IP Library Granted Patent US 6,919,944
Granted Patent B2
US 6,919,944 · App. 10/308,885 · Granted Jul 19, 2005

Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,919,944
App. No.
10/308,885
Granted
Jul 19, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid crystal display device 10 includes a pair of substrates 1 and 2 and a liquid crystal layer 3 held between the pair of substrates 1 and 2 . The liquid crystal layer 3 includes at least two regions for displaying images, having different thicknesses from each other. One of the regions is a reflective display region R and the other is a transmissive display region T. The reflective display region R is provided with a reflection layer 16 capable of reflecting light and a transmissive scattering layer 22 b capable of scattering light. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 3 in the reflective display region R is set smaller than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 3 in the transmissive display region T.

Claims (13)

1. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a pair of substrates; and

a liquid crystal layer held between the pair of substrates, the liquid crystal layer including at least two regions having different thicknesses from each other;

wherein one of the two regions includes a reflective display region and the other of the two regions includes a transmissive display region, the reflective display region being provided with a reflection layer capable of reflecting light and a transmissive scattering layer capable of scattering light;

wherein the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display region is smaller than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display region; and

wherein one of the pair of substrates is an upper substrate, and the other of the pair of substrates is a lower substrate, and wherein the reflective display region includes the reflection layer, the transmissive scattering layer, a lower electrode, the liquid crystal layer, and an upper electrode in that order from the lower substrate side.

2. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmissive scattering layer is disposed in the reflective display region between the pair of substrates and serves as a liquid crystal layer thickness-reducing means for reducing the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display region to less than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display region.

3. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of substrates is an upper substrate, and the other of the pair of substrates is a lower substrate, and wherein the transmissive display region includes a lower electrode, the liquid crystal layer, and an upper electrode in that order from the lower substrate side.

4. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective display region includes a color filter between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and the transmissive display region includes a color filter between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer.

5. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 4 , wherein the color filters in the reflective display region and the transmissive display region have different spectral characteristics, and the color purity of the color filter in the transmissive display region is higher than the color purity of the color filter in the reflective display region.

6. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 3 , wherein the reflective display region includes a color filter between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and the transmissive display region includes a color filter between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer.

7. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 6 , wherein the color filters in the reflective display region and the transmissive display region have different spectral characteristics, and the color purity of the color filter in the transmissive display region is higher than the color purity of the color filter in the reflective display region.

8. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmissive scattering layer comprises a polymer matrix and a filler dispersed in the polymer matrix, the filler having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the polymer matrix.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2018
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: 138 EAST LCD ADVANCEMENTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 046153/0397 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2003
From: MAEDA, TSUYOSHI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 013893/0975 →