JP4114451B2 - Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electro-optical device that displays an image using an electro-optical material such as liquid crystal, a substrate used in the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus configured using the electro-optical device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Electronic devices such as mobile phones and portable information terminals often include electro-optical devices such as liquid crystal devices and EL devices as display devices, for example. The electro-optical device includes liquid crystal, EL, or the like as an electro-optical material, and displays an image by utilizing the change in characteristics of the electro-optical material due to a change in an electric field applied to the electro-optical material.
[0003]
For example, when a liquid crystal device is considered as an electro-optical device, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are controlled by controlling the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer as an electro-optical material for each of a plurality of display dots arranged in a matrix. Is controlled for each of a plurality of display dots. By this alignment control, the light supplied to the liquid crystal layer is modulated for each display dot, and the modulated light is supplied to an optical element such as a polarizing plate to display an image.
[0004]
By the way, in a conventional electronic device such as a mobile phone, there are many cases where there is only one display unit. However, recently, display units are often provided on two different surfaces of an electronic device, for example, two front and back surfaces. In this case, conventionally, two electro-optical devices are overlapped with their back surfaces joined to each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-133927 A (3rd page, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the structure in which the two electro-optical devices are overlapped as described above has a problem that the overall thickness of the electro-optical device and the overall thickness of the electronic apparatus are too thick.
[0007]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an electro-optical device and an electronic device having two different display surfaces as display surfaces can be thinly formed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  (1) In order to achieve the above object, an electro-optical device according to the present invention includes:An electro-optical device in which both the first surface and the second surface opposite to the first surface serve as display surfaces, respectively, and a translucent common substrate and the first surface side A first counter substrate facing the common substrate via an optical material; and a second counter substrate facing the common substrate via an electro-optical material on the second surface side, the common substrate And a plurality of first pixels forming a first display region are provided between the first counter substrate and the first counter substrate, and a first pixel is provided between the common substrate and the second counter substrate. A plurality of second pixels that form two display regions, each of the first pixel and the second pixel having a reflective portion and a transmissive portion that transmits light; The transmissive portion of the first pixel and the transmissive portion of the second pixel overlap with each other through the common substrate. It is locationIt is characterized by that.
In this configuration, by providing a reflective portion for each of the first pixel and the second pixel, it is possible to perform reflective display on each of the first surface and the second surface, which are display surfaces. By disposing the transmissive portions formed in the pixels and the second pixels so as to overlap at least via the common substrate, transmissive display can be performed on each of the first surface and the second surface, which are display surfaces. The
In addition, a lighting device used as a front light is provided so as to face the outer surface of the first counter substrate.
Further, in claim 1 or 2, a first common electrode is provided on the first surface side of the common substrate, and a plurality of the first counter substrate surface facing the first common electrode is provided with a plurality of common electrodes. A first pixel electrode is provided, and the first pixel is composed of the first pixel electrode and the first common electrode through a liquid crystal optical material, and is formed on the second surface side of the common substrate. Is provided with a second common electrode, a plurality of second pixel electrodes are provided on the second counter substrate surface facing the second common electrode, and the second pixel is a liquid crystal optical device. The second pixel electrode and the second common electrode are formed through a substance, and each of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode has a switching element, and the first pixel electrode A first driving IC for driving the switching element of the pixel electrode is provided on the first counter substrate. It is the second of the second driving IC for driving the switching elements of the pixel electrode, characterized in that provided on the second opposed substrate.
  Further, a color filter is provided on the common substrate.
  The first counter substrate may include a first polarizing plate, and the second counter substrate may further include a second polarizing plate.
[0009]
The first display system displays an image on the first surface, and the second display system displays an image on the second surface. Since the first surface and the second surface are different from each other, the observer can recognize the display through these different surfaces. In addition, according to the present invention, the entire thickness of the electro-optical device can be significantly reduced as compared with a structure in which the first display system and the second display system each have a substrate.
