Patents by Inventor Mitsuaki Hirata
Mitsuaki Hirata 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: 11960176Abstract: Each pixel of the liquid crystal display device includes a first, second, third, and fourth domains arranged in two rows and two columns, and reference alignment directions of the respective domains are first, second, third, and fourth directions. The first direction and the second direction form an angle of approximately 180°, and the first domain and the second domain are adjacent to each other in an oblique direction. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of first slits formed in a region corresponding to the first domain and extending approximately parallel to the first direction, and a plurality of second slits formed in a region corresponding to the second domain and extending approximately parallel to the second direction, and has no slits in a region corresponding to the third domain and no slits in a region corresponding to the fourth domain.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Sharp Display Technology CorporationInventor: Mitsuaki Hirata
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Publication number: 20230251532Abstract: Each pixel of the liquid crystal display device includes a first, second, third, and fourth domains arranged in two rows and two columns, and reference alignment directions of the respective domains are first, second, third, and fourth directions. The first direction and the second direction form an angle of approximately 180°, and the first domain and the second domain are adjacent to each other in an oblique direction. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of first slits formed in a region corresponding to the first domain and extending approximately parallel to the first direction, and a plurality of second slits formed in a region corresponding to the second domain and extending approximately parallel to the second direction, and has no slits in a region corresponding to the third domain and no slits in a region corresponding to the fourth domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventor: Mitsuaki HIRATA
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Patent number: 11656506Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate section having a first substrate and pixel electrodes (102). Each pixel electrode (102) includes a bridging portion (102c) provided between a first pixel electrode portion (102a) and a second pixel electrode portion (102b) and linking together the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b). A first recess (102d) is provided at one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102), the first recess (102d) extending from one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102) toward the bridging portion (102c) and being located between the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b).Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignees: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuaki Hirata, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
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Publication number: 20220326575Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a vertical alignment-type liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes source lines and pixel electrodes. A pixel includes first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains. The pixel electrode has slits formed therein. The first substrate further includes a shield common electrode. The shield common electrode is located between the source lines and the pixel electrodes. The shield common electrode includes a solid portion overlapping the source lines and one end portion and the other end portion, in a row direction, of the pixel electrode, and also includes a first cutout portion formed across regions corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains in each pixel, the first cutout portion including portions overlapping the slits.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventor: MITSUAKI HIRATA
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Patent number: 11448921Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a vertical alignment-type liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes source lines and pixel electrodes. A pixel includes first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains. The pixel electrode has slits formed therein. The first substrate further includes a shield common electrode. The shield common electrode is located between the source lines and the pixel eleotrodes. The shield common electrode includes a solid portion overlapping the source lines and one end portion and the other end portion, in a row direction, of the pixel electrode, and also includes a first cutout portion formed across regions corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains in each pixel, the first cutout portion including portions overlapping the slits.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Mitsuaki Hirata
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Publication number: 20220252946Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate section having a first substrate and pixel electrodes (102). Each pixel electrode (102) includes a bridging portion (102c) provided between a first pixel electrode portion (102a) and a second pixel electrode portion (102b) and linking together the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b). A first recess (102d) is provided at one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102), the first recess (102d) extending from one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102) toward the bridging portion (102c) and being located between the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Patent number: 11347115Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate section having a first substrate and pixel electrodes (102). Each pixel electrode (102) includes a bridging portion (102c) provided between a first pixel electrode portion (102a) and a second pixel electrode portion (102b) and linking together the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b). A first recess (102d) is provided at one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102), the first recess (102d) extending from one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102) toward the bridging portion (102c) and being located between the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignees: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuaki Hirata, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
