Patents by Inventor Takehiro Murao

Takehiro Murao 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: 20180205942
    Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel comprising an electro-optic material has first and second regions. The parallax barrier panel is configured in a first mode to address the first and second electrodes on the basis of at least one received drive signal such that: the first electrodes define, in the first region of the panel, a first parallax barrier array selected from a plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays; and the second electrodes define, in the second region of the panel, independently of the first parallax barrier array, a second parallax barrier array selected from the plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays, the second parallax barrier array being different to the first parallax barrier array. To obtain a good autostereoscopic 3-D viewing zone the pitch of a parallax barrier would ideally vary over the width of the parallax barrier panel as a function of viewing distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan James SMITH, John Patrick NONWEILER, Laura HUANG, Hywel HOPKIN, Takehiro MURAO
  • Publication number: 20180199030
    Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel, for use in a display system with a 3D mode, includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second substrates. The first and second substrates each respectively has a plurality of first and second electrodes, the electrodes being independently addressable from one another and comprising a plurality of electrode portions extending along a first direction and laterally spaced from one another along a second direction different from the first direction. The electrode portions of the first electrodes are arranged in a cyclic arrangement having a first pitch, and the electrode portions of the second electrodes are arranged in a cyclic arrangement having a second pitch that is different to the first pitch. The first and second electrodes are driven to generate different reconfigurable parallax barrier arrays corresponding to different viewing distances in a 3D mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan James SMITH, André Filipe Marques da Silva, Takehiro Murao, Ryoh Kikuchi, Takayuki Yamada, Andrew Acreman
  • Publication number: 20180192038
    Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel comprising an electro-optic material has a first region, a second region and a first compensation region. First electrodes are addressable to define, in the first region of the panel, a parallax barrier array selected from a plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays, and second electrodes are addressable define, in the second region of the panel, independently of the first parallax barrier array, a parallax barrier array selected from the plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays. Electrodes of the first compensation region are addressable to define, dependent on the first parallax barrier array and on the second parallax barrier array, at least one slit and/or at least one barrier between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan James SMITH, Hywel HOPKIN, Takehiro MURAO, Ryoh KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180163398
    Abstract: The invention provides suspended or “dropped” ceiling systems based upon the use of standard inverted T-bar lattices. The ceiling panels are constructed from two pieces which, when assembled in place, capture the T-bar in a manner that prevents the panels from shaking loose. A suspended ceiling assembled with the panels of this invention will withstand the forces of an earthquake without experiencing panel drop-outs, and the ceiling will remain intact so long as the T-bars remain suspended from the structural ceiling above. The panels of the invention can, in preferred embodiments, carry lighting fixtures, and the required wiring can be installed and concealed below the T-bars rather than within the plenum space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Takehiro Murao
  • Patent number: 9906777
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display device (1) of the present invention includes a display panel (10), a switch liquid crystal panel (20), a first polarizing plate (15) and a second polarizing plate (24), and a control unit for moving a parallax barrier in which transmitting regions and non-transmitting regions are formed in periodic fashion in a predetermined alignment direction, in such a manner that the parallax barrier is moved in the predetermined alignment direction in accordance with position information, and causing the switch liquid crystal panel (20) to display the parallax barrier. A first alignment film (216) and a second alignment film (226) of the switch liquid crystal panel (20) are rubbed so that molecule long axes of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinities of the center of a liquid crystal layer (23) in the thickness direction in a state where no voltage is applied are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction as viewed in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoh Kikuchi, Takehiro Murao, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9874770
    Abstract: A display device (1) includes a display panel (10), a switch liquid crystal panel (20), and a control unit (40). The switch liquid crystal panel (20) includes a transparent electrode (2) provided in an active area (AA) on at least one of a first substrate (21) and a second substrate (22), and a metal line (3) provided outside the active area (AA) on at least one of the first substrate (21) and the second substrate (22), along four sides of the active area (AA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoh Kikuchi, Takehiro Murao, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9872013
    Abstract: Obtained is a configuration of a stereoscopic display device that allows a viewer to easily correct settings for stereoscopic display. A stereoscopic display device (1) includes: a display panel (10) for displaying an image; a switch liquid crystal panel (20) that is arranged so as to be stacked on the display panel (10); a position sensor for acquiring position information of a viewer; and a control unit for causing the switch liquid crystal panel (20) to display a parallax barrier in which transmitting regions and non-transmitting regions are formed in periodic fashion in a predetermined alignment direction. The control unit has, as operation modes, at least a tracking mode in which, according to the position information, the parallax barrier is moved in the alignment direction and is displayed on the switch liquid crystal panel (20), and a calibration mode for calibration of a reference position of the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuto Yoshino, Takehiro Murao, Hiroshi Fukushima, Ryoh Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9784982
