US4712877A
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Ferroelectric display panel of varying thickness and driving method therefor
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-15
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Granted: 1987-12-15
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Expires: 2006-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a picture element formed by a first electrode, a second electrode oppositely spaced from the first electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at the opposite portion between the first and second electrodes and having a varying layer thickness. The driving method comprises: a first step of applying a voltage signal between the first and second electrodes for orienting a region extending over the whole area of the picture element to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of applying a pulse with a waveform corresponding to gradation information between the first and second electrodes to switch the state of a region defining a prescribed area of the picture element from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinjiro Okada
- 👤 Junichiro Kanbe
- 👤 Akira Tsuboyama
- 👤 Yutaka Inaba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/133371; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/36; G09G3/3611; G09G3/3622; G09G3/3629; G09G3/3637; H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/10; H04N3/12; H04N3/127; G02F1/1343; G02F1/134309; G02F1/134345; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/141; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/30; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2011; G09G3/2014; G09G3/207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a pair of oppositely spaced electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of oppositely spaced electrodes, said ferroelectric liquid crystal layer having a varying thickness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a pair of oppositely spaced electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of oppositely spaced electrodes, said ferroelectric liquid crystal layer having a varying thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said pair of oppositely spaced electrodes comprise a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed at each intersection of the scanning electrodes and the signal electrodes having a varying layer thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal layer thickness varies continuously or stepwise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal having at least two stable orientation states.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a bistable chiral smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal having a non-helical structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a picture element formed by a first electrode, a second electrode oppositely spaced from the first electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at the space between the first and second electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying a voltage signal between the first and second electrodes for orienting a region extending over the whole area of the picture element to either one of a first and a second state and, a second step of applying a pulse with a waveform corresponding to gradation information between the first and second electrodes to switch the state of a region defining a prescribed area of the picture element from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a picture element formed by a first electrode, a second electrode oppositely spaced from the first electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at the space between the first and second electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying a voltage signal between the first and second electrodes for orienting a region extending over the whole area of the picture element to either one of a first and a second state and, a second step of applying a pulse with a waveform corresponding to gradation information between the first and second electrodes to switch the state of a region defining a prescribed area of the picture element from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
185 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying at a time an electric signal between all or a part of the scanning electrodes and all or a part of the signal electrodes so that substantially the whole area at each intersection between said all or a part of the scanning and signal electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of applying a scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes sequentially and row by row and, in phase with the scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
185 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying at a time an electric signal between all or a part of the scanning electrodes and all or a part of the signal electrodes so that substantially the whole area at each intersection between said all or a part of the scanning and signal electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of applying a scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes sequentially and row by row and, in phase with the scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 8, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a voltage height varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 8, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a pulse duration varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The driving method according to claim 8, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a number of pulses varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The driving method according to claim 8, wherein the ferroelectric liquid crystal has a layer thickness varying continuously or stepwise.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
192 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of sequentially applying a first scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the first scanning selection signal, applying a clearing signal to all or a prescribed part of the signal electrodes, so that substantially the whole area at each of all or a prescribed part of the intersections on the scanning electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of sequentially applying a second scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the second scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
192 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of sequentially applying a first scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the first scanning selection signal, applying a clearing signal to all or a prescribed part of the signal electrodes, so that substantially the whole area at each of all or a prescribed part of the intersections on the scanning electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of sequentially applying a second scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the second scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The driving method according to claim 13, wherein said first and second scanning selection signals are applied to one scanning electrode consecutively in different phases.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 13, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a voltage height varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 13, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a pulse duration varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The driving method according to claim 13, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a number of pulses varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a pair of oppositely spaced electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of oppositely spaced electrodes; said ferroelectric liquid crystal layer having a varying thickness, said pair of oppositely spaced electrodes having a varying spacing therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a pair of oppositely spaced electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of oppositely spaced electrodes; said ferroelectric liquid crystal layer having a varying thickness, said pair of oppositely spaced electrodes having a varying spacing therebetween.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 18, wherein said pair of oppositely spaced electrodes comprises a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, the ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning electrodes and the signal electrodes has a varying layer thickness, and each pair of the scanning electrode and signal electrode sandwiching the ferroelectric liquid crystal at each intersection have a varying spacing therebetween.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 18, wherein both the thickness of the ferroelectric liquid crystal and the spacing between the oppositely spaced electrodes vary continuously or stepwise.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 18, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal having at least two stable orientation states.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 18, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a bistable chiral smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 18, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal having a non-helical structure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
