Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device with an irregular shape, capable of homogenizing the luminance of a display panel.SOLUTION: A display device in an embodiment includes a first substrate with an irregular shape, a second substrate with an irregular shape facing the first substrate, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a cover member with an irregular shape having a first side surface and facing the second substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements that irradiates the first side surface with light, and adjusting means that adjusts the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element. The first side surface functions as a light incidence surface to which the light emitted from each light-emitting element is incident. The adjusting means adjusts the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element in accordance with the distance from the light incidence surface to an opposite light incidence surface on the opposite side of the light incidence surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Various display devices using polymer-dispersed liquid crystals capable of switching between a scattered state in which incident light is scattered and a transparent state in which incident light is transmitted have been proposed. In a display device using polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, an edge-lit method in which a light-emitting module is arranged at an end of a display panel may be used. Since such a display device has a high transmittance, it is expected to be used in various fields such as in-vehicle applications, and in recent years, display devices having a shape different from a rectangle (abnormal shape) have attracted attention.

[0003] By the way, in an edge-lit display device, the light-emitting module arranged at the end of the display panel is controlled to emit light so as to irradiate the entire surface with light of the same intensity. However, in an abnormal-shaped display device, when such lighting control is performed, non-uniformity occurs in the luminance of the display panel. For this reason, in an abnormal-shaped display device, the realization of a new technology capable of equalizing the luminance of the display panel is desired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an abnormal-shaped display device capable of equalizing the luminance of a display panel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A display device according to an embodiment includes a first substrate having a non-regular shape, a second substrate having a non-regular shape facing the first substrate, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a cover member having a first side surface and having a non-regular shape facing the second substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements that irradiate light onto the first side surface, and adjustment means for adjusting the intensity of the light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements. The first side surface functions as a light-incident surface on which the light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements is incident, and the adjustment means adjusts the intensity of the light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements according to the distance from the light-incident surface to a non-light-incident surface opposite to the light-incident surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and the invention is not limited to the content described in the following embodiments. Modifications that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art are naturally included in the scope of the disclosure. For the sake of clarity, in the drawings, the size, shape, etc. of each part may be changed with respect to the actual embodiment and schematically represented. In a plurality of drawings, the same reference numerals may be assigned to corresponding elements, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the display device DSP of this embodiment. In one example, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are orthogonal to each other, but may intersect at an angle other than 90 degrees. The first direction X and the second direction Y correspond to directions parallel to the main surface of the substrate constituting the display device DSP, and the third direction Z corresponds to the thickness direction of the display device DSP. In this embodiment, viewing the X-Y plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a plan view.

[0010] The display device DSP includes a display panel PNL, a wiring board 1, an IC chip 2, and a light-emitting module 100.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the display panel PNL according to this embodiment is formed in a shape different from a rectangle (an irregular shape). The display panel PNL is a so-called transparent display, and includes a first substrate SUB1 (array substrate), a second substrate SUB2 (opposite substrate), a liquid crystal layer LC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer) containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystal, a seal SE, a first cover member CM1 disposed under the first substrate SUB1, and a second cover member CM2 disposed on the second substrate SUB2. Here, a configuration in which the display panel PNL includes the first cover member CM1 is shown, but the display panel PNL may not include the first cover member CM1.

[0012] The first substrate SUB1, the second substrate SUB2, the first cover member CM1, and the second cover member CM2 are formed, for example, in a similar irregular shape having a curved portion.

[0013] The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 overlap in a plan view. The region where the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 overlap includes a display region DA for displaying an image. The display region DA is formed, for example, in an irregular shape similar to the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2.

[0014] The display region DA includes a plurality of pixels PX. The plurality of pixels PX are arranged along the shape of the display region DA. These pixels PX are indicated by dotted lines in the figure. Each of the pixels PX includes a pixel electrode PE indicated by a solid-line square in the figure.

