JPH0772465A - Superimposed display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable superimposed display having modulation and to eliminate display of unnecessary parts. CONSTITUTION:This superimposed display has high polymer dispersed liquid crystals 43, 44 which are held between first and second transparent electrodes 42 and 48, third transparent electrodes 4 which are held between these high polymer dispersed liquid crystals and the first transparent electrodes and have the parts bored to the same shapes as the respective shapes of display patterns and a transparent insulating layer 46 which is held between the third transparent electrodes and the first transparent electrodes and insulate therebetween. The high polymer dispersed liquid crystals having a high contrast ratio and high light transmittance which are the characteristics of these liquid crystals are used as the liquid crystal materials. The third transparent electrodes having the effect of preventing viewing of wiring patterns turned around from the first transparent electrodes to the outer peripheral part are disposed between the first and second transparent electrodes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a display device for superimposing pictures, characters, etc. on a viewfinder image of a still camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a liquid crystal device for superimposing display, there are various liquid crystal devices using a guest-host type liquid crystal material and those using a twisted nematic type liquid crystal material and a polarizing plate. Proposed.

[0003]

A problem with superimpose display using a guest-host type liquid crystal material is that the ratio of the amount of transmitted light between the transparent state and the non-transmissive state of light,
That is, the contrast ratio is small.

As a result, when the light transmittance in the transmissive state is required to a certain extent or more, a considerable amount of light is transmitted even in the non-transmissive state, and the blurring in both states disappears. . On the other hand, in order to create a clear light-shielding state in the non-transmissive state, the light transmittance in the transmissive state is relatively reduced, and even a portion that does not require superimposing becomes only a dim state.

Problems with superimpose display using a twisted-manetic type liquid crystal material include:
Since the polarizing plates are required on both end faces of the liquid crystal material, the light transmittance is theoretically 50% or less. Since it has an advantage of a large contrast ratio, it has a good light-shielding property in the non-transmissive state, but has a problem that the brightness in the transmissive state cannot be increased above a certain amount.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a superimpose display device which enables superimposed display with a sharp fit and eliminates the display of unnecessary portions. .

[0007]

The present invention is directed to a polymer dispersed liquid crystal sandwiched between first and second transparent electrodes, and a display pattern sandwiched between the polymer dispersed liquid crystal and the first transparent electrode. A third transparent electrode having a hollowed out portion having the same shape as each of them, and a transparent insulating layer sandwiched between the third transparent electrode and the first transparent electrode and insulating between them, and , A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second transparent electrodes, and the first transparent electrode has a wiring pattern to the outer peripheral portion. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal that can be made thin enough for the thickness of the dispersed liquid crystal and realizes a bright superimposed display with abundant accumulation by making full use of its characteristics of high contrast ratio and high light transmittance. And the first and second Between the transparent electrode is provided with a third transparent electrode which has a function for so as not to visually recognize the drawn wiring pattern to the outer periphery than the first transparent electrode,
Alternatively, the wiring pattern that is spread from the first transparent electrode to the outer peripheral portion is formed into a shape that is sufficiently thin with respect to the thickness of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a superimposing display device using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is used in a viewfinder of a single-lens reflex camera.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a taking lens, 2 is a main mirror, 3 is a focusing plate, 4 is a liquid crystal plate made of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material for superimposing, 5 is a visual field mask, and 6 is A penta prism, 7 is an eyepiece lens, and 8 is a drive circuit for driving the liquid crystal plate 4.

The photographing light flux that has passed through the photographing lens 1 forms an image on the matte surface on the upper surface side of the focusing plate 3 at a position equivalent to the film surface. The photographer confirms the subject image formed on the matte surface through the eyepiece lens 7.

At this time, since the image viewed by the photographer is viewed through the liquid crystal plate 4 arranged near the matte surface, a subject image can be confirmed in the transparent state of the liquid crystal plate 4. Regarding the portion where the light is scattered by the liquid crystal plate 4 and the light is not transmitted, the photographer cannot see the subject image, and it is recognized as a black light-shielded state. If the transparent electrodes provided on both sides of the liquid crystal plate 4 are properly wired and the wires are twisted so as to form a picture, characters, etc. in a portion to which a voltage is not applied, a finder image viewed by the photographer will be displayed. A black picture and letters are raised, and superimpose can be realized.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a superimposed display of a viewfinder for a single-lens reflex camera.

