Patents Issued in July 8, 2008
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Patent number: 7397491Abstract: A light-emitting device has a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in one direction, each of the plurality of pixel circuits having a light-emitting element that emits light according to the amount of driving current, a driving transistor that supplies the driving current to the light-emitting element, a holding transistor that supplies a data signal supplied via a data line to the driving transistor, and a connecting line that connects the driving transistor to the holding transistor. The holding transistor, the light-emitting element, and the driving transistor are arranged in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the plurality of pixel circuits. The light-emitting element is provided between the holding transistor and the driving transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takayuki Kitazawa
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Patent number: 7397492Abstract: An image forming device includes a photoconductive drum that is removably provided in a main frame. An optical writing head includes positioning pins and is positioned relatively to the photoconductive drum. A paper guide member includes positioned parts and is fixed in proximity to the photoconductive drum and at a proper relative positional relationship with respect to the photoconductive drum. The paper guide member is formed of a metal plate material and is fixed integrally on the main frame body via attachment bases at both sides of the paper guide member. By the positioning pins being caught in the positioned parts, the optical writing head is positioned relatively with respect to the photoconductive drum.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Yamagata
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Patent number: 7397493Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided including a frame having a portion upon which a printhead is adapted to be mounted. The printhead may include a housing including a main body, at least one flexible mounting beam extending from the main body, and at least one structural member coupled to the at least one flexible mounting beam. The printhead may also include a skew correction mechanism mounted to the printhead housing. The skew correction mechanism may include an adjustment member capable of engaging at least one surface on the printhead housing so as to adjust the position of the printhead housing relative to the frame portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Chee, Paul D. Horrall, Randall L. Hudson
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Patent number: 7397494Abstract: This invention relates to an efficient way to calibrate and control a raster output scanner (ROS). The scan non-linearity of a ROS may be measured and an appropriate calibration curve setting for the ROS may be determined. The setting and other scan line parameters may then be used as an address to a memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM). The memory may store a set of calibration curve data and the address is used to look up the data from one of these curves. The ROS may then be controlled based on the calibration data retrieved from memory.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Michael B. Neary, Daniel Wong
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Patent number: 7397495Abstract: A video conferencing system having video and/or audio capture device for video and audio communications is disclosed. The video and audio capture device may include one or more switches for securely activating and deactivating the device. Furthermore, an indicator may be hard-wired to the video and/or audio components so to provide a true indication of when these components are on and off. The video and audio capture device may also be integrated into a single unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Muthya K. Girish, Jay Fredrick Hamlin
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Patent number: 7397496Abstract: A total perimeter view auto security monitoring system which includes a pair of fixed viewing lenses at each corner of a vehicle, a central digital camera receiving optical data from all corners of the vehicle, a multiplexer to separate the data channels in real time, and a hard disc drive for recording the data.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Inventor: Kenneth Eugene Arant
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Patent number: 7397497Abstract: A display device having a prolonged lifetime by preventing deterioration of image quality by reducing a burn-in is provided. A display device includes a still image region detecting unit for detecting still image data from video data, a detecting unit for detecting, as an edge portion, a pair of pixels having a level difference of image data larger than a set level difference, of a plurality of pair of adjacent pixels for the still image data, and a level adjusting unit for adjusting a level of the image data of a group of pixels including the edge portion and arranged consecutively and outputting the image data after the adjustment to a driving unit. The level adjusting unit adds/subtracts a random noise to/from the image data of the group of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Pioneer Plasma Display CorporationInventors: Takezo Murakami, Yoshiharu Simizu
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Patent number: 7397498Abstract: A camera device comprises a movable optical system, a driving unit which drives the optical system, and a control unit which controls the driving unit to move the optical system to a predetermined state by an initialization processing based on a startup program which does not comprise an operating system and then controls the driving unit based on the control program comprising the operating system.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Hosoda, Kenji Yoshizawa, Koki Nakamura, Yasushi Maeno, Hidetoshi Sumi, Tetsuya Hayashi
