JP2001222005A - Liquid crystal device and electronic appliance - Google Patents
Liquid crystal device and electronic applianceInfo
- Publication number
- JP2001222005A JP2001222005A JP2000380648A JP2000380648A JP2001222005A JP 2001222005 A JP2001222005 A JP 2001222005A JP 2000380648 A JP2000380648 A JP 2000380648A JP 2000380648 A JP2000380648 A JP 2000380648A JP 2001222005 A JP2001222005 A JP 2001222005A
- Authority
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- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- display
- liquid crystal
- light
- crystal device
- reflective
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
- Polarising Elements (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は液晶装置に関する。
より具体的には反射表示及び透過表示の両表示モードを
有する半透過反射型液晶装置に関する。そして、この液
晶装置を搭載した電子機器に関する。[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a transflective liquid crystal device having both a reflective display mode and a transmissive display mode. The present invention also relates to an electronic device equipped with the liquid crystal device.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】液晶装置は基本的に受光型の表示装置で
あるために、暗闇で観察するためには何らかの補助光源
が必要である。そこで液晶パネル背面に光源を配置し、
必要に応じて反射表示と透過表示を切り替えて使う方式
が考案された。これが半透過反射型液晶装置である。2. Description of the Related Art Since a liquid crystal device is basically a light-receiving display device, some auxiliary light source is required for observation in the dark. So we set a light source on the back of the LCD panel,
A system has been devised that switches between reflective display and transmissive display as necessary. This is a transflective liquid crystal device.
【０００３】従来の半透過反射型液晶装置の構成を図７
を用いて説明する。図７において、７０１は上側偏光
板、７０２は位相差フィルム、７０３は上側ガラス基
板、７０４は液晶組成物、７０５は下側ガラス基板、７
０６は下側偏光板、７０７は半透過反射板、７０８は光
源の導光板、７０９は光源である。また７１０と７１１
はいずれも短冊状の透明電極であり、それぞれ走査線と
信号線の役割を果たす。７１０と７１１が交差する領域
が、液晶組成物に電圧を印加可能な領域、即ち光変調可
能な領域である。半透過反射板７０７は、例えばパール
顔料ビーズを樹脂中に分散したシートであり、入射光量
の７０％を反射し３０％を透過する（別のタイプでは５
０％を反射し５０％を透過する）機能がある。反射表示
と透過表示の切り替えは、光源点灯のオン／オフによっ
て行う。FIG. 7 shows the structure of a conventional transflective liquid crystal device.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 7, 701 is an upper polarizing plate, 702 is a retardation film, 703 is an upper glass substrate, 704 is a liquid crystal composition, 705 is a lower glass substrate, 7
06 is a lower polarizing plate, 707 is a transflective plate, 708 is a light guide plate of a light source, and 709 is a light source. 710 and 711
Are strip-shaped transparent electrodes, each serving as a scanning line and a signal line. A region where 710 and 711 intersect is a region where a voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal composition, that is, a region where light modulation can be performed. The transflective plate 707 is a sheet in which, for example, pearl pigment beads are dispersed in a resin, and reflects 70% of the incident light amount and transmits 30% (in another type, 5%).
(Reflects 0% and transmits 50%). Switching between the reflective display and the transmissive display is performed by turning on / off the light source lighting.
【０００４】[0004]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、上記従
来の半透過反射型液晶装置には、透過表示の際にコント
ラストが低下するという課題があった。これは、電極に
挟まれていないために液晶組成物に電圧を印加できない
領域であって、しかも遮光膜や金属配線等に隠れていな
い領域（以下、その代表例としてドット間と言う。）で
の光漏れが原因がある。However, the above-mentioned conventional transflective liquid crystal device has a problem in that the contrast is reduced during transmissive display. This is a region where a voltage cannot be applied to the liquid crystal composition because it is not sandwiched between electrodes, and is not hidden by a light-shielding film, a metal wiring, or the like (hereinafter, a representative example thereof is referred to as between dots). Light leakage.
【０００５】通常の反射型液晶装置においては、ドット
間に遮光層を設けず、表示をノーマリオープン（あるい
はノーマリホワイト）にする。このようにするとドット
間は常に明表示であり、表示が明るくなるという効果が
ある。また反射表示においては、ドット間の光漏れによ
るコントラストの低下も少ない。何故ならばドット間を
通った光は、入射時か反射時のいずれかで隣接する暗表
示のドットで吸収されるからである。ところが、透過型
液晶装置ではこのような視差の効果がないから、ドット
間に遮光層を設ける。In a normal reflection type liquid crystal device, a display is normally open (or normally white) without providing a light shielding layer between dots. In this way, there is an effect that the display is always bright between the dots and the display becomes bright. Further, in the reflective display, a decrease in contrast due to light leakage between dots is small. This is because the light passing between the dots is absorbed by the adjacent darkly displayed dots either at the time of incidence or at the time of reflection. However, since a transmissive liquid crystal device does not have such a parallax effect, a light shielding layer is provided between dots.
【０００６】従来の半透過反射型液晶装置は、反射表示
重視の設計で反射型液晶装置とほぼ同じ構成を取ってい
るめに、透過表示の際にドット間の光漏れによってコン
トラストが低下した。The conventional transflective liquid crystal device has a design that emphasizes reflective display and has almost the same configuration as the reflective liquid crystal device. However, the contrast is reduced due to light leakage between dots during transmissive display.
【０００７】そこで本発明は、ドット間の領域を反射表
示時に明表示、透過表示時に暗表示とすることによっ
て、明るい反射表示とコントラストの高い透過表示を両
立させた半透過反射型液晶装置を提供することを目的と
する。Therefore, the present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal device which achieves both bright reflective display and high-contrast transmissive display by making the area between dots a bright display during reflective display and a dark display during transmissive display. The purpose is to do.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】請求項１記載の液晶装置
は、少なくとも、入射光の所定の偏光成分を反射し、前
記所定の偏光成分以外の光を透過する反射偏光手段を備
え、マトリクス表示を行う液晶装置であって、光変調不
可能でかつ遮光されない領域が、反射表示時に明表示、
透過表示時に暗表示であることを特徴とする。光変調不
可能でかつ遮光されない領域とは、電極に挟まれていな
いために液晶組成物に電圧を印加できない領域であっ
て、しかも遮光膜や金属配線等に隠れていない領域を指
す。またこの領域が反射表示時に明表示、透過表示時に
暗表示であるとは、即ち反射表示時にノーマリオープン
（あるいはノーマリホワイト）、透過表示時にノーマリ
クローズド（あるいはノーマリブラック）の表示である
ことと殆ど同義である。このように構成したため、請求
項１記載の液晶装置は、明るい反射表示とコントラスト
の高い透過表示が両立する。尚、本発明における液晶装
置には、反射表示及び透過表示の両表示モードを有する
半透過反射型液晶装置を用いると好ましい。According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device, comprising: a reflective polarization means for reflecting at least a predetermined polarization component of incident light and transmitting light other than the predetermined polarization component; In the liquid crystal device that performs light modulation, the region that is not light-modulated and is not shaded is a bright display at the time of reflective display,
It is characterized by dark display during transmissive display. The region where light modulation is not possible and light is not blocked refers to a region where a voltage cannot be applied to the liquid crystal composition because it is not sandwiched between electrodes and is not hidden by a light shielding film, a metal wiring, or the like. Further, that this area is a bright display in the reflective display and a dark display in the transmissive display, that is, a normally open (or normally white) display in the reflective display and a normally closed (or normally black) display in the transmissive display. It is almost synonymous with that. With this configuration, the liquid crystal device according to claim 1 achieves both bright reflective display and high-contrast transmissive display. It is preferable to use a transflective liquid crystal device having both a reflective display mode and a transmissive display mode as the liquid crystal device in the present invention.
【０００９】請求項２記載の液晶装置は、少なくとも、
偏光板と、対向する内面に透明電極を備えマトリクス状
のドット群を形成した一対の基板間に液晶組成物を挟ん
で成る液晶パネルと、入射光の所定の偏光成分を反射
し、前記所定の偏光成分以外の光を透過する反射偏光手
段と、光源とを備え、これらを前記の順に配置した液晶
装置であって、前記液晶パネルの光変調不可能でかつ遮
光されない領域が、反射表示時に明表示、透過表示時に
暗表示となるよう、前記液晶パネルに合わせて前記偏光
板と前記反射型偏光手段の軸が配置されてなることを特
徴とする。このように構成したため、請求項２記載の液
晶装置は、明るい反射表示とコントラストの高い透過表
示が両立する。尚、本発明の液晶装置には反射表示及び
透過表示の両表示モードを有する半透過反射型液晶装置
を用いると好ましい。[0009] The liquid crystal device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
A polarizing plate, a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal composition interposed between a pair of substrates each having a transparent electrode on an opposing inner surface and forming a matrix of dot groups, and reflecting a predetermined polarization component of incident light; A liquid crystal device, comprising: a reflective polarizing means for transmitting light other than the polarized light component; and a light source, wherein these are arranged in the above order, wherein an area of the liquid crystal panel where light cannot be modulated and is not shielded is bright during reflective display. An axis of the polarizing plate and an axis of the reflective polarizing means are arranged in accordance with the liquid crystal panel so that dark display is performed during display and transmissive display. With this configuration, the liquid crystal device according to claim 2 achieves both a bright reflective display and a transmissive display with high contrast. It is preferable to use a transflective liquid crystal device having both a reflective display mode and a transmissive display mode for the liquid crystal device of the present invention.
【００１０】請求項３記載の電子機器は、請求項１また
は請求項２記載の液晶装置を表示装置として搭載したこ
とを特徴とする。このように構成したため、請求項３記
載の電子機器は、従来の透過型液晶装置を搭載した電子
機器に比べて消費電力が小さくなり、また従来の反射表
示モード及び透過表示モードの両表示モードを有する半
透過反射型液晶装置を搭載した電子機器に比べて明るく
見やすい表示が可能になるという利点がある。According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal device according to the first or second aspect as a display device. With this configuration, the electronic device according to the third aspect consumes less power than the conventional electronic device equipped with a transmissive liquid crystal device, and operates in both the conventional reflective display mode and the conventional transmissive display mode. There is an advantage that a brighter and easier-to-view display can be performed as compared with an electronic device equipped with the transflective liquid crystal device.
【００１１】[0011]
【発明の実施の形態】以下本発明を図面に基づいて詳細
に説明する。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
【００１２】（実施例１）図１は本発明の実施例１に係
る半透過反射型液晶装置の斜視図である。まず構成を説
明する。図１において、１０１は偏光板、１０２は位相
差フィルム、１０３は上側ガラス基板、１０４は液晶組
成物、１０５は下側ガラス基板、１０６は光散乱板、１
０７は反射偏光手段として用いた反射偏光子、１０８は
半光吸収板、１０９は光源の導光板、１１０は光源であ
る。また１１１と１１２はいずれも短冊状の透明電極で
あり、それぞれ走査線と信号線の役割を果たす。１１０
と１１１が交差する領域が、液晶組成物に電圧を印加可
能な領域、即ち光変調可能な領域である。Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transflective liquid crystal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, 101 is a polarizing plate, 102 is a retardation film, 103 is an upper glass substrate, 104 is a liquid crystal composition, 105 is a lower glass substrate, 106 is a light scattering plate, 1
Reference numeral 07 denotes a reflection polarizer used as reflection polarization means, 108 denotes a semi-light absorbing plate, 109 denotes a light guide plate of a light source, and 110 denotes a light source. Each of 111 and 112 is a strip-shaped transparent electrode, which serves as a scanning line and a signal line, respectively. 110
And 111 intersect with each other is a region where a voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal composition, that is, a region where light modulation can be performed.
【００１３】ここで１０１と１０２、１０５と１０６、
１０６と１０７は、それぞれ互いに離して描いてある
が、これは図を明解にするためであって、実際には糊で
接着している。また上側ガラス基板１０３と下側ガラス
基板１０５の間も広く離して描いてあるが、これも同様
の理由からであって、実際には数μｍから十数μｍの狭
いギャップを保って対向している。また、図１は半透過
反射型液晶装置の一部を示しているため、３本の走査線
１１１と３本の信号線１１２が交差して出来る３×３の
マトリクス、即ち９ドット分しか図示していないが、実
際にはさらに多くのドットを有する。なお図示した構成
要素以外にも、液晶配向膜や絶縁膜、アンチグレア膜、
スペーサーボール、液晶ドライバーＩＣ、駆動回路等の
要素も不可欠であるが、これらは本願発明を説明する上
で特に必要が無いため、省略した。Here, 101 and 102, 105 and 106,
106 and 107 are drawn apart from each other for the sake of clarity of the drawing, and are actually glued together. Further, the upper glass substrate 103 and the lower glass substrate 105 are also drawn widely apart, but for the same reason. Actually, the upper glass substrate 103 and the lower glass substrate 105 face each other with a narrow gap of several μm to tens of μm. I have. FIG. 1 shows a part of a transflective liquid crystal device, so that only a 3 × 3 matrix formed by crossing three scanning lines 111 and three signal lines 112, that is, nine dots, is illustrated. Although not shown, it actually has more dots. In addition, in addition to the illustrated components, a liquid crystal alignment film, an insulating film, an anti-glare film,
Elements such as a spacer ball, a liquid crystal driver IC, and a driving circuit are also indispensable, but they are omitted because they are not particularly necessary for describing the present invention.
