JP2006031034A - Electro-optical panel, electro-optical device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption for driving panels to a low level in an electro-optical panel, etc. having the plurality of panels. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid crystal device 60A includes a main display 1A and a sub-display 2A. Signals are supplied from a drive circuit 7 to first electrodes 15a and second electrodes 15b arranged on the main display 1A and third electrodes 15c and forth electrodes 15d arranged on the sub-display 2A. Some of the first electrodes 15a of the main display 1A are electrically connected to the third electrodes 15c of the sub-display 2A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electro-optical panel that is a panel structure including an electro-optical material, an electro-optical device that is a structure including the electro-optical material, and an electronic apparatus configured using the electro-optical device.

  An electro-optic panel is a panel structure that can be supplied to the market as a unit. If a wiring board such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) is attached to the electro-optical panel, a signal and a power supply voltage can be supplied from the external circuit to the electro-optical panel through the wiring board. Further, if a lighting device is attached to the electro-optical panel, light can be supplied to the electro-optical panel.

  In general, an electro-optical panel is often recognized as an electro-optical element that does not include an accessory device such as a wiring board or a lighting device. However, if an object with a wiring board or lighting device mounted on the panel structure is supplied to the market as a unit, the entire object including the wiring board or lighting device is recognized as one electro-optical panel. But it does n’t matter.

  In addition, if the electro-optical panel includes a plurality of panel structures and these panel structures are supplied to the market in a state of being connected by a wiring board, the structure including the plurality of panel structures. Can be recognized as one electro-optical panel.

  Next, the electro-optical device refers to any device that includes an electro-optical material and can be one of a plurality of components that constitute an electronic apparatus such as a mobile phone. Specifically, the electro-optical panel is also an electro-optical device, the electro-optical panel connected to the wiring board is also an electro-optical device, and the electro-optical panel is provided with an illumination device. It is an optical device.

  Now, for example, when a mobile phone is considered as an electronic device, recently, a mobile phone having a folding structure is known. In such a cellular phone, a body having an operation function and a mouthpiece and a body having a display function and a mouthpiece are connected by a hinge. The angle formed by the two bodies around the hinge can be changed.

  In this cellular phone, the display can be observed when the two bodies are opened, and can be used as a phone. Also, by folding the body, it can be made compact so that it can be easily carried when the telephone is not used.

  More recently, in addition to the main display that can be observed when the mobile phone is open, the incoming call partner is displayed so that the mobile phone can be folded and the recipient can receive the received mail and the time of day. A mobile phone having a sub-display for mounting, a mobile phone having a so-called double display structure has attracted attention.

  Conventionally, in such a mobile phone having a double display structure, a main display and a sub display are driven by different drive circuits to perform display.

  However, when the main display and the sub display are driven by separate drive circuits as described above, there is a problem that power consumption increases. In particular, in a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, it is desirable that the power consumption is low because of a demand for keeping the capacity of the power source low and a demand for making the usable time as long as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress power consumption when driving a plurality of panels.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electro-optical device of the present invention includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive circuit mounted on the first panel that drives the first panel and the second panel. In the electro-optical panel, the driving circuit is mounted on a substrate on one side of the first panel, and the second panel is connected to the first panel on the side adjacent to the one side. .

  According to this electro-optical panel, a common drive signal can be supplied to each of the first panel and the second panel from one drive circuit. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide drive circuits for driving each of the first panel and the second panel. As a result, the power consumption can be greatly reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced to reduce the cost. Furthermore, the drive circuit can be fixed in a fixed position, and the space occupied by the electro-optical panel including the drive circuit can be reduced.

  The electro-optical device includes: a first panel; a second panel; and a driving circuit mounted on the first panel that drives the first panel and the second panel. Is mounted on one side of the first panel, and the second panel is connected to the first panel on the one side.

  According to this electro-optical panel, at least a part of the drive signal supplied to the first panel can be supplied to the second panel. That is, a common drive signal can be supplied to each of the first panel and the second panel from one drive circuit. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide drive circuits for driving each of the first panel and the second panel. As a result, the power consumption can be greatly reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced to reduce the cost. Furthermore, the drive circuit can be fixed in a fixed position, and the space occupied by the electro-optical panel including the drive circuit can be reduced.

  (1) In order to achieve the above object, an electro-optical panel according to the present invention includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive circuit that drives the first panel and the second panel. And

  According to this electro-optical panel, at least a part of the drive signal supplied to the first panel can be supplied to the second panel. That is, a common drive signal can be supplied to each of the first panel and the second panel from one drive circuit. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide drive circuits for driving each of the first panel and the second panel. As a result, the power consumption can be greatly reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced to reduce the cost.

  (2) In the above configuration, the driving circuit can be mounted on the first panel. In this way, the drive circuit can be fixed in a fixed position, and the space occupied by the electro-optical panel including the drive circuit can be reduced.

  (3) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the first panel includes a first substrate on which a first electrode to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit is disposed, and a second electrode to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit. And a second substrate on which is disposed. The second panel includes a third substrate on which a third electrode to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit is disposed, and a fourth substrate on which a fourth electrode to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit is disposed. Can have. In this case, it is desirable that the first electrode and the third electrode are electrically connected.

  According to this configuration, a common drive signal can be supplied from the drive circuit to the first electrode and the third electrode.

  (4) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, liquid crystal can be sandwiched between the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate and the gap between the third substrate and the fourth substrate. In this way, a liquid crystal panel can be configured as an electro-optical panel.

  (5) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, a signal can be supplied from the drive circuit to the third electrode via the first electrode. In this way, a common drive signal can be supplied from the drive circuit.

  (6) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the first electrode and the third electrode can be electrically connected to each other via a flexible wiring board. In other words, this means that the first panel and the second panel are connected by the flexible wiring board. In this case, the positional relationship between the first panel and the second panel can be set to a desired relationship by bending the flexible wiring board or making it an appropriate shape.

  (7) In the electro-optical panel having the above-described configuration, the first electrode and the third electrode may have a substantially linear shape, and the first electrode and the third electrode may be disposed substantially parallel to each other. In this way, the first electrode and the third electrode can be electrically connected with the shortest distance, and therefore, the delay of the drive signal supplied in common to both electrodes can be suppressed.

  (8) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the first panel includes a first wiring that electrically connects the drive circuit and the first electrode, and an electrical connection between the drive circuit and the second electrode. A second wiring connected to the first wiring, a third wiring electrically connecting the first electrode and the third electrode, and a fourth wiring electrically connecting the drive circuit and the fourth electrode. can do. As described above, by providing the wiring that connects each electrode and the drive circuit, a common drive signal can be supplied from the drive circuit.

  (9) In the electro-optical panel having the above configuration, the first wiring, the second wiring, the third wiring, and the fourth wiring can be arranged on the first substrate. Thus, if each wiring is arrange | positioned on one board | substrate, a connection with a drive circuit and each electrode can be collectively performed on one board | substrate.

  (10) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the drive circuit stops supplying signals to the fourth electrode when the first panel is displayed, and the second panel is displayed. Can have a function of stopping the supply of signals to the second electrode. In this way, an unused panel can be undisplayed, and power consumption can be reduced.