In FIG. 2, for example, a transparent electrode of the same shape is formed on the glass surface with indium oxide, and a transparent electrode is formed on the entire glass surface with indium oxide on the opposite surface. The liquid crystal plate 4 for superimposing is constituted by sandwiching and enclosing the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal in the space between the two.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the liquid crystal plate 4.

In FIG. 3, 31 and 36 are transparent substrates made of glass or the like for enclosing a liquid crystal material, and 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes a transparent electrode made of indium oxide or the like formed on the transparent substrate 31, and seg1 to se as shown in FIG.
It is divided into 15 segments of g15. Each segment is electrically insulated from each other, and because it is necessary to apply a voltage from the outside, all the segments are wired so as to extend to the outer peripheral portion as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a transparent electrode made of indium oxide or the like formed on the transparent substrate 36, which has no special pattern and is formed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate 36. Three
3, 34 are constituent elements of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material,
Is a polymer substance, and 33 is a liquid crystal particle contained in the polymer substance 34. 37 is a drive circuit.

In FIG. 3, the drive circuit 37 is shown as one circuit for one segment, but the transparent electrode 32 is actually divided into 15 segments, and as shown in FIG. It is possible to apply a voltage to each of them via SW15 or not to apply a voltage as required.

Next, the superimposing operation and the voltage application state will be described according to the actual operating state of the camera.

<When the flash of the camera is being charged> FIG. 2
An AC electric field is applied to all other segments, leaving the segment seg5 in. That is, as shown in FIG.
Only switch SW5 is turned off, and other switches SW1
Turn on 4, 6 to 15. As a result, the segment se
Only the pattern of the portion g5 is scattered by the liquid crystal plate 4 to be in an opaque state and floats black.

<When the red-eye reducing lamp of the camera is on> The segment seg6 in FIG. 2 is left, and an AC electric field is applied to all other segments. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, only the switch SW6 is turned off and the other switches S
W1-5 and 7-15 are turned on. As a result, only the pattern of the segment seg 6 is scattered by the liquid crystal plate 4 to be in a non-transmissive state and floats black.

<When Camera Takes Panorama Image> FIG. 2
Segments seg8, seg9, seg10,
An AC electric field is applied to the seven segments of seg11, seg12, seg3, and seg14, and no AC electric field is applied to the other eight segments. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the switches SW1, SW2, SW4 to SW6 and SW13 are turned off, and the switches SW8 to 12, SW3 and SW15 are turned on. As a result, a finder image can be obtained in which only the panoramic screen shooting screen is visible.

<When the camera is taking a panoramic image and the flash is being charged> The segment seg in FIG.
8, seg9, seg10, seg11, seg12,
An alternating electric field is applied to the eight segments of seg3, seg14, and seg5, and no alternating electric field is applied to the other seven segments. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the switches SW1 and SW
2, SW4, SW6, SW13, SW15 are turned off, and switches SW8-12, SW3, SW14, SW5
Turn on. As a result, the charging-up display at the upper left of the portion where the upper and lower portions are shielded to provide a panoramic image capturing screen is visible.

Comparing FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the display during charging of the strobe is white / black inverted, but there is no problem in use in that the photographer can recognize the display during charging of the strobe.

<When Displaying the Photometric Area of Partial Photometry> The segment seg10 in FIG. 2 is left, and an AC electric field is applied to all the other segments. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, only the switch SW10 is turned off and the other switches SW10 are turned off.
1 to 9 and SW11 to 15 are turned on. As a result, only the portion of the segment seg10 is scattered by the liquid crystal plate 4 to be in an opaque state and floats black. However, in this case, although the area for displaying the partial metering is present in the center of the screen (segment seg10a), since the voltage needs to be applied from the outside as described above, the unnecessary wiring portion (segment seg10b) is also at the same time. You will be able to see it.

<Displaying Focused Positions of Multipoint Distance Measurement> For example, when the leftmost distance measurement area of the 5-point distance measurement is in focus, the segment seg8 in FIG. An alternating electric field is applied to the segment. That is, only the switch SW8 is turned off, and the other switches SW1 to SW7, SW9
Turn on ~ 15. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, light is scattered by the liquid crystal plate only in the segment seg8 to be in the non-transmissive state and floats up in black. However, in this case as well, the segment seg
Not only 8a, but also an unnecessary wiring portion (segment seg 8b) is visible at the same time.

