JP2009048145A - Liquid crystal device, image sensor, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a display device by using a simple manufacturing processes, having a touch panel function capable of exactly specifying the position of e.g. an indicating means. <P>SOLUTION: Wire grid 230 is formed in the same layer as electrodes 93 and 94 provided in a region other than the region where an intermediate layer 150 a' is formed in an image display region 10a on a TFT array substrate 10. Thus, in the liquid crystal device 1, the wire grid 230 can be formed in a process common to a process by which the electrodes 93 and 94 are formed, and the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device can be made simple, as compared with the case a polarizing layer is formed, by applying a dye on the substrate and a light quantity adjusting part can be formed, without requiring to go via complex processes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides, for example, a liquid crystal device having a touch panel function that allows various information to be input through the display surface when an instruction unit such as a finger indicates the display surface, and an electronic device including such a liquid crystal device. The present invention relates to the technical field of devices and image sensors.

  In this type of liquid crystal device, an optical sensor is arranged for each of a plurality of pixel units or for a group of an arbitrary number of pixel units as a group, image display using transmitted light that passes through the pixel units, and instructions such as a finger A liquid crystal device having a so-called touch panel function that enables input of information to the liquid crystal device through means has been proposed. In such a liquid crystal device, it is detected by an optical sensor that an instruction means such as a finger or an indicator member has touched the display surface of the liquid crystal device or moved on the display surface, and information is input to the liquid crystal device. It is possible. For example, according to Non-Patent Document 1, a liquid crystal device capable of displaying an image by the operation of a drive circuit composed of TFTs having low temperature polysilicon (LTPS), and an optical sensor disposed in each pixel A liquid crystal device having a touch panel function capable of inputting various types of information based on the image of the instruction means acquired by the above is disclosed.

  An optical sensor mounted on such a liquid crystal device includes, for example, a circuit structure in which a photodiode and a capacitor are electrically connected to each other. The electric charge accumulated in the capacitor is discharged in accordance with the photocurrent generated in the photodiode receiving the incident light, and the gradation level of the image is specified based on the potential changed by the discharge. More specifically, for example, an optical sensor arranged in an area that overlaps the instruction means in a display area where an image is displayed, in other words, an optical sensor arranged in an area that overlaps the shadow of the instruction means, The light sensor arranged in the area that does not overlap the indicator means detects the amount of incident light that is not blocked by the indicator, and detects the amount of light according to the difference in the amount of light. An image having a difference in gradation level of the image portion is acquired. Therefore, in this type of liquid crystal device, the amount of incident light incident from a display surface for displaying an image is detected, and an image whose gradation level is specified according to each of the amounts of incident light detected by the respective optical sensors. The position of the instruction means can be specified based on the image composed of parts.

  The detectable range of the amount of light that can be detected by an optical sensor mounted on this type of liquid crystal device, that is, the range of the amount of incident light that can generate a photocurrent according to the amount of incident light is determined by the design of the optical sensor. Has been. Therefore, when the photosensor receives incident light having a light quantity higher than the detectable range, the photocurrent generated according to the light quantity becomes saturated, and the change in voltage that occurs according to the photocurrent does not occur. The image portion of the instruction means cannot be distinguished from other image portions.

  In the display area of the liquid crystal device, when another part different from the instruction unit overlaps the instruction unit, the shadows of the instruction unit and the other part cannot be identified from each other.

  When the image is composed of only one of a white image portion (a bright image with a high gradation level) and a black image portion (a dark image with a low gradation level) based on the amount of incident light received by the optical sensor The amount of incident light is adjusted so that the amount of light detected by the optical sensor falls within the detectable range by uniformly adjusting the amount of incident light incident on the plurality of photosensors formed in the display area. A method of adjusting the gradation level of the image so that the image portion of the instruction means can be distinguished from other image portions is also conceivable.

  Further, in this type of liquid crystal device, usually two polarizing plates are arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal device. According to Patent Literature 1, a liquid crystal device in which a polarizing layer is formed by applying an aqueous solution in which a water-soluble dichroic dye is dissolved along one direction on a substrate is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses a wire grid as an example of a polarizing layer.

Touch Panel Function Integrated LCD Using LTPS Technology, N. Nakamura et al, IDW / AD'05 p.1003-1006 JP 2003-330013 A JP 2007-17501 A

  However, in this type of liquid crystal device, the white image portion and the black image portion depend on the surrounding environment of the indicating means, more specifically, the light intensity of outside light, or the presence of other parts (that is, noise) overlapping the indicating means. When the image including the image means is acquired, it is difficult to specify which of the white image portion and the black image portion includes the image portion of the instruction means. A technical problem that makes it difficult to identify the position of the pointing means by discriminating from the image portion occurs.

  In particular, when the image data of the image including the image portion of the instruction means has a gradation level to the extent that the image portion of the instruction means can be identified, the instruction means is obtained by performing various arithmetic processes on the image data. It is also possible to distinguish the image portion from other portions, but when a light amount outside the light amount detectable range by the optical sensor is detected, the image portion of the instruction means can be identified by calculation processing. Even image data including tone data cannot be acquired.

  Here, similarly to an imaging device such as a camera having a mechanical aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism in the middle of the optical system, it may be possible to provide an aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism in each optical sensor unit, but along the optical path of incident light. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a space for providing a diaphragm mechanism or the like on the light receiving side of the optical sensor unit. In particular, in this type of liquid crystal device, since the optical sensor unit needs to be provided in the display area of the liquid crystal device, the display performance of the liquid crystal device, more specifically, when displaying an image in the display area is substantially reduced. It is difficult to secure a space for providing a diaphragm mechanism or the like without narrowing the opening region through which the contributing display light is transmitted.

  Further, even if an aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism can be provided corresponding to each optical sensor unit, the process of manufacturing the optical system constituting the aperture mechanism and the shutter mechanism is simpler than that of the liquid crystal device. It is also preferable from the viewpoint of manufacturing process and cost.

  It is to be noted that, even in an image sensor that detects an image of a detection target, similarly to a liquid crystal device having a touch panel function, it is difficult to distinguish and detect the image portion of the detection target from other image portions. There is. In addition, similar to the liquid crystal device, there is a demand for a technique for increasing the detection sensitivity of the detection object without complicating the manufacturing process of the image sensor.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems and the like, and can be formed without complicating the manufacturing process, for example, by accurately specifying the position of a pointing means such as a finger, etc. Liquid crystal device having a touch panel function capable of accurately inputting various information via the instruction means, an electronic apparatus including such a liquid crystal device, and an image to be detected without complicating the manufacturing process It is an object of the present invention to provide an image sensor capable of accurately identifying and detecting a portion from other image portions.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid crystal device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed so as to face the first substrate, and a display region on the first substrate. And a plurality of light receiving elements each having a light receiving layer, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal portion overlapping the light receiving layer in the display region. The amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving layers from the display surface that is formed and is a surface that does not face the liquid crystal layer among both surfaces of the second substrate and that is instructed by the instruction means. A plurality of light amount adjustment units that can be adjusted, and the light amount adjustment unit includes a liquid crystal element including the liquid crystal part, and a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other across the liquid crystal part, Between the light receiving layer and the liquid crystal layer And a first polarizing layer overlapping the light receiving layer, and a second polarizing layer formed on the second substrate side when viewed from the liquid crystal layer, wherein the first polarizing layer is on the first substrate, It is a wire grid formed between the liquid crystal portion and the light receiving element.

