JP2001305994A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make adequately enlargeable the size of a display screen without occurrence of the degradation in the luminance of display images and the trouble resembling the same in an image display device using a simple matrix system. SOLUTION: This image display device has plural first electrodes 1 which extend in a specified direction, plural second electrodes 2 which extend in a direction intersecting with the plural first electrodes 1 and image display substances 4 which are held between the plural first and second electrodes and are driven by being subjected to energizing or voltage impressing via the respective first and second electrodes 1 and 2. The display device is provided with plural kinds of the electrodes varying in lengths La and Lb within an image display area 5 as the plural first electrodes 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an organic EL (Electric EL).
More particularly, the present invention relates to an image display device of a type employing a simple matrix system (passive matrix system).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, liquid crystal displays are frequently used as displays for portable telephones, audio equipment, or instrument panels of automobiles. However, in recent years, organic EL displays have also started to attract attention and are being developed. Organic EL displays are self-luminous, in which the light-emitting layer of the organic EL film emits light. Therefore, unlike liquid crystal displays, they have the greatest feature of not requiring a light source such as a backlight or external light. , The viewing angle can be increased, the power consumption can be reduced when the display image area is small, and the response time for image display is short. Therefore, in the future, it is expected that one trend will be that organic EL displays are frequently used for various image display applications in addition to or instead of liquid crystal displays. Each of the organic EL display and the liquid crystal display includes a simple matrix system and an active matrix system. The simple matrix system has a simpler structure than the active matrix system, and has an advantage that its manufacturing cost can be reduced.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a specific example of a schematic structure of a conventional organic EL display employing a simple matrix system.

The organic EL display D1 shown in FIG.
Has a plurality of anodes 91 extending vertically in a rectangular image display area 90 and a plurality of cathodes 92 extending horizontally. An organic EL film (not shown) having a light emitting layer is provided between the plurality of anodes 91 and the cathodes 92. One end of each of the anode 91 and the cathode 92 in the longitudinal direction is drawn out of the image display area 90, and a voltage can be selectively applied to the anode 91 and the cathode 92 from the drawn-out portion. ing.

The organic EL display D1 having such a configuration is driven by a so-called line-sequential driving method, similarly to a simple matrix type liquid crystal display.
That is, while the plurality of cathodes 92 function as scanning lines, the plurality of anodes 91 function as data lines, and the plurality of cathodes 92 are sequentially applied with a voltage (grant connection) one by one. A voltage is selectively applied to the plurality of anodes 91. As a result, organic EL
The predetermined light emitting layer can be selectively energized to emit light at that portion, and a desired image can be sequentially switched and displayed for each cathode 92.

The organic EL display D2 shown in FIG.
Is a so-called two-screen drive type, and has a plurality of anodes 91a and 91b which are separately arranged in an upper half portion and a lower half portion of the image display area 90. A part of each of the anodes 91a and 91b is drawn out above or below the image display area 90, and a voltage can be individually applied from these drawn parts. According to such a configuration, the plurality of cathodes 92 include the group Ga intersecting the upper half anode 91a and the lower half anode 91b.
And a group Gb that intersects with. Therefore, in each of these two groups Ga and Gb, it is possible to selectively apply a voltage to the corresponding anodes 91a and 91b while sequentially applying a voltage to the plurality of cathodes 92 one by one. , The image display driving in those areas can be performed simultaneously.

[0007]

The organic EL shown in FIG.
In the display D1, in order to enlarge the display screen (increase the display capacity) by increasing the total number of the cathodes 92, the voltage application time per cathode 92 must be shortened. This is because, when the total number of the cathodes 92 is large, if the voltage application time is increased, a flickering is noticeable and a poor quality display image is obtained. Therefore, in the organic EL display D1, there is a problem that the brightness of the display image is reduced when the display screen is enlarged.

On the other hand, since the organic EL display D2 shown in FIG. 11 is of a so-called two-screen drive type, the voltage applied per cathode 92 is smaller than that of the organic EL display D1 shown in FIG. The time can be twice as long, and a decrease in the brightness of the displayed image can be suppressed.