As described above, also for other segments, if the voltage application state is appropriately changed by the same method, the photographer can recognize it in either black or white state.

The other segments will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The segment seg4 is an over-exposure warning display, the segment seg7 is an under-exposure warning display, and the segment seg9 is a focus position for multi-point distance measurement. The in-focus position mark, segment seg11 is the in-focus position for multi-point distance measurement, and the in-focus position mark is slightly to the right, and the segment seg12 is the right-most in-focus position mark, segment seg13 in the in-focus position for multi-point distance measurement. Is a confirmation mark of the date imprinting position, segment seg14 is a confirmation mark of the date imprinting position (in the case of panoramic photography), and segment seg15 is a warning display when the camera is in an abnormal state and the release is impossible.

The above segments seg4 to seg7
As for the display pattern, the wiring is required to spread the wiring from each segment to the outer peripheral portion as shown in FIG. 10, but this does not look good, so the display pattern is designed as shown in FIG. By taking the above measures (changing the pattern shape, attaching to the outer periphery, etc.), we are not aware of the loose wiring to the outer periphery.

When an AC voltage is applied, the other end of the AC voltage is applied to the transparent electrode located on the opposite side, that is, the transparent electrode 35 formed on the transparent substrate 36 in FIG.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent the voltage from being applied to both ends of the electrode in order to make it impermeable, the electrode side having the pattern is configured to be opened and closed by using a switch. Can be replaced with a semiconductor switch instead of a mechanical switch to operate, and the same voltage is positively applied between both electrodes to realize an opaque state. It can also be realized.

In this embodiment, the wiring for applying a voltage from the outside is visible in order to drive the display area in the center of the screen as described above. It is possible to make the wiring invisible by sufficiently thinning. If the wiring (the width of the wiring) is thin enough to the thickness of the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal on the lower surface of the wiring will be affected by the electrode adjacent to the wiring for loosening, so an AC electric field is applied to this electrode. If so, the pattern of the wiring for loosening is not visually recognized.

This state is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 11, 31 and 36 are transparent substrates made of glass or the like for enclosing a liquid crystal material,
Reference numeral 32 is a transparent electrode formed on the transparent substrate 31.
Reference numeral 2b is a wiring for loosening, and 32a and 32c are electrodes adjacent to the wiring 32b. Reference numeral 35 is a transparent electrode formed on the transparent substrate 36. Reference numerals 33 and 34 are constituent elements of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material, 34 is a polymer substance, and 33 is liquid crystal particles contained in the polymer substance 34. As above, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 11, the electrodes 32a, 32
Since the electric field applied to c affects the liquid crystal on the lower surface of the electrode 32b forming the wiring due to the shunt, the electric field is applied to the entire liquid crystal as a result, and the wiring pattern of the gap is visually recognized. That can be avoided.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a structure for more positively showing the wiring pattern of the stirrup will be described below as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a structure of a liquid crystal plate for superimposing display using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 12, 41 and 47 are transparent substrates made of glass or the like for enclosing a liquid crystal material,
Reference numeral 42 denotes a transparent electrode made of indium oxide or the like formed on the transparent substrate 41, and the transparent electrode 42 is formed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate 41 without any special pattern. 43,4
Reference numeral 4 is a component of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material, 44 is a polymer substance, and 43 is liquid crystal particles contained in the polymer substance 44. Reference numeral 48 denotes a transparent electrode made of indium oxide or the like formed on the transparent substrate 47, which is divided based on the pattern to be displayed. 46 is a transparent insulating layer made of silicon oxide or the like. Reference numeral 45 is a transparent electrode made of indium oxide or the like formed on the transparent insulating layer 46, which is also divided based on the pattern to be displayed.

A liquid crystal plate for superimposing is constructed by laminating the constituent members 41 to 47 constructed as described above in a sandwich form.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a superimpose display of a viewfinder for a single-lens reflex camera,
For the sake of convenience, in FIG. 13 showing the all-lighted state, 50 is the focus position mark on the leftmost side of the focus position for multi-point distance measurement, 51 is the focus position for multi-point distance measurement, and is slightly left from the center. Focusing position mark, reference numeral 52 is a multi-point distance measuring central position mark and partial measurement area mark, reference numeral 53 is a focus position for multi-point distance measuring, and a focus position mark slightly to the right from the center. The rightmost focusing position mark in each position is meant.

