Liquid crystal display and electro-optical devices with a function element

• US 7,379,139 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Yasushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHIEN, LUCY P
• Application Number:
  US10/329,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,978 Days
• Field of Search: 349/42, 349/43, 349/151, 349/110, 349/111, 257/59, 257/72, 345 87- 92, 345/101
• US Class Current: 349/116
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13312 Circuits comprising photodetectors for purposes other than feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1362 Active matrix addressed cells G02F1/134336, G02F1/134363 take precedence

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid crystal display device which makes it possible to increase functionality by mounting a function element without having to externally mount the function element onto an area near and outside of a liquid crystal display panel. A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix form and a drive element to drive the pixels. A function element, having a function that is different from the function of the drive element, is disposed in an area including the plurality of pixels and used to display. By this, it is possible to increase functionality because function elements having various functions can be incorporated inside a panel.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display device having an area used for display, comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates;

a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix form;

a plurality of drive elements formed on the first substrate to drive the pixels;

a signal wiring layer formed on the first substrate to drive the pixels;

a light-shielding layer formed on the second substrate at a location opposing the drive element; and

a function element having a function that is different from a function of the drive elements disposed at a location where the function element overlaps at most two of the plurality of drive elements within the area used for display, the function element being in a non-overlapping condition with others of the drive elements, wherein the function element is disposed on a surface of the second substrate that faces the liquid crystal layer, the function element being formed at a side of the light-shielding layer facing away from the liquid crystals, the function element includes an element selected from a group consisting of an image pick-up element, a memory element, an operating circuit, a temperature correction circuit, a feedback circuit, a photodiode, and a sensor; and

an insulating layer separating the light-shielding layer from the second substrate and the function element.

2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, the wiring layer including a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines that cross each other, liquid crystal driving pixel electrodes being formed in respective areas surrounded by the data lines and the scanning lines, the function element having a pair of electrodes, with the pair of electrodes positioned so as to cross each other in a plane.