[0010]
The first display system and the second display system are display systems that can be formed on a light-transmitting substrate and are not limited to specific structures as long as they can display an image. However, for example, (1) a so-called liquid crystal display structure that supplies surface light to the liquid crystal layer while controlling the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer for each display dot, or (2) organic EL (Electro A so-called organic EL structure in which a plurality of display dots configured by Luminescence) are selectively made to emit light, and a so-called plasma display structure in which a plasma discharge generated in gas is selectively generated for each display dot. Can be adopted.
[0011]
(2) In the electro-optical device having the above-described configuration, the first surface and the second surface can be set to face substantially symmetrical directions with an angular interval of about 180 ° from each other. In this case, the first surface and the second surface are in a relation facing each other. Accordingly, the observer can recognize the display on the front and back surfaces of the electro-optical device. This structure can be suitably used for, for example, a mobile phone having a structure in which display portions are provided on both front and back surfaces of a foldable cover.
[0012]
In order to make the first surface and the second surface symmetric with respect to 180 ° as described above, for example, a surface corresponding to the first surface of the common substrate is formed by forming the common substrate in a flat plate shape. And the surfaces corresponding to the second surface should be parallel to each other. If the surface corresponding to the first surface and the surface corresponding to the second surface of the common substrate are set to be not parallel to each other, the first surface and the second surface for displaying an image are symmetrical at 180 °. Instead of the front and back surfaces, the first surface and the second surface may be at angles other than 180 °.
[0013]
(3) In the electro-optical device configured as described above, the first display system and / or the second display system includes an electro-optical material layer provided on the common substrate and an electric field applied to the electro-optical material layer. And a control means for controlling. As the electro-optical material, for example, liquid crystal is conceivable.
[0014]
(4) The electro-optical device having the above-described configuration may further include a light supply unit that supplies light to the electro-optical material layer. The light supply means includes a first transflective film provided on the first surface side of the substrate, a second transflective film provided on the second surface side of the substrate, and the first surface. And a lighting device provided on the side. In this case, the transmitted light path of the first semi-transmissive reflective film and the transmitted light path of the second semi-transmissive reflective film are provided so as to at least partially overlap each other, and the illumination device further transmits the planar light to the first semi-transmissive reflective film. The light can be emitted toward one display system, and the light supplied from the first display system can be transmitted.
[0015]
In the above configuration, the transflective film is an optical element having a function of reflecting a part of the supplied light and transmitting the other part. This function can be formed, for example, by partially providing an opening for light transmission in a light reflecting film such as Al (aluminum) or reducing the film thickness of such a light reflecting film. Moreover, since the said illuminating device is provided in the 1st surface side, it functions as a front light regarding the 1st surface side, and functions as a backlight regarding the 2nd surface side.
[0016]
According to the electro-optical device having this configuration, it is possible to perform reflective display on the first surface and the second surface using external light such as sunlight and room light. Furthermore, with respect to the first surface, it is possible to perform reflective display using the illumination device as a front light. Furthermore, regarding the second surface, transmissive display can be performed using the illumination device as a backlight. As described above, only one illuminating device is required to perform display on two different surfaces, so that the entire thickness of the electro-optical device can be extremely reduced.
[0017]
By the way, the electro-optical device according to the present invention can use a total reflection film instead of the transflective film without using the transflective film. In this case, the transmissive display cannot be performed, and the display is exclusively performed in the reflective type.
(5) In the electro-optical device configured as described above, the first display system and / or the second display system includes a color filter provided on the substrate, a counter substrate disposed to face the substrate, A plurality of dot electrodes provided corresponding to each of the plurality of display dots on the counter substrate, and switching elements individually connected to the plurality of dot electrodes may be provided.
[0018]
In this electro-optical device, a counter substrate facing the common substrate is employed. In addition, since a color filter is used, a color image can be displayed. As the switching element, for example, a two-terminal switching element such as a TFD (Thin Film Diode) element, a three-terminal switching element such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) element, or the like can be used.
[0019]
(6) Next, an electro-optical device substrate according to the present invention is a substrate used in an electro-optical device that displays an image on both a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction different from the first surface. The first display system for displaying an image on the first surface has a part or all of the first display system on a surface corresponding to the first surface, and a second for displaying an image on the second surface. A part or all of the display system is provided on a surface corresponding to the second surface.
