Patents Assigned to Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080226361
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus with an image adjusting function using a adjustment patterns transferred on an endless belt including; a calculation unit that obtains, based on the measured positions of the adjustment patterns, a deviation in a rotating direction and/or in a width direction, respectively; and an adjustment unit that adjusts an image to be formed based on each obtained deviation, the adjustment patterns including a first oblique pattern obliquely intersecting with one straight line extending in the width direction of the endless belt in a right front direction and a second oblique pattern obliquely intersecting with the line in a left front direction, the calculation unit obtaining the deviation in the rotating direction from an average of the deviations of the first and second oblique pattern in the rotating direction and obtaining the deviations of the first and second oblique pattern in the width direction, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshikazu Harada, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Tetsushi Ito
  • Publication number: 20080224608
    Abstract: By using a light emitting device including an insulating substrate and a light emitting unit formed on the insulating substrate, the light emitting unit including: a plurality of linear wiring patterns disposed on the insulating substrate in parallel with one another, a plurality of light emitting elements that are mounted between the wiring patterns while being electrically connected to the wiring patterns, and a sealing member for sealing the light emitting elements, as well as a method for manufacturing thereof, it becomes possible to provide a light emitting device that achieves sufficient electrical insulation and has simple manufacturing processes so that it can be manufactured at a low cost, and a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro KONISHI, Makoto Agatani, Toshio Hata
  • Publication number: 20080225211
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrate. The device has a plurality of pixels each including a first electrode formed on the first substrate, a second electrode formed on the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second electrode, and a shading region provided around the pixels. A plurality of supports for defining the thickness of the liquid crystal layer are placed regularly on the surface of the first or second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer in the shading region. The liquid crystal layer forms at least one liquid crystal domain exhibiting axisymmetric alignment when at least a predetermined voltage is applied, and the tilt direction of liquid crystal molecules in the at least one liquid crystal domain is defined with inclined sides of the plurality of supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kume, Nobukazu Nagae, Kazuhiko Tamai, Noriaki Onishi
  • Publication number: 20080224161
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device that is excellent in radiating heat and that can be molded into a sealing shape having intended optical characteristics by die molding is provided. The semiconductor light emitting device includes: a lead frame including a plate-like semiconductor light emitting element mounting portion having an LED chip mounted on a main surface, and a plate-like metal wire connecting portion extending over a same plane as the semiconductor light emitting element mounting portion; a metal wire electrically connecting the LED chip and the metal wire connecting portion; a thermosetting resin molded by die molding or dam-sheet molding so as to completely cover the LED chip and the metal wire; and a resin portion provided to surround the lead frame and having the thickness not greater than the thickness of the lead frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Takada
  • Publication number: 20080225183
    Abstract: When dividing one frame into a plurality of sub-frames to carry out image display, in a gradation range which is able to be displayed using only sub-frames other than the last sub-frame (for example, luminance ½ or less in the case of two-part division, and luminance ¾ or less in the case of four-part division), the luminance of the last sub-frame is set as the minimum luminance, and luminance display is carried out using the other sub-frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunari Tomizawa, Takeshi Kumakura
  • Patent number: 7426180
    Abstract: A method and apparatus employable in a wireless, packet-based network communication system for managing transmission-limit build-up performed by participating network BSS stations, whereby, when singular ones (one only) of these stations, during a given transmission budget beacon interval, are attempting to gain access to network transmission bandwidth, they are permitted to invoke an algorithm for rapid transmission-limit build-up. Such rapid build-up is based upon allowing such a station to begin its accessing process with an elevated, initial transmission limit which is created as a relatively high percentage (preferably about 80-percent) of the last prior beacon-announced network transmission budget. If more than one such currently non-transmitting stations are simultaneously attempting anew to gain network bandwidth access, rapid build-up is not permitted, thus to minimize an otherwise possible network communication traffic jam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shugong Xu
  • Patent number: 7424954
    Abstract: A packing case for an image forming apparatus that includes: a first packing member 5 for packing an image forming apparatus main body 1 including a reading section 11 having a scanner unit, an image forming section 14 having an image forming unit 12, and a sheet feed unit 13 for feeding a sheet to the image forming unit 12, and a sheet storage space 16, formed to be open to outside between the reading section 11 and the image forming section 14, for storing a sheet transported from the image forming unit 12; and a second packing member 4 for packing a toner cartridge 2 and capable of being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 1, in which the second packing member 4 is inserted and fixed in the sheet storage space 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Otsuka, Yoshiaki Sanada, Kouichi Mihara, Haruko Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7425727
    Abstract: An optical semiconductor element 2 is mounted on a lead frame 1, the optical semiconductor element 2 is encapsulated with a mold resin portion 14 of a first layer that has light permeability, and the mold resin portion 14 of the first layer is encapsulated with a mold resin portion 15 of a second layer that has light permeability. Then, a coefficient of linear expansion of the mold resin portion 14 of the first layer is made smaller than a coefficient of linear expansion of the mold resin portion 15 of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shoji, Hideya Takakura, Kazuo Kusuda
  • Patent number: 7426009
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device capable of obtaining high luminance and good display characteristics, a substrate for such a liquid crystal display device, and a manufacturing method of such a substrate, are provided. A color filter substrate that holds, together with an array substrate, a liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy. Color filters are formed on a glass substrate and a common electrode is formed on the color filters. Protrusions and auxiliary protrusions for regulating the alignment of the liquid crystal are formed on the common electrode so as to have different sectional shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Sawasaki, Takashi Takagi, Tomonori Tanose
  • Patent number: 7425089
