Patents Examined by David C. Nelms
  • Patent number: 7423704
    Abstract: An LCD module is provided for use in a hand-held portable phone, which is eminently improved in impact-resistant property. The LCD module includes an LCD panel, a mold frame for receiving and supporting the LCD panel, and a chassis for reinforcing the rigidity of the mold frame, wherein the mold frame and the chassis are integrally insert-molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-woo Cho, Seong-woon Booh, Young-ki Kim, Dong-woo Lee, Dong-ok Kwak, Ki-taek Kim
  • Patent number: 7423712
    Abstract: Disclosed is a trans-reflective type LCD device and a method for fabricating the same wherein the method reduces the required number of masks by using a half-tone mask and a diffraction exposure process. Further, by using a half-tone mask and diffraction exposure process, a desired uneven surface may be formed on the reflective part of the pixel region without resorting to thermal processes that may otherwise degrade an insulating layer under the reflective electrode. Accordingly, an organic insulating material may be used between the transmissive electrode and the reflective electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hun Jeoung, Soon Kwang Hong
  • Patent number: 7420637
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional display device, which can display a 3D image of higher quality than a conventional one by arranging a parallax barrier layer with higher positioning accuracy, and a method for fabricating such a display device. The three-dimensional display device 100 includes a first substrate 11, which is provided closer to the viewer and which is made of a transparent material, a second substrate 21 arranged so as to face the first substrate 11, a liquid crystal layer 30 provided between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21, and a parallax barrier layer 12 provided on the surface of the first substrate so as to face the viewer. A polarizer 40 is further provided on the surface of the viewer-side substrate 10 that includes the parallax barrier layer 12 thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Imai, Akira Nakagawa, Toshihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7420638
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device including vertical alignment layers formed on the substrates. The alignment layer having a polymer realizing vertical alignment is formed on the substrate an unpolarized ultraviolet light is then irradiated in the oblique direction at an angle not more than 45 degrees with respect to the surface of the alignment layer. The ultraviolet light has an exposure energy of 30 to 120 mJ/cm2 per percent of the polymer content realizing the vertical alignment of the alignment layer. The liquid crystal can thus align substantially vertically to the surface of the alignment layer, with a pretilt, and such an alignment is realized by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light, without rubbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Tasaka, Hidefumi Yoshida, Takatoshi Mayama
  • Patent number: 7420648
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing at least one device (2, 30, 48) defining a volume (8) for retaining a fluid or a sensitive material that is capable of changing its physical properties, particularly its optical properties, via the application of a voltage, or its electrical properties via stress or radiation, said device (2, 30, 48) including at least a first front substrate (4, 38, 56) and at least a second back substrate (6, 32, 50) maintained at a constant distance from each other, these two substrates (6, 32, 50; 4, 38, 56) being joined by a sealing joint (24, 46, 72) which defines the volume (8) for retaining the sensitive medium or fluid, said method being characterised in that it includes the steps of: structuring at least one wall (12, 44, 66), which defines via its inner lateral face the volume (8) for retaining the sensitive medium or fluid, on one of the substrates (6, 32, 50); joining the second substrate (4, 38, 56) to the first substrate (6, 32, 50); introducing a seal
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Asutlab S.A.
