Patents Issued in January 9, 2001
  • Patent number: 6172691
    Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a printer housing structure, and at least one immobile ink-jet pen including a nozzle array mounted to the housing structure at a print area, the pen remaining stationary during printing operations. A two axis media drive system includes a media drive roller structure which is rotatable to move the medium in a first axis relative to the print area to position the medium relative to the pen nozzle array for a given swath, and a translating media carriage, the drive roller structure supported by the media carriage. The carriage is mounted for translating movement along a second axis transverse to the first direction, to slew the media along the second axis during printing, and a motor system for rotating the media drive roller and for translating the carriage. The motor system is a single motor/encoder system for driving the carriage and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Juan B. Belon, David M. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6172692
    Abstract: A device and method of printing a color image using a lookup table that indicates the amount of at least two concentrations of a given ink color to use. Initially, several color wedges made from uniformly distributed digital counts for each color from lightest to darkest are printed. The color lightness value for each wedge is then measured as an L* value of the CIELAB system along with a granularity value. An interpolation process is then performed to determine the color lightness values and granularity values for color values between wedges. A diluted ink minimum color lightness point is identified by determining the darkest color that can be generated using only diluted ink. Ink patterns are then selected using only diluted ink for color lightness values lighter than the diluted ink minimum lightness point in the lookup table. A zero diluted ink starting point is then identified by determining that granularity improvement cannot be achieved significantly when adding more diluted ink to a pixel matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuan-Chao Huang, Brant Dennis Nystrom
  • Patent number: 6172693
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprises a plurality of electrophoretic electrodes corresponding to a plurality of ejecting electrodes, and a pair of stirring electrodes disposed at both ends of the row of the ejecting electrodes. The stirring of the colored particles by the stirring electrodes prevents block of an ink jet slit by the concentrated colored particles, whereas individual control of the electrophoretic electrodes prevents undesirable ink ejection from non-specified ejecting electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Minemoto, Yoshihiro Hagiwara, Junichi Suetsugu, Tadashi Mizoguchi, Hitoshi Takemoto, Kazuo Shima, Toru Yakushiji
  • Patent number: 6172694
    Abstract: This invention relates to a check valve (19) for use in an ink supply line (13) of an ink jet printing system (1) between an ink reservoir (11) and an inkjet printhead (3) so as to prevent de-priming of the printhead upon the latter being subjected to impact loads or the like. Specifically, the improvement of this invention comprises a one-piece check valve (37) of an elastomeric material having a flapper valve (43) movable between a closed position in which the flapper valve blocks the backflow of ink and an open position in which ink is free to flow past the check valve member to the printhead. The flapper valve (43) is defined by a slot (49) separating the flapper valve from the outer margin (41) of the check valve (37) and the flapper valve is integrally joined to the outer margin by a hinge portion (45) so as to enable movement of the flapper valve between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis R. Droege, Donald E. Sherman, Kevin W. Kuester
  • Patent number: 6172695
    Abstract: An ink replenishing device for an ink cartridge of a jet printer, of which the body part of the ink cartridge has a storage chamber, loaded with a sponge for soaking ink and balancing the pressure in the storage chamber. After the ink in the storage chamber is used up, the output port of the ink cartridge is closed with a glue paper so as to protect the resilient pad on the inner surface on the supporting plate and to seal the output port of the ink cartridge. A membrane attached on the through hole of the top surface of the ink cartridge is stabbed through by a short taper-shaped ink straw on the ink bottle so as to have the ink straw and the through hole connected together hermetically. The ink bottle is squeezed repeatedly so as to have the ink and the air in the ink cartridge exchanged in a convection manner via the ink straw, and to complete the ink-replenishing operation quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Win-Yin Liu
  • Patent number: 6172696
    Abstract: A rotational shaft of a photosensitive drum is connected to a rotational shaft of a stepping motor by a coupling, so that the stepping motor directly drives the photosensitive drum. Here, &thgr; (°) indicating a step angle of the stepping motor, p (mm) indicating a distance between scanning lines on the photosensitive drum, &pgr; indicating the circular constant, and d (mm) indicating a diameter of the photosensitive drum are set so as to satisfy an equation n·&thgr;=(360·p)/(&pgr;·d) to make an optical unit scan the photosensitive drum by one scanning line every time the photosensitive drum is made to rotate n steps, n being a positive integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Fujikura, Toshikazu Higashi, Tomonobu Tamura, Akira Takasu
  • Patent number: 6172697
    Abstract: A method for detecting the status of the toner in a laser printer uses a photosensor. The method includes sampling a signal generated from the photosensor during a specified time, increasing or decreasing the value of a counter in accordance with an integral algorithm, and comparing the resultant counter value with a reference value, and displaying the status of the toner in the printer on a display device, depending on a result of such comparison. This method can accommodate relatively inexpensive photosensors. As the noise-ridden signal generated by such a photosensor is effectively filtered, this method is advantageous in cost and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-Gi Lee
  • Patent number: 6172698
    Abstract: A heat activation method for activating a thermosensitive adhesive label having a support and a thermosensitive adhesive layer which is provided on the support and is not adhesive at room temperature, so as to make the thermosensitive adhesive layer adhesive with the application of heat thereto, includes the step of heating the thermosensitive adhesive layer so as to make the thermosensitive adhesive layer adhesive by energizing a heater which is in contact with the thermosensitive adhesive layer, the heater having a heat-application portion which is constructed in such a fashion that a resistor and a protective layer are successively overlaid on a ceramic substrate. A heat activation apparatus has the above-mentioned heater, and a label printer for the thermosensitive adhesive label has a label holder, a printing apparatus, a cutter and a heat activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinobu Iwata, Masanaka Nagamoto, Takanori Motosugi
  • Patent number: 6172699
    Abstract: An input unit inputs printing data. A detecting unit detects a current temperature of a thermal head which is used to print information associated with the printing data. A memory unit stores, instead of prints, a data packet of the printing data if it is determined that the current temperature of the thermal head provided by the detecting unit results in controlling the thermal head so it is not used for printing out the data packet of the printing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeo Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6172700
    Abstract: A writing devices for an image forming apparatus of the present invention determines whether or not an image at and around an interval between nearby light emitter chips of a light emitter array is of halftone. If the image is of halftone, the writing device corrects image data corresponding to the above interval in order to increase the quantity of light. This successfully reduces or fully obviates the local omission of an image ascribable to intervals between nearby light emitter chips and insures a smooth output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahito Obata
  • Patent number: 6172701
    Abstract: To achieve a reduction in the size of the print head and a reduction in the cost, LED array chips 1 achieved by matrix-connecting M×N LED elements 2 with M pad electrodes to be scanned 4 and N pad electrodes to be driven 3 and LED array drive ICs 10 are mounted at a mounting substrate 41. The pad electrodes to be driven 3 are connected with drive pad electrodes 16 and the pad electrodes to be scanned 4 are connected with scan pad electrodes 17 through wires 42a and 42b respectively. The pad electrodes to be driven 3 and the pad electrodes to be scanned 4 are provided in a single row along one side or edge of the lengthwise side of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Tokura, Yukio Nakamura, Mitsuhiko Ogihara, Masumi Taninaka
  • Patent number: 6172702
    Abstract: A cable/satellite-ready television set. The main satellite chassis is incorporated into the television set and is linked to the inputs and outputs on the main television chassis. A cable/satellite control panel is integrated into the television cabinet and is accessible to the user on the front of the cabinet. The cable/satellite control panel has a satellite access card slot and control buttons, as well as an infrared signal input for a remote control device. The television set comes equipped with a single remote control device that will allow the user to select the mode of transmission (radio frequency broadcast, cable, satellite, wideband data, etc.) and the channel, as well as control other television functions such as controlling the volume and turning the television set on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Rudy J. Simon
  • Patent number: 6172703
    Abstract: A video conference system and a control method thereof which allows conferencees to communicate by making eye contact with each other. The video conference system includes an input device for detecting images and outputting a first video signal, the input device being adjustable to align it to the line of vision of a user. A main frame receives the first video signal and transmits it to a computer on the other end of a network, and receives a second video signal from the computer on the other end and outputs a video control signal to enable reproduction of the second video signal. A monitor receives the video control signal and reproduces images corresponding to the second video signal on a display area of the monitor not blocked by the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 6172704
    Abstract: A film scanner apparatus which is capable of accepting a plurality of film pictures different in film scene size from each other. The film scanner apparatus includes a line sensor for reading out a picture on the film scene, a scene size decision section for determining the size of the film scene and a selection section for selecting effective pixels of the line sensor in accordance with the decision result of the scene size decision section. A picture display is made on the basis of the outputs of the effective pixels chosen by the selection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Kunishige
  • Patent number: 6172705
    Abstract: A digital film scanner interface obtains digital image data produced by projecting a motion picture film frame onto a sensor. The image data is transferred from the sensor to a Digital Signal Processor (“DSP”) block. The DSP block processes the image data to, for example, minify, magnify, enhance colors, or correct for errors in the image data. The DSP block comprises four DSPs. One of the DSPs receives the image data from the sensor and controls the flow of the image data to the other three DSPs. The processing tasks can then be distributed to the DSPs based on availability. Alternatively, the digital signal processing tasks can be allocated such that each DSP processes one color component of image data. After the image data is processed, it is transferred over a bus to a long term storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: David DiFrancesco, Matthew T. Martin, James R. Burgess
  • Patent number: 6172706
    Abstract: An video camera capable of auto-zoom control, where light projector 14 irradiates a subject at fixed periods, a correlation calculator 16 inputs an image signal pre-stored in a memory 6 and an image signal from an image sensor 2 into an adder 7, and outputs information on bright points, corresponding to the subject's eyes upon light emission period of the light projector 14, into a zoom controller 18. The zoom controller 18 controls a zoom driver 12 such that an interval between the subject's eyes, detected based on the input bright point information, is a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6172707
    Abstract: An image pickup device provided with an electronic image vibration compensating circuit, comprising an electronic zooming device for electronically varying the magnification of a designated portion of a taken image, a zoom lens constituting a phototaking lens, a zoom position detector for detecting the zoom position of the zoom lens, a driving circuit for zooming the zoom lens, and a control circuit for controlling the zoom lens and the electronic zooming device in mutually correlated manner, so as to maintain the image angle, determined by the zoom lens and the electronic zooming device at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshimichi Ouchi, Akihiro Fujiwara, Tsuyoshi Morofuji
  • Patent number: 6172708
    Abstract: A modular night vision device for universal use with various types of camera devices. The night vision device has an image intensifier module for intensifying light images which can be removably coupled to a lens mount aperture of a camera device, and a separate power supply control module which can be removably coupled to a remotely located surface of the camera device and electrically coupled to an externally-located power jack of the camera device. The power supply control module is provided for receiving any DC voltage produced by the camera device which falls within a predetermined range of DC voltages and converting the voltage into a plurality of operating voltages which are useable to power the image intensifier module. The night vision device also has a cable for transmitting the operating voltages from the power supply control module to the image intensifier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6172709
    Abstract: A video camera system comprises a lens block and a camera block which are attachable and detachable through a block coupling mechanism to and from each other. The detachable lens block incorporates a focus lens drive mechanism for driving a focus lens and an autofocus control section for executing autofocus control. The autofocus control section receives a composite video signal obtained by processing a video signal from an image pickup device in a signal processing section of the camera block. The autofocus control section produces a focus control signal on the basis of the composite video signal to control the focus lens drive mechanism for the execution of the autofocus control. In addition, the detachable lens block is composed of an iris drive mechanism for optically adjusting an aperture of a lens and an autoiris control section for automatically controlling the iris drive mechanism, so that automatic iris control is executed on the basis of the composite video signal outputted from the camera block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignees: Yamamo Optical, Ltd., Hitachi Video and Information System, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamano, Mitsuyoshi Koizumi, Makoto Amano, Akira Tamura
  • Patent number: 6172710
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to realize a frame converter which successively can output an image signal in synchronous situation with a switching of asynchronous image signals by using a frame memory of which a number is smaller than of the inputted image signal. A frame converter according to the invention characterized by comprising, signal inputting means 11 and 12 for receiving image signals, identification signal assigning means 14 and 24 for assigning an identification signal to non-image area of the image signal from the signal inputting means for identifying the image signal, storing means 16 and 25 for storing the image signal form the signal inputting means for each frame, and signal outputting means 31 for outputting the image signal which is stored in the storing means by reading alternatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6172711
    Abstract: A synchronize processing circuit offers a stable supply of synchronizing signal to control circuits in display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Masumoto, Yasuaki Sakanishi
  • Patent number: 6172712
    Abstract: A television with hard disk drive comprises an analog video source which may be digitized and stored on a hard disk drive for later playback wherein the stored video data is capable of being played back at a rate slower, faster, or the same as the original analog video signal, thereby providing a viewer with flexibility in viewing a program. Also disclosed is a method for viewing a television program or other video material employing the apparatus according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Paul Beard
  • Patent number: 6172713
    Abstract: A color system determination circuit for use with an input video signal having a frequency component is disclosed. The circuit includes a color trap filter for attenuating the frequency component in the input video signal with the color trap filter providing a color burst output signal, a comparator for comparing the color burst output signal of the color trap filter and the frequency component of the input video signal, a maximum value detector which receives the color burst output signal of the color trap filter and a color burst sampling signal and detects a maximum value of the color burst output signal of the color trap filter during a period of the color burst sampling signal, and another maximum value detector which receives the video signal and the color burst sampling signal and detects a maximum value of the video signal during the period of the color burst sampling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Morita