【００１４】次に各構成要素について説明する。偏光板
１０１は所定の直線偏光成分を吸収し、それ以外の偏光
成分を透過する機能を有しており、従来の液晶装置で通
常に用いられてきたものと同様である。これには、ヨウ
素錯体などの二色性物質を吸着したＰＶＡフィルムを延
伸したもの等がよく利用される。Next, each component will be described. The polarizing plate 101 has a function of absorbing a predetermined linearly polarized light component and transmitting other polarized light components, and is the same as that generally used in a conventional liquid crystal device. For this purpose, a stretched PVA film on which a dichroic substance such as an iodine complex is adsorbed is often used.
【００１５】位相差フィルム１０２は、例えばポリカー
ボネート樹脂の一軸延伸フィルムであって、特にＳＴＮ
液晶の着色を補償するために利用される。ＴＮ液晶の場
合には省略することが多い。The retardation film 102 is, for example, a uniaxially stretched film of a polycarbonate resin.
It is used to compensate for coloring of the liquid crystal. In the case of a TN liquid crystal, it is often omitted.
【００１６】液晶組成物１０４は２１０°〜２７０°ね
じれたＳＴＮ液晶組成物であるが、表示容量が小さい場
合には９０°ねじれたＴＮ液晶組成物を用いても良い。
ねじれ角は上下ガラス基板における配向処理の方向と、
液晶に添加するカイラル剤の分量で決定する。Although the liquid crystal composition 104 is an STN liquid crystal composition twisted from 210 ° to 270 °, a TN liquid crystal composition twisted by 90 ° may be used when the display capacity is small.
The torsion angle is the direction of the orientation process on the upper and lower glass substrates,
It is determined by the amount of the chiral agent added to the liquid crystal.
【００１７】光散乱板１０６には、型押ししたプラスチ
ック板や、ビーズを分散したプラスチック板が利用でき
る。また１０５と１０７との接着層中にビーズを混入し
て光散乱板の代わりとしても良い。光散乱板は、幾分鏡
面に近い反射偏光子の反射光を拡散する目的で配置され
るが、無くても表示は可能である。またその位置は、１
０５と１０７の間以外にも、１０４に接した位置、１０
２と１０３の間や１０１の上面であっても良い。As the light scattering plate 106, a pressed plastic plate or a plastic plate in which beads are dispersed can be used. Also, beads may be mixed in the adhesive layer between 105 and 107 to replace the light scattering plate. The light scattering plate is arranged for the purpose of diffusing the reflected light of the reflective polarizer which is somewhat close to the mirror surface, but display is possible without it. The position is 1
Other than between 05 and 107,
It may be between 2 and 103 or the upper surface of 101.
【００１８】反射偏光子１０７としては、複屈折性の誘
電体多層膜を利用した。この複屈折性の誘電体多層膜
は、所定の直線偏光成分を反射し、所定の直線偏光成分
以外の偏光成分を透過する機能を有する。このような複
屈折性の誘電体多層膜の詳細については、国際公開され
た国際出願（国際出願の番号：ＷＯ９７／０１７８８）
や、特表平９−５０６９８５号公報に開示されている。
またこのような反射偏光子は、米国３Ｍ社からＤＢＥＦ
（商品名）として市販されており、一般に入手可能であ
る。As the reflective polarizer 107, a birefringent dielectric multilayer film was used. The birefringent dielectric multilayer film has a function of reflecting a predetermined linear polarization component and transmitting a polarization component other than the predetermined linear polarization component. For details of such a birefringent dielectric multilayer film, see an internationally published international application (international application number: WO97 / 01788).
And Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-506985.
Such reflective polarizers are also available from DBM in the United States as DBEF.
It is commercially available as (trade name) and is generally available.
【００１９】次に、反射偏光子の構造について説明す
る。図２は、反射偏光子の構造の要部を説明する図であ
る。反射偏光子は、二種類の高分子層２０１と２０２を
交互に積層して成る。二種類の高分子は、一つは光弾性
率が大きい材料から、もう一つは光弾性率が小さい材料
から選ばれるが、その際に両者を延伸した際の常光線の
屈折率が概ね等しくなるよう留意する。例えば、光弾性
率の大きい材料としてＰＥＮ（２，６−ポリエチレン・
ナフタレート）を、小さい材料としてｃｏＰＥＮ（７０
−ナフタレート／３０−テレフタレート・コポリエステ
ル）を選ぶ。両フィルムを交互に積層し、図２の直交座
標系２０３のｘ軸方向に約５倍に延伸したところ、ｘ軸
方向の屈折率がＰＥＮ層において１．８８、ｃｏＰＥＮ
層において１．６４となった。またｙ軸方向の屈折率は
ＰＥＮ層でもｃｏＰＥＮ層でもほぼ１．６４であった。
この積層フィルムに法線方向から光が入射すると、ｙ軸
方向に振動する光の成分はそのままフィルムを透過す
る。これが透過軸である。一方ｘ軸方向に振動する光の
成分は、ＰＥＮ層とｃｏＰＥＮ層が、ある一定の条件を
満たす場合に限って、反射される。これが反射軸であ
る。その条件とは、ＰＥＮ層の光路長（屈折率と膜厚の
積）と、ｃｏＰＥＮ層の光路長の和が光の波長の２分の
１に等しいことである。このようなＰＥＮ層とｃｏＰＥ
Ｎ層を各々数十層以上、出来れば百層以上、厚みにして
３０μｍほど積層させると、ｘ軸方向に振動する光の成
分のほぼ全てを反射させることが出来る。このようにし
て作成した反射偏光子は、設計された単一の波長の光で
しか偏光能を生じない。そこで設計波長が異なる複数の
反射偏光子を、軸を揃えて積層することにより、広い波
長領域で偏光能を持たせることができる。Next, the structure of the reflective polarizer will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the structure of the reflective polarizer. The reflective polarizer is formed by alternately stacking two types of polymer layers 201 and 202. The two types of polymers are selected from a material having a high photoelastic modulus and a material having a low photoelastic modulus, and the refractive indices of ordinary rays when both are stretched are approximately equal. Be careful. For example, PEN (2,6-polyethylene.
