Patents by Inventor Dai Chiba

Dai Chiba 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: 8907938
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which can suppress generation of a locally luminous part where a dark line disappears. The display device includes: a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the pair of substrates includes a pair of electrodes in pixel. At least one of the electrodes may include a comb-tooth portion. A first comb-tooth portion of one of the pair of electrodes and a second comb-tooth portion of the other one of the pair of electrodes may be disposed to face each other. The distance between the pair of electrodes in a transverse direction of the comb-tooth portions of the pair of electrodes is at most 10 ?m in example embodiments, and a rotational viscosity of the p-type nematic liquid crystals may be at least 130 mPa·s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Morimoto, Takehiko Sakai, Tetsuo Fujita, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Tsuyoshi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8508678
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an active matrix substrate (20a) including a plurality of first touch panel interconnects (19b) extending in parallel with each other, a counter substrate (30a) facing the active matrix substrate (20a) and including a plurality of second touch panel interconnects (25a) extending in parallel with each other in a direction intersecting the first touch panel interconnects (19b), a liquid crystal layer (40) provided between the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a) with an alignment film (9a, 9b) being interposed between the liquid crystal layer (40) and each of the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a), and a plurality of columnar touch pins (P) connected to the first or second touch panel interconnects (19b, 25a). Repellency to the alignment films (9a, 9b) is imparted to at least a portion of a top portion of each of the touch pins (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Takuya Watanabe, Shogo Nishiwaki, Kazunori Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8411212
    Abstract: A touch electrode and a detection element are positioned in at least two of pixels. The touch electrode is formed in a first substrate, and is positioned so as to face a counter electrode. The touch electrode contacts the counter electrode and is electrically connected thereto when a second substrate is pressed and bent toward the first substrate. The detection element is connected to the touch electrode, and detects the electrical connection between the touch electrode and the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Dai Chiba, Takehiko Sakai, Tetsuo Fujita, Kazunori Morimoto, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Shogo Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 8390771
    Abstract: A device includes: an active matrix substrate (20a) including a plurality of first display lines (11a) extending parallel to each other and a plurality of second display lines extending parallel to each other in a direction crossing the first display lines (11a); and a counter substrate (30a) including a black matrix (B) provided so as to overlap the first display lines (11a) and the second display lines, wherein the active matrix substrate (20a) includes a plurality of touch panel lines (11b) extending parallel to each other in a direction in which the first display lines (11a) extend, and portions of the black matrix (B) overlapping the second display lines are electrically conductive and are configured so as to come into contact with the touch panel lines (11b) when the surface of the active matrix substrate (20a) or the counter substrate (30a) is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Takuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8384853
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a display that can reliably shield visible light in the entire wavelength regions when viewed from an oblique direction and a viewing angle control element used for the display. A viewing angle control liquid crystal panel (2) is comprised of a liquid crystal cell (21) and an emission-side polarizing plate (22). When light having a part of wavelength components (R,G) in the visible wavelength regions enters at least at a predetermined angle, the liquid crystal cell (21) provides the incident light with a phase difference so as to function as a first light-shielding layer that shields the light of the R and G components not to pass through the emission-side polarizing plate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 8199139
    Abstract: There are provided a viewing angle control device that can provide a pure black display without coloring and have a significantly improved shielding ability in the narrow viewing angle state, and a display using the viewing angle control device. To adjust the VT (voltage-transmittance) characteristics of a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel (2) that switches a viewing angle between a wide viewing angle state and a narrow viewing angle state by using birefringence of liquid crystal, translucent electrode films (205r, 205g, 206b), to which alternating-current voltages with different frequencies are applied, are provided on a portion of at least one of a pair of translucent substrates (201, 202) sandwiching the liquid crystal, the portion corresponding to at least one color of a picture element of a display liquid crystal panel (1), so that the voltage-transmittance characteristics of the liquid crystal are adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Takehiko Sakai, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura, Dai Chiba
  • Publication number: 20120133867
