Abstract: A multi-layered liquid crystal display device has a stack of liquid crystal layers. Each of the liquid crystal layers is disposed in such an orientation vector between each pair of plates as to bring its good display contrast area following the conversion of the molecular alignment into agreement with each other with regard to a whole display area.

Abstract: An electrode structure on a matrix type liquid crystal display panel includes M column electrodes and N row electrodes both of which cross each other at a right angle to define picture elements via a layer of liquid crystal material. The matrix shaped electrode structure is such that a third picture element C (X.sub.m ', X.sub.n ') is located between a first picture element A (X.sub.m, Y.sub.n) and a second picture element B (X.sub.m+1, Y.sub.n+1), wherein 1.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.M and 1.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.N, thus enhancing resolution in vertical and horizontal directions. A diamond shape is exemplary of the possible shapes of the picture elements wherein each pair of the diagonally disposed corners are connected to that of their adjacent elements.

Abstract: A driving circuit is provided for coloring and erasing a plurality of segment electrodes contained within an electrochromic display. The driving circuit comprises a first circuit for applying a constant current to at least one of the segment electrodes for coloring purposes, a second circuit for short circuiting the colored ones of the segment electrodes, and a third circuit for applying a constant voltage to at least one of the colored segment electrodes for erasing purposes. A plurality of pulses respectively resulting from the constant current and the constant voltage are applied to the selected segment electrodes on timesharing basis. The second circuit comprises a circuit element belonging to a part of the first circuit or a third circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward an XY matrix type liquid crystal. In the case where more than one kind of display pattern are to be displayed using substantially the same line or lines (a column or columns for a column sequential drive method), only line (or column) electrodes associated with a predetermined display are supplied with a voltage. The period of time where a voltage is applied per line or per column (that is, duty factor) is switched in accordance with a display pattern which is about to be displayed.

Abstract: A multi-layer, matrix type liquid crystal display panel is provided with an electrode structure which prevents the display dots from being overlapped with each other. Each of display patterns is provided through the utilization of a necessary number of line electrodes and a necessary number of column electrodes. According to the present invention, at least a necessary number of the line electrodes per display pattern unit are disposed as a single family in the front side cell or in the rear side cell. The respective families of the line electrodes are disposed alternatively in the front cell or in the rear cell, keeping the display dots within the same display pattern from being overlapped with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method of driving an electrochromic display device and the electrochromic display device therefor the latter including an electrochromic display cell having two opposed substrates at least one of which is transparent, a plurality of electrodes respectively applied to the opposed substrates and an electrochromic substance held in contact with said plurality of electrodes between said opposed substrates so as to reversibly vary its light absorbing characteristics by an electric current applied to the electrodes, and a driving circuit coupled to the electrochromic display cell for driving the latter, wherein erasing the display of the electrochromic cell is done in such a manner that the erasing current will be stopped eventually by the electrochromic substance itself in order to secure complete erasure.

Abstract: A driving technique is provided for an electro-optical display which includes an electrochromic material and a predetermined number of display segments, combinations of the display segments each defining a different one of a desired number display patterns. The electrochromic phenomenon is developed within the electro-optical display upon a flow of current supplied through the display segments. In transition of a visual display from a specific display pattern to another, current is applied to only the one or more display segments which are not common to the two display patterns, while no current is supplied to the one or more display segments common to the two display patterns.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-layered liquid crystal display panel is provided herein. More particularly, the method enables double-sided rubbing on at least one of a plurality of stacked glass supports and avoids possible flaws in a rubbed surface through the utilization of a protective coating covering the rubbed surface, thus providing liquid crystal display panels with excellent image quality. The protective coating is of sufficient mechanical strength and easily removable by means of a remover.

Abstract: In an electrochromic display device including an electro-chromic layer comprising a film made of amorphous tungsten oxide (WO.sub.3), the device is fabricated under the ambience of both a relative humidity below 60% and an absolute humidity below 1.17.times.10.sup.-2 Kg/Kg to assure electro-optical properties of the electrochromic display device.

Abstract: A constant-voltage circuit is interposed between a power source and a driver circuit for an electrochromic display. The constant-voltage circuit functions to compensate for variations of an output level of the power source in order to stabilize coloration and bleaching operations. Switching means are interposed between the power source and the constant-voltage circuit for placing the constant-voltage circuit in an operative condition only when the coloration operation or the bleaching operation is conducted.

