Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Asagi
Hiroaki Asagi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11921377Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a liquid crystal cell including a first substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a second substrate; and a quarter-wave film. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal molecules twist-aligned. The liquid crystal cell includes electrodes. The electrodes are disposed to enable switching between a first state and a second state by application of voltage to the liquid crystal layer. The switching between the first state and the second state controls a polarization state of light incident on the liquid crystal cell. Circularly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal cell is converted to first linearly polarized light in the first state while converted to second linearly polarized light in the second state. Linearly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal cell is converted to first circularly polarized light in the first state while converted to second circularly polarized light in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Sharp Display Technology CorporationInventors: Daisuke Minami, Hiroaki Asagi, Kiyoshi Minoura
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Patent number: 11886094Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a first liquid crystal cell including first liquid crystal molecules and a first electrode; and a second liquid crystal cell including second liquid crystal molecules and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes disposed to enable switching between a first state twist-aligning the second liquid crystal molecules and vertically aligning the first liquid crystal molecules and a second state twist-aligning the first liquid crystal molecules and vertically aligning the second liquid crystal molecules. Alignment directions of the second liquid crystal molecules near a third substrate and the second liquid crystal molecules near a fourth substrate in the first state are respectively at azimuthal angles resulting from a ¼ turn in the same direction of azimuthal angles of alignment directions of the first liquid crystal molecules near the first substrate and the first liquid crystal molecules near the second substrate in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Sharp Display Technology CorporationInventors: Daisuke Minami, Hiroaki Asagi, Kiyoshi Minoura
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Patent number: 11852952Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal lens including: a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing liquid crystal molecules. The first substrate includes a Fresnel lens and a first electrode sequentially toward the liquid crystal layer. The second substrate includes a second electrode. The Fresnel lens includes a Fresnel-shaped part including annular lens surfaces in a concentric circle pattern and a flat part including a flat surface that extends in a radial direction of the concentric circle and intersects at least one of the annular lens surfaces. The annular lens surfaces are on a liquid crystal layer-facing surface of the Fresnel-shaped part and defines an uneven surface. The flat surface is on the liquid crystal layer-facing surface of the flat part.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: SHARP DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Naru Usukura, Hiroaki Asagi, Yasuhiro Haseba, Kiyoshi Minoura
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Publication number: 20230280632Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a first liquid crystal cell including first liquid crystal molecules and a first electrode; and a second liquid crystal cell including second liquid crystal molecules and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes disposed to enable switching between a first state twist-aligning the second liquid crystal molecules and vertically aligning the first liquid crystal molecules and a second state twist-aligning the first liquid crystal molecules and vertically aligning the second liquid crystal molecules. Alignment directions of the second liquid crystal molecules near a third substrate and the second liquid crystal molecules near a fourth substrate in the first state are respectively at azimuthal angles resulting from a ¼ turn in the same direction of azimuthal angles of alignment directions of the first liquid crystal molecules near the first substrate and the first liquid crystal molecules near the second substrate in the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Daisuke MINAMI, Hiroaki ASAGI, Kiyoshi MINOURA
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Publication number: 20230176424Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a liquid crystal cell including a first substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a second substrate; and a quarter-wave film. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal molecules twist-aligned. The liquid crystal cell includes electrodes. The electrodes are disposed to enable switching between a first state and a second state by application of voltage to the liquid crystal layer. The switching between the first state and the second state controls a polarization state of light incident on the liquid crystal cell. Circularly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal cell is converted to first linearly polarized light in the first state while converted to second linearly polarized light in the second state. Linearly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal cell is converted to first circularly polarized light in the first state while converted to second circularly polarized light in the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Daisuke MINAMI, Hiroaki ASAGI, Kiyoshi MINOURA
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Publication number: 20230134662Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal lens including: a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing liquid crystal molecules. The first substrate includes a Fresnel lens and a first electrode sequentially toward the liquid crystal layer. The second substrate includes a second electrode. The Fresnel lens includes a Fresnel-shaped part including annular lens surfaces in a concentric circle pattern and a flat part including a flat surface that extends in a radial direction of the concentric circle and intersects at least one of the annular lens surfaces. The annular lens surfaces are on a liquid crystal layer-facing surface of the Fresnel-shaped part and defines an uneven surface. The flat surface is on the liquid crystal layer-facing surface of the flat part.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Naru USUKURA, Hiroaki ASAGI, Yasuhiro HASEBA, Kiyoshi MINOURA
