Patents by Inventor Masumi Kubo

Masumi Kubo 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: 7956971
    Abstract: There is provided a CPA-type liquid crystal display device in which deterioration in display quality due to application of stress to a liquid crystal panel is suppressed. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate; a second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer of a vertical-alignment type provided therebetween. In each picture element region, a first electrode provided on a side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer includes a solid portion formed of an electrically-conductive film and a non-solid portion in which no electrically-conductive film is formed. The solid portion includes a plurality of unit solid portions each of which is substantially surrounded by the non-solid portion, the plurality of unit solid portions being arranged at least along a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisakazu Nakamura, Masumi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7952667
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer provided on a surface of the first substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a second polarizer provided on a surface of the second substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a first phase compensation element provided between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer; and a second phase compensation element provided between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel areas are provided for display. The first substrate includes at least one transmissive electrode, and the second substrate includes a reflective electrode region and a transmissive electrode region in correspondence with each of the plurality of pixel areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Yozo Narutaki, Shogo Fujioka, Yuko Maruyama, Takayuki Shimada, Youji Yoshimura, Mikio Katayama, Yutaka Ishii, Shinya Yamakawa, Atsushi Ban
  • Publication number: 20110102713
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-domain type liquid crystal display device with a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer that can get a display operation done without making the viewer sense any unnaturalness and with the decrease in optical transmittance minimized. In the liquid crystal display device of this invention, the liquid crystal layer of each pixel has liquid crystal regions in which liquid crystal molecules tilt in multiple different directions when a voltage is applied between first and second electrodes. Each pixel has an opaque portion arranged on a boundary between the liquid crystal regions. The opaque portion is provided for at least one of the substrates so that when a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the liquid crystal molecules neighboring the boundary will tilt while turning one of their end portions, which is closer to the substrate with the opaque portion, away from the boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Ohgami, Masayuki Soga, Masakazu Shibasaki, Masumi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7916250
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal module and a touch panel section arranged in front of the liquid crystal module. There is a space between the liquid crystal module and the touch panel section, and a layer of air is present in the space. The liquid crystal module has a ?/4 plate on the front side. The touch panel section includes a polarization plate and ?/4 plate which are arranged on the front side of a touch panel in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kikuchi, Masumi Kubo, Takayuki Natsume
  • Patent number: 7916249
    Abstract: A color filter layer includes a first region and a second region, wherein the number of times that light used for display is transmitted through the color filter layer is different between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yozo Narutaki, Masumi Kubo, Shogo Fujioka, Takayuki Shimada, Mikio Katayama, Youji Yoshimura, Yutaka Ishii
  • Publication number: 20110025970
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device of high image quality, which has high brightness and excellent viewing angle characteristics. A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of polarizing plates, a first electrode, a second electrode provided so as to oppose the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. Each of a plurality of pixels includes a first region and a second region which are separated by a line parallel to or perpendicular to the directions of the transmission axes of the pair of polarizing plates. The first electrode includes, in each of the first region and the second region, a plurality of first branch portions extending in a first direction and a plurality of second branch portions extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction. Each of the plurality of first branch portions in the first region has a first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Ohgami, Masakazu Shibasaki, Masumi Kubo, Yuichi Iyama, Masayuki Soga
  • Patent number: 7876386
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device of the present invention, when a display voltage is applied to picture element electrodes, each picture element electrode forms a plurality of domains in which liquid crystal molecules align themselves in different directions. The picture element electrodes are formed such that their edge portions on the opposite sides of a picture-element-electrode aperture portion formed between the picture element electrodes face parallel to each other with a certain interval. A source bus line is provided along the picture-element-electrode aperture portion formed between the picture element electrodes. The source bus line is disposed beneath the picture element electrodes and at the edge portions of the picture element electrodes by overlapping therewith in a direction of thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110007252
