Patents by Inventor Kouhei Toyotaka

Kouhei Toyotaka 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).

  • Publication number: 20150293420
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a liquid crystal display device and a driving method of a liquid crystal display device in each of which deterioration of an image display function can be suppressed and power consumption can be sufficiently reduced. In the liquid crystal display device, a fixed potential is input to a capacitor before a power source is turned off, so that a potential difference between electrodes of the capacitor disappears (capacitance becomes almost zero) such that electric field is not applied to liquid crystals, whereby the liquid crystals are in an initial state. When the supply of the power source is stopped after an initial-state image is displayed, unnecessary electric field is not continuously applied to the liquid crystals in an off state, whereby the liquid crystals can be in the stable initial state; therefore, the liquid crystals can be prevented from deteriorating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Kouhei TOYOTAKA, Koji KUSUNOKI
  • Patent number: 9160291
    Abstract: A semiconductor circuit which can have stable input output characteristics is provided. Specifically, a semiconductor circuit in which problems caused by the leakage current of a switching element are suppressed is provided. A field-effect transistor in which a wide band gap semiconductor, such as an oxide semiconductor, is used in a semiconductor layer where a channel is formed is used for a switching element included in a switched capacitor circuit. Such a transistor has a small leakage current in an off state. When the transistor is used as a switching element, a semiconductor circuit which has stable input output characteristics and in which problems caused by the leakage current are suppressed can be fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Publication number: 20150248869
    Abstract: Two gate drivers each comprising a shift register and a demultiplexer including single conductivity type transistors are provided on left and right sides of a pixel portion. Gate lines are alternately connected to the left-side and right-side gate drivers in every M rows. The shift register includes k first unit circuits connected in cascade. The demultiplexer includes k second unit circuits to each of which a signal is input from the first unit circuit and to each of which M gate lines are connected. The second unit circuit selects one or more wirings which output an input signal from the first unit circuit among M gate lines, and outputs the signal from the first unit circuit to the selected wiring(s). Since gate signals can be output from an output of a one-stage shift register to the M gate lines, the width of the shift register can be narrowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki MIYAKE, Kouhei TOYOTAKA
  • Patent number: 9111483
    Abstract: To provide a display device with high image quality and fewer terminals. The present invention is made with a focus on the positional relation between a serial-parallel conversion circuit and an external connection terminal for supplying a serial signal to the serial-parallel conversion circuit. The structure conceived is such that a serial-parallel conversion circuit and an external connection terminal for supplying a serial signal to the serial-parallel conversion circuit are provided close to each other so that an RC load between the serial-parallel conversion circuit and the external connection terminal is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyake, Kouhei Toyotaka, Kazunori Watanabe, Toru Tanabe, Makoto Kaneyasu, Masashi Fujita
  • Patent number: 9105256
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof for displaying an image, in which the polarity of a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element is inverted in a first frame period and a second frame period which are sequential. The voltage applied to the liquid crystal element is compensated in the case where images of the first frame period and the second frame period are judged as a still image as a result of comparison of the image of the first frame period with the image of the second frame period and the absolute value of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal element in the first frame period is different from that of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal element in the second frame period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Arasawa, Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Patent number: 9069202
    Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal display device with horizontal electric field mode, in which a decrease in driving speed can be suppressed by reducing the resistance of a wiring even when the number of pixels is increased, and a manufacturing method thereof. One of a scan wiring and a signal wiring is divided in an intersection portion where the scan wiring and the signal wiring intersect with each other, and the separated wirings are connected with a connection electrode positioned over a thick insulating film. Accordingly, parasitic capacitance at the intersection portion can be reduced, preventing the decrease in the driving speed. The connection electrode is formed at the same time as formation of a pixel electrode and a common electrode using a low-resistance metal, which contributes to the reduction in manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Miyairi, Tetsuji Ishitani, Daisuke Kubota, Toshiyuki Isa, Kouhei Toyotaka, Susumu Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20150179112
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a backlight and a pixel portion including first to 2n-th scan lines, wherein, in a first case of expressing a color image, first pixels controlled by the first to n-th scan lines are configured to express a first image using at least one of first to third hues supplied in a first rotating order, and second pixels controlled by the (n+1)-th to 2n-th scan lines are configured to express a second image using at least one of the first to third hues supplied in a second rotating order, wherein, in a second case of expressing a monochrome image, the first and second pixels controlled by the first to 2n-th scan lines are configured to express the monochrome image by external light reflected by the reflective pixel electrode, and wherein the first rotating order is different from the second rotating order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Hiroyuki MIYAKE, Kouhei TOYOTAKA
