JPS5918684B2 - liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more specifically to a liquid crystal display device capable of color display.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of color display.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that allows a user to arbitrarily select the color of the liquid crystal display and the color of the display according to his/her mood, clothes, surrounding atmosphere, etc.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having means for identifying display states by color.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having a means for identifying the voltage state of a power supply by a liquid crystal display color.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that is used in an electronic watch and has means for changing the liquid crystal display color between morning and afternoon.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that is used in an electronic timepiece and has means for identifying the time adjustment state, adjustment operation state, etc. by the color of the liquid crystal display.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that is used in an electronic watch and has means for identifying the day of the week by the color of the liquid crystal display.

Conventional liquid crystal displays use polarizers, filters, and liquid crystals to determine the color of the display, such as green and black, white and black, brown and black, etc., so when used in a wristwatch, it is possible to choose the color that suits the design. Compared to analog watches, which have dials that can be colored, they lacked decorative features.

In addition, for watches that have two or more display states, such as chrono glasses (with stopwatch function) and alarm clocks, the display states are differentiated by special symbols and the number of digits displayed. It is not a reliable method of identification, as it may be mistaken when you are in a hurry to catch a train or in a rush before being dispatched. Furthermore, electronic watches with liquid crystal displays have batteries as their energy source, but conventional ones suddenly become erroneous in their display one day, causing the time to be incorrect. This may create an illusion or force you to live an inconvenient life without a watch until the battery is replaced. In addition, conventional digital electronic clocks display the morning and afternoon as AM and PM, but in Japan, it has not been integrated into the lives of ordinary people, so the effective AM, PM,
Not the afternoon display method. Furthermore, in conventional digital electronic watches, the state in which the time is adjusted (hereinafter referred to as the time adjustment state) has been achieved by flashing the correction digits, etc., but a method that is easier to identify is desired. Particularly in watches with four-digit hour and minute displays, seconds are displayed with blinking dots, etc., and it is not clear whether or not the seconds have been corrected. In addition, in conventional digital electronic watches, the initial letter of the day of the week is taken to display the day of the week, such as Su (Sunday), MO (Monday), etc., so the number of segments increases, and other Not only does this limit the size of numbers, letters, etc., but if the number of connections between the display and the electronic circuit that operates it is limited by connectors, space, etc., the display function is also limited. There is. The present invention eliminates such drawbacks and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention. A display panel is constructed by surrounding a liquid crystal 10 with a lower glass 5 and a spacer 9, which are integrally formed with a patterned transparent electrode 8.

To show an example of manufacturing electrodes for upper and lower glasses, upper glass 1
One panel is constructed by forming an upper transparent electrode 2 on the panel, coating an insulating glass 3 on a portion other than a portion connected to an electronic circuit, and baking it to form an upper pattern transparent electrode 4. Electrodes are configured on the lower glass 5 in the same manner as the lower glass 1, and the lower transparent electrode 6 and the lower pattern transparent electrode 8 are connected to the upper pattern transparent electrode 4 via a conductive member located diagonally on the upper glass 1. A liquid crystal panel is constructed by electrically conducting to the pattern. All molecular long axes of the liquid crystal 10 are aligned at right angles to the wall surface. In Fig. 2, the light emitted from the light source 11 becomes parallel light by the lens 12, becomes linearly polarized light by the polarizer 13, passes through the liquid crystal panel, and then passes through the analyzer 14 (which is also a polarizer to detect specific polarized light). It is designed to allow only the light in the direction to pass through. The polarization direction of the analyzer 14 is arranged at right angles to the polarization direction of the polarizer 13. Therefore, if no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel, that is, if the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned at right angles to the panel wall, then
The incident linearly polarized light passes through the liquid crystal 10 in the optical axis direction.
Since the polarization direction of the analyzer 14 is arranged at right angles to that of the polarizer 13, the light is absorbed by the analyzer 14 and does not reach the screen 15. The electric dipole moment of the liquid crystal 10 is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the molecules. For this reason, the power supply 26 is connected to the liquid crystal 10, which has a uniform molecular arrangement.
When a voltage is applied in the direction of the long axis of the molecule, the dipole is directed in the direction of the electric field, and the long axis of the molecule is tilted by a certain angle from the direction perpendicular to the electrode surface depending on the electric field strength. LCD 10
Consider the case where linearly polarized light is incident from the electrode surface when the long axis of the molecule is tilted by a certain angle due to voltage application. When linearly polarized light passes through a liquid crystal layer, it undergoes birefringence. In other words, in the liquid crystal layer, light is split into two linearly polarized lights with planes of polarization perpendicular to each other (called elliptically polarized light), and due to the difference in the refractive index for each light wave, when the liquid crystal layer is ejected, both are optically polarized. A difference in distance occurs. The component polarized in the direction perpendicular to the polarizer 13 caused by this birefringence phenomenon is detected by the analyzer 14.
and reaches the screen 15. The intensity of this light changes depending on the applied voltage. Let r be the optical distance difference between two light waves separated by birefringence, or retardation, and r changes depending on the angle of the liquid crystal molecule axis with respect to the traveling direction of light.