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Patent number: 11640084Abstract: Provided is a horizontal electric field mode reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device that achieves an increased reflectance. The liquid crystal display device sequentially includes: a first substrate; a first alignment layer; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules horizontally aligned with no voltage applied; a second alignment layer; and a second substrate including a pixel electrode and a common electrode, the liquid crystal display device further including a reflective layer disposed in at least part of a pixel at a position closer to a back surface than the first alignment layer, the liquid crystal layer, the second alignment layer, the pixel electrode, and the common electrode, at least one alignment layer of the first alignment layer or the second alignment layer having an azimuthal anchoring energy value of less than 1×10?4 J/m2.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Asagi, Kiyoshi Minoura
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Publication number: 20230095922Abstract: Provided are a polarizing plate including a polarizing layer containing a lyotropic liquid crystal compound and capable of achieving uniform polarization properties over a large area, and a display device equipped with the polarizing plate. The polarizing plate includes: an alignment film; and a polarizing layer on the alignment film. The alignment film contains an alignment film polymer, has a static contact angle with water of 60° or smaller, and has a slow axis. The polarizing layer contains a lyotropic liquid crystal compound and has an absorption axis parallel to the above slow axis. The lyotropic liquid crystal compound is preferably dichroic.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Miho YAMADA, Akira SAKAI, Masahiro HASEGAWA, Yuichi KAWAHIRA, Hiroaki ASAGI
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Patent number: 11300834Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a thin-film transistor substrate, a counter substrate facing the thin-film transistor substrate, a liquid crystal layer provided between the thin-film transistor substrate and the counter substrate, an alignment film provided on the thin-film transistor substrate; a sealing material which bonds together the thin-film transistor substrate and the counter substrate at the periphery of the liquid crystal layer, and a polymerized layer provided on the liquid crystal layer-side surface of the alignment film. The alignment film contains a first polymer and a second polymer of a different type from that of the first polymer and is chemically bonded to the sealing material, the first polymer and the second polymer contained in the alignment film are mixed in a surface layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer, and the first polymer and the second polymer have different photo-functional groups.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Asagi
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Publication number: 20220035205Abstract: Provided is a horizontal electric field mode reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device that achieves an increased reflectance. The liquid crystal display device sequentially includes: a first substrate; a first alignment layer; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules horizontally aligned with no voltage applied; a second alignment layer; and a second substrate including a pixel electrode and a common electrode, the liquid crystal display device further including a reflective layer disposed in at least part of a pixel at a position closer to a back surface than the first alignment layer, the liquid crystal layer, the second alignment layer, the pixel electrode, and the common electrode, at least one alignment layer of the first alignment layer or the second alignment layer having an azimuthal anchoring energy value of less than 1×10?4 J/m2.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: HIROAKI ASAGI, KIYOSHI MINOURA
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Patent number: 11128044Abstract: A scanning antenna 1000 according to the present invention is a scanning antenna 1000 in which antenna units U are arranged, and includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate 101 that includes a first dielectric substrate 1, TFTs 10 and patch electrodes 15 supported by the first dielectric substrate 1, and a first alignment film M1 disposed so as to cover the patch electrodes 15 and other elements, a slot substrate 201 that includes a second dielectric substrate 51, a slot electrode 55 supported by the second dielectric substrate 51 and including slots 57, and a second alignment film M2 disposed so as to cover the slot electrode 55, a liquid crystal layer LC that is interposed between the TFT substrate 101 and the slot substrate 201 of which the alignment films M1 and M2 face each other, and a reflective conductive plate 65 that is disposed so as to face an opposite surface 51b of the second dielectric substrate 51 with a dielectric layer 54 interposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Asagi, Isamu Miyake
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Patent number: 11128043Abstract: A liquid crystal cell including multiple antenna units includes a TFT board that includes a first dielectric substrate, TFTs on the first dielectric substrate, and patch electrodes electrically connected to the TFTs, a slot board that includes a second dielectric substrate and a slot electrode having slots on the second dielectric substrate, a conductive alignment film having conductivity on at least one of the patch electrodes and the slot electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the TFT board and the slot board with the patch electrodes and the slot electrode facing each other. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules that are horizontally aligned with respect to the TFT board and the slot board while no voltage is being applied across the patch electrodes and the slot electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Asagi, Isamu Miyake
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Patent number: 10795210Abstract: A liquid crystal panel includes substrates, a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, a spacer provided on an opposite surface of one of the substrates, and an alignment film provided on an opposite surface of another substrate. The display surface is curved around a curved axis or formed to be bendable around the curved axis, and the spacer directly or indirectly abuts on the alignment film provided on the opposite surface of the other substrate. The alignment film is a horizontal alignment film that contains a polymer having an alkylene chain structure having two or more carbon atoms in a main chain and allows liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to be aligned horizontally to the alignment film, and in the alignment film provided on the opposite surface of the other substrate, the polymer is aligned such that the alkylene chain structure extends parallel to the curved axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Asagi
