Abstract: A liquid crystal panel 1 comprises a plurality of liquid crystal display areas (picto-display area A and the dot-display area C) which are controlled and driven by different driving manners (different driving voltages), an electrode section B is disposed between the plurality of liquid crystal display areas, a driving voltage for driving the electrode section B is equal to at least one of the different driving voltages for driving the plurality of different liquid crystal display areas. Therefore, it is sure to prevent an undesired movement of ionic substances from one display area to another, thus preventing mutual interference between the plurality of liquid crystal display areas thereby preventing any of he display areas from becoming darkened or nicked, thus improving the display quality of the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A portable information terminal apparatus measures the ambient illuminance and exercises illumination control over its display and manual input unit during a predetermined period. The appropriate length of this predetermined period is determined from various parameters including the ambient illuminance and the function(s) to be used by the portable information terminal apparatus. Illuminance measurements are subjected to various corrective computations to obtain proper illuminance decision values. These decision values are used to perform appropriate illumination control.