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Patent number: 7397499Abstract: An image pick-up device and a chromatic aberration correcting method are provided in which a satisfactory correction processing can be performed even when the image pickup device, such as a camera, simultaneously performs shake correction. An output signal from a camera-signal processing circuit is selected by a selector switch and is supplied to a chromatic aberration correcting unit. An angular velocity due to the camera shake is detected using sensors and the detected signal is supplied to a camera shake correcting vector calculating unit. A driving state of a camera lens is supplied to a conversion-ratio calculating unit. An optical axis centered shift vector of camera lens is obtained from the camera shake correcting vector and is supplied to the correcting unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Miyuki Okada, Ken Nakajima
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Patent number: 7397500Abstract: A camera creates successive digital images of a scene, and computes a stability measure estimate blur in a final photograph of the scene. The camera combines information such as lens focal length, focus distance, scene brightness value, and shutter speed to determine alternate camera settings that may reduce the blur. The camera communicates to the photographer suggested camera setting changes that may reduce the blur. The communication may optionally happen before the final photograph is taken or after, and may take one of several forms. The camera may optionally be a digital camera. The setting change suggestions may optionally be stored in an image file with a final digital photograph.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jason E. Yost, Andrew C. Goris
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Patent number: 7397501Abstract: The present invention aims at depth or field improvements or digital cameras, where differently-focused images of a scene, to be photographed, are exposed. A final image is produced from these primary-shots, where depth of field-limitations related to classic photo-lenses, are essentially eliminated. Specific new problems related to camera-viewfinders and camera-focusing are emerging however, due to the increasing number of images being registered. Following the present invention, advantageous procedures regarding camera viewfinders, for visualizing the individual primary shots as well as images processed for improved depth of field, are outlined. A simple technique for upgrading a standard digital camera for depth of field-improvement operation, including an adequate method for preselecting focuses, is illustrated by FIG. 5. These problems and others, related to a photographers adjustments and handling of various kinds of depth of field-enhancing cameras are remedied by applying the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: AFSENIUS, Sven-AkeInventor: Sven-Åke Afsenius
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Patent number: 7397502Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device to photograph an object and to convert an image of the object into an electronic image signal, a feature detection device to conduct a feature detection for a white balance control in accordance with the image signal, a white balance control device to conduct the white balance control by using a result of the feature detection device, a zoom area selection device to select the zoom area of the image signal in accordance with the imaging device, a display device to display the image signal of the area selected by the zoom area selection device, and a feature detection area selection device for a selecting area to conduct the feature detection for the white balance control.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Shiraishi
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Patent number: 7397503Abstract: Methods for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker are provided. One such method comprises: providing pixel circuits; and operating the pixel circuits in a bi-directional mode during which first information corresponding to a scene is acquired in forward row-sequential order of the pixel circuits and then second information corresponding to the scene is acquired in a reverse row-sequential order of the pixel circuits. Systems also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Ramakrishna Kakarala
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Patent number: 7397504Abstract: A whiteboard view camera, which in one embodiment is mounted on a boom, which is fixed above the whiteboard. However, the whiteboard view camera can also be wall or table mounted. The whiteboard view camera differs from an ordinary camera by allowing the lens to tilt with respect to the sensor plane, and shift with respect to the central ray. When the tilt angle ? is zero, then the resolution of whiteboard is uniform (e.g., the top and bottom of the whiteboard have the same resolution). In addition, the focus plane is equal to the whiteboard plane, so depth of field issues are not a problem (e.g., a large aperture can be used). Hence, no image noise is introduced. A key contribution of the whiteboard view camera configuration according to the invention is the use of a view camera to capture whiteboard images at uniform resolutions. One embodiment of the whiteboard view camera employs a microphone array of the invention and uses a computer to optimize the image data and audio signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Microsoft Corp.Inventor: Ross Cutler
