Abstract:
A liquid crystal display apparatus is provided which is capable of realizing a uniform display even at a high definition and offering a widened operating temperature. A signal line is formed on a signal line through an intervening insulating layer in an active-matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus of MIM drive type. MIM devices as two-terminal nonlinear devices are formed between each pixel electrode and the signal lines. The MIM devices are formed to operate in different operating temperature ranges. By selecting one of the signal lines to be supplied with a driving signal to achieve switching between the MIM devices, the pixel electrode associated therewith can operate within a wider operating temperature range. The respective resistances of the signal lines and/or MIM devices associated with each pixel electrode are adjusted so as to be equalized throughout all the pixel electrodes, thereby lessening a non-uniform display to ensure a uniform display.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a two-terminal nonlinear device such as an MIM (Metal Insulator Metal) device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, liquid crystal display apparatuses have widely been used for displaying purposes in personal computers, word processors, terminal displays of office-automation equipment, television image display apparatuses and like applications by virtue of their advantageous characteristics such as low power consumption, thinness and lightness. Liquid crystal display apparatuses are expected to find wider use, particularly, as image displays of portable information terminal devices. An electronic book, which serves as a substitute of a conventional book formed by binding printed paper sheets, is one such information terminal device. According to the aimed specifications of a liquid crystal display apparatus for use in this device, the screen size is about 6 to about 7 inches, the definition is about 1024×768 dot XGA, and the operating temperature range is about −20 to 70° C. An active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus using an MIM drive has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 59-83190 (1984) and JP-A 9-54344 (1997). 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate part of the configuration of a conventional MIM-drive active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a partial configuration associated with one pixel, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line X—X in FIG.  9 . On an electrically insulating glass substrate  1  is formed a thin tantalum (Ta) film having a thickness of 3000 Å which will form a signal line  2  and a lower electrode  3  by sputtering or a like process. The thin tantalum film is patterned into a desired configuration to form the signal line  2  and the lower electrode  3  by photolithography. Subsequently, the surface of the lower electrode  3  is subjected to anodizing to form a 600 Å-thick insulating film  4  comprising tantalum pentoxide (Ta 2 O 5 ). On the entire surface of the substrate in this state is stacked a titanium (Ti) film, which will form an upper electrode  5 , to a thickness of 4000 Å by sputtering or a like process, followed by patterning into a desired configuration by photolithography to form the upper electrode  5 . In this way, there is formed a single MIM device  6  comprising the lower electrode  3 , insulating film  4  and upper electrode  5 . 
     Further, in the case where the liquid crystal display apparatus to be constructed is of the transmissive type, a transparent electrode film of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or a like material is stacked on the resulting structure and then patterned into a pixel electrode  7 . Alternatively, in the case where the apparatus is of the reflective type, a reflective electrode film comprising aluminum (Al) or a like material instead of ITO or the like is stacked on the resulting structure and then patterned into a reflective pixel electrode, or, alternatively, a transparent electrode  7  of ITO or a like material is formed on the resulting structure, followed by affixing a reflective plate to the whole reverse side of the glass substrate  1 . A plurality of such pixel electrodes are arrayed in a matrix shape, and signal lines  2  are routed to associated parts so that each pixel electrode  7  should be selectively driven through the associated MIM device  6 . Similarly, pixel electrodes are formed on a counterpart glass substrate. The pair of substrates are mated with each other with their respective surfaces formed with respective pixel electrodes facing each other, and then a liquid crystal layer is placed between the pair of substrates to form the liquid crystal display apparatus. 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an equivalent electric circuit configuration per pixel of an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus using an MIM drive and the voltage-current characteristic of an MIM device, respectively. In the equivalent circuit per pixel as shown in FIG. 11A, a parallel circuit including a resistor RMIM comprising the MIM device and a capacitor CMIM is serially connected to a parallel circuit including a resistor RLC comprising the liquid crystal layer and a capacitor CLC. When the liquid crystal layer is applied with a driving voltage V through the MIM device  6 , a voltage VLC and a voltage VMIM are applied to the liquid crystal layer and the MIM device, respectively. The MIM device has the voltage-current characteristic as shown in FIG.  11 B. As shown, the MIM device  6  exhibits a very large resistance and hence hardly allows a current to pass therethrough until the voltage VMIM at opposite ends of the MIM device  6  reaches a threshold voltage VTH. When the absolute value of the applied voltage VMIM exceeds the threshold voltage VTH, the MIM device  6  exhibits a decreasing resistance, while the voltage VLC applied to the liquid crystal layer increases to give rise to an electric field that changes the alignment of liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer. 