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Patent number: 11270659Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer; and a control circuit configured to generate a display signal voltage. The first substrate has pixel electrodes to which the display signal voltage is applied, and a first alignment film. The second substrate has a counter electrode to which a common voltage is applied, and a second alignment film. Each pixel has liquid crystal domains having different reference alignment directions defined by the first and second alignment films. The pixel electrode has slits. The control circuit is configured to generate, as the display signal voltage, a voltage obtained by adding a predetermined offset voltage to an original voltage corresponding to a gray level. The offset voltage is substantially the same for gray levels higher than or equal to a predetermined intermediate gray level.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignees: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ichiro Takada, Kentaroh Irie, Mitsuaki Hirata, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
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Patent number: 11256142Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer of vertical alignment type. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes and a first alignment film, whereas the second substrate includes a counter electrode and a second alignment film. Each pixel includes first and second subpixels which allow respectively different voltages to be applied across the liquid crystal layer. Each pixel electrode includes a subpixel electrode provided for each of the first and second subpixels. Each of the first and second subpixels includes first to fourth liquid crystal domains having respectively different reference alignment directions being defined by the first and second alignment films. First to fourth directions, which are the reference alignment directions of the first to fourth liquid crystal domains, each make an angle which is substantially equal to an odd multiple of 45° with respect to the pixel transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignees: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuaki Hirata, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
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Publication number: 20220050337Abstract: The liquid crystal display panel includes a first vertical alignment film (20), a liquid crystal layer (30), and a second vertical alignment film (40). First and second high-pretilt angle regions (21a, 21b) of the first vertical alignment film (20) are opposed to first and second high-pretilt angle regions (41a, 41b) of the second vertical alignment film (40), and are shorter in length than the first and second high-pretilt angle regions (41a, 41b) of the second vertical alignment film (40) in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the pixel region 101. First and second high-pretilt angle regions (23a, 23b) of the first vertical alignment film (20) are opposed to first and second high-pretilt angle regions (43a, 43b) of the second vertical alignment film (40), and are shorter in length than the first and second high-pretilt angle regions (43a, 43b) of the second vertical alignment film (40) in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the pixel region (101).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Publication number: 20210389617Abstract: In a liquid crystal display panel, when a center line (C101) which extends along a longitudinal direction of a pixel and which passes through a center of a width direction of a pixel electrode (102) is defined, a boundary region (131) includes: a first portion (131a) provided on one side of the center line (C101) along a transverse direction of the pixel; and a second portion (131b) provided on another side of the center line (C101) along the transverse direction of the pixel. Among ends of the plurality of first slits (112A to 112G) that are closer to the boundary region (131), an end that is adjacent to the first portion (131a) of the boundary region (131) is located nearer the boundary region (131) than is an end that is adjacent to the second portion (131b) of the boundary region (131).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Patent number: 11181781Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate section that includes a first substrate and pixel electrodes (102). Each pixel electrode (102) includes: a first slitted region (111) in which a plurality of first slits (112A to 112G) extending along a direction parallel to the alignment azimuth of liquid crystal molecules in the first domain are formed; a second slitted region (121) in which a plurality of second slits (122A to 122H) extending along a direction parallel to the alignment azimuth of liquid crystal molecules in the second domain are formed; and a boundary region (131) provided between the first slitted region (111) and the second slitted region (121). No slits are formed in the first and second end portions (131a, 131c) of the boundary region (131), and at least one third slit (132) is formed in the central portion (131b) of the boundary region (131).Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignees: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuaki Hirata, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
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Publication number: 20210318580Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate section having a first substrate and pixel electrodes (102). Each pixel electrode (102) includes a bridging portion (102c) provided between a first pixel electrode portion (102a) and a second pixel electrode portion (102b) and linking together the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b). A first recess (102d) is provided at one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102), the first recess (102d) extending from one side along the width direction of the pixel electrode (102) toward the bridging portion (102c) and being located between the first pixel electrode portion (102a) and the second pixel electrode portion (102b).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Patent number: 11079633Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer of vertical alignment type. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes and a first alignment film, whereas the second substrate includes a counter electrode and a second alignment film. Each pixel includes first and second subpixels which allow respectively different voltages to be applied across the liquid crystal layer. Each pixel electrode includes first and second subpixel electrodes. Each of the first and second subpixels includes first to fourth liquid crystal domains having respectively different reference alignment directions being defined by the first and second alignment films. First to fourth directions, which are the reference alignment directions of the first to fourth liquid crystal domains, each make an angle which is substantially equal to an odd multiple of 45° with respect to the pixel transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignees: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuaki Hirata, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
