Patents by Inventor Shinobu Nohtomi

Shinobu Nohtomi 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: 11556212
    Abstract: A processing system includes a level shifter, a drive circuit, and a capacitive sensing circuit. The level shifter is configured to generate a first level-shifted output corresponding to a graylevel value and a second level-shifted output corresponding to capacitive sensing control data. The drive circuit is configured to generate an output voltage based at least in part on the first level-shifted output. The capacitive sensing circuit is configured to receive a resulting signal from a sensor electrode and generate, based at least in part on the second level-shifted output, a capacitive sensing output corresponding to the resulting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinobu Nohtomi
  • Patent number: 11521526
    Abstract: A display driver comprises a decoder, a first source amplifier and a logic circuitry. The decoder is configured to output a grayscale voltage corresponding to an image data. The first source amplifier is configured to output a first source output voltage corresponding to the grayscale voltage to a first external output terminal. The logic circuitry is configured to generate fault detection data for fault detection of a test object connected to the first external output terminal. The fault detection data is based on a comparison output signal generated based on a comparison between a reference voltage and a voltage on the first external output terminal. The comparison is performed by the first source amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Sosuke Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20220252648
    Abstract: A processing system includes a level shifter, a drive circuit, and a capacitive sensing circuit. The level shifter is configured to generate a first level-shifted output corresponding to a graylevel value and a second level-shifted output corresponding to capacitive sensing control data. The drive circuit is configured to generate an output voltage based at least in part on the first level-shifted output. The capacitive sensing circuit is configured to receive a resulting signal from a sensor electrode and generate, based at least in part on the second level-shifted output, a capacitive sensing output corresponding to the resulting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinobu Nohtomi
  • Patent number: 11209926
    Abstract: A processing system comprises a first source amplifier and an analog front end. The first source amplifier comprises a first input electrically connectable to a first sensor electrode of a display panel and configured to generate a first drive signal based on a first grayscale voltage corresponding to a first pixel data and generate a first comparison output signal based on a first sensing signal from the first sensor electrode and a reference voltage. The analog front end is configured to generate a first digital detection data used for proximity sensing based on the first comparison output signal outputted from the first source amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Nobukazu Tanaka, Takayuki Noto
  • Patent number: 11204669
    Abstract: A display device comprises: a display panel comprising a plurality of pixel regions each comprising one or more pixels; a plurality of receiver electrodes respectively associated with the plurality of pixel regions and configured to supply a VCOM voltage; and data write lines configured to transmit data write signals for writing display data into the plurality of pixel regions. One or more but not all of the plurality of receiver electrodes fail to supply the VCOM voltage, while the display data are being written into one or more but not all of the plurality of pixel regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: OMNIVISION TDDI ONTARIO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Shinobu Nohtomi
  • Publication number: 20210157434
    Abstract: A processing system comprises a first source amplifier and an analog front end. The first source amplifier comprises a first input electrically connectable to a first sensor electrode of a display panel and configured to generate a first drive signal based on a first grayscale voltage corresponding to a first pixel data and generate a first comparison output signal based on a first sensing signal from the first sensor electrode and a reference voltage. The analog front end is configured to generate a first digital detection data used for proximity sensing based on the first comparison output signal outputted from the first source amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Nobukazu Tanaka, Takayuki Noto
  • Publication number: 20210065595
    Abstract: A display driver comprises a decoder, a first source amplifier and a logic circuitry. The decoder is configured to output a grayscale voltage corresponding to an image data. The first source amplifier is configured to output a first source output voltage corresponding to the grayscale voltage to a first external output terminal. The logic circuitry is configured to generate fault detection data for fault detection of a test object connected to the first external output terminal. The fault detection data is based on a comparison output signal generated based on a comparison between a reference voltage and a voltage on the first external output terminal. The comparison is performed by the first source amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Shinobu NOHTOMI, Sosuke TSUJI
  • Patent number: 10928944