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which allows an improvement in contrast ratio by compensating retardation given in a liquid crystal layer, even if a retardation layer has an inclined portion, and a desired retardation is varied at the inclined portion. The present invention is a vertical alignment liquid crystal display device, including: a pair of substrates facing each other; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates; a transmissive display region; and a reflective display region, wherein one of the pair of substrates includes a ?/4 retardation layer in the reflective display region, the ?/4 retardation layer protruding towards the liquid crystal layer, the ?/4 retardation layer includes an inclined portion inclined to a flat face of the substrate, and an azimuth of the inclined portion is substantially parallel to a slow axis azimuth of the ?/4 retardation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Ohgami, Masayuki Soga, Katsuhiro Kikuchi, Masakazu Shibasaki, Yuichi Iyama, Masumi Kubo
  • Publication number: 20110001691
    Abstract: A pixel of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal layer 42, a pixel electrode 12 and a counter electrode 22 opposing each other via the liquid crystal layer, a pair of vertical alignment films 32a, 32b, and alignment sustaining layers 34a, 34b formed by a photopolymerized material on surfaces of the alignment films which are closer to the liquid crystal layer. The pixel electrode has cruciform trunk portions 12h, 12v which are positioned so as to coincide with polarization axes of the pair of polarizing plates and a plurality of branch portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d extending from the cruciform trunk portions in directions of approximately 45°. The counter electrode has a cruciform opening 22a which is positioned so as to oppose the cruciform trunk portions. When a predetermined voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, four liquid crystal domains are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Ohgami, Masakazu Shibasaki, Masumi Kubo, Masayuki Soga
  • Publication number: 20100309400
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a picture element electrode in a first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side in each picture element region, and a counter electrode in a second substrate opposing the picture element electrode via the liquid crystal layer. In each picture element region, the picture element electrode includes a solid portion including multiple unit solid portions; and the liquid crystal layer is in a vertical orientation state with no voltage, and upon voltage application, forms a liquid crystal domain taking a radially-inclined orientation in positional correspondence with each unit solid portion by an oblique electric field produced near the unit solid portion. The liquid crystal display device further includes a storage capacitor connected electrically in parallel to a liquid crystal capacitor, and the storage capacitor is at least partially located in an area with no solid portion of the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100283947
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal display panel; and first and second light diffusing layers, each of which has a first major surface and a second major surface and each of which is arranged such that the first major surface opposes a viewer side surface of the liquid crystal display panel. Each of the first and second light diffusing layers includes a first region formed of a first substance which has a first refractive index N1 and a plurality of second regions formed of a second substance which has a second refractive index N2 (<N1). The plurality of second regions are arranged in the first region at a predetermined pitch P in one direction in a plane parallel to the second major surface. Each of the plurality of second regions forms a plurality of interfaces with the first region, the interfaces being inclined by ?° from the normal of the second major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishihara, Iori Aoyama, Tokio Taguchi, Akihiro Yamamoto, Masumi Kubo
  • Publication number: 20100283952
    Abstract: A VA-mode liquid crystal display device which includes a pair of alignment sustaining layers 34a and 34b formed by a photopolymerized material on surfaces of a pair of vertical alignment films 32a and 32b which are closer to a liquid crystal layer, and a cruciform opening 22a provided only in a counter electrode. When a predetermined voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, four liquid crystal domains are formed such that the azimuths of the directors of the respective liquid crystal domains are different from one another and form an angle of about 45? relative to the polarization axes of a pair of polarizing plates. When no voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, the pretilt azimuths of liquid crystal molecules included in regions respectively corresponding to the four liquid crystal domains are regulated by the alignment sustaining layers 34a and 34b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Ohgami, Masumi Kubo, Masayuki Soga
  • Publication number: 20100283950
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer provided on a surface of the first substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a second polarizer provided on a surface of the second substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a first phase compensation element provided between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer; and a second phase compensation element provided between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel areas are provided for display. The first substrate includes at least one transmissive electrode, and the second substrate includes a reflective electrode region and a transmissive electrode region in correspondence with each of the plurality of pixel areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Yøzo Narutaki, Shogo Fujioka, Yuko Maruyama, Takayuki Shimada, Youji Yoshimura, Mikio Katayama, Yutaka Ishii, Shinya Yamakawa, Atsushi Ban
  • Publication number: 20100253897
