Patents by Inventor Masafumi Hirata

Masafumi Hirata 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: 20180122828
    Abstract: A display panel includes selection transistors connected to ends of gate lines, first inspection transistors connected to data lines, second inspection transistors provided in each group, a first conductive electrode of each of second inspection transistors being connected to the control electrode of each of the selection transistors, inspection selection signal supply wirings connected to a second conductive electrode of each of second inspection transistors, each of inspection selection signal supply wirings supplying a control signal for turning on or off the second inspection transistor; and an inspection control signal supply wiring connected to a control electrode of each of first inspection transistors and a control electrode of each of the second inspection transistors, the inspection control signal supply wiring supplying a control signal for turning on or off the first and second inspection transistors. The selection transistors and the second inspection transistors are arranged in a display region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Seto, Nagatoshi Kurahashi, Daisuke Kanemoto, Masafumi Hirata, Norimichi Shirai
  • Publication number: 20180074353
    Abstract: A display panel has a variant external shape. The display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, liquid crystal sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a seal made of a photosetting material, the seal being provided outside a display region, the seal being used to seal the liquid crystal by bonding the first substrate and the second substrate together, and a metallic pattern provided in the first substrate or the second substrate, including a plurality of slits through which light with which the seal is irradiated passes. The plurality of slits are formed along the external shape of the display panel in at least a portion corresponding to a variant portion of the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Masafumi HIRATA, Nagatoshi KURAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20170337859
    Abstract: Provided is a display panel, including: a display region having an anomaly shape; a plurality of first test transistors; a plurality of second test transistors; and test control signal supply wiring through which a control signal for turning on or off the first and second test transistors is to be supplied, in which first test transistors connected to gate lines crossing an anomaly part of the anomaly shape and second test transistors connected to data lines crossing the anomaly part are arranged in other patterns than a straight line, and in which the test control signal supply wiring includes first test control signal supply wiring, which is connected to control electrodes of the plurality of first test transistors, and second test control signal supply wiring, which is branched out from the first test control signal supply wiring and is connected to control electrodes of the plurality of second test transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Masafumi HIRATA
  • Publication number: 20170285392
    Abstract: A curved display comprises a first substrate 100 and a second substrate 200 that are disposed opposite to each other and both curved along the first direction. The first substrate includes data lines 11 and gate lines 12. The second substrate includes light transmission parts 202 and a light shielding part 203. The light shielding part includes first light shielding portions 203b extending in the first direction and second light shielding portions 203a extending in a second direction. The second light shielding portions include a central light shielding portion a5, a first end light shielding portion a1 disposed on one end side in the first direction, and a middle light shielding portion disposed therebetween. A width in the first direction of the middle light shielding portion is greater than or equal to that of the central light shielding portion and the first end light shielding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Masafumi HIRATA, Hiroaki GOTO, Takeshi ARAMAKI, Masashi KUNO
  • Patent number: 9626964
    Abstract: A voice recognition terminal is provided to be able to communicate with a server capable of voice recognition for recognizing voice, and includes a voice input acceptance portion accepting voice input from a user, a voice recognition portion carrying out voice recognition of the voice input accepted, a response processing execution portion performing processing for responding to the user based on a result of voice recognition of the voice input accepted, and a communication portion transmitting the voice input accepted by the voice input acceptance portion to the server and receiving a result of voice recognition in the server. The response processing execution portion performs the processing for responding to the user based on the result of voice recognition determined as more suitable, of the result of voice recognition by the voice recognition portion and the result of voice recognition received from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masafumi Hirata, Akira Tojima, Yuri Iwano
  • Patent number: 9287296
    Abstract: Provided is a display device, in which: a plurality of spacers placed between a first substrate and a second substrate include a first spacer placed between a first thin film transistor and a second thin film transistor and a second spacer placed between the first thin film transistor and a third thin film transistor; and a distance between a center of the first spacer and a center of a line width of a first data line is smaller than a distance between a center of the second spacer and a center of a line width of a second data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuta Funahashi, Masafumi Hirata, Yugo Takeda
