Transflective liquid-crystal-display device

Abstract

A LCD device has a LC layer sandwiched between a TFT substrate and a counter substrate, first and second polarizing films, a first λ/2 film between the first polarizing film and the counter substrate, and a second λ/2 film between the second polarizing film and the TFT substrate. Angle θ1 between the direction of the optical axis of the LC layer and the polarized direction of the light entering the LC layer satisfies the relationship: 0 degree<θ1<45 degrees. The resultant LCD device has lower leakage light and coloring.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method for driving a transflective LCD device having a liquid crystal (LC) layer defining a plurality of pixels each having a transmissive area and a reflective area,
 at least said transmissive area operating in a lateral-electric-field mode;   first and second polarizing films sandwiching therebetween said LC layer, said first polarizing film being effective common to said transmissive area and said reflective area, said second polarizing film being effective to said transmissive area; and   a retardation film sandwiched between said first polarizing film and said LC layer, said method comprising the steps of:   generating a first data signal and a second data signal having therebetween a specific potential relationship; and   applying said first data signal and said second data signal to said reflective area and said transmissive area, respectively.   
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said relationship between said first data signal and said second data signal is such that said first data signal assumes a maximum gray-scale-level potential when corresponding said second data signal assumes a minimum gray-scale-level potential. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 32 , further comprising the step of applying a first common electrode signal to a first common electrode disposed in said reflective areas of a plurality of said pixels and a second common electrode signal to a second common electrode disposed in said transmissive areas of a plurality of said pixels, said first common electrode signal having a potential different from a potential of said second common electrode signal. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said LCD device includes a first switching device for coupling a data line to said first pixel electrode and a second switching device for coupling said data line to said second pixel electrode, a first gate line for controlling said first switching device, a second gate line for controlling said second switching device, said method further comprising the steps of:
 turning ON said first and second switching devices in a time-division scheme, to apply a common data signal to said first and second pixel electrodes;   applying a first common electrode signal to a common electrode during applying said common data signal to said first pixel electrode; and   applying a second common electrode signal to said common electrode during applying said common data signal to said second pixel electrode, said first common electrode signal having a potential different from a potential of said second common electrode signal.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said LCD device includes a first switching device for coupling a first data line to said first pixel electrode, a second switching device for coupling a second data line to said second pixel electrode, said method further comprising the step of:
 applying said first and second data signals to said first and second data lines, respectively.   
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein one of said first and second data signals is supplied from outside of said LCD device, and the other of said first and second data signals has a gray-scale level converted from a grays-scale level of said one of said first and second data signals by using a look-up table. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein said look-up table is such that similar γ-characteristics are obtained for both said reflective and transmissive areas. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said LCD device includes a single common electrode for both said reflective area and said transmissive area of a plurality of said pixels, said method further comprising the steps of:
 applying said single common electrode with a first common electrode signal at the timing of writing said first data signal; and   applying said single common electrode signal with a second common electrode signal at the timing of writing said second data signal.