JPH11237614A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the imprinting of a light source or the duplexing of display and to permit illumination with a high efficiency and operability by movably connecting a protecting cover with a liquid crystal display (LED) device through a connecting part and providing an illuminating means for irradiating the LED device from the front face. SOLUTION: Electronic equipment 100 is composed of a reflection type LED device 102, an operating part 101 and a forward illuminating device 106. This forward illuminating device 106 is operated for converting light made incident from a light source 105 to planar emitted light through a light transmission body 103 and uniformly illuminating the reflection type LED device 102. Thus, since the front face of the reflection type LED device 102 is irradiated with light emitted from the light transmission body 103, the imprinting of the light source 105 to the reflection type LED device 102 is reduced. Further, this forward illuminating device 106 also functions as a protecting cover 104 for the reflection type LED device 102 and for the operating part 101 of the electronic equipment 100 and is constituted to be housed as needed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a reflection type liquid crystal display device having, as an auxiliary light source, a front illumination device configured so that an observer can see reflected light from an object to be illuminated. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display device is a CRT (Cathod).
e Rey Tube), PDP (Plasma Di)
(Spray Panel) or EL (Elect)
Unlike other display devices such as a ro-luminance, the liquid crystal itself does not emit light, but displays characters and images by adjusting the amount of light transmitted from a specific light source.

[0003] Such liquid crystal display devices can be broadly classified into transmission type liquid crystal display devices and reflection type liquid crystal display devices. In a transmission type liquid crystal display device, a surface light source such as a fluorescent tube or an EL is disposed as a light source (backlight) on the back of a liquid crystal cell.

On the other hand, a reflection type liquid crystal display device performs display using ambient light, and therefore does not require a backlight.
It has the advantage of low power consumption. Furthermore, in very bright places exposed to direct sunlight, the visibility is reduced with a light-emitting display device or a transmissive liquid crystal display device, while it is possible to see more clearly with a reflective liquid crystal display device. Has the advantage that For this reason, the reflection type liquid crystal display device is applied to a portable information terminal, a mobile computer, and the like, for which demand has been increasing in recent years.

However, the reflection type liquid crystal display device is
It has the following problems. Reflective liquid crystal display devices use ambient light to display ambient light,
The degree to which the display luminance depends on the surrounding environment is extremely high, and the display cannot be recognized in darkness such as at night. Particularly, in a reflective liquid crystal display device using a color filter for colorization or a reflective liquid crystal display device using a polarizing plate, the above-described problem is large, and when sufficient ambient light cannot be obtained. Requires auxiliary lighting means.

However, in the case of a reflection type liquid crystal display device, since a reflection plate is arranged on the back surface, a backlight like a transmission type liquid crystal display device cannot be used.
In addition, a transflective liquid crystal display device using a half mirror as a reflection plate has been proposed, but the display quality is not necessarily good.

Therefore, a method has been proposed in which a reflective liquid crystal display device is illuminated from the front as auxiliary lighting means when the surroundings are dark.

[0008] Such a conventional liquid crystal display device having auxiliary lighting means is described in, for example, JP-A-6-324332 and JP-A-9-212448. In the former JP-A-6-324332, a light guide is arranged on the entire front surface of a reflective liquid crystal display device, and light is emitted from the light guide surface. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-212448 describes various types of arrangement in which a movable illumination is arranged in front of a display surface in consideration of storability.

[0009]