    Inventor: Gilles Rey-Mermet
  • Patent number: 7417705
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed, to obtain high aperture ratio and to solve the problem due to the force of gravity, which includes first and second substrates facing each other at a predetermined distance; gate and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate, to define a pixel region; a first common line substantially parallel to the gate line; a thin film transistor where the gate and data lines cross; a first insulating interlayer on an entire surface of the first substrate including the thin film transistor; an insulating layer having walls above the gate and data lines; a second common line and a common electrode in the pixel region extending in one direction, and overlapping with the gate line, the data line and the thin film transistor; and a pixel electrode in contact with a drain electrode of the thin film transistor and between the common electrodes of the pixel region at fixed intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gee Sung Chae, Woo Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7417691
    Abstract: A display device includes a pixel region, a pixel electrode in the pixel region, and a capacitor electrode having at least first and second segments, where the first segment extends along a first direction with respect to the pixel electrode, and the second segment extends along a second direction with respect to the pixel electrode, and the first direction is angled with respect to the second direction. A transistor has an electrode with an extending portion overlapping a portion of the pixel electrode and a substantial portion of at least one of the first and second segments of the capacitor electrode. The transistor electrode and the pixel electrode together provide a counter electrode to the capacitor electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Chung, Yu-Chien Kao
  • Patent number: 7417699
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device having a mirror function includes a back light assembly, a liquid crystal display panel, a first polarizing plate, a selective reflection polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate. The back light assembly generates a light. The liquid crystal display panel includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate facing the upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposes between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. The liquid crystal display panel receives the light generated from the back light assembly to generate an image. The first polarizing plate is disposed on the upper substrate. The selective reflection polarizing plate is disposed on the first polarizing plate. The selective reflection polarizing plate selectively reflects an external light. The second polarizing plate is disposed on the lower substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Nam Yun, Hyung-don Na
  • Patent number: 7417700
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal layer having a twist angle of ±10 degree. An upper polarizer is disposed over an upper substrate of the liquid crystal display panel, and includes an absorption axis forming at an angle of 47±10 degree in a clockwise direction with respect to a major axis. An upper ?/2 retardation film is disposed between the upper substrate and the upper polarizer, and includes ?nd1 of 260±10 nm and a slow axis forming at an angle of 166±10 degree in the clockwise direction with respect to the absorption axis. An upper ?/4 retardation film is disposed between the upper substrate and the upper ?/2 retardation film, and includes ?nd2 of 140±10 nm and a slow axis forming at an angle of 111±10 degree in the clockwise direction with respect to the absorption axis. Therefore, the optical condition of the optical film assembly is optimized to improve an image display quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kyu Jang, Won-Sang Park, Jae-Hyun Kim, Sang-Woo Kim, Sung-Eun Cha, Jae-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7414689
    Abstract: An IPS liquid crystal display (200) of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate (201), a second substrate (202), and liquid crystal molecules interposed therebetween. A plurality of gate lines (211) and data lines (212) are formed at the first substrate, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions. A pixel electrode (233), a common electrode (243) and a TFT (220) are provided in each pixel region, the pixel electrode and the common electrode having a same curved shape. Because the pixel and common electrodes of have a same curved shape with smooth bends, when a voltage is applied, disclination of the liquid crystal molecules does not occur, and the contrast ratio of the IPS LCD is unimpaired. Furthermore, the electric field generated by them is a smooth continuum of multiple domains, and the IPS LCD provides equally fine visual performance at various different viewing angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Chiu-Lien Yang, Jia-Pang Pang
  • Patent number: 7414691
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an LCD device includes providing first and second substrates and has a contact hole exposing a portion of the source and drain regions formed by removing a portion of the first and second insulation layers and removing the second insulation layer of the upper portion of the pixel electrode. The method also includes forming a third conductive layer on the first substrate; forming source and drain electrodes electrically connected to the source and drain regions through the contact hole by patterning the third conductive layer and exposing the second conductive layer of the upper portion of the pixel electrode; and forming a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong In Park, Juhn Suk Yoo
  • Patent number: 7411635
    Abstract: An LCD TV includes a housing, an LCD screen panel disposed on the front side of the housing, a first mirror disposed on the back side of the housing and a projection-based backlight system disposed in a lower cabinet of the housing, wherein the projection-based backlight system provides polarized light for the LCD screen panel through the first mirror. The projection-based backlight system can provide uniformly polarized light and increase polarization efficiency as well as be easily achieved by using low-cost optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo Yuin Li, Yen Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7411634
