Abstract: A display device includes a spatial light modulator capable of writing therein an image and capable of reading therefrom the written image by converting the image, and an illumination device which transmissively illuminates the spatial light modulator through respective different paths for writing the image and for reading the image.

Abstract: An optical modulation unit is constituted by a light source periodically turned on, and an optical modulation means including an optical modulation element and periodically turned on. The optical modulation unit is driven by changing a voltage applied to the optical modulation element depending on given graduation data so as to modulate an overlapping time between an ON period of the optical modulation means and a lighting period of the light source. The gradation data may be analog gradation data and may be carried by light illuminating the optical modulation element synchronized with a voltage applied to the optical modulation element.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator is formed of a pair of transparent substrates, and a photoconductor layer, an optical modulation layer and a color filter layer disposed in lamination between the substrates. The photoconductor layer is designed to have a spectral sensitivity characteristic including an average sensitivity to blue light, an average sensitivity to green light and an average sensitivity to red light, of which a maximum and a minimum provide a ratio. S.sub.MAX /S.sub.MIN therebetween of at most 10, and a spectral transmittance characteristic including an average transmittance in a wavelength range of 420-480 nm, an average transmittance in a wavelength range of 520-560 nm and an average transmittance in a wavelength range of 600-660 nm, of which a maximum and a minimum provide a ratio T.sub.MAX /T.sub.MIN of at most 10.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an optical modulation device comprising a pair of electrodes, and a photoconductor layer and an optical modulation substance layer between the electrodes, a signal light source for supplying light data carrying gradation data to the photoconductor layer, and a readout light source for supplying readout light for reading out image data to the optical modulation substance layer. The display apparatus is driven by a method including: scanningly supplying the light data to the photoconductor layer, and scanningly supplying the readout light to the optical modulation substance layer. Preferably, the lighting time of the readout light source is controlled to modulate an overlapping time between a period of the optical modulation substance assuming a prescribed optical state and the lighting time depending on given gradation data.

Abstract: An electronic circuit apparatus comprises an array of M.times.N functional elements, M.times.N switching elements provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the M.times.N functional elements, a shift register having M output lines, and a selector having N select lines. M control lines are commonly connected in units of N elements of the M.times.N switching elements. The M control lines are connected to the M output lines of said shift register. N input and/or output lines are commonly connected in units of M elements of the M.times.N switching elements. The N input and/or output lines are connected to the N select lines of the selector. Transistors constituting the shift register are thin-film transistors. And, transistors constituting the selector are transistors each having an active region consisting of a single-crystal semiconductor.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: an opaque layer formed on a transparent insulative substrate; an insulative layer arranged on the opaque layer; photoelectric converting elements arranged on the insulative layer; and a transparent insulative protective layer formed on the photoelectric converting elements. The transparent insulative protective layer is formed as a multilayer structure and has a transparent conductive layer or an opaque conductive layer having a window which is sandwiched by the transparent insulative protective layer. With this apparatus, the transparent conductive layer does not directly come into contact with the surface of an original, so that the conductive layer is not abraded by the rubbing by the paper. An inconvenience due to the generation of the electrostatic charges is fairly eliminated. The reliability is increased.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: an opaque layer formed on a transparent insulative substrate; an insulative layer arranged on the opaque layer; photoelectric converting elements arranged on the insulative layer; and a transparent insulative protective layer formed on the photoelectric converting elements. The transparent insulative protective layer is formed as a multilayer structure and has a transparent conductive layer or an opaque conductive layer having a window which is samdwiched by the transparent insulative protective layer. With this apparatus, the transparent conductive layer does not directly come into contact with the surface of an original, so that the conductive layer is not abraded by the rubbing by the paper. An inconvenience due to the generation of the electrostatic charges is fairly eliminated. The reliability is increased.

Abstract: A photo-sensor comprises plural photoelectric converting elements arranged on a substrate. A transparent insulative protective element is disposed over the plural photoelectric converting elements, with an electrostatic shielding layer disposed over the substrate. The transparent insulative protective element comprises a multi-layer structure, and at least one layer of the multi-layer structure is disposed on the electrostatic shielding layer.