JPH11231804A - Liquid crystal display device and communication equipment using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To emphasize figures or the like by showing up color patterns only when necessary, by making them appear on the background in a semipenetrative semireflective liquid crystal display divide which displays nearly black characters, figures, or the like in normally white. SOLUTION: In a liquid crystal display device provided with a normally white type liquid crystal element, a semipenerative reflection plate 3a, a color filter part 4 which is arranged along the lower surface of the reflection plate 3a and forms first and second patterns, first light source 7a having a first emission wavelength, and a second light source 7b having a second emission wavelength, the second pattern is made to show up on the background of a display surface emphasize nearly black charters, figures, or the like by illuminating with the first emission wavelength at normal times and, when necessary, by lighting the second light source 7b having the second emission wavelength.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device which partially performs color display, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device which can be suitably used for a communication device such as a portable telephone and a communication device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, liquid crystal display devices include a transmissive type using a white light source or the like as a backlight, a reflective type which receives and reflects external light, and a transflective type provided with a translucent reflector. There is something. In order to perform full-color display and the like in these liquid crystal display devices, a color filter is mainly disposed on a liquid crystal side on a transparent substrate such as a glass on which a transparent electrode is formed. Has a function to separate visible light by a color filter and pass only certain colors. Further, even in the case of the reflection type, a color filter is similarly disposed on the liquid crystal side of a transparent substrate such as glass, and a color liquid crystal display device is obtained by performing color separation on light reflected from the reflection plate.

In such a color liquid crystal display device, a color filter is provided between the upper and lower liquid crystal substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer.
As compared with the case where the color filter layer is not provided, the manufacturing process tends to be complicated and the incidence of defective products tends to increase.

On the other hand, communication devices such as mobile phones and various indicating instruments do not require high-definition full-color display or the like in many cases and are partially colored. A relatively large pixel is used to display a graphic or the like. In the case of display using large pixels such as figures and characters, there is no obstacle due to parallax, and it is not necessary to provide a color filter between the upper and lower liquid crystal substrates as described above even when color display is to be performed. That is, providing a color filter outside the liquid crystal element simplifies the manufacture thereof and at the same time makes it possible to reduce the defective rate.

On the other hand, especially in a communication device such as a cellular phone, since it is used in any place such as a bright outdoor or dark room, a transflective type which can be used as a reflective type and a transmissive type is used. Is useful. In this transflective liquid crystal display device, a transflective reflector having transmissivity and reflectivity for visible light is disposed between a liquid crystal element and a light source.

As such a transflective liquid crystal device, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-54559, a concave portion is formed on a light guide plate outside the liquid crystal device and a color plate is provided. There are some that try to colorize.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-40858 describes a configuration in which a transreflector having a color region and a color foil are arranged for each liquid crystal cell outside a liquid crystal element including a liquid crystal cell having a plurality of rooms partitioned from each other. Have been.

In any of the liquid crystal display devices described in these publications, the light-shielded state is set as the background color of visible light display by light-shielding by a liquid crystal element, light-shielding by a front panel, and the like. And so on,
This allows uniform coloring of displayed characters, figures, and the like. That is, when there is no color plate or color area, these liquid crystal display devices have a normally black state in which visible light is blocked, and a normally black state in which characters and figures are displayed in a substantially white state by transmission of visible light is used as a background. It is a type. As described above, even in a transflective liquid crystal display device, in order to perform color display, it is easier to provide a color filter and the like outside the liquid crystal element, and the occurrence of defects can be reduced.

[0008]

As described above, all of the liquid crystal display devices exemplified in the above publications are for uniformly coloring displayed characters, figures, and the like. For this reason, even if a normally white liquid crystal element that displays characters, figures, and the like in a substantially black state by blocking the visible light with a substantially white state due to transmission of visible light as a background color is used, even if a liquid crystal element outside the liquid crystal element is used. By installing the color plate on the background, only those that can color the background color uniformly can be obtained.