  (11) Next, an electro-optical device according to the present invention includes the electro-optical panel having the above-described configuration. In this way, an electro-optical device having a plurality of surfaces can be provided.

  (12) The electro-optical device having the above configuration can have a plurality of surfaces, and in this case, the first panel and the second panel can be arranged on different surfaces of the plurality of surfaces, respectively. . If it carries out like this, a 1st panel and a 2nd panel can be divided and used according to a use because a display display is located in a different surface.

  (13) Next, an electronic apparatus according to the invention includes the electro-optical device having the above-described configuration. According to this electronic device, a plurality of display displays can be performed in one electronic device using the first panel and the second panel. In addition, the power consumption of the electronic apparatus can be reduced by suppressing the power consumption of the electro-optical device.

  (14) Next, in the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the drive circuit is mounted on one side of the first panel, and the second panel is connected to the first panel at a side facing the one side. can do. An example of this is shown in FIG. 5, for example.

  (15) In the electro-optical panel having the above-described configuration, the drive circuit is mounted on one side of the first panel, and the second panel is connected to the first panel on the adjacent side of the one side. Can do. An example of this is shown in FIG. 13, for example.

  (16) In the electro-optical panel having the above configuration, the driving circuit is mounted on one side of the first panel, and the second panel can be connected to the first panel on the one side. One example of this is shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, for example.

  (17) In the electro-optical panel having the above-described configuration, the first electrode and the third electrode can be signal lines. According to this embodiment, the signal line can be shared between the first panel and the second panel by connecting the first electrode and the third electrode.

  (18) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the first panel includes a first substrate on which a first electrode to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit is disposed, and a first substrate to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit. A second substrate on which two electrodes are arranged, and the second panel is supplied with a signal from the driving circuit and a third substrate on which a third electrode to which a signal is supplied from the driving circuit is provided. And a fourth substrate on which the fourth electrode is disposed. In this case, the second electrode and the fourth electrode can be electrically connected, and the second electrode and the fourth electrode can be scanning lines. According to this embodiment, the scanning line can be shared between the first panel and the second panel.

  (19) In the electro-optic panel having the above-described configuration, in addition to electrically connecting the first electrode and the third electrode, electrically connecting the second electrode and the fourth electrode. You can also. According to this embodiment, both the signal line and the scanning line can be shared between the first panel and the second panel.

  (20) In the electro-optical panel configured as described above, the first panel includes a first substrate on which a first electrode to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit is disposed, and a signal to which a signal is supplied from the drive circuit. A second substrate on which two electrodes are arranged, and the second panel is supplied with a signal from the driving circuit and a third substrate on which a third electrode to which a signal is supplied from the driving circuit is provided. And a fourth substrate on which the fourth electrode is disposed. In this case, each of the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode can be configured to be electrically connected to the drive circuit independently. According to this embodiment, all of the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are driven independently.

(Electronics)
Hereinafter, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a cellular phone having a folding structure as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile phone. In particular, FIG. 1 (a) shows a state in which the mobile phone is opened, and FIG. 1 (b) shows a state in which the mobile phone is folded and closed. . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the first body on which the display of the mobile phone is mounted in an exploded state.

  The cellular phone 50 has a first body 51 and a second body 52, and these bodies are connected to each other by a hinge 53 so as to be able to move around. The first body 51 is provided with an earpiece 56 and an antenna 57. The second body 52 is provided with a plurality of operation keys 59 and a mouthpiece 61. 1A, a main display 54 is provided on the inner surface of the first body 51, and a sub display 58 is provided on the outer surface of the first body 51 as shown in FIG. 1B. .

  The two bodies 51 and 52 can change the angle around the hinge 53. If the 1st body 51 and the 2nd body 52 are made into the open state like Fig.1 (a), the display of the main display 54 can be observed and it can be used as a telephone.

  When the telephone is not used, the first body 51 and the second body 52 can be folded into a compact shape that is easy to carry as shown in FIG. Further, with the mobile phone folded, the sub-display 58 mounted on the first body 51 can confirm the incoming call partner, the reception of mail, the time, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first body 51 includes an upper case 51a, a lower case 51b, and a liquid crystal device 60A as an electro-optical device held by these cases. Although a detailed structure is not shown here, the liquid crystal device 60A has a first surface 65a and a second surface 65b facing each other, and the main display 54 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the first surface 65a. The display surface of the sub display 58 (see FIG. 1) is positioned on the second surface 65b. A first hole 62 is provided in the upper case 51a so that the display surface of the main display 54 can be visually recognized. On the other hand, the second case 63 is provided in the lower case 51b so that the display surface of the sub display 58 is visible.

(Embodiments of electro-optical panel and electro-optical device)
Next, an embodiment of the electro-optical device according to the present invention will be described by taking a liquid crystal device as an example, and at the same time, an embodiment of the electro-optical panel according to the present invention will be described by taking a liquid crystal panel as an example. Will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal device 60A. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal device 60A. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the liquid crystal device 60A shown in FIG. FIG. 3 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship between electrodes and wirings arranged on the liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal device 60A.

  In FIG. 3, the liquid crystal device 60 </ b> A includes a main display 1 </ b> A, a sub-display 2 </ b> A, and a housing 64 that holds these. The main display 1A is a transmissive and simple matrix type liquid crystal device, and includes a first panel 3A, which is a panel structure with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of polarizing plates 19a disposed so as to sandwich the first panel 3A. 19b and a lighting device 40a that irradiates light to the first panel 3A.

  On the other hand, the sub-display 2A is also a transmissive and simple matrix type liquid crystal device, and includes a second panel 4A that is a panel structure with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of polarized lights that are disposed so as to sandwich the second panel 4A. It has the board | plates 29a and 29b and the illuminating device 40b which irradiates light with respect to 2nd panel 4A. The main display 1A and the sub-display 2A are connected by a flexible second wiring board 8b. Further, a flexible first wiring board 8a is connected to the main display 1A, and the liquid crystal is supplied from an external circuit through the first wiring board 8a. A signal, a power supply voltage, and the like are supplied to the device 60A.

  The illumination devices 40a and 40b have light guide plates 41 and 41 and light sources 42 and 42, respectively. Although not shown here, an optical sheet such as a prism sheet is provided between the light guide plate 41 of the illumination device 40a and the first panel 3A and between the light guide plate 41 of the illumination device 40b and the second panel 4A. Can be arranged as needed.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panel as the electro-optical panel includes the first panel 3A, the second panel 4A, and the second wiring substrate 8b that connects the first panel 3A and the second panel 4A. To do. A liquid crystal device 60A as an electro-optical device is configured by mounting the illuminating devices 40a and 40b, the polarizing plates 19a, 19b, 29a and 29b, and the first wiring board 8a on the liquid crystal panel. And The liquid crystal device 60 </ b> A configured in this way is held by the housing 64.

  The liquid crystal panel is recognized as a structure that is supplied to the market as a single unit. Accordingly, the polarizing plates 19a, 19b, 29a, and 29b are mounted on the first panel 3A and the second panel 4A. When considered as one unit, a structure including those polarizing plates is a liquid crystal panel.

