Patents Issued in January 2, 2007
  • Patent number: 7158160
    Abstract: An optical beam scanning device includes plural light sources, a pre-deflection optical unit, a light deflection unit, a post-deflection optical unit, and a horizontal synchronization unit. One of the formed plural latent images is formed by plural light beams while the other latent images are respectively formed by one light beam, and the light deflection unit deflects the light beams forming the plurality latent images by one surface or integrally processed surface thereof. The horizontal synchronization unit is on a position of an upstream side of scanning lines forming the latent image formed by the plural light beams and detects that the light beam forming the latent image formed by the plural light beams reaches a predetermined position. The image forming apparatus employs the optical beam scanning device and controls timing to form images by the respective light beams with reference to a moment when the light beam to be detected reaches a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7158161
    Abstract: Providing an exposure unit using an organic electroluminescence element with a large emitted light quantity. The organic electroluminescence element has, on a substrate 31, an anode 32 acting as a hole injection electrode, a cathode 33 acting as an electron injection electrode, a first and second emission layers 34 and 35 each having a light emission region, and a charge generation layer 38 injecting electrons into the light emission layer 34 lying close to the anode 32 and injecting holes into the light emission layer 35 lying close to the cathode 33, these layers being arranged between the anode 32 and the cathode 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Gyoutoku, Takafumi Hamano, Yuji Toyomura, Tetsuro Nakamura, Kenichi Masumoto, Shinya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7158162
    Abstract: A heating control method of a heat development recording device includes a heating step in which after start-up of the heat development recording device, a heat development section is heated to a target temperature by a plate heater, a temperature holding step in which after the temperature of the plate heater has reached the target temperature, the target temperature is held for a prescribed time, and a step in which after the target temperature has been held for the prescribed time, the heat development section is set up in the recordable state, wherein after start-up of the heat development recording device, operation history information from the time of the last start-up is collected; and after reaching the target temperature at the time of the present start-up, a temperature holding time is determined depending upon the operation history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 7158163
    Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention includes a reflection unit for reflecting a light beam, a rotation unit for rotating the reflection unit, a rotation control unit for controlling rotation of the rotation unit, a rotational speed detection unit for detecting a rotational speed of the rotation unit, a light amount control unit for, before the rotational speed detection unit detects that the rotational speed has reached a predetermined rotational speed, controlling light emission of the light beam and controlling the light amount of the light beam to a predetermined value, and a light emission control unit for, after the rotational speed detection unit detects that the rotational speed has reached the predetermined rotational speed, controlling a light emission timing of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Komiya, Koji Tanimoto, Daisuke Ishikawa, Yuji Inagawa
  • Patent number: 7158164
    Abstract: In a thermal development method for generating a image from a latent image recorded on an image formation layer of a photosensitive photothermographic recording material, by means of heating the photosensitive photothermographic recording material, a first surface, which is one surface of the photosensitive photothermographic recording material A, and a second surface, which is the remaining surface of the same, are heated; and a total amount of heat applied to the second surface is controlled so as to fall within a range of 100±30 when a total amount of heat applied to the first surface is taken as 100 in connection with the respective total amounts of heat which are applied to the image formation layer from the first and second surfaces and equal to and higher than the development reaction temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Okada
  • Patent number: 7158165
    Abstract: In a laser beam scanner according to the invention, L2/L1>L4/L3 is satisfied, where L2/L1 is the lateral magnification in the sub-scanning direction in an optical path from a polygon mirror to a photosensitive drum, and L4/L3 is the lateral magnification in the sub-scanning direction in an optical path from the polygon mirror to a beam detector. Accordingly, the light-receiving width of the beam detector can be reduced as compared with a conventional laser beam scanner where L2/L1=L4/L3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryota Kato
  • Patent number: 7158166
    Abstract: A leaf spring (52) and adjusting screws (53a, 53b) are arranged in opposite positions on the inner wall surface of a liquid crystal shutter housing recess (42c) that is formed in a frame body (42) of an optical printer head (41). The position and posture of the liquid crystal shutter (45) in the liquid crystal shutter housing recess (42c) is adjusted with respect to an opening (42a) of the frame body (42) by turning the adjusting screws (53a, 53b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co.
