JP2000115600A - Liquid crystal display device and digital camera using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently utilize light for illuminating a liquid crystal display(LCD) panel. SOLUTION: This device 1 is provided with an LCD panel 10, outer light 21 and back light 22 for illuminating the LCD panel 10, a lighting window 31 for taking in the outer light 21, a light guide plate 30 for guiding the light of outer light 21 and back light 22 to the LCD panel 10, a reflecting plate 40, and freely opening/closing lid 50 for covering the upper surface of the lighting window 31. When the outer light 21 is not required, the lid 50 can be closed and light from the back light 22 is not radiated from the lighting window 31 to the outside of the LCD device 1. Besides, the lid 50 on the side of the lighting window 31 becomes the mirror of a metal film, and light from the back light 22 is reflected on the lid 50 and utilized for illuminating the LCD panel 10. This device 1 can be used as an image display means for a digital camera and the power consumption of the digital camera can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and a digital camera using the same, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device using both external light and a light source to illuminate a liquid crystal, and a digital camera using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, liquid crystal display devices have been used in many fields. For example, there are an image display unit of a digital still camera, an image display unit of a digital video camera, an image display unit of a portable television, and the like, which are widely used mainly for portable electric appliances taking advantage of their small size and light weight.

Since a liquid crystal cannot emit light by itself unlike a cathode ray tube, a backlight system in which a light source such as a fluorescent lamp is arranged behind a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image and the liquid crystal display panel is illuminated is generally used. ing. However, there is a problem that the backlight is weaker than sunlight in the outdoors where the sunlight is strong, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal screen is dark, so that it is difficult for the user to see the image. Therefore, as a method for solving the above problem, it is conceivable to increase the output of a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. However, when the output of the backlight is increased, the power consumed by the backlight increases. Therefore, a large-capacity power supply device is required, which is not practical for a digital still camera or a digital video camera where portability is regarded as important. Therefore,
In recent years, liquid crystal displays have become practical as light sources for liquid crystal displays, as well as backlights, which take in external light such as sunlight from the lighting window provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display, and illuminate the liquid crystal display panel using a light guide plate. Has been

[0004]

However, even if a lighting window for taking in external light is provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display device and the external light is used to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel, the backlight is used in a dark place such as a room. It is necessary to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel. However, in a conventional liquid crystal display device,
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a light source such as a fluorescent lamp constituting the backlight 22 is provided below the liquid crystal display device 1 at a position facing the lighting window 31, and the light guide plate 3 is provided.
The liquid crystal display panel 10 was illuminated from the back surface 11 of the liquid crystal display panel using the light guide plate 40 and the light guide plate 40. For this reason, light emitted from the backlight 22 is radiated to the outside of the liquid crystal display device 1 as shown by an arrow G from a lighting window 31 provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display device 1 so as to face the backlight 22, There is a problem that light from the light source cannot be used effectively to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that can effectively use light from a light source for illumination of a liquid crystal display panel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of reducing the power consumed by a light source.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of reducing power consumption and improving operability.

[0008]

According to the liquid crystal display device of the first aspect of the present invention, a lid portion is provided above a lighting portion for taking in external light such as the sun or room light for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. Is provided. The lid is provided to be freely opened and closed. Therefore, in places where external light is sufficiently bright, such as outdoors or illuminated indoors, the lid can be opened and external light can be taken in from the lighting section, and the liquid crystal display panel can be exposed to one or both of external light and light from a light source. Well lit,
The user can surely recognize the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device. Further, since the external light and the light from the light source can be efficiently used, the power consumed by the light source can be reduced. The lid can be closed in a dark place where sufficient external light cannot be obtained, so that the light emitted from the light source is prevented from being emitted from the lighting unit to the outside of the liquid crystal display device, and the light emitted from the light source is prevented. Can be efficiently used for lighting a liquid crystal display panel.

