Patents by Inventor Yoshiharu Hirakata

Yoshiharu Hirakata 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: 20200292872
    Abstract: A novel foldable display device or an electronic device using the same, e.g., a portable information processor or a portable communication information device, is provided. A foldable display device of which a display panel can be folded n times (n?1, and n is a natural number) at a curvature radius of greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm is obtained. The display device can be miniaturized by being foldable. In addition, in the state where the flexible display panel is opened, display which is unbroken and continuous over a plurality of housings is possible. The plurality of housings can store a circuit, an electronic component, a battery and the like inside as appropriate, and the thickness of each housing can be small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Yoshiharu HIRAKATA
  • Patent number: 10764481
    Abstract: A small light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device which is less likely to produce a shadow is provided. A structure including a switching circuit for supplying a pulsed constant current and a light-emitting panel supplied with the pulsed constant current has been conceived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Nobuharu Ohsawa, Hisao Ikeda, Kazuhiko Fujita, Akihiro Kaita
  • Patent number: 10755667
    Abstract: A novel human interface excellent in operability is provided. Furthermore, a novel data processor excellent in operability is provided. Furthermore, a novel data processor, a novel display device, or the like is provided. An input/output device that receives image data and supplies positional data, and an arithmetic device that supplies the image data and receives the positional data are included. The input/output device includes a first region, a second region, and a bend portion between the first region and the second region. Each of the first region and the second region includes a display portion and a positional data input portion that overlaps the display portion. The arithmetic device includes an arithmetic unit and a storage unit that stores a program to be executed by the arithmetic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata
  • Patent number: 10725502
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a display panel. The housing includes a flat surface, a first side surface including a curved surface, second and third side surfaces adjacent to the first side surface and including a curved surface, and a fourth side surface opposite to the first side surface and including a curved surface. The display panel includes a first region overlapping with the flat surface, a second region overlapping with the first side surface and including a curved surface, a third region overlapping with the second side surface and including a curved surface, and a fourth region overlapping with the third side surface and including a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20200233509
    Abstract: To provide a thin touch panel, a touch panel with high visibility, a lightweight touch panel, or a touch panel with low power consumption. A pair of conductive layers included in a capacitive touch sensor have a mesh shape including a plurality of openings. Furthermore, a material blocking visible light is provided to overlap with a region between two display elements in a plan view; thus, a light-blocking layer can be obtained. Furthermore, the pair of conductive layers included in the touch sensor are provided between a pair of substrates included in the touch panel, and a conductive layer capable of supplying a constant potential is provided between a circuit which drives a display element and the pair of conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Shishido, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Daisuke Kubota
  • Patent number: 10711980
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a strip-like high flexibility region and a strip-like low flexibility region arranged alternately in a direction. The high flexibility region includes a flexible light-emitting panel. The low flexibility region includes the light-emitting panel and a support panel having a lower flexibility than that of the light-emitting panel and overlapping with the light-emitting panel. It is preferable that the light-emitting panel include an external connection electrode and that a length in the direction of a low flexibility region A that overlaps with the external connection electrode be longer than a length in the direction of a low flexibility region B that is closest to the region A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Akio Endo
  • Patent number: 10635135
    Abstract: A display panel includes a flexible substrate, a first display region, a second display region, and a third display region. The first display region has a quadrangle outline and includes a first side and a second side forming a first corner portion of the outline. The second display region is in contact with the first side and the width of the second display region in a direction parallel to the first side coincides with the length of the first side. The third display region is in contact with the second side and the width of the third display region in a direction parallel to the second side coincides with the length of the second side. The substrate includes a notch portion corresponding a region facing the first display region with the first corner portion provided therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20200109838
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a strip-like high flexibility region and a strip-like low flexibility region arranged alternately in a direction. The high flexibility region includes a flexible light-emitting panel. The low flexibility region includes the light-emitting panel and a support panel having a lower flexibility than that of the light-emitting panel and overlapping with the light-emitting panel. It is preferable that the light-emitting panel include an external connection electrode and that a length in the direction of a low flexibility region A that overlaps with the external connection electrode be longer than a length in the direction of a low flexibility region B that is closest to the region A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Yoshiharu HIRAKATA, Akio ENDO
  • Patent number: 10613362
    Abstract: A novel foldable display device or an electronic device using the same, e.g., a portable information processor or a portable communication information device, is provided. A foldable display device of which a display panel can be folded n times (n?1, and n is a natural number) at a curvature radius of greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm is obtained. The display device can be miniaturized by being foldable. In addition, in the state where the flexible display panel is opened, display which is unbroken and continuous over a plurality of housings is possible. The plurality of housings can store a circuit, an electronic component, a battery and the like inside as appropriate, and the thickness of each housing can be small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Hirakata
  • Publication number: 20200100372
    Abstract: A light-emitting device can be folded in such a manner that a flexible light-emitting panel is supported by a plurality of housings which are provided spaced from each other and the light-emitting panel is bent so that surfaces of adjacent housings are in contact with each other. Furthermore, in the light-emitting device, in which part or the whole of the housings have magnetism, the two adjacent housings can be fixed to each other by a magnetic force when the light-emitting device is used in a folded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Yoshiharu HIRAKATA, Yasuhiro JINBO, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20200097104
    Abstract: Provided is a novel display panel that is highly convenient or reliable, a novel data processor that is highly convenient or reliable, or a method for manufacturing a novel display panel that is highly convenient or reliable. The display panel includes a pixel and a terminal electrically connected to the pixel. The pixel includes a first insulating film, a first contact portion in a first opening provided in the first insulating film, a pixel circuit electrically connected to the first contact portion, a second contact portion electrically connected to the pixel circuit, a first display element electrically connected to the first contact portion, and a second display element electrically connected to the second contact portion. The first insulating film includes a region lying between the first display element and the second display element. The terminal includes a surface at which contact with other component can be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Koji KUSUNOKI, Yoshiharu HIRAKATA
  • Patent number: 10600372
    Abstract: An object is to provide a liquid crystal display device which can recognize image display even when the liquid crystal display device is used in a dim environment. In one pixel, a pixel electrode including both of a region where incident light through a liquid crystal layer is reflected and a transmissive region is provided, and image display can be performed in both modes: the reflective mode where external light is used as an illumination light source; and the transmissive mode where the backlight is used as an illumination light source. When there is external light with insufficient brightness, that is, in a dim environment, the backlight emits weak light and an image is displayed in the reflective mode, whereby image display can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Yoshiharu Hirakata
  • Publication number: 20200083300
    Abstract: The thickness of a display device including a touch sensor is reduced. Alternatively, the thickness of a display device having high display quality is reduced. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing a display device with high mass productivity is provided. Alternatively, a display device having high reliability is provided. Stacked substrates in each of which a sufficiently thin substrate and a relatively thick support substrate are stacked are used as substrates. One surface of the thin substrate of one of the stacked substrates is provided with a layer including a touch sensor, and one surface of the thin substrate of the other stacked substrate is provided with a layer including a display element. After the two stacked substrates are attached to each other so that the touch sensor and the display element face each other, the support substrate and the thin substrate of each stacked substrate are separated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu HIRAKATA, Kensuke YOSHIZUMI
  • Patent number: 10583641
    Abstract: A yield in the step of bonding two members together is improved. A bonding apparatus includes a stage capable of supporting a first member having a sheet-like shape, a fixing mechanism capable of fixing one end portion of a second member having a sheet-like shape so that the second member overlaps with the first member, and a pressurizing mechanism capable of moving from a side of the one end portion of the second member to a side of the other end portion and spreading a bonding layer under pressure between the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Ohno, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Shingo Eguchi, Yasuhiro Jinbo, Hisao Ikeda, Kohei Yokoyama, Hiroki Adachi, Satoru Idojiri
  • Publication number: 20200059581
    Abstract: A small light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device which is less likely to produce a shadow is provided. A structure including a switching circuit for supplying a pulsed constant current and a light-emitting panel supplied with the pulsed constant current has been conceived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Nobuharu OHSAWA, Hisao IKEDA, Kazuhiko FUJITA, Akihiro KAITA
  • Patent number: 10564782
    Abstract: To provide a thin touch panel, a touch panel with high visibility, a lightweight touch panel, or a touch panel with low power consumption. A pair of conductive layers included in a capacitive touch sensor have a mesh shape including a plurality of openings. Furthermore, a material blocking visible light is provided to overlap with a region between two display elements in a plan view; thus, a light-blocking layer can be obtained. Furthermore, the pair of conductive layers included in the touch sensor are provided between a pair of substrates included in the touch panel, and a conductive layer capable of supplying a constant potential is provided between a circuit which drives a display element and the pair of conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Shishido, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Daisuke Kubota
  • Patent number: 10560559
    Abstract: A light-emitting device or a display device that is less likely to be broken is provided. Provided is a light-emitting device including an element layer and a substrate over the element layer. At least a part of the substrate is bent to the element layer side. The substrate has a light-transmitting property and a refractive index that is higher than that of the air. The element layer includes a light-emitting element that emits light toward the substrate side. Alternatively, provided is a light-emitting device including an element layer and a substrate covering a top surface and at least one side surface of the element layer. The substrate has a light-transmitting property and a refractive index that is higher than that of the air. The element layer includes a light-emitting element that emits light toward the substrate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Tomoya Aoyama, Akihiro Chida
  • Patent number: 10534212
    Abstract: A novel input/output device that is highly convenient or reliable, or a novel data processor and a novel semiconductor device are provided. The inventors have devised a structure in which a display portion and an input portion are included; the display portion includes a first display element, a first conductive film electrically connected to the first display element, a second conductive film including a region overlapping with the first conductive film, an insulating film including a region between the second conductive film and the first conductive film, a pixel circuit electrically connected to the second conductive film, and a second display element electrically connected to the pixel circuit; the insulating film includes an opening; and the second conductive film is electrically connected to the first conductive film through the opening. The input portion has a function of sensing an object that approaches a region overlapping with the display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata
  • Patent number: 10528198
    Abstract: A display panel and the like with a novel structure are provided. In the display panel, a first functional layer includes a pixel circuit and a first insulating film. A second functional layer includes a coloring film and a second insulating film. The first insulating film and the second insulating film each have a thickness of 0.5 ?m to 3 ?m and a Young's modulus of 3 GPa to 12 GPa. A sealing material is provided between a first base and a second base. A structure body is provided between the first base and the second base, and keeps a predetermined gap between the first and second bases. A pixel is surrounded by the first base, the second base, and the sealing material. A display element in the pixel is electrically connected to a pixel circuit and overlaps with a coloring film and a liquid crystal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Koichi Takeshima, Takayuki Ohide, Kenji Shinozaki, Kanpei Kojima
  • Patent number: 10531583
    Abstract: A light-emitting device can be folded in such a manner that a flexible light-emitting panel is supported by a plurality of housings which are provided spaced from each other and the light-emitting panel is bent so that surfaces of adjacent housings are in contact with each other. Furthermore, in the light-emitting device, in which part or the whole of the housings have magnetism, the two adjacent housings can be fixed to each other by a magnetic force when the light-emitting device is used in a folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Yasuhiro Jinbo, Shunpei Yamazaki