JP2002014366A - Display panel, electronic instrument and wearable type electronic instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispose a liquid crystal display panel by using a space of various shapes because it is difficult to secure the collected sufficient space for disposing the display panel on an electronic instrument with miniaturization of the electronic instrument. SOLUTION: The display panel is provided with a liquid crystal display layer where the first display area 31 and the second display area 32 are adjacently placed facing each other across bounds 34 passing along a crooked point 33, scanning electrode groups 311 and 312 which are disposed so as to insert the liquid crystal display layer between upper and lower sides, and intersect mutually in plane view, and a signal electrode group 310 in all display areas having the crooked point 33 at the outer periphery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of display areas and a structure of an electronic device having the liquid crystal display panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display panel is used as a display panel of an electronic device. A conventional liquid crystal display panel is often used for a liquid crystal television, a liquid crystal monitor of a computer, or the like, and basically only needs to have one substantially rectangular display area. On the other hand, a liquid crystal display panel having advantages such as power saving and a thin panel is increasing in demand for other uses. Furthermore, with the diversification and miniaturization of types of electronic devices, liquid crystal display panels are expected to be used not only in a rectangular planar display area but also in various shapes.

A liquid crystal display panel using a glass substrate has a low degree of freedom in forming the panel and requires a high processing cost. Therefore, a film type liquid crystal display panel using a film substrate is used. This makes it possible to attach the display panel to an electronic device or the like in a curved state. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-94991 discloses a device in which a film liquid crystal display device is arranged in a curved state along the inner surface of a convex lid of an electronic device.

[0004] If the glass substrate is used,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-258625 discloses a configuration in which a spherically curved display panel is formed using a spherical glass substrate.

[0005]

However, in the prior arts described above, since the outer boundary of the display area is a simple linear shape such as a rectangle or a circular shape, various electronic devices are used. It is difficult to flexibly cope with the shape of. In particular, it is difficult to secure a sufficient space for mounting a display panel in an electronic device such as a mobile phone that is becoming smaller in size.

For example, there is a case where the shape of an electronic device itself is complicated, and a sufficient space of a rectangular shape or a sufficient space of a circular shape cannot be secured. Further, even if the shape of the electronic device is not complicated, the space where the display panel can be arranged is limited by other members (operation buttons and the like) arranged on the surface of the electronic device, and the space of the complicated shape is used. You may have to do it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a display panel which can be flexibly arranged in variously shaped spaces.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display panel, wherein a first display area and a second display area are provided in an entire display area having a bending point on an outer periphery. And a liquid crystal display layer disposed adjacently across a boundary passing through the inflection point, and a scanning electrode group and a signal electrode group disposed so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below, and intersecting each other in plan view. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display panel,
A first display area and a second display area having different widths in a predetermined direction, a liquid crystal display layer disposed adjacent to a boundary extending in the predetermined direction, and a liquid crystal display layer disposed so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below; A scanning electrode group and a signal electrode group that intersect each other visually.

A third aspect of the present invention is the display panel according to the first or second aspect, wherein the area of the first display area is different from the area of the second display area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel according to the first or second aspect, the shape of the first display area is different from the shape of the second display area.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the display panel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein one of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group is the first electrode group. A first electrode group dedicated to the display area and a second electrode group dedicated to the second display area are included.

The invention according to claim 6 is the display panel according to claim 5, wherein the one electrode group is the scanning electrode group.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the display panel according to the fifth aspect, the one electrode group is the signal electrode group.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is the display panel according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the display of the liquid crystal display layer has a memory function.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the display panel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a single scan electrode driving means is associated with the scan electrode group. A single signal electrode driving means is associated with the signal electrode group.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel according to the fifth aspect, the first electrode group and the second electrode group are individually provided with electrode driving means.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group that intersect each other in a plan view are arranged so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below, and the respective ends of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group are arranged. Is a display panel that is extended as a routing line and reaches an electrode connection portion for electrical connection with the outside, wherein at least one of the scan electrode group and the signal electrode group has a relatively long electrode group. A first electrode having a length of 1 and a second electrode having a relatively short second length, wherein a length of a first lead line extending from an end of the first electrode is equal to the length of the second wire. It is characterized in that it is shorter than the length of the second lead wire extending from the end of the electrode.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group that intersect each other in a plan view are arranged so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below, and the respective ends of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group are arranged. Is a display panel that is extended as a routing line and reaches an electrode connection portion for electrical connection to the outside, wherein at least one of the scan electrode group and the signal electrode group has a non-uniform shape. A length relationship between the lengths of the respective lead lines extending from the at least one electrode group, and a size relationship between the lengths of the respective electrodes themselves extending the respective lead lines. , The non-uniformity of the length of the one electrode group is at least partially compensated.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the at least one electrode group is arranged in parallel with a first width, and the at least one electrode group is arranged in parallel. The electrode connection portion to which
It has a second width smaller than the first width.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the at least one electrode group is divided into a plurality of partial electrode groups, and the electrode connecting portion is Each of the partial electrode groups is divided into a plurality of partial connection portions, and in each of the partial electrode groups, the length of each of the leading lines extending from each of the electrodes is set to be the opposite of the length of each of the electrodes. The non-uniformity of the electrode length in the electrode group is at least partially compensated.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display panel according to the eleventh or fourteenth aspect, the electrode connection portion is connected to an electrode driving means of the scanning electrode group or the signal electrode group. It is characterized by.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus to which the display panel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is attached, wherein a communication means and a relatively large area as the first display area are provided. It is characterized by comprising a large main display section and a sub-display section having a relatively small area as the second display area.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the sixteenth aspect, the main display unit displays communication-related information or guidance information.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus to which the display panel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is mounted, wherein an operation member and a relatively large area serving as the first display area are provided. It is characterized by comprising a large main display section and a sub-display section having a relatively small area as the second display area.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the eighteenth aspect, the main display unit displays operation-related information or guidance information.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device according to the sixteenth or eighteenth aspect, wherein the sub-display section displays additional information on the display content of the main display section. I do.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wearable electronic device to which the display panel according to the first or fourth aspect is mounted, wherein an internal clock and a relatively large area serving as the first display area are provided. It is characterized by comprising a main display section and a sub-display section having a relatively small area as the second display area.