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Patent number: 7397505Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that detect and correct for over-saturation lighting conditions in a CMOS Image Sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Zoran CorporationInventors: Kevin E. Brehmer, Brannon Harris
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Patent number: 7397506Abstract: A method to reduce the effect of noise on a pixel sensor element includes accumulating charge during an image capture operation (the accumulated charge representing a combination of noise and image), and discharging the accumulated charge for a predetermined time to generate a pixel sensor signal. The act of discharging may be passive or active.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Cynthia Bell, Kannan Raj
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Patent number: 7397507Abstract: An NchMOS transistor Q71 on the input side of a current mirror 70 is made function as a voltage operating-point setting portion so that a pixel signal line potential (voltage of a horizontal signal line 20) would be constantly stable nearly at the GND. Then, an amplification factor and linearity become good in an amplification transistor in the solid imaging device 3. A current copier 90 is made function as a current sampling portion so as to receive a signal current IIN of the solid imaging device 3 through the current mirror 70 to carry out sampling of a pixel signal in a resetting period in the shape of current component as the pixel signal is. Calculating differential between a current component in a detecting period and an offset current, which is the current component in a resetting period in sampling, allows an offset component included in the pixel signal to be removed and only pure signal Isig to be picked up at an output terminal Iout, so that the FPN restraining function can be fulfilled.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Ken Koseki, Tsutomu Haruta, Yukihiro Yasui, Yasuaki Hisamatsu
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Patent number: 7397508Abstract: A physical quantity distribution sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises: a plurality of sensor/storage sections each having a sensor element for sensing a received physical quantity and a storage element for storing the information of physical quantity sensed by the sensor element; a selector for selecting at least one of the sensor/storage sections; and a plurality of buffers each capable of detecting and supplying the information stored in at least one selected sensor/storage section. This sensor further comprises at least one selection signal transfer line for transferring an output of the selector. Power supply input portions of the buffers are connected to the selection signal transfer line, and the buffers are operated using, as a power voltage, an output of the selector entered into the buffers through the selection signal transfer line.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Kuroda, Masayuki Masuyama
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Patent number: 7397509Abstract: A high dynamic range imager operates pixels utilizing at least a short integration period and a long integration period. The pixel reading circuits of the imager are adapted to process pixel signals corresponding to the integration periods in parallel. The pixel signals are converted into digital values in parallel. The digital values are each linear functions of the incident light and therefore suitable for use with conventional color processing algorithms. A pipelined rolling shutter operation may be employed where the short integration period of one row of pixels is performed simultaneously with the long integration period of another row of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Alexander Krymski
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Patent number: 7397510Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus, which attains focus adjustment by extracting, as a focal point voltage, a predetermined frequency component of a video signal obtained from an image sensor upon sensing an image of an object, and moving a focus adjustment member in an optical axis direction using a moving unit to maximize the focal point voltage, has a detector that detects a half-stroke state of a shutter button, and a full-stroke state which is set via the half-stroke state, and a controller that executes focus adjustment control for the half-stroke state upon detection of the half-stroke state, and selectively enables or disables the focus adjustment control for the half-stroke state in accordance with a time elapsed from detection of the half-stroke state until detection of the full-stroke state, upon detection of the full-stroke state.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hitoshi Yasuda
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Patent number: 7397511Abstract: In a folding information terminal device capable of taking a three-dimensional image and including two planes which become opposite to each other when the folding information terminal device is folded; there is provided at least one image pickup section on one plane of the two planes, and at least one image pickup section on the other plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masayuki Ezawa
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Patent number: 7397512Abstract: A picture information converting apparatus for generating a plurality of output picture signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Yasushi Tatehira, Nobuyuki Asakura, Masashi Uchida, Takuo Morimura, Kazutaka Ando, Hideo Nakaya, Tsutomu Watanabe, Satoshi Inoue, Wataru Niitsuma
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Patent number: 7397513Abstract: A method for displaying video data. Video data are loaded from a data carrier in a car radio as a radio receiver and transmitted via an interface to an electronic assistant, which takes on the task of decoding and reproducing the video data. Accompanying audio data are then decoded and reproduced either by the car radio or the electronic assistant.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Hartwig Koch
