Liquid Crystal Display Segments Patents (Class 345/38)
  • Patent number: 8081169
    Abstract: A cover lens with touch-sensing function is provided, which is combined onto an external side of an electronic device and allows the touch-sensing and protection for the electronic device. The provided cover lens is constructed by a tempered substrate, a pattern layer and a touch-sensing layer, where the pattern layer is formed on a first surface of the tempered substrate so as to provide the cover lens with an appearance of periphery-like pattern. The touch-sensing layer is also formed on the first surface of the tempered substrate. The present invention also provides a touch display having such cover lens and the fabricating method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cando Corporation
    Inventors: Kuan-Ying Lin, Chih-Chiang Chang, Teng-Yin Cheng
  • Patent number: 8044882
    Abstract: A method is applied on an active matrix display. A pixel element includes at least one switching transistor, at least one nonlinear element, and at least one capacitive element. The method includes the following steps: (1) creating multiple rows of enabled pixel elements during a predetermined time period; (2) selecting a row of pixel elements in the multiple rows of enabled pixel elements to create a plurality of selected pixel elements during a sub-time-period that is a fraction of the predetermined time period; and (3) charging the at least one capacitive element in a selected pixel element. The step of creating includes driving a semiconductor channel of the at least one switching transistor in an enabled pixel element into a conducting state. The step of selecting includes driving the at least one nonlinear element in a selected pixel element into a conducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Nongqiang Fan
  • Patent number: 8032185
    Abstract: An operation mode conversion device, a mobile communication terminal having the same and a method for converting the operation mode are provided. According to an embodiment, a user interface element is provided with an input unit configured to generate a signal to switch a current operation mode to a selected operation mode upon being pressed by a user, the selected operation mode being set with respect to a position on the input unit, and a display area is located at a central portion of the input unit, the display area being configured to output information about the selected operation mode. The user can quickly perform menu navigation to convert the operation mode as desired, the information about the converted operation mode is conveniently viewed, and the overall size of the mobile phone can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang-Hyun Ahn
  • Patent number: 8013812
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes: a switching transistor whose conduction is controlled by a drive signal supplied to the control terminal; a drive wiring adapted to propagate the drive signal; and a data wiring adapted to propagate a data signal. The drive wiring is formed on a first wiring layer and connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor. The data wiring is formed on a second wiring layer and connected to a first terminal of the switching transistor. A multi-layered wiring structure is used so that the second wiring layer is formed on a layer different from that on which the first wiring layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Yukihito Iida, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 7834832
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines crossing each other; a first pixel connected to one of the plurality of data lines and one of the plurality of gate lines; and a second pixel connected to the one of the plurality of data lines and to the one of the plurality of gate lines, wherein the first and second pixels are disposed at opposite sides with respect to the one of the plurality of data lines and at opposite sides with respect to the one of the plurality of gate lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Displau Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo-Suk Ha
  • Patent number: 7791115
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic light emitting display, which includes a large quantity of a hydroscopic layer having a good hydroscopic ability by changing a mounting structure of the hydroscopic layer. An organic light emitting display includes a first substrate. An organic emission portion is formed at one surface of the first substrate. A second substrate is formed at a surface of the first substrate on which the organic emission portion is formed for sealing the organic emission portion from external air. A first hydroscopic layer is formed between the first and second substrates. A third substrate is formed at another surface of the first substrate for sealing the first substrate. A second hydroscopic layer is formed between the first and third substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eunah Kim
  • Patent number: 7764278
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device including first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN disposed along a first direction D1, when the first direction D1 is a direction from a first side of the integrated circuit device toward a third side which is opposite to the first side, the first side being a short side, and when a second direction D2 is a direction from a second side of the integrated circuit device toward a fourth side which is opposite to the second side, the second side being a long side. The circuit blocks CB1 to CBN include at least one memory block MB which stores image data, and at least one data driver block DB which drives data lines. The memory block MB and the data driver block DB are disposed adjacent to each other along the first direction D1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kumagai, Hisanobu Ishiyama, Kazuhiro Maekawa, Satoru Ito, Takashi Fujise, Junichi Karasawa, Satoru Kodaira, Katsuhiko Maki