Naphthalate) as coPEN (70
-Naphthalate / 30-terephthalate copolyester). When both films were alternately laminated and stretched about 5 times in the x-axis direction of the orthogonal coordinate system 203 in FIG. 2, the refractive index in the x-axis direction was 1.88 in the PEN layer, and coPEN
It became 1.64 in the layer. The refractive index in the y-axis direction was approximately 1.64 in both the PEN layer and the coPEN layer.
When light is incident on the laminated film from the normal direction, the light component vibrating in the y-axis direction passes through the film as it is. This is the transmission axis. On the other hand, the light component that vibrates in the x-axis direction is reflected only when the PEN layer and the coPEN layer satisfy certain conditions. This is the reflection axis. The condition is that the sum of the optical path length of the PEN layer (the product of the refractive index and the film thickness) and the optical path length of the coPEN layer is equal to one half of the wavelength of light. Such a PEN layer and coPE
When several tens or more layers, preferably 100 layers or more, of N layers are stacked, each having a thickness of about 30 μm, it is possible to reflect almost all components of light vibrating in the x-axis direction. The reflective polarizer produced in this way produces a polarization capability only with light of a single designed wavelength. Therefore, by laminating a plurality of reflective polarizers having different design wavelengths with their axes aligned, it is possible to have a polarizing ability in a wide wavelength region.
【００２０】この反射偏光子は、通常の偏光板＋アルミ
ニウム反射板構成と比較して、３０％以上明るい。また
通常の偏光板＋パール顔料分散タイプの半透過反射板構
成と比較すると約２倍明るい。その理由は二つある。一
つは金属アルミニウムの反射率が９０％弱、半透過反射
板の反射率が６０％弱しか無いのに対し、この反射偏光
子は所定の直線偏光をほぼ１００％反射するからであ
る。もう一つの理由は、通常の吸収タイプの偏光板がヨ
ウ素等のハロゲン物質や染料等の二色性物資を利用して
おり、その二色比が必ずしも高くないために、およそ２
０％の光を無駄にしていることである。This reflective polarizer is 30% or more brighter than a normal polarizer + aluminum reflector configuration. It is about twice as bright as a normal polarizing plate + pearl pigment dispersion type transflector. There are two reasons. One is that while the reflectance of metallic aluminum is less than 90% and the reflectance of the transflective plate is less than 60%, this reflective polarizer reflects almost 100% of predetermined linearly polarized light. Another reason is that ordinary absorption-type polarizing plates use dichroic materials such as halogen substances such as iodine and dyes, and the dichroic ratio is not necessarily high.
That is, 0% of the light is wasted.
【００２１】反射偏光子としては、他にもコレステリッ
ク相を呈する液晶ポリマーを用いることもできる。これ
は所定の円偏光成分を反射し、所定の円偏光成分以外の
偏光成分を透過する機能を有する。このような反射偏光
子の詳細については、特開平８−２７１８９２号公報で
開示されている。As the reflection polarizer, a liquid crystal polymer exhibiting a cholesteric phase can be used. This has a function of reflecting a predetermined circularly polarized light component and transmitting a polarized light component other than the predetermined circularly polarized light component. The details of such a reflective polarizer are disclosed in JP-A-8-271892.
【００２２】次に実施例１の半透過反射型液晶装置の機
能について図３を用いて説明する。図３において、３０
１は偏光板、３０２は位相差フィルム、３０３は上側ガ
ラス基板、３０４は下側ガラス基板、３０５は反射偏光
子、３０６は半光吸収板、３０７は光源、３０８はオフ
状態（電圧無印加状態）にある液晶、３０９はオン状態
（電圧印加状態）にある液晶である。Next, the function of the transflective liquid crystal device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, 30
1 is a polarizing plate, 302 is a retardation film, 303 is an upper glass substrate, 304 is a lower glass substrate, 305 is a reflective polarizer, 306 is a semi-light absorbing plate, 307 is a light source, 308 is an off state (voltage applied state). ) Is a liquid crystal in an ON state (voltage applied state).
【００２３】まず光源３０７が点灯していない場合、即
ち反射表示の場合を説明する。上方より入射した光３１
１と３１２は、偏光板３０１によって直線偏光に変換さ
れる。その後、位相差フィルムと液晶パネルによって様
々に変調されるが、反射偏光子３０５に入射する際に
は、ほぼ直線偏光に戻る。但し液晶パネルがオン状態
（電圧印加状態）にある領域３０９とオフ状態（電圧無
印加状態）にある領域３０８とでは、出射する直線偏光
は互いに直交している。そこでオフ状態（電圧無印加状
態）にある領域３０８から出射する直線偏光を反射し、
オン状態（電圧印加状態）にある領域３０９から出射す
る直線偏光を透過するよう、あらかじめ反射偏光子の軸
を配置しておく。オフ状態（電圧無印加状態）では、反
射偏光子を反射した直線偏光は再び先程と同じ経路を通
って上方に出射するため、明表示となる。一方オン状態
（電圧印加状態）では、反射偏光子を透過した直線偏光
が半光吸収体３０６で吸収され、残った光も多くは偏光
解消されるために反射偏光子を通って戻ることができ
ず、暗表示となる。液晶パネルがオン状態（電圧印加状
態）とオフ状態（電圧無印加状態）の中間の状態にある
ときには、両者が混じり合って中間調表示となる。この
ように反射表示では、ノーマリオープンの表示が実現さ
れる。First, the case where the light source 307 is not turned on, that is, the case of the reflection display will be described. Light 31 incident from above
1 and 312 are converted into linearly polarized light by the polarizing plate 301. After that, the light is modulated in various ways by the retardation film and the liquid crystal panel. However, in the region 309 where the liquid crystal panel is in the on state (voltage applied state) and in the region 308 where the liquid crystal panel is in the off state (voltage applied state), the emitted linearly polarized light is orthogonal to each other. Then, the linearly polarized light emitted from the region 308 in the off state (no voltage applied state) is reflected,
The axis of the reflective polarizer is arranged in advance so as to transmit linearly polarized light emitted from the region 309 in the ON state (voltage applied state). In the off state (in a state where no voltage is applied), the linearly polarized light reflected by the reflective polarizer is emitted upward again through the same path as before, so that a bright display is obtained. On the other hand, in the ON state (voltage applied state), the linearly polarized light transmitted through the reflective polarizer is absorbed by the semi-light absorber 306, and much of the remaining light is depolarized, so that it can return through the reflective polarizer. Instead, the display becomes dark. When the liquid crystal panel is in an intermediate state between the on state (voltage applied state) and the off state (no voltage applied state), the two are mixed to provide a halftone display. As described above, in the reflection display, a normally open display is realized.
【００２４】次に光源が点灯している場合、即ち透過表
示の場合を説明する。半透過反射型液晶装置で透過表示
を行う状況では、周囲が十分に暗いと考えられるから、
上方からの入射光が無視できる。光源３０７の点灯によ
り発せられた光３２１と３２２は、反射偏光子３０５に
よって、一方の直線偏光が反射され、残りの直線偏光が
透過する。透過した直線偏光は反射表示と同じ経路を通
って、明〜暗の表示を行う。但し、反射表示で反射偏光
子を反射した直線偏光と、透過表示で反射偏光子を透過
した直線偏光は、実は同じものではなく、互いに直交し
ている。従って、反射表示と透過表示では、表示の明暗
が反転する。このように透過表示では、ノーマリクロー
ズドの表示が実現される。なお表示の反転が好ましくな
い場合には、反射表示時と透過表示時とで液晶パネルの
表示を反転させるよう、表示データを変換する方法が有
効である。Next, the case where the light source is turned on, that is, the case of the transmissive display will be described. In a situation where transmissive display is performed by a transflective liquid crystal device, the surroundings are considered to be sufficiently dark.
Light incident from above is negligible. Lights 321 and 322 emitted by the lighting of the light source 307 are reflected by the reflective polarizer 305 so that one of the linearly polarized light is reflected and the other linearly polarized light is transmitted. The transmitted linearly polarized light passes through the same path as the reflective display, and performs bright to dark display. However, the linearly polarized light reflected by the reflective polarizer in the reflective display and the linearly polarized light transmitted through the reflective polarizer in the transmissive display are not actually the same, but are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, in the reflective display and the transmissive display, the brightness of the display is reversed. As described above, in the transmissive display, a normally closed display is realized. If it is not preferable to invert the display, it is effective to convert the display data so that the display on the liquid crystal panel is inverted between the reflective display and the transmissive display.
【００２５】さて、光変調不可能な領域、すなわち電極
に挟まれていないために液晶組成物に電圧を印加できな
い領域であって、しかも遮光膜や金属配線等に隠れてい
ない領域（本実施例の代表例としてドット間の領域）を
通った光３１３と３２３の挙動は、概ね液晶パネルがオ
フ状態（電圧無印加状態）にある領域３０８を通った光
３１１、３２１と同様である。つまり、反射表示時に明
表示、透過表示時に暗表示になる。従って、この光変調
不可能な領域は、反射表示の明るさ向上に寄与し、また
透過表示時のコントラストに悪影響を及ぼさない。Now, a region where light modulation is impossible, that is, a region where a voltage cannot be applied to the liquid crystal composition because it is not sandwiched between electrodes, and which is not hidden by a light-shielding film, metal wiring, or the like (this embodiment) The behavior of light 313 and light 323 passing through a region between dots as a representative example of (1) is almost the same as the light 311 and 321 passing through a region 308 in which the liquid crystal panel is in an off state (voltage applied state). That is, bright display is performed during reflective display, and dark display is performed during transmissive display. Therefore, the region where the light cannot be modulated contributes to the improvement in the brightness of the reflective display and does not adversely affect the contrast in the transmissive display.
【００２６】図４に実施例１の半透過反射型液晶装置の
表示例を示す。６×１２個の四角形はドットを、ハッチ
ング領域は暗表示を、ハッチングのない領域は明表示を
示す。FIG. 4 shows a display example of the transflective liquid crystal device of the first embodiment. 6 × 12 squares indicate dots, hatched areas indicate dark display, and areas without hatch indicate bright display.
【００２７】図４（ａ）は反射表示の例であって、左側
の６×６のドットはオン状態（電圧印加状態）で暗表示
であり、右側の６×６のドットはオフ状態（電圧無印加
状態）で明表示である。明表示の領域はドット間が明る
いため、より明るい表示ができる。暗表示の部分もドッ
ト間が明るいが、反射表示ではドット間に入る光は、入
射時あるいは反射時に隣接する暗表示のドットを通る可
能性が高いために、光漏れが少ない。FIG. 4A shows an example of a reflection display, in which the 6 × 6 dots on the left side are in an on state (voltage applied state) and dark, and the 6 × 6 dots on the right side are in an off state (voltage state). (No voltage applied). In the bright display area, since the space between dots is bright, a brighter display can be performed. In the dark display portion, the space between the dots is bright, but in the reflective display, light entering between the dots has a high possibility of passing through the adjacent dark display dot at the time of incidence or reflection, so that light leakage is small.
【００２８】図４（ｂ）は、（ａ）と同様に、左側の６
×６のドットをオン状態（電圧印加状態）、右側の６×
６のドットはオフ状態（電圧無印加状態）にしたまま、
光源を点灯したときの表示である。この表示は、（ａ）
と比べて明暗が反転している。そこで、これを補償する
ように表示データを変換すると、図４（ｃ）の表示にな
る。この表示は図４（ａ）と同様に左側が暗表示、右側
が明表示であるが、ドット間の領域が暗い。従って、透
過表示でも高いコントラストが得られる。FIG. 4 (b) is a view similar to FIG.
The dot of × 6 is turned on (voltage applied state), 6 × on the right side
Dot 6 is in the off state (no voltage applied),
This is the display when the light source is turned on. This display is (a)
The brightness is reversed as compared to. Therefore, when the display data is converted to compensate for this, the display shown in FIG. In this display, as in FIG. 4A, the left side is dark display and the right side is bright display, but the area between dots is dark. Therefore, high contrast can be obtained even in transmissive display.
【００２９】本実施例では、光変調不可能な領域、すな
わち電極に挟まれていないために液晶組成物に電圧を印
加できない領域であって、しかも遮光膜や金属配線等に
隠れていない領域をドット間の領域として説明したが、
図４に示すようにドット間の領域のみでなく、ドット群
の外側周辺領域も含む。In this embodiment, a region where light modulation is impossible, that is, a region where voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal composition because it is not sandwiched between electrodes and which is not hidden by a light-shielding film, a metal wiring, or the like, is taken as an example. Although described as an area between dots,
As shown in FIG. 4, not only the area between the dots but also the outer peripheral area of the dot group is included.
【００３０】（実施例２）上記実施例で説明した半透過
反射型液晶装置は、カラー表示を行うことも可能であ
る。その一例を次に示す。(Embodiment 2) The transflective liquid crystal device described in the above embodiment can also perform color display. An example is shown below.