     As described above, a liquid crystal display apparatus for use in an electronic book has a panel screen size of 5 to 7 inches and a definition as high as XGA, and operates within an operating temperature range of −20 to 70° C. according to the specifications thereof. In implementing a liquid crystal display apparatus with a screen having such a size and such an XGA-grade definition, the wiring resistance of the routed electrodes and the charge addressing time raise a problem. With increasing wiring resistance, a signal applied is rounded to a greater extent and, hence, a higher driving voltage becomes required. As the location of an MIM device associated with each pixel becomes remoter from a terminal for driving the active matrix type display apparatus, the resistance of the wiring from such a terminal to the MIM device increases. Therefore, the lighting characteristic of the panel used as a liquid crystal display apparatus varies at different points of the panel which correspond to points at which differences in resistance arise. This results in a non-uniform display and like inconveniences. In the liquid crystal display apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 59-83190 (1984), a pair of signal lines extending in opposite directions from a pair of terminal electrodes, respectively, are placed opposite to each other, and an MIM device is disposed between and connected to each of the signal lines and each pixel electrode. This arrangement described in this Gazette, however, aims to correct a pixel defect and, therefore, a driving signal is delivered to the pixel electrode from only one of the pair of signal lines via the associated MIM device in a normal state and, in case of the presence of a defective MIM device connected to the usually used signal line, the other signal line is used to deliver such a driving signal to the pixel electrode. This means that the Gazette does not disclose any arrangement to deliver driving signals to a pixel electrode from both of the pair of signal lines and, accordingly, a non-uniform display and like inconveniences cannot be prevented. 
     As a duty ratio increases with a higher definition, the charge addressing time per pixel is shortened. This results in degraded ON characteristic of MIM device  6  in particular. An active-matrix type panel in which one pixel electrode is provided with one MIM device  6  is usable within the operating temperature range of from about 0 to about 60° C., or from about −20 to about 40° C., and cannot be used within a wider temperature range above 60° C. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 9-54344 (1997) discloses a liquid crystal display apparatus in which two MIM devices having different I-V characteristics are connected to one pixel electrode. This apparatus described in this Gazette, however, is configured to separately apply an on voltage and an off voltage for turning the liquid crystal on and off to a pixel electrode through respective MIM devices. This means that this Gazette does not teach any art of using the two MIM devices separately within different temperature ranges and, accordingly, the apparatus cannot be used within a wider temperature range. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus which is capable of realizing a uniform display even with a high definition panel and which can be used within a wider temperature range. 
     The invention provides a liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix shape on the substrates, and a plurality of two-terminal nonlinear devices provided for each of the pixel electrodes for selectively driving the pixel electrode, the two-terminal nonlinear devices being capable of separately driving the pixel electrode in different operating temperature ranges. 
     According to the invention, the two-terminal nonlinear devices selectively drive the pixel electrodes to realize a display of the liquid crystal display apparatus. The liquid crystal display apparatus has the plurality of two-terminal nonlinear devices for each of the pixel electrodes. Since the two-terminal nonlinear devices are different from each other in characteristics and are capable of separately driving according to different operating temperature ranges, a combination of these two-terminal nonlinear devices allows the liquid crystal display apparatus to be used within a wider temperature range. 
