Patents by Inventor Shugo Yagi

Shugo Yagi 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: 11988910
    Abstract: A viewing angle-controlling liquid crystal panel sequentially includes a first polarizing plate; a first liquid crystal panel; a second polarizing plate; a second liquid crystal panel; and a third polarizing plate, wherein an azimuthal angle ?P1 of the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate, an azimuthal angle ?1 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the first substrate and an azimuthal angle ?2 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the second substrate in the first liquid crystal panel, an azimuthal angle ?P2 of the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate, an azimuthal angle ?3 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the third substrate and an azimuthal angle ?4 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the fourth substrate in the second liquid crystal panel, and an azimuthal angle ?P3 of the absorption axis of the third polarizing plate satisfy specific formulas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Sharp Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Murata, Junichi Masuda, Shugo Yagi, Akira Hirai, Hiroshi Tsuchiya, Takashi Satoh, Akira Sakai, Kiyoshi Minoura
  • Publication number: 20240160052
    Abstract: A viewing angle-controlling liquid crystal panel sequentially includes a first polarizing plate; a first liquid crystal panel; a second polarizing plate; a second liquid crystal panel; and a third polarizing plate, wherein an azimuthal angle ?P1 of the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate, an azimuthal angle ?1 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the first substrate and an azimuthal angle ?2 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the second substrate in the first liquid crystal panel, an azimuthal angle ?P2 of the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate, an azimuthal angle ?3 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the third substrate and an azimuthal angle ?4 of a director of liquid crystal molecules near the fourth substrate in the second liquid crystal panel, and an azimuthal angle ?P3 of the absorption axis of the third polarizing plate satisfy specific formulas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Sharp Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Koji MURATA, Junichi MASUDA, Shugo YAGI, Akira HIRAI, Hiroshi TSUCHIYA, Takashi SATOH, Akira SAKAI, Kiyoshi MINOURA
  • Patent number: 11966071
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an illumination device includes: a first sheet including a first light entering main surface, a first light emission main surface, two first light blocking portions disposed at an interval in a first direction, and a first light-transmitting portion disposed between the two first light blocking portions; a second sheet including a second light entering main surface facing the first light emission main surface, a second light emission main surface, and a first lens; and a third sheet including a third light entering main surface facing the second light emission main surface, a third light emission main surface, two second light blocking portions disposed at an interval in the first direction, and a second light-transmitting portion disposed between the two second light blocking portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sharp Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shugo Yagi, Junichi Masuda, Yuuichi Kanbayashi, Satoshi Tsubooka
  • Publication number: 20240112619
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, an illumination device, and a control unit, in which, when performing display in a first display mode, the control unit corrects an image signal to generate a correction signal, writes a first image based on the correction signal in the display panel, leaves a second light source unlit, and selectively turns on a plurality of first light sources based on the correction signal, and when performing display in a second display mode, the control unit generates a correction signal, writes a first image in the display panel, leaves the second light source unlit, and selectively turns on the plurality of first light sources based on the correction signal, in a first display period, and writes a second image based on the image signal in the display panel and turns on at least the second light source, in a second display period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Junichi MASUDA, Shugo YAGI, Yuuichi KANBAYASHI, Satoshi TSUBOOKA
  • Patent number: 11942023
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, an illumination device, and a control unit, in which, when performing display in a first display mode, the control unit corrects an image signal to generate a correction signal, writes a first image based on the correction signal in the display panel, leaves a second light source unlit, and selectively turns on a plurality of first light sources based on the correction signal, and when performing display in a second display mode, the control unit generates a correction signal, writes a first image in the display panel, leaves the second light source unlit, and selectively turns on the plurality of first light sources based on the correction signal, in a first display period, and writes a second image based on the image signal in the display panel and turns on at least the second light source, in a second display period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Sharp Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Shugo Yagi, Yuuichi Kanbayashi, Satoshi Tsubooka
  • Patent number: 11899305
    Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel capable of achieving a small light-shielding angle in a narrow viewing angle mode and a display device including the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel sequentially includes: a first polarizing plate with a first absorption axis; a first substrate including a first electrode; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules; and a second substrate including a second electrode, wherein in a plan view, a director of the liquid crystal molecules with no voltage applied and the first absorption axis form an angle ? of not smaller than 5° and not greater than 20° or not smaller than 65° and not greater than 80°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Murata, Junichi Masuda, Shugo Yagi, Hiroshi Tsuchiya, Takashi Satoh, Shinji Shimada
  • Publication number: 20230417978
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a row, a light guide plate having a plate shape and including a first end face at an outer peripheral end face of the light guide plate and a first main surface included in a pair of main surfaces of the light guide plate, the first end face facing the plurality of light sources and being configured to receive incident light, the first main surface being configured to emit light, and a plurality of first lenses disposed at the first main surface, arranged along a first direction, and extending along a second direction, the first direction being an arrangement direction of the plurality of light sources, the second direction intersecting the first direction and extending along the first main surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Sharp Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichi KANBAYASHI, Shugo YAGI, Junichi MASUDA, Satoshi TSUBOOKA
  • Publication number: 20230296821
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an illumination device includes: a first light source; a first light guide plate including at least a part of an outer circumferential end face as a first end face configured to face the first light source and receive incident light, a first main surface, and a second main surface; a first sheet including one main surface as a third main surface configured to face the first main surface and a fourth main surface; a second light source; and a second light guide plate including at least a part of an outer circumferential end face as a second end face configured to face the second light source, a fifth main surface, and a sixth main surface configured to face the fourth main surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Shugo YAGI, Junichi MASUDA, Yuuichi KANBAYASHI, Satoshi TSUBOOKA
  • Publication number: 20230273362
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an illumination device includes: a first sheet including a first light entering main surface, a first light emission main surface, two first light blocking portions disposed at an interval in a first direction, and a first light-transmitting portion disposed between the two first light blocking portions; a second sheet including a second light entering main surface facing the first light emission main surface, a second light emission main surface, and a first lens; and a third sheet including a third light entering main surface facing the second light emission main surface, a third light emission main surface, two second light blocking portions disposed at an interval in the first direction, and a second light-transmitting portion disposed between the two second light blocking portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Shugo YAGI, Junichi MASUDA, Yuuichi KANBAYASHI, Satoshi TSUBOOKA
  • Patent number: 11703625
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources arranged in an arrangement direction, a first light guide plate, and a second light guide plate on the first light guide plate. The first light guide plate includes a first light entering surface, a first light exit surface, and a first light diffusion portion adding a diffusion action to light to be refracted and travel in a crossing direction crossing the arrangement direction. The second light guide plate includes a second light entering surface, a second light exit surface, and a second light diffusion portion adding a diffusion action to light to be refracted and travel in the arrangement direction seen from the normal direction of the second light exit surface. The second light diffusion portion includes first lenses that include ridgelines extending in the crossing direction and inclined portions inclined at an angle from 35° to 55° inclusive relative to the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shugo Yagi, Takeshi Masuda, Yuuichi Kanbayashi
  • Publication number: 20230129697
    Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel capable of achieving a small light-shielding angle in a narrow viewing angle mode and a display device including the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel sequentially includes: a first polarizing plate with a first absorption axis; a first substrate including a first electrode; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules; and a second substrate including a second electrode, wherein in a plan view, a director of the liquid crystal molecules with no voltage applied and the first absorption axis form an angle ? of not smaller than 5° and not greater than 20° or not smaller than 65° and not greater than 80°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Koji MURATA, Junichi MASUDA, Shugo YAGI, Hiroshi TSUCHIYA, Takashi SATOH, Shinji SHIMADA
  • Patent number: 11635563
    Abstract: A backlight device includes at least a plurality of LEDs arranged in a row, a light guide plate including at least a light entering end face having a plate shape, and a light refracting portion configured with a plurality of unit light refracting portions arranged side by side on the light entering end face along an alignment direction of the plurality of LEDs, wherein in the light refracting portion, an occupancy rate occupied by the unit light refracting portion in an end side portion of the light entering end face in the alignment direction is made lower than an occupancy rate occupied by the unit light refracting portion in a central side portion of the light entering end face in the alignment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Sharp Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichi Kanbayashi, Shugo Yagi, Satoshi Tsubooka
  • Publication number: 20220390661
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources arranged in an arrangement direction, a first light guide plate, and a second light guide plate on the first light guide plate. The first light guide plate includes a first light entering surface, a first light exit surface, and a first light diffusion portion adding a diffusion action to light to be refracted and travel in a crossing direction crossing the arrangement direction. The second light guide plate includes a second light entering surface, a second light exit surface, and a second light diffusion portion adding a diffusion action to light to be refracted and travel in the arrangement direction seen from the normal direction of the second light exit surface. The second light diffusion portion includes first lenses that include ridgelines extending in the crossing direction and inclined portions inclined at an angle from 35° to 55° inclusive relative to the normal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: SHUGO YAGI, TAKESHI MASUDA, YUUICHI KANBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20220268987
