IP Library Granted Patent US 8,279,373
Granted Patent B2
US 8,279,373 · App. 12/821,474 · Granted Oct 2, 2012

Liquid crystal module and electronic device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,279,373
App. No.
12/821,474
Granted
Oct 2, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid crystal module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel, a transparent panel member configured to include a display section constituting a display image plane while overlapping the liquid crystal panel, and a step section connected to the display section and lower than an image plane position by one step, at least one light source disposed in the step section of the transparent panel member, and a diffusion mechanism provided in a part other than the display image plane of the display section and a face opposite thereto, and diffusing light from the light source.

Claims (15)

1. A liquid crystal module, comprising:

a liquid crystal panel;

a transparent panel member configured to include a display section constituting a display image plane while overlapping the liquid crystal panel, and a step section connected to the display section and lower than an image plane position by one step;

at least one light source disposed in the step section of the transparent panel member; and

a diffusion mechanism including a surface texturing provided on at least one lateral face of the display section of the transparent panel member, and diffusing light from the light source.

2. The liquid crystal module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed in a concave section provided in the step section, and the diffusion mechanism includes that a surface texturing is provided on at least a face of the concave section where light from the light source is incident.

3. The liquid crystal module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed in a concave section provided in the step section, and the diffusion mechanism includes that at least a face of the concave section where light from the light source is incident is curved.

4. The liquid crystal module, according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of light sources as the light source is disposed in a plurality of concave sections provided in the step section, respectively, and, the diffusion mechanism includes that directions of light emitted from the plurality of light sources are different from each other.

5. The liquid crystal module according to claim 4 , wherein directions of light emitted from the plurality of light sources are directions other than a direction directing to the display section.

6. The liquid crystal module according to claim 4 , wherein the arrangement of the plurality of light sources and emitted directions of light are bilaterally symmetric.

7. The liquid crystal module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed in a concave section provided in the step section, and the diffusion mechanism includes that at least a cylindrical boundary face is formed in front of the concave section in at least a direction of light emitted from the light source.

8. The liquid crystal module according to claim 1 , wherein the diffusion mechanism includes that an R section is formed at a place where the step section of the transparent panel member begins to erect toward the display section.

9. The liquid crystal module according to claim 8 , wherein the diffusion mechanism further includes that an R section is formed at a place where the step section of the transparent panel member finishes erecting toward the display section.

10. The liquid crystal module according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal panel adopts a polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

11. An electronic device using the liquid crystal module as a display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 4 to 10 , comprising a rear face area of a housing, corresponding to the display section, transparent or empty.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 20, 2012
From: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
To: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
Reel/Frame 028081/0600 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2010
From: SANO, MOTONORI; TAKASHIMA, KOUICHIRO
To: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
Reel/Frame 024582/0749 →