Patents Issued in January 8, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040004645
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus using a printhead having an array of printing elements in which a plurality of printing elements are arranged in a predetermined direction, the printing apparatus performing printing by scanning the printhead over a printing medium in a direction crossing to the predetermined direction on the basis of information transmitted from a host apparatus, print data transmitted from the host apparatus is stored in a buffer, printing by the scanning is started when the print data stored in the buffer reaches a first amount that is smaller than an amount of print data to be printed on the printing medium by the printhead by one scanning, the scanning is interrupted when storage of the print data in the buffer is delayed during the scanning, and when, after the interruption, subsequent print data stored in the buffer reaches a second amount, the interrupted scanning is executed to complete printing by one scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiko Kanda, Jiro Moriyama
  • Publication number: 20040004646
    Abstract: A method of adjusting process black and a driver thereof. The method includes converting a part of process black data into mono black data. Accordingly, a user can arbitrarily adjust a ratio of process black to obtain a more natural output image and print the output image in process black and mono black, thereby reducing the consumption of ink or a colorant contained in process black.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-hae Jung, Myoung-jin Oh
  • Publication number: 20040004647
    Abstract: Power consumed by a resistor connected between a first power supply and a drive control circuit is controlled by a power driving circuit connected to a second power supply. When the value of current that flows into the resistor fluctuates, the value of current output from power driving circuit to a control terminal of the drive control circuit is controlled in such a manner that power consumed is the same as that when the resistance value of the resistor is a set value. As a result, the value of power consumed by the resistor is rendered substantially constant without being influenced by a variation in the resistance value of the driven resistor or by the power supply voltage. If such a drive circuit is used in driving the printhead of a printing apparatus, stabilized drive can be achieved with the minimum margin, power consumption can be suppressed and the lifetime of the printhead can be prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Somei Kawasaki, Hiroyuki Maru
  • Publication number: 20040004648
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes a substrate provided with heat generating members for generating a bubble in ink on a surface of the substrate, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging the ink, the ports opposed to the surface of the substrate, and a plurality of ink flow passages communicating with the plurality of discharge ports to feed the ink. A plurality of the heat generating members is provided in each of the ink flow passages, and the discharge port is arranged on an extension line extending from a center of a pressure generating area composed of the plurality of heat generating members toward the surface of the substrate in a normal direction. Moreover, a distance dhc between centers of each of two heat generating members arranged most apart from each other among the plurality of heat generating members is set to be larger than a diameter do of an aperture of the discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mineo Kaneko, Ken Tsuchii, Keiichiro Tsukuda, Masaki Oikawa, Kenji Yabe
  • Publication number: 20040004649
    Abstract: Ink jet printheads and printhead components are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Paul A. Hoisington, Deane A. Gardner, Robert A. Hasenbein, Melvin L. Biggs, Edward R. Moynihan
  • Publication number: 20040004650
    Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film can achieve a large piezoelectric displacement. A chemical composition of the piezoelectric thin film is expressed by Pb1+a(ZrxTi1−x)O3+a(0.2≦a≦0.6 and 0.50≦x≦0.62). The crystal structure of the piezoelectric thin film is a mixture of a perovskite columnar crystal region (24) having an ionic defect in which a portion of the constitutive elements of an oxygen ion, a titanium ion, and a zirconium ion is missing and a perovskite columnar crystal region (25) of stoichiometric composition having no ionic defect. This configuration allows a residual compressive stress in the crystal to be relaxed by the perovskite columnar crystal region (24) having an ionic defect, thus achieving a large piezoelectric displacement (displacement amount).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hideo Torii, Takeshi Kamada, Isaku Kanno, Ryoichi Takayama
  • Publication number: 20040004651
    Abstract: A printing cartridge includes a housing in which a supply of media is receivable. An integrated circuit device is positioned on the housing. The integrated circuit device has memory circuitry carrying data relating to the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040004652
    Abstract: An ink jet recording method comprising a step of: jetting a dye ink onto a surface of a recording medium, wherein said dye ink comprises a latex capable of absorbing ultraviolet light, and said recording medium comprises a substrate having thereon at least one ink absorbing layer, the outermost ink absorbing layer being a porous layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: KONICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuji Kida, Tomomi Yoshizawa, Shinichi Suzuki, Hidenobu Ohya
