JP2005346238A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of satisfactorily realizing the original image display of an image display part while realizing proper individual authentication by reading unique information (fingerprint image etc.) of a user, and further miniaturizing and thinning the device structure. <P>SOLUTION: This image reader mainly comprises a transmission image display part 200 such as a liquid crystal display device; a transmission image reading part 100 arranged on the visual field side of the display part 200; and a back light BLT arranged on the back side of the image display part 200. The image reading part 100 and the image display part 200 are electrically connected to each other through a flexible printed board FPC. Further, a scanning driver 130 and a reading driver 140 having the form of a driver IC chip and generating and outputting various drive signals for executing image reading operation and image display operation are further arranged and mounted on an insulating substrate 110 on the image reading part 100 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus in which an image reading sensor is disposed on the front surface (view side) of an image display panel and has an image display function and an image reading function.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebook personal computers (notebook personal computers), digital cameras, and the like have become widespread. Such electronic devices can easily communicate by voice, e-mail, etc., take images, edit various information, and carry large amounts of information. Furthermore, some mobile phones and the like are planned to be equipped with electronic money and credit card functions, as well as commuter pass functions for public transport, and are expected to become more popular in the future.

  However, in the portable electronic device, although the convenience is improved as described above, there is also a problem that there is a high risk that personal information or confidential information is leaked or stolen and misused. ing. Therefore, in order to prevent the leakage and theft of such various information and restrict access to the information, it is important to install a personal authentication function that identifies and authenticates the user in the electronic device. Yes.

  Conventionally, as a personal authentication technique, in addition to a simple method by inputting a personal identification number or the like, in recent years, a more sophisticated and rigorous method has been used in which an individual is identified using biometric data unique to the human body including fingerprints and irises of eyeballs Methods have been researched and developed, and some have already been put into practical use. For example, in a personal authentication technique using a fingerprint, it is roughly classified into a semiconductor type that reads a fingerprint image (subject image) by detecting a capacitance based on a potential difference generated between a finger (subject) and a detection sensor ( Brightness information using a capacitance reading type fingerprint reader or photosensor (specifically, CCD or CMOS sensor) that captures a fingerprint image via an optical system such as a prism or mirror and is arranged in a matrix. An optical (optical image reading type) fingerprint reading device and the like are known.

  Here, in the semiconductor fingerprint reading apparatus described above, a finger is placed, and a reading detection unit (sensor array) that reads the fingerprint image can be formed extremely thin and light using semiconductor manufacturing technology. It has the advantage of being able to. On the other hand, in an optical fingerprint reader, an optical system is interposed between a finger and a photo sensor, which is not suitable for thinning and weight reduction. There is an advantage that the fingerprint reader is not damaged by static electricity, the user himself does not feel discomfort associated with electrostatic discharge, and the fingerprint reading response speed is relatively fast.

  However, not only the semiconductor fingerprint reader described above, but also CCD and CMOS sensors that are frequently used as the photosensor have a configuration that is formed on a semiconductor substrate, as is well known. All of the fingerprint readers were opaque. Therefore, in a portable electronic device that is required to be smaller and thinner and lighter, such a fingerprint reader can be directly provided on a function unit (for example, an image display panel) that is originally provided in the electronic device. There wasn't.

  Here, as an example of mounting a personal authentication function in a portable electronic device (mobile phone), as described in Patent Document 1 and the like, functions and configurations originally provided in the electronic device (for example, Apart from the image display panel), a configuration in which a fingerprint reading sensor is provided independently in a part of a housing of an electronic device is known. However, in such a configuration, there is a problem that the device scale of the electronic device increases, and it is not possible to sufficiently meet the demand for a reduction in size and thickness of the portable electronic device.

  In order to avoid such problems, it is conceivable to reduce the size of the fingerprint reading sensor. However, in the personal authentication by fingerprint, it is necessary to extract several or more feature points from the fingerprint image. The detection surface must have a size that is at least sufficient for the size of the fingertip. With a small fingerprint reader, it is difficult to read a fingerprint image well, resulting in a decrease in authentication accuracy. was there.

In addition, as another example of the configuration of an electronic device equipped with a fingerprint reading sensor (personal authentication function), for example, as described in Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, and the like, the display inherent in the electronic device is provided. A panel in which a fingerprint reading sensor is integrated and mounted on a panel is also known.
For example, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a prism is provided on a liquid crystal display panel (image display panel) having a backlight so that a fingerprint image (subject image) is guided to a photosensor (fingerprint reading sensor). In addition, Patent Document 3 describes a configuration in which a photodiode is incorporated in each display pixel of a liquid crystal display panel together with a pixel transistor (TFT).

JP 2002-279212 A (FIGS. 1 and 5 pages 2 to 3) JP 2001-351099 A (FIG. 1, page 3) JP 2002-33823 A (FIG. 1, page 4)

However, the conventional technology as described above has the following problems.
That is, in the configuration in which an optical member such as a prism is provided on the image display panel and the subject image is guided to the fingerprint reading sensor provided on the side surface as in the device configuration described in Patent Document 2 or the like, the subject image The optical member such as the prism for guiding the image to the fingerprint reading sensor becomes relatively thick, and some optical components (mirrors), the fingerprint reading sensor, etc. need to be provided outside the image display panel installation area. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently reduce the size and thickness of electronic devices.

  In addition, in a configuration in which a photodiode is formed in a display pixel as in the device configuration described in Patent Document 3 and the like, an existing image display panel, a fingerprint reading sensor (device), its design assets, etc. It cannot be applied as it is, and the number of elements formed on the substrate increases, the circuit configuration becomes complicated, and further, fine processing is required, leading to a decrease in product yield and an increase in manufacturing cost. Have a problem.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention is capable of reading user-specific information (such as a fingerprint image) well and realizing proper personal authentication while realizing an original good image display of the image display unit. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reducing the size and thickness of the apparatus configuration.

