Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member, a sensor, and two image forming units. Each of the image forming units includes an image carrier, an image writer, two development rollers, and a switcher. The image writer writes an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier. Each of the development rollers selectively driven by the switcher visualizes the electrostatic latent image to form toner images in four colors. The toner images are transferred and superimposed onto the intermediate transfer member to form a color toner image. The color toner image is transferred onto a transfer sheet. One or more marks are formed on the intermediate transfer member. The sensor detects one of the marks. The image writer starts writing in synchronism with a sync clock signal of the image writer output immediately after the sensor detects the mark or output after a predetermined time period elapses after the sensor detects the mark.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printhead is disclosed. The printhead includes a backplane having one or more one connector receptacles. The printhead also includes one or more modules each of which includes a connector adapted to interface with the connector receptacles. The modules also include a laser diode array having laser diodes. The module interfaces with the backplane at a predetermined angle with respect to a printing direction and pitch to achieve a desired printhead density.

Abstract: A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a laser induced thermal imaging method capable of uniformly adhering a donor film to an acceptor substrate by use of a magnetic force to achieve an effective laser induced thermal imaging method; and a method for fabricating an organic light-emitting diode using the same. The laser induced thermal imaging apparatus includes: a chamber in which a contact frame having a magnetic substance is located, to press toward an acceptor substrate containing a magnet located on a substrate stage with an imaging layer of a donor film located between the acceptor substrate and the contact frame; and a laser oscillator to irradiate the donor film through openings in the contact frame. Accordingly, the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus applies an improved adhesion between the donor film and the substrate, producing an organic light-emitting diode having an improved life span, yield and reliability.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate, heating resistors aligned on a surface of the substrate, an electrode pattern connected to the heating resistors, a protective film that covers the heating resistors and the electrode pattern, and a conductive film that covers an upper surface of the protective film. The conductive film has an opening at least in an area above the arrangement of the heating resistors, and the surface of the protective film is exposed through the opening. An edge of the conductive film adjacent to the opening is inclined outward so that the area of the opening gradually increases as the distance from the exposed surface of the protective film. The thermal head may be used as a printing device in facsimile machines and video printers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor member; a LED head that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arrayed in a line along a rotating axial direction of said photoreceptor member and that is modulated in response to image signals, so as to expose said photoreceptor member while said photoreceptor member is rotating; a deviation detecting sensor to detect deviations on a circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member; a filter to extract low frequency components including a rotational frequency component of said photoreceptor member from deviation signals detected by said deviation detecting sensor, so as to acquire deviation information with respect to said circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member; a driving section to move said LED head back and forth against said circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member; and a position controlling section to control said driving section, based on said deviation information acquired by said filter, so as to keep a distance

Abstract: According to the present invention, highly accurate adjustment of the angles and positions of optical elements constituting an optical scanning unit can be easily performed. The optical scanning unit comprises: a first mirror that reflects the light beams emitted from Y, C and M laser diodes; a second mirror that reflects the light beam emitted from a K laser diode and the light beams reflected by the first mirror; a cylindrical lens that acts on the light beams reflected by the second mirror; and a third mirror that reflects the light beams emitted from the cylindrical lens toward a polygon mirror. The second mirror is provided with an adjusting mechanism that can adjust the light beams in the main scanning direction, and the third mirror is provided with an adjusting mechanism that can adjust the light beams in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet tray; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet; a sheet transporting path that allows a transportation of the recording sheet fed from the sheet tray to the image forming unit; and a sheet detecting unit that detects a passage of a rear end, with respect to a direction in which the recording sheet is transported, of the recording sheet along the sheet transporting path. The transportation of the recording sheet is temporarily stopped at the time of, or after a predetermined time from when the rear end is detected by the sheet detecting unit. The transportation of the recording sheet is resumed on the basis of data on a size of the transported recording sheet and a timing of image formation by the image forming unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle surroundings monitoring system for synthesizing and displaying images captured by a plurality of cameras to provide images that, near the border between partial images, are more accurate and more readily understood by the user than has been the case conventionally. In the synthesized image, a partial image captured by a first camera and a partial image captured by a second camera are adjacent to one another at their border. Near this border, the capturing directions of the first and the second cameras both substantially match the direction of the border. Consequently, images of objects near the border extend along the border, and thus do not disappear on the synthesized image.