In the case where a color filter having a pattern shape large enough to be visually recognized is used, even if the color filter is simply disposed outside the liquid crystal substrate or polarizing plate of a normally white type liquid crystal element, Even when the transmitted light is shielded by the layer, the pattern shape and the outer shape of the color filter layer may be seen through, and not only the appearance is poor but also the display is confusing. The phenomenon in which the color filter layer can be seen through when the color filter layer is disposed outside the liquid crystal element is caused by a case where a liquid crystal substrate having anisotropic optical refractive index is used or a case where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is small. And so on when the contrast ratio is low, particularly in a film liquid crystal device using a film as a liquid crystal substrate. It is important for a display device to eliminate the adverse effects caused by seeing through the color filter layer, but no effective means has been found at present.

On the other hand, in a small communication device such as a mobile phone,
Since the display surface using the liquid crystal display device is also small,
The display becomes effective if the display of each character or figure can be intuitively recognized in a short time. Therefore, in order to emphasize the display of each character, figure, etc., if it is possible to emphasize the display of each character, figure, etc. using a specific color pattern without confusing it, it is practically excellent. Become. However, at present, a communication device having a display function capable of optimizing such display has not yet been proposed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transflective liquid crystal display device in which a color filter is arranged outside a liquid crystal element and which can be easily manufactured. A liquid crystal display device capable of highlighting a character or figure on a normally white type display surface by emphasizing the color or pattern on the background of the character or figure only when necessary so that the character or figure can be emphasized. To provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication device or the like capable of emphasizing characters, graphics, and the like by displaying a predetermined color pattern on the background only when necessary.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention uses a substantially white state due to the transmission of visible light as a background color and a substantially black state due to the shielding of the visible light. A normally white type liquid crystal element for displaying the like, and a semi-transmissive reflector, having different transmission characteristics along the lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflector opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal element. A first light source having a first emission wavelength on a side surface or a lower surface of a light guide plate provided with an upper surface close to the color filter portion as an illumination device; A second pattern having at least a second light source having a second emission wavelength different from the first emission wavelength, wherein the first pattern in which the color filter section exhibits high transmission characteristics with respect to the first emission wavelength; Characterized in that it is constituted by a second pattern together indicating a high transmission characteristic with respect to 1 emission wavelength and said second emission wavelength.

In addition, a normally white type thin transparent substrate such as a polymer film is used which displays characters, figures, etc. in a substantially black state by shielding the visible light with a substantially white state due to the transmission of visible light as a background color. A liquid crystal element, a transmissive reflection plate capable of transmitting and reflecting visible light and a scattering plate for scattering visible light in order, and a lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflection plate opposite to a surface facing the liquid crystal element A first light source having a first emission wavelength on a side surface of a light guide plate provided with an upper surface close to the color filter portion as an illuminating device; A second light source having a second emission wavelength different from the first emission wavelength is arranged on a lower surface of the light plate, and the color filter section has a first pattern exhibiting high transmission characteristics with respect to the first emission wavelength, and at least a first pattern. A second pattern having high transmission characteristics with respect to both the first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength, and a reflection layer having an opening in a shape close to the second pattern on the lower surface of the light guide plate; The second light source may be arranged on the lower surface of the opening.

With such a configuration, by combining the liquid crystal element, the color filter section, and the plurality of light sources, the second light source is turned on only when necessary, so that the display of the second pattern having a color different from the surroundings is performed. Will be possible. Further, the color filter portion on which the predetermined pattern is formed is provided along the surface on the side opposite to the side where the semi-transmissive reflector faces the liquid crystal layer, and
Since both the pattern and the second pattern can transmit the first emission wavelength, the second pattern and the like of the color filter portion can be seen through even if the contrast ratio of a liquid crystal element or the like using a film substrate is relatively low. Therefore, the first pattern can be displayed in color by turning on the first light source regardless of whether or not the external light and the second light source are turned on.