    Abstract: A configuration of a stereoscopic display device that is capable of maintaining crosstalk at a low level even when a viewer moves is provided. A stereoscopic display device (1) includes: a display panel (10) for displaying an image; a switch liquid crystal panel (20) that is arranged so as to be stacked on the display panel (10); a position sensor for acquiring position information of a viewer; and a control unit for moving a parallax barrier in which transmitting regions and non-transmitting regions are formed in periodic fashion in a predetermined alignment direction, in such a manner that the parallax barrier is moved in the predetermined alignment direction in accordance with the position information, and causing the switch liquid crystal panel (20) to display the parallax barrier. The switch liquid crystal panel (20) includes: a liquid crystal layer (23) in which refractive index anisotropy ?n of liquid crystal molecules is 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Murao, Ryoh Kikuchi, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20170269357
    Abstract: Provided is a configuration of a stereoscopic display device that is capable of performing stereoscopic display in a plurality of orientations and reducing crosstalk. A stereoscopic display device (1) includes a display panel (10), a switching liquid crystal panel (20), a position sensor that acquires position information of a viewer, and a control device. The switching liquid crystal panel (20) includes a first substrate (21) and a second substrate (22); a liquid crystal layer; a plurality of first electrodes (211) arranged along a first direction at first intervals (BP1); a plurality of auxiliary electrodes (212) arranged along the first direction at the first intervals (BP1); an insulating film; and a plurality of second electrode (221) arranged along a second direction that intersects with the first direction at second intervals (BP2). The auxiliary electrodes (221) are arranged between the first electrodes (211), when viewed in a plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Takehiro MURAO, Ryoh KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 9753292
    Abstract: Provide is a stereoscopic display device that is capable of, while preventing the crosstalk ratio from deteriorating, increasing the brightness during 3D display, switching 2D display and 3D display without decreases in the resolution, and achieving a switching response speed at the same level as that in the parallax barrier method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Murao, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima, Tomoo Takatani
  • Patent number: 9648311
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display device is provided where the luminance variation encountered when the parallax barrier is switched is reduced for viewing from a wide region. The stereoscopic display device includes: a display panel that displays an image; a switch liquid crystal panel disposed to overlie the display panel and including a liquid crystal layer; a position sensor that obtains positional information about a viewer; and a control unit that receives the positional information from the position sensor and locally applies to the liquid crystal layer a first voltage for rendering the switch liquid crystal panel translucent and a second voltage for rendering the switch liquid crystal panel non-translucent to display a parallax barrier that depends on the positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuto Yoshino, Takehiro Murao, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9606367
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stereoscopic display device that can reduce moiré that occurs due to light-shielding areas in the aperture of pixels. The stereoscopic display device includes a display panel and a parallax barrier. The display panel has a plurality of pixels and displays a stereoscopic image. In the parallax barrier, the direction in which transmissive and non-transmissive parts are alternately arranged is the first direction and the lengthwise direction of the non-transmissive parts is the second direction. There is a boundary that extends in the second direction between two pixels next to each other in the first direction. There are light-shielding areas in the aperture of each pixel. There is a space between the boundary and the light-shielding areas. Of two pixels next to each other in the second direction, the light-shielding areas in the aperture of one pixel are shifted in the first direction with respect to the light-shielding areas in the aperture of the other pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuto Yoshino, Takehiro Murao, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9599832
    Abstract: The objective is to provide a stereoscopic display device that can be switched among 2D display mode, 3D display mode and mirror mode. The device includes: a display panel (12); a switch liquid crystal panel (14); an absorptive polarizer (16); and a reflective polarizer (22). The switch liquid crystal panel (14) is located closer to the viewer than the display panel (12) is. The absorptive polarizer (16) is located closer to the viewer than the switch liquid crystal panel (14) is. The reflective polarizer (22) is located between the display panel (12) and the switch liquid crystal panel (14). The reflective polarizer (22) has a transmission axis (L6) perpendicular to the transmission axis (L3) of the absorptive polarizer (16) and passes those components of light entering the reflective polarizer (22) that are parallel to the transmission axis (L6) while reflecting those components that are perpendicular to the transmission axis (L6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Murao, Ryoh Kikuchi, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima, Tomoo Takatani
  • Patent number: 9588351