A twenty-second aspect of the present invention is the wearable electronic device according to the twenty-first aspect, wherein a time is displayed on the main display portion.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the wearable electronic device according to the twenty-first or twenty-second aspect, wherein the auxiliary display unit displays additional information on the display content of the main display unit. And

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is the wearable electronic device according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-third aspects, wherein:
Further, it is characterized by comprising detecting means for detecting movement of the wearable electronic device due to external force, and means for updating the display on the display panel in response to the detection of the movement by the detecting means.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the wearable electronic device according to the twenty-fourth aspect, further comprising a front light for illuminating a panel surface of the display panel, and responding to the detection of the movement by the detection means. Means for turning on the front light.

A twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is the wearable electronic device according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-fifth aspects, wherein:
Further, it is characterized by comprising communication means.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS {1. Embodiments of Electronic Apparatus and Wearable Electronic Apparatus 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile phone 1 which is an example of the electronic apparatus of the present embodiment. Mobile phone 1
The antenna 11 is arranged on the upper part of the vertically long terminal body 10, and the display panel 30 </ b> A and the operation unit 12 are arranged on the front side of the terminal body 10. Further, a microphone 13 is provided at a lower end of the terminal body 10 and a speaker 14 is provided at an upper end. The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of key buttons. By performing key operations of the operation unit 12, a dial operation, display switching of the display panel 30A, and the like can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the display panel 30A is a cholesteric liquid crystal display which is a film liquid crystal display. Further, as shown in the figure, the display panel 30A has a first rectangular display area which is substantially rectangular in a front view.
A display area 31A and a second display area 32 which is provided adjacent to the lower part of the first display area 31A and is a trapezoidal display area.
A.

That is, the display panel 30 A is
A, the first display area 31 within the entire display area having 33A.
A and the second display area 32A are arranged adjacent to each other with a boundary 34A passing through the inflection points 33A, 33A.
In other words, the first display area 31A and the second display area 32A having different widths in the horizontal direction are arranged adjacent to each other across the boundary 34A extending in the horizontal direction X shown in FIG. is there.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a wristwatch 2 which is an example of the wearable electronic device of the present embodiment. The wristwatch 2 has a substantially hexagonal timepiece body 20 with a belt 21 attached to the upper and lower ends thereof, and can be worn by passing the belt 21 through an arm. Further, a display panel 30B is provided on the front side of the watch main body 20, and various operation buttons 22 are provided on both left and right ends of the watch main body 20. By operating the operation buttons 22, the display panel 30B is displayed. Display switching to the panel 30B, time setting, and the like can be performed.

In this embodiment, the display panel 30B is a cholesteric liquid crystal display which is a film liquid crystal display. Further, as shown in the figure, the display panel 30B is a first rectangular display area having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view.
A display area 31B and a second display area 32 provided adjacent to and below the first display area 31B and serving as a trapezoidal display area.
B.

That is, the display panel 30 B
B, 33B, the first display area 31
B and the second display area 32B are arranged adjacent to each other with a boundary 34B passing through the bending points 33B, 33B.
In other words, the first display area 31B and the second display area 32B having different widths in the horizontal direction are arranged adjacent to each other with the boundary 34B extending in the horizontal direction X shown in FIG. 2 interposed therebetween. is there.

{2. Display Panel Configuration: First Embodiment 1
Next, the display panel 3 according to the two embodiments described above is used.
The configuration of 0A / 30B will be described. In the following description, a common configuration of the display panels 30A and 30B will be described by omitting the display panel 30, the first display area 31, the second display area 32, the boundary 34 and the like, and the signs A and B.

FIG. 3 shows the display panel 30. The display panel 30 which is a cholesteric liquid crystal display device is a display panel having a memory property, and has an advantage that an image is retained even after the applied voltage is removed.

As described above, the first display area 31 is a substantially rectangular display area, the second display area 32 is a substantially trapezoidal display area, and the area of the first display area 31 is the second display area. The area is larger than 32. As described above, the first display area 31 and the second display area 32 are configured to have different areas and different shapes, so that the information displayed in the display area is properly used according to the purpose as described later.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the display panel 30. The display panel 30 has a display layer 303 sandwiched between a signal electrode film 301 on the upper surface side on which the signal electrode 302 is formed and a scan electrode film 305 on the lower surface on which the scan electrode 304 is formed. A layer 306 is provided, and these layers are stacked.

In this embodiment, the display layer 303
Is a monochrome display panel having only one, but a color display panel can be formed by combining a plurality of panels having a display layer sandwiched between a signal electrode film and a scanning electrode film.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a cholesteric liquid crystal display device capable of color display. The display panel 210
Simple matrix drive type full color liquid crystal display device 2
10a. The liquid crystal display element 210a includes a liquid crystal display layer 212 between a pair of transparent substrates 211a and 211b.
The liquid crystal element sandwiching the
b, three liquid crystal elements 210g for green display and 210r for red display.

The liquid crystal display layer 212 contains a cholesteric liquid crystal material having a selective reflection wavelength in the visible region. The liquid crystal element 210b closest to the viewpoint includes a liquid crystal material that selectively reflects blue light, the next liquid crystal element 210g includes a liquid crystal material that selectively reflects green light, and the last display element 210r includes a liquid crystal material that selectively reflects red light. A liquid crystal material that performs reflection is included. The lowermost layer is, for example, a black light absorbing layer 2.
10k is provided.

The liquid crystal display layer 212 selectively responds to a voltage applied to the upper and lower transparent electrode layers 213 sandwiching the liquid crystal display layer to selectively transmit visible light of a specific wavelength from a transparent state in which visible light is transmitted. To the selective reflection state to reflect, or vice versa,
The state is switched from the selective reflection state to the transparent state. Therefore, the specific liquid crystal display layer 212 is selectively reflected, and FIG.
When the liquid crystal display element 210a is irradiated with white light such as natural light from above the liquid crystal display element 210a, the liquid crystal display layer 210 in the selective reflection state is illuminated.
a reflects visible light of a specific wavelength, which is observed as an indication of each color. When the liquid crystal display layer 212 is in a transparent state, incident light passes through the liquid crystal display layer 212. For this reason,
A desired color can be displayed by setting a liquid crystal element corresponding to a color to be displayed to a selective reflection state and at least a liquid crystal element on a viewpoint side with respect to the liquid crystal element to a transparent state. If all the liquid crystal elements are in a transparent state, incident light is absorbed by the absorbing layer, and a black display is obtained.

