Patents Issued in January 29, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040017486
    Abstract: The present invention provides a synchronization system comprising a base unit and at least one video camera. The base unit includes a master time-base adapted to set a time period that samples a frame of video data, a memory, and a base unit communications transceiver. The base unit communications transceiver is adapted to transmit a frame synchronization signal to a video camera communications transceiver. The video camera includes an image sensor adapted to store the video data, an exposure control adapted to control an exposure level of the image sensor, and a camera time-base adapted to receive the frame synchronization signal from the video camera communications transceiver. The camera time-base is further adapted to receive the frame synchronization signal, reset its time and initiates its internal timing sequence, transmit signals to the exposure control to control a length of the exposure, and transmit timing signals to the image sensor to read the video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Neal Cooper, Christopher Michael Fritz, James Walter Exner
  • Publication number: 20040017487
    Abstract: An image acquiring apparatus includes a pixel shifting section which changes the relative position between luminous flux incident on an imaging element and the imaging element to a plurality of specific positions, an imaging section which photographs in at least one of a plurality of specific positions including an initial position, an image creating section which creates a high-resolution new image based on at least one item of image data photographed by the imaging section, and a display control section which displays at least one image photographed by the imaging section before the high-resolution new image has been created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ueda
  • Publication number: 20040017488
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus creates printing data in which sizes of images on the front and the back of a perfecting print are sufficiently coincident with one another. A printing mode obtaining section obtains discrimination between a single-sided print and a perfecting print. A correcting storage section stores an association between sort and size of a printing paper and correcting amount of a size of an image to be printed on at least one side of the printing paper. A blank form information obtaining section obtains sort and size of a printing paper to be used for printing. An image size correcting section corrects a size of an image to be printed on the front of the printing paper on the page description data. A rasterizing section converts the page description data into raster image data for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Watanabe, Takashi Toyofuku
  • Publication number: 20040017489
    Abstract: In an electronic camera, an image file can be erased and when the image file is erased, a notifying state is changed in accordance with the data attached to an image. In the electronic camera, the data attached to the image indicates whether the image file has been transferred from a storing area where the image is stored at present to another storing area or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Okada
  • Publication number: 20040017490
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an image-capturing device and method for receiving signals from an external network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Lin
  • Publication number: 20040017491
    Abstract: A portable electronic imaging device, in performing digital zoom, exploits barrel distortion in the original digital image to produce higher quality digitally zoomed images than can be obtained by simple cropping and rescaling. Such a portable electronic imaging device may be implemented using a moderately wide-angle lens of fixed focal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Donald J. Stavely
  • Publication number: 20040017492
    Abstract: An electronic imaging device produces higher quality digitally zoomed images than can be obtained by simple cropping and resealing. An array of imaging sensors that places more resolution near the center of the image than at the edges combined with geometrical distortion correction achieves the increase in image quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Donald J. Stavely
  • Publication number: 20040017493
    Abstract: A resolution conversion method and a pixel data processing circuit for a single-plate type color image sensor has been disclosed, in which resolution conversion processing and simultaneous processing can be performed with a simple configuration, an image of high sharpness can be obtained without degradation of resolution, and the pixel positions of respective colors coincide with each other. Resolution conversion processing that converts color data of each pixel output from a single-plate-type color-image sensor into data of a predetermined resolution and simultaneous processing that processes the color data so that the pixel positions of respective colors coincide with each other are performed simultaneously in the same circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJITSU, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Daiku, Shigeru Nishio, Asao Kokubo
  • Publication number: 20040017494
