Patents Issued in November 6, 2007
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Patent number: 7292274Abstract: A CPU 14 drives the CCD2 by switching its driving mode between an omission readout mode and a summation readout mode. Summing the signal charge of pixels in the summation readout mode offers an increased sensitivity. The omission readout mode reduces smear. The summation readout mode calls for reading out to the vertical transfer paths all red pixel signal charges of the two-color filters aligned along each vertical transfer path. While charge readout voltages are applied to a specific system of charge readout electrode systems, vertical transfer is performed to sum pixels of a like color on each vertical transfer path. Charges of the green pixels are read to the vertical transfer paths so as not to be mixed with the red signal charges. By combining vertical transfer with selective readout, pixels of the respective same colors are summed on the vertical transfer paths or the horizontal transfer path.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Hideo Nakamura
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Patent number: 7292275Abstract: An imaging apparatus for a microscope comprises light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving segments arranged two-dimensionally for receiving an observed image on the microscope, extracting means for extracting light receiving outputs in a predetermined level range from the light receiving outputs of the respective light receiving segments of the light receiving means, exposure calculating means for performing an exposure calculation based on an average value of the light receiving outputs extracted from the extracting means, exposure control means for performing exposure control of the light receiving means in accordance with an exposure time calculated by the exposure calculation means, and image acquiring means for acquiring a taken image corresponding to the observed image from the light receiving outputs of the light receiving segments after the exposure control.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideyuki Masuyama
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Patent number: 7292276Abstract: In a CMOS image sensor, current leakage after a series of noise removing operations has been completed is suppressed in a read operation for each horizontal line, thereby suppressing image noise occurring on the output display screen of the image sensor. There are provided signal storage regions for storing the signals read from the unit cells in the same row selected in the imaging area onto vertical signal lines and horizontal select transistors for sequentially selecting and reading the signals stored in the individual signal storage regions and transferring them to read horizontal signal lines. At least in the period during which the signals are read from the signal storage regions, one of the drain and source of the transistor electrically connected to the signal path between the vertical signal line and horizontal signal line is biased in the reverse direction with respect to the substrate region. Two adjacent ones of the horizontal select transistors form a pair.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshitaka Egawa, Yoriko Tanaka, Shinji Ohsawa, Yukio Endo, Hiromi Kusakabe, Nagataka Tanaka
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Patent number: 7292277Abstract: In a solid-state image pick-up device comprising photoelectric converting devices 3r, 3g and 3b formed at a predetermined array interval in row and column directions on a semiconductor substrate, vertical transfer paths 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . provided in the column direction of the photoelectric converting device and serving to read and transfer a signal charge obtained by the photoelectric converting device, and a shielding film for covering an upper part of the vertical transfer path, a pore 7 is provided in a place corresponding to an imaginary pixel point position in the shielding film. Consequently, an actual signal (an imaginary pixel point charge) corresponding to the amount of a received light on the imaginary pixel point through the pore 7 is stored in the vertical transfer path.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kazuya Oda, Masafumi Inuiya
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Patent number: 7292278Abstract: Management data for managing an image sensing device can be read from the device even after the device has been mounted. To accomplish this, the management data is recorded in a non-effective imaging zone that surrounds an effective imaging area in the read-out area of the image sensing device. The non-effective imaging zone is a zone from which an output signal is not used in generating a sensed target image. The management data can be sensed from the signal output by the image sensing device. In another aspect, management data for managing an image sensing device can be read from the device even after the device has been mounted on a circuit board. To accomplish this, the management data is recorded on a protective glass, which covers the device, using an ink that reflects infrared radiation. A target image having a uniform pattern is sensed using a light source whose emission includes infrared radiation, and the image obtained by such sensing is displayed on a display.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventor: Takeshi Misawa
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Patent number: 7292279Abstract: The present invention provides a solid state image sensing device capable of performing high-speed focal point adjustment without using a special optical system and a photographing apparatus including the device. Multiple photoelectric conversion elements are arranged and photoelectric conversion elements for auto focus (AF) are arranged between them. Concave and convex forms are formed, and the photoelectric conversion elements for rear side and front side AF are disposed in the concave and convex portions. The moving direction of a focusing lens is determined based on the difference between outputs of the photoelectric conversion elements for rear side and front side AF and the focusing lens is moved to the position where the contrast value obtained from the photoelectric conversion elements becomes the maximum.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventor: Akihisa Yamazaki
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Patent number: 7292280Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Akihisa Yamazaki, Atsushi Misawa, Shigeru Kondo, Michitaka Nakazawa
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Patent number: 7292281Abstract: A monitoring camera with a far infrared capability has a cylindrical body (10), a lens hood (20), a luminous body (30) with multiple far infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lens cover (40). The lens hood (20) is a hollow cylinder and is divided into an inner segment and an enlarged outer segment (23) communicating with the inner segment. The enlarged outer portion (23) provides an enlarged compartment to hold a larger luminous body (30), which can hold more far infrared LEDs so the monitoring camera can see object at greater visual distances. Additionally, the field of vision the monitoring camera is also greater.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Inventor: Yi Jen Cheng
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Patent number: 7292282Abstract: A main frame of a camera body has a CMOS image sensor and an eyepiece of an optical finder, and the lens unit popped up from the camera body has a taking lens and an objective lens of the optical finder. Light shielding walls are formed on the main frame, and light shielding walls are formed on the lens unit. When the lens unit is popped up, the light shielding walls and the light shielding walls slightly overlap each other, thus preventing a light from the optical finder from entering the CMOS image sensor. Thus, the digital camera has a lens unit popped up from a camera body and prevents unnecessary lights other than a subject light from entering an image pickup device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignees: IDT Data System Limited, Fuji Film Axia Co., Ltd., Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Raymond Chan, Nobuaki Higashi, Mikihiko Kato
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Patent number: 7292283Abstract: To achieve the foregoing, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, an apparatus and method for generating refined sub-pixel vectors for motion estimation from vector correlation values and converged vector correlation values using quadratic approximations respectively is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes defining a minimum vector position value of a converged vector and then determining a predetermined number of vector correlation samples around the minimum vector position value. The predetermined number of vector correlation samples provide a coarse correlation surface estimation of the minimum vector position value. A correlation surface fitting of the predetermined number of vector correlation samples using a quadratic approximation of the coarse correlation surface estimation of the minimum value is then performed. The correlation surface fitting resulting in a refined sub-pixel minimum vector position with horizontal and vertical components.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Genesis Microchip Inc.Inventor: Steve Selby
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Patent number: 7292284Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a double screen in a wide screen display device, the apparatus including a video interface to receive a first and a second video signal from a plurality of video signals according to a selection control signal, wherein each of the first and the second video signals have a general screen aspect ratio; a scaler to scale the first video signal to a resolution of a main screen and to scale the second video signal to a resolution of a subscreen with the general screen aspect ratio; and a control unit to output the selection control signal to display the double screen, control scaling of the first video signal and second video signal, and to simultaneously display the scaled first video signal on an area of a screen and the scaled second video signal on a portion of a remaining area of the screen.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jung-dae Kim
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Patent number: 7292286Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating both quadrature components of each of a plurality of RF signals comprising a multichannel signal is disclosed. By employing certain digital signal processing techniques, a pair of composite baseband signals is produced in manner that is uniquely associated with the modulation content of the RF signals. According to one aspect of the invention, by using the composite baseband signals to modulate in quadrature a single quadrature modulator, the composite baseband signals are shown to have a baseband frequency span that is substantially half of the frequency range spanned by the multichannel signal. An application for the CATV field in which a 6 MHz channel spacing between the RE signals is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Inventor: Ron D. Katznelson
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Patent number: 7292287Abstract: To fix a TV (electrical apparatus mounted) having a power cord (insulated electric wire) to a DVD player (mounting body) when the TV is mounted on the DVD player, the DVD player is provided with a main body (a part of a main body) and a hook member fixed to the main body. The position on the main body at which the hook member is fixed is changeable, and the cord is securely wound around the hook member. This arrangement is convenient, eliminating the necessity of separately preparing a member such as a belt, while enabling to easily and securely fix, to a mounting body, various types of TVs having respective attaching positions where an insulated electric wire is attached, to effectively prevent the TV from falling down in the event of an accident such as an earthquake.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Funal Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuo Horiuchi