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Patent number: 7397514Abstract: A multimedia presentation system includes: a display unit (120) for displaying multimedia information and an On Screen Display (OSD) menu; a control unit (110) including the multifunctional button for receiving a user operation, generating a control signal corresponding to the operation, and transmitting the control signal; and a processing unit for receiving the control signal, and performing corresponding one or more operations for the display unit according to the control signal. The operations include turning on or turning off the display unit, entering the OSD menu, and confirming one or more operations on the OSD menu. A related method implementing the system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuan-Hong Hsieh
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Patent number: 7397515Abstract: In a video system, a method and system for cross-chrominance removal using motion detection are provided. A luma motion detector in a motion adaptive deinterlacer may be used to determine a chroma current motion for a pixel in a video frame. The chroma current motion may be modified, based on a chroma motion mechanism comprising of an edge detection, a back-off, and a motion biasing, when the output pixel is found to be in a static chroma area of the video frame. A static chroma threshold parameter may be used to determine whether the output pixel is in a static chroma area. A cross-chroma reduction determined based on the current chroma motion, may be blended in the motion adaptive deinterlacer with a spatial average approximation of the output pixel to remove the cross-chrominance from the output chroma.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Frederick Walls, Jason Demas
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Patent number: 7397516Abstract: A TV receiver comprises: a tuner connected to a unidirectional antenna or a smart antenna; a reception control unit for outputting, to the tuner, a channel control signal to command a channel, and outputting, to the smart antenna, a receiving direction control signal to command a receiving direction; and an antenna selection switch for a user to select the either antenna. The reception control unit switches its control mode between a unidirectional antenna mode and a smart antenna mode. In the unidirectional antenna mode, the reception control unit outputs a channel control signal to the tuner. In the smart antenna mode, the reception control unit outputs the channel control signal and the receiving direction control signal to the tuner and the smart antenna, respectively, for controlling the TV signal reception. This TV receiver can properly switch the antenna control mode, depending on the kind of antenna selected by the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Funai Eletric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keisuke Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 7397517Abstract: An imaging system 10 includes an image source providing an image having a resolution of X by Y pixels. The system also includes a digital mirror device 16 that includes an array of mirror elements. Each mirror element includes an edge that is not parallel to an edge of a neighboring mirror element. The array 16 includes fewer than X*Y mirror elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Inventors: Kazuhiro Ohara, Terry Bartlett
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Patent number: 7397518Abstract: An conductive coating serves as a light shield film and is kept at a give voltage. A metal interconnection is located in the same layer as a source line and connected to the drain of a thin-film transistor. An interlayer insulating film is constituted of at least lower and upper insulating layers and formed between the conductive coating and the source line. According to one aspect of the invention, an auxiliary capacitor is formed by the metal interconnection and the conductive coating serving as both electrodes and at least the lower insulating layer film serving as a dielectric. The auxiliary capacitor is formed in a region of the interlayer insulating film in which the upper insulating layer has been removed by etching. According to another aspect of the invention, the conductive coating has a portion that is in contact with the lower insulating layer in a region where the conductive coating coextends with the metal interconnection.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Ohtani, Yasushi Ogata, Yoshiharu Hirakata
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Patent number: 7397519Abstract: An LCD device includes a data line, a dummy layer, and source and drain electrodes formed on a substrate; an ohmic contact layer formed on the data line, the dummy layer, and the source and drain electrodes; a semiconductor and a gate insulating layers formed on the substrate; a plurality of contact holes formed through the ohmic contact layer, the semiconductor layer, and the gate insulating layer, wherein at least one contact hole exposes the drain electrode; a gate line formed on the gate insulating layer perpendicular to the data line; a gate electrode formed extending from the gate line, the gate electrode positioned between the source and drain electrodes; pixel regions defined by intersections of the gate and data lines; and a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode through another contact hole, wherein the pixel electrode is formed of a same material as the gate line.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ho Young Jeong, Do Young Lee
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Patent number: 7397520Abstract: An electro-optical device is provided which includes a first electro-optical panel, an electronic part that is provided to be adjacent to the first electro-optical panel, a receiving part that is interposed between the first electro-optical panel and the electronic part and receives the first electro-optical panel and the electronic part, a first metal frame that fixes the first electro-optical panel to the receiving part, and a second metal frame that fixes the electronic part together with the first metal frame therebetween. In the electro-optic device, any one of the first and second metal frames is extended toward the other one and has an elastic conductive part, and the conductive part is pressed against the other one by the elastic force and comes into contact with the other one such that the first and second metal frames are electrically connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Akio Kobayashi, Hiroshi Wada, Masataka Shiramizu, Kenichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 7397521Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell 10, in which pixels having independently driven reflecting and transmitting members are arranged in a matrix, that is composed of a first substrate 15, a second substrate 17 having pixel driving members, and a liquid crystal 16 sandwiched between the first substrate 15 and the second substrate 17; a first polarizing means 13 disposed facing the first substrate 15; a second polarizing means 19 disposed facing the second substrate 17; a first front light 6 disposed outside the first polarizing means 13; and a second front light 7 disposed outside the second polarizing means 19. Owing to the configuration of the display, images can be displayed on both sides of the liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akimasa Yuuki, Naoki Nakagawa, Naoko Iwasaki, Shin Tahata, Keiichi Ito, Tomohiro Sasagawa, Takashi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7397522Abstract: A method for illuminating a liquid crystal display device, a back-light assembly for performing the same and a liquid crystal display device using the same can improve the front luminance and production yield. Lights from a lamp is incident to a LCD panel side, which are then primarily diffused for a uniformity of the luminous flux of the incident lights. The luminous flux of the primarily diffused lights is condensed with respect to a first orientation component on a plane in parallel with the LCD panel, and then partially and secondarily diffused for extending a view angle of pixels of the LCD panel. After the luminous flux of the secondarily diffused lights is condensed with respect to a second orientation component perpendicular to the first orientation on the parallel plane, the condensed lights are illuminated onto the LCD panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong-Hwan Lee, Ik-Soo Lee, Kyu-Seok Kim, Jong-Ho Won
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Patent number: 7397524Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertically aligned LCD (VA-LCD) comprising a positive compensation film including one or more of a first retardation film (+A-plate) satisfying the condition of nx>ny=nz and a second retardation film (?C-plate) satisfying the condition of nx=ny>nz, wherein the first retardation film is arranged such that its optical axis is perpendicular to an optical absorption axis of a neighboring polarizing plate, and a total thickness retardation (R?C+RVA) including the thickness retardation of the second retardation film and the thickness retardation of a VA-panel has a positive value in then range of 50-150 nm. The VA-LCD in accordance with the present invention improves contrast characteristics on a front surface and at a tilt angle and minimizes coloring in a black state according to the tilt angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Byoung-kun Jeon, Sergey Belyaev, Jeong-su Yu
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Patent number: 7397525Abstract: A first phase plate and a third phase plate, which constitute a polarizer structure, cooperate to impart a phase difference of a ¼ wavelength to linearly polarized light that emerges from a first polarizer plate. A second phase plate and a fourth phase plate cooperate to impart a phase difference of a ¼ wavelength to linearly polarized light that emerges from a second polarizer plate. Slow axes in planes of the first phase plate and the second phase plate are substantially parallel. A crossed-axes angle between slow axes in planes of the first phase plate and the third phase plate is 60°, a crossed-axes angle between slow axes in planes of the second phase plate and the fourth phase plate is 60°, and a crossed-axes angle between slow axes in planes of the third phase plate and fourth phase plate is 60°.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chigusa Tago, Yuzo Hisatake, Akio Murayama
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Patent number: 7397526Abstract: A liquid crystal device has a surface alignment structure comprising an array of alignment features (10) which are shaped and/or orientated to produce a desired alignment. Depending on the geometry and spacing of the features (10), the liquid crystal may be induced to adopt a planar, tilted, or homeotropic alignment.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Stephen Christopher Kitson, Adrian Derek Geisow
