JP2010210734A - Liquid crystal device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress display failure in the vicinity of an edge of a pixel region in a liquid crystal device including a touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal device includes: a first substrate (10) and a second substrate (20) which are arranged opposite to each other; the touch panel (200) having a position detection region (210a); a plurality of pixel parts (Pa) arrayed in the pixel region (10a) on the first substrate (10); a plurality of dummy pixel parts (Pd) arrayed on a dummy pixel region (10d) at least partially surrounding the pixel region on the first substrate; and a signal supply means (101) which supplies a first dummy image signal having the same potential as an image signal to be supplied to the pixel parts adjacent to the first dummy pixel parts, to the first dummy pixel parts (Pd1) adjacent to the pixel parts. The position detection region includes the pixel region when seen from a normal direction of the second substrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a liquid crystal device including a touch panel, for example, and an electronic apparatus including such a liquid crystal device.

  Some liquid crystal devices of this type have a touch panel. From the viewpoint of improving the display quality of the liquid crystal device, the touch panel is directly attached to the liquid crystal device body with an adhesive rather than being disposed with a gap between the liquid crystal device body such as a liquid crystal panel, for example. Is preferred.

  On the other hand, in this type of liquid crystal device, in order to prevent liquid crystal alignment failure near the edge of the pixel area where a plurality of pixel portions are arranged, and to prevent static electricity from entering from the periphery of the pixel area into the pixel area. In addition, a dummy pixel portion that simulates a pixel portion is generally arranged in a dummy pixel region surrounding the pixel region (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a dummy pixel portion is typically made of the same size and the same structure as the pixel portion. In general, the dummy pixel electrode that simulates the pixel electrode in the dummy pixel portion is set to a fixed potential or a floating state.

  For example, in Patent Document 2, the function of an auxiliary light source added to a backlight lamp for a liquid crystal panel provided as a display element of a display device with a touch panel that allows an input operation from a display surface is easily and inexpensively maintained. Techniques for doing so are disclosed.

JP 2007-17478 A JP 2003-121845 A

  In a liquid crystal device including the touch panel described above, stress is often applied to a liquid crystal device body such as a liquid crystal panel when the touch panel is pressed by, for example, a finger or a touch pen. When such stress is applied to the liquid crystal device body, liquid crystal alignment failure occurs in the dummy pixel region surrounding the pixel region, and a display abnormality such as light leakage occurs in a portion of the pixel region adjacent to the dummy pixel region. There is a technical problem that there is a risk of being lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above-described problems. For example, a liquid crystal device capable of suppressing the occurrence of a display abnormality near the edge of a pixel region and displaying a high-quality image, and such a liquid crystal device. It is an object to provide an electronic device including the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid crystal device according to the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate via a liquid crystal, and a substrate facing the first substrate in the second substrate. A touch panel attached to a substrate surface opposite to the surface and having a position detection region for detecting a position of a target object, a plurality of pixel units arranged in a pixel region on the first substrate, and the first substrate A plurality of dummy pixel portions that are arranged in a dummy pixel region that at least partially surrounds the pixel region on the upper side, and each simulates at least a part of the structure of the pixel portion; and the pixel portion among the plurality of dummy pixel portions Signal supply means for supplying a first dummy image signal having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion adjacent to the first dummy pixel portion to the adjacent first dummy pixel portion. The above置検 out area, when viewed from the normal direction of the second substrate includes the pixel region.

  According to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, a plurality of pixel units each including, for example, a pixel electrode and a pixel switching element, and wiring such as data lines and scanning lines are provided on a first substrate which is, for example, a TFT array substrate or an element substrate. Is formed. The first substrate is disposed to face a second substrate which is a counter substrate, for example, via liquid crystal. According to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, for example, between the first and second substrates (more specifically, the pixel electrodes included in the plurality of pixel portions provided on the first substrate and the plurality of pixels on the second substrate). An image is displayed in the pixel region by controlling the alignment state of the liquid crystal by applying a voltage based on the image signal between the counter electrode or the common electrode provided to face the electrode).