     In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of two-terminal nonlinear devices include a first two-terminal nonlinear device which allows a current equal to or higher than a first predetermined value to pass therethrough at a predetermined voltage, and a second two-terminal nonlinear device which allows a current equal to or lower than a second reference value which is smaller than the first reference value to pass therethrough at the predetermined voltage. 
     According to the invention, the plurality of two-terminal nonlinear devices provided for each of the pixel electrode include the first and second two-terminal nonlinear devices. The first two-terminal nonlinear device is formed to allow a current equal to or higher than the first reference value to pass therethrough at the predetermined voltage, while the second two-terminal nonlinear device is formed to allow a current equal to or lower than the second reference value which is smaller than the first reference value to pass therethrough at the predetermined voltage. By using the second two-terminal nonlinear device within a relatively high temperature range and the first two-terminal nonlinear device within a relatively low temperature range, the liquid crystal display apparatus, as a whole, can be used within a wider temperature range. 
     The invention also provides a liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix shape on the substrates, two-terminal nonlinear devices for selectively driving each of the pixel electrodes, a signal line for delivering a driving signal to each of the pixel electrodes, and a terminal electrode provided at an end of the signal line, wherein the two-terminal nonlinear devices associated with each of the pixel electrodes have a resistance adjusted according to resistances of the signal line extending between the terminal electrode and the respective pixel electrode. 
     According to the invention, the resistance of the two-terminal nonlinear devices for each of the electrodes for selectively driving the pixel electrode is adjusted so that the difference between voltage drops at the respective pixel electrodes which occur at an application of a voltage should be made smaller, whereby influences due to the differences in resistance reflecting different signal line lengths can be absorbed, thus ensuring a display with less non-uniformity. 
     The invention yet also provides a liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix shape on the substrates, first and second two-terminal nonlinear devices provided for each of the pixel electrodes for selectively driving the pixel electrodes, a first signal line for delivering a driving signal to each of the pixel electrodes via the first two-terminal nonlinear device, a second signal line for delivering a driving signal to each of the pixel electrodes via the second two-terminal nonlinear device, a first terminal electrode provided at an end of the first signal line, and a second terminal electrode provided at an end of the second signal line, wherein the first signal line and the second signal line are formed so that a total value of resistance of the first signal line extending from the first terminal electrode to the first two-terminal nonlinear device and resistance of the second signal line extending from the second terminal electrode to the second two-terminal nonlinear device is almost the same at the respective pixel electrodes, and each of the pixel electrode receives the driving signal from both the first and second signal lines. 
     According to the invention, the first signal line and the second signal line are formed so that a total value of resistance of the first signal line extending from the first terminal electrode to the first two-terminal nonlinear device and resistance of the second signal line extending from the second terminal electrode to the second two-terminal nonlinear device is almost the same at the respective pixel electrodes, and each of the pixel electrode receives the driving signal from both the first and second signal lines. This means that the total length of the first signal line and the second signal line from respective terminal electrodes to the associated pixel electrode is generally equalized throughout all the pixel electrodes to equalize influences due to voltage drops of driving signals delivered to the first and second signal lines throughout all the pixel electrodes, thereby realizing a display with less non-uniformity. 
     The invention further provides a liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix shape on the substrates, two-terminal nonlinear devices for selectively driving the pixel electrodes, a terminal electrode to which a driving signal is delivered, a first signal line extending toward one side from the terminal electrode, an insulating film formed on the first signal line, and a second signal line formed on the insulating film, wherein the first and second signal lines are connected to each other at plural conductive portions, and the plural conductive portions each have a resistance adjusted according to resistances of the first and second signal lines between the terminal electrode and the respective pixel electrodes. 
