Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus provided with the same

• US 20020085155A1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Arikawa, Yasuo
• Application Number:
  US10/015,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20020085155A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/129
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133509 Filters, e.g. light shielding masks
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133533 Colour selective polarisers G02F1/1347 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133567 on the back side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/64 Normally black display, i.e. the off state being black

Abstract

A liquid crystal panel has window portions at positions corresponding to pixels and a light modulator provided with a light modulation portion at a position corresponding to non-pixel-display portions. An electric field is not applied to pixels needed for forming a desired display pattern such, as a numeral. The pixels not receiving the electric field produce a bright image. An electric field is applied to pixels are not part of the desired display pattern. Pixels that to which the electric field is applied whereby a display mode of reverse display (negative pattern) can be realized.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel having a pixel; and

a light modulation means including a first area provided with a predetermined light modulation property at a position approximately corresponding to said pixel, and including a second area provided with a light modulation property at a position other than that of said first area;

wherein the light modulation property of said second area is different from the light modulation property of said first area.

2. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said second area does not overlap any area occupied by said pixel.

3. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal panel is effective for selectively displaying in said pixel one of a first viewing mode and a second viewing mode in accordance with a voltage application state at said pixel by using light which is modulated in said first area, wherein said first viewing mode is different from said second viewing mode.

4. The liquid crystal display device of claim 3, wherein said first viewing mode is visually nearer to a third viewing mode which is obtained by using light modulated in said second area, and said second viewing mode is visually further from said third viewing mode.

5. The liquid crystal display device of claim 4, wherein said liquid crystal panel is formed so that said second viewing mode is displayed in said pixel when a voltage is not applied to said pixel.

6. The liquid crystal display device of claim 4, wherein said second viewing mode has high luminosity as compared to that of said first viewing mode.

7. The liquid crystal display device of claim 4, wherein said pixel is one of a plurality of pixels and said second viewing mode is one of a plurality of different second viewing modes each associated with a respective one of said plurality of pixels.

8. The liquid crystal display device of claim 4, wherein said second viewing mode includes a plurality of alternate viewing modes, each different from each other and associated with said pixel.

9. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal panel includes:

a liquid crystal cell which exhibits a retardation property dependent on an applied electric field;

a first polarization means provided at the front side of said liquid crystal cell; and

a second polarization means provided at the rear side of the liquid crystal cell.

10. The liquid crystal display device of claim 9, wherein said light modulation means is disposed at the rear side of said second polarization means and adjacent thereto.

11. The liquid crystal display device of claim 9, wherein said light modulation means is disposed at the front side of said first polarization means.

12. The liquid crystal display device of claim 9, wherein at least one of said first polarization means and said second polarization means selectively modulates a polarization component having a transmission plane in a predetermined direction to form a predetermined polarized spectral distribution of said polarization component so that a color tone obtained by said polarized spectral distribution and a modulated spectral distribution formed by light modulation in the first area is approximately equivalent to a color tone obtained by light modulated in the second area.

13. The liquid crystal display device of claim 3, wherein said liquid crystal panel includes:

a liquid crystal cell;

a first polarization means provided at the front side of said liquid crystal cell; and

a second polarization means provided at the rear side of said liquid crystal cell;

wherein at least one of said first polarization means and said second polarization means selectively modulates a polarization component having a transmission plane in a predetermined direction to form a predetermined polarized spectral distribution of the polarization component so as to display the first viewing mode by the polarized spectral distribution and a modulated spectral distribution formed by light modulation in said first area.

14. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein said second viewing mode is displayed in said pixel by light modulation in said first area without being modulated by at least one of said first polarization means and said second polarization means which are able to form the polarized spectral distribution.

15. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said liquid crystal panels each having a respective one of said pixel, and said light modulation means is provided at the front side of said plurality of said liquid crystal panels.

16. An electronic apparatus comprising a liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.

17. An electronic apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a liquid crystal display surface of said liquid crystal display device is used as a time information display portion.