW, and the other to the common electrode 26. Voltage that is always lower than the voltage applied to the common electrode by an amount corresponding to a reverse bias voltage is applied to the gate electrode GL for the TFT photosensor. The capacitor's voltage a certain time after the switch element turns off is output.

Abstract: The invention provides a display unit that has a display area and first and second photodetectors 10a and 10b on a substrate and outputs as a light intensity signal S a light intensity detected by the first and second photodetectors 10a and 10b. The first photodetector 10a includes a first photodetection circuit LS1 outputting a first output signal Sa to an ambient light photosensor reader 20, and the second photodetector 10b includes a light-reducing unit and a second photodetection circuit LS2 outputting a second output signal Sb to an ambient light photosensor reader 20. The ambient light photosensor reader 20 includes a photodegradation factor calculator 21 calculating a photodegradation reparation factor K, a photodegradation rate calculator 22 deriving a photodegradation rate D based on the photodegradation reparation factor K, and a light signal output unit 24 outputting a light intensity signal S based on the photodegradation rate D.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a photodetector unit LS1 that is built into the liquid crystal display panel and has a TFT ambient light photosensor, an ambient light photosensor reader Re1 for reading a voltage due to photo-leakage from the TFT ambient light photosensor, and a control means 20 for controlling the photodetector unit and the ambient light photosensor reader, and a backlight 24, etc., according to an output from the ambient light photosensor reader. The photodetector unit has a switching element SW2 coupled between a source line coupled to the TFT ambient light photosensor's source electrode SL and a drain line coupled to the TFT ambient light photosensor's drain electrode DL.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the invention has: a display panel with an active matrix substrate 2 and a second substrate of transparent material deposed opposite that substrate; an illuminating unit that illuminates the display panel; and a photosensing unit that is provided on the active matrix substrate and has an ambient light photosensor that senses external light. The ambient light photosensor is constituted of a thin film transistor. At least the source electrode SL and drain electrode DL of the thin film transistor are covered by a shielding transparent electrode 6, with transparent insulator 3 and 5 interposed. The transparent electrode 6 is electrically connected to the drain electrode DL, and moreover is connected to a power source supplying constant voltage. Thanks to such structure, a display device is provided in which the ambient light photosensor is built into a panel substrate so as not to be affected by external noise and the peripheral circuits.

Abstract: A display device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a display panel, a drive circuit that drives the display panel, an illuminating unit that illuminates the display panel, a photosensing section Ls having an ambient light photosensor Ts that senses the brightness of ambient light and a capacitor Cw that is charged with a predetermined reference voltage via a first switch S1, an ambient light photosensor reading section Re1 that reads a value sensed by the photosensing section, and a controller that controls the illuminating unit according to an output of the ambient light photosensor reading section. The ambient light photosensor reading section is provided with a noise avoidance unit that avoids erroneous sensing in the photosensing section induced as a result of noise generated when the drive circuit operates.

Abstract: With the related art, the choice of locations for disposition of ambient light photosensors is narrow, and consequently it is difficult to respond flexibly to user specifications for differing structures of the case. With a display device of the invention however, ambient light photosensors can be disposed laterally and longitudinally, enabling the intensity of light in longitudinal or lateral directions to be sensed at the same levels. Also, bridge-connecting together the longitudinally-disposed ambient light photosensors enables ambient light photosensors to be disposed close to the outer periphery of the display area in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. Thereby, the problems with the related art can be resolved.

Abstract: The invention provides a display unit that has a display area and first and second photodetectors 10a and 10b on a substrate and outputs as a light intensity signal S a light intensity detected by the first and second photodetectors 10a and 10b. The first photodetector 10a includes a first photodetection circuit LS1 outputting a first output signal Sa to an ambient light photosensor reader 20, and the second photodetector 10b includes a light-reducing unit and a second photodetection circuit LS2 outputting a second output signal Sb to an ambient light photosensor reader 20. The ambient light photosensor reader 20 includes a photodegradation factor calculator 21 calculating a photodegradation reparation factor K, a photodegradation rate calculator 22 deriving a photodegradation rate D based on the photodegradation reparation factor K, and a light signal output unit 24 outputting a light intensity signal S based on the photodegradation rate D.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, an illumination unit for the liquid crystal display panel, a plurality of photodetectors, and a control unit Cnt to control the brightness of the illumination unit. The photodetectors are TFT ambient light photosensors LS1 to LS3, for example, which produce outputs that require time to reach a predetermined value, which the time is correlated with the intensity of ambient light. Detection circuits coupled to the photodetectors include circuits (Cmp1 to Cmp3) logically inverted when an output from the TFT ambient light photosensors LS1 to LS3 reaches a predetermined value. The control unit Cnt includes a discrimination implement Maj that determines that the intensity of ambient light has changed when outputs from the majority of the detection circuits are logically inverted.

