Patents by Inventor Akio Endo

Akio Endo 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: 11143387
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a strip-like high flexibility region and a strip-like low flexibility region arranged alternately in a direction. The high flexibility region includes a flexible light-emitting panel. The low flexibility region includes the light-emitting panel and a support panel having a lower flexibility than that of the light-emitting panel and overlapping with the light-emitting panel. It is preferable that the light-emitting panel include an external connection electrode and that a length in the direction of a low flexibility region A that overlaps with the external connection electrode be longer than a length in the direction of a low flexibility region B that is closest to the region A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Akio Endo
  • Publication number: 20210304643
    Abstract: An electronic device including a large display region and with improved portability is provided. An electronic device with improved reliability is provided. An information processing device includes a first film, a panel substrate, and at least a first housing. The panel substrate has flexibility and a display region, and the first film has a visible-light-transmitting property and flexibility. The first housing includes a first slit, the panel substrate includes a region positioned between the first film and a second film, the first slit has a function of storing the region, and one or both of the panel substrate and the first film can slide along the first slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki ISA, Akio ENDO, Yosuke TSUKAMOTO, Jun KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210295749
    Abstract: A highly portable and highly browsable light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device that is less likely to be broken is provided. The light-emitting device has a strip-like region having high flexibility and a strip-like region having low flexibility that are arranged alternately. In the region having high flexibility, a light-emitting panel and a plurality of spacers overlap with each other. In the region having low flexibility, the light-emitting panel and a support overlap with each other. When the region having high flexibility is bent, the angle between normals of facing planes of the two adjacent spacers changes according to the bending of the light-emitting panel; thus, a neutral plane can be formed in the light-emitting panel or in the vicinity of the light-emitting panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki HIROKI, Akio ENDO
  • Publication number: 20210280807
    Abstract: A highly portable and highly browsable light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device that is less likely to be broken is provided. The light-emitting device has a strip-like region having high flexibility and a strip-like region having low flexibility that are arranged alternately. In the region having high flexibility, a light-emitting panel and a plurality of spacers overlap with each other. In the region having low flexibility, the light-emitting panel and a support overlap with each other. When the region having high flexibility is bent, the angle between normals of facing planes of the two adjacent spacers changes according to the bending of the light-emitting panel; thus, a neutral plane can be formed in the light-emitting panel or in the vicinity of the light-emitting panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki HIROKI, Akio ENDO
  • Patent number: 11113995
    Abstract: An electronic device including a large display region and with improved portability is provided. An electronic device with improved reliability is provided. An information processing device includes a first film, a panel substrate, and at least a first housing. The panel substrate has flexibility and a display region, and the first film has a visible-light-transmitting property and flexibility. The first housing includes a first slit, the panel substrate includes a region positioned between the first film and a second film, the first slit has a function of storing the region, and one or both of the panel substrate and the first film can slide along the first slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Isa, Akio Endo, Yosuke Tsukamoto, Jun Koyama
  • Publication number: 20210273184
    Abstract: A highly portable and highly browsable light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device that is less likely to be broken is provided. The light-emitting device has a strip-like region having high flexibility and a strip-like region having low flexibility that are arranged alternately. In the region having high flexibility, a light-emitting panel and a plurality of spacers overlap with each other. In the region having low flexibility, the light-emitting panel and a support overlap with each other. When the region having high flexibility is bent, the angle between normals of facing planes of the two adjacent spacers changes according to the bending of the light-emitting panel; thus, a neutral plane can be formed in the light-emitting panel or in the vicinity of the light-emitting panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki HIROKI, Akio ENDO
  • Publication number: 20210247054
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a strip-like high flexibility region and a strip-like low flexibility region arranged alternately in a direction. The high flexibility region includes a flexible light-emitting panel. The low flexibility region includes the light-emitting panel and a support panel having a lower flexibility than that of the light-emitting panel and overlapping with the light-emitting panel. It is preferable that the light-emitting panel include an external connection electrode and that a length in the direction of a low flexibility region A that overlaps with the external connection electrode be longer than a length in the direction of a low flexibility region B that is closest to the region A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshiharu HIRAKATA, Akio ENDO
  • Publication number: 20210168951
    Abstract: An electronic device including a flexible display panel is provided. The electronic device includes a display panel, a first component, a movable module, and a housing. The housing includes a first movable portion, a second component, and a third component. The third component includes a first space where the first component is stored. The display panel includes a flexible display portion. The display portion includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region is fixed to the second component. The second region is fixed to the first component stored in the third component. The movable module has a function of holding a first angle that is formed between the second component and the third component by the first movable portion. The third region positioned between the first region and the second region has a function of forming a curved surface according to the first angle. The first component slides in the first space according to the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Akio ENDO, Shigeru ONOYA, Takahiro FUKUTOME
  • Publication number: 20210159434
    Abstract: A highly portable and highly browsable light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device that is less likely to be broken is provided. The light-emitting device has a strip-like region having high flexibility and a strip-like region having low flexibility that are arranged alternately. In the region having high flexibility, a light-emitting panel and a plurality of spacers overlap with each other. In the region having low flexibility, the light-emitting panel and a support overlap with each other. When the region having high flexibility is bent, the angle between normals of facing planes of the two adjacent spacers changes according to the bending of the light-emitting panel; thus, a neutral plane can be formed in the light-emitting panel or in the vicinity of the light-emitting panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki HIROKI, Akio ENDO
  • Patent number: 10840464
    Abstract: A highly portable and highly browsable light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device that is less likely to be broken is provided. The light-emitting device has a strip-like region having high flexibility and a strip-like region having low flexibility that are arranged alternately. In the region having high flexibility, a light-emitting panel and a plurality of spacers overlap with each other. In the region having low flexibility, the light-emitting panel and a support overlap with each other. When the region having high flexibility is bent, the angle between normals of facing planes of the two adjacent spacers changes according to the bending of the light-emitting panel; thus, a neutral plane can be formed in the light-emitting panel or in the vicinity of the light-emitting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Hiroki, Akio Endo
  • Patent number: 10823374
    Abstract: To provide a support for supporting a flexible component and a light-emitting device. A first substrate, a second substrate, a rack, a pinion, and a hinge are provided. When the second substrate is moved, the rotational force of the pinion is transmitted to the rack of the first substrate and thus the first substrate is moved in the horizontal direction while being overlapped with one of hinge pieces of the hinge; accordingly, the flexible component can be bent while the flexible component is fixed to the first substrate and the second substrate and the allowable curvature radius is maintained in the vicinity of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Endo
  • Publication number: 20200284406
    Abstract: To provide a support for supporting a flexible component and a light-emitting device. A first substrate, a second substrate, a rack, a pinion, and a hinge are provided. When the second substrate is moved, the rotational force of the pinion is transmitted to the rack of the first substrate and thus the first substrate is moved in the horizontal direction while being overlapped with one of hinge pieces of the hinge; accordingly, the flexible component can be bent while the flexible component is fixed to the first substrate and the second substrate and the allowable curvature radius is maintained in the vicinity of the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Akio Endo
  • Patent number: 10711980
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a strip-like high flexibility region and a strip-like low flexibility region arranged alternately in a direction. The high flexibility region includes a flexible light-emitting panel. The low flexibility region includes the light-emitting panel and a support panel having a lower flexibility than that of the light-emitting panel and overlapping with the light-emitting panel. It is preferable that the light-emitting panel include an external connection electrode and that a length in the direction of a low flexibility region A that overlaps with the external connection electrode be longer than a length in the direction of a low flexibility region B that is closest to the region A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Akio Endo
  • Publication number: 20200109838
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a strip-like high flexibility region and a strip-like low flexibility region arranged alternately in a direction. The high flexibility region includes a flexible light-emitting panel. The low flexibility region includes the light-emitting panel and a support panel having a lower flexibility than that of the light-emitting panel and overlapping with the light-emitting panel. It is preferable that the light-emitting panel include an external connection electrode and that a length in the direction of a low flexibility region A that overlaps with the external connection electrode be longer than a length in the direction of a low flexibility region B that is closest to the region A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Yoshiharu HIRAKATA, Akio ENDO
  • Patent number: 10578284
    Abstract: To provide a support for supporting a flexible component and a light-emitting device. A first substrate, a second substrate, a rack, a pinion, and a hinge are provided. When the second substrate is moved, the rotational force of the pinion is transmitted to the rack of the first substrate and thus the first substrate is moved in the horizontal direction while being overlapped with one of hinge pieces of the hinge; accordingly, the flexible component can be bent while the flexible component is fixed to the first substrate and the second substrate and the allowable curvature radius is maintained in the vicinity of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Endo
  • Patent number: 10573621
    Abstract: An imaging system using ultraviolet light or a manufacturing apparatus including the imaging system is provided. An imaging system includes an imaging element and a light source, which operates the imaging element with light that is emitted from the light source and reflected or transmitted by an object. A pixel included in the imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion element and a charge holding part. The light source has a function of emitting ultraviolet light to an object. The photoelectric conversion element is irradiated with the ultraviolet light reflected or transmitted by the object. The photoelectric conversion element has a function of changing the potential of the charge holding part when irradiated with the ultraviolet light and retaining the potential when not irradiated with the ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Endo, Yusuke Yoshitani, Jun Koyama, Naoto Kusumoto
  • Publication number: 20200043382
    Abstract: An electronic device including a large display region and with improved portability is provided. An electronic device with improved reliability is provided. An information processing device includes a first film, a panel substrate, and at least a first housing. The panel substrate has flexibility and a display region, and the first film has a visible-light-transmitting property and flexibility. The first housing includes a first slit, the panel substrate includes a region positioned between the first film and a second film, the first slit has a function of storing the region, and one or both of the panel substrate and the first film can slide along the first slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki ISA, Akio ENDO, Yosuke TSUKAMOTO, Jun KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190220128
    Abstract: A novel functional panel, a novel device, or a novel data processor is provided. A structure in which a first plane, a second plane that is opposite the first plane, and a neutral plane between the first plane and the second plane are provided and a portion of a functional layer having a thickness greater than or equal to half of the thickness of the functional layer is in a region between the first plane and the neutral plane was conceived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Yasuhiro JINBO, Akio ENDO
  • Patent number: 10338716
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic device with high portability and/or high browsability. The electronic device includes first and second support bodies, a first hinge, and a flexible display panel. The first hinge has a first rotation axis and connects the first and second support bodies to each other, and the first and second support bodies are capable of relatively rotating on the first rotation axis. The display panel includes at least first and second portions supported by the first and second support bodies, respectively; the first rotation axis and a first plane including the display surface overlapping with the first portion or a second plane including the display surface overlapping with the second portion are parallel to each other; and each of a distance between the first rotation axis and the first plane or the second plane is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Endo, Shigeru Onoya, Masaaki Hiroki
  • Patent number: 10331247
    Abstract: A novel functional panel, a novel device, or a novel data processor is provided. A structure in which a first plane, a second plane that is opposite the first plane, and a neutral plane between the first plane and the second plane are provided and a portion of a functional layer having a thickness greater than or equal to half of the thickness of the functional layer is in a region between the first plane and the neutral plane was conceived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Jinbo, Akio Endo