JP2013156452A - Multi-display element, multi-display device, and driving method of multi-display element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a multi-display element and a multi-display device capable of substantially eliminating a seam part between display elements to display more natural images.SOLUTION: A multi-display element 11 includes a plurality of display elements 10 connected with each other, and the plurality of display elements form a large display screen larger than a display screen of each display element. The plurality of display elements are connected with edges of the adjacent display elements being overlapped with each other so that display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent with each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-display element in which a plurality of display elements are connected, a multi-display device, and a method for driving the multi-display element.

  In many fields, a display element (display element) having a large display screen (display area) size is desired. A large screen display element can be realized by manufacturing a display element having a large screen size. However, in order to manufacture a large size display element, a large manufacturing apparatus is required, and the manufacturing cost is greatly increased. Arise.

  In addition, electronic paper has been actively developed as a new display medium that combines the advantages of a paper medium and the advantages of an electronic display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Applications of electronic paper have been proposed for advertisement display in bullet trains, outdoors, shops, public facilities, bulletin boards, and information boards. In these applications, in addition to display characteristics such as bright color display, a display screen having a large display screen size is desired.

  However, it is not always easy to produce a large screen electronic paper. In general, electronic paper is required to be flexible, and a film substrate is used. In the case of using a film substrate, there is a problem that the expansion and contraction of the outer shape due to heat is larger than that of the glass substrate, and the dimensional accuracy is poor, so that it is difficult to manufacture a display device with a large screen.

  As another method for realizing a large-screen display element, a so-called multi-display apparatus is known in which a large number of display elements having a small screen size are connected to perform multi-display as a whole. When a multi-display device is realized by connecting a plurality of CRTs, LCDs using glass substrates and plasma display panels (PDPs), each display element has an end portion of the display element in consideration of ease of assembly. Arranged to touch. However, such a display element has a non-display area such as a casing, a peripheral seal part, and a terminal extraction part outside the effective display area. Therefore, in such an assembly arrangement, the width of the joint portion between the display elements that cannot display an image becomes large. Further, when one image is divided and displayed on a plurality of display elements, there is a problem that the display image is unnaturally connected at the joint portion.

  Therefore, as a method of reducing the width of the joint portion between the display elements, for example, a part of the peripheral edge portion of the display elements is overlapped in the thickness direction, and the overlapping portion is made as large as possible within a range that does not cover the effective display area. A method has been proposed.

JP 2004-037590 A JP 2008-268565 A

  However, the above proposed method is not sufficient from the viewpoint of extremely narrowing the joint portion because the overlapping portion is made as large as possible within a range that does not cover the effective display area. In addition, the above proposed method cannot completely eliminate the unnatural connection of the display images.

  According to the embodiment, there are provided a multi-display element, a multi-display device, and a multi-display element driving method capable of substantially eliminating a joint portion between display elements and displaying a more natural image.

  The disclosed multi-display element has a plurality of connected display elements, and the plurality of display elements form a large display screen larger than the display screen of each display element. The plurality of display elements are connected so that the edge portions of the adjacent display elements overlap so that the display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other.

  In addition, the disclosed multi-display device has a plurality of connected display elements, and the plurality of display elements form a display screen larger than the display screen of each display element, and controls the display of the multi-display elements. And an overall control unit. The plurality of display elements are connected so that the edge portions of the adjacent display elements overlap so that the display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other. The overall control unit divides the entire image to be displayed corresponding to the display areas of the plurality of display elements, and controls to display the divided image data corresponding to the divided images on the corresponding plurality of display elements, respectively. .

  Further, the disclosed multi-display element driving method has a plurality of connected display elements, and the plurality of display elements drives a multi-display element that forms a larger display screen than the display screen of each display element. In the multi-display element, the edges of the adjacent display elements are overlapped and connected so that the display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other. The edge of the display element superimposed on the upper side is transparent. The display element includes two film substrates, a plurality of transparent electrodes formed on the two film substrates, an adhesive resin structure that defines an interval between the two film substrates, and a distance between the two film substrates. And a display material filled therein. The display element has a sealing material provided between the two film substrates so as to surround the display region, and the edge of the display element that is superimposed on the upper side of the display element when viewed from the observation side is a portion of the sealing material. Disconnected at. The plurality of transparent electrodes include dummy electrodes that are formed at least partly between the sealing material at the edge of the display element that is superimposed on the upper side of the display element when viewed from the observation side and the display area, and are not related to display. In the driving method of the disclosed multi-display element, at the time of display of such a multi-display element, a signal for making the display material transparent is applied to the dummy electrode.

  According to the above aspect, there is provided a multi-display device that can substantially eliminate a joint portion between display elements and display a more natural image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of voltage-reflection characteristics of a general cholesteric liquid crystal. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a basic configuration of a reflective cholesteric liquid crystal display element, where FIG. 4A is a top view and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the individual display device. 6 is a diagram showing the multi-display element of the present embodiment, (A) is a plan view of one display element, (B) is a plan view of a multi-display element in which four display elements are connected, (C) is a side view of a multi-display element. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a superposition state and a superposition method when four display elements are connected by 2 × 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a circuit board on which a drive control circuit is mounted and a display element in the multi-display device of this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an overlapping portion of two display elements. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of dummy electrodes in the display element. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the influence of the joint portion. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the multi-display device is installed at a position where the elevation angle is approximately zero to a large elevation angle. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the overlapping portion of two display elements and the observer's viewpoint. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which display elements for one column are connected. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an assembly method using the display element fixing base. FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of a liquid crystal display element capable of full color display using a cholesteric liquid crystal. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reflection spectrum in a planar state of three stacked display elements.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the mutual relationship between the dimensions of each part is shown with a part thereof changed for easy explanation.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-display device according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-display apparatus according to the embodiment includes a multi-display element 11 and an overall control unit 12. The multi-display element 11 includes a plurality (16) of display elements (panels) 10Aa to 10Dd connected to each other. Although not shown, the plurality of display elements 10Aa to 10Dd are provided corresponding to each display element, and are connected to individual drive control units that drive and control each display element. Each individual drive control unit receives the drive signal and the divided image data from the overall control unit 12 via the communication path 13, and drives the corresponding display element so as to display an image corresponding to the divided image data. Here, the display element and the individual drive control unit are collectively referred to as an individual display device.