  • Publication number: 20040004653
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Therics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Pryor, James A. Fairweather, Randy Lee Fagerquist, Douglas E. Weitzel, Peter A. Materna
  • Publication number: 20040004654
    Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes a controlling unit for controlling an exposure unit, developing devices, etc., so that an ordinary image of one color is formed within a period of time in which a carrier rotates once, and density detection pattern images of a plurality of colors are formed within the period of time in which the carrier rotates once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kobayashi, Takashi Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20040004655
    Abstract: In order to obtain image with high resolution and eliminate the nonuniformity of written latent images and toner images by achieving the formation of electrostatic latent images corresponding to the widths of driven writing electrodes, a writing head 3 has a plurality of writing electrodes 3b which are arranged along the axial direction of an image carrier 2 such that the writing electrodes 3b are in contact with the image carrier, wherein the writing electrodes 3b are aligned in the axial direction Y and the circumferential direction X of the image carrier 2 such that the writing electrodes 3b which are most adjacent to each other in the axial direction Y are not overlapped with each other as seen in the circumferential direction of the image carrier. (FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Kamoshida, Atsunori Kitazawa, Kenjiro Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20040004656
    Abstract: There is provided a thermal activator for a heat sensitive adhesive sheet capable of preventing or removing the heat sensitive adhesive and a product of denaturation of the heat sensitive adhesive from adhering to means for transporting the heat sensitive adhesive sheet and a printer apparatus utilizing the thermal activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Norimitsu Sambongi, Minoru Hoshino, Shinichi Yoshida, Yoshinori Sato, Masanori Takahashi, Akihiko Ito
  • Publication number: 20040004657
    Abstract: A coreless thermal transfer recording web roll 10 is formed by rolling a thermal transfer recording web 10a in a roll. An inner end part 11 of the thermal transfer recording web 10a of the thermal transfer recording web roll 10 has a tab 11a formed at a substantially middle of the inner end part 11, and sticking parts 11b formed on the opposite sides of the tab 11a, respectively. Pseudoadhesive double-coated tapes 14 are attached to the sticking parts 11b, respectively. The pseudoadhesive double-coated tapes become tack-free after the sticking parts 11b have been separated from the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web 10a of the thermal transfer recording web roll 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Yamakawa, Hitoshi Saito, Hisaki Ota, Hiroaki Inoue, Junichi Hiroi, Tatsuya Kita, Shinichiro Takeda, Hiroshi Sugita
  • Publication number: 20040004658
    Abstract: A method of generating a hard copy of an image, i.e. a medical image on a substantially rectangular heat sensitive recording material having rounded corners wherein image pixels of the image are printed in a printable area within the area of said recording material, the printable area being defined by a polygon with a degree higher than 4 which approximates the area of the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Bart Tytgat
  • Publication number: 20040004659
    Abstract: Provides a system for detecting an intersection between more than one panoramic video sequence and detecting the orientation of the sequences forming the intersection. Video images and corresponding location data are received. If required, the images and location data is processed to ensure the images contain location data. An intersection between two paths is then derived from the video images by deriving a rough intersection between two images, determining a neighborhood for the two images, and dividing each image in the neighborhood into strips. An identifying value is derived from each strip to create a row of strip values which are then converted to the frequency domain. A distance measure is taken between strips in the frequency domain, and the intersection is determined from the images having the smallest distance measure between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Foote, Donald Kimber, Xinding Sun, John Adcock
  • Publication number: 20040004660
    Abstract: A system for obtaining video data is provided, the system comprising a video camera positioned down a bore-hole to obtain a plurality of video frames wherein the plurality of video frames comprises sequential video frames, wherein each of the sequential video frames contains information, and wherein a portion of the information of each of the sequential video frames comprises new information not found on a previous sequential video frame. The system also comprises a data extractor to extract information only from the portion comprising the new information from each sequential video frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Batakrishna Mandal, Wallace R. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20040004661