Abstract: In an electrochromic display comprising a back plate electrode, a plurality of display electrodes, and a reference electrode available for maintaining the potential of the respective display electrodes at a fixed value, there is provided a detector for sensing the counter electromotive force which is developed between the display electrodes and the reference electrode in a manner such that there is created a remarkable difference in the output voltage signal thereof between in the colored state and in the bleached state. Therefore, the output signal from the detector indicates whether the electrochromic display is held in the colored state or the bleached state.

Abstract: A combined constant potential and constant voltage driving technique is utilized which is much more effective to drive an electrochromic display. The electrochromic display manifests the electrochromic phenomenon to place the display in a colored state or a bleached state in response to current applied thereto. A constant potential driving manner is employed in coloring the electrochromic display, while a constant voltage driving manner is employed in bleaching the same.

Abstract: In a method for driving row electrodes (or column electrodes) of a matrix type liquid crystal display panel having a predetermined number of the row electrodes and a predetermined number of the column electrodes, different drive voltages are supplied to the row electrodes or the column electrodes so as to assure, the highest contrast despite different viewing or displaying positions.

Abstract: An electrochromic display device and method of manufacture is disclosed wherein electrochromic material is deposited in a single layer on a single film of conductive material over the whole area of glass substrate and then the electrochromic material and conductive material are successively etched through a single mask which defines a display segment pattern and remains in position throughout the whole etching process, whereby etched edge portions of the different materials are in excellent alignment and there is therefore small plate area for a reverse emf cell and good display device performance is achieved. The electrochromic material may be etched by the solution employed for developing the photoresist, whereby an etching process step is eliminated.

Abstract: A porous separator used for an electrochromic display cell is treated by lyophilic methods so as to be impregnated by an electrolyte. The lyophilic treatment makes it possible to assure that the electrolyte is well impregnated into the porous separator. An angle of contact between the porous film and the electrolyte is selected within an amount less than 20 degrees. A cavity is introduced into the electrochromic display cell, which does not contain the electrolyte therein for the absorption of the cubic expansion of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A plurality of segment electrodes are aligned in an electrochromic display device for displaying an analog value in a bargraph fashion. When the analog value to be displayed increases, a coloration drive signal is applied only to the segment electrode which should be changed from the bleached state to the coloration state. Contrarily, when the analog value to be displayed decreases, a bleaching drive signal is applied only to the segment electrode which should be changed from the coloration state to the bleached state. Remaining segment electrodes do not receive any drive signals in transition of the displayed value.

Abstract: An XY matrix type liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of X electrodes aligned at a given interval in one direction, a plurality of Y electrodes alinged at a given interval in a direction normal to the one direction and a layer of liquid crystal composition disposed between the X and Y electrodes. While an electrode layer forming the Y electrodes is shaped connect divided picture element electrodes, the counterpart forming the X electrodes is arranged to confront with two or more picture element electrodes along the Y axis. Further, each of the Y electrodes is divided into two along the Y axis. A contact area of each of the divided by two Y electrodes extends toward two opposing ends of a support where the Y electrodes are disposed.

Abstract: An additional electrode is provided for developing a secondary electrochromic phenomenon on a counter electrode apart from the major electrochromic phenomenon which is developed between one or more display electrodes and the counter electrode. Current flows from an additional electrode to the counter electrode in developing the secondary electrochromic phenomenon. Coloration of the counter electrode, where the magnitude of an overvoltage of the counter electrode is small is stabilized to thereby enhance electronic properties of the electrochromic display. The material of the additional electrode is selected from metals having an appropriate ionization tendency with respect to an electrolyte, such as Mg, Al, Zn, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sn, and Pb, or a combination thereof. Otherwise, the material of the additional electrode is selected to be an inert material with respect to the electrolyte such as Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, and SnO.sub.2 or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of driving an electrochromic display means and the electrochromic display means therefor which includes an electrochromic display cell having a counter electrode and a plurality of display electrodes, and a constant voltage source coupled through switching means to the electrochromic display cell in such a manner that the display electrodes to be colored are maintained at the same potential as that of the counter electrode, while the display electrodes to be erased are impressed with a predetermined positive voltage with respect too the counter electrode.

Abstract: A driving system is provided for an electrochromic display device in which the coloration state is maintained for several hours through several days of the removal of the coloration voltage as long as the electrochromic display device is held in an electrically opened state. The coloration voltage is applied to a display electrode for a predetermined period of time in order to color the display electrode. When the display electrode is desired to be bleached, the bleaching voltage is continuously applied to the display electrode. That is, the application of the bleaching voltage is maintained for a period of time during which the display electrode is placed in the bleached state. The non-selected display electrodes (those not selected for coloration) are also continuously bleached until these non-selected display electrodes are selected for coloration.