[0020]
The present invention relates to a substrate for forming an electro-optical device, and more particularly to a substrate on which an electro-optical device of a type capable of displaying images on both a first surface and a second surface can be easily formed. In the substrate according to the present invention, a part or all of the display system is formed on each of the surface corresponding to the first surface and the surface corresponding to the second surface. The electro-optical device according to the above can be easily manufactured. In the substrate according to the present invention, when the entire display system is formed on each of the surface corresponding to the first surface and the surface corresponding to the second surface, the formed structure results in the present It may be the electro-optical device itself according to the invention.
[0021]
(7) In the substrate having the above configuration, the surface corresponding to the first surface on which the image is displayed and the surface corresponding to the second surface which is the other surface on which the image is displayed have an angular interval of about 180 °. It can be set so as to face a substantially symmetrical direction. In this case, since these two surfaces of the substrate are substantially parallel to each other, the substrate is formed in a flat plate shape. In addition, the board | substrate which concerns on this invention can replace with such flat plate shape, and can also form it so that the surface corresponding to a 1st surface and the surface corresponding to a 2nd surface may form the appropriate angle which is not parallel.
[0022]
(8) Next, according to the present invention, an electronic apparatus includes the electro-optical device having the above-described configuration and a control unit that controls the operation of the electro-optical device. Examples of such an electronic device include a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, a computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and other various devices. According to this electronic apparatus, since the thickness of the built-in electro-optical device can be made extremely thin, the thickness of the electronic apparatus itself can also be reduced.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Embodiment of electro-optical device and substrate)
Hereinafter, an electro-optical device according to the present invention will be described by taking a liquid crystal device as an example. Further, the substrate according to the present invention will be described by taking a substrate used for a liquid crystal device as an example.
[0024]
FIG. 1 shows a liquid crystal device 1 which is an embodiment of an electro-optical device according to the present invention and a common substrate 2 which is an embodiment of a substrate according to the present invention. The common substrate 2 is formed of, for example, translucent glass or translucent plastic, and a first counter substrate 4a is bonded to one surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) with a sealing material 3a. A second counter substrate 4b is bonded to the other surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1) of the common substrate 2 by a sealing material 3b. The sealing materials 3a and 3b are formed of, for example, an epoxy-based resin, and the inside thereof is electrically connected between the common substrate 2 and the first counter substrate 4a and between the common substrate 2 and the second counter substrate 4b. In order to achieve proper conduction, a large number of particulate conducting materials are included in a dispersed state.
[0025]
A first polarizing plate 6a is attached to the outer surface of the first counter substrate 4a, and a second polarizing plate 6b is attached to the outer surface of the second counter substrate 4b. The lighting device 7 is provided at a position facing the outer surface of the first counter substrate 4a. This illuminating device 7 receives a light source 8 formed of a point-like light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and the like, and a lower surface thereof, that is, a surface facing the first counter substrate 4a. And a light guide 9 that emits planar light. The light source 8 is not limited to a point light source such as an LED, and a linear light source such as a cold cathode ray tube can also be used.
[0026]
The light guide 9 is formed of, for example, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, glass, or the like, and is further disposed with a slight gap with respect to the polarizing plate 6 as shown in FIG. A three-dimensional pattern for emitting light to the outside is formed on the surface of the light guide 9 facing the first counter substrate 4a or the surface on the opposite side, as necessary. In FIG. 2, one surface D1 of the liquid crystal device 1 is a first surface for displaying an image. The other surface D2 is a second surface for displaying an image. That is, the liquid crystal device 1 can display an image on two different surfaces. In the present embodiment, the first surface D1 and the second surface D2 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship that is separated from each other by an angular interval of approximately 180 °, that is, a substantially parallel positional relationship, that is, a front-rear positional relationship. FIG. 3 is a detailed enlarged view of the portion indicated by the arrow A in FIG. In FIG. 3, the first display system 11 a is formed on the first surface D <b> 1 side of the common substrate 2. A second display system 11b is formed on the second surface D2 side of the common substrate 2. In the present embodiment, the first display system 11a and the second display system 11b have exactly the same configuration.
[0027]
The first display system 11a includes a resin layer 12 formed on the surface of the common substrate 2, a reflective film 13 laminated thereon, a color filter 14 formed thereon, and an overlayer laminated thereon. Coat layer 16, a plurality of counter electrodes 17 formed thereon, an alignment film 18 formed thereon, a first counter substrate 4a facing common substrate 2, and an inner surface of first counter substrate 4a A plurality of dot-like electrodes 19 formed thereon, an alignment film 18 formed thereon, and a liquid crystal 21 filling the gap between the first counter substrate 4a and the common substrate 2 to form a layer. Reference numeral 29 denotes a spacer for maintaining a gap between the common substrate 2 and the first counter substrate 4a. The first display system 11a includes a first polarizing plate 6a attached to the outer surface of the first counter substrate 4a.
[0028]
The reflective film 13 is formed of a material that can reflect light, for example, Al (aluminum). The overcoat layer 16 is formed of a resin film such as acrylic or polyimide, or an inorganic film such as a silicon oxide film. The counter electrode 17 is formed of a metal oxide such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The alignment film 18 is formed of polyimide, for example, and the alignment film 18 is subjected to an alignment process such as a rubbing process. The first counter substrate 4a is made of translucent glass or translucent plastic. The dot electrode 19 is made of, for example, a metal oxide such as ITO. As the liquid crystal 21, for example, a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal is used.
[0029]
In FIG. 3, when the plurality of dot-like electrodes 19 are viewed in a plan view from the direction of arrow B, they are as shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, each dot-shaped electrode 19 is formed in a square or a rectangle, that is, a rectangle. The plurality of dot-like electrodes 19 are arranged in a matrix form in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the effective display area V shown in FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 3, one of the plurality of counter electrodes 17 formed on the common substrate 2 is formed linearly in the left-right direction of FIG. 3, and the plurality of linear counter electrodes 17 are formed as shown in FIG. They are arranged parallel to each other in the direction perpendicular to the page.
[0030]
A region where the dot electrode 19 and the counter electrode 17 overlap when viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3 constitutes a display dot 22 which is the minimum unit for display, as shown in FIG. These display dots 22 are arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the effective display area V of FIG. Next, the color filter 14 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to each display dot 22, and each of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) has a predetermined pattern, for example, It is formed by arranging in a stripe pattern, delta pattern or mosaic pattern. Instead of the three primary colors R, G, and B, the three primary colors C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) can be used. Further, in a portion corresponding to a region deviating from the display dot 22 in the layer of the color filter 14, a black light-shielding region formed by laminating R, G, and B, that is, a black mask 26 is formed in a lattice shape.
[0031]
In addition, openings 15 are formed in the reflective film 13 and the resin layer 12 so as to correspond to the individual display dots 22. In the case of performing a reflective display, the display is performed using the light reflected by the reflective film 13. On the other hand, when transmissive display is performed, display is performed using light transmitted through the opening 15. If the thickness of the reflective film 13 and the resin layer 12 is reduced, light can be transmitted through the reflective film 13 and the resin layer 12 without forming the opening 15.
[0032]
In FIG. 4, a plurality of line wirings 23 are formed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the counter electrode 17 in a region outside the display dots 22. Each dot electrode 19 is electrically connected to the adjacent line wiring 23 via the switching element 24. As shown in FIG. 5, each TFD element 24 is formed by connecting a first TFD element 27a and a second TFD element 27b in series. The TFD element 24 is formed as follows, for example.
[0033]
That is, first, the first layer 28a of the line wiring 23 and the first metal 31 of the TFD element 24 are formed by TaW (tantalum tungsten). Next, the second layer 28b of the line wiring 23 and the insulating film 32 of the TFD element 24 are formed by anodic oxidation. Next, the third layer 28c of the line wiring 23 and the second metal 33 of the TFD element 24 are formed by using, for example, Cr (chromium).