    Abstract: An illumination device according to the present invention includes a light source; and a lightguide element including an incidence surface for receiving light emitted from the light source and an outgoing surface from which the light incident from the incidence surface goes out. The lightguide element includes a polarization selection layer for causing light of a specific polarization direction (first polarized light), among the light incident from the incidence surface, to selectively go out from the outgoing surface, and a polarization conversion layer for converting second polarized light, polarized in a different direction from that of the first polarized light, into the first polarized light. The polarization selection layer reflects the first polarized light substantially only toward the outgoing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7425721
    Abstract: A field-effect transistor is provided which includes: a first nitride semiconductor layer having a lattice constant a1 and a bandgap Eg1; a second nitride semiconductor layer stacked on the first nitride semiconductor layer and having a lattice constant a2 and a bandgap Eg2; a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the second nitride semiconductor layer; a piezo-effect film formed on the second nitride semiconductor layer in a region between the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a gate electrode formed on a region of the piezo-effect film. The relation between the lattice constants a1 and a2 is a1>a2. The relation between the bandgaps Eg1 and Eg2 is Eg1<Eg2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuaki Teraguchi
  • Patent number: 7426364
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member in contact with an unfixed image constituted of developer T on one side of a recording material P; and a pressure member pressed against the fixing member. The fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording material P by causing the recording material P, charged so as to have a same polarity as a polarity of the developer T, to pass through a gap between the fixing member and the pressure member. In the fixing device, an inflow current into the fixing member Ih is 0 when the recording material P passes through the gap between the fixing member and the pressure member. This securely restrains the developer on the recording material from electrostatically offset to the side of the fixing device, thereby maintaining the formation of high quality images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kagawa, Hiroshi Kida, Toyoaki Nanba, Kouji Yamaji, Tatsuya Shinkawa
  • Patent number: 7425992
    Abstract: A television upgrade system allows a consumer to upgrade applications or features in a television (TV) simply by inserting an external device containing an upgrade file into the TV. The TV then executes a boot loader code which automatically replaces an executable code for applications or features currently in the TV with the new or upgraded executable code from the upgrade file. A consumer can also upgrade the boot loader code that maps out where the executable code for the different applications or features are located in memory. This allows the TV to be completely reconfigured for a wider variety of new applications and features. A verification operation can be performed to prevent the TV from being reconfigured with incorrect versions of the boot image and to avoid unauthorized files from being loaded into the TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Feeler, Bryan Severt Hallberg, Kim Wells
  • Patent number: 7425749
    Abstract: A MEMS pixel sensor is provided with a thin-film mechanical device having a mechanical body, with a mechanical state responsive to a proximate environment. A thin-film electronic device converts the mechanical state into electrical signals. A pixel interface supplies power to the electronic device and transceives electrical signals. The sensor is able to operate dynamically, in real-time. For example, if the mechanical device undergoes a sequence of mechanical states at a corresponding plurality of times, the electronic device is able to supply a sequence of electrical signals to the pixel interface that are responsive to the sequence of mechanical states, at the plurality of times. Each MEMS pixel sensor may include a number of mechanical devices, and corresponding electronic devices, to provide redundancy or to measure a broadband response range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: John Walter Hartzell, Changqing Zhan, Michael Barrett Wolfson
  • Patent number: 7424976
    Abstract: A portable terminal device and a program for reading information, which can read a code correctly with simple operations, and a recording medium having the program recorded thereon. A portable telephone with a camera has a camera for inputting information of an image of interest, a small light, which emits light through the operation of ON/OFF button while reading a bar code, an LCD display part for displaying information, and a control part including a CPU for controlling the whole device. The control part switches photography modes depending on the existence of objects such as natural images or bar codes. The control part recognizes a bar code when the device switches to a mode for bar code photography. Then, the device notifies a user of the results of the recognition and then performs a predetermined process based on the content of the recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeharu Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7426591
    Abstract: A multifunctional device extracts identification information items from received device-cloning file data items and determines whether a data restoration process is a backup process or a cloning process based on whether or not a serial number in the identification information items is identical with a serial number in a multifunctional device having received the device-cloning file data items. In the backup process, specific information items and general information items are restored. In the cloning process, only general information items are restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shibata
  • Patent number: 7425475
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to the present invention is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including a substrate layer including a plurality of first regions each having an active region and a plurality of second regions each being provided between adjacent ones of the first region. The fabrication method includes an isolation insulation film formation step of forming an isolation insulation film in each of the second regions so that a surface of the isolation insulation film becomes at the same height as that of a surface of a gate oxide film covering the active region, a peeling layer formation step of forming a peeling layer by ion-implanting hydrogen into the substrate layer after the isolation insulation film formation step, and a separation step of separating part of the substrate layer along the peeling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasumori Fukushima, Masao Moriguchi, Yutaka Takafuji
  • Publication number: 20080218089
    Abstract: A lighting device for a display device includes a plurality of light sources, a power source arranged to provide drive power for the light sources, a common electrode arranged to supply the drive power to the plurality of light sources, a plurality of holder electrodes arranged to hold the respective light sources and supply the drive power from the common electrode individually to the respective light sources, and a dielectric portion provided between the common electrode and each of the holder electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiki TAKATA
  • Publication number: 20080218364
    Abstract: The photoelectric smoke sensor includes a casing member 1 having an internal space S formed by a labyrinth wall 1b and an opening 6 communicating with the internal space S on a setting-face side; and a printed board 8 placed on the setting-face side of the casing member 1 and having a hole 8a opposed to the opening 6 of the casing member 1. The light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4 are mounted on the printed board 8 in such a fashion that the optical axes of the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4 cross each other on one plane that is substantially parallel to an opening plane of the opening 6. The photoelectric smoke sensor can be reduced in both size and cost with a simple construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Mizuo
  • Patent number: D577051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamamizu