AMBIENT LIGHT DETECTION DEVICE AND AMBIENT LIGHT LEVEL DETECTION METHOD

摘要

PPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the ambient light by using a part of a liquid crystal display itself without providing a photo diode separately. PSOLUTION: There is provided an ambient light detection device for use with a liquid crystal display having an array of liquid crystal cells, each liquid crystal cell having at least one transistor for selectively connecting that liquid crystal cell to a signal line and each transistor having a gate connected to a gate line and having a gate supply line selectively connectable to the gate line for turning off the gates. The device includes: a current measuring circuit configured to measure the current flowing in the gate supply line as a result of gate leakage current in the gates to which the gate supply line is connected; and a controller connected to the measuring circuit and configured to calculate, from the measured current, the level of ambient light reaching the gates. PCOPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT