Liquid crystal display device

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device (21) of the present invention, a display area, a connecting area and a remaining area can be set separately in ON (display) and OFF (non-display) states. Accordingly, even in the liquid crystal display device wherein a positive display (normally white display) is made, a negative display (normally black display) can be effected by switching the ON and OFF states. Similarly, in the liquid crystal display device wherein the negative display is made, it can be switched to the positive display. Also, since the ON and OFF states of a liquid crystal layer corresponding to each of the three color filters (58) of red, green and blue can be set optionally, eight color displays are possible by combination of the three colors. Here, the segment side and common side transparent electrodes (54,55,59,60) are formed respectively in two divisions, so that the transparent electrode (54,55,59,60) can be formed by a conventional patterning technique without using the precise patterning technique.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a segment-type liquid crystal display device which displays predetermined characters, figures and so on. 2. Description of the Prior Art Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conventional segment-type liquid crystal display device 1. In the liquid crystal display device 1, an area in which a segment side transparent electrode (a portion surround by a solid line) 2 and a common side transparent electrode (a portion surrounded by a broken line) 3 are opposing each other forms a display area 4 which is a multiple free choice shape. In the liquid crystal display device 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the area outside the display area 4 is a non-lighting area wherein, at least, one of the segment side transparent electrode 2 or the common side transparent electrode 3 is absent. As a result, an area wherein the voltage is applied between a pair of transparent electrodes (hereinafter referred to as an ON area) forms a black display (light interruption display) and an area wherein the voltage is not applied between a pair of transparent electrodes (hereinafter referred to as an OFF area) forms a white display (light transmission display), thus in a so-called positive display method, the black display is always formed in a white background color and the white display is not formed in a black background color. Conversely, in a so-called, negative display method wherein the white display is formed in the ON area, and the black display is formed in the OFF area, the white display is always formed in the black background color and the black display can not be formed in the white background color. In general, in the positive display, a visual angle range is narrow though a contrast ratio is high, and conversely, in the negative display, the contrast ratio is low though the visual angle range is wide, thus each display method has its own feature. Therefore, in the conventional liquid crystal display device, when the contrast ratio is to be raised in the white display in the black background color, or conversely, the visual angle range is to be widened in the black display in the white background color it was not possible to realize the same by the configuration of the ordinary liquid crystal display device. Though a so-called double TN (twisted nematic) structure or a double STN (super twisted nematic) structure, wherein liquid crystal display elements are piled in two layers and one liquid crystal display element is used for negative-positive inversion, may be a means to solve the aforesaid problems, such problems as increase in manufacturing cost, weight and thickness of the liquid crystal display device are newly encountered. As shown in Fig. 2, in the case of a multiple free choice shape display in which, for example, a white area 7 is in a black background color area 6, and furthermore, black characters, for example, "characters and figures" are displayed therein, though it is, in principle, possible to solve the problem by providing, in the double TN structure, an electrode in one liquid crystal display element for negative-positive inversion, and mixing the negative display and positive display in the other liquid crystal display element, such problems as positioning accuracy of the liquid crystal display element and a discrepancy of displayed shape due to a parallax based on the thickness of the liquid crystal display element when looking obliquely may newly occur. In the case of forming the display area in the liquid crystal display device, a segment electrode formed on the segment side transparent substrate and a common electrode formed on the common side transparent substrate are formed so as to be overlapped when the two transparent substrates are arranged oppositely. The overlapped portion forms a display area. Also, by forming a plurality of color filters of different colors on the liquid crystal layer side surface of either of a pair of transparent substrates constituting the liquid crystal display device, and forming, for example, the segment side transparent electrodes which correspond to each color filter in the display area, and moreover, respectively connecting the segment electrodes which are formed in correspondence to the color filters of same color electrically, a color display can be realized. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a segment side transparent substrate 11 in a conventional color liquid crystal display device. On the segment side transparent substrate 11, three kinds of color filters, for example, a red filter R, a green filter G and a blue filter B, formed into a fine rectangular shape are formed. In Fig. 3, in an area corresponding to the blue filter B, a first segment electrode 12 is formed and in an area corresponding to the red filter R, a second segment electrode 13 is formed. Accordingly, when the first segment electrode 12 is brought in an ON state (voltage applied state), the area corresponding to the blue filter B exhibits the ON state, and when the second segment electrode 13 is brought in an ON state, the area corresponding to the red filter R exhibits the ON state. Here, it is assumed that a common electrode is formed in the area including, at least, the first and second segment electrodes 12, 13. In the liquid crystal display device using the segment side transparent