Here, the color filter portion is 520 nm
A first pattern exhibiting high transmission characteristics for a first emission wavelength in the range of not more than 600 nm and at least 520 nm;
In the case where the second emission wavelength of less than 600 nm or more than 600 nm and the second pattern showing high transmission characteristics with respect to the first emission wavelength, the surrounding background color is changed to the first emission wavelength such as green or yellow. As a non-existent color, only the display color of the second pattern to be emphasized can be red or blue, and the emphasis effect can be easily obtained sensuously, and the coloring effect can be clarified. For this purpose, a light emitting diode having a first emission wavelength in the range of 520 nm to 600 nm is used as the first light source, and at least 520 nm is used as the second light source.
It can be easily manufactured using a light emitting diode having a second emission wavelength of less than or greater than 600 nm.

Further, a communication apparatus according to the present invention uses the above-mentioned liquid crystal display device, wherein a background of a display surface of the liquid crystal display device can be almost uniformly illuminated by turning on a first light source, and The second light source can be turned on when an incoming call or a specific operation is indicated, and only when the second light source is turned on, the second pattern based on the second emission wavelength is used as a background of substantially black characters or figures on the display surface. The system is characterized by including a system that can appear.

In such a communication device, it is possible to easily use characters or graphics by highlighting a predetermined color pattern on the background of the display surface only when necessary.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is a normally white type of displaying characters and figures in a substantially black state by blocking the visible light with a substantially white state by transmitting visible light as a background color. A color including a liquid crystal element and a semi-transmissive reflector, and a predetermined pattern having different transmission characteristics formed along a lower surface of the semi-transparent reflector opposite to a surface facing the liquid crystal element; A first light source having a first emission wavelength is different from at least the first emission wavelength on a side surface or a lower surface of a light guide plate provided with a filter unit and having an upper surface close to the color filter unit as a lighting device. A second light source having a second emission wavelength is disposed, and the color filter unit has a first pattern exhibiting high transmission characteristics with respect to the first emission wavelength, and at least the first pattern and the second emission wavelength. A liquid crystal display device constituted by a second pattern together exhibits high transmission properties and.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a normally white type liquid crystal element, a semi-transmissive reflector, a color filter having a plurality of specific transmission characteristics, and a plurality of specific light sources having different emission wavelengths are provided. Is combined as described above, regardless of whether the external light or the first light source is turned on or not.
By turning on the second light source only when necessary, it is possible to display a second pattern different in color from the surrounding first pattern as a background of characters, figures, and the like to be displayed. The color filter portion on which the predetermined pattern is formed is provided along the surface on the side opposite to the side where the semi-transmissive reflection plate faces the liquid crystal layer, and both the first pattern and the second pattern transmit the first emission wavelength. Therefore, when the second light source is turned off, the second pattern and the like of the color filter portion are not seen through from the display surface side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a normally white type polymer film or the like which displays characters, figures, and the like in a substantially black state by blocking the visible light with a substantially white state due to the transmission of visible light as a background color. A liquid crystal element using a thin transparent substrate, and a transmissive reflection plate capable of transmitting and reflecting visible light and a scattering plate for scattering visible light are sequentially provided, and the surface facing the liquid crystal element is opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal element. A color filter portion is arranged along the scattering plate on the lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflection plate, and a first light-emitting wavelength having a first emission wavelength on a side surface of a light guide plate provided with the upper surface close to the color filter portion as an illumination device. One light source and a second light source having a second emission wavelength different from the first emission wavelength are arranged at least on the lower surface of the light guide plate, and the color filter section exhibits high transmission characteristics with respect to the first emission wavelength. 1st putter When, a shows a high transmission characteristic both with respect to at least said first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength 2
A liquid crystal display device comprising a pattern, a reflection layer having an opening in a shape close to the second pattern on the lower surface of the light guide plate, and the second light source arranged on the lower surface of the opening.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a normally white type liquid crystal element using a thin transparent substrate such as a polymer film, a semi-transmission plate and a scattering plate, and a plurality of color filters having specific transmission characteristics Part, a light guide plate having an opening in the reflective layer, and a combination of a plurality of specific light sources having different emission wavelengths as described above, regardless of whether external light or the first light source is turned on, when necessary. Only the lighting of the second light source has an effect that the display of the second pattern different in color from the surrounding first pattern can be clarified as the background of the displayed character or graphic. Further, the color filter portion on which the predetermined pattern is formed is provided along the surface on the side opposite to the side where the semi-transmissive reflector faces the liquid crystal layer,
Since both the first pattern and the second pattern can transmit the first emission wavelength, the second pattern of the color filter portion can be seen through even if the contrast ratio of a film liquid crystal element or the like is relatively low. Has the effect that there is no.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the color filter section has a first pattern exhibiting a high transmission characteristic with respect to a first emission wavelength in a range of 520 nm to 600 nm.
3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display device is constituted by a second pattern having at least a second light emission wavelength of less than 520 nm or more than 600 nm and a high transmittance characteristic with respect to the first light emission wavelength.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the surrounding background color is set to the first emission wavelength as a color such as green or yellow without a sense of incongruity.
Only the display color of the second pattern to be emphasized can be red or blue, so that the emphasis effect can be easily obtained sensuously, and the coloring effect can be clarified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a light emitting diode having a first emission wavelength in a range of 520 nm to 600 nm is used as the first light source, and at least a second light emission of less than 520 nm or more than 600 nm is used as a second light source. 3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting diode having a wavelength is used.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the surrounding background color is set to the first emission wavelength as a color such as green or yellow without a sense of incongruity.
Only the display color of the second pattern to be emphasized can be red or blue, so that the effect of enhancing the feeling can be easily obtained and the coloring effect can be clarified. Have.