    Abstract: A processing system comprises a first source amplifier and an analog front end. The first source amplifier comprises a first input electrically connectable to a first sensor electrode of a display panel and configured to generate a first drive signal based on a first grayscale voltage corresponding to a first pixel data and generate a first comparison output signal based on a first sensing signal from the first sensor electrode and a reference voltage. The analog front end is configured to generate a first digital detection data used for proximity sensing based on the first comparison output signal outputted from the first source amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Nobukazu Tanaka, Takayuki Noto
  • Patent number: 10768741
    Abstract: A semiconductor device configured to drive a display panel in a display period, and perform touch sensing on the display panel in a touch sensing period after the display period. In a last horizontal sync period of the display period, the semiconductor device drives a first source line with a drive voltage of a first polarity, and a second source line with a drive voltage of a second polarity different from the first polarity. is the semiconductor is configured to output a first dummy pulse having first polarity and a voltage level based on the second display data to the first source line in a transition period between the display period and the touch sensing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Creative Legend Semiconductor (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Kazuya Endo, Shinobu Nohtomi, Atsushi Shikata, Kentaro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20200241666
    Abstract: A display device comprises: a display panel comprising a plurality of pixel regions each comprising one or more pixels; a plurality of receiver electrodes respectively associated with the plurality of pixel regions and configured to supply a VCOM voltage; and data write lines configured to transmit data write signals for writing6 display data into the plurality of pixel regions. One or more but not all of the plurality of receiver electrodes fail to supply the VCOM voltage, while the display data are being written into one or more but not all of the plurality of pixel regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventor: Shinobu NOHTOMI
  • Patent number: 10372248
    Abstract: The semiconductor device is intended for connection with an in-cell type display touch panel having a plurality of common electrodes, a reference voltage for display is applied to the common electrodes in a display drive period, and the common electrodes serve as sensor electrodes in a touch detection period. The semiconductor device includes a DC level shift circuit operable to shift the DC level of a toggle signal output by a toggle drive circuit to the reference voltage. The semiconductor device supplies the reference voltage to the common electrodes of the display touch panel in the display drive period, and performs a guarding action in which at least a part of the plurality of common electrodes is supplied with a toggle signal shifted in DC level in the touch detection period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kazuya Endo, Shinobu Nohtomi, Nobukazu Tanaka, Tomohiro Hirakawa, Hiroshi Takeyama, Takayuki Noto, Petr Shepelev
  • Patent number: 10152921
    Abstract: a display driver is provided which drives a display panel. The display driver includes first and second buffer amplifiers associated with first and second pixels positioned adjacent in a horizontal direction; first and second connection switches; and a controller. Each of the first and second buffer amplifiers includes: a differential input circuit including a MOS transistor pair, first and second drain interconnections; an active load circuit connected to the first and second drain interconnections; and an output stage. The first connection switch is connected between the output nodes of the first and second buffer amplifiers. The second connection switch is connected between the first drain interconnections of the first and second buffer amplifiers. The controller controls the first and second switches in response to image data associated with the first and second pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Japan GK
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hikichi, Shinobu Nohtomi
  • Publication number: 20180335888
    Abstract: A semiconductor device configured to drive a display panel in a display period, and perform touch sensing on the display panel in a touch sensing period after the display period. In a last horizontal sync period of the display period, the semiconductor device drives a first source line with a drive voltage of a first polarity, and a second source line with a drive voltage of a second polarity different from the first polarity. is the semiconductor is configured to output a first dummy pulse having first polarity and a voltage level based on the second display data to the first source line in a transition period between the display period and the touch sensing period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kazuya ENDO, Shinobu NOHTOMI, Atsushi SHIKATA, Kentaro SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180107309
    Abstract: The semiconductor device is intended for connection with an in-cell type display touch panel having a plurality of common electrodes, a reference voltage for display is applied to the common electrodes in a display drive period, and the common electrodes serve as sensor electrodes in a touch detection period. The semiconductor device includes a DC level shift circuit operable to shift the DC level of a toggle signal output by a toggle drive circuit to the reference voltage. The semiconductor device supplies the reference voltage to the common electrodes of the display touch panel in the display drive period, and performs a guarding action in which at least a part of the plurality of common electrodes is supplied with a toggle signal shifted in DC level in the touch detection period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Kazuya ENDO, Shinobu NOHTOMI, Nobukazu TANAKA, Tomohiro HIRAKAWA, Hiroshi TAKEYAMA, Takayuki NOTO, Petr SHEPELEV