According to the liquid crystal display device according to the second, seventh and ninth aspects of the present invention, the daylighting portion for taking in external light is formed in an arc shape in side view. Therefore, the surface area of the lighting unit is increased, and the area of the lighting unit required to obtain the same amount of light as when the lighting unit is formed in a planar shape can be reduced, so that the liquid crystal display device is reduced in size and thickness. can do.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the third aspect of the present invention, a mirror member is provided on the surface of the lid portion on the side of the lighting portion. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source and directed to the lighting unit is reflected by the mirror member of the lid and used for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel, so that the light illuminated from the light source is more efficiently used for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. Can be used.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lid is a switch linked to the light source for supplying or interrupting the current from the power supply to the light source. Therefore, the power of the light source can be turned off when the lid is opened and external light is taken in, and the power of the light source can be turned on when the lid is closed and external light is not taken. Operation is easy.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, a semi-transmissive mirror member that transmits external light but does not transmit light from a light source is used for the lid, so that the liquid crystal display device is used. There is no need for the user to open and close the lid according to the surrounding brightness, and the handling of the liquid crystal display device becomes easy.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the photosensitive sensor provided near the lighting unit senses the brightness around the liquid crystal display device. The control device controls the brightness of the light source according to the brightness of the external light around the liquid crystal display device detected by the photosensitive sensor, and automatically adjusts the brightness of the illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, since the external light and the light source can always illuminate the liquid crystal display panel with an appropriate brightness, the user can turn on / off the power of the light source or operate the lighting window lid according to the surrounding brightness. No need to do. Further, when the light source illuminates the liquid crystal display panel, it plays a role of assisting external light, so that the power consumed by the light source can be reduced.

According to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the brightness of the light source can be manually controlled according to the brightness of external light. Therefore, the external light and the light source can illuminate the liquid crystal display panel with an appropriate brightness, and the user can arbitrarily select the most visible brightness.

According to the digital camera of the tenth aspect of the present invention, an image display used by a user to confirm a composition of an object to be photographed and a screen to end photographing and reproduce an image stored in an image storage means. As means, a liquid crystal display device according to claims 1 to 9 is provided. Therefore, the power consumed by the liquid crystal display means is reduced as described above, so that the power consumed by the digital camera itself can be reduced, and the operability of the digital camera is improved.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid crystal display device 1
A liquid crystal display panel 10 for displaying an image, an external light 21 such as sunlight or indoor light and a backlight 22 as a light source as illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel 10, and light from the external light 21 and the backlight 22 A light guide plate 30 that guides the light to the liquid crystal display panel 10, a lighting window 31 as a lighting part that takes in the external light 21, a reflector 40 that reflects the light from the external light 21 and the backlight 22 and guides the light to the back surface 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 10. An openable / closable lid 50 that covers the upper surface of the lighting window 31 is provided.

As the liquid crystal display panel 10, a thin film transistor type liquid crystal display panel or the like can be used.

In this embodiment, a fluorescent lamp is used as a light source of the backlight 22. However, by using a light emitting diode or the like, the power consumed by the backlight can be further reduced as compared with a fluorescent lamp.

A groove is formed on the surface 41 of the reflection plate 40 so that light illuminates the liquid crystal display panel 10 uniformly. This groove is formed with a small gap at the upper edge and the lower edge of the reflector 40 near the lighting window 31 and the backlight 22, and with a large gap at the center of the reflector 40 far from the lighting window 31 and the backlight 22. Is formed.

As the light guide plate 30, a transparent plate or prism made of glass or plastic can be used. Also,
Irregularities can be formed on the light exit surface 32 side of the light guide plate 30 to efficiently diffuse light. The daylighting window 31 is provided integrally with the upper end of the light guide plate 30.
1 and the light guide plate 30 may be configured separately.

When the cover 50 is moved in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1, the daylighting window 31 is opened as shown in FIG. 2 so that the outside light 21 can be taken in. When the liquid crystal display device 1 is used in a dark place such as indoors where it is not necessary to take in the external light 21, it can be moved in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. A metal film 51 or a metal plate is provided as a mirror member on the lighting window side of the lid 50 to prevent light from the backlight 22 from being radiated to the outside of the liquid crystal display device 1, and to prevent light from being emitted from the backlight 22. Can be used effectively.

Further, the lid 50 can be a switch linked to the backlight 22 that can turn on and off the power of the backlight 22. When the lid 50 is opened, the power of the backlight 22 is turned off, and when the lid 50 is closed, the power of the backlight 22 is turned on. Therefore, the operation of the power supply of the backlight 22 can be performed only by opening and closing the lid 50, and the operation of the liquid crystal display device 1 is facilitated.

