Patents Issued in July 31, 2007
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Patent number: 7250974Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for electronically photographing a still image using a photo-voltaic transducer device. The focusing position of a focusing lens is detected from the contrast of the photographed image as AF supplementary light is illuminated on the object. The focusing lens then is moved to its focusing position and the contrast of the photographed image, in both the state where the AF supplementary light is illuminated and the contrast in the state where the AF supplementary light is not illuminated, is calculated. The contrast ratio between the contrast values of the two states is estimated and the focusing position is corrected based on this ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Masakazu Koyanagi
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Patent number: 7250975Abstract: A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing the image utilizing an adjustable focusing technique; utilizing the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; and processing the image, utilizing the said focus settings to produce effects specific to said focus settings.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7250976Abstract: The image-capturing system comprises a image-capturing module and a plurality of mirrors, wherein the image-capturing module has a lens and a charge-coupled device (CCD). The image-capturing module is located on about the center in the image-capturing system, and a plurality of mirrors are arranged in the peripheral region within the image-capturing system to make the layout of optical path around the image-capturing module. Furthermore, reflectional angle of each mirror can be adjusted according to the requirement for design, so as to obtain the longest optical path.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Transpacific IP, Ltd.Inventors: Yin-Chun Huang, Chien-Liang Yeh
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Patent number: 7250977Abstract: A gender changer module for a modular system in which modules interconnect with other modules utilizing complementary male and female connectors incorporated into the modules is provided. The gender changer module includes two or more connectors of the same gender and a data and power bus interconnecting the connectors. Modules interconnected to connectors of the same gender are in data and power communication with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
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Patent number: 7250978Abstract: A multi-vision system and a method of controlling a display device usable in a multi-vision environment are disclosed. The multi-vision system includes a video source providing a video signal, a user input unit receiving multi-vision arrangement information from a user, a display device coupled to the video source for receiving the video signal. The display device, which is further coupled to the user input unit for receiving the arrangement information, initially determines an image portion of the video signal on the basis of the received arrangement information, adjusts a size of the determined image portion, and displays the size-adjusted image portion. The arrangement information indicates a user-preferred multi-vision arrangement and a position of the display device in the multi-vision arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Woo Chul Lee, Dong Hyeon Kim
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Patent number: 7250979Abstract: A format converting apparatus and method for performing a resolution conversion, frame rate conversion, scanning method conversion, aspect ratio conversion, chroma format conversion, color space conversion, gamma correction, and geometric correction in one chip are disclosed. A digital TV can process various video signal standards such as the digital TV signal, the analog TV signal, the computer video signal, and the component signal as well as other video signals of more wide range in a same block. More especially, since all format conversion is performed in one chip, new additional input signal does not make addition of the hardware so that the cost can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Seung Jong Choi
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Patent number: 7250980Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for generating a blanking period indicator signal from sync information in video timing. The invention comprises an auto polarity detect processor adapted to automatically detect the polarity of at least one sync signal and a generation processor adapted to generate a DE signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventor: Christopher Pasqualino
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Patent number: 7250981Abstract: A video signal processor and a video signal processing method which can prevent the length of one period of a clock from being shortened and can output a video signal that is in phase with a reference signal. When a video data signal that has been processed using a first clock signal is processed using a second clock signal, this video signal processor does not utilize as the second clock signal, a clock signal that is in phase with a reference signal but a clock signal that is employed in a later stage signal processor, and interpolates the video data signal by an interpolation circuit so as to make the signal in phase with the reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoru Tanigawa
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Patent number: 7250982Abstract: A device and method for processing a PIP (picture in picture) in a TV, in which a PIP is overlaid on a main picture, thus allowing a user to watch the PIP as well as the main picture even in a region of the PIP at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Han Kyoung Cho
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Patent number: 7250983Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for overlaying video from different video sources on a display device. The sources may include a primary video source that provides first image data in the form of a first video signal, and an overlay video source that provides second image data in the form of a second video signal and a fast blank signal. The system encodes the fast blank signal into the second video signal to form encoded image data. The fast blank signal can occupy one bit of the encoded image data. The system stores the first image data and the encoded image data in a frame buffer. A controller reads the first image data and the encoded image data from the frame buffer. The controller processes and decodes encoded image data, extracting the fast blank signal. The controller then uses the extracted fast blank signal to combine the second image data and the first image data, effective to overlay an image from the overly video source onto an image from the primary video source.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Trident Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walter C. Lin, Jiande Jiang
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Patent number: 7250984Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a VDT stress mitigating device and method capable of mitigating VDT stress caused by a regular spatial pattern and VDT stress caused by flicker generated by an interlaced format, a VDT stress risk quantifying device and method, and a recording medium. An A/D conversion section 10 imports interlaced format video signals P1 from an external image signal output device and converts them in field units by A/D conversion into image data D1. A filter section 20, while not distinguishing between the first field and the second field, and while maintaining the temporal order of these fields, performs a temporal filtering process on the image data of each field. A D/A conversion section 30 converts the image data D2 that has undergone the temporal filtering process by the filter section 20 into image signals P2 based on an interlaced format by D/A conversion. The image signals P2 are then sequentially outputs according to the temporal order of the fields.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Naoko Nomura, legal representative, Masahide Nomura, deceased
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Patent number: 7250985Abstract: A color demodulation circuit that can complement an unstable state of an output from an ACC circuit and can obtain stable color-difference outputs, regardless of a burst signal in a chrominance carrier signal. Normally, a selector connects an output from a first multiplier that controls an amplitude of an output from a band-pass filter using an output from the ACC circuit, to a color-difference output demodulation circuit. However, during a period in which there are abrupt changes in the burst signal, for example during a period in which the output from the ACC circuit becomes unstable such as at switching between a state including a burst and a state not including a burst, the selector connects an output from a second multiplier that controls the amplitude of the output from the band-pass filter using an ACC output monitor signal, to the color-difference demodulation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuya Miyashita, Toshihiro Matsumura
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Patent number: 7250986Abstract: The object of the invention is offering an external output video signal processor, which does not need coupling capacitor or clamping circuit. A system controller outputs a video signal by which the sync. tip level and the pedestal level were fixed to a predetermined value. It was considered as an external output video signal processor which carries out direct input of the video signal output to the video signal processing circuit from the system controller, and is characterized by providing a level shift circuit which adjusts the level and is sent to said latter part processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: New Japan Radio Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiko Miyajima
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Patent number: 7250987Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for a vestigial side band (VSB), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), NTSC, out-of-band (OOB) receiver that is integrated in a single chip. The single chip integrated digital television (DTV) receiver provides plug and play DTV receiver capability for handling both North American digital cable television and digital terrestrial broadcast television compatible systems. The integrated DTV receiver may receive all standard-definition and high-definition digital formats (SDTV/HDTV) and an on-chip NTSC demodulator handles NTSC video. An output of the NTSC demodulator may be directed to an external broadcast television system committee (BTSC) or Zweiton M decoder, or it may be sent to an on-chip audio BTSC compliant decoder. The single chip integrated DTV receiver may also comprise an integrated out-of-band QPSK receiver, which may be adapted to, for example, handle a CableCard compliant with the CableCard Specification.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Maneesh Goyal, Charles A. Brooks, Randall B. Perlow
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Patent number: 7250988Abstract: An operation screen controlling method includes a step of specifying image signals for displaying an operation screen, according to an attribute of a remote control device, and a step of outputting the image signals. The image signal specifying step includes the step of evaluating a degree of suitability between the remote control device and each of forms of a plurality of operation screens based on the attribute of the remote control device.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keiichi Aoyama, Shigeki Mori, Shuntaro Aratani
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Patent number: 7250989Abstract: A substrate bonding apparatus for a liquid crystal display device includes a vacuum processing chamber, a lower stage provided in an interior of the vacuum chamber, an upper stage provided in the interior of the vacuum chamber and having at least one first through hole, a stage moving system having a stage moving axis connected to one of the lower and upper stages, and a driving motor, and at least one first alignment system having one end provided in the interior of the vacuum chamber for aligning a first substrate and a second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Seok Lee, Sang Ho Park
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Patent number: 7250990Abstract: A display device that can selectively display 2D and 3D images is provided. The display device includes a backlight unit, a liquid crystal device, and a light control device including two polarizing plates interposed between the backlight and the liquid crystal device each of the polarizing plates having a polarized pattern, and one of the polarizing plates being moveable. Therefore, the display device can selectively display 2D and 3D images by moving one of the polarizing plates parallel to the other polarizing plate, and a width of a light valve can be controlled by the degree of non-alignment of the polarizing plates.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gee-young Sung, Byoung-so Choi, Seung-ho Nam
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Patent number: 7250991Abstract: A signal line and a pixel capacitor wire that doubles as a pixel capacitor electrode are fabricated parallel to each other from the same electrode layer through patterning thereof. Therefore, no additional steps are required to form the pixel capacitor wire. In such an arrangement, the pixel capacitor wire and the signal line are disposed parallel to each other; therefore, delays of signal transmission in the signal line and crosstalk between pixels are prevented from occurring. The active matrix substrate incorporating this arrangement is suitably used in liquid crystal display devices, image sensors, and the like. Similar advantages are available with an arrangement in which the signal line and the pixel capacitor wire are disposed parallel to each other, and the storage capacitor electrode, which will constitute a storage capacitor with the pixel electrode therebetween, and the scanning line are fabricated from the same electrode layer through patterning thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hisashi Nagata, Yoshihiro Izumi, Takayuki Shimada
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Patent number: 7250992Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has a capacitance-compensated structure disposed on the side of the drain overlapping a pixel electrode. The capacitance-compensated structure can compensate the gate-drain parasitic capacitor (Cgd) when the parasitic capacitance in the overlapping region between the drain and the gate is changed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventor: Han-Chung Lai
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Patent number: 7250993Abstract: For suppressing the disclination caused due to misalignment between a pair of substrates of the TFT-type Liquid Crystal Display Device, the present invention makes light shielding widths of the pixel electrode formed on one of the substrates having a plurality of image signal lines together with the pixel electrodes asymmetry in accordance with an angle formed by an extension direction of the image signal line and a rubbing direction of the one of the substrates. Namely, the light shielding width of the pixel electrode at the image signal line side supplying an image signal to the pixel electrode should be broader if the angle is acute, and the light shielding width of the pixel electrode at the image signal line side supplying an image signal to the pixel electrode should be broader if the angle is obtuse, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Toshiyuki Mima
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Patent number: 7250994Abstract: A reflection type liquid crystal display panel is arranged such that between an active matrix substrate and an opposing substrate there are provided thin film transistors, interlayer insulating film, pixel electrodes, light reflecting films, orientation film, phase transition type guest/host liquid crystal, orientation film, opposing electrode, and color filter in this order. The pixel electrodes are disposed on the active matrix substrate in the form of a matrix with the interlayer insulating film interposed therebetween and also are respectively connected to the thin film transistors. The light reflecting films are each formed by the upper surface of the pixel electrode per se being made into a porous layer. The porous layer formed as the light reflecting film can make the light scattering large in amount and can also reflect the light in a desired direction by changing its pore size or depth.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Nishi
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Patent number: 7250995Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal display having uniform display and having a wide viewing angle despite the fact that the display includes active elements for switching pixels in the display area, and an electronic device including the same. Specifically, the invention is a transflective liquid crystal display, each dot of which has a reflective display area and a transmissive display area. The liquid crystal display can include an element substrate having a plurality of pixel electrodes, each pixel electrode being provided with a thin film diode (TFD) element, and an opposite substrate facing the element substrate. A reflective layer formed on the opposite substrate extends directly below the TFD element.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tsuyoshi Maeda
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Patent number: 7250996Abstract: The invention relates to a transflective liquid crystal display capable of display in both of transmissive and reflective modes and a method of manufacturing the same and provides a transflective liquid crystal display which can achieve high display characteristics in both of the transmissive and reflective modes.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, AU Optronics CorporationInventors: Hidefumi Yoshida, Yasutoshi Tasaka, Kunihiro Tashiro, Katsufumi Ohmuro, Tsuyoshi Kamada, Kazuya Ueda, Masakazu Shibasaki
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Patent number: 7250997Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes first and second electrode substrates, a liquid crystal layer which is held between the substrates and in which nematic liquid crystal molecules are arranged in substantially parallel to each of the substrates without distortion, first and second optical anisotropic elements respectively disposed on the substrates on the sides opposite to the liquid crystal layer, first and second half-wavelength plates respectively disposed on the optical anisotropic elements, and first and second polarizing plates respectively disposed on the half-wavelength plates. Particularly, the substrate includes a light transmitting section which permits backlight light from the polarizing plate side to transmit therethrough and a light reflecting section which reflects ambient light from the polarizing plate side and at least one of the optical anisotropic elements is formed of two retardation plates having a retardation in a plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Toshiya Ootake, Yutaka Nakai, Yuko Kizu, Yoshitaka Yamada
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Patent number: 7250998Abstract: A color filter layer includes a first region and a second region, wherein the number of times that light used for display is transmitted through the color filter layer is different between the first region and the second region.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yozo Narutaki, Masumi Kubo, Shogo Fujioka, Takayuki Shimada, Mikio Katayama, Youji Yoshimura, Yutaka Ishii
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Patent number: 7250999Abstract: The present invention provides a color transflective liquid crystal display that is capable of display with good coloring and high visibility in both a reflective mode and a transmissive mode while suppressing deterioration in color reproduction caused by unevenness of the spectral properties of the illumination light, if any. The liquid crystal display can include a liquid crystal display panel including pixels formed of a plurality of sub-pixels each corresponding to different colors, and an illumination device, wherein the liquid crystal display panel includes a transflective layer and a color filter of color corresponding to each of the sub-pixels.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Chiyoaki Iijima
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Patent number: 7251000Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which generation of display defects, such as afterimages or spot-shaped stains, can be reduced or suppressed, and in addition a bright display having a wide viewing angle can be obtained, in a transflective liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal layer interposed between a pair of substrates, and a transmissive display area and a reflective display area provided in one dot area. The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy representing that an initial alignment state is a vertical alignment, and pixel electrodes to drive the liquid crystal and a common electrode are formed in the liquid crystal layer sides of the pair of substrates, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Osamu Okumura
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Patent number: 7251001Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 ?m can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Chida, Hidefumi Yoshida, Yasutoshi Tasaka
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Patent number: 7251002Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-domain liquid crystal display device, by which a black matrix area is reduced to improve an aperture ratio in a manner that at least two slits or protrusions are provided on a domain boundary corresponding to an edge area of a pixel to distort an electric field so that a ‘?’ type disclination line is induced. The present invention includes first and second substrates, gate and data lines arranged to cross with each other on the first substrate to define a pixel, a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, first and second alignment layers on the first and second substrates for causing liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to form as least two domain having different liquid crystal alignment directions in the pixel, and an electric field distorting means on a boundary of the two domains.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Won-Ho Lee
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Patent number: 7251003Abstract: When the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in a pixel are divided by an orientation divider, a boundary of the orientation is produced at any part of the pixel. A drain signal line (54) is formed to overlap with the boundary so that a light-shielding region in the pixel is decreased and an aperture ratio can be improved. Leakage of light caused when the orientation is disturbed can be shielded by the drain signal line (54), and contrast can be enhanced. The orientation divider can be an orientation control window (36), an orientation control slope (90) or the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryuji Nishikawa, Yasushi Miyajima, Masayuki Koga, Mitsugu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7251004Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates; a gate line and a data line arranged in a substantially horizontal and vertical direction, respectively, on the first substrate to define a pixel region; a switching device formed at a crossing of the gate line and the data line; a common line formed substantially parallel to the data line at a center of the pixel region; a pixel electrode line overlapping the common line; a plurality of common electrodes extended from the common line; pixel electrodes extended from the pixel electrode line, disposed substantially parallel to the common electrodes, wherein a lateral electric field is formed between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Do-Sung Kim, Byung-Koo Kang
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Patent number: 7251005Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having first and second substrates with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, a plurality of gate signal lines and a plurality of drain signal lines, a plurality of counter voltage signal lines, a plurality of pixel regions defined by neighboring gate signal lines and drain signal lines. and a counter electrode and a pixel electrode formed on the first substrate in each pixel region so as to enable an electric field to be formed therebetween. The counter electrode is of planar shape and made of a transparent conductor. The counter voltage signal line is made of metal and has a branch in each pixel region with the counter electrode being directly connected to the branch.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kikuo Ono, Makoto Yoneya, Tsunenori Yamamoto, Junichi Hirakata, Yoshiaki Nakayoshi
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Patent number: 7251006Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having a first transparent insulating substrate, a second transparent insulating substrate, a liquid crystal layer having liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second substrates, a plurality of gate bus lines and a plurality of data bus lines formed on the first substrate, wherein an area formed by two gate bus lines intersecting two data bus lines substantially defines a unit pixel. A pixel electrode made from a transparent conductor material is arranged in each unit pixel and has a plurality of upper slits parallelly arranged at a first tilt angle and a plurality of lower slits parallelly arranged at a second tilt angle and the upper slits and the lower slits are arranged in the unit pixel as an mirror image of each other and upper slits not connected to any of the lower slits.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kikuo Ono, Makoto Yoneya, Tsunenori Yamamoto, Junichi Hirakata, Yoshiaki Nakayoshi
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Patent number: 7251007Abstract: A display device includes a first substrate having formed thereon a plurality of video signal lines and a plurality of gate signal lines, a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of thin film transistors, and a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes and a thin film transistor of the plurality of thin film transistors. The thin film transistor includes a semiconductor layer, a drain electrode electrically connected to a drain signal line, and a source electrode electrically connected to the pixel electrode. The semiconductor layer has an outline so that a nearest portion to a center of the pixel is positioned under the source electrode in plan view.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Keiichiro Ashizawa, Masayuki Hikiba, Masuyuki Ohta
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Patent number: 7251008Abstract: The invention provides a reflection type liquid crystal device, and a projection type display and electronic equipment in which display defects caused by disclination are reduced, minimized or prevented from being produced for a highly fine liquid crystal display with a space between pixels made to be narrow to make it possible to provide a high-contrast and bright display. A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode formed on a face of the above-described second substrate on a side of the above-described liquid crystal layer. The above-described first electrode and the above-described second electrode are formed so that an electric field substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate with respect to the above-described liquid crystal layer can be applied thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Tsuyoshi Maeda, Kinya Ozawa, Osamu Okumura, Eiji Okamoto, Hirotaka Kawata, Toshiharu Matsushima, Takumi Seki, Kimitaka Kamijo
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Patent number: 7251009Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can obviate cutting off of a peripheral region of the liquid crystal display device which is provided with an inspection circuit and can surely perform the inspection of an image display even when the peripheral region is narrowed. On a substrate of the liquid crystal display device, a pixel region which is comprised of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of drain lines and a peripheral region which surrounds the pixel region are formed. A turn-on inspection terminal of the liquid crystal display device are formed on the peripheral region and a semiconductor chip for driving liquid crystal is formed on the inspection terminal. The semiconductor chip is electrically insulated from the inspection terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroko Hayata, Nobuyuki Ishige, Hitoshi Komeno
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Patent number: 7251010Abstract: To realize an area reduction of a semiconductor chip without adding a process, and to provide a semiconductor chip structure having an excellent pressure balance when mounted. In the structure of a semiconductor chip in which control/power supply lines are formed on a glass substrate, connecting terminals for electrically connecting with the control/power supply lines are provided in alignment in the longitudinal direction of the semiconductor device, whereby the wiring length within the semiconductor chip can be suppressed to be minimum. Since the wiring length is shortened, the width of the wirings within the semiconductor chip is narrowed, so that the area of the semiconductor chip is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Daigo Miyasaka
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Patent number: 7251011Abstract: A system displays a collection of stationary images as a motion picture to passengers traveling in a vehicle along a pathway. In a first embodiment, the vehicle moves at a known speed and known distance from the images. The images, placed in parallel along the walls of the pathway of the vehicle, are adapted in number, size, and spacing for a vehicle traveling at the known speed and at the known distance from images on one or both sides of the vehicle such as to maintain an approximately constant viewing rate and perceived size of the images. In an alternate configuration, a speed sensor monitors speed of the vehicle to determine the appropriate cycling rate of the images. In a preferred embodiment, the images themselves are cycled intermittently with a blank image while remaining steadily illuminated by an illumination system.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Sidetrack Technologies Inc.Inventors: Robert Walker, Bradley Caruk
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Patent number: 7251012Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system that provides a beam of radiation, and a support structure that supports a patterning structure. The patterning structure is configured to impart the beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus also includes a substrate support that supports a substrate, a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a debris-mitigation system that mitigates debris particles which are formed during use of at least a part of the lithographic apparatus. The debris-mitigation system is arranged to apply a magnetic field so that at least charged debris particles are mitigated.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Levinus Pieter Bakker, Vladimir Vitalevitch Ivanov, Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Givi Georgievitch Zukavishvili, Abraham Veefkind
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Patent number: 7251013Abstract: In an immersion lithography apparatus in which, for example, immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, a plate is provided to divide the space into two parts. Such a division of the space may facilitate reduction of stray radiation, a temperature gradient, and the transportation of contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Nicolaas Ten Kate, Johannes Henricus Wilhelmus Jacobs
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Patent number: 7251014Abstract: An exposing method which can effect the cleaning of an optical element so that throughput may not be substantially reduced when exposure using ultraviolet light is effected. The exposing method applies ultraviolet light emitted from a light source to an object to be exposed through a first isolated chamber including an optical surface, and a second isolated chamber including an optical surface to thereby expose the object to be exposed by the light. The method includes a first cleaning step of supplying a cleaning gas to the first isolated chamber to thereby clean the optical surface included in the first isolated chamber, and a second cleaning step of supplying a cleaning gas to the second isolated chamber to thereby clean the optical surface included in the second isolated chamber, wherein the start of the first cleaning step is later than the start of the second cleaning step.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomoharu Hase
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Patent number: 7251015Abstract: A photolithography mask critical dimension metrology system is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a holder operable to securely hold at least one mask oriented to receive radiation emitted from the radiation source, a projection system operable to direct radiation passing through the at least one mask, and an image capture system operable to receive radiation directed by the projection system and capture a projected image of the at least one mask.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Chiu-Shan Yoo
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Patent number: 7251016Abstract: A method for correcting structure-size-dependent positioning errors during the photolithographic projection by an exposure apparatus and the use thereof includes providing an exposure apparatus for exposing a plurality of exposure fields and a simulation model of the exposure apparatus for specifying correction values for intra-field errors, providing a first pattern with first structure elements and first measurement marks, which, in the case of a projection, are beset by a first positioning error and a second positioning error dependent on the dimensions and the position in the exposure field, providing a correction function suitable for specifying the first and the second positioning error, determining an average relative positioning error including the first and the second positioning error, calculating correction values for the control of the exposure apparatus, and transmitting the correction values to the exposure apparatus so that subsequent exposures are performed with an improved overlay.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Hans-Georg Froehlich, Manuel Vorwerk, Ansgar Teipel