However, such a conventional technique has various problems. First, JP-A-6
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 324332/1992 has a problem that even light irradiation is possible, but the brightness on the observer side is reduced because the light guide is installed in close contact with the front surface of the liquid crystal display device. In addition, since the unevenness is arranged on the surface of the light guide for guiding light to the liquid crystal display device, double display of the display image (image blur) and bright and dark stripes occur. In addition, there is a problem that moire fringes occur due to interference with a black mask formed on the liquid crystal display panel, and it is very difficult to suppress these. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-212448 describes a mounting mode and color reproducibility, but it is obvious that a light source to a reflector may be generated when the device is mounted on a reflection type liquid crystal display device. There is no description of the reflection phenomenon, and the light incident on the reflector is strongly reflected in the total reflection direction, so the observer needs to move to the optimal position to observe the image. There is a problem that the convenience of the portable device is significantly impaired. Further, although a reflection type liquid crystal display device provided with a cover type illumination means is also disclosed, in this configuration, in order to efficiently guide illumination light to the liquid crystal display device, the display portion of the liquid crystal display device is covered with a cover. Obviously, it is necessary to cover the display image so as to cover it, and it is needless to say that the observation of the display image becomes extremely difficult in such an arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and does not cause reflection of a light source or duplication of display, and enables illumination with good light use efficiency and operability. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a low-power-consumption liquid crystal display device that can be used in any ambient environment.

[0012]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display having reflection means and a front surface of the liquid crystal display. In an electronic device including a protective cover, the protective cover is operably connected to the liquid crystal display device via a connecting portion, and has illumination means for irradiating the liquid crystal display device from the front. Thus, the above object is achieved.

In this case, the protective cover includes a light source and a light guide, and the light guide includes an incident surface on which the light from the light source is incident and an emission surface for emitting the light toward the liquid crystal display device. It is preferable that the liquid crystal display device has a surface and the light emitted from the light exit surface irradiates the liquid crystal display device in a planar manner from the front surface.

The angle θ of the principal ray of the light emitted in a plane from the exit surface of the light guide portion is in the range of 30 ° ≦ θ <90 ° with respect to the normal direction of the exit surface. Is preferred.

It is preferable that a film on which a plurality of prism portions are formed or a film on which a light shielding portion and a transmission portion are formed alternately and continuously is disposed on the light exit surface of the light guide portion.

Further, at this time, the protective cover is arranged such that the angle θ of the principal ray of the planar light source and the light emitted in a plane from the exit surface of the planar light source is 30 ° with respect to the normal direction of the exit surface. Preferably, the liquid crystal display device comprises an optical element that regulates the angle in a range of ≦ θ <90 degrees, and irradiates the liquid crystal display device in a planar manner from the front surface with the light emitted from the emission surface.

Further, it is preferable that the optical element is formed of a film on which a plurality of prism portions are formed or a film on which a light shielding portion and a transmission portion are formed alternately and continuously.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described.

According to the present invention, the protective cover is operatively connected to the liquid crystal display device via the connecting portion, and has the illuminating means for illuminating the liquid crystal display device from the front. The device can be housed by lighting means as required, and the protective cover disposed on the front of the liquid crystal display device has lighting means, so that the electronic device has excellent light use efficiency and operability. Equipment can be provided.

Further, since the protective cover is composed of a light source and a light guide, and the light emitted from the light guide irradiates the liquid crystal display device from the front to the surface, the light source is reflected on the liquid crystal display device. It is possible to reduce the effect of
It is possible to provide an electronic device capable of preventing a display image of a liquid crystal display device from being doubled (blurred) or having moiré fringes.

Further, the angle θ of the principal ray of the light emitted in a plane from the exit surface of the light guide portion is defined in the range of 30 ° ≦ θ <90 ° with respect to the normal direction of the exit surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the light guide from being directly emitted to the observer side, and it is possible to observe a display that does not impair the display quality. Further, even when the protective cover is opened at an angle of 90 degrees or more with respect to the liquid crystal display device, the display image of the liquid crystal display device can be observed, so that the convenience as an electronic device may be impaired. Absent.

In recent years, a liquid crystal display device having a reflection means often has a scattering property in the reflection means in order to effectively use ambient light (when the illumination means is not used). The mainstream is designed to diffusely reflect incident light from the front direction within a range of ± 30 degrees with respect to the normal of the display screen. In this regard,
In the present invention, since the outgoing light is defined so as to be emitted within a specific range, it is possible to improve the matching with the diffuse reflection characteristics of the reflection means, and to perform regular reflection in which the influence of the reflection of the light source is large. It is also possible to observe display images of the liquid crystal display device from other sources.