  The multi display element 11 forms a large display screen larger than the display screen of each display element. The plurality of display elements 10 </ b> Aa to 10 </ b> Dd are connected so that the edges of the adjacent display elements overlap so that the display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other. The overall control unit 12 divides the entire image to be displayed on the entire multi-display element 11 corresponding to the display areas of the plurality of display elements 10Aa to 10Dd, and divides the divided image data corresponding to the divided images. Each is transmitted to the individual drive control unit of the display element. Each individual drive control unit drives each display element so as to display a divided image corresponding to the divided image data transmitted from the overall control unit 12 via the communication path 13.

  In other words, in the multi-display device of the embodiment, the display areas of the adjacent display elements are seamlessly adjacent, and the divided image displayed on the display screen of each display element is displayed on the display screen of the adjacent display element. Images are displayed continuously with no seams.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which 16 display elements (panels) are connected in a 4 × 4 matrix, various modifications are possible with respect to the number of display elements to be connected and the shape of the matrix. For example, four display elements may be connected in a 2 × 2 matrix, or nine display elements may be connected in a 3 × 3 matrix. Furthermore, they may be connected in a matrix by any combination of vertical 2 × horizontal 3, vertical 3 × horizontal 2, vertical 5 × horizontal 3, vertical 3 × horizontal 5, vertical 2 × horizontal 10, and the like. Furthermore, here, a plurality of display elements are described as having the same configuration, but display elements having different configurations may be connected.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a reflective liquid crystal display element using cholesteric liquid crystal is used as a display material will be described. However, display elements using other display materials can also be used. A cholesteric liquid crystal display element is generally realized as a simple matrix type display element. Here, an example in which a simple matrix type display element is used will be described. However, a TFT type display element is used. It is also possible to do. Furthermore, as a driving method of a simple matrix type cholesteric liquid crystal display element, a DDS (Direct Driving Scheme) driving method, a conventional driving method, and the like are known. Here, the conventional drive method is adopted, but it is also possible to drive using the DDS drive method.

First, the display principle in the cholesteric liquid crystal display element will be described.
A cholesteric liquid crystal may also be referred to as a chiral nematic liquid crystal. A cholesteric liquid crystal is a liquid crystal in which nematic liquid crystal molecules form a helical cholesteric phase by adding a relatively large amount (several tens of percent) of a chiral additive (also called a chiral material) to the nematic liquid crystal. . The cholesteric liquid crystal controls display by the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display element 10 using cholesteric liquid crystal has an upper substrate 21, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 22, and a lower substrate 23. The cholesteric liquid crystal has a planar state that reflects incident light as shown in FIG. 2A and a focal conic state that transmits incident light as shown in FIG. The state is stably maintained even in the absence of an electric field. In addition, when a strong electric field is applied, there is a homeotropic state in which all liquid crystal molecules follow the direction of the electric field. However, when the application of the electric field is stopped, the homeotropic state becomes a planar state or a focal conic state.

In the planar state, light having a wavelength corresponding to the helical pitch of the liquid crystal molecules is reflected. The wavelength λ at which the reflection is maximum is expressed by the following formula from the average refractive index n of the liquid crystal and the helical pitch p.
λ = n · p

On the other hand, the reflection band Δλ increases with the refractive index anisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal.
In the planar state, incident light is reflected, so that a “bright” state, that is, white can be displayed. On the other hand, in the focal conic state, by providing a light absorption layer under the lower substrate 23, light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer is absorbed, so that a “dark” state, that is, black can be displayed. In addition, there is a state in which the liquid crystal molecules in the planar state and the liquid crystal molecules in the focal conic state are mixed. In such a case, a light and dark halftone state occurs, and the liquid crystal molecules in the planar state and the liquid crystal molecules in the focal conic state The halftone level is determined by the mixing ratio.

Next, the display principle and driving method of a display element using cholesteric liquid crystal will be described.
FIG. 3 shows an example of voltage-reflection characteristics of a general cholesteric liquid crystal. The horizontal axis represents the voltage value (V) of the pulse voltage applied with a predetermined pulse width between the electrodes sandwiching the cholesteric liquid crystal, and the vertical axis represents the reflectance (%) of the cholesteric liquid crystal. The solid curve P shown in FIG. 3 shows the voltage-reflectance characteristics of the cholesteric liquid crystal whose initial state is the planar state, and the broken curve FC shows the voltage-reflectance characteristics of the cholesteric liquid crystal whose initial state is the focal conic state. .

  When a strong electric field (VP100 or more) is applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal, the helical structure of the liquid crystal molecules is completely unwound during the application of the electric field, and all molecules are in a homeotropic state according to the direction of the electric field. Next, when the applied voltage is suddenly made almost zero from VP100 when the liquid crystal molecules are in the homeotropic state, the spiral axis of the liquid crystal becomes perpendicular to the electrode, and a planar state in which light according to the helical pitch is selectively reflected is obtained. Become.

  On the other hand, when the electric field is removed after applying a weak electric field (the range of VF100a to VF100b) that does not dissolve the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal molecules, the helical axis of the cholesteric liquid crystal molecules becomes parallel to the electrode and reflects incident light. It becomes a focal conic state. Alternatively, when a strong electric field is applied and the electric field is gently removed from the state, the focal conic state is obtained.

Further, when an electric field having an intermediate strength (VF0 to VF100a or VF100b to VP0) is applied and the electric field is rapidly removed, a planar state and a focal conic state are mixed, and a halftone image can be displayed.
Display is performed using the above phenomenon.

  There are various methods for controlling the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal. According to the conventional driving method, after applying a strong electric field to bring it into a homeotropic state, the application of the electric field is suddenly stopped to obtain a planar state. This state is a bright state. Specifically, a voltage equal to or higher than the voltage VP100 in FIG. 3 is applied for several ms to several tens of ms.

  To change from the bright state to the dark state, a relatively small electric field is applied for a short time in the planar state. In this case, the level of the dark state, that is, the halftone level is determined by the voltage or pulse width of the pulse to be applied, and the change of the halftone level relative to the pulse voltage changes from the planar state (P) on the left side of FIG. Follow the change to state (F).

  In some cases, the homeotropic state is changed to the focal conic state, and then a relatively small electric field is applied for a short time to change to the halftone level. In that case, the change from the focal conic state (F) to the planar state (P) indicated by the broken line on the right side of FIG. 3 is followed.

  Furthermore, as described above, driving systems such as DDS (Dynamic Driving Scheme: DDS) are known in addition to the conventional driving system.

