Abstract: A display device has first row select lines for selecting rows of picture elements, picture element signal lines for supplying picture element signals to picture elements which are selected, a drive unit having drive circuits arrayed at respective picture elements each for driving the corresponding actuator in response to a picture element signal, and a selector unit for selecting the actuators corresponding to selected picture elements. Each of the drive circuits has a drives potential generating circuit for applying a drive potential based on a signal from a picture element signal line to upper electrodes of actuators. The selector unit has selector circuits for applying a select potential to lower electrodes of the actuators corresponding to selected guide elements.

Abstract: While an on voltage or an off voltage for displacing an actuator is being applied to an electrode (column electrode) of the actuator, and an offset voltage is being applied to the other electrode (row electrode), the polarity of these voltages is periodically or temporarily switched to keep the magnitude of the displacement of the actuator for thereby extending the service life of the actuator.

Abstract: A display device comprises an actuator substrate which has actuator elements, an optical waveguide plate, crosspieces which intervene between the optical waveguide plate and the actuator substrate and which surround the actuator element, and picture element assemblies which are joined onto the actuator elements. The picture element assembly includes a transparent layer which makes contact with the optical waveguide plate or which stands close to the optical waveguide plate, and a color layer which is arranged under the transparent layer. An opposed area of the transparent layer opposed to the optical waveguide plate is identical with or smaller than a projected area of the color layer.

Abstract: One selection period S and display cycles Td of a number corresponding to a maximum gradation level are allotted in one field, and the display cycle Td is composed of an unselection period U and a reset period R to perform the following control. A row electrode-driving circuit is used to output a selection pulse Ps during the selection period S, output an unselection signal Su during the unselection period U in the display cycle Td, and output a reset pulse Pr during the reset period R. A column electrode-driving circuit is used to output an ON signal during a light emission maintenance period, and output an OFF signal at least at an end timing of the light emission maintenance period, of the period other than the light emission maintenance period. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively reduce the electric power consumption, and it is possible to achieve the high brightness.

Abstract: A crosspiece precursor and a picture element assembly precursor are hardened at mutually different timings to form a crosspiece and a picture element assembly. For example, the crosspiece precursor is firstly hardened to form the crosspiece. After that, the picture element assembly precursor is hardened while allowing an upper end surface of the picture element assembly precursor to make pressed contact with an optical waveguide plate, by displacing an actuator element toward an actuator substrate. The picture element assembly, which is formed by hardening the picture element assembly precursor, reliably abuts against the optical waveguide plate when a display device is in a light emission state.

Abstract: Assuming that a display period for one image is one field, a light source turn on period and a light source turn off period are set for the one field. An overall bending displacement period for making bending displacement of all actuator elements is set within the light source turn off period. A gradational display period for performing substantial gradational display and a reset period for resetting the bending displacement of all of the actuator elements are set within the light source turn on period. Subfields of a number corresponding to the maximum gradation level are set within the gradational display period. Timing control is performed so that all row selection is completed within each of the subfields. Accordingly, the gradation level is advantageously extended when a relationship of Tr>>Tf is given between a light-emitting rising time Tr of the picture element and a quenching falling time Tf of the picture element.

Abstract: A reflective display device includes a transparent display panel into which light is introduced. A driving section is disposed at the back of the display panel. Actuator elements corresponding to a number of picture elements are arranged in the driving section. A picture element assembly is provided on each of the actuator elements. The picture element assembly includes a light-reflecting layer and a color filter. A light-absorptive material is filled between the display panel and an actuator substrate. The actuator elements are selectively driven according to an attribute of an input image signal for controlling displacement of the picture element assembly in a direction closer to or away from the display panel, thereby adjusting degree of light-absorption and/or light reflection between the display panel and the picture element assembly so that a screen image corresponding to the image signal is displayed on the display panel.

Abstract: A crosspiece is formed by hardening a resin containing a filler. The crosspiece and a substrate or an optical waveguide plate are joined to one another by the aid of a filler-containing adhesive containing a filler. After that, the filler-containing adhesive is hardened. Those preferably used as the fillers include high strength substances composed of, for example, ceramics, plastic, and glass. Especially, it is preferable that the filler is spherical.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display-driving device for driving a display comprising an optical waveguide plate for introducing light thereinto, and a driving section provided opposingly to one plate surface of the optical waveguide plate and including a number of actuator elements arranged corresponding to a large number of picture elements, for displaying, on the optical waveguide plate, a picture image corresponding to an image signal by controlling leakage light at a predetermined portion of the optical waveguide plate by controlling displacement action of each of the actuator elements in a direction to make contact or separation with respect to the optical waveguide plate in accordance with an attribute of the image signal to be inputted; the display-driving device comprising a row electrode-driving circuit for selecting the actuator elements at least in one row unit, a column electrode-driving circuit for outputting a data signal-to the selected row, and a signal control circuit for performing gradation control for t

Abstract: A luminance correction table according to an embodiment of the present invention is prepared in accordance with the following process. That is, at first, in the step S1, a uniform image is displayed on a display to detect luminances of all dots. Specifically, for example, a signal of an intermediate level of gray scale (for example, gradation level of 128 if the full scale resides in gradation level of 256) is given to all of the dots of the display to make display. In this state, for example, the respective luminances of all of the dots are measured, for example, with a CCD camera to determine an actually measured illuminance distribution of the display. After that, in the step S2, luminance target values of the respective dots are calculated. Subsequently, in the step S3, luminance correction coefficients for the respective dots are calculated on the basis of the luminance target values of the respective dots.

Abstract: An adhesion-suppressing agent is added or applied to a picture element assembly precursor which is a precursor of a picture element assembly. Accordingly, when the hardening is performed while allowing the picture element assembly precursor to make pressed contact with an optical waveguide plate, the picture element assembly precursor is prevented from adhesion to the optical waveguide plate. Further, the gap between the picture element assembly and the optical waveguide plate is narrowed by allowing the adhesion-suppressing agent to intervene. Therefore, when a display device is in the light emission state, the picture element assembly reliably makes pressed contact with the optical waveguide plate. Further, owing to the adhesion-suppressing agent, the mutual adhesion between the picture element assembly and the optical waveguide plate is remarkably suppressed when the display device is used. Preferred examples of the adhesion-suppressing agent include silicone-based substances.

Abstract: A switching TFT (thin-film transistor) 40 is disposed closely to an actuator 14 which comprises a lower electrode 28b, a shape holding layer 26, and an upper electrode 28a that are disposed on a vibrator. The upper electrode 28a of the actuator 14 is electrically connected through a contact 44 to a source/drain region 42 of the TFT 40. A gate line 46 and the gate electrode of the TFT 40 are electrically connected to each other through a contact 50. A data line 48 and a source/drain region 52 of the TFT 40 are electrically connected to each other through a contact 54. The TFT 40 may be replaced with a varistor or a piezoelectric relay.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display device comprising an optical waveguide plate for introducing light radiated from a light source thereinto, in which the display gradation is controlled by changing the entering amount into an evanescent region existing around the back surface of the optical waveguide plate. In the present invention, an actuator element is provided, which makes bending displacement in a direction to make approach to the optical waveguide plate in accordance with voltage application to a pair of electrodes. A plate member of a displacement-transmitting section for determining the picture element area is provided on the actuator element. The entering amount of the plate member into the evanescent region is changed by controlling voltage application to the actuator element so that display gradation of the picture element corresponding to the actuator element is controlled.