Furthermore, by arranging a film having a plurality of prisms on the light exit surface of the light guide, the angle of the light emitted from the light guide can be converted by the film. It is possible to give a degree of freedom to the design. Further, by arranging a film in which light-shielding portions and transmission portions are formed alternately and continuously on the emission surface of the light guide portion, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the light guide from being directly emitted to the observer side. It is possible to improve the display quality of the liquid crystal display device.

Further, the protective cover is formed of a planar light source and an optical element defining an angle θ of a principal ray of light emitted in a planar manner from the exit surface of the planar light source. Since it is possible to reduce the thickness and to efficiently guide diffused light emitted from a flat light source, for example, an EL, to a liquid crystal display device, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of bright display. It is.

Furthermore, by using a film on which a plurality of prism portions are formed as an optical element, diffused light emitted from a planar light source can be effectively guided to a liquid crystal display device, so that a brighter display is realized. It is possible. Further, by using a film in which light-shielding portions and transmissive portions are formed alternately and continuously as an optical element, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the light guide from being directly emitted to the observer side, The display quality of the display device can be improved.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic device 100 includes a reflective liquid crystal display device 102,
It comprises an operation unit 101 and a front illumination device 106. The front illumination device 106 has a function of converting incident light from the light source 105 into surface light by the light guide 103 and uniformly illuminating the reflective liquid crystal display device 102.

The front illumination device 106 also has a function as a protective cover 104 between the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102 of the electronic apparatus 100 and the operation section 101, and FIG.
As shown in (b), the configuration is such that it can be stored as needed.

Next, the structure of the reflection type liquid crystal display device in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the reflective liquid crystal display device provided in the electronic device according to the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102 has a diagonal of 6.5 inches (length: 58 mm, width: 1).
(54 mm) reflective liquid crystal display device. As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent electrode 1 made of ITO is provided between a glass substrate 11a and a counter glass substrate 11b.
2a, the alignment film 13a, the liquid crystal layer 14, the alignment film 13b, the reflective electrode 12b, and the insulating layer 15 are sandwiched between the reflective electrode 12b and the surface of the reflective electrode 12b. It has a function of scattering and reflecting light.

The insulating layer 15 shown in FIG. 2 is formed with an uneven portion as a base layer by a photolithography process in order to form the above-described uneven portion on the surface of the reflective electrode 12b. In the first embodiment, the reflective electrode 12b is formed on the insulating layer 15 by vacuum-depositing Al. At this time, the step of the uneven portion is formed to have a size of 1 to 2 μm so as not to affect the cell thickness of the liquid crystal layer 14.

FIG. 3 shows the reflection characteristics of the reflection electrode 2b of the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102 used in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the reflection characteristics of the standard white plate (MGO) and the reflection characteristics of the reflection electrode (MRS) used in the first embodiment.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the first embodiment
Since the reflective electrode 2b used in (1) has a plurality of uneven portions, the illumination light can be diffusely reflected in a range of ± 30 degrees from the regular reflection direction as compared with a standard white plate (MGO). For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of reflection (specular reflection image) of the light source, to observe an image from a direction other than the specular reflection direction of the light source, and to use the reflective electrode 2b. Since it is arranged inside the liquid crystal display device, it is possible to suppress blurring (duplication) of an image due to parallax.

Next, the structure of the front illumination device 106 in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4A is a side view showing the structure of the front illumination device provided in the electronic device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4B is a top view thereof, and FIG. The front view is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the front illumination device 106 includes an acrylic light guide 201 and a light source 20.
3. Reflector 204, diffuse reflection plate 209, housing 20
5 and a connecting portion 206 for connection to the reflection type liquid crystal display device main body.

The light guide 201 used in the first embodiment is
A plurality of flat portions 202 are provided on a surface (back surface) facing the light emission surface.
The prism part 202 is formed by forming a and the inclined part 202b. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pitch between the flat portion 202a and the inclined portion 202b is such that X = 0.16 mm and Y =
0.01 mm, and the angle of the inclined portion 202b is α = 28
Formed as a degree.

By forming the prism section 200 in this manner, the light source 203 disposed on the end face of the light guide 201 is formed.
Incident light 207 can be converted into surface-emitted light 208, so that the reflective liquid crystal display device 102 can be uniformly illuminated.

Further, by arranging the diffuse reflection plate 209 between the light guide 201 and the housing 205, the light use efficiency can be improved. Is covered by the housing 205,
Unnecessary light from the back surface of the light guide 201 can be cut, and the illumination intensity of the light source 203 can be improved.

Next, the propagation of light in the light guide 201 used in the front illumination device 106 in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light guide showing propagation of light in the light guide used in the front illumination device provided in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As described above, the incident light 207 from the light source 203 disposed on the end surface of the light guide 201 is applied to the surface (back surface) facing the emission surface 210 of the light guide 201 as shown in FIG. The light propagates through the light guide 201 while repeating total reflection in the flat portion 202a of the formed prism portion 202. Here, the incident light at a specific angle that has entered the inclined portion 202b loses the condition of total reflection at the output interface 210,
The light is converted from the light guide 201 into surface light and emitted as emission light 208.

In the first embodiment, since a transparent acrylic resin having a refractive index n = 1.54 is used as the light guide 201, the angle θ with respect to the normal to the incident interface 211 is −34.
The light incident at an angle of 5 degrees to 4.8 degrees (here, the clockwise direction is a plus angle) is caused to have an angle β of 3 with respect to the normal direction of the exit interface 210 by the inclined portion 202b.
Light is emitted from 8.4 degrees to 63 degrees (here, the leftward direction is a plus angle). In particular, the light (principal ray) 207 having a high intensity incident from the normal direction of the incident interface 211 is emitted at the exit interface 210 as light (principal ray) 208 having an angle of 60 degrees.

Next, a method of illuminating the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102 of the front illumination device 106 in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the electronic device illustrating an illumination method for a reflective liquid crystal display device of a front illumination device provided in the electronic device according to the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Light guide 201 is a reflection type liquid crystal display device 1 in an electronic device.
02, and the cover is used as illumination means.

In the first embodiment, the light guide 201
Is used at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the reflective liquid crystal display device 102, so that the light guide 201 does not cover the reflective liquid crystal display device 102,
The observer can easily observe the image.

Further, the outgoing light 208 emitted from the light guide 201 is converted into surface emission as described above, and the light in the principal ray direction β = 60 degrees is strongly emitted. It is possible to uniformly illuminate the disposed reflection type liquid crystal display device 102 over the entire surface.

In the first embodiment, illumination is performed by arranging the exit surface of the light guide 201 as a cover portion at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the display screen of the reflective liquid crystal display device 102. However, the invention is not limited to this arrangement. For example, the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102
It is also possible to arrange the light guide 201 at an angle of 90 degrees or more with respect to the display screen, and the display portion of the reflective liquid crystal display device 102 can be used without being hidden by the cover portion. Thus, the observer can easily observe the image.

However, as described above, when the light guide 201 is arranged at an angle of 90 degrees or more with respect to the display screen of the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102, the angle of the illumination light from the light guide 201 becomes Therefore, in the light guide 201 used in the first embodiment, if the light guide 201 is arranged at an angle of about 150 degrees or more, the emitted light 208 is directly emitted toward the observer, which is not preferable in use. .

In this regard, for example, FIGS. 7A to 7C show an embodiment in which the light guide 201 is used at an angle of 150 degrees or more with respect to the reflective liquid crystal display device 102.
Shown in

FIG. 7A shows an example of a front illuminator in which the light guide according to the first embodiment is used at an angle of 150 ° or more with respect to the reflective liquid crystal display device. FIG. 7B is a top view of FIG.
(C) has shown the front view.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, in this embodiment, a light-shielding film 220 in which light-shielding portions 220a and transmission portions 220b are alternately formed is arranged on the light-emitting surface of the light guide 201. ing. In this embodiment, the light shielding film 2
As 20, a light control film manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Ltd. was used. The light guide 201 is arranged at an angle of 150 degrees or more with respect to the reflection type liquid crystal display device 102 by arranging the light shielding portion 210 a of the light shielding film 220 so that the angle of the light shielding portion 210 a coincides with the angle of an arbitrary principal ray 208. Also, when used, it is possible to prevent the outgoing light 208 from the light guide 201 from directly reaching the observer.

The electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment is configured as described above in detail. By mounting a reflection type liquid crystal display device suitable for such a front illumination device, low power consumption can be achieved. It is possible to realize a convenient electronic device. In the first embodiment, a fluorescent tube is used as a light source. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an LED or EL may be used as a light source.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the electronic device 300 includes a reflective liquid crystal display device 302, an operation unit 301, and a front illumination device, as in the first embodiment. 306. The front illumination device 306 transmits incident light from the light source 305 to the light guide 303.
To illuminate the reflective liquid crystal display device 302 uniformly.

The front illuminating device 306 also has a function as a protective cover 304 between the reflective liquid crystal display device 302 of the electronic device 300 and the operation section 301.
As shown in (b), the configuration is such that it can be stored as needed.

Next, the structure of the front illumination device 306 in the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9A is a side view showing a structure of a front illumination device provided in an electronic device according to the second embodiment, FIG. 9B is a top view thereof, and FIG. The front view is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the front illumination device 306 includes an acrylic light guide 401, a light source 403, and a reflector 40, as in the first embodiment.
4, a diffuse reflection plate 409, a housing 405, and a connecting portion 406 for connection with the reflection type liquid crystal display device main body.

The light guide 401 used in the first embodiment is
A plurality of flat portions 402 are provided on a surface (back surface) facing the light emission surface.
a and the inclined portion 402b form the prism portion 402. As shown in FIG. 8B, the pitch between the flat portion 402a and the inclined portion 402b is such that X = 0.20 mm and Y =
0.01 mm, and the angle of the inclined portion 402b is α = 45.
Formed as a degree.

Further, in order to make the luminance distribution on the emission surface 410 of the light guide 401 uniform, the angle of the inclined portion 402b is formed so as to become smaller as it goes away from the light source 403. Specifically, the pitch was formed such that the angle of the inclined portion 402b was reduced by one degree for each block with 100 pitches as one block.

By forming the prism section 400 in this manner, the light source 403 disposed on the end face of the light guide 401
Can be converted into surface-emitted light 408, so that the reflective liquid crystal display device 302 can be uniformly illuminated.

Further, by arranging the diffuse reflection plate 409 between the light guide 401 and the housing 405, the light use efficiency can be improved. Is covered by the housing 405,
Unnecessary light from the back surface of the light guide 401 can be cut, and the illumination intensity of the light source 403 can be improved.

In the second embodiment, the light guide 40
A film 420 for changing the angle of the outgoing light 408 was disposed on the outgoing surface side of No. 1. Although the configuration of the film 420 will be described later, by configuring the front illumination device 306 in this way, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the reflective liquid crystal display device 302.

Next, the propagation of light through the light guide 401 and the film 420 used in the front illumination device 306 in the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light guide and a film used for a front lighting device provided in an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 and showing light propagation of the film and the light guide. FIG. 10B is an enlarged sectional view of the film.

As described above, the incident light 407 from the light source 403 disposed on the end face of the light guide 401 is
As shown in (a), the light guide 40 repeats total reflection on the flat portion 402a of the prism portion 402 formed on the surface (back surface) of the light guide 401 facing the emission surface 410.
Propagating through 1. Here, the incident light having a specific angle incident on the inclined portion 402b is converted into surface light emission from the light guide 401 and emitted as emission light 408 when the total reflection condition is broken at the emission interface 410.