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Patent number: 7292288Abstract: A four-mask process and a three-mask process proposal are constructed for a TN-type liquid crystal display device and an IPS-type liquid crystal device in which the formation of a passivation insulating layer is not required by streamlining the formation of a scan line and a pseudo-pixel element, both comprising a laminate made of a transparent conductive layer and a metal layer, at the same time and the formation of the transparent conductive pixel electrode by removing the metal layer on the pseudo-pixel electrode at the time of the formation of the opening in the gate insulating layer, by streamlining the treatment of the formation process of the contact and the formation process of the protective insulating layer using one photomask due to the introduction of half-tone exposure technology, and the formation of source-drain wires for etch-stop type insulating gate-type transistor using a photosensitive organic insulating layer and leaving the photosensitive organic insulating layer unchanged on source-draiType: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: AU Optronics CorporationInventor: Kiyohiro Kawasaki
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Patent number: 7292289Abstract: A liquid crystal display device (L) according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal display panel (1) having one or more wires on a substrate (1B) thereof, and a housing having holding portions (120a) to (120h) configured to hold opposing end portions of the liquid crystal display panel, wherein a spacing (H2) between a portion of an outermost wire (20a) or (20i) of the one or more wires which is located in the vicinity of the holding portion and a portion of an edge of the substrate which is located in the vicinity of the holding portion is larger than a spacing (H1) between a portion of the outermost wire which is other than the portion located in the vicinity of the holding portion and a portion of the edge of the substrate which is other than the portion located in the vicinity of the holding portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Nagahama
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Patent number: 7292290Abstract: An electro-optical device includes an electro-optical panel, a frame, and an adhesion base. The panel includes a substrate holding an electro-optical material, a side of the electro-optical panel for displaying an image having a display area and a non-display area. The frame holds the electro-optical panel and has a side wall disposed in correspondence with at least a side surface of the electro-optical panel. An adhesion base has a form extending continuously at least from the non-display area to the side wall and is adhered to the non-display area and the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Sakiko Miyagawa, Shinichi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7292291Abstract: A flat panel display having a black mask EMI layer isolated from Vcom and tied to zero potential. The flat panel display has an integral metal heater layer and thermal sensor that are in close proximity to the liquid crystals to provide efficient heating and temperature sensing.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: American Panel CorporationInventors: William R. Dunn, Keuk-Sang Kwon, Hyoung-Yol Park, In-Byeong Kang
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Patent number: 7292292Abstract: A component has a substrate (1) made of a transparent material, for example glass. On this layer (1), there is a linear polarizer (2) on which there is a layer (3) of a photo-oriented polymer network (PPN)(=LPP) which is oriented in locally varying fashion via its surface which covers the substrate. The layer (3) is adjoined by an anisotropic layer (4) of cross-linked liquid-crystal monomers. This layer (4) then has a molecular arrangement whose orientation is defined by the underlying orientation layer (3). The layer (4) will have been photocross-linked by exposure to a suitable wavelength of light, with the result that the molecular orientation defined by the PPN layer (3) is fixed. The element, denoted as a whole by 7, can then be used as an optical component which is protected against forgery, it being possible for the orientation pattern of the liquid-crystal layer or the optical information stored therein to be made visible by means of an external polarizer (5), for example.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Rolic Ltd c/o Rolic Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Martin Schadt, Hubert Seiberle
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Patent number: 7292293Abstract: In a dark environment, light emitted by a fluorescent tube 301 enters a liquid crystal panel by a light guide plate 302, is transmitted through a transflective electrode 102 after passing through a polarizer 114 and a retardation plate 113, and is introduced into a liquid crystal layer 50 following coloration of light by a color filter 104. The light introduced into the liquid crystal layer 50 is emitted at an observation side of the liquid crystal panel through the retardation plate 213 and the polarizer 214 sequentially. On the other hand, in a bright environment, light from the observation side passes through the polarizer 214 and the liquid crystal layer 50, and is reflected at the transflective electrode 102 following coloration of light by the color filter 104, whereby the light is emitted at the observation side.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takumi Seki, Eiji Okamoto, Keiji Takizawa
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Patent number: 7292294Abstract: A method of fabricating a color filter over a TFT array and a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display panel comprising the same are disclosed. First, a substrate having a TFT array thereon is provided. Next, a black matrix is formed over the TFT array for defining a plurality of sub-pixel regions. Next, a plurality of contact holes is formed in the black matrix. Next, an ink-jet process is performed to form a color filter pattern in each sub-pixel region respectively. Thereafter, an overcoat layer is formed over the sub-pixel regions, and then a plurality of openings is formed in the overcoat layer to expose the contact holes in the black matrix. Thereafter, pixel electrodes are formed over the overcoat layer electrically connected to the TFT array through the openings and the contact holes.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.Inventors: Mu-Ching Hung, Chi-Jan Yang