Next, the reflective cholesteric liquid crystal display element used in the embodiment will be described.
4A and 4B are diagrams showing a basic configuration of the reflective cholesteric liquid crystal display element 10, wherein FIG. 4A is a top view and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display element 10 includes an upper substrate 21, a liquid crystal layer 22, a lower substrate 23, a sealing material 26, and a light absorption layer 27. The observation surface is the surface on the upper substrate 21 side, and the surface on the light absorption layer 27 side is the back surface. On the surface of the upper substrate 21, a plurality of strip-like (stripe) upper electrodes 24 are provided in parallel. A plurality of strip-like lower electrodes 25 are provided in parallel on the surface of the lower substrate 23. The upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 are arranged so that the electrodes face each other, are sealed with a transparent sealing material 26 provided around them, and the cholesteric liquid crystal is sealed in the sealed space to form the liquid crystal layer 22. Form. An adhesive resin structure that bonds the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 is disposed in the liquid crystal layer 22, but is not illustrated. The adhesive resin structure functions as a spacer that defines the distance between the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23.

  The upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25 are arranged so as to be orthogonal when viewed from the observation surface, and the intersection of the electrodes corresponds to one pixel. A voltage pulse signal is applied to the upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25, whereby a differential voltage between the upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25 is applied to the liquid crystal layer 22 for each pixel. In this manner, a voltage is applied to each pixel of the liquid crystal layer 22, and the liquid crystal molecules of each pixel are displayed in a planar state, a focal conic state, or a mixed state thereof. Both the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 are translucent. The light absorption layer 27 absorbs light incident from the observation surface side and passed through the upper substrate 21, the liquid crystal layer 22, and the lower substrate 23.

  The liquid crystal layer 22 includes cholesteric liquid crystal in which the average refractive index n and the helical pitch p are adjusted so as to selectively reflect light having a specific wavelength. The liquid crystal composition forming the liquid crystal layer 22 is a cholesteric liquid crystal obtained by adding 1 to 40% by weight of a chiral material to a nematic liquid crystal mixture. The addition ratio of the chiral material is a value when the total amount of the nematic liquid crystal component and the chiral material is 100 wt%. As the nematic liquid crystal, various known ones can be used. As the cholesteric liquid crystal composition, it is preferable that the dielectric anisotropy Δε is 10 ≦ Δε ≦ 50. If the dielectric anisotropy Δε is too low, the driving voltage of the liquid crystal layer becomes high. On the other hand, if the dielectric anisotropy Δε is too high, the stability and reliability of the liquid crystal display element is lowered, and image defects and image noise are likely to occur.

  The refractive index anisotropy Δn of the cholesteric liquid crystal is an important physical property that governs the image quality. The value of the refractive index anisotropy Δn is preferably 0.15 ≦ Δn ≦ 0.25. If the refractive index anisotropy Δn is smaller than this range, the reflectivity of each liquid crystal layer in the planar state becomes low, and the display becomes dark with insufficient brightness. On the other hand, when the refractive index anisotropy Δn is larger than the above range, the liquid crystal layer has a large scattering reflection in the focal conic state, so that the color purity and contrast of the display screen are insufficient, resulting in a blurred display. Further, when the refractive index anisotropy Δn is larger than the above range, the viscosity increases, so that the response speed of the cholesteric liquid crystal decreases.

The value of the specific resistance ρ of the cholesteric liquid crystal is preferably 10 ¹⁰ ≦ ρ ≦ 10 ¹³ (Ω · cm). Further, it is preferable that the viscosity of the cholesteric liquid crystal is low because it is possible to suppress an increase in voltage and a decrease in contrast at low temperatures.

  The upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 have translucency. In the present embodiment, two film substrates such as polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are used. If the thickness of the multi-display device is not taken into consideration, a glass substrate can be used instead of a film substrate such as polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

  Striped upper electrodes 24 are formed in parallel on the upper substrate 21 of each display element. The upper electrode 24 is called a data electrode because it is driven by a segment driver and a different voltage is applied depending on the image. On the lower substrate 23, stripe-like lower electrodes 25 orthogonal to the upper electrode 24 are formed in parallel. The lower electrode 25 is called a scan electrode because it is driven by a common (scan) driver and applied with a scan signal. In the present embodiment, the upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25 are a plurality of stripe-like electrodes obtained by patterning a transparent electrode made of indium tin oxide (ITO). As a material for forming the electrode, for example, ITO is typical, but other transparent conductive films such as indium zinc oxide (IZO), photoconductive films such as amorphous silicon, and the like can be used.

  The upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25 are preferably coated with an insulating thin film and a liquid crystal molecule alignment stabilizing film (both not shown) as functional films, respectively. The insulating thin film has a function of preventing a short circuit between the electrodes and improving the reliability of the liquid crystal display element as a gas barrier layer. Moreover, a polyimide resin, an acrylic resin, or the like can be used for the alignment stabilizing film. In the present embodiment, for example, an alignment stabilizing film is applied (coated) on the entire surface of each substrate on the electrode. The alignment stabilizing film may also be used as an insulating thin film.

  The cholesteric liquid crystal material is sealed by the sealing material 26 applied to the outer periphery of the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 to form the liquid crystal layer 22. As the transparent sealing material 26, a known adhesive such as a photo-curing or thermosetting acrylic or epoxy resin can be used. Note that the light transmittance of the sealing material 26 may be a predetermined transparency, for example, a visible light transmittance of at least 50% or more after the two substrates are bonded and cured. The adhesive forming the sealing material 26 is applied in a specific pattern shape on one substrate using a known method such as a dispenser device or a screen printing device.

  It is required to keep the thickness (cell gap) of the liquid crystal layer uniform. In order to maintain a predetermined cell gap, the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 are bonded using a columnar or other adhesive resin structure (not shown). For example, the resin structure is formed in a columnar shape by patterning an acrylic photosensitive resin or the like by a known method such as lithography. Moreover, the shape of the resin structure is not limited to the columnar shape, and may be spherical or any shape. Moreover, you may have the resin structure of a several different shape. The resin structure occupies 2 to 30% of the area of the display element. More specifically, the resin structure is desirably 5 to 15% because the adhesion strength is lowered when the ratio to the area of the display element is too low, and the brightness is lowered when the ratio is too high.

  After the two substrates 21 and 23 are bonded together with an adhesive that forms the sealing material 26 and the adhesive resin structure, the applied adhesive is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light or visible light and / or heat treatment. . In order to come into contact with the display material, a high-purity one is preferable, and the viscosity and the like are appropriately adjusted according to the production method. Further, in the adhesive forming the sealing material 26 and the adhesive resin structure, a glass or resin rod-like or spherical spacer may be added for the purpose of maintaining the cell gap.

