Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm David A. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6535191
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a main substrate having a main electrode; a counter substrate having a counter electrode; a liquid crystal material interposed between the main substrate and the counter substrate; and a control section for controlling a response start time of the liquid crystal material by a potential difference between a main electrode voltage that is applied to the main electrode during one frame and a counter electrode voltage that changes in a substantially continuous manner during the one frame, and for changing a transmissivity of the liquid crystal display device based on a magnitude of the main electrode voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 6535258
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device is composed of at least one optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) inserted between a liquid crystal display element 1 and polarizer plates 4 and 5. The liquid crystal display element 1 is composed of a pair of electrode substrates 6 and 7 and a liquid crystal layer 8 sealed therebetween. The polarizer plates 4 and 5 flank the liquid crystal display element 1. The optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) has a negative refractive index anisotropy (na=Nc>nb). The direction of a principal refractive index nb parallel to the normal to the surface and the direction of either a principal refractive index na or nc in the surface incline either clockwise or counterclockwise around the direction of the principal refractive index nc or na in the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motohiro Yamahara
  • Patent number: 6532551
    Abstract: A backup memory has a plural number of pages (e.g., page 0, page 1 . . . ) including machine-status data. Each page stores machine-status data such as the number of prints, machine usage information data, machine condition data, accounting information data, etc. The machine-status data has a HEAD portion and a DATA portion including DATA0, DATA1 and DATA2. The HEAD portion designates the latest written position of the above three pieces of DATA portion. For example, if data is last written into DATA2 in the DATA portion, the HEAD portion should take a value of 3. The DATA portions are interrelated to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kamei, Masakazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6522356
    Abstract: A color solid-state imaging apparatus of the present invention, includes a plurality of pixels conducting photoelectric conversion arranged in a matrix and color filters disposed so as to correspond to the plurality of pixels, wherein the color filters include first filters of a first kind, second filters of a second kind, and third filters of a third kind having spectral characteristics different from each other, the plurality of pixels are arranged at a pitch L in a first direction to form rows, and each of the rows is arranged at a pitch M/2 in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the pixels disposed in even-number rows are shifted in the first direction by L/2 from the corresponding pixels disposed in odd-number rows, the first filters are disposed so as to correspond to all the pixels arranged in the odd-number rows, the second filters are disposed so as to correspond to a half of the pixels arranged in the even-number rows at a predetermined period, and the third filters are disposed so
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6512912
    Abstract: In an image forming portion, a grounded, drum-shaped photosensitive member rotating in a predetermined direction is provided. Arranged around the photosensitive member are a charger, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, an erasing unit and a transfer roller with a ferroelectric layer formed on the surface thereof. The ferroelectric laminated transfer roller includes a grounded, metal core of aluminum, a conductive rubber layer of an elastomer having a volume resistivity of 105′&OHgr;•cm or below with a thickness of about 3 mm, molded in a roller shape formed on the metal core and a ferroelectric element having a film thickness of some &mgr;m to some tens of micrometers, coating the surface of the conductive rubber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukikazu Kamei, Tomohiro Oikawa, Shiro Wakahara, Hideki Onishi, Hiroshi Doshoda
  • Patent number: 6507716
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an input portion for receiving different kinds of jobs; a storage portion for storing a job; an image forming portion for forming images of an input job; a control input portion for providing content display of input jobs and control display; a radiocommunication portion for reading the user identification ID recorded in an information recording medium; a controller for controlling these portions. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus determines the user identification ID of a user so as to provide a display of the operational state best for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nomura, Syoichiro Yoshiura
  • Patent number: 6486864