  According to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the first substrate is, for example, a TFT array substrate on which a semiconductor element such as a TFT including a semiconductor layer such as a low-temperature polysilicon layer is formed, and the second substrate includes a liquid crystal layer. The counter substrate is disposed so as to face the TFT array substrate. The plurality of light receiving elements are, for example, PIN diodes having a P-type region and an N-type region on both sides of the light receiving layer, and are formed in a display region constituted by a plurality of pixel portions formed on the first substrate. Yes.

  The plurality of light amount adjusting portions are formed in the display region so as to have portions overlapping the light receiving layer in the liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer on both surfaces of the second substrate. The amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving layers from the display surface indicated by the indication means can be adjusted independently of each other.

  More specifically, the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion overlapping the light receiving layer is controlled by a voltage corresponding to the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the amount of the modulated incident light is adjusted. Here, the “light quantity” means the sum of the light energy of the incident light defined by the light intensity of the incident light and the irradiation time during which the incident light is irradiated. For example, the exposure amount in an imaging device such as a camera Means a physical quantity equivalent to. In addition, since the wire grid formed between the liquid crystal portion and the light receiving element as the first polarizing layer and the second polarizing layer are arranged before and after the liquid crystal element along the optical path of the incident light, Similar to the case where the light intensity of the display light is controlled by controlling the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion in the adjusting portion, the amount of incident light incident on the photosensor portion can be adjusted.

  In addition, each of the plurality of light amount adjustment units can adjust the amount of incident light to each light receiving element independently of each other, so that each light receiving element detects the amount of light incident from the display surface. Even if it is out of the detectable range, the incident light incident on each light receiving element may be different for each optical sensor unit including the light receiving element or for each group in which an arbitrary number of optical sensor units are grouped. The amount of light can be adjusted so that the amount of light falls within the detectable range.

  In particular, in each of a plurality of areas in the display area, when the instruction unit cannot be distinguished from its surroundings due to environmental changes such as external light irradiated on the instruction unit, more specifically, for example Because the amount of light is too strong, the amount of incident light incident on each of the area where the shadow of the instruction means is projected on the display surface and the area around the area is outside the detectable range of the amount of light by the optical sensor. In this case, each light amount adjustment unit adjusts the light amount so that the amount of incident light incident on each of the region where the shadow of the instruction unit is projected and the region around the region is shifted to a detectable range. That is, each of the plurality of light amount adjustment units functions as a diaphragm mechanism that can independently adjust the amount of incident light incident on each light receiving element.

  Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, even if the amount of incident light incident on the light receiving element is out of the detectable range of the optical sensor unit including the light receiving element, for example, the light amount is included in the detectable range. The amount of incident light can be adjusted. Therefore, the indication means that could not be identified when incident light is incident on the light receiving element can be identified without adjusting the amount of light by the light quantity adjustment unit, and the position of the indication means in the display area on the display surface can be specified. In addition, since each of the plurality of light amount adjusting units can adjust the light amount independently of each other, even if the light intensity of the external light is different in each region in the display region, the optical sensor unit including the light receiving element It is possible to selectively adjust the light amount in a region where the light amount is out of the detectable range by the above, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of specifying the position of the instruction means.

  In addition, in the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, the light amount adjusting unit controls the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion that overlaps the light receiving layer in the liquid crystal layer that modulates display light for displaying an image, thereby reducing the amount of incident light. Adjust. Therefore, the liquid crystal device according to the present invention is different from an imaging device such as a camera provided with a mechanical diaphragm mechanism in the middle of the optical system, and is incident using a part of the liquid crystal layer originally used for displaying an image. The amount of light can be adjusted, and the amount of incident light can be adjusted without securing a space for providing a diaphragm mechanism in the liquid crystal device.

  In one aspect of the liquid crystal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the wire grid is formed on the first substrate in a region other than the one region where the light receiving layer is formed in the display region. It may be formed in the same layer as the provided conductive film.

  According to this aspect, the wire grid can be formed by a process common to the conductive film provided in another region. Therefore, compared with the case where the first polarizing layer is formed by applying the dye to the substrate, the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device can be simplified, and the light amount adjusting unit can be performed without going through complicated steps. Can be formed.

  The other area is not limited to the display area as long as it is an area other than one area in the display area on the first substrate, and is an area extending around the display area on the first substrate. There may be. The conductive film is formed in another region as a component of the liquid crystal device, such as a circuit portion or a wiring portion to be incorporated in the liquid crystal device by design.

  In other words, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, the first polarizing layer is the same as the conductive film provided on the first substrate in the display region other than the one region where the light receiving layer is formed. Since the wire grid is formed in layers, the light amount adjusting unit can be built in the liquid crystal device without complicating the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device.

  In one aspect of the liquid crystal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the conductive film may be a data line wiring film formed in the other region.

  According to this aspect, for example, the wire grid can be formed by a process common to the process of forming the data line wiring film connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode of the adjustment control TFT. In such a wire grid, for example, a conductive film formed on a predetermined layer on the first substrate is arranged in parallel with the data line wiring film so that the grids are arranged at intervals similar to the wavelength of incident light. Alternatively, it can be formed by patterning before and after.

  In another aspect of the liquid crystal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the conductive film may be a scanning line wiring film formed in the other region.

  According to this aspect, the wire grid can be formed by a process common to the process of forming the scanning line wiring film. The transistor element formed in the other region may be, for example, a pixel switching TFT or a control TFT that controls the operation of the light amount adjusting unit. Moreover, the TFT which comprises a photosensor part with a light receiving element may be sufficient.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a liquid crystal device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed so as to face the first substrate, and a display area on the first substrate. And a plurality of light receiving elements each having a light receiving layer, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal portion overlapping the light receiving layer in the display region. The amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving layers from the display surface that is formed and is a surface that does not face the liquid crystal layer among both surfaces of the second substrate and that is instructed by the instruction means. A plurality of light amount adjustment units that can be adjusted, wherein the light amount adjustment unit is viewed from the liquid crystal portion, the second electrode provided on the second substrate side when viewed from the liquid crystal portion, and the liquid crystal portion. In addition, the second electrode on the first substrate side Also it serves as the first electrode of direction, having and a liquid crystal element having a wire grid overlapping the light receiving layer, and a polarizing layer when viewed from the serial liquid crystal layer formed on the second substrate side.