  The liquid crystal device of the present invention includes a touch panel. The touch panel has a position detection area wider than the pixel area, and is disposed so as to overlap the second substrate so that the position detection area includes the pixel area when viewed from the normal direction of the second substrate.

  In the present invention, a plurality of dummy pixel portions each simulating at least a part of the structure of the pixel portion are arranged in a dummy pixel region at least partially surrounding the pixel region on the first substrate. The dummy pixel portion includes, for example, a dummy pixel electrode made of the same film as the pixel electrode included in the pixel portion, and a dummy pixel switching element having the same structure as the pixel switching element included in the pixel portion. Note that the dummy pixel portion has substantially the same structure as the pixel portion, but may have a partially different structure. The “same film” means films formed on the same occasion in the manufacturing process, and are the same kind of film.

  Particularly in the present invention, the signal supply means is the same as the image signal supplied to the first dummy pixel portion adjacent to the pixel portion among the plurality of dummy pixel portions to the pixel portion adjacent to the first dummy pixel portion. A first dummy image signal having a potential of 1 is supplied. In other words, the first dummy pixel portion adjacent to the pixel portion among the plurality of dummy pixel portions has a first potential having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion adjacent to the first dummy pixel portion. Driven based on the dummy image signal. Note that “same” here does not need to be exactly the same value, but means that the values are close to each other until they can be called substantially the same value. In other words, the potential of the first dummy image signal supplied to the first dummy pixel unit is brought close to the potential of the image signal supplied to the pixel unit adjacent to the first dummy pixel unit (that is, the first dummy pixel unit). The difference between the potential of the first dummy image signal supplied to one dummy pixel portion and the potential of the image signal supplied to the pixel portion adjacent to the first dummy pixel portion). The effects of the present invention described later can be obtained accordingly.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent a change in electrical or optical properties between the pixel portion arranged adjacent to the edge of the pixel region and the first dummy pixel portion. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of a display abnormality due to a liquid crystal alignment defect occurring near the boundary between the pixel region and the dummy pixel region. As a result, a high quality image can be displayed in the pixel region.

  Here, for example, when the touch panel is directly attached to the second substrate facing the first substrate with an adhesive, the touch panel is pressed by a target object such as a finger or a touch pen to be applied to the second substrate. Stress is often applied. If no countermeasures are taken and a dummy image signal is not supplied to a plurality of dummy pixel portions or a dummy image signal having a fixed potential is supplied, the stress described above is applied to the second substrate. In addition, in the dummy pixel region where a plurality of dummy pixel portions are arranged, for example, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer changes and liquid crystal alignment failure occurs, and light leakage or the like occurs in a portion of the pixel region adjacent to the dummy pixel region. May cause a display error. However, according to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to suppress or prevent a change in electrical or optical properties between the pixel portion and the first dummy pixel portion. Even when the second substrate is added to the second substrate, it is possible to reliably suppress or prevent the occurrence of display abnormality due to, for example, liquid crystal alignment failure near the boundary between the pixel region and the dummy pixel region.

  As described above, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of display abnormality near the edge of the pixel region and display a high-quality image.

  In one aspect of the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, the signal supply unit may include a second dummy pixel unit adjacent to the first dummy pixel unit and not adjacent to the pixel unit, of the plurality of dummy pixel units. A second dummy image signal having the same potential as the first dummy image signal supplied to the first dummy pixel portion adjacent to the second dummy pixel portion is supplied.

  According to this aspect, the second dummy pixel portion adjacent to the first dummy pixel portion is the same as the first dummy image signal supplied to the first dummy pixel portion adjacent to the second dummy pixel portion. Since the second dummy image signal having the potential of is supplied, for example, a liquid crystal alignment defect occurs near the boundary between the pixel region and the dummy pixel region, thereby more reliably causing a display abnormality. It can be suppressed or prevented.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described liquid crystal device according to the present invention (including various aspects thereof).

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since it includes the above-described liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is possible to display a high-quality image, such as a projection display device, a television, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, a word processor, and a viewfinder type. Alternatively, various electronic devices such as a monitor direct-view video tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel can be realized.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing invention demonstrated below.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an overall configuration of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the liquid crystal panel which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the H-H 'sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an equivalent circuit of a pixel unit and a dummy pixel unit of the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the drive of the dummy pixel part of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which stress was added to the liquid crystal panel which concerns on 1st Embodiment from the touch panel side. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a portable computer having a touch panel function as an example of an electronic apparatus to which a liquid crystal device according to the present invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
The liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the overall configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal panel 100 and a touch panel 200.

  The liquid crystal panel 100 is an active matrix drive type display panel in which a liquid crystal element is driven by a pixel switching element made of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) or the like, and in the image display area 10a as an example of the “pixel area” according to the present invention. An image can be displayed. The configuration of the liquid crystal panel 100 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  The touch panel 200 includes, for example, a position detection element formed on a transparent substrate, and is configured as, for example, a capacitive touch panel. The touch panel 200 is configured to be able to detect the position of a target object such as a finger or a touch pen in the position detection area 210a. Various wirings for driving the position detection elements are formed in the peripheral region 220a located around the position detection region 210a in the touch panel 200. Further, a light shielding film or a light shielding sheet is provided in a solid shape on the outermost surface side in the peripheral region 220a.

  The touch panel 200 is attached to the liquid crystal panel 100 with an adhesive layer 300 made of a translucent adhesive. The touch panel 200 is disposed so as to overlap the liquid crystal panel 100 so that the position detection area 210a includes the image display area 10a of the liquid crystal panel 100 when viewed in a plan view. In addition, the touch panel 200 is not limited to a specific configuration, and can adopt various known configurations.

  Next, the overall configuration of the liquid crystal panel according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the liquid crystal panel according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H ′ of FIG. 2.

  2 and 3, in the liquid crystal panel 100, the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are arranged to face each other. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, and the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are provided with a sealing material 52 provided in a seal region positioned around the image display region 10a. Are bonded to each other. The TFT array substrate 10 is an example of a “first substrate” according to the present invention, and the counter substrate 20 is an example of a “second substrate” according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, a light-shielding frame light-shielding film 53 that defines the frame area of the image display region 10 a is provided on the counter substrate 20 side in parallel with the inside of the seal region where the seal material 52 is disposed. In the peripheral region located outside the sealing region where the sealing material 52 is disposed, the data line driving circuit 101 and the external circuit connection terminal 102 as an example of the “signal supply means” according to the present invention are provided in the TFT array. It is provided along one side of the substrate 10. The scanning line driving circuit 104 is provided so as to be covered with the frame light-shielding film 53 inside the seal region along two sides adjacent to the one side. On the TFT array substrate 10, vertical conduction terminals 106 for connecting the two substrates with the vertical conduction material 107 are arranged in regions facing the four corner portions of the counter substrate 20. Thus, electrical conduction can be established between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  In the present embodiment, the data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 104 are built in the liquid crystal panel 100, but at least one of the data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 104 (or its A part of which may be mounted as an integrated circuit (IC) on a flexible substrate electrically connected to the external circuit connection terminal 102.

  On the TFT array substrate 10, a lead wiring 90 is formed for electrically connecting the external circuit connection terminal 102 to the data line driving circuit 101, the scanning line driving circuit 104, the vertical conduction terminal 106, and the like. .

  In FIG. 3, on the TFT array substrate 10, there is formed a laminated structure in which pixel switching TFTs, wirings such as scanning lines and data lines are formed. In the image display area 10a, pixel electrodes 9a made of a transparent material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) are provided in a matrix form on an upper layer of wiring such as a pixel switching TFT, a scanning line, and a data line. An alignment film is formed on the pixel electrode 9a.

  2 and 3, the frame area covered with the frame light shielding film 53 around the image display area 10a on the TFT array substrate 10 is a dummy pixel area 10d as will be described later with reference to FIG. Is formed. In the present embodiment, a dummy pixel portion Pd is formed by simulating the pixel portion Pa in the dummy pixel region 10d, and a dummy pixel electrode 9d is disposed for each dummy pixel.

  On the other hand, a light shielding film 23 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 20 facing the TFT array substrate 10. The light shielding film 23 is formed of, for example, a light shielding metal film or the like, and is patterned, for example, in a lattice shape in the image display region 10a on the counter substrate 20. On the light shielding film 23, a counter electrode 21 made of a transparent material such as ITO is formed in a solid shape so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes 9a. An alignment film is formed on the counter electrode 21. Further, the liquid crystal layer 50 is made of, for example, a liquid crystal in which one or several types of nematic liquid crystals are mixed, and takes a predetermined alignment state between the pair of alignment films.

  Although not shown here, in addition to the data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 104, the TFT array substrate 10 is used for inspecting the quality, defects, and the like of the liquid crystal device during manufacturing or at the time of shipment. An inspection circuit, an inspection pattern, or the like may be formed.

  Next, circuit configurations of the pixel unit and the dummy pixel unit according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the pixel portion and the dummy pixel portion of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, a plurality of pixel portions Pa are arranged in a matrix in the image display region 10a on the TFT array substrate 10 (see FIG. 2). Each of the plurality of pixel portions Pa includes a pixel electrode 9a and a TFT 30a that is a pixel switching element for performing switching control of the pixel electrode 9a. A data line 6 to which an image signal is supplied from the data line driving circuit 101 (see FIG. 2) is electrically connected to the source of the TFT 30a. The scanning line 11 to which a scanning signal is supplied from the scanning line driving circuit 104 (see FIG. 2) is electrically connected to the gate of the TFT 30a. The pixel electrode 9a and the storage capacitor 70a are electrically connected to the drain of the TFT 30a.

  The image signals S1, S2,..., Sn to be written from the data line driving circuit 101 to the data lines 6 may be supplied line-sequentially in this order, and each group of data lines 6 adjacent to each other may be supplied. You may make it supply. Further, scanning signals G1, G2,..., Gm are applied to the gate of the TFT 30a in a line-sequential manner via the scanning line 11. Image signals S1, S2,..., Sn supplied from the data line 6 are written to the pixel electrode 9a at a predetermined timing by closing the switch of the TFT 30a, which is a pixel switching element, for a certain period. A predetermined level of image signals S1, S2,..., Sn written to the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 (see FIG. 2) via the pixel electrode 9a is transferred to the counter electrode 21 formed on the counter substrate 20. Hold for a certain period. The liquid crystal modulates light by changing the orientation and order of the molecular assembly according to the applied voltage level, thereby enabling gradation display. In the normally white mode, the transmittance for incident light is reduced according to the voltage applied in units of each pixel, and in the normally black mode, the light is incident according to the voltage applied in units of each pixel. The light transmittance is increased, and light having a contrast corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the liquid crystal device 1 as a whole.

  Here, in order to prevent the held image signal from leaking, a storage capacitor 70 a is added in parallel with the liquid crystal capacitor formed between the pixel electrode 9 a and the counter electrode 21. The storage capacitor 70a includes a pixel potential side capacitor electrode that is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 9a, and a fixed potential side capacitor electrode that is disposed opposite to the capacitor electrode with a dielectric film interposed therebetween. A part of the fixed potential capacitor line 300 arranged side by side with the scanning line 11 serves as such a fixed potential side capacitor electrode.