As the cholesteric liquid crystal contained in each liquid crystal display layer 212, a liquid crystal material containing a cholesteric liquid crystal which itself exhibits a cholesteric phase at room temperature, a liquid crystal material obtained by adding a chiral material to a nematic liquid crystal, or the like can be used. In these cholesteric liquid crystals, the planar state is selected when a relatively high pulse voltage is applied,
When a relatively low pulse is applied, the focal conic state is selected. When an intermediate voltage pulse is applied, a state in which the planar state and the focal conic state are mixed is selected. When the cholesteric liquid crystal is in the planar state, assuming that the helical pitch of the liquid crystal is P and the average refractive index of the liquid crystal is n, light of wavelength λ = P · n is selectively reflected by the liquid crystal. When the cholesteric liquid crystal is in the focal conic state, the visible light is scattered when the selective reflection wavelength of the liquid crystal is in the infrared region, and when the selective reflection wavelength is shorter than that, the scattering is weakened and the visible light is transmitted. You. If the cholesteric liquid crystal is in a state where the planar state and the focal conic state are mixed, a halftone is displayed. Therefore, by setting the selective reflection wavelength to visible light and providing a light absorbing layer on the side opposite to the observation side of the element, the display can be made in a specific color (planar state), black (focal conic state), and its halftone. Can be switched.

Thus, for example, the blue display liquid crystal element 2
The red display is performed by setting the cholesteric liquid crystal material 10b and the green display liquid crystal element 210g in a transparent state in which the cholesteric liquid crystal material is in a focal conic state, and setting the red display liquid crystal element 210r in a selective reflection state in which the cholesteric liquid crystal is in a planar state. be able to. Further, the blue display liquid crystal element 210b is in a transparent state in which the cholesteric liquid crystal material is in a focal conic state, and the green display liquid crystal element 210g and the red display liquid crystal element 210r are in a selective reflection state in which the cholesteric liquid crystal is in a planar state. Thereby, yellow display can be performed.
Similarly, by appropriately selecting the state of each liquid crystal element between the transparent state and the selective reflection state, red, green, blue, white, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be displayed. Further, by selecting an intermediate selective reflection state as the state of each color liquid crystal element, an intermediate color is displayed, and a full-color display can be performed.

As described above, since the selective reflection from the cholesteric phase is used, a polarizing plate and a reflecting plate for reflecting the light by the liquid crystal itself are unnecessary, and the reflection wavelength can be selected by adjusting the liquid crystal material. No filter is required.
Further, since the display image once written stably in the two states of the selective reflection state and the transparent state is held semi-permanently, it has a memory property and can save power.

As the transparent substrates 211a and 211b, besides glass substrates, flexible substrates such as polycarbonate, polyethersulfone (PES), and polyethylene terephthalate can be used. As described above, by using the flexible substrate, the display panel 210 can be flexibly bent, and an image can be displayed in a curved surface state.

FIG. 5 is a view of the signal electrode film 301 laminated in the state shown in FIG. 4 when viewed from the lower surface side, and the position corresponding to the first display area 31 and the second display area 32 is in the vertical direction. Are arranged in parallel with each other. These plurality of signal electrodes 302, 302
Are collectively referred to as a signal electrode group 310. Note that the arrow A shown in the figure is the vertical direction of the display panel 30.

FIG. 6 is a view of the scanning electrode film 305 viewed from the upper surface side, that is, from the upper surface side with the signal electrode film 301 and the display layer 303 removed. The first display region 31 and the second display region 32 are shown. Are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction at the positions corresponding to. The plurality of scanning electrodes 3
, Arranged at positions corresponding to the first display area 31, among the scanning electrodes 304, 304,.
Are collectively referred to as a first scan electrode group 311 and the second display region 3
Scanning electrodes 304 and 3 arranged at positions corresponding to
04 are collectively referred to as a second scanning electrode group 312. That is, the scan electrode group includes a first scan electrode group 311 dedicated to the first display area 31 and a second scan electrode group 312 dedicated to the second display area 32.

The signal electrode film 301 having such a configuration
5 is overlaid on the scanning electrode film 304 shown in FIG. 6 with the back side facing from the state shown in FIG.
The display panel 30 is formed with the reference numeral 03 interposed therebetween. .. And the scanning electrodes 304, 304,... Are arranged so as to intersect (orthogonal in the illustrated example) in plan view, and the intersections constitute the display area as pixels. . The first scan electrode group 311 and the second scan electrode group 312 do not cross each other,
The electrode lengths of the first scan electrode group 311 and the second scan electrode group 312 are different.

The signal electrodes 302, 302,...
The terminal part 320 is connected to a signal driving IC 330 as signal driving means. The signal driving IC 330 is shown in FIG.
As shown by the broken line, the film is attached to the scanning electrode film 305 side. Also, each scanning electrode 3 of the first scanning electrode group 311
Are connected to the first scan driving IC 331 which is a scan driving means, and the terminal portions 3 of the respective scan electrodes 304, 304 of the second scan electrode group 312 are connected.
Reference numeral 22 is connected to the second scan driving IC 332 which is a scan driving unit. The scanning first and second driving ICs 33
The reference numerals 1 and 332 are attached to the signal film 301 as shown by a broken line in FIG.

With this configuration, the first scanning drive I
By driving the C331 and the second scanning drive IC 332 to scan each of the scan electrodes 304, 304,..., In synchronization with this, the signal drive IC 330 is driven to transmit an image signal. A desired image is displayed on the display areas 31 and 32. The drive control to the first and second scan driving ICs 331 and 332, the drive control to the signal drive IC 330, and the synchronization control of these scan and signal ICs are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The control units 40 and 50 included in the mobile phone 1 and the wristwatch 2 perform the control.

According to the above-described configuration, the display panel 30 is sequentially scanned in the vertical direction A as shown in FIG.
The display contents are updated in the order of the first display area 31 and the second display area 32. At this time, although the display of the first display area 31 and the second display area 32 cannot be updated at the same time, the display of each of the display areas 31 and 32 can be independently updated.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the signal electrode 302 and the scanning electrode 304 may be replaced. That is, the signal electrode film 301 shown in FIG.
Is replaced with a scanning electrode. In this case, the scanning electrode group becomes a single electrode group. On the other hand, the scanning electrode film 305 shown in FIG. 6 is used as a signal electrode film, and the scanning electrode 304 is replaced with a signal electrode. In this case, the signal electrode group has a configuration divided into a first signal electrode group and a second signal electrode group. In addition, each signal electrode group has an individual signal driving IC.
Will be connected.

As shown in FIG. 8, the display of the first and second display areas 31 and 32 in such a configuration is updated by scanning the display panel 30 in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. You. At this time, the display contents of the first display area 31 and the second display area 32 can be updated in parallel.