    Abstract: An imager circuit includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a sensor (photodiode) connected to an input terminal of a comparator. The comparators of each pixel row have output terminals connected to a latch. A counter generates a sequence of digital values that are transmitted to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and to the latch of each row. The DAC generates a ramp voltage that is transmitted to a second input terminal of each pixel's comparator. The comparators of a selected pixel column are enabled to generate output signals when the ramp voltage equals each pixel's voltage, causing the associated latches to capture the current digital values. The comparators are formed such that each pixel row shares a cascode mirror circuit that detects differential currents in data line pairs connected to each pixel in that row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jeng Ping Lu, Koenraad F. Van Schuylenbergh
  • Publication number: 20040017495
    Abstract: An image sensor has a pixel array where pixels having photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix, a plurality of row select lines which are arranged in a row direction, a plurality of column lines which are arranged in a column direction, a sample hold circuit disposed in each column line, a vertical scan circuit for generating vertical scan signals to sequentially select the plurality of row select lines, and a horizontal scan circuit for generating horizontal scan signals to sequentially select the output of the sample hold circuit. The vertical scan circuit sequentially selects and scans the plurality of row select lines within a first vertical scan period when the image sensor is controlled to a first frame period, and also sequentially selects and scans the plurality of row select lines within the first vertical scan period even when the image sensor is controlled to a second frame period, which is longer than the first frame period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun Funakoshi, Katsuyosi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040017496
    Abstract: In a solid state image pickup device, in order to form a bypass region with precisely controlled impurity concentration and width, there is provided a solid state image pickup device comprising a photoelectric conversion unit composed of a first region of a first conductive type formed on a semiconductor substrate and having a principal surface, a second region of a second conductive type formed in the first region, and a third region of the first conductive type present between the second region and the principal surface, a fourth region of the second conductive type formed in the first region, and a charge transfer unit including the first region, an insulation layer on the first region and a control electrode provided on the insulation layer, for transferring a signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit, to the fourth region, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit and the charge transfer unit are connected through a fifth region of the second conductive type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Toru Koizumi, Shigetoshi Sugawa, Isamu Ueno, Tetsunobu Kochi, Katsuhito Sakurai, Hiroki Hiyama
  • Publication number: 20040017497
    Abstract: A plurality of low-sensitivity pixels 10 and a plurality of high-sensitivity pixels 20 are arranged like a tetragonal grid respectively, and are provided in positions shifted by ½ of an array pitch from each other in a row direction X and a column direction Y. The detected charges of the low-sensitivity pixel 10 and the high-sensitivity pixel 20 are transferred in the column direction Y by a vertical transfer section 31. The charges of the low-sensitivity pixel 10 and the high-sensitivity pixel 20 which are adjacent to each other in the column direction are transferred through the vertical transfer sections 31 which are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Nobuo Suzuki, Kazuyuki Masukane
  • Publication number: 20040017498
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a timing signal generator for generating timing signals. Particular gates formed in each of photosensitive cells arranged in an image pickup section are driven independently or simultaneously in response to the timing signals. In an independent drive mode, outputs each having particular sensitivity are obtained from the different photosensitive regions of the individual cell by one time of exposure, covering a range of sensitivity as broad as one achievable with repeated photometry. This reduces the number of times of photometry for determining adequate exposure. In a simultaneous drive mode, outputs are produced in the usual manner. An exposure value calculator converts the resulting image signals to values having a predetermined format while an exposure parameter determining section determines exposure parameters if those values are adequate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yamashita, Naoki Kubo, Keizou Uchioke
  • Publication number: 20040017499
    Abstract: A digital still camera having a camera body, an LCD provided on the back of the camera body, and a touch panel covering the LCD. Icons are printed on the touch panel, at positions located on the left side of the LCD. The user may touch the icons to select any one of the functions of the digital still camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Yasuhito Ambiru
  • Publication number: 20040017500
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal with an integrated photographic apparatus having an optical zoom function. The terminal comprises of a body, a display, one or more input devices to enter terminal and photographic commands, and a photographic apparatus having a zoom function. The photographic apparatus comprises of a housing in which a lens, lens cap, and camera are situated. A rotation handle on the exterior surface of the camera can be used to manually manipulate the distance between the camera and the lens, thereby zooming in and out on a subject to be photographed. Alternatively, a motor and driving means can be installed to adjust the distance between the camera and the lens. A user can use the command functions of the terminal to input commands to the motor to effectuate zooming. Furthermore, a sensor installed in the terminal can be used for automated zooming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Zhi-Min Choo
