Abstract: There is provided an active matrix liquid crystal display having high reliability with improved yield of production.In an active matrix liquid crystal display in which peripheral driving circuits are in contact with a liquid crystal material, spacers are dispersed in peripheral driving circuit regions in a density lower than that in a pixel region to reduce damage to the peripheral driving circuits and to improve production yield and reliability of products.

Abstract: An LCD has a layer of phosphorescent material which emits light at a predetermined frequency and intensity following stimulation by either ambient light or a backlight. In a preferred embodiment, a backlight LED is driven by low duty cycle voltage pulses which periodically refresh the phosphorescence of the phosphorescent layer. The phosphorescent layer may be provided by coating the rear polarizer of the LCD with a phosphor-based emulsion or by applying a thin film of phosphorescent material to the back of the LCD. In an embodiment of the invention, a transflective LCD has a layer of phosphorescent material disposed between a rear polarizer and a transflector.

Abstract: A lap top computer system is provided having a light emitting device for illuminating a keyboard, and the surrounding work area. The apparatus operates to convey light from the liquid crystal display backlighting light source to the keyboard and work area utilizing light pipes. The light pipes transmit light from the backlighting system light source to lenses located on a surface of the computer body. The lenses are provided with adjustable doors covering the light source for varying the level of illumination.

Abstract: An optical switching device of the present invention includes at least two substrates disposed facing opposite to each other. By scattering hard spacers which are thermally undeformable and soft spacers which are larger in size than the hard spacers and adapted to deform and then to cure by heat to adhere to the substrates, the spacing defined between the substrates is kept constant by diameters of the hard spacers. A medium having an optical switching function is retained in a gap defined between the substrates. The periphery of the gap between the substrates is sealed with a sealer. The sealer is made of a thermosetting resin having a thermosetting point equal to or higher than the thermosetting point of the soft spacers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element is manufactured as follows: First, a mixture containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) composition and a monofunctional monomer is injected into the space between opposing two electrode substrates, each of which is constituted by a substrate, an electrode, an alignment film and a polarization plate; next, the mixture is heated by irradiating it with ultraviolet light to a temperature at which the FLC composition exhibits a nematic phase or an isotropic phase so that the monomer is polymerized, and then it is cooled off. With this arrangement, isotropic micro structural elements, which locally give different threshold-value characteristics in the above-mentioned mixture, are formed into a striped structure so that a liquid crystal layer is formed. This striped structure is formed when the polymer that has been formed as a result of the polymerization is allowed to be sandwiched between smectic layers in the FLC composition during the cooling process.

Abstract: Adjacent liquid crystal display tiles are internally electrically interconnected, thereby providing wire escapes for the pixels of the tiles.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes glass cell walls on which are formed alignment layers. The cell is filled with liquid crystal material, such as FLC material. Chemical bonds are formed between the alignment layers and the adjacent liquid crystal layers so that the liquid crystal layers are bonded to the alignment layers in order to increase resistance to mechanical damage.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a light guide in the form of a light pipe, one surface of which is provided with a polarization separating layer in the form of an anisotropic layer for separating substantially all of the light of one polarization from the orthogonal polarization component. The anisotropic layer is provided between the light pipe and a reflector. The layer has a first refractive index greater than or equal to that of the light pipe and a second refractive index less than that of the light pipe.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly (10) can function in either a transparent or reflective mode. The assembly consists of a reflective-type liquid crystal display cell (12) placed in front of an electrochromic panel (14). When a display driver (16) activates the electrochromic panel, it absorbs light. When the driver energizes segments (15) of the reflective-type liquid crystal display cell, they become reflective, providing a visual image to an observer. When the electrochromic panel is not activated by the driver, it is transparent or translucent, allowing the observer to see completely through the liquid crystal display assembly.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector using monochromatic liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The liquid crystal projector includes a filter for filtering light emitted from a light source and for outputting a white light. A condenser lens group then condenses the white light, and, thereafter, the condensed white light is separated into the three primary colors of light by (color filters and applied to an LCD part comprising monochromatic LCDs. The LCD part outputs video images corresponding to the three primary colors of light separated according to an applied video signal. A reflective part their combines the outputted video images and outputs the combined video image to a projector lens. Finally, the projector lens projects the combined video image onto a screen.