  • Patent number: 7714822
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a noise-receiving module for receiving external noise signals, a liquid crystal display module, and a frequency-switching means for switching scanning frequencies of the liquid crystal display module according to frequencies of the noise signals received by the noise-receiving module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Yu Chen, Wen-Pin Chou
  • Patent number: 7589703
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal display wherein each color sub-pixel is divided into at least a first region and a second region, each region having a pair of electrodes and a storage capacitor. The lower electrode in each region is connected to the same gate line via a different TFT. The upper electrode in each region is connected to a different common line to receive a different voltage signal. Each of the voltage signals comprises a common component and a different signal component. The different signal components are periodical in a “swing” fashion. These signals are in-sync with each other but with different polarity. When the sub-pixel is divided into three regions, the voltage signal in the third common line is equal to the common component. When suitable swing signals in positive frames and negative frames are applied to the regions in sub-pixels, different pixel inversion effects can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Jenn-Jia Su
  • Patent number: 7477220
    Abstract: On a side opposite to an observation side of a liquid crystal display panel, a plane light source is disposed which emits an illuminative light for the left eye of three colors of red, green and blue having such a directivity that a peak of emitted light intensity exists in a direction of the observer's left eye, and that for the right eye of three colors of red, green and blue having such a directivity that the peak of emitted light intensity exists in a direction of the right eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Muto
  • Patent number: 7397460
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel; a plurality of lamps facing the display panel and arranged in parallel; and at least one transformer connected to the plurality of lamps, wherein the at least one transformer is disposed at a lower portion of the display device adjacent to a ground. A transformer may include a driving transformer and a compensation transformer, where the compensation transformer may be connected to one or more lower lamps and the driving transformer may be connected to the remainder of the lamps. The output voltages of the compensation transformer and the driving transformer may differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jeong-Deuk Yeo, Kang-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 7391568
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal layer; a backlight apparatus arranged at one side of the couple of substrates of the liquid crystal display element; a polarizer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the backlight apparatus; a luminous intensity distribution control element arranged at the other side of the couple of substrates of the liquid crystal display element; an analyzer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the luminous intensity distribution control element, wherein the luminous intensity distribution control element comprises a transparent base member, a plural lenses arranged on the transparent base member, and a light absorbing layer having small opening portions substantially at focal positions of an individual lens of the plural lenses, and the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body substantially optically isotropic or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Patent number: 7389476
    Abstract: A display allowing further miniaturization when including a plurality of display panels is obtained. This display comprises a first display panel formed on a substrate and a second display panel formed on the same substrate on a region different from that formed with the first display panel. Thus, the display can be further miniaturized as compared with that having a first display panel and a second display panel formed on different substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiru Senda, Masayuki Koga, Masahiro Okuyama, Ryoichi Yokoyama, Isao Akima
  • Patent number: 7364303
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image display apparatus, which can include multiple color combining elements, multiple light modulating elements, and a projection optical system, operatively connected to reduce the effects of ghost light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Inoko
  • Patent number: 7345654
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image display apparatus includes an image display configured to output image light which arrays a plurality of pixels and has polarization, a lens array arranged in front of the image display, configured to function as lens at light which has a 1st polarization direction, and not to function as lens at light which has a 2nd polarization direction differed from the 1st polarization direction, and a birefringent phase modulator placed between the image display and the lens array and configured to rotate a polarization plane of the image light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuki Taira, Yuzo Hirayama, Tatsuo Saishu, Rieko Fukushima, Ayako Takagi
  • Publication number: 20070285349
    Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of pixels; a gate driver that supplies a gate signal to the pixels; a data driver that supplies a data voltage to the pixels; an additional frame generator that generates an image signal of a third frame based on an image signal of a first frame and a second frame; a signal correction unit that corrects an image signal to generate the corrected image signal; and a signal controller that arranges the corrected image signal to supply the arranged signal to the data driver and that controls the data driver and the gate driver, wherein the additional frame generator, the signal correction unit, and the signal controller are integrated in one IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Sunkwang Hong, Sang-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7286108
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel (2) includes scanning signal lines (31) for supplying scanning signals to gate electrodes (20) of TFTs (14), and data signal lines (32) for supplying data signals to data electrodes (24) of TFTs. The liquid crystal panel further includes auxiliary capacitive electrode pads (27a) for use in forming auxiliary capacitance and an auxiliary capacitive lines (33) so as not to generate a capacitive bond with the scanning signal lines. The liquid crystal panel is driven at a rewriting frequency of a screen of not more than 30 Hz. As a result, the liquid crystal panel can be driven at a low consumption power while maintaining a desirable display quality of the liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsuda, Masahiro Shimizu, Hisakazu Nakamura, Kouji Kumada, Takashige Ohta
  • Patent number: 7279730
    Abstract: In a light sensing element having simplified structure, an array substrate having the light sensing element and an LCD apparatus having the light sensing element, the light sensing element includes a first electrode, a control electrode and a second electrode. An alternating bias voltage is applied to the first electrode. An off voltage is applied to the control electrode. The second electrode outputs a light-induced leakage current based on an externally provided light and the bias voltage. Therefore, the array substrate includes one light sensing switching element corresponding to one pixel so that structure of the array substrate is simplified and opening ratio is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Jin Pak, Hyung-Guel Kim, Kee-Han Uh, Jong-Whan Cho, Jin Jeon, Young-Bae Jung
  • Patent number: 7250923
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image display apparatus includes an image display configured to output image light which arrays a plurality of pixels and has polarization, a lens array arranged in front of the image display, configured to function as lens at light which has a 1st polarization direction, and not to function as lens at light which has a 2nd polarization direction differed from the 1st polarization direction, and a birefringent phase modulator placed between the image display and the lens array and configured to rotate a polarization plane of the image light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuki Taira, Yuzo Hirayama, Tatsuo Saishu, Rieko Fukushima, Ayako Takagi
  • Patent number: 7190332
    Abstract: An acoustically activated marketing for displaying predefined information in response to predefined data being received. The device is obtained from a retailer and worn as a badge while at the cinema or while listening to the radio or TV. When a specific advertisement is broadcast, the badge interprets part of the sound track and activates the display on the badge. The displayed information may be an advertisement or a message. The predefined data may be broadcast by a commercial broadcasting means, such as a television or radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignees: Roke Manor Research Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Webb, Stephen Philip Rowe, John Mansbridge
  • Patent number: 7173760
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal layer between a couple of substrates; a backlight apparatus arranged at one side of the couple of substrates; a polarizer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the backlight apparatus; a luminous intensity distribution control element arranged at the other side of the couple of substrates; an analyzer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the luminous intensity distribution control element, wherein the luminous intensity distribution control element comprises a transparent base member, a plural lenses arranged on the transparent base member, and a light absorbing layer having small opening portions substantially at focal positions of an individual lens of the plural lenses, and the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body substantially optically isotropic or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Patent number: 7161563
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for electronically providing vehicle identification and registration information to a vehicle. The system includes a remote control unit, which receives and stores vehicle identification and registration information. At least one computer on the vehicle is configured to receive the vehicle identification and registration information and to store such information. An electric license plate coupled to this computer for electronically displaying at least a portion of the identification and registration information stored in the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Louis Vitale, Kevin G. Kolpasky