  Further, the cell gap d is preferably in the range of 3 μm ≦ d ≦ 10 μm because there is a problem that if the cell gap d is too narrow, the brightness decreases, and if it is too wide, the driving voltage increases. In addition, the range of the value of a resin structure or a cell gap is not limited to the range mentioned above, You may be arbitrary ranges.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the individual display device. As described above, the individual display device includes the display element 10 and the individual drive control unit 13, and the display element 10 is the above-described monochromatic display reflective cholesteric liquid crystal display panel.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the individual drive control unit 13 includes a power supply 31, a boosting unit 32, a voltage switching unit 33, a voltage stabilizing unit 34, a clock source 35, a frequency dividing unit 36, and a control circuit 37. , A common driver (scan) 38 and a segment driver 39. The individual drive control unit 13 further includes a timer 40, a temperature sensor 41, an image memory 42, and a communication IF (interface) 43.

  The power supply 31 outputs a voltage of 3V to 5V, for example. The booster 32 boosts the input voltage from the power supply 31 to + 36V to + 40V by a DC-DC converter or the like. In response to the drive voltage change signal from the control circuit 37, the voltage switching unit 33 responds to the gradation value of each pixel or selection or non-selection from the voltage output from the boosting unit 32 by voltage division by a resistor or the like. Generate multiple levels of voltage. The voltage stabilizing unit 34 stabilizes various voltages supplied from the voltage switching unit 33 using a Zener diode, a voltage follower circuit of an operational amplifier, and the like, and supplies the stabilized voltage to the common driver 38 and the segment driver 39.

  The clock source 35 generates a basic clock that is the basis of the operation. The frequency divider 36 divides the basic clock to generate various clocks used for the driving operation of the display element 10.

  The timer 40 performs a timer operation according to the control circuit 37 and outputs a timer signal to the control circuit 37 when a set time has elapsed. The temperature sensor 41 detects the temperature of the environment where the display element 10 is placed, and outputs data indicating the detected temperature to the control circuit 37. The control circuit 37 changes the driving condition of the display element 10 according to the detected temperature.

  The common driver 38 and the segment driver 39 are realized by general-purpose STN drivers. The common driver 38 is set to the common mode, and the segment driver 39 is set to the segment mode. The common driver 38 generates a drive signal to be applied to the scan electrode (lower electrode) 25 of the display element 10 based on various voltages supplied from the voltage stabilizing unit 34 and a drive control signal supplied from the control circuit. . The segment driver 39 generates a drive signal to be applied to the data electrode (upper electrode) 24 of the display element 10 based on the various voltages supplied from the voltage stabilizing unit 34 and the drive control signal and image data supplied from the control circuit. Generate.

  The control circuit 37 generates a conventional drive control signal based on the various clocks and the image data D supplied from the frequency divider 36 and supplies them to the common driver 38 and the segment driver 39. Since the conventional drive control signal is widely known, the description thereof is omitted.

  The control circuit 37 receives the divided image data transmitted from the overall control unit 12 by the communication IF 43 and temporarily stores it in the image memory 42 in a format suitable for signal generation. Thereafter, the image data is read from the image memory 42 in accordance with the start of drawing on the display element 10, and image data to be supplied to the segment driver 39 is generated.

  As described above, each individual display device displays the divided image data transmitted from the overall control unit 12 on the display element 10. As shown in FIG. 1, transmission of a plurality of divided image data from the overall control unit 12 to a plurality of individual display devices is performed by providing a plurality of communication paths 13 between the overall control unit 12 and each individual display device. Do. In this case, the transmission of the plurality of divided image data to the plurality of individual display devices is performed in parallel, and the plurality of individual display devices perform the drawing of the received divided image data in parallel. Ends with the drawing time of almost one individual display device.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each individual drive control unit 13 includes a power supply 31, a booster 32, a voltage switch 33, a voltage stabilizer 34, a clock source 35, and a frequency divider. The unit 36, the timer 40, and the temperature sensor 41 were included. However, some or all of these can be shared by a plurality of individual drive control units.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the multi-display element 11 of the present embodiment, where (A) is a plan view of one (one) display element 10 and (B) is a connection of four display elements 10. FIG. 4C is a plan view of the multi-display element 11 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, one display element 10 includes two flexible and transparent upper and lower substrates 21, 23, a sealing material 26, and a liquid crystal layer surrounded by the sealing material. 22. A display region 28 is formed in a region where the upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25 intersect in the liquid crystal layer 22.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the upper substrate 21 is elongated in the upper side in the figure, and a flexible circuit board (flexible) 29 is connected to that portion. Further, the lower substrate 23 is elongated to the right side in the figure, and a flexible circuit board (flexible) 29 is connected to that portion. The flexible circuit board 29 is connected to the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 23 by, for example, pressure bonding.

  At the end portion of the upper substrate 21, a plurality of terminals connected to the plurality of upper electrodes 24 are provided, and are electrically connected to the terminals of the flexible circuit substrate 29. Similarly, a plurality of terminals connected to the plurality of lower electrodes 25 are provided at the end of the lower substrate 23, and are electrically connected to the terminals of the flexible circuit board 29. On the flexible circuit board 29, a driving IC 30 forming a segment driver 39 and a common driver 38 is mounted. The output terminal of the drive IC 30 is connected to the upper electrode 24 and the lower electrode 25 through the terminals of the flexible circuit board 29. The input terminal of the drive IC 30 is connected to the terminal of the flexible circuit board 29 connected to the voltage stabilizing unit 34 and the control circuit 37.

  FIG. 6B shows a multi-display element 11 in which four display elements 10 are connected by 2 × 2. The lower left display element 10Aa is connected so that the left edge of the lower right display element 10Ab overlaps the right edge (edge part) of the lower left display element 10Aa. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the edges of the two display elements 10Aa and 10Ab are overlapped.

  Furthermore, the lower edge of the upper left display element 10Ba is connected to the upper edge of the lower left display element 10Aa so as to overlap. Further, the upper right display element 10Bb is such that the left edge of the display element 10Bb is above the right edge of the upper left display element 10Ba, and the lower edge of the display element 10Bb is the upper side of the lower right display element 10Ab. It is connected so that it may overlap with the edge of.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a superposition state and a superposition method when four display elements 10 are connected by 2 × 2.

  First, the left edge of the display element 10Xy is overlapped with the right edge of the display element 10Xx. At this time, the edges of the display elements 10Xx and 10Xy are overlapped so that the right ends A and C of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xx are adjacent to the left ends B and D of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xy. The fact that the display area 28 is adjacent means that the rightmost pixel of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xx and the leftmost pixel of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xy when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the display element. It means that the pixels are arranged at the same pitch as the other pixels. Further, the pixels in each column of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xx and the pixels in each column of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xy are arranged on a straight line.

