Patents by Inventor Hiroki Awakura
Hiroki Awakura 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).
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Patent number: 8816945Abstract: The present invention comprises: a display unit having a plurality of display elements arranged in a matrix; a drive voltage generating circuit for generating a drive voltage for driving the plurality of display elements; a dataline drive circuit for generating a signal voltage according to display data, the signal voltage being for controlling the amount of current in a supply line of the drive voltage; a scanline drive circuit for selecting one or more of the plurality of display elements which is to be driven; and a pixel light emission control circuit for controlling a light emission time period of each display element according to a distance measured along a current path from the drive voltage generating circuit to the display element.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignees: Japan Display Inc., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou
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Patent number: 8552946Abstract: In a display device and a display driver, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or lower than a specific grayscale value obtained from a histogram of the display image, a display grayscale is extended with a linear function. On the other hand, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or higher than the specific grayscale value, histogram equalization of a part higher than the specific grayscale value is performed, and the display grayscale is extended with a non-linear function obtained from the histogram equalization.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Yoshiki Kurokawa, Yukari Katayama, Hiroki Awakura, Naoki Takada, Yasuyuki Kudo, Akihito Akai, Goki Toshima, Akihisa Aoyama, Goro Sakamaki
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Patent number: 8537081Abstract: The present invention comprises: a display unit having a plurality of pixels arranged therein, each pixel including an organic EL element 24, a switching TFT, and a drive TFT; a data signal drive circuit for receiving image data for each frame period and outputting an image signal based on the image data; a scanning signal drive circuit for outputting a scanning signal for controlling a timing at which the switching element of each of the plurality of pixels receives the image signal; and a current source (a light emission power supply unit and a cathode potential control circuit together) for outputting a current supplied to the light emitting unit of each of the plurality of pixels through its drive element; wherein the current source modulates the value of the output current within each frame period.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Awakura, Naruhiko Kasai, Tsutomu Furuhashi, Toshihiro Satou
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Patent number: 8531489Abstract: A display apparatus comprises a self-luminous device display having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a matrix, a drive voltage generation circuit to generate a drive voltage signal for driving light emitting elements, a blanking period control-included data line drive circuit which controls the drive voltage either according to or irrelevantly to the display data, a scan line drive circuit to determine which light emitting elements to drive, and a pixel control circuit to control voltage written to pixels.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignees: Hitachi Display, Ltd., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou, Hajime Akimoto
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Publication number: 20130044146Abstract: In a display device and a display driver, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or lower than a specific grayscale value obtained from a histogram of the display image, a display grayscale is extended with a linear function. On the other hand, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or higher than the specific grayscale value, histogram equalization of a part higher than the specific grayscale value is performed, and the display grayscale is extended with a non-linear function obtained from the histogram equalization.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: Yoshiki KUROKAWA, Yukari KATAYAMA, Hiroki AWAKURA, Naoki TAKADA, Yasuyuki KUDO, Akihito AKAI, Goki TOSHIMA, Akihisa AOYAMA, Goro SAKAMAKI
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Patent number: 8059141Abstract: A display brightness control circuit of a liquid crystal display device includes a logarithmic-linear converting circuit for converting an illuminance signal having a logarithmic relationship with incident light into a linear signal. When an output of an external light sensor is a logarithmic signal, the logarithmic signal is converted into a linear signal through the logarithmic-linear converting circuit, and when an output of the external light sensor is a linear signal, the logarithmic-linear converting circuit is not involved. The logarithmic-linear converting circuit corresponds to an exponential circuit which is an inverse function of a logarithm log. Further, when even the same logarithmic output illuminance sensor is different in input-output characteristics, setting of the abovementioned exponential circuit can be changed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Hiroki Awakura, Akihito Akai, Yoshiki Kurokawa, Naoki Takada, Goro Sakamaki
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Patent number: 7952554Abstract: In a liquid crystal driver of a liquid crystal display having a structure to switch between image data for partial display from a partial memory and non-display (background pattern), changes in a partial-display area are detected according to a setting command of the partial-display area, and a mask switch is controlled so as to select the background pattern. Timing to write to the last line of the changed partial-display area in the partial memory is determined by an address counter for controlling the partial memory, and the mask switch is controlled so as to select the image data of the partial memory from a next frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Hiroki Awakura, Yasuyuki Kudo, Takashi Shoji, Shigeru Ota
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Patent number: 7733318Abstract: A display device includes a display panel having pixels arranged in a matrix form, a driving circuit for outputting an analog voltage according to a video signal to the pixels through signal lines, a plurality of measuring circuits each for detecting the amount of transmitted light, a single totalizing circuit for totalizing the results of measurements made by the measuring circuits, and a control circuit for adjusting a potential on a common electrode of the display panel in accordance with the result of the totalization from the totalizing circuit. The results of measurements made by the plurality of measuring circuits are totalized by the single totalizing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Awakura, Yasuyuki Kudo, Norio Mamba
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Patent number: 7633496Abstract: A display control circuit and a display unit are provided. The display control circuit generates a sweep signal that is at a fixed voltage level for an arbitrary period. The display unit compares the magnitude of a signal voltage that is written by a data line drive circuit in accordance with display data and the magnitude of the sweep signal generated by the display control circuit, and exercises illumination/nonillumination control in accordance with the comparison result.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou, Hajime Akimoto
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Publication number: 20080272999Abstract: In a display device and a display driver, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or lower than a specific grayscale value obtained from a histogram of the display image, a display grayscale is extended with a linear function. On the other hand, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or higher than the specific grayscale value, histogram equalization of a part higher than the specific grayscale value is performed, and the display grayscale is extended with a non-linear function obtained from the histogram equalization.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Yoshiki Kurokawa, Yukari Katayama, Hiroki Awakura, Naoki Takada, Yasuyuki Kudo, Akihito Akai, Goki Toshimi, Akihisa Aoyama, Goro Sakamaki
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Publication number: 20080129763Abstract: A display brightness control circuit of a liquid crystal display device includes a logarithmic-linear converting circuit for converting an illuminance signal having a logarithmic relationship with incident light into a linear signal. When an output of an external light sensor is a logarithmic signal, the logarithmic signal is converted into a linear signal through the logarithmic-linear converting circuit, and when an output of the external light sensor is a linear signal, the logarithmic-linear converting circuit is not involved. The logarithmic-linear converting circuit corresponds to an exponential circuit which is an inverse function of a logarithm log. Further, when even the same logarithmic output illuminance sensor is different in input-output characteristics, setting of the abovementioned exponential circuit can be changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Hiroki AWAKURA, Akihito Akai, Yoshiki Kurokawa, Naoki Takada, Goro Sakamaki
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Publication number: 20080079756Abstract: A liquid crystal driver of liquid crystal display device in which a plurality of expansion/contraction ratios of display data, for example, two kinds of expansion/contraction ratios can be set in a register is provided. Further, the two kinds of expansion/contraction ratios are applicable respectively in two kinds of areas (still-image and video-image) whose coordinates are previously set in a liquid crystal panel. As a result, it is possible to make the still-image area and the video-image area have different expansion/contraction ratios of pixel value respectively. In this manner, it is possible to make display brightness high only in the video-image area, thereby realizing both lower power consumption and visibility improvement at the same time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Akihito Akai, Yasuyuki Kudo, Yoshiki Kurokawa, Goro Sakamaki, Hiroki Awakura, Naoki Takada
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Publication number: 20070291021Abstract: In a liquid crystal driver of a liquid crystal display having a structure to switch between image data for partial display from a partial memory and non-display (background pattern), changes in a partial-display area is detected according to a setting command of partial-display area, and a mask switch is controlled so as to select the background pattern. Timing to write to the last line of the changed partial-display area in the partial memory is determined by an address counter for controlling the partial memory, and the mask switch is controlled so as to select the image data of the partial memory from the next frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Hiroki Awakura, Yasuyuki Kudo, Takashi Shoji, Shigeru Ota
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Publication number: 20070188423Abstract: The present invention comprises: a display unit having a plurality of display elements arranged in a matrix; a drive voltage generating circuit for generating a drive voltage for driving the plurality of display elements; a dataline drive circuit for generating a signal voltage according to display data, the signal voltage being for controlling the amount of current in a supply line of the drive voltage; a scanline drive circuit for selecting one or more of the plurality of display elements which is to be driven; and a pixel light emission control circuit for controlling a light emission time period of each display element according to a distance measured along a current path from the drive voltage generating circuit to the display element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou
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Patent number: 7202842Abstract: The present invention comprises: a display unit having a plurality of display elements arranged in a matrix; a drive voltage generating circuit for generating a drive voltage for driving the plurality of display elements; a dataline drive circuit for generating a signal voltage according to display data, the signal voltage being for controlling the amount of current in a supply line of the drive voltage; a scanline drive circuit for selecting one or more of the plurality of display elements which is to be driven; and a pixel light emission control circuit for controlling a light emission time period of each display element according to a distance measured along a current path from the drive voltage generating circuit to the display element.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou
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Publication number: 20070063957Abstract: A display device includes a display panel having pixels arranged in a matrix form, a driving circuit for outputting an analog voltage according to a video signal to the pixels through signal lines, a plurality of measuring circuits each for detecting the amount of transmitted light, a single totalizing circuit for totalizing the results of measurements made by the measuring circuits, and a control circuit for adjusting a potential on a common electrode of the display panel in accordance with the result of the totalization from the totalizing circuit. The results of measurements made by the plurality of measuring circuits are totalized by the single totalizing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2006Publication date: March 22, 2007Inventors: Hiroki Awakura, Yasuyuki Kudo, Norio Mamba
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Publication number: 20060238943Abstract: A display device with a pulse width modulation system in the invention includes a current measuring circuit for measuring a peak current value of a pixel, a reference current value calculating circuit for calculating a reference current value according to at least one of cumulative use time of the pixel and a degraded condition of the pixel, and an anode power supply circuit for controlling the peak current value of the pixel, aiming for the reference current value as a target.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Hiroki Awakura, Naruhiko Kasai, Toshihiro Satou, Hajime Akimoto
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Publication number: 20050212783Abstract: A display control circuit and a display unit are provided. The display control circuit generates a sweep signal that is at a fixed voltage level for an arbitrary period. The display unit compares the magnitude of a signal voltage that is written by a data line drive circuit in accordance with display data and the magnitude of the sweep signal generated by the display control circuit, and exercises illumination/nonillumination control in accordance with the comparison result.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2004Publication date: September 29, 2005Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou, Hajime Akimoto
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Publication number: 20050068270Abstract: The present invention comprises: a display unit having a plurality of pixels arranged therein, each pixel including an organic EL element 24, a switching TFT, and a drive TFT; a data signal drive circuit for receiving image data for each frame period and outputting an image signal based on the image data; a scanning signal drive circuit for outputting a scanning signal for controlling a timing at which the switching element of each of the plurality of pixels receives the image signal; and a current source (a light emission power supply unit and a cathode potential control circuit together) for outputting a current supplied to the light emitting unit of each of the plurality of pixels through its drive element; wherein the current source modulates the value of the output current within each frame period.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Hiroki Awakura, Naruhiko Kasai, Tsutomu Furuhashi, Toshihiro Satou
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Publication number: 20050062710Abstract: The present invention comprises: a display unit having a plurality of display elements arranged in a matrix; a drive voltage generating circuit for generating a drive voltage for driving the plurality of display elements; a dataline drive circuit for generating a signal voltage according to display data, the signal voltage being for controlling the amount of current in a supply line of the drive voltage; a scanline drive circuit for selecting one or more of the plurality of display elements which is to be driven; and a pixel light emission control circuit for controlling a light emission time period of each display element according to a distance measured along a current path from the drive voltage generating circuit to the display element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2003Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroki Awakura, Toshihiro Satou