Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus provided with the same

1. A liquid crystal device, comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes;

a second electrode opposing and at least partially overlapping the first electrodes;

liquid crystal provided between the first electrodes and the second electrode;

a plurality of overlapping regions each of which is located where the second electrode overlaps one of the first electrodes; and

a shading film, located between the overlapping regions, said shading film is laterally spaced a predetermined distance from the overlapping regions to define a gap between a first edge of the shading film and a second edge of the overlapping regions;

wherein light that passes through the gap is emitted from the device.

2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 , wherein the shading film is a grid, the grid having a plurality of elements provided completely outside of each of the plurality of overlapping regions and laterally spaced apart from each overlapping region.

3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 , wherein the light absorbing portions surround the overlapping regions.

4. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 , further comprising a lighting device for illuminating the liquid crystal.

5. The liquid crystal device according to claim 4 , further comprising a transflector overlapping the second electrode for reflecting and transmitting incident light in a predetermined ratio.

6. The liquid crystal device according to claim 5 wherein the transflector is provided with an open portion in the overlapping region.

7. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is connected to a switching element and the shading film overlaps the switching element.

8. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal device is set in a normally white state.

9. A liquid crystal device, comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes;

a second electrode opposing and at least partially overlapping the first electrodes;

a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first electrodes and the second electrode;

a plurality of overlapping regions where the second electrode overlaps a corresponding one of the first electrodes;

a shading film positioned completely outside of any of said overlapping regions and laterally spaced apart from said overlapping regions to define a gap between a first edge of the shading film and a second edge of the overlapping regions;

an oblique electric field applied to portions of the liquid crystal that are in said overlapping regions and proximate to said overlapping regions; and

a polarizer receiving light that is passed through the portions of the liquid crystal where the oblique electric field is applied.

10. An electronic apparatus comprising a liquid crystal device and a container for receiving the liquid crystal device therein, wherein the liquid crystal device is a liquid crystal device according to claim 1 .

11. A liquid crystal device, comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes;

a second electrode disposed proximate said first electrodes so as to define an overlapping region where said second electrode overlaps said first electrodes, and at least one non-overlapping region where said second electrode does not overlap said first electrodes;

said at least one non-overlapping region abutting said overlapping region;

liquid crystal disposed between said first and second electrodes; and

a shading film disposed in a part of said non-overlapping region, the shading film laterally spaced apart from said overlapping region to define a gap between a first edge of the shading film and a second edge of the overlapping region, light passed through said gap is capable of being emitted from the device.

12. A liquid crystal device, comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes;

a second electrode;

an overlapping region where said second electrode overlaps said first electrodes;

liquid crystal disposed between said first and second electrodes;

an area of said liquid crystal adjacent to and in said overlapping region that is subject to an oblique electric field between said first electrodes and second electrode; and

a shading film vertically offset from said second electrode and laterally spaced apart from said overlapping region to define a gap between a first edge of the shading film and a second edge of the overlapping region;

a polarizer absorbing light passed through areas of said liquid crystal where said oblique electronic field is applied.

13. A liquid crystal device comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes;

a second electrode;

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrodes and the second electrode;

a plurality of overlapping regions of the liquid crystal layer each provided where one of the first electrodes overlap the second electrode; and

a shading film located between the overlapping regions, said shading film is laterally spaced a predetermined distance from the overlapping regions to form a gap between a first edge of the shading film and a second edge of the overlapping regions;

wherein light passed through said gap is capable of being emitted from the device.

14. A liquid crystal device comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes;

a second electrode;

a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first electrodes and the second electrode;

a plurality of overlapping regions of the liquid crystal layer each provided where one of the first electrodes overlap the second electrode;

a shading film positioned completely outside of any of said overlapping regions and laterally spaced apart from the overlapping regions to define a gap between a first edge of the shading film and a second edge of the overlapping regions;

an oblique electric field applied to the overlapping regions of the liquid crystal layer and areas of the liquid crystal layer proximate to the overlapping regions; and

a polarizer absorbing light passing through portions of the liquid crystal layer to which the oblique electric field is applied.