  • Publication number: 20170270865
    Abstract: a display driver is provided which drives a display panel. The display driver includes first and second buffer amplifiers associated with first and second pixels positioned adjacent in a horizontal direction; first and second connection switches; and a controller. Each of the first and second buffer amplifiers includes: a differential input circuit including a MOS transistor pair, first and second drain interconnections; an active load circuit connected to the first and second drain interconnections; and an output stage. The first connection switch is connected between the output nodes of the first and second buffer amplifiers. The second connection switch is connected between the first drain interconnections of the first and second buffer amplifiers. The controller controls the first and second switches in response to image data associated with the first and second pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Toshiyuki HIKICHI, Shinobu NOHTOMI
  • Patent number: 7573456
    Abstract: A voltage impressed across the drain and source is reduced by further connecting in series one or two or more transistors between a couple of transistors in an output circuit including an output stage formed by connecting in series a couple of output transistors between a couple of power source voltage terminals and outputting the signal supplied to a gate signal generating circuit of a liquid crystal panel. Simultaneously, potential setting switch elements are also provided to prepare an intermediate potential of a couple of power source voltages and impress the intermediate potential to a base material of output transistors of the OFF state while the output transistors are turned OFF. Thereby, a liquid crystal display driving semiconductor integrated circuit may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Shinobu Nohtomi
  • Patent number: 7567244
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit for driving a liquid crystal display, capable of improving the quality of an image displayed by preventing an imbalance between the outputs of a pair of amplifiers for positive voltage and negative voltage for AC driving of the liquid crystal panel and transmission of noise from one amplifier to the other amplifier is realized. A driver circuit that generates and outputs dive signals to be applied to signal lines of the liquid crystal panel includes decoder circuits, each of which selects a gray-scale voltage corresponding to image data. It also includes amplifiers for positive voltage which perform impedance conversion of positive voltages selected by the decoder circuits and amplifiers for negative voltage which perform impedance conversion of negative voltages selected by the decoder circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Toshikazu Tachibana, Shinya Suzuki, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7535451
    Abstract: There are provided a liquid crystal drive method, a liquid crystal display system and a liquid crystal drive control device, which can realize low power consumption at an alternating current drive of a liquid crystal panel. A common voltage given to a common electrode of a liquid crystal is switched between a positive phase and a negative phase. Display data is converted in such a manner that first display data and second display data selecting two of a plurality of gradation voltages in which magnitudes of potential differences in the pixel electrodes in the positive phase and the negative phase with reference to the common voltage corresponding to display data in a display memory are the same are in the same bit pattern except for one specified bit. For example, bit allocation of positive and negative gradation display data is made in such a manner that low-order bits other than the highest order bit are symmetric up and down in binary with respect to the middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Shigeru Ota, Shinya Suzuki, Yoshitaka Iwasaki, Masahito Fujihira
  • Publication number: 20060262068
    Abstract: A voltage impressed across the drain and source is reduced by further connecting in series one or two or more transistors between a couple of transistors in an output circuit including an output stage formed by connecting in series a couple of output transistors between a couple of power source voltage terminals and outputting the signal supplied to a gate signal generating circuit of a liquid crystal panel. Simultaneously, potential setting switch elements are also provided to prepare an intermediate potential of a couple of power source voltages and impress the intermediate potential to a base material of output transistors of the OFF state while the output transistors are turned OFF. Thereby, a liquid crystal display driving semiconductor integrated circuit may be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventor: Shinobu Nohtomi
  • Publication number: 20060227091
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit for driving a liquid crystal display, capable of improving the quality of an image displayed by preventing an imbalance between the outputs of a pair of amplifiers for positive voltage and negative voltage for AC driving of the liquid crystal panel and transmission of noise from one amplifier to the other amplifier is realized. A driver circuit that generates and outputs dive signals to be applied to signal lines of the liquid crystal panel includes decoder circuits, each of which selects a gray-scale voltage corresponding to image data. It also includes amplifiers for positive voltage which perform impedance conversion of positive voltages selected by the decoder circuits and amplifiers for negative voltage which perform impedance conversion of negative voltages selected by the decoder circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Shinobu Nohtomi, Toshikazu Tachibana, Shinya Suzuki, Kazuo Okado