  According to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, similarly to the above-described liquid crystal device, even when the amount of incident light incident on the light receiving element is out of the detectable range of the optical sensor unit including the light receiving element, for example, The amount of incident light can be adjusted so that the amount of light is included in the possible range. Therefore, the indication means that could not be identified when incident light is incident on the light receiving element can be identified without adjusting the amount of light by the light quantity adjustment unit, and the position of the indication means in the display area on the display surface can be specified. In addition, since each of the plurality of light amount adjusting units can adjust the light amount independently of each other, even if the light intensity of the external light is different in each region in the display region, the optical sensor unit including the light receiving element It is possible to selectively adjust the light amount in a region where the light amount is out of the detectable range by the above, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of specifying the position of the instruction means.

  In addition, in the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, the light amount adjusting unit controls the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion that overlaps the light receiving layer in the liquid crystal layer that modulates display light for displaying an image, thereby reducing the amount of incident light. Adjust. Therefore, the liquid crystal device according to the present invention is different from an imaging device such as a camera provided with a mechanical diaphragm mechanism in the middle of the optical system, and is incident using a part of the liquid crystal layer originally used for displaying an image. The amount of light can be adjusted, and the amount of incident light can be adjusted without securing a space for providing a diaphragm mechanism in the liquid crystal device.

  In the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, the wire grid is also used as the first electrode facing the second electrode on the first substrate side as viewed from the liquid crystal portion. Thus, the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device can be simplified as compared with the case where another polarizing layer facing the polarizing layer formed on the second substrate side is formed by a coating method or the like.

  In one aspect of the liquid crystal device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the wire grid may be formed in the same layer as a pixel electrode included in each of a plurality of pixel portions provided in the display region.

  According to this aspect, for example, the wire grid can be formed by a process common to the process of forming the pixel electrode using ITO or the like and a transparent conductive material.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image sensor according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of light receiving elements each having a light receiving layer formed in an image detection region on the substrate, and the substrate on the substrate. A plurality of light amount adjustment units that are formed in an image detection region and that can independently adjust the amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving elements, the light amount adjustment unit on the substrate And a wire grid formed in the same layer as the conductive film provided in the other region excluding the one region where the light receiving layer is formed in the image detection region.

  According to the image sensor of the present invention, as in the liquid crystal device described above, it is possible to acquire an image that can distinguish the image portion of the detection object from other image portions, and it is possible to improve detection performance for detecting the detection object. It is. In addition, the manufacturing process of the image sensor is not complicated.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention includes the above-described liquid crystal device of the present invention.

  According to the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, since the above-described liquid crystal device according to the present invention is included, the mobile phone, the electronic notebook, the word processor, and the monitor direct-view having a touch panel function and capable of high-quality display. Various electronic devices such as video tape recorders, workstations, videophones, and POS terminals can be realized. Also, for example, electronic paper or the like can be realized as the electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

  Such an operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid crystal device, an image sensor, and an electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
<1-1: Overall Configuration of Liquid Crystal Device>
First, an overall configuration of a liquid crystal device 1 according to an embodiment of the liquid crystal device according to the first invention of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the liquid crystal device 1 as seen from the counter substrate side together with the components formed on the TFT array substrate, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II ′ of FIG. The liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment is driven by a TFT active matrix driving method with a built-in driving circuit.

  1 and 2, in the liquid crystal device 1, a TFT array substrate 10 that is an example of the “first substrate” of the present invention and a counter substrate 20 that is an example of the “second substrate” of the present invention are arranged to face each other. ing. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, and the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are surrounded by an image display region 10a that is a display region provided with a plurality of pixel portions. They are bonded to each other by a sealing material 52 provided in a sealing region located in the area.

  The sealing material 52 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, or the like for bonding the two substrates, and is applied on the TFT array substrate 10 in the manufacturing process and then cured by ultraviolet irradiation, heating, or the like. It is. In the sealing material 52, a gap material such as glass fiber or glass beads for dispersing the distance (inter-substrate gap) between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 to a predetermined value is dispersed.

  A light-shielding frame light-shielding film 53 that defines the frame area of the image display area 10a is provided on the counter substrate 20 side in parallel with the inside of the seal area where the sealing material 52 is disposed. However, part or all of the frame light shielding film 53 may be provided as a built-in light shielding film on the TFT array substrate 10 side. There is a peripheral area located around the image display area 10a. In other words, particularly in the present embodiment, when viewed from the center of the TFT array substrate 10, the distance from the frame light shielding film 53 is defined as the peripheral region.

  The liquid crystal device 1 includes a data line driving circuit 101, a scanning line driving circuit 104, and a sensor scanning circuit 204. In the peripheral region, the data line driving circuit 101 and the external circuit connection terminal 102 are provided along one side of the TFT array substrate 10 in a region located outside the sealing region where the sealing material 52 is disposed. The scanning line driving circuit 104 is provided along one of the two sides adjacent to the one side so as to be covered by the frame light shielding film 53. The sensor scanning circuit 204 is provided so as to face the scanning line driving circuit 104 through the image display region 10a. The scanning line driving circuit 104 and the sensor scanning circuit 204 are electrically connected to each other by a plurality of wirings 105 formed so as to be covered by the frame light shielding film 53.

  In the peripheral region on the TFT array substrate 10, a control circuit unit 201 including a circuit unit for processing an output signal output from an optical sensor unit (to be described later) and controlling a diaphragm amount of the light amount by the light amount adjusting unit is formed. Yes. The control circuit unit 201 or the received light signal processing circuit unit 215 which is a part of the function to be described later is preferably formed integrally with the data line driving circuit 101 in order to simplify the connection with the image display region 10a.

  The external circuit connection terminal 102 is connected to a connection terminal provided on a flexible (FPC) substrate 200 which is an example of a connection means for electrically connecting the external circuit and the liquid crystal device 1. The backlight included in the liquid crystal device 1 is controlled by a backlight control circuit 202 configured by an IC circuit or the like mounted on the FPC 200.

  Vertical conductive members 106 functioning as vertical conductive terminals between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are disposed at the four corners of the counter substrate 20. On the other hand, the TFT array substrate 10 is provided with vertical conduction terminals in a region facing these corner portions. Thus, electrical conduction can be established between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  In FIG. 2, on the TFT array substrate 10, an alignment film is formed on the pixel electrode 9a after the pixel switching TFT, the scanning line, the data line and the like are formed. On the other hand, on the counter substrate 20, in addition to the counter electrode 21, a lattice-shaped or striped light-shielding film 23 and an alignment film are formed on the uppermost layer portion. The liquid crystal layer 50 is made of, for example, a liquid crystal in which one or several types of nematic liquid crystals are mixed, and takes a predetermined alignment state between the pair of alignment films.

  The liquid crystal device 1 includes a second polarizing plate 302, a third polarizing plate 303, and a backlight 206, which are examples of the “second polarizing layer” of the present invention. The second polarizing plate 302 is disposed on the counter substrate 20. The third polarizing plate 303 is disposed between the backlight 206 and the TFT array substrate 10 on the lower side of the TFT array substrate 10 in the drawing. During the operation, the liquid crystal device 1 displays an image on the display surface 302 s located on the side of the second polarizing plate 302 that does not face the counter substrate 20.

  In addition to the data line drive circuit 101, the scanning line drive circuit 104 and the like, the image signal on the image signal line is sampled on the TFT array substrate 10 shown in FIGS. Sampling circuit that supplies lines, precharge circuit that supplies pre-charge signals of a predetermined voltage level to multiple data lines in advance of image signals, inspection of quality, defects, etc. of the electro-optical device during production or shipment An inspection circuit or the like may be formed.

<1-2: Circuit Configuration of Liquid Crystal Device>
Next, the circuit configuration of the liquid crystal device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the liquid crystal device 1.

  In FIG. 3, the liquid crystal device 1 includes a data line driving circuit unit 101, a scanning line driving circuit unit 104, a sensor sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 205, a sensor scanning circuit 204, a received light signal processing circuit 215, an image processing circuit unit 216, and a display. Part 110 is provided. The control circuit unit 201 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a sensor sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 205, a light reception signal processing circuit unit 215, and an image processing circuit unit 216.

  The display unit 110 includes a plurality of pixel units 72 arranged in a matrix as will be described later. The data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 104 supply a scanning signal and an image signal to the display unit 110 at a predetermined timing, and drive each pixel unit.

  The sensor scanning circuit unit 204 supplies a signal for operating an optical sensor unit described later to each optical sensor unit when the liquid crystal device 1 is operating. The received light signal processing circuit unit 215 processes the received light signal output from the optical sensor unit provided in the image display area 10 a on the TFT array substrate 10.

  The image processing circuit unit 216 processes image data configured based on the processed signal supplied from the received light signal processing circuit unit 215. When the image processing circuit unit 216 can identify an instruction unit such as a finger indicating the display surface 302 s from the image specified based on the light reception signals of the plurality of optical sensor units included in the display unit 110, The position of the instruction means for indicating the display surface 302s in the image display area 10a is specified, and the specified position of the instruction means is output to the external circuit unit as touch position information. On the other hand, when the position of the instruction unit cannot be specified, the image processing circuit unit 216 supplies a correction signal for correcting the sensitivity of the optical sensor unit to the data line driving circuit 101. Based on this correction signal, a diaphragm amount by which a light amount adjusting unit described later reduces the amount of incident light is adjusted for each light amount adjusting unit.

<1-3: Configuration of Pixel Unit>
Next, the configuration of the pixel portion of the liquid crystal device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit of various elements, wirings, and the like in a plurality of pixels formed in a matrix that forms the image display region 10 a of the liquid crystal device 1. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing in detail the electrical configuration of the photodetection circuit unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the pixel portion. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII ′ of FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII ′ of FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX ′ of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the cross section shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the photodetection circuit unit is shown together with the circuit configuration of a portion that substantially contributes to image display among a plurality of pixel units arranged in a matrix on the TFT array substrate 10. In FIGS. 7 to 10, the scales of the layers and members are different from each other in order to make the layers and members recognizable on the drawings.

  The circuit configuration of the pixel unit 72 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, each of a plurality of pixel portions 72 formed in a matrix that forms the image display region 10a of the liquid crystal device 1 includes a sub-pixel portion 72R that displays red, a sub-pixel portion 72G that displays green, and blue Is included, and is electrically connected to each of the plurality of photodetection circuit units 250 formed in the image display region 10a. Therefore, the liquid crystal device 1 is a display device that can display a color image.

  Each of the sub-pixel portions 72R, 72G, and 72B includes a pixel electrode 9a, a TFT 30, and a liquid crystal element 50a.

  The TFT 30 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 9a, and performs switching control of the pixel electrode 9a when the liquid crystal device 1 operates. The data line 6a to which the image signal is supplied is electrically connected to the source of the TFT 30. The image signals S1, S2,..., Sn to be written to the data lines 6a may be supplied line-sequentially in this order, or may be supplied for each group to a plurality of adjacent data lines 6a. May be.

  The scanning line 3a is electrically connected to the gate of the TFT 30, and the liquid crystal device 1 sequentially applies the scanning signals G1, G2,..., Gm to the scanning line 3a in a pulse sequence in this order at a predetermined timing. It is comprised so that it may apply. The pixel electrode 9a is electrically connected to the drain of the TFT 30, and the image signal S1, S2,... Supplied from the data line 6a is closed by closing the switch of the TFT 30 serving as a switching element for a certain period. Sn is written at a predetermined timing. Image signals S1, S2,..., Sn written to the liquid crystal via the pixel electrode 9a are held for a certain period with the counter electrode formed on the counter substrate.

  The liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 50 modulates light and enables gradation display by changing the orientation and order of the molecular assembly depending on the applied voltage level. In the normally white mode, the transmittance for incident light decreases according to the voltage applied in units of each sub-pixel unit. In the normally black mode, the voltage applied in units of each sub-pixel unit. Accordingly, the transmittance for incident light is increased, and light having a contrast corresponding to an image signal is emitted from the liquid crystal device 1 as a whole. The storage capacitor 70 is added in parallel with the liquid crystal element 50a formed between the pixel electrode 9a and the counter electrode in order to prevent the image signal from leaking. The capacitor electrode line 300 is a fixed potential side electrode of the pair of electrodes of the storage capacitor 70.

  Next, a detailed circuit configuration of the photodetection circuit unit will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the light detection circuit unit 250 includes a light amount adjustment unit 82 and an optical sensor unit 150.

  The light amount adjustment unit 82 includes a liquid crystal element 50b, an adjustment control TFT 130, and a storage capacitor 170, which are examples of the “liquid crystal element” of the present invention. The light amount adjustment unit 82 is included in each of the plurality of light detection circuit units 250, and its operation is controlled independently of each other in the image display region 10 a under the control of the control circuit unit 201.

  The liquid crystal element 50b is electrically connected to each of the adjustment control TFT 130 and the storage capacitor 170, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion of the liquid crystal element 50b is controlled by the adjustment control TFT 130. As described in detail later, the optical sensor The amount of incident light incident on the unit 150 is adjusted. One of the pair of capacitor electrodes included in the storage capacitor 170 is electrically connected to the fixed potential line 300.

  The gate and source of the adjustment control TFT 130 are electrically connected to the scanning line 3a and the signal line 6a1, respectively. The adjustment control TFT 130 is configured to be able to be turned on and off by being supplied with a selection signal supplied via the scanning line 3a. The adjustment control TFT 130 supplies the adjustment signal supplied via the signal line 6a1 to the liquid crystal element 50b according to the on / off state. The liquid crystal element 50b adjusts the amount of incident light incident on the optical sensor unit 150 by controlling the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion according to the adjustment signal.

  The optical sensor unit 150 includes a light receiving element 151 such as a photodiode, a storage capacitor 152, a reset TFT 163, a signal amplification TFT 154, and an output control TFT 155.

  The light receiving element 151 receives the incident light L2 ′ (see FIGS. 7 to 9) whose light amount is adjusted by the light adjusting unit 82 among the incident light L2 incident from the display surface 302s of the liquid crystal device 1 in the image display region 10a. To do. The source, gate, and drain of the reset TFT 163 are electrically connected to the light receiving element 151, the reset signal line 350, and the signal amplification TFT 154, respectively. The source, gate, and drain of the signal amplification TFT 154 are electrically connected to the power supply line 351, the light receiving element 151, and the output control TFT 155, respectively. The source, gate, and drain of the output control TFT 155 are electrically connected to the signal amplification TFT 154, the selection signal line 353, and the readout signal line 6a2, respectively.

  When the light receiving element 151 receives incident light, a photocurrent is generated in the light receiving element 151, and the light receiving element 151 is electrically operated according to the operations of the reset TFT 163, the voltage amplification TFT 154, and the output control TFT 155. A signal corresponding to the voltage between the power supply line 352 and the node a connected to is read out to the readout signal line 6a2.

  Next, a specific configuration of the pixel portion will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 6, the pixel unit 72 includes three sub-pixel units 72R, 72G, and 72B arranged along the X direction, and a light detection circuit unit 250.

  Each of the sub-pixel portions 72R, 72G, and 72B has a opening 73R, 73G, and 73B. When the liquid crystal device 1 is in operation, the liquid crystal device 1 can display a color image by emitting red light, green light, and blue light from the openings 73R, 73G, and 73B, respectively. In addition, each of the sub-pixel portions 72R, 72G, and 72B has a TFT 30 that switches each sub-pixel portion.

  The light detection circuit unit 250 includes an adjustment control TFT 130, an opening 83, and a TFT circuit unit 80. The optical sensor unit including the light receiving element 151 detects incident light incident on the display surface 302s. The TFT circuit unit 80 includes a reset TFT 163, a voltage amplification TFT 154, and an output control TFT 155, controls the operation of the light receiving element 151 facing the opening 83, and generates light generated by the light receiving element 151. A voltage change corresponding to the current is supplied to the readout line 6a2.

  7 to 9, the liquid crystal device 1 includes a light shielding film 11 and 153, three kinds of color filters 154R, 154G and 154B embedded in the planarizing film 20a, and a liquid crystal element which is an example of the “liquid crystal element” of the present invention. 50b, a light receiving element 151, a backlight 206, and a wire grid 230, a second polarizing plate 302, and a third polarizing plate 303, which are examples of the “first polarizing layer” of the present invention.

  The backlight 206 includes a light guide plate 206a and a display light source 206b, and is disposed below the TFT array substrate 10 in the drawing.

  The display light source 206b generates display light L1 for displaying an image in the image display area 10a. The display light L1 is visible light, and is modulated by the liquid crystal layer 50 in accordance with driving of each sub-pixel unit.

  The light guide plate 206a is made of, for example, an acrylic resin that can transmit the display light L1, and guides the display light L1 to the image display region 10a. The liquid crystal device 1 uses the display light L1 to display an image, and uses the display light L1 and external light to detect an instruction means such as a finger that touches or indicates the display surface 302s.

  Each of the wire grid 230 and the second polarizing layer 302 constitutes a part of the light amount adjusting unit 82, and is disposed on each side of the liquid crystal element 50b along the vertical direction in the drawing. The direction in which the optical axis of the second polarizing layer 302 and the grid of the wire grid 230 extend is arranged in a crossed Nicols manner so as to intersect each other. The liquid crystal element 50b includes a liquid crystal portion that overlaps the light receiving element 151 in the liquid crystal layer 50, and a first electrode 159a and a second electrode 21a that sandwich the liquid crystal portion.

  The light amount adjusting unit 82 functions as a diaphragm mechanism that adjusts the amount of incident light L2 incident on the opening 83 from the display surface 302s. In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion of the liquid crystal element 50 b can be controlled, so that the amount of incident light L <b> 2 can be adjusted independently for each light amount adjustment unit 82. As in the case of controlling the light intensity of the display light by controlling the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer in each pixel, the amount of incident light L2 ′ incident on the light receiving element 151 of each photosensor unit 150 is independently determined. Can be adjusted.

  Therefore, according to the plurality of light amount adjusting units 82, each light sensor unit 150 can detect the amount of light of the incident light L2 incident from the display surface 302s in each of the plurality of regions constituting the image display region 10a. The amount of incident light incident on each optical sensor unit 150 for each optical sensor unit 150 or for each group of an arbitrary number of optical sensor units 150 as a group, even if it is outside the detectable range The amount of light can be adjusted so that is within the detectable range.

  In particular, in each of a plurality of areas constituting the image display area 10a, when the instruction unit cannot be distinguished from its surroundings due to an environmental change such as external light shielded by the instruction unit such as a finger, more specifically, For example, when the light amount of the external light is too strong, the light amount of the incident light L2 incident on each of the region where the shadow of the instruction unit is projected on the display surface 302s and the region around the region is caused by the light receiving element 151. When the light amount is out of the detectable range, the light amount of the incident light L2 incident on each of the area where the shadow of the instruction unit is projected and the surrounding area is shifted to the detectable range. Each light quantity adjusting unit 82 adjusts the light quantity. That is, each of the plurality of light amount adjusting units 82 functions as a diaphragm mechanism that can adjust the light amounts of the incident light L2 incident on the respective optical sensor units 150 independently of each other.

  Thus, according to the liquid crystal device 1, even when the light amount of the incident light L2 incident on the optical sensor unit 150 is out of the detectable range by the optical sensor unit, the incident light amount is included in the detectable range. The light amount of the light L2 is adjusted, and the light sensor unit 150 is irradiated with the incident light L2 ′ whose light amount is adjusted within the detectable range. Therefore, it is possible to identify the instruction means that could not be identified when the incident light L2 is incident on the optical sensor unit 150 without being adjusted by the light amount adjusting unit 82, and in the image display area 10a on the display surface 302s. The position of the instruction means can be specified.