  Further, the lower edge of the display element 10Yx is overlapped with the upper edge of the display element 10Xx. At this time, the edges of the display elements 10Xx and 10Yx are overlapped so that the upper ends E and C of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xx are adjacent to the lower ends F and G of the display area 28 of the display element 10Yx. . In this case, since the upper right corner (corner) of the display element 10Xx is already overlapped with the display element 10Xy, the lower right corner of the display element 10Yx is overlapped with the upper left corner of the display element 10Xy. Become.

  Further, the lower edge of the display element 10Yy is overlapped with the upper edge of the display element 10Xy, and the left edge of the display element 10Yy is overlapped with the right edge of the display element 10Yx. At this time, the edges of the display elements 10Yx and 10Yy are overlapped so that the right ends G and I of the display area 28 of the display element 10Yx are adjacent to the left ends H and J of the display area 28 of the display element 10Yy. Accordingly, the upper ends D and K of the display area 28 of the display element 10Xy are adjacent to the lower ends H and L of the display area 28 of the display element 10Yy. In this case, since the lower right corner (corner) of the display element 10Yx is already overlapped with the display elements 10Xx and 10Xy, the lower left corner of the display element 10Yy is at the corner of the display elements 10Xx, 10Xy, and Yx. Will be stacked.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the circuit board 15 on which the drive control circuit is mounted and the display element 10 in the multi-display device of this embodiment.

  In the multi-display device of the present embodiment, the portions of the individual drive control unit 13 excluding the segment driver 39 and the common driver 38 are mounted on the circuit board 15 provided corresponding to each display element 10. As described above, the segment driver 39 and the common driver 38 are mounted on the flexible circuit board 29.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the circuit board 15 is disposed on the back side opposite to the observation side of each display element 10. The size of the circuit board 15 (vertical H2, horizontal W2) is made smaller than the size of the display area of the display element 10 (vertical H1, horizontal W1). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8B, the plurality of circuit boards 15 can be arranged on the back surface of each display element 10 without overlapping each other. As shown in the figure, the flexible circuit board 29 connected to each display element 10 is electrically connected to the circuit board 15 by pressure bonding or the like.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an overlapping portion of two display elements 10.
As shown in FIG. 9A, in the display element 10, two film substrates 21 and 23 are bonded with an adhesive resin structure 54, and the distance between the film substrates 21 and 23 is set to a predetermined value (cell gap). Hold on. The space between the film substrates 21 and 23 is sealed with a sealing material 26, and the liquid crystal material is filled therein to form the liquid crystal layer 22. A light absorption layer 27 is provided on the back surface of the lower substrate 23. P indicates the edge of the display area. The display area of the display element 10 superimposed on the front side, that is, the upper side as viewed from the observation side is an area indicated by Q on the right side of P. The display area of the display element 10 superimposed on the rear side, that is, the lower side as viewed from the observation side is a display area on the left side of P.

  In the non-display area of the edge portion of the display element 10 to be stacked on the lower side, the adhesive resin structure 54 is not disposed, and the buffer portion 51 to which the two film substrates 21 and 23 are not bonded is disposed. . In a liquid crystal display element using a film substrate, the linear expansion coefficient (about 200 to 300 ppm / ° C.) of the liquid crystal is larger than the linear expansion coefficient (about 50 to 100 ppm / ° C.) of the film substrate. Therefore, there is a problem that the volume of the liquid crystal becomes smaller than the internal volume of the element (volume of the liquid crystal layer 22) at low temperatures, and voids are formed in the element (low temperature foaming). In addition, at a high temperature, the volume of the liquid crystal becomes larger than the internal volume of the element, and there is a problem that the bonded portion of the resin structure peels off. In particular, when the gap between the upper and lower film substrates is firmly held by the adhesive resin structure 54, the volume difference due to the bending of the film is difficult to be reduced, and low-temperature foaming and peeling are likely to occur. The buffer part 51 has a structure in which the film substrate is easily bent by reducing or eliminating the adhesive part due to the adhesive resin structure 54, and the pressure in the panel caused by the difference in thermal expansion between the liquid crystal and the film substrate is reduced. Has a mitigating function. However, the buffer unit 51 is not necessarily suitable as a display unit because the cell gap changes due to the bending of the film substrate. In the present embodiment, the buffer section 51 is arranged in the non-display area of the lower display element 10 and the buffer section 51 is not arranged in the non-display area of the upper display element 10 in the overlapping portion of the panels. Thereby, the effect of a buffer part can fully be exhibited, without enlarging the joint part of a display element.

  The edge part of the display element 10 stacked on the upper side is cut at a position R of the sealing material 26 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the edge part of the display element 10 piled up can be narrowed.

  Further, in the overlapping edge portion of the display element 10 that is overlapped on the upper side, a layer 53 formed of a transparent material is provided instead of the light absorption layer 27 on the portion overlapping the lower display area, or light absorption. Layer 27 is not provided.

  Furthermore, a dummy electrode that does not display image data is disposed between the display region end indicated by P and the sealing material 26 at the edge where the upper display element 10 is overlapped. Since the sealing material 26 affects the change in the state of the liquid crystal in contact, the sealing material 26 is arranged to some extent away from the edge of the display area. For this reason, in the region between the end of the display region and the sealing material 26, the transmission state changes depending on the state of the liquid crystal, and for example, a planar state may occur. Since this area overlaps the display area of the lower display element 10, the display area of the lower display element 10 cannot be seen in the planar state, that is, the display of this area is lost. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a dummy electrode is disposed in this region of the upper display element to bring the liquid crystal into a focal conic state in which the liquid crystal is displayed in a specific color, preferably almost transparent.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of dummy electrodes in the display element 10.
The display element of FIG. 10 has 13 upper electrodes (data electrodes) D1 to D13 and 10 lower electrodes (scan electrodes) S1 to S10. The number of electrodes is a matter to be set as appropriate. In the display element of FIG. 10, the data electrode D13 and the scan electrode S10 are dummy electrodes, and 108 pixels formed by the twelve data electrodes D1 to D12 and the nine scan electrodes S1 to S9 are display areas. .

