Abstract: An object of the invention is to satisfactorily present a bright state and a dark state with a low driving voltage without changing a liquid crystal material. A liquid crystal device 100 having a configuration wherein a polarizing plate 11, a liquid crystal layer 14 and an optical reflective layer 15 are arranged in this order from the front side of the device. The liquid crystal layer 14 is capable of providing one retardation when the liquid crystal layer is applied with a predetermined high voltage and providing the other retardation when the liquid crystal layer is applied with a predetermined low voltage, for light that is incident from the polarizing plate 11, passes through the liquid crystal layer, reflects on the optical reflective layer 15, passes again through the liquid crystal layer 14 and is guided to the polarizing plate 11, whereby a bright state and a dark state are presented based on a difference between these retardations.

Abstract: A polyimide film is formed in only the peripheries of picture elements defined by gate bus lines and data bus lines. The areas where the polyimide film is formed have higher thresholds of transmittance-voltage (T-V) characteristics than the areas without polyimide films. Discolor can be suppressed by providing a plurality of areas having different T-V characteristics within each picture element as described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transient control drive method, for driving a liquid crystal capacitor of a pixel circuit from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, comprises: driving the liquid crystal capacitor from the first voltage level to an intermediate voltage level; and driving the liquid crystal capacitor from the intermediate voltage level to the second voltage level. The present invention further provides a transient control drive circuit and an image display system thereof.

Abstract: The present invention builds a metal electrode that is controlled by the common electrode in each pixel cell. During operation, a voltage is first applied to this metal electrode to transform the liquid crystal molecule over this metal electrode from the splay state to the bend state. Next, a voltage is applied to the pixel electrode to transform the liquid crystal molecule in the whole pixel region from the splay state to the bend state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal display and a driving method are provided. The method comprises supplying different driving voltages in a plurality of areas of a unit pixel. The liquid crystal molecules in different areas receive different driving voltages to generate different arranging directions to promote the uniform brightness.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active matrix liquid crystal display device including: an active matrix liquid crystal display device of a normally black mode which includes an active matrix substrate and an opposed substrate and in which a black matrix is not provided on the opposed substrate, wherein a gap between opaque electrodes which are closely located and whose electric potentials are different from each other in a frame portion around a display area of the active matrix substrate is covered with a constant-potential transparent electrode arranged in an upper layer of the gap.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a flat panel display is provided including a display panel moving unit, and a laser unit for generating a laser beam, wherein the laser unit comprises a mask for selectively passing the laser beam, a reducing lens for reducing the laser beam having passed the mask, and a blocking part for substantially preventing an external air current from flowing into a space between the mask and the reducing lens where a focus of the laser beam is formed.

Abstract: An in-plane switching liquid crystal display device is designed in such a way that an angle defined by the lengthwise direction of a common electrode and a pixel electrode and a rubbing direction of an alignment layer is set to 10 to 20°, a cell gap d is set to 2.7 ?m or smaller, the dielectric anisotropy ?? of a liquid crystal constituting a liquid crystal layer is set to 8 to 20, a white voltage Vwhite to be applied to the pixel electrode when displaying white is set to 4 to 7 V, and the white voltage Vwhite (V), the dielectric anisotropy ?? of the liquid crystal, the cell gap d (?m) and an interval L (?m) between the common electrode and the pixel electrode satisfy the following expression. 11.8 > V white d - 0.6 × L 0.5 × ? ? ? ? - 0.5 > 9.

Abstract: An optically compensated birefringence liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is provided, which includes an active device array apparatus, a color filter apparatus, and an optically compensated birefringence liquid crystal layer disposed between the active device array apparatus and the color filter apparatus. The color filter apparatus includes a substrate, a color filter array, a common electrode, a plurality of electrode lines, and an insulating layer. The color filter array is disposed on the substrate and has a black matrix and a color filter layer. The common electrode is disposed over the color filter array. The electrode lines are disposed over the common electrode. The insulating layer is disposed between the common electrode and the electrode lines. Accordingly, the problems of delay of data signal and overload of the driving circuit when a high voltage is applied to the control signal electrode of the conventional LCD panel are resolved.

