Integrated optical light sensitive active matrix liquid crystal display

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.

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.