  The scan electrodes S1 to S10 are connected to the common driver 38, and the data electrodes D1 to D13 are connected to the segment driver 39. The common driver 38 and the segment driver 39 output voltage waveforms that bring the pixels formed by the scan electrodes S1 to S9 and the data electrodes D1 to D12 into a state corresponding to the display image. On the other hand, the common driver 38 and the segment driver 39 output a voltage waveform that makes the dummy pixel formed by the scan electrode S10 and the data electrode D13 transparent (focal conic). In other words, fixed image data for displaying the dummy pixel portion in black (transparent state) is added to the image data to be displayed, and a control signal for displaying 10 × 13 pixels is supplied to the common driver 38 and the segment driver 39. To do. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously display an image and make a dummy pixel transparent.

  The driving (writing) of the dummy pixel may be performed every time the image is rewritten, but may be performed only at a specific timing, and the state may be maintained without performing the rewriting thereafter. As a method for driving a dummy pixel at a specific timing, a method for performing power-on (ON) of the multi-display device, a method for performing the earliest rewriting after a certain time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed after driving the dummy pixel, or a certain level or more There is a method to perform when there is a temperature change. Alternatively, these methods can be performed in any combination.

  As described above, among the overlapping edge portions of the display element 10 that is overlapped on the upper side, the portions overlapping the lower display region are the substrates 21 and 23, the sealing material 26, the layer 53, and the liquid crystal layer 22 of the dummy pixel, All become transparent. Thereby, the display area of the lower display element 10 can be seen from the observation side. In the present embodiment, when the display areas of the upper and lower display elements are viewed from the direction perpendicular to the display elements, the pixels at the ends of the display areas of the upper and lower display elements are pixels in other parts. Are arranged on a straight line at the same pitch. Thereby, the display areas of the two adjacent display elements appear seamlessly as one continuous display area. The same applies to a portion where four display elements are stacked. However, since a certain amount of connection position error is unavoidable in connecting a plurality of display elements, even if there is a certain degree of error, the display area of the two display elements shall fall within the adjacent range. .

  The two display elements 10 to be overlaid are formed by applying a transparent adhesive to the overlapping part of the upper substrate 21 of the lower display element and the light absorption layer 27 and the transparent material layer 53 of the lower display element. This is done by curing.

  In this embodiment, each display element has a structure in which a display material is sandwiched between two film substrates, and a part of the two film substrates is bonded with an adhesive resin structure to maintain a cell gap. Yes. In this embodiment, since a thin film substrate having a thickness of 1/5 to 1/10 of a general glass substrate is used, in order to alleviate the step of the overlapping portion of the display element, along the step Can be bent. Moreover, by using a film substrate, even if a partial pressure is applied to the stepped portion, it does not break. However, a glass substrate or the like may be used when a structure that does not need to be considered in thickness and does not bend along a step is used.

  As described above, in the multi-display element of the present embodiment, the joint portion can be narrowed, so that unnatural connection of images due to the joint portion in the display image can be reduced.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the influence of the seam portion. A multi-display element in which four display elements are connected by 2 × 2, and a screen image is divided into four as it is and displayed on four display elements. An example is shown.

  When there is no seam portion or is narrow like the multi-display element of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, a straight line extending across two adjacent display elements is a straight line without a seam. It is displayed and there is no unnaturalness in the display.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when there is a seam Z, a straight line extending across two adjacent display elements is displayed with a step at the seam. Causes unnaturalness.

  A multi-display device is a large-screen display, is used in various applications and installation locations, and is often installed at a position higher than an observer's viewpoint.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the multi-display device is installed at a position where the elevation angle is approximately zero to a large elevation angle. Although the observer's elevation angle with respect to the lower overlapping portion of the multi-display device is substantially zero, the observer's elevation angle with respect to the upper overlapping portion of the multi-display device is increased. When the elevation angle is substantially zero, it is desirable to connect the display areas of the two display elements so as to be adjacent when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the display screen. On the other hand, in the overlapping portion where the elevation angle becomes large, it is desirable to connect the display regions of the adjacent ideographic elements so that they are adjacent when viewed from the observer in consideration of the elevation angle of the observer's viewpoint.
This applies not only to the elevation angle but also to the depression angle and the viewing angle with respect to the side.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the overlapping portion of the two display elements 10 and the viewpoint of the observer.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, a case is considered where the observer has a certain angle (viewing angle) with respect to the overlapping portion of the two display elements 10. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, the display element end P1 of the upper display element 10 and the display area end P2 of the lower display element 10 are shifted by two display elements. Ten display areas appear to be adjacent at equal pitches.

  FIG. 13B shows a case where the screen is set in the vertical direction and the elevation angle with respect to the overlapped portion is zero. FIG. 13C shows a case where the same multi-display apparatus as in FIG. 13B has a large elevation angle because the overlapping portion is located at the top. Thus, even in the same multi-display device, when the height of the installation position is known in advance and the elevation angle with respect to the overlapping portion is known, the position of the overlapping portion is considered in consideration of the elevation angle. It is desirable to adjust the relationship.

  In FIG. 13B, the display element arranged on the upper side is connected to the rear side. However, as shown in FIGS. 13D and 13E, the display element arranged on the upper side is connected to the front side. Also good. 13D shows a case where the elevation angle is zero, and FIG. 13E shows a case where the elevation angle is large.

  When (C) and (E) in FIG. 13 are compared, the size of the overlapping portion of the images viewed from the observer is almost the same, but the size of the entire multi-display element is slightly larger in FIG. 13 (E). Get smaller. On the other hand, when the position of the observer moves upward, the image missing portion is less likely to occur in FIG.

  Thus, it is desirable to determine the optimum viewing angle for the overlapped portion from the installation location of the multi-display element and adjust the positional relationship in the overlapped portion accordingly. The same applies to the horizontal direction.

Next, a method for connecting (assembling) a plurality of display elements will be described.
For example, when the multi-display elements of FIG. 1 are connected, the display element 10Ab is aligned with the display element 10Aa by using an alignment mark (not shown) provided on each display element. Connect with adhesive. The adhesive is applied to the part to be overlaid. Next, the display element 10Ba is connected to the display element 10Aa by the same method. Hereinafter, the display elements 10Bb, 10Ac, 10Bc, 10Ca, 10Cb, and 10Cc are connected in this order.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the number of display elements for one row (three in FIG. 14, four in FIG. 1) is displayed, and alignment marks (not shown) provided on each display element. The display element columns for one row are manufactured by connecting them in the aligned state. A plurality of rows of display element columns are manufactured. Next, the next display element column is connected to the connected display element columns. Similarly, it is also possible to manufacture a display element row for one column first and then connect it in the horizontal direction.