[0034]
The second metal 33 of the first TFD element 27 a extends from the third layer 28 c of the line wiring 23. In addition, the dot electrode 19 is formed so as to overlap the tip of the second metal 33 of the second TFD element 27b. Considering that an electric signal flows from the line wiring 23 toward the dot-shaped electrode 19, the electric signal flows in the order of the second electrode 33 → the insulating film 32 → the first metal 31 in the first TFD element 27a according to the current direction. On the other hand, in the second TFD element 27b, electric signals flow in the order of the first metal 31 → the insulating film 32 → the second metal 33.
[0035]
That is, a pair of electrically opposite TFD elements are connected in series between the first TFD element 27a and the second TFD element 27b. Such a structure is generally called a back-to-back structure, and the TFD element of this structure is compared with a case where the TFD element is configured by only one TFD element. It is known that stable characteristics can be obtained. In the figure, reference numeral 34 indicates a base film provided as necessary.
[0036]
In FIG. 3, the second display system 11b formed on the second surface D2 side of the common substrate 2 can be configured in exactly the same manner as the first display system 11a described above. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Note that the second counter substrate facing the common substrate 2 on the second surface D2 side can be formed of the same material as the first counter substrate 4a facing the common substrate 2 on the first surface D1 side. The substrate is indicated by reference numeral 4b.
[0037]
In FIG. 1, the first counter substrate 4 a has an overhang portion 5 a that protrudes to the outside of the common substrate 2. Then, the driving IC 36x and the driving IC 36y are mounted on the projecting portion 5a using a joining element, for example, an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) 37. Similarly, the second counter substrate 4b also has an overhang portion 5b on which the driving IC 36x and the driving IC 36y are mounted.
[0038]
When viewing the first display system 11a, the output terminal of the driving IC 36x, that is, the output bump, is directly connected to the line wiring 23 formed on the first counter substrate 4a. As a result, a signal output from the driving IC 36 x, for example, a data signal is supplied to the dot electrode 19 via the line wiring 23 and the switching element 24. On the other hand, the output terminal of the driving IC 36y is connected to the counter electrode 17 on the common substrate 2 through a conductive material mixed in the sealing material 3a. As a result, a signal output from the driving IC 36 y, for example, a scanning signal is supplied to the counter electrode 17. The same applies to the relationship between the driving IC 36x and the dot-shaped electrode 19 and the relationship between the driving IC 36y and the counter electrode 17 in the second display system 11b.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the light supply means for supplying light to the liquid crystal layer 21 is realized by a combination of the illumination device 7, the reflective film 13, the opening 15 provided in the reflective film 13, and the like. The liquid crystal control means for controlling the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 21 for each of the plurality of display dots 22 arranged in a matrix is a combination of the dot electrode 19, the counter electrode 17, the driving IC 36x, the driving IC 36y, and the like. It is realized by.
[0040]
Hereinafter, the operation of the liquid crystal device 1 having the above configuration will be described. First, in FIG. 3, a case is considered where an image is displayed on the first surface D1 by a reflection method using external light. In this case, external light R1 such as sunlight or room light is taken into the first display system 11a through the light guide 9, and the light reflected by the reflective film 13 is supplied to the liquid crystal layer 21. Then, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the display dots 22 selected by the scanning signal and the data signal is changed by receiving these signal voltages, whereby the light passing through the portion is modulated, and this modulated light is converted into the first polarized light. An image is displayed on the first surface D1 depending on whether the plate 6a passes or does not pass, and the observer can recognize this image.
[0041]
Next, consider a case in which an image is displayed on the first surface D1 by a reflection method using illumination light. In this case, the planar light R2 from the light guide 9 of the illumination device 7 functioning as a front light is taken into the first display system 11a, and the light reflected by the reflective film 13 is supplied to the liquid crystal layer 21. Then, display is performed on the first surface D1 using this light. When the first surface D1 that is the surface on which the illumination device 7 is provided is used as the display surface, the transmissive display using the opening 15 formed in the reflective film 13 is not performed.
[0042]
Next, consider a case where an image is displayed on the second surface D2 by a reflection method using external light. In this case, external light R3 such as sunlight or room light is taken into the second display system 11b, and the light reflected by the reflective film 13 is supplied to the liquid crystal layer 21, and the second surface is used using this light. Display is performed on D2.