  Further, when the liquid crystal device 60A is incorporated into a mobile phone, the display surface of the first panel 3A and the display surface of the second panel 4A are positioned on the surfaces 65a and 65b facing each other in the liquid crystal device 60A of FIG. Thus, the second wiring board 8b of FIG. 3 is bent.

  In FIG. 3, the main display 1A is formed by adhering and fixing a first substrate 10a and a second substrate 10b with a sealing material 30a with a predetermined gap therebetween. The first substrate 10a and the second substrate 10b are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the arrow B, for example, with transparent glass, transparent quartz, or transparent plastic. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the sealing material 30a is formed with a discontinuous portion that becomes the liquid crystal injection port 31 when the liquid crystal is injected. The liquid crystal injection port 31 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin after the liquid crystal is injected. Sealed with a sealing material (not shown).

  In FIG. 3, STN (Super Twisted Nematic) as an electro-optical material is formed in a region defined by the sealing material 30 a, that is, in a liquid crystal sealing region, between the first substrate 10 a and the second substrate 10 b. Liquid crystal 5 is enclosed. On the first substrate 10a and the second substrate 10b, the first electrode 15a and the second electrode 15b for driving the liquid crystal are viewed in the direction orthogonal to each other when viewed from the direction of the arrow B with a transparent ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film, for example. It is formed in a stripe shape. In addition, alignment films 11 and 11 are formed on the inner surfaces of the first substrate 10a and the second substrate 10b.

  A drive signal for driving the liquid crystal constituting each pixel is applied to the electrodes 15a and 15b. In the present embodiment, transmissive display having a structure in which light from the illuminating devices 40a and 40b is transmitted through the first panel 3A and the second panel 4A is performed, but instead of this, reflective display or semi-transmissive is performed. In the case of performing reflective display, one of these electrodes can be formed of a reflective metal such as aluminum, and this one electrode can be used as a light reflecting film.

  A pixel is formed corresponding to the intersection of the first electrode 15a and the second electrode 15b. Since the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment is a simple matrix type, the first electrode 15a functions as an image signal electrode to which an on-voltage or off-voltage image signal is applied, and the second electrode 15b is applied with a scanning signal. It functions as a scanning electrode. Further, polarizing plates 19a and 19b are attached to the outer surfaces of the first substrate 10a and the second substrate 10b, respectively. Furthermore, a retardation plate can be interposed between the substrates 10a and 10b and the polarizing plates 19a and 19b as necessary. This retardation plate eliminates the coloration generated in the liquid crystal layer formed by the liquid crystal 5.

  In FIG. 3, the sub-display 2A is formed by adhering and fixing a first substrate 20a and a second substrate 20b with a sealing material 30b with a predetermined gap therebetween. The first substrate 20a and the second substrate 20b are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the arrow C, for example, with transparent glass, transparent quartz, or transparent plastic. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the sealing material 30b is formed with a discontinuous portion that becomes the liquid crystal injection port 31 when the liquid crystal is injected. The liquid crystal injection port 31 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin after the liquid crystal is injected. Sealed with a sealing material (not shown).

  The STN liquid crystal 5 serving as an electro-optical material is sealed in a region partitioned by the sealing material 30b, that is, a liquid crystal injection region, between the first substrate 20a and the second substrate 20b. On the first substrate 20a and the second substrate 20b, a third electrode 15c and a fourth electrode 15d for driving the liquid crystal are formed in a stripe shape as viewed from the direction of the arrow C by a transparent ITO film or the like in a direction orthogonal to each other. The In addition, alignment films 11 and 11 are formed on the inner surfaces of the first substrate 20a and the second substrate 20b.

  A drive signal for driving the liquid crystal constituting each pixel is applied to the electrodes 15c and 15d. In addition, when performing a reflective display or a transflective display with a liquid crystal device, one of these electrodes may be formed of a reflective metal such as aluminum, and this one electrode may be used as a light reflecting film. it can.

  A pixel is formed corresponding to the intersection of the third electrode 15c and the fourth electrode 15d. Since the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment is a simple matrix type, the third electrode 15c functions as an image signal electrode to which an on-voltage or off-voltage image signal is applied, and the fourth electrode 15d is applied with a scanning signal. It functions as a scanning electrode. Further, polarizing plates 29a and 29b are attached to the outer surfaces of the first substrate 20a and the second substrate 20b, respectively. Furthermore, a retardation plate can be interposed between the substrates 20a and 20b and the polarizing plates 29a and 29b as necessary. This retardation plate eliminates the coloration generated in the liquid crystal layer formed by the liquid crystal 5.

  In FIG. 5, the electrodes 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are schematically shown with wider widths and wider intervals than actual to show the structure of the liquid crystal panel in an easy-to-understand manner. The width and interval of the electrodes are narrower than the illustrated state.

  In the main display 1A shown in FIG. 3, the first substrate 10a is formed to be larger than the second substrate 10b, and the first substrate 10a further includes first projecting portions 21a projecting from two opposite sides of the second substrate 10b, and It has the 2nd overhang | projection part 21b. In the sub-display 2A, the first substrate 20a is formed larger than the second substrate 20b, and the first substrate 20a further includes a third projecting portion 21c that projects from the second substrate 20b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first overhanging portion 21a is formed with a connection region to which the flexible first wiring board 8a is bonded along one side of the second substrate 10b. The IC mounting area 17 is provided in parallel with the connection area. The IC mounting area 17 is an area for mounting a driving IC 7 as a driving circuit that outputs a driving signal to the electrodes 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d (see FIG. 5) arranged in the main display 1A and the sub display 2A. It is.

  The connection area of the first wiring board 8a is an area for connecting the first wiring board 8a for supplying various signals and power supply voltage to the driving IC 7 from the outside to the first board 10a. The driving IC 7 applies a driving signal to each wiring to drive each pixel of the liquid crystal device, is in a bare chip state, and has a COG (Chip On Glass) with its active surface facing the substrate. It is mounted on the board by the method. In FIG. 5, the driving IC 7 supplies an image signal to the first electrode 15a and the third electrode 15c, and supplies a scanning signal to the second electrode 15b and the fourth electrode 15d.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 4, the second projecting portion 21b is provided with a connection region where one side of the flexible second wiring board 8b is bonded along one side of the first substrate 10a. The third projecting portion 21c is provided with a connection region where the other side of the second wiring board 8b is bonded along one side of the first substrate 20a.

  In FIG. 5, one end of the second electrode 15b formed on the second substrate 10b in the main display 1A is electrically connected to one end of the lead wiring 36 disposed on the second substrate 10b. When the second substrate 10b and the first substrate 10a are bonded to each other with the sealing material 30a, the other end portion of the routing wiring 36 is placed on the first substrate 10a via the conductive material included in the sealing material 30a. It is electrically connected to one end portion of the lead wiring 34 extending from both ends of the IC mounting region 17.

  That is, the routing wirings 34 and 36 function as second wirings that electrically connect the second electrode 15b and the driving IC 7. The driving IC 7 has an output electrode 26 on its active surface, and the routing wiring 34 is electrically connected to the output electrode 26 via an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) 6 (see FIG. 3). Connected to.