As another assembling method, there is a method of using a display element fixing base.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an assembly method using the display element fixing base. Here, nine display elements 10 are connected in a 3 × 3 matrix.

  As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15F, a display element fixing base 61 having wiring holes 62 provided corresponding to the positions of the flexible circuit boards 29 of the nine display elements 10 is prepared. The display element fixing base 61 is made of a metal such as aluminum, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, or an alloy thereof. Further, the display element fixing base 61 may be made of a material such as a plastic such as polycarbonate, acrylic or ABS, a glass fiber reinforced epoxy, a carbon resin woven with carbon fibers, glass or ceramic. If possible, it is desirable that the material of the display element fixing base 61 is a material having substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the constituent material of the display element 10.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the display element 10 arranged in the lower left is made up of a plurality of alignment marks (not shown) provided on the display element and a plurality of alignment marks provided on the display element fixing base 61. Align and align alignment marks (not shown). In this state, the display element 10 is fixed to the display element fixing base 61 with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. At this time, the flexible circuit board 29 connected to the display element 10 is extended to the back surface of the display element fixing base 61 through the corresponding wiring hole 62.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15B, the display element 10 arranged at the lower center is arranged with a plurality of alignment marks provided on the display element and a plurality of positions provided on the display element fixing base 61. The alignment marks are aligned and aligned and fixed to the display element fixing base 61. At this time, the positional relationship with the display element 10 arranged at the lower left that is already fixed to the display element fixing base 61 may be adjusted as described with reference to FIG. In addition, an overlapping portion of the display element 10 arranged in the lower center and the display element 10 arranged in the lower left may be bonded with a transparent adhesive.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15C, the display element 10 arranged at the lower right is fixed to the display element fixing base 61 by the same method. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 15D, 15E, and 15F, the three display elements in the second row are sequentially fixed, and further, the three display elements in the second row are sequentially fixed.

  After the nine display elements 10 are fixed to the display element fixing base 61 as described above, the nine circuit boards 15 are fixed to the back face of the display element fixing base 61 and extended to the back face of the display element fixing base 61. The flexible circuit board 29 is connected to the corresponding circuit board 15. Further, the overall control unit 12 and the individual drive control units 13 provided on the nine circuit boards 15 are connected.

  In the multi-display device of the above embodiment, a reflective monochromatic (monochrome) cholesteric liquid crystal display element is used as the display element 10, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and other types of display elements are used. Is also possible. For example, it is possible to use a reflective color cholesteric liquid crystal display element. Hereinafter, the reflective color cholesteric liquid crystal display element will be described.

  FIG. 16 schematically shows a cross-sectional configuration of a liquid crystal display element 10C capable of full color display using cholesteric liquid crystal. The liquid crystal display element 10C has a structure in which a blue (B) display element 10B, a green (G) display element 10G, and a red (R) display element 10R are stacked in order from the observation side, and further, red (R) A light absorption layer 27 is formed under the display element 10R. In FIG. 16, the upper substrate of the display element 10B is the display surface, and external light is incident on the display surface from above the upper substrate of the display element 10B. The light absorption layer 27 is on the back side.

  The display elements 10B, 10G, and 10R have the same configuration as the cholesteric liquid crystal display element 10 described with reference to FIG. 4 and have different spectral reflection characteristics in the planar state. In the display element 10B, the liquid crystal material and the chiral material are selected so that the center of the reflected light is blue (about 480 nm), and the content of the Kyle agent is determined. Similarly, the center of the reflected light of the display element 10G is set to green (about 550 nm), and the center of the reflected light of the display element 10R is set to red (about 630 nm).

  FIG. 17 shows an example of the reflection spectrum of the display elements 10B, 10G, and 10R in the planar state. The horizontal axis represents the wavelength (nm) of the reflected light, and the vertical axis represents the reflectance (white plate ratio;%). In FIG. 17, the reflection spectrum of the display element 10B is indicated by a curve B in the figure. Similarly, the reflection spectrum of the display element 10G is indicated by a curve G, and the reflection spectrum of the display element 10R is indicated by a curve R.

  As shown in FIG. 17, since the center wavelength of the reflection spectrum in the planar state of the display elements 10B, 10G, and 10R becomes longer in this order, the spiral pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal becomes longer in the order of the display elements 10B, 10G, and 10R. . For this reason, the content rate of the chiral material of the cholesteric liquid crystal of the display elements 10B, 10G, and 10R is made lower in the order of the display elements 10B, 10G, and 10R.

  Furthermore, generally, the shorter the reflection wavelength, the stronger the content of the chiral material in the cholesteric liquid crystal because the liquid crystal molecules are strongly twisted to shorten the helical pitch. In general, the drive voltage tends to increase as the content of the chiral material increases. The reflection bandwidth Δλ increases as the refractive index anisotropy Δn of the cholesteric liquid crystal increases.

  The individual drive control unit 13 for driving the color cholesteric liquid crystal display element 10C can be realized by using three sets of the individual drive control units shown in FIG. In this case, other than the segment driver 39 can be shared.

  Since the color cholesteric liquid crystal display element 10C has three liquid crystal display elements laminated, the thickness of the color cholesteric liquid crystal display element 10C is about three times that of a single-color element, but a thin and flexible film substrate is used. When used, there is no particular problem in connection.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, transmission of divided image data between the overall control unit 12 and the individual drive control unit of each individual display device is provided between the overall control unit 12 and each individual drive control unit. A plurality of communication paths 13 were used. Thereby, the drawing on each individual display device can be performed substantially in parallel. However, when the number of display elements that connect the communication path 13 is also received, a problem arises that the hardware becomes large. Therefore, the overall control unit 12 and a plurality of individual drive control units may be connected by a data communication bus, and the divided image data may be sequentially transmitted to the plurality of individual drive control units. In this case, the plurality of individual display devices start drawing at the same time after all the individual drive control units complete reception of the divided image data, or sequentially start drawing when reception of the corresponding divided image data is completed. For this reason, the time from the start of transmission of the divided image data from the overall control unit 12 to the completion of drawing in the multi-display device increases, resulting in a delay. However, the time required for communication of divided image data is sufficiently shorter than the time required for drawing one display element, and particularly the time required for communication of all divided image data is shorter than the time required for drawing one display element. For example, this delay is not a practical problem.