[0015] The first substrate SUB1 includes a first transparent substrate 10, and the second substrate SUB2 includes a second transparent substrate 20. The first transparent substrate 10 has a side surface 10a along the first direction X, a side surface 10b along the second direction Y, and a curved side surface 10c. The second transparent substrate 20 has a side surface 20a along the first direction X, a side surface 20b along the second direction Y, and a curved side surface 20c.

[0016] In the example shown in FIG. 1, in a plan view, side surfaces 10b and 20b and side surfaces 10c and 20c may or may not overlap each other. Side surface 20a does not overlap side surface 10a and is located between side surface 10a and display area DA. The first substrate SUB1 has an extension Ex between side surface 10a and side surface 20a. That is, the extension Ex corresponds to a portion of the first substrate SUB1 that extends in the second direction Y from the portion that overlaps the second substrate SUB2 and does not overlap the second substrate SUB2.

[0017] The wiring board 1 and the IC chip 2 are mounted on the extension Ex. The wiring board 1 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent. The IC chip 2 incorporates, for example, a display driver that outputs signals necessary for image display, a controller (adjusting means) that can adjust the intensity of light irradiated from the light emitting module 100, etc. Note that the "intensity of light" in this specification may be read as "light quantity".

[0018] The IC chip 2 may be mounted on the wiring board 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of wiring boards 1 arranged in the first direction X are mounted on the display panel PNL, but a single wiring board 1 extending in the first direction X may be mounted. Also, a plurality of IC chips 2 arranged in the first direction X are mounted on the display panel PNL, but a single IC chip 2 extending in the first direction X may be mounted.

[0019] In a plan view, the light-emitting module 100 overlaps with the extending portion Ex and is disposed to face the side surface 20a of the second transparent substrate 20. Here, for the sake of illustration, the case where the light-emitting module 100 is disposed to face the side surface 20a of the second transparent substrate 20 is shown. However, it is preferable that the light-emitting module 100 be disposed to face the side surface (the first side surface) of the second cover member CM2. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the light-emitting module 100 may be disposed to face the side surface 20a of the second transparent substrate 20, or may be disposed to face the side surface of the second transparent substrate 20 and the side surface of the second cover member CM2. Further, the light-emitting module 100 may be disposed to face the side surface of the first cover member CM1 on the back surface of the extending portion Ex.

[0020] Between the light-emitting module 100 and the light-incident surface (in the case of FIG. 1, the side surface 20a of the second transparent substrate 20) into which the light emitted from the light-emitting module 100 enters, an optical system (in other words, an optical system that refracts the light emitted from the light-emitting module 100 so as to be orthogonal to the light-incident surface, or an optical system that refracts the light emitted from the light-emitting module 100 so as to be parallel to the main surface of the first substrate SUB1), such as a lens, may be disposed. Alternatively, the above-described light-incident surface may be processed into a lens shape.

[0021] The light-emitting module 100 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 101. Each light-emitting element 101 includes, for example, a light-emitting element 101R that emits red light, a light-emitting element 101G that emits green light, and a light-emitting element 101B that emits blue light for color display. As the light-emitting elements 101R, 101G, and 101B, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, laser diodes (LDs) may be used. Details will be described later. In the present embodiment, the display device DSP is driven in a field-sequential system in which video components corresponding to red, green, and blue are written in a time-division manner during one frame period, and the light-emitting elements of the color corresponding to the written video components are turned on in a time-division manner.

[0022] Each light-emitting element 101 may be a light-emitting element that emits white light for monochromatic display. Alternatively, each light-emitting element 101 may be a light-emitting element of any one color, for example, red, green, or blue, for single-color display.

[0023] The seal SE adheres the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. Further, the seal SE is formed in an irregular frame shape similar to the display area DA and surrounds the liquid crystal layer LC between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2.