Since this angle changes depending on the voltage, r ends up changing depending on the voltage. When the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light that enters the liquid crystal layer is incident at an angle of φ with the optical axis of the liquid crystal, if the intensity of the incident light with the wavelength λ is o, the intensity of the light coming out from the analyzer 14 by πr is: I=IOsin22φSin
2-λ.

As is clear from the equation, when r=Nλ (N is a positive integer), I=0 and no light comes out from the analyzer 14. Also, when r=(N--1F)λ, I takes the maximum value (φ is related to r, but Sin2(π
Since Sin22φ changes slowly compared to r/λ), light with wavelength λ is strongly transmitted from the analyzer 14. This changes r by voltage control,
This means that the intensity of transmitted light at a specific wavelength can be controlled. If the light source is white light, light of a certain wavelength will be strongly transmitted at a certain voltage, and the wavelength of light that is strongly transmitted can be selected by changing the voltage. In other words, the hue can be modulated. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the upper transparent electrode 2, the upper pattern transparent electrode 4, the lower pattern transparent electrode 8, and the lower transparent electrode 6. By controlling the voltage V1 between the upper transparent electrode 2 and the lower transparent electrode 6, the color of the entire liquid crystal panel can be arbitrarily selected. The color of the numbers can be arbitrarily selected by controlling the voltage V2 between them. At this time, the relationship between V1 and V2 is V1 minus V2, and even if the positions of the upper transparent electrode 2 and the upper pattern transparent electrode 4, and the lower transparent electrode 6 and the lower pattern transparent electrode 8 are reversed, the relationship between 1 and V2 is V1< Set it to V2. In other words, by providing the external operating member of an electronic device with the function of controlling the interelectrode voltage, when used in a wristwatch, the user can freely adjust the display and display according to his or her mood, clothes, surrounding atmosphere, etc. It is possible to select the color of the numeral display, greatly improve decorativeness and fashionability, and provide an electronic timepiece that satisfies the user. Furthermore, in a watch that has two or more display states, by controlling the voltage between the electrodes depending on the display state, the difference in display state can be identified by color, which can be said to be a reliable identification method. At this time, the display function changes depending on the display state, for example, when displaying hours, minutes, and seconds and displaying hours, minutes, and date, the seconds display changes to the date display, but when the display changes to the date display. Making the area around the date display or its digits distinguishable by color is also a good way to identify the display status and a good way to reliably read the display function. The same applies to cases where the display has hour, minute, and second displays and month and day displays, and it is also effective to provide a change in color for the month and day. As mentioned above, by controlling the voltage between the electrodes depending on the display function and identifying the display function by color, not only will there be no misreading and the display function will be fully utilized, but also the fashionability will be improved. It also improves. In addition, by applying a voltage proportional to the power supply voltage between the electrodes, the power supply voltage can be recognized by color, which not only allows you to know the battery life in advance, but also allows you to replace the battery before it loses its timekeeping function. , you won't be forced to live even a few days of the inconvenient life of a traditional watch. Furthermore, by controlling the voltage between the electrodes depending on whether it is morning or afternoon, morning or afternoon can be distinguished by color. By selecting an appropriate color that matches the image of morning and afternoon, for example, making the entire display panel white in the morning and blue in the afternoon, it will easily blend into your daily life and bring about more than just a symbol. be. Furthermore, by controlling the voltage between the time electrodes in the time adjustment state, the adjustment state can be clearly identified. If the voltage between the electrodes of the correction digit is controlled, the correction digit is identified by color, and blinking is used in combination), the correction digit can be further identified.