  The invention described in claim 1 includes an image display function for displaying desired image information in a specific image area, and an image reading function for reading an image of a desired subject placed in the specific image area. In the image reading apparatus, at least a display pixel array having a display pixel array in which a plurality of display pixels that emit light having a gradation corresponding to the image information to the visual field side are two-dimensionally arranged on a first substrate; An image reading unit having a reading pixel array in which at least a plurality of reading pixels for reading an image of the subject are two-dimensionally arranged on a second substrate, and any of the image display unit and the image reading unit A first drive signal group for performing an image display operation in the image display means, and a second drive signal group for performing an image read operation in the image reading means, provided only on one side. Drive control means configured to output, and at least the image reading means is stacked on the visual field side of the image display means, and the image display area defined by the display pixel array is planar An image reading area defined by the reading pixel array is set so as to overlap with the reading pixel array.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the first aspect, the image reading device electrically connects the image display unit and the image reading unit, and includes at least the first drive signal group and It has connection means for transmitting any one of the second drive signal group.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the connecting means includes a signal wiring member made of a flexible wiring board.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the drive control means includes a first functional circuit unit that generates the first drive signal group, and the second drive signal group. A second functional circuit unit to be generated, wherein the first functional circuit unit and the second functional circuit unit have individual circuit configurations.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the drive control means includes a first functional circuit unit that generates the first drive signal group, and the second drive signal group. A second functional circuit unit to be generated, wherein the first functional circuit unit and the second functional circuit unit share a part of a circuit configuration.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the drive control means has a form of an integrated circuit chip.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the drive control unit is configured by a functional element having a thin film laminated structure, and the first substrate together with the display pixel. It is formed integrally on the top.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the drive control means is composed of a functional element having a thin film laminated structure, and the second substrate together with the read pixel. It is formed integrally on the top.
The invention according to claim 9 is the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image reading means is radiated from the display pixels of the image display means, passes through the image reading means, The light reflected by the subject placed on a detection surface provided on the image reading area is received by the reading pixel, and the subject image is read.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the read pixel has a channel region made of a semiconductor layer sandwiched between the second substrate having transparency. A source electrode and a drain electrode made of an electrode material having transparency, and a first gate electrode made of an electrode material having transparency formed above the channel region via an insulating film having transparency. A second gate electrode made of a light-shielding electrode material formed through a transparent insulating film below the channel region, and a transparent insulating material above the first gate electrode The photosensor has a double-gate thin film transistor structure formed through a film and having the detection surface on which the subject is placed.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the image display means constitutes at least a surface light source and emits light in a specific one-surface direction, and the light emitting means. And a transmission type liquid crystal display panel in which liquid crystal pixels are two-dimensionally arranged.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first to tenth aspects, the image display means includes at least a self-luminous display panel in which the display pixels including light emitting elements are two-dimensionally arranged. It is characterized by that.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, an image reading area (image reading area) for reading an image of a subject is set on an image display area (image display area) for displaying desired image information. In an image reading apparatus having a function, an image display unit (image display means) provided with a display pixel array (display pixel; liquid crystal display pixel) that defines the image display area, and a visual field side of the image display unit A transmissive image reading unit (image reading unit) provided with a reading pixel array (reading pixel; photosensor, double-gate photosensor) arranged and defining the image reading area, and an image display unit Drivers for generating and outputting various drive signals (first drive signal group, second drive signal group) for executing the image display function in the image reading unit and the image reading function in the image reading unit Drive control means: a scanning driver, a readout driver, and a data driver are provided on either one of the image display section and the image reading section, and have a flexible wiring board (connecting means: signal wiring) such as a flexible printed board. The drive signal is transmitted to the other side via a member.

  Here, each driver has a circuit unit (first functional circuit unit) that generates a drive signal (first drive signal group) for performing an image display operation in the image display unit, and an image reading operation in the image reading unit. A circuit unit (second functional circuit unit) that generates a drive signal (second drive signal group) for performing the above operation can be applied independently within each driver. It is also possible to apply a configuration in which a part of each is shared with each other.

  In addition, each driver has a form of a driver IC chip (integrated circuit chip) and can be applied on a substrate. For example, a thin film transistor element (thin film laminated structure) using a low-temperature polysilicon manufacturing process can be applied. Or the like, or a substrate integrally formed with the display pixel array (display pixel) on the substrate (first substrate) of the image display unit or the substrate of the image reading unit (second substrate). It is also possible to apply a configuration integrally formed with a reading pixel array (reading pixel) on the substrate.

  According to this, a transparent image reading unit (fingerprint reading sensor) applicable to personal authentication processing (for example, fingerprint reading operation) is provided on the image display unit so as to overlap in a plane, and further, the image display unit A drive signal for executing an image display operation and an image reading operation is generated by a driver provided only on either the image reading unit side or the image reading unit side, and the driving is performed on the other side via a flexible wiring board. Since it is configured to transmit a signal, it is possible to reduce the size of the image reading apparatus as compared with a configuration in which various drivers are individually provided in the image reading unit and the image display unit, and a single area. It is possible to satisfactorily perform both the display operation of desired image information and the reading operation of the subject image (fingerprint image) that is the target of the personal authentication process in the (specific image region).

  Here, when the driver is mounted in the form of a driver IC chip, the mounting area can be reduced while reducing the number of parts and manufacturing process for manufacturing the image reading device and reducing the cost. The substrate surface can be flattened when it is formed integrally with a display pixel array (display pixel) or a read pixel array (read pixel) by applying a thin film process. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a good image reading operation and accurate personal authentication processing by bringing the subject into close contact with the detection surface, and even if the subject is charged, electrostatic breakdown or malfunction of the driver circuit occurs. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the image reading unit (photosensor array) is planarly superimposed (stacked and arranged) on the visual field side of the image display unit, a manufacturing technique in an existing image display device or image reading device is provided. In addition, the design assets can be diverted and the production yield can be improved to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, a sensor array (photosensor) in which photosensors having a double gate type thin film transistor structure (double gate type photosensors) are two-dimensionally arranged on a transparent substrate as an image reading unit. Array) can be applied, and can be significantly reduced in thickness compared to a configuration using an optical image reading device (fingerprint reading sensor) using a prism or the like, and an apparatus equipped with the image reading device Further reduction in size and thickness can be achieved.