As described above, a simple matrix type organic E
In the L display, in order to increase the brightness of the display image, it is preferable to divide the image display area 90 into a plurality of areas and drive these parts simultaneously. In this case, the image display area 90 is not limited to being divided into two parts.
If it is possible to drive by dividing into four, four or more divisions, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the brightness of the display image,
It is considered that the display screen can be further enlarged.

However, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 11, the limit is that the image display area 90 can be divided into two parts, and the image display area 90 is divided into a larger number of sections and the drive is performed. What can be done has not been proposed.
As a result, in the conventional simple matrix type organic EL display, even if the total number of the cathodes 92 is to be increased, the total number cannot be increased so much. Conventionally, even when the two-screen drive type shown in FIG. 11 is used, the total number of cathodes 92 is limited to, for example, about 240.
It has been difficult to increase the total size of the display screen to make the display screen larger. Conventionally, in order to enlarge the display screen, it was necessary to employ an active matrix system instead of the simple matrix system.

A conventional two-screen driving type organic EL device
In the display D2, as means for appropriately applying a voltage to the anodes 91a and 91b,
The anodes 91a and 91b need to be drawn out above and below the image display area 90, respectively. Therefore, a death area for wiring connection occurs above and below the image display area 90, and it may be difficult to increase the size of the display screen while suppressing the size of the entire organic EL display.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and in an image display device using a simple matrix system, without causing a decrease in luminance of a display image or a similar problem. It is an object of the present invention to appropriately increase the size of a display screen.

[0013]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.

An image display device provided by the present invention includes a plurality of first electrodes extending in a predetermined direction from an edge of the image display area in the image display area, and the image display area in the image display area. A plurality of second electrodes extending in a direction intersecting with the plurality of first electrodes from another edge portion, and sandwiched between the plurality of first and second electrodes, and the first and second electrodes. An image display material driven by being energized or applied with a voltage via the second electrode, the image display device comprising:
As the plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of types of electrodes having different lengths in the image display area are provided.

In the present invention, the image display object is
It can be configured to be an organic EL or a liquid crystal. That is, the image display device according to the present invention can be configured as an organic EL display using an organic EL as the image display, or a liquid crystal display using a liquid crystal as the image display.

In the image display device according to the present invention,
There are a plurality of types of first electrodes having different lengths as the plurality of first electrodes, and the plurality of types of first electrodes having different lengths are fixed from the edge of the image display area toward the inside of the image display area. It is configured to extend in the direction. Therefore, when the plurality of first electrodes are, for example, of two types, long and short, the image display area includes a region where the second electrode faces the short first electrode;
Only the long first electrode (a portion of the long first electrode closer to the tip than the short first electrode) is divided into a region where the second electrode faces. Image display driving for each of these two regions can be performed simultaneously. Of course, if the plurality of first electrodes are of three types, long, medium, and short, the image display area is divided into three types of regions. Further, for example, if a plurality of first electrodes having two types of lengths, long and short, are provided in each of the upper half and the lower half of the image display area as in a conventional two-screen drive type, The image display area can be divided into a total of four areas.

As described above, according to the present invention, the image display area is divided into three, four, or more divisions, which has been conventionally difficult, and the image display drive is performed on the divided areas. Simultaneous implementation is easily realized. Therefore, in the present invention, the total number of the second electrodes is increased to enlarge the display screen (increase in display capacity).
In this case, an appropriate image display can be performed without shortening the voltage application time per one of the second electrodes.

Further, in the present invention, if the image display area is simply divided into, for example, two, the two types of first electrodes, long and short, are arranged from one edge of the image display area in the image display area. What is necessary is just to provide so that it may extend toward the direction. That is, in the present invention, unlike the conventional two-split drive type, even if the plurality of first electrodes are not drawn out from the two edges of the image display area to the outside, the voltage applied to the first electrodes can be increased. Application becomes possible. Therefore, according to the present invention, a portion for applying a voltage to the plurality of first electrodes is provided in one of the image display areas.
By providing them together near one edge, it is possible to reduce the death area around the image display area.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first electrodes include a first group extending from one edge of the image display area into the image display area, and a first group extending from the edge of the image display area. The other one facing the edge
And a second group extending into the image display area from one edge.

According to such a configuration, by dividing each of the first and second groups into, for example, two regions, the image display area can be divided into four regions in total. . Therefore, it is easier to increase the number of divisions of the image display area.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first electrodes include at least two types of short first electrodes and long first electrodes. The first electrode and the longer first electrode are provided on the same plane such that their base ends are alternately arranged in the direction in which the respective second electrodes extend.

According to such a configuration, the plurality of first
Since the electrodes are provided on the same plane, their formation is facilitated. In addition, since the base ends of the shorter first electrodes and the longer first electrodes are alternately arranged in the direction in which the respective second electrodes extend, a pixel obtained by using the shorter first electrodes can be used. Pixels obtained by using the longer first electrode can be arranged in the above direction in an orderly manner.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image display material is provided between the shorter first electrode and the corresponding second electrode and the longer first electrode.
The electrode is provided between a portion of the electrode closer to the tip than the shorter first electrode and the corresponding second electrode.

According to such a configuration, in the image display area, the portion where the shorter first electrode is provided and the portion closer to the tip of the longer first electrode are appropriately used. Image display can be performed.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the longer first electrode near the base end is narrower than the portion near the front end.

According to such a configuration, the longer first
The arrangement pitch of the shorter first electrodes arranged so as to sandwich the portion near the base end of the electrode can be reduced. Further, the arrangement pitch of the longer first electrodes can be reduced. Therefore, by increasing the pixel density,
This is suitable for increasing the resolution. Of course, since the portion near the base end of the longer first electrode does not need to be used for image display, there is no problem that the image display function is impaired even if this portion is made narrower.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the longer first electrode near the front end overlaps the shorter first electrode in a direction in which each of the second electrodes extends.

According to such a configuration, the short first
The pixels obtained by using the electrodes and the pixels obtained by using the portion near the tip of the longer first electrode can be arranged neatly on the same straight line or substantially the same straight line.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the longer first electrode near the front end is arranged at a position not overlapping with the shorter first electrode in the direction in which each of the second electrodes extends. Have been.

According to such a configuration, the short first
The pixels obtained by using the electrodes and the pixels displayed by using the portion near the tip of the longer first electrode can be arranged, for example, in a staggered arrangement. Image display can be performed.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first electrodes having different lengths overlap each other in the thickness direction while being insulated from each other.

According to such a configuration, the plurality of first
The arrangement pitch of the plurality of first electrodes in the direction in which each of the second electrodes extends can be smaller than in the case where the electrodes having different lengths are alternately arranged and provided on the same plane. Therefore, it is more preferable to increase the pixel density and the resolution.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first electrodes include a short first electrode and a portion near the base end of the short first electrode via an insulating layer. There is a longer first electrode provided so as to overlap, and the image display substance is provided between the shorter first electrode and the corresponding second electrode, and the longer first electrode. It is provided between the portion near the tip and the corresponding second electrode.

According to this configuration, in the image display area, an image is appropriately displayed in a portion where the shorter first electrode is provided and in a portion near the tip of the longer first electrode. Can be made.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portion near the base end of the longer first electrode contains a material having lower electric resistance than a portion near the front end.

According to such a configuration, the longer first
The amount of voltage drop when applying a voltage to the electrode can be reduced, and waste of power consumption can be reduced.
In addition, it is possible to prevent a large difference between respective voltage values of the portion closer to the tip of the longer first electrode and the shorter first electrode.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention.

[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a main part of an organic EL display as an example of an image display device according to the present invention. Note that the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the present embodiment respectively mean the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the front views of FIGS. 2 and 3.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 1, the organic EL display A of this embodiment has a plurality of anodes 1 (1a, 1b) and a plurality of organic ELs on a transparent substrate 3 such as a glass plate.
It has a configuration in which an L film 4 and a plurality of cathodes 2 are sequentially laminated. Each anode 1 corresponds to an example of a first electrode according to the present invention. Each cathode 2 is a second cathode as referred to in the present invention.
This corresponds to an example of an electrode.

Each of the plurality of anodes 1 is, for example, an IT
A transparent electrode made of an O film, and a rectangular image display area 5
Is a strip extending in the vertical direction. However, as the plurality of anodes 1, there are two types, that is, a plurality of anodes 1 (1a) which are shorter and a plurality of anodes 1 (1b) which are longer than that. The length La of the shorter anode 1 a in the image display area 5 is, for example, about １ ／ of the vertical width of the image display area 5. In contrast, the image display area 5 of the longer anode 1b
The length Lb in the inside is about twice the above-mentioned length La.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 3, the width s1 of the shorter anode 1a over its entire length except for the terminal portion 10 is substantially constant. On the other hand, the longer anode 1b has a tip-side region 11 having a width s2 substantially equal to the width s1 of the anode 1a,
And a proximal region 12 having a smaller width s3. A metal film such as copper or aluminum having an electric resistance lower than that of ITO used as a material of the anode 1 is added to the base end region 12.
Is made to be as small as possible.

The narrow base region 12 of the anode 1b serves as a lead wire and does not actually serve as an anode in an organic EL display. However, the electrode in the present invention is
It means a portion located in the image display area and used for applying a voltage to a desired image display material. Therefore, as long as it exists in the image display area, the part that only plays a role as a lead wire, that is, the base end region 12 of the present embodiment also corresponds to a part of the electrode. Therefore, the length of the anode 1b includes the length of the proximal region 12 and the lengths of the anode 1b and the anode 1a are different.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of anodes 1 are arranged in the image display area 5 in the horizontal direction. However, the plurality of anodes 1 have a group in which the upper end is a terminal portion 10 drawn out from the upper edge 5c of the image display area 5 to the outside, and the lower end is in the image display area 5
The terminal portion 10 is drawn out of the lower edge portion 5d to the outside thereof. The anodes 1 of each of these two groups are separated from each other and are vertically symmetric. Although omitted in the drawing, a plurality of wirings connected to each terminal unit 10 are formed on the transparent substrate 3 in a pattern, and a positive voltage is selectively applied to each anode 1 via these wirings. Can be done.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of anodes 1 are arranged on the same plane so that the narrow base region 12 of the longer anode 1b is sandwiched between the shorter anodes 1a. It is lined up above. The region 11 near the front end of the longer anode 1b is positioned on the extension of the shorter anode 1a because it is offset in the horizontal direction of the image display area 5 with respect to the region 12 closer to the base end.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 1, each organic E
The L film 4 is composed of, for example, three layers of a hole transport layer 40, a light emitting layer 41, and an electron transport layer 42. When electricity is applied using the anode 1 and the cathode 2, the light emitting layer 41 emits light. It is configured to do so. The light emitted from the light emitting layer 41 passes through the transparent anode 1 and the transparent substrate 3 and travels downward in FIG. Specific components of the respective layers of the organic EL film 4 have been known in the art, and a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, with regard to the organic EL film, the development of a structure other than the above-described structure is in progress, and the specific structure of the organic EL film is not limited to the three-layer structure.

In FIG. 1, the organic ELs adjacent to each other
Although the space between the films 4 is shown as a space region, it is actually used to separate the organic EL films 4 when forming the plurality of organic EL films 4 by using a vapor deposition means or the like. A rib-shaped insulating material is interposed between the organic EL films 4. The plurality of organic EL films 4 have a band shape extending in the horizontal direction of the image display area 5 so as to intersect with the plurality of anodes 1, and as shown in FIG. Are arranged at regular intervals in the vertical direction, and extend continuously between a pair of left and right edges 5a and 5b of the image display area 5.

The plurality of cathodes 2 are made of, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy, and have a band shape laminated on each organic EL film 4. Like the organic EL films 4, the plurality of cathodes 2 are arranged at regular intervals in the vertical direction in the rectangular image display area 5, and a pair of left and right edges 5 of the image display area 5 are provided.
a, 5b. However, one end in the longitudinal direction of each cathode 2 is connected to the image display area 5 from the edge 5a.
A terminal portion 20 is drawn out to the outside, and each cathode 2 can be selectively grounded via this terminal portion 20. Although omitted in the drawing, a plurality of wirings for voltage application connected to each terminal unit 20 are pattern-formed on the transparent substrate 3.

Next, the organic EL display A having the above configuration
The operation of will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of cathodes 2 located in the upper half of the image display area 5 include a first group G1 intersecting the shorter anode 1a and a longer anode 1b. 2nd group G2 which intersects tip side field 11
There is. Similarly, the plurality of cathodes 2 located in the lower half of the image display area 5 include a region 11 near the tip of the anode 1b.
There is a third and fourth group G3, G4 that intersects with the anode 1a. Therefore, in the organic EL display A, the image display area 5 is
It has a split configuration.

To drive the organic EL display A,
In each of the above-described four groups G1 to G4, one of the plurality of cathodes 2 is sequentially grounded. At that time, a voltage is selectively applied to each of the plurality of anodes 1. Thus, a portion of the plurality of organic EL films 4 sandwiched between the cathode 2 and the anode 1 in the energized state can be caused to emit light as a pixel, and a desired image can be displayed. Image display in the image display area 5 can be performed simultaneously and independently in each of the four groups G1 to G4. Therefore, in the organic EL display A, the voltage application time for one cathode 2 is four times longer than that of the organic EL display A in which the image display area is not dividedly driven (for example, the conventional one shown in FIG. 10). be able to. As a result, when increasing the total number of the cathodes 2 and increasing the size of the image display area 5, by sufficiently securing the voltage application time to each of the cathodes 2, the brightness of the display image is not significantly reduced. be able to.

As understood from FIGS. 1 and 3, in this organic EL display A, a longer anode 1b is used.
The organic EL film 4 and the cathode 2 are also provided on the region 12 near the base end. Therefore, even in this part, the organic EL
The film 4 can emit light. However, since the width s3 of the base end region 12 is narrow, the organic E
Even if the L film 4 emits light, it is possible to make the light emission state inconspicuous and prevent a significant deterioration in image quality. Further, since a film made of an opaque substance such as copper or aluminum is added to the base end region 12 so that the base end region 12 is opaque, the base end region 12 becomes the organic EL film 4. The light emitted from the light source is blocked, and this light can be prevented from passing through the transparent substrate 3 and traveling to the outside. Therefore, there is no particular problem because the organic EL film 4 and the cathode 2 are present on the region 12 near the base end of the longer cathode 1b. Of course, in the present invention, in the organic EL film 4, the region 12 near the base end is used.
The light emitted from the portion corresponding to the above may be shielded, so that a light shielding means for preventing the light from being seen from the outside of the transparent substrate 3 may be separately provided.

In the organic EL display A, as described above, since the width s3 of the region 12 near the base end of the anode 1b is reduced, the arrangement pitch P1 of the anode 1a and the corresponding anode P1 are set. 1b near tip region 1
1 and the arrangement pitch P2 (where P2 = P1) can both be reduced. Therefore, it is suitable for increasing the pixel density of the display image to increase the resolution. Further, as described above, since a substance having a lower electric resistance is added to the base end region 12 of the longer anode 1b than the front end region 11, the amount of voltage drop at the longer anode 1b is reduced. You can also. Therefore, the organic E is supplied through the region 11 near the tip of the longer anode 1b.
It is also possible to prevent a large difference between the voltage value applied to the L film 4 and the voltage value applied to the organic EL film 4 via the shorter anode 1a. Of course, the power loss due to the voltage drop can be reduced. Further, since the region 11 near the tip of the anode 1b and the anode 1a are arranged on the same straight line and overlap each other, the pixels of the display image are arranged in a matrix in an orderly manner.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show other examples of the image display device according to the present invention. In these figures,
Elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the longer anode 1
The region 11 near the leading end b and the shorter anode 1a are arranged so as not to overlap with each other in the lateral direction of the image display area 5. According to such a configuration, the anode 1b
And the pixel corresponding to the anode 1a are not arranged on the same straight line. However, even with such a configuration, an image can be displayed, and the present invention may have such a configuration.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the two types of anodes 1a and 1b, an anode 1c longer than these is provided. The anode 1c has the same basic configuration as the anode 1b, and has a region 1 near the tip of the anode 1b.
1 and an anode 1 located on an extension of
a and a narrow base-end region 12c which passes beside the sides 1a and 1b.

According to such a configuration, the plurality of cathodes 2
Can be divided into three groups: a group that intersects the anode 1a, a group that intersects the region 11c near the tip of the anode 1b, and a group that intersects the region 11c near the tip of the anode 1c. Of course, these three types of anodes 1
If a to 1c are provided vertically symmetrically in each of the upper half and the lower half of the image display area, the plurality of cathodes 2 can be divided into a total of six groups.
It can be an L display. This is more preferable in that the total number of the cathodes 2 is increased to further increase the size of the display screen.

As described above, in the present invention, the anode 1
Are not limited to two types, but may be three types. Of course, in the present invention, more types can be used. As the length of the anode is increased, the image display area can be divided into a larger number of areas and driven, which is suitable for increasing the size of a display image.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the two types of anodes 1a and 1b are not provided vertically symmetrically in the upper half and the lower half of the image display area 5, and It is provided in a form extending downward only from the edge 5c. According to such a configuration, the plurality of cathodes 2 cross the anodes 1a while the terminal portions 10 of the anodes 1a and 1b are arranged in a line along the upper edge 5c of the image display area 5. It can be divided into a group G1 and a group G2 intersecting the region 11 near the tip end of the anode 1b. Therefore, the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the conventional one shown in FIG.
There is an advantage that a death area for wiring is not generated near the lower edge 5d of the image display area 5. As described above, according to the present invention, when it is not necessary to increase the number of divisions of the display screen, the terminal portions of the plurality of anodes can be collectively arranged near the edge of the image display area 5. Thus, the effect that the death area around the image display area can be reduced can be obtained.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, two types of anodes 1a and 1b having different lengths have a two-layer structure, and the shorter anode 1a is provided in a region near the base end of the longer anode 1b. 12 is provided so as to overlap with the insulating layer 13 therebetween. The insulating layer 13 is a transparent layer made of, for example, polyimide or silicon oxide, so that light emitted from the organic EL film 4 located on the insulating layer 13 can be appropriately transmitted downward. It has become.

According to such a configuration, the arrangement of the anodes 1a and 1b in the horizontal direction is different from the arrangement in which all of the plurality of anodes are arranged on the same plane (the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6). The pitch can be made smaller. Therefore,
The configuration of the present embodiment is more suitable for increasing the pixel density. Further, when a voltage is applied to the longer anode 1b, the organic EL film 4 located on the region 11 near the front end can emit light appropriately, while the organic EL film 4 located on the region 12 near the base end can be appropriately emitted. The EL film 4 can be made not to emit light.
An effect different from that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can be obtained. As described above, in the present invention, anodes having different lengths may be overlapped in their thickness direction. When the length of the anodes is three or more, the anodes may have a structure of three or more layers and be superposed.

The image display device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

The present invention can be applied not only to an organic EL display but also to, for example, a liquid crystal display. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, the liquid crystal display has a pair of transparent substrates 70 forming the liquid crystal panel 7.
a, 70b, a plurality of vertical transparent electrodes 71 and a plurality of horizontal transparent electrodes 72 extending in directions orthogonal to each other.
And alignment films 73a, 73 covering these electrodes 71, 72.
b is provided. Alignment films 73a, 7
A liquid crystal 74 is sealed between 3b. The pair of transparent substrates 70a and 70b are sandwiched between the pair of polarizing plates 78a and 78b. The liquid crystal 74 has a different molecular arrangement between a case where a voltage is applied using the vertical transparent electrode 71 and a horizontal transparent electrode 72 and a case where a voltage is not applied, and a state where light vibrating in a specific direction is transmitted and a state where light is not transmitted. Switch to