  • Publication number: 20040017501
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a substrate mounting an electronic component, a shielding case molded with conductive resin and connected to the substrate, and a conductive coating formed on the surface of the shielding case. Since the shielding case is molded from the conductive resin, it is possible to mold the case into any shapes and provide smaller and lighter cases than the metal ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jun Asaga, Hiroshi Mukaigawa, Kazuaki Hashimoto, Tomoyuki Sasaki, Akio Shimane
  • Publication number: 20040017502
    Abstract: An image based autofocus method and system that includes receiving image data; monitoring and analyzing the contrast between different portions of the image data in determining the location of a target wherein the different portions of the image data contain at least one type of image pixel information and the monitoring and analyzing are performed using at least one kernel filter to determine a focus measure; adjusting a focus mechanism that is focusing on the image data; observing an image quality of the image data that has been focused; and continuously outputting an image to support an image processing frame rate and adjusting the focus mechanism to obtain an improved focus image by adjusting the focus mechanism in a positive direction, a negative direction or a zero (0) direction based upon effectuating a desired change in the observed image quality of the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy Alderson
  • Publication number: 20040017503
    Abstract: An AE/AF solid-state imaging apparatus exhibiting suitable characteristics of spectral sensitivities of an AE sensor and an AF sensor respectively, is actualized, wherein visual sensitivity corrections filters of an optical system are reduced. In the solid-state imaging apparatus includes AF photodiode regions for auto-focusing and An AE photodiode region for executing a photometric process of a photographing region, are integrated on a same semiconductor substrate, characteristics of spectral sensitivities of the AF photodiode regions are different from a characteristic of the spectral sensitivity of the AE photodiode region. Desirably, a peak wavelength of each of the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the AF photodiode regions is positioned on a longer wavelength side than a peak wavelength of the AE photodiode region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040017504
    Abstract: Standard video footage even from a single video camera can be used to obtain, in an automated fashion, a stroboscope sequence of a sports event, for example. The sequence may be represented as a static images of a photographic nature, or by a video sequence in which camera motion remains present, in which case the video sequence can be rendered as a panning camera movement on a stroboscope picture or as an animated stroboscope sequence in which the moving object leaves a trailing trace of copies along its path. Multiple cameras can be used for an expanded field of view or for comparison of multiple sequences, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: InMotion Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Paolo Prandoni, Emmanuel Reusens, Martin Vetterli, Luciano Sbaiz, Serge Ayer
  • Publication number: 20040017505
    Abstract: A portable camera-phone has a strobe consisting of LEDs emitting light with a determined quantity of light emission, as an auxiliary light source for image pick-up of an object by a camera. In an image pick-up mode, the light emission quantity is adjusted repeatedly until a total exposure value matches an optimal exposure value, based on a difference between a total exposure value of an image signal output from the camera with the light emission quantity determined last time and a total exposure value when emission is OFF. Therefore, in the image pick-up mode, two reference values are used for determining the light emission quantity to have the total exposure value match the optimal exposure value, and hence the light emission quantity can be determined with high accuracy. As a result, an optimal exposure level can be obtained with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kazunari Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20040017506
    Abstract: Disclosed are camera orientation sensing systems and cameras that comprise such systems. In one embodiment, a camera includes a camera orientation sensing system configured to determine the orientation of the camera, the sensing system including an orientation sensor that is fixedly positioned relative to the camera body in an angled orientation such that the longitudinal axis of the sensor is not parallel to either of the horizontal or vertical axes of the camera body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kris R. Livingston
  • Publication number: 20040017507
    Abstract: Motion compensation of a sequence of image fields (0-5) is carried out in the frequency domain using phase correlation (10) between corresponding picture areas of a pair of time-spaced, input fields (1,4) to produce a set of motion-vector estimates that are used for filtering the relevant areas of each field (1;4) of the pair by interpolation (11;12) with the corresponding area of its preceding and following input-fields (0,2;3,5) of the sequence, to produce a frame-approximation to that field (1;4) through combination of the individually-filtered areas. The filtering in each case involves respective application (24-26) of weighting coefficients to corresponding spatial-frequency components of the relevant picture areas of three fields, and summation (28) of the weighted components, the coefficients being calculated or selected (27) according to the motion-vector estimate associated with each picture area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: John Christopher Clayton