    Inventors: Shigeru Futakami, Sadao Masubuchi, Toshiaki Uchida
  • Patent number: 7158167
    Abstract: A compact video image recording device which is mountable to a gun and useful for recording video images before and after the firing of the gun. The recording device includes a camera comprising a lens and a video image sensor. The video recording device is mounted on the gun such that the viewing area of the camera includes the target area of the gun. The video image sensor generates an electronic signal representative of a video image impinging the respective sensor. The output of the image sensor is processed and generally employed to produce frame data which are successively stored in successive frame locations of a semiconductor memory organized as a circular buffer memory while the video recording device is in an active state. Upon the firing of the gun, additional frames are stored in the buffer memory for a short period of time and a portion of the buffer memory is employed to preserve a video record of the shooting both before and after the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Yerazunis, Darren L. Leigh
  • Patent number: 7158168
    Abstract: An Auto Focus and Zoom Controller for controlling multiple cameras and their lens tracking a vehicle in flight at a test range. The Auto Focus and Zoom Controller controls camera lens functions including focus, focal length, and exposure settings, based upon information stored in a track file, in order to obtain optimal recordings of launch events at the test range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christian L. Houlberg
  • Patent number: 7158169
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing burn-in of a display is disclosed. A plurality of assets containing text, graphics, and video are stored and then gathered. These assets are then assembled into a template to form a video frame or “screen”, which is subsequently output in a video transport stream or video display. Based upon a trigger, the assets are gathered again and reassembled in a second template to form a second video frame or screen wherein the assets are in positions on the screen, which are different from those of the first screen. The second screen is subsequently output to the video transport stream and the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Music Choice
    Inventors: Stuart H. Farber, Daniel L. McGonigal, Jeremy C. Rosenberg, Robert M. Steinberg, Ronald M. Yurman
  • Patent number: 7158170
    Abstract: A test system and a related method to perform optical and electrical tests, to adjust the focus and to seal the lens of digital fixed-focus cameras have been achieved. Said test system is especially suited for miniature camera module to be built into consumer electronic devices as mobile phones, PDAs, etc. Said test system comprises three parts, a control system, an auto-focus head, and a XYZ robot. Said auto-focus head executes the adjustment of the focus, identifies hot pixels and black level, tests the saturation level, identifies cold pixels, tests dust particles and white, blue, red, and infrared color levels. As last step the auto-focus applies glue to fix the focused lens of the camera module. Said XYZ robot performs is moving the camera modules to be tested in XY direction and is approaching the lens system of the auto-focus head in Z direction. Said control system has interfaces to both, XYZ robot and auto-focus hand and is comprising interfaces and a frame grabber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dialog Imaging Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Gustavsson, Anders Johannesson, Henrik Telander
  • Patent number: 7158171
    Abstract: An image data processing system includes a digital camera having a camera section for converting a light from a substance to be recorded into image data, and a first memory section for storing said image data therein, first processing device, for storing the image data, provided outside said digital camera and having a second memory section for storing said image data therein; second processing device for processing said image data in accordance with instructions from said first processing device; communication apparatus having communication sections which transmit and receive data, said communication sections being provided for said digital camera, said first processing device and said second processing device, and communication circuits for connecting said communication sections to each other; and device for giving instructions on processing to be executed by said first processing device from said digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shintaro Ichihara
  • Patent number: 7158172
    Abstract: A digital camera with an automatic image transmission function which includes a transmission section for transmitting photo images and a transmission control unit connected to the transmission section. The transmission control unit judges whether a predetermined transmission allowance condition is satisfied and allows the transmission of photo images only when the predetermined transmission allowance condition is satisfied. As one example, the predetermined transmission allowance condition includes a condition when photography is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kawaoka, Yoshiko Shiimori, Atsushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7158173