  The capacitor line 300 is electrically connected to the capacitor line potential supply terminal outside the image display region 10a in which the pixel electrodes 9a are arranged. Thereby, all the capacitor lines 300 are set to a stable fixed potential supplied from the capacitor line potential supply terminal or a predetermined potential to be inverted, and good potential holding characteristics can be obtained in the storage capacitor 70a. Examples of such a potential source include a positive power source supplied to a scanning line driving circuit 104 for supplying a scanning signal for driving the TFT 30a to the scanning line 11 and a data line driving circuit 101 for supplying an image signal. A constant potential source of a negative power source may be used, or a constant potential supplied to the counter electrode 21 of the counter substrate 20 may be used.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd each simulating the structure of the pixel portion Pa are arranged in a dummy pixel region 10d defined in a frame shape so as to surround the image display region 10a. In the dummy pixel area 10d, the data line 6, the capacitor line 300, and the scanning line 11 are continuously wired in the same pattern from the image display area 10a.

  The dummy pixel portion Pd has substantially the same structure as the pixel portion Pa. That is, the dummy pixel portion Pd includes a dummy pixel electrode 9d made of the same film as the pixel electrode 9a, a dummy TFT 30d having substantially the same structure as the TFT 30a, and a dummy storage capacitor 70d having substantially the same structure as the storage capacitor 70a. Have. More specifically, the source of the dummy TFT 30d is electrically connected to the data line 6, the gate of the dummy TFT d is electrically connected to the scanning line 11, and the drain of the dummy TFT 30d is the dummy pixel electrode 9d and the dummy TFT. The storage capacitor 70d is electrically connected. The dummy storage capacitor 70d is a dummy fixed capacitor configured to be opposed to a dummy pixel potential side capacitor electrode electrically connected to the dummy pixel electrode 9d with a dielectric film interposed therebetween and configured as a part of the capacitor line 300. And a potential-side capacitance electrode.

  Therefore, in the dummy pixel region 10d, the dummy pixel portion Pd can be operated by active matrix driving as in the image display region 10a. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, a dummy image signal Dy is supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd from the data line driving circuit 101 via the data line 6.

  In FIG. 4, the pixel electrode 9a in the pixel portion Pa is indicated by a white square, and the dummy pixel electrode 9d in the dummy pixel portion Pd is indicated by a black square. The pixel electrode 9a and the dummy pixel electrode 9d are formed from the same film.

  In this embodiment, the dummy pixel region 10d is formed so as to surround the image display region 10a. However, the dummy pixel region 10d may be formed so as to partially surround the image display region 10a. For example, the dummy pixel area 10d may be formed as two areas along two opposite sides of the pixel display area 10a (for example, two areas along the direction in which the data line 6 extends).

  Next, driving of the dummy pixel unit according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the driving of the dummy pixel portion of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the pixel portion Pa and the dummy pixel portion Pd near the boundary between the image display region 10a and the dummy pixel region 10d.

  In FIG. 5, a plurality of pixel portions Pa are arranged in the image display region 10a, and a plurality of dummy pixel portions 10d are arranged in the dummy pixel region 10d.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, a dummy pixel unit Pd1 adjacent to the pixel unit Pa among the plurality of dummy pixel units Pd has a dummy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel unit Pa adjacent to the dummy pixel unit Pd1. An image signal Dy is supplied from the data line driving circuit 101. In other words, the dummy pixel portion Pd1 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa among the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd is a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1. It is driven based on.

  More specifically, for example, a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa1-1 is supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-1 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-1. The dummy pixel portion Pd1-2 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-2 is supplied with a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa1-2, and is adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-3. A dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa1-3 is supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3, and a dummy pixel portion Pd1-4 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-4 is supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3. The dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portions Pa1-4 is supplied. That is, when the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment is driven, the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd1-1 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-1 is set to the same potential as the pixel electrode 9a of the pixel portion Pa1-1. The dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd1-2 adjacent to the portion Pa1-2 is set to the same potential as the pixel electrode 9a of the pixel portion Pa1-2, and the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-3. The dummy pixel electrode 9d has the same potential as the pixel electrode 9a of the pixel portion Pa1-3, and the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd1-4 adjacent to the pixel portion Pa1-4 is the pixel electrode of the pixel portion Pa1-4. It is set to the same potential as 9a.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change in electrical or optical properties due to a change in the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 between the pixel portion Pa and the dummy pixel portion Pd1 disposed adjacent to the edge of the image display region 10a. Or it can be prevented. Accordingly, an alignment defect of the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 occurs due to a change in the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 near the boundary between the image display region 10a and the dummy pixel region 10d, and a display abnormality such as light leakage occurs. Can be suppressed or prevented. As a result, a high-quality image can be displayed in the image display area 10a.