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Publication number: 20200310199Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a thin-film transistor substrate, a counter substrate facing the thin-film transistor substrate, a liquid crystal layer provided between the thin-film transistor substrate and the counter substrate, an alignment film provided on the thin-film transistor substrate; a sealing material which bonds together the thin-film transistor substrate and the counter substrate at the periphery of the liquid crystal layer, and a polymerized layer provided on the liquid crystal layer-side surface of the alignment film. The alignment film contains a first polymer and a second polymer of a different type from that of the first polymer and is chemically bonded to the sealing material, the first polymer and the second polymer contained in the alignment film are mixed in a surface layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer, and the first polymer and the second polymer have different photo-functional groups.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventor: HIROAKI ASAGI
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Patent number: 10756430Abstract: A liquid crystal cell in which antenna units are arrayed includes a TFT substrate, a slot substrate, an alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer. The TFT substrate includes a first dielectric substrate, TFTs supported by the first dielectric substrate, and patch electrodes electrically connected to the TFTs. The slot substrate includes a second dielectric substrate and a slot electrode including slots supported by the second dielectric substrate. The alignment film is provided on a surface of at least either each of the patch electrodes or the slot electrode. The alignment film includes a metal oxide film at the foremost surface of the alignment film. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the slot substrate and contains liquid crystal molecules that are aligned parallel to the TFT substrate and the slot substrate when no voltage is applied between the patch electrode and the slot electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Asagi, Isamu Miyake
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Patent number: 10756440Abstract: A scanning antenna is a scanning antenna in which antenna units are arranged, including a TFT substrate provided with a first dielectric substrate, a TFT, a gate bus line, a source bus line, patch electrodes, and a first alignment film covering the patch electrodes; a slot substrate provided with a second dielectric substrate, a slot electrode, and a second alignment film covering the slot electrode; a liquid crystal layer provided between the TFT substrate and the slot substrate; and a reflective conductive plate. The slot electrode includes slots disposed corresponding to each of the patch electrodes. A sealing portion includes a main sealing portion that defines at least one injection port.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Asagi, Isamu Miyake
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Publication number: 20200103711Abstract: A liquid crystal panel includes substrates, a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, a spacer provided on an opposite surface of one of the substrates, and an alignment film provided on an opposite surface of another substrate. The display surface is curved around a curved axis or formed to be bendable around the curved axis, and the spacer directly or indirectly abuts on the alignment film provided on the opposite surface of the other substrate. The alignment film is a horizontal alignment film that contains a polymer having an alkylene chain structure having two or more carbon atoms in a main chain and allows liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to be aligned horizontally to the alignment film, and in the alignment film provided on the opposite surface of the other substrate, the polymer is aligned such that the alkylene chain structure extends parallel to the curved axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventor: Hiroaki ASAGI
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Publication number: 20200041849Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal aligning agent for a TFT substrate, a liquid crystal display panel, and a method for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel, capable of preventing the decrease in panel yield caused by ink repelling. The liquid crystal aligning agent for a TFT substrate, containing a polymer and a solvent, wherein the liquid crystal aligning agent contains 10% by weight or more of diisobutyl ketone relative to a total weight, the TFT substrate includes a channel protection film, and the channel protection film includes an insulating film containing silicon and nitrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Hiroaki ASAGI, Isamu MIYAKE
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Publication number: 20190265524Abstract: A scanning antenna 1000 according to the present invention is a scanning antenna 1000 in which antenna units U are arranged, and includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate 101 that includes a first dielectric substrate 1, TFTs 10 and patch electrodes 15 supported by the first dielectric substrate 1, and a first alignment film M1 disposed so as to cover the patch electrodes 15 and other elements, a slot substrate 201 that includes a second dielectric substrate 51, a slot electrode 55 supported by the second dielectric substrate 51 and including slots 57, and a second alignment film M2 disposed so as to cover the slot electrode 55, a liquid crystal layer LC that is interposed between the TFT substrate 101 and the slot substrate 201 of which the alignment films M1 and M2 face each other, and a reflective conductive plate 65 that is disposed so as to face an opposite surface 51b of the second dielectric substrate 51 with a dielectric layer 54 interposed therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2017Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: HIROAKI ASAGI, ISAMU MIYAKE
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Publication number: 20190237870Abstract: A liquid crystal cell in which antenna units are arrayed includes a TFT substrate, a slot substrate, an alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer. The TFT substrate includes a first dielectric substrate, TFTs supported by the first dielectric substrate, and patch electrodes electrically connected to the TFTs. The slot substrate includes a second dielectric substrate and a slot electrode including slots supported by the second dielectric substrate. The alignment film is provided on a surface of at least either each of the patch electrodes or the slot electrode. The alignment film includes a metal oxide film at the foremost surface of the alignment film. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the slot substrate and contains liquid crystal molecules that are aligned parallel to the TFT substrate and the slot substrate when no voltage is applied between the patch electrode and the slot electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: HIROAKI ASAGI, ISAMU MIYAKE