  • Publication number: 20040017508
    Abstract: A method for converting video information from an incoming format to an outgoing format using a process free from one or more intermediary files. The method includes receiving video information in a first format and receiving a desired output media format based upon a first input and a desired TV standard based upon a second input. The method decodes the video information in the first format to raw video information in an uncompressed format and directly resizes the raw video information in the uncompressed format into a size associated with the desired output media format and the desired TV standard. The method adjusts the uncompressed format in the size associated with the desired output media format and the desired TV standard to a frame rate associated with the desired TV standard and encodes the uncompressed format in the size and the frame rate into an elementary video stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: MedioStream, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20040017509
    Abstract: The absolute value of the difference between each of the pairs of pixel values of a target pixel and an upper pixel with respect to the target pixel, a pixel that is left-adjacent to the target pixel and an upper pixel with respect to the left-adjacent pixel, the left-adjacent pixel and a lower pixel with respect to the left-adjacent pixel, a pixel that is right-adjacent to the target pixel and an upper pixel with respect to the right-adjacent pixel, and the right-adjacent pixel and a lower pixel with respect to the right-adjacent pixel is obtained. A “1” is assigned if the absolute value of the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value whereas a “0” is assigned if the absolute value of the difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, forming a pattern having six bits in total.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Shizuo Chikaoka, Toru Miyake, Shinsuke Araya
  • Publication number: 20040017510
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus which performs a frame-rate conversion of a progressive line-scan video signal based on a film source of M film frames per second (wherein M is a natural number) into a video signal in which a same film frame is repeated N times for each 1/M second, and mixes, frame by frame, a video signal of a preceding frame and a video signal of a following frame of the converted progressive line-scan video signal. Thus, the display quality of telecine-converted images can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicants: PIONEER CORPORATION, SHIZUOKA PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Takashi Okushima, Tetsuro Nagakubo
  • Publication number: 20040017511
    Abstract: A video information indexing support apparatus includes a video capture device configured to capture a video that a video recorder records, a video storage device configured to store the video captured by the video capture device, and an event recording device configured to record, as event information, information of an event occurring in relation to content of the video that the video recorder records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Takayuki Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20040017512
    Abstract: A TV broadcast cooperative type data perusal apparatus is provided that can establish connection to websites in which is provided information related to the subject matter of a program that is being broadcast, and can simply peruse the information related to the subject matter from these websites, even when no website address information is appended as descriptor information for searching to the program being broadcast, provided that the information related to the subject matter in the program being broadcast is appended to the program as the descriptor information for searching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirohide Tachikawa
  • Publication number: 20040017513
    Abstract: An electronic equipment capable of displaying input data from an external interface in a display region defined by a layout script text and of enabling a user to easily select a layout which is desired to be adopted is provided. The electronic equipment, such as a television set, takes in a layout script text from outside through, for example, a network to store it in the electronic equipment, which layout script text defines at least media information and a display region of the media information, which is input through various interfaces such as a video input terminal, broadcast reception, a reader of a detachably mountable storage medium. The user selects an arbitrary layout script text among the stored layout script texts. Then, the electronic equipment reproduces media information in accordance with the selected layout script text to display the media information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Naomasa Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040017514
    Abstract: Devices for reducing and determining the skew between colour video signals transmitted over at least two different video cables are described. A KVM extender including such devices is also described. The skew reduction device includes a plurality of video signal transmission tracks selectably connectable to each of the video cables to increase the video signal transmission path length so as to more closely matching the total video signal path length for each of the colour video signals. The skew determination device comprises a processing device, a signal generator for applying measuring signals to each of the video signal cables and signal detection circuitry to receive measuring signals transmitted over the video signal cables. Detection signals are output to the processing device which is programmed to determine an indication of the transmission path length difference between the video signal cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Adder Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Anthony Dickens, Adrian Christopher Dickens, Darrin Steel
