IP Library Granted Patent US 6,933,994
Granted Patent B1
US 6,933,994 · App. 09/889,852 · Granted Aug 23, 2005

Liquid crystal display including an anisotropic scattering layer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,933,994
App. No.
09/889,852
Granted
Aug 23, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

A liquid crystal display comprises a top polarizer 11, an optical compensating element, an anisotropic scattering layer 10, a scattering layer 7, and a liquid crystal device 20 incorporating therein a reflective layer 9. When the direction of viewing direction of the anisotropic scattering layer is designated as the Y-axis direction, and a direction oriented substantially at right angles to the Y-axis direction is designated as the X-axis direction, light entering the anisotropic scattering layer is scattered over a wider angle along the Y-axis direction than along the X-axis direction. Further, the incident angle dependence of the straight-go transmittance of the anisotropic scattering layer is symmetrical about the layer normal, and the straight-go transmittance in the layer normal direction is lower than the straight-go transmittance in any oblique direction.

Claims (14)

1. A liquid crystal display comprising a first substrate having a reflective layer and a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a nematic liquid crystal material with twisted orientation sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein

the liquid crystal display includes an anisotropic scattering layer which is provided nearer to a viewing side than to the reflective layer, and whose straight-go transmittance varies depending on the incident angle, and

when the viewing direction of the anisotropic scattering layer is designated as the Y-axis direction, and a direction orientated substantially at right angles to the Y-axis direction is designated as the X-axis direction, the anisotropic scattering light is provided with a part in which light entering the anisotropic scattering layer is scattered over a wider angle along the Y-axis direction than along the X-axis direction, and

wherein the straight-go transmittance of the anisotropic scattering layer has an incident angle dependence that is symmetrical about a layer normal to the anisotropic scattering layer for both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the straight-go transmittance of the anisotropic scattering layer in the direction of the layer normal is lower than the straight-go transmittance thereof in any oblique direction, and maximum straight-go transmittance is substantially the same in value for both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

2. A liquid crystal display comprising a first substrate having a reflective layer and a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a nematic liquid crystal material with twisted orientation sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein

the liquid crystal display includes an anisotropic scattering layer which is provided nearer to a viewing side than to the reflective layer, and whose straight-go transmittance varies depending on the incident angle, and

when the viewing direction of the anisotropic scattering layer is designated as the Y-axis direction, and a direction orientated substantially at right angles to the Y-axis direction is designated as the X-axis direction, the anisotropic scattering light is provided with a part in which light entering the anisotropic scattering layer is scattered over a wider angle along the Y-axis direction than along the X-axis direction, and

wherein the straight-go transmittance of the anisotropic scattering layer has an incident angle dependence that is asymmetrical along the X-axis direction about a layer normal to the anisotropic scattering layer, and symmetrical along the Y-axis direction, and the straight-go transmittance of the anisotropic scattering layer in the direction of the layer normal is lower than the straight-go transmittance thereof in any oblique direction.

3. A liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the straight-go transmittance of the anisotropic scattering layer in oblique directions has a characteristic such that the maximum straight-go transmittance is higher for light rays obliquely incident along the X-axis direction than for light rays obliquely incident along the Y-axis direction.

4. A liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein a scattering layer is provided in addition to the anisotropic scattering layer.

5. A liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the nematic liquid crystal material has a twist angle that lies within a range of 180° to 260°.

6. A liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the reflective layer is formed as a transflective layer, and a backlight is provided on the outside of the first substrate.

7. A liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein a color filter consisting of a plurality of colors is provided on either one of the first and second substrates.

8. A liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein at least one optical compensating element is provided on the second substrate side, and the optical compensating element is constructed using a retardation film or a twisted retardation film or both.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 13, 2007
From: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
To: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 019817/0701 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2001
From: KANEKO, YASUSHI; ARAI, MAKOTO
To: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 012167/0375 →