Abstract: A lateral electric field type liquid crystal display device prevents the generation of the reverse rotation domain when the reverse-rotation domain preventing structure using the floating electrodes is adopted. A first liquid-crystal driving electrode (e.g., pixel electrode) and a second liquid-crystal driving electrode (e.g., common electrode) comprise comb-tooth-like parts extending approximately parallel to each other and being meshed with each other, respectively, in a region where images are displayed by applying a liquid-crystal driving electric field to liquid crystal. An electrically isolated first floating electrode is provided in the vicinity of the top end of the comb-tooth-like part of the first liquid-crystal driving electrode, where the first floating electrode comprises an overlapped part which is overlapped with the top end by way of an insulating film.

Abstract: A pixel region between a common electrode and a pixel electrode is composed of a principal portion in which the direction of extension of the common electrode and the pixel electrode is parallel with the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules, and a specific portion not parallel with the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. In the specific portion, the distal portion of the pixel electrode and the basal portion of the common electrode are mutually parallel and inclined by a prescribed angle with respect to the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. When voltage is applied across the common electrode and the pixel electrode to generate a horizontal electric field, the horizontal electric field will be perpendicular to the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules within the principal portion that occupies a major part of a column, whereas the field will not be perpendicular within the specific portion.

Abstract: A pixel electrode connected to a signal line through a switching element and a common electrode connected to a common wiring are disposed, as alternating with each other, within each pixel region. Common potential lines are disposed on level below the signal line with an insulating film in between and also on both sides of the signal line when seen in plan view. A floating electrode is disposed on level above the signal line with a protective film in between, as overlapping the signal line and the common potential lines on both sides of the signal line.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a thin film transistor, a data line, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode, a second substrate, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein an image signal is applied to the thin film transistor through the data line to generate an electric field between the pixel electrode receiving the image signal and the common electrode such that the liquid crystal is rotated by the electric field in a plane which is in parallel with the first substrate. The first substrate includes an electrically insulating inorganic film covering the data line therewith, a first island-shaped electrically insulating organic film formed on the electrically insulating inorganic film above the data line, and a shield common electrode covering the first island-shaped electrically insulating organic film therewith and overlapping the data line when viewed vertically.

Abstract: An active-matrix addressing substrate improves the degradation of initial alignment of liquid-crystal molecules caused by the steps or level differences due to the pixel electrodes and/or the common electrode. The pixel electrodes are formed on or over the first insulating layer and the common electrode is formed on the second or third insulating layer. The second insulating layer has steps or level differences due to the pixel electrodes in their vicinities. The second insulating layer is made of a dielectric material having fluidity prior to hardening, e.g., an acrylic resin. The steps of the second insulating layer are relaxed, resulting in the gently sloping steps. The steps of an overlying alignment layer due to the common electrode slope gently as well. The thickness of the pixel electrodes, the thickness and inclination angle of the second insulating layer, and the thicknesses of the pixel and common electrodes are defined.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a thin film transistor, a data line, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode, a second substrate, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein an image signal is applied to the thin film transistor through the data line to generate an electric field between the pixel electrode receiving the image signal and the common electrode such that the liquid crystal is rotated by the electric field in a plane which is in parallel with the first substrate. The first substrate includes an electrically insulating inorganic film covering the data line therewith, a first island-shaped electrically insulating organic film formed on the electrically insulating inorganic film above the data line, and a shield common electrode covering the first island-shaped electrically insulating organic film therewith and overlapping the data line when viewed vertically.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device using columnar spacers to eliminate an influence of shades in rubbing an orientation film and to eliminate remaining of display unevenness (black haze) in black display is provided. Columnar spacers are provided above a black matrix of an opposite substrate disposed opposite to a TFT substrate. A position of a top of each columnar spacer in contact with the TFT substrate is shifted from a center of a gate line of the TFT substrate toward a common line parallel to the gate line. Moreover, a structure is adopted, in which the top of the columnar spacer contacting with the TFT substrate is not entirely brought into contact with the TFT substrate, but a gap is provided between a part of the top of the columnar spacer and the TFT substrate by providing an irregular surface on the top of the columnar spacer or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device that includes a TFT substrate. A plurality of gate lines and a plurality of common lines extend in a first direction on the TFT substrate. Drain lines extend in a second direction substantially perpendicularly to these lines. Bus lines are located outside a display area and are extending parallel to the drain lines. Common line terminals are provided on either side of each block that is constituted by a predetermined number of gate terminals. The common line terminals and the lead lines therefor are formed on the same layer as the drain lines and are connected to the bus lines on the same layer without any contacts being used. Resistance along the routes taken by common lines can be reduced.

Abstract: Lattice-shaped pixel electrodes and lattice-shaped common electrodes are provided on a substrate in which switching elements of a horizontal electric-field liquid crystal display device such as a TFT are formed. Each pixel electrode is integrally formed with one electrode of the switching element such as the TFT. Each pixel electrode has a notch at an external periphery of a horizontal bar of the lattice-shaped pixel electrode. A contact hole connecting the common signal wiring and the common electrode in the substrate is provided in an area of the notch of the pixel electrode.