     According to the invention, the second signal line formed on the insulating film, which in turn is formed on the first signal line, is connected to the first signal line at plural points, and the resistance between the terminal electrode and the two-terminal nonlinear device associated with each pixel electrode can be adjusted so as to be equalized throughout all the pixels. This arrangement is capable of lessening the difference in waveform between signals applied to respective pixel electrodes thereby realizing a display with less non-uniformity. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more explicit from the following detailed description taken with reference to the drawings wherein: 
     FIGS. 1A to  1 F are plan and sectional views showing part of the configuration of an active-matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus  10  of a first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the liquid crystal display apparatus  10  having the active matrix configuration of FIGS. 1A to  1 F; 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 C are plan and sectional views showing part of the structure of a terminal electrode  20  in the active-matrix configuration of FIGS. 1A to  1 F; 
     FIG. 4 is a graph representing the concept of a second embodiment of the invention in which MIM devices  16   a  and  16   b  used in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1A to  1 C are separately used in different temperature ranges; 
     FIGS. 5A to  5 C are partial plan views showing an active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  30  as a third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  40  as a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of an active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  50  as a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views of the active matrix configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial plan view showing an active matrix configuration of a prior art MIM drive type liquid crystal display apparatus; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line X—X in FIG. 9; and 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B are a partial circuit diagram and graph showing electric characteristics of the active-matrix configuration of the MIM drive type liquid crystal display apparatus of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below. 
     FIGS. 1A to  1 F are partial plan and sectional views of the active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  10  as a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A is a partial plan view of the active-matrix configuration corresponding to one pixel, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are sectional views taken on line A—A and line B—B, respectively, in FIG.  1 A. FIG. 1D shows a substrate having a signal line  12   a  and lower electrodes  13   a,    13   b  and  13   c  formed thereon. FIG. 1E shows the substrate having insulating films  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c  formed on the surface of the substrate as shown in FIG.  1 D. FIG. 1F shows the substrate having upper electrodes  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  formed on the surface of the substrate as shown in FIG.  1 E. On glass substrate  11  are formed signal line  12   a  and lower electrodes  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  (FIG.  1 D). The signal line  12   a  and lower electrodes  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  are formed by patterning a thin tantalum film formed to 3000 Å thickness on the glass substrate  11  into a desired configuration by photolithography. 
     On the surfaces of the signal line  12   a  and lower electrodes  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  is formed an insulating film of tantalum pentoxide having a thickness of 600 Å by an anodizing process, and then the insulating film is patterned by photolithography to form the insulating films  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c  (FIG. 1E) on the lower electrodes  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  (FIG.  1 E), respectively. On the entire surface of the substrate is stacked a titanium layer having a thickness of 4000 Å by sputtering or a like process, and then the titanium layer is patterned into a desired configuration by photolithography to form the upper electrodes  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  (FIG. 1F) and the signal line  12   b . In this way, MIM devices  16   a  and  16   b  are formed. Further, a transparent electrode film of ITO or a like material is stacked by sputtering or a like process, followed by patterning to form pixel electrodes  17 . 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the liquid crystal display apparatus  10  as shown in FIGS. 1A to  1 F. A counterpart substrate  18  is placed to face the side of the substrate  11  formed with the MIM devices  16   a ,  16   b  and pixel electrodes  17 , and a liquid crystal layer  19  is confined in the space defined between the two substrates  11  and  18 , thus forming the liquid crystal display apparatus  10 . The liquid crystal layer  19  comprises a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal, for example. The side of the counterpart substrate  18  facing the glass substrate  11  is also formed with electrodes, and by varying the strength of an electric field produced between these electrodes and the pixel electrodes  17 , the polarity of the TN liquid crystal is changed to achieve an image display. 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 C are plan and sectional views showing part of the structure of a terminal electrode in the active-matrix configuration of FIGS. 1A to  1 F. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the terminal electrode  20  formed at an end of the signal lines  12   a  and  12   b  as shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3B and 3C are sectional views taken on lines A—A and B—B, respectively, in FIG.  3 A. As described above, the insulating film  14  is formed on the signal line  12   a  on the glass substrate  11 . In this case, a through-hole  21  is defined by the insulating film  14  at a location adjacent the extremity of the signal electrodes. Subsequently, the signal line  12   b  and a conductive portion  22  are formed when the titanium layer for forming the upper electrodes  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  as shown in FIG. 1F is stacked. The conductive portion  22  is formed in the through-hole  21  defined at an end portion of the insulating film  14  and maintains an electric contact with the signal line  12   a . Further, the transparent electrode film of ITO or a like material is formed by sputtering and then patterned to form the pixel electrodes  17  as well as connector terminal portions  23   a  and  23   b . The connector terminal portion  23   a  is electrically connected to the lower signal line  12   a  via the conductive portion  22 , while the connector terminal portion  23   b  is connected to the upper signal line  12   b.    