The invention according to claim 5 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 4
Wherein the background of the display surface of the liquid crystal display device can be almost uniformly illuminated by turning on the first light source, and the second light source is used when a specific incoming call or a specific operation is indicated. And a liquid crystal display device including a system in which a second pattern based on a second emission wavelength can appear on a background of substantially black characters or figures on the display surface only when the second light source is turned on. The communication equipment used.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an effect that it is possible to emphasize a character, a graphic, or the like by making a predetermined color pattern stand out only when necessary on the background.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a liquid crystal element is an upper transparent electrode 1.
A liquid crystal layer 1e is sandwiched between the upper transparent substrate 1a on which the lower transparent electrode 1d is formed and the lower transparent substrate 1b on which the lower transparent electrode 1d is formed. An upper polarizer 2a is formed on the upper transparent substrate 1a. A lower polarizing plate 2b is provided below 1d so that transmission and blocking of light can be controlled. In other words, a normally white liquid crystal element displays characters, figures, and the like in a substantially black state by blocking visible light with a substantially white state due to transmission of visible light as a background color.

It is to be noted that a spacer material for keeping the thickness in the liquid crystal layer 1e constant, an alignment layer for making the liquid crystal material uniform, and the like can be used, and the upper and lower polarizing plates 2a and 2b are provided on only one side. May be used.

The illustrated example is a transflective liquid crystal display device having a transflective plate 3a on the lower surface of a liquid crystal element, whereby a display by reflected light from the outside and a light source as a backlight are provided. The display using transmitted light is compatible. The first pattern 5a made of a colored layer such as a green color and a transparent resin layer that is transparent with visible light are provided along the lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflector 3a opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal element. A color filter portion 4 having a different transmission characteristic in which a predetermined pattern such as a second pattern 5b is formed on a supporting base material 5c is arranged.

In such a configuration, as the illumination device, a light guide plate 6 having an upper surface close to the color filter portion 4 and having a rough reflection / scattering portion on the lower surface is used, and a 525 nm-thick light guide plate is provided on the side surface. The first having one emission wavelength G
A green light emitting diode as the light source 7a, and a second light emitting diode having a second light emitting wavelength R of 660 nm having a different light emitting wavelength on the lower surface thereof.
A red light emitting diode is arranged as the light source 7b.