Next, the light path will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 50 is opened and the external light 21 is opened.
, The outside light 21 is taken in from the lighting window 31. The extracted external light 21 travels as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, is guided by the light guide plate 30, is reflected toward the back surface 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 10 at the surface 41 of the reflection plate 40, and illuminates the liquid crystal display panel 10. . Since the grooves are formed in the reflection plate 40 as described above, the liquid crystal display panel 10 is uniformly illuminated.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the liquid crystal display panel 10 is illuminated using only the backlight 22 by closing the lid 50 to block the entrance of the external light 21,
Of the light emitted from the light guide plate 30 is guided to the light guide plate 30 as shown by an arrow A1 and is reflected toward the back surface 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 10 by the surface 41 of the reflection plate 40 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10. Further, another part of the light emitted from the backlight 22 is guided by the light guide plate 30 and proceeds toward the lighting window 31. The light traveling toward the lighting window 31 is reflected by the metal film 51 provided on the lighting window side of the lid 50 as shown by an arrow A2, is again guided to the light guide plate 30, and is reflected on the surface 41 of the reflection plate 40 by the liquid crystal display panel 10. The light is reflected toward the rear surface 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 10 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10. Therefore, the light emitted from the backlight 22 is effectively used to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10.

Next, a digital camera 80 equipped with the liquid crystal display device 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the digital camera 80
Is a control device 81 as a control means, a condenser lens 82,
CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 8 as optical sensor
3. A / D converter 84; liquid crystal display device 1 as image display means for displaying an image; RAM (Random Access Memory) 85 for temporarily storing image data; image storage means for storing captured image data , A VRAM 88 for storing data for an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1, an interface 87 for outputting the contents of the flash memory 86 to an external personal computer or the like. The control device 81 is a CPU
And a ROM in which programs for performing various controls of the digital camera 80 are recorded, and input means. The input unit includes a shutter button 89 as an instruction unit for inputting photographing execution and an input button for operating various functions of the digital camera 80.

The digital camera 80 operates by power supplied from a power supply (not shown). As a power supply source, for example, a primary battery such as an alkaline battery, a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery, an AC power supply via an AC adapter, or the like can be used.

As the CCD 83, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), G (G
By using a CCD in which a plurality of pixels having complementary color filters (reen) are arranged in a matrix, a color image can be taken. R (Red), G (Green),
In some cases, a CCD having a primary color filter of B (Blue) is used.

The liquid crystal display device 1 has, as shown in FIG.
It is provided on the back side of the digital camera 80. Lighting window 3 in which liquid crystal display device 1 takes in external light 21 such as sunlight.
1 is provided on the upper part of the liquid crystal display device 1.

The electric signal output from the CCD 83 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 84 as a conversion means, and the digital data output from the A / D converter 84 is converted into a DMA (Direct Memory Access) signal to increase the speed. ) Is recorded by directly specifying the address of the RAM 85 without going through the control device 81. As the RAM 85, a DRAM having a self-refresh function can be used. RA
The image data recorded in M85 is subjected to various image corrections such as white balance adjustment, interpolation processing, and color correction by the control device 81.

The corrected image data is compressed by a method such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) in order to increase the number of images to be recorded in the flash memory 86 as image storage means, thereby generating small-capacity image data. JPEG is about 167 of 256 gradations of each color of R, G, B.
This is a commonly used irreversible image compression method that can handle images of 100,000 colors, and the storage image quality can be adjusted by changing the compression ratio. JPEG compression is
In addition to the software performed by the control device 81, a dedicated circuit can be used for speeding up. The compressed image data is recorded in the flash memory 86 as a JPEG file.

The flash memory 86 is a rewritable recording medium capable of storing recorded contents without power supply, and is built in the digital camera 80 or is detachably attached to the digital camera 80.
As a means for inputting image data shot on a personal computer, a digital camera 80 is connected via a serial cable or the like.
To transfer the JPEG file in the flash memory to the personal computer by connecting to the interface 87, or if the flash memory 86 is detachably formatted in a format compatible with the personal computer, The recorded JPEG file can be read directly by a personal computer.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the digital camera 80 has a dial switch 9 provided on the upper part.
The user operates 0 to switch the shooting mode and operate the power supply. When the dial switch 90 is in the “Off” mode, the power of the CCD 83 and the LCD 1 of the digital camera 80 is off, and no photographing can be performed. When the dial switch 90 is in the “On” mode, C
The power of the CD 83 and the digital camera 80 is ON, but the power of the LCD 1 is OFF.
The user shoots while looking at the viewfinder 92. When the dial switch 90 is in the “View” mode, the power of the CCD 83, the LCD 1, and the digital camera 80 are all on, so that the user
You can shoot while watching. When the dial switch 90 is set to the “Play” mode, an image previously captured and stored in the flash memory 86 can be reproduced. In the “On” mode, the power of the LCD 1 is turned off, so that the power consumed by the LCD 1 can be saved.

