Electronic device with liquid crystal display

• US 7,916,130 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Shunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kevin M
• Application Number:
  US10/989,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20050088403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,323 Days
• Field of Search: 345/80, 345/92, 345/102, 345/100, 345/206, 345/87, 349/149, 349/152, 349/45, 349/64, 349/112, 349/106, 349/69, 349/61, 362/30, 313/498, 313/486, 257/461, 257/607
• US Class Current: 345/206
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0013 Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide coupling light into light guides in general G02B6/42
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133609 including means for improving the color mixing, e.g. white
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133616 Front illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133622 Colour sequential illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13454 Drivers integrated on the active matrix substrate G02F1/136277 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic device, such as personal computer, incorporating a liquid crystal panel which uses LEDs as an illuminating light source for a liquid crystal panel to reduce power consumption and size of the electronic device. When 3-color LED lamps 13R, 13G, 13B of the LED light source 12 are lit, red, green and blue rays emitted from respective LED lamps enter the scatterplate 11 where they are scattered and mixed to produce white light LW which goes out from the entire surface of the scatterplate 11 to illuminate the entire rear surface of the transmission type liquid crystal panel 10. The white light LW that has entered the liquid crystal panel 10 is modulated according to the alignment of the liquid crystal material and passes through the color filters of the counter substrate. The user can view the transmitted light LT from the liquid crystal panel 10 as a color image.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises a second substrate, an LED provided over the second substrate, and a resin covering the plural LEDs,

wherein the resin is provided over the second substrate,

wherein the resin has a curved upper surface,

wherein the plurality of LED lamps is configured so as to be controlled in accordance with input of image data to the liquid crystal panel, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the first thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

2. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a digital camera, a car navigation system, a personal computer, a mobile information terminal, and a cellular phone.

3. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin.

4. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the scatterplate comprises polycarbonate.

5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the scatterplate has a reflection portion on a side surface.

6. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED lamps comprises a uniform arrangement.

7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the plural LEDs comprise a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED.

8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the pixel matrix circuit further comprises:

a drive circuit comprising a driver transistor; and

a second thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a second gate electrode,

wherein the liquid crystal panel comprises a plurality of color filters over the liquid crystal,

wherein the second thin film transistor is electrically connected between the first thin film transistor and the signal line,

wherein the second gate electrode is electrically connected to the gate line, and

wherein the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor have the same conductive type.

9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the plural LEDs are plural LED chips.

10. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED lamps is configured so as to be controlled to be turned on in synchronism with the input of image data to the liquid crystal panel.

11. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

12. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the plural LEDs are in direct contact with the second substrate.

13. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the resin is in direct contact with the second substrate.

14. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises a second substrate, an LED provided over the second substrate, and a resin covering the LED,

wherein the resin is provided over with the second substrate,

wherein the resin has a dome-like shape,

wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

15. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 14, wherein the scatterplate has a reflection portion on a side surface.

16. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of LED lamps comprises a uniform arrangement.

17. The liquid crystal display device accoridng to claim 14, wherein the LED is an LED chip.

18. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 14 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

19. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 14, wherein the LED is in direct contact with the second substrate.

20. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 14, wherein the resin is in direct contact with the second substrate.

21. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises a second substrate, plural LEDs provided over the second substrate, and a resin covering the plural LEDs,

wherein the resin is provided over the second substrate,

wherein the resin has a dome-like shape, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

22. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin.

23. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the scatterplate comprises polycarbonate.

24. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the scatterplate has a reflection portion on a side surface.

25. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of LED lamps comprises a uniform arrangement.

26. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the plural LEDs comprise a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED.

27. The liquid crystal display device accoridng to claim 21, wherein the plural LEDs are plural LED chips.

28. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 21 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

29. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the plural LEDs are in direct contact with the second substrate.

30. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the resin is in direct contact with the second substrate.

39. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin.

31. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises a second substrate, an LED provided over in contact with the second substrate, and a resin covering the LED,

wherein the resin is provided over in contact with the second substrate,

wherein the resin has a curved upper surface,

wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

32. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 31, wherein the scatterplate has a reflection portion on a side surface.

33. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 31, wherein the plurality of LED lamps comprises a uniform arrangement.

34. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 31, wherein the LED is an LED chip.

35. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 31 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

36. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 31, wherein the LED is in direct contact with the second substrate.

37. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 31, wherein the resin is in direct contact with the second substrate.

49. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 31, wherein the LED is an LED chip.

38. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises a second substrate, plural LEDs provided over the second substrate, and a resin covering the plural LEDs,

wherein the resin is provided over the second substrate,

wherein the resin has a curved upper surface, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

40. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 38, wherein the scatterplate comprises polycarbonate.

41. The liquid crystal device according to claim 38, wherein the scatterplate has a reflection portion on a side surface.

42. The liquid crystal display device accroding to claim 38, wherein the plurality of LED lamps comprises a uniform arrangement.

43. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 38, wherein the plural LEDs comprise a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED.

44. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 38, wherein the plural LEDs are plural LED chips.

45. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 38, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

46. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 38, wherein the plural LEDs are in direct contact with the second substrate.

47. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 38, wherein the resin is in direct contact with the second substrate.

48. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scafferplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises an LED and a resin covering the LED,

wherein the resin has a curved upper surface, wherein the plurality of LED lamps is configured so as to be controlled in accordance with input of image data to the liquid crystal panel, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

50. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 48, wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin.

51. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 48, wherein the plurality of LED lamps is configured so as to be controlled to be turned on in synchronism with the input of image data to the liquid crystal panel.

52. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 48 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

53. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the first substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises an LED and a resin covering the LED,

wherein the resin has a curved upper surface,

wherein the liquid crystal is aligned in an optically compensated bend mode, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

54. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 53, wherein the LED is an LED chip.

55. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 53, wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin.

56. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 53 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.

57. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a liquid crystal panel comprising;

a first substrate;

a pixel matrix circuit over the substrate, the pixel matrix circuit comprising;

a thin film transistor over the first substrate, having a first gate electrode;

a pixel electrode;

a signal line, wherein the thin film transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the signal line; and

a gate line electrically connected to the first gate electrode; and

a liquid crystal over the pixel matrix circuit; and

a backlight adjacent to the liquid crystal panel with a scatterplate interposed therebetween,

wherein the backlight comprises a plurality of LED lamps,

wherein each of the plurality of LED lamps comprises plural LEDs and a resin covering the plural LEDs,

wherein the resin has a curved upper surface,

wherein the liquid crystal is aligned in an optical compensated bend mode, and

wherein an insulating film is provided over the thin film transistor and wherein the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal are provided over the insulating film.

58. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 57, wherein the plural LEDs are plural LED chips.

59. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 57, wherein the plural LEDs comprise a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED.

60. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 57, wherein the scatterplate comprises acrylic resin.

61. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display device according to claim 57 and at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, an operation switch, and a recording medium.