In particular, when the second is corrected in a clock displaying hours and minutes, the voltage between the electrodes of the dots, etc. is controlled, and the voltage between the electrodes of the entire display panel is controlled, and the voltage is held for a certain period of time to be corrected by color. By making it possible to identify the problem, the traditional feeling of anxiety is removed and correction becomes easier. In addition, by controlling the inter-electrode voltage depending on the day of the week and displaying the day of the week using colors, other numbers, letters, etc., whose size was conventionally limited by the segments of the day of the week display, can be adjusted to suit the design, legibility, etc. Not only can better display be achieved, but even when the number of contact points between the display body and the electronic circuit that operates it is limited, it is possible to increase functionality and multifunction without limiting the display function. When displaying the day of the week by color, it is easiest to judge by displaying Monday to Friday in white or black, earth in blue, and day in red. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the liquid crystal panel according to the present invention, in which an upper glass 16 and a lower pattern transparent electrode 21 are integrated with an upper transparent electrode 17, an insulating glass 18, and an upper pattern transparent electrode 19. The liquid crystal 23 is surrounded by a lower glass 22 and a spacer 20 that are integrally formed to form a liquid crystal panel. The display panel shown in FIG. 4 differs from the display panel shown in FIG. 1 in the pattern shapes of the upper pattern transparent electrode 19 and the lower pattern transparent electrode 21, and only the pattern shapes will be described here.
As shown in FIG. 5, the upper pattern electrode 19 has patterns arranged in a well-balanced manner, and has a pattern in the left corner that can be electrically connected to the lower pattern transparent electrode 21 via a conductive member.

The lower pattern transparent electrode 21 is configured such that the pattern 24 corresponding to the segment of the upper pattern transparent electrode 19 and the pattern of the upper pattern transparent electrode 19 overlap slightly at the outer periphery of the lower glass 22, but do not overlap at all. A pattern 25 surrounds a pattern 24 in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, the upper transparent electrode 1
By controlling the voltage V3 between the upper pattern transparent electrode 19 and the pattern 25, the color of the peripheral area of the liquid crystal panel can be arbitrarily selected, and furthermore, the voltage V4 between the upper pattern transparent electrode 19 and the pattern 24 is controlled. This allows you to change the color of the numbers arbitrarily. Generally, the outer periphery of a display panel is hidden from view from the outside with a decorative board or the like, so even if unnecessary patterns overlap on the outer periphery of the panel, the display and design will not be damaged in any way. Advantages similar to those detailed for the display panel of FIG. 1 are thus obtained. Furthermore, although the patterns 24 and 25 of the lower pattern transparent electrode 21 are insulated in the figure, the same applies even if they are electrically conductive. However, the relationship between V3 and V4 at this time is preferably 3<V4. As detailed above, the present invention enables a liquid crystal display to be colored, and furthermore, by providing a means for allowing the user to arbitrarily change the coloring phenomenon,
In addition, by making it possible to change the display contents, such as power supply voltage, AM, PM, time adjustment status, adjustment operation, adjustment digit, day of the week, etc., it is easy to understand and easy to use for anyone. A display device can be provided, and the practical effects of the present invention are very large.

In this embodiment, the display has been explained using only numbers, but any symbol, text, picture, etc. can be used as long as it can be displayed on a liquid crystal display.

Furthermore, although the display has been specifically limited to a watch, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to any electronic device having a liquid crystal display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal display structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each component for explaining the principle of colorization. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper transparent electrode 2, the upper pattern transparent electrode 4, the lower transparent electrode 6, and the lower pattern transparent electrode 8. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal display structure according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the upper transparent electrode 17, the upper pattern transparent electrode 19, and the lower pattern transparent electrode 21. 1 is the upper glass, 2 is the upper transparent electrode, 3 is the insulating glass, 4 is the upper pattern transparent electrode, 5
1 is a lower glass, 6 is a lower transparent electrode, 7 is an insulating glass, 8 is a lower pattern transparent electrode, 9 is a spacer, 10 is a liquid crystal, 11 is a light source, 12 is a lens, 13 is a polarizer, 14 is an analyzer, 1
5 is a screen, 16 is an upper glass, 17 is an upper transparent electrode,
18 is an insulating glass, 19 is an upper pattern transparent electrode, 20 is a spacer, 21 is a lower pattern transparent electrode, 22 is a lower glass, 23 is a liquid crystal, 24 and 25 are patterns, and 26 is a power source.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between first and second substrates having electrodes on the inner surface, the electrodes on at least one substrate have a multilayer structure with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and the electrodes on at least one substrate have a multilayer structure with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and the electrodes on at least one substrate have a multilayer structure with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. A liquid crystal display device characterized in that a display color is changed by applying a plurality of types of voltages to any pair of electrodes of each of the first and second substrates in conjunction with the above.