In the first embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 402 b of the prism portion 401 is set to 45 degrees, and therefore, the angle is −7.7 degrees with respect to the normal direction of the exit interface 410. 83 degrees (here, the leftward direction is a plus angle). In particular, the light (principal ray) 407 having a high intensity incident from the normal direction of the incident interface 411 has an angle 9 at the exit interface 410.
The light is emitted as 0 degree light (principal ray) 408.

Further, in the second embodiment, in order to change the angle of the outgoing light 408 from the light guide 401,
A film 420 is arranged. This film 420
8B, the outgoing surface 4 of the light guide 401 as shown in FIG.
A plurality of prism portions 423 are formed on the surface corresponding to 10.

In the second embodiment, the polyester substrate 4
The prism part 423 was formed on the base member 24 using an acrylic resin. Further, the prism part 423 has a pitch P = 0.05 m.
m, angles α = 45 degrees, β = 80 degrees, and γ = 55 degrees. Then, the thus formed film 420
Are arranged such that the acute angle of the prism portion 423 faces the traveling direction of light. Thus, the light (principal ray) 408 emitted from the light guide 401 is converted into the light (principal ray) 42 having an angle of about 30 degrees on the exit surface 425 of the film 420.
2, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the reflection type liquid crystal display device 302 disposed in the electronic device over the entire surface.

As described above, the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured. By mounting a reflection type liquid crystal display device suitable for such a front illumination device, low power consumption and convenience can be achieved. Good electronic devices can be realized.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of an electronic apparatus having a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views showing an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the electronic device 500 includes a reflective liquid crystal display device 502.
, An operation unit 501, and a front illumination device 506. The front illumination device 506 has a function of uniformly illuminating the reflection type liquid crystal display device 502 with the incident light from the light source 505.

The front illumination device 506 also has a function as a protective cover 504 between the reflective liquid crystal display device 502 of the electronic apparatus 500 and the operation section 501, and FIG.
As shown in (b), the configuration is such that it can be stored as needed. Note that the first embodiment and the second embodiment are different from the first embodiment in that the film 507 is provided on the inner structure of the front illumination device 506 and the front surface of the reflective liquid crystal display device 502.
Is different.

Next, the structure of the front illumination device 506 in the electronic apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing the structure of a reflective liquid crystal display device and a front illumination device provided in an electronic device according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, a front illumination device 506 according to the third embodiment
L603 is used, and a light-shielding film 620 for defining the emitted light 607 from the flat EL 603 in a specific direction is arranged.

Here, the front illumination device 5 of the third embodiment
The structure of the planar EL 603 at 06 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the flat EL provided in the front illumination device according to the third embodiment.

Planar EL 603 in Third Embodiment
Are the transparent resin substrate 51a, the metal reflective electrode 52, the insulating layer 5
3, a fluorescent layer 54, a transparent electrode 55, a moisture-proof layer 56, and a transparent resin substrate 51b. Light emitted from the fluorescent layer 54 is reflected by the metal reflective electrode 52 and
The light 57 is emitted to the side on which the surface 5 is formed. The emitted light at this time is diffused in the surface normal direction and emitted.

The basic structure of the light-shielding film 620 arranged in the front lighting device 506 is the same as that of the light-shielding film 220 used in the first embodiment.
a and the transmissive portions 620 b are formed alternately, and the angle of the light-shielding portion 620 a is set to be about 55 degrees with respect to the normal direction of the emission surface of the flat EL 603 described above. ing. With such a configuration, the reflective liquid crystal display device 502 disposed in the electronic device
Can be uniformly illuminated over the entire surface.

Next, the film 507 disposed on the front surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display device 502 in the electronic apparatus of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing the operation of the film 507 disposed on the front surface of the reflective liquid crystal display device 502 according to the third embodiment.

A plurality of prism portions 623 are provided on a film 507 disposed on the front surface of the reflection type liquid crystal display device 502.
Are formed. In the third embodiment, the light 607 transmitted through the transmission part 620 b of the light-shielding film 620 is emitted at an angle of about 55 degrees with respect to the normal direction of the emission surface of the light-shielding film 620, and the prism 507 formed on the film 507 is formed. The light enters the part 623.