     The MIM devices  16   a  and  16   b  as shown in FIG. 1 can be separately driven through the connector terminals  23   a  and  23   b , respectively. When the MIM device  16   a  in a conducting state has a lower resistance than the other MIM device  16   b  in a conducting state, the MIM device  16   b  is used within a higher temperature range, while the MIM device  16   a  having a lower resistance is used within a lower temperature range. Such a separate use of these MIM devices  16   a  and  16   b  can provide for a display panel or a like device which can be used within a wider temperature range. More specifically, when the temperature is low, the pixel electrode  17  is driven by the use of the MIM device  16   a  through the following path: connector terminal  23   a →through-hole  21  (conductive portion  22 )→signal line  12   a  →lower electrode  13   a →insulating film  14   a →upper electrode  15   a →pixel electrode  17 . When the temperature is high, the pixel electrode  17  is driven by the use of the MIM device  16   b  through the following path: connector terminal  23   b →signal line  12   b →upper electrode  15   b →lower electrode  13   b →insulating film  14   b →upper electrode  15   c →insulating film  14   c →lower electrode  13   c →upper electrode  15   d →pixel electrode  17 . 
     FIG. 4 is a graph representing the concept of a second embodiment of the invention in which the MIM devices  16   a  and  16   b  used in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 are separately used in different temperature ranges, respectively, to broaden the operating temperature range. A current of 2×10 −10  A passes through the MIM device  16   a  having an area of 9 μm 2  at a voltage of 5 V, and the MIM device  16   a  can be used within the temperature range of from −20 to 40° C. Assume a current of 5×10 −11  A passes through the MIM device  16   b  having an area of 2.25 μm 2  at a voltage of 5 V, the MIM device  16   b  can be used within the temperature range of from 10 to 70° C. By driving the MIM device  16   a  as the first two-terminal nonlinear device within the temperature range of from −20 to 30° C. and driving the MIM device  16   b  as the second two-terminal nonlinear device within the temperature range of from 30 to 70° C., the liquid crystal display apparatus can present a satisfactory display within a wider temperature range of from −20 to 70° C. The concept of widening the operating temperature range can be applied to an arrangement using three or more two-terminal nonlinear devices for each pixel, or combined with each of the embodiments to be described later. 
     FIGS. 5A to  5 C are partial plan views showing an active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  30  as a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a signal line  32  extending from one terminal electrode  31  and parts associated therewith. FIGS. 5B and 5C are enlarged views showing a farthest part and a nearest part from the terminal electrode  31  along the signal line  32 . As in the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1A to  1 F, the signal line  32  is formed at the same time with lower electrodes  33   a   1 ,  33   a   2 , . . . ,  33   a n from a thin tantalum film. On the lower electrodes  33   a   1 ,  33   a   2 , . . . ,  33   a n are stacked upper electrodes  35   a   1 ,  35   a   2 , . . . ,  35   a n via respective intervening insulating films to form MIM devices  36   a   1 ,  36   a   2 , . . . ,  36   a n. As shown in FIG. 5B, the lower electrode  33   a   1  extending from the signal line  32  to the MIM device  36   a   1  located nearest the terminal electrode  31  as well as the upper electrode  35   a   1  is relatively narrow in width, while on the other hand the lower electrode  33   a n as well as the upper electrode  35   a n associated with the MIM device  36   a n located farthest from the terminal electrode  31  are relatively wide in width. 