【００３１】図５は本発明の実施例２に係る半透過反射
型液晶装置の斜視図である。まず構成を説明する。図５
において、５０１は偏光板、５０２は対向基板、５０３
は液晶組成物、５０４は素子基板、５０５は光散乱板、
５０６は反射偏光子、５０７は光源の導光板、５０８は
光吸収板、５０９は光源であり、対向基板５０２上には
カラーフィルタ５１０と、対向電極（走査線）５１１を
設け、素子基板５０４上には信号線５１２、画素電極５
１３、２端子型非線形素子５１４を設けた。ここで５０
１と５０２、５０４と５０５、５０５と５０６は、互い
に離して描いてあるが、これは図を明解にするためであ
って、実際には糊で接着している。また対向基板５０２
と素子基板５０４の間も広く離して描いてあるが、これ
も同様の理由からであって実際には数μｍから十数μｍ
程度のギャップしかない。また、図５は液晶装置の一部
を示しているため、３本の走査線５１１と３本の信号線
５１２が交差して出来る３×３のマトリクス、即ち９ド
ット分しか図示していないが、実際にはさらに多くのド
ットを有する。FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a transflective liquid crystal device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. First, the configuration will be described. FIG.
, 501 is a polarizing plate, 502 is a counter substrate, 503
Is a liquid crystal composition, 504 is an element substrate, 505 is a light scattering plate,
506 is a reflective polarizer, 507 is a light guide plate of a light source, 508 is a light absorption plate, and 509 is a light source. A color filter 510 and a counter electrode (scanning line) 511 are provided on the counter substrate 502, and Has a signal line 512 and a pixel electrode 5
13, a two-terminal nonlinear element 514 was provided. Where 50
1 and 502, 504 and 505, and 505 and 506 are drawn apart from each other for the sake of clarity of the drawing, and are actually glued together. Also, the counter substrate 502
And the element substrate 504 are also drawn widely apart, but for the same reason as well, in fact, several μm to several tens μm
There is only a gap. Although FIG. 5 shows a part of the liquid crystal device, only a 3 × 3 matrix formed by three scanning lines 511 and three signal lines 512 intersecting, that is, nine dots is illustrated. Actually have more dots.
【００３２】対向電極５１１と画素電極５１３はＩＴＯ
等で形成した透明電極である。５１１と５１３が交差す
る領域が、液晶組成物に電圧を印加可能な領域、即ち光
変調可能な領域である。信号線５１２は金属Ｔａで形成
した。２端子型非線形素子は絶縁膜Ｔａ２Ｏ５を金属Ｔ
ａと金属Ｃｒで挟んだＭＩＭ（Metal-Insulator-Meta
l）構造である。液晶組成物５０３は９０度ねじれたネ
マチック液晶であり、上下の偏光板は互いに偏光軸が直
交している。これは一般的なノーマリホワイト型ＴＮモ
ードの構成である。従って、光変調不可能な領域の中
で、信号線や２端子型非線形素子等の金属に遮光されな
い領域は、反射表示時において明表示である。また反射
偏光子を利用しているために、透過表示時には暗表示で
ある。The counter electrode 511 and the pixel electrode 513 are made of ITO.
And the like. A region where 511 and 513 intersect is a region where a voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal composition, that is, a region where light modulation can be performed. The signal line 512 was formed of metal Ta. In the two-terminal type nonlinear element, the insulating film Ta2O5 is made of metal T
MIM (Metal-Insulator-Meta)
l) Structure. The liquid crystal composition 503 is a nematic liquid crystal twisted by 90 degrees, and the polarizing axes of the upper and lower polarizing plates are orthogonal to each other. This is a configuration of a general normally white TN mode. Therefore, in the region where the light cannot be modulated, the region which is not shielded by the metal such as the signal line and the two-terminal type nonlinear element is a bright display at the time of the reflective display. Further, since a reflective polarizer is used, dark display is performed during transmission display.
【００３３】またカラーフィルタ５１０は加法混色の三
原色である赤色（図中「Ｒ」で示した）と緑色（図中
「Ｇ」で示した）と青色（図中「Ｂ」で示した）の３色
から成り、モザイク状に配列した。偏光板５０１や光散
乱板５０５、反射偏光子５０６は、実施例１と同様なも
のを用いた。The color filter 510 has three primary colors of additive color mixture: red (indicated by “R” in the figure), green (indicated by “G” in the figure), and blue (indicated by “B” in the figure). It consisted of three colors and was arranged in a mosaic. As the polarizing plate 501, the light scattering plate 505, and the reflective polarizer 506, the same ones as in Example 1 were used.
【００３４】なお、ここではＭＩＭアクティブマトリク
ス方式の液晶装置を例として挙げたが、単純マトリクス
方式の液晶装置を採用しても、本発明の効果に変わりは
ない。その場合は、信号線を対向電極同様の短冊状のＩ
ＴＯ等の透明電極で形成して、２端子型非線形素子と画
素電極を設けない。またＴＮモードの代わりに、１８０
度から２７０度ねじれた液晶を用いたＳＴＮモードを採
用する。ＳＴＮモードの表示の着色を補償する目的で、
位相差板を備えても良い。Although the MIM active matrix type liquid crystal device has been described as an example, the effect of the present invention is not changed even if a simple matrix type liquid crystal device is adopted. In this case, the signal line is connected to a strip-shaped I
It is formed of a transparent electrode such as TO, and does not have a two-terminal nonlinear element and a pixel electrode. Also, instead of TN mode, 180
An STN mode using a liquid crystal twisted 270 degrees from the angle is adopted. In order to compensate for the coloring of the display in the STN mode,
A phase difference plate may be provided.
【００３５】光源には、実施例１の図１と異なる構成を
採用した。図１では光源の導光板１０９の上に半光吸収
板１０８を配置したが、実施例２では導光板５０７の下
に光吸収板５０８を配置した。導光体５０７には透明性
の良いアクリル樹脂の平板を用い、その表面に白色塗料
を印刷した。光散乱体は、領域的にはわずかなものであ
るから、導光体の透明度を殆ど損なわずに済む。このよ
うに構成することによって、この光源は非点灯時におい
て実質的に黒色になる。このような光源を用いても、半
透過反射型表示が可能である。As the light source, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 was employed. In FIG. 1, the semi-light absorbing plate 108 is arranged on the light guide plate 109 of the light source. In the second embodiment, the light absorbing plate 508 is arranged below the light guide plate 507. For the light guide 507, a flat plate of acrylic resin having good transparency was used, and a white paint was printed on the surface thereof. Since the light scatterer is small in area, the transparency of the light guide is hardly impaired. With this configuration, the light source becomes substantially black when not lit. Even with such a light source, transflective display is possible.