  • Patent number: 7116287
    Abstract: Apparatus for driving a cholesteric liquid crystal display wherein the display includes cholesteric liquid crystals having a first planar reflective state and a second transparent focal conic state, which is respectively responsive to different applied fields; an addressing structure having rows and columns of conductors arranged so that when a column and a row overlap, they define a selectable pixel or segment to be viewable or non-viewable; the apparatus being adapted to switch between a first and a second fixed voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, David M. Johnson, Xiang-Dong Mi
  • Patent number: 7075521
    Abstract: Input position is accurately detected. In an x-detection period of a non-display period, a source drive circuit simultaneously applies to all signal wiring lines a pulse of a peak value proportional to a distance from a gate drive circuit. A coordinate detection circuit obtains an x-coordinate on the basis of a voltage induced at a pen corresponding to the peak value (x-coordinate) of the applied pulse. In a y-detection period, a pulse generation circuit applies one pulse to a common line. The pen detects a potential variation in amplitude proportional to a distance (y-coordinate) from the source drive circuit, generated approximately simultaneously on all the signal wiring lines via a capacitance. The coordinate detection circuit obtains the y-coordinate similarly to the case of x-coordinate detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiko Yamamoto, Koji Fujiwara, Keiichi Tanaka, Naoto Inoue, Hideki Ichioka
  • Patent number: 6995893
    Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical device, a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, an apparatus for manufacturing an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus, in which, in the electro-optical device, a gap formed between two substrates functioning as constituent elements thereof or the thickness of an adhesive layer, which adheres the two substrates to each other, can be precisely controlled. The electro-optical device has at least a substrate and a sealing substrate which is adhered to the substrate and which is composed of a transparent plate member, in which the substrate and the sealing substrate are adhered to each other with an adhesive layer provided therebetween so as to form a gap therebetween; measurement surfaces, used to measure the thickness of the adhesive layer, are provided in the gap; and on the measurement surfaces, an adhesive is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6906633
    Abstract: The optical indicator unit of a program-controlled household appliance includes one or more indicator elements for the display of information in plain text. Each indicator element includes a matrix with 5×8 pixels for the display of a character. Each indicator element is assigned a functional element/actuator belonging to the household appliance. The element/actuator and also at least one operating state of the element/actuator is represented in the indicator element by an initial letter or a symbol. Depending on a size of the display, a plurality of actuators can be indicated at the same time. The invention can be applied particularly well in testing and in servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Arndt Berthold, Bernd Czeslick, Konrad Götz, Holger Kress
  • Patent number: 6831617
    Abstract: A control section 130 for outputting a selection signal for selecting the display areas of the display section 110 and transferring display data classified in response to the display areas and the display type to both or either of a display data processing section A 140 and a display data processing section B 133, the display data processing section A 140 and the display data processing section B 133 for converting the display data into a format fitted for the display area and the display type, a data transfer path 160 for separately transferring data from the display data processing section A 140 to the display section 110, and a data transfer path 170 for separately transferring data from the display data processing section B 133 to the display section 110, wherein images of the display data generated by the display data processing section A 140 and the display data processing section B 133 of the display section 110 are selectively displayed in the display area of the display section 110 based on the selec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoya Miyauchi, Yutaka Machida, Tadashi Kayada, Kosuke Kubota
  • Publication number: 20040090394
    Abstract: A driving method for a liquid crystal display having a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has a liquid crystal unit and a transistor. First, a gate voltage of the transistor is changed to drive the transistor. Then, a first display voltage of a first frame is applied to the liquid crystal unit. Next, the display voltage of the liquid crystal unit is changed to a blanking display voltage of a black frame by changing the gate voltage of the transistor. At this time, the black frame is displayed on the liquid crystal unit. Thus, the long response time of the liquid crystal display is improved. Finally, the gate voltage of the transistor is changed again and a second display voltage of a second frame is applied to the liquid crystal unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hsien-Ying Chou
  • Patent number: 6724355
