Patents by Inventor Makoto Kanbe
Makoto Kanbe 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: 20100073619Abstract: A liquid crystal display device (50a) includes: an active matrix substrate (20a) having a plurality of gate lines (1a) extending in parallel with each other; a counter substrate (30a) arranged so as to face the active matrix substrate (20a); a liquid crystal layer (25) interposed between the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a); and spherical spacers (21) disposed between the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a) so as to overlap each gate line (1a), for defining a thickness of the liquid crystal layer (25). A protruding wall (9a) is provided over each gate line (1a) of the active matrix substrate (20a) so as to surround the spacers (21).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yukio Kurozumi, Makoto Kanbe, Yoshitaka Hibino, Yasuo Minami
-
Patent number: 7656477Abstract: A reflective display device includes: a light modulating layer; two substrates, between which the light modulating layer is interposed; and an electrode structure that changes the optical properties of the light modulating layer on a pixel-by-pixel basis. One of the two substrates includes a corner cube array in which a plurality of corner cubes are arranged. The corner cube array includes a principal surface that defines a retroreflective surface, a bottom, and a plurality of conductive members that are arranged between the principal surface and the bottom. A portion of the upper surface of each of the conductive members defines a part of the principal surface of the corner cube array. The part is located in a lowest-level portion of its associated corner cube including the lowest-level point thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Makoto Kanbe
-
Publication number: 20090279041Abstract: A liquid crystal display device (50a) includes: an active matrix substrate (20a) having a plurality of gate lines (1a) extending in parallel with each other; a counter substrate (30a) provided so as to face the active matrix substrate (20a); a liquid crystal layer (25) provided between the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a); and spherical spacers (21) provided between the active matrix substrate (20a) and the counter substrate (30a) so as to overlap each gate line (1a), for defining a thickness of the liquid crystal layer (25). A first protruding wall (9a) for surrounding the spacers (21) is provided over each gate layer (1a) of the active matrix substrate (20a), and a second protruding wall (19b) for surrounding the spacers (21) is provided on the counter substrate (30a).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Yukio Kurozumi, Makoto Kanbe, Yoshitaka Hibino, Yasuo Minami
-
Patent number: 7561231Abstract: A double-sided display which can suitable carry out black display both in a well-lighted place and a dark place is provided. The following members are disposed in the B direction: a first polarizing plate (14) which allows only a linearly polarized light component to pass through; a liquid crystal layer (13) which, when a voltage is applied thereto, optically rotates and causes linearly polarized light in one direction to be linearly polarized light in the other direction, while, when no voltage is applied, does not alter the direction of the linearly polarized light; a polarizing selective reflector (16) which reflects the linearly polarized light in one direction while allows the linearly polarized light in the other direction to pass through; and a second polarizing plate (15) which absorbs the light in one direction while allows the light in the other direction to pass through. The polarizing selective reflector (16) is disposed only in the B direction of the liquid crystal layer (13).Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Kozo Nakamura, Tokio Taguchi, Shun Ueki, Satoru Kishimoto
-
Patent number: 7551247Abstract: A reflection-type display device 200 includes: an active switch layer 201s including a plurality of switching elements 201t; a plurality of pixel electrodes 207 each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements 201t; a reflective layer 205 formed between the active switch layer 201s and the plurality of pixel electrodes 207; and a modulation layer 213 provided at a side of the pixel electrodes 207 facing a viewer, the modulation layer 213 being capable of switching between a first state and a second state of respectively different optical characteristics. The reflective layer 205 is connected to neither the plurality of switching elements 201t nor the plurality of pixel electrodes 207.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sayuri Fujiwara, Yutaka Sawayama, Kiyoshi Minoura, Makoto Kanbe
-
Erasing device for liquid crystal display image and liquid crystal display device including the same
Patent number: 7499009Abstract: An erasing device for a liquid crystal display image of the present invention is furnished with an auxiliary power source for continuously supplying power source to a liquid crystal display panel for a certain period after the main power source of the main body of the liquid crystal display device is turned OFF. Upon input of a power source OFF signal directing to turn OFF the main power source, a driving signal generating circuit and a driver controller light up the liquid crystal display panel entirely on a saturation voltage of the liquid crystal and subsequently shut off the same entirely using the power supply from the auxiliary power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Yasuhisa Itoh, Shigeto Yoshida, Hiroshi Yoneda -
Patent number: 7440057Abstract: A display device includes: a display medium layer; and a first electrode and a second electrode, which face each other with the display medium layer interposed between them. The first electrode includes: a first conductive layer; and a first polymer film, which covers the first conductive layer and which makes contact with the display medium layer. The second electrode includes: a second conductive layer; and a second polymer film, which covers the second conductive layer and which makes contact with the display medium layer. At least a portion of the first conductive layer has a different work function from the second conductive layer. The number of benzene rings included in each of the first and second polymer films is 0.4 or less for a molecular weight of 100.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Sayuri Fujiwara