    Abstract: An LCD TV includes a housing, an LCD screen panel disposed on the front side of the housing, a first mirror disposed on the back side of the housing and a projection-based backlight system disposed in a lower cabinet of the housing, wherein the projection-based backlight system provides polarized light for the LCD screen panel through the first mirror. The projection-based backlight system can provide uniformly polarized light and increase polarization efficiency as well as be easily achieved by using low-cost optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo Yuin Li, Yen Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7408597
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a gate line on a substrate; a data line crossing the gate line with a gate insulating film to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a semiconductor pattern overlapped along the data line; a double layer passivation film covering the data line and the thin film transistor, wherein layers of the passivation film have different etching rates; and a pixel electrode formed in a pixel hole penetrating an upper passivation film of the double layer passivation film and connected to a drain electrode of the thin film transistor exposed through a drain contact hole, the pixel electrode forming a border with the upper passivation film surrounding the pixel hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji No Lee, Hee Young Kwack, Chang Bin Lee
  • Patent number: 7408601
    Abstract: Inhomogeneous concentrated polymer network with approximately 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) is used for fabricating lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by ultra violet (UV) light exposure to patterned photo masks. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage above the threshold voltage to the polymer network. The inhomogeneous 90° TN-LC polymer network can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for micro lens, array, optical communication, micro-optics, adaptive optics and beam steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Research Foundation of the University of Central Florida, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhua Huang, Hongwen Ren, Xinyu Zhu, Shin-Tson Wu
  • Patent number: 7405791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display comprising a first substrate including wiring, which intersects to define unit pixels, and a first electrode formed in each unit pixel; a second substrate provided opposing the first substrate at a predetermined distance and including a second electrode formed over an entire surface of the second substrate, the second electrode generating an electric field with the first electrode; and a liquid crystal layer injected between the first substrate and the second substrate and including liquid crystal molecules that are horizontally oriented in one direction, the liquid crystal molecules, as a result of the electric field generated between the first and second substrates, having a symmetrically bent alignment about an imaginary center plane parallel to the first and second substrates at a center position therebetween, wherein the first electrode is protruded in a direction toward the second substrate at edges where orientation for the liquid crystal molecules starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hun Lee, Seung-Beon Park, Jong-Kun Song
  • Patent number: 7405795
    Abstract: An in-plane-switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on a first substrate, a second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on a second substrate, the first and second substrates being bonded to each other with a space therebetween, and a nematic liquid crystal layer at the space between the first and second ferroelectric liquid crystal layers, the first and second ferroelectric liquid crystal layers including a photo-polymerizational monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 7405787
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which comprises a front panel comprising a front alignment layer having an alignment direction, a rear panel comprising a rear alignment layer having an alignment direction, and a liquid crystal layer between the front and rear alignment layers. The liquid crystal layer has a rotational twist angle of about 90° and a pre-tilt angle of not more then 2°. The alignment, material and thickness of the liquid crystal layer are such that at the mid-point of the rotational twist, the direction of liquid crystal directors coincide with an off-normal viewing direction of the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Michael V. Paukshto, Louis D. Silverstein
  • Patent number: 7405788
    Abstract: A method that uses at least one hydrogen ion beam for alignment of liquid crystal molecules is proposed in the present invention. The method of the present invention is proposed to resolve the problems of physical destruction and surface deterioration of the alignment films caused by the conventional method using argon ions beams. The method of the present invention directly uses at least one hydrogen ion beam to impact the alignment film. Hence, the physical destruction of the alignment film is reduced. In addition, via the reaction between hydrogen ions and the alignment films, the quality of the alignment film is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: Taiwan TFT LCD Association, Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd., Au Optronics Corp., Quanta Display Inc., Hannstar Display Corp., Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp., Industrial Technology Research Institute, Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Bang-Hao Wu, Ching-Wen Hsiao, Yu-Ming Chen, Hsin-Chun Chiang, Chung-Wen Wu
  • Patent number: 7405779
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) exhibiting enhanced optical viewing performance. In a preferred embodiment, the LCD comprises a liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal display panel comprising a pair of transparent substrates, liquid crystal material sandwiched between the transparent substrates and transparent electrodes positioned between the liquid crystal material and the transparent substrates. The LCD also comprises a rear polarizer assembly comprising a compensation film, a polarizer mounted on the rear surface of the compensation film, and a first index-matched, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) mounted on the front surface of the compensation film, the PSA being adhered to the rear surface of the LCD panel. The LCD also comprises a front polarizer assembly, the front polarizer assembly comprising a front polarizer, a compensation film mounted on the rear surface of the front polarizer and an index-matched PSA mounted on the front surface of the front polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: White Electronic Designs Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Sanelle, Diggy R. Breiling, Daniel R. Doyle