  • Patent number: 9041453
    Abstract: Two gate drivers each comprising a shift register and a demultiplexer including single conductivity type transistors are provided on left and right sides of a pixel portion. Gate lines are alternately connected to the left-side and right-side gate drivers in every M rows. The shift register includes k first unit circuits connected in cascade. The demultiplexer includes k second unit circuits to each of which a signal is input from the first unit circuit and to each of which M gate lines are connected. The second unit circuit selects one or more wirings which output an input signal from the first unit circuit among M gate lines, and outputs the signal from the first unit circuit to the selected wiring(s). Since gate signals can be output from an output of a one-stage shift register to the M gate lines, the width of the shift register can be narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyake, Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Patent number: 8994439
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which has reduced power consumption and includes a selection transistor is provided. A semiconductor device in which the number of wirings and terminals for inputting a power supply potential is reduced and which operates at high speed is provided. A buffer circuit connected to a gate line connected to a gate of the selection transistor has a function of generating a potential higher than a high power supply potential by using the high power supply potential and outputs the potential depending on the selection signal. A bootstrap circuit boosts a high power supply potential that is input to an inverter that is the closest to an output side among a plurality of inverters included in a buffer circuit. Further, by providing a delay circuit in the buffer circuit, the bootstrap circuit starts to boost a potential at the timing later than the input of the selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kaneyasu, Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Publication number: 20150015474
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device including a narrowed bezel obtained by designing a gate driver circuit. A gate driver of a display device includes a shift register unit, a demultiplexer circuit, and n signal lines. By connecting the n signal lines for transmitting clock signals to one stage of the shift register unit, (n?3) output signals can be output. The larger n becomes, the smaller the rate of signal lines for transmitting clock signals which do not contribute to output becomes; accordingly, the area of the shift register unit part is small compared to a conventional structure in which one stage of a shift register unit outputs one output signal. Therefore, the gate driver circuit can have a narrow bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki MIYAKE, Kouhei TOYOTAKA, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20150016585
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second transistors having the same conductivity type and a circuit. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to that of the second transistor. First and third potentials are supplied to the circuit through respective wirings. A second potential and a first clock signal are supplied to the others of the sources and the drains of the first and second transistors, respectively. A second clock signal is supplied to the circuit. The third potential is higher than the second potential which is higher than the first potential. A fourth potential is equal to or higher than the third potential. The first clock signal alternates the second and fourth potentials and the second clock signal alternates the first and third potentials. The circuit controls electrical connections between gates of the first and second transistors and the wirings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Kouhei Toyotaka, Jun Koyama, Hiroyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 8928708
    Abstract: An object is to suppress crosstalk. A display device includes a pixel portion which includes a first display region, a second display region, and a non-light-emitting region provided between the first display region and the second display region; and a parallax barrier which includes a first light control region, a second light control region, and a light-transmitting region provided between the first light control region and the second light control region. The first light control region overlaps with the first display region, the second light control region overlaps with the second display region, and the center of the width of the light-transmitting region overlaps with the non-light-emitting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Hiroyuki Miyake, Kouhei Toyotaka, Hikaru Harada, Makoto Kaneyasu
  • Publication number: 20140362324
    Abstract: The following semiconductor device provides high reliability and a narrower frame width. The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit and a pixel portion. The driver circuit has a first transistor including a first gate and a second gate electrically connected to each other with a semiconductor film sandwiched therebetween, and a second transistor electrically connected to the first transistor. The pixel portion includes a third transistor, a liquid crystal element, and a capacitor. The liquid crystal element includes a first transparent conductive film electrically connected to the third transistor, a second conductive film, and a liquid crystal layer. The capacitor includes the first conductive film, a third transparent conductive film, and a nitride insulating film. The nitride insulating film is positioned between the first transparent conductive film and the third transparent conductive film, and positioned between the semiconductor film and the second gate of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Hiroyuki MIYAKE, Kouhei TOYOTAKA, Masahiko HAYAKAWA, Daisuke MATSUBAYASHI, Shinpei MATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20140347129