    Abstract: An objective is to provide a stereoscopic display device that can reduce moire occurring when the viewer is not at the optimum viewing position while maintaining the vertical degree of freedom. A parallax barrier (42) includes transparent portions (48) and light-shielding portions (46) arranged alternatingly. Supposing that a first direction is a direction in which the light-shielding portions (46) and the transparent portions (48) are arranged alternatingly and a second direction is a longitudinal direction of the light-shielding portions (46), a boundary portion (52) is present between two adjacent pixels (50) arranged in the first direction and extends in the second direction, and the edges (381, 382) of the light-shielding portions (46) disposed in the first direction have portions crossing a reference line (L) extending in the second direction and fluctuate in a specified cycle along the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Murao, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima, Tomoo Takatani
  • Publication number: 20170045763
    Abstract: Provided is a configuration of a stereoscopic display device that can suppress light leakage in inter-wire regions and keep crosstalk to a minimum. A stereoscopic display device includes a display panel, switching liquid crystal panel, location sensor that acquires location information of a viewer, and a controller. The switching liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate and second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of segment electrodes arranged with prescribed gaps therebetween along a first direction and each extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first insulating film rubbed in a first rubbing direction that is at a 45° to 90° angle to the second direction, a common electrode, and a second alignment film covering the common electrode and rubbed in a second rubbing direction that is orthogonal to the first rubbing direction. The controller changes the potential of the plurality of segment electrodes in accordance with the location information of the viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro MURAO, Ryoh KIKUCHI, Takuto YOSHINO, Hiroshi FUKUSHIMA
  • Patent number: 9497444
    Abstract: Provided is a stereoscopic display device capable of achieving good stereoscopic images with a low level of crosstalk in a wide area. A stereoscopic display device includes: a display panel; a switching liquid crystal panel arranged to overlap the display panel; a control section that controls the display panel and the switching liquid crystal panel; and a position sensor that obtains position information about a viewer and supplies the same to the control section. The display panel includes first pixel lines and second pixel lines that are arranged alternately in a vertical direction. The control section switches between a plurality of display modes including a tracking three-dimensional display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Murao, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20160291358
    Abstract: A display device (1) includes a display panel (10), a switch liquid crystal panel (20), and a control unit (40). The switch liquid crystal panel (20) includes a transparent electrode (2) provided in an active area (AA) on at least one of a first substrate (21) and a second substrate (22), and a metal line (3) provided outside the active area (AA) on at least one of the first substrate (21) and the second substrate (22), along four sides of the active area (AA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Ryoh KIKUCHI, Takehiro MURAO, Takuto YOSHINO, Hiroshi FUKUSHIMA
  • Patent number: 9459462
    Abstract: The objective is to provide a stereoscopic display device that can be switched among 2D display mode, 3D display mode and mirror mode, where 2D display may be realized even while the device is staying in mirror mode. The device includes: a display panel (12); a switch liquid crystal panel (14); an absorptive polarizer (16); and a reflective polarizer (22). The switch liquid crystal panel is located closer to the viewer than the display panel is. The absorptive polarizer is located closer to the viewer than the switch liquid crystal panel is. The reflective polarizer is located between the display panel and the switch liquid crystal panel. The reflective polarizer passes those components of light entering the reflective polarizer that are parallel to the transmission axis (L6) while reflecting those components that are perpendicular to the transmission axis. At least one of the substrates (32, 34) includes a transparent region (58) capable of passing light from the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Murao, Takuto Yoshino, Hiroshi Fukushima, Tomoo Takatani
  • Publication number: 20160286206
    Abstract: Obtained is a configuration of a stereoscopic display device that allows a viewer to easily correct settings for stereoscopic display. A stereoscopic display device (1) includes: a display panel (10) for displaying an image; a switch liquid crystal panel (20) that is arranged so as to be stacked on the display panel (10); a position sensor for acquiring position information of a viewer; and a control unit for causing the switch liquid crystal panel (20) to display a parallax barrier in which transmitting regions and non-transmitting regions are formed in periodic fashion in a predetermined alignment direction. The control unit has, as operation modes, at least a tracking mode in which, according to the position information, the parallax barrier is moved in the alignment direction and is displayed on the switch liquid crystal panel (20), and a calibration mode for calibration of a reference position of the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Takuto YOSHINO, Takehiro MURAO, Hiroshi FUKUSHIMA, Ryoh KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160261857
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display device (1) of the present invention includes a display panel (10), a switch liquid crystal panel (20), a first polarizing plate (15) and a second polarizing plate (24), and a control unit for moving a parallax barrier in which transmitting regions and non-transmitting regions are formed in periodic fashion in a predetermined alignment direction, in such a manner that the parallax barrier is moved in the predetermined alignment direction in accordance with position information, and causing the switch liquid crystal panel (20) to display the parallax barrier. A first alignment film (216) and a second alignment film (226) of the switch liquid crystal panel (20) are rubbed so that molecule long axes of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinities of the center of a liquid crystal layer (23) in the thickness direction in a state where no voltage is applied are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction as viewed in a plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ryoh KIKUCHI, Takehiro MURAO, Takuto YOSHINO, Hiroshi FUKUSHIMA