Abstract: A matrix-type display apparatus which permits a gradation display of gradation number R (R is an integer of not less than 2) includes m scanning electrodes and scans the m scanning electrodes n times in one frame period. The matrix-type display apparatus performs a time-division gradation display under such condition that a time ratio of display periods of the 1st, the 2nd, . . . , the nth display periods is exactly X:RX: . . . R.sup.n-1 X (X.gtoreq.0). To enable such display, the matrix-type display apparatus is driven based on the below-defined R and n, and X determined based on R and n. R and n satisfy ROT.sub.n (X).noteq.ROT.sub.n ((1+R)X), . . . ROT.sub.n (X).noteq.ROT.sub.n ((1+R+. . .+R.sup.n-2)X, ROT.sub.n ((1+R+. . . +R.sup.n-2)X).noteq.ROT.sub.n ((1+R+. . .+R.sup.n-1)X)=0, wherein ROT.sub.n (a) is a remainder when dividing a (a is 0 or a positive integer) by n is (for example, R=4, n=3). X satisfies (1+R+. . .+R.sup.n-1)X=n(m+b) (b.gtoreq.0) (for example, X=1).

Abstract: The drive circuit for a matrix-type display apparatus is a scanning driver for selecting one scanning electrode respectively for four selection periods, and displaying data of each bit for four bits in a pixel on the selected electrode. The scanning driver has four shift registers corresponding to four selection periods. To these shift registers, a clock having the width of four selection periods and a bit data indicating each bit are inputted. By the AND circuit, etc., a logical product of 15 shift signals from the shift register and four select signals is obtained, and using a signal of sum (logical OR) of the logical product, the ON/OFF of a selection voltage output switch and a non-selection voltage output switch is controlled. As a result, a drive circuit suited for the multiplex driving method can be achieved.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels, and each of the plurality of pixels includes ferroelectric liquid crystal material having ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules therein capable of being aligned in a first stable alignment state, whereby a principal axis of each of the molecules is aligned at an angle .omega. with respect to a central line, and of being aligned in a second stable alignment state, whereby the principal axis of each of the molecules is aligned at an angle -.omega. with respect to the central line, and a pair of polarizers on opposite sides of the ferroelectric liquid crystal material, a polarizing axis of one of the polarizers being substantially aligned with the central line.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a multiple number of scan electrodes disposed parallel to each other; a plurality of signal electrodes disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the scan electrodes; and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at crossing points of the scan electrodes and the signal electrodes to form pixels. In the device each of the pixels is provided with a plurality of scan electrodes so as to form a multiple number of sub-pixels constituting the pixel and a pixel dividing device is constructed such that, with a multiple number of scan electrodes A, B and C (three or more) constituting a single pixel, a line width ratio A:B:C of the scan electrodes is 1: N.sup.P -1:1 (N and P are integers of 2 or more) and these scan electrodes are displayed always in the order of A.fwdarw.B.fwdarw.C.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has an arrangement of a plurality of pixel display regions each including a plurality of divided pixels, and is capable of effecting display with a large number of gray levels. Each of the divided pixels is displayed individually and selectively with at least two gray levels. The liquid crystal device further includes pixel electrodes for individually and selectively enabling the divided pixels, and a gray level setting circuit for controlling the sum of the areas of the enabled divided pixels, thereby setting the gray levels of the pixels. In this device, one pixel display region includes n divided pixels and if each pixel can be displayed with m gray levels, the areas of the pixels are set to form a geometric progression using m as a common ratio, whereby display with m.sup.n gray levels for one display region can be effected with high precision.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal display system suited for use in a matrix liquid crystal display device includes scanning electrodes Lp (p=1, 2, . . . m, wherein m is a positive integer) and signal electrodes arranged so as to intersect with the scanning electrodes in the form of a matrix of columns and rows. Further, a picture element is disposed at each point of intersection between the scanning and signal electrodes. The ferroelectric liquid crystal display system is characterized in the provision of a device for indicating which one of bright and dark displays each picture element on the selected scanning electrode has previously effected.

Abstract: A display controller for a liquid crystal panel has a display data storage device for storing data on a state of a pixel as display data for each pixel, an identity/non-identity data storage device for storing data, as identity/non-identity discerning data, on whether a difference takes place between a pixel state to be displayed and a pixel state displayed for each pixel group, and an identification data storage device for storing data, as identification data, on whether a pixel is included whose state to be displayed differs from a state displayed for each scanning electrode group. The identification data storage device includes a data selecting part for deciding which scanning electrode group should be selected in a next scan, and a data erasing part for deciding whether the identity/non-identity data on a related pixel should be erased.

Abstract: A method for driving a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel in which a ferroelectric liquid crystal is disposed between a plurality of scanning and signal electrodes, and a select or a non-select voltage is applied to the scanning electrode whereas a rewriting or a holding voltage is applied to the signal electrode to change the display of each pixel, the method including: dividing all the scanning electrodes into a plurality of groups composed of a plurality of scanning electrodes; selecting a group whose display is to be changed; applying the select voltage to the scanning electrodes of the selected group at once; applying the rewriting voltage to the signal electrodes corresponding to the pixels whose displays are to be changed; applying the select voltage to each scanning electrode of the selected group successively; and applying the rewriting voltage to the signal electrodes corresponding to the pixels whose liquid crystal is to be placed in a second stable state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell including a pair of substrates opposite to each other, each substrate having an electrode film and an orientation control layer thereon, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal filled between the substrates; and a pair of polarizing plates which are provided opposite to each other in the state of "cross nicol" on both sides of the liquid crystal cell; the ferroelectric liquid crystal being bistable in the liquid crystal cell, the polarizing plates being oriented in such a manner that one of their polarizing directions conforms to one of extinction positions of the ferroelectric liquid crystal under no electric field, the liquid crystal cell being applied with an alternating voltage for changing which has a positive portion which gives an apparent tilt angle from one stable state, and a negative portion which gives an apparent tilt angle relative to the other stable state, resulting in display with gray scale.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal display for improving switching time and contrast comprising a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a C2U orientation, a negative dielectric anisotropy and driven by a rewriting voltage for turning a pixel on and off which is smaller than the non-rewriting voltage.

Abstract: An interlaced scanning, in which every adjoining plural scanning electrodes are rewritten at the rate of one scanning electrode and all of the picture elements are rewritten in plural fields, is conducted at a constant period. Furthermore, during the transcribing operation of the picture elements, a partial rewriting operation is performed wherein a selective voltage is applied to the scanning electrode where data to be displayed on the picture elements of liquid crystal display device has changed, and a signal voltage is applied to the signal electrode responsive to, whether the picture elements on the selected scanning electrode should be changed from a bright display state to a dark display state, or from the dark display state to the bright display state, or the bright and dark display states are not changed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying picture elements in accordance with a predetermined voltage applied thereto. In the liquid crystal display device, a light shutter is arranged between the liquid crystal display panel and a light source, and the light shutter shades the light incident to the picture elements being rewritten from the light source.

Abstract: In a method of driving a ferroelectric liquid crystal display panel, a non-selection voltage B is continuously applied to a scanning electrode L.sub.i from the time at which the selection voltage A is applied to the scanning voltage L.sub.i to the time at which the selection voltage A is again applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i. Further, succeeding erasing voltage H is applied to the scanning electrode L.sub.i at the time N.times.t.sub.0 before the application of the selection voltage A. Thereby, approximately the same effect as realized by the application of voltage -V.sub.g for P.times.t.sub.0 can be provided on a pixel A.sub.ij. This occurs irrespective of whether a bright voltage D or a dark voltage E is applied to a signal electrode S.sub.j. Thus, the pixel A.sub.ij can be set to the dark memory state. At the time Q.times.t.sub.0 before the application of the succeeding erasing voltage H to the scanning electrode L.sub.i, a compensation voltage G is applied.

Abstract: A driving method for a display device is disclosed. The display device includes column electrodes and row electrodes, both laid in a matrix of columns and rows, and a display picture element disposed at each intersection between the column and row electrodes and adapted to be selectively set in one of bright an dark memory states. The driving method includes the steps of dividing the column electrodes into K groups of column electrodes; defining the number Z of column electrode lines constituting each group of the column electrodes rendering one frame period; selecting a predetermined one of the K groups of the column electrodes for a time width ZT.sub.0 of each of the blocks so that each picture element in the selected one of the groups of the column electrodes can be set in one of the bright and dark memory states; and selecting a number of times, not smaller than n, the K groups of the column electrodes, during each one-frame period T.sub.F, will operate according to a predetermined sequence.