  In addition, since each of the plurality of light amount adjustment units 82 can adjust the light amount independently of each other, even when the light intensity of the incident light L2 including external light is different in each region in the image display region 10a. The light amount can be selectively adjusted in a region where the light amount is out of the detectable range by the optical sensor unit 150, and the detection accuracy for detecting the instruction means can be increased.

  Therefore, the liquid crystal device 1 is different from an imaging device such as a camera in which a mechanical diaphragm mechanism is provided in the middle of the optical system, and the incident light L2 is utilized by utilizing a part of the liquid crystal layer originally used for displaying an image. Since the amount of light can be adjusted, the amount of incident light L2 can be adjusted without securing a space for providing a diaphragm mechanism in the liquid crystal device 1, and the detection accuracy for detecting the indicating means can be improved.

  The first electrode 159a is formed in the same layer as the plurality of pixel electrodes 9a provided in each of the plurality of pixel portions 72 constituting the image display region 10a on the TFT array substrate 10. Therefore, the first electrode 159a can be formed by a process common to the process of forming the pixel electrode 9a made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO, and the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device 1 can be simplified. The second electrode 21 a is a portion where the counter electrode 21 overlaps the light receiving element 151.

  The liquid crystal device 1 includes a third polarizing layer 303 extending so as to overlap the pixel electrode 9a on the TFT array substrate 10 side when viewed from the optical sensor unit 82. The third polarizing layer 303 has an optical axis extending along the direction in which the grid of the wire grid 230 extends. Therefore, according to the third polarizing layer 303, the display light L1 incident on each pixel can be linearly polarized.

  The second polarizing layer 302 and the third polarizing layer 303 are formed by sandwiching a stretched PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) film with a protective film made of TAC (triacetyl cellulose).

  7 to 9, the sub-pixel unit 73R displays the red light L1R through the color filter 154R that can transmit red light among the modulated light obtained by modulating the display light L1 by the liquid crystal layer 50. Each of the sub pixel portions 73G and 73B displays the green light L1G and the blue light L1B via the color filters 154G and 154B, respectively, similarly to the sub pixel portion 73R.

  The light receiving element 151 is formed on the TFT array substrate 10 so as to face the opening 83 when seen in a plan view. The light receiving element 151 is formed on the insulating film 41 formed on the TFT array substrate 10 and is covered with the insulating film 42.

  As the light receiving element 151, for example, a PIN diode using a crystalline silicon formed by a process common to the process of forming a semiconductor element such as a TFT included in the TFT circuit unit 80, or a semiconductor such as GaAs, or PbS is used. It is a light receiving element such as a photoelectric element. The light receiving element 151 detects the incident light L <b> 2 ′ in which the light amount of the incident light L <b> 2 is adjusted by the light amount adjusting unit 82.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the light shielding film 153 is a so-called black matrix that defines at least a part of the edge of the opening region. Therefore, the light shielding film 153 can reduce the irradiation of the visible light L2 from the display surface 302s side to the semiconductor element such as the pixel switching TFT 30 formed in the non-opening region and the TFT circuit unit 80. The light leakage current generated in the semiconductor element included in the TFT circuit unit 80 can be reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the optical sensor unit 82 is formed on the TFT array substrate 10 in a non-opening region that separates the opening regions of the pixel unit 72 from each other. Further, in the liquid crystal device 1, display lights L1R, L1G, and L1B are emitted from the openings 73R, 73G, and 73B, respectively. Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device 1, the display light L1R, L1G, and L1B is not blocked by the optical sensor unit 82.

  The liquid crystal device 1 includes a light shielding film 11 formed on the lower layer side of the light receiving element 151 on the TFT array substrate 10. The light shielding film 11 is made of a material having a light shielding property such as a metal film, and shields the light so that the visible light L1 emitted from the backlight 206 is not irradiated to the light receiving element 151. Therefore, according to the light shielding film 11, malfunction of the light receiving element 151 caused by the irradiation with the display light L1 can be reduced. Such a light-shielding film 11 can be formed using a process common to the same layer as a part of other elements formed on the TFT array substrate 10 or a light-shielding film such as a conductive film constituting a wiring. It is.

  In addition, the light shielding film 11 extends on the TFT array substrate 10 so as to overlap the TFT circuit unit 80 and the pixel switching TFT 30. Therefore, according to the light shielding film 11, the pixel switching TFT 30 and the TFT circuit unit 80 can be shielded from light, and malfunctions of the TFT 30 and the TTF circuit unit 80 can be reduced.

  Next, the detailed configuration of the photodetection circuit unit 250 will be described with reference to FIG.

  10, in the adjustment control TFT 130, the semiconductor layer 1a has contact holes 181 and 182, a source electrode 91, a drain electrode 92, and a gate electrode 3a1.

  The semiconductor layer 1a is a low-temperature polysilicon layer, for example, and includes a channel region 1a ′, a source region 1b ′, and a drain region 1c ′ that overlap the gate electrode 3a1. In the channel region 1a ′, a channel is formed by an electric field from the gate electrode 3a1 electrically connected to the scanning line 3a when the TFT 89 operates. A portion extending between the gate electrode 3 a 1 and the semiconductor layer 1 a in the insulating film 42 a constituting a part of the insulating film 42 forms a gate insulating film of the adjustment control TFT 130. Each of the source region 1b ′ and the drain region 1c ′ is formed in mirror symmetry on both sides of the channel region 1a ′.

  The gate electrode 3a1 is made of a conductive metal such as a polysilicon film, or a simple metal, an alloy, a metal silicide, a poly, including at least one of metals such as Ti, Cr, W, Ta, Mo, Pd, and Al. It is formed of silicide, a laminate of these, and the like, and is provided on the channel region 1a ′ via the insulating film 42a so as not to overlap the source region 1b ′ and the drain region 1c ′.

  The adjustment control TFT 130 may have an LDD (Lightly Doped Drain) structure in which a low-concentration source region and a low-concentration drain region are formed in the source region 1b ′ and the drain region 1c ′, respectively.

  Each of the contact holes 181 and 182 is formed so as to penetrate the insulating films 42a and 42b constituting the insulating film 42 to the semiconductor layer 1a, and is electrically connected to each of the source region 1b ′ and the drain region 1c ′. It is connected. Each of the source electrode 91 and the drain electrode 92 is formed on the insulating film 42b and is electrically connected to the contact holes 181 and 182, respectively. Each of the source electrode 91 and the drain electrode 92 is covered with an insulating film 42c, and the drain electrode 92 is electrically connected to the first electrode 159a through a contact hole.

