Patents by Inventor Akihiro Shoraku

Akihiro Shoraku has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9019455
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer, first and second substrates, first and second electrodes, and a pixel region which includes first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted in first, second, third and fourth directions, respectively. The first liquid crystal domain is located close to at least a part of an edge of the first electrode, the second liquid crystal domain is located close to at least a part of another edge of the first electrode, the third liquid crystal domain is located close to at least a part of still another edge of the first electrode, and the fourth liquid crystal domain is located close to at least a part of yet another edge of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata, Koichi Miyachi, Iichiro Inoue, Akihiro Yamamoto, Yoshito Hashimoto, Masumi Kubo, Akihito Jinda
  • Patent number: 8587739
    Abstract: A storage capacitor bus line (CsL) connected to a CS trunk line (bb) of at least one of CS trunk line groups (BB1 and BB2), which CS trunk line (bb) is other than a CS trunk line (bb) being closest to an active area (AA), has a meandering part (41) in its feed part (F) that extends from the active area (AA) to a connection point where the storage capacitor bus line (CsL) is connected to the CS trunk line (bb). The meandering part (41) is a part drawn out and deviated from a line on which the storage capacitor bus line (CsL) extends, and the meandering part (41) has a line length which is larger as a distance (d) from the active area AA to the connection point is smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Yamashita, Masae Kawabata, Akihiro Shoraku, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
  • Patent number: 8493304
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of pixels (A) are arranged. A storage capacitor (Cs) is provided in each pixel (A) of liquid crystal panel. The storage capacitor (Cs) is connected to a Cs bus line. The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of Cs bus lines. The Cs bus line is connected to a stem line. The stem line transfers a driving signal to the storage capacitor (Cs) via the Cs bus line. The liquid crystal display device includes a bridge line, separate from the stem line, for connecting a plurality of Cs bus lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Yamashita, Akihiro Shoraku, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh, Masae Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8345197
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer; first and second substrates facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed; first and second electrodes arranged on the first and second substrates to face the liquid crystal layer; and at least one alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A pixel region includes a first liquid crystal domain in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted in a first direction around the center of a plane, and approximately at the middle of the thickness, of the liquid crystal layer responsive to a voltage applied. The first liquid crystal domain is close to at least a part of an edge of the first electrode. The part includes a first edge portion in which an azimuthal direction, perpendicular to the part and pointing toward the inside of the first electrode, defines an angle greater than 90 degrees to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata, Koichi Miyachi, Iichiro Inoue, Akihiro Yamamoto, Yoshito Hashimoto, Masumi Kubo, Akihito Jinda
  • Patent number: 8334954
    Abstract: Each pixel region includes first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains that come to have first, second, third and fourth predetermined tilt directions, respectively, in response to a voltage applied. The first, second, third and fourth directions are defined such that an angle formed between any two of the four directions is approximately equal to an integral multiple of 90 degrees. The first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains are arranged in two columns and two rows so as to define a matrix pattern and to be adjacent to each other. An extended portion of a storage capacitor line defines at least a part of a central opaque portion that selectively shields at least a part of a boundary area, where each of the first, second, third and fourth liquid crystal domains contacts with another one of the liquid crystal domains, from incoming light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata
  • Patent number: 8334965
    Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal display panel includes a first projection structure and a second projection structure and/or a depression structure, the substrate for the liquid crystal display panel includes a specific structure at a part of or near the first projection structure, the specific structure having at least one of a planar shape different from a planar shape of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure and a planar area of ? times or less or 1.5 times or more than a planar area of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohji Matsuoka, Shinichi Hirato, Akihiro Shoraku, Kenji Enda, Tsuyoshi Tokuda, Toshihide Tsubata
  • Patent number: 8319926
    Abstract: In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, each pixel region includes first, second and third subpixel electrodes 111a, 111b1 and 111b2, a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer, a counter electrode 121, and an alignment film. The second and third subpixel electrodes are arranged to interpose the first subpixel electrode. Each pixel region is comprised of first, second and third regions associated with the first, second and third subpixel electrodes, respectively. Each pixel region includes eight liquid crystal domains in total, consisting of two sets of four liquid crystal domains A, B, C and D of first, second, third and fourth types, in which an angle formed between any two tilt directions is approximately equal to an integral multiple of 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata
  • Patent number: 8284355
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an active matrix substrate, a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal display element, a liquid crystal display device, and a substrate for liquid crystal display panel, each capable of suppressing generation of uneven cell gap without increase in a parasitic capacitance of a wiring. The active matrix substrate of the present invention is an active matrix substrate including a spacer on a substrate, wherein the spacer includes a base layer and a covering layer, the base layer being buried in the covering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tokuda, Hiroto Akiyama, Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata, Yukio Kurozumi
  • Patent number: 8259279
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal display device, and a television receiver, each of which permits shortening of production time, simplification of inventory management of the CF substrate, and reduction in production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Naoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8253917
    Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal display panel includes a first projection structure and a second projection structure and/or a depression structure, the substrate for the liquid crystal display panel includes a specific structure at a part of or near the first projection structure, the specific structure having at least one of a planar shape different from a planar shape of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure and a planar area of ? times or less or 1.5 times or more than a planar area of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohji Matsuoka, Shinichi Hirato, Akihiro Shoraku, Kenji Enda, Tsuyoshi Tokuda, Toshihide Tsubata
  • Publication number: 20120044452
    Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal display panel includes a first projection structure and a second projection structure and/or a depression structure, the substrate for the liquid crystal display panel includes a specific structure at a part of or near the first projection structure, the specific structure having at least one of a planar shape different from a planar shape of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure and a planar area of ? times or less or 1.5 times or more than a planar area of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohji MATSUOKA, Shinichi HIRATO, Akihiro SHORAKU, Kenji ENDA, Tsuyoshi TOKUDA, Toshihide TSUBATA
  • Publication number: 20120038935
    Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal display panel includes a first projection structure and a second projection structure and/or a depression structure, the substrate for the liquid crystal display panel includes a specific structure at a part of or near the first projection structure, the specific structure having at least one of a planar shape different from a planar shape of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure and a planar area of ? times or less or 1.5 times or more than a planar area of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohji MATSUOKA, Shinichi HIRATO, Akihiro SHORAKU, Kenji ENDA, Tsuyoshi TOKUDA, Toshihide TSUBATA
  • Publication number: 20120002144
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer; first and second substrates facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed; first and second electrodes arranged on the first and second substrates to face the liquid crystal layer; and at least one alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A pixel region includes a first liquid crystal domain in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted in a first direction around the center of a plane, and approximately at the middle of the thickness, of the liquid crystal layer responsive to a voltage applied. The first liquid crystal domain is close to at least a part of an edge of the first electrode. The part includes a first edge portion in which an azimuthal direction, perpendicular to the part and pointing toward the inside of the first electrode, defines an angle greater than 90 degrees to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata, Koichi Miyachi, Iichiro Inoue, Akihiro Yamamoto, Yoshito Hashimoto, Masumi Kubo, Akihito Jinda
  • Publication number: 20110285612
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of pixels (A) are arranged. A storage capacitor (Cs) is provided in each pixel (A) of liquid crystal panel. The storage capacitor (Cs) is connected to a Cs bus line. The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of Cs bus lines. The Cs bus line is connected to a stem line. The stem line transfers a driving signal to the storage capacitor (Cs) via the Cs bus line. The liquid crystal display device includes a bridge line, separate from the stem line, for connecting a plurality of Cs bus lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Yuki Yamashita, Akihiro Shoraku, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh, Masae Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8064018
    Abstract: Each pixel region includes two subpixel regions, in which different voltages are applied to a liquid crystal layer with respect to a signal voltage supplied from a source bus line by way of TFTs. A first substrate includes a first electrode provided for the two subpixel regions. A second substrate includes a second electrode that faces the first electrode with a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer interposed. A liquid crystal capacitor is provided for each of these subpixel regions. Each subpixel region includes at least one liquid crystal domain that produces a dark area, which looks darker than a gray scale tone being presented for a viewer located in front of the device, inside of, and substantially parallel to, an edge portion of the first electrode. At least a part of the edge portion of the first electrode is arranged so as to overlap with a gate bus line and selectively shield at least a part of the dark area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata
  • Patent number: 7995177
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer; first and second substrates facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed; first and second electrodes arranged on the first and second substrates to face the liquid crystal layer; and at least one alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A pixel region includes a first liquid crystal domain in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted in a first direction around the center of a plane, and approximately at the middle of the thickness, of the liquid crystal layer responsive to a voltage applied. The first liquid crystal domain is close to at least a part of an edge of the first electrode. The part includes a first edge portion in which an azimuthal direction, perpendicular to the part and pointing toward the inside of the first electrode, defines an angle greater than 90 degrees to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata, Koichi Miyachi, Iichiro Inoue, Akihiro Yamamoto, Yoshito Hashimoto, Masumi Kubo, Akihito Jinda
  • Patent number: 7911578
    Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal display panel includes a first projection structure and a second projection structure and/or a depression structure, the substrate for the liquid crystal display panel includes a specific structure at a part of or near the first projection structure, the specific structure having at least one of a planar shape different from a planar shape of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure and a planar area of 2/3 times or less or 1.5 times or more than a planar area of the second projection structure and/or the depression structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohji Matsuoka, Shinichi Hirato, Akihiro Shoraku, Kenji Enda, Tsuyoshi Tokuda, Toshihide Tsubata
  • Publication number: 20110063199
    Abstract: A storage capacitor bus line (CsL) connected to a CS trunk line (bb) of at least one of CS trunk line groups (BB1 and BB2), which CS trunk line (bb) is other than a CS trunk line (bb) being closest to an active area (AA), has a meandering part (41) in its feed part (F) that extends from the active area (AA) to a connection point where the storage capacitor bus line (CsL) is connected to the CS trunk line (bb). The meandering part (41) is a part drawn out and deviated from a line on which the storage capacitor bus line (CsL) extends, and the meandering part (41) has a line length which is larger as a distance (d) from the active area AA to the connection point is smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Yuki Yamashita, Masae Kawabata, Akihiro Shoraku, Fumikazu Shimoshikiryoh
  • Publication number: 20100097553
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal display device, and a television receiver, each of which permits shortening of production time, simplification of inventory management of the CF substrate, and reduction in production costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Akihiro Shoraku, Naoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100045906
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an active matrix substrate, a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal display element, a liquid crystal display device, and a substrate for liquid crystal display panel, each capable of suppressing generation of uneven cell gap without increase in a parasitic capacitance of a wiring. The active matrix substrate of the present invention is an active matrix substrate including a spacer on a substrate, wherein the spacer includes a base layer and a covering layer, the base layer being buried in the covering layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tokuda, Hiroto Akiyama, Akihiro Shoraku, Toshihide Tsubata, Yukio Kurozumi