Here, the color filter section 4 includes a first pattern 5a of green or the like exhibiting a high transmittance of 50% or more with respect to the first emission wavelength G, and the first emission wavelength G and the second emission wavelength R The light emission luminance of the light source and the transmittance of the color filter portion with respect to the wavelength of light are shown in FIG. Shown in the graph.

As shown in FIG. 2, the peak of the luminance of the first light source, such as green, is 520 nm, which is the first emission wavelength G.
The first pattern 5a has a high transmittance, but the first pattern 5a hardly transmits light at the peak of luminance of the second light source such as red, that is, at the second emission wavelength R of 660 nm. On the other hand, the second pattern 5b, which is the portion where the colored layer is not formed, shows high transmittance at both the luminance peak of the first light source and the luminance peak of the second light source.

In such a case, the display state of the liquid crystal display device as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D is obtained. That is, when only the first light source 7a is turned on to generate transmitted light of only the first emission wavelength G such as green, the first pattern 5
a, the second pattern 5b and the semi-transmissive reflection plate 3a all transmit the first emission wavelength G, and the display surface of the liquid crystal display device has a uniform green or other background as shown in FIG. Color appears. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3B, characters, figures, and the like can be displayed in a substantially black state by shielding light as a normal normally white type. Next, the first light source 7a
When the second light source 7b is turned on to generate the transmitted light of the second emission wavelength R such as red regardless of the lighting of the first pattern 5a, the first pattern 5a hardly transmits the second emission wavelength R, Only the two patterns transmit the second emission wavelength R, pass through the semi-transmissive reflector 3a, and as shown in FIG. 3C, the second pattern 5b recognized as red or the like on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device. Emerges in the background. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3D, when displaying characters, figures, and the like in a substantially black state by blocking light, only the background of the substantially black characters indicated by Y in the figure is a red circle. It can be a pattern or the like, and the character portion of Y can be emphasized. In this case, not only characters but also figures indicating the communication state and the remaining battery level can be emphasized by the background color pattern without impairing the display of the almost black figures. Therefore, only when necessary, the second light source 7b
The second pattern 5 whose color is different from its surroundings by the lighting of
b can be displayed, and characters, figures, and the like can be emphasized by displaying a predetermined color pattern on the background only when necessary.

In the above liquid crystal display device, the presence of the semi-transmissive reflection plate 3a prevents the pattern of the color filter portion 4 from being seen through on the display surface, and the light emission luminance of the second light source 7b is high. Even when light is incident from the outside or the first light source 7a is turned on, a clear display of the second pattern 5b with the second emission wavelength R can be obtained on the display surface. However, here, the second pattern 5b only needs to have a pattern shape that emerges on the display surface and be transparent with visible light, and it is not necessary to use a transparent resin layer or the like. It may be a non-formed portion.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, if the liquid crystal element, the color filter portion, and the lighting device are separately manufactured, they can be integrally formed, and thus the structure can be easily manufactured. It has become.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The liquid crystal element in the illustrated example is called a film liquid crystal element, and includes an upper transparent substrate 1a and a lower transparent substrate 1b using a thin transparent substrate such as a polymer film, and an upper transparent electrode 1c and a lower transparent electrode 1d. , A liquid crystal layer 1e, an upper polarizing plate 2a, a lower polarizing plate 2b, and the like. Characters, figures, and the like are displayed in a substantially black state by blocking the visible light with a substantially white state due to transmission of visible light as a background color. It is a normally white liquid crystal element. A semi-transmissive reflector 3a capable of transmitting and reflecting visible light and a scattering plate 3b for scattering visible light are sequentially provided on the lower surface of the liquid crystal element, and display by reflected light from outside and transmitted light from backlight are provided. And a transflective structure capable of displaying by the A first pattern 5a made of a green colored layer or the like and a second pattern 5d made of a yellow colored layer or the like and having a heart-like shape are provided along the scattering plate 3b on the opposite side to the surface facing the liquid crystal element. And the like, and the color filter section 4 composed of the above is arranged directly.

