Patents Assigned to Seiko Epson
  • Thin-film semiconductor device, electro-optical device, methods for manufacturing the same, and reticle
    Publication number: 20030160244
    Abstract: To provide a thin-film semiconductor device, which prevents an undercut from being produced below a thin film when a pattern including an intersection is formed in the thin film, and also to provide a method for manufacturing the same. A semiconductor film (1) has a pattern including a bent shape or a projected shape. One line segment (1AR) and another line segment (1BU), which define an intersection of the bent shape or the projected shape and which are consecutive, have an additional line segment (1X) interposed between ends of the one line segment and the other line segment and form a smooth intersection (1K) in which each of the angles formed between the additional line segment and the one line segment and between the additional line segment and the other line segment is greater than 90° and less than 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Amano, Kiyofumi Kitawada
  • Electronic device, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic instrument
    Publication number: 20030160929
    Abstract: The first and second electronic components are disposed so that a first X axis and a second X axis coincide with each other and a first Y axis and a second Y axis coincide with each other. The first and second electronic components are moved in directions, in which a first point and a second point approach each other, and along the first and second Y axes by an approximated distance between the first and second points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Munenori Kurasawa
  • Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
    Patent number: 6611305
    Abstract: As a dispersion in radius of fine particles contained in the resin is inappropriate, a liquid crystal display device exhibits coloring which varies with angles at which the liquid crystal display device is viewed. By selecting fine particles having such a dispersion in radius that a dispersion in light tristimulus values, X value, Y value, and Z value falls within 10% at each angle in the angle range from 5° to 20° with respect to the traveling direction of light coming into an optical scattering layer, an optical scattering layer from which the same color can be viewed even when a viewer views from different angles is prepared. The optical scattering layer can be a color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kimitaka Kamijo, Eiji Okamoto, Keiji Takizawa
  • Differential signal output circuit
    Patent number: 6611157
    Abstract: A differential signal output circuit is equipped with a first output stage including serially connected transistors QP1 and QN1, a second output stage including serially connected transistors QP2 and QN2, an input device 11-13 that supplies two signals having mutually reversed phases to the gate of the first output stage and the gate of the second output stage, respectively, based on an input signal, and a current supply device QP3 that supplies specified drain current to the first and second output stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshimasa Usui
  • Determination of recording position misalignment adjustment value in main scanning forward and reverse passes
    Patent number: 6609777
    Abstract: The printing in which dots are formed on a recording medium through the ejection of ink droplets from nozzles is performed. The adjustment value to adjust recording position misalignment in the main scanning direction in such printing is determined automatically. An ink droplet is expelled according to a fixed cycle from a nozzle n0 while the print head is being conveyed in the forward pass of main scanning. The detection time tfp at which the ink droplet crosses a laser beam L is measured. Similarly, an ink droplet is expelled according to a fixed cycle from the nozzle n0 while the print head is being conveyed in the reverse pass of main scanning. The detection time tbp at which the ink droplet crosses the laser beam L is measured. The ink droplet ejection timing adjustment value can be obtained from these measurement values tfp and tbp and from the carriage position at these times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hironori Endo
  • Liquid crystal element drive method, drive circuit, and display apparatus
    Patent number: 6611246
    Abstract: A multiplex driving method and driving apparatus are provided for a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, a plurality of row electrodes arranged on one of the substrates and a plurality of column electrodes arranged on the other substrate, the plurality of row electrodes being arranged in plural groups. A portion of the row electrodes are simultaneously selected a within a selection period in which the selection period is divided into a plurality of intervals. A weighted voltage is applied in accordance with desired display data in each of the plurality of intervals to achieve a gray scale display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Ito, Shoichi Iino
  • Microprocessor architecture capable of supporting multiple heterogeneous processors
    Patent number: 6611908
    Abstract: A memory control unit for controlling access, by one or more devices within a processor, to a memory array unit external to the processor via one or more memory ports of the processor. The memory control unit includes a switch network to transfer data between the one or more devices of the processor and the one or more memory ports of the processor. The memory control unit also includes a switch arbitration unit to arbitrate for the switch network, and a port arbitration unit to arbitrate for the one or more memory ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Derek J. Lentz, Yasuaki Hagiwara, Te-Li Lau, Cheng-Long Tang, Le Trong Nguyen