    Abstract: A semiconductor circuit which can have stable input output characteristics is provided. Specifically, a semiconductor circuit in which problems caused by the leakage current of a switching element are suppressed is provided. A field-effect transistor in which a wide band gap semiconductor, such as an oxide semiconductor, is used in a semiconductor layer where a channel is formed is used for a switching element included in a switched capacitor circuit. Such a transistor has a small leakage current in an off state. When the transistor is used as a switching element, a semiconductor circuit which has stable input output characteristics and in which problems caused by the leakage current are suppressed can be fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Publication number: 20140340363
    Abstract: A novel transmissive imaging panel, a novel imaging panel with a display function, or a novel imaging device is provided. The imaging panel that includes a plurality of windows or pixels arranged in matrix, a photoelectric conversion element extending between the plurality of windows or pixels, and a sensor circuit supplied with a signal from the photoelectric conversion element has been devised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki IKEDA, Seiko INOUE, Hiroyuki MIYAKE, Kouhei TOYOTAKA, Takashi NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8890859
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device having a pixel including a transistor and a liquid crystal element and a protection circuit electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor through a data line. The protection circuit includes a first terminal supplied with a first power supply potential and a second terminal supplied with a second power supply potential higher than the first power supply potential. In a moving image display mode, an image signal is input from the data line to the liquid crystal element through the transistor, and the first power supply potential is set at the first potential. In a still image display mode, supply of the image signal is stopped, and the first power supply potential is set at the second potential. The second potential is substantially the same as the minimum value of the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouhei Toyotaka, Hiroyuki Miyake, Ryo Arasawa, Koji Kusunoki, Tsutomu Murakawa
  • Publication number: 20140337603
    Abstract: An object is to provide a memory device including a memory element that can be operated without problems by a thin film transistor with a low off-state current. Provided is a memory device in which a memory element including at least one thin film transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor layer is arranged as a matrix. The thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer has a high field effect mobility and low off-state current, and thus can be operated favorably without problems. In addition, the power consumption can be reduced. Such a memory device is particularly effective in the case where the thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is provided in a pixel of a display device because the memory device and the pixel can be formed over one substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Masashi Tsubuku, Kosei Noda, Kouhei Toyotaka, Kazunori Watanabe, Hikaru Harada
  • Patent number: 8884302
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode formed apart from each other over an insulating surface, an oxide semiconductor film including a region overlapping with the first gate electrode with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a region overlapping with the second gate electrode with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, and a region overlapping with neither the first gate electrode nor the second gate electrode, and an insulating film covering the gate insulating film, the first gate electrode, the second gate electrode, and the oxide semiconductor film, and being in direct contact with the oxide semiconductor film is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiko Inoue, Hiroyuki Miyake, Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Publication number: 20140325249
    Abstract: To reduce power consumption of a processing device including a processor and a main memory in the processor. The main memory includes not only a volatile memory such as a DRAM but also a nonvolatile memory. The processor monitors access requirements to the main memory. The processor determines on the basis of the monitoring results whether the volatile memory or the nonvolatile memory operates mainly. In the case where the main memory changes from the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory, part or all of data stored in the volatile memory is backed up to the nonvolatile memory. While the nonvolatile memory operates mainly, supply of power supply voltage to the volatile memory is stopped or power supply voltage to be supplied is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kouhei Toyotaka
  • Publication number: 20140301045
    Abstract: An object is to provide a pulse signal output circuit capable of operating stably and a shift register including the pulse signal output circuit. A pulse signal output circuit according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention includes first to tenth transistors. The ratio W/L of the channel width W to the channel length L of the first transistor and W/L of the third transistor are each larger than W/L of the sixth transistor. W/L of the fifth transistor is larger than W/L of the sixth transistor. W/L of the fifth transistor is equal to W/L of the seventh transistor. W/L of the third transistor is larger than W/L of the fourth transistor. With such a structure, a pulse signal output circuit capable of operating stably and a shift register including the pulse signal output circuit can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiko Amano, Kouhei Toyotaka, Hiroyuki Miyake, Aya Miyazaki, Hideaki Shishido, Koji Kusunoki