  The embodiment has been described above, but all examples and conditions described herein are described for the purpose of helping understanding of the concept of the invention applied to the invention and technology. In particular, the examples and conditions described are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and the construction of such examples in the specification does not indicate the advantages and disadvantages of the invention. Although embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Hereinafter, the following additional notes will be disclosed with respect to the embodiment.
(Appendix 1)
A multi-display element comprising a plurality of connected display elements, wherein the plurality of display elements form a larger display screen than the display screen of each display element,
The multi-display element, wherein the plurality of display elements are connected so that edges of the adjacent display elements overlap so that display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other.
(Appendix 2)
The multi-display element according to appendix 1, wherein the plurality of display elements have flexibility.
(Appendix 3)
The multi-display element according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of display elements are reflective display elements.
(Appendix 4)
4. The multi-display element according to claim 1, wherein an edge portion of the display element that is superimposed on an upper side of the adjacent display element as viewed from the observation side is transparent.
(Appendix 5)
The display element includes two film substrates, a plurality of transparent electrodes formed on the two film substrates, an adhesive resin structure that defines an interval between the two film substrates, and the two sheets. A multi-display element according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, further comprising: a display material filled between the film substrates.
(Appendix 6)
The display element includes a sealing material provided between the two film substrates so as to surround the display region, and the edge of the display element that is overlaid on the display element when viewed from the observation side includes: The multi-display element according to appendix 5, which is cut at a portion of the sealing material.
(Appendix 7)
The plurality of transparent electrodes are formed on at least a portion between the sealing material and the display region at the edge of the display element, which is superimposed on the upper side of the display element when viewed from the observation side, and are dummy electrodes not related to display The multi-display element according to appendix 6, including:
(Appendix 8)
The display element is a buffer part in which the two film substrates are not bonded between the sealing material at the edge of the display element and the display area, which are overlapped on the lower side of the display element when viewed from the observation side. The multi-display element according to any one of appendices 5 to 7, further comprising:
(Appendix 9)
The display element is
A flexible circuit board connected to an edge of the display element that is superimposed on the lower side of the display element when viewed from the observation side so as to connect to the plurality of transparent electrodes;
A drive circuit board connected to the flexible circuit board,
The flexible circuit board is
The multi-display element according to any one of appendices 5 to 8, wherein a majority of the area of the drive circuit board is disposed on a back surface of the display area of the display element when viewed from the observation side.
(Appendix 10)
The plurality of display elements are bonded on an assembly substrate,
The assembly board includes wiring holes provided corresponding to the flexible circuit board,
The multi-display element according to appendix 9, wherein the flexible circuit board is disposed so as to pass through the wiring hole.
(Appendix 11)
The multi-display element according to any one of appendices 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of display elements are cholesteric liquid crystal display elements.
(Appendix 12)
A multi-display element comprising a plurality of connected display elements, wherein the plurality of display elements form a larger display screen than the display screen of each display element;
A multi-display device comprising: an overall control unit that controls display of the multi-display element;
The plurality of display elements are connected so that edges of the adjacent display elements overlap so that display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other.
The overall control unit divides an entire image to be displayed in correspondence with display areas of the plurality of display elements, and displays divided image data corresponding to the divided images on the plurality of corresponding display elements, respectively. A multi-display device characterized in that
(Appendix 13)
The multi-display device according to appendix 12, wherein the plurality of display elements display the transmitted divided image data in parallel.
(Appendix 14)
A plurality of connected display elements, wherein the plurality of display elements form a large display screen larger than the display screen of each display element, and the display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other in the plurality of display elements; The edges of the adjacent display elements are overlapped and connected to each other, and the edge of the display element that is overlaid on the upper side of the adjacent display elements is transparent when viewed from the observation side. Two film substrates, a plurality of transparent electrodes formed on the two film substrates, an adhesive resin structure that defines an interval between the two film substrates, and between the two film substrates The display element includes a sealing material provided between the two film substrates so as to surround the display area, and is located above the display element when viewed from the observation side. The display element to be overlaid The transparent material is cut at a portion of the sealing material, and the plurality of transparent electrodes are overlapped on the upper side of the display device when viewed from the observation side, and the display material and the sealing material at the edge of the display device A method of driving a multi-display element including a dummy electrode that is formed at least in part between and not related to display,
A method for driving a multi-display element, wherein a signal for transmitting the display material is applied to the dummy electrode during display.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display element 11 Multi display element 12 Overall control part 13 Communication path 21 Upper side board 22 Liquid crystal layer 23 Lower side board 24 Upper side electrode 25 Lower side electrode 26 Sealing material 27 Light absorption layer 37 Control circuit 38 Common driver 39 Segment driver

Claims (7)

A multi-display element comprising a plurality of connected display elements, wherein the plurality of display elements form a larger display screen than the display screen of each display element,
The multi-display element, wherein the plurality of display elements are connected so that edges of the adjacent display elements overlap so that display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other.   The multi-display element according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display elements have flexibility.   The multi-display element according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display elements are reflective display elements.   The multi-display element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an edge of the display element that is superimposed on an upper side of the adjacent display element as viewed from the observation side is transparent.   The display element includes two film substrates, a plurality of transparent electrodes formed on the two film substrates, an adhesive resin structure that defines an interval between the two film substrates, and the two sheets. And a display material filled between the film substrates. 5. The multi-display element according to claim 1. A multi-display element comprising a plurality of connected display elements, wherein the plurality of display elements form a larger display screen than the display screen of each display element;
A multi-display device comprising: an overall control unit that controls display of the multi-display element;
The plurality of display elements are connected so that edges of the adjacent display elements overlap so that display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other.
The overall control unit divides an entire image to be displayed in correspondence with display areas of the plurality of display elements, and displays divided image data corresponding to the divided images on the plurality of corresponding display elements, respectively. A multi-display device characterized in that A plurality of connected display elements, wherein the plurality of display elements form a large display screen larger than the display screen of each display element, and the display areas of the adjacent display elements are adjacent to each other in the plurality of display elements; The edges of the adjacent display elements are overlapped and connected to each other, and the edge of the display element that is overlaid on the upper side of the adjacent display elements is transparent when viewed from the observation side. Two film substrates, a plurality of transparent electrodes formed on the two film substrates, an adhesive resin structure that defines an interval between the two film substrates, and between the two film substrates The display element includes a sealing material provided between the two film substrates so as to surround the display area, and is located above the display element when viewed from the observation side. The display element to be overlaid The transparent material is cut at a portion of the sealing material, and the plurality of transparent electrodes are overlapped on the upper side of the display device when viewed from the observation side, and the display material and the sealing material at the edge of the display device A method of driving a multi-display element including a dummy electrode that is formed at least in part between and not related to display,
A method for driving a multi-display element, wherein a signal for transmitting the display material is applied to the dummy electrode during display.

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