  One end of the first electrode 15 a formed on the first substrate 10 a is electrically connected to one end of the first wiring 35, and the other end of the first wiring 35 is connected to the output electrode 26 of the driving IC 7. Electrical connection is established via the ACF 6 (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, the other end portions of some (four in the present embodiment) of the second electrodes 15a are electrically connected to one end portion of the third wiring 32 disposed in the second overhang portion 21b. On the first substrate 10a, a fourth wiring 33 for electrically connecting the second wiring substrate 8b and the driving IC 7 is disposed along the edge of the first substrate 10a. An end portion 33 is disposed on the second overhang portion 21b.

  On the first substrate 20a of the sub display 2A, a fifth wiring 37 electrically connected to the third electrode 15c and a lead wiring 39 to be electrically connected to the fourth electrode 15d are disposed. On the other hand, the lead wiring 43 electrically connected to the fourth electrode 15d is disposed on the second substrate 20b facing the first substrate 20a. The routing wiring 39 on the first substrate 20a and the routing wiring 43 on the second substrate 20b are electrically connected to each other through a conductive material mixed in the sealing material 30b. The lead wiring 39 and the lead wiring 43 constitute a sixth wiring for conductively connecting the fourth electrode 15d to the second wiring board 8b. The lead wiring 39 and the fifth wiring 37, which are part of the sixth wiring, are electrically connected to the electrode 28 (see FIG. 3) provided on the second wiring board 8b via the ACF 6 (see FIG. 3). The

  In FIG. 5, the third wiring 32 in the main display 1 </ b> A is electrically connected to the fifth wiring 37 of the sub display 2 </ b> A via an electrode provided on the second wiring board 8 b. At this time, since the fifth wiring 37 and the third electrode 15c are electrically connected, an image signal is used for driving the third electrode 15c via a part of the first electrode 15a in the main display 1A. Supplied from IC7. In other words, the main display 1A and the sub display 2A electrically share the wiring to which the image signal supplied from one driving IC 7 is applied.

  Further, the fourth wiring 33 in the main display 1A is electrically connected to the routing wiring 39 in the sub display 2A through an electrode provided on the second wiring board 8b. That is, a scanning signal is supplied to the fourth electrode 15d of the sub-display 2A from the same driving IC 7 that supplies the signal to the main display 1A. In other words, one driving IC 7 supplies a scanning signal corresponding to each of the main display 1A and the sub display 2A.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to share a driving IC for driving each of the plurality of different displays 1A and 2A. Therefore, compared with a case where a driving IC is provided separately, power consumption is reduced. Can be greatly reduced.

  Further, the first electrode 15a and the second electrode 15b arranged in the main display 1A, and the third electrode 15c and the fourth electrode 15d arranged in the sub display 2A have a linear shape, respectively. The first electrode 15a arranged on the main display 1A and the third electrode 15c arranged on the sub display 2A are arranged substantially parallel to each other. For this reason, the first electrode 15a and the third electrode 15c can be electrically connected at almost the shortest distance. Therefore, the image signal supplied in common to both the first electrode 15a and the third electrode 15c. Can be prevented from being delayed with respect to the third electrode 15c.

  As a method of connecting the sub display 2A to the main display 1A, the second wiring board 8b is bonded to a side orthogonal to the side to which the first wiring board 8a is bonded in the main display 1A, and the sub display 2A is connected to the first wiring. The substrate 8a may be positioned on the side that is orthogonal to the side to which the substrate 8a is bonded. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the wiring for connecting the first electrode 15a and the third electrode 15c becomes long, and the signal transmission to the third electrode 15c may be delayed.

  On the other hand, if the sub display 2A is positioned on the side opposite to the side to which the first wiring board 8a of the main display 1A is bonded as in the present embodiment, such a signal transmission delay is prevented. be able to. Further, it is desirable that the first electrode 15a and the third electrode 15c each use a conductive film having a low wiring resistance, for example, a conductive film containing aluminum such as aluminum alone or an aluminum alloy, thereby further delaying the signal. Can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the scanning signal is not supplied to the sub display 2A when the main display 1A is displayed, and further, the scanning signal is not supplied to the main display 1A when the sub display 2A is displayed. A driving circuit in the driving IC 7 can be configured. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the transmissive liquid crystal panel structure is used for both the main display 1A and the sub display 2A. However, a transflective liquid crystal panel, a reflective liquid crystal panel, or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the simple display type liquid crystal panel is used for both the main display 1A and the sub display 2A. However, a two-terminal switching element such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) or a TFD (Thin Film Diode) is used. It is also possible to use an active matrix type liquid crystal panel using a three-terminal type switching element.

(Another embodiment of electro-optical panel and electro-optical device)
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an active matrix type electro-optical panel using a TFD element and an electro-optical device configured using the electro-optical panel will be described. Note that the present embodiment is mainly different in the electrode structure and the drive circuit structure from the above-described embodiment in which a simple matrix type liquid crystal panel is used for the display, and the other structures are substantially the same. The electrode structure and circuit structure will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship between electrodes and wirings arranged in the liquid crystal device 60B according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the liquid crystal device 60B includes a main display 1B and a sub display 2B. The main display 1B and the sub-display 2B are transmissive and active matrix type liquid crystal panels, respectively, and the point that the illumination device and the polarizing plate are attached thereto is the case of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. Is the same.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panel as the electro-optical panel constitutes a part of the main display 1B and a part of the sub-display 2B and the first panel 3B which is a panel structure including a liquid crystal layer. And a second panel 4B which is a panel structure having a built-in liquid crystal layer, and a flexible second wiring board 78b connected to both the first panel 3B and the second panel 4B by adhesion. Further, a flexible first wiring board 78a is further connected to the first panel 3B by adhesion.

  The main display 1B is formed by adhering and fixing a first substrate 80a and a second substrate 80b facing the first substrate 80a with a sealant 30a with a predetermined gap therebetween. The first substrate 80a and the second substrate 80b are formed in a rectangular shape using, for example, transparent glass, transparent quartz, transparent plastic, or the like. Further, the sealing material 30a is formed with a discontinuous portion that becomes a liquid crystal injection port 31 when liquid crystal is injected. The liquid crystal injection port 31 is sealed with a sealing material (not shown) made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin after the liquid crystal is injected. ).

  Of the region between the first substrate 80a and the second substrate 80b opposite thereto, the region partitioned by the sealing material 30a, that is, the liquid crystal injection region, 90-degree twisted TN (Twisted Nematic) as an electro-optic material Liquid crystal (not shown) is enclosed. A linear line wiring 73 is formed on the first substrate 80a, and a linear second electrode 15b orthogonal to the line wiring 73 is formed on the second substrate 80b facing the first substrate 80a. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a data signal is supplied to the line wiring 73 and a scanning signal is supplied to the second electrode.

  Although not shown in FIG. 6, on the first substrate 80 a, as shown in FIG. 8, a TFD element 74 that is electrically connected to the line wiring 73 and the line wiring 73 via the TFD element 74. A pixel electrode 75 electrically connected to the pixel electrode 75 is formed. The pixel electrode 75 is formed in a dot shape by a transparent conductive film such as ITO.