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device of high picture quality with high brightness and small display unevenness. A vertical alignment type liquid crystal display device which has a plurality of pixels includes: a first electrode which includes, in each of the plurality of pixels, a plurality of first branch portions extending in a first direction and a plurality of second branch portions extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction; a second electrode disposed so as to oppose the first electrode; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein a width of each of the plurality of first branch portions and the plurality of second branch portions is in a range not less than 1.4 ?m and not more than 8.0 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ohgami, Yoshito Hashimoto, Masakazu Shibasaki, Yuichi Iyama, Masumi Kubo, Masayuki Soga
  • Publication number: 20100245738
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, and a light diffusing layer which has first and second major surfaces and which is arranged such that the first major surface opposes a viewer side surface of the liquid crystal display panel. The light diffusing layer includes a first region formed of a first substance which has a first refractive index N1 and a plurality of second regions formed of a second substance which has a second refractive index N2 (<N1). The second regions are arranged in the first region at a predetermined pitch P in one direction in a plane parallel to the second major surface, each of the second regions forms interfaces with the first region, the interfaces being inclined by ?° from a normal of the second major surface. ?B which is expressed by ?B=tan?1 (a/Lb) is not more than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishihara, Iori Aoyama, Tokio Taguchi, Akihiro Yamamoto, Masumi Kubo
  • Publication number: 20100245736
    Abstract: A light diffusing layer 10 included in a light diffusing sheet and a liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a plurality of low refractive index regions (second regions) 14 formed of a substance which has a low refractive index (second substance). The shape of each of the low refractive index regions in a cross section perpendicular to the major surface is approximated to an isosceles triangle where the base is on the viewer side and the vertex is on the liquid crystal display panel side. The plurality of low refractive index regions are arranged in a high refractive index region (first region) formed of a high refractive index substance (first substance) at a predetermined pitch P in at least one direction in a plane parallel to the major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishihara, lori Aoyama, Tokio Taguchi, Akihiro Yamamoto, Masumi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7796216
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel 2 containing a liquid crystal having an alignment state which is so controlled that: a transmission intensity at an oblique viewing angle is greater than a frontal transmission intensity assuming a frontal transmittance of 1 for a white display and a transmittance of 1 at the oblique viewing angle for a white display; and a first region and a second region coexist in one or multiple picture element regions constituting a pixel, excess brightness occurring at the oblique viewing angle in the first region, no excess brightness occurring at the oblique viewing angle in the second region. The liquid crystal display device also includes a panel, 3, for use in viewing angle property control setting all or part of the second region of the liquid crystal display panel 2 to either a light-blocking state or a light-transmitting state as viewed from an oblique direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masumi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7791676
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a picture element electrode in a first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side in each picture element region, and a counter electrode in a second substrate opposing the picture element electrode via the liquid crystal layer. In each picture element region, the picture element electrode includes a solid portion including multiple unit solid portions; and the liquid crystal layer is in a vertical orientation state with no voltage, and upon voltage application, forms a liquid crystal domain taking a radially-inclined orientation in positional correspondence with each unit solid portion by an oblique electric field produced near the unit solid portion. The liquid crystal display device further includes a storage capacitor connected electrically in parallel to a liquid crystal capacitor, and the storage capacitor is at least partially located in an area with no solid portion of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100201928
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer provided on a surface of the first substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a second polarizer provided on a surface of the second substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a first phase compensation element provided between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer; and a second phase compensation element provided between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel areas are provided for display. The first substrate includes at least one transmissive electrode, and the second substrate includes a reflective electrode region and a transmissive electrode region in correspondence with each of the plurality of pixel areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Yozo Narutaki, Shogo Fujioka, Yuko Maruyama, Takayuki Shimada, Youji Yoshimura, Mikio Katayama, Yutaka Ishii, Shirrya Yamakawa, Atsushi Ban
  • Publication number: 20100194674
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device (1) of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel (3) and a backlight (2). In the backlight (2), a plurality of plasma tubes (22) are employed as light sources. The backlight (2) includes: a substrate (21) and; an array structure (23) in which the plurality of plasma tubes (22) are provided, in an array, on the substrate (21). A surface of the array structure (23) opposite to a surface facing the substrate (21) serves as a light emitting section (29) that irradiates the liquid crystal display panel (3). Since the backlight includes plasma tubes serving as the light sources, it is possible to achieve a thinner liquid crystal display device that carries out a high-definition image display in spite of its thin thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishihara, Masumi Kubo, Tokio Taguchi, Kenji Okamoto