  • Publication number: 20150149175
    Abstract: A voice recognition terminal is provided to be able to communicate with a server capable of voice recognition for recognizing voice, and includes a voice input acceptance portion accepting voice input from a user, a voice recognition portion carrying out voice recognition of the voice input accepted, a response processing execution portion performing processing for responding to the user based on a result of voice recognition of the voice input accepted, and a communication portion transmitting the voice input accepted by the voice input acceptance portion to the server and receiving a result of voice recognition in the server. The response processing execution portion performs the processing for responding to the user based on the result of voice recognition determined as more suitable, of the result of voice recognition by the voice recognition portion and the result of voice recognition received from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi HIRATA, Akira TOJIMA, Yuri IWANO
  • Publication number: 20150120060
    Abstract: The apparatus control method includes the steps of designating at least one notification apparatus, determining notification information, judging a status of the designated notification apparatus, and transmitting the notification information to the designated notification apparatus in accordance with a judgment result obtained in the status judging step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunori YAMASHITA, Masafumi HIRATA, Hideaki KIZUKI, Makoto SHINKAI
  • Publication number: 20150120304
    Abstract: A speaking control method including a switching step of switching between answer options for an answer to a user in a case where a sound level of target audio data falls within a first predetermined sound-level range, the answer options being associated with a case where audio data content indicated by the target audio data is recognized and a case where the audio data content is not recognized, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunori YAMASHITA, Masafumi HIRATA, Hideaki KIZUKI, Makoto SHINKAI
  • Publication number: 20150060858
    Abstract: Provided is a display device, in which: a plurality of spacers placed between a first substrate and a second substrate include a first spacer placed between a first thin film transistor and a second thin film transistor and a second spacer placed between the first thin film transistor and a third thin film transistor; and a distance between a center of the first spacer and a center of a line width of a first data line is smaller than a distance between a center of the second spacer and a center of a line width of a second data line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuta FUNAHASHI, Masafumi HIRATA, Yugo TAKEDA
  • Patent number: 8780269
    Abstract: A television (100) includes: a receiving section (202) for receiving additional information which is added to and transmitted along with a broadcast content; a processing section (222) for processing additional information so that a mobile device (120) can obtain information that is specific to unique information which the television (100) has; and a transmitting section (224) for transmitting processed additional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Daiki Ogasawara, Katsuo Doi, Yasunori Yamashita, Masafumi Hirata
  • Patent number: 8743328
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for a liquid crystal display device, in which a semiconductor pattern and a metal pattern are formed so that the semiconductor pattern includes a first portion formed under the metal pattern and a second portion which outwardly extends off the metal pattern from the first portion. An insulating layer for covering the metal pattern and the semiconductor pattern is formed. The insulating layer is subjected to etching in a first region located above the metal pattern and in a second region located above at least the second portion of the semiconductor pattern. In the etching step, the insulating layer in the first region is subjected to etching to form a through hole for electrical connection to the metal pattern, and the insulating layer and the semiconductor pattern in the second region are subjected to etching to remove the second portion of the semiconductor pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Funahashi, Tetsuya Kawamura, Masafumi Hirata
  • Patent number: 8633491
    Abstract: An etching resist including first and second portions, the first portion being thicker than the second portion, is formed on a metallic layer. Through the etching resist, a semiconductor layer and the metallic layer are patterned by etching so as to form a wiring from the metallic layer and leave the semiconductor layer under the wiring. An electrical test is conducted on the wiring. The second portion is removed while the first portion is left unremoved. Selective etching is performed through the first portion so as to leave the semiconductor layer unetched to pattern the wiring to be divided into drain and source electrodes. A substrate is cut. In patterning the wiring, the wiring is etched to be cut at a position closer to a cutting line of the substrate with respect to the drain and source electrodes, while leaving the semiconductor layer unetched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawamura, Masashi Sato, Yoshiki Watanabe, Hiroaki Iwato, Masafumi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20140016036