  • Patent number: 6172714
    Abstract: A method of providing conversion from YUV signals to RGB signals includes the steps of determining a correspondence value between each of the Y. U, and V pixel values and the corresponding one of the R, G, and B pixel values. Three tables are generated; a Y table, a U table and a V table. During operation, each table may then be easily accessed by indexing the table with the respective Y, U or V input, to provide R,G,B data. The method may be used in a 64 bit embodiment using two registers or one register. Alternatively, the method may be used in a 32 bit embodiment. The conversion method can easily be augmented to provide color adjustment during conversion without any added complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Ulichney
  • Patent number: 6172715
    Abstract: A picture-in-picture (PIP) control method and apparatus for use in a video television system (TVCR) selectively controls the operation of a video cassette recorder (VCR) according to a PIP control signal. A TV broadcasting signal is displayed as a parent picture and a playback signal output from the VCR is displayed as a child picture. When the PIP control signal indicates that the VCR is to be turned off and a PIP display mode is to be turned off, only a parent picture is displayed and at the same time a playback operation of the VCR is stopped, thereby reducing a cumbersome manipulation of a key to control the VCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Soo Cho
  • Patent number: 6172716
    Abstract: Improved circuitry for adjusting the video gain, black level, chroma gain and burst phase of a video signal includes composite to Y/C splitter, luminance processing section, sync separator and chroma processor. Unity and split mode selection is provided. A meter circuit provides display of black and white levels as well as clip indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: James A. Karlock
  • Patent number: 6172717
    Abstract: An image processing unit is provided to solve the problem of an aliasing usually occurred when a foreground image and a background image are synthesized by using a key signal; this image processing unit comprises: an image filter circuit that applies to the foreground image an anti-aliasing processing to make obscure an aliasing that displays a slant graphic border in a stepped indentation due to an insufficiency of the number of pixels; a key filter circuit that applies the anti-aliasing processing to the key signal; and a pixel detection circuit that detects a pixel having a possibility to generate a color mixture by an operation of the image filter circuit from the key signal and a size of the image filter circuit. In this construction, the image filter circuit applies an anti-aliasing processing using only the pixel that constitutes the foreground image and does not contain a background color to the pixel having a possibility to generate the color mixture that the pixel detection circuit detects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ebihara
  • Patent number: 6172718
    Abstract: Aperture correction or edge detection circuitry filters input data for high-frequency components, and then selects areas most likely to be text based on the contrast of the signal and applying an amount of aperture correction responsive to the signal characteristics. A high pass filter (116) is employed to filter out low frequency components and separate the signal into positive and negative going transitions. Then, the positive-going signal is coupled to a contrast detector (124), which produces a control signal that controls the amount of aperture correction added to the signal by an aperture correction circuit 112. The contrast detector (124) is designed to generate an amount of aperture correction that is responsive to the high frequency content of the positive-going signal. In one embodiment, a global threshold is used that allows aperture correction to be applied to the input signal only if the amplitude of the high frequency component of the signal is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: S3 Incorporated
    Inventors: Jos{acute over (e)} R. Alvarez, William S. Herz
  • Patent number: 6172719
    Abstract: An automatic color temperature control device for a video appliance is disclosed which can control the color temperature of a picture displayed on a screen so as to give the viewer the impression of being coolly refreshed when the environmental temperature is high, and the impression of being warmed when the environmental temperature is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Man Kim
  • Patent number: 6172720
    Abstract: A liquid crystal material for a display device includes a first chiral nematic liquid crystal component and a second component that exhibits no liquid crystalline phase at any temperature. The second component is present in an amount effective to reduce the bulk viscosity of the liquid crystal material by at least about 26% at room temperature or is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight based upon the total weight of the liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal material may have a positive dielectric anisotropy. The second component may have a molecular weight not exceeding 205 grams/mole. Embodiments relate to a display device comprising the present material. Another aspect includes a method of increasing the switching speed in a display that employs the present material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Asad Aziz Khan, Stanley Joseph Laskos, Jr., Michael E. Stefanov
  • Patent number: 6172721
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrooptical panel and electronic appliances provided with the electrooptical panel, wherein production yield and a pixel aperture ratio are not decreased even when pixels are made fine in the electrooptical panel using an active matrix addressing method by TFT addressing. The foregoing problems can be solved by putting a plurality of communication lines into electrical contact with the TFT array substrate via contact holes, wherein a plurality of pixel electrodes addressed using a TFT by the data line and scanning line are provided. A lift-up film is formed under the contact holes formed through an interlayer insulation film to put the drain region of the TFT in electrical contact with the pixel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Murade, Kenya Ishii
  • Patent number: 6172722
    Abstract: This invention provides chromaticity compensation for color filters having nematic liquid crystal tuning elements, as well as fast-transition tuning units for use in combination with chromaticity compensation. The filters of this invention have two stages formed by three linear polarizers in series, as least two of which are color polarizers. Within each stage is a tuning unit comprising a nematic liquid crystal cell switchable between a first state wherein the polarization of light is orthogonally transformed and a second state wherein the polarization is unchanged. In the first state the liquid crystal cell chromaticity introduces significant distortion to the filter stage, but in the second state it does not. Chromaticity compensation is achieved in this invention by optimizing the use of the undistorted normal states and by judicious choice of the design wavelengths of the liquid crystal cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: ColorLink, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6172723
    Abstract: A reflection type liquid crystal display device, having a first substrate having an array of a plurality of light reflecting pixel electrodes, a second substrate having an array of a plurality of microlenses, and liquid crystals sandwiched between the first and second substrates for modulating incident light entering between the first and second substrates and reflected by the pixel electrodes to form an optical display, wherein each of the light reflecting pixel electrodes includes a high reflectivity region formed near at a focal point upon which light incident upon a microlens is focussed, the high reflectivity region reflecting the incident light, and a low reflectivity region formed surrounding the high reflectivity region, the low reflectivity region limiting a reflection of incident light components of stray light to be caused by aberration among light passed through the microlens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Inoue, Katsumi Kurematsu, Osamu Koyama
  • Patent number: 6172724
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device for use in a camera finder is provided which is capable of enabling a camera user to constantly observe a predetermined information by peeping into the finder. Said liquid crystal display device is formed by a liquid crystal display plate and one or more polarizing plates, at least one polarizing plate is formed with a notch corresponding to an information constantly displayed on the liquid crystal display plate, thereby rendering a user to constantly observe a predetermined information without consuming any electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6172725
    Abstract: A daylight readable LCD which may be used to communicate information as high contrast images (static or dynamic, color or monochrome) in bright ambient lighting conditions over a wide temperature range in direct sunlight. A contrast enhancement filter assembly is disposed at the interface between a backlit display and a user. The contrast enhancement filter assembly includes a triple bandpass contrast enhancement filter that preferably passes light efficiently in each of the red, green, and blue primary wavelengths and substantially absorbs all other wavelengths. Display contrast is increased because of the absorption of incident light having wavelengths that differ from the light produced by the internal backlight source within the display. This results in the display having a blacker background and enhanced purity of the color primaries. The display element is disposed generally behind the contrast enhancement filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Lengyel
  • Patent number: 6172726
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device in which low power consumption and bright white color display are enabled to achieve high contrast as well as a response speed and picture quality compatible with a moving picture. A transparent substrate having a transparent electrode and a polarizing plate and a facing side substrate having plural pixel electrodes formed of a light reflective material and plural switching elements driving these pixel electrodes are arranged at a predetermined separation so that the transparent electrode and the pixel electrodes face each other. A liquid crystal layer formed of a nematic liquid crystal is interposed between the transparent substrate and the facing side substrate. The nematic liquid crystal is preferably a negative type nematic liquid crystal having negative anisotropy. The surfaces of the plural pixel electrodes towards the liquid crystal layer preferably present surface irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Matsute, Seiichi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 6172727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure of a liquid crystal (LC) cell using an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. The LC cell includes: an electrode substrate with color filters; an opposite electrode substrate; a first alignment film provided on the electrode substrate with color filters; a second alignment film provided on the opposite electrode substrate; an antiferroelectric liquid crystal provided between the first and second alignment films; and the electrode substrate with color filters and the opposite electrode substrate being superimposed so as to face each other through the first alignment film, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, and the second alignment film. In the present invention, an alignment process of the first alignment film is performed based on a rubbing density larger than the rubbing density of the second alignment film so that an angle of layer rotation of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is defined within a predetermined allowable angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Ozaki, Tetsuya Sano, Takayuki Fujikawa, Norio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6172728
    Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of scanning lines; a plurality of signal lines disposed so as to intersect with the plurality of scanning lines; a plurality of pixel electrodes which also serve as reflective plates and which overlap at least one of the scanning lines and the signal lines via an interlayer insulating film; and a plurality of switching elements for driving the pixel electrodes, each provided in a vicinity of the intersection of the scanning lines and the signal lines. At least one of the scanning lines or the signal lines have at least one of bends, notches, protrusions and holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Youichi Hiraishi
  • Patent number: 6172729
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device of a delta type pixel arrangement, which comprises: a plurality of scan lines formed on a substrate and extending in a horizontal direction; a plurality of signal lines each intersecting with each of the plurality of scan lines substantially at right angles at a intersection region; a plurality of thin film transistors each having a drain electrode and a source electrode arranged at the intersection region in a direction substantially having right angles with each of the plurality of scan lines; and a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix formed of regions divided out by the plurality of scan lines and the plurality of signal lines, wherein a part in a portion disposed between adjoining two of the plurality of scan lines and taken from each of the plurality of signal lines is arranged in a direction having a oblique angle with each of the plurality of scan lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Munehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6172730
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display apparatus, a glass substrate has connection terminals and a stepped section at an edge thereof. A liquid crystal display panel is mounted on the glass substrate and is electrically connected to the connection terminals. A flexible printed board has leads and an insulating layer partly covering the leads. The connection terminals are adhered by a conductive adhesive agent to the leads, so that the stepped section of the glass substrate receives an edge of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Fujita
  • Patent number: 6172731
    Abstract: A reinforcing plate is made up of a planar member which is composed of a panel fixture portion and connecting parts provided at both ends of the panel fixture portion. A scan signal input circuit substrate for supplying a scan signal to a display panel and a data signal input circuit substrate for supplying data are provided on respective sides of the display panel. The scan signal input circuit substrate has an input connector and electronic parts such as driver ICs etc., mounted thereon. The connecting parts of the reinforcing plate are fixed to the scan signal input circuit substrate so as not to interfere with the electronic parts while the panel fixture portion of the reinforcing plate is fixed to the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Nagano, Nobuaki Takahashi, Yoshitsugu Kawahigashi, Akira Murakami
  • Patent number: 6172732
    Abstract: In order to provide a liquid crystal display device of high display quality by improving the evenness of a liquid crystal cell gap in a marginal frame portion of a liquid crystal element suited to a narrow frame, the liquid crystal display device is provided with a pair of liquid crystal display element substrates having a liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween, and a plurality of liquid crystal driving elements connected to conductors formed on each of the liquid crystal display element substrates, for driving the liquid crystal. Each of the liquid crystal display element substrates includes a plurality of display electrodes wired in parallel, a plurality of parallel terminal electrodes, mutually parallel oblique straight wiring electrodes, and a plurality of dummy electrodes generally parallel to the terminal electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Hayakawa, Masayoshi Fujieda, Noboru Hoshino, Yoshiyuki Imasaka
  • Patent number: 6172733
    Abstract: An LCD is adapted to be manufactured using a significantly reduced number of masks and masking processes. In order to form a gate of the LCD, aluminum and one of molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten and antimony are sequentially deposited and patterned using a single mask. Cutting a shorting bar for preventing static electricity is performed while a passivation layer is patterned and rinsed. Accordingly, an LCD produced by this method includes a first metal layer, which includes a first contact hole and is disposed on a substrate, a second metal layer which covers the first metal layer and includes a second contact hole which is smaller than the first contact hole, an insulating layer, which covers the second metal layer and includes a third contact hole larger than the second contact hole, and a pad, which includes a conductive layer contacting the second metal layer through the third contact hole on the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan Hee Hong, Byoung Ho Lim, Jong Woo Kim, Hye Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6172734
    Abstract: In a film projection system which contains a light source which emits a large amount of radiant energy and has means for advancing the film through a gate, there is a new and improved shutter comprising a high temperature rated, transmissive substrate having at least one area having a cold mirror coating affixed thereto and a second area with a hot mirror coating affixed thereto such that when the shutter rotates within the projector, the shutter area containing the cold mirror coating is placed in front of the light source when the film is moving through the gate and the shutter area containing the hot mirror coating is placed in front of the light source when the film is located within the gate, such that the thermal deformation of the film caused by the variations in the energy between the time the film is exposed and the time when the film is moving through the gate is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Christie, Incorporated
    Inventor: Bevan Wright
  • Patent number: 6172735
    Abstract: A method for printing photographic quality images downloaded to a printer comprising; providing a light-tight film pack containing photosensitive imaging media, the film pack having a severable line of on a face thereof which defines a flap, the flap providing access to the media when the flap is opened; providing a cartridge of a size and shape to fit into a cartridge-access opening in the printer, the cartridge comprising a tray for accepting the film pack; inserting the film pack into the cartridge; inserting the cartridge containing the film pack into the cartridge-access opening in the printer; severing the film pack along the severable line to free the flap; opening the flap to access the media; advancing the media into the printer; and exposing and developing the media to provide a photographic quality print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Cycolor, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Camillus, Morihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 6172736
    Abstract: A photographic processing method and a printer processor in which the length of a developing path can be shortened and the size of the apparatus can also be reduced without reducing the processing capacity is provided. Since the direction in which printing paper is transported is changed during processing, that is exposure is performed while the printing paper is transported in the longitudinal direction thereof; thereafter the transport direction in which the printing paper is transported is changed and developing processing is performed; and thereafter the direction in which the printing paper is transported is restored to the longitudinal direction thereof, the degree of freedom in designing is increased and the space for installing the apparatus can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6172737
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a pull-out roller pair to pull a light-sensitive material out of a light-sensitive material magazine accommodating a light-room-loading-type light-sensitive material having an extreme end leader portion at its leading end, a cutter to cut the pulled out light-sensitive material, a sensor to detect the extreme end leader portion or the light-sensitive material, and a control computer to control the pull-out roller pair and the cutter in accordance with a detecting signal from the sensor. The extreme end leader portion and the light-sensitive material are transported in accordance with detecting signal and then the extreme end leader portion is automatically cut along a boundary with the light-sensitive material. Thus, the wastes of the light-sensitive material is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Yamada
  • Patent number: 6172738
    Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system, a reticle stage for scanningly moving a reticle relative to the projection optical system a wafer stage for scanningly moving a wafer relative to the projection optical system, in a timed relation with the reticle scan movement, and a holding mechanism for holding the reticle on the reticle stage during the reticle scan movement. The holding mechanism includes a first mechanism for confining an end edge portion of the reticle in a scan direction and a second mechanism for pressing the reticle in a direction perpendicular to a pattern surface of the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobushige Korenaga, Mitsuru Inoue
  • Patent number: 6172739
    Abstract: In order to improve the throughput of a scanning type of exposure system while maintaining the positioning precision, the positioning error range &egr;S at the scan start position is set to be less strict than the positioning error range &egr;E at the start of exposure. This reduces the settling time TS before acceleration from the scan start position toward the exposure start position can commence. Thus, upon finishing exposure of a current shot area, the substrate stage moves toward a target position, which is to be the scan start position. The velocity of the substrate stage reaches substantially zero at the scan start position. The substrate stage 17 slightly oscillates at the scan start position during positioning. When the differences between a target position and a detected position remain within an acceptable positioning error range &egr;S (or tolerance) at the scan start position for a predetermined number of sampling values, acceleration toward the exposure area commences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Murata
  • Patent number: 6172740
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a mask onto a substrate, and a stage for the substrate arranged to be movable in directions X and Y each of which is perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection optical system and which are perpendicular to each other. The projection optical system has a pair of aspherical members, at least one of which is displaceable in a direction P which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system and which differs from the directions X and Y. A shape of an aspheric surface of each of the pair of aspherical members is determined such that substantially only a refractive power of the pair of aspherical members functioning as one system obtained at a section including the direction P varies accordingly as a positional relation in the direction P between the aspheric surfaces of the pair of aspherical members varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Suzuki