  • Electro-optical device
    Patent number: 6610997
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a TFT, a data line, a scanning line, and a pixel electrode, which are provided above a substrate, a semiconductor layer which constitutes the TFT being connected to the pixel electrode through a relay film. A light-shielding conductive film provided between the data line and the relay film is electrically connected to a capacitor electrode which consists of the same film as the scanning line provided between the relay film and the semiconductor layer at a constant potential, thereby forming a storage capacitor between the films. Therefore, in an electro-optical device of a type in which a light-shielding film against incident light is provided above pixel switching TFT, and a light-shielding film against returned light is provided below the TFT, the pixel aperture ratio can be increased, and the storage capacitor can be enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Murade
  • Method for fabricating thin insulating films, a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device
    Patent number: 6610613
    Abstract: The invention grows SiO2 and silicon nitride films over silicon at temperatures in a range of room temperature to 700° C. The lower temperature oxidation is made possible by creation of reactive oxygen species and by supplying photon energy, ion energy or electron energy to a gas mixture containing noble gas(es) and oxidizing gas(es). It is also possible to fabricate silicon nitride films by supplying energy through photons, ions or electrons to a gas mixture containing noble gas(es) and nitridizing gas(es).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ramesh H. Kakkad
  • Ink jet recording head and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6609280
    Abstract: A first surface of an elastic plate is bonded onto one surface of a channel forming substrate. A first face of a supporting base formed with a through hole therein is bonded onto a second surface of the elastic plate which is opposite to the first surface. A first face of a resin casing formed with an accommodation space therein is bonded onto a second face of the supporting base which is opposite to the first face of the supporting base. At least one vibrator unit including a fixation base, and piezoelectric vibrators arranged on a first face of the fixation base such that first ends of the piezoelectric vibrators are fixed thereon and opposite free ends overhang a second face of the fixation base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kitahara
  • Ink jet recording head having piezoelectric element and electrode patterned with same shape and without pattern shift therebetween
    Patent number: 6609785
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprising: a nozzle orifice for jetting ink; an ink chamber communicating with the nozzle; a diaphragm for pressurizing ink in the ink chamber; a piezoelectric thin film on the diaphragm; and an electrode for the piezoelectric thin film wherein the piezoelectric thin film and the electrode are patterned to the same shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hashizume, Tetsushi Takahashi
  • Method of manufacturing organic EL element
    Patent number: 6610552
    Abstract: The invention ensures that a liquid is placed in a predetermined region (without being placed in an adjacent region) with a uniform thickness in the region, when a light emitting layer constituting an organic EL element is placed by, for example, ink jet process. Thin SiO2 film pattern having an opening is formed on an ITO electrode. Next, ultrathin organic film pattern having an opening is formed on a thin SiO2 film pattern. The surface of the ultrathin organic film pattern becomes repellent to liquid. Hole transporting layer is formed in the opening of the ultrathin organic film pattern, and then liquid containing a material for the formation of light emitting layer is discharged thereon by ink jet process. Fluid does not remain on the surface of the ultrathin organic film pattern and instead enters the opening of the ultrathin organic film pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Natsuo Fujimori, Masaya Ishida
  • Device and method for interpolating image data and medium on which image data interpolating program is recorded
    Patent number: 6611632
    Abstract: When a plurality of types of image data are superposed and written onto a color information virtual drawing screen, attribute information of each pixel is written onto an attribute information virtual drawing screen so that the image data can be read out for every type. When results of superposition are read out from a virtual drawing screen for an interpolating process, the results are read out for every type of image data on the basis of the attribute information so that an optimum interpolating process suitable for each type is carried out. Since a margin of each image data is affected by the interpolating process, superposition after the interpolating process is controlled so that the margin is rendered most suitable. As a result, optimum results of interpolation can be achieved even when a plurality of types of image data are co-existent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tadao Tomiyama, Masahiro Someno, Michinao Osawa
  • Electro-optical apparatus having faces holding electro-optical material in between flattened by using concave recess, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic device using same
    Patent number: 6611301
    Abstract: The electro-optical apparatus of the invention has a pair of substrates and an electro-optical material held between these substrates. The TFT array substrate may be formed into a concave shape in non-aperture areas containing the data line, the scanning line, the capacitor line and the TFT. Further, the areas opposite to the connecting lines in the sealed area may be formed into a concave shape. In the electro-optical apparatus having such a configuration, it is possible to reduce steps resulting from the presence of various wiring lines and elements in the image display area and the sealed area, by the use of a relatively simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Murade, Ryoichi Yoneyama
  • Transflective liquid crystal device with bright reflective display
    Publication number: 20030156088
    Abstract: A polarizer 14 is provided on the upper side of a liquid crystal panel 10, and a eight scattering member 15 and a polarized light separator 16 are provided in turn on the lower side of the liquid crystal panel 10. Of light incident on the upper side of the polarized light separator 16, a linearly polarized light component parallel to the drawings is transmitted, a linearly polarized light component perpendicular to the drawings is reflected, and for light incident on the lower side thereof, a linearly polarized light component parallel to the drawings can be emitted upward. When the switch is off, the external light incident on the display device is reflected by the polarized light separator 16 to obtain a bright display, and when the switch is on, the incident external light is transmitted through the polarized light separator 16 to obtain a dark display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Maeda, Osamu Okumura
  • Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same, circuit board, and electronic equipment
    Publication number: 20030155405
    Abstract: A tip of a wire is bonded to a first electrode by using a tool. The wire is drawn from the first electrode to a bump on a second electrode. Apart of the wire is bonded to the center of the bump or a portion of the bump beyond the center in a drawing direction of the wire by using a part of the tool on a first electrode side in the drawing direction of the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Takahashi
  • Fluid supply valve
    Publication number: 20030155023
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid supply valve comprising a disc-shaped valve body which is equipped with a fluid supply port in the central portion thereof and composed of an elastic material whose peripheral portion is reinforced and fixed with a rigid material, the fluid supply port being closed when the valve body abuts against a fixed valve seat placed so as to be opposite to the fluid supply port, and being opened when the valve body is separated from the fixed valve seat, wherein the disc shaped valve body is equipped further with a thin walled portion in the intermediate annular portion between the fluid supply port and the peripheral portion in the radial direction, and/or with an inflectional portion in the radial direction between the fluid supply port and the peripheral portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Miyazawa, Hirofumi Kikuchi, Youichi Nishimuro, Kunio Machida
  • Circuit for liquid crystal display device and electronic equipment
    Publication number: 20030156241
    Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal display device that can reliably prevent light leakage in between dot display domains at boundaries to prevent decrease in contrast and to suppress color mixing. A semitransmissive reflective layer 18 having a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is arranged in dot display domains D1, and a metal reflective layer 300 is arranged in a BM domain D2 separating the dot display domains D1. The metal reflective layer 300 can alter the rotational direction of reflected circularly polarized light from that before reflection and the device can create high-contrast liquid crystal display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Maeda
  • Driving method for electro-optical device, driving circuit therefor, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
    Publication number: 20030156128
    Abstract: To reduce the data transfer rate in one subfield while suppressing display nonuniformity, a pixel positioned corresponding to each intersection between a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines is turned on or off in subfields sf1 to sf17, into which one field (1f) is divided, according to weighting of gray scale data (dcba) indicating the gray scale level of that pixel, and the reference time of weighting for the gray scale data is shifted every scanning line and every subfield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Ito
  • Non-magnetic single-component toner, method of preparing the same, and image forming apparatus using the same
    Publication number: 20030157419
    Abstract: A non-magnetic single-component toner 8 of the present invention has toner mother particles 8a, and external additives 12 comprising: two hydrophobic silicas 13, 14 of which particle diameters are different from each other, i.e. a mean primary particle diameter of 7 nm to 12 nm and a mean primary particle diameter of 40 nm to 50 nm, and a hydrophobic rutile/anatase type titanium oxide 15 having a spindle shape of which major axial diameter is in a range from 0.02 nm to 0.10 nm and the ratio of the major axial diameter to the minor axial diameter is set to be 2 to 8, wherein the external additives 12 adhere to the toner mother particles 8a. By the hydrophobic silicas 13, 14 having work function smaller than the work function of the toner mother particles 8a, the negative charging property is imparted to the toner mother particles 8a and the fluidity is also insured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Miyakawa, Takuya Kadota, Hidehiro Takano, Shinji Yasukawa, Masanao Kunugi