[0024] As schematically shown enlarged in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal layer LC includes a polymer 31 and liquid crystal molecules 32. In one example, the polymer 31 is a liquid crystalline polymer. The polymer 31 is formed in a streak shape extending along the first direction X and arranged side by side in the second direction Y. The liquid crystal molecules 32 are dispersed in the gaps of the polymer 31 and are oriented such that their major axes are along the first direction X. Each of the polymer 31 and the liquid crystal molecules 32 has optical anisotropy or refractive index anisotropy. The responsiveness of the polymer 31 to an electric field is lower than the responsiveness of the liquid crystal molecules 32 to an electric field.

[0025] In one example, the alignment direction of the polymer 31 hardly changes regardless of the presence or absence of an electric field. On the other hand, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 32 changes in response to an electric field when a voltage higher than a threshold value is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC. In a state where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC (initial alignment state), the optical axes of the polymer 31 and the liquid crystal molecules 32 are substantially parallel to each other, and the light incident on the liquid crystal layer LC almost passes through the liquid crystal layer LC (transparent state). In a state where a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 32 changes, and the optical axes of the polymer 31 and the liquid crystal molecules 32 cross each other. For this reason, the light incident on the liquid crystal layer LC is scattered within the liquid crystal layer LC (scattering state).

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the display operation of the display device DSP according to the present embodiment. In the display operation of the display device DSP, one frame period F includes a red sub-frame period SFR in which a video component corresponding to red is written and the red light-emitting element 101R emits light, a green sub-frame period SFG in which a video component corresponding to green is written and the green light-emitting element 101G emits light, and a blue sub-frame period SFB in which a video component corresponding to blue is written and the blue light-emitting element 101B emits light. Each of the sub-frame periods SFR, SFG, and SFB includes a writing period P1 in which a video component of the corresponding color is written to the pixel PX, a light-emitting period P2 in which the light-emitting element 101 of the corresponding color emits light, and a reset period P3 in which the video component written to the pixel PX is reset, respectively.

[0027] First, the red sub-frame period SFR will be described. When the writing period P1R included in the red sub-frame period SFR starts, a scanning signal is sequentially supplied from the scanning line G1 closest to the anti-incident light surface located on the opposite side of the incident light surface where the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 (light-emitting module 100) enters, toward the scanning line Gm closest to the incident light surface, and a video component corresponding to red is sequentially written from the pixel PX arranged on the anti-incident light surface side to the pixel PX arranged on the incident light surface side.

[0028] When the writing period P1R ends and the light-emitting period P2R starts, the red light-emitting element 101R emits light. The light irradiated from the red light-emitting element 101R passes through the incident light surface and is incident on the display area DA. According to this, a red image corresponding to the red video component written to each pixel PX in the writing period P1R is displayed in the display area DA.

[0029] When the light-emitting period P2R ends, the red light-emitting element 101R is turned off, and when the reset period P3R starts, a scanning signal is supplied to the scanning lines G1 to Gm all at once, and a voltage approximately equal to the so-called common voltage is applied to each pixel PX. According to this, the red video component written to each pixel PX is reset. When the reset period P3R ends, the red sub-frame period SFR also ends.

[0030] Next, the green sub-frame period SFG will be described. When the red sub-frame period SFR ends and the writing period P1G included in the green sub-frame period SFG starts, a scanning signal is sequentially supplied from the scanning line G1 on the anti-incident light surface side toward the scanning line Gm on the incident light surface side, and the video component corresponding to green is sequentially written from the pixel PX on the anti-incident light surface side toward the pixel PX on the incident light surface side.

[0031] When the writing period P1G ends and the light emission period P2G starts, the green light-emitting element 101G emits light. The light emitted from the green light-emitting element 101G passes through the incident light surface and is incident on the display area DA. According to this, a green image corresponding to the green video component written in each pixel PX during the writing period P1G is displayed in the display area DA.

[0032] When the light emission period P2G ends, the green light-emitting element 101G is turned off, and when the reset period P3G starts, a scanning signal is supplied all at once to the scanning lines G1 to Gm, and a voltage approximately equal to the common voltage is applied to each pixel PX. According to this, the green video component written in each pixel PX is reset. When the reset period P3G ends, the green sub-frame period SFG also ends.