The liquid crystal display has such a liquid crystal 74.
In the present invention, each vertical transparent electrode 71 is defined as a first electrode according to the present invention, and each horizontal transparent electrode 72 is defined as a first electrode according to the present invention. It can be two electrodes. That is, even in a simple matrix type liquid crystal display, by applying the present invention, the vertical transparent electrode 7
If a plurality of types having different lengths are provided as 1,
It is possible to easily divide the display screen of this liquid crystal display into two or more. In a liquid crystal display, if the voltage application time per one of the horizontal transparent electrodes 72 is shortened, the quality of a displayed image may be deteriorated. The size of the liquid crystal screen can be increased while reducing the size.

As described above, the present invention can be applied to both a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image display device according to the present invention can also be configured as an image display device using an image display material different from an organic EL or liquid crystal.

There are both an organic EL display and a liquid crystal display for monochrome display and color display. The image display device according to the present invention is configured as either a monochrome display or a color display. It doesn't matter. In addition, in the present invention, the specific numbers of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and the specific size and shape of the image display area are not limited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an organic EL display as an example of an image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view taken in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged schematic front view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a main part front view showing another example of the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a main part showing another example of the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a main part front view showing another example of the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a main part front view showing another example of the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of the related art.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing another example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Organic EL display (image display device) 1 Anode (first electrode) 1a Shorter anode 1b Longer anode 2 Cathode (second electrode) 4 Organic EL film (image display substance) 5 Image display area 11 Front end region 12 Edge area 71 Vertical transparent electrode (first electrode) 72 Horizontal transparent electrode (second electrode) 74 Liquid crystal (image display material)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H05B 33/14 H05B 33/14 A 33/26 33/26 Z

Claims (11)

[Claims] A plurality of first electrodes extending in a predetermined direction from an edge of the image display area in an image display area; and a plurality of first electrodes extending from another edge of the image display area in the image display area. A plurality of second electrodes extending in a direction intersecting with the first electrode; and a plurality of second electrodes interposed between the plurality of first and second electrodes, and a current or a voltage applied through the first and second electrodes. And an image display material driven by application of the applied voltage, wherein the plurality of first electrodes include a plurality of types having different lengths in the image display area. An image display device, comprising: 2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display object is an organic EL or a liquid crystal. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first electrodes include a first group extending from one edge of the image display area into the image display area, and another group opposing the edge of the image display area. 3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the first display device is divided into two groups extending from one edge portion into the image display area.
An image display device according to claim 1. 4. The plurality of first electrodes include a shorter first electrode and a longer first electrode, and the shorter first electrode and the longer first electrode are connected to a base end thereof. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein are provided on the same plane so as to be alternately arranged in a direction in which the respective second electrodes extend. 5. The image display material includes a portion between the shorter first electrode and the corresponding second electrode, and a portion of the longer first electrode closer to the tip than the shorter first electrode. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein the image display device is provided between the second electrode and the corresponding second electrode. 6. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein a portion closer to the base end of the longer first electrode is narrower than a portion closer to the front end. 7. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the longer first electrode near the front end overlaps the shorter first electrode in a direction in which each of the second electrodes extends. 8. The device according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the longer first electrode near the front end is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the shorter first electrode in a direction in which each of the second electrodes extends. Image display device. 9. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first electrodes having different lengths overlap each other in a thickness direction thereof while being insulated from each other. . 10. The plurality of first electrodes include a longer first electrode and a longer first electrode provided such that a portion near a base end overlaps the shorter first electrode via an insulating layer. 1
An electrode, and the image display material is provided between the shorter first electrode and the corresponding second electrode, and the portion of the longer first electrode closer to the tip and the corresponding first electrode. The image display device according to claim 9, wherein the image display device is provided between the two electrodes. 11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the portion near the base end of the longer first electrode includes a material having lower electric resistance than the portion near the front end. The image display device as described in the above.