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Patent number: 7292295Abstract: A micro-reflective liquid crystal display including an upper polarizing plate, an upper substrate having transparent electrode, a color light-filtering plate, a liquid crystal layer, an inner polarizing film, a lower substrate having transparent electrode, driving cell and storage capacitor, a lower polarizing plate and a backlight source. The inner polarizing film is deposited on one face of the lower substrate adjacent to the liquid crystal layer. The color light-filtering plate is formed with an opening corresponding to the storage capacitor, whereby external light can go in through the opening. The upper metal layer of the storage capacitor forms a reflective region for reflecting the external light to serve as a light source for the liquid crystal display. Accordingly, when exposed to outdoor sunlight, the micro-reflective liquid crystal display can still present a clear image.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Wintek CorporationInventors: Yi-Chun Wu, Yi-Fan Chen
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Patent number: 7292296Abstract: A double-sided display which can suitable carry out black display both in a well-lighted place and a dark place is provided. The following members are disposed in the B direction: a first polarizing plate (14) which allows only a linearly polarized light component to pass through; a liquid crystal layer (13) which, when a voltage is applied thereto, optically rotates and causes linearly polarized light in one direction to be linearly polarized light in the other direction, while, when no voltage is applied, does not alter the direction of the linearly polarized light; a polarizing selective reflector (16) which reflects the linearly polarized light in one direction while allows the linearly polarized light in the other direction to pass through; and a second polarizing plate (15) which absorbs the light in one direction while allows the light in the other direction to pass through. The polarizing selective reflector (16) is disposed only in the B direction of the liquid crystal layer (13).Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Kozo Nakamura, Tokio Taguchi, Shun Ueki, Satoru Kishimoto
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Patent number: 7292297Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal layer having a twist angle of ±10 degree. An upper polarizer is disposed over an upper substrate of the liquid crystal display panel, and includes an absorption axis forming at an angle of 47±10 degree in a clockwise direction with respect to a major axis. An upper ?/2 retardation film is disposed between the upper substrate and the upper polarizer, and includes ?nd1 of 260±10 nm and a slow axis forming at an angle of 166±10 degree in the clockwise direction with respect to the absorption axis. An upper ?/4 retardation film is disposed between the upper substrate and the upper ?/2 retardation film, and includes ?nd2 of 140±10 nm and a slow axis forming at an angle of 111±10 degree in the clockwise direction with respect to the absorption axis. Therefore, the optical condition of the optical film assembly is optimized to improve an image display quality.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yong-Kyu Jang, Won-Sang Park, Jae-Hyun Kim, Sang-Woo Kim, Sung-Eun Cha, Jae-Young Lee
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Patent number: 7292298Abstract: A transflective LCD device. The device includes a first color filter on a first substrate, and a reflective electrode on the first color filter. The reflective electrode has an opaque portion and a transparent portion. A second color filter is formed on an inner side of a second substrate opposite the first substrate. A common electrode is on the second color filter, and a liquid crystal layer is between the first and the second substrates. Another transflective LCD device is provided, including a first color filter on a first substrate, a reflective layer on part of the first color filter, a second color filter on the reflective layer and the first color filter, a transparent electrode on the second color filter, and a common electrode on an inner side of a second substrate opposite the first substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Fu-Jen Ko, Ching-Yu Tsai
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Patent number: 7292299Abstract: In an in-plane switching (ISP) mode controlling transmission and shielding of light by application of lateral electric field to liquid crystal molecules aligned in the direction in parallel to a substrate, increase in luminance or color shift at a black-representation area or upon black-representation condition at an inclined viewing angle is reduced. First and second polarizing plates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer each have a supporting member (plate) on at least either surface thereof. The supporting member on the inside surface of the first polarizing plate on the side of an illumination unit has a retardation in the thickness direction R1·h1 and the supporting member on the inside surface of the second polarizing plate has a retardation in the thickness direction R2·h2. In the O-mode, R1·h1>R2·h2 and in the E-mode, R1·h1<R2·h2.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Hitachi DisplaysInventors: Ikuo Hiyama, Shinichi Komura, Tsunenori Yamamoto, Yuka Utsumi, Mutsumi Maehara, Daisuke Kajita
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Patent number: 7292300Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes picture element regions defined each by a first electrode and a second electrode opposing the first electrode via the liquid crystal layer therebetween. The first electrode includes, in each picture element region, a plurality of unit solid portions arranged in a first direction, whereby the liquid crystal layer takes a vertical alignment in the absence of an applied voltage, and forms a liquid crystal domain taking a radially-inclined orientation in each unit solid portion by an inclined electric field produced around the unit solid portion in response to an applied voltage. The picture element regions are arranged in a matrix pattern including a rows extending in the second direction different from the first direction and columns extending in the first direction, and picture elements adjacent to each other in the second direction are driven with voltages of opposite polarities in each frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masumi Kubo, Kiyoshi Ogishima