  Here, in the image reading unit (photosensor array) using a double gate type photosensor, an image reading method is used that acquires light / dark information (subject image) based on the amount of received light reflected and incident on the subject. Therefore, even when a charged subject is placed on the detection surface of the image reading unit, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent destruction or malfunction due to static electricity.

  Furthermore, in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, a transmissive liquid crystal display panel having a backlight can be satisfactorily applied as a configuration of the image display unit, and two self-luminous display pixels such as an organic EL element are provided. A dimensionally arranged display panel can also be applied. According to the former, the existing liquid crystal display panel can be applied as it is, and according to the latter, since the display panel can be significantly thinned, the image reading device and the image reading device are mounted. The device can be further reduced in size and thickness.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.
<First Embodiment>
<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be briefly described.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the overall configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the image reading apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a transmissive image display unit such as a liquid crystal display device (image display means, transmissive liquid crystal display panel). 200, a transmissive image reading unit (image reading unit) 100 disposed on the visual field side of the image display unit 200, and the back side of the image display unit 200 (opposite side of the visual field side; in FIG. 1B) A backlight BLT (light emitting means; omitted for convenience of illustration in FIG. 1A), and the image reading section 100 and the image display section 200 are flexible printed circuit boards (connection means). : Signal wiring member, flexible wiring board) It is configured to be electrically connected via an FPC.

  Here, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for convenience of illustration, the image display unit 200 and the image reading unit 100 are illustrated as being separated from each other, and the image display unit 200 and the backlight BLT are illustrated as being separated from each other. However, these configurations may have a laminated structure in close contact with each other, or a laminated structure in which optical members such as a diffusion film and a polarizing plate are interposed between the respective components. May be.

  Further, the backlight BLT applied to the present embodiment includes, for example, a light guide plate GDP made of acrylic or the like disposed on the back side of the image display unit 200, as shown in FIG. A configuration including a light source LGT including a cold cathode ray tube or a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the side surface of the light guide plate GDP can be applied, but is not particularly limited. A planar light source in which light emitting elements such as an electroluminescent element (organic EL element) are two-dimensionally arranged may be applied.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, the image display unit 200 applied to the present embodiment is one surface side (radiation surface side) of the light guide plate that emits irradiation light in the backlight BLT described above. A transparent insulating substrate (first substrate) 210 such as a glass substrate disposed on the viewing side) and a specific area (on the image display area ARi described later) on one surface side (viewing side) of the insulating substrate 210. A transparent counter substrate 221 disposed so as to oppose to each other), an electrode layer and a wiring layer provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the insulating substrate 210 and the counter substrate 221, and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the electrode layers And a plurality of liquid crystal pixels (not shown; display pixels) arranged two-dimensionally over the specific region, and pixel transistors (not shown) provided for each liquid crystal pixel. It has a configuration.

  Here, the plurality of liquid crystal pixels arranged in the specific area constitute a display pixel array 220. Insulation between the flexible printed circuit board FPC connected to the end of the insulating substrate 210 and the display pixel array 220 (specifically, scanning lines, data lines, and counter electrodes (common electrodes) described later). A signal wiring 250 is provided on the conductive substrate 210.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 100 applied to the present embodiment is specifically a transparent insulating substrate (such as a glass substrate disposed on the visual field side of the image display unit 200 described above). (Second substrate) 110 and a plurality of read pixels (not shown) arranged in a two-dimensional array in a specific area (corresponding to an image read area ARf described later) on one surface side (view side) of the insulating substrate 110; A sensor array (reading pixel array) 120 composed of a sensor array (reading pixel array) 120, which is described in detail later, and a scanning driver (drive control means) 130 and a reading driver disposed on one side of the insulating substrate 110 in the peripheral region of the sensor array 120 (Drive control means) 140.

  Here, the scanning driver 130 and the reading driver 140 have a configuration corresponding to the element structure and driving method of the reading pixels constituting the sensor array 120. In FIG. The structure arrange | positioned in the position which opposes is shown. In this embodiment, the scanning driver 130 and the reading driver 140 are in the form of a driver IC chip (integrated circuit chip), and are arranged and mounted only on the insulating substrate 110. Further, a signal wiring 150 is provided on the insulating substrate 110 between the flexible printed circuit board FPC connected to the end of the insulating substrate 110 and the scanning driver 130 and the reading driver 140.

  In this embodiment, in particular, an image display area (detection area; image reading area) defined by the sensor array 120 of the image reading unit 100 is displayed by the display pixel array 220 of the image display unit 200. Since the light is emitted from the backlight BLT and passes through the display pixel array 220 constituting the image display unit 200 by being stacked and arranged so as to overlap the area (image display area) in a plane, the image is displayed. Desired image information can be displayed in the display area (image display function), and the light transmitted through the image display unit 200 is further transmitted through the sensor array 120 arranged on the visual field side. An image of the subject placed in the upper image reading area can be read (image reading function). The relationship between the image reading area and the image display area will be described later in detail.

Hereinafter, the image reading unit and the image display unit applied to the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
<Image reading unit>
FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image reading unit applicable to the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit (fingerprint reading sensor) 100 according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a large number of photosensors (reading pixels) PS, for example, n rows × m columns (n and m are arbitrary). Transmissive photosensor array (sensor array, read pixel array) 120P arranged in a matrix of a natural number), a top gate line Lt extending by connecting the top gate terminals TG of each photosensor PS in the row direction, A bottom gate line Lb extending by connecting the bottom gate terminal BG of each photosensor PS in the row direction; a source line (data line) Ls extending by connecting the source terminal S of each photosensor PS in the column direction; A drain line (common line) Ld commonly connecting the drain terminal D to a predetermined low potential voltage (for example, ground potential) Vss, and each top gate line Lt The top gate driver 130T is connected to the bottom gate line Lb, the bottom gate driver 130B is connected to the bottom gate line Lb, and the source driver 140S is connected to the source line Ls. Here, the top gate driver 130T and the bottom gate driver 130B correspond to the scan driver 130 shown in FIG. 1, the source driver 140S corresponds to the readout driver 140, and each of these drivers is a drive control according to the present invention. Configure the means.