Abstract: A method for detecting a storage voltage, a display apparatus using the storage voltage and a method for driving the display apparatus. The method for detecting the storage voltage includes applying a test voltage to a storage line in a display panel having an active layer disposed between the storage line and a data line while varying the test voltage, the active layer being in an active state or an inactive state according to the test voltage, and detecting the storage voltage corresponding to the test voltage in an inactive state of the active layer. Thus, the display panel is driven by using the detected storage voltage, so that an aperture ratio may be increased and current consumption may be decreased.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a display area in which pixels each having a switching element and electrode are arranged forming a matrix; a first scanning circuit to control whether the switching elements are turned on or off via first wires; a second scanning circuit to control whether an image signal generating circuit is electrically connected to or disconnected from second wires, and to assign image signals to the pixels via those wires; a discharging element to discharge the assigned image signals; a detecting circuit to detect reduction in a power supply voltage and to output a detection signal; and a control circuit to perform a controlling operation according to the signal so that the image signal generating circuit is electrically disconnected from the second wires, the switching elements are turned on, and the discharging element is caused to operate.

Abstract: The present invention builds a metal electrode that is controlled by the common electrode in each pixel cell. During operation, a voltage is first applied to this metal electrode to transform the liquid crystal molecule over this metal electrode from the splay state to the bend state. Next, a voltage is applied to the pixel electrode to transform the liquid crystal molecule in the whole pixel region from the splay state to the bend state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device that operates in a first operation mode and a second operation mode. The liquid crystal device includes a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixel circuits, a scanning line driving device, and a data line driving device. The plurality of pixel circuits are provided at positions corresponding to intersections of the scanning line and the data lines. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a liquid crystal element that has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a liquid crystal held between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first alignment, which is an initial state, and a second alignment for display are provided for the liquid crystal as an alignment state. The scanning line driving device selects the plurality of scanning lines in a predetermined order.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal display and a driving method are provided. The method comprises supplying different driving voltages in a plurality of areas of a unit pixel. The liquid crystal molecules in different areas receive different driving voltages to generate different arranging directions to promote the uniform brightness.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate and liquid crystal. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes, a peripheral circuit and a dummy wiring. The peripheral circuit and the dummy wiring are provided outside a pixel area in which the pixel electrodes are arranged. The second substrate is opposed to the first substrate through the liquid crystal. The second substrate includes a translucent conductive film that is provided on an opposite side of the second substrate to a side where the liquid crystal is present. The dummy wiring is located on an outer peripheral side of the substrates than the peripheral circuit and is provided independently of the peripheral circuit in terms of circuit. The dummy wiring is grounded outside the first substrate.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device having an OCB liquid crystal panel, the frame frequency is set at 0.5 to 10 Hz and a reverse transition prevention voltage is set at 1 V while the liquid crystal panel is in a standby state.

Abstract: An image display device includes two data signal line drive circuits and two scan signal line drive circuits configured differently from each other. Different data signal line drive circuits and scan signal line drive circuit are compatible with different display formats. A display can be produced in the most suitable display format, and power consumption also can be reduced, by switch operating drive circuits according to the kind of input video and environmental conditions. Further, an image can be written over another image by writing video signals to signal lines with a time lag using a plurality of drive circuits; therefore, a superimposed display can be produced without externally processing the video signals. Thus, both a satisfactory image display and low power consumption can be achieved in an image display device.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system includes a vehicle interior trim member selectably mountable to a vehicle interior. The vehicle interior trim member includes an electrical load device and a releasable connector having a fixed terminal contact for receiving power for powering the electrical load device. A power supply connector is fixedly mounted to the vehicle interior and is releasably attachable to the releasable connector for supplying power from the power supply to the electrical load device. A retractable terminal contact of the power supply connector is in a retracted position for receiving power from the power supply when the vehicle interior trim member is selectively attached to the vehicle. The retractable terminal contact being in an extended position and being disconnected from the power supply when the releasable connector is disconnected from the power supply connector in response to the vehicle interior trim member selectively detached from the vehicle.

