Patents by Inventor Yasunobu Akebi

Yasunobu Akebi 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: 20190171068
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device includes: a first polarizer; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules; and a second polarizer, the liquid crystal molecules being aligned in a plane parallel to surfaces of the first polarizer and the second polarizer, the first polarizer and the second polarizer being disposed such that their absorption axes are perpendicular to each other, the liquid crystal display device including at least one first retardation layer whose principal refractive indexes satisfy a relationship nx=ny>nz or at least one second retardation layer whose principal refractive indexes satisfy a relationship nx=ny<nz between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer or between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer, the at least one first retardation layer and the at least one second retardation layer satisfying a predetermined relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: TAKAYUKI NATSUME, YASUNOBU AKEBI, MASAAKI SAITOH, KENJI FUJITA, MASAOMI KUWABARA
  • Publication number: 20070177083
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Patent number: 7212267
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Publication number: 20060139528
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Patent number: 7030948
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Patent number: 6882378
    Abstract: Data-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use display signals are individually connected to a plurality of data lines, and scanning-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use scanning signals are individually connected to a plurality of scanning lines. The data-line inspection-use switching elements connected to the data lines are connected to an inspection-use display signal line for supplying the inspection-use display signals to the data-line inspection-use switching elements. Meanwhile, three data-line inspection-use control signal lines for inputting control signals for switching on/off the data-line inspection-use switching elements are provided in correspondence with the display colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Nagata, Takayuki Shimada, Yasunobu Akebi
  • Patent number: 6850298
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Publication number: 20040233357
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Patent number: 6710827
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which each pixel electrode includes a plurality of sub-pixel electrodes and for which it is easy to correct a short-circuit defect, and a method for correcting such a defect. A pixel electrode includes a transparent electrode (first sub-pixel electrode) and a reflection electrode (second sub-pixel electrode). The distance between the transparent electrode and a counter electrode is greater than the distance between the reflection electrode and the counter electrode. The reflection electrode is connected to the drain electrode via a connection line provided separately from a path which electrically connects the transparent electrode to the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Yasunobu Akebi
  • Publication number: 20040017531
    Abstract: Data-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use display signals are individually connected to a plurality of data lines, and scanning-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use scanning signals are individually connected to a plurality of scanning lines. The data-line inspection-use switching elements connected to the data lines are connected to an inspection-use display signal line for supplying the inspection-use display signals to the data-line inspection-use switching elements. Meanwhile, three data-line inspection-use control signal lines for inputting control signals for switching on/off the data-line inspection-use switching elements are provided in correspondence with the display colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Nagata, Takayuki Shimada, Yasunobu Akebi, Makoto Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6624857
    Abstract: Data-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use display signals are individually connected to a plurality of data lines, and scanning-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use scanning signals are individually connected to a plurality of scanning lines. The data-line inspection-use switching elements connected to the data lines are connected to an inspection-use display signal line for supplying the inspection-use display signals to the data-line inspection-use switching elements. Meanwhile, three data-line inspection-use control signal lines for inputting control signals for switching on/off the data-line inspection-use switching elements are provided in correspondence with the display colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Nagata, Takayuki Shimada, Yasunobu Akebi, Makoto Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20030063244
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of picture element regions for displaying an image. Each of the plurality of picture element regions includes a transmission region in which an image is displayed in a transmission mode by using light that is coming from the side of the first substrate, and a reflection region in which an image is displayed in a reflection mode by using light that is coming from the side of the second substrate. The height of a surface of the second substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is greater than that in the transmission region, while the height of a surface of the first substrate on the side closer to the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is substantially equal to that in the transmission region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohichi Fujimori, Yozo Narutaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Ikuji Konishi
  • Publication number: 20010026343
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which each pixel electrode includes a plurality of sub-pixel electrodes and for which it is easy to correct a short-circuit defect, and a method for correcting such a defect. A pixel electrode includes a transparent electrode (first sub-pixel electrode) and a reflection electrode (second sub-pixel electrode). The distance between the transparent electrode and a counter electrode is greater than the distance between the reflection electrode and the counter electrode. The reflection electrode is connected to the drain electrode via a connection line provided separately from a path which electrically connects the transparent electrode to the drain electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Yasunobu Akebi
  • Patent number: 5825342
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display, employed in a projector, including a liquid crystal panel using, for example, a TN liquid crystal, having visual angle characteristics that the direction of a visual angle in which the contrast reaches its maximum does not match with the direction of the normal line, and transmitting incident light from an opposing substrate side while modulating the same. The liquid crystal panel can reverse the sides and the top and bottom of an image by reversing the orders of image signal application to the signal lines and scanning signal application to the scanning lines, respectively. Signal input units are formed at two opposing ends of the liquid crystal panel and a mounting means for mounting the liquid crystal display to the projector is formed point symmetry with respect to the center of the liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Akebi, Masumi Kubo, Toshihiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5748175
    Abstract: A display device includes a gate driver for supplying a corresponding scanning signal to a plurality of scanning signal lines, a source driver for receiving an image signal, extracting an image data from the image signal and supplying the corresponding image data to a plurality of data signal lines, and a display section for displaying the image data based on the scanning signal. The plurality of scanning signal lines is classified into a predetermined first group and a second group. The gate driver supplies a corresponding second scanning pulse signal to scanning signal lines of the predetermined first group and supplies a non-selection signal to scanning signal lines of the predetermined second group based on the sampling control signal when the control signal is in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimada, Yasunobu Akebi, Yutaka Takafuji
  • Patent number: 5701165
    Abstract: A projection-type liquid crystal display is provided with an image-outputting section which includes a liquid-crystal panel. On the light-releasing side of the liquid crystal panel, an active-matrix substrate and a polarizing element are bonded to each other with a bonding material that has virtually the same refractive index as that of these members so as to reduce internal reflection on the light-releasing surface of the active-matrix substrate and external reflection on the light-incident surface of the polarizing element. Further, a reflection-reducing coating layer is formed on the light-releasing surface of the light-releasing-side polarizing element to reduce internal reflection on the light-releasing surface of the polarizing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Kubo, Yasunobu Akebi, Toshihiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5400050
    Abstract: A driving circuit for use in a display apparatus for transmitting a video signal to data lines includes a plurality of shift registers; a control signal generating circuit for outputting a control signal which is at the ON level during a period shorter than a pulse width of signals outputted by the shift registers; a switching circuit controlled to be ON or OFF based on the control signal; and a sampling capacitor for holding the video signal sampled by the switching circuit. In such a driving circuit, the plurality of shift registers sequentially output signals so that the periods in which the signals are high are partially overlapped sequentially. The control signal generating circuit outputs a control signal which is at the On level during a period shorter than the signals from the shift registers. Since the switching circuit is controlled to be ON or OFF based on the control signal, a period in which the switching circuit is conductive is short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Matsumoto, Osamu Sasaki, Yasunobu Akebi, Toshihiro Yamashita