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Patent number: 7292301Abstract: An alignment-divided vertical alignment liquid crystal display device permitting high-definition moving image display when OS driving is adopted. The device has a plurality of pixels each having a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer placed between the first and second electrodes. The device includes: first alignment regulating structure having a first width W1 placed in the first electrode side of the liquid crystal layer; second alignment regulating structure having a second width placed in the second electrode side of the liquid crystal layer; and a liquid crystal region having a third width defined between the first and second alignment regulating structures. The third width W3 is in a range between 2 ?m and 14 ?m in certain embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masumi Kubo, Akihiro Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Ohgami, Takashi Ochi
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Patent number: 7292302Abstract: Disclosed are a fringe field switching liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) and a method for manufacturing the same.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Boe-Hydis Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tae Yop Min, Seung Jun Yi, Hee Gyu Lee
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Patent number: 7292303Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: a substrate; a first signal line formed on the substrate; a second signal line formed on the substrate and intersecting the first signal line; a thin film transistor connected to the first and the second signal lines; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a regular domain defining member partitioning the pixel electrode into a plurality of partitions; and a subsidiary domain defining member extending substantially parallel to the regular domain defining member and disposed near edge or middle of the partitions.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jang-Kun Song, San-Seong Seomun
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Patent number: 7292304Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed in the present invention. The liquid crystal display panel includes first and second substrates facing into each other, a column spacer in a pixel region between the substrates, a dummy column spacer in a dummy region between the substrates, a UV sealant formed outside the dummy column spacer between the substrates, and a liquid crystal layer between the substrates.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong Woo Kim, Sung Chun Kang, Young Hun Ha
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Patent number: 7292305Abstract: A method of fabricating a LCD device comprises preparing a substrate having a plurality of LCD panel regions within main exposure regions, performing a main exposure process at the LCD panel regions to define a non-exposure region between the main exposure regions; and performing a sub exposure process at the non-exposure region formed between the main exposure regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chul Jeong, Dae-Jin Jeon, Hae-Jin Kim
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Patent number: 7292306Abstract: A method for forming an LCD device, a sealant dispensing apparatus and an LCD device manufactured by the sealant dispensing apparatus. The method includes preparing lower and upper substrates; dispensing liquid crystal on any one of the lower and upper substrates; forming a main sealant having no inlet on any one of the lower and upper substrates; forming an auxiliary sealant in the periphery of the main sealant on any one of the lower and upper substrates; and bonding the lower and upper substrates to each other; wherein the main and auxiliary sealants are formed at the same time. The sealant dispensing apparatus includes a syringe having main and auxiliary nozzles for discharging sealant. The auxiliary nozzle rotates revolves around the main nozzle. The spacing between the main nozzle and the auxiliary nozzle may be controlled to control the interval between the auxiliary and the main sealants.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yeong Geun Hwang
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Patent number: 7292307Abstract: A cooling apparatus for use with an optical element having a concave part includes a cooling mechanism, located in the concave part of the optical element, for cooling the optical element through radiation in a non-contact manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshiki Kino
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Patent number: 7292308Abstract: A system and method are used to feed a flexible substrate through a patterned beam to be exposed at target portions by the pattered beam. In one example, the flexible substrate is passed over a chuck (e.g., a vacuum chuck). In one example, the chuck can bias the flexible substrate against a chuck surface during alignment, focus, and exposure operations. By biasing the flexible substrate, the flexible substrate can continuously move while being held against the chuck. In one example, the flexible substrate is fed onto the vacuum chuck from a supply roller and fed off the chuck and wrapped on to a take-up roller. The supply and take-up rollers are rotated to follow the scanning motion, which minimizes or substantially eliminates tension on the flexible substrate during the exposure period.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.Inventors: Daniel N. Galburt, Stanley G. Janik
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Patent number: 7292309Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system (3) for projecting a pattern of a mask (2) onto a substrate (5), and a fluid supply unit (6) for supplying a fluid between said projection optical system and the substrate, said fluid supply unit (6) including an injection unit (19) for injecting carbon dioxide into the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tokuyuki Honda
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Patent number: 7292310Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method are disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system for conditioning a beam of radiation, and a support structure for supporting a patterning device. The patterning device serves to impart the beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus also includes a substrate table for holding a substrate, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and at least one fastener for fastening a first part of the apparatus to a second part of the apparatus. The fastener includes a shaft having a first threaded section and a second threaded section. The first threaded section and the second threaded section have different pitches.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Maarten Constant Bernhard Dekker, Edwin Eduard Nicolaas Josephus Krijnen
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Patent number: 7292311Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus for performing exposure of a substrate to light via an original while the substrate and the original are scanned. The apparatus includes a projection optical system to project light from the original onto the substrate, a stage to hold the substrate and to move in a scanning direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection optical system, and a focus detector to detect a position of a surface region of the substrate in a direction of the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Kurosawa
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Patent number: 7292312Abstract: Lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table and a motion control system for controlling a movement of the substrate table. The motion control system includes at least 3 position detectors constructed for detecting a position of the substrate table. For measuring a position and orientation of the substrate table, each position detector comprises an optical encoder of a single dimensional or multi dimensional type, the optical encoders being arranged for providing together at least 6 position values, at least one position value being provided for each of the 3 dimensions. Some of the optical encoders may be connected to the substrate table at different locations in the 3 dimensional coordinate system.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Leon Martin Levasier, Rene Oesterholt
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Patent number: 7292313Abstract: Systems and methods control the fluid flow and pressure to provide stable conditions for immersion lithography. A fluid is provided in a space between a lens and a substrate during the immersion lithography process. Fluid is supplied to the space and is recovered from the space through a porous member in fluidic communication with the space. Maintaining the pressure in the porous member under the bubble point of the porous member can eliminate noise created by mixing air with the fluid during fluid recovery. The method can include drawing the fluid from the space via a recovery flow line through a porous member, and maintaining a pressure of the fluid in the porous member below a bubble point of the porous member during drawing of the fluid from the space.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Alex Ka Tim Poon, Leonard Wai Fung Kho
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Patent number: 7292314Abstract: Exposure device for writing mixed data onto a photosensitive support comprising: a light source (10), supplying an exposure light; a first two-dimension pixel matrix modulator (50), and a neutral optical filter means (12) having at least two different optical densities, the modulator and the filter being arranged in series on an optical path of the exposure light coming from the source (10). Application to motion picture cameras.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Thierry Prigent
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Patent number: 7292315Abstract: Disclosed concepts include a method of optimizing polarization of an illumination of a pattern to be formed in a surface of a substrate. Polarized illumination is optimized by determining an illumination intensity for at least one point on an illuminator for at least two polarization states, determining image log slope for the at least one point on the illuminator for the at least two polarization states, determining a maximum image log slope (ILS) where the ILS is near zero for the at least one point on the illuminator, and selecting an optimal polarization state corresponding to the at least two polarization states that minimizes an ILS for the at least one point on the illuminator. This may be repeated for a plurality of points on the illuminator.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: ASML Masktools B.V.Inventors: Robert Socha, Donis Flagello, Steve Hansen
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Patent number: 7292316Abstract: An illumination optical system for Koehler-illuminating a target surface with light from a light source includes a light integrator for forming a secondary light source, the light integrator including plural elements formed directly onto a substrate; a condenser for condensing the light from the light integrator; and a shield for shielding the light that goes straight in interfaces among the plural elements from an effective illumination area on the illuminated surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Michio Kohno
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Patent number: 7292317Abstract: A lithographic apparatus has an illumination system that conditions a radiation beam and a patterning device support that supports a patterning device. The patterning device patterns the radiation beam. The lithographic apparatus also has a substrate support that supports a substrate, a machine frame that supports the substrate support, a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a substrate support drive that moves the substrate support in at least one direction. The lithographic apparatus can have a reaction mass, a balance mass, a base frame, where the substrate support drive is configured to generate a force in the at least one direction between the substrate support and the reaction mass, the balance mass, or the support frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Hernes Jacobs, Harmen Klaas Van Der Schoot, Petrus Matthijs Henricus Vosters