Abstract: An LCD device includes an LCD panel and a power supply section. The LCD panel includes a first substrate having a storage electrode and a pixel electrode, a second substrate having a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates. The LCD panel has an alignment interval during which liquid crystal molecules are transitioned from a splay state to a bend state and a normal operating interval during which an image is displayed in the bend state. The power supply section supplies a first alignment voltage that is higher than the data voltage to the common electrode and supplies a second alignment voltage that is lower than the data voltage to the storage electrode, during the alignment interval. Thus, a transition speed from a transient splay state into a bend state is enhanced, so that an alignment interval may be decreased.

Abstract: In a light sensing element having simplified structure, an array substrate having the light sensing element and an LCD apparatus having the light sensing element, the light sensing element includes a first electrode, a control electrode and a second electrode. An alternating bias voltage is applied to the first electrode. An off voltage is applied to the control electrode. The second electrode outputs a light-induced leakage current based on an externally provided light and the bias voltage. Therefore, the array substrate includes one light sensing switching element corresponding to one pixel so that structure of the array substrate is simplified and opening ratio is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to an LCD panel for preventing the generation of blur due to ionic impurities. The LCD panel comprises a first substrate having a common electrode; a second substrate having an active area; a seal pattern along the periphery of said active area between said first substrate and said second substrate; a liquid crystal layer between said first substrate and said second substrate in said active area; and an electrode pattern between said seal pattern and said second substrate. Alternatively, the seal pattern has outwardly projecting corner portions. An electric field is generated between the electrode pattern and the common electrode so that the ionic impurities are prevented from penetrating into the active area, and the ionic impurities in liquid crystal are captured in the seal pattern portion to prevent the generation of blur due to ionic impurities.

Abstract: A polarization controller includes: a liquid crystal cell; a mechanism for determining a compensation voltage; and a voltage driving circuit for applying the compensation voltage to the liquid crystal cell, where the application of the compensation voltage optimizes an extinction ratio of the liquid crystal cell. The controller controls the extinction ratio using an applied voltage to compensate for temperature changes, liquid crystal cell gap variations, and other errors of the liquid crystal cell. This controller is aimed at liquid crystal devices used in a wide ambient temperature range and is also useful to compensate for the fabrication errors of the liquid crystal switches.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer placed between the pair of substrates and an alignment film placed on the side of at least one of the pair of substrates facing the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer has a first region in which the pretilt direction of liquid crystal molecules of which the alignment is regulated with alignment regulating force of a surface of the alignment film is a first direction and a second region in which the pretilt direction is a second direction different from the first direction. Display is performed using bend alignment of the first region of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An image display device includes two data signal line drive circuits and two scan signal line drive circuits configured differently from each other. Different data signal line drive circuits and scan signal line drive circuit are compatible with different display formats. A display can be produced in the most suitable display format, and power consumption also can be reduced, by switch operating drive circuits according to the kind of input video and environmental conditions. Further, an image can be written over another image by writing video signals to signal lines with a time lag using a plurality of drive circuits; therefore, a superimposed display can be produced without externally processing the video signals. Thus, both a satisfactory image display and low power consumption can be achieved in an image display device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate, which are arranged to face each other in an opposed manner by way of liquid crystal material, first electrodes which are formed in a pixel region of a liquid-crystal-side surface of the first substrate, and second electrodes which are formed in a pixel region of a liquid-crystal-side surface of the second substrate. In such a liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal molecules are arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the substrates in a state in which an electric field is not applied between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The liquid crystal display device, with respect to a voltage applied between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, intermittently applies a voltage which is equal to or less than 20% of the maximum voltage.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device is composed of at least one optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) inserted between a liquid crystal display element 1 and polarizer plates 4 and 5. The liquid crystal display element 1 is composed of a pair of electrode substrates 6 and 7 and a liquid crystal layer 8 sealed therebetween. The polarizer plates 4 and 5 flank the liquid crystal display element 1. The optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) has a negative refractive index anisotropy (na=nc>nb). The direction of a principal refractive index nb parallel to the normal to the surface and the direction of either a principal refractive index na or nc in the surface incline either clockwise or counterclockwise around the direction of the principal refractive index nc or na in the surface.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid crystal of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, the method comprising the steps of applying a first voltage corresponding to a real data during a data voltage applying frame and applying a second voltage for maintaining a bend state and preventing the liquid crystal from restoring to a splay state during a maintenance voltage applying frame, wherein the real one frame for driving the liquid crystal includes the data voltage applying frame and the maintenance voltage applying frame subsequent to the data voltage applying frame, and the data voltage applying frame is a data applying time and the maintenance voltage applying frame is a maintenance time, and the data voltage applying frame and the maintenance voltage applying frame are determined by a period of a signal applying to a gate of the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting or reducing intrinsic DC offset potential in a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are taught. The methods allow the upper and lower assemblies of the LCD device to be manufactured with selected materials while achieving adjusted or reduced intrinsic DC offset potential in the finished LCD device. The methods are especially useful for reflective LCD designs where it is not possible to build the LCD with symmetric assemblies.

