Patents by Inventor Shou Nagao

Shou Nagao 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).

  • Patent number: 10916319
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node a rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20200082895
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node a rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 10424390
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 10304399
    Abstract: A circuit is provided which is constituted by TFTs of one conductivity type, and which is capable of outputting signals of a normal amplitude. When an input clock signal CK1 becomes a high level, each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned on to settle at a low level the potential at a signal output section (Out). A pulse is then input to a signal input section (In) and becomes high level. The gate potential of TFT (102) is increased to (VDD?V thN) and the gate is floated. TFT (102) is thus turned on. Then CK1 becomes low level and each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned off. Simultaneously, CK3 becomes high level and the potential at the signal output section is increased. Simultaneously, the potential at the gate of TFT (102) is increased to a level equal to or higher than (VDD+V thN) by the function of capacitor (104), so that the high level appearing at the signal output section (Out) becomes equal to VDD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shou Nagao, Munehiro Azami, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20190147969
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 10109368
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20180122492
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 9812218
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20170243554
    Abstract: A circuit is provided which is constituted by TFTs of one conductivity type, and which is capable of outputting signals of a normal amplitude. When an input clock signal CK1 becomes a high level, each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned on to settle at a low level the potential at a signal output section (Out). A pulse is then input to a signal input section (In) and becomes high level. The gate potential of TFT (102) is increased to (VDD?V thN) and the gate is floated. TFT (102) is thus turned on. Then CK1 becomes low level and each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned off. Simultaneously, CK3 becomes high level and the potential at the signal output section is increased. Simultaneously, the potential at the gate of TFT (102) is increased to a level equal to or higher than (VDD+V thN) by the function of capacitor (104), so that the high level appearing at the signal output section (Out) becomes equal to VDD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Shou Nagao, Munehiro Azami, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20170076820
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 9590632
    Abstract: A circuit is provided which is constituted by TFTs of one conductivity type, and which is capable of outputting signals of a normal amplitude. When an input clock signal CK1 becomes a high level, each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned on to settle at a low level the potential at a signal output section (Out). A pulse is then input to a signal input section (In) and becomes high level. The gate potential of TFT (102) is increased to (VDD?V thN) and the gate is floated. TFT (102) is thus turned on. Then CK1 becomes low level and each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned off. Simultaneously, CK3 becomes high level and the potential at the signal output section is increased. Simultaneously, the potential at the gate of TFT (102) is increased to a level equal to or higher than (VDD+V thN) by the function of capacitor (104), so that the high level appearing at the signal output section (Out) becomes equal to VDD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shou Nagao, Munehiro Azami, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 9496291
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20150340378
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20150317941
    Abstract: A circuit is provided which is constituted by TFTs of one conductivity type, and which is capable of outputting signals of a normal amplitude. When an input clock signal CK1 becomes a high level, each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned on to settle at a low level the potential at a signal output section (Out). A pulse is then input to a signal input section (In) and becomes high level. The gate potential of TFT (102) is increased to (VDD?V thN) and the gate is floated. TFT (102) is thus turned on. Then CK1 becomes low level and each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned off. Simultaneously, CK3 becomes high level and the potential at the signal output section is increased. Simultaneously, the potential at the gate of TFT (102) is increased to a level equal to or higher than (VDD+V thN) by the function of capacitor (104), so that the high level appearing at the signal output section (Out) becomes equal to VDD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Shou Nagao, Munehiro Azami, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 9136385
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device in which fabrication steps can be reduced by constructing a circuit using only TFTs of one conductivity type and in which a voltage amplitude of an output signal can be normally obtained. A capacitance (205) is provided between a gate and a source of a TFT (203) connected to an output node, and a circuit formed of TFTs (201) and (202) has a function to bring a node ? into a floating state. When the node ? is in the floating state, a potential of the node ? is caused higher than VDD by using gate-source capacitance coupling of the TFT (203) through the capacitance (205), thus an output signal having an amplitude of VDD?GND can be normally obtained without causing amplitude attenuation due to the threshold value of the TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 9117415
    Abstract: A display device comprises a display panel composed of a pixel portion in which a plurality of TFTs are arranged in matrix, a source driver, and a gate driver, an image signal processing circuit for processing an image signal input from an external, and a control circuit for controlling the display panel and the image signal processing circuit. The image signal processing circuit corrects the image signal on the basis of a correction table. By feeding the display panel with the corrected image signal, the display device can provide a good quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Masaaki Hiroki, Munehiro Azami, Mitsuaki Osame, Yutaka Shionoiri, Shou Nagao
  • Patent number: 9105520
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 9024930
    Abstract: A circuit is provided which is constituted by TFTs of one conductivity type, and which is capable of outputting signals of a normal amplitude. When an input clock signal CK1 becomes a high level, each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned on to settle at a low level the potential at a signal output section (Out). A pulse is then input to a signal input section (In) and becomes high level. The gate potential of TFT (102) is increased to (VDD?V thN) and the gate is floated. TFT (102) is thus turned on. Then CK1 becomes low level and each of TFTs (101, 103) is turned off. Simultaneously, CK3 becomes high level and the potential at the signal output section is increased. Simultaneously, the potential at the gate of TFT (102) is increased to a level equal to or higher than (VDD+V thN) by the function of capacitor (104), so that the high level appearing at the signal output section (Out) becomes equal to VDD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shou Nagao, Munehiro Azami, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Publication number: 20140327008
    Abstract: A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node ? rises. When the potential of the node ? reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada
  • Patent number: 8786533
    Abstract: A pulse is input to first and second TFTs to turn ON the first and second TFTs so that the potential of a node a rises. When the potential of the node a reaches (VDD?VthN), the node ? enters a floating state. Accordingly, a third TFT then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the third TFT further rises due to an operation of capacitance as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the third TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Azami, Shou Nagao, Yoshifumi Tanada