  Note that the potential of the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1 may not be completely the same as the potential of the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1. It is sufficient if they are identical. That is, the potential of the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1 is brought close to the potential of the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1 (that is, supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1). The occurrence of the above display abnormality is also suppressed or prevented by reducing the difference between the potential of the dummy image signal Dy and the potential of the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1). The effect is obtained accordingly.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which stress is applied to the liquid crystal panel according to the present embodiment from the touch panel side.

  Here, in particular, when position detection by the touch panel 200 is to be realized in the entire image display area 10a of the liquid crystal panel 100 (in other words, position detection by the touch panel 200 is reliably performed in the vicinity of the edge of the image display area 10a of the liquid crystal panel 100. Therefore, the position detection area 210a of the touch panel 200 needs to be set wider than the entire image display area 10a of the liquid crystal panel 100. In this case, stress is also applied to the vicinity of the boundary between the image display area 10a (area where the plurality of pixel portions Pd are arranged) and the dummy pixel area 10d (area where the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd are arranged) of the liquid crystal panel 100. In the dummy pixel region 10d in which the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 is changed and the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd are arranged, the alignment failure of the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 occurs, and the image display region 10a is adjacent to the dummy pixel region 10d. There is a possibility that a display abnormality such as light leakage may occur in a portion (in other words, near the edge of the image display region 10a).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the touch panel 200 is directly attached to the counter substrate 20 constituting the liquid crystal panel 100 with the adhesive layer 300. Stress F is often applied to the counter substrate 20 when the detection area 210a is pushed by a target object Ob such as a finger or a touch pen. If no measures are taken and the dummy image signal Dy is not supplied to the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd or the dummy image signal Dy having a fixed potential is supplied, the stress F as described above is used. Is applied to the counter substrate 20, the layer thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 is changed, and the alignment failure of the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 occurs in the dummy pixel region 10 d in which the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd are arranged, and the image display region 10 a Among them, a display abnormality such as light leakage may occur in a portion adjacent to the dummy pixel region 10d (in other words, near the edge of the image display region 10a). However, according to the present embodiment, as described above, it is possible to suppress or prevent a change in electrical or optical properties between the pixel unit Pd and the dummy pixel unit Pd1, and thus, for example, the stress as described above. Even when F is added to the counter substrate 20, an alignment defect of the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 occurs near the boundary between the image display region 10 a and the dummy pixel region 10 d, and a display abnormality occurs. Can be reliably suppressed or prevented.

  Referring again to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, in particular, the dummy pixel portion Pd2 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd2 that is adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1 and not adjacent to the pixel portion Pa among the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd. A dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the dummy image signal Dy supplied to Pd1 is supplied from the data line driving circuit 101. In other words, among the plurality of dummy pixel portions Pd, the dummy pixel portion Pd2 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1 has the same potential as the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd2. Driven based on the dummy image signal Dy.