Abstract: A laser display system is disclosed, to remove speckles displayed on a screen, which includes at least one laser as light source, at least one filter transmitting or reflecting a particular wavelength of red, green and blue light generated in the laser, and mixing the light red, green and blue light to one; a rotation color separator separating the mixed light into the red, green and blue light sequentially; a diffuser diffusing the separated light; an illuminating device irradiating with the light progressed from the diffuser; a display panel generating an image by modulating transmittance of the light from the illuminating device according to an electric signal of a video signal; and a controller receiving the video signal, and making correspondence of color areas from the rotation color separator and the display panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treatment for preventing the occurrence of image sticking and recovering from image sticking in a ferroelectric liquid crystal device. By applying a low-frequency AC voltage to the ferroelectric liquid crystal device, multiple domains are formed in a pixel, domain boundaries are caused to flow, and fine segmentation of domain regions are induced. As the low-frequency AC voltage, a voltage having a frequency of 10 to 100 Hz and an amplitude of ±1.5 to ±3.0 V is applied, for example, for 30 seconds or more. The low-frequency AC voltage is applied to the liquid crystal device immediately before stopping liquid crystal driving or immediately after starting liquid crystal driving. Further, the low-frequency AC voltage is applied when the occurrence of image sticking in the liquid crystal device is detected.

Abstract: A liquid crystal driver IC comprising: a power circuit; an electric volume for varying an output voltage from the power circuit; a temperature detector; and a correction table for storing an electric volume control value corresponding to a temperature detected by the temperature detector. The power circuit includes: a first power circuit having a first temperature-voltage characteristic; a second power circuit having a second temperature-voltage characteristic; and a temperature gradient selection circuit for outputting a voltage conforming with a desired temperature gradient characteristic based on output voltages from the first and second power circuits. The temperature detector detects an actual temperature based on the first and second temperature-voltage characteristics.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a pair of substrates opposing each other; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates; a plurality of switching elements arranged in a matrix pattern on one of the pair of substrates; gate signal lines for supplying gate signals for driving the switching elements; source signal lines crossing the gate signal lines for supplying display signals to the switching elements; an interlayer insulating film provided on one of the pair of substrates over the gate signal lines and the source signal lines; and pixel electrodes provided over the gate signal lines and the source signal lines via the interlayer insulating film. The interlayer insulating film on one of the pair of substrates extends to a surrounding region of a display pixel area. An electrode pattern for adsorbing an ionic impurity is provided on the interlayer insulating film in the surrounding region.

Abstract: A tunable liquid crystal switch is disclosed. An electronic controller provides an electronic drive scheme for achieving low intra-channel crosstalk of less than −40 dB using only electronic compensation. A cross-talk less than −50 dB is provided by combining coarse temperature turning and electronic compensation. This is acheived by designing the thickness of the liquid crystal device to cause a minimum to occur at a wavelength longer than a longest operating wavelength and at a temperature greater than a maximum operating temperature. This ensures that the liquid crystal device is tunable over all operating wavelengths and temperatures using electronic compensation.