[0033] Furthermore, the blue sub-frame period SFB will be described. When the green sub-frame period SFG ends and the writing period P1B included in the blue sub-frame period SFB starts, a scanning signal is sequentially supplied from the scanning line G1 on the anti-incident light surface side toward the scanning line Gm on the incident light surface side, and the video component corresponding to blue is sequentially written from the pixel PX on the anti-incident light surface side toward the pixel PX on the incident light surface side.

[0034] When the writing period P1B ends and the light emission period P2B starts, the blue light-emitting element 101B emits light. The light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 101B passes through the incident light surface and is incident on the display area DA. According to this, a blue image corresponding to the blue video component written in each pixel PX during the writing period P1B is displayed in the display area DA.

[0035] When the light emission period P2B ends, the blue light-emitting element 101B is turned off, and when the reset period P3B starts, scan signals are simultaneously supplied to the scan lines G1 to Gm, and a voltage approximately equal to the common voltage is applied to each pixel PX. According to this, the blue video component written in each pixel PX is reset. When the reset period P3B ends, the blue sub-frame period SFB also ends, and one frame period F ends.

[0036] Here, as an example of the display operation of the display device DSP according to the present embodiment, the display operation shown in FIG. 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device DSP may display an image in the display area DA by a display operation different from that shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, in a general rectangular display device DSP' (display panel), the lighting conditions of the numerous light-emitting elements 101 constituting the light-emitting module 100 are all the same, and each light-emitting element 101 is lit so as to irradiate light of the same intensity. In FIG. 3, the length of the arrow extending from each light-emitting element 101 indicates the intensity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101.

[0038] Here, similarly, in the irregular-shaped display device DSP (display panel PNL) according to the present embodiment, when each light-emitting element 101 is controlled to light so as to irradiate light of the same intensity, the following problems occur.

[0039] Generally, the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 tends to attenuate as it travels within the display panel. For this reason, in a display device having an irregular-shaped display panel in which the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is not constant, such as the display device DSP according to the present embodiment, if each light-emitting element 101 is controlled to light so as to irradiate light of the same intensity, there is a possibility that the luminance will be higher in the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is shorter, and the luminance will be lower in the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is longer. That is, non-uniformity occurs in the luminance of the display panel.

[0040] Therefore, in the display device DSP according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each light-emitting element 101 is controlled to turn on so as to adjust the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 according to the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short is lowered, and the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long is increased. In other words, the display device DSP controls each light-emitting element 101 to turn on so that the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long is higher than the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short. According to this, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and to equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0041] Note that in FIG. 4, the case where each light-emitting element 101 is controlled to turn on so that the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 gradually increases from the left side to the right side in the figure is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each light-emitting element 101 may be divided into a plurality of blocks (groups) based on the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface, and each light-emitting element 101 may be controlled to turn on so that the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 is adjusted in units of blocks.

[0042] In addition, in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the display device DSP includes a display panel PNL having a curved portion. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the display device DSP includes a display panel PNL having two rectangular portions with different sizes, the intensity of light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the incident light surface to the reflected light surface is short is reduced (that is, the intensity of light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 on the left side in the figure is reduced), and the intensity of light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the incident light surface to the reflected light surface is long is increased (that is, the intensity of light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 on the right side in the figure is increased). Each light-emitting element 101 is controlled to turn on in this way. The same applies to the case where the display device DSP includes other irregularly shaped display panels PNL.

[0043] The intensity of light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 is determined and adjusted, for example, by controlling each light-emitting element 101 to emit light of the same intensity before product shipment and then feeding back the luminance distribution of the display panel PNL obtained as a result. Alternatively, the intensity of light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 may be determined and adjusted by feeding back the amount of light measured by a light sensor disposed on the reflected light surface side. In the latter case, even after product shipment, it is possible to dynamically determine and adjust the intensity of light emitted from each light-emitting element 101. Note that the light sensor may be disposed on the incident light surface side after a reflection member (for example, a reflective tape) for returning light to the incident light surface side is provided on the reflected light surface.

[0044] FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a method of adjusting the intensity of light emitted from each light-emitting element 101. In FIGS. 6 to 8, it is assumed that the intensity of light of each color is highest in the order of the red light-emitting element 101R, the blue light-emitting element 101B, and the green light-emitting element 101G, but the intensity of light of each color is not necessarily highest in the above order. The intensity of light of each color is determined, for example, based on the white balance of the display panel PNL.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an amplitude modulation method which is one of the methods of adjusting the intensity of light emitted from each light-emitting element 101.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, in the amplitude modulation method, after making the time T for flowing current through each light-emitting element 101 (in other words, the time during which each light-emitting element 101 emits light) constant, the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short is made small, and the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long is made large. In FIG. 6, the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101a corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short is made small, the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101b corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is medium is made larger than the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101a, and the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101c corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long is made larger than the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting element 101b. Here, since it is assumed that the intensity of the light of each color is high in the order of red, blue, and green, the value of the current C flowing through each color light-emitting element 101R, 101G, 101B included in the light-emitting elements 101a, 101b, 101c is, as shown in FIG. 6, the value of the current C flowing through the red light-emitting element 101R is the largest, the value of the current C flowing through the blue light-emitting element 101B is the second largest, and the value of the current C flowing through the green light-emitting element 101G is the smallest.

[0047] According to the above-described amplitude modulation method, since it is possible to lower the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short and increase the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a time modulation method which is one of the methods for adjusting the intensity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 7, the time modulation method is a method in which, for each color, while keeping the value of the current C flowing through each light-emitting element 101 constant, the value of the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is short is made small, and the value of the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is long is made large. In Fig. 7, the value of the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101a corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is short is made small, the value of the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101b corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is medium is made larger than the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101a, and the value of the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101c corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is long is made larger than the time T for which the current is made to flow through the light-emitting element 101b. Here, since it is assumed that the intensity of the light of each color is high in the order of red, blue, and green, the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting elements 101R, 101G, and 101B of each color included in the light-emitting elements 101a, 101b, and 101c is, as shown in Fig. 7, the value of the current C flowing through the red light-emitting element 101R is the largest, the value of the current C flowing through the blue light-emitting element 101B is the second largest, and the value of the current C flowing through the green light-emitting element 101G is the smallest.

[0050] According to the above-described time modulation method, similar to the amplitude modulation method shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is short and increase the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-emitting surface is long. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) modulation method, which is one of the methods for adjusting the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8, the PWM modulation method is a method in which, for each color, while keeping the value of the current C flowing through each light-emitting element 101 constant, the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion with a short distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface is made small, and the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion with a long distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface is made large. In Fig. 8, an example is shown in which the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101a corresponding to the portion with a short distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface is made small, the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101b corresponding to the portion with a medium distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface is made larger than the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101a, and the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101c corresponding to the portion with a long distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface is made larger than the value of the on-time Tp of the light-emitting element 101b. Here, since it is assumed that the intensity of the light of each color is high in the order of red, blue, and green, the value of the current C flowing through the light-emitting elements 101R, 101G, and 101B of each color included in the light-emitting elements 101a, 101b, and 101c is, as shown in Fig. 8, the value of the current C flowing through the red light-emitting element 101R is the largest, the value of the current C flowing through the blue light-emitting element 101B is the second largest, and the value of the current C flowing through the green light-emitting element 101G is the smallest.

[0053] According to the above-described PWM modulation method, similar to the amplitude modulation method shown in Fig. 6 and the time modulation method shown in Fig. 7, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion with a short distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface and increase the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion with a long distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0054] Here, as a method for adjusting the intensity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101, the amplitude modulation method, the time modulation method, and the PWM modulation method have been described. However, the intensity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101 may be adjusted by a method in which these methods are arbitrarily combined.

[0055] Also, here, a method for adjusting the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 has been described. For example, the light-emitting elements 101 are sparsely arranged in a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is short, and the light-emitting elements 101 are densely arranged in a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is long. Thus, even if the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 is the same, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and to equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL. Alternatively, in a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is short, a small number of the light-emitting elements 101 are turned on, and in a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is long, more of the light-emitting elements 101 are turned on. Thus, even if the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 is the same, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and to equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0056] As described above, since the display device DSP according to the present embodiment controls the lighting of each light-emitting element 101 so as to adjust the intensity of the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 according to the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the luminance of the display panel PNL and to equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0057] However, since the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 tends to attenuate as it travels within the display panel PNL, even if the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is long is made higher than the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is short by the above-described lighting control, there is a possibility that the luminance on the light-outcoupling surface side of the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-outcoupling surface is long becomes slightly lower than the luminance of other portions (the possibility of insufficient luminance).

[0058] In such a case, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c), by disposing the auxiliary light-emitting element 102 on the anti-incident light surface corresponding to the portion with insufficient luminance, it is possible to eliminate the luminance shortage occurring on the anti-incident light surface side and to equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0059] In the present embodiment, as the lighting control of each light-emitting element 101 when an image is displayed over the entire display area DA, the lighting control for adjusting the intensity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101 according to the distance from the incident light surface to the anti-incident light surface has been described. However, when an image is displayed only in a partial area of the display area DA, each light-emitting element 101 may be lighting-controlled such that, for example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the partial area AA is higher than the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the other area where no image is displayed. Also, in FIG. 10(a), the case where the partial area AA where an image is displayed is rectangular has been described. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 10(b), when the partial area AA where an image is displayed has an irregular shape, each light-emitting element 101 is such that the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the partial area AA is higher than the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the other area where no image is displayed, and the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the incident light surface side end to the anti-incident light surface side end of the partial area AA is long is higher than the intensity of the light irradiated from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the incident light surface side end to the anti-incident light surface side end of the partial area AA is short, and may be lighting-controlled.

[0060] Hereinafter, modified examples will be described. (First Modified Example) First, a first modification example will be described. The display device DSP1 according to the first modification example is different from the configuration according to the above-described embodiment in that it includes a light-emitting module 100a arranged to face the side surface of the first cover member CM1 and a light-emitting module 100b arranged to face the side surface of the second cover member CM2. Further, the display device DSP1 according to the first modification example is different from the configuration according to the above-described embodiment in that the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2 are each divided into a plurality of parts. Hereinafter, mainly, the parts different from the configuration according to the above-described embodiment will be described, and the description of the parts similar to the configuration according to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of the display device DSP1 according to the first modification example. In FIG. 11, among the elements constituting the display device DSP1, only the light-emitting module 100b (light-emitting element 101) arranged to face the side surface of the second cover member CM2 and the second cover member CM21, CM22 divided into two are shown. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a light-emitting module 100a is further arranged under the light-emitting module 100b, and the first cover member CM11, CM12 divided into two are further arranged under the second cover members CM21, CM22.

[0062] According to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the directivity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101 can be enhanced.

[0063] Generally, since the light emitted from each light-emitting element 101 is diffused light, part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short travels toward the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long, and part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long travels toward the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short. According to this, even if the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long is made higher than the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short by the lighting control described above, the luminance of the display panel PNL may not be uniformized.

[0064] However, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, for example, even if the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101a corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short travels toward the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long after entering the second cover member CM21, the light is totally reflected at the side surface CM21a of the second cover member CM21 (more specifically, the interface between the side surface CM21a and the air layer). That is, it is possible to suppress the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101a corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short from traveling (leaking out) toward the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long.

