Patents by Inventor Tetsuo Minami

Tetsuo Minami 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: 8848000
    Abstract: A display device includes: a display section including scan lines, power lines, signal lines, and pixels, each having a light emitting element and a pixel circuit which has a first transistor controlling a current in the light emitting element, and a second transistor writing a voltage on the signal line to the first transistor; and a driver section driving the pixels. Each power line is provided for each unit of pixel rows. The driver section sequentially applies a first pulse signal for inactivating the light emitting element to each of the scan lines in a pixel row unit, and applies one or more second pulse signals for activating the second transistor to at least a scan line corresponding to a pixel row to be inactivated first in the pixel row unit while a non-gray-scale signal is applied to each signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8842101
    Abstract: A panel, display device and control method in which pixels each have a light emitting element. The potential of the video signal line is switched to a low potential before writing, a high potential during writing, and an intermediate potential after writing has been performed. Switching of the power supply lines from the high potential to the low potential is performed in a period after the potential of the video signal line has been switched from the high potential to the immediate potential, before the potential of the video signal line is switched from the intermediate potential to the low potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minami
  • Patent number: 8836690
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display apparatus including a pixel array section and a drive section. The pixel array section has power supply lines, scan lines arranged in row, signal lines arranged in column, and pixels arranged in matrix at intersections of each of the scan lines and each of the signal lines. The drive transistor is connected at one of a pair of current terminals to the light emitting device and at the other of the pair of current terminals to the power supply line. The drive section supplies a control signal to each scan line and a video signal to each signal line to drive each pixel, executing a threshold voltage correcting operation, a write operation, and a light emitting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Masatsugu Tomida, Yukihito Iida, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8810489
    Abstract: A display includes a pixel array part with pixels that each have at least one transistor whose conduction state is controlled by a drive signal input to a control terminal, and a scanner including a plurality of buffers that are formed of transistors. The buffers correspond to a pixel arrangement and output a drive signal to the control terminals of the transistors of the pixels. The transistors of the pixels and the transistors of the buffers are formed through irradiation with laser light that is moved for scanning in a predetermined direction and has a predetermined wavelength. The transistors in the buffers are formed in such a way that the channel length direction of the transistors is set parallel to the scan direction of the laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Junichi Yamashita, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20140210871
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes: a switching transistor whose conduction is controlled by a drive signal supplied to the control terminal; a drive wiring adapted to propagate the drive signal; and a data wiring adapted to propagate a data signal. The drive wiring is formed on a first wiring layer and connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor. The data wiring is formed on a second wiring layer and connected to a first terminal of the switching transistor. A multi-layered wiring structure is used so that the second wiring layer is formed on a layer different from that on which the first wiring layer is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Yukihito Iida, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8743029
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display device including a pixel array unit, a first scanning circuit, a second scanning circuit and a selecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Tanikame, Yukihito Iida, Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20140139106
    Abstract: A light-emitting element includes an emitting unit and a driving circuit configured to drive the emitting unit. The driving circuit includes a driving transistor, an image signal writing transistor, and a capacitor unit. The driving circuit is connected to a current supply line and a scanning line both extending in a first direction and connected to a data line extending in a second direction. The current supply line and the scanning line are formed on the first interlayer insulating layer and the first interlayer insulating layer, the current supply line, and the scanning line are covered with a second interlayer insulating layer. The data line is formed on the second interlayer insulating layer. A shield wall extending in the first direction is provided to the second interlayer insulating layer between one light-emitting element and a light-emitting element adjacent to the one light-emitting element in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Junichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8730135
    Abstract: A self-luminous display panel driving method for driving a self-luminous display panel of the active matrix driving type, includes the step of executing threshold value correction operation for a driving transistor divisionally in a plurality of periods within at least one of which, after a point of time of an end of a preceding correction period till a point of time of a start of a succeeding correction period, a potential to be applied to the drain electrode of the driving transistor is controlled to an intermediate potential between a first potential for lighting driving of the driving transistor and a second potential for initialization applied within a preparation period of the first one of the correction periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihito Iida, Yutaka Mitomi, Mitsuru Asano, Tetsuo Minami, Takao Tanikame, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8730134
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes: a switching transistor whose conduction is controlled by a drive signal supplied to the control terminal; a drive wiring adapted to propagate the drive signal; and a data wiring adapted to propagate a data signal. The drive wiring is formed on a first wiring layer and connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor. The data wiring is formed on a second wiring layer and connected to a first terminal of the switching transistor. A multi-layered wiring structure is used so that the second wiring layer is formed on a layer different from that on which the first wiring layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Yukihito Iida, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20140049456
    Abstract: A display device including: a pixel array section; power supply lines; and auxiliary electrodes, wherein each pixel has an auxiliary capacitance, and one of electrodes of the auxiliary capacitance is connected to the source electrode of the drive transistor, and another electrode is connected to the auxiliary electrode for the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihito Iida, Tetsuo Minami, Takao Tanikame, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8654045
