Patents Issued in November 30, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170343867
    Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of sub-pixel groups, wherein each of the plurality sub-pixel groups comprises eight sub-pixels disposed in a row direction or in a column direction and the eight sub-pixels comprise two red sub-pixels; two blue sub-pixels; two green sub-pixels; and two sub-pixels of a predetermined color, wherein in each of the plurality of sub-pixel groups, a distance between the red sub-pixels or between the blue sub-pixels is less than a distance between the green sub-pixels or between the sub-pixels of the predetermined color, and the sub-pixels of the predetermined color have a luminance higher than a luminance of the red sub-pixels and the blue sub-pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Shang-Yu Su, Hsueh-Yen Yang, Feng-Ting Pai
  • Publication number: 20170343868
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a first dummy substrate on the first substrate, and a second dummy substrate extending from the first dummy substrate and bent. The second dummy substrate is on different side surfaces of the first substrate in a first direction. The display apparatus also includes a plurality of pixels on the first dummy substrate, a gate driver on the second dummy substrate and connected to the pixels, and a data driver connected to one side of the first dummy substrate in a second direction crossing the first direction and connected to the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Kwihyun KIM, Jongjae LEE, Junghwan HWANG, Jongdo KEUM, Yoonsik PARK, Hongmin YOON
  • Publication number: 20170343869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that may realize a wide viewing angle and realize a high-speed response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: SATOSHI MATSUMURA, MITSUHIRO MURATA, YOSUKE IWATA
  • Publication number: 20170343870
    Abstract: The present invention realizes a bright image display by enhancing a numerical aperture of pixels. At least a portion of a pixel electrode is overlapped to a thin film transistor by way of a first insulation film, the pixel electrode is connected to an output electrode of the thin film transistor via a contact hole which is formed in the first insulation film, the counter electrode is arranged above the pixel electrode by way of a second insulation film in a state that the counter electrode is overlapped to the pixel electrode, the counter electrode is formed at a position avoiding the contact hole formed in the first insulation film as viewed in a plan view, and at least a portion of the counter electrode is overlapped to the thin film transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takahiro OCHIAI, Tohru SASAKI, Hirotaka IMAYAMA, Masateru MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170343871
    Abstract: An array substrate is disclosed. The array substrate includes a substrate, a first film layer on a side surface of the substrate, an insulation layer on the side surface of the substrate, an electrostatic charge dispersion layer on the side surface of the substrate, and a second film layer arranged on the side surface of the substrate. The first film layer, the insulation layer, the electrostatic charge dispersion layer, and the second film layer are sequentially arranged on the substrate. In addition, the insulation layer and the electrostatic charge dispersion layer include via holes, the second film layer is electrically connected with the first film layer through the via holes, and the electrostatic charge dispersion layer is in a same profile as the second film layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Liang WEN
  • Publication number: 20170343872
    Abstract: A manufacture method of a black matrix is provided. The COA technology is utilized to manufacture organic photoresist blocks with an increased thickness on alignment marks. Then, a black matrix thin film is set on and covers the organic photoresist blocks to tremendously increase the level differences of the positions of the alignment marks and adjacent areas. A contour recognition apparatus can accurately recognize positions of the alignment marks. The issue that the alignment marks are difficult to recognize after the black matrix thin film is coated in the BOA process can be solved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Yuan Xiong
  • Publication number: 20170343873
    Abstract: The present application discloses an array substrate, a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device; a metal layer is designed to be added between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The metal layer can form a first storage capacitor with the pixel electrode and formed a second storage capacitor with the common electrode, such as the dual storage capacitors to enlarge the storage capacitor to improve the flicker caused by TFT leakage, ensure the display effect, and the two storage capacitor are overlapped set, the aperture ratio of the pixel is not reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang MA
  • Publication number: 20170343874