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Patent number: 7251017Abstract: An environmental system controls an environment in a gap between an optical assembly and a device and includes a fluid barrier, an immersion fluid system, and a transport region. The fluid barrier is positioned near the device and maintains the transport region near the gap. The immersion fluid system delivers an immersion fluid that fills the gap. The transport region transports at least a portion of the immersion fluid that is near the fluid barrier and the device away from the device. The immersion fluid system can include a fluid removal system that is in fluid communication with the transport region. The transport region can be made of a porous material.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: W. Thomas Novak, Andrew J. Hazelton, Douglas C. Watson
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Patent number: 7251018Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate table arranged to support a substrate provided with at least one substrate mark. The at least one substrate mark having a position that can be measured using an alignment system. The substrate table is provided with an optical system having a magnification factor deviating from 1, for providing an image of the at least one alignment mark to be measured by the alignment system.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Henricus Wilhelmus Maria Van Buel
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Patent number: 7251019Abstract: A continuous source of radiation, for example a lamp, is used in conjunction with pixel grid imaging. In one example, the individually controllable elements operate at a frequency of at least about 50 kHz. To compensate for any distortion of an exposed spot a point spread function is adjusted to be shorter in a scanning direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Patricius Aloysius Jacobus Tinnemans, Pieter Willem Herman De Jager
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Patent number: 7251020Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system that supplies a beam of radiation, an array of individually controllable elements that pattern the beam, a substrate table for supporting a substrate, and a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The projection system comprises an array of lenses arranged to receive the patterned beam, divide the patterned beam into a plurality of substantially polygonal portions, and focus each substantially polygonal portion to form a respective radiation spot on the target portion of the substrate. In one example, the illumination system comprises an illuminator arranged to receive a beam of radiation from a radiation source, the illuminator comprising an array of lenses arranged to divide the beam of radiation from the source into a plurality of substantially polygonal portions and to focus each substantially polygonal portion onto a respective one of the array of individually controllable elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Cheng-Qun Gui
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Patent number: 7251021Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus has pluralities of pairs of substrate support mechanisms. The substrate support mechanism includes a first roller provided on a first rotary shaft and a second roller provided on a second rotary shaft, the substrate support mechanism transfers a substrate in a transfer direction while supporting the substrate between the first and second rollers in a thickness direction of the substrate. The pair of the substrate support mechanisms are disposed so as to oppose to each other in a width direction of the substrate and the pairs of the substrate support mechanisms are arranged along with the transfer direction. Further, a substrate position regulating member that regulates a position of the substrate by contacting with a side surface which is parallel to the transfer direction is provided on either of the first and second rotary shafts.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Suyama, Makoto Kawahara, Masaru Yamazaki, Takahiro Rokugawa
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Patent number: 7251022Abstract: Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is applied on a microscale for in situ elemental analysis and spatial mapping in biological cells. A high power laser beam is focused onto a cell surface using a dual branching optical fiber probe for optical excitation of the cell constituents. Dual spectrometers and ICCD detectors capture the emission spectra from the excited cell(s). Repeated probing or repositioning of the laser beam with respect to the cell can provide 2-D or 3-D mapping of the cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Rodger C. Martin, Madhavi Z. Martin
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Patent number: 7251023Abstract: A high-resolution fiber laser sensor for measuring a quantity to be measured M has a pumping light source, a fiber laser and a detection/evaluating unit. The fiber laser has: a birefringent first end reflector, a second end reflector, a laser-amplifying fiber, a sensor fiber and a mode coupling. The laser-amplifying fiber, the sensor fiber and the mode coupling are arranged between the end reflectors. In the fiber laser, light is capable of propagating in two optical states which are orthogonal to one another due to their polarization and/or their transversal space structure. The orthogonal optical states can be coupled to one another by the mode coupling. In the fiber laser, a number of longitudinal modes are capable of oscillating in each of the two optical states. In the sensor fiber a change in the birefringence for the two orthogonal optical states can be achieved by interaction of the quantity to be measured with the sensor fiber.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Ltd.Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Karim Haroud, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brändle