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Publication number: 20210109407Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate section that includes a first substrate and pixel electrodes (102). Each pixel electrode (102) includes: a first slitted region (111) in which a plurality of first slits (112A to 112G) extending along a direction parallel to the alignment azimuth of liquid crystal molecules in the first domain are formed; a second slitted region (121) in which a plurality of second slits (122A to 122H) extending along a direction parallel to the alignment azimuth of liquid crystal molecules in the second domain are formed; and a boundary region (131) provided between the first slitted region (111) and the second slitted region (121). No slits are formed in the first and second end portions (131a, 131c) of the boundary region (131), and at least one third slit (132) is formed in the central portion (131b) of the boundary region (131).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Patent number: 10969630Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first and a second substrate, and a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer. The first substrate has a pixel electrode and a first photo alignment film. The second substrate has a counter electrode and a second photo alignment film. Each pixel has a plurality of liquid crystal domains having different reference alignment directions. The plurality of liquid crystal domains include a first liquid crystal domain, the reference alignment direction of the first liquid crystal domain being a first direction. A portion of a plurality of edges of the pixel electrode that is close to the first liquid crystal domain includes a first edge portion, the angle between an azimuth angle direction perpendicular to the first edge portion and pointing toward the inside of the pixel electrode, and the first direction, being greater than 90°.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATIONInventor: Mitsuaki Hirata
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Publication number: 20200379302Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer of vertical alignment type. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes and a first alignment film, whereas the second substrate includes a counter electrode and a second alignment film. Each pixel includes first and second subpixels which allow respectively different voltages to be applied across the liquid crystal layer. Each pixel electrode includes a subpixel electrode provided for each of the first and second subpixels. Each of the first and second subpixels includes first to fourth liquid crystal domains having respectively different reference alignment directions being defined by the first and second alignment films. First to fourth directions, which are the reference alignment directions of the first to fourth liquid crystal domains, each make an angle which is substantially equal to an odd multiple of 45° with respect to the pixel transverse direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Publication number: 20200379303Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer of vertical alignment type. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes and a first alignment film, whereas the second substrate includes a counter electrode and a second alignment film. Each pixel includes first and second subpixels which allow respectively different voltages to be applied across the liquid crystal layer. Each pixel electrode includes first and second subpixel electrodes. Each of the first and second subpixels includes first to fourth liquid crystal domains having respectively different reference alignment directions being defined by the first and second alignment films. First to fourth directions, which are the reference alignment directions of the first to fourth liquid crystal domains, each make an angle which is substantially equal to an odd multiple of 45° with respect to the pixel transverse direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Publication number: 20200294460Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer; and a control circuit configured to generate a display signal voltage. The first substrate has pixel electrodes to which the display signal voltage is applied, and a first alignment film. The second substrate has a counter electrode to which a common voltage is applied, and a second alignment film. Each pixel has liquid crystal domains having different reference alignment directions defined by the first and second alignment films. The pixel electrode has slits. The control circuit is configured to generate, as the display signal voltage, a voltage obtained by adding a predetermined offset voltage to an original voltage corresponding to a gray level. The offset voltage is substantially the same for gray levels higher than or equal to a predetermined intermediate gray level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: ICHIRO TAKADA, KENTAROH IRIE, MITSUAKI HIRATA, FUMIKAZU SHIMOSHIKIRYOH
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Publication number: 20200218121Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first and a second substrate, and a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer. The first substrate has a pixel electrode and a first photo alignment film. The second substrate has a counter electrode and a second photo alignment film. Each pixel has a plurality of liquid crystal domains having different reference alignment directions. The plurality of liquid crystal domains include a first liquid crystal domain, the reference alignment direction of the first liquid crystal domain being a first direction. A portion of a plurality of edges of the pixel electrode that is close to the first liquid crystal domain includes a first edge portion, the angle between an azimuth angle direction perpendicular to the first edge portion and pointing toward the inside of the pixel electrode, and the first direction, being greater than 90°.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2017Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventor: MITSUAKI HIRATA