  A plurality of pixel electrodes 75 are arranged in a column along the extending direction of one line wiring 73, that is, the X direction. Further, the pixel electrode 75 in the column is in a direction perpendicular to the line wiring 73, that is, Y. They are arranged parallel to each other. As a result, the plurality of pixel electrodes 75 are arranged in a matrix within a plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction.

  Each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 75 constitutes one display dot, and a plurality of these display dots are arranged in a matrix, thereby forming a display region for displaying an image. . When a color filter having three primary color picture elements such as R (red), G (green), B (blue), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) is used, the three primary colors are used. One pixel is composed of three display dots corresponding to the color picture elements. In addition, when monochrome display is performed without using a color filter, one display dot directly constitutes one pixel.

  In FIG. 6, the sub-display 2B is formed by adhering and fixing a first substrate 90a and a second substrate 90b facing the first substrate 90a with a sealant 30b with a predetermined gap therebetween. The first substrate 90a and the second substrate 90b facing the first substrate 90a are formed in a rectangular shape using, for example, transparent glass, transparent quartz, transparent plastic, or the like.

The sealing material 30b is formed with a discontinuous portion that becomes a liquid crystal injection port 31 when liquid crystal is injected. The liquid crystal injection port 31 is, for example, a sealing material (not shown) made of an ultraviolet curable resin after the liquid crystal is injected. It is sealed with. A 90-degree twisted TN liquid crystal (not shown) as an electro-optical material is formed in a region partitioned by the sealant 30b between the first substrate 90a and the second substrate 90b facing the first substrate 90b, that is, in the liquid crystal sealing region. Enclosed.

  A linear line wiring 83 is formed on the first substrate 90a, and a linear fourth electrode 15d orthogonal to the line wiring 83 is formed on the second substrate 90b facing the first substrate 90a. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a data signal is supplied to the line wiring 83 and a scanning signal is supplied to the fourth electrode 15d.

  A TFD element (not shown) electrically connected to the line wiring 83 and a pixel electrode (not shown) electrically connected to the line wiring 83 through the TFD element are formed on the first substrate 90a. The The pixel electrode is formed of a transparent conductive film such as ITO. One pixel is formed by the intersection of the pixel electrode and the fourth electrode 15d. The TFD element and the pixel electrode included in the sub display 2B can have the same configuration as the TFD element 74 and the pixel electrode 76 included in the main display 1B.

  As shown in FIG. 9, each TFD element 74 is formed by connecting a first TFD element 76a and a second TFD element 76b in series. The TFD element 74 is formed as follows, for example. That is, first, the first layer 77a of the line wiring 73 and the first metal 86 of the TFD element 74 are formed of TaW (tantalum tungsten). Next, the second layer 77b of the line wiring 73 and the insulating film 87 of the TFD element 74 are formed by anodic oxidation. Next, the third layer 77c of the line wiring 73 and the second metal 88 of the TFD element 74 are formed by using, for example, Cr (chromium).

  The second metal 88 of the first TFD element 76 a extends from the third layer 77 c of the line wiring 73. Further, the pixel electrode 75 is formed so as to overlap the tip of the second metal 88 of the second TFD element 76b. Considering that an electric signal flows from the line wiring 73 toward the pixel electrode 75, the electric signal flows in the order of the second electrode 88 → the insulating film 87 → the first metal 86 in the first TFD element 76a according to the current direction. In the second TFD element 76 b, electrical signals flow in the order of the first metal 86 → the insulating film 87 → the second metal 88.

  That is, a pair of electrically opposite TFD elements are connected in series between the first TFD element 76a and the second TFD element 76b. Such a structure is generally called a back-to-back structure, and the TFD element of this structure is compared with a case where the TFD element is configured by only one TFD element. It is known that stable characteristics can be obtained. In the figure, reference numeral 84 indicates a base film provided as necessary.

  In the main display 1B shown in FIG. 6, the first substrate 80a is formed larger than the second substrate 80b facing the first substrate 80a, and the first substrate 80a projects from the two opposing sides of the second substrate. 81a and a second overhang portion 81b. Further, in the sub display 2B, the first substrate 90a is formed larger than the second substrate 90b facing the first substrate 90a, and the first substrate 90a has a third projecting portion 81c projecting from the second substrate 90b.

  The first projecting portion 81a is provided with a connection region where the flexible first wiring board 78a is bonded along one side of the second substrate 80b, and is parallel to the connection region inside the connection region. Is provided with an IC mounting area. This IC mounting area is an area for mounting a driving IC as a semiconductor device that outputs a driving signal to the line wirings 73 and 83 and the second electrodes 15b and 15d arranged in the main display 1B and the sub display 2B. is there.

  In the present embodiment, a data line driving IC 67a and a scanning line driving IC 67b are provided as the driving ICs. One scanning line driving IC 67b is provided on each side of the IC mounting region with the data line driving IC 67a interposed therebetween. The data line driving IC 67a supplies an image signal to the line wiring 73 of the main display 1B and the line wiring 83 of the sub display 2B. The scanning line driving IC 67b supplies a scanning signal to the second electrode 15b of the main display 1B and the fourth electrode 15d of the sub display 2B.

  The connection area for the first wiring board 78a provided on the first overhanging portion 81a of the first board 80a of the main display 1B is an area for connecting the flexible first wiring board 78a to the first board 80a. The first wiring board 78a thus connected supplies various signals and power supply voltages to the driving ICs 67a and 67b from the outside. The driving ICs 67a and 67b are in a bare chip state, and are mounted on the first substrate 80a with their active surfaces facing the first substrate 80a. This mounting method is a so-called COG (Chip On Glass) mounting method.

  On the other hand, the second overhanging portion 81b of the first substrate 80a is provided with a connection region where the flexible second wiring substrate 78b is bonded along one side of the first substrate 80a. In addition, a connection region where the second wiring board 78b is bonded along one side of the first substrate 90a is provided in the projecting portion 81c of the first substrate 90a of the sub display 2B.

  The second electrode 15b formed on the second substrate 80b facing the first substrate 80a of the main display 1B is electrically connected to one end of the lead wiring 96 disposed on the second substrate 80b. Furthermore, when the first substrate 80a and the second substrate 80b opposite to the first substrate 80a are bonded to each other by the sealing material 30a, the other end portion of the routing wiring 96 is connected via a conductive material included in the sealing material 30a. It is connected to the end of the lead wiring 94.

  The routing wiring 94 extends from both ends of the region where the scanning line driving IC 67b is mounted on the first substrate 80a. Further, the lead wiring 94 is electrically connected to the output electrode 26 provided in the scanning line driving IC 67b via an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film). As can be seen from the above, the lead wires 94 and 96 function as second wires that electrically connect the second electrode 15b and the scan line driving IC 67b.

  One end of the line wiring 73 formed on the first substrate 80a of the main display 1B is electrically connected to one end of the first wiring 95, and the other end of the first wiring 95 is the data line driving IC 67a. Is electrically connected to the output electrode 26 provided in the ACF via the ACF. On the other hand, the other end portions of some (four in this embodiment) line wirings 73 are electrically connected to the third wiring 97 arranged in the second overhanging portion 81b. On the first substrate 80a, a fourth wiring 93 that electrically connects the flexible second wiring substrate 78b and the driving IC 67b is disposed along the edge of the first substrate 80a. The portion is disposed on the second overhanging portion 81b.

  On the first substrate 90a of the sub display 2B, a fifth wiring 91 electrically connected to the line wiring 83 and a lead wiring 92 are formed. In addition, a lead wiring 98 that is electrically connected to the fourth electrode 15d is formed on the second substrate 90b facing the first substrate 90a. The routing wiring 92 on the first substrate 90a and the routing wiring 98 on the second substrate 90b are electrically connected to each other by a conductive material mixed in the sealing material 30b. These routing wirings 92 and 98 function as a sixth wiring that electrically connects the fourth electrode 15d and the driving IC 67b. The fifth wiring 91 and the routing wiring 92 which is a part of the sixth wiring are electrically connected to the electrodes provided on the second wiring board 78b via the ACF 6 (see FIG. 3).

  The third wiring 97 formed on the main display 1B is electrically connected to the fifth wiring 91 of the sub-display 2B through an electrode provided on the second wiring board 78b. Here, since the fifth wiring 91 and the line wiring 83 are electrically connected, the image signal is transmitted to the line wiring 83 via a part of the line wiring 73 in the main display 1B. Will be supplied from. In other words, the main display 1B and the sub display 2B share a wiring to which an image signal supplied from one data driving IC 67a is applied.

  The fourth wiring 93 in the main display 1B is electrically connected to the lead wiring 92 via an electrode provided on the second wiring board 78b. In other words, the scanning signal is supplied to the fourth electrode 15d of the sub display 2B from the same driving IC as the scanning line driving IC 67b that supplies a signal to the main display 1B. In other words, one scanning line driving IC 67b supplies scanning signals corresponding to both the main display 1B and the sub display 2B.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a driving IC for driving a plurality of different displays can be shared, and power consumption is greatly reduced compared to the case where a driving IC is provided for each display. it can.

  Further, also in the present embodiment, the scanning signal is not supplied to the sub display 2B when the main display 1B is displayed, and further, the scanning signal is not supplied to the main display 1B when the sub display 2B is displayed. In this way, the drive circuit can be configured, thereby further reducing power consumption.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied not only to a simple matrix liquid crystal device but also to an active matrix liquid crystal device.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the second electrode 15b provided on the main displays 1A and 1B and the fourth electrode 15d provided on the sub-displays 2A and 2B are both arranged in a comb shape. On the other hand, the second electrode 15b and the fourth electrode 15d may be arranged like a liquid crystal device 60C shown in FIG.

  In the liquid crystal device 60C, the panel screens of the main display 1C and the sub-display 2C are divided into upper and lower parts of the drawing, and in the region corresponding to the upper part of the panel screen, the second electrode 15b and the fourth electrode are arranged from the left side of the panel on the drawing. The electrode 15d extends toward the display area. On the other hand, in the area corresponding to the lower part of the panel screen, the second electrode 15b and the fourth electrode 15d extend toward the display area from the right side of the panel in the drawing.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the present invention is applied to a simple matrix type liquid crystal device, and the second electrode 15b and the fourth electrode 15d are compared with the simple matrix type liquid crystal device shown in FIG. Only the arrangement of is different. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same elements as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, in the above embodiment, the image signal is applied by electrically connecting a part of the wiring on the main display to which the image signal is applied and the wiring on the sub display to which the image signal is applied. The shared wiring is electrically shared. However, there are various ways of sharing the wiring. For example, a part of the wiring on the main display to which the scanning signal is applied is electrically connected to the wiring on the sub-display to which the scanning signal is applied. Thus, the wiring to which the scanning signal is applied can be electrically shared.

  In the above embodiment, the main displays 1A, 1B, and 1C and the sub-displays 2A, 2B, and 2C have been described using a monochrome display as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a liquid crystal device having a structure in which one or both displays perform color display.

  In the above embodiment, the transmissive liquid crystal device has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a transflective liquid crystal device and a reflective liquid crystal device.

  Further, in the liquid crystal device 60A shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, it is considered that the main display 1A and the sub display 2A are located on surfaces facing each other in a state where they are incorporated in an electronic device. However, there are various other positional relationships between the main display and the sub display. For example, the main display and the sub display can be located on the same surface, or on the side as viewed from the surface where the main display is located. A structure in which the sub-display is located can also be adopted.

  Moreover, although the case where two displays are provided in one liquid crystal device is illustrated in the above embodiment, three or more displays can be provided for one liquid crystal device.

  In the above-described embodiment, a mobile phone has been exemplified as the electronic device. However, the present invention can be applied to all types of electronic devices having a structure having a plurality of displays.

(Another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device)
FIG. 10 shows a planar structure of still another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device according to the invention. The electro-optical panel shown here is a liquid crystal panel, and the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device. In addition, this liquid crystal panel is an active matrix type using a switching element such as a TFD element, and is a transmission type using a lighting device as a backlight. These methods are the same as those of the liquid crystal panel used in the liquid crystal device 60B according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device illustrated in FIG. 10, the same elements as those of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device illustrated in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the elements is omitted.

  In FIG. 10, the first panel 3D, which is the main panel structure constituting the main display 1D, and the second panel 4D, which is the main panel structure constituting the sub display 2D, are connected by the second wiring board 68. A liquid crystal panel is configured. The liquid crystal device 60D is configured by mounting a polarizing plate, a lighting device, and other necessary incidental elements on the liquid crystal panel.

  In the liquid crystal device 60B of FIG. 6, a first wiring board 78a for guiding signals from an external circuit to the liquid crystal device 60B and a second wiring board 78b for connecting the main display 1B and the sub display 2B are provided separately. However, in the liquid crystal device 60D of FIG. 10, the second wiring board 68 is also provided with a function for guiding a signal from an external circuit to the liquid crystal device 60D.

  Similar to the liquid crystal device 60B of FIG. 6, also in the liquid crystal device 60D of FIG. 10, the line wiring 73 functioning as a signal line in the main display 1D is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through the first wiring 95. The The second electrode 15b functioning as a scanning line is connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b through the second wiring constituted by the lead wiring 96 and the lead wiring 94.

  The line wiring 83 functioning as a signal line in the sub display 2D includes a fifth wiring 91 formed on the first substrate 90a of the sub display 2D, a wiring 109a formed on the second wiring substrate 68, and a main display. The third wiring 97 formed on the 1D first substrate 80a is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through each wiring.

  In addition, the fourth electrode 15d functioning as a scanning line in the sub-display 2D has a sixth wiring constituted by a routing wiring 98 formed on the second substrate 90b and a routing wiring 92 formed on the first substrate 90a, The wiring 109b formed on the second wiring board 68 and the fourth wiring 93 formed on the first substrate 80a of the main display 1D are connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b.

  In the present embodiment, the line wiring (ie, signal line) 73 of the main display 1D and the line wiring (ie, signal line) 83 of the sub display 2D are connected to the same output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a. Therefore, the signal line is shared.

  In the liquid crystal device 60B shown in FIG. 6, the second panel 4B in the sub-display 2B has a side on which the driving circuits, ie, driving ICs 67a and 67b are mounted on the main display 1B (that is, a side corresponding to the first overhanging portion 81a). Is connected to the first panel 3B in the main display 1B by the second wiring board 78b at the side opposite to (ie, the side corresponding to the second overhanging portion 81b).

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the second panel 4D in the sub-display 2D has the side where the driving circuits, ie, the driving ICs 67a and 67b are mounted on the main display 1D (that is, the first overhanging portion 81a). At the corresponding side), the second wiring board 68 is connected to the first panel 3D in the main display 1D.

  In other words, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the display area of the main display 1B and the sub display 2B are arranged on the same direction side with respect to the driving ICs 67a and 67b, whereas FIG. In the present embodiment, the display area of the main display 1D and the sub display 2D are disposed on the opposite sides with the driving ICs 67a and 67b interposed therebetween.

(Another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device)
FIG. 11 shows a planar structure of still another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device according to the invention. The electro-optical panel shown here is a liquid crystal panel, and the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device. In addition, this liquid crystal panel is an active matrix type using a switching element such as a TFD element, and is a transmission type using a lighting device as a backlight. These methods are the same as the liquid crystal panel used in the liquid crystal device 60B according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 6 or the liquid crystal device 60D according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device shown in FIG. 11, the same elements as those of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the elements is omitted. And

  In FIG. 11, the first panel 3E, which is the main panel structure constituting the main display 1E, and the second panel 4E, which is the main panel structure constituting the sub-display 2E, are connected by the second wiring board 68. A liquid crystal panel is configured. The liquid crystal device 60E is configured by mounting a polarizing plate, a lighting device, and other necessary incidental elements on the liquid crystal panel. Also in this embodiment, as in FIG. 10, the second wiring board 68 has both a function of connecting the main display 1E and the sub display 2E and a function of guiding a signal from an external circuit to the liquid crystal device 60E. Have both.

  Also in the liquid crystal device 60E of FIG. 11, the line wiring 73 functioning as a signal line in the main display 1E is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through the first wiring 95. The second electrode 15b functioning as a scanning line is connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b through the second wiring constituted by the lead wiring 96 and the lead wiring 94.

  The line wiring 83 functioning as a signal line in the sub display 2E includes a fifth wiring 91 formed on the first substrate 90a of the sub display 2E, a wiring 109a formed on the second wiring substrate 68, and a main display. The third wiring 97 formed on the 1E first substrate 80a is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through each wiring.

  In addition, the fourth electrode 15d functioning as a scanning line in the sub-display 2E has a sixth wiring constituted by a routing wiring 98 formed on the second substrate 90b and a routing wiring 92 formed on the first substrate 90a, The wiring 109b formed on the second wiring board 68 and the fourth wiring 93 formed on the first substrate 80a of the main display 1E are connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b.

  In the present embodiment, the second electrode 15b (that is, the scanning line) of the main display 1E and the fourth electrode 15d (that is, the scanning line) of the sub display 2E are connected to the same output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b. Therefore, the scanning line is shared.

  Also in the present embodiment, the second panel 4E in the sub display 2E is located at the side where the driving circuit, that is, the driving ICs 67a and 67b is mounted on the main display 1E (that is, the side corresponding to the first overhanging portion 81a). The second wiring board 68 is connected to the first panel 3E in the main display 1E. That is, the display area of the main display 1E and the sub display 2E are disposed on the opposite sides with the driving ICs 67a and 67b interposed therebetween.

(Another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device)
FIG. 12 shows a planar structure of still another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device according to the invention. The electro-optical panel shown here is a liquid crystal panel, and the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device. In addition, this liquid crystal panel is an active matrix type using a switching element such as a TFD element, and is a transmission type using a lighting device as a backlight. These methods include the liquid crystal device 60B according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal device 60D according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and the liquid crystal device according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG. This is the same as the liquid crystal panel used in 60E.

  In the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device shown in FIG. 12, the same elements as those of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device shown in FIGS. 6, 10, and 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Shall be omitted.

  In FIG. 12, by connecting a first panel 3F, which is a main panel structure constituting the main display 1F, and a second panel 4F, which is a main panel structure constituting the sub display 2F, by a second wiring board 68. A liquid crystal panel is configured. The liquid crystal device 60F is configured by mounting a polarizing plate, a lighting device, and other necessary incidental elements on the liquid crystal panel. Also in this embodiment, as in FIG. 11, the second wiring board 68 has both a function of connecting the main display 1F and the sub display 2F and a function of guiding a signal from an external circuit to the liquid crystal device 60F. Have both.

  Also in the liquid crystal device 60F of FIG. 12, the line wiring 73 functioning as a signal line in the main display 1F is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through the first wiring 95. The second electrode 15b functioning as a scanning line is connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b through the second wiring constituted by the lead wiring 96 and the lead wiring 94.

  The line wiring 83 functioning as a signal line in the sub display 2F includes a fifth wiring 91 formed on the first substrate 90a of the sub display 2F, a wiring 109a formed on the second wiring substrate 68, and a main display. The third wiring 97 formed on the 1F first substrate 80a is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through each wiring.

  In addition, the fourth electrode 15d functioning as a scanning line in the sub-display 2F has a sixth wiring constituted by a routing wiring 98 formed on the second substrate 90b and a routing wiring 92 formed on the first substrate 90a, The wiring 109b formed on the second wiring board 68 and the fourth wiring 93 formed on the first substrate 80a of the main display 1F are connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b.

  In the present embodiment, the output electrodes 26 of the driving ICs 67a and 67b are not used in common between the main display 1F and the sub display 2F. That is, the line wiring 73 of the main display 1F, the second electrode 15b of the main display 1F, the line wiring 83 of the sub display 2F, and the fourth electrode 15d of the sub display 2F are respectively connected to the output electrodes 26 of the driving ICs 67a and 67b. Connected to different parts. That is, in this embodiment, neither the signal line nor the scanning line is shared.

  Also in the present embodiment, the second panel 4F in the sub-display 2F is located at the side where the driving circuit, that is, the driving ICs 67a and 67b is mounted on the main display 1F (that is, the side corresponding to the first projecting portion 81a). The second wiring board 68 is connected to the first panel 3F in the main display 1F. That is, the display area of the main display 1F and the sub display 2F are arranged on opposite sides of the driving ICs 67a and 67b.

(Another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device)
FIG. 13 shows a planar structure of still another embodiment of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device according to the present invention. The electro-optical panel shown here is a liquid crystal panel, and the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device. In addition, this liquid crystal panel is an active matrix type using a switching element such as a TFD element, and is a transmission type using a lighting device as a backlight. These methods are the same as those of the liquid crystal panel used in the liquid crystal device 60B according to the previous embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device illustrated in FIG. 13, the same elements as those of the electro-optical panel and the electro-optical device illustrated in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the elements is omitted.

  In FIG. 13, by connecting a first panel 3G, which is a main panel structure constituting the main display 1G, and a second panel 4G, which is a main panel structure constituting the sub-display 2G, by a second wiring board 68b. A liquid crystal panel is configured. The liquid crystal device 60G is configured by mounting a polarizing plate, a lighting device, and other necessary incidental elements on the liquid crystal panel.

  In the present embodiment, similarly to the liquid crystal device 60B of FIG. 6, a first wiring board 68a for guiding a signal from an external circuit to the liquid crystal device 60G is connected to the main display 1G. That is, the second wiring board 68a that connects the main display 1G and the sub display 2G and the first wiring board 68a that guides signals from an external circuit to the liquid crystal device 60G are used separately.