substrate 11 shown in Fig. 3, by arranging a polarizing plate to form a cross polarization, a so-called normally white display, in which light is transmitted when the voltage is not applied, can be effected. Accordingly, in a non-voltage applied state, a white color is displayed as the background color in the liquid crystal display device. When the first segment electrode 12 is brought into the ON state, an orientation of liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer corresponding to the color filter B is changed to interrupt the light. As a result, a yellow color is displayed in the display area by mixture of the red and green colors. By bringing the second segment electrode 13 in the ON state, red light is interrupted and a cyan color is displayed in the display area by mixture of the green and blue colors. Furthermore, when both the first and second segment electrodes 12, 13 are brought in the ON state, the red and blue lights are interrupted and the green color is displayed in the display area. Thus, in the liquid crystal display device aforementioned, four kinds of colors, white, yellow, cyan and green, can be displayed. In order to display any color among eight colors (white, cyan, magenta, yellow, blue, green, red and black) by combining the three colors, red, green and blue, first, second and third segment electrodes 14, 15, 16 must be formed for each of the three kinds of color filters R, G and B as shown in Fig. 4, and the first, second and third segment electrodes 14, 15, 16 must be driven separately, necessitating three signal lines for applying the voltage to each of the segment electrodes. However, for wiring the three signal lines electrically independently as shown in Fig. 4, the width of a signal line 16a sequentially connecting the third segment electrode 16 must be made extremely thinner. This is not possible because a resistance value becomes extremely high in a wiring method using an ordinary transparent conductive film. For example, in the general liquid crystal display device, the color filter is selected at 80 micron width and 300 micron length. Interval between respective color filters is 30 micron, and a surface resistance value of the transparent electrode (ITO: indium tin oxide) is selected at about 40 Ω/□. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, when one transparent electrode is to be arranged at the interval of 30 micron, the width of transparent electrode becomes 10 micron, the interval between the transparent electrodes becomes 5 micron, the resistance value of the transparent electrode corresponding to 300 micron length of the single color filter becomes 40Ω x 300/10 = 1.2 kΩ, and the resistance of several color filters becomes 10 to 30 times of 1.2 kΩ. Accordingly, it is hardly possible to drive electrically because of the high resistance value of the transparent electrode. Likewise, in a manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device, it is very difficult to pattern the transparent electrode of 10 micron width on the transparent substrate of 30 cm to 45 cm square at the interval of 5 micron. Accordingly, usually, the four kinds of color displays are effected by the electrode arrangement and wire connection as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, however, in the liquid crystal display device which is set, for example, in the normally white display, four colors of magenta, blue, red and black cannot be displayed. As such, in the conventional color liquid crystal display device, the kinds of display colors are restricted, and hence the display is not diverse. GB-A-2 052 125 discloses a monochrome liquid crystal display device comprising two common electrodes formed on respective substrates and extending over the whole of the display area of the device, and two segment electrodes of predetermined pattern formed, in one embodiment, both over one of the common electrodes and, in another embodiment, respectively over the two common electrodes. Thus, diversity of display is achieved at the expense of a multi-planar arrangement in which the electrodes occupy at least three parallel planes. US-A-4 137 524 discloses a liquid crystal display device having a display electrode and a background electrode formed on one substrate and separated by an insulating spacer, and a counter electrode formed on the other substrate. The arrangement of, and manner of driving, these electrodes enables the contrast relationship between the display and the background to be reversed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device, capable of realizing a black display in a white background color in a negative display, or realizing a white display in a black background color in a positive display, and wherein the aforesaid new problems such as increase in cost, weight and thickness and a discrepancy of display shapes due to an oblique parallax can be solved. The invention provides a segment-type monochrome liquid crystal display device comprising a pair of light transmissible substrates with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, first and second segment electrodes formed on the liquid crystal layer side of one of said substrates, and first and second common electrodes formed on the liquid crystal layer side of the other of said substrates, wherein the first common electrode opposes the whole of the second segment electrode and a portion only of the first segment electrode, and the second common electrode opposes the remaining portion of the first segment electrode, so as to define three distinct areas of the display whose display states are independently controllable. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first segment electrode is formed over a predetermined display area and a connecting area which applies the voltage to the display area, the second segment electrode is formed in the remaining area except the display area and the connecting area, the first common electrode is formed over the display area and the remaining area, and the second common electrode is formed over the connecting area. To the first segment electrode, second segment electrode, first common electrode and second common electrode, the voltage of positive polarity or negative polarity is applied independently by the driving means. Accordingly, the first segment electrode and the first common electrode are formed oppositely in the display area, the first segment electrode and the second common electrode are formed oppositely in the connecting area and in the remaining area, the second segment electrode and the first common electrode are formed oppositely. In the following Tables 1 to 3, corresponding relationship between the polarities of voltages applied to respective electrodes in the display area, connecting area and remaining area, and the display states is shown. Display Area SEG side First is positive First is negative COM side First is positive First is negative First is positive First is negative Display states OFF ON ON OFF Connecting Area SEG side First is positive First is negative COM side Second is positive Second is negative Second is positive Second is negative Display states OFF ON ON OFF Remaining Area SEG side Second is positive Second is negative COM side First is positive First is negative First is positive First is negative Display states OFF ON ON OFF Here, it is assumed that a positive display (normally white display) is effected in the liquid crystal display device of the invention. In the state wherein the voltage is not applied to the segment side transparent electrode and the common side electrode, since light is transmitted through the liquid crystal display device, white is displayed as a background color. In the case of the display area being brought into the ON state (voltage applied state), for example, when a square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first segment electrode, and the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the first common electrode, by addition of the square wave voltages of positive polarity and negative polarity, the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage is applied to the display area. Thereby, light is interrupted in the display area, thus a black color is displayed in the display area. Next, in the case of the connecting area being brought into the OFF state (no-voltage applied state), since the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first segment electrode, as shown in Table 2, when the square voltage of positive polarity is applied to the second common electrode, by addition of the square wave voltages of the same positive polarity, the voltage below the threshold voltage is applied to the connecting area, thus a white color is displayed in the connecting area. Also, in the case of the remaining area being brought into the OFF state, since the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the first common electrode, when the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the second segment electrode, by addition of the square wave voltages of the same negative polarity, the voltage below the threshold voltage is applied to the remaining area, thus the white color is displayed in the remaining area. In such a manner, the positive display (normally white display) can be realized in the liquid crystal display device of the invention. Also, the positive display can be realized by applying the square wave of negative polarity to the first segment electrode and the second common electrode and applying the square wave of positive polarity to the second segment electrode and the first common electrode. Next, the case of displaying the white display area in the black background color in the liquid crystal display device displaying the positive display will be described. In the case of the display area being brought into the OFF state, for example, when the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first segment electrode and the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first common electrode by addition of the square wave voltages of the same positive polarity, the voltage below the threshold voltage is applied to the display area, thus the white color is displayed in the display area. In the case of the connecting area being brought into the ON state, since the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first segment electrode, when the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the second common electrode, by addition of the square wave voltages of positive polarity and negative polarity, the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage is applied to the connecting area, thus the black color is displayed in the connecting area. Furthermore, in the case of the remaining area being brought into the ON state, since the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first common electrode, by applying the square wave voltage of negative polarity to the second segment electrode, the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage is applied to the remaining area by addition of the square wave voltages of positive polarity and negative polarity, thus the black color is displayed in the remaining area. In such a way, the display area is made in white and the connecting area and the remaining area can be made in black display, so that even in the liquid crystal display device wherein the positive display is effected originally, the negative display (normally black display) is possible. Also, by applying the voltage to respective electrodes in the same way as aforementioned, the positive display which displays black color on the white background color can be effected in the liquid crystal display device, wherein the negative display (normally black display) which displays the white color in the black background color is effected. In such a manner, by using one liquid crystal display device and changing the voltage applying methods, the negative display and the positive display can be executed selectively. Thereby, diversity of display of the liquid crystal display device can be improved. As stated above, in the liquid crystal display device according to the invention, by changing the voltage applying methods to the electrodes, the negative display and positive display can be effected selectively. Thereby, as described with respect to the prior art, the liquid crystal display element does not need to be piled in two layers; thus the liquid crystal display device can be made smaller and lighter and diversity of display can be considerably improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are plan views for explaining a first conventional example, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are plan views for explaining a second conventional example, Fig. 5 is a plan view of a liquid crystal display device 21 which is a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a shape of first