LCD device having an input function and polymer substrates having dual function

• US 5,852,487 A
• Filed: 01/23/1997
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kozaki, Shuichi, Shinomiya, Tokihiko, Fujimori, Kohichi, Inou, Ippei
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Toan
• Application Number:
  US08/787,904
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 349/155, 349/156, 349/12, 349/158, 349/162, 345/104, 345/173
• US Class Current: 349/162
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13363 Birefringent elements, e.g. for optical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13394 spacers regularly patterned on the cell subtrate, e.g. walls, pillars G02F1/133377 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0441 using active external devices, e.g. active pens, for receiving changes in electrical potential transmitted by the digitiser, e.g. tablet driving signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A liquid crystal display apparatus having an input function includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate; a display medium provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode provided between the first substrate and the display medium; a second electrode provided between the second substrate and the display medium; spacers for supporting the second substrate and the third substrate with respect to each other; and at least two electrodes provided between the second substrate and the third substrate. The display medium includes a polymer projection and a liquid crystal region at least partially surrounded by the polymer projection, and the first, second and third substrates are each formed of a polymer material, at least one of the first, second and third substrates has a polarizing function, and at least one of the first, second and third substrates has a phase contrasting function.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display apparatus having an input function, comprising:

a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate;

a display medium provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;

a first electrode provided between the first substrate and the display medium;

a second electrode provided between the second substrate and the display medium;

spacers for supporting the second substrate and the third substrate with respect to each other; and

at least two electrodes provided between the second substrate and the third substrate,

wherein the display medium includes a polymer projection and a liquid crystal region at least partially surrounded by the polymer projection, and

wherein the first, second and third substrates are each formed of a polymer material, at least one of the first, second and third substrates has a polarizing function, and at least one of the first, second and third substrates has a phase contrasting function.

2. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third substrates is formed of either one of a polymer film or a lamination of a plurality of polymer films.

3. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third substrates has a thickness of about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm.

4. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 1, further comprising a reflection layer provided on the first substrate.

5. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 2,

wherein the first substrate includes a polarizing function, the second substrate has a phase contrasting function, and the third substrate has a polarizing function, and

wherein the second substrate is formed of either one of a polymer film or a lamination of a plurality of polymer films.

6. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 2,

wherein the first substrate includes a polarizing function, and the second substrate has a polarizing function and a phase contrasting function, and

wherein the second substrate is formed of either one of a polymer film or a lamination of a plurality of polymer films.

7. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 2,

wherein the first substrate includes a polarizing function, and the third substrate has a polarizing function and a phase contrasting function, and

wherein the third substrate is formed of either one of a polymer film or a lamination of a plurality of polymer films.

8. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 2, wherein the first substrate includes a polarizing function, and the second substrate has a polarizing function and a phase contrasting function.

9. A liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate, the third substrate, and an area interposed between the second substrate and the third substrate are included in a data input device operable by either one of a pressure-sensitive system or an electrostatic induction system.

10. A method for producing a liquid crystal display device having an input function, comprising the steps of:

forming a first substrate, a second substrate and a third substrate;

forming a display medium between the first substrate and the second substrate;

forming a first electrode between the first substrate and the display medium;

forming a second electrode between the second substrate and the display medium;

providing spacers between the second substrate and the third substrate; and

forming at least two electrodes between the second substrate and the third substrate,

wherein the display medium is formed to include a polymer projection and a liquid crystal region at least partially surrounded by the polymer projection, and

wherein the first, second and third substrates are each formed of a polymer material, at least one of the first, second and third substrates is formed to have a polarizing function, and at least one of the first, second and third substrates is formed to have a phase contrasting function.

11. A method for producing a liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming the display medium includes the steps of:

injecting a mixture including at least a liquid crystal material;

a photopolymerizable resin, and a photoinitiator into a space between the first substrate and the second substrate, and

radiating ultraviolet light toward the mixture to phase-separate the mixture into the liquid crystal material and a polymer projection.

12. A method for producing a liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 11, wherein the step of forming the display medium includes the step of radiating the ultraviolet light through a photomask having a pattern and toward the mixture, the photomask shielding at least the ultraviolet light.

13. A method for producing a liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 11, wherein the step of forming the display medium includes the step of radiating the ultraviolet light toward the mixture using at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode as a photomask, the first electrode and the second electrode absorbing the ultraviolet light.

14. A method for producing a liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming the display medium includes the steps of:

forming the polymer projection over either one of the first substrate or the second substrate,

dropping the liquid crystal material to be put over one of the first substrate or the second substrate, and

assembling the first substrate and the second substrate.

15. A method for producing a liquid crystal display device having an input function according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

forming a rugged surface area in a surface of the first substrate by embossing, and

forming a reflection layer on the rugged surface area of the first substrate.