In order to realize FIG. 13, first, the transparent electrode 4
5 is formed in the shape shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, a portion shown by cross hatching is formed as a transparent electrode,
No electrodes are formed in the portions corresponding to the position marks 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, respectively, and they are formed in a hole shape. In the hole-shaped portions, 55 corresponds to the position mark 50, 56 corresponds to the position mark 51, 57 corresponds to the position mark 52, 58 corresponds to the position mark 53, and 59.
Corresponds to the position mark 54.

In order to realize the pattern of FIG. 13, the transparent electrode 48 is formed in the shape shown in FIG. That is, the electrodes 60, 61, 62, 6 are provided at the portions corresponding to the position marks 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, respectively.
3, 64 are formed. For convenience of applying a voltage from the outside, each of the electrodes has a shape in which the electrodes are spread evenly to the outer peripheral portion as shown in FIG.

Next, the superimposing operation and the voltage application state according to the actual operating state of the camera will be described.

<When Displaying Partial Metering Area> FIG. 12
An alternating electric field is applied between the transparent electrode 42 and the transparent electrode 45 in FIG. Further, regarding the transparent electrode 48 formed on the transparent substrate 47, the electrode 62 shown in FIG. 15 is left, and each of the electrodes 60, 61, 63, 64 shown in FIG. 15 and the transparent electrode 42 shown in FIG. An alternating electric field is applied between. The electrode 62 shown in FIG. 15 has the same potential as the transparent electrode 42 shown in FIG. The above situation is shown in FIG.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, in the central portion of the finder, a circular area for partial photometry is scattered by the liquid crystal plate, becomes non-transmissive, and appears black.

In FIG. 17, the segment s which is an unnecessary portion due to the wiring for drawing out to the outer peripheral portion as seen in FIG. 8 when the partial photometric area is displayed in the above-mentioned embodiment.
There is an advantage that the egg 10b is not visually recognized. The reason why the drawn-out portion is not visible is that the transparent electrode 45 shown in FIG. 16 is further present in this second embodiment on the wiring of the drawn-out which was seen in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the transparent electrode on the opposite side to this transparent electrode 45 is transparent. Since an AC electric field is applied to the electrode 42, a voltage is constantly applied during this period regardless of the voltage applied to the transparent electrode 48 shown in FIG. Is. In FIG. 14, only the portions 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 that are hollowed out are opaque or transparent depending on the voltage applied to the lower transparent electrode. It is possible to change the state. Now, the electrode 62 shown in FIG. 16 is the transparent electrode 4
Since the potential is the same as that of 2, the shape of the hole-shaped portion 57 shown in FIG. 14 is a portion where the AC electric field is not applied as it is, and is visually recognized as a black portion by the photographer.

<When displaying the in-focus position of multi-point distance measurement> 5
When the leftmost distance measurement area of the point distance measurement is focused, an AC electric field is applied between the transparent electrode 42 and the transparent electrode 45 shown in FIG. 12 as in the case of displaying the partial light measurement area. In addition, the transparent electrode 4 formed on the transparent substrate 47
For electrode 8, the electrode 60 shown in FIG. 15 is left, and the electrodes 61, 62, 63 and 64 shown in FIG.
An alternating electric field is applied to the transparent electrode 42 shown in FIG. Further, the electrode 60 shown in FIG. 15 is the transparent electrode 42 shown in FIG.
And the same electric potential. The above situation is shown in FIG.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the area of the leftmost distance measuring point among the distance measuring points in the finder becomes black due to the scattering of light by the liquid crystal plate and becomes black. Also in this case, since an AC electric field is applied between the transparent electrode 45 and the transparent electrode 42 on the opposite side in FIG. 18, unnecessary portions due to the wiring for drawing out to the outer peripheral portion are not visually recognized and are clean. Superimpose display can be realized.

If the voltage application state is changed in the same manner for other display parts by the above-described method, it is possible to display the portion of the lead line to the outer peripheral portion without the photographer visually recognizing it. Is.

Also in this embodiment, a mechanical switch is used to change the state of voltage application, but it goes without saying that a semiconductor switch may be substituted for the operation.

According to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, since the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is used as the liquid crystal material for superimposing display, the characteristics thereof are high contrast ratio and high light transmittance. It is possible to make a bright superimpose display that takes advantage of.