[0043]
Next, consider a case where an image is displayed on the second surface D2 by using a transmission method using illumination light. In this case, the planar light R4 from the light guide 9 of the illuminating device 7 that functions as the backlight passes through the opening 15 of the reflective film 13 in the first display system 11a and passes through the common substrate 2. Further, the light is transmitted through the opening 15 of the second display system 11b and supplied to the liquid crystal layer 21 in the second display system 11b, and display is performed on the second surface D2 using this light. In order to achieve such a function, the optical path of light transmitted through the opening 15 of the reflective film 13 in the first display system 11a and the optical path of light transmitted through the opening 15 of the second display system 11b are at least partially In addition, it is desirable that all of them should overlap.
[0044]
As described above, according to the liquid crystal device 1 according to the present embodiment, display can be performed on both the first surface D1 and the second surface D2, which are two different surfaces. Further, in the liquid crystal device 1, since the substrate 2 of the first display system 11a and the substrate 2 of the second display system 11b are common, the first display system 11a and the second display system 11b each have their own substrates. Compared with the structure, the overall thickness of the liquid crystal device 1 can be made very thin. In addition, since only one illumination device 7 is used, the entire thickness of the liquid crystal device 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the illumination devices are individually provided in the first display system 11a and the second display system 11b.
[0045]
(Modification)
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a semi-transmissive reflective film having an opening 15 is used as the reflective film 13. Instead, a total reflection film having no transmission function can be used as the reflection film 13. In this case, both the display using the first surface D1 and the display using the second surface D2 are displayed by the reflection method. Even in this case, the liquid crystal device can be thinned by using the substrate 2 on which the reflective film 13 is formed as a common substrate.
[0046]
Next, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first display system 11 a and the second display system 11 b are configured by a liquid crystal device of an active matrix system using a TFD element as an active element and having the same structure. However, these display systems can also be configured by liquid crystal devices having different structures.
[0047]
For example, (1) they can be constituted by active matrix liquid crystal display systems having different structures. Also, (2) one can be configured by an active matrix liquid crystal display system, and the other can be configured by a simple matrix liquid crystal display system that does not use a switching element. (3) One may be constituted by a liquid crystal display system, and the other may be constituted by a display system using an electro-optical material other than liquid crystal, for example, a display system using organic EL or plasma discharge.
[0048]
Next, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first surface D1 and the second surface D2 are arranged in parallel to each other. Instead, an appropriate angle can be provided between the first surface D1 and the second surface D2. In such a configuration, for example, the surface corresponding to the first surface D1 and the surface corresponding to the second surface D2 of the common substrate 2 are not parallel to each other, but an appropriate angle is provided between these surfaces. Can be realized.
[0049]
(Embodiment of electronic device)
6A and 6B show a mobile phone which is an embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention. The cellular phone 41 shown here has a pair of housings 42a and 42b that can be folded together. FIG. 6A shows a state in which these housings are folded, that is, a non-use state. Indicates a state in which the casings are opened, that is, a use state.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 6B, an electro-optical device 51 is housed as a display device in one housing 42a. Then, a second display opening 43b is provided on the outer surface of the housing 42a as shown in FIG. 6 (a), while a second display opening 43b is provided on the inner surface of the housing 42a as shown in FIG. 6 (b). One display opening 43a is provided. The liquid crystal device 51 can be configured using, for example, the liquid crystal device 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and in this case, the first surface D1 corresponds to the first display opening 43a as shown in FIG. 6B. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second surface D2 is positioned corresponding to the second display opening 43b.
[0051]
A housing 42 a in which the liquid crystal device 51 is stored is provided with an earpiece 47 including a speaker 46 and an antenna 44. The other casing 42 b is provided with a mouthpiece 52 including a plurality of operation keys 48 and a microphone 49. In addition, a control circuit that controls the operation of the electro-optical device 51 and the mobile phone 41 is housed in a proper position inside the housing 42a or the housing 42b.