As an illumination device, an upper surface of the color filter portion 4 is provided in proximity to the color filter portion 4 and a lower surface thereof is provided with a reflection layer 8a having an opening 8b in a shape close to a heart shape of the second pattern 5d. The light plate 6 is arranged. On the side surface of the light guide plate 6, for example, a yellow-green light emitting diode is disposed as a first light source 7 a having a first emission wavelength YG of 565 nm of yellow green, and on the lower surface of the opening 8 c of the light guide plate 6, a red 6
A red light emitting diode is arranged as the second light source 7b having the second emission wavelength R of 60 nm.

In the second embodiment described above, the color filter section 4 includes the first pattern 5a of green or the like exhibiting a high transmittance of 50% or more with respect to the first emission wavelength YG and the first pattern 5a.
In the case where the light emission wavelength YG and the second light emission wavelength R are both composed of the second pattern 5d such as yellow which shows a high transmittance of 50% or more, the light emission luminance and the color of the light source with respect to the light wavelength. The transmittance of the filter unit is as shown in the graph of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first light source 7 of yellow-green or the like is provided.
56, which is the peak of the luminance of a, that is, the first emission wavelength YG.
Although the first pattern 5a has a high transmittance at 5 nm, the first pattern 5a hardly transmits light at 660 nm which is the peak of the luminance of the second light source 7b such as red, that is, the second emission wavelength R. On the other hand, the second pattern 5d shows high transmittance at both the luminance peak of the first light source 7a and the luminance peak of the second light source 7b. This first light source 7
At 565 nm, which is the peak of the luminance of a, the first yellow-green pattern 5a and the second yellow pattern 5d both show substantially the same transmittance, and the first light source 7a is turned on to determine the first emission wavelength YG. Even when using transmitted light,
The shape of the second pattern 5d is not seen through on the display surface.

In the case of such a relationship between the light emission luminance of the light source and the transmittance of the color filter portion, the display states of the liquid crystal display device as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D are obtained. That is, when only the first light source 7a is turned on to generate transmitted light of only the first emission wavelength YG such as yellowish green, the first pattern 5a, the second pattern 5d, and the semi-transmissive reflector 3a are all the first. After transmitting the emission wavelength YG, a background color such as yellow-green appears uniformly on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device as shown in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6B, characters, figures, and the like can be displayed in a substantially black state by blocking light as a normal normally white type. Next, regardless of whether the first light source 7a is turned on or not, when the second light source 7b is turned on to generate the transmitted light of the second emission wavelength R such as red, the second emission wavelength is set to the first pattern 5a. The second pattern 5d hardly transmits, and only the second pattern 5d transmits the second emission wavelength, passes through the semi-transmissive reflector, and is recognized as red or the like on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device as shown in FIG. The second pattern 5d emerges in the background. In this state, FIG.
(D), when displaying characters, figures, and the like in a substantially black state due to light shielding, only the background of the substantially black characters indicated by YYY in the figure should be a red heart-shaped pattern or the like. And the meaning of the displayed characters can be emphasized. In this case, not only characters, but also figures indicating the communication state and the remaining battery level can be emphasized with the background color pattern without deteriorating the substantially black figure display. Therefore, the second light source 7b is turned on only when necessary, so that the second light source 7b is different in color from its surroundings.
The pattern 5d can be displayed, and a color predetermined pattern can be made to appear on the background only when necessary, thereby emphasizing characters and figures and displaying functions.

Further, since the semi-transmissive reflection plate 3a exists, even in a liquid crystal display device using a film substrate having a relatively low contrast, the pattern of the color filter portion 4 can be seen through the display surface. Absent. Also, the second
When the light emission luminance of the light source 7b is high, a clear display of the second pattern 5d can be obtained on the display surface even when light is incident from the outside and the first light source 7a is turned on. Even when the second light source 7b is a point light source such as a light emitting diode, a substantially uniform illuminance can be obtained on the display surface by the scattering plate 3b disposed on the lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflecting plate 3a.