{3. Main display section and sub-display section The display panel 30 configured as described above is attached to the mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the wristwatch 2 shown in FIG. 2, respectively. The first display area 31A of the mobile phone 1 and the first display area 31B of the wristwatch 2 each function as a main display section that is a large display area, and the second display area 32A of the mobile phone 1 and the wristwatch 2 The second display area 32B functions as a sub-display section which is a display area having a small area. In the following description, the first display area 3
1A and 31B will be described as main display portions 31A and 31B, and the second display regions 32A and 32B will be described as sub-display portions 32A and 32B.

In FIG. 1, main display section 31A has main displays when a normal mobile phone is used, for example, a standby display during standby, a telephone number display 35 of a communication partner during a call, and reception of an antenna. When the mobile phone 1 has a data communication function, the level display 36, the remaining battery level display 37, and the mail text and the homepage content data are displayed. Thus, the main display unit 31
In A, communication-related information and guidance information are displayed, so that the display area is large and information can be easily checked. Also,
In accordance with key operations of the operation unit 12, characters and numerical values are displayed on the main display unit 31A, thereby improving operability.

The sub-display unit 31B has additional functions such as a description of the function of the operation unit 12 (assignment of operation keys, etc.) having different functions depending on the use of the mobile phone, and contents displayed on the main display unit 31A such as time. Is displayed. By displaying the additional information on the sub display unit 31B in this manner, it is possible to secure a wide display area of the main display unit 31A. In addition, by selectively using the display area according to the importance of the information, the information is organized and is configured to be easily referred to.

In FIG. 2, the main display section 31B provides a main display when various functions of the wristwatch 2 are used, for example, a time display 38 for a normal use and a time display 39 for a stopwatch function. In this way, by displaying the time on the main display portion 31B having a large area, the most important information as a clock is easy to see and the usability is good.

The sub-display section 32B displays auxiliary displays when various functions of the wristwatch 2 are used, for example, date display, alarm time display, and the like. When a means for obtaining information such as temperature, barometric pressure, and azimuth is provided, temperature display, barometric pressure display, azimuth display, and the like can be displayed.

As described above, in the mobile phone 1 and the wristwatch 2, by changing the sizes and shapes of the display areas of the first display area 31 and the second display area 32, the complexity of information for the user is reduced, It is possible to provide a comfortable use environment.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the first display area 31,
Another embodiment of the display control on the second display area 32 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 9, the mobile phone 1 receives a mail by a data communication function, and displays a mail text and mail header information in a first display area 31A.

Then, the antenna reception level display 36 and the remaining battery level display 37 are evacuated to the second display area 32A, and the mail text is displayed over substantially the entire first display area 31A. By performing such display control, the list of the mail text is improved, and the readability is improved.

Also, as shown in FIG.
The font of the time display 38 displayed in the first display area 31B is thickened to increase the character size. Then, the time display 39 at the time of the stopwatch function is retracted to the second display area 32B. In this way, the time display 38, which is the most important information as a clock, is displayed in a large and clear manner to improve the use environment, and other information is displayed in the second display area 32.
They are to be evacuated to B.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the retraction of the display information to the second display area 32 is performed by the operation unit 12 (in the case of the mobile phone 1) or the operation button 20.
(In the case of the wristwatch 2), and FIG.
The user can arbitrarily switch between the display state shown in FIG. 9 and the display state shown in FIG. 9 and can arbitrarily switch between the display state shown in FIG. 2 and the display state shown in FIG. It is possible to select a display according to the preference.

{4. Display Control in Cellular Phone and Wristwatch FIG. 11 is a control circuit block diagram of the cellular phone 1. As described above, the mobile phone 1 includes an operation unit (operation keys) 1
2, a microphone 13, a speaker 14, a display panel 30A, and the like. Control of these devices is performed by a control unit 40 having a CPU 41. The display panel 30A
Lighting 15 (not shown in FIG. 1) on the side of the panel surface
Is provided, so that the display content of the display panel 30A can be confirmed even in a dark place. The interface 16 is, for example, a terminal for connecting to a modem when performing data communication from a notebook computer or the like using the mobile phone 1. The data processing circuit 17 performs data processing of mail data and content data when referring to a homepage. The audio processing circuit 18 controls transmission of audio input from the microphone 13 to the communication circuit side and output control of a received audio signal to the speaker 14. The communication circuit 19
Performs communication establishment control and the like via the antenna 11. The other input / output unit 44 is a headphone terminal, a connection terminal with an adapter at the time of charging, and the like.

FIG. 12 is a control circuit block diagram of the wristwatch 2. The wristwatch 2 includes the operation buttons 22, the display panel 30B, and the like as described above, and the control of these devices is performed by the control unit 50 including the CPU 51. Also,
A light 23 (not shown in FIG. 2) is provided on the side of the panel surface of the display panel 30B so that the display contents of the display panel 30B can be checked even in a dark place. The data processing circuit 24 performs data processing when performing data communication which is an extended function of the wristwatch 2. The calendar 25 performs date management by inputting the time of a clock unit 26 which is an internal clock. The movement sensor (acceleration sensor) 27 is means for detecting movement of the wristwatch 2 due to external force. Also, speaker 2
Reference numeral 8 outputs various kinds of buzzer sounds and also outputs acquired audio data during data communication. The communication circuit 29 controls communication when performing data communication. The brightness sensor 5
4 detects the light amount of the external environment of the wristwatch 2.

Next, the display panel 30B of the wristwatch 2
Will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing basic control of display control. The basic control flow starts when any of the following commands is generated: (1) vibration detection by the motion sensor 27; (2) operation detection of the operation button 22 by the control unit 50; and (3) communication detection by the communication circuit 29. The power saving timer is reset and started, and the command flag a is set to 1 (command issued) (step S101).

Next, the time is confirmed (acquired) by the timer 26 (step S102), and the command flag a is set to 0.
In the case of (no command) (Y in step S103), command confirmation is performed (step S104). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a command (step S105). If there is a new command, the power saving timer is reset and started, and the command flag a is set to 1 (step S10).
6), proceed to step S107. If the command flag is not 0 in step S103, the process immediately proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, processing according to the key input is performed. In step S108, processing related to communication, such as reception of time correction information, weather information, position information from GPS, e-mail, and the like, download of homepage content, and the like are performed. Then, a display update process is performed on the display panel 30B (step S109).

In the display updating process, as shown in FIG. 14, first, display data is created (step S201), and the above-described scanning electrode 304 and signal electrode 302 are driven to update the display. By this update processing, the time, the key input display, and the like are updated, and until the next update processing, the display state is held by the memory property of the display panel 30.