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Patent number: 7397527Abstract: An IPS LCD (100) includes a first and a second substrates (110, 120) opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer (130) sandwiched therebetween. A first polarizer (111) is disposed at an outer surface of the first substrate, and a second polarizer (121) is disposed at an outer surface of the second substrate. Polarizing axes of the first and second polarizers are parallel to each other. A plurality of pixel electrodes (160) and common electrodes (170) are disposed at the second substrate. A first alignment layer (114) is disposed at an inner surface of the first substrate, and a second alignment layer (124) is disposed at an inner surface of the second substrate. The first alignment layer maintains a rubbing direction of approximately 90° relative to the second alignment layer, and the second alignment layer has an anchoring strength greater than that of the first alignment layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.Inventor: Tze-Min Lin
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Patent number: 7397528Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a fast-response, homeotropic-mode, liquid crystal display device performing bright and high-quality display having a feature of wide-viewing angle. The liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, each having electrodes on one surface thereof, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, having the electrodes interposed therebetween, and a display area having a plurality of dot areas two-dimensionally arrayed therein. The liquid crystal layer can include liquid crystal vertically aligned in an initial state. In a single dot area, each pixel electrode has a plurality of island-shaped portions and connecting portions electrically connecting adjacent two of the island-shaped portions to each other, and the pluralities of island-shaped portions are arrayed in a stagger pattern in plan view.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Osamu Okumura
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Patent number: 7397529Abstract: A custom made liquid crystal display is formed from a pre-manufactured liquid crystal display by removing an excess region. The driver card is cut along the line X-X and the excess TABs are disconnected from the conductive layer. Optionally, a narrow strip is removed from each of the polarizing substrates between the lines to expose their associated glass plates. A groove is then cut into the exposed surface of each of the glass plates. Each glass plate is then fractured along the base of its groove so that the excess region is detached from the operative region. The cut edges of the glass plates are then sealed by applying a bead of ultra-violet curing adhesive. The processes of removing an excess region by cutting the glass plates with a laser or by freezing the liquid crystal between the glass-plates and machining through the glass plates are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1998Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventor: David S Watson
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Patent number: 7397530Abstract: This invention relates to a method for encapsulation of liquid crystals to form spherical particles with a narrow size distribution. More specific, this invention relates to a method for encapsulation of liquid crystals that are suitable to be employed in liquid crystal displays, including displays intended to be used in large boards outdoors.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Polydisplay ASAInventors: Anne Dalager Dyrli, Ruth Baumberger Schmid, Cecilie Kristiansen, Jan K. Nielsen, Maxim Miltrokhin, Lorenzo Williams
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Patent number: 7397531Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for providing a beam of radiation, and a support structure for supporting a patterning device. The patterning device serves to impart the projection beam with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus also includes a substrate table for holding a substrate, and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. At least one of the patterning device, or the projection system, and the illumination system includes a reflector assembly that includes a reflector substrate with a reflective surface for reflecting part of incident radiation, and a heat exchanger system that is constructed and arranged to exchange heat with the reflector substrate. The heat exchanger system includes a thermally active element that is disposed in a recess of the reflector substrate at a side of the reflector substrate that is different from the reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Dominicus Jacobus Petrus Adrianus Franken
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Patent number: 7397532Abstract: An exposure apparatus for transferring an image to a device includes an optical assembly, an immersion fluid system, and a device stage assembly. The optical assembly is positioned so that there is a gap above the device. The immersion fluid system fills the gap with an immersion fluid. The device stage assembly includes a sloped region that facilitates movement of the immersion fluid that exits the gap away from the device. The device stage assembly can include a collection region and a recovery system that recovers immersion fluid from the collection region.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: W. Thomas Novak
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Patent number: 7397533Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed wherein a liquid supply system is configured to at least partly fill a region between a substrate and a projection system of the lithographic apparatus with a liquid and having a liquid confinement structure fixed in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system and configured to cooperate with a substrate table configured to hold the substrate in order to restrict the liquid to a region above an upper surface of the substrate table so that a side of the substrate to be exposed is substantially covered in the liquid during exposure.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Martinus Cornelis Maria Verhagen, Hans Jansen, Marco Koert Stavenga, Jacobus Johannus Leonardus Hendricus Verspay