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining environmental brightness to appropriately control display brightness according to variations of the environmental brightness in different places in a mobile communication terminal including a camera having an automatic gain control (AGC) function, and a method for controlling the display brightness using the same, including the steps of calculating a luminance average of a center region of a photographed screen corresponding to an AGC reference region and a luminance average of an edge region except for the center region as brightness values from an image signal generated by photographing of the camera, comparing the brightness value of the edge region with a previously-set dark environmental critical value, comparing the brightness value of the center region with the brightness value of the edge region according to the comparison result, and determining that the environmental brightness is one of the bright state and the dark state, extracting luminance elements from an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Cheol Lee, Sang-Ki Yu
  • Patent number: 7158174
    Abstract: A method of adjusting the color characteristics of a digital image includes receiving a digital image including a plurality of pixels, receiving non-pixel data relating to camera capture parameters including an aperture value, an exposure time value, and a speed value specific to the received digital image; using the aperture value, time value, and speed value to calculate a scene brightness value; and using the calculated scene brightness value to adjust the color of the digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Gindele, James E. Adams, Jr., John F. Hamilton, Jr., Bruce H. Pillman
  • Patent number: 7158175
    Abstract: Described is a system having a digital camera and a docking unit which permits the docking unit to receive images over a channel and direct them to a viewable display in the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Belz, Susanne Chambers, Kenneth A. Parulski
  • Patent number: 7158176
    Abstract: A mobile electronic apparatus including a memory and a system for prioritizing the user stored files in the memory relative to one another. The memory includes user stored files therein. Each user stored file has more than one different prioritization parameter associated therewith. The system for prioritizing the user stored files in the memory relative to one another includes a system for prioritizing the user stored files relative to each other based upon at least two of the different prioritization parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Timo Tokkonen, Jakke Makela
  • Patent number: 7158177
    Abstract: An image of a face of a person is acquired. Image data corresponding to the head is extracted from the image of the face. The image data is enlarged, reduced, or rotated to obtain an image of the head that is vibrating. The vibrating image of the head is displayed on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kage, Jun Mitsuishi
  • Patent number: 7158178
    Abstract: A method of converting from a sub-sampled color image in a first color space format to a full color image in a second color space format includes the following. A sub-sampled color image in a first color space format is transformed to a second color space format. At least one color plane of the transformed image is upscaled, the one color plane corresponding to one of the color space dimensions of the second color space format, to provide the full color image in the second color space format. Of course, many other embodiments other than the preceding embodiment are also within the scope of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Tinku Acharya
  • Patent number: 7158179
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device including an optical member, a memory unit for storing preset driving information about driving of the optical member, a driving unit for driving the optical member, an operation unit having an operation member, and a control unit for performing drive control of the driving unit. The control unit changes the preset driving information in accordance with the operation of the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Yoshikawa, Satoshi Natsume, Masayuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7158180
    Abstract: A system and method for exposing different parts of a single field of view for various and differing lengths of time while capturing an image is provided. For astrophotography, unwanted light pollution or over-saturation bleeding from nearby or obtrusive stars may be greatly reduced or eliminated while still capturing the image of the nearby brighter star in the same field of view. Also, a system and method for real-time contrast control while capturing an image to optimize signal-to-noise ratio for various parts of the captured image, is provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides such techniques by using spatial light modulator devices, such as a digital micro-mirror device, to controllably mask different portions of light from an image that expose film or a charge-coupled device. A system and method for a way to use a spatial light modulator device as an active and controllable mask for photolithography, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jason Michael Neidrich
  • Patent number: 7158181