Film 507 used in Embodiment 3
Has the same basic configuration as the film 420 used in the above-described second embodiment, but in the third embodiment, the prism portion 623 is formed by setting the angles α = 25 degrees, β = 80 degrees, and γ = 75 degrees. And the obtuse angle β of the prism portion 623
Are arranged so as to face the light incident direction.

By arranging the film 507 having such a configuration, it is possible to effectively guide the light 607 emitted from the flat-type EL 603, which is a surface light source, to the reflective liquid crystal display device 502. Light (display image) reflected by the display unit of the reflective liquid crystal display device 502 is emitted as light 608 substantially perpendicular to the display screen.
An observer can easily observe the image on the reflective liquid crystal display device 502.

As described above, in the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment, since the protective cover is constituted by the flat EL and the film, the thickness of the light source can be reduced. Further, it is possible to provide a bright illuminating means capable of effectively guiding diffused light emitted from the flat-type EL to the reflective liquid crystal display device.

[0082]

As described above, in the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the protective cover is operably connected to the liquid crystal display device via the connecting portion, and the illumination for irradiating the liquid crystal display device from the front. Means, the liquid crystal display device can be housed by lighting means as needed, and the protective cover disposed on the front surface of the liquid crystal display device has lighting means. Thus, it is possible to provide an electronic device having excellent light use efficiency and operability.

Also, since the protective cover is composed of a light source and a light guide, and the light emitted from the light guide irradiates the liquid crystal display device from the front to the surface, the light source is reflected on the liquid crystal display device. It is possible to reduce the effect of
It has become possible to provide an electronic device capable of preventing a display image of a liquid crystal display device from being doubled (blurred) or having moire fringes.

The angle θ of the principal ray of the light emitted in a planar manner from the light exit surface of the light guide portion is defined in the range of 30 ° ≦ θ <90 ° with respect to the normal direction of the light exit surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the light guide from being directly emitted to the observer side, and it is possible to observe a display that does not impair the display quality. Further, even when the protective cover is opened at an angle of 90 degrees or more with respect to the liquid crystal display device, the display image of the liquid crystal display device can be observed, so that the convenience as an electronic device may be impaired. Absent.

In recent years, a liquid crystal display device having a reflection means often has a scattering property in the reflection means in order to effectively use ambient light (when the illumination means is not used). The mainstream is designed to diffusely reflect incident light from the front direction within a range of ± 30 degrees with respect to the normal of the display screen. In this regard,
In the present invention, since the outgoing light is defined so as to be emitted within a specific range, it is possible to improve the matching with the diffuse reflection characteristics of the reflection means, and to perform regular reflection in which the influence of the reflection of the light source is large. It is also possible to observe display images of the liquid crystal display device from other sources.

Further, by arranging a film having a plurality of prisms on the light exit surface of the light guide, the angle of the light emitted from the light guide can be converted by the film. It is possible to give a degree of freedom to the design. Further, by arranging a film in which light-shielding portions and transmission portions are formed alternately and continuously on the emission surface of the light guide portion, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the light guide from being directly emitted to the observer side. It is possible to improve the display quality of the liquid crystal display device.

Further, the protective cover is formed of a flat light source and an optical element which defines an angle θ of a principal ray of light emitted in a planar manner from the light emitting surface of the flat light source. Since it is possible to reduce the thickness and to efficiently guide diffused light emitted from a flat light source, for example, an EL, to a liquid crystal display device, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of bright display. It is.