  More specifically, for example, the dummy pixel portion Pd2-1 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-1 has a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-1. (In other words, a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa1-1) is supplied, and the dummy pixel portion Pd2-2 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-2 has a dummy pixel. A dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the part Pd1-2 (in other words, a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel part Pa1-2) is supplied. The dummy pixel portion Pd2-3 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3 has a potential equal to that of the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3. The image signal Dy (in other words, the dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the image signal supplied to the pixel portion Pa1-3) is supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd2-4 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-4. Is a dummy image signal Dy having the same potential as the dummy image signal Dy supplied to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-4 (in other words, a dummy image having the same potential as the image signal Dy supplied to the pixel portion Pa1-4). Signal Dy) is supplied. That is, when the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment is driven, the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel unit Pd2-1 adjacent to the dummy pixel unit Pd1-1 has the same potential as the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel unit Pd1-1. The dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd2-2 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-2 is set to the same potential as the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd1-2 and is adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3. The dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd2-3 is set to the same potential as the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd1-3, and the dummy pixel electrode of the dummy pixel portion Pd2-4 adjacent to the dummy pixel portion Pd1-4 9d has the same potential as the dummy pixel electrode 9d of the dummy pixel portion Pd1-4.

  Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of a display abnormality such as light leakage due to a poor alignment of the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 near the boundary between the image display area 10a and the dummy pixel area 10d. Or it can be prevented.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, particularly in the present embodiment, the touch panel 200 has a position detection area 210 a wider than the image display area 10 a, and the position detection area 210 a shows the image display area 10 a when viewed from the normal direction of the counter substrate 20. The liquid crystal panel 100 is disposed so as to be included. According to the present embodiment, as described above, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of a display abnormality due to a liquid crystal alignment failure near the boundary between the image display region 10a and the dummy pixel region 10d. Even when the position detection area 210a of the touch panel 200 is wider than the image display area 10a as in the present embodiment, display abnormality is hardly or not visually recognized.

  As described above, according to the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of display abnormality in the vicinity of the edge of the image display region 10a and display a high-quality image.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, a specific example of an electronic apparatus to which the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment described above can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  An example in which the above-described liquid crystal device is applied to a display unit of a portable computer such as a game machine having a touch panel function (or touch screen function) will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the portable computer. As shown in the figure, the portable computer 4000 includes an operation button 4001 and a power switch 4002 in the main body, and a display unit 4003 to which the above-described liquid crystal device is applied. The display unit 4003 can perform an input operation using a touch pen or the like, and the main body unit is configured to be able to perform an operation according to the input content using the touch pen or the like in addition to the operation buttons 4001 and the like.

  In addition to the electronic device described with reference to FIG. 7, a projector, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation , A video phone, a POS terminal, a device equipped with a touch panel, and the like. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to these various electronic devices.

  In addition to the liquid crystal device described in the above embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a reflective liquid crystal device (LCOS) in which elements are formed on a silicon substrate.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. Electronic devices are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal device, 9a ... Pixel electrode, 9d ... Dummy pixel electrode, 10 ... TFT array substrate, 10a ... Image display area, 10d ... Dummy pixel area, 20 ... Opposite substrate, 101 ... Data line drive circuit, 104 ... Scanning line Drive circuit, 200 ... touch panel, 210a ... position detection region, 300 ... adhesive layer, Pa ... pixel portion, Pd, Pd1, Pd2 ... dummy pixel portion

Claims (3)

A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate via a liquid crystal;
A touch panel attached to a substrate surface opposite to the substrate surface facing the first substrate in the second substrate, and having a position detection region for detecting a position of a target object;
A plurality of pixel units arranged in a pixel region on the first substrate;
A plurality of dummy pixel portions arranged in a dummy pixel region at least partially surrounding the pixel region on the first substrate, each simulating at least a part of the structure of the pixel portion;
Of the plurality of dummy pixel portions, a first dummy pixel portion adjacent to the pixel portion has a first potential having the same potential as an image signal supplied to the pixel portion adjacent to the first dummy pixel portion. A signal supply means for supplying a dummy image signal,
The liquid crystal device, wherein the position detection region includes the pixel region when viewed from the normal direction of the second substrate.   The signal supply means includes the second dummy pixel unit adjacent to the second dummy pixel unit adjacent to the first dummy pixel unit and not adjacent to the pixel unit among the plurality of dummy pixel units. 2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a second dummy image signal having the same potential as the first dummy image signal supplied to the first dummy pixel portion is supplied.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to claim 1.

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