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Patent number: 7397534Abstract: The exposure system comprises a projection optical system that irradiates exposure light emitted from a mask onto a substrate, a first support member that supports the projection optical system, and a support structure that supports the first support member, wherein the support member supports the first support member at a position that is higher than the position at which the first support member supports the projection optical system.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naohiko Iwata, Hideaki Sakamoto, Masaya Iwasaki, Ken Hattori, Masato Takahashi, Yutaka Endo, Yasuo Araki
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Patent number: 7397535Abstract: Lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for conditioning a radiation beam, a support for supporting a patterning device for imparting a cross-sectional pattern to the radiation beam to form a patterned radiation beam, and a substrate table for holding a substrate. A projection system is provided for projecting the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. Conditioning optics and an adjustable aperture are provided to condition the radiation beam from the illumination system, and a detector is provided to detect the size and divergence of the radiation beam propagated through the aperture and to provide a feedback signal in dependence thereon. An actuator serves to effect adjustment of at least one of the optics and the aperture to vary at least one optical characteristic of the radiation beam, and a control device is provided to control the actuator in response to the feedback signal from the detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Heine Melle Mulder
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Patent number: 7397536Abstract: A projection image display apparatus is equipped with a light shielding member for partially shielding the illumination light from the illuminating optical system so as to reduce the image brightness in a region where the intensity of the reflected light reflected between the on-light and off-light becomes strong, and making the intensity of the illumination light emitted to the respective mirror elements uneven.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventor: Hitoshi Shimizu
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Patent number: 7397537Abstract: An exposure apparatus for performing direct exposure on a relatively moving exposure target substrate comprises: a plurality of exposure heads arranged so that an overlapping exposed area occurs between exposed areas formed on the exposure target substrate as a result of exposure by the exposure heads; and light adjusting means for adjusting the amount of light to be projected from two adjacent exposure heads onto the overlapping exposed area so that the amount of the projected light becomes equal to the amount of light that a single exposure head would project onto an exposure area if the exposure area were to be exposed through the same pattern by the single exposure head alone.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Inoue, Hiroaki Samizu
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Patent number: 7397538Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation system for generating a beam of radiation. The radiation system includes an extreme ultraviolet source constructed and arranged to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation, a contamination barrier constructed and arranged to trap contamination from the radiation source, and a temperature sensor constructed and arranged to sense a temperature of the contamination barrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Wilhelmus Josephus Box, Derk Jan Wilfred Klunder, Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen, Niels Machiel Driessen, Hendrikus Gijsbertus Schimmel
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Patent number: 7397539Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer apparatus for transferring an object. The transfer apparatus comprises a gripper for either gripping the object at a first position and then releasing the object at a second position proximate to a receiving structure or releasing the object at a first position after gripping the object at a second position proximate to the receiver structure. The transfer apparatus also includes a measurement device arranged to measure the relative position of the gripper with respect to the receiving structure in at least one dimension. Further, a relative position error is determined with respect to a desired relative position based on the relative position measured. The relative position of the gripper and receiving structure are adjusted in order to minimize the relative position error in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ASML Netherlands, B.V.Inventors: Marcus Johannes Henricus Willems Van Dijk, Pieter Renaat Maria Hennus
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Patent number: 7397540Abstract: A system to determine the distance to an object includes one or more aberrating elements to introduce aberration into light from the object. Image data is obtained at two different focus conditions, and used to determine the object distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark A. Lundgren, Jean J. Dolne
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Patent number: 7397541Abstract: Color/optical characteristics measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics/elements are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic/element and received light reflected from the surface of the object is measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: SSL Technologies LLCInventors: Wayne D. Jung, Russell W. Jung, Alan R. Loudermilk