    Abstract: A negative C plate (31) is arranged to be between a polarizing plate (32) and a reflective liquid crystal panel (20). A retardation of the negative C plate (31) is set so that a combination of the negative C plate (31) and the liquid crystal panel (20) generates a phase difference of “n?/4+?/8 (n is 0, or a positive or negative integer)” for a one-way light path with respect to linearly-polarized light entering into the liquid crystal display device. This makes it possible to provide, at low cost, a liquid crystal display device whose viewing angle can be narrowed by arbitrarily setting a direction in which visibility is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 8189147
    Abstract: A negative C plate (31) is arranged to be between a polarizing plate (32) and a reflective liquid crystal panel (20). A retardation of the negative C plate (31) is set so that a combination of the negative C plate (31) and the liquid crystal panel (20) generates a phase difference of “n?/4+?/8 (n is 0, or a positive or negative integer)” for a one-way light path with respect to linearly-polarized light entering into the liquid crystal display device. This makes it possible to provide, at low cost, a liquid crystal display device whose viewing angle can be narrowed by arbitrarily setting a direction in which visibility is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura
  • Publication number: 20120127416
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having improved transmittance. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a first substrate and a second substrate disposed to face each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes a pixel electrode to which a signal voltage is supplied and a common electrode to which a common voltage is supplied. The pixel electrode and the common electrode both comprise comb teeth. The comb teeth of the pixel electrode and the comb teeth of the common electrode are disposed with each other alternately via an interval. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first substrate in a voltage non-application condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Morishita, Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Shingo Kawashima, Tetsuo Fujita, Miyuki Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 8169567
    Abstract: A viewing angle controlling liquid crystal panel in which uniformity of a shielding effect in a screen is further improved is provided. Linearly polarized light enters a liquid crystal layer. Further, the liquid crystal layer is provided, on a light exit side of the liquid crystal layer, with a polarizing plate transmitting only a component of light having exited from the liquid crystal layer which component is parallel to a polarization axis of the linearly polarized light having entered the liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer are tilted in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light having entered the liquid crystal layer. In addition, an electrode (26) is provided so that two or more different voltages can be applied to the liquid crystal layer simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura
  • Publication number: 20120069282
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of reducing a white tinge phenomenon in a vertical alignment mode having at least a pair of comb-shaped electrodes. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates disposed opposite each other, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the pair of substrates includes a pair of comb-shaped electrodes, the pair of electrodes are disposed opposite each other planarly within a pixel, the liquid crystal layer contains p-type nematic liquid crystal and is driven by an electric field generated between the pair of electrodes, the p-type nematic liquid crystal is vertically aligned relative to surfaces of the pair of substrates when no voltage is applied, and two or more regions differing from each other in an interval between the pair of electrodes are formed within the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Takehiko Sakai, Katsuhiko Morishita, Shingo Kawashima, Dai Chiba, Tetsuo Fujita
  • Patent number: 8139192
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided with high fabrication efficiency, which produces small display unevenness and which is capable of high quality display with excellent viewing angle characteristics and high transmittance. A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate which includes pixel electrodes and an alignment film; a second substrate which includes a common electrode; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the pixel electrodes includes a plurality of subpixel electrodes electrically separated from one another on an insulating layer. The subpixel electrodes have a recess recessed toward the insulating layer. The subpixel electrodes and a drain line are connected at the recess. Part of the common electrode lying above a whole area of the pixel electrodes is substantially flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuki Mochizuki, Masaharu Akitomo, Dai Chiba
  • Publication number: 20120062451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that allows suppressing loss of display quality caused by additional capacitance. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device provided with a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposing each other, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first substrate has a gate bus line, a source bus line, a pixel electrode to which an image signal is inputted, and a common electrode to which a common signal is inputted, the pixel electrode and the common electrode are comb-shaped within a pixel, an electric field parallel to the surface of the first substrate is generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode within the pixel, and the common electrode is arranged, within a display area, at a layer that is different from a layer at which the gate bus line is formed and from a layer at which the source bus line is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Morishita, Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Takenhiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Tetsuo Fujita, Kazunori Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20120057118
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device in which transmittance can be enhanced. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device provided with a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. One of the substrates has a comb-shaped first electrode and a comb-shaped second electrode. The first electrode includes a first trunk portion and a first branch portion obliquely connected to the first trunk portion. The second electrode includes a second trunk portion and a second branch portion obliquely connected to the second trunk portion. The liquid crystal layer includes a p-type nematic liquid crystal that is vertically aligned with respect to the surfaces of the substrates when no voltage is applied. Each pixel has a blank portion of the second electrode having an acute angle-shaped blank portion and an obtuse angle-shaped blank portion that are mutually adjacent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Morishita, Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Tetsuo Fujita, Shingo Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20120050246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can suppress generation of a locally luminous part where a dark line disappears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Kazunori Morimoto, Takehiko Sakai, Tetsuo Fujita, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Tsuyoshi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8098350
    Abstract: There are provided a display that can block light so that a display on an image display device is invisible from a wide range of view angles in an oblique direction, and a view angle control element employed therein. In a narrow view angle state, a view angle control liquid crystal panel (2) prevents light in a predetermined wavelength region that has been incident at a polar angle of ?H or more from being transmitted through a polarizing plate (22) by using a phase difference imparted by a liquid crystal cell (21). In the narrow view angle state, a view angle control liquid crystal panel (3) prevents light that has been incident at a polar angle of ?L or more, among light that has been transmitted through the polarizing plate (22), from being transmitted through a polarizing plate (32) by using a phase difference imparted by a liquid crystal cell (31). Consequently, light forming a polar angle of ?L or more is blocked as a whole, which allows the narrow view angle state to cover a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Dai Chiba, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 8054433
    Abstract: There are provided a viewing angle control device that can provide a black display without coloring and achieve a significantly improved shielding ability during a narrow viewing angle state, and a display using the same. In order to adjust VT (voltage-transmittance) characteristics of a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel (2) that switches a viewing angle between a wide viewing angle state and a narrow viewing angle state by using birefringence of liquid crystal, the viewing angle control liquid crystal panel (2) includes a translucent dielectric film (206g, 206r) for adjusting the voltage-transmittance characteristics of the liquid crystal at a position corresponding to a picture element of at least one color in a display liquid crystal panel (1) on at least one of a pair of translucent substrates (201, 202) that sandwich the liquid crystal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Takehiko Sakai, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura, Dai Chiba
  • Patent number: 8045097
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device including a display liquid crystal panel and a viewing-angle-control liquid crystal panel and capable of switching viewing angle characteristics, a half wavelength plate for setting a viewing restricted direction is provided between the display liquid crystal panel and the viewing-angle-control liquid crystal panel. This makes it possible to realize a liquid crystal display device that allows a viewing restricted direction to be set as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sakai, Tsuyoshi Okazaki, Katsuhiko Morishita, Yoshiharu Kataoka, Chikanori Tsukamura, Dai Chiba
  • Patent number: 8045103
    Abstract: The present invention provides a color filter substrate which can suppress a reverse tilt domain from being generated in a liquid crystal layer near a boundary between a colored layer and a bank without forming a flattening layer on the colored layer. The color filter substrate of the present invention is a color filter substrate including a substrate, an insulating film having transparency, a bank, and a colored layer, the insulating film being arranged on the substrate, the bank and the colored layer being arranged on the insulating film, the colored layer being surrounded by the bank, wherein a thickness of the insulating film in a region overlapping with the center of the colored layer is smaller than a thickness of the insulating film in a region overlapping with an edge of the colored part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Hayano, Dai Chiba, Yoshiharu Kataoka
  • Patent number: 7999888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a color-filter on array structure, which can improve an aperture ratio and reduce connection defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Hayano, Dai Chiba