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: first and second electrodes crossing each other; switching elements in a vicinity of each first and second electrode intersection; pixel electrodes respectively arranged in a matrix and partitioned from one another by the first and second electrodes; the first electrodes supplied with a gate voltage for turning ON/OFF the switching elements and the second electrodes supplied with a source voltage; third electrodes supplied with a common voltage; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the third electrodes and the pixel electrodes. The source voltage includes an image signal voltage and an assist signal voltage. The common voltage has different values between an image signal writing scanning period defined as a period during which the image signal voltage is applied, and at least one assist signal writing scanning period defined as a period during which the assist signal voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsumi Nakajima, Koichi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 6483598
    Abstract: An image processing portion for conducting the specified processing of an image to be reproduced by an image forming portion based on the processed image data is constructed as a single control portion. Consequently, the development of a variety of digital copying machines requires preparation of specially designated control boards according to levels of the products. This makes machines expensive and requires users to pay a considerable initial cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Narukawa, Fuminori Miyoshi, Kenichi Maeda, Hidenori Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 6481902
    Abstract: A light transmission device includes an optical fiber cable having a plug and a holder having a plug insertion hole into which the plug of the optical fiber cable is inserted, wherein an engaging projection is provided on an outer surface of the plug, an engaging groove corresponding with the projection is provided on a wall of the plug insertion hole, and a shutter for closing the plug insertion hole is provided, the shutter being opened and closed in the inside of the plug insertion hole by turning about a pivot extending substantially vertically or parallel to a line composed of an optional point in the groove and a point on a wall of the plug insertion hole rightly opposite to the optional point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Takaoka, Mitsuhisa Ikuta
  • Patent number: 6476786
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying every frame an image that is not influenced by the previous frame at all by removing an afterimage attributed to a change in dielectric constant at the time of response of liquid crystals. A scanning line GL1 is made to have a voltage of +15 V so as to turn on first and third TFT elements 1 and 3 constructed of an n-type MOS transistor and turn off a second TFT element 2 constructed of a p-type MOS transistor. A signal voltage Vs is applied to a memory capacitance Cm via the first TFT element 1, charging the memory capacitance Cm up to the signal. voltage Vs. Simultaneously with this operation, electric charges of a pixel capacitance Cp are discharged via the third TFT element 3. The other scanning lines GL2, GL3, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 6469292
    Abstract: A photodetector includes a photoelectric conversion layer for performing an insulator-metal transition by receiving light, and a pair of electrodes provided opposite to each other in contact with the photoelectric conversion layer, between which a voltage is applied. In the photodetector, the pair of electrodes are arranged on the photoelectric conversion layer such that a region of the photoelectric conversion layer which performs the insulator-metal transition and a region to which the voltage is applied through the pair of electrodes are substantially coincident with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ogimoto, Kenji Nakanishi, Kunio Kojima
  • Patent number: 6469810
    Abstract: In a facsimile apparatus equipped with a plurality of printing paper cassettes or trays for accommodating printing paper on which an output image is to be printed, the apparatus has designation means for designating one of the plurality of printing paper cassettes or trays as a special cassette or tray for accommodating separating paper in accordance with user's operation, and the special cassette or tray is controlled so that the paper accommodated in the special cassette or tray is not used to print the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Momonami, Ryuichi Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 6456359
    Abstract: A PBS for guiding light from a light source to a DMD as light modulating means as well as for guiding light modulated by the DMD to photographic paper is provided on an optical path between the light source and the DMD. The DMD is arranged so that light from the PBS perpendicularly enters itself, and is equipped with a plurality of micromirrors which swing in accordance with image data. This arrangement allows optical components to be disposed so that an angle of incidence of light with respect to the DMD is 0°, thereby enabling tight layout of the light source section. In other words, there is no need to spread the optical components around the light modulating means like in the conventional cases where an angle of incidence with respect to the light modulating means is more or less required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co, LTD
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nishikawa, Kazuya Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 6453132