  The light receiving element 151 includes a semiconductor layer 150a, contact holes 183 and 184, an electrode 93, and an electrode 94. The semiconductor layer 150a includes an N-type semiconductor layer 150b ′ and a P-type semiconductor layer 150c ′ formed on the insulating film 41, and an intermediate layer 150a ′ formed between these semiconductor layers and having a relatively higher electrical resistance than these semiconductor layers. have. The intermediate layer 150a ′ is an example of the “light-receiving layer” of the present invention, and the line including the electrode 91 and extending from the electrode 91 along the surface of the insulating film 42 in the drawing is an example of the “conductive film” of the present invention. This is a data line wiring film. The contact holes 183 and 184 are formed so as to penetrate the insulating films 42a and 42b to the semiconductor layer 150a, and are electrically connected to the N-type semiconductor layer 150b ′ and the P-type semiconductor layer 150c ′, respectively. Each of the electrode 93 and the electrode 94 is formed on the insulating film 42b and is electrically connected to the contact holes 183 and 184, respectively.

  When the semiconductor layer 150a ′ is irradiated with the external light and the reflected light L2 reflected by the indication means with the display light L1R, L1G, and L1B, the current is applied to the light receiving element 151 according to the light intensity of the irradiated light. Flows. The light reception signal processed by the light reception signal processing circuit unit 215 shown in FIG. 3 is a signal corresponding to a voltage change generated according to the photocurrent flowing through the light receiving element 151. The received light signal is sequentially processed by the received light signal processing circuit unit 215 and the image processing circuit unit 216, whereby the position of the instruction means for indicating the display surface 302s can be specified. Can be entered.

  The reset TFT 163 included in the TFT circuit unit 80 includes a semiconductor layer 160a including a channel region 160a ′, a source region 160b ′ and a drain region 160c ′, contact holes 161 and 162, a source electrode 164 and a drain electrode 165, and a gate electrode 163a. It is configured with. The reset TFT 163 is electrically connected to the light receiving element 151 via a wiring (not shown).

  Here, the wire grid 230 is formed on the TFT array substrate 10 in the same layer as the electrodes 93 and 94 provided in other areas of the image display area 10a excluding the area where the intermediate layer 150a ′ is formed. Yes.

  Therefore, in the liquid crystal device 1, the wire grid 230 can be formed by a process common to the process of forming the electrodes 93 and 94, and the liquid crystal is compared with the case where the polarizing layer is formed by applying the dye to the substrate. The manufacturing process of the apparatus can be simplified, and the light amount adjusting unit can be formed without going through complicated steps.

  The wire grid 230 is formed so that the gratings are arranged at intervals similar to the wavelength of the incident light L1. Such a wire grid 230 can be formed by patterning the conductive film on the insulating film 42 in parallel with or before or after the electrodes 93 and 94 formed on the insulating film 42.

  Further, the wire grid 230 may be formed in the same layer as the conductive film provided on the TFT array substrate 10 except for the area where the wire grid 230 is formed in the image display area 10a. It is not limited to the case where it is formed in the same layer as 94. Such a conductive film may be formed as a component of the liquid crystal device, such as a circuit portion or a wiring portion to be incorporated into the liquid crystal device 1 in design.

  Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, even if the amount of incident light incident on the light receiving element is out of the detectable range of the optical sensor unit including the light receiving element, for example, the amount of light is within the detectable range. The amount of incident light can be adjusted to be included. Therefore, the indication means that could not be identified when incident light is incident on the light receiving element can be identified without adjusting the amount of light by the light quantity adjustment unit, and the position of the indication means in the display area on the display surface can be specified. In addition, since each of the plurality of light amount adjusting units can adjust the light amount independently of each other, even if the light intensity of the external light is different in each region in the display region, the optical sensor unit including the light receiving element It is possible to selectively adjust the light amount in a region where the light amount is out of the detectable range by the above, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of specifying the position of the instruction means.

  In addition, in the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the light amount adjusting unit controls the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion that overlaps the light receiving layer in the liquid crystal layer that modulates the display light for displaying an image, thereby controlling the amount of incident light. Adjust. Therefore, the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment uses a part of the liquid crystal layer originally used for displaying an image, unlike an imaging device such as a camera in which a mechanical aperture mechanism is provided in the middle of the optical system. The amount of incident light can be adjusted, and the amount of incident light can be adjusted without securing a space for providing a diaphragm mechanism in the liquid crystal device.

  Further, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the wire grid 230 is formed in the same layer as the electrodes 93 and 94, so that the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device 1 is not complicated, and the “ The wire grid 230 functioning as “one polarizing layer” can be easily built into the liquid crystal device.

(Modification 1)
Next, a modification of the liquid crystal device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 in a modification of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment. Note that, in each modification described below, the same reference numerals are assigned to the portions common to the liquid crystal device 1 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 11, in the liquid crystal device according to this example, the wire grid 230a includes gate electrodes 3a1 and 163a on the TFT array substrate 10, or a scanning line wiring film extending along the surface of the insulating film 42a from these electrodes. It is formed in the same layer. Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device according to this example, the wire grid 230a can be formed by a process common to the gate electrodes 3a1 and 163a, and the process of forming the wire grid 230a separately from the process of forming the gate electrodes 3a1 and 163a. There is no need to add. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the manufacturing process.

Second Embodiment
Next, a liquid crystal device according to a second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the pixel portion of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the wire grid 230b. In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment and an image sensor to be described later, common reference numerals are used for portions common to the liquid crystal device 1 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Moreover, the AA 'cross section in FIG. 13 corresponds to the cross sectional view of FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the light amount adjusting unit 82a includes a liquid crystal portion overlapping the intermediate layer 150a ′ in the liquid crystal layer 50, the second electrode 21a provided on the counter substrate 20 side when viewed from the liquid crystal portion, and the liquid crystal portion viewed from the liquid crystal portion. The TFT array substrate 10 side is also used as a first electrode opposed to the second electrode 21a, and is a wire grid 230b overlapping the intermediate layer 150a ′, and a polarizing layer 302 formed on the opposite substrate 20 side when viewed from the liquid crystal layer 50. Have

  According to the light amount adjusting unit 82a, the amount of incident light L2 incident on the intermediate layer 150a ′ functioning as the light receiving layer can be adjusted, similarly to the light amount adjusting unit 82 included in the liquid crystal device 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, as with the liquid crystal device 1, it is possible to accurately detect an instruction means such as a finger that indicates the display surface 302s.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in particular, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the wire grid 230 b is electrically connected to the adjustment control TFT 130 via the contact hole 199. Therefore, the alignment state of the liquid crystal portion overlapping the intermediate layer 150a ′ can be controlled by the wire grid 230b that also serves as the first electrode electrically connected to the adjustment control TFT 130 and the second electrode 21a. Therefore, the amount of incident light L2 incident on the intermediate layer 150a ′ can be adjusted, and the intermediate layer 150a ′ can detect the incident light L2 ′ whose amount of light has been adjusted.

  In addition, the wire grid 230b is formed in the same layer as the pixel electrode 9a (not shown in FIG. 12) formed on the insulating film 43. Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to form the wire grid 230b made of a conductive film such as ITO in a step common to the step of forming the pixel electrode 9a, which complicates the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device. A liquid crystal device having a light amount adjustment function can be manufactured.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an embodiment of an image sensor according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the image sensor according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a circuit unit illustrating a circuit configuration of a plurality of photodetection circuit units that constitute the image detection region of the image sensor according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of the image sensor according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 14, an image sensor 500 includes a substrate 510 on which various circuit portions made of semiconductor elements are formed, and a plurality of light detection circuit portions 550 formed in an image detection region 510a on the substrate 510. Yes.

  In FIG. 15, the light detection circuit unit 550 includes a light amount adjustment unit 82 and an optical sensor unit 150 as in the liquid crystal device 1. In the image detection area 510 a, the light amount adjustment unit 82 provided in each of the plurality of light detection circuit units 550 can adjust the amount of incident light incident on each of the optical sensor units 150 independently of each other. Therefore, an image capable of distinguishing the image portion of the detection target object from other image portions can be acquired in the same manner as the liquid crystal device 1 can accurately specify the position of the instruction means. According to the image sensor 500, the detection target can be accurately specified, and the detection performance for detecting the detection target can be improved.

  In FIG. 16, the wire grid 230 c is formed on the TFT array substrate 10 so as to overlap the intermediate layer 150 a ′, and functions as a polarizing layer formed on the opposite side of the polarizing layer 302 when viewed from the liquid crystal layer 50. . In addition, the wire grid 230 c is formed in the same layer as the electrodes 93 and 94.

  Therefore, according to the image sensor of the present invention, it is possible to form the wire grid 230c together with the electrodes 93 and 94 formed in other regions except the region where the wire grid 230c is formed on the TFT array substrate 10. Therefore, the intermediate layer 150a ′ has an advantage that a polarizing layer formed on the TFT array substrate 10 side when viewed from the liquid crystal layer 50 does not need to be newly added by a simple process.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, an embodiment of an electronic apparatus including the above-described liquid crystal device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a mobile personal computer to which the above-described liquid crystal device is applied. In FIG. 17, a computer 1200 includes a main body 1204 having a keyboard 1202 and a liquid crystal display unit 1206 including the above-described liquid crystal device. The liquid crystal display unit 1206 is configured by adding a backlight to the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 1005, and has a touch panel function capable of inputting various information accurately.

  Next, an example in which the above-described liquid crystal device is applied to a mobile phone will be described. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mobile phone that is an example of the electronic apparatus of the present embodiment. In FIG. 18, a mobile phone 1300 includes a liquid crystal device 1005 that adopts a reflective display format and has the same configuration as the above-described liquid crystal device, along with a plurality of operation buttons 1302. According to the mobile phone 1300, high-quality image display is possible, and information can be accurately input via the display surface by an instruction unit such as a finger.

1 is a plan view of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment. It is II-II 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the main circuit structures of the liquid crystal device which concerns on this embodiment. 3 is an equivalent circuit in an image display region of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment. It is the circuit diagram which showed the electrical structure of the photon detection circuit part in detail. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a pixel unit included in the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. It is VII-VII 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is VIII-VIII 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is IX-IX 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed the cross section shown in FIG. 9 in detail. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 10 in the modification of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the wire grid which the liquid crystal device concerning a 2nd embodiment has. It is a top view to the image sensor which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is the circuit part which showed the circuit structure of the several photon detection circuit part which comprises the image detection area | region of the image sensor which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the image sensor which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the electronic device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed the other example of the electronic device which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal device, 10 ... TFT array substrate, 20 ... Counter substrate, 21a ... 2nd electrode, 50 ... Liquid crystal layer, 50a, 50b ... Liquid crystal element, 72 ... Pixel unit 82... Light quantity adjustment unit 150... Photosensor unit 151... Light receiving element 159 a... First electrode 230, 230 a, 230 b, 230 c.・ Image sensor

Claims (8)

A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed to face the first substrate;
A plurality of light receiving elements formed in the display region on the first substrate and each having a light receiving layer;
The liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate is formed in the display region so as to have a liquid crystal portion overlapping the light receiving layer, and the liquid crystal layer is formed on both surfaces of the second substrate. A plurality of light amount adjusting units capable of independently adjusting the amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving layers from the display surface indicated by the instruction means.
The light amount adjusting unit includes a liquid crystal element composed of the liquid crystal part, a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other across the liquid crystal part, and a first layer overlapping the light receiving layer between the light receiving layer and the liquid crystal layer. One polarizing layer, and a second polarizing layer formed on the second substrate side when viewed from the liquid crystal layer,
The liquid crystal device, wherein the first polarizing layer is a wire grid formed between the liquid crystal portion and the light receiving element on the first substrate. The wire grid is formed on the first substrate in the same layer as a conductive film provided in a region other than the region where the light receiving layer is formed in the display region. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1. The liquid crystal device according to claim 2, wherein the conductive film is a data line wiring film formed in the other region. The liquid crystal device according to claim 2, wherein the conductive film is a wiring film for a scanning line formed in the other region. A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed to face the first substrate;
A plurality of light receiving elements formed in the display region on the first substrate and each having a light receiving layer;
The liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate is formed in the display region so as to have a liquid crystal portion overlapping the light receiving layer, and the liquid crystal layer is formed on both surfaces of the second substrate. A plurality of light amount adjusting units capable of independently adjusting the amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving layers from the display surface indicated by the instruction means.
The light amount adjustment unit faces the second electrode on the liquid crystal portion, the second electrode provided on the second substrate side as viewed from the liquid crystal portion, and the first substrate side as viewed from the liquid crystal portion. A liquid crystal element that also serves as a first electrode and has a wire grid that overlaps the light receiving layer;
And a polarizing layer formed on the second substrate side when viewed from the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal device according to claim 5, wherein the wire grid is formed in the same layer as a pixel electrode included in each of a plurality of pixel portions provided in the display region. A substrate,
A plurality of light receiving elements each having a light receiving layer formed in an image detection region on the substrate;
A plurality of light amount adjustment units formed in the image detection region on the substrate and capable of independently adjusting the amount of incident light incident on each of the plurality of light receiving elements;
The light amount adjusting unit is a wire grid formed in the same layer as the conductive film provided in another region of the image detection region other than the one region where the light receiving layer is formed on the substrate. An image sensor characterized by An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images