[0065] Similarly, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, even if the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101b corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long travels toward the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short after entering the second cover member CM22, the light is totally reflected at the side surface CM22a of the second cover member CM22 (more specifically, the interface between the side surface CM22a and the air layer). That is, it is possible to suppress the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101b corresponding to the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long from traveling (leaking out) toward the portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short.

[0066] Note that the same effect can also be obtained for the light irradiated from the light-emitting module 100a arranged to face the side surface of the first cover member CM1.

[0067] According to this, it is possible to enhance the directivity of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 101 included in the light-emitting modules 100a and 100b and to equalize the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0068] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the display panel PNL cut along the line A-A' of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the display panel PNL according to the first modification includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, a liquid crystal layer LC disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, first cover members CM11 and CM12, and second cover members CM21 and CM22.

[0069] The first cover member CM11 is adhered to the lower side of the first substrate SUB1 via an adhesive layer OCA11 and is a cover member corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short. The first cover member CM12 is adhered to the lower side of the first substrate SUB1 via an adhesive layer OCA12 and is a cover member corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long.

[0070] The second cover member CM21 is adhered to the upper side of the second substrate SUB2 via an adhesive layer OCA21 and is a cover member corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short. The second cover member CM22 is adhered to the upper side of the second substrate SUB2 via an adhesive layer OCA22 and is a cover member corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long.

[0071] Note that the display panel PNL according to the first modification may have a configuration in which only the second cover member CM2 is divided into a plurality of parts as shown in FIG. 13(a), and the first cover member CM1 is not divided into a plurality of parts.

[0072] Further, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the display panel PNL according to the first modification example may be configured to divide the second cover member CM2 into a plurality without providing the first cover member CM1. In this case, the light-emitting module 100a facing the side surface of the first cover member CM1 may not be arranged, or may be arranged so as to face the side surface of the first transparent substrate 10 included in the first substrate SUB1.

[0073] In the configurations shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b), a part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 included in the light-emitting module 100a, which corresponds to the part where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short, travels toward the part where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long. A part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 101 corresponding to the part where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is long travels toward the part where the distance from the light-incident surface to the light-reverse-incident surface is short. However, due to the light overflow from one part to the other part, it is possible to make the boundary (groove) between the second cover members CM21 and CM22 less prominent (difficult to visually recognize).

[0074] (Second Modification Example) Next, the second modification example will be described. The display device DSP2 according to the second modification example is different from the configuration according to the above-described embodiment in that the shapes and sizes of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and the shapes and sizes of the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2 are different.

[0075] Note that, as a factor for the difference in the shapes and sizes of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and the shapes and sizes of the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2, since the liquid crystal layer LC is arranged between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 to be described later, it is difficult to form a curved portion (curved surface). However, it is one example that the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2 are easy to form a curved portion.

[0076] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the display device DSP2 according to the second modification. FIG. 14(a) is a plan view showing an example of the display device DSP2 in which the shapes and sizes of the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2 are larger than the shapes and sizes of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and FIG. 14(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the display device DSP2. Although not shown in FIG. 14, the outermost peripheries of the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2 are covered by a housing or a frame.

[0077] In this case, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the light-emitting module 100 is preferably arranged so as to face the side surface of the second cover member CM2 having a larger shape than the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. Here, although the configuration in which the light-emitting module 100 is arranged so as to face the side surface of the second cover member CM2 is shown, the light-emitting module 100 may be arranged so as to face the side surface of the first cover member CM1 having a larger shape than the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. Alternatively, two light-emitting modules 100 may be arranged so as to face the side surfaces of the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2, respectively.

[0078] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display device DSP2 according to the second modification. FIG. 15(a) is a plan view showing an example of the display device DSP2 in which the shapes and sizes of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are larger than the shapes and sizes of the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2, and FIG. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the display device DSP2. Although not shown in FIG. 15, the outermost peripheries of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are covered by a housing or a frame.