and second segment electrodes 29, 30, Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a shape of first and second common electrodes 31, 32, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of lines VIII-VIII of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of lines IX-IX of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of lines X-X of Fig. 5, Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a liquid crystal display device 21, Fig. 12 is a view showing applied voltage waveforms applied to respective electrodes when a positive display is effected in a liquid crystal display device 21, Fig. 13 is a plan view showing an example of positive display in a liquid crystal display device 21, Fig. 14 is a view showing applied voltage waveforms applied to respective electrodes when a negative display is effected in a liquid crystal display device 21, Fig. 15 is a plan view showing an example of negative display in a liquid crystal display device 21, and Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Fig. 5 is a plan view of a liquid crystal display device 21 which is a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a view showing a shape of first and second segment electrodes 29, 30 and Fig. 7 is a view showing a shape of first and second common electrodes 31, 32. As shown in Fig. 5, in the liquid crystal display device 21, a display area which is a multiple free choice shape (area shown by oblique lines in this embodiment) 22, a connecting area (area surrounded by a dashed line) 23 and a remaining area (area surrounded by two-dot line) 24 are set. Here, the connecting area 23 represents an area, in which a transparent electrode for applying voltage to the display area 22 is formed. As shown in Fig. 6, the first segment electrode 29 is formed corresponding to the display area 22 and the connecting area 23, and the second segment electrode 30 is formed corresponding to the remaining area 24. Also, as shown in Fig. 7, the first common electrode 31 is formed corresponding to the display area 22 and the remaining area 24 (in other words, formed in the whole area except the connecting area 23), and the second common electrode 32 is formed corresponding to the connecting area 23. Meanwhile, the first and second common electrodes 25, 26 are formed on a transparent substrate (or light transmissible substrate) 33 whereon a segment side transparent electrode is formed by common transfer. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of lines VIII-VIII of Fig. 5, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of lines IX-IX of Fig. 5. The liquid crystal display device 21 includes a pair of transparent substrates (or light transmissible substrates) 33, 34. On one surface of the transparent substrate 33, the first and second segment electrodes 29, 30 are formed. On one surface of the transparent substrate 33 whereon the first and second segment electrodes 29, 30 are formed, an organic orientation film 35 such as polyimide resin is formed. On one surface of the transparent substrate 34, the first and second common electrodes 31, 32 are formed. On one surface of the transparent substrate 34 whereon the first and second common electrodes 31, 32 are formed, an organic orientation film 36 such as polyimide resin is formed. The transparent substrates 33, 34 are arranged such that the surfaces whereon the organic orientation films 35, 36 are respectively formed face each other. A twisted nematic liquid crystal layer 37 is interposed between the transparent substrates 33, 34 and sealed by means of sealing members 38. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer is selected at 4 micron to 30 micron. On opposite side surfaces of the transparent substrates 33, 34 to the liquid crystal layer 27 side, polarizing plates 39, 40 are disposed respectively. The transparent electrode formed corresponding to the connecting area 23 in the aforesaid liquid crystal display device 21 is constituted by, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide). Though ITOs having a medium resistance value of 20 Ω/□ to 50 Ω/□ as a surface resistance value is generally used, ITO having a low resistance value may also be used. Though the width of the connecting area 23 is selected at 50 micron to 100 micron, and an interval between the transparent electrodes (i.e. interval between the first and second segments electrodes 29, 30 in Fig. 8) is selected at 30 micron, values between 10 micron and 80 micron may be adopted. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of lines X-X of Fig. 5. The transparent electrode 25 formed on the transparent substrate 33 and the first common electrode 31 formed on the transparent substrate 34 are electrically connected by an anisotropic conductor 41 in a common transfer portion 27. In the anisotropic conductor 41, silver (Ag) paste or the like is used. Accordingly, the applied voltage from a driving circuit to be described later is applied to the first common electrode 31 via the transparent electrode 25 and the anisotropic conductor 41. With respect to a common transfer portion 28, it is constructed the same as the common transfer portion 27, and the transparent electrode 26 formed on the transparent substrate 33 and the second common electrode 32 formed on the transparent substrate 34 are electrically connected by the anisotropic conductor. Accordingly, the applied voltage is applied to the second common electrode 32 via the transparent electrode 26 and the anisotropic conductor. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the liquid crystal display device 21. The square wave voltage of positive polarity from an inverter power source 45 is applied to the liquid crystal display device 21 via a driving circuit 49. The driving circuit 49 is constituted by polarity inverters 46, 47, an amplifier 48 and polarity inverting switches SW1 to SW4. The square voltage of positive polarity is applied to a terminal TS1 via the polarity inverting switch SW1, to a terminal TS2 via the polarity inverter 46 and the polarity inverting switch SW2, to a terminal TC1 via the polarity inverter 47 and the polarity inverting switch SW3 and to a terminal TC2 via the amplifier 48 and the polarity inverting switch SW4. In the polarity inverters 46, 47, amplifiers are included. The polarity inverting switches SW1 to SW4 output the polarity of the input signal as it is when in an open state, and the inverse polarity of the input signal when in a closed state. Fig. 12 is a view showing applied voltage waveforms applied to respective electrodes when a positive display is effected in the liquid crystal display device 21, and Fig. 13 is a view showing an example of positive display. In the display area 22, as shown in Fig. 12(1), the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first segment electrode 29, and the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the first common electrode 31. Accordingly, by addition of the square wave voltages of positive polarity and negative polarity, the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage Vth is applied to the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the display area 22. Thereby, light is interrupted and a black color is displayed in the display area 22. In the connecting area 23, as shown in Fig. 12(2), the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the first segment electrode 29, and the square wave voltage of positive polarity is applied to the second common electrode 32. Accordingly, by addition of the square wave voltages of the same positive polarity, the voltage lower than the threshold voltage Vth is applied to the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the connecting area 23. Thereby, light is not interrupted and a white color is displayed in the connecting area 23. In the remaining area 24, as shown in Fig. 12(3), the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the second segment electrode 30, and the square wave voltage of negative polarity is applied to the first common electrode 31. Accordingly, by addition of the negative polarity voltages, the voltage lower than the threshold voltage Vth is applied to the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the remaining area 24. Thereby, light is not interrupted and a white color is displayed in the remaining area 24. In general, in the case of a liquid crystal display device using a twisted nematic liquid crystal, driving frequencies are selected between 30 Hz and 200 Hz and threshold voltages are selected between 5V and 7V. Fig. 14 is a view showing applied voltage waveforms applied to respective electrodes when a negative display is effected in the liquid crystal display device 21 adopting a positive display method, and Fig. 15 is a view showing a display example of the liquid crystal display device 21 in case of the negative display. In Fig. 11, by closing the polarity inverting switches SW3, SW4, the square wave voltage of positive polarity is given to the terminal TC1, and the square wave voltage of negative polarity is given to the terminal TC2. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 14(1), the voltage lower than the threshold voltage Vth is applied to the display area 22, so that the display area 22 does not interrupt light and a white color is displayed. While, in the connecting area 23 and the remaining area 24, as shown in Fig. 14(2) and Fig.14(3), the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage Vth is applied to the liquid crystal layer, so that the connecting area 23 and the remaining area 24 interrupt light and a black color is displayed. As such, by switching the polarity inverting switches, in one liquid crystal display device 21, both the negative display and positive display can be effected. Here, since there is a gap between the electrodes in the connecting area 23 as shown in Fig. 15, when the positive display is switched over to the negative display, it is impossible to display completely in black. However, in the case of providing mask patterns (light interrupting member) on the electrode at equal intervals such as are known in a TFT type liquid crystal display device or a so-called duty color liquid crystal display device, the gap in the connecting area 23 may be covered by the mask pattern. In the embodiment, though the polarizing plates 39, 40 are arranged to form a cross polarization to effect the positive display, in which white is displayed as the background color when the voltage is not applied, the polarizing plates 39, 40 may be arranged to form a parallel polarization to effect the negative display in which black is displayed as the background color when the voltage is not applied. Even in this case, the negative display can be switched to the positive display by switching the polarity inverting switches. As aforementioned, according to the embodiment, even in the liquid crystal display device 21, the negative display and positive display can be effected selectively by changing the methods of applying the voltage to respective electrodes. Thereby, it is not necessary for the liquid crystal display element to be piled in two layers as in the prior art, and the liquid crystal display device 21 can be made smaller and lighter, improving diversity of display considerably. Embodiment 2 Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the invention. The embodiment is similar to the first embodiment stated hereinabove; thus, like or corresponding parts are designated by like reference characters. The embodiment is characterized by setting a plurality of display areas 22 (two in this embodiment). The embodiment also involves the same effects as the first embodiment. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departure from its scope as defined by the claims.

Claims: A segment-type monochrome liquid crystal display device comprising a pair of light transmissible substrates (33,34) with a liquid crystal layer (37) sandwiched therebetween, first and second segment electrodes (29,30) formed on the liquid crystal layer side of one of said substrates (33), and first and second common electrodes (31,32) formed on the liquid crystal layer side of the other of said substrates (34), wherein the first common electrode (31) opposes the whole of the second segment electrode (30) and a portion only of the first segment electrode (29), and the second common electrode (32) opposes the remaining portion of the first segment electrode (29), so as to define three distinct areas (24,22,23) of the display whose display states are independently controllable. A segment-type monochrome liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein one of said distinct areas comprises a connection area (23) used for supplying a driving voltage to another one (22) of said distinct areas.

Inventors: SHIOJI MITSUAKI, SHIOJI, MITSUAKI
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G09G3
IPC codes: G02F1, G09G3