In addition, the display pattern in the central portion (the wiring is made invisible even by devising the design) due to the peculiarity that it is in a transparent state when a voltage is applied, and disperses light in a non-transparent state when a voltage is not applied. In the case of a display pattern that cannot be displayed), there is a disadvantage that the pattern of the wiring can be seen to the outer peripheral portion, but the wiring pattern should be made fine enough, or as described in the second embodiment, transparent on one side. By using a three-layer structure of a transparent electrode, a transparent insulating material, and a transparent electrode as the electrode, it is possible to adopt a method in which a photographer does not visually recognize an unnecessary portion.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A polymer dispersed liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second transparent electrodes, and sandwiched between the polymer dispersed liquid crystal and the first transparent electrode,
A third transparent electrode having a hollowed out portion having the same shape as each of the display patterns, and a transparent insulating layer sandwiched between the third transparent electrode and the first transparent electrode and insulating between them. And a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second transparent electrodes, wherein the first transparent electrode has a wiring pattern that spreads to the outer periphery. A polymer that is thin enough to the thickness of polymer dispersed liquid crystal and that can realize a bright superimposed display with abundant accumulation by utilizing the high contrast ratio and high light transmittance that are its characteristics as a liquid crystal material. While using a dispersed liquid crystal, between the first and second transparent electrodes,
A third transparent electrode having a function of making the outer peripheral portion of the first transparent electrode invisible to the outside is provided, or the outer peripheral portion of the first transparent electrode is disposed to the outer peripheral portion. The pattern is made to have a shape sufficiently thin with respect to the thickness of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

Therefore, it is possible to display a superimposed display with a sharp touch and to eliminate the display of unnecessary portions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a superimpose display device using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material according to a first embodiment of the present invention when used in a viewfinder of a single-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a superimposed display on the liquid crystal plate of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the liquid crystal plate of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the liquid crystal plate of FIG. 1 during strobe charging.

5 is a diagram showing a state in which a red-eye reduction lamp is turned on in the liquid crystal plate of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a panoramic image pickup on the liquid crystal plate of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing strobe charging during panoramic photography on the liquid crystal plate of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a partial photometric region in the liquid crystal plate of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a focus position on the liquid crystal plate of FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a state before devising the design of each display pattern as shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining how a loosened wiring pattern is seen from each segment to the outer peripheral portion.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a structure of a liquid crystal plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a full lighting state when the liquid crystal plate of FIG. 12 is used in a viewfinder of a single-lens reflex camera.

14 is a diagram showing the shape of a transparent electrode 45 of FIG.

15 is a diagram showing the shape of the transparent electrode 48 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of voltage application in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example in the finder in the applied state of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another example of voltage application in the second embodiment of the present invention.

19 is a diagram showing a display example in the finder in the application state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Liquid crystal plate for superimposing composed of polymer dispersed liquid crystal material 8 Driving circuit 31, 36, 41, 47 Transparent substrate 32, 35, 42, 45 Transparent electrode 33, 43 Liquid crystal particle 34, 44 Polymer substance 46 Insulating layer 48 transparent electrode seg1 to seg15 segment SW1 to SW15 switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pair of transparent substrates, a first transparent electrode formed on one transparent substrate in the same shape as a display pattern that enables selective display, and an entire surface on the other transparent substrate. A second transparent electrode formed, and the first and second
Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal sandwiched between the transparent electrodes, and a third transparent electrode sandwiched between the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal and the first transparent electrode and having a portion hollowed out in the same shape as each of the display patterns. And a transparent insulating layer sandwiched between the third transparent electrode and the first transparent electrode and insulating between them. 2. A different potential is always applied to the second transparent electrode and the third transparent electrode, and a display pattern-shaped first transparent electrode is selected so as to be selected from the second transparent electrode. The same potential, and a different potential with respect to the second transparent electrode and the first transparent electrode having a non-selected display pattern shape,
The superimposing display device according to claim 1, further comprising drive voltage control means for applying each. 3. A pair of transparent substrates, a first transparent electrode formed on one transparent substrate in the same shape as a display pattern enabling selective display, and an entire surface on the other transparent substrate. A second transparent electrode formed, and the first and second
And a polymer dispersed liquid crystal sandwiched between the transparent electrodes, and the first transparent electrode has a wiring pattern to the outer peripheral portion, and the wiring pattern corresponds to the thickness of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal. The superimpose display device is characterized in that it has a sufficiently thin shape.