Dial switch 9 of digital camera 80
When “0” is set to “View”, light from the imaging target received by the CCD 83 is converted into digital data and transferred to the VRAM 88 every several to one-tenth of a second, and the imaging target is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1. Displayed as a movie. Therefore,
The user can determine the composition of the object to be imaged while viewing the liquid crystal display device 1.

When the user presses the shutter button 89 to “full shutter” in which the shutter button 89 is pushed to the limit of the movable range, C
The light received by the CD 83 from the object to be photographed is converted into digital data, and then is converted into image data as flash memory 8.
6 and the photographing is performed.

According to the digital camera equipped with the liquid crystal display device of the first embodiment, the brightness of the screen of the liquid crystal display device provided in the digital camera can be increased by taking in external light. Therefore, even when using the digital camera in a bright place such as outdoors, the user can surely recognize the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device.

Further, since the light-receiving window of the liquid crystal display device is provided with a lid, when the digital camera is used in a dark place such as indoors, the light from the backlight should be effectively used for illumination of the liquid crystal display device. Can be.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Components substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the second embodiment, the lighting window 31 provided on the light guide plate 30 for taking in the external light 21 is formed in an arc shape in a side view. The lighting window 31 and the light guide plate 30 may be configured separately. The shape of the lid 50 is also formed in an arc shape in a side view according to the shape of the lighting window 31. When the external light 21 is to be taken in, the lid 50 is moved in the direction of the arrow X 'to open the lighting window 31, and when there is no need to take in the external light 21, the lid 50 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y' to close the lighting window 31. be able to.

By forming the daylighting window 31 in an arc shape, the surface area of the daylighting window 31 can be increased more than when the daylighting window 31 is formed in a flat shape as in the first embodiment. Since the area required for installing 31 can be reduced, the liquid crystal display device 1 can be reduced in size and thickness.

Even when the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment is used, a digital camera having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Components substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the third embodiment, the lid 52 of the lighting window 31 provided above the light guide plate 30 for taking in the external light 21.
Is formed by a semi-transparent mirror member that transmits only light from one direction, and is provided integrally with the lighting window 31. The lighting part 31 and the light guide plate 30 may be configured separately.

As the semi-transparent mirror member, for example, a magic mirror in which a transparent plate or film made of a material such as glass or plastic is plated with silver or tin can be used.

Instead of forming the lighting window 31 and the lid 52 integrally, the lid 52 can be opened and closed as in the first embodiment. Also, the lighting window 31 may be directly coated with a magic mirror.

The external light 21 passes through the lid 52 formed of a semi-transparent mirror member as shown by the arrow D1, and enters the light guide plate 30. The external light 21 transmitted through the lid 52 is guided by the light guide plate 30 and reflected by the surface 41 of the reflection plate 40 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10. In addition, a part of the light emitted from the backlight 22 is guided to the light guide plate 30 as shown by the arrow D <b> 2 and is reflected on the surface 41 of the reflector 40 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10. Another part of the light emitted from the backlight 22 is:
The light is guided by the light guide plate 30 and once reaches the lid 52, but cannot pass through the light guide plate 30 through the lid 52 formed of a semi-transparent mirror member, and is reflected by the light guide plate 30 of the lid 52, The liquid crystal display panel 10 is again guided by the light guide plate 30 and reflected by the surface 41 of the reflection plate 40 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10.

Therefore, the user does not need to open the lid 52 to take in the external light 21 according to the surrounding brightness or to close the lid 52 and block the external light 21, so that the liquid crystal display device 1 can be handled. It will be easier.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lighting window 31 provided at the upper part of the light guide plate 30 for taking in the external light 21 has an arcuate shape in a side view, and the lid 52 formed by a semi-transparent mirror member also takes light. By adopting a shape conforming to the window 31, the surface area of the lighting window 31 that takes in the external light 21 can be increased.