  Similar to the liquid crystal device 60B of FIG. 6, also in the liquid crystal device 60G of FIG. 13, the line wiring 73 that functions as a signal line in the main display 1G is connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through the first wiring 95. The The second electrode 15b functioning as a scanning line is connected to the output electrode of the scanning line driving IC 67b through the second wiring constituted by the routing wiring 96 on the second substrate 80b side and the routing wiring 94 on the first substrate 80a side. 26.

  Further, the line wiring 83 functioning as a signal line in the sub display 2G includes a fifth wiring 91 formed on the first substrate 90a of the sub display 2G, a wiring 109a formed on the second wiring substrate 68b, and a main wiring. Connected to the output electrode 26 of the data line driving IC 67a through each of the third wiring composed of the routing wiring 97b formed on the second substrate 80b of the display 1G and the routing wiring 97a formed on the first substrate 80a. Is done.

  The fourth electrode 15d functioning as a scanning line in the sub-display 2G has a sixth wiring constituted by a routing wiring 98 formed on the second substrate 90b and a routing wiring 92 formed on the first substrate 90a. The wiring 109b formed on the second wiring substrate 68b and the fourth wiring 93 formed on the second substrate 80b of the main display 1G are connected to the output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b.

  In the present embodiment, the second electrode 15b (that is, the scanning line) of the main display 1G and the fourth electrode 15d (that is, the scanning line) of the sub display 2G are connected to the same output electrode 26 of the scanning line driving IC 67b. Therefore, the scanning line is shared.

  In the liquid crystal device 60B shown in FIG. 6, the second panel 4B in the sub-display 2B has the side on which the driving circuit, that is, the driving ICs 67a and 67b is mounted on the main display 1B (that is, the side corresponding to the first projecting portion 81a). Is connected to the first panel 3B in the main display 1B by the second wiring board 78b at the side opposite to (ie, the side corresponding to the second overhanging portion 81b).

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the second panel 4G in the sub-display 2G has a side (in other words, on the first overhanging portion 81a) on which the driving circuits, ie, the driving ICs 67a and 67b are mounted on the main display 1G. At the side adjacent to the corresponding side), the second wiring board 68b is connected to the first panel 3G in the main display 1G.

  In other words, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the display area of the main display 1B and the sub display 2B are arranged on the same direction side with respect to the driving ICs 67a and 67b, whereas FIG. In the present embodiment, the display area of the main display 1G and the sub display 2G are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the driving ICs 67a and 67b.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the scanning lines are shared between the main display 1G and the sub-display 2G. However, instead of this, signal lines can also be shared. This can be achieved, for example, by electrically connecting one end of the line wiring 73 on the main display 1G side and one end of the line wiring 83 on the sub display 2G side by wiring.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention has been described above with reference to some preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the TN type or the STN type is used as the liquid crystal is illustrated, but instead of these liquid crystals, a bi-stable twisted nematic (BTN) type or a ferroelectric type or the like has a memory property. It can also be used with liquid crystals such as a stable type, a polymer dispersion type, and a GH (guest host) type.

  Here, the GH type liquid crystal is a dye (ie, guest) having anisotropy in absorption of visible light in a major axis direction and a minor axis direction of a molecule dissolved in a liquid crystal (ie, host) having a certain molecular arrangement. Thus, the liquid crystal has a structure in which dye molecules are arranged in parallel with liquid crystal molecules.

  In addition, vertical alignment (ie, homeotropic alignment) in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a vertical direction with respect to both substrates when no voltage is applied, while liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a horizontal direction with respect to both substrates when a voltage is applied. It can also be. In addition, when no voltage is applied, liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a horizontal direction with respect to both substrates, while when a voltage is applied, liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a vertical direction with respect to both substrates, that is, horizontal alignment (that is, homogeneous alignment). ).

  Thus, the present invention can be applied to various liquid crystal devices having different liquid crystals and alignment methods.

  Next, in the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal device is exemplified as the electro-optical device. However, examples of the electro-optical device to which the present invention can be applied include an organic electroluminescence device, an inorganic electroluminescence device, a plasma display device, and an electrophoretic display. An apparatus (EPD: Electrophoretic Display), a field emission display apparatus (FED: Field Emission Display), etc. can be considered.

  Next, in the above embodiment, a mobile phone is exemplified as the electronic device. However, examples of the electronic device to which the present invention can be applied include a personal computer, a digital still camera, a wristwatch type electronic device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), TVs, viewfinder type video tape recorders, monitor direct view type video tape recorders, car navigation devices, pagers, electronic notebooks, calculators, word processors, workstations, video phones, POS terminals and the like.

1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone which is an example of an electronic device, in particular, (a) shows a state in which the mobile phone is opened, and (b) shows that the mobile phone is closed. Indicates the state. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the principal part of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel that is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device that is an example of an electro-optical device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing a planar structure inside the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view showing another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel that is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device that is an example of an electro-optical device. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing still another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel which is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device which is an example of an electro-optical device. It is a top view which shows an example of the switching element which can be used with the electro-optical panel which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows one of the switching elements shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing still another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel which is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device which is an example of an electro-optical device. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing still another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel which is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device which is an example of an electro-optical device. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing still another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel which is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device which is an example of an electro-optical device. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing still another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal panel which is an example of an electro-optical panel and a liquid crystal device which is an example of an electro-optical device.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G Main display 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G Sub-display 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G First panel 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G Second panel 7, 67a, 67b Driving IC
8a, 78a first wiring board 8b, 78b second wiring board 10a, 80a first board 10b, 80b second board 15a first electrode 15b second electrode 15c third electrode 15d fourth electrode 32, 97 third wiring 33, 93 4th wiring 34, 36, 94, 96 2nd wiring 35, 95 1st wiring 50 Mobile phone (electronic equipment)
60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60E, 60F, 60G Liquid crystal device (electro-optical device)
65a First surface 65b Second surface 68 Wiring boards 73 and 83 Line wiring

Claims (7)

A first panel, a second panel,
An electro-optical panel having a driving circuit mounted on the first panel for driving the first panel and the second panel;
The drive circuit is mounted on a substrate on one side of the first panel,
The electro-optical panel, wherein the second panel is connected to the first panel at a side adjacent to the one side. A first panel, a second panel,
An electro-optical panel having a driving circuit mounted on the first panel for driving the first panel and the second panel;
The drive circuit is mounted on one side of the first panel,
The electro-optical panel, wherein the second panel is connected to the first panel at the one side.   3. The electro-optical panel according to claim 1, wherein liquid crystal is sandwiched between a gap between the pair of substrates of the first panel and a gap between the pair of substrates of the second panel.   3. The electrode disposed on the substrate of the first panel and the electrode disposed on the substrate of the second panel are electrically connected via a flexible wiring substrate according to claim 1. Electro-optical panel characterized by   An electro-optical device comprising the electro-optical panel according to claim 1.   3. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of surfaces, wherein the first panel and the second panel are respectively disposed on different surfaces of the plurality of surfaces. apparatus.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 5.

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