Abstract: A display device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a display panel, a drive circuit that drives the display panel, an illuminating unit that illuminates the display panel, a photosensing section Ls having an ambient light photosensor Ts that senses the brightness of ambient light and a capacitor Cw that is charged with a predetermined reference voltage via a first switch S1, an ambient light photosensor reading section Re1 that reads a value sensed by the photosensing section, and a controller that controls the illuminating unit according to an output of the ambient light photosensor reading section. The ambient light photosensor reading section is provided with a noise avoidance unit that avoids erroneous sensing in the photosensing section induced as a result of noise generated when the drive circuit operates.

Abstract: With the related art, the choice of locations for disposition of ambient light photosensors is narrow, and consequently it is difficult to respond flexibly to user specifications for differing structures of the case. With a display device of the invention however, ambient light photosensors can be disposed laterally and longitudinally, enabling the intensity of light in longitudinal or lateral directions to be sensed at the same levels. Also, bridge-connecting together the longitudinally-disposed ambient light photosensors enables ambient light photosensors to be disposed close to the outer periphery of the display area in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. Thereby, the problems with the related art can be resolved.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a photodetector unit LS1 that is built into the liquid crystal display panel and has a TFT ambient light photosensor, an ambient light photosensor reader Re1 for reading a voltage due to photo-leakage from the TFT ambient light photosensor, and a control means 20 for controlling the photodetector unit and the ambient light photosensor reader, and a backlight 24, etc., according to an output from the ambient light photosensor reader. The photodetector unit has a switching element SW2 coupled between a source line coupled to the TFT ambient light photosensor's source electrode SL and a drain line coupled to the TFT ambient light photosensor's drain electrode DL.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the invention has: a display panel with an active matrix substrate 2 and a second substrate of transparent material deposed opposite that substrate; an illuminating unit that illuminates the display panel; and a photosensing unit that is provided on the active matrix substrate and has an ambient light photosensor that senses external light. The ambient light photosensor is constituted of a thin film transistor. At least the source electrode SL and drain electrode DL of the thin film transistor are covered by a shielding transparent electrode 6, with transparent insulator 3 and 5 interposed. The transparent electrode 6 is electrically connected to the drain electrode DL, and moreover is connected to a power source supplying constant voltage. Thanks to such structure, a display device is provided in which the ambient light photosensor is built into a panel substrate so as not to be affected by external noise and the peripheral circuits.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel having a TFT substrate 2, a CF substrate 25, and a liquid crystal layer 14 interposed between the two substrates; a TFT ambient light photosensor having a semiconductor layer 19L for detecting external light; a photodetector unit LS1 having a capacitor Cw in which a predetermined reference voltage is charged and a voltage charged by leakage current of the TFT ambient light photosensor is lowered; and an ambient light photosensor reader unit Re1 for reading a voltage charged in the capacitor for a predetermined read period. The photodetector unit is disposed on a first surface of the TFT substrate 2 that is in contact with the liquid crystal layer, and the surface of the photodetector unit except for the semiconductor layer 19L and its periphery is covered by a light-shielding layer 21.

Abstract: A display 10 according to one embodiment of the invention includes a display panel having an active matrix substrate and a color filter substrate, a lighting unit for the display panel, ambient light photosensors 321 to 326, a controller that controls luminous intensity of the lighting unit based on outputs from the ambient light photosensors 321 to 326, and a spectral sensitivity adjustor provided at a position on the color filter substrate corresponding to the ambient light photosensors 321 to 326 in order to make the spectral sensitivity of the ambient light photosensors 321 to 326 match human visual sensitivity. The spectral sensitivity adjustor may be a color filter or a polarizing filter. The display thus structured automatically and stably controls on/off of its backlights depending on the brightness of the surroundings with a sensitivity corresponding to human visual sensitivity.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 1 of the invention has a liquid crystal display panel in which a liquid crystal layer 14 is provided between a TFT substrate 2 and a CF substrate 25 that has a common electrode 26, a light sensing component LS1 with a TFT photosensor that senses external light, and an illuminating means controlled according to the output of the light sensing component. The light sensing component is deployed at the periphery of the TFT substrate's display area DA and uses a thin film transistor as photosensor. A capacitor C is connected between source and drain electrodes SL, DL for such TFT photosensor. One of the capacitor's terminals is connected to a standard voltage source VS via a switch element SW, and the other to the common electrode 26. Voltage that is always lower than the voltage applied to the common electrode by an amount corresponding to a reverse bias voltage is applied to the gate electrode GL for the TFT photosensor.