     Though the lower electrodes  33   a   1 ,  33   a   2 , . . . ,  33   a n and the upper electrodes  35   a   1 ,  35   a   2 , . . . ,  35   a n are formed in the same manner as in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the MIM device  36   a   1  adjacent the terminal electrode  31  has a smaller area and hence has a higher resistance. The MIM device  36   a n farthest from the terminal electrode  31  has a larger area and hence has a lower resistance. By thus compensating for differences between the distances from the terminal electrode  31  to the pixel electrodes with differences in resistance between the MIM devices  36   a   1 ,  36   a   2 , . . . ,  36   a n, as a whole of the signal line  32 , the total of the resistance of the signal line  32  extending from the terminal electrode  31  to each of the pixel electrodes  37  and the resistance of the MIM device  36   a   1 ,  36   a   2 , . . . ,  36   a n is equalized throughout all the pixels. This arrangement allows driving signals of generally the same waveform to be delivered to all the pixel electrodes  37 , thereby eliminating a non-uniform display. Assuming the resistance of the signal line  32  to the MIM device  36   a   1  having resistance R 36a1  at the driving voltage is zero, the MIM device  36   a   2  has resistance R 36a2  lower than the resistance R 36a1  by wiring resistance r of the signal line  32  between positions A and B at the driving voltage. That is, the total of the resistance of the MIM device  36   a   2  and the wiring resistance at the driving voltage is R 36a1 . The MIM devices  36  are equidistantly spaced from each other in the direction in which the signal line  32  extends from the terminal electrode  31 , and accordingly the signal line  32  has resistance r between each pair of adjacent MIM devices. With the resistances of MIM devices being thus set sequentially, the total of the resistance of the signal line  32  to the n th  pixel electrode and the resistance of the n th  MIM device R 36an  satisfies the following equation: 
     
       
           R   36an +( n −1) r=R   36a1   
       
     
     FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  40  as a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a configuration is employed such that signal lines  42   a  and  42   b  extending in opposite directions from a pair of terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b  are formed to face each other, instead of the configuration of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the plurality of pixel electrodes  37  are arranged along one signal line  32  extending from a single terminal electrode  31 , and the respective resistances of MIM devices  36   a   1 ,  36   a   2 , . . . ,  36   a n are adjusted according to distances from the terminal electrode  31  to equalize the wiring resistances between the terminal electrode  31  to respective pixel electrodes  37 . 
     The signal lines  42   a  and  42   b  extend parallel with each other, and lower electrodes  43   a   1  to  43   a n associated with the signal line  42   a  and lower electrodes  43   b   1  to  43   b n associated with the signal line  42   b  extend toward each other. On the lower electrodes  43   a   1  to  43   a n and  43   b   1  to  43   b n are formed respective insulating films, and further, upper electrodes  45   a   1  to  45   a n and  45   b   1  to  45   b n are formed on the insulating films, respectively, to form MIM devices  46   a   1  to  46   a n and  46   b   1  to  46   b n. The MIM devices  46   a   1  to  46   a n on one side intervene between the signal line  42   a  and pixel electrodes  47 , while the MIM devices  46   b   1  to  46   b n on the other side intervene between the signal line  42   b  and the pixel electrodes  47 . These terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b , signal lines  42   a  and  42   b , lower electrodes  43   a   1  to  43   a n and  43   b   1  to  43   b n, insulating films, upper electrodes  45   a  and  45   b , and pixel electrodes  47  are formed in the same manner as in the foregoing embodiments. 