[0079] In this case, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the light-emitting module 100 is preferably arranged so as to face the side surface of the second transparent substrate 20 of the second substrate SUB2, which is larger in shape than the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2. Here, a configuration in which the light-emitting module 100 is arranged to face the side surface of the second transparent substrate 20 of the second substrate SUB2 is shown. However, the light-emitting module 100 may be arranged to face the side surface of the first transparent substrate 10 of the first substrate SUB1, which is larger in shape than the first cover member CM1 and the second cover member CM2. Alternatively, two light-emitting modules 100 may be arranged so as to face the side surfaces of the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20, respectively.

[0080] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide the display devices DSP, DSP1, and DSP2 with irregular shapes capable of equalizing the luminance of the display panel PNL.

[0081] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] DSP... Display device, PNL... Display panel, SUB1... First substrate, 10... First transparent substrate, 10a, 10b, 10c... Side surfaces, SUB2... Second substrate, 20... Second transparent substrate, 20a, 20b, 20c... Side surfaces, LC... Liquid crystal layer, 31... Polymer, 32... Liquid crystal molecules, CM1... First cover member, CM2... Second cover member, DA... Display area, PX... Pixel, PE... Pixel electrode, SE... Seal, Ex... Extension portion, 1... Wiring substrate, 2... IC chip, 100... Light-emitting module, 101, 101R, 101G, 101B... Light-emitting elements.

Claims

1. An irregularly shaped first substrate, An irregularly shaped second substrate facing the first substrate, A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, An irregularly shaped cover member having a first side face and facing the second substrate, A plurality of light-emitting elements that irradiate light onto the first side face, Adjusting means for adjusting the intensity of light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements, comprising: The first side face functions as a light-incident surface on which light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements is incident, The adjusting means adjusts the intensity of light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements according to the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface opposite to the light-incident surface, A display device.

2. The adjusting means makes the intensity of light irradiated from a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long higher than the intensity of light irradiated from a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short, The display device according to Claim 1.

3. The adjusting means keeps the time for passing current through each of the light-emitting elements constant, and makes the current passed through a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long larger than the current passed through a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short, thereby adjusting the intensity of light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements, The display device according to Claim 2.

4. The adjusting means keeps the current passed through each of the light-emitting elements constant, and makes the time for passing current through a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long longer than the time for passing current through a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short, thereby adjusting the intensity of light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements, The display device according to Claim 2.

5. The adjusting means keeps the current passed through each of the light-emitting elements constant, and makes the time during which a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long is on longer than the time during which a light-emitting element corresponding to a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short is on, thereby adjusting the intensity of light irradiated from each of the light-emitting elements, The display device according to Claim 2.

6. In a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is long, the adjusting means lights up the light-emitting elements more densely than in a portion where the distance from the light-incident surface to the anti-light-incident surface is short, The display device according to Claim 2.

7. In the portion where the distance from the light incident surface to the light non-incident surface is long, each of the light emitting elements is arranged more densely than in the portion where the distance from the light incident surface to the light non-incident surface is short. The adjustment means adjusts the intensities of the light irradiated from the respective light emitting elements to be the same. The display device according to claim 1.

8. In the portion where the distance from the light incident surface to the light non-incident surface is long, auxiliary light emitting elements are arranged on the light non-incident side. The display device according to claim 1.

9. The adjustment means makes the intensity of the light irradiated from the light emitting elements corresponding to the region where the image is displayed higher than the intensity of the light irradiated from the light emitting elements corresponding to the region where the image is not displayed. The display device according to claim 1.

10. The cover member is divided into a portion where the distance from the light incident surface to the light non-incident surface is short and a portion where the distance from the light incident surface to the light non-incident surface is long. The display device according to claim 1.

11. The display device further includes a lens disposed between the plurality of light emitting elements and the first side surface. The display device according to claim 1.

12. The first side surface is processed into a lens shape. The display device according to claim 1.

13. The shapes of the first substrate and the second substrate are the same as the shape of the cover member. The display device according to claim 1.

14. The shapes of the first substrate and the second substrate are different from the shape of the cover member. The display device according to claim 1.

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