    Abstract: The present invention has a pixel which includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first liquid crystal element, and a second liquid crystal element. A pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a signal line through the first switch. The pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element through the second switch and the first resistor. The pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a Cs line through the third switch and the second resistor. A common electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a common electrode of the second liquid crystal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Hajime Kimura
  • Publication number: 20170343875
    Abstract: A display device capable of significantly reducing variation of a capacitance formed by a pixel electrode and a data line, the display device including: a first gate line; first and second data lines intersecting the first gate line; a pixel electrode adjacent to the second data line; a switching element connected to the first gate line, the first data line, and the pixel electrode; and a first extension portion extending from the pixel electrode and intersecting the second data line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Seonkyoon MOK, Seongyoung LEE, Kiwon PARK, Hyungjun PARK, Hwanyoung JANG, Byoungsun NA
  • Publication number: 20170343876
    Abstract: A backplane for an electro-optic display that includes a data line, a transistor, a pixel electrode connected to the data line via the transistor, the pixel electrode positioned adjacent to part of the data line so as to create a data line/pixel electrode capacitance. The backplane further including a shield electrode disposed adjacent to at least part of the data line so as to reduce the data line/pixel electrode capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Karl Raymond AMUNDSON, Yi LU
  • Publication number: 20170343877
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device for improving picture quality includes a common electrode formed on a first substrate, gate lines and data lines formed on a second substrate bonded to the first substrate by a sealing member with liquid crystals disposed therebetween, thin film transistors connected to the gate lines and to the data lines, pixel electrodes formed in subpixel regions, each pixel electrode having a long side in a direction of the gate lines and having a short side in a direction of the data lines fanout lines for supplying a driving signals from the driving chips to the data lines, first conductive spacers formed between the fanout lines connected to different driving chips, for supplying a common voltage to the common electrode, and second conductive spacers formed between the fanout lines connected to the same driving chip, for supplying the common voltage to the common electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Dong Gyu Kim, Jong Woong Chang
  • Publication number: 20170343878
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a semiconductor layer including a first extension portion and a second extension portion, a gate line, a first common electrode opposed to at least the second extension portion, a source line extending above the second extension portion, a pixel electrode including a main pixel electrode, a second common electrode including a second main common electrode opposed to the source line, and a first alignment film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Hirosawa
  • Publication number: 20170343879
    Abstract: A stretchable electro-optic display includes a layer of conductive material and an electrophoretic medium laminated to the layer of conductive material. The layer of conductive material also includes a plurality of nodes and a stretchable interconnect connecting first and second nodes of the plurality of nodes. A method of manufacturing a stretchable electro-optic display is also provided that includes patterning a layer of conductive material to define a plurality of nodes and a stretchable interconnect connecting first and second nodes of the plurality of nodes and laminating a layer of an electrophoretic medium to the layer of conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: George G. Harris
  • Publication number: 20170343880
    Abstract: The present invention provides a realistic solution for a highlight or multicolor display device which can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises four types of particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hui DU, HongMei ZANG
  • Publication number: 20170343881
    Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder modulator includes: a support having a principal surface, the principal surface having a first area, a second area, and a third area; a first structure including first and second semiconductor mesas disposed on the first and second areas, respectively; a second structure including a first strip-shaped semiconductor region on the second area, a second strip-shaped semiconductor region on the third area, and a first strip-shaped void and a second strip-shaped void defining the first and second strip-shaped semiconductor regions; a first electrode disposed on the first semiconductor mesa in the first area, the first strip-shaped semiconductor region of the second structure being disposed between the support and the second semiconductor mesa of the first structure in the second area, and the first and second semiconductor mesas, and the first and second strip-shaped semiconductor regions being arranged to constitute a first arm waveguide of the Mach-Zehnder modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: MASATAKA WATANABE, NAOYA KONO
  • Publication number: 20170343882
    Abstract: Provided are an imaging apparatus, a flicker detection method, and a flicker detection program that can accurately detect a flicker even in a case in which an image of a bright object is captured. A digital camera directs a MOS imaging element 5 to perform a plurality of imaging operations at an arbitrary frame rate and compares captured image signals which are read from the imaging element 5 for frame periods F1 and F2 based on the frame rate to detect whether a flicker has occurred. The end time of a signal reading period in the frame period F1 is before the end time of the frame period F1 and the end time of a signal reading period in the frame period F2 coincides with the end time of the frame period F2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori FURUTA
  • Publication number: 20170343883
    Abstract: A self-damping shutter apparatus for use in an exposure system of a photolithography machine, comprising: at least two pieces of shutter blades (1) for cutting off light source to an exposure area when the shutter is closed; a shutter driving arm (2), for driving the shutter blades (1) to synchronically open or close; a magnetic damping brake motor (3), for driving or braking the shutter driving arm (2), and the magnetic damping brake motor (3) drives and brakes, via the shutter driving arm (2), the shutter blades (1). The self-damping shutter apparatus for use in the exposure system of the photolithography machine increases consistency of opening or closing the shutter blades, improves a light shading effect of the shutter apparatus in an exposure, and improves stability in the process of opening or closuring the shutter blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Shuo SHI, Hanchuan JI
  • Publication number: 20170343884
    Abstract: In one embodiment of an enclosure device, a camera casing and light source casing are secured to a plate frame, and the enclosure device is configured to be mounted to an arm, such as a robotic welding arm. A shutter mounting arm may also be secured to the plate frame. A flap may be pivotally mounted to the distal end of the shutter mounting arm, such that the flap may be actuated between a first and second position by an actuator cooperatively engaged with the flap. The first position may be defined as to protect a camera lens positioned in the camera casing and a light source lens positioned in the light source casing. The second position may be defined as to not obscure a line-of-sight from either the light source and/or the camera to the work piece on the arm. A light source casing may be sandwiched between two side plates that are generally configured as mirror images of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Brad J. Goddard, Mark A. Hann
  • Publication number: 20170343885
    Abstract: A camera shield system includes a vehicle that has a back side. At least one camera is coupled to the back side. The at least one camera may display an area behind the vehicle when the vehicle is backing. Thus, the vehicle may avoid striking an object when backing. At least one cone is provided. The at least one cone is coupled to the back side and the at least one cone is positioned to surround the at least one camera. Thus, the at least one cone inhibits the at least one camera from becoming obstructed with precipitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: George Daniel
  • Publication number: 20170343886
    Abstract: A VCM is disclosed, the motor including a stator including a first driving unit, a rotor arranged inside the stator, including a second driving unit responding to the first driving unit and mounted therein with a lens, a base fixing the stator, and an elastic member coupled to the rotor to float the rotor from the base in a case a driving signal for driving the first and second driving units is not applied to the first and second driving units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Seong Min Lee
  • Publication number: 20170343887
    Abstract: A flash unit capable of being attached to a flash control unit, comprising: a memory that stores information relating to a light emission time for actual flash corresponding to a difference between an emitted light amount command value for actual flash and an emitted light amount command value for pre-flash, and a controller, including an light emission time calculation section that obtains light emission time corresponding to emitted light amount command value for actual flash based on emitted light amount command value for pre-flash, emitted light amount command value for actual flash, and information stored in the memory, wherein the controller inputs the emitted light amount command value for pre-flash and the emitted light amount command value for actual flash acquired to the light emission time calculation section, and controls actual flash of the flash light emitting source based on the light emission time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Kanako Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20170343888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lighting accessory, which has never been proposed before for increasing luminance when in one embodiment, a mobile electronic device is used in a low light environment for photography, videography or video conferencing. By disposing a lighting device in an accessory, when a user utilizes a common back camera on a mobile device to conduct video conferencing, the lighting device helps to illuminate the user's face and increase luminance. As for the user using a common front camera to do video or photo shooting, the lighting device helps to increase luminance of the subject and ambient environment, so that the video or photo shot performs at a high quality. The lighting device can be concealed in a novel reversible light housing that can also be used to conceal other wearable technology, such as fitness monitors, watch components, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Irena Raskin, Irena Hauser, Samuel Kryszek
  • Publication number: 20170343889
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various modules that can provide ultra-precise and stable packaging for an optoelectronic device such as a light emitter or light detector. The modules include vertical alignment features that can be machined, as needed, during fabrication of the modules, to establish a precise distance between the optoelectronic device and an optical element or optical assembly disposed over the optoelectronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Riel, Markus Rossi, Daniel Pérez Calero, Matthias Gloor, Moshe Doron, Dmitry Bakin, Philippe Bouchilloux
  • Publication number: 20170343890
    Abstract: The wavelength conversion element converts a wavelength of part of an exciting light to generate a fluorescent light and thereby generate a combined light in which the fluorescent light is combined with a non-converted light whose wavelength is the same as that of the exciting light. The element includes a fluorescent body, a binder contacting the fluorescent body, and multiple diffuser particles included in the binder. A minimum particle diameter of the multiple diffuser particles is ¼ or more and 4 times or less of a wavelength of the fluorescent light, and a ratio of a volume of the multiple diffuser particles to a total volume of the binder and multiple diffuser particles is 25% or more and 50% or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Minoru Ohkoba, Yuya Kurata, Ryota Kadowaki
  • Publication number: 20170343891
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a first light source unit including a first light emitting device, a second light source unit including second and third light emitting devices, a light beam conversion system, and a light ray combiner. The first, second, and third light emitting devices emit first, second, and third light beams, respectively. The combiner has first, second, and third areas which these light beams enter, respectively. One of the light beams is a specific light beam. The direction in which the second and third areas are arranged is a third direction. The conversion system converts the specific light beam such that the dimension of the specific light beam in the third direction at a stage in which the specific light beam enters the combiner is smaller than that at a stage in which the specific light beam exits the conversion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidefumi SAKATA, Koichi AKIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170343892
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photolithography mask. The photolithography mask includes a substrate that contains a low thermal expansion material (LTEM). A multilayer (ML) structure is disposed over the substrate. The ML structure is configured to reflect radiation. The ML structure contains a plurality of interleaving film pairs. Each film pair includes a first film and a second film. The first film and the second film have different material compositions. Each film pair has a respective thickness. For at least a subset of the plurality of the film pairs, the respective thicknesses of the film pairs change randomly along a predefined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung Shih, Jeng-Horng Chen, Shinn-Sheng Yu, Anthony Yen
  • Publication number: 20170343893
    Abstract: A mask for Poisson spot suppression includes a plurality of petals equally spaced in a circular pattern, the petals comprising a gray scale lithography substrate, the substrate having an opaque center portion and a gradient of increasing transparency extending toward a perimeter of the circular pattern, the gradient effected by a gray scale lithography process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Shahram Shiri, Jeffrey C. Livas
  • Publication number: 20170343894
    Abstract: A pellicle support frame is provided with a frame body made of aluminum alloy and has a pellicle film bonded to the upper surface of the frame body and a transparent substrate bonded to the lower surface of the frame body. Within the frame body, a plurality of hollow portions are provided to be lined up in the circumferential direction of the frame body, and a through-hole which leads from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the frame body is formed between two adjacent hollow portions. This configuration makes it possible to prevent strain from arising in the support frame and the transparent substrate after the support frame is bonded to the transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Nobuyuki ISHITO
  • Publication number: 20170343895
    Abstract: There is provided a pellicle for lithography which has a unique frame in that it has externally protruding (projecting) portions; to the lower end faces of these protruding portions the photomask-bonding agglutinant layer is applied so as to allow a reduction in the area of the lower end face of the pellicle frame to which conventionally the agglutinant layer was endlessly applied, whereby the pellicle induced deformation to the photomask is mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nishimura Akinori
  • Publication number: 20170343896
    Abstract: Simplified methods of multiple-patterning photolithography using sequential infiltration synthesis to modify the photoresist such that it withstands plasma etching better than unmodified resist and replaces one or more hard masks and/or a freezing step in MPL processes including litho-etch-litho-etch photolithography or litho-freeze-litho-etch photolithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Seth B. DARLING, Jeffrey W. ELAM, Yu-Chih TSENG
  • Publication number: 20170343897
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern, the method including exposing under KrF excimer laser beams, a chemical for photolithography coated through spin coating, including a resin ingredient having a mass-average molecular weight (Mw) of 2000 to 50000 and an organic solvent having a saturated vapor pressure of 1 kPa or more (1 atm, 20° C.) and a viscosity of 1.1 cP (1 atm, 20° C.) or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Koji YONEMURA, Yasuo SOMEYA, Deuk Young YOON
  • Publication number: 20170343898
    Abstract: A polymer comprising recurring units derived from vinylanthraquinone, recurring units derived from acid labile group-substituted hydroxystyrene, and recurring units derived from hydroxystyrene is provided. The polymer is used as a base resin to formulate a positive resist composition having a high resolution and minimal LER.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Hatakeyama, Daisuke Domon
  • Publication number: 20170343899
    Abstract: A developing method includes rotating a wafer. A developer solution is dispensed onto the rotated wafer through a first nozzle. The first nozzle is moved from a first position to a second position. The first position and the second position are over the wafer and within a perimeter of the wafer when viewed from a top of the wafer. The developer solution is dispensed through the first nozzle when moving the first nozzle from the first position to the second position. The first nozzle is moved back from the second position to the first position immediately after the first nozzle is moved from the first position to the second position. The developer solution is dispensed through the first nozzle when moving the first nozzle from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Rem CHEN, Ming-Shane LU, Chung-Hao CHANG, Jui-Ping CHUANG, Li-Kong TURN, Fei-Gwo TSAI
  • Publication number: 20170343900
    Abstract: In the case of an embossing lacquer based on a UV-polymerizable prepolymer composition containing at least one acrylate monomer, the prepolymer composition—in addition to the acrylate monomer—contains at least one thiol selected from the group: 3-Mercaptopropianates, mercaptoacetates, thioglycolates, and alkylthiols as well as potentially a surface-active anti-adhesive additive selected from the group of anionic surfactants, such as polyether siloxanes, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, such as polyoxyethylene (9) lauryl ethers, monofunctional alkyl (meth)acrylates, polysiloxane (meth)acrylates, perfluoroalkyl (meth)acrylates, and perfluoropolyether (meth)acrylates as well as a photoinitiator, as well as a method for imprinting substrate surfaces coated with an embossing lacquer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Dieter NEES, Christoph AUNER, Barbara STADLOBER, Stephan RUTTLOFF, Maria BELEGRATIS
  • Publication number: 20170343901
    Abstract: A direct-deposition system capable of forming a high-resolution pattern of material on a substrate is disclosed. Vaporized atoms from an evaporation source pass through a pattern of through-holes in a shadow mask to deposit on the substrate in the desired pattern. The shadow mask is held in a mask chuck that enables the shadow mask and substrate to be separated by a distance that can be less than ten microns. As a result, the vaporized atoms that pass through the shadow mask exhibit little or no lateral spread (i.e., feathering) after passing through its apertures and the material deposits on the substrate in a pattern that has very high fidelity with the aperture pattern of the shadow mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Amalkumar P. GHOSH, Fridrich VAZAN, Munisamy ANANDAN, Evan DONOGHUE, Ilyas I. KHAYRULLIN, Tariq ALI, Kerry TICE
  • Publication number: 20170343902
    Abstract: An object is to provide an illumination apparatus that achieves illumination with a uniform illuminance distribution, while reducing a light quantity loss. An illumination apparatus for illuminