Biasing liquid crystal displays having capacitors and transistors

Abstract

A display apparatus comprises a first substrate provided with a thin film transistor array as a driving switching element and a second substrate provided with another electrode, and produces a display by electro-optical change generated between these substrates. Visibility of the display is improved in such a way that rays of light incident on the display apparatus are converted into diffusion light. Photoconductive material, in particular amorphous silicon, can be used by covering a semiconductive portions of the thin film transistor array of the display apparatus with an intercepting member. In a display apparatus using a thin film transistor array as a driving switching element, a conductive surface electrically insulated from gate lines on a substrate on which the gate lines for the thin film transistor array are formed, such conductive surface acts as a counter electrode of capacitors for storing charge. Therefore the counter electrode of capacitors is separately formed from gate lines, and writing driving voltage can be set without taking effects of voltage change of gate lines into consideration. Shading layers comprising a plurality of color filters also cover each of the thin film transistors.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A method for driving a liquid crystal device comprising a first substrate having a plurality of thin film transistors disposed in a matrix form, a gate line provided at every line of the matrix to connect commonly gates of the thin film transistors, a source line provided at every row of the matrix to connect commonly sources of the thin film transistors, a plurality of first electrodes which .Iadd.respectively .Iaddend.connect with .[.every.]. .Iadd.a corresponding .Iaddend.drain of the thin film transistors and serve as a plurality of picture elements, and for every line of the matrix an electroconductive film insulated from the gates and serving as counterelectrodes of respective capacitors each formed of an insulating film disposed between the respective electroconductive film and the first electrode thereof, the gate lines and the electroconductive films being arranged in a pattern such that the gate lines alternate with the electroconductive films, a second substrate having a second electrode opposed to the electrodes serving as picture elements, and a liquid crystal disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, which method comprises: (a) applying a driving signal to the gate lines and source lines in accordance with a line-sequential system,   (b) applying a bias voltage lower than a threshold voltage of a terminal of the electroconductive film serving as a counterelectrode of the capacitor, and   (c) changing the bias voltage.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bias voltage is changed in accordance with a change in temperature. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bias voltage is changed in accordance with control of display brightness. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is electrically connected independently to every electrode serving as a picture element, and wherein the electroconductive film serving as a counter electrode of the capacitor is connected to a common terminal. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electroconductive film serving as the counterelectrode of the capacitor is formed directly on the first substrate. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the gate line is formed directly on the first substrate. .Iadd. 
     
     
       7.  A liquid crystal device comprising: a transistor substrate comprising a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having first, second and third terminals, first transparent electroconductive films respectively connected to the third terminal of each of the transistors, second transparent electroconductive films provided on the substrate and insulated from the first and second terminals, and a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the first and second transparent electroconductive films and an insulating film disposed between the first and second transparent electroconductive films;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing the first transparent electroconductive films;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   first means for commonly connecting first terminals of transistors on the columns;   second means for commonly connecting second terminals of transistors on the rows;   means for applying a signal voltage to the first means and the second means; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage, lower than the threshold voltage characteristic of the liquid crystal, to the second transparent electroconductive films of the capacitors. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       8.  A liquid crystal device according to claim 7, wherein each of the transistors comprises a thin film transistor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. A liquid crystal device according to claim 8, wherein each thin film transistor comprises an amorphous silicon semiconductor film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A liquid crystal device comprising: a transistor substrate comprising a group of transistors including first, second and third terminals, wherein the transistors are arranged along a plurality of columns and rows, first transparent electroconductive films respectively connected to the third terminals of the transistors, second transparent electroconductive films provided on the substrate and insulated from the first and second terminals, and a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, wherein the capacitors comprise the first and second transparent electroconductive films and an insulating film disposed between the first and second transparent electroconductive films;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing the first transparent electroconductive films;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   first means for commonly connecting a group of the first terminals of a plurality of the transistors on the columns;   second means for commonly connecting a group of the second terminals of a plurality of the transistors on the rows;   means for applying a signal voltage to each of the first and second means;   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage lower than the threshold voltage characteristic of the liquid crystal to the second transparent electroconductive films; and   
     
     
       means for changing the bias voltage. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11.  A liquid crystal device according to claim 10, wherein each of the transistors comprises a thin film transistor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A liquid crystal device according to claim 11, wherein each thin film transistor comprises an amorphous silicon semiconductor film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A liquid crystal device according to claim 10, wherein the means for changing the bias voltage comprises means for changing the bias voltage in accordance with a temperature change. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A liquid crystal device according to claim 10, wherein the means for changing the bias voltage comprises means for changing the bias voltage in accordance with control of liquid crystal display brightness. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A liquid crystal device according to claim 10, wherein the means for changing the bias voltage comprises means for changing the bias voltage in accordance with control of liquid crystal contrast characteristics. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of first transparent electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of second transparent electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the second electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the first and second electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing the first electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate; and   means for applying first and second signal voltages to the gate lines and the source lines, respectively, while applying a non-zero bias voltage, lower than the threshold voltage characteristic of the liquid crystal, to   
     
     
        the second electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each of the transistors comprises a thin film transistor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each thin film transistor comprises an amorphous 
     
     
        silicon semiconductor film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of first transparent electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of second transparent electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the second electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the first and second electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing the first electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate; and   means for applying first and second signal voltages to the gate lines and the source lines, respectively, while applying a non-zero bias voltage to   
     
     
        the second electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the n +  layer comprises an amorphous 
     
     
        silicon doped with one of phosphorus and arsenic. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of display-element electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of first counter electrodes provided on the substrate and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of display-element electrodes, the plurality of first counter electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the display-element electrodes and the first counter electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a second counter electrode opposing the display-element electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   applying means for applying first and second signal voltages to the gate lines and the source lines, respectively, while independently applying a non-zero bias voltage to the first counter electrodes; and   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent display-element electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent display-element electrodes. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.22.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first counter electrodes are insulated from the gate lines. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the applying means applies a non-zero bias voltage that is lower than the threshold voltage characteristic of the liquid crystal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of display-element electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of first counter electrodes provided on the substrate and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of display-element electrodes, the plurality of first counter electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the display-element electrodes and the first counter electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, a counter substrate comprising a second counter electrode opposing the display-element electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   applying means for applying first and second signal voltages to the gate lines and the source lines, respectively, while independently applying a non-zero bias voltage to the first counter electrodes;   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent display-element electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent display-element electrodes; and   means for coloring light provided over at least a portion of the   
     
     
        display-element electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the first counter electrodes are insulated from the gate lines. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the applying means applies a non-zero bias voltage that is lower than the threshold voltage 
     
     
        characteristics of the liquid crystal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  A liquid crystal device comprising: a thin film transistor substrate comprising at least one transistor, each transistor including a gate, a source, a drain, and a semiconductor layer, and each transistor having a capacitor for storing charge associated therewith, the capacitor comprising the drain of the respective transistor, which comprises a transparent electrode a transparent electroconductive film, and an insulating film disposed between the drain of the respective transistor and the transparent electroconductive film, each gate being insulated from every transparent electroconductive film;   a counter substrate opposing the thin film transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing each drain on the thin film transistor substrate;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the thin film transistor substrate and the counter substrate; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage, lower than the threshold voltage characteristic of the liquid crystal, to the transparent   
     
     
        electroconductive film of each capacitor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  A liquid crystal device according to claim 27, wherein said semiconductor layer 
     
     
        comprises amorphous silicon. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) at least one transistor having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal and (ii) one or more capacitors for storing charge so that one capacitor is associated with each transistor, each capacitor comprising a first transparent electrode connected to the drain terminal of the associated transistor, a second transparent electrode provided on the substrate and an insulating film disposed between the first and second electrodes, each gate terminal being insulated from every second electrode;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing each first electrode;   a liquid crystal disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to each second electrode.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the transistor comprises a thin film transistor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the thin film transistor comprises an amorphous silicon semiconductor film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the n +  layer comprises an amorphous silicon doped with one of 
     
     
        phosphorus and arsenic. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) at least one transistor having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal and (ii) one or more capacitors for storing charge so that one capacitor is associated with each transistor, each capacitor comprising a first electrode connected to the drain terminal of the associated transistor, a second electrode provided on the substrate and an insulating film disposed between the first and second electrodes, each gate terminal being insulated from every second electrode;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing each first electrode;   a liquid crystal disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to each second electrode; and   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent first electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent first electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising light coloring means for coloring light provided at positions corresponding to the first   
     
     
        electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of display-element electrodes each connected to respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the electroconductive-film electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of display-element electrodes, the plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the display-element electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing the display-element electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to said electroconductive-film electrodes; and   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent display-element electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent display-element electrodes. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.36.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the 
     
     
        intercepting means comprise a metallic film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of display-element electrodes each connected to respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the electroconductive-film electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of display-element electrodes, the plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes and an insulating film between the display-element electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing the display-element electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to said electroconductive-film electrodes;   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent display-element electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent display-element electrodes; and   light coloring means for coloring light provided at positions corresponding   
     
     
        to the display-element electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the light coloring means comprises a color filter. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the intercepting means comprises a metallic 
     
     
        film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40.  A liquid crystal device comprising: a transistor substrate comprising at least one transistor, each transistor including a gate, a source, a drain, and a semiconductor layer, and each transistor having a capacitor for storing charge associated therewith, the capacitor comprising the drain of the respective transistor, a transparent electroconductive-film electrode, and an insulating film disposed between the drain of the respective transistor and the transparent electroconductive-film electrode, each gate being insulated from every transparent electroconductive-film electrode;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing each drain on the transistor substrate;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to each of said transparent electroconductive-film electrodes; and   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent drains, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the   
     
     
        adjacent drains. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising light coloring means for coloring light 
     
     
        provided at positions corresponding to the drains. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprises: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of display-element electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the electroconductive-film electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of display-element electrodes, the plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the display-element electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing the display-element electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent display-element electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent display-element electrodes; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to the electroconductive-film   
     
     
        electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of display-element electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the electroconductive-film electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of display-element electrodes, the plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the display-element electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing the display-element electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent display-element electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent display-element electrodes;   means for coloring light provided over at least a portion of the display-element electrodes; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to the electroconductive-film   
     
     
        electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) at least one transistor having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal and (ii) one or more capacitors for storing charge so that one capacitor is associated with each transistor, each capacitor comprising a transparent drain electrode connected to the drain terminal of the associated transistor, a transparent electroconductive-film electrode provided on the substrate and an insulating film disposed between the drain electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes, each gate terminal being insulated from every electroconductive-film electrode;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing each drain electrode;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to the electroconductive-film   
     
     
        electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the transistor comprises a thin film transistor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the thin film transistor comprises an amorphous silicon semiconductor film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the n +  layer comprises an amorphous 
     
     
        silicon doped with one of phosphorus and arsenic. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) a plurality of transistors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the transistors having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal, (ii) a plurality of gate lines provided corresponding to the plurality of columns, each of the gate lines being commonly connected to the gate terminals of the transistors on the corresponding columns, (iii) a plurality of source lines provided corresponding to the plurality of rows, each of the source lines being commonly connected to the source terminals of the transistors on the corresponding rows, (iv) a plurality of transparent drain electrodes each connected to the respective drain terminals of the plurality of transistors, (v) a plurality of transparent electroconductive-film electrodes provided on the substrate, each of the electroconductive-film electrodes being insulated from the gate lines and (vi) a plurality of capacitors for storing charge, the capacitors comprising the plurality of drain electrodes, the plurality of electroconductive-film electrodes and an insulating film disposed between the drain electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a transparent counter electrode opposing the drain electrodes;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to the electroconductive-film   
     
     
        electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 48, wherein each of the transistors comprises a thin film transistor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 49, wherein each thin film transistor comprises an amorphous silicon semiconductor film. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the n +  layer comprises an amorphous 
     
     
        silicon doped with one of phosphorus and arsenic. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52.  A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a transistor substrate comprising (i) at least one transistor having gate, source and drain terminals and a semiconductor film with an n +  layer being in ohmic contact with the source terminal and the drain terminal and (ii) one or more capacitors for storing charge so that one capacitor is associated with each transistor, each capacitor comprising a drain electrode connected to the drain terminal of the associated transistor, an electroconductive-film electrode provided on the substrate and an insulating film disposed between the drain electrodes and the electroconductive-film electrodes, each gate terminal being insulated from every electroconductive-film electrode;   a counter substrate opposing the transistor substrate, the counter substrate comprising a counter electrode opposing each drain electrode;   a liquid crystal, having a threshold voltage characteristic, disposed between the transistor substrate and the counter substrate;   intercepting means for intercepting light being disposed between adjacent drain electrodes, the intercepting means extending into a peripheral portion of the adjacent drain electrodes; and   means for applying a non-zero bias voltage to the electroconductive-film   
     
     
        electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53.  A liquid crystal apparatus according to claim 52, further comprising light coloring means for coloring light provided at positions corresponding to the first electrodes. .Iaddend.