JP2006098452A - Electrooptical device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrooptical device with which a high-quality image can be displayed both in a transmissive mode color image and in a reflective mode monochromatic color image, and to provide electronic equipment equipped with the electrooptical device. <P>SOLUTION: Sub-pixels 5R, 5G, 5B of the electrooptical device 1 are equipped with transmissive mode color image display regions 51R, 51G, 51B with light transmitting portions 231 and color filter layers 25R, 25G, 25B formed thereon, and reflective mode monochromatic image display regions 52R, 52G, 52B with no color filter layers 25R, 25G, 25B formed thereon. The reflective mode monochromatic image display region 52G for the green color is wider than the reflective mode monochromatic image display regions 52R, 52B for the red and blue colors. Also the area of the transmissive mode color image display region 51G for the green color is nearly equal to the area of each of the transmissive mode color image display regions 51R, 51B for the red and blue colors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electro-optical device capable of displaying an image in a transmission mode and a reflection mode, and an electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device.

  In an electro-optical device for displaying a color image, pixels each having a plurality of color display sub-pixels corresponding to red, green, and blue are arranged in a matrix. In addition, when a reflective layer is formed on each sub-pixel and part of the reflective layer is removed to form a light transmission portion, an image can be displayed in a transmission mode and a reflection mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the case of such a transflective electro-optical device, the color image display in the reflection mode uses external light, so that the amount of light is limited and a high-quality color image cannot be displayed. . In view of this, it has been proposed to form a color filter layer only in a region corresponding to the light transmission portion, to display a color image in the transmission mode, and to display a monochrome image in the reflection mode (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .
JP 2004-77544 A JP 2004-93670 A

  However, among red, green, and blue, green has higher visibility than red and blue, so if you display a monochrome image with the same gradation settings as when displaying a color image, the color image There is a problem that the luminance of the green sub-pixel appears to be lower than that during display, resulting in an unnatural monochrome image. However, when the color image display in the transmission mode is switched to the monochrome image display in the reflection mode, it is not preferable to change the signal supplied to each pixel because the load on the driving circuit increases.

  In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to display a high-quality image in both a color image in the transmission mode and a monochrome color image in the reflection mode by simply changing the configuration of the sub-pixels. An electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus including the same are provided.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to the present invention, in the electro-optical device in which pixels having a plurality of subpixels corresponding to each of a plurality of colors are arranged in a matrix, each of the plurality of subpixels is in a transmission mode. A transmissive color image display area for displaying a color image and a reflective monochrome image display area for displaying a monochrome image in the reflection mode, and the sub-pixel corresponding to a predetermined color among the plurality of sub-pixels. The area of the reflective monochrome image display area is larger than the area of the reflective monochrome image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to another color, and the area of the transmissive color image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to the predetermined color is The area is substantially equal to the area of the transmissive color image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to the other color.

  In the present invention, for example, the area of the reflective monochrome image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to green (predetermined color) is the area of the reflective monochrome image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to red or blue (other colors). Wider than. Therefore, even if a monochrome image is displayed in the reflection mode with the gradation setting when displaying a color image, the difference between the green visibility and the red or blue visibility is reflected in the reflective monochrome image display area. It can be corrected by the area difference. Therefore, even when a monochrome image is displayed in the reflection mode with the gradation setting when a color image is displayed, the luminance of the green sub-pixel is lower than when a color image is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to display a natural and high-quality monochrome image. In addition, since the area of the transmissive color image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to the predetermined color is substantially equal to the area of the transmissive color image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to the other color, a bright color image even in the transmissive mode Can be displayed.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas in the sub-pixels corresponding to the other colors are equal to each other. That is, since red and blue (other colors) have the same visibility, the areas of the transmissive color image display area and the reflective monochrome image display area may be set to be approximately equal for red and blue. .

  In the present invention, the plurality of colors are red, green, and blue, the predetermined color is green, and the other colors are red and blue.

  In the present invention, for example, the reflective monochrome image in the sub-pixel corresponding to green among the plurality of sub-pixels in correspondence with the difference between the visibility corresponding to green and the visibility corresponding to red or blue. The area of the display area may be 1.2 to 1.6 times the area of the reflective monochrome image display area in the sub-pixels corresponding to red and blue.

  Further, the area of the reflective monochrome image display region in the sub-pixel corresponding to red is 0.9 to 1.1 times the area of the reflective monochrome image display region in the sub-pixel corresponding to blue, that is, equivalent. do it.

  In the present invention, for example, an electro-optical material is held between a pair of substrates, and the transmissive color image display region is provided on the substrate on the opposite side of the pair of substrates from which the display light is emitted. A reflective layer having a light transmitting portion to be defined is formed, and a color filter layer is formed between the pair of substrates in a region overlapping with the transmissive color display region in a plane.

  In the present invention, in each of the plurality of sub-pixels, the color filter layer may partially protrude from the transmissive color image display area to the reflective monochrome display area side. The area of the overlapping region between the color filter layer and the reflective monochrome display region is preferably 30% or less of the area of the reflective monochrome display region. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the light amount reflected and emitted from the reflective monochrome display area from being reduced by the color filter layer, so that a bright monochrome image can be displayed in the reflection mode.

  In the present invention, in any of the plurality of sub-pixels, it is preferable that the color filter layer is formed only in the transmissive color image display region and does not protrude from the reflective monochrome display region. With this configuration, it is possible to completely prevent the amount of light reflected and emitted from the reflective monochrome display area from being lost by the color filter layer, and thus a bright monochrome image can be displayed in the reflection mode. In the case of such a configuration, it is preferable that the color filter layer is disposed on the side opposite to the side from which the display light is emitted as viewed from the reflective layer. With this configuration, the color filter is exposed only from the light transmission part of the reflection layer, and thus has the same structure as that in which the color filter layer is formed only in the region where the light transmission part is formed.

  The electro-optical device according to the present invention is used in an electronic apparatus such as a mobile phone or a mobile computer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings shown below, the dimensions and ratios of the components are appropriately different from the actual ones in order to make the components large enough to be recognized on the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
(Overall configuration of electro-optical device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electro-optical device according to the present invention. 2A and 2B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the electro-optical device (liquid crystal device) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a schematic configuration of the electro-optical device. It is a perspective view.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the electro-optical device 1, a plurality of scanning lines 27 are formed in the row (X) direction, and a plurality of data lines 17 are formed in the column (Y) direction. In addition, a large number of subpixels 5 are formed in a matrix corresponding to each intersection of the scanning line 17 and the data line 27. In each sub-pixel 5, a liquid crystal layer 8 made of a nematic liquid crystal as an electro-optical material and a TFD element 15 that is a two-terminal active element are connected in series. In the example shown here, the liquid crystal layer 8 is connected to the scanning line 27 side and the TFD element 15 is connected to the data line 17 side, but the liquid crystal layer 8 is connected to the data line 17 side and the TFD element is connected. 15 may be connected to the scanning line 27 side. In any case, each scanning line 27 is driven by the scanning line driving circuit 2700, while each data line 17 is driven by the data line driving circuit 170.

  The electro-optical device 1 according to the present embodiment is for color display. Each subpixel 5 is associated with a predetermined color, and the subpixel 5 corresponding to each color is set as a subpixel. Two picture elements (pixels) are formed. Such an electro-optical device 1 is configured, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b) and FIG.

  2A, 2B, and 3, the electro-optical device 1 according to this embodiment includes a liquid crystal layer 8 (not illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3) as a first optical substrate as an electro-optical material. A liquid crystal panel 2 held between 10 (element substrate) and the second transparent substrate 20 (color filter substrate), and a backlight unit 9 disposed on the second transparent substrate 20 side of the liquid crystal panel 2. The image display area 3 is provided in a substantially central area of the liquid crystal panel 2. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the first transparent substrate 10 side with respect to the liquid crystal layer 8 is referred to as an “observation side” in the sense that the observer who views the display image by the electro-optical device 1 is positioned, and the liquid crystal 8 In view of the above, the second transparent substrate 20 side is referred to as “back side”.

  The backlight unit 9 includes, for example, a light guide plate 91 made of a molded product of a light transmissive resin, and a light source 92 such as an LED or a cold cathode tube. The light source 92 is a light guide plate that is a plate-like member. The side end face 91 is irradiated with light. A diffusion plate (not shown) for uniformly diffusing light from the light guide plate 91 with respect to the liquid crystal panel 2 is disposed on the surface of the light guide plate 91 facing the liquid crystal panel 2. In addition, a reflection plate (not shown) that reflects light to be emitted from the light guide plate 91 to the back side to the liquid crystal panel 2 side is disposed on the opposite surface of the light guide plate 91 and is incident from the side end surface. The emitted light is uniformly emitted toward the second transparent substrate 20 of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  In the liquid crystal panel 2, the first transparent substrate 10 is a plate-like member made of a light transmissive material such as glass. A phase difference plate 31 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 3) and a polarizing plate 32 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 3) are provided on the observation side surface of the first transparent substrate 10. The layers are laminated in this order from the transparent substrate 10 side. Light transmissive pixel electrodes 14 made of an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film or the like are arranged in a matrix on the liquid crystal layer 8 side (back side) of the first transparent substrate 10. A plurality of data lines 17 extending in one direction (Y direction shown in FIG. 2) are formed in the gaps between the pixel electrodes 14, and the pixel electrodes 14 and the data lines 17 are nonlinear. They are connected via a TFD (Thin Film Diode) element 15 which is a two-terminal switching element having current-voltage characteristics. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the surface of the first transparent substrate 10 on which the pixel electrodes 14, the data lines 17, and the TFD elements 15 are formed is covered with an alignment film 18 (not shown in FIG. 3). Yes. The alignment film 18 is an organic thin film such as polyimide, and is subjected to a rubbing process for defining the alignment state of the liquid crystal 8 when no voltage is applied.

  The second transparent substrate 20 is a plate-like member made of a light-transmitting material such as glass, and on the back side thereof, similarly to the first transparent substrate 10, a retardation film 36 (FIGS. 2A and 3). In FIG. 2, a polarizing plate 37 (not shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3) is laminated in this order from the second substrate 20 side. On the other hand, on the surface of the second transparent substrate 20 on the liquid crystal layer 8 side (observation side), the base layer 22, the reflective layer 23, the three color filter layers 25 R, 25 G, and 25 B, the planarizing film 26, and the scanning line 27. , And an alignment film 28 (not shown in FIG. 3) are laminated in this order from the second transparent substrate 20 side. Among these layers, the alignment film 28 is an organic thin film such as polyimide, like the alignment film 18, and has been subjected to a rubbing process for defining the alignment state of the liquid crystal 8 when no voltage is applied. .

  The underlayer 22 is formed by exposing and developing a positive type photosensitive resin or the like. The underlayer 22 has an opening 221 from which the resin is completely removed in a substantially central region of the pixel 5, and has an uneven surface with smooth unevenness on the observation side (surface). Here, the base layer 22 may have a structure in which the opening 221 is not formed or a structure in which the base layer 22 remains thin in the opening 221.

  The reflective layer 23 is formed by thinly forming a light-reflective material such as aluminum or silver on the upper layer side of the base layer 22 with a substantially constant film thickness. This is a scattering reflection surface reflecting the surface shape of 22 irregularities. Here, the reflective layer 23 includes a light transmitting portion 231 from which the portion corresponding to the opening 221 of the base layer 22 is completely removed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reflective layer 23 is configured as a transflective layer.

  In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the functional substrate including the second transparent substrate 20, the base layer 22, and the reflective layer 23 is referred to as “electro-optical device substrate 21”.

  The color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are resin layers provided corresponding to the respective pixels 5. Each of the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B is colored red (R), green (G), and blue (B) with a pigment or the like, and selectively selects light having a wavelength corresponding to the color. Make it transparent. Note that “R”, “G”, and “B” in FIG. 3 and the like indicate which color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are arranged in each of the plurality of pixels 5.

  A light shielding layer 29 is formed on the surface of the reflective layer 23 in a boundary region (a boundary region between pixels) of each sub-pixel 5, and the light shielding layer 29 forms a black matrix or a black stripe.

  Each of the plurality of scanning lines 27 is a strip-shaped electrode formed of a light-transmitting conductive material such as ITO. The scanning lines 27 are formed in the upper layer of the planarizing film 26, extend in a direction intersecting with the data lines 17 (X direction in FIG. 3), and have a plurality of rows that form columns on the first transparent substrate 10. It is formed so as to face the pixel electrode 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20 having the above-described configuration are bonded together via the sealing material 40 and surrounded by both the substrates and the sealing material 40. For example, a TN (twisted nematic) type liquid crystal layer 8 is sealed in the region. Here, the wiring pattern formed on the first transparent substrate 10 and the wiring pattern formed on the second transparent substrate 20 are electrically connected to each other by predetermined inter-substrate conductive particles contained in the sealing material 40. Has been. Under such a configuration, the liquid crystal layer 8 sandwiched between the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20 is applied with a voltage between the pixel electrode 14 and the scanning line 27 opposite thereto, The orientation direction changes. The regions where the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules changes according to such an applied voltage are arranged in a matrix form as the sub-pixels 5. Accordingly, the light from the backlight unit 9 (indicated by the arrow L1) incident from the back side of the liquid crystal panel 2 passes through the opening 221 and the light transmitting portion 231 and enters the liquid crystal layer 8, and then the display light (arrow) (Shown as L0) and emitted to the viewing side, and an image is displayed in the transmission mode. On the other hand, when external light is incident on the liquid crystal panel 2 from the observation side (indicated by an arrow L2), the external light is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 8 and then scattered and reflected by the electro-optical device substrate 21, thereby again liquid crystal. After passing through 8, the light is emitted as display light (indicated by an arrow L0) toward the observation side, and an image in the reflection mode is displayed.

(Detailed configuration of sub-pixel 5)
4A and 4B are respectively a plan view schematically showing an enlarged part of a substrate for an electro-optical device used in the electro-optical device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and B2-B2. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode when the electro-optical apparatus 1 is cut | disconnected in the position corresponded by a 'line.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the electro-optical device 1 according to this embodiment, the light scattering irregularities are formed on the surface of the reflective layer 23 by the base layer 22 formed on the second transparent substrate 20. Is formed. The base layer 22 includes a rectangular opening 221 from which resin is completely removed at the approximate center of the sub-pixel 5, and the reflective layer 23 is a rectangular shape from which a portion corresponding to the opening 221 of the base layer 22 is removed. A light transmission part 231 is provided.

  Further, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are formed in a region that overlaps the light transmission portion 231 in a plan view. 25R, 25G, and 25B are formed in a region overlapping with the light transmission portion 231 and are hardly formed in a region overlapping with the reflective layer 23.

  In this way, in the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B, a transmissive color image display area for displaying a color image in the transmissive mode by the area in which the light transmissive portion 231 and the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are formed. 51R, 51G, and 51B are formed. In addition, the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B have a reflection type monochrome image display region 52R and 52G for displaying a monochrome image in the reflection mode by the light reflection layer 23 in which the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are not formed. , 52B are formed.

  Therefore, in the electro-optical device 1 according to the present embodiment, the light from the backlight unit 9 (indicated by the arrow L1) incident from the back side of the liquid crystal panel 2 is the color filter layer in the transmissive color image display regions 51R, 51G, 51B. After passing through 25R, 25G, and 25B, the light enters the liquid crystal layer 8, is light-modulated by the liquid crystal layer 8, and is emitted to the viewing side as display light (indicated by an arrow L0) to display a color image in the transmission mode. . In contrast, when external light is incident on the liquid crystal panel 2 from the observation side (indicated by an arrow L2), the external light is light-modulated by the liquid crystal layer 8 in the reflective monochrome image display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B. After being scattered and reflected by the light reflecting layer 23, the light is modulated again by the liquid crystal layer 8, and then emitted as display light (indicated by an arrow L0) toward the observation side, thereby displaying a monochrome image in the reflection mode.

  Here, among red, green, and blue, green has the same luminance as red or blue, but has high visibility, so it is monochrome in the reflection mode while maintaining the gradation setting when displaying a color image. When an image is displayed, the luminance at the green sub-pixel appears to be lower than when a color image is displayed, resulting in an unnatural monochrome image. Therefore, in this embodiment, the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52G in the sub pixel 5G corresponding to green is larger than the areas of the reflective monochrome image display regions 52R and 52B in the sub pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue. wide. Here, the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52G in the sub-pixel 5G corresponding to green corresponds to red and blue, corresponding to the difference between the visibility corresponding to green and the visibility corresponding to red and blue. The area is set to 1.2 to 1.6 times the area of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B.

  On the other hand, the area of the transmissive color image display region 51G in the sub pixel 5G corresponding to green is substantially equal to the areas of the transmissive color image display regions 51R and 51B in the sub pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue. . Accordingly, the area of the sub-pixel 5G corresponding to green is wider than the areas of the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue.

  The areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R and 12B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue are equal to each other. Similarly, the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue have the same area. For example, the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52R in the sub pixel 5R corresponding to red is 0.9 to 1.1 times the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52B in the sub pixel 5B corresponding to blue. . That is, since red and blue have the same visibility, the areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R and 51B are set to be approximately equal between red and blue, and the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B are set. Are also set approximately equal to each other.

  In the plurality of sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B, the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are partially formed from the transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, and 51B toward the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, and 52B. It is sticking out. For this reason, even when the formation positions of the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are shifted, the light from the backlight unit 9 is not emitted without passing through the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B. However, the area of the overlapping region 250 between the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B and the reflective monochrome display region display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B is 30% or less of the area of the reflective monochrome display region display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B. Is suppressed.

(Main effects of this form)
In the electro-optical device 1 configured as described above, the reflective monochrome image display region 52G in the sub pixel 5G corresponding to green has an area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52R in the sub pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue. Since the area is larger than the area of 52B, even when a monochrome image is displayed in the reflection mode with the gradation setting when a color image is displayed, the difference between the green visibility and the red or blue visibility is obtained. Correction can be made with the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R, 52G, and 52B. Therefore, even when a monochrome image is displayed in the reflection mode with the gradation setting when the color image is displayed, the luminance of the green sub-pixel is lower than when the color image is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to display a natural and high-quality monochrome image.

  The area of the overlapping region 250 between the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B and the reflective monochrome display region display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B is 30% or less of the area of the reflective monochrome display region display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B. Is suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the amount of light reflected and emitted from the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, and 52B from being reduced by the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a bright monochrome image can be displayed in the reflection mode.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, and 51B in the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B are equal to each other. Therefore, compared with the configuration according to the reference example shown in FIG. 5, there is an advantage that a bright and natural color image can be displayed even in the transmission mode.

  5A and 5B are respectively a plan view schematically showing an enlarged part of a substrate for an electro-optical device used in an electro-optical device according to a reference example of the present invention, and a B1-B1 ′ line. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state when the electro-optical device 1 is cut at a position corresponding to FIG. Since the basic configuration of the electro-optical device of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given to portions having common functions, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the areas of the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B are equal to each other, but the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52G in the sub-pixel 5G corresponding to green is red or The area is larger than the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to blue. Therefore, the transmissive color image display area 51G in the sub pixel 5G corresponding to green is narrower than the areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R and 51B in the sub pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue. Even in such a configuration, the difference between the green visibility and the red or blue visibility can be corrected by the areas of the reflective monochrome image display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B. The image becomes dark.

[Embodiment 2]
6A and 6B are respectively a plan view schematically showing an enlarged part of a substrate for an electro-optical device used in the electro-optical device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and B3-B3. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode when the electro-optical apparatus 1 is cut | disconnected in the position corresponded by a 'line. Since the basic configuration of the electro-optical device of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given to portions having common functions, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In Embodiment 1, on the surface of the second transparent substrate 20 on the liquid crystal layer 8 side (observation side), the underlayer 22, the reflective layer 23, the three color filter layers 25R, 25G, 25B, the planarizing film 26, The scanning lines 27 and the alignment film 28 are stacked in this order from the second transparent substrate 20 side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the liquid crystal layer 8 of the second transparent substrate 20 is stacked. The three color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B, the base layer 22, the reflective layer 23, the planarizing film 26, the scanning line 27, and the alignment film 28 are formed on the second transparent substrate 20 on the surface of the second transparent substrate 20 (observation side). They are stacked in this order from the side.

  Here, the base layer 22 includes an opening 221 from which the resin is completely removed at the approximate center of the sub-pixel 5, and the reflective layer 23 is light from which a portion corresponding to the opening 221 of the base layer 22 has been removed. A transmission part 231 is provided. Accordingly, the three color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are formed on the entire surface of the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B, but are exposed only from the light transmission portion 231 of the reflective layer 23, and other regions. Then, it is covered with the reflective layer 23. For this reason, the three color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are substantially formed only in a region overlapping the light transmission portion 231 in a plane.

  Therefore, in this embodiment as well, as in Embodiment 1, a color image is displayed in the transmission mode on the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B by the region where the light transmission portion 231 and the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are formed. For this purpose, transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, and 51B are formed. In addition, the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B have a reflection type monochrome image display region 52R and 52G for displaying a monochrome image in the reflection mode by the light reflection layer 23 in which the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are not formed. , 52B are formed.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the subtractives corresponding to green are corrected for the purpose of correcting the influence on the monochrome image displayed in the reflection mode where the visual sensitivity difference between green and red or blue is different. The area of the reflective monochrome image display area 52G in the pixel 5G is larger than the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue. That is, the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52G in the sub-pixel 5G corresponding to green corresponds to red and blue corresponding to the difference between the visibility corresponding to green and the visibility corresponding to red and blue. This is 1.2 to 1.6 times the area of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B.

  On the other hand, the area of the transmissive color image display region 51G in the sub pixel 5G corresponding to green is substantially equal to the areas of the transmissive color image display regions 51R and 51B in the sub pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue. . Accordingly, the area of the sub-pixel 5G corresponding to green is wider than the areas of the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue.

  The areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R and 12B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue are equal to each other. Similarly, the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B in the sub-pixels 5R and 5B corresponding to red and blue have the same area. For example, the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52R in the sub pixel 5R corresponding to red is 0.9 to 1.1 times the area of the reflective monochrome image display region 52B in the sub pixel 5B corresponding to blue. . That is, since red and blue have the same visibility, the areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R and 51B are set to be approximately equal between red and blue, and the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R and 52B are set. Are also set approximately equal to each other.

  Accordingly, in the electro-optical device 1 of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even when a monochrome image is displayed in the reflection mode with the gradation setting when displaying a color image, The difference between the red and blue visibility can be corrected by the areas of the reflective monochrome image display areas 52R, 52G, and 52B. Therefore, even when a monochrome image is displayed in the reflection mode with the gradation setting when a color image is displayed, the luminance of the green sub-pixel is lower than when a color image is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to display a natural and high-quality monochrome image. In addition, the areas of the transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, and 51B in the sub-pixels 5R, 5G, and 5B are equal to each other. Therefore, a bright and natural color image can be displayed even in the transmission mode.

  In this embodiment, the surface of the second transparent substrate 20 on the liquid crystal 8 side (observation side) has three color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B, a base layer 22 having an opening 221 and a light transmission portion 231. Are provided in this order from the side of the second transparent substrate 20, and the three color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are substantially Specifically, it is in a state where it is formed only in a region overlapping the light transmitting portion 231 in a planar manner. Accordingly, since the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B do not protrude from the transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, and 51B to the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, and 52B, the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, It is possible to prevent the light amount reflected and emitted from 52G and 52B from being lost by the color filter layers 25R, 25G and 25B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a bright monochrome image can be displayed in the reflection mode.

  Even when the formation positions of the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are shifted, the light from the backlight unit 9 is not emitted without passing through the color filter layers 25R, 25G, and 25B. Therefore, no light leaks from the boundary area between the transmission type color image display areas 51R, 51G, 51B and the reflection type monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, 52B. An image can be displayed. Note that the structure shown in FIG. 6B can also be applied to the structure described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, and 51B and the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, and 52B have the same thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8, but for example, the transmissive color image display areas 51R, In the transmissive color image display areas 51R, 51G, 51B, the thickness of the flattening film 26 is changed between 51G, 51B and the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, 52B, or depending on the presence / absence of the flattening film 26. In the reflective monochrome display regions 52R, 52G, and 52B, the liquid crystal layer 8 may be thinned. With this configuration, in the reflective mode, light passes through the liquid crystal layer 8 twice, whereas in the transmissive mode, even if the light passes through the liquid crystal layer 8 only once, the transmissive color image display region 51R. , 51G, 51B and the reflective monochrome display areas 52R, 52G, 52B can optimize the retardation.

  In the above embodiment, the first transparent substrate 10 (element substrate) is disposed on the side from which the display light is emitted, and the second transparent substrate 20 (color filter substrate) is disposed on the opposite side. The second transparent substrate 20 (color filter substrate) may be disposed on the side from which the display light is emitted, and the first transparent substrate 10 (element substrate) may be disposed on the opposite side. In this case, a light reflection layer may be formed on the first transparent substrate 10 side.

  In the above embodiment, an electro-optical device including a liquid crystal panel using a TFD element as an active element has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applied to an electro-optical apparatus including a liquid crystal panel using a TFT as an active element. May be. Further, the present invention may be applied to a horizontal electric field drive type liquid crystal display device. Alternatively, a passive liquid crystal panel having no active element may be used. In the above embodiment, the color display sub-pixels correspond to red (R), green (G), and blue (B), but red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Other than the above, for example, yellow, cyan, magenta, and the like may be used. In any case, the difference in visibility between colors may be corrected by the present invention.

[Example of mounting on electronic devices]
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a folded and opened state of a foldable mobile phone as an example of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The electro-optical device to which the present invention is applied is used in, for example, a cellular phone 300 shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). In the cellular phone 300, the lid 330 is rotatably connected to the operation main body 350 via the hinge portion 340. The mobile phone 300 includes a main display unit 311 that displays an image inside the lid 330 when the lid 330 is opened. On the outside of the lid 330, the lid 330 is folded over the operation main body 350. A sub-display unit 321 for displaying an image is sometimes provided. In applying the present invention to such a foldable mobile phone 300, for example, the present invention of an electro-optical device constituting the main display unit 311 is applied.

  The electro-optical device 1 to which the present invention is applied can be used in various electronic devices such as a mobile computer, a digital camera, a movie camera, an in-vehicle device, an audio device, and a projector in addition to the above mobile phone.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an electro-optical device according to the invention. FIG. (A), (b) is the perspective view and sectional drawing of the electro-optical apparatus (liquid crystal device) which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the electro-optical device illustrated in FIG. 2. (A), (b) is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a part of a substrate for an electro-optical device used in the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a B2-B2 ′ line, respectively. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode when the electro-optical apparatus is cut | disconnected in the position corresponded by. (A) and (b) are respectively an enlarged plan view schematically showing a part of a substrate for an electro-optical device used in an electro-optical device according to a reference example of the present invention, and a B1-B1 ′ line. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode when the electro-optical apparatus is cut | disconnected in the position to perform. (A), (b) is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a part of a substrate for an electro-optical device used in the electro-optical device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and a B3-B3 ′ line, respectively. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode when the electro-optical apparatus is cut | disconnected in the position corresponded by. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing of the state which folded and opened the foldable mobile telephone as an example of the electronic device to which this invention was applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electro-optical device, 2 Liquid crystal panel, 5, 5R, 5G, 5B Sub pixel, 8 Liquid crystal layer (electro-optical material layer), 10 1st transparent substrate, 17 data line, 20 2nd transparent substrate, 21 For electro-optical devices Substrate, 22 ground layer, 23 reflective layer, 25R, 25G, 25B color filter layer, 29 light shielding layer, 51R, 51G, 51B transmissive color image display area, 52R, 52G, 52B reflective monochrome image display area, 221 ground layer Opening, 231 Light transmissive part of the reflective layer

Claims (10)

In an electro-optical device in which pixels having a plurality of sub-pixels corresponding to a plurality of colors are arranged in a matrix,
Each of the plurality of sub-pixels includes a transmissive color image display area that displays a color image in a transmissive mode, and a reflective monochrome image display area that displays a monochrome image in a reflective mode;
Of the plurality of sub-pixels, an area of the reflective monochrome image display region in a sub-pixel corresponding to a predetermined color is wider than an area of the reflective monochrome image display region in a sub-pixel corresponding to another color,
An electro-optical device characterized in that an area of the transmissive color image display region in a sub-pixel corresponding to the predetermined color is substantially equal to an area of the transmissive color image display region in a sub-pixel corresponding to the other color. apparatus.   2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein areas of the reflective monochrome image display region in the sub-pixels corresponding to the other colors are equal to each other. In Claim 1 or 2, the plurality of colors are red, green and blue,
The predetermined color is green;
The electro-optical device is characterized in that the other colors are red and blue.   4. The area of the reflective monochrome image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to green among the plurality of sub-pixels is the area of the reflective monochrome image display area in the sub-pixel corresponding to red and blue. An electro-optical device having a magnification of 1.2 to 1.6.   5. The area of the reflective monochrome image display region in the sub-pixel corresponding to red among the plurality of sub-pixels is the area of the reflective monochrome image display region in the sub-pixel corresponding to blue. An electro-optical device having a magnification of 0.9 to 1.1. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5, an electro-optical substance is hold | maintained between a pair of board | substrates,
Of the pair of substrates, a substrate opposite to the side from which the display light is emitted is provided with a reflective layer including a light transmission portion that defines the transmission color image display region,
An electro-optical device, wherein a color filter layer is formed between the pair of substrates in a region overlapping with the transmissive color display region in a plan view. In each of the plurality of sub-pixels, the color filter layer partially protrudes from the transmissive color image display region to the reflective monochrome display region side.
An electro-optical device, wherein an area of an overlapping region between the color filter layer and the reflective monochrome display region is 30% or less of an area of the reflective monochrome display region.   7. The color filter layer according to claim 6, wherein in any of the plurality of sub-pixels, the color filter layer is formed only in the transmissive color image display region and does not protrude to the reflective monochrome display region side. Electro-optic device.   9. The electro-optical device according to claim 8, wherein the color filter layer is disposed on a side opposite to a side from which display light is emitted from the reflective layer.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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