In the second embodiment, if the liquid crystal element, the color filter section, and the illumination device are separately manufactured, they can be integrally formed, so that the structure can be easily manufactured. ing. Note that the opening 8c on the lower surface of the light guide plate 6 only needs to transmit light from the second light source 7b, and the same applies when an optical scatterer is provided in the opening 8c provided in the reflective layer 8a. The effect is obtained.

As described above, the liquid crystal display device according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, in any of the examples, responds to the incidence of external light or the lighting of only the first light source 7a. Indicates that a monochrome image is displayed and the display is of a reflection type. However, regardless of the presence or absence of external light, the color second patterns 5b and 5d by the color filter unit 4 are normally white by turning on the second light source 7b. Displayed on the display surface. That is, both during the period when the transmission type is used and the period when the reflection type is used, the second
By turning on the light source 7b, a clear color pattern such as red can be made to appear on the display surface, and the displayed characters and figures can be emphasized and used for function display. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, in the transflective liquid crystal display device in which the color filter is arranged outside the liquid crystal element and is easy to manufacture, the predetermined pattern of the color filter is seen through the display surface unnecessarily. Therefore, it is possible to emphasize a character, a figure, or the like by highlighting a predetermined color pattern on a background of a character, a figure, or the like on a normally white display surface only when necessary.

In the above-described liquid crystal display device of the present invention, a configuration example of two-color display using two types of light sources and two types of patterns has been described, but three or more types of light sources and three or more types of patterns are used. In this case, similarly, it is possible to emphasize a character, a figure, and the like by making a predetermined color pattern emerge on the background of the normally white display surface only when necessary.

(Embodiment 3) When the liquid crystal display device described in Embodiments 1 and 2 is used for a communication device such as a mobile phone, a predetermined pattern of a color filter portion is unnecessarily transparent from a display surface. It is possible to obtain a communication device in which a predetermined pattern of color emerges only when necessary on the background of almost black state characters and figures on a normally white display surface without being seen, and the characters and figures can be emphasized. . That is, when the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is used for a mobile phone or the like, a predetermined color pattern is raised only when necessary as a background of a graphic for displaying reception sensitivity, remaining battery power, and the like, thereby emphasizing the graphic. Yes, it is easy to draw the attention of the recognizer. In addition, with respect to an incoming call from a call partner registered in advance, a red heart-shaped pattern may be displayed behind the telephone number or the like of the other party to be displayed without disturbing the character display, or a blue heart-shaped pattern may be displayed. It can display a specific figure and can be used as a communication device that can emphasize characters.

As described above, even when used as various communication devices, not only two types of light sources and two types of patterns for two-color display but also three or more types of light sources and three or more types of patterns are used. Similarly, when necessary, a predetermined pattern of color can be made to appear on the background of the normally white display surface only when necessary to emphasize characters, figures, etc. The communication device can be displayed in an easily understandable manner.