Next, an illumination process is performed (step S11).
0). The illumination processing flow will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the command flag a is set to 1 (step S301). If 1 is not set to the command flag a, the process immediately proceeds to step S305. When the command flag a is set to 1,
It is determined whether the lighting key has been selected (step S302). If the illumination key has been selected, the illumination 23 is turned on (step S304).

If it is determined in step S302 that the illumination key has not been selected, step S30
At 3, it is determined whether or not the environment is dark. Whether the environment is dark or not is determined from the amount of light detected by the brightness sensor 54. If it is determined that the environment is dark,
The lighting 23 is turned on (step S304). In this manner, even in a dark environment, the display contents of the display panel 30B can be confirmed by operating the illumination key or automatically turning on the illumination 23.

Next, the power saving timer is set for a predetermined time (for example, 1).
0 seconds) (step S)
305). If the power saving timer has passed the predetermined time, the lighting 23 is turned off (step S307). If the predetermined time has not elapsed from the power saving timer, it is determined whether or not the environment is bright (step S306). If it is determined that the environment is bright, the lighting 23 is turned off.
F (step S307), and the illumination processing ends. If it is determined that the environment is not a bright environment (still remains a dark environment), the lighting process is terminated.

Returning again to the basic control flow of FIG. After the lighting process, another process is performed (step S111).
The other processing is processing when an operation using various functions of the wristwatch 2 is instructed by the operation button 22 or the like.
Next, 0 is set to the command flag a (step S11).
2).

After the above processing is completed, it is determined whether or not the power saving timer has finished counting (for example, whether or not one hour has elapsed) (step S113). When the power saving timer has finished counting, the basic control flow ends, and the timekeeping unit 26 continues the timekeeping operation, and the motion sensor 27, the operation button 22, and the communication circuit 2
With regard to 9, only the minimum circuits capable of detecting the presence / absence of the command are activated, and all the other components are turned off, and the wristwatch 2 enters the sleeve state. Thereby, the display update is stopped, and the lighting 23 is also turned off.
It becomes F. If the power saving timer has not finished counting, the process returns to the time confirmation process (step S102) again, and repeats the subsequent processes.

{5. Configuration of Display Panel: Modification of First Embodiment Next, a modification of the first embodiment of the display panel will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16A, the signal electrode film 601 has a concave shape in plan view, and the signal electrode film 601 is turned from the state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the display layer is sandwiched between the two electrode films 601 and 605 to form a display panel.

A plurality of signal electrodes 602 are formed on the signal electrode film 601 in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A in the drawing is the vertical direction), and these collectively constitute a signal electrode group 603. Then, each signal electrode 60 of the signal electrode group 603 is
Are connected to a signal driving IC 604 as signal electrode driving means.

Further, a plurality of scanning electrodes 606 are formed in the scanning electrode film 605 in the horizontal direction, and collectively constitute a first scanning electrode group 607 and a second scanning electrode group 609. 607, 609 each scanning electrode 60
, Are the first scanning ICs 60 for scanning, respectively.
8. It is connected to the second drive IC 610 for scanning.

With this configuration, even if the vicinity of the center on the boundary side of the display area is depressed, the entire display area can be scanned by providing the scanning drive ICs on both sides of the recess. And a display panel having a complicated shape can be formed. Note that the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 can be regarded as a configuration in which two second display areas exist on both sides of the concave portion.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 can be configured so that the signal electrodes and the scanning electrodes are exchanged. That is, the configuration shown in FIG. 16A may be the configuration of the scanning electrode film, and the configuration shown in FIG. 16B may be the configuration of the signal electrode film.

Next, a modification shown in FIG. 17 will be described. As shown in FIG. 17A, the signal electrode film 62
1 has a cross shape in a plan view, and the signal electrode film 621 is turned from the state shown in FIG.
And a display layer is sandwiched between the two electrode films 621 and 629 to form a display panel.

A plurality of signal electrodes 622 are formed on the signal electrode film 621 in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure is the vertical direction), and these are combined to form a first signal electrode group 623 and a second signal electrode group. 625 and the third signal electrode group 627, and each signal electrode 6 of each of the electrode groups 623, 625 and 627.
Reference numeral 22 denotes a signal first drive IC 624, a signal second drive IC 626, and a signal third drive IC
It is connected to the drive IC 628.

Further, a plurality of scanning electrodes 630 are formed on the scanning electrode film 629 in the horizontal direction, and these constitute a first scanning electrode group 631, a second scanning electrode group 633, and a third scanning electrode group 635. Each electrode group 631,
The scanning electrodes 630 of 633 and 635 are connected to the first driving IC 632 for scanning, the second driving IC 634 for scanning, and the third driving IC 636 for scanning, respectively.

With such a configuration, a display panel can be formed even if the four corners of the display area are depressed, and it is possible to support display panels of various shapes. In addition, the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 can be regarded as a configuration in which the second display area exists above and below the first display area extending in the horizontal direction. Further, it can be considered that the second display area exists on both left and right sides of the first display area extending in the vertical direction. Similarly, FIG. 17B may be the configuration of the signal electrode film, and FIG. 17A may be the configuration of the scanning electrode film.

Next, a modification shown in FIG. 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18A, the signal electrode film 64
0 is substantially L-shaped in plan view, and the signal electrode film 640 is turned from the state shown in FIG.
-1) or a substantially L-shaped scanning electrode film 644 as shown in FIG. 18B-2, and a display layer is sandwiched between the two electrode films 640 and 644 to constitute a display panel.

A plurality of signal electrodes 641 are formed on the signal electrode film 640 in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure is the vertical direction), and these collectively constitute a signal electrode group 642. Each signal electrode 641 of the group 642 is connected to the signal driving IC 643.

Further, a plurality of scanning electrodes 645 are formed on the scanning electrode film 644 in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, these are combined to form a first scan electrode group 646 and a second scan electrode group 648, and the scan electrodes 645 of the electrode groups 646, 648 are respectively connected to the first scan driving IC 647. , Scanning second drive IC 649
It is connected to the.

On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 (b-2), the first scanning electrode group 650 is the first driving IC 651 for scanning.
The number of the electrode driving means can be reduced as compared with the configuration shown in FIG.

With such a configuration, a substantially L-shaped display panel can be formed, and it is possible to support display panels of various shapes. In addition, since a plurality of electrode driving units can be arranged, it is possible to flexibly cope with a case where the electrode driving unit is attached to electronic devices having various shapes. Similarly, FIG. 18 (b-1) or FIG.
(B-2) is the configuration of the signal electrode film, and FIG.
(A) may be a configuration of a scanning electrode film.

{6. Display Panel Configuration: Second Embodiment 1
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 19A, the signal electrode film 701 has a triangular shape, and the signal electrode film 701 is turned back from the state shown in FIG.
The scanning electrode film 711 having the same triangular shape as shown in FIG.
And a display layer is sandwiched between the electrode films 701 and 711 to form a display panel.

A plurality of signal electrodes 702 are formed on the signal electrode film 701 in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure is the vertical direction). The length of each of the signal electrodes 702, 702... Depends on the shape of the signal electrode film 701, and is shorter than the longer signal electrodes 702L, 702L. Signal electrodes 702S, 70
.. Are mixed.

The signal electrodes 702S and 702L are
At one end (upper end in the figure) of the signal electrode film 702, it is gathered at an electrode connection 704 near the center to be connected to a signal drive IC (not shown). A lead line 703 extending from each signal electrode 702 is provided between the end of each signal electrode 702S and 702L.
703... The length of each lead line 703 extending the relatively long signal electrode 702L is shorter than the length of each lead line 703 extending the relatively short signal electrode 702S.

As described above, the sum of the lengths of the signal electrode 702 and the lead-out line 703 is configured to be as uniform as possible between the signal electrodes 702. That is, the configuration is such that the non-uniformity of the length of each signal electrode 702, 702,... Is partially compensated. As a result, variation in electrical resistance between the signal electrodes can be reduced, so that image quality is improved. Further, the width of the electrode connection portion 704 is equal to the width of the signal electrodes 702 arranged in parallel.
702... Are smaller than the entire width of the connecting portion 702. As a result, even when the display panel is attached to a small electronic device such as a mobile phone, the design is advantageous and the degree of freedom is increased.

Further, a plurality of scanning electrodes 712 are formed on the scanning electrode film 711 in the horizontal direction. The length of each of the scanning electrodes 712, 712,...
1 and has a long scanning electrode 712
, L, 712L,..., And scanning electrodes 712S, 712S,.

The scanning electrodes 712S and 712L are
At one end (the right end in the figure) of the scanning electrode film 712, it is gathered at an electrode connection 714 near the center to be connected to a scanning drive IC (not shown). Between the ends of the scanning electrodes 712S and 712L, the leading lines 713 and 7 extending the respective scanning electrodes 712 are provided.
13... Then, the length of each lead line 713 extending the relatively long scan electrode 712L is
Each lead line 7 extending the relatively short scan electrode 712S
13 is shorter than the length.

As described above, the scanning electrodes 712, 712,.
-The length non-uniformity is configured to be partially compensated. As a result, variation in electrical resistance between the scanning electrodes can be reduced, and image quality can be improved. In addition, the width of the connecting portion is made smaller than the entire width of the scanning electrodes 712 and 712 arranged in parallel, so that a compact configuration is obtained. FIG. 19 (a)
Reference numeral 705 denotes a mounting position of the scanning drive IC, and 715 shown in FIG. 19B denotes a mounting position of the signal driving IC.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the signal electrodes and the scanning electrodes are exchanged. That is, the configuration shown in FIG. 19A may be the configuration of the scanning electrode film, and the configuration shown in FIG. 19B may be the configuration of the signal electrode film.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment in which the display panel is a round panel. In each signal electrode 722, a long signal electrode 722L and a short signal electrode 722S are mixed, and are gathered at the electrode connection portion 724 at one end of the signal electrode film 721.

As in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 19, the length of each lead line 723 extending the relatively long scan electrode 722L is longer than the length of each lead line 723 extending the relatively short scan electrode 722S. I try to be shorter. With such a configuration, the same effect as the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 can be obtained. Further, it is possible to support display panels of various shapes including a round panel.

The configuration on the scanning electrode side may be substantially the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 20, and may be obtained by rotating the configuration shown in FIG. 20 by 90 degrees. When a film liquid crystal display device is used, the configuration shown in FIG. 20 can be applied as it is to a three-dimensional curved panel by utilizing the flexible property of the film substrate.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment in which the display panel is a polygonal panel (the figure shows a case of a hexagon).
As shown in FIG. 21A, each signal electrode 742 includes a long signal electrode 742L and a short signal electrode 742.
S is mixed and collected at two electrode connection portions 746 and 747 at one end of the signal electrode film 741.

That is, each signal electrode 742, 742...
The first signal electrode group 743 and the second signal electrode group 7 are separated by a boundary extending in a substantially central vertical direction (the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow A in the figure) through a bending point 33C which is a hexagonal vertex.
44, and the first and second signal electrode groups 743,
Each of the signal electrodes 742 of the 744
6,747.

As in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 19, the length of each lead line 745 extending the relatively long scan electrode 742L is longer than the length of each lead line 745 extending the relatively short scan electrode 742S. I try to be shorter. With such a configuration, the same effect as the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 can be obtained. Further, according to the present embodiment, even when there is a bending point of the display panel on the end side where the electrode connection part is provided, the electrode connection part can be provided avoiding the bending point, and various shapes can be provided. The display panel can be configured.

As shown in FIG. 21 (b), each scanning electrode 752 includes a long scanning electrode 752L and a short scanning electrode 752S, and one end of the scanning electrode film 751. (Right end side in the figure), the electrode connecting portion 75
Collected in 4.

Then, similarly, a relatively long scanning electrode 752
The length of each leading line 753 extending L is set to be shorter than the length of each leading line 753 extending the relatively short scanning electrode 752S. In this way, the variation in the electric resistance between the scanning electrodes is reduced. Incidentally, reference numeral 748 shown in FIG.
C is a mounting position, and 755 shown in FIG. 21B is a mounting position of the signal driving IC. Also in the present embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. 21A may be the configuration of the scanning electrode film, and the configuration shown in FIG. 21B may be the configuration of the signal electrode film.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, an example will be described in which the second embodiment in which the electrode connection portions are gathered at one location is applied to the display panel of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the like. . The signal electrode film 761 has a substantially convex shape, and as shown in FIG.
The long signal electrode 762L and the short signal electrode 7
62S are mixed, and are collected at the electrode connection portion 764 at one end side (upper end side in the drawing) of the signal electrode film 761.

The electrode connection portion 764 and each signal electrode 7
Are connected to the ends of 62S and 762L by leading lines 763, 763,... Extending the respective signal electrodes 762. The length of each wiring line 763 extending the relatively long signal electrode 762L is equal to the length of the relatively short signal electrode 762L.
The length of each wiring line 763 extending 2S is made shorter than the length.