Even when the liquid crystal display device of the third embodiment is used, a digital camera having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a liquid crystal display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Components substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the fourth embodiment, the brightness around the liquid crystal display device 1 is sensed in the vicinity of a lighting window 31 integrally or separately provided above the light guide plate 30 for taking in the external light 21. A photosensitive sensor 6 is provided. The photosensitive sensor 6 is connected to the control device 7, and information on the detected brightness is sent to the control device 7. The control device 7 is connected not only to the photosensitive sensor 6 but also to the backlight 22, and controls the illuminance of the backlight 22 according to information on the surrounding brightness detected by the photosensitive sensor 6. Therefore, the external light 21 and the backlight 22 can always illuminate the liquid crystal display device 1 with an appropriate brightness, and the user can turn on and off the power of the backlight 22 according to the surrounding brightness, and can use the lighting window. There is no need to open and close the lid. Further, since the backlight 22 plays a role of assisting the external light 21 illuminating the liquid crystal display panel 10, the external light 21 is efficiently taken in.
2 consumes less power.

Even when the liquid crystal display device of the fourth embodiment is used, a digital camera having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a liquid crystal display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Components substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the fifth embodiment, the backlight 22
The brightness of the can be controlled manually. The user can control the brightness so that the liquid crystal display device 1 is most visible from an input unit (not shown) of the control device 7 according to the surrounding brightness. Therefore, the external light 21 and the backlight 22 are
Can always be illuminated with moderate brightness. Further, the backlight 22 illuminating the liquid crystal display device 1 can be arbitrarily adjusted to a desired brightness according to the user's own preference. Further, the backlight 22 is connected to the liquid crystal display panel 1.
Since it plays a role of assisting the external light 21 illuminating 0, the external light 21 can be efficiently taken in and the power consumed by the backlight 22 can be reduced.

Even when the liquid crystal display device of the fifth embodiment is used, a digital camera having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the above description, a plurality of embodiments have been described as independent structures, but each embodiment may be combined. By combining a plurality of embodiments, external light and a light source can be used more efficiently.

In the above embodiments, the reflector 40
May be a semi-transparent mirror member. That is, the surface on the light guide plate 30 side is a reflection surface, and the opposing surface is a transmission surface. When the backlight 22 is disposed below the transmission surface, the illumination light of the backlight 22 passes through the transmission surface and is guided to the light guide plate 30 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 10. The external light 21 is guided by the light guide plate 30 and is reflected on the back surface 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 10 by the reflecting surface of a semi-transparent mirror member.
Reflects light to illuminate the LCD panel.

In the embodiments described above, the case where the liquid crystal display device is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is widely applied to other electronic devices equipped with the liquid crystal display device. Can be applied.

As described above with the embodiment, according to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, when external light cannot be taken in, for example, in a dark room, the light radiated from the light source is closed by closing the cover of the light-receiving section. The light emitted from the light source is prevented from being emitted to the outside of the device, and the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently used for lighting the liquid crystal display panel.

Further, since the brightness of the light source can be controlled according to the brightness of the external light, the liquid crystal display device can always be illuminated with a constant brightness.

Further, since the light source can be used as a means for supplementing the brightness of the external light, it is not necessary to constantly turn on the light source, and the power consumed by the light source can be reduced.

Further, according to the digital camera using the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, the external light and the light source can be efficiently used for lighting the liquid crystal display device, so that the power consumed by the liquid crystal display device can be reduced. In addition, the power consumed by the entire digital camera can be reduced, and the operability of the digital camera can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view illustrating a liquid crystal display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing a conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a CCD of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 liquid crystal display device 6 control device 7 photosensitive sensor 10 liquid crystal display panel 11 back surface of liquid crystal display panel 21 external light 22 backlight (light source) 30 light guide plate 31 lighting window (lighting portion) 32 light emitting surface 40 reflector 41 surface 50 lid (Lid) 51 Metal film (mirror member) 52 Lid 80 Digital camera 81 Control device (control means) 82 Condensing lens 83 CCD (light sensor) 84 A / D converter (converting means) 85 RAM 86 Flash memory (image) Storage means) 87 interface 88 VRAM 89 shutter button (instruction means) 90 dial switch 92 viewfinder