  The top gate control signal shown in FIG. 2 is selectively output as signals φT1, φT2,... ΦTi,. A bottom gate control signal is a control signal for generating φTn, and the bottom gate driver 130B selectively outputs signals φB1, φB2,... φBi,. The source control signal is a control signal for generating φBn. The source control signal applies a precharge voltage Vpg, which will be described later, to each photosensor PS in the source driver 140S, and a data voltage corresponding to a carrier accumulated in each photosensor PS. This is a control signal for controlling the reading of Vrd. All of these control signals are generated and supplied by, for example, a system controller (timing control means) (not shown).

(Photo sensor PS)
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the element structure of a photosensor applicable to the image reading unit according to the present embodiment.
The photosensor PS applicable to the image reading unit 100 (photosensor array 120P) described above generally generates electron-hole pairs by the incidence of excitation light (here, visible light) as shown in FIG. A semiconductor layer (channel region) 11 made of amorphous silicon or the like, and impurity layers (ohmic contact layers) 17 and 18 made of n ⁺ silicon on both ends of the semiconductor layer 11, respectively, are formed with chromium, chromium alloy, aluminum A source electrode 12 (source terminal S) and a drain electrode 13 (drain terminal D) which are made of a conductive material selected from aluminum alloy and the like and are opaque to visible light, and above the semiconductor layer 11 (upward in the drawing). It is formed through the block insulating film (stopper film) 14 and the upper gate insulating film 15, and is transparent such as a tin oxide film or an ITO film (indium-tin oxide film). A top gate electrode TGx (first gate electrode; top gate terminal TG) which is made of an electrode layer and is transparent to visible light, and a lower gate insulating film 16 below the semiconductor layer 11 (downward in the drawing). A bottom gate electrode BGx (second gate electrode; bottom gate terminal) formed of a conductive material selected from chrome, chromium alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc., and opaque to light (having a light shielding property) BG).

  That is, the photosensor PS applied to the sensor array 110 according to the present embodiment has a so-called double gate type thin film transistor structure, and as shown in FIG. A thin film is formed. A protective insulating film (passivation film) 19 is formed on the entire surface of the insulating substrate 110 including the photosensor PS, and a subject is placed with the upper surface of the protective insulating film 19 as a detection surface DTC. Thus, it is configured to suppress direct electrical and physicochemical damage to the photosensor PS.

  In the photosensor PS shown in FIG. 3, the top gate insulating film 15, the block insulating film 14, the insulating film constituting the bottom gate insulating film 16, and the protective insulating film 19 provided on the top gate electrode TGx are as follows. , Both of which are made of a material having high transmittance for visible light that excites the semiconductor layer 11, for example, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or the like, thereby providing a light source (not shown) provided on the insulating substrate 110 side. Omission: The irradiation light emitted from the backlight BLT provided on the back side of the image display unit 200 described above is transmitted upward in the drawing, and is placed on the detection surface DTC provided on the upper surface of the protective insulating film 19. Further, it has a structure that detects only the light reflected on the subject (finger) and incident on the photosensor PS (specifically, the semiconductor layer 11) from above in the drawing.

(Top gate driver 130T / Bottom gate driver 130B)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a top gate driver or a bottom gate driver applicable to the image reading unit according to the present embodiment. Here, since the top gate driver 130T and the bottom gate driver 130B have substantially the same configuration, in the following description, the configuration of the top gate driver will be mainly described.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the top gate driver 130T (or bottom gate driver 130B) is supplied as a top gate control signal (or bottom gate control signal) from a system controller or the like that is schematically omitted. Based on the signal STtb, the reference clock signal CKtb, the output enable signal OEtb, etc., the start signal STtb is sequentially shifted to the next stage at the timing based on the reference clock signal CKtb, and at the timing based on the output enable signal OEtb etc. The shift register circuit unit 131 that outputs the shift signals SG1, SG2,... SGn corresponding to the gate line Lt (or the bottom gate line Lb), and the shift signals SG1, SG2 sequentially output from the shift register circuit unit 131 , ... SGn No. reset pulse φTi amplifies the level (or read pulse FaiBi) as, each top gate line Lt (or bottom gate line Lb) is configured to have an output buffer unit 132 to be output to the.

(Source driver 140S)
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a source driver applicable to the image reading unit according to the present embodiment.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the source driver 140S starts based on a start signal STs, a reference clock signal CKs, an output enable signal OEs, and the like that are supplied as source control signals from a system controller or the like that is schematically omitted. A shift register that sequentially shifts the signal STs to the next stage at a timing based on the reference clock signal CKs, and outputs the signals STs as shift signals SS1, SS2,... SSm corresponding to each source line Ls at a timing based on the output enable signal OEs or the like. A precharge pulse (precharge voltage Vpg) is simultaneously applied to each source line Ls at a timing (precharge period described later) based on the circuit unit 141 and a precharge signal φpg supplied as a source control signal. Charge circuit unit 145 and saw Source line voltage VD (data voltage Vrd) corresponding to carriers accumulated in each photosensor PS via each source line Ls in parallel at a timing (reading period to be described later) based on a sampling signal φsr supplied as a control signal. Sampling circuit unit 144 for reading and holding the source signal, source follower circuit unit 143 for amplifying the source line voltage VD read (held) by the sampling circuit unit 144 to a predetermined signal level, and the shift register circuit At the timing based on the shift signals SS1, SS2,... SSm sequentially output from the unit 141, the data voltage output from the source follower circuit unit 143 is taken out in time series and converted into a serial signal, and the read data signal Vdata A parallel-serial conversion circuit unit 142 that outputs as And it is configured to have.

(Drive control method)
Next, a driving control method for the above-described image reading unit (photosensor array) will be briefly described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of a drive control method in the image reading unit (photo sensor array) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a fingerprint image reading operation when the image reading unit according to this embodiment is applied to a fingerprint reading sensor. Here, in FIG. 7, for convenience of illustration, a part of hatching that represents a cross-sectional portion of the photosensor array 120 </ b> P is omitted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the drive control method of the photosensor array 120P described above includes a reset period Trst, a charge accumulation period Ta, a precharge period Tprch, and a readout period Tread in a predetermined processing operation period (processing cycle). This is realized by setting.
As shown in FIG. 6, first, in the reset period Trst, the top of the photosensor PS in the i-th row (i is an arbitrary natural number of 1 ≦ i ≦ n) via the top gate line Lt by the top gate driver 130T. A reset pulse (for example, a high level of top gate voltage (= reset pulse voltage) Vtg = + 15 V) φTi is applied to the gate terminal TG to release carriers (here, holes) accumulated in the semiconductor layer 11. Perform a reset operation (initialization operation).