Abstract: The transmission type liquid crystal display device of this invention includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. One of the substrates includes: scanning lines and signal lines crossing each other; switching elements formed at crossings of the scanning lines and the signal lines; an insulating film of a light-transmitting organic material which cover the scanning lines and the signal lines and the switching elements; and pixel electrodes formed on the insulating film. The insulating layer has at least a polarizing property. The other substrate also includes a layer having at least the polarizing property. At least one of the layers having the polarizing property formed on the substrates is arranged inside of the liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A visual display system, composed of an array of light emitting devices, forming an image source, a phase spatial light modulator scanner, driver/control circuitry and an optical magnification system. The display system being enclosed within a housing, thereby forming an optical magnifier. The phase spatial light modulator scanner is operative in either a transmissive mode or a reflective mode. In operation, an external stimulus, such as a voltage, is applied to the scanner, thereby changing the phase of light emitted therethrough. The scanning action enhances display resolution of the generated resultant image without an increase in the number of pixels of the image source. The phase spatial light modulator scanner operates by scanning sub-pixels, pixel groups, and/or sub-arrays of the image source.

Abstract: First and second substrates are disposed facing each other. Drive wiring lines including signal and control lines are formed on the first substrate on the side facing the second substrate. A pixel electrode is formed on the first substrate in the pixel region and on the side facing the second substrate. A switching element is provided for each pixel electrode. A common electrode is formed on the second substrate on the side facing the first substrate. A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first and second substrates. An alignment film is formed on one of the first and second substrates on the side facing the other substrate. A pre-tilt angle is imparted so that the ends of each liquid crystal molecule in the central region of the liquid crystal layer near the drive wiring line tilt away from the drive wiring line when a voltage is applied across each pixel electrode and the common electrode.

Abstract: A phase spatial light modulator composed of a liquid crystal cell and a liquid crystal polarization switch. The liquid crystal cell capable of creating a liquid crystal phase prism under the influence of an external voltage. The liquid crystal polarization switch capable of perpendicularly rotating the polarization of light impinging upon the liquid crystal polarization switch, prior to passage through the liquid crystal cell in response to an applied voltage. The modulator, or scanner, thereby capable of modulating the phase of light passing therethrough, resulting in a high resolution resultant integrated image.

Abstract: A phase spatial light modulator composed of a liquid crystal memory cell and a liquid crystal polarization switch. The liquid crystal memory cell having phase information recorded during the fabrication process thereby affecting the liquid crystal material contained within the cell. The liquid crystal polarization switch capable of perpendicularly rotating the polarization of light impinging upon the liquid crystal polarization switch, prior to passage through the liquid crystal memory cell in response to an applied voltage.

Abstract: An active matrix substrate of the present invention, includes a substrate; a plurality of switching elements and a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in a matrix on the substrate; scanning lines for supplying a scanning signal and for controlling the plurality of switching elements; signal lines for supplying a data signal to the plurality of switching elements formed so as to cross each other; a terminal electrically connected to either each scanning line or each signal line, the terminal being connected to an external terminal. An organic film is formed between adjacent terminals.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) providing effects light blocking of even strong incident light without reducing the photoelectric conversion efficiency, and a projector using said SLM, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a drain of the TFT which operates as a first upper electrode of the parasitic capacitor. A second upper electrode of the storage capacitor overlaps with the pixel electrode. An insulating layer is disposed between the second upper electrode and the pixel electrode. An insulating layer is also disposed between a first lower electrode of the parasitic capacitor at its associated upper electrode, as well as a second lower electrode of the storage capacitor and its associated upper electrode. Further, the overlapping direction of the two upper electrodes is identical with that of the two lower electrodes so that an undesired dc-offset voltage is made proportional between each of the pixels in the TFT-LCD array.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a plurality of linear light sources disposed with a prescribed spacing therebetween, a light guide means disposed between or among the linear light sources, and a reflection means disposed behind the light guide means so that light issued from the linear light sources is transmitted through the light guide means and reflected by the reflection means to be emitted in a direction forward from the light guide means. Further, a luminance distribution-adjusting means for reflecting light transmitted through the light guide means is disposed along the light guide means in a disribuption density which varies continuously at a changing rate free from discontinuity so as to adjust the luminance distribution of the light emitted in the direction forward from the light guide means. The illumination device may be suitably used as a backlight behind a liquid crystal panel to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus having improved display qualities.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal display ("LCD") and methods of operating and manufacturing the LCD. The LCD includes: (1) a controllable cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) located between first and second substrates, the controllable CLC selectively exhibiting an "on" state and an "off" state and having a circular polarity of a predetermined handedness when the controllable CLC is in the "on" state and (2) a circular polarizer, located proximate the first substrate and having a circular polarity of a particular handedness, that cooperates with the controllable CLC to increase the difference between the relative brightness of the "on" state and the "off" state, whereby a contrast ratio of the cholesteric LCD is increased.