    Abstract: An improved multi-segment, electronically-actuated display array that displays (a) a multiplication symbol configured approximately like “×”, and, centered in the same location, (b) one or more of an addition symbol, a subtraction symbol, and a division symbol configured approximately like “+”, “−”, and “÷”, respectively. A novel central segment or central segment group of the array displays a central portion of the multiplication symbol and of the other displayable arithmetic operation symbols—essentially the entire intersection of (a) the multiplication symbol and (b) a horizontal bar constituting the entire subtraction symbol, the horizontal portion of the addition symbol, and/or the vertically-centered portion of the division symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Charles P. Resor, Tommy Jackson Martin
  • Publication number: 20040070555
    Abstract: A driving device of a double-display calculating machine includes first and second display devices and a controller that drives, at the same time, the displays of a calculation entered by an operator and being currently processed and a result thereof respectively on the first and second display devices. The first/second display device respectively includes n first/second common display inputs and m first/second segment display inputs. The controller includes a plurality of segment signal terminals and a plurality of common signal terminals. The segment signal terminals are commonly connected to the first/second segment display inputs of the first and second display devices. The common signal terminals are respectively connected to the first common display inputs of the first display device and to the second common display inputs of the second display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Wel Chuang, Ming Chih Chen
  • Publication number: 20040056825
    Abstract: An inverter of driving a light source for a display device is provided. The inverter includes a temperature sensor sensing a temperature and generating an output voltage based on the sensed temperature, a buffer generating an output signal having a state depending on the output voltage of the temperature sensor, an oscillator generating an oscillating signal having a frequency depending on the state of the output signal of the buffer, and an inverter performing a switching operation in response to the oscillating signal from the oscillator. Therefore, the inverter increases the voltage applied to the light source when the temperature near the light source is lower than a predetermined temperature since the frequency of the oscillating signal is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Woong-Kyu Min, Hyeon-Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 6710758
    Abstract: A reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a reflective ground layer that acts as a continuous first electrode and the second substrate includes a pixel layer having a plurality of pixel elements formed in a pattern. The pixel elements are formed of a transparent conductive material and are separated by inter-pixel regions formed of a non-conductive material. A transmissivity of the electro-optic material in a vicinity of each of the plurality of pixel elements is controlled by a potential difference applied between the first electrode and a respective one of the pixel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Lisa A. Caracci, John P. Kondis, Robert G. Lindquist, Rui-Qing Ma, Carina R. Reisin, Bradley A. Scott
  • Patent number: 6683587
    Abstract: A digital circuit having a plurality of digital outputs coupled to backplane(s) and segments of a LCD glass in combination with a software program functions as a “switched mode” LCD driver. Alternating in polarity but equal in magnitude RMS voltage pulses are applied between segments and backplane(s) of the LCD glass. The voltage amplitude and time duration of these pulses determine whether a LCD segment is opaque or clear and the overall contrast of the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: John K. Gulsen
  • Patent number: 6633269
    Abstract: A driving method during the reset period of a plasma display, which includes a display panel with a plurality of display units for sealing the inert gas. Each display unit forms an equivalent capacitor and includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a driving circuit that exerts voltage pulses to the display units to form wall charges on the surfaces of the two electrodes or to reduce the wall charges that have been formed. The method involves applying a first soft erase pulse on the first electrodes of the plurality of display units to reduce the wall charges of the plurality of the display units followed by applying a soft priming pulse on the second electrodes of the plurality of display units to re-generate the wall charges of the plurality of display units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jih-Fon Huang, Chih-Lung Lin, Yu-Ting Chien, Shin-Tai Lo
  • Patent number: 6600545
    Abstract: A twist-nematic liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed to oppose to the first substrate with distance d1 therebetween, either one of the first and second substrates being a transparent substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on either one of a surface of the first substrate and a surface of the second substrate, said surfaces opposing to each other; a common electrode formed on other one of the surfaces respectively of the first and second substrates, a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, twist-nematic liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates, molecules of the liquid crystal respectively having long axes continuously twisted between the first and second substrates. When the twist-nematic liquid crystal has a birefringence index (retardation) of &Dgr;n, &Dgr;n×d1>2 &mgr;m is satisfied, where d1 is expressed in micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6525683