[0052]
Since the cellular phone 41 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, when the casings 42a and 42b are folded as shown in FIG. 6A, the cellular phone 41 is displayed on the second surface D2 of the electro-optical device 51. Images such as letters, numbers, figures and the like can be observed from the outside through the second display opening 43b. In this case, it is desirable to display information required when the mobile phone 41 is not used on the second surface D2.
[0053]
When the casings 42a and 42b are opened as shown in FIG. 6B, images such as letters, numbers, and figures displayed on the first surface D1 of the electro-optical device 51 are passed through the first display opening 43a. It can be observed from the outside. In this case, it is desirable to display information necessary for using the mobile phone 41 on the first surface D1.
[0054]
As described above, when an image is displayed on both the front and back surfaces of the casing 42a, that is, a plurality of different surfaces, the liquid crystal device 1 having the structure shown in FIG. Can be used to make the overall shape of the mobile phone 41 very thin.
[0055]
(Modification)
The electronic device is not limited to the mobile phone having the external shape and structure shown in FIG. 6, and may be a mobile phone having another external appearance and structure. In addition, devices other than mobile phones, such as personal digital assistants, personal computers, wristwatch-type electronic devices, PDAs, liquid crystal televisions, viewfinder type or monitor direct-view type video tape recorders, car navigation devices, The present invention can also be applied to pagers, electronic notebooks, calculators, word processors, workstations, video phones, POS terminals, and the like.
[0056]
(Other embodiments)
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid crystal device which is an embodiment of an electro-optical device according to the invention and an embodiment of a substrate according to the invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing an overall cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail a part indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram illustrating a display dot portion in FIG. 3 in a plan view.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a switching element.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone which is an embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Liquid crystal device (electro-optical device)
2: Common substrate
4a, 4b: counter substrate
5a, 5b: Overhanging portion of the substrate
6: Polarizing plate
7: Lighting device
8: Light source
9: Light guide
11a: first display system (first display means)
11b: second display system (second display means)
13: Reflective film
15: Opening
17: Counter electrode
19: Dot electrode
21: Liquid crystal
22: Display dot
23: Line wiring
24: Switching element
36: Driving IC
41: Mobile phone (electronic equipment)
51: Electro-optical device
D1: First side
D2: Second side
R1-R4: Light
V: Effective display area

Claims (6)

An electro-optical device in which both the first surface and the second surface opposite to the first surface are display surfaces, respectively .
A translucent common substrate,
A first counter substrate facing the common substrate via an electro-optic material on the first surface side;
A second counter substrate facing the common substrate via an electro-optic material on the second surface side;
A plurality of first pixels forming a first display region are provided between the common substrate and the first counter substrate.
A plurality of second pixels forming a second display region are provided between the common substrate and the second counter substrate,
Each of the first pixel and the second pixel has a reflection portion and a transmission portion that transmits light,
The electro-optical device , wherein at least the transmissive portion of the first pixel and the transmissive portion of the second pixel are arranged so as to overlap with each other with the common substrate interposed therebetween. 2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein an illuminating device used as a front light is provided so as to face the outer surface of the first counter substrate. In Claim 1 or 2, a first common electrode is provided on the first surface side of the common substrate,
  A plurality of first pixel electrodes are provided on the first counter substrate surface facing the first common electrode,
  The first pixel includes the first pixel electrode and the first common electrode, which are formed via a liquid crystal optical material.
A second common electrode is provided on the second surface side of the common substrate,
  A plurality of second pixel electrodes are provided on the second counter substrate surface facing the second common electrode,
  The second pixel includes the second pixel electrode and the second common electrode, which are formed via a liquid crystal optical material.
Each of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode has a switching element,
  A first driving IC for driving the switching element of the first pixel electrode is provided on the first counter substrate;
An electro-optical device, wherein a second driving IC for driving the switching element of the second pixel electrode is provided on the second counter substrate. 4. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein a color filter is provided on the common substrate. 5. 5. The electro-optical device according to claim 4 , wherein the first counter substrate includes a first polarizing plate, and the second counter substrate further includes a second polarizing plate. An electronic apparatus comprising: the electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a control means for controlling the operation of the electro-optical device. It is.

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