Abstract: A driving circuit of a color liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing a substrate packaging area and using a common substrate or TCP (Tape Carrier Package) even when a resolution and/or the number of gray scale voltages that the color liquid crystal display provides are different, which enables the substrate, TCP, and a display device to be fabricated at low costs. In the driving circuit of the color liquid crystal display, a data electrode driving circuit produces gray scale voltages corresponding to gray scale voltage characteristics based on serial data made up of gray scale information and gray scale voltage information.

Abstract: Before starting the regular display in a liquid crystal display device of the bend alignment type, it is necessary to transition all the pixel regions in the entire display portion uniformly from splay alignment into bend alignment. However, conventionally, when applying a simple ac voltage, the transition sometimes does not take place, and when it does take place, the transition time is very long, and display defects due to alignment defects tend to occur. In the method for driving a liquid crystal display device with OCB cells according to the present invention, a step of applying between an electrode 22 and a pixel electrode 23 an ac voltage superimposed with a bias voltage, and a step of applying zero voltage or a low voltage to the substrates are repeated in alternation preceding the begin of the regular display operation and the regular display operation is carried out after all pixels have transitioned into bend alignment.

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: An in-line switching mode LCD panel has three groups of common electrode lines corresponding to three colors defined by color layers in the pixels. The potentials of the groups of the common electrode lines are adjusted independently of one another so that the flicker level for the corresponding pixels assumes a minimum by compensating the difference in the feed-through voltage between the pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical dimmer device and its driving method applicable to, for example, an image pickup unit and a display unit. In the present invention, when a control signal for stop adjustment is changed from its current value of stop adjustment (±VX1) to a larger value (±VY1) (when the light transmissivity of a positive type liquid crystal is raised, or when the light transmissivity of a negative type liquid crystal is lowered), the control signal is temporarily varied to an intermediate value (±VZ1) which is still larger than the larger value (±VY1). The energy of the still larger value (±VZ1) and a time during which that varied value is applied are determined in accordance with predetermined values. By doing so, it is possible to make a response speed when changing the light transmissivity extremely faster and thus attain a response time of, e.g. one field period of time or less required for a stop mechanism of video camera.

Abstract: A device for multiple row addressing is driven with pulse patterns based on sets of 8 (or more) orthogonal functions which have a less varying frequency content than pulse patterns based on a set of 8 Walsh functions.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) is provided and includes a fuel cell stack (11) and an integrated heat exchanger unit (12). The integrated heat exchanger unit (12) includes a fuel cell stack cooler (14) and a cathode exhaust gas condenser (16) arranged in a side-by-side relationship to be cooled by a common cooling air stream (18) that flows in parallel through the cooler (14) and the condenser (16).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed. The display includes a first substrate having a first surface, and a second substrate having a second surface being in parallel and opposite to the first surface. A pixel area is defined on the second surface. The display further includes a first electrode positioned on the first substrate, a pixel electrode positioned on the pixel area of the second substrate, a first slit positioned on the pixel electrode along a first direction, and a plurality of negative liquid crystal molecules positioned between the first electrode and the pixel electrode. The longitudinal axis of the liquid crystal molecules are positioned along a second direction horizontally. A first angle is formed between the second direction and the first direction.

Abstract: In a black mask light blocking region within a liquid-crystal display panel formed by a TFT substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid-crystal layer disposed in a space between the TFT substrate and the color filter substrate, a temperature detection element is formed, simultaneously with process step that forms a switching element such as a thin-film transistor on the TFT substrate, thereby enabling detection of the temperature of the liquid-crystal layer without the influence of outside air or the like.

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus, including a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed between said pair of substrates. One of the pair of substrates has plural scanning electrodes and plural signal electrodes arranged to cross the plural scanning electrodes. Pixels are formed at regions surrounded by the scanning electrodes and the signal electrodes. Respective ones of the pixels include an active element arranged at a vicinity of the crossing point of the scanning electrode and the signal electrode, a pixel electrode connected to the active element and a common electrode arranged in correspondence to the pixel electrode. Further, there is provided a colored filter and a shielding layer having a specific resistivity of less than 108 &OHgr;.cm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active matrix liquid crystal display device designed mainly for alternating electric current drive, in which orientation processing (monostabilization) is performed by a direct current power supply or a direct current voltage applied to a ferroelectric liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is made to respond, and is made monostable while a voltage level is maintained by a storage capacitor. In addition, the liquid crystal may also be made monostable while maintaining a gate clock pulse at a constant level. After forming a transparent conductive film on an element substrate, elements such as TFTs are formed. An electric field is applied by a direct current voltage source between an electrode formed on an opposing substrate and the transparent conductive film. An electric field is applied by a direct current voltage source between the electrode formed on the opposing substrate and the transparent conductive film formed on the back side of the element substrate.

Abstract: An liquid crystal apparatus, includes: (a) a liquid crystal device including: a pair of substrates each provided with a uniaxial alignment axis, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy disposed between the pair of substrates and capable of forming a higher-temperature bistable alignment state and a lower-temperature bistable alignment state in its chiral smectic C phase, the chiral smectic liquid crystal being further placed in the lower-temperature bistable alignment state formed by cooling from the higher-temperature bistable alignment state; and (b) voltage application means including: an AC voltage application means for applying to the chiral smectic liquid crystal an AC voltage insufficient to cause a switching from one to the other or from the other to one of the bistable alignment state, and a switching voltage application means for applying to the chiral smectic liquid crystal a voltage of one polarity sufficient to cause a switching from one to the other of the bis

Abstract: A structure of a liquid crystal device cutting down the power consumption is materialized. In a liquid crystal display device comprising at least two display portions of a dot matrix portion and an icon portion in the same panel, drive is carried out such that both of the display portions are displayed in a normal operation mode and, only the icon portion is displayed in a power-saving operation mode such as when the liquid crystal display device is waiting for operation or is standby. In the power-saving operation mode, the duty ratios of all of the display portions in the power-saving operation mode are lower than those in the normal operation mode, and time shared drive waveforms using the power source voltage as it is which does not require bias voltage are applied.

Abstract: Ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions having a large dependency of spontaneous polarization on temperature; liquid crystal display devices exhibiting a small dependency of response speed on temperature and making it possible to obtain a wide temperature margin in practical use, and fabricated by using the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition; and methods for driving the devices are provided;the compositions comprising at least one compound expressed by the following general formula (1) ##STR1## at least one compound expressed by the following general formula (2), and ##STR2## at least one compound expressed by the following general formula (3) ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.6, ring A-B, A, X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are herein defined.

Abstract: An active-matrix liquid crystal display device applies a voltage modulated with a high-frequency AC voltage to a common electrode disposed on a substrate which confronts a substrate having a plurality of thin-film transistors as switching elements for pixel electrodes. The modulated voltage applied to the common electrode is effective to reduce the phenomenon of a residual image retained for a long period of time; thereby improving the quality of displayed images.

Abstract: Driver apparatus and methods of driving at least a portion of a cholesteric liquid crystal ("CLC") panel to a state having a given reflectivity. One of the methods includes the steps of: (1) initially driving the portion to a nematic phase, (2) subsequently driving the portion to a cholesteric phase focal-conic state, the cholesteric phase focal-conic state providing a known reference state for subsequent driving of the portion and (3) thereafter driving the portion to the state having the given reflectivity.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device utilizing a ferroelectric liquid crystal, e.g., a chiral smectic liquid crystal aligned to establish two bi-stable display states. The display device is driven in a time-sharing mode. The change of the bi-stable display states is effected by applying a selected voltage to the changed ferro-electric liquid crystal. Thereafter the display state is held by applying an A.C. pulse voltage.