    Abstract: Icons (displayed in the pictorial outline display area and in the finished output style display area) for displaying the conditions in accordance with the input of conditions through setting keys(keys displayed in setting key display area) integrally display multiple number of conditions input through setting keys in a multiple number of setting frames. A condition pictorially represented corresponding to the setting key arranged in the input-active setting frame is made visually distinguishable from that pictorially represented corresponding to the setting key arranged in an input-inactive setting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Ishikura
  • Patent number: 6452651
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal display having high reliability, which is excellent in terms of optical characteristics, heat resistance, and shock resistance, wherein a liquid crystal display consisting of a cholesteric liquid crystal, a chiral nematic liquid crystal or a liquid crystal 1 layer, being a combination thereof, which is roughly pillar-like and polygonal in section or has a roughly pillar-like form enclosed by a closed curve, and divided by said polymer network into areas whose minimum diameter measured by vernier calipers is 5 &mgr;m and whose maximum diameter measured by vernier calipers is 100 &mgr;m, is obtained by polymer networks 4 formed by polymerization of monomer, so that sufficient reflection can be obtained from the liquid crystal 1 without being optical scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Nanox Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Takami, Masaki Kitaoka, Ayumi Sasaki, Tomio Wada
  • Patent number: 6447101
    Abstract: The present image forming device is provided with a toner carrier and a counter electrode opposite the toner carrier. Between the toner carrier and the counter electrode is provided a jet control section having a plurality of gates, each forming a space for passage of a jet of toner. Also provided is a control electrode driver, which is capable of applying potentials independently to each gate of the jet control section. The present image forming device forms a toner image on a transfer material by controlling passage of toner through a given gate by application of an ON potential which allows passage of the toner through the gate and an OFF potential which prevents passage of the toner through the gate. A potential difference VH between the toner carrier and the counter electrode and an intensity EH of an electrical field in the vicinity of the counter electrode satisfy VH≦1.5 kV and EH≧1.8 kV/mm, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Daisaku Imaizumi, Takasumi Wada
  • Patent number: 6446573
    Abstract: A plasma process device capable of forming homogeneous plasma and coping with a large size substrate less costly can be obtained. The plasma process device includes a processing chamber, microwave guiding means, a shower plate and a reaction gas supply passage. The microwave guiding means guides a microwave into the processing chamber. The shower plate has a gas inlet hole to supply to the processing chamber a reaction gas attaining a plasma state by the microwave, and a lower surface facing the processing chamber and an upper surface positioned on the opposite side of the lower surface. The reaction gas supply passage is positioned on the upper surface of the shower plate and supplies the reaction gas to the gas inlet hole. A wall surface of the reaction gas supply passage includes an upper surface of the shower plate and a conductor wall surface opposing the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Hirayama, Tadahiro Ohmi, Tatsushi Yamamoto, Takamitsu Tadera
  • Patent number: 6442064
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction element includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer acting as a memory layer, and a first insulating layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers. Further, the magnetic tunnel junction element includes a third magnetic layer on a side of the second magnetic layer opposite from the first insulating layer. This third magnetic layer constitutes a closed magnetic circuit together with the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Michijima, Hidekazu Hayashi, Ryoji Minakata
  • Patent number: 6421509
    Abstract: An information display system capable of displaying the instruction input frame(basic frame) for allowing instructions of conditions of an arbitrary processing job to be input therethrough and the status confirmation frame (job status frame) for allowing the status of an arbitrary processing job to be checked is characterized in that with the basic frame preferentially displayed, a job list area that presents brief content of a processing job displayed in the job status frame can be displayed along with the basic frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nomura, Mitsukazu Okuda, Kouki Fukuda, Yuji Okamoto, Syoichiro Yoshiura
  • Patent number: 6413845
    Abstract: In the present method for fabricating metal interconnections, a Ni film is deposited on an insulating substrate by electroless plating, and a photoresist film is formed in a specified pattern on the Ni film. An Au film is deposited by electroless plating in a region where the Ni film is exposed and where the resist is not formed. The photoresist film is removed, and the Ni film exposed by the removal of the photoresist film is removed by etching. A Cu film is formed on the Au film by electroplating or electroless plating selectively. This method consists of only wet deposition process, involves less etching process and provides metal interconnections of low resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Izumi, Yoshimasa Chikama