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] January 11, 2000 (2000.1.1)
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008]

According to the liquid crystal display device of the first aspect of the present invention, a lid portion is provided above a lighting portion for taking in external light such as the sun or room light for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. Is provided. By sliding the lid
It can be opened and closed freely. Therefore, in places where external light is sufficiently bright, such as outdoors or illuminated indoors, the lid can be opened and external light can be taken in from the lighting section, and the liquid crystal display panel can be exposed to one or both of external light and light from a light source. The display is sufficiently illuminated, and the user can reliably recognize the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device. Also, since external light and light from the light source can be used efficiently,
The power consumed by the light source can be reduced. The lid can be closed in a dark place where sufficient external light cannot be obtained, so that the light emitted from the light source is prevented from being emitted from the lighting unit to the outside of the liquid crystal display device, and the light emitted from the light source is prevented. Can be efficiently used for lighting a liquid crystal display panel.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the liquid crystal display device of the second aspect of the present invention, the daylighting portion for taking in external light is formed in an arc shape in side view. Therefore, the surface area of the lighting section is enlarged,
Since the area of the lighting unit required to obtain the same light amount as when the lighting unit is formed in a planar shape can be reduced,
The size and thickness of the liquid crystal display device can be reduced.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the digital camera of the fifth aspect of the present invention, an image display used by a user to confirm a composition of an object to be photographed and a screen for ending photographing and reproducing an image stored in the image storage means. As means, a liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided. Therefore, the power consumed by the liquid crystal display means is reduced as described above, so that the power consumed by the digital camera itself can be reduced, and the operability of the digital camera is improved.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoichi Wakai 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano F-term in Seiko Epson Corporation (reference) 2H091 FA14Z FA23Z FA41Z FA50Z FC30 FD01 GA11 LA03 LA12 LA30 MA10 5C022 AA13 AB15 AC00 AC03 AC61 AC78 5G435 AA00 AA03 BB12 BB16 DD13 EE23 FF03 FF04 FF08 LL14

Claims (10)

[Claims] A lighting unit for illuminating a liquid crystal display panel provided with a plurality of liquid crystal elements, the lighting unit having a lighting unit for taking in external light, and a light source; A liquid crystal display device comprising: a light guide plate that guides the light to the liquid crystal display panel; and a lid portion that is openably and closably provided above the lighting unit. 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit is formed in an arc shape in a side view. 3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the lid has a mirror member on a surface on a side of the daylighting unit. 4. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the lid is a switch for supplying or interrupting a current from a power supply to the light source. 5. The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the lid is a semi-transparent mirror member that transmits the external light but does not transmit light from the light source. The liquid crystal display device according to the above. 6. A lighting unit having a lighting unit for taking in external light, and a light source, and illuminating a liquid crystal display panel provided with a plurality of liquid crystal elements; and a lighting unit provided behind the liquid crystal display panel; A light guide plate that guides the light to the liquid crystal display panel; a photosensitive sensor that is provided near the lighting unit and that detects the brightness of the external light; and is connected to the light source and the photosensitive sensor to control the light source. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a control device, wherein the control device can control the brightness of the light source in accordance with the brightness of the external light detected by the photosensitive sensor. 7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6, wherein the lighting unit is formed in an arc shape in a side view. 8. An illuminating means for illuminating a liquid crystal display panel provided with a plurality of liquid crystal elements, the illuminating means having a lighting part for taking in external light, and a light source; A light guide plate that guides the light to the liquid crystal display panel; and a control device that is connected to the light source and controls the light source. The control device adjusts the brightness of the light source according to the brightness of external light. A liquid crystal display device characterized by being controllable. 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 8, wherein the lighting unit is formed in an arc shape in a side view. 10. An optical sensor having a plurality of image sensors, a condenser lens for condensing light from an object to be photographed on the optical sensor, a converter for converting an output signal from the optical sensor into digital data, An image storage unit capable of storing the digital data as image data; an image display unit capable of displaying an image based on the digital data or the image data; the optical sensor; the conversion unit; the image storage device; and the image display 10. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling means, and instruction means for giving an instruction to said control means, wherein said image display means is the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1. Digital camera.