【００３６】以上説明したカラー半透過反射型液晶装置
の機能も、図３を用いて説明した実施例１の半透過反射
型液晶装置の機能と同様である。光変調不可能な領域の
中で、信号線や２端子型非線形素子等の金属に遮光され
ない領域は、反射表示時に明表示、透過表示時に暗表示
になる。従って、この光変調不可能な領域は、反射表示
の明るさ向上に寄与し、また透過表示時のコントラスト
に悪影響を及ぼさない。The function of the color transflective liquid crystal device described above is the same as that of the transflective liquid crystal device of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. In a region where light modulation is not possible, a region which is not shielded by a metal such as a signal line or a two-terminal type nonlinear element becomes a bright display at the time of reflection display and a dark display at the time of transmission display. Therefore, the region where the light cannot be modulated contributes to the improvement in the brightness of the reflective display and does not adversely affect the contrast in the transmissive display.
【００３７】（実施例３）本発明の電子機器の例を３つ
示す。本発明の半透過反射型液晶装置は、様々な環境で
用いられ、しかも低消費電力が必要とされる携帯機器に
適している。(Embodiment 3) Three examples of electronic equipment of the present invention will be described. The transflective liquid crystal device of the present invention is suitable for a portable device used in various environments and requiring low power consumption.
【００３８】図６（ａ）は携帯電話であり、本体６０１
の前面上方部に表示部６０２が設けられる。携帯電話
は、屋内屋外を問わずあらゆる環境で利用される。しか
も、少なくともスタンバイ状態で２００時間以上、電池
がもつことが必要である。従って携帯電話に利用される
表示装置は、消費電力が小さい反射表示をメインに、必
要に応じて補助光を利用した透過表示ができる半透過反
射型液晶装置が最も望ましい。本発明の半透過反射型液
晶装置は、反射表示でも透過表示でも従来の半透過反射
型液晶装置より明るく、コントラストが高い。FIG. 6A shows a mobile phone, and a main body 601 is shown.
A display unit 602 is provided in an upper part of the front surface of the display. Mobile phones are used in all environments, both indoors and outdoors. In addition, it is necessary that the battery last at least 200 hours in the standby state. Therefore, as a display device used for a mobile phone, a transflective liquid crystal device capable of performing a transmissive display using an auxiliary light as needed, mainly a reflective display with low power consumption, is most desirable. The transflective liquid crystal device of the present invention is brighter and has higher contrast than the conventional transflective liquid crystal device in both reflective display and transmissive display.
【００３９】図６（ｂ）はウォッチであり、本体６０３
の中央に表示部６０４が設けられる。ウォッチ用途にお
ける重要な観点はファッション性である。本発明の半透
過反射型液晶装置は、光源の色を変えることによって、
反射表示の見やすさを損なうことなしに、色とりどりの
透過表示が楽しめる。外装のイメージに合わせて、様々
なカラー表示が行えることは、デザイン上有利である。FIG. 6B shows a watch, and the main body 603 is shown.
The display unit 604 is provided at the center of the display. An important aspect in watch applications is fashion. The transflective liquid crystal device of the present invention, by changing the color of the light source,
You can enjoy multi-colored transmissive display without sacrificing the visibility of the reflective display. It is advantageous in design that various color displays can be performed according to the image of the exterior.
【００４０】図６（ｃ）は携帯情報機器であり、本体６
０５の上側に表示部６０６、下側に入力部６０７が設け
られる。携帯情報機器は、表示部の前面にタッチ・キー
を設けることが多いため、表示が暗くなりがちである。
従って、従来は反射型液晶装置か、透過型液晶装置が主
に用いられていた。しかしながら前者は暗闇で見えず、
後者は消費電力が大きくて電池寿命が短くなるという問
題があった。本発明の半透過反射型液晶装置はこのよう
な用途にも適しており、低パワーで明るい表示ができ、
光源を点灯すれば暗闇で高画質の表示を得ることも可能
である。FIG. 6C shows a portable information device.
The display unit 606 is provided on the upper side of the display unit 05, and the input unit 607 is provided on the lower side of the display unit 605. The display of a portable information device tends to be dark because a touch key is often provided in front of a display unit.
Therefore, conventionally, a reflection type liquid crystal device or a transmission type liquid crystal device has been mainly used. However, the former cannot be seen in the dark,
The latter has a problem that power consumption is large and battery life is shortened. The transflective liquid crystal device of the present invention is also suitable for such uses, and can perform bright display with low power,
If the light source is turned on, it is possible to obtain a high-quality display in the dark.
【００４１】[0041]
【発明の効果】以上述べたように、本発明によれば、光
変調不可能な領域を反射表示時に明表示、透過表示時に
暗表示とすることによって、明るい反射表示とコントラ
ストの高い透過表示を両立させた半透過反射型液晶装置
を提供することができる。As described above, according to the present invention, a bright reflection display and a high-contrast transmissive display can be achieved by setting a region where light cannot be modulated to a bright display during reflective display and a dark display during transmissive display. A compatible transflective liquid crystal device can be provided.
【図１】本発明の実施例１における半透過反射型液晶装
置の斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transflective liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】本発明の実施例１と実施例２で用いた反射偏光
子の構造の要部を示す図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the structure of a reflective polarizer used in Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention.
【図３】本発明の実施例１における半透過反射型液晶装
置の機能を説明する図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functions of the transflective liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
【図４】本発明の実施例１における半透過反射型液晶装
置の表示例を示す図である。（ａ）反射表示、（ｂ）透
過表示、（ｃ）表示データを反転した透過表示。FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a transflective liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) reflective display, (b) transmissive display, (c) transmissive display with display data inverted.
【図５】本発明の実施例２における半透過反射型液晶装
置の斜視図である。FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a transflective liquid crystal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
【図６】本発明の実施例３における電子機器の、外観を
示す図である。（ａ）携帯電話、（ｂ）ウォッチ、
（ｃ）携帯情報機器。FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (A) mobile phone, (b) watch,
(C) portable information devices.
【図７】従来の半透過反射型液晶装置の斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional transflective liquid crystal device.
