TPO Displays Corp. of Taiwan has developed a technology to embed an ambient light sensor on an LCD panel glass substrate based on the low-temperature polysilicon (p-Si) TFT technology. The ambient light intensity on the panel surface is measured and accordingly the backlight is controled, leading to significantly reduced power consumption.
The product features a wide light intensity measurement range from 10 to 55,000 lux. By employing a sensor to detect the black level in combination with the ambient light sensor, the product can perform temperature compensation. As a result, the product boasts the lowest measurable light intensity of 3 lux or below. Since the sensor is formed at a position close (within 0.4 mm) to the display section of the LCD panel, light intensity on the panel surface can be measured more accurately as compared to the existing product that uses an independent sensor. Further, the provision of the sensor will not lead to increased cost because the sensor can be formed by the same process as that for TFT.
The luminance of the backlight is adjusted according to data on the ambient light intensity detected by the sensor. Thus, the power consumption of the backlight can be reduced by up to 90%. The company reports that a power reduction of approximately 30% is possible in normal use.
The panel is applicable to mobile devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras, as well as music players. Mass production is slated to start in the first quarter of 2008.
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