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display device in the lateral electric field system is disclosed, in which a high aperture factor is ensured even in a narrow pitch case, while also ensuring high contract and reduced vertical stroke is disclosed. In a liquid crystal display device, in which substantially bank-like third insulating film 208 is formed a video signal line 204 and covered by a common electrode 210, a light shield electrode 213 is formed underneath an extension of a common electrode 210 from an edge of a video signal line 204. With this arrangement, a liquid crystal display device is realized, which shields light from the sides of a step part as well as ensuring high aperture factor and high contrast.

Abstract: A dedicated control signal electrode is provided between pixel electrodes, and a strong electric field is generated between the control signal electrode and the common electrode to quickly and securely make an initial transition from liquid crystal molecules in a splay alignment state to the same in a bend alignment state. In addition, generating a strong electric field between the control signal electrode and the common electrode even during operation for displaying an image makes liquid crystal molecules stably stay in a bend alignment state. In this case the scan signal electrode, the video signal electrode and the common electrode, which are required for displaying an image, are not used to make a transition from liquid crystal molecules in a splay alignment state to the same in a bend alignment state and make the same stay in a bend alignment state.

Abstract: An OCB type liquid crystal display having first and second substrates opposed to each other via a liquid crystal layer such that rubbing directions of the first and second substrates become parallel to each other, a plurality of pixel electrodes which correspond to respective pixels, and a common electrode formed on the second substrate which receives a reference voltage commonly to a plurality of the pixels. A first transition nucleus area is formed in the first substrate layer and has a plurality of continuous slant surfaces having a saw-tooth cross sectional profile, and a second transition nucleus area is formed in the second substrate and has a plurality of continuous slant surfaces having a saw-tooth cross sectional profile. The slant surfaces in the first and second transition nucleus areas oppose to each other and slope toward mutually opposite angular directions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device using columnar spacers to eliminate an influence of shades in rubbing an orientation film and to eliminate remaining of display unevenness (black haze) in black display is provided. Columnar spacers are provided above a black matrix of an opposite substrate disposed opposite to a TFT substrate. A position of a top of each columnar spacer in contact with the TFT substrate is shifted from a center of a gate line of the TFT substrate toward a common line parallel to the gate line. Moreover, a structure is adopted, in which the top of the columnar spacer contacting with the TFT substrate is not entirely brought into contact with the TFT substrate, but a gap is provided between a part of the top of the columnar spacer and the TFT substrate by providing an irregular surface on the top of the columnar spacer or the like.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a thin film transistor, a data line, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode, a second substrate, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein an image signal is applied to the thin film transistor through the data line to generate an electric field between the pixel electrode receiving the image signal and the common electrode such that the liquid crystal is rotated by the electric field in a plane which is in parallel with the first substrate. The first substrate includes an electrically insulating inorganic film covering the data line therewith, a first island-shaped electrically insulating organic film formed on the electrically insulating inorganic film above the data line, and a shield common electrode covering the first island-shaped electrically insulating organic film therewith and overlapping the data line when viewed vertically.

Abstract: A dedicated control signal electrode is provided between pixel electrodes, and a strong electric field is generated between the control signal electrode and the common electrode to quickly and securely make an initial transition from liquid crystal molecules in a splay alignment state to the same in a bend alignment state. In addition, generating a strong electric field between the control signal electrode and the common electrode even during operation for displaying an image makes liquid crystal molecules stably stay in a bend alignment state. In this case the scan signal electrode, the video signal electrode and the common electrode, which are required for displaying an image, are not used to make a transition from liquid crystal molecules in a splay alignment state to the same in a bend alignment state and make the same stay in a bend alignment state.

Abstract: An OCB type liquid crystal display having first and second substrates opposed to each other via a liquid crystal layer such that rubbing directions of the first and second substrates become parallel to each other, a plurality of pixel electrodes which correspond to respective pixels, and a common electrode formed on the second substrate which receives a reference voltage commonly to a plurality of the pixels. A first transition nucleus area is formed in the first substrate layer and has a plurality of continuous slant surfaces having a saw-tooth cross sectional profile, and a second transition nucleus area is formed in the second substrate and has a plurality of continuous slant surfaces having a saw-tooth cross sectional profile. The slant surfaces in the first and second transition nucleus areas oppose to each other and slope toward mutually opposite angular directions.

Abstract: A polarizer and a ¼ wavelength plate are bonded to each of first and second substrates of a liquid crystal panel that includes a liquid crystal layer having a bend alignment such that an angle between an optical axis of the ¼ wavelength plate and a transmission axis of the polarizer is made 45° relative to each other to make circularly polarized lights outputted respectively from the ¼ wavelength plate and the polarizer each have a polarity opposite each other. In this case, since a light inputted to a liquid crystal display device is converted into a circularly polarized light before entering a liquid crystal layer, the maximum value of an intensity of the light exited from the device becomes constant regardless of the orientation of the optical axis of the liquid crystal layer 101.