    Abstract: A system and methodology that facilitates increasing the fill-factor of digital sensor arrays at a reduced cost. In general, fill-factor relates to the active area of the sensor array with respect to the inactive area or space between pixels on the array. By increasing the fill-factor, transmitting maximum amount of optical information to the array while mitigating information loss between pixels on the army is allowed. An image detector system is provided that includes a pixelated sensor array that is responsive to electromagnetic radiation. A coherent scattering medium diffuses the electromagnetic radiation with respect to the pixelated sensor array in order to increase the fill-factor of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew G. Cartlidge
  • Patent number: 7158182
    Abstract: A camera includes: an image-capturing element that captures a subject image through a photographic lens having a focusing lens; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates focus evaluation values at a plurality of lens positions assumed by the focusing lens based upon an image-capturing signal output by the image-capturing element; a weighting unit that weights the focus evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit in correspondence to the lens positions of the focusing lens assumed when the focus evaluation values are calculated respectively; and a focusing operation unit that performs a focusing operation for the photographic lens based upon the weighted focus evaluation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimi Watanabe, Toshiaki Maeda, Hideo Hibino, Tadashi Ohta
  • Patent number: 7158183
    Abstract: A digital camera having small time lag for recording the object after releasing a shutter by employing less movable parts, and by employing an image sensor for other purpose as well as actual forming picture image for recording the object is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a digital camera includes an image sensor having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixels capable of selectively reading out signals from desired pixels and capable of adding signals of at least two pixels prior to getting the output from the image sensor, a first processor for processing outputs got from the individuals of the pixels of the image sensor to form a picture image of an object of the camera and a second processor for processing the added signal of the image sensor for light metering of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Nikon Corporation, Nikon Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Ohta
  • Patent number: 7158184
    Abstract: A digital still camera, composed of a lens barrel having therein a camera lens, whose optical axis is close to a center of the digital still camera, an imaging element arranged on an image forming point of the camera lens, perpendicularly to the optical axis of the camera lens, for receiving an image of a subject taken through the camera lens, and an image display device arranged on a side of the imaging element, on a back side of the digital still camera, for displaying the image taken by the imaging element through the camera lens, wherein a concave section for housing one side portion of the image display device is formed in the lens barrel from a peripheral surface of the lens barrel to an inside of the lens barrel, perpendicularly to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Haruki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7158185
    Abstract: A system that inserts subscriber identification information includes, in a preferred embodiment, a system with a memory for storing subscriber identification information and a processor configured to insert the subscriber identification information into a media presentation to improve traceability of copied presentations to a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventor: Diego Gastaldi
  • Patent number: 7158186
    Abstract: A video display system is disclosed. The video display system comprises a display generator for providing a display timing signal and a frame rate converter for receiving input video data, input video timing, and for providing output video data. The system includes a control logic for receiving a frame rate indication signal, the video input timing and the display timing signal. The control logic changes the display frame rate of the display generator in accordance with the native frame rate of the program, and in such a way as to maintain a stable image throughout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Genesis Microchip Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Selby, Peter Dean Swartz
  • Patent number: 7158187
    Abstract: An audio video reproduction apparatus having: an audio speed conversion circuit of performing audio speed conversion on a generated audio signal in such a manner that the information on an A-PTS is maintained, depending on an executing reproduction speed. An audio output buffer circuit of accumulating the audio signal having undergone the audio speed conversion and of outputting the signal according to the executing reproduction speed. A video output buffer circuit of accumulating and outputting a generated video signal. A comparison circuit of comparing the A-PTS with a V-PTS by using the maintained information on the A-PTS; wherein using the result of the comparison, the video output buffer circuit outputs the accumulated video signal according to the executing reproduction speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7158188
