Patents Examined by Robert J. Hollingshead
  • Patent number: 5907379
    Abstract: A pair of common electrode lines are formed in the transverse direction, and a plurality of common electrodes in the longitudinal direction connect the common electrodes. Each pixel electrode parallel to the common electrodes is arranged between two of the common electrodes. A pair of connecting members which are connected to the pixel electrodes cover the edges of the common electrode lines adjacent the aperture region. Accordingly, since it is not necessary for a black matrix pattern formed in another substrate to shield the region where the liquid crystal direction does not properly behave, the black matrix lies outside the regions surrounded by the common electrodes, the pixel electrodes and the common electrode lines. In addition, the data line overlaps the adjacent common electrode, and thereby the aperture ratio is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Kyu Kim, Woon-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 5905557
    Abstract: An improved efficiency liquid crystal display device (10) includes at least two pairs of electrode disposed above and below, and on two sides of each display pixel (12). Operatively associated with at least one electrode of each pair is an alignment layer. Each pair of electrodes is capable of applying an electrical field to a layer of liquid crystal material disposed therebetween. The applied electrical fields cause the liquid crystal materials to switch from a first to a second optical state corresponding to an opaque and transparent state. The result is a display device having higher optical efficiencies, and faster display response times. Multiple intermediate optical states are possible by applying varying amounts of electrical charge to the two pairs of electrodes at the same time. The alignment layer lets the liquid crystal material remain in the state set until a second field is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Zvi Yaniv
  • Patent number: 5897185
    Abstract: In data projection display device (6) of data-projection device (1), outgoing-light side light-shielding mask (622) is provided on outgoing-light surface (602b) of outgoing-light side electrode substrate (602) of liquid crystal cell (604). Gap G among translucent segments (701-710) formed on light-shielding mask (622) is determined according to the thickness of outgoing-light side electrode substrate (602). If Go is used to indicate gap G that can produce a clear projection image when electrode substrate (602) having a thickness t=0.4 mm is used, a value obtained by adding the increase in diffusion ?.DELTA.=0.017 mm! when light is passing through the electrode substrate to gap Go is used as the gap G between the translucent segments of light-shielding mask (622) when an electrode substrate having a thickness t=0.55 mm is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5883687
    Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) cell having LC phase gratings is disclosed. The LC cell includes alternating strips of a first single domain LC material having a twist angle with a magnitude and a positive sign, and a second single domain LC material having a twist angle with the same magnitude and a negative sign. The magnitude of the twist angle is approximately from 45 to 70 degrees. The first and second LC materials are twisted nematic LC materials or ferro-electric LC materials. The liquid crystal phase gratings operate preferably in a normally-black condition with low operating voltages of below 3 V and high optical diffraction efficiencies. The LC cell is used in reflective or transmissive spatial light modulators of displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Kei-Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 5856859
    Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material and a dichroic dye contained therein, and long axis of liquid crystal molecules near the substrate is substantially parallel to the substrate. A plurality of parameters of the reflective liquid crystal display device are set so that a product K.sub.M cd of a value K.sub.M, a dye concentration c and a thickness d of the liquid crystal layer satisfies the following relationship:3.0S.sup.2 -7.3S+5.7.ltoreq.K.sub.M cd.ltoreq.14.7S.sup.2 -15.1S+6.15wherein, the value K.sub.M is a value defined by absorption coefficients for linearly-polarized light substantially parallel to and perpendicular to the liquid crystal molecules, and an order parameter S of the liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Itoh, Naofumi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5847783
    Abstract: An electroluminescent panel is provided in a region of the rear surface side of the display panel, which corresponds to a display region, and the drive circuit for the display panel is located in the other region than the display region, on the surface side of the display panel. Further, the inverter serving as a drive circuit for the electroluminescent panel is provided in the region of the rear surface side of the display panel, other than the display region. With this structure, the downsizing and thinning of the display device are promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Hiramoto, Kazuhiro Sugiyama, Hirokazu Saito, Hideki Nakajima, Akira Igarashi, Masaaki Shibamoto, Katsunobu Sakaishi
  • Patent number: 5847782
    Abstract: A method is described for packaging a liquid crystal panel device that includes a pair of plastic substrates and a liquid crystal material encapsulated therebetween. The method includes the steps of enveloping the liquid crystal panel device by a container substantially impermeable to gases and containing an undesirable gas, removing the undesirable gas from the container and hermetically sealing the liquid crystal panel device in the container after removing the undesirable gas therefrom. A liquid crystal panel package is also described which includes at least one liquid crystal panel device, a packaging box and a container. The packaging box is sized to receive the liquid crystal panel device and is fabricated from a gas permeable material. The container is fabricated from a gas impermeable material and contains an undesirable gas. The container is sized to contain the packaging box with the liquid crystal panel device received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Imazeki, Shoji Hinata
  • Patent number: 5835170
    Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display device includes: a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines disposed in a lattice manner; and a pixel having a pixel transistor, a pixel electrode, and a storage capacitor, the pixel being disposed at a intersection between the data line and the gate line. The storage capacitor includes electrodes connected to the pixel electrode and electrodes connected to a plurality of gate lines, none of which is a gate line for driving the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujiwara, Hiroshi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 5828430
    Abstract: In an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus including a plurality of scan bus lines, a plurality of signal bus lines, a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of first thin film transistors, each having a gate connected to one of the scan bus lines, a drain connected to one of the signal bus lines and a source connected to one of the pixel electrodes, and a plurality of optical shield layers each for preventing light from penetrating one of the first thin film transistors, a plurality of second thin film transistors, are provided. Each of the second thin film transistors has a gate connected to one of the scan bus lines, a drain connected to one of the signal bus lines and a source connected to one of the optical shield layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nishida