-
Patent number: 7293884Abstract: A corner cube reflector includes a two-dimensional arrangement of unit elements. The unit elements are arranged at a pitch of 200 ?m or less. As viewed in a direction from which incoming light is coming, each unit element has a peak point and a bottom point. A peak portion, including the peak point, has an excessive portion and/or a missing portion as compared with an ideal peak portion of an ideal corner cube. The level of the peak point is lower than that of the ideal peak point of the ideal corner cube. An average level difference h2 between the level of the bottom point and that of an ideal bottom point of the ideal corner cube is smaller than an average level difference h1 between the level of the peak point and that of the ideal peak point.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Sayuri Fujiwara, Makoto Kanbe, Kiyoshi Minoura, Ichiro Ihara
-
Patent number: 7292296Abstract: A double-sided display which can suitable carry out black display both in a well-lighted place and a dark place is provided. The following members are disposed in the B direction: a first polarizing plate (14) which allows only a linearly polarized light component to pass through; a liquid crystal layer (13) which, when a voltage is applied thereto, optically rotates and causes linearly polarized light in one direction to be linearly polarized light in the other direction, while, when no voltage is applied, does not alter the direction of the linearly polarized light; a polarizing selective reflector (16) which reflects the linearly polarized light in one direction while allows the linearly polarized light in the other direction to pass through; and a second polarizing plate (15) which absorbs the light in one direction while allows the light in the other direction to pass through. The polarizing selective reflector (16) is disposed only in the B direction of the liquid crystal layer (13).Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Kozo Nakamura, Tokio Taguchi, Shun Ueki, Satoru Kishimoto
-
Publication number: 20070236632Abstract: A double-sided display which can suitable carry out black display both in a well-lighted place and a dark place is provided. The following members are disposed in the B direction: a first polarizing plate (14) which allows only a linearly polarized light component to pass through; a liquid crystal layer (13) which, when a voltage is applied thereto, optically rotates and causes linearly polarized light in one direction to be linearly polarized light in the other direction, while, when no voltage is applied, does not alter the direction of the linearly polarized light; a polarizing selective reflector (16) which reflects the linearly polarized light in one direction while allows the linearly polarized light in the other direction to pass through; and a second polarizing plate (15) which absorbs the light in one direction while allows the light in the other direction to pass through. The polarizing selective reflector (16) is disposed only in the B direction of the liquid crystal layer (13).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Kozo Nakamura, Tokio Taguchi, Shun Ueki, Satoru Kishimoto
-
Publication number: 20070081244Abstract: A corner cube reflector includes a two-dimensional arrangement of unit elements. The unit elements are arranged at a pitch of 200 ?m or less. As viewed in a direction from which incoming light is coming, each unit element has a peak point and a bottom point. A peak portion, including the peak point, has an excessive portion and/or a missing portion as compared with an ideal peak portion of an ideal corner cube. The level of the peak point is lower than that of the ideal peak point of the ideal corner cube. An average level difference h2 between the level of the bottom point and that of an ideal bottom point of the ideal corner cube is smaller than an average level difference h1 between the level of the peak point and that of the ideal peak point.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Sayuri Fujiwara, Makoto Kanbe, Kiyoshi Minoura, Ichiro Ihara
-
Patent number: 7188961Abstract: A corner cube reflector includes a two-dimensional arrangement of unit elements. The unit elements are arranged at a pitch of 200 ?m or less. As viewed in a direction from which incoming light is coming, each unit element has a peak point and a bottom point. A peak portion, including the peak point, has an excessive portion and/or a missing portion as compared with an ideal peak portion of an ideal corner cube. The level of the peak point is lower than that of the ideal peak point of the ideal corner cube. An average level difference h2 between the level of the bottom point and that of an ideal bottom point of the ideal corner cube is smaller than an average level difference h1 between the level of the peak point and that of the ideal peak point.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Sayuri Fujiwara, Makoto Kanbe, Kiyoshi Minoura, Ichiro Ihara
-
Publication number: 20070024777Abstract: A reflective display device includes: a light modulating layer; two substrates, between which the light modulating layer is interposed; and an electrode structure that changes the optical properties of the light modulating layer on a pixel-by-pixel basis. One of the two substrates includes a corner cube array in which a plurality of corner cubes are arranged. The corner cube array includes a principal surface that defines a retroreflective surface, a bottom, and a plurality of conductive members that are arranged between the principal surface and the bottom. A portion of the upper surface of each of the conductive members defines a part of the principal surface of the corner cube array. The part is located in a lowest-level portion of its associated corner cube including the lowest-level point thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: February 1, 2007Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Makoto Kanbe
-
Publication number: 20060197892Abstract: A reflection-type display device includes an optical modulation layer 34, a pair of substrates 30 and 32 between which the optical modulation layer 34 is retained, an electrode structure 52, 44 for causing pixel-by-pixel changes in the optical characteristics of the optical modulation layer 34. One of the pair of substrates 32 has a corner cube array composed of a plurality of corner cubes 36. The corner cube array 36 has a plurality of projections 46 defining an interval between the pair of substrates 30 and 32, the plurality of projections 46 being disposed in peak portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Sayuri Fujiwara, Kiyoshi Minoura, Makoto Kanbe, Yutaka Sawayama
-
Patent number: 7084849Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: pixel electrodes arranged in columns and rows, each including a reflective electrode region; scanning lines; and signal lines. The device sequentially supplies a scanning signal voltage to one of the scanning lines after another to select one group of pixel electrodes, connected to the same one of the scanning lines, after another, and then supplies display signal voltages to the selected group of pixel electrodes by way of the signal lines, thereby displaying an image thereon. The pixel electrodes are arranged such that the polarity of a voltage to be applied to a liquid crystal layer is inverted for every predetermined number of pixel electrodes in each of the rows and in each of the columns. The display signal voltage to be supplied to each pixel electrode is updated at a frequency of 45 Hz or less.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noboru Noguchi, Hisashi Nagata, Toshihiro Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Makoto Kanbe, Akihiko Kojima
-
Publication number: 20060125755Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: pixel electrodes arranged in columns and rows, each including a reflective electrode region; scanning lines; and signal lines. The device sequentially supplies a scanning signal voltage to one of the scanning lines after another to select one group of pixel electrodes, connected to the same one of the scanning lines, after another, and then supplies display signal voltages to the selected group of pixel electrodes by way of the signal lines, thereby displaying an image thereon. The pixel electrodes are arranged such that the polarity of a voltage to be applied to a liquid crystal layer is inverted for every predetermined number of pixel electrodes in each of the rows and in each of the columns. The display signal voltage to be supplied to each pixel electrode is updated at a frequency of 45 Hz or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noboru Noguchi, Hisashi Nagata, Toshihiro Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Makoto Kanbe, Akihiko Kojima
-
Erasing device for liquid crystal display image and liquid crystal display device including the same
Publication number: 20060007217Abstract: An erasing device for a liquid crystal display image of the present invention is furnished with an auxiliary power source for continuously supplying power source to a liquid crystal display panel for a certain period after the main power source of the main body of the liquid crystal display device is turned OFF. Upon input of a power source OFF signal directing to turn OFF the main power source, a driving signal generating circuit and a driver controller light up the liquid crystal display panel entirely on a saturation voltage of the liquid crystal and subsequently shut off the same entirely using the power supply from the auxiliary power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Yasuhisa Itoh, Shigeto Yoshida, Hiroshi Yoneda -
Publication number: 20060007377Abstract: A display device includes: a display medium layer; and a first electrode and a second electrode, which face each other with the display medium layer interposed between them. The first electrode includes: a first conductive layer; and a first polymer film, which covers the first conductive layer and which makes contact with the display medium layer. The second electrode includes: a second conductive layer; and a second polymer film, which covers the second conductive layer and which makes contact with the display medium layer. At least a portion of the first conductive layer has a different work function from the second conductive layer. The number of benzene rings included in each of the first and second polymer films is 0.4 or less for a molecular weight of 100.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Sayuri Fujiwara
-
Patent number: 6980270Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of a transflective type of the present invention is so arranged that a transparent electrode and a reflective electrode that compose a pixel do not match in position with each other, and the reflective electrode straddles a gate bus line and a source bus line. With this, a transparent electrode and a reflective electrode that are adjacent to each other without being electrically connected are arranged so as to overlap with each other, when viewed in the normal direction of the display surface, thereby eliminating an inter-pixel region therebetween. This reduces a ratio of the inter-pixel region with respect to the display screen, so that it is possible to further improve a pixel aperture ratio and to improve light utilization efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiko Tsuda, Kozo Nakamura, Makoto Kanbe, Satoru Kishimoto
-
Publication number: 20050275773Abstract: A reflection-type display device 200 includes: an active switch layer 201s including a plurality of switching elements 201t; a plurality of pixel electrodes 207 each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements 201t; a reflective layer 205 formed between the active switch layer 201s and the plurality of pixel electrodes 207; and a modulation layer 213 provided at a side of the pixel electrodes 207 facing a viewer, the modulation layer 213 being capable of switching between a first state and a second state of respectively different optical characteristics. The reflective layer 205 is connected to neither the plurality of switching elements 201t nor the plurality of pixel electrodes 207.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2005Publication date: December 15, 2005Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Sayuri Fujiwara, Yutaka Sawayama, Kiyoshi Minoura, Makoto Kanbe