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Patent number: 7292318Abstract: A system and method for detecting thrust in a remote object is disclosed herein. The system is suitable for use in connection with midcourse discrimination systems that distinguish actual targets of interest, such as warheads, from decoys. The system directs laser pulses at the remote object under observation. The system directs at least one initial laser pulse at the remote object to heat the surface material of the remote object and to create an outgas environment near the remote object. The system also directs at least one secondary laser pulse at the outgas environment, which creates very high peak power filaments that bombard the surface of the remote object. The filaments ablate the surface material of the remote object, ejecting mass away from the remote object at a high velocity. The ejection of mass imparts thrust to the remote object, resulting in an imparted differential velocity dependent on the mass of the remote object.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Mark S. Curtin
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Patent number: 7292319Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.Inventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin
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Patent number: 7292320Abstract: A laser crystallization apparatus, which enables an observation of a high spatial resolution with several ?m and a high temporal resolution with several nanoseconds, comprising a crystallization optical system to irradiate a laser light to a thin film provided on a substrate and to melt and crystallize the thin film, the laser crystallization apparatus comprises an illumination light source disposed out of an optical path of the laser light and emitting an illumination light for observation to illuminate the thin film, an illumination optical system comprising an annular optical element which has the optical path of the laser light in the center and which leads the illumination light from the illumination light source to the thin film along the optical path, and an observation optical system which displays a magnified image of the substrate including the thin film.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Advanced LCD Technologies Development Center Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshio Takami
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Patent number: 7292321Abstract: A low-cost contact detection sensor and contact detection method for easily detecting a contact by a third party is provided. A contact detection sensor comprises an antireflection structure including structure elements having a predetermined shape which are put in an array periodically at a pitch smaller than a wavelength of visible spectrum; and a substrate including the antireflection structure in at least a part of a surface portion thereof. The antireflection structure distinguishes whether the detection target is contacted by a human body or not based on a change in reflectance which occurs to an area of the detection target contacted by the human body when the detection target is contacted by the human body.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiharu Yamamoto, Michihiro Yamagata, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 7292322Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the accuracy of measurement of mean differential group delay (DGD) from the polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in optical fiber. The method includes a systematic correction to mean-square DGD measured with any conventional mean to minimize systematic error caused by finite source bandwidth. The method further includes a systematic correction to the measurement of mean DGD and mean square DGD from statistics of the second-order PMD (SOPMD) obtained with frequency domain PMD-measuring apparatus. The probability density function (PDF) of either the vector or scalar SOPMD is applied, depending on which quantity is measured. The systematic correction is made to minimize the systematic error in estimating mean DGD, caused by finite source bandwidth, to achieve a two-fold reduction of the measurement variance equivalent to doubling the source bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Mikhail Boroditsky, Mikhail Brodsky, Nicholas J. Frigo, Peter Magill
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Patent number: 7292323Abstract: An optical fiber detector, and a method and system for optical fiber detection are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a receptacle, to receive and position an optical fiber connector, an infra-red (“IR”) source for providing an incident IR beam onto a cross-sectional face of an optical fiber and a cross-sectional face of the optical fiber connector, and an IR detector for receiving a reflected IR beam from the face of the optical fiber and the face of the optical fiber connector and generating a detector signal representative of the intensity of the reflected IR beam, wherein the intensity of the reflected IR beam is representative of the presence and type of the optical fiber. It is contemplated that the optical fiber detector of this invention can be implemented or incorporated in any machine or system requiring connection of an optical fiber to a light source.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventors: Alexander N. Artsyukhovich, Bruno X. Lassalas, T. Scott Rowe, Peter Nguyen
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Patent number: 7292324Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device in which a spherical aberration is detected. The optical device comprises means (206, 208) for focussing a first radiation beam (203) having a first numerical aperture and a second radiation beam (204) having a second numerical aperture lower than the first numerical aperture, on an information carrier (200). The optical device further comprises means (211) for detecting a first focus error signal corresponding to the first radiation beam and a second focus error signal corresponding to the second radiation beam. In order to measure the spherical aberration of the first radiation beam, due to a variation of the cover layer thickness of the information carrier, the optical device comprises means (212) for measuring a spherical aberration of the first radiation beam from the first and second focus error signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhemus Hendriks