Electro-optical modulating apparatus and driving method thereof

Claim 2

An electro-optical modulating apparatus, comprising: a liquid crystal device comprising a plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), each of said plurality of pixels comprising a pair of opposite electrodes and an optical modulation substance, capable of assuming a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state, between the electrodes; and voltage application means for sequentially applying, to each pixel, a first voltage V l of one polarity of at least V sat (max), a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing bistability.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said third voltage comprises a voltage signal depending on given gradation data.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of pixels are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns so as to form a matrix.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first voltage V 1 is applied immediately before the second voltage V 2 .

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voltage application means includes means for applying an alternating voltage between the period of application of the second voltage V 2 and the period of application of the third voltage V 3 .

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voltage application means includes means for applying an alternating voltage after the application of the third voltage V 3 .

Claim 10

An electro-optical modulating apparatus, comprising: a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), and voltage application means for applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and for sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a first voltage V l of one polarity of at least V sat (max) a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 11

An electro-optical modulating apparatus, comprising: a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), and voltage application means for applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and for sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a first voltage V l of one polarity of at least V sat (max) a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 13

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing bistability.

Claim 14

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said third voltage comprises a voltage signal depending on given gradation data.

Claim 15

An electro-optical modulating apparatus, comprising: (A) a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max) ; and (B) voltage application means for: in a first step, applying a first voltage of one polarity of at least V sat (max) to all the pixels on all or a prescribed number of the scanning electrodes, and in a second step, (a) applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and (b) sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels; V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 16

An electro-optical modulating apparatus, comprising: (A) a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max) ; and (B) voltage application means for: in a first step, applying a first voltage of one polarity of at least V sat (max) to all the pixels on all or a prescribed number of the scanning electrodes, and in a second step, (a) applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and (b) sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels; V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 17

An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 18

An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing bistability.

Claim 19

An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said third voltage comprises a voltage signal depending on given gradation data.

Claim 20

A driving method for a liquid crystal device comprising a plurality of pixels each comprising a pair of opposite electrodes, and an optical modulating substance assuming a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state between the electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), said driving method comprising: sequentially applying, to the plurality of pixels, a first voltage V 1 of one polarity of at least V sat (max), a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of said one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 ; wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a-maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 21

A driving method for a liquid crystal device comprising a plurality of pixels each comprising a pair of opposite electrodes, and an optical modulating substance assuming a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state between the electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), said driving method comprising: sequentially applying, to the plurality of pixels, a first voltage V 1 of one polarity of at least V sat (max), a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of said one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 ; wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a-maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 22

A method according to claim 17, wherein the optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 23

A method according to claim 17, wherein the optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing bistability.

Claim 24

A method according to claim 17, wherein the third voltage comprises a voltage signal depending on given gradation data.

Claim 25

A method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of pixels are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns so as to form a matrix.

Claim 26

A method according to claim 17, wherein the first voltage V 1 is applied immediately before the second voltage V 2 .

Claim 27

A method according to claim 17, wherein an alternating voltage is applied between the period of application of the second voltage v 2 and the period of application of the third voltage V 3 .

Claim 28

A method according to claim 17, wherein an alternating voltage is applied after the application of the third voltage V 3 .

Claim 29

A driving method for a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), said driving method comprising: applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a first voltage V 1 of one polarity of at least V sat (max), a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 30

A driving method for a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), said driving method comprising: applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a first voltage V 1 of one polarity of at least V sat (max), a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 31

A method according to claim 25, wherein the optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 32

A method according to claim 25, wherein the optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing bistability.

Claim 33

A method according to claim 25, wherein the third voltage comprises a voltage signal depending on given gradation data.

Claim 34

A driving method for a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), said driving method comprising: a first step of applying a first voltage V 1 of one polarity of at least V sat (max) to all the pixels on all or a prescribed number of scanning electrodes, a second step of (a) applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and (b) sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 35

A driving method for a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix comprising scanning electrodes and data electrodes intersecting the scanning electrodes, and an optical modulating substance showing a first molecular orientation state and a second molecular orientation state disposed between the scanning electrodes and data electrodes so as to form a plurality of pixels each at an intersection of the scanning electrodes and data electrodes, said plurality of pixels forming a display area having a low-threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (min), and a high threshold region, including a pixel having a saturation voltage of V sat (max), said driving method comprising: a first step of applying a first voltage V 1 of one polarity of at least V sat (max) to all the pixels on all or a prescribed number of scanning electrodes, a second step of (a) applying a scanning selection signal to a selected particular scanning electrode among the scanning electrodes, and (b) sequentially applying, to all or a prescribed number of the pixels on the selected particular scanning electrode, a second voltage V 2 of the opposite polarity of at most V sat (min) and a third voltage V 3 of the one polarity set to a value within the range of V th (max) to the second voltage V 2 , wherein V sat (max) denotes a maximum saturation voltage value among saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, V sat (min) denotes a minimum saturation voltage value among the saturation voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels, and V th (max) denotes a maximum threshold voltage value among threshold voltages occurring in the plurality of pixels.

Claim 36

A method according to claim 29, wherein the optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 37

A method according to claim 29, wherein the optical modulating substance comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing bistability.

Claim 38

A method according to claim 29, wherein the third voltage comprises a voltage signal depending on given gradation data.