Liquid Crystal Displays Having Color Dots With Embedded Polarity Regions

Abstract

A multi-domain liquid crystal display is disclosed. The display includes embedded polarity regions within the color dots of the display. Specifically, the embedded polarity regions have a polarity that is different from the polarity of the color dot containing the embedded polarity region. This difference in polarity enhances the fringe fields of the color dot or in some situations may create additional fringe fields. The enhanced fringe fields or additional fringe fiends can more quickly restore liquid crystals to their proper position.

1 . A pixel comprising:
 a first first-component color dot having a first edge and a second edge;   a first first-component embedded electrode, wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is underneath the first edge of the first first-component color dot and the second edge of the first first-component color dot; and   an insulating layer separating the first first-component embedded electrode from the first first-component color dot.   
     
     
         2 . The pixel of  claim 1 , wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is also underneath a third edge of the first first-component color dot and a fourth edge of the first first-component color dot. 
     
     
         3 . The pixel of  claim 1 , further comprising a first switching element coupled to the first first-component color dot. 
     
     
         4 . The pixel of  claim 3 , wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is configured to have a first polarity when the first switching element is configured to have a second polarity. 
     
     
         5 . The pixel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first second-component color dot having a first edge and a second edge;   a first second-component embedded electrode, wherein the first second-component embedded electrode is underneath the first edge of the first second-component color dot and the second edge of the first second-component color dot; and   wherein the insulating layer separates the first second-component embedded electrode from the first second-component color dot.   
     
     
         6 . The pixel of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first third-component color dot having a first edge and a second edge;   a first third-component embedded electrode, wherein the first third-component embedded electrode is underneath the first edge of the first third-component color dot and the second edge of the first third-component color dot; and   wherein the insulating layer separates the first third-component embedded electrode from the first third-component color dot.   
     
     
         7 . The pixel of  claim 6  wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the first second-component embedded electrode and the first third-component electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The pixel of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a first switching element coupled to the first first-component color dot; 
 a second switching element coupled to the first second-component color dot; 
 a third switching element coupled to the first third-component color dot; 
 
     
     
         9 . The pixel of  claim 8 , wherein the first switching element and the third switching element are configured to have a first polarity when the second switching element has a second polarity. 
     
     
         10 . The pixel of  claim 9 , wherein the first first-component embedded electrode and the first third-component embedded electrode are configured to have the second polarity when the second switching element has the second polarity. 
     
     
         11 . The pixel of  claim 8 , wherein the first switching element, the second switching element, and the third switching element are configured to have a first polarity when the first first-component embedded electrode, the first second-component embedded electrode, and the first third-component embedded electrode are configured to have a second polarity. 
     
     
         12 . The pixel of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a second first-component color dot having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the second first-component color dot is coupled to the first switching element;   a second first-component embedded electrode, wherein the second first-component embedded electrode is underneath the first edge of the second first-component color dot and the second edge of the second first-component color dot.   
     
     
         13 . The pixel of  12 , wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the second first-component electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The pixel of  claim 12 , further comprising a first fringe field amplifying region having a first horizontal amplifying portion between the first first-component color dot and the second first component color dot. 
     
     
         15 . The pixel of  claim 14 , wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the first fringe field amplifying region and wherein the second first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the first fringe field amplifying region. 
     
     
         16 . The pixel of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first second-component color dot having a first edge and a second edge;   a first second-component embedded electrode, wherein the first second-component embedded electrode is underneath the first edge of the first second-component color dot and the second edge of the first second-component color dot;   a second second-component color dot having a first edge and a second edge;   a second second-component embedded electrode, wherein the second second-component embedded electrode is underneath the first edge of the second second-component color dot and the second edge of the second second-component color dot; and   a second switching element coupled to the first second-component color dot and the second second-component color dot.   
     
     
         17 . The pixel of  claim 16 , wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the first second component embedded electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The pixel of  claim 17 , wherein the second first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the second second-component embedded electrode. 
     
     
         19 . The pixel of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first fringe field amplifying region having a first horizontal amplifying portion between the first first-component color dot and the second first component color dot; and   a second fringe field amplifying region having a first horizontal amplifying portion between the first second-component color dot and the second second-component color dot.   
     
     
         20 . The pixel of  claim 19 , wherein the first fringe field amplifying region further comprises a vertical amplifying portion between the first first-component color dot and the first second-component color dot and between the second first-component color dot and the second second-component color dot. 
     
     
         21 . The pixel of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the first first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the first fringe field amplifying region;   wherein the second first first-component embedded electrode is coupled to the first fringe field amplifying region;   wherein the first second-component embedded electrode is coupled to the second fringe field amplifying region; and   wherein the second second-component embedded electrode is coupled to the second fringe field amplifying region.