Further, by using a film on which a plurality of prism portions are formed as an optical element, diffused light emitted from a flat light source can be effectively guided to a liquid crystal display device, thereby realizing a brighter display. It is possible. Further, by using a film in which light-shielding portions and transmissive portions are formed alternately and continuously as an optical element, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the light guide from being directly emitted to the observer side, The display quality of the display device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating an electronic apparatus including a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a reflective liquid crystal display device provided in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing reflection characteristics of a reflection electrode of the reflection type liquid crystal display device used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a side view showing a structure of a front lighting device provided in the electronic device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a top view thereof, and FIG. (c) shows a front view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light guide showing propagation of light in the light guide used in the front illumination device provided in the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the electronic device showing an illumination method for the reflective liquid crystal display device of the front illumination device provided in the electronic device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a front view showing an example in which the light guide according to the first embodiment is used at an angle of 150 degrees or more with respect to the reflective liquid crystal display device. FIG. 7B is a side view of the device, FIG. 7B is a top view of the device, and FIG.
Shows a front view thereof.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a side view showing a structure of a front illumination device provided in an electronic device according to Embodiment 2, and FIG. 9B is a top view thereof and FIG. (c) shows a front view thereof.

FIG. 10 (a) is a schematic diagram of a light guide and a film used for a front lighting device provided in an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 and showing light propagation of the film. FIG. 10B is an enlarged sectional view of the film.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views illustrating an electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a structure of a reflective liquid crystal display device and a front illumination device provided in an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 3.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a flat EL provided in the front illumination device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of a film 507 disposed on the front surface of a reflective liquid crystal display device 502 according to the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11a Glass substrate 11b (opposite) glass substrate 12a Transparent electrode 12b Transparent electrode 13a Orientation film 13b Orientation film 14 Liquid crystal layer 15 Insulating layer 51a Transparent resin substrate 51b Transparent resin substrate 52 Metal reflective electrode 53 Insulating layer 54 Fluorescent layer 55 Transparent electrode 56 Moisture-proof layer 57 Emitted light 100, 300, 500 Electronic device 101, 301, 501 Operation unit 102, 302, 502 Reflective liquid crystal display device 103, 303, 503 Light guide 104, 304, 504 Protective cover 105, 305, 505 Light source 106, 306, 506 Front illumination device 201, 401 Light guide 202a, 402a Flat portion 202b, 402b Inclined portion 202, 402, 602 Prism portion 203, 403 Light source 204, 404 Reflector 205, 405 Housing 206, 406Connection 207, 407, 607 Principal ray (incident light) 208, 408, 608 Principal ray (outgoing light) 209, 409 Diffuse reflector 210, 410 Interface (outgoing face) 211, 411 Interface (incident face) 220a, 620a Light shielding Part 220b, 620b Transmission part 220, 620 Light-shielding film 420, 624 film 422 Emitted light 423, 623 Prism part 424 Polyester substrate 425 Emission surface 507 film

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal display device having a reflection unit; and a protective cover disposed on a front surface of the liquid crystal display device, wherein the protective cover operates with the liquid crystal display device via a connection unit. An electronic device, which is connected as much as possible and has an illumination means for irradiating the liquid crystal display device from the front. 2. The protection cover includes a light source and a light guide, and the light guide has a light incident surface on which light from the light source is incident and a light exit surface on which light is emitted toward the liquid crystal display device. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has the light emitted from the emission surface and irradiates the liquid crystal display device from the front surface in a planar manner. 3. An angle θ of a chief ray of light emitted in a plane from the exit surface of the light guide unit is defined by a direction normal to the exit surface.
The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein 30 degrees ≦ θ <90 degrees. 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a film on which a plurality of prism portions are formed is disposed on an emission surface of the light guide. 5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a film in which light-shielding portions and transmission portions are formed alternately and continuously is disposed on an emission surface of the light guide portion. . 6. The protective cover includes a flat light source and an angle θ of a principal ray of light emitted in a plane from an output surface of the flat light source.
And an optical element for restricting the angle to the range of 30 ° ≦ θ <90 ° with respect to the normal direction of the light emitting surface, and irradiating the liquid crystal display device with light emitted from the light emitting surface in a planar manner from the front. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the optical element is made of a film on which a plurality of prism portions are formed. 8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the optical element is formed of a film in which light shielding portions and transmission portions are formed alternately and continuously.