    Abstract: A television (100) includes: a receiving section (202) for receiving additional information which is added to and transmitted along with a broadcast content; a processing section (222) for processing additional information so that a mobile device (120) can obtain information that is specific to unique information which the television (100) has; and a transmitting section (224) for transmitting processed additional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Daiki Ogasawara, Katsuo Doi, Yasunori Yamashita, Masafumi Hirata
  • Patent number: 8390615
    Abstract: A television 1 of the present invention is a television 1 for processing display data and displaying an image based on the processed display data, the display data containing the image and a control script that defines at least a function of displaying the image, wherein the television 1 includes a basic function executing section 42 for executing a basic function program called from the control script, the basic function program being stored in a basic function program storage section 29; and a control script executing section 41 for controlling basic function executing section 42 according to the control script so as to perform a first function for displaying the image, the first function being defined by the control script, the control script further defines a second function which the television 1 performs while the image is being displayed by the first function, and the control script executing section 41 controls the basic function executing section 42 according to the control script so as to execute th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Furukawa, Masafumi Hirata, Soichi Nitta, Tatsuo Sudo, Azusa Umemoto, Aya Enatsu, Masafumi Takahashi, Takuya Kinoshita, Kiyotaka Kashito, Katsuo Doi, Satoshi Eguchi, Hideyuki Otokawa, Kentaro Sakakura, Masaki Hasiura
  • Patent number: 8294734
    Abstract: A control section of a slideshow display device includes a display control section. The display control section 115 causes a list of thumbnails to be displayed when a display timing at which a target image other than a currently displayed image is to be displayed comes before a predetermined point in time. As such, when display delay occurs, a list of thumbnails can be displayed, instead of the target image. This realizes an image display device which prevents a user from being subject to stress when display delay occurs in slideshow display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sudo, Takuya Kinoshita, Masafumi Takahashi, Soichi Nitta, Masafumi Hirata, Aya Enatsu, Azusa Umemoto, Kiyotaka Kashito
  • Patent number: 8188956
    Abstract: The present invention prevents a TFT liquid crystal display device from deteriorating its image quality due to the insufficiency of voltage written through TFTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Oke, Masafumi Hirata, Shisei Katou, Chiharu Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8161339
    Abstract: When a content playback apparatus has detected a content data acquisition error in a process of acquiring title screen content serving as next content that is to be reproduced after top screen content, the content playback apparatus reproduces sub-content contained as error-handling information in the top screen content, and then displays an error screen. The error screen is contained as sub-content in the top screen content, and therefore can be changed flexibly. This makes it possible to provide a content playback apparatus capable of performing error handling flexibly in accordance with the content being reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Furukawa, Masafumi Hirata, Soichi Nitta, Aya Enatsu, Tatsuo Sudo, Masafumi Takahashi, Kiyotaka Kashito, Takuya Kinoshita, Azusa Umemoto, Katsuo Doi
  • Patent number: 8149335
    Abstract: A picture display apparatus, comprising: a synthesizing section for synthesizing divided screens to display a plurality of pictures on a single screen; a menu display section for displaying a menu in which a list of options is displayed, the options enabling a user to select a change to be made to at least one of a number, shapes, relative sizes, and relative positions of the divided screens and types of the pictures, so that the user can select from the options to switch to a corresponding screen arrangement; an icon display section for displaying an icon indicating a border between the divided screens in association with the options; and a border changing section for updating the divided screens according to a change in position of the border, wherein the icon display section displays the icon indicating a result of the change in position of the border before the border changing section updates the divided screens according to the change in position of the border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sudo, Katsuo Doi, Masafumi Takahashi, Takuya Kinoshita, Soichi Nitta, Masafumi Hirata, Kiyotaka Kashito, Aya Enatsu, Azusa Umemoto
  • Patent number: 8102349
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel which sandwiches liquid crystal in the inside thereof sealed by a TFT substrate, a color filter substrate and a sealing portion, and a flexible printed circuit board which is mounted on the TFT substrate, wherein the TFT substrate has an area larger than the color filter substrate. A plurality of scanning lines extend in a lateral direction and are arranged parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction, a plurality data signal lines extend in the longitudinal direction and are arranged parallel to each other in the lateral direction, and terminal portions corresponding to the scanning lines are formed on the TFT substrate, the terminal portion is arranged at a region that is not covered by the color filter substrate. The terminal portions and the scanning lines are connected by auxiliary lines and connection lines in order from the terminal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichirou Ashizawa, Katsumi Ichihara, Masafumi Hirata