Abstract: A digital camera has a storage medium which stores imagedata and a DPOF associated with a print process of the image data, acquires information associated with the function of a printer upon connection of that printer, sets a CDPS job command associated with the print process of the image data on the basis of the acquired information associated with the functions, sets a print condition for the printer on the basis of the DPOF and CDPS command, and sends a print instruction. The printer acquires image data stored in the storage medium in accordance with the designated print condition and prints the image data.

Abstract: Provided is an unintentional hand movement canceling device including: a zoom detection means detecting a value corresponding to a zoom magnification; a swing detection means detecting a swing of an image; and a correction quantity generating means generating a correction quantity to correct the swing of an image based on a swing quantity detected by the swing detection means and a value corresponding to a zoom magnification detected by the zoom detection means, the correction quantity having a variable characteristic of a non-corrected residue percent at a frequency of the swing, wherein the correction quantity generating means varies a characteristic of the non-corrected residue percent at the frequency of the swing depending on a value corresponding to a zoom magnification detected by the zoom detection means.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable in first and second directions. The fixed unit slidably supports the movable unit in both the first and second directions. The movable unit has a hall-element unit. The magnetic-field change-detecting unit has a horizontal hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable unit in the first direction as a first location, and a vertical hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable unit in the second direction as a second location. Application of voltage to input terminals of the horizontal hall-element and the vertical hall-element is performed during a position detecting operation of the movable unit, and is stopped at a time other than that for the position detecting operation.

Abstract: Provided is an image deformation estimating method capable of obtaining information expressing image deformation between frame images caused by a camera shake with almost no influence of photographing conditions.

Abstract: For an information terminal to be operated by users for collecting predetermined pieces of information from remote information devices by free-space optical communication, the present invention provides a technique for suppressing the power consumption of the information terminal by minimizing the amount of calculation performed to collect the aforementioned information. According to the present invention, each information device emits ID light on which a low-frequency pilot signal is superimposed. The information terminal captures a series of frames of images including the ID light and locates the ID light within the images by the following steps: (1) creating multiple levels of binned images having different resolutions for each frame of the image; (2) calculating an evaluation index for each pixel within a target range of the binned images at each level, from the lowest to the highest resolution, where the target range is narrowed every time the process switches over to a lower level.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of flicker in video images includes obtaining luminance data from sampled image fields and analyzing the luminance data to obtain a digital number characterizing the brightness of the luminance data. Frequency analysis is performed on a time-series of digital numbers collected over multiple sampled image fields to provide a signal indicative of the spectral energy at a flicker frequency band and a signal indicative of the spectral energy at a non-flicker frequency band. A ratio of the two spectral energy signals is computed as the flicker detect indicator. Multiple flicker detect indicators are accumulated to generate a flicker present signal. In one embodiment, the flicker detect indicator is accumulated only when the ratio has a value greater than a first threshold and the flicker present signal is asserted only when the number of flicker detect indicator signals accumulated exceeds an entry value.

Abstract: A method of managing files of a digital photographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus performing the file management method are provided. The file management method includes: photographing an image in a photographing mode, playing back stored image files in a playback mode, selecting an image file to be deleted according to a manipulation by a user in the playback mode, and deleting the image file from a storage medium after the playback mode is changed to the photographing mode.

Abstract: A movement signal generation apparatus is disclosed which can convert an analog position signal of an optical adjustment unit into digital signals representing a movement amount and a movement direction of the optical adjustment unit and output the digital signals. The movement signal generation apparatus includes an analog signal output section which outputs an analog signal in accordance with the position of the optical adjustment unit, and a digital signal generation section which generates two digital signals in accordance with a movement amount and a movement direction of the optical adjustment unit based on the analog signal.

Abstract: Reducing or eliminated color-dependent vignetting in a digital camera includes: providing a raw array of data corresponding to an image of a scene for each color that the camera can image; and adjusting the raw arrays such that the array for each color exhibits substantially the same amount of vignetting.

Abstract: An optimized color filter array is formed in, above or below a one or more damascene layers. The color filter array includes filter regions which are configured to optimize the combined optical properties of the layers of the device to maximize the intensity of the particular wavelength of light incident to a respective underlying photodiode.

Abstract: An imaging circuit using an asymmetric comparator to detect an oversaturated pixel is disclosed. The comparator employs a transistor differential pair which are fabricated to be slightly unbalanced. By varying the channel widths of the two transistors during fabrication, the voltage required to trigger the comparator can be raised or lowered as desired to set an oversaturation level which triggers the comparator.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device capable of achieving both of a wide dynamic range and a high low-illuminance sensitivity. A photodiode and a first transistor are provided in series between the ground and a drain of each of pixels, and a signal corresponding to a current or electric charge generated in the photodiode in accordance with an optical input is outputted from a detection node located between the photodiode and the first transistor. A control part executes control to alternately repeat a logarithmic operation period during which a photoelectric conversion signal logarithmically converted by setting a gate voltage ?R of the first transistor to a first level is obtained and a linear operation period during which a linear type photoelectric conversion signal is obtained by setting the gate voltage ?R of the first transistor to a second level.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of digital pixels, a first frame store for storing reference data, and a second frame store for storing image data. The reference and image data are combine to cancel an off-set of the pixels in the array. A re-set and a calibration phase are performed while a shutter is closed to obtain reference data during a calibration phase. A comparator measures an off-set time to gather information on the off-set of the pixels. During or after an exposure phase a conversion time is measured representative of the illumination on the pixel. During the calibration phase the off-set is measured. This digital technique requires a much smaller voltage swing on the pixel, and known techniques and can be performed in a shorter time. This increases the overall frame rate of the image sensor since the time taken for the reset and calibration phases is less than the time taken for the exposure phase.

Abstract: A CCD control system is provided which can prevent CCD breakage caused by a latchup, etc. by having a function to detect two kinds of errors, Vsub error and power voltage error to prevent a latchup, etc. with placing the switching circuit in the CCD section, and the Vout signal monitoring circuit, without laying additional wiring to the CCD or making the diameter of the insertion tube larger. An electronic endoscope adopting the CCD control system is also provided which can prevent CCD breakage caused by a latchup, etc.

Abstract: Camera that generates output images of configurable resolutions is described. The camera includes a resolution controller that receives an image with a first resolution, a horizontal scaling factor, and a vertical scaling factor, and based thereon generates an output image with a second resolution. A memory buffer is coupled to the resolution controller and stores at least one output image.

Abstract: A camera includes a light transmitter configured to transmit light pulses at a first rate, a light receiver configured to receive return signals corresponding to the light pulses transmitted by the light transmitter, and a sampler configured to sample electrical signals corresponding to the return signals received by the light receiver, wherein the sampler is configured to sample the electrical signals at a second rate that is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes a focusing lens group, and a controller. The controller establishes a first predetermined number and a first criterial value if a maximum contrast value and/or minimum contrast value is outside a predetermined range, and a second predetermined number and second criterial value if the maximum and minimum contrast values are within the predetermined range; compares contrast values detected at adjacent positions to determine whether the contrast value of the object image increases once and subsequently decreases by the first or second predetermined number of times; detects a maximum contrast value if the contrast value of the object image increases once and subsequently decreases by the first or second predetermined number of times; determines a difference between the maximum contrast value and a detected contrast value; and selects the maximum contrast value if the difference exceeds the first/second criterial value.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an imaging subsystem is provided. The method includes manufacturing an image sensing device including a unique identifier. The image sensing device is incorporated into an imaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem is operated and characterization parameters of the image sensing device operation are determined based thereon. The characterization parameters are associated with the unique identifier in a repository of characterization parameters that is separate from the imaging subsystem.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic camera for generating an image having a wide dynamic range by synthesizing two image pickup signals of different exposure amount generated by using an electronic shutter function and means for shutting off light, shading of image pickup signals resulting from difference in charge accumulating time among the pixels of image pickup device due to operation from opened state to closed state of the means for shutting off light being corrected by a shading correction means to form a synthesized image without an occurrence of false color due to shading.

Abstract: A machine comprises an enclosure; a plurality of parts within the enclosure; and a visual conduit for providing a view inside of the enclosure for detection of visible signs of failure of the machine. The concept of a visual conduit encompasses a broad variety of devices including cameras inside the enclosure that provide images of the interior of the enclosure and alternatively selective transparency or translucence of the enclosure relative to at least some of the parts of the machine housed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A minimized camcorder including a knob for a mode-changing device. The camcorder includes a knob rotatably installed on a case. A knob holder is provided for holding the knob on the inside of the case to prevent the knob from separating from the case. A plate spring is installed inside the case and has locking swells to provide tactile feedback. A ring plate rotates together with the knob holder and has locking parts formed with a plurality of holes into which the locking swells are locked.

Abstract: A reception control section 11 for receiving the information including data and its transmission format information from a memory or communication channel, a separating section 12 for analyzing and separating received information, a transmitting section 13 for transmitting information to a memory or transmission channel, a video extending section 14 for extending a video, and video-extension control section 15 control the processing state of said video extending section 14 for extending at least one or more videos and a video synthesizing apparatus constituted with a video synthesizing section 16 for synthesizing videos in accordance with extended information, an output section 17 for outputting a synthesized result, and a terminal control section 18 for controlling the above means makes it possible to synthesize a plurality of videos at the same time and correspond to a dynamic change of transmission format information.

Abstract: A video information processing apparatus capable of accurately making a motion decision is provided. The apparatus stores interlaced video information for a plurality of fields, generates motion information on each of the pixels contained in a plurality of fields from at least one of the interlaced video information and stored video information, and generates motion information on an interpolation pixel from motion information on pixels contained in the same field as the interpolation pixel among the generated motion information on each of the pixels. The apparatus also generates motion information on the interpolation pixel from motion information on the pixels contained in fields previous and next to the interpolation pixel at the same position as the interpolation pixel, and determines the motion information on the interpolation pixel from the motion information on these pixels.

Abstract: For changing setting of caption output format, a TV receiver sequentially outputs, to a monitor; a font setting image having options of two parameters, font type and size, in matrix; a color setting image having options of foreground and background colors in matrix; an edge setting image having options of edge type and color in matrix; and an opacity setting image having options of foreground and background opacities in matrix, and allows user to select the options of each two parameters based on each setting image, and further changes the setting image to be output to the monitor, depending on whether “Transparent” is selected as the foreground and/or background color. The TV receiver excludes, from each setting image, an option combination of two options, one causing loss of discriminability of the other, to make impossible selection of such option combination. The user can quickly complete intended setting without redundant procedures.

Abstract: A signal processor generates signals to reproduce video and audio from a received encoded digital signal. The signal processor includes: a first decoder for separating a first video signal and a first audio signal from a digital signal; a second decoder for separating a second video signal and a second audio signal from a digital signal; a video controller, which receives the first and second video signals, subjects a selected video signal to video processing; a clock generator for generating a clock signal of which the frequency corresponds to that of the first audio signal; an audio processor, which receives the second audio signal and the clock signal and converts the frequency of the second audio signal into that of the first audio signal; and an audio switch which outputs one of the two audio signals that is associated with the video signal being selected by the video controller.

Abstract: A television signal receiver comprises a tuner, a decoder, a first storage medium that stores a frame of video signals extracted by the decoder as a captured image, a second storage medium that stores sound data representing a variety of shutter sounds to be generated for informing a user that a captured image has been stored in the first storage medium, and a sound generating circuit that, when a captured image is stored in the first storage medium, selects a shutter sound among the variety of shutter sounds represented by the sound data stored in the second storage medium and generates the selected shutter sound. Since the television signal receiver is configured to generate a shutter sound when a captured image is stored in the first storage medium, it can inform a user about storage of a captured image in the first storage medium without causing video images of a television program to be partly hidden from view.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing modules, each performing an image processing function, and a central memory interface. The central memory interface accepts read and write memory the said plurality of processing modules and issues burst memory access requests to an external memory by gathering plural memory access requests from the processing modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a digital video display. A digital display device receives an analog signal representing an image formed of pixels in video lines and a signal containing a synchronization waveform for the image. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receives the analog signal and converts it to a sampled digital waveform. A phase-locked loop including a programmable frequency divider controls the sampling time for the ADC. The programmable frequency divider is controlled by a dividing-ratio algorithm that selects a dividing ratio, measures the number of pixels in a video line using the dividing ratio, and recomputes the dividing ratio by multiplying the selected dividing ratio by the expected number of pixels in a video line and dividing by the measured number of pixels. The sampling phase for the ADC is selected by a sampling-phase control algorithm that minimizes a function representative of the flatness of the sampled digital waveform.

Abstract: A video signal-processing device that can improve the apparent contrast of the luminance signal at a television receiving set includes a quantity of black expansion computing section for computationally determining the quantity of black expansion when the luminance component of the input video signal is not higher than a first luminance level, a gain controller for regulating the quantity of black expansion as computationally determined by the quantity of black expansion computing section, a quantity of black expansion adding section for generating an output video signal by adding the quantity of black expansion regulated by the gain controller to the luminance component of the input video signal, and a vertical span adding block for integrating the luminance component of the output video signal not higher than a second luminance level for a field.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus includes: a reflective polarizing plate for each color light which transmits each of R light, G light and B light having a P polarized component subjected to color separation by a color separation optical system therethrough, allows each transmitted light to enter a corresponding reflective liquid crystal panel for each color light, and reflects image light of each color having an S polarized component which has been subjected to light modulation in accordance with an image signal of each corresponding color light by the reflective liquid crystal panel for each color light; a transmission type polarizing plate for each color light which removes an unnecessary polarized component from the image light of each color reflected by the reflective polarizing plate for each color light; a color combination optical system which subjects the image light of each color transmitted through the transmission type polarizing plate for each color light to color combination; and a projection

Abstract: An electro-optical device of the present invention includes pixel electrodes, TFTs electrically connected to the pixel electrodes, and scanning lines and data lines connected to the TFTs on a TFT array substrate. Each scanning line has a broad width portion as a gate electrode in a portion facing a channel area of the TFT and the narrow width portion. As a result, an electro-optical device capable of easily adjusting an arrangement of the gate electrodes and the scanning lines and at the same time precisely driving the TFTs is provided.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel assembly with a plurality of pixels, a printed circuit board disposed under the liquid crystal panel assembly, and a plurality of laser diodes disposed on the printed circuit board. The laser diodes are disposed to correspond to substantially respective pixels of the liquid crystal panel assembly. In another embodiment, the liquid crystal display includes a light-guiding layer formed on the laser diodes.

Abstract: A reflection type liquid-crystal display device has a reflection type liquid-crystal display panel, at least one illuminator, and an optical path control layer. The reflection type liquid-crystal display panel includes a liquid-crystal cell and a reflector, the liquid-crystal cell having a visual-side substrate, a back-side substrate and a liquid crystal. The visual-side substrate includes a transparent substrate, a transparent layer lower in reflective index than the transparent substrate, and a transparent electrode. The back-side substrate has an electrode, and the liquid crystal is held between the visual-side and back-side substrates so that respective electrode sides of the visual-side and back-side substrates are disposed opposite to each other. The reflector is disposed on the back-side substrate side. The illuminator is disposed on one of side surfaces of the reflection type liquid-crystal display panel.

Abstract: A color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display includes a transparent substrate, and color filters formed on the substrate each with a groove. A transparent conductive layer is deposited onto the color filters to form a common electrode. A chrome layer and a chrome oxide layer are sequentially deposited onto the common electrode to form a black matrix layer. An organic film is formed on the black matrix layer. The organic film suffers ashing such that only the portion of the organic film placed over the groove is left over, and other portions are all removed while exposing the black matrix layer. The exposed portion of the black matrix layer is removed through etching. In this way, the color filter substrate is completed in a simple manner.

Abstract: On a first substrate are formed a TFT provided to each pixel, an insulating film which covers the TFT, and a reflective layer which is provided on the insulating film so as to be insulated from the TFT and reflects light incident from a second substrate side. The reflective layer is covered with a passivation film on which a first electrode made of a transparent conductive material, such as ITO having the work function equivalent to a second electrode, is formed and connected to the TFT. The passivation film covering the reflective layer prevents the reflective surface of the reflective layer from deteriorating in reflection properties during a process for connecting the TFT and the first electrode. Further, the first and second electrodes having similar characteristics can symmetrically AC drive the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes first and second substrates which are arranged to face each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and first and second electrodes which are provided on the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is driven by electric fields generated between the first and second electrodes. A reflective display region for reflective display and a transmissive display region for transmissive display are provided in each of a plurality of subpixel regions. A main direction of an electric field generated between the first and second electrodes in the transmissive display region is different from a main direction of an electric field between the first and second electrodes in the reflective display region.

Abstract: An optical system consisting of a reflective polarizer, a ?/4 retarder, and a functional transparent plate with first facets and second facets which is provided on a display panel assembly improves utilization efficiency of exterior light, so that display luminance of a reflective or a transmissive LCD operating in a reflection mode is improved. In another embodiment, an optical system consisting of a ?/4 retarder, a selective reflection layer, and a functional transparent plate with first facets and second facets may be used.

Abstract: In an IPS mode LCD device and method, a plurality of sub-blocks are utilized to maintain a maximum transmittance even when a voltage above a predetermined value is applied to the device. The IPS mode LCD device includes a common electrode including a plurality of first segments and a plurality of second segments to define a plurality of blocks, wherein the plurality of first segments are formed substantially parallel to the gate line in the pixel region, and the plurality of second segments are formed substantially parallel to the data line, and connected to the first segments; and a pixel electrode including a plurality of third segments and at least one fourth segment, and being connected with a drain electrode of the thin film transistor, wherein each of the third segments is positioned between the first segments, and the at least one fourth segment connects the third segments.

Abstract: An in-plane switching LCD including a plurality of gate and data lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixel areas; a thin film transistor formed at a crossing of the data and gate lines; a pair of common lines facing each other and substantially parallel to the data lines in the pixel areas; a common electrode integrally formed with the common lines, the common electrode being inclined by a predetermined angle; a pair of pixel electrode lines overlapping the common lines; and a pixel electrode integrally formed with the pixel electrode lines, the pixel electrode being inclined substantially parallel to the common electrode, the pixel electrode being arranged in an alternating pattern with the common electrode, wherein the gate lines are formed substantially parallel to the common electrode and the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising: a first protective film; a first polarizing film; an optical compensation region; a liquid crystal cell comprising a liquid crystal layer and a pair of substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer; a second polarizing film; and a second protective layer, in this order, wherein at a black display, liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned in parallel with surfaces of said pair of substrates, an antiglare layer is provided to at least one of the first protective film and the second protective layer, and the antiglare layer has a haze value attributable to internal scattering of from 5 to 35%, and a haze value attributable to surface scattering of from 1 to 10%.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate and having a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode; and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, wherein the first subpixel electrode has a pair of bent edges substantially parallel to each other, the second subpixel electrode has a pair of bent edges substantially parallel to each other, and the second subpixel electrode has a height greater than a height of the first subpixel electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a first substrate having a plurality of column spacers fixed thereto, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and having a plurality of projections at portions corresponding to the column spacers, the projections contacting the column spacers, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.