    Abstract: A digital signal directed to a display (e.g., a plurality of display elements forming an array of display elements) may be converted into an analog signal using a nonlinear relationship. In one embodiment, a drive signal may be provided to at least one display element of the array of display elements in response to calibration data. Embedding the calibration data using the nonlinear relationship, the amplitude of the drive signal may be determined in order to control a perceptible output from the at least one display element of the array of display elements. Thus, a compensation for initial non-uniformity degradation over time, and/or non-uniform degradation may be provided to the at least one display element of the array of display elements. The nonlinear relationship reduces the number of discrete calibration data levels required to avoid perceptible contrast among neighboring pixels that leads to contouring effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Gong Gu
  • Patent number: 6412110
    Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide. Additionally, a video window is interactive and provides tuning functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Schein, Jim Leftwich, David M. Folker, Keith Hunwick
  • Patent number: 6411270
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a pair of transparent substrates disposed with a prescribed gap therebetween and each having thereon a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal layer and a photoconductor layer disposed between the substrates, with the transparent electrode on one substrate being split into a plurality of split electrodes. A display apparatus is formed by disposing a recording medium carrying a recorded picture at different sizes between the spatial light modulator and a writing light source. Depending on the picture size to be displayed on the spatial light modulator, a number among the plurality of split electrodes are selected for writing voltage application under illumination with writing light based on picture size data recorded in the recording medium, whereby a selected size of picture is written in the spatial light modulator and displayed thereon under illumination with reading light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshifumi Ohsawa
  • Publication number: 20020013941
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for restricting access to a television by providing parental control functions. Separate parental control levels are set for different users with each user having a different password. When the television is initially turned on, the default parental control level chosen is to be the level that corresponds with the most restrictive parental control level. If another user with a less restrictive parental control level wishes to change the parental control level, they enter their password for their level of parental control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS E. WARD, DOUGLAS B. MACRAE, JACQUES HUGON
  • Patent number: 6317110
    Abstract: A invention relates to a method for representing variable information on a display device, in particular in a motor vehicle, having a first, dot matrix display having a liquid crystal cell, and having a second display having a liquid crystal cell, the second display being arranged optically in series with the first display, and the liquid crystal cell of the first display being driven using a multiplex method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Peter Brandt
  • Patent number: 6297789
    Abstract: An integrated circuit card contains a liquid crystal display for displaying at least a portion of the information stored therein. The displayed information is stored in a first, or reserved, memory. A second, or additional, memory is used to store further information. The use of a reserved memory for storing the displayed information permits the use of very low power electrical energy sources for driving the display and the electronics controlling the pixels of the display, such as piezoelectric sources, pyroelectric sources, photovoltaic cells, and very small batteries. The first and second memories may be integrated into a single IC chip, or they may be separate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Dominique Gauthier, Mark R. Munch, Akira Tomita, John L. Goodell, Gilles Gozlan
  • Patent number: 6198466
    Abstract: A nonmechanical fully electronic multifunctional digital indicator useful for providing elapsed time indications or as event counters is disclosed. The event counter uses a ChLCD-type matrix array and requires unique steps to properly erase and place new information on the display without inadvertently changing the status of individual array elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: L3 Communications Electrodynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Morich, Victor J. Szeplaki
  • Patent number: 6080149