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for audio and/or video and/or data communication between a ground station and an aircraft, having at least one communications channel, wherein a monitoring device is additionally provided on board the aircraft and has the following features:
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventors: Andrew Muirhead, Henry Starke
  • Publication number: 20040004662
    Abstract: This invention provides a high-speed tracking and locating camera apparatus and, more specifically, it is a programmable high-speed tracking and locating camera apparatus, the scanning mode of this camera apparatus can be preset by a control program with a computer interface to anticipated scanning pattern, the control and management procedure of this camera apparatus is very simple to proceed. This invention can send the tracking and locating signal direct to its camera apparatus; it can also pre-schedule the scanning pattern for the tracking camera apparatus, besides, the camera apparatus is designed to have multi-point interrupt function, the camera apparatus can be used as a fixed area scanning camera apparatus in general condition, but once a sensor detect any special event, this camera apparatus can lock the related location and keep on tracking that place, hence achieve the seamless monitoring job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Chi-Sheng Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20040004663
    Abstract: An imaging system is described that automatically identifies where images are captured. The system includes the following components: an imaging device for capturing images; a GPS (Global Positioning System) module providing location information; a host device (e.g., local host) that is at least occasionally connected to the imaging device, and application logic for querying the GPS module for determining location information and for associating each captured image with a location identifier indicating where each image was captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: LightSurf Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe R. Kahn, Eric O. Bodnar, Paul A. Egli, Brian Bodmer, Shekhar Kirani, Mark Tarantino
  • Publication number: 20040004664
    Abstract: A digital image process for a digital camera contains a preprocessor and a postprocessor. The preprocessor can include, for example, a uniformity corrector, a sampling filter, a modulation transformer, and a ditherer. The postprocessor can include a color interpolator, an RGB reconstruction block, a digital compressor, and a color pattern data buffer. The digital image process is programmable to operate one or more of the processing blocks of one or both the preprocessor and the postprocessor for flexible programming that can adapt to the requirements of various digital camera designs or users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Safai
  • Publication number: 20040004665
    Abstract: A system for creating content using content project data selects a template containing a setting of a scene arrangement of a plurality of scenes of content and creates content project data for a scene included in the selected template by setting details of the scene using existing material data or newly created data. On an imaging apparatus, a scene is selected while checking the details of the content project data on a display, and an image is captured to generate a video image signal, and the video image signal is recorded. The recorded video image signal is managed by management information for the content project data so that the video image signal is allocated to the scene arrangement of the content project data. At the time necessary scenes are shot, the content project data becomes completed content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Kotaro Kashiwa
  • Publication number: 20040004666
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital still camera (1) using CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor as image pick-up device. This camera (1) comprises an image memory (18) in which plural images obtained by picking up images of the same object by different exposure values are stored, an image data adding circuit (17) for synthesizing the plural images stored in the image memory (18) to generate synthetic image in which dynamic range is broad, a Y gradation correction circuit (24) and a multiplier circuit (26) for compressing gradation of the synthetic image generated by the image data adding circuit (17), and a controller (29) for generating gradation conversion table for carrying out gradation compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Chikako Sano
  • Publication number: 20040004667
    Abstract: An image recording/replaying device, such as a video camera, has various operating switches which have enhanced operability so as to suit a mode of use. The image recording/replaying device includes an image display section (3) that is foldably, unfoldably, and rotatably supported at a body (2) internally incorporating a taking lens (4). The image recording-replaying device also includes a control switch (14) including an operating key (15) and a plurality of contacts disposed at end portions and an intersection of a cross-shaped portion of the operating key in correspondence with end portions and the central portion of the operating key, in which, by pressing any one of the end portions and the central portion of the operating key, the contact disposed in correspondence with the pressed portion is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Masayoshi Morikawa, Masato Yamaoka, Shogo Kato, Yoshinori Shioyama, Nobuhito Ebine
  • Publication number: 20040004668
    Abstract: An image pickup element comprising a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric conversion section and a wavelength selection section for transmitting to the photoelectric conversion section light of a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the wavelength selection section has a vertex, and wherein, for a pixel located in the peripheral portion of the image pickup element, the vertex of the wavelength selection section is located closer to the center of the image pickup element than to the center of the photoelectric conversion section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eriko Namazue, Akihiko Nagano, Hideki Dobashi
  • Publication number: 20040004669
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a light-focusing for image-gathering device that receive the light coming from the image of an object to be scanned. The light-focusing for image-gathering device is comprised of: at least one reflection mirror, an imaging device and at least one raster (optical grate). The reflection mirror has plural concave surfaces that are arranged appropriately, and the concave surface provide the light to be focused and reflected to a predetermined route. The imaging device receives the light reflected from at least one reflection mirror and converts it into electronic signal. The raster has plural pervious holes, of which positions are just respectively corresponded to each concave surface. The raster is located in the light-path route between the imaging device and at least one reflection mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Po-Hua Fang
  • Publication number: 20040004670
    Abstract: To track a region of interest (“ROI”) such as, for example, in a viewfinder of a camera, both the location and distance of a point in the ROI are estimated for a time in the future, based on actual measurements of locations and distances of the point at the present and in the past. Focus is controlled so as to focus on the point of interest based on the estimate of the future location and distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040004671
    Abstract: A digital camera is mounted on a camera mounting unit of a cradle, and supported as swayable. When the digital camera is tilted forward, a front switch is turned on, and a command to change into a storage mode is issued from a switch determination circuit to the digital camera. When the digital camera is tilted backward, a back switch is turned on, and a command to change into a PC camera mode is issued from the switch determination circuit to the digital camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kimihide Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040004672
    Abstract: A combined de-interlacing and frame doubling system (114, 114′ and 114″) advantageously serves to de-interlace successive lines of Present Field Video data at twice the field rate to yield an output bit stream suitable for display on display device that utilizes progressive scanning. The de-interlacing and frame doubling system in accordance with present principles includes a frame memory mechanism (116, 116′ and 116″) for storing at least one frame of interlaced video having a prescribed field rate. At least one de-interlacing circuit (11401, 1140′1, 1140″) pulls at least two fields of video data from the memory mechanism at a rate of at least twice the field rate for performing a full de-interlacing function in half of a field period to generate the a progressive, frame doubled signal for receipt at the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Stephen Carlsgaard, David Leon Simpson, Michael Evan Crabb
  • Publication number: 20040004673
    Abstract: An automatic gain control apparatus for a video signal and adjusting method thereof, An RF(Radio Frequency) automatic gain control apparatus receives a reproduced video signal from a demodulator, controlling a gain of an RF amplifier according to the reproduced video signal. An IF(Intermediate Frequency) automatic gain control apparatus receives a reproduced video signal from a demodulator, controlling a gain of an IF amplifier according to the reproduced video signal. In the meantime, a RF automatic gain control compensating unit detects an input signal provided to the IF amplifier, checking whether the detected IF input signal meets a reference level, controlling for raising a voltage of the RF automatic gain control apparatus if the detected IF input signal is lower than the reference level, controlling for lowering a voltage of the RF automatic gain control apparatus if the detected IF input signal is higher than the reference level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong-Seok Jeong, Tae-don Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040004674
    Abstract: A dual mode tuner/receiver is disclosed in which both analog and digital signals can be received and processed. A low pass filter allows all channels below a selected frequency enter the circuit. A precisely controlled dual conversion circuit creates an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. An automatic carrier detection circuit monitors the IF signal and determines whether the signal is of analog or digital format and intermediate frequency filters are adjusted based upon the type of signal detected. A coherent oscillator circuit generates in-phase and quadrature reference signals that are used by video and audio detectors for further processing of the IF signal. In-phase and quadrature outputs are provided for digital signals and composite video and audio outputs are provided for analog signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Vince Birleson
  • Publication number: 20040004675
    Abstract: The invention provides an image projection display apparatus comprising an image signal source for providing primary color signals, a light source comprising light emitting devices respectively emitting monochromatic lights corresponding to the primary color signals, a first optical system for guiding the monochromatic lights, a DMD having two-dimensionally arrayed micro-mirrors, provided for receiving the monochromatic lights guided through first optical system, a controller receiving the primary color signals for controlling the DMD so that specific micro-mirrors on the DMD change their own orientations by being activated with the primary color signals sequentially supplied from the image signal source and the light source so that the respective monochromatic lights are sequentially emitted in synchronous with the primary color signals, and a second optical system for sequentially projecting respective primary color image patterns presented by the specific orientation-changed micro-mirrors on the DMD in a p
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichi Honda
  • Publication number: 20040004676
    Abstract: An optical system includes a lens assembly fixed to a base for projecting an image light onto a surface; a DMD assembly movably disposed at one side of the lens assembly for reflecting the light irradiated from a light source onto the lens assembly; supporting members disposed at the one side of the lens assembly for supporting the DMD assembly; and an adjuster for moving the DMD assembly to adjust a tilt. The adjuster includes a guide member having a screw hole and fixed to the base; an adjusting screw driven into the screw hole for moving the DMD assembly along a lengthwise direction of the guide member; and a push rod having an end connected to the DMD assembly and another end connected to the adjusting screw. The DMD assembly is movable by adjusting the adjusting screw so that a tilt angle can be easily and precisely adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Ik Kim
  • Publication number: 20040004677
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display which is capable of preventing light from leaking out from the peripheral portion of pixels and which has a high display performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Rei Hasegawa, Rieko Fukushima, Tatsuo Saishu, Hajime Yamaguchi, Kohki Takatoh
  • Publication number: 20040004678
    Abstract: A pixel portion 100 of a liquid crystal display device comprises a thin film transistor T comprising a channel region 18, and source/drain regions 22, a source (data) line 26 for supplying current to the thin film transistor T, a color filter 23, and a pixel electrode 24. In forming the pixel portion 100, a gate electrode 13, a gate insulating film 16 and the channel region 18 are first formed on a glass substrate 10. On the glass substrate 10 after the formation of the channel region 18 is formed, a wall made of a polyimide film 20 surrounding the peripheries of the regions for forming the source/drain regions 22, the color filter 23, the pixel electrode 24 and the source line 26. Liquid materials are applied to the regions surrounded with a wall made of the polyimide film 20, and a heat treatment is carried out to form films, thereby forming elements such as the color filter 23 or the pixel electrode 24.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Masahiro Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20040004679
    Abstract: A display system comprises an electro-optic layer having first and second opposite major surfaces, a first electrode proximate the first surface of the electro-optic layer, and an electrode array. The electrode array includes a first plurality of pixel electrodes operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer proximate it's second surface and is separated from the first electrode by a first optical path length. The electrode array also includes a second plurality of pixel electrodes operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer proximate it's second surface and is separated from the first electrode by a second optical path length. The first and second pluralities of pixel electrodes form an irregular pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas J. McKnight
  • Publication number: 20040004680
    Abstract: An LCD assembly used with a wireless information terminal including: an LCD module including an LCD and a TSP attached on a surface of the LCD; a housing having upper and lower housing members which butt against each other to be coupled in order to support the LCD module, an exposure window of a certain size being formed in the upper housing member; and a space maintaining member inserted to maintain a certain gap between a rim of the TSP of the LCD module and the upper housing member, and formed of a rubber material having excellent elasticity and impact-absorbing capacity. The space maintaining member has a fixture portion and a pad portion in close contact with the TSP, and the pad portion has an air groove allowing air to exist between the TSP and itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chong-Du Kim
  • Publication number: 20040004681
    Abstract: An upper polarizing plate 36 is provided on the outer surface of an upper substrate 14, and a lower polarizing plate 28 is provided on the outer surface of a lower substrate 13. Also, a retardation layer 20 having a phase shift of a quarter wavelength, and a protective layer 21 are provided in turn only on reflective display regions R of the inner surface of the lower substrate 13 so that with no voltage applied, the phase shifts of a liquid crystal layer 16 in transmissive display regions T and the reflective display regions R are set to a half wavelength and a quarter wavelength, respectively. Therefore, the present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal display device having improved display brightness in a transmission mode and excellent visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kinya Ozawa, Masakatsu Higa, Chiyoaki Iijima
  • Publication number: 20040004682
    Abstract: A display of the present invention includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel and a backlight panel. Outside light that is irradiated on to the display is reflected by a reflective electrode located in the backlight panel. The reflected outside light is scattered by a scattering portion located in the backlight panel and returns to the liquid crystal panel. This improves the quality of an image displayed on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kato, Kazuto Noritake
  • Publication number: 20040004683
    Abstract: A metal film is laminated on a glass substrate and a photosensitive resin film is coated on the metal film. The metal film and the photosensitive resin film are selectively removed by means of exposure and development in the area that turns into a transmission area in each pixel that is a unit displaying colors such as red, green, and blue. Thus, a reflection layer and an adjustment layer are left intact in a reflection area of each pixel. Color filters are formed on both the transmission area and the adjustment film. The total thickness of the reflection layer and the adjustment film is controlled to be about the half of the thickness of the color filters in the transmission area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kaneda, Makoto Arai
  • Publication number: 20040004684
    Abstract: A light diffusing film having excellent electromagnetic wave shielding and optical properties is disclosed, which comprises a transparent substrate, a light diffusing layer formed on at least one side of the transparent substrate; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the light diffusing layer by a dry coating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Gi-Mo Yang, Bum-Gook Lee
  • Publication number: 20040004685
    Abstract: A thin-film transistor array substrate, used in a transflective liquid crystal display. The thin-film transistor array substrate has a substrate, a plurality of pixels, a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines. Each of the pixels has a transparent sub-pixel and a reflective sub-pixel, while the transparent sub-pixel further has a transparent electrode and a first thin-film transistor, and the reflective sub-pixel has a reflective pixel electrode and a second thin-film transistor. The pixel electrode of each sub-pixel is thus electrically connected to a different thin-film transistor. The step of forming a molybdenum layer is thus not required, saving fabrication cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Fang-Chen Luo
  • Publication number: 20040004686
    Abstract: A reflective layer for reflecting light incident from a second substrate side and transmitting through a second electrode made of ITO or the like is formed above a first substrate, a switching element provided for each pixel, and an insulating film covering the switching element, the reflective layer being insulated from the switching element. A first electrode having a work function similar to the second electrode and made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO is formed more proximate to a liquid crystal layer than is the reflective layer and is connected to the switching element. The thickness of the first electrode is set to 100 Å or less or in a range approximately from 750 Å to 1250 Å.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Shinji Ogawa, Kazuhiro Inoue, Norio Koma, Nobuhiko Oda, Satoshi Ishida, Tsutomu Yamada, Tohru Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040004687
    Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, the first and second substrates having reflective and transmissive portions; a first retardation film on an outer surface of the first substrate, the first retardation film having a first optical axis; a first polarizing plate on the first retardation film, the first polarizing plate having a first transmissive axis; a common electrode on an inner surface of the first substrate; a pixel electrode on an inner surface of the second substrate; a second retardation film on an outer surface of the second substrate, the second retardation film having a second optical axis; a second polarizing plate on the second retardation film, the second polarizing plate having a second transmissive axis; and a liquid crystal layer between the common electrode and the pixel electrode, the liquid crystal layer having a director, wherein the first optical axis has a first angle of &thgr; with respect to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heum-I1 Baek
  • Publication number: 20040004688
    Abstract: A novel retarder comprising a long transparent substrate, and up on the substrate, a first and a second optically anisotropic layers formed from a homogenously aligned rod-like liquid crystal compound and having a phase shift substantially equal to &pgr; measured and equal to &pgr;/2 respectively at a wavelength of 550 nm; and a first alignment layer having a rubbing axis defining the azimuthal direction of the homogenous alignment in the first anisotropic layer. The angle between the slow axis of the first anisotropic layer and the longitudinal direction of the transparent substrate is 75°, the angle between the slow axis of the second anisotropic layer and the longitudinal direction is 15°, the angle between the slow axis of the second anisotropic layer and the slow axis of the first anisotropic layer is 60° and the azimuthal direction of the homogenous alignment in the first anisotropic layer is substantially orthogonal to the rubbing axis of the first alignment layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Kawata, Hiroshi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20040004689
    Abstract: Liquid crystal material is interposed between an upper panel and a lower panel. The lower panel includes signal transmitting wires including a gate wire and a data wire, thin film transistors connected to the signal transmitting wires and pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors, and the upper panel includes color filters, a black matrix and a common electrode. The pixel electrodes and the common electrode have apertures partitioning the pixel electrode into several domains. In addition, the director of liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal material is aligned perpendicular to the upper panel and the lower panel in absence of electric field between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode. The dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal material has a value ranging −4.0 to −5.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Jang-Kun Song, Kyeong-Hyeon Kim, Jae-Jin Lyu, Eun-Hee Han, Seung-Beom Park
  • Publication number: 20040004690
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal display device comprises an array substrate having pixel electrodes disposed on a main surface thereof, a counter substrate having a counter electrode disposed to face the pixel electrodes on the main surface of the array substrate, and a liquid-crystal layer held between the counter substrate and the array substrate. A pixel between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode is composed of four domains located around a center point of the pixel. Each of the domains includes stronger electric field regions and weaker electric field regions arranged alternately such that liquid-crystal molecules in the domains present four anisotropic alignment patterns deviated from each other by about 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamaguchi, Kisako Ninomiya, Yasushi Kawata, Yuuzo Hisatake, Kazuyuki Sunohara, Natsuko Fujiyama, Akio Murayama
  • Publication number: 20040004691
    Abstract: An electro-optical panel having improved cracking resistance includes a substrate having scratches and cracks formed during a production process removed by etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakahara, Takatomo Toda, Kotaro Ueno
  • Publication number: 20040004692
    Abstract: With respect to a display device having a high-resolution display panel, It makes possible to prevent to deteriorate the display quality by a dot defect. A display panel having a dot defect is identified and coordinates of the defective pixel are determined. The brightnesses of pixels adjacent to the defective pixel and/or the brightnesses of pixels of other display panels having the corresponding coordinates as the dot defect are increased to reduce the apparent perceptibility of the dot defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Hiroki
  • Publication number: 20040004693
    Abstract: The invention relates to the inspection of ophthalmic lenses, using at least two different machine vision inspection techniques in the manufacturing process for said ophthalmic lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Paul Chrusch, Anthony J. Dispenza, Richard Wayne Abrams, Michael Francis Widman, David Dolan
  • Publication number: 20040004694
    Abstract: There is provided an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus including: an apparatus main body having an illumination system for illuminating an eye to be examined and an observation system for observing an image of the eye to be examined which is illuminated by the illumination system; a photographing device for taking a light flux from the eye to be examined from an optical path of the observation system, photographing the image of the eye to be examined and recording the image; a storage unit for storing a photographing condition related to the apparatus main body and a photographing processing condition related to the photographing device for each of plural kinds of photographing processing modes in photographing and storing the eye to be examined; a designating unit for designating a photographing processing mode to the eye to be examined; and a setting unit for reading out a photographing condition related to the apparatus main body and a photographing processing condition related to the photographing de
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Yuichi Sugino, Tomoyoshi Abe, Takanori Takeda, Taisaku Kogawa