148 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a picture element formed by a first electrode, a second electrode oppositely spaced from the first electrode so as to form a varying spacing therebetween, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at the opposite portion between the first and second electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying a voltage signal between the first and second electrodes for orienting a region extending over the whole area of the picture element to either one of a first and a second state and, a second step of applying a pulse with a waveform corresponding to gradation information between the first and second electrodes to switch the state of a region defining a prescribed area of the picture element from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a picture element formed by a first electrode, a second electrode oppositely spaced from the first electrode so as to form a varying spacing therebetween, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at the opposite portion between the first and second electrodes and having a varying layer thickness; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying a voltage signal between the first and second electrodes for orienting a region extending over the whole area of the picture element to either one of a first and a second state and, a second step of applying a pulse with a waveform corresponding to gradation information between the first and second electrodes to switch the state of a region defining a prescribed area of the picture element from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The driving method according to claim 24, wherein both the thickness of the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer and the spacing between the oppositely spaced electrodes vary continuously or stepwise.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
207 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness, each pair of the scanning electrode and signal electrode sandwiching the ferroelectric liquid crystal at each intersection having a varying spacing therebetween; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying at a time an electric signal between all or a part of the scanning electrodes and all or a part of the signal electrodes so that substantially the whole area at each intersection between said all or a part of the scanning and signal electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of applying a scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes sequentially and row by row and, in phase with the scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
207 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness, each pair of the scanning electrode and signal electrode sandwiching the ferroelectric liquid crystal at each intersection having a varying spacing therebetween; said driving method comprising: a first step of applying at a time an electric signal between all or a part of the scanning electrodes and all or a part of the signal electrodes so that substantially the whole area at each intersection between said all or a part of the scanning and signal electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of applying a scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes sequentially and row by row and, in phase with the scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first step to the other state.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The driving method according to claim 26, wherein both the thickness of the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer and the spacing between the oppositely spaced electrodes vary continuously or stepwise.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 26, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a voltage height varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 26, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a pulse duration varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The driving method according to claim 26, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a number of pulses varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
215 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness, each pair of the scanning electrode and the signal electrode sandwiching the ferroelectric liquid crystal at each intersection having a varying spacing therebetween; said driving method comprising: a first step of sequentially applying a first scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the first scanning selection signal, applying a clearing signal to all or a prescribed part of the signal electrodes, so that substantially the whole area at each of all or a prescribed part of the intersections on the scanning electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of sequentially applying a second scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the second scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first state to the other state.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
215 words
A driving method for a liquid crystal device of the type comprising a matrix electrode structure having a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes intersecting with the scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed at each intersection of the scanning and signal electrodes and having a varying layer thickness, each pair of the scanning electrode and the signal electrode sandwiching the ferroelectric liquid crystal at each intersection having a varying spacing therebetween; said driving method comprising: a first step of sequentially applying a first scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the first scanning selection signal, applying a clearing signal to all or a prescribed part of the signal electrodes, so that substantially the whole area at each of all or a prescribed part of the intersections on the scanning electrodes is oriented to either one of a first and a second state, and a second step of sequentially applying a second scanning selection signal to the scanning electrodes and, in phase with the second scanning selection signal, applying a pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information to selected signal electrodes so that a prescribed area at each selected intersection is switched from one state resultant in the first state to the other state.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The driving method according to claim 31, wherein both the thicknesses of the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer and the spacings between the oppositely spaced electrodes vary continuously or stepwise.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The driving method according to claim 31, wherein said first and second scanning selection signals are applied to one scanning electrode consecutively in different phases.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 31, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a voltage height varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The driving method according to claim 31, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a pulse duration varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The driving method according to claim 31, wherein said pulse signal with a waveform corresponding to gradation information is a signal having a number of pulses varying depending on the gradation information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
63 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first base plate, a second base plate; a pair of electrodes disposed respectively on the first and second base plates, an insulating film disposed on at least one of said pair of electrodes and having a varying thickness, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second base plates and having a varying thickness.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
63 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising: a first base plate, a second base plate; a pair of electrodes disposed respectively on the first and second base plates, an insulating film disposed on at least one of said pair of electrodes and having a varying thickness, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second base plates and having a varying thickness.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 37, wherein the thicknesses of both the insulating layer and the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer vary continuously or stepwise.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 37, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal having at least two stable orientation states.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 37, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a bistable chiral smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The liquid crystal device according to claim 37, wherein said ferroelectric liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal having a non-helical structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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