As described above, the signal electrodes 762, 762,.
... The non-uniformity of the length is configured to be partially compensated, and variation in electric resistance between signal electrodes can be reduced, so that image quality is improved. Further, the width of the electrode connection portion 764 is equal to the width of the signal electrodes 762,
762... Are smaller than the entire width of the connecting portion 762.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22 (b), each scanning electrode 772 also has a long scanning electrode 772L,
Scan electrodes 772S having a short length are mixed, and are collected at two electrode connection portions 776 and 777 at one end side (right end side in the drawing) of the scan electrode film 771.

That is, each scanning electrode 772 is a first scanning electrode group 773 which is an electrode group of a long scanning electrode 772L.
And a second scanning electrode group 774, which is an electrode group of scanning electrodes 772S having a short length, and each of the scanning electrodes 772 of the first and second scanning electrode groups 773 and 774 is connected to an electrode connection portion 776 and 777, respectively. It is gathered in.

Then, between the electrode connecting portions 776 and 777 and the ends of the scanning electrodes 772S and 772L, the lead lines 775 and 775 extending the scanning electrodes 772, respectively.
・ ・ It is connected with. And the relatively long scanning electrode 7
The length of each lead line 775 extending 72L is set to be shorter than the length of each lead line 775 extending the relatively short scan electrode 772S.

As described above, each scanning electrode 772, 772.
... The non-uniformity of the length is configured to be partially compensated, and variation in electric resistance between the scanning electrodes can be reduced. Also, the electrode connection portions 776, 777
Of the scanning electrodes 772, 772.
・ ・ Because it is narrower than the entire width of, the configuration of the connection portion can be made compact.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 23 is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, and as shown in FIG. 23A, the configuration of the signal electrode film 761 is the same as that of FIG. It is. The scan electrode film 771 shown in FIG. 23B is partially different in configuration from the scan electrode film shown in FIG. 22B, and each scan electrode of the first scan electrode group 773 and the second scan electrode group 774. 772 is a common electrode connection part 7
Collected at 79. That is, the second scan electrode group 774
Each scan electrode 772 extends to the right end side in the figure,
It is bent in a step-like manner, merges with the scanning electrodes 772 of the first scanning electrode group 773, and reaches the electrode connection portion 779.

With such a configuration, the electrode connecting portions can be integrated at one location, and the driving IC can be mounted at only one location. That is, the first signal shown in FIG.
In the embodiment, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a single electrode moving means corresponding to each of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group is attached. As a result, even when the display panel is attached to a small electronic device, space can be saved. Even in the case of display panels having the same shape, variations can be provided in the mounting portion of the driving IC, so that a highly flexible design is possible.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the configuration shown in FIG. 22A or 23A is replaced by the configuration of the scanning electrode film, and the configuration shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the configuration shown in FIG. 23B may be the configuration of the signal electrode film.

In the embodiment described above, the cholesteric liquid crystal display device in which the display panel 30 is a film liquid crystal display panel has been described as an example. The film LCD panel is easy to process and has a flexible property, so it can be processed in three dimensions, and has many advantages such as light weight and resistance to cracking. And the display panel 3 is particularly preferable.
Reference numeral 0 is not limited to a film liquid crystal display panel, but may be a display panel using a glass substrate, or a display panel of a matrix drive system in which scanning electrodes and signal electrodes are arranged to intersect.

[0122]

As described above, according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the first and second display areas are arranged adjacent to each other so as to sandwich the boundary passing through the inflection point. It is possible to respond. In particular, a display panel that effectively utilizes a small space on the surface of the electronic device can be configured even for an electronic device that is becoming smaller in size.

According to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the first
Since the area and the shape of the second display area are different from each other, the display area can be properly used depending on the content of the information, and the information is organized and the referability is improved.

According to the fifth to seventh aspects of the present invention, one of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group is provided with the first and second electrodes.
Since it is divided into dedicated first and second electrode groups corresponding to the display area, image display control in units of the display area is facilitated.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the display of the liquid crystal display layer has a memory property, the image information is retained even after the applied voltage is removed. It can be.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group have a single electrode driving means, the number of electrode driving means can be minimized even if the display area has a complicated shape. Can be limited. In particular, when used in a small electronic device, there are many design advantages.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the first electrode group and the second electrode group are provided with individual electrode driving means, the arrangement of the electrode driving means can be varied.

According to the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the present invention,
Regarding the signal electrode group or the scanning electrode group having a non-uniform length, the length of the lead line is used to compensate for the non-uniformity of the length of the electrode group. Variation in resistance can be reduced, and image quality can be improved.

According to the thirteenth or fifteenth aspect,
Since the electrode connection part to which the electrode group is connected is configured to be narrower than the width of the electrode group arranged in parallel, the electrode connection part can be made compact. Further, the electrode driving IC to be connected can be made compact.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the non-uniformity of the electrode length is compensated for each partial electrode group, a display region having a bending point at an end on the electrode connecting portion side is provided. Even so, the electrode connection portion can have a compact configuration. In addition, it is possible to reduce variation in electric resistance between the electrodes.

(Claim 16, Claim 17 or Claim 20)
According to the invention, a display panel having a main display portion having a relatively large area and a sub-display portion having a relatively small area is attached to an electronic device having a communication means. The use environment of the electronic device is improved by properly using. In addition, by displaying communication-related information and guidance information with high importance on the main display, it is easy to refer to the information. By displaying additional information on the sub-display, the information is organized and the entire display area is displayed. Reference is improved.

(18), (19) or (20)
According to the invention, a display panel having a main display portion having a relatively large area and a sub-display portion having a relatively small area is attached to an electronic device having an operation member. The use environment of the electronic device is improved by properly using. In addition, operability is improved by displaying operation-related information on the main display unit. Further, by displaying the additional information on the sub-display unit, the information is organized, and the referability of the entire display area is improved.

In the invention of claims 21 to 23,
A display panel with a main display with a relatively large area and a sub-display with a relatively small area is attached to the wearable electronic device.The display area can be used properly according to the importance of the information content. Use environment of the electronic device is improved.
In addition, by displaying the time on the main display unit, the time can be easily confirmed. By displaying the additional information on the sub display unit, the information is organized and the referability is improved. In particular, when the wearable electronic device is a wristwatch, since the entire display area is small, operability is improved by organizing the display contents for each display area.

In the invention of claim 24 or claim 25,
Since the display panel is updated in response to the movement detection of the wearable electronic device, the latest information is automatically updated at the time of use. In particular, in the case of a display panel having memory properties, the display update is automatically performed at the time of reference while reducing the frequency of display update, so that both power saving and improvement in operability can be realized. it can. In addition, since the front light is turned on in response to the movement detection, it is possible to reliably refer to the display contents even in a dark environment.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, since the above-mentioned wearable electronic device is provided with the communication means, important information such as mail display and homepage content data and additional information can be selectively used for each display area. Can provide the use environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile phone which is an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a wristwatch, which is the wearable electronic device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display panel including first and second display areas.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel.

FIG. 5 is a view of the signal electrode film as viewed from a lower surface side.

FIG. 6 is a view of the scanning electrode film as viewed from above.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanning direction of a display panel.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the scanning direction of the display panel.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a mail text is displayed in a first display area of the mobile phone.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the time is largely displayed in a first display area of the wristwatch.

FIG. 11 is a control circuit block diagram of a mobile phone.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the wristwatch.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing basic control of the wristwatch.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing display update control.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a lighting process.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a group of electrodes is gathered at one place at an electrode connection part in a triangular display panel.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which an electrode group is gathered at one place at an electrode connection portion in a round display panel.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which, in a polygonal display panel, an electrode group is collected at one or two positions at an electrode connection portion.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the electrode group is gathered at one or two places at the electrode connection part in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which an electrode group is gathered at one place at an electrode connecting portion in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a film liquid crystal display panel capable of performing color display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone (electronic device) 2 Wrist watch (wearable electronic device) 30 Display panel 31 First display area 32 Second display area 33 Bending point 34 Boundary

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09F 9/40 301 G09F 9/40 301 (72) Inventor Kiyofumi Hashimoto 2-chome Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 3-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichi Koriyama 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Kondo Osaka, Osaka 2-13-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H089 HA40 JA10 QA11 TA01 TA02 2H090 JB03 JC04 LA01 2H092 GA05 GA14 GA15 GA20 GA21 GA33 NA25 PA01 PA06 PA13 QA06 5C094 AA02 AA15 AA43 BA DA01 DA05 DA06 EA04 EA07 EB02 ED20 HA03 HA10

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A display panel, comprising: a liquid crystal display layer in which a first display region and a second display region are arranged adjacent to each other across a boundary passing through the bending point in an entire display region having a bending point on an outer periphery. A scanning electrode group and a signal electrode group arranged so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below, and intersecting each other in plan view;
A display panel comprising: 2. A display panel, comprising: a liquid crystal display layer in which a first display area and a second display area having different widths in a predetermined direction are arranged adjacent to each other with a boundary extending in the predetermined direction; A scanning electrode group and a signal electrode group that are arranged so as to sandwich the layer from above and below, and intersect with each other in plan view;
A display panel comprising: 3. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein an area of the first display area is different from an area of the second display area. 4. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the first display area is different from the shape of the second display area. 5. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein one of the scan electrode group and the signal electrode group is dedicated to the first display area. A display panel comprising: a first electrode group; and a second electrode group dedicated to the second display area. 6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein said one electrode group is said scanning electrode group. 7. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein the one electrode group is the signal electrode group. 8. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the display of the liquid crystal display layer has a memory property. 9. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein a single scan electrode driving unit is associated with the scan electrode group, and the signal electrode group is attached to the display panel. A display panel comprising a single signal electrode driving means correspondingly. 10. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein the first electrode group and the second electrode group are individually provided with electrode driving means. 11. A scanning electrode group and a signal electrode group that intersect each other in a plan view are disposed so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below, and respective ends of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group extend as leading lines. And a display panel reaching an electrode connection portion for electrical connection to the outside, wherein at least one of the scan electrode group and the signal electrode group has a relatively long first length. And a second electrode having a relatively short second length, wherein a length of a first lead wire extending from an end of the first electrode is equal to an end of the second electrode. A display panel having a length shorter than a length of a second routing line extending from the display panel. 12. A scanning electrode group and a signal electrode group that intersect each other in a plan view are disposed so as to sandwich the liquid crystal display layer from above and below, and respective ends of the scanning electrode group and the signal electrode group extend as leading lines. A display panel that reaches an electrode connection portion for electrical connection with the outside, wherein at least one of the scan electrode group and the signal electrode group has a non-uniform length. By setting the magnitude relationship of the lengths of the respective lead lines extending from the at least one electrode group to the magnitude relationship of the lengths of the respective electrodes themselves extending the respective lead lines, The display panel, wherein the non-uniformity of the length of the one electrode group is at least partially compensated. 13. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electrode group is arranged in parallel with a first width, and wherein the at least one electrode group is coupled. The display panel, wherein the electrode connecting portion has a second width smaller than the first width. 14. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electrode group is divided into a plurality of partial electrode groups, and the electrode connection section is a plurality of partial connection sections. In each of the partial electrode groups, by setting the magnitude relationship of the lengths of the respective lead lines extending from each electrode to the inverse of the magnitude relationship of the lengths of the respective electrodes, the electrodes in the respective partial electrode groups are divided. Display panel characterized in that the non-uniformity of the length of the display panel is at least partially compensated. 15. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein the electrode connection unit is connected to an electrode driving unit of the scan electrode group or the signal electrode group. panel. 16. An electronic device to which the display panel according to claim 1 is attached, wherein: a communication unit; and a main display unit having a relatively large area as the first display region. An electronic device, comprising: a sub-display section having a relatively small area as the second display area. 17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the main display unit displays communication-related information or guidance information. 18. An electronic device to which the display panel according to claim 1 is attached, wherein: an operation member; and a main display portion having a relatively large area as the first display region. An electronic device, comprising: a sub-display unit having a relatively small area as the second display area. 19. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the main display unit displays operation-related information or guidance information. 20. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the sub-display unit displays additional information on display contents of the main display unit. 21. A wearable electronic device to which the display panel according to claim 1 is mounted, wherein: an internal clock; a main display portion having a relatively large area as the first display region; A sub-display unit having a relatively small area, which is the second display area. 22. The wearable electronic device according to claim 21, wherein a time is displayed on the main display unit. 23. The wearable electronic device according to claim 21, wherein the auxiliary display unit displays additional information on display contents of the main display unit. machine. 24. The wearable electronic device according to claim 21, further comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect movement of the wearable electronic device due to an external force; and the movement performed by the detecting unit. Means for updating the display on the display panel in response to the detection of the wearable electronic device. 25. The wearable electronic device according to claim 24, further comprising: a front light that illuminates a panel surface of the display panel; and the front light in response to the detection of the movement by the detection unit. Lighting means for lighting the electronic device. 26. A wearable electronic device according to claim 21, further comprising a communication unit.