１０１ 偏光板 １０２ 位相差フィルム １０３ 上側ガラス基板 １０４ 液晶組成物 １０５ 下側ガラス基板 １０６ 光散乱板 １０７ 反射偏光子 １０８ 半光吸収板 １０９ 光源の導光板 １１０ 光源 １１１ 透明電極（走査線） １１２ 透明電極（信号線） Reference Signs List 101 polarizing plate 102 retardation film 103 upper glass substrate 104 liquid crystal composition 105 lower glass substrate 106 light scattering plate 107 reflective polarizer 108 semi-light absorbing plate 109 light guide plate of light source 110 light source 111 transparent electrode (scanning line) 112 transparent electrode (Signal line)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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【手続補正書】[Procedure amendment]
【提出日】平成１３年１月１１日（２００１．１．１
１）[Submission date] January 11, 2001 (2001.1.1)
1)
【手続補正１】[Procedure amendment 1]
【補正対象書類名】明細書[Document name to be amended] Statement
【補正対象項目名】特許請求の範囲[Correction target item name] Claims
【補正方法】変更[Correction method] Change
【補正内容】[Correction contents]
【特許請求の範囲】[Claims]
【手続補正２】[Procedure amendment 2]
【補正対象書類名】明細書[Document name to be amended] Statement
【補正対象項目名】０００８[Correction target item name] 0008
【補正方法】変更[Correction method] Change
【補正内容】[Correction contents]
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の液晶装置は、複
数のドットを有する液晶パネル、及びその液晶パネルの
背面側に配置された反射偏光手段を具備し、反射型及び
透過型の両方が可能な液晶装置において、前記反射偏光
手段は、光を偏光成分に応じて透過及び反射し、 前記
ドット間の領域は、反射表示時に明表示となり、且つ透
過表示時に暗表示となることを特徴とする。尚、反射表
示時に明表示、透過表示時に暗表示であるとは、即ち反
射表示時にノーマリオープン（あるいはノーマリホワイ
ト）、透過表示時にノーマリクローズド（あるいはノー
マリブラック）の表示であることと殆ど同義である。こ
のように構成したため、本発明の液晶装置は、明るい反
射表示とコントラストの高い透過表示が両立する。A liquid crystal device according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of dots and a reflective polarizing means disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel. In a possible liquid crystal device, the reflection polarizing means transmits and reflects light according to a polarization component, and the area between the dots becomes a bright display at the time of reflection display and a dark display at the time of transmission display. I do. The expression "bright display during reflective display" and "dark display during transmissive display" means that the display is normally open (or normally white) during reflective display and normally closed (or normally black) during transmissive display. Almost synonymous. With this configuration, the liquid crystal device of the present invention achieves both bright reflective display and transmissive display with high contrast.
【手続補正３】[Procedure amendment 3]
【補正対象書類名】明細書[Document name to be amended] Statement
【補正対象項目名】０００９[Correction target item name] 0009
【補正方法】削除[Correction method] Deleted
【手続補正４】[Procedure amendment 4]
【補正対象書類名】明細書[Document name to be amended] Statement
【補正対象項目名】００１０[Correction target item name] 0010
【補正方法】変更[Correction method] Change
【補正内容】[Correction contents]
【００１０】本発明の電子機器は、上述の液晶装置を表
示装置として搭載したことを特徴とする。このように構
成したため、この電子機器は、従来の透過型液晶装置を
搭載した電子機器に比べて消費電力が小さくなり、また
従来の反射表示モード及び透過表示モードの両表示モー
ドを有する半透過反射型液晶装置を搭載した電子機器に
比べて明るく見やすい表示が可能になるという利点があ
る。An electronic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the above-described liquid crystal device is mounted as a display device. With this configuration, this electronic device consumes less power than an electronic device equipped with a conventional transmissive liquid crystal device, and has a transflective display mode having both a conventional reflective display mode and a conventional transmissive display mode. There is an advantage that a brighter and easier-to-view display can be performed as compared with an electronic device equipped with a liquid crystal device.
【手続補正５】[Procedure amendment 5]
【補正対象書類名】明細書[Document name to be amended] Statement
【補正対象項目名】００４１[Correction target item name] 0041
【補正方法】変更[Correction method] Change
【補正内容】[Correction contents]
【００４１】[0041]
【発明の効果】以上述べたように、本発明によれば、液
晶装置のドット間の領域を反射表示時に明表示、透過表
示時に暗表示とすることによって、明るい反射表示とコ
ントラストの高い透過表示を両立させた半透過反射型液
晶装置を提供することができる。As described above, according to the present invention, a bright reflective display and a high-contrast transmissive display are obtained by making the area between dots of the liquid crystal device a bright display during reflective display and a dark display during transmissive display. And a transflective liquid crystal device can be provided.
Claims (3)
射し、前記所定の偏光成分以外の光を透過する反射偏光
手段を備え、マトリクス表示を行う液晶装置であって、 光変調不可能でかつ遮光されない領域が、反射表示時に
明表示、透過表示時に暗表示であることを特徴とする液
晶装置。1. A liquid crystal device for displaying a matrix, comprising a reflection polarization means for reflecting at least a predetermined polarization component of incident light and transmitting light other than the predetermined polarization component, wherein the liquid crystal device cannot perform light modulation. A liquid crystal device, wherein an area that is not shaded is a bright display during reflective display and a dark display during transmissive display.
明電極を備えマトリクス状のドット群を形成した一対の
基板間に液晶組成物を挟んで成る液晶パネルと、入射光
の所定の偏光成分を反射し、前記所定の偏光成分以外の
光を透過する反射偏光手段と、光源とを備え、これらを
前記の順に配置した液晶装置であって、 前記液晶パネルの光変調不可能でかつ遮光されない領域
が、反射表示時に明表示、透過表示時に暗表示となるよ
う、前記液晶パネルに合わせて前記偏光板と前記反射偏
光手段の軸が配置されてなることを特徴とする液晶装
置。2. A liquid crystal panel comprising a polarizing plate, a liquid crystal composition sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having a transparent electrode on an opposing inner surface and forming a matrix of dot groups, and a predetermined polarization component of incident light. And a light source that reflects light other than the predetermined polarization component, and a light source. The liquid crystal device includes: a light source and a light source. A liquid crystal device, wherein the axis of the polarizing plate and the axis of the reflective polarizing means are arranged in accordance with the liquid crystal panel so that an area becomes a bright display during reflective display and a dark display during transmissive display.
表示装置として搭載したことを特徴とする電子機器。3. An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to claim 1 as a display device.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000380648A JP3337028B2 (en) | 2000-12-14 | 2000-12-14 | Liquid crystal devices and electronic equipment |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000380648A JP3337028B2 (en) | 2000-12-14 | 2000-12-14 | Liquid crystal devices and electronic equipment |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27023697A Division JP3345772B2 (en) | 1997-10-02 | 1997-10-02 | Liquid crystal devices and electronic equipment |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2001222005A true JP2001222005A (en) | 2001-08-17 |
| JP3337028B2 JP3337028B2 (en) | 2002-10-21 |
Family
ID=18848788
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000380648A Expired - Fee Related JP3337028B2 (en) | 2000-12-14 | 2000-12-14 | Liquid crystal devices and electronic equipment |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3337028B2 (en) |
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