Active matrix liquid crystal displays having diodes connected between second transistors and second data buses

An active matrix for liquid crystal displays having a plurality of picture elements, a plurality of address buses, and a plurality of data buses orthogonal to the address buses, each picture element comprising:

• first and second display electrodes spaced from one another;
• a first switching means coupled between the first display electrode and a first respective one of the address buses;
• a second switching means coupled between the second display electrode and the first respective address bus;
• a third switching means coupled between the first display electrode and a second respective one of the address buses and a respective one of the data buses;
• and
• a fourth switching means coupled between the second display electrode and the second respective address bus and the respective data bus, at least one of said third and fourth switching means including means for preventing said display electrodes from discharging when the respective data bus becomes defective.

An active matrix for liquid crystal displays having a plurality of picture elements, a plurality of address buses, and a plurality of data buses orthogonal to the address buses, each picture element comprising:

• first and second display electrodes spaced from one another;
• a first switching means coupled between the first display electrode and a first respective one of the address buses and a first respective one of the data buses;
• a second switching means coupled between the second display electrode and the first respective address bus and the first respective data bus;
• a third switching means coupled between the first display electrode and a second respective one of the address buses and a second respective one of the data buses;
• and
• a fourth switching means coupled between the second display electrode and the second respective address bus and the second respective data bus, at least one of said third and fourth switching means including means for preventing said display electrodes from discharging when the second respective data bus becomes defective.