    Abstract: A backlight device includes at least a plurality of LEDs arranged in a row, a light guide plate including at least a light entering end face having a plate shape, and a light refracting portion configured with a plurality of unit light refracting portions arranged side by side on the light entering end face along an alignment direction of the plurality of LEDs, wherein in the light refracting portion, an occupancy rate occupied by the unit light refracting portion in an end side portion of the light entering end face in the alignment direction is made lower than an occupancy rate occupied by the unit light refracting portion in a central side portion of the light entering end face in the alignment direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Yuuichi KANBAYASHI, Shugo YAGI, Satoshi TSUBOOKA
  • Patent number: 11366262
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a base portion and a light collecting portion. The base portion includes a light entering surface and a light exiting surface. The light collecting portion protrudes from the light exiting surface. The light collecting portion includes light collecting sections elongated in a first direction parallel to a normal direction to the light entering surface and arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The light collecting sections perform linearity adjustment to rays of light so that the rays of light travel along the first direction. The light collecting sections include first light collecting regions and second light collecting regions. The second light collecting regions perform the linearity adjustment at a degree greater than a degree of the linearity adjustment by the first light collecting regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shugo Yagi, Yuuichi Kanbayashi, Satoshi Tsubooka
  • Patent number: 11143915
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources arranged in a row in an arrangement direction, alight guide plate disposed to cover the light sources and including a plate surface facing the light sources and an opposite plate surface opposite from the plate surface, and a light diffusion portion. A portion of the plate surface is a light entering surface and the opposite plate surface is a light exit surface. The light diffusion portion extends in the arrangement direction of the light sources and on the light exit surface such that a portion of the light diffusion portion overlaps the light sources. The light diffusion portion applies a diffusion effect to light that is within the light guide plate so as to travel in a direction crossing the arrangement direction and to be away from the light sources seen from a normal direction of the light exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shugo Yagi, Takeshi Masuda, Satoshi Tsubooka, Yuuichi Kanbayashi
  • Publication number: 20210311242
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a base portion and a light collecting portion. The base portion includes a light entering surface and a light exiting surface. The light collecting portion protrudes from the light exiting surface. The light collecting portion includes light collecting sections elongated in a first direction parallel to a normal direction to the light entering surface and arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The light collecting sections perform linearity adjustment to rays of light so that the rays of light travel along the first direction. The light collecting sections include first light collecting regions and second light collecting regions. The second light collecting regions perform the linearity adjustment at a degree greater than a degree of the linearity adjustment by the first light collecting regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: SHUGO YAGI, YUUICHI KANBAYASHI, SATOSHI TSUBOOKA
  • Publication number: 20210294018
    Abstract: A display device includes a light source, a light guide plate having a light entering end surface and a light emitting plate surface, a display panel, and a lens sheet. A prism unit of the lens sheet has a plurality of unit prisms having a top portion and a pair of slopes, the plurality of unit prisms have at least a plurality of top portion uneven distribution prisms, and the plurality of top portion uneven distribution prisms have a light-source-end-side top portion uneven distribution prism positioned on a light source end side in the normal direction and an opposite-light-source-end-side top portion uneven distribution prism positioned on an opposite light source end side in the normal direction and arranged such that a distance from the opposite light source end is the same as a distance from the light source end to the light-source-end-side top portion uneven distribution prism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: YUUICHI KANBAYASHI, SHUGO YAGI, SATOSHI TSUBOOKA
  • Publication number: 20210096427
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources arranged in a row in an arrangement direction, alight guide plate disposed to cover the light sources and including a plate surface facing the light sources and an opposite plate surface opposite from the plate surface, and a light diffusion portion. A portion of the plate surface is a light entering surface and the opposite plate surface is a light exit surface. The light diffusion portion extends in the arrangement direction of the light sources and on the light exit surface such that a portion of the light diffusion portion overlaps the light sources. The light diffusion portion applies a diffusion effect to light that is within the light guide plate so as to travel in a direction crossing the arrangement direction and to be away from the light sources seen from a normal direction of the light exit surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: SHUGO YAGI, TAKESHI MASUDA, SATOSHI TSUBOOKA, YUUICHI KANBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10928578
    Abstract: First and second prism sheets have pluralities of first and second unit prisms, respectively, arranged along a first direction and extending along a second direction, each of which has a base that is parallel to the first direction and a pair of oblique sides standing from both ends, respectively, of the base, and an angle that a second LED facing oblique side, which is one of the oblique sides that faces toward the LED, forms with respect to the base in the first direction in the second unit prism is smaller than an angle that a first LED facing oblique side that faces toward the LED forms with respect to the base in the first direction in the first unit prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shugo Yagi, Takeshi Ishida, Yuuichi Kanbayashi, Satoshi Tsubooka