     In such a configuration having the two signal lines  42   a  and  42   b  symmetrically arranged, the distance between the terminal electrode  41   a  and one pixel electrode  47  becomes smaller as the distance between the other terminal electrode  41   b  and the pixel electrode  47  grows larger. Thus, the sum of the distances from one pixel electrode  47  to the two terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b  along respective signal lines  42   a  and  42   b  is equal to the sum of the distances from any other pixel electrode  47  to these terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b . Accordingly, a difference in wiring resistance, which reflects the difference between the total distance from the two terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b  to one pixel electrode  47  along the signal electrodes  42   a  and  42   b  and the total distance from the two terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b  to any other pixel electrode  47 , is minimized. Further, any one of the pixel electrode  47  is supplied with driving signals from both the terminal electrodes  41   a  and  41   b . Therefore, the liquid crystal display apparatus of this configuration, as a whole, can realize a display with less non-uniformity. Though Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 59-83190 (1984) discloses an active-matrix configuration similar to that as shown in FIG. 6, this prior art configuration does not take into consideration the delivery of driving signals from both of two signal lines and hence cannot lessen display non-uniformity. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of an active-matrix configuration of a liquid crystal display apparatus  50  as a fifth embodiment of the invention. In the liquid crystal display apparatus  50  according to this embodiment, a signal line  52  is formed to extend toward one side from a terminal electrode  51 . Along the signal line  52  are formed a plurality of lower electrodes  53  with a constant interval, each extending in a direction perpendicular to the signal line  52 , and the signal line  52  and the lower electrodes  53  are formed thereon with respective insulating films. On the insulating films formed on the lower electrodes  53  are formed upper electrodes  55 . Thus, MIM devices  56  are formed. After the MIM devices  56  have been formed, pixel electrodes  57  each comprising a transparent electrode are formed. The fabrication process from the formation of the signal line  52  to the formation of the pixel electrodes  57  is the same as in the foregoing embodiments. 
     In this embodiment, another signal line  58  is formed on the signal line  52 . The signal line  58  is formed at the same time with the upper electrodes  55  from titanium. The two signal lines  52  and  58  are connected to each other via conductive portions  60   a   1 , . . . ,  60   a n each located adjacent a branching portion at which each lower electrode  53  branches from the signal line  52 . The conductive portions  60   a   1 , . . . ,  60   a n are formed such that their respective contact area grows larger as the distance from the terminal electrode  61  on one end of the signal lines  52  and  58  to each conductive portion grows larger. This configuration is capable of equalizing the respective wiring resistances of the paths of driving signals from the terminal electrode  61  to respective MIM devices  56  without adjusting the distances from the terminal electrode  61  to respective MIM devices  61 , thereby applying driving signals of generally the same waveform to the MIM devices  56 . In this way, an improved display with less non-uniformity can be realized. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views taken on lines A—A and B—B, respectively, in FIG.  7 . Specifically, FIG. 8A is a sectional view of a portion around the terminal electrode  51  taken on line A—A in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view of a portion around the MIM device  56   n  taken on line B—B in FIG.  7 . In this embodiment, the signal lines  52  and  58  are stacked on each other to form a double layer, thereby reducing the wiring resistance thereof. The wiring resistance of signal electrodes used in a panel having, for example, a size of 7 inches and a definition of XGA, which is conventionally 20 kΩ or higher, can be reduced to 10 kΩ or lower. Though the difference in wiring resistance reflecting the difference in distance from the terminal electrode  51  in such a panel assumes 20 kΩ, such a difference in wiring resistance can be reduced to 5 kΩ or lower by adjusting the resistance of each of the conductive portions  60   a   1 , . . . ,  60   a n. As a result, the difference in the wiring resistance of the signal lines  52  and  58  reflecting the difference in distance from the terminal electrode  51  and the pixel electrodes  57  are reduced thereby eliminating a non-uniform display problem. Further, since the wiring resistance of the signal lines  52  and  58 , as a whole, is lowered, the driving voltage V can be lowered and a signal of less rounded waveform can be ensured, thereby presenting an improved display with less non-uniformity. 
     It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. For example, the third embodiment and the fifth embodiment are combined together to eliminate a non-uniform display resulting from the influences of the wiring resistance of signal lines. 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.