  • Publication number: 20040017515
    Abstract: Signal processing is enhanced using a filtering arrangement that re-uses data in a register array for filtering consecutive pixel blocks. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, consecutive blocks of pixel data corresponding to an image and sharing an edge therebetween is filtered. The consecutive blocks of pixel data are read and loaded into first and second halves of a register array, and pixel data in registers on opposite sides of the edge is filtered and returned to the register array. After filtering, data in the first half of the register array is unloaded and written back to the memory. Data in the second half of the register array is then shifted to the first half of the register array and additional pixel data is read and loaded into the second half of the register array. The additional pixel data corresponds to the image, is consecutive to and shares an edge with the pixel data shifted to the first half of the register array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Lange, Jud Lehman
  • Publication number: 20040017516
    Abstract: An equalization method and device for equalizing the received vestigial sideband (VSB) signal, utilizes segment-sync symbols, Sato directions, erasure slicers, and variable step-sizes. In addition to stop-and-go (SAG) mode, the directions of Sato errors can also be used for speed up the convergence of tap weights of the equalizer. Erasure slicers can mitigate the effect of decision errors as they are passed through the feedback filter. In time-variant environments, variable step-sizes help the equalizer tracking the variations of the channels; in time-invariant environments, variable step-sizes help ease the fluctuations of the steady-state equalizer tap weights, and therefore yield smaller mean-squared-error and better symbol error rate (SER).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: SILICON INTEGRATED SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yih-Ming Tsuie
  • Publication number: 20040017517
    Abstract: A motion detector (300) detects motion of images represented by video pixels. A first motion detector (320) is arranged to generate first motion signals (S) representing detected motion of images represented by the pixel values. A second motion detector (360) is arranged to modify the first motion signals to generate corrected motion signals (S′) in response to the relationship of a pixel being processed to a change of motion of one or more of the image in the vertical direction. The second motion detector also modifies the first motion signals in response to the value of the pixel being processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jose Roberto Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20040017518
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in monochrome, color or gray scale. Pixel size is controlled as a function of distance of the image from the module to control image resolution and allow the image to remain sharp and clear over an extended range of distances from the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Miklos Stern, Dmitriy Yavid, Chinh Tan, Frederick F. Wood
  • Publication number: 20040017519
    Abstract: A cradle for a wireless monitor includes a body, a monitor connection port, a wireless communications module, a computer signal input port, a TV tuner, and a TV signal input port. A switch including a control circuit and a user actuated mechanical mechanism is electrically connected between the monitor connection port and the wireless communications module, and the computer signal input and the TV tuner. The control circuit detects states of the computer signal input port, the TV tuner, the monitor connection port, and the wireless communications module and controls the switch accordingly to establish connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Chiang-Ting Sung
  • Publication number: 20040017520
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel is provided. A thin film transistor array is formed on a lower substrate, and a color filter array is formed on an upper substrate. The thin film transistor array has gate lines, data lines, data pads, thin film transistors and pixel electrodes. After the upper substrate and lower substrates are bonded together and cut into cells, the gate pads and the data pads at ends of the gate lines and the data lines on the lower substrate of the bonded substrates are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon Sung Yoo, Youn Gyoung Chang, Heung Lyul Cho, Seung Hee Nam
  • Publication number: 20040017521
    Abstract: In an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus, each of pixel electrodes has overhanging portions at its opposite side edges. These overhanging portions of the pixel electrode cover two signal lines placed on opposite sides of the pixel electrode, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Okada, Atsushi Ban
  • Publication number: 20040017522
    Abstract: The display-oriented computer casing of the invention includes a front panel, a rear panel, a left panel, a right panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, two partition panels and a plurality of combining members and screws; wherein the aforesaid panels and combining members are made of acrylic materials for revealing a panel design that is multi-color and transparent at one's choice, and for further showing a delicate visual effect through illumination, thereby mostly directly presenting the interior of the computer casing as well as achieving artistic and coordinative purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Chiang-Hai Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040017523