    Abstract: A broadcasting and communication receiver apparatus for displaying program-associated information, in which, in addition to a predetermined display zone, another display zone is provided so that display data of specific information selected by a viewer is wholly displayed and, when the display data is displayed as omitted, a symbol indicative of the information omission is attached to the display data to display the display data within the limited display zone. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving the program-associated information including a title, start and end times of a broadcast program together with a video signal and an audio signal, a decoder for decoding the program-associated information, a display unit for displaying the decoded program-associated information thereon, a command receiver for receiving an input signal from a remote controller or from a key or keys provided to the receiver, and a display controller for controlling a display screen on the basis of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Ichifuji, Takehito Kishi, Naoko Saito, Satoru Takashimizu, Takanori Eda
  • Patent number: 7158189
    Abstract: An impulse-reducing module (200) reduces random noise in video pixels by providing an impulse detector (244) and an impulse reducer, such as a median filter (250). The impulse detector (244) generates filter control signals in response to detection of impulses, and the median filter (250) generates filtered pixel values in response to the filter control signals. The control signals set the median filter to a plurality of filter operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: José Roberto Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7158190
    Abstract: Each of channel searching means comprises means for judging, when a search for the subsequent channel is started, whether or not receivable channel information or information indicating that receiving is impossible is stored in a channel map with respect to the subsequent channel, means for starting the search for the subsequent channel when the receivable channel information or the information indicating that receiving is impossible is not stored in the channel map with respect to the subsequent channel, and means for terminating the channel search when the receivable channel information or the information indicating that receiving is impossible is stored in the channel map with respect to the subsequent channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Ikeguchi
  • Patent number: 7158191
    Abstract: Example burst signal sampling circuitry including synchronous separator circuit(s), waveshaping circuit(s), bandpass amplifier circuit(s), and burst separator circuit(s) is provided in order to extract burst signal(s) from video signal(s) output from video amplifier circuit(s). Level converting circuitry ACC detector/amplifier circuit(s) is provided in order to convert fluctuation in the burst signal(s) to DC voltage(s). This DC voltage(s) is fed back by way of intervening control circuit(s) to the cathode side(s) of input tuning variable capacitance diode(s) constituting frequency characteristics correction circuit(s) of input tuning circuit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Oiwa
  • Patent number: 7158192
    Abstract: A high frequency amplifier for amplifying inputted television signals; a mixer for subjecting the television signals which have been amplified to frequency conversion into intermediate frequency signals; a SAW filter for selecting, out of the intermediate frequency signals, intra-range intermediate frequency signals emerging in a range within a prescribed intermediate frequency band; and an intermediate frequency amplifier for amplifying the intra-range intermediate frequency signals are provided, and wide band detecting means for detecting the intermediate frequency signals inputted to the SAW filter and generating a first AGC voltage is provided to control a gain of the high frequency amplifier with the first AGC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kunishima
  • Patent number: 7158193
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image misconvergence correction apparatus having a correction value generation unit for calculating a convergence correction value to correct misconvergence occurring when a video signal is scanned on a display device; an amplification unit for performing D-class amplification with respect to the convergence correction value; a convergence yoke mounted in the display device to control a path of electron beams corresponding to the video signal based on the convergence correction value amplified in the amplification unit; and a feedback sensing unit for differentially amplifying a voltage value for electric current passing through the convergence yoke, and feeding back the differentially amplified voltage value to the correction value generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-geun Lee, Chung-wook Roh, Joon-hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 7158194
    Abstract: A protecting structure for ESD is formed on a substrate of a TFT-LCD. A display area of the TFT-LCD is formed by a pixel array comprising lots of pixel units, scan lines and data lines. The protecting structure comprises a first rake metal and an ?-Si layer. The first rake metal is formed outside the display area and each short end of the first rake metal faces the data line by a spacing. Further, all tips of the short end and the data lines are sharp in shape so as to accumulate electrostatic charges. The ?-Si layer is formed directly under the predetermined short end of first rake metal and the corresponding data line. The ?-Si layer is used to serve as a discharging path for performing through breakdown to the ?-Si layer so as to eliminate electrostatic charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chang-Cheng Lo, Hong-Jye Hong
  • Patent number: 7158195