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for monitoring the delivery of radio frequency (RF) energy from electrodes disposed in tissue for inducing hyperthermia and other purposes. In one form, an impedance display of a power supply comprises an array of discrete light elements, where the number of light elements illuminated increases in response to a percentage increase in calculated impedance. The array of light elements is typically arranged in a non-linear pattern where a left hand portion of the array extends horizontally while a right hand portion extends upwardly. The display allows an operator to visually monitor abrupt increases in impedance between an RF instrument and a target tissue. Such increases are used to determine acceptable power ranges to achieve a maximum sustainable delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue consistent with complete, rapid, and uniform heating of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Radiotherapeutics, Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander L. Huang, Sharon A. Riddle, Peter F. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5969628
    Abstract: A display device is disclosed for displaying a character having a font of the "7-segment" type. The display includes segment drivers for activating/deactivating one or various icons from a set of icons formed each by one or various electrically connected segments. The set of icons includes six icons chosen so that all the characters of the 7-segment font, including numerals zero to nine, are restorable by selective activation/deactivation of the icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Andre
  • Patent number: 5861861
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing multiple of discrete voltage levels to drive a liquid crystal display (LCD) from an LCD module on board a microcontroller chip includes a charge pump with a switched-capacitor that develops the discrete voltages as multiples of the value of a base voltage that remains substantially without change irrespective of change in the supply voltage. A switched-capacitor charging circuit selectively charges a capacitor to produce successive additive charges individually retrievable from the capacitor. An LCD drive selectively transmits the discrete voltage levels to activate the LCD according to status of an external system under the control of the microcontroller. Voltage losses that may occur during the switched-capacitor charging are compensated to maintain the levels of the discrete voltages free of decay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Nolan, Scott Ellison, Brian Boles, Rodney Drake, Russell E. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5703607
    Abstract: A drive circuit for displaying the partition symbol intermittently comprising at least a pair of buffers, a plurality of display units of seven-segment, a partition symbol display buffer, a control circuit, a display unit of partition symbol, is provided. The pair of buffers store a set of signals. Each of the plurality of display units of seven-segment includes a first display portion and a second display portion, and, responsive to the set of signals, the first display portion and the second display portion are enabled to display. The partition symbol display buffer has an output value. The control circuit resets and sets the partition symbol display buffer in accordance with a predetermined manner. The display unit of partition symbol, in response to the output value, displays the partition symbol intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Chung Tai
  • Patent number: 5668554
    Abstract: A radar detector includes a graphical display for displaying a spectral representation of detected signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Cincinnati Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Julie Roth
  • Patent number: 5554809
    Abstract: A compact pressure differential/pressure detector is a process detection apparatus for measuring a pressure, a level, a pressure differential of a process fluid. The detector is constructed of a pressure sensing block having sensors for sensing a pressure and a pressure differential, a signal processing block for processing signals from the pressure sensing block, and a terminal board block for receiving power supply from outside and transmitting signals to outside. These blocks are arranged along the same axis. Furthermore, an indicator indicating a process state is also arranged along the same axis and received in a covering case. The case is firmly attached to the pressure sensing block. The process detection apparatus permits a compact design and offers an excellent maintainability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Tobita, Yoshimi Yamamoto, Masao Fukunaga, Teruo Kobayahsi, Akira Nagasu
  • Patent number: 5371511
    Abstract: Simulated meter disk rotation is provided in an electronic power meter which does not include a meter disk to enable meter timing and testing to be accomplished in the same visual manner as the use of the disk in an electro-mechanical power meter. The existing segmented character display is used to provide a simulated gap in which horizontal display segments move and appear to wrap around the rear of the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Atherton, Jr., Gregory P. Lavoie
  • Patent number: 5280279
    Abstract: A driving circuit which can drive an LCD apparatus without causing the residual image phenomenon is disclosed. The driving circuit has a polarity-inverting circuit for converting input video signals into polarity-alternating signals. The polarity-inverting circuit has input-output characteristics which are at least partially non-linear. The input-output characteristics are linear in the positive region, and non-linear in the negative region, or non-linear in the positive region, and linear in the negative region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Naofumi Kondo, Mikio Katayama, Tsuneo Nakamura