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device that is thin and requires no polarizer. In one embodiment of the liquid crystal display device, light from the light source 13 is collimated and cast to the polydomain cholesteric liquid crystal layer 7 inserted between transparent electrodes 5 and 6. When no voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6, the polydomain cholesteric liquid crystal layer 7 takes the polydomain texture and thus scatters light. In this case, the scattered light is emitted from the transparent electrode 5 outside the liquid crystal cell 8. This is the light-emitting state of the liquid crystal display device. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes 5 and 6, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 7 takes the homeotropic texture. In this case, the incident light is little scattered and travels straight, whereby very little amount of light is emitted from the transparent electrode 5 outside the liquid crystal cell 8. This makes the dark state of the liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Tadahiro Asada
  • Publication number: 20040017524
    Abstract: Color displays such as color liquid crystal displays (105) and touch sensitive displays (510) include a substantially transparent back plate (120) or backside and are stacked with one or more solar cells (150) such that light passing through the displays will illuminate the light receiving active surface of the solar cells (150). A pixelized color reflector (121) is used that comprises a patterned color reflector. The resultant display/solar cell can be utilized in combination with a portable electronic device (720) such as a wireless communications device, with the solar cell (150) providing electricity to the display (710), the portable electronic device (720), or both. A mask (810) can be used to occlude surface features on the solar cell (150) as appropriate to provide a substantially uniformly colored appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Zili Li
  • Publication number: 20040017525
    Abstract: A transmissive color filter layer is disposed over a transparent substrate such as glass in a transparent display area, and a reflective color filter layer is formed in a reflective display area. An overcoat layer is formed on the transmissive color filter layer and the reflective color filter layer so as to cover both of them. The overcoat layer has a multigap structure having a first layer thickness on the transmissive color filter layer and a second layer thickness on the reflective color filter layer, which is thicker than the first layer thickness. In the substrate for this liquid crystal panel, the overcoat layer is also disposed in the transparent display area. Therefore, the adhesion of the transparent electrode can be enhanced, and the transmissive color filter layer can be protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Keiji Takizawa, Yoshihiro Otagiri, Tomoyuki Nakano
  • Publication number: 20040017526
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device mainly includes a first substrate having a light-shielding matrix formed thereon, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and the second substrates. The first substrate is attached to the second substrate by a light-cured sealant. The present invention is characterized in that the light-shielding matrix has at least one transparent area located at a position facing the interface between the light-cured sealant and the liquid crystal layer thereby allowing a radiation entering the liquid crystal display device from the first substrate to reach the light-cured sealant through the at least one transparent area of the light-shielding matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: CHI MEI OPTOELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chen Lung Kuo
  • Publication number: 20040017527
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an LCD device is disclosed, which has a reflective electrode having protrusions formed by simplified manufacturing process steps, thereby improving reflectivity. The method includes: forming a first insulating layer on a substrate; forming a photoresist layer on the first insulating layer, wherein the photoresist layer has a plurality of rounded protrusions and rounded valleys; forming a plurality of rounded protrusions and rounded valleys on the first insulating layer by etching the first insulating layer and the photoresist layer; and forming a reflective electrode on the first insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Hee Yeong Ryu
  • Publication number: 20040017528
    Abstract: An active matrix display device includes a pair of substrates, an optical modulation layer lying between the substrates, a plurality of pixel electrodes on one of the substrates, switching elements for driving the respective pixel electrodes provided in the vicinity of the pixel electrodes, and a reflective or transflective reflecting layer 138 formed on at least one substrate more distant from a viewer side. The reflecting layer has asymmetrical reflection properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kano, Katsumasa Yoshii, Yuzo Hayashi, Hiroyuki Hebiguchi, Masahiko Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040017529
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LCD device for performing bi-directional display. The LCD device includes first and second display units, and a light supplying unit. The first display unit includes an LCD panel and a transflective film that is disposed under the LCD panel and has layers in which first and second layers having different refractivity indexes are alternately stacked. The transflective film partially reflects and transmits light incident onto the film. The light supplying unit is disposed between the first and second display units, and provide the first and second display units with light generated from a lamp by dividing the light, to thereby regulate a contrast ratio of a luminance between the first and second display units. Therefore, the structure of an LCD panel for performing bi-directional image display can be simplified, and the light loss in the transmission mode can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jung-Min Choi, Dong-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20040017530
    Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned pixel electrode of a LCD is introduced. The LCD includes a substrate having a plurality of adjacent pixel electrode regions. A joint side is positioned between each pixel electrode region and its adjacent pixel electrode regions. First, a spacer is formed on the joint sides of the pixel electrode regions, and the spacer has an undercut profile. Then, a transparent conductive layer is formed on the substrate, and the transparent conductive layer that covers the pixel electrode regions is separated from the spacer to form a self-aligned pixel electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Hsin-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20040017531
    Abstract: Data-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use display signals are individually connected to a plurality of data lines, and scanning-line inspection-use switching elements for switching the supply of inspection-use scanning signals are individually connected to a plurality of scanning lines. The data-line inspection-use switching elements connected to the data lines are connected to an inspection-use display signal line for supplying the inspection-use display signals to the data-line inspection-use switching elements. Meanwhile, three data-line inspection-use control signal lines for inputting control signals for switching on/off the data-line inspection-use switching elements are provided in correspondence with the display colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Nagata, Takayuki Shimada, Yasunobu Akebi, Makoto Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20040017532
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display comprising an in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal cell, a polarizer, and a compensation film containing a positively birefringent material with the optic axis tilted in a plane perpendicular to the liquid crystal cell plane. Such displays exhibit an improved viewing angle characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ishikawa, Xiang-Dong Mi
  • Publication number: 20040017533
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display which generation of reverse twist is prevented, capable of displaying an excellent image having a wide visibility angle property, and containing no display irregularity is provided. The liquid crystal display comprises a liquid crystal layer formed by sandwiching a liquid crystal substance in between a color filter substrate and an electrode substrate having a pixel electrode and a common electrode provided parallel to the substrate surface, the color filter substrate has a black matrix, a color filter composed of coloring patterns of a plurality of colors, and a protective layer formed to cover the above-mentioned black matrix and color filter, and the black matrix has an electric conductivity of 9.0×10-9 S/cm or less and the coloring pattern has an electric conductivity of 2.0 ×10−10 S/cm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Tomonobu Sumino
  • Publication number: 20040017534
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates opposing each other with a gap therebetween, a liquid crystal layer held between the pair of substrates, transparent electrodes provided on the liquid crystal layer side of each of the pair of substrates so that the transparent electrodes on one of the substrates intersect the transparent electrodes on the other substrate, lead wirings provided on one of the substrates to be connected to the transparent electrodes on the one substrate so that ends of the transparent electrodes on the one substrate are overlapped on the lead wirings to form overlap portions, and a transparent dummy electrode provided for controlling the gap at a position on the other substrate opposite to a connection portion between the transparent electrodes and the lead wirings on the one substrate. The transparent dummy electrode is formed to avoid positions opposite to the overlap portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Miki, Yoshifumi Masumoto
  • Publication number: 20040017535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display having no gate PCB and FPC. This comprises: a liquid crystal panel formed by an assemble an array substrate and a color filter substrate with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; a plurality of source TCPs and gate TCPs, which are attached to a source and a gate of the liquid panel, respectively, and mounted with a gate driver IC and a source driver IC, respectively; a source PCB connected to the source TCPs and serving to apply a given driving signal to the source driver IC; a LOG formed on the liquid crystal panel such that a signal from the source PCB is applied to the gate driver IC via the gate TCPs; and transfers formed between the substrates at edges of the liquid crystal panel such that common voltage is applied to the color filter substrate. In this liquid crystal display, the LOG consists of gate driver IC-driving signal lines without having a common line for connecting the transfers with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Young Yik Ko, Dong Hwan Lee