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel comprises a plurality of gate lines formed on an insulating substrate; a repair line formed on the insulating substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate lines and the repair line; a plurality of data lines formed on the gate insulating layer; an electricity dissipation line formed on the gate insulating layer crossing the gate lines and the repair line; and a first diode connecting the repair line and the electricity dissipation line. When static electricity is introduced through the repair lines, the static electricity is transferred to the electricity dissipation line and is dispersed or exhausted before it reaches to the data lines. As a result, the TFTs and wires in the display area are prevented from being destroyed by the static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Woong Chang
  • Patent number: 7158196
    Abstract: A color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display includes a transparent substrate, and color filters formed on the substrate each with a groove. A transparent conductive layer is deposited onto the color filters to form a common electrode. A chrome layer and a chrome oxide layer are sequentially deposited onto the common electrode to form a black matrix layer. An organic film is formed on the black matrix layer. The organic film suffers ashing such that only the portion of the organic film placed over the groove is left over, and other portions are all removed while exposing the black matrix layer. The exposed portion of the black matrix layer is removed through etching. In this way, the color filter substrate is completed in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Kun Song
  • Patent number: 7158197
    Abstract: The invention comprises a pair of substrates having electrodes on the opposing inner surfaces and forming a matrix-patterned dot group, liquid crystals sandwiched between said substrates, at least two colors of color filters, at least one polarizing plate, and a reflective plate. Also, of said color filters, at least one color of color filters has a transmissivity of 50% or more for the light of all the wavelengths in the range of 450 nm to 660 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Okumura, Eiji Okamoto, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Toshiharu Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7158198
    Abstract: A transparent resist 13 having a certain thickness is provided on a full reflection film 11a at light reflection portions 11, and light reflection portions 12 are formed as holes having a certain depth, when one of the substrates 10 has an inner surface provided with the light reflection portions 11 made of the full reflection film 11a and the light transmission portions 12 formed as openings without the full reflection layer, and a color filter 14 is provided on each paired light reflection portion 11 and light transmission portion 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Optrex Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Ozeki, Ichiro Takasaki, Haruki Mori
  • Patent number: 7158199
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus containing an image sensor, which comprises a liquid crystal display part comprising an active matrix circuit, a peripheral driver circuit for driving the active matrix circuit, and a sensor part, integrated on one substrate, wherein the sensor part is sealed and protected with a sealing part and a counter substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongyong Zhang, Masayuki Sakakura
  • Patent number: 7158200
    Abstract: An optical compensation film used for a liquid crystal display comprising a support and an optically anisotropic layer is disclosed. The optically anisotropic layer is a layer on which orientation of the liquid crystalline compound is fixed and the support is an optically biaxial cellulose ester film. A polarizing plate used for a liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal display employing the optical compensation film are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyasu Kuzuhara, Nobuo Kubo, Hiroki Umeda, Nobuyuki Takiyama, Takatoshi Yajima, Koji Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7158201
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: a substrate; a plurality of first signal lines formed on the substrate; a plurality of second signal lines intersecting the first signal lines to define pixel areas; first and second pixel electrodes disposed substantially in a pixel area and having different areas; a plurality of thin film transistors connected to the first and the second signal lines and at least one of the first and the second pixel electrodes; a coupling electrode overlapping the second pixel electrode; and a tilt direction defining member for determining tilt directions of liquid crystal molecules formed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Seob Kim, Joon-Hak Oh, Doo-Hwan You, Young-Chol Yang
  • Patent number: 7158202
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, a plurality of scanning signal lines and a plurality of video signal lines formed on one of the pair of substrates, a plurality of first electrodes provided on the one of the pair of substrates, and a plurality of second electrodes provided on the one of the pair of substrates to drive the liquid crystal layer by a voltage difference with respect to the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in different layers with an insulating layer therebetween. The first electrode has a bent form and each first electrode is connected by connecting portion in each pixel, and the connecting portion has an overlapping relation with at least one the second electrode and a signal line connected to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuyuki Ohta, Kazuhiko Yanagawa, Kazuhiro Ogawa, Keiichiro Ashizawa, Masahiro Yanai, Nobutake Konishi, Katsumi Kondo, Masahito Ohe, Sukekazu Aratani, Hagen Klausmann
  • Patent number: 7158203
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a pixel electrode of a liquid crystal display uses an etchant that has low damage to metals to thereby enhance yields. In the method, a protective film covers a switching device, and a contact hole is defined at the protective film in such a manner to expose one electrode of the switching device. The pixel electrode, connected via the contact hole to the one electrode of the switching device, is formed on the protective film by using a low-temperature process in which a Hydrogen-containing gas is injected within a vacuum chamber. Accordingly, the etching process time can be shortened and damage to the metal can be virtually eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye Young Kim, You Shin Ahn
  • Patent number: 7158204
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus that can fabricate a liquid crystal display panel capable of selectively forming a spacer at a desired area. The inventive apparatus includes a sprayer to spray adhesive spacers over a substrate having at least one metal pattern, a dryer to dry the adhesive spacers, and a blower to selectively remove the adhesive spacers located at a region non-overlapping the metal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Ho Kim, Woo Sup Shin, Yeong Geun Hwang, Tae Man Kim
  • Patent number: 7158205
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal substrate in which a matrix of reflecting electrodes is formed, on a substrate, a transistor is formed corresponding to each reflective electrode and a voltage is applied to the reflective electrode through the transistor. A silicon oxide film having a thickness of 500 to 2,000 angstroms is used as the passivation film and the thickness is set to a value in response to the wavelength of the incident light to maintain a substantially constant reflectance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 7158206
    Abstract: A fabricating method of a liquid crystal display device includes forming a gate line on a first substrate, forming a data line crossing the gate line, forming a switching element connected to the gate line and the data line, forming a pixel electrode connected to the switching element, forming a black matrix on a second substrate using a sputter, wherein the sputter includes a shield mask having an open portion larger than or equal to the second substrate, forming a color filter layer on the black matrix, forming a common electrode on the color filter layer, attaching the first and second substrates such that the pixel electrode faces the common electrode, and forming a liquid crystal layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Rok Kim, Kyung-Kyu Kang, Johann Jeong, Myung-Woo Nam, Jae-Deuk Shin
  • Patent number: 7158207
    Abstract: A motion picture film projector including a lamp house section having a lamp bulb and a reflector; a head section located in front of the lamp house section; and an optical member located proximate a junction between the lamp house section and the head section. The optical member has infrared filtering coatings on both a front side and a rear side of the optical member. The reflector has a rear aperture with a portion of the lamp bulb extending therethrough. The rear aperture is larger than a center outer diameter of the lamp bulb. The lamp bulb and the reflector are sized and shaped such that an operator looking rearward from a front side of the lamp bulb and reflector can see a general ring shaped gap between the reflector and the lamp bulb when the lamp bulb is aligned relative to the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert R Miniaci
  • Patent number: 7158208
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and method in which an illumination system supplies a projection beam, a patterning system imparts to the beam a pattern in its cross section, and a projection system projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The projection system comprises an array of lenses spaced from the substrate such that each lens in the array focuses part of the patterned beam onto the substrate. A displacement system causes displacement between the lens array and the substrate. A particle detector detects particles on the substrate which are approaching the lens array. A free working distance control system increases the spacing between the lens array and the substrate in response to detection of a particle. The lens array is moved away from the substrate as the detected particle passes the lens array. Thus damage to the lens array can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Willem Herman De Jager, Cheng-Qun Gui, Peter Spit, Eduard Hoeberichts
  • Patent number: 7158209
    Abstract: Disclosed is a holding system and an exposure apparatus having the same, wherein deformation of an optical member resulting from its thermal expansion and causing degradation of imaging performance can be reduced to assure desired imaging performance. The holding system for holding an optical member includes a barrel for at least partially surrounding the optical member and/or a heat source, an average of radiation coefficient of an inside surface of the barrel is not less than 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Hara