[0050]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a transflective liquid crystal display device in which a color filter is arranged outside a liquid crystal element to facilitate manufacture, a predetermined pattern of the color filter is unnecessarily transparent from a display surface. It is possible to display a character or graphic on a normally white display surface with a predetermined color pattern emerging only when necessary, so that the character or graphic can be emphasized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a transflective liquid crystal display device in which a color filter is arranged outside a liquid crystal element and which is easy to manufacture, a device such as a film liquid crystal element having a relatively low contrast ratio is used. Even if the predetermined pattern of the color filter does not appear through the display surface unnecessarily, the color predetermined pattern clearly emerges only when necessary on the background of characters and figures on the normally white type display surface, A display in which the characters, figures, and the like are emphasized can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, only the display color of the second pattern to be emphasized is set to red by setting the first emission wavelength, which is the background color when a normally white transmission type is used, to be a color such as green or yellow that does not feel uncomfortable. Alternatively, the color can be changed to blue so that the emphasis effect can be easily obtained and the coloring effect can be clarified.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, only the display color of the second pattern to be emphasized is set to red by setting the first emission wavelength, which is the background color when a normally white transmission type is used, to be a color such as green or yellow that does not feel uncomfortable. Alternatively, it is possible to easily produce a product which can be made blue and which can easily obtain an intensifying effect intuitively and clarify a coloring effect, by using an existing light emitting diode.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device capable of emphasizing characters, figures, and the like by highlighting a predetermined color pattern only when necessary on the background of characters, figures, etc., in a substantially black state on the display surface. can get.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing light emission luminance of a light source and transmittance of a color filter unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a display surface of the liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing light emission luminance of a light source and transmittance of a color filter unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a display surface of a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Upper transparent substrate 1b Lower transparent substrate 1c Upper transparent electrode 1d Lower transparent electrode 1e Liquid crystal layer 2a Upper polarizing plate 2b Lower polarizing plate 3a Semi-transmissive reflector 3b Scattering plate 4 Color filter unit 5a First pattern 5b Second pattern 5c Support Base material 5d Second pattern 6 Light guide plate 7a First light source 7b Second light source 8a Reflective layer 8b Opening

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A normally white liquid crystal element for displaying characters, figures, etc. in a substantially black state by blocking visible light with a substantially white state due to transmission of visible light as a background color, and a semi-transmissive reflector. A color filter section on which a predetermined pattern having different transmission characteristics is formed along the lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflection plate opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal element; A first light source having a first emission wavelength and a second light source having at least a second emission wavelength different from the first emission wavelength are provided on a side surface or a lower surface of a light guide plate provided with an upper surface close to the filter unit. A first pattern in which the color filter section has high transmission characteristics with respect to a first emission wavelength, and a second pattern in which at least both the first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength have high transmission characteristics. A liquid crystal display device characterized in that it is constituted by the over down. 2. A normally white type thin transparent substrate, such as a polymer film, for displaying characters, figures, etc. in a substantially black state by blocking the visible light with a substantially white state by transmitting visible light as a background color. A liquid crystal element, a transmissive reflection plate capable of transmitting and reflecting visible light and a scattering plate for scattering visible light in order, and a lower surface of the semi-transmissive reflection plate opposite to a surface facing the liquid crystal element A first light source having a first emission wavelength on a side surface of a light guide plate provided with an upper surface close to the color filter portion as an illuminating device; A second light source having a second emission wavelength different from the first emission wavelength is disposed on a lower surface of the light plate, and the color filter unit is provided with a first light source.
A first pattern exhibiting a high transmission characteristic with respect to the emission wavelength, and a second pattern exhibiting a high transmission characteristic with respect to at least the first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength; A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a reflection layer having an opening in a shape close to the second pattern; and the second light source disposed below the opening. 3. The color filter section has a first pattern exhibiting high transmission characteristics with respect to a first emission wavelength in a range from 520 nm to 600 nm, a second pattern having at least a second emission wavelength less than 520 nm or exceeding 600 nm, and 1
3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display device is constituted by a second pattern showing high transmission characteristics with respect to an emission wavelength. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first light source has a wavelength of 520 nm or more.
3. A light emitting diode having a first emission wavelength in the range of 0 nm or less, and a light emitting diode having a second emission wavelength of less than 520 nm or more than 600 nm is used as at least the second light source. Liquid crystal display. 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a background of a display surface of the liquid crystal display device is a first surface.
The illumination can be performed almost uniformly by lighting the light source, the second light source can be turned on when a specific incoming call or a specific operation is performed, and the second pattern based on the second emission wavelength is only used when the second light source is turned on. A communication device characterized by using a liquid crystal display device including a system capable of appearing on a background of characters or figures in a substantially black state on a display surface.