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display that includes a pixel array part having a plurality of pixel circuits that are arranged in a matrix and each have at least one transistor of which conduction state is controlled through reception of a drive signal to a control terminal, and a scanner including a plurality of buffers that are formed of transistors. The buffers correspond to a pixel arrangement and output a drive signal to the control terminals of the transistors included in the pixel circuits. The transistors in the pixel circuits and the transistors in the buffers are formed through irradiation with laser light that is moved for scanning in a predetermined direction and has a predetermined wavelength. The transistors in the buffers are formed in such a way that the channel length direction of the transistors is set parallel to the scan direction of the laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Junichi Yamashita, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20130293527
    Abstract: A display device includes pixel circuits and a scanning line driving circuit that supplies control signals to the pixel circuits through scanning lines. The scanning line driving circuit generates a control signal that transitions between a reference potential and a control potential, with the control potential being altered dependent upon a temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minami
  • Publication number: 20130278648
    Abstract: A display includes a pixel array part with pixels that each have at least one transistor whose conduction state is controlled by a drive signal input to a control terminal, and a scanner including a plurality of buffers that are formed of transistors. The buffers correspond to a pixel arrangement and output a drive signal to the control terminals of the transistors of the pixels. The transistors of the pixels and the transistors of the buffers are formed through irradiation with laser light that is moved for scanning in a predetermined direction and has a predetermined wavelength. The transistors in the buffers are formed in such a way that the channel length direction of the transistors is set parallel to the scan direction of the laser light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Junichi Yamashita, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8552937
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes: a switching transistor whose conduction is controlled by a drive signal supplied to the control terminal; a drive wiring adapted to propagate the drive signal; and a data wiring adapted to propagate a data signal. The drive wiring is formed on a first wiring layer and connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor. The data wiring is formed on a second wiring layer and connected to a first terminal of the switching transistor. A multi-layered wiring structure is used so that the second wiring layer is formed on a layer different from that on which the first wiring layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Yukihito Iida, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Patent number: 8547371
    Abstract: Prior to increasing the voltage level of an input signal to be sampled in a step-by-step manner and writing a signal voltage Vsig at a desired voltage level, a precharge is performed which writes a precharge voltage Vpre, lower than the signal voltage Vsig, so as to apply the same voltage Vpre to the gate of a drive transistor in advance. This not only provides a reduced gate-to-source voltage of the drive transistor at the time of writing of the signal voltage Vsig but also extends a mobility correction time required for a mobility correction operation. The extension of the mobility correction time required for the mobility correction operation ensures a relatively smaller variation in the correction time, thus suppressing the variation in brightness. The extension also permits a write pulse to be set to the optimal pulse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Tanikame, Yukihito Iida, Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Ucnino
  • Patent number: 8476628
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device using an oxide semiconductor, the device including a circuit part configured to include a thin film transistor using the oxide semiconductor as a channel material, wherein the circuit part has a lower interconnect, an upper interconnect, and an interlayer insulating film, the interlayer insulating film includes an oxide semiconductor layer and a channel protective layer, and the channel protective layer is interposed between an outer circumferential surface of a rising part of the oxide semiconductor layer corresponding to thickness of the lower interconnect and the upper interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20130050067
    Abstract: A display device includes: a plurality of light-emitting elements, each light-emitting element having a light-emitting unit and a driving circuit for driving the light-emitting unit. The driving circuit at least includes (A) a drive transistor having source/drain regions, a channel forming region, and a gate electrode, (B) a video signal write transistor having source/drain regions, a channel forming region, and a gate electrode, and (C) a capacitive unit. In the drive transistor, (A-1) one of the source/drain regions is connected to the corresponding current supply line, (A-2) the other region of the source/drain regions is connected to the light-emitting unit and connected to one end of the capacitive unit, and forms a second node, and (A-3) the gate electrode is connected to the other region of the source/drain regions of the video signal write transistor and connected to the other end of the capacitive unit, and forms a first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Yamashita, Yusuke Onoyama, Tetsuo Minami, Naobumi Toyomura, Tetsuro Yamamoto, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20130050160
    Abstract: A display device includes: (A) scanning circuits; (B) a video signal output circuit; (C) a current supply unit; (D) M current supply lines connected to the current supply unit and extending in a first direction; (E) M scanning lines connected to the scanning circuits and extending in the first direction; (F) N data lines connected to the video signal output circuit and extending in a second direction; and (G) N×M light-emitting elements in total of N light-emitting elements in the first direction and M light-emitting elements in the second direction different from the first direction arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, each light-emitting element having a light-emitting unit and a driving circuit for driving the light-emitting unit. The driving circuit of each light-emitting element is connected to the corresponding current supply, scanning, and data lines. A capacitive load unit is provided between each scanning line and each scanning circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minami
  • Patent number: 8345069
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a display panel having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix thereon, each of the pixels including an electro-optical element, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, and a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode and the source electrode of the driving transistor for storing an image signal written by the writing transistor, each of the pixels carrying out a mobility correction process for applying negative feedback to a potential difference between the gate and the source of the driving transistor with a correction amount determined from current flowing to the driving transistor; a temperature detection section configured to detect the temperature of the display panel; and a control section configured to control the period of the mobility correction process based on a result of the detection by the temperature detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20120327058
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pixel circuit, including: a display portion; a drive transistor driving the display portion; and a characteristics controlling portion configured to control characteristics of the drive transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Uchino