  Next, in the charge accumulation period Ta, the top gate driver 130T applies a low level (eg, top gate voltage Vtg = −15V) bias voltage φTi to the top gate terminal TG, thereby ending the reset operation. The accumulation operation (carrier accumulation operation) is started.

  Here, in the charge accumulation period Ta, as shown in FIG. 7, below the transparent insulating substrate 110 on which the photosensor PS shown in FIG. 3 is formed (in the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment, an image is displayed). From the backlight BLT disposed on the back side of the display unit 200, the image reading unit 100 (the image display unit 200 and the image reading unit 100) is transmitted and is in close contact with the detection surface DTC on the upper surface of the photosensor array 120 </ b> P. The reflected light Ly of the irradiation light Lx applied to the finger (subject) FG passes through the top gate electrode TGx made of a transparent electrode layer and enters the semiconductor layer 11. Thereby, electron-hole pairs are generated in the incident effective region (carrier generation region) of the semiconductor layer 11 according to the amount of light incident on the semiconductor layer 11 during the charge accumulation period Ta, and the semiconductor layer 11 and the block insulating film 14 Holes are accumulated in the vicinity of the interface (around the channel region).

  In the precharge period Tprch, in parallel with the charge accumulation period Ta, a precharge pulse (for example, precharge pulse) is applied to the source terminal S by the source driver 140S based on the precharge signal φpg supplied as the source gate control signal. A charge voltage Vpg = + 5 V) is applied, and a precharge operation for holding the charge in the source electrode 12 is executed.

  Next, in the read period Tread, after the precharge period Tprch has elapsed, a read pulse (for example, a bottom gate voltage (= read pulse voltage)) is applied to the bottom gate terminal BG via the bottom gate line Lb by the bottom gate driver 130B. By applying (Bbg = + 10V high level) φBi, the source line voltage VD (data voltage Vrd; voltage signal) corresponding to the carriers (holes) accumulated in the channel region during the charge accumulation period Ta is supplied to the source driver 140S. A read operation is performed by reading out.

  Here, the change tendency of the source line voltage VD (data voltage Vrd) in the application period (readout period) of the read pulse φBi indicates that the voltage is steep when there are many carriers accumulated in the charge accumulation period Ta (bright state). On the other hand, when the number of accumulated carriers is small (dark state), it tends to decrease gradually. For example, the data voltage Vrd after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the read period Tread is detected. By doing so, it is possible to detect the amount of light incident on the photosensor PS, that is, brightness data (brightness / darkness information) corresponding to the brightness / darkness pattern of the subject.

Then, a series of brightness data detection operations for such a specific row (i-th row) is regarded as one cycle, and it is equivalent to each row (i = 1, 2,... N) of the photosensor array 120P described above. By repeating the above operation process, the photosensor array 120P to which the photosensor PS having a double gate type thin film transistor structure is applied operates as a monochrome type image reading unit that reads a two-dimensional image (fingerprint image) of a subject as lightness data. Can be made.
Therefore, the reset pulse φTi, precharge pulse, and read pulse φBi generated and output by the above-described top gate driver 130T, bottom gate driver 130B, and source driver 140S constitute the second drive signal group according to the present invention. .

<Image display section>
FIG. 8 is a main part configuration diagram showing a configuration example of an image display unit applied to the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, a case where a display pixel structure and a driver structure corresponding to a well-known active matrix driving method are described as an image display unit applied to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the image display unit 200 according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a transmissive liquid crystal pixel array (display pixel array) 220P in which a large number of liquid crystal pixels (display pixels) Px are two-dimensionally arranged, A liquid crystal pixel Px group in each row of the liquid crystal pixel array 220P is connected to the scan line SL extending in the row direction, a data line DL extending in the column direction connecting the liquid crystal pixels Px, and the scan lines SL. A gate driver 230G and a source driver 240S connected to each data line DL.

  In FIG. 8, the vertical control signal is a control signal for sequentially generating and outputting a scanning signal for setting the liquid crystal pixel Px group in each row to the selected state in the gate driver 230G, and the horizontal control signal is In the source driver 240S, a control signal for generating and applying a display signal voltage for performing gradation display based on display data to each liquid crystal pixel Px set in a selected state by the gate driver 230G. All of these control signals are generated and supplied by, for example, an LCD controller (timing control means) (not shown).

  As shown schematically in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal pixel array 220P includes a matrix in which liquid crystal pixels Px are connected in the vicinity of intersections of a plurality of scanning lines SL and a plurality of data lines DL arranged orthogonal to each other. It has the structure arranged in the shape. Here, as is well known, each liquid crystal pixel Px includes a pixel transistor TFT having a gate terminal connected to the scanning line SL and a source terminal connected to the data line DL, and one end side ( A pixel electrode), and a common signal voltage Vcom is applied to the other end side (common electrode). A liquid crystal capacitor Clc is connected in parallel to the liquid crystal capacitor Clc, and one end side (capacitance electrode) is connected to the drain terminal of the pixel transistor TFT And a storage capacitor Cs to which a common voltage Vcs (for example, a common signal voltage Vcom) is applied to the other end side (counter electrode) via the common line CL.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the gate driver 230G corresponds to the scanning line SL of each row on the basis of vertical control signals (start signal, reference clock signal, etc.) supplied from an LCD controller or the like that is schematically omitted. Shift register circuit unit 231 that sequentially outputs the shift signal to be output, and an output buffer that amplifies the shift signal sequentially output from the shift register circuit unit 231 to a predetermined signal level and outputs the amplified signal to each scan line SL Part 232.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the source driver 240S is configured to display each data line based on horizontal control signals (a start signal, a reference clock signal, an output enable signal, etc.) output from an LCD controller or the like that is schematically omitted. A shift register circuit unit 241 that sequentially outputs a shift signal corresponding to DL and a timing based on the shift signal sequentially output from the shift register circuit unit 241, for example, red (R), green (G), blue (B ) A sample-and-hold circuit unit 242 that captures and holds display data (analog RGB) composed of analog signals of each color in units of one row, and a signal voltage corresponding to the display data held by the sample-and-hold circuit unit 242 is a predetermined signal. Output buffer unit 2 that amplifies the signal level and outputs it as a display signal voltage to each data line DL It is configured to include 3, a.

  The LCD controller (not shown) generates the horizontal control signal and the vertical control signal based on various timing signals such as a horizontal synchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal, and a system clock supplied to the image display unit 200. This is supplied to the gate driver 230G and the source driver 240S.

  In the drive control method in the image display unit 200 having such a configuration, first, display data for one row of the liquid crystal pixel array 220P is sequentially captured and held by the source driver 240S based on the horizontal control signal. On the other hand, based on the vertical control signal, the gate driver 230G sequentially applies a scanning signal to each scanning line SL provided in the liquid crystal pixel array 220P to set the liquid crystal pixels Px group in each row to a selected state. Then, in synchronization with the selection timing of the liquid crystal pixels Px in each row, the source driver 240S applies the display signal voltages corresponding to the held display data to the respective display pixels Px simultaneously through the respective data lines DL. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules filled in each liquid crystal pixel Px set in the selected state are controlled to an alignment state corresponding to the display data.

  By repeating such a series of operations for each row for one screen, gradation display based on the display data is performed, and at this time, the backlight BLT is turned on and the irradiation light is supplied to the liquid crystal. The desired image information is displayed by being transmitted to the visual field side of the pixel array 220P, and the user of the mounted device can visually recognize the image reading device.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, each functional circuit unit (first functional circuit unit) of the gate driver 230G of the image display unit 200 having such a configuration is the top of the image reading unit 100 described above. The image reading unit 100 is formed in a single driver IC chip (that is, the scanning driver 130 shown in FIG. 1) together with each functional circuit unit (second functional circuit unit) of the gate driver 130T or the bottom gate driver 130B. It has the structure arrange | positioned and mounted on the insulating board | substrate 110 of. Further, each functional circuit unit (first functional circuit unit) of the source driver 240S of the image display unit 200 is also used together with each functional circuit unit (second functional circuit unit) of the source driver 140S of the image reading unit 100 described above. 1 is formed in a single driver IC chip (that is, the reading driver 140 shown in FIG. 1), and is arranged and mounted on the insulating substrate 110 of the image reading unit 100.

  Here, the scanning signal for the image display operation in the image display unit 200 output from the gate driver 230G provided in the scanning driver 130 and the source driver 240S provided in the readout driver 140 are output. The display signal voltages for the image display operation in the image display unit 200 are the signal wiring 150 formed on the insulating substrate 110, the flexible printed circuit board FPC, and the signal wiring formed on the insulating substrate 210, respectively. Through 250, the image data is transmitted to the liquid crystal pixel array 220P (display pixel array 220) of the image display unit 200. That is, the scanning signal and the display signal voltage generated and output by the gate driver 230G and the source driver 240S described above constitute a first driving signal group according to the present invention.

  Further, the top gate driver 130T or the bottom gate driver 130B and the gate driver 230G formed in the scan driver 130 may be provided with their respective functional circuit units completely independently. A part of the functional circuit unit (for example, a shift register circuit unit or an output buffer unit) may be shared, or a part of a control signal supplied from a system controller or an LCD controller may be used. You may share. Also, the source drivers 140S and 240S formed in the read driver 140 may have their respective functional circuit units provided completely independently, or a part of the functional circuit units ( For example, the shift register circuit unit) may be shared, or a part of the control signal supplied from the system controller or the LCD controller may be shared.

  Note that in the case where the scanning driver 130 and the reading driver 140 are configured to share the functional circuit units and control signals of the drivers formed therein, the image reading operation and the image display unit in the image reading unit 100 are applied. In the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, an image reading area (that is, an image display area equivalent to or a part of the image display area) is read when the subject image is read. Area), the subject (finger) is placed and the image display area is blocked by the subject, making it impossible to visually recognize the image information. There is no problem even if it is executed automatically.

(Relationship between image reading area and image display area)
Next, the relationship between the image reading area (detection area) in the image reading unit according to the present embodiment and the image display area in the image display unit will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between an image reading area (image reading area) in the image reading unit according to the present embodiment and an image display area (image display area) in the image display unit. In FIG. 9, hatching is performed for the sake of convenience in order to clarify the image reading area.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image display unit 200 having a transmissive display pixel array 220 on the irradiation surface side of a single backlight BLT, and a transmissive sensor. The image reading unit 100 having the array 120 has a configuration in which the image reading units 100 are sequentially stacked. Here, the image display unit 200 has an image display area ARi defined by the display pixel array 220, and the image reading unit 100 further views the light emitted through the entire area of the image display area ARi. And has an image reading area (detection area) ARf defined by the sensor array 120.

  The relationship between the image reading area ARf in the image reading unit 100 and the image display area ARi in the image display unit 200 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, where the image reading area ARf and the image display area ARi are It may be set so as to have substantially the same area and overlap in a plane, or as shown in FIG. 9B, the image reading area ARf is flat only in a partial area of the image display area ARi. May be set so that they overlap each other (that is, the image reading area ARf is smaller than the image display area ARi).

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 9B, the image reading area ARf is set only in the substantially central region of the image display area ARi (display pixel array 220), and the image reading area overlaps the image display area ARi in a plane. The photosensor PS is not formed in the area other than ARf (that is, the peripheral area of the image reading area ARf). In the image reading area ARf and other areas, the image display unit 200 (display pixel array 220) is provided. Therefore, the transmittance of light radiated to the field of view is different. For this reason, there is a possibility that the surface luminance that is visually recognized when displaying the image information varies and the display image quality is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the configuration in which the image reading area ARf is set to be smaller than the image display area ARi, for example, all the regions (the periphery of the image reading area ARf) corresponding to the image display area ARi other than the image reading area ARf. By providing dummy photosensors (dummy pixels) and signal lines (for example, wiring corresponding to the above-described top gate line Lt, bottom gate line Lb, and source line Ls) in the same manner as the image reading area ARf. The surface luminance can be made uniform over the entire area of the image display area ARi, and deterioration of display image quality can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the image reading unit applicable to the personal authentication process (for example, fingerprint reading operation) is provided on the image display unit so as to overlap in a plane, Since both the image reading operation (image reading function) and the image display operation (image display function) can be executed by the driver IC chip mounted only on the reading unit side, individual image reading each mounted with a driver IC chip Compared to a configuration in which the image display unit and the image display unit are simply stacked, the number of parts and the manufacturing process are reduced to reduce costs, while the mounting area is reduced, and the device equipped with the image reader is reduced in size. In addition, it is possible to perform a subject image reading operation using an area provided for image display. That is, it is possible to satisfactorily perform both the display operation of desired image information and the reading operation of the subject image (fingerprint image) that is the subject of personal authentication processing in a single region (specific image region).

  In addition, as the image reading unit (sensor array) disposed on the visual field side of the image display unit, a double gate type photosensor having a thin film transistor structure to which semiconductor manufacturing technology is applied can be applied. Compared to the optical image reading unit (fingerprint reading sensor) as shown in the prior art, the configuration of the unit can be significantly reduced in thickness, and the overall apparatus equipped with the image reading device can be reduced in size and thickness. There is no hindrance.

  In the image reading unit using the double gate type photo sensor, since the image reading operation for acquiring the light / dark information based on the amount of received light by scattering and reflection of the light irradiated to the subject is adopted, A conductive layer for electrostatic discharge or the like can be provided on the detection surface of the upper surface of the photo sensor array, and it is possible to easily suppress breakdown or malfunction due to static electricity or user discomfort compared to the above-described semiconductor image reading device. be able to.

  Further, since the image reading unit (sensor array) manufactured separately is arranged in a plane on the visual field side of the image display unit (laminated arrangement), the existing image display unit (liquid crystal display device) ) And image reading unit (fingerprint reading sensor) manufacturing technology and design assets can be used as they are.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. Here, about the structure equivalent to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same or equivalent code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operational effects peculiar to the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, the driver IC chip (scanning driver 130 and readout driver 140) mounted on the insulating substrate 110 of the image reading unit 100 performs the image reading operation in the image reading unit 100 and the image display unit. In the present embodiment, the driver IC chip is mounted on the insulating substrate 210 of the image display unit 200. However, in the present embodiment, both of the image display operations in the image display unit 200 are executed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment is roughly divided into a display pixel array in which a plurality of display pixels are two-dimensionally arranged on a transparent insulating substrate (first substrate) 210. 220, a scanning driver 230 and a data driver 240 that are arranged and mounted in the peripheral region of the display pixel array 220, and various driving signals for executing an image reading operation in an image reading unit to be described later (the double gate photo In a photosensor array including a sensor, an image display unit 200 provided with a signal wiring 250 for transmitting a reset pulse, a readout pulse, a precharge pulse, and a readout pulse) to the flexible printed circuit board FPC, and the image display unit 200 A plurality of photosensors are arranged two-dimensionally on a transparent insulating substrate 110, which is disposed on the visual field side. The transmissive image reading unit (image reading unit) 100 provided with the sensor array 120 and the signal wiring 150 for transmitting the various drive signals, and the back side of the image display unit 200 are arranged and guided. A configuration comprising a backlight BLT (light emitting means) comprising an optical plate GDP and a light source LGT, and a flexible printed circuit board (connection means: signal wiring member) FPC for electrically connecting the image reading unit 100 and the image display unit 200. Have.

  Here, each of the scan driver 230 and the data driver 240 mounted on the insulating substrate 210 of the image display unit 200 includes each functional circuit unit (first functional circuit unit) as shown in FIG. A drive signal for executing an image display operation in the display pixel array 220 (a scanning signal for setting a display pixel group in each row to a selected state and a display signal voltage based on display data; a first drive signal group); A drive signal (for example, the above-described reset pulse) that outputs and includes each functional circuit unit (second functional circuit unit) as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and performs an image reading operation in the sensor array 120. , Precharge pulse, read pulse; second drive signal group) are generated and output. In the present embodiment, the scan driver 230 and the data driver 240 are arranged and mounted on the insulating substrate 210 in the form of a driver IC chip (integrated circuit chip).

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, an image reading area (detection area; image reading area) defined by the sensor array 120 of the image reading unit 100 is displayed on the image display unit 200. The image display area defined by the pixel array 220 (by arranging the image display area so as to overlap the image display area, desired image information can be displayed in the image display area (image display function), An image of the subject placed in the image reading area on the sensor array 120 can be read (image reading function).

  According to the image reading apparatus having such a configuration, as in the first embodiment described above, an image reading operation (image reading function) and an image display operation (with the driver IC chip mounted only on the image display unit side) Both image display functions) can be executed, so the manufacturing process and the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced compared to a configuration in which an image reading unit and an image display unit on which driver IC chips are individually mounted are stacked. As a result, the mounting area can be reduced, and both the image display and the reading of the subject image can be satisfactorily performed in the same region.

  When the driver IC chip is arranged and mounted on the insulating substrate 110 of the image reading unit 100 as in the first embodiment described above, the driver IC chip DIC is formed as shown in FIG. Since it protrudes from the detection surface DTC on the surface of the sensor array 120, when the subject (for example, the finger FG) is placed on the detection surface DTC, it comes into contact and becomes an obstacle (denoted by PT in the figure), and the finger FG Can not be satisfactorily adhered, and there is a possibility that good fingerprint image reading operation and accurate personal authentication processing cannot be executed. Further, since the finger FG placed on the detection surface DTC and the driver IC chip DIC are in close contact with each other, the driver IC chip DIC is damaged or malfunctions due to static electricity charged on the finger FG. There is a possibility.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the driver IC chip DIC is arranged and mounted on the insulating substrate 210 of the lower-layer image display unit 200 instead of the image reading unit 100 on which the subject is placed. Since it is configured, as shown in FIG. 11B, the finger FG does not come into contact with the driver IC chip DIC at the time of reading the subject image (during personal authentication processing), and can be in good contact with the detection surface DTC. In addition, the driver IC chip DIC can be prevented from being damaged or malfunctioning due to static electricity charged on the finger FG.

<Other embodiments>
Next, still another embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be briefly described.
FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram showing still another embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. Here, about the structure equivalent to 1st and 2nd embodiment mentioned above, the same or equivalent code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, each driver that generates and outputs various drive signals for performing an image reading operation in the image reading unit 100 or an image display operation in the image display unit 200 has the form of a driver IC chip. Although the configuration mounted on the insulating substrate 110 or 210 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), each driver 130Z 140Z, 230Z, and 240Z are applied to the insulating substrate 110 or 210 using, for example, a thin film transistor element (functional element having a thin film stack structure) using a low-temperature polysilicon manufacturing process, and the like, and the sensor array 120 (photosensor PS) and the display pixel array 220 (liquid crystal pixel Px) may be integrally formed at substantially the same time.

  In this case, the thicknesses of the drivers 130Z and 140Z, 230Z and 240Z can be reduced, and the sensor array 120 or the display pixel array 220 and the functional circuit portions of the drivers 130Z and 140Z, 230Z and 240Z are integrally formed. Therefore, it is possible to realize a good image reading operation and an accurate personal authentication process by placing a subject on the detection surface DTC of the image reading unit 100 and bringing it into close contact with each other, and mounting an image reading device. Further cost reduction and reduction in size and thickness of the device can be achieved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the image display unit includes a transmissive liquid crystal pixel array (liquid crystal display panel) and a surface light source type backlight. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a self-luminous display panel in which display pixels including light-emitting elements such as organic EL elements are two-dimensionally arranged may be applied. In this case, since the above-described image display operation and image reading operation can be realized by the emitted light from the image display unit, the above-described backlight, a control circuit for controlling the emission of the backlight, A power supply circuit or the like can be omitted, and a further reduction in size and thickness and power saving of a device equipped with an image reading apparatus including an image display unit and an image reading unit can be achieved.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image reading unit applicable to the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the element structure of the photosensor applicable to the image reading part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the top gate driver or bottom gate driver applicable to the image reading part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the source driver applicable to the image reading part which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a drive control method in the image reading unit (photo sensor array) according to the present embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the reading operation | movement of a fingerprint image at the time of applying the image reading part which concerns on this embodiment to a fingerprint reading sensor. It is a principal part block diagram which shows one structural example of the image display part applied to the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between the image reading area (image reading area) in the image reading part which concerns on this embodiment, and the image display area (image display area) in an image display part. It is a whole lineblock diagram showing a 2nd embodiment of an image reading device concerning the present invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the effect specific to the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a whole block diagram which shows other embodiment of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image reading part 110 Insulating substrate 120 Sensor array 130 Scan driver 140 Read driver 150 Signal wiring 200 Image display part 210 Insulating substrate 220 Display pixel array 230 Scan driver 240 Data driver PS Photo sensor Px Liquid crystal pixel BLT Backlight FPC Flexible print substrate

Claims (12)

An image reading apparatus comprising: an image display function for displaying desired image information in a specific image area; and an image reading function for reading an image of a desired subject placed in the specific image area.
Image display means having a display pixel array in which a plurality of display pixels that emit light of a gradation corresponding to at least the image information to the visual field side are two-dimensionally arranged on the first substrate;
An image reading means having a reading pixel array having transparency and at least a plurality of reading pixels for reading an image of the subject two-dimensionally arranged on a second substrate;
A first drive signal group that is provided only on one side of the image display unit and the image reading unit and that performs an image display operation in the image display unit, and performs an image reading operation in the image reading unit Drive control means for generating and outputting a second drive signal group for
Comprising
At least an image defined by the read pixel array so as to overlap the image display area defined by the display pixel array while the image reading means is stacked and disposed on the visual field side of the image display means An image reading apparatus in which a reading area is set. The image reading apparatus includes a connection unit that electrically connects the image display unit and the image reading unit and transmits at least one of the first drive signal group and the second drive signal group. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connecting means includes a signal wiring member made of a flexible wiring board. The drive control means includes a first functional circuit unit that generates the first drive signal group, and a second functional circuit unit that generates the second drive signal group,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first functional circuit unit and the second functional circuit unit have individual circuit configurations. The drive control means includes a first functional circuit unit that generates the first drive signal group, and a second functional circuit unit that generates the second drive signal group,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first functional circuit unit and the second functional circuit unit share a partial circuit configuration. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit has a form of an integrated circuit chip. The said drive control means is comprised by the functional element which has a thin film laminated structure, and is integrally formed on the said 1st board | substrate with the said display pixel. Image reading apparatus. 6. The drive control means is constituted by a functional element having a thin film laminated structure, and is integrally formed on the second substrate together with the reading pixels. Image reading apparatus. The image reading means emits light emitted from the display pixels of the image display means, transmitted through the image reading means, and reflected by the subject placed on a detection surface provided on the image reading area. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is received by the reading pixel and the subject image is read. The reading pixel includes a source electrode and a drain electrode made of a transparent electrode material formed on a second substrate having transparency with a channel region made of a semiconductor layer interposed therebetween, and an upper side of the channel region. A first gate electrode made of a transparent electrode material formed through a transparent insulating film, and a light shielding property formed through a transparent insulating film below the channel region. A double gate type comprising: a second gate electrode made of an electrode material having the electrode; and a detection surface formed on the first gate electrode through a transparent insulating film on which the subject is placed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus has a thin film transistor structure. The image display means constitutes at least a surface light source, emits light in a specific one-surface direction, and is disposed on the one surface side of the light-emitting means, and a transmissive liquid crystal display in which liquid crystal pixels are arranged two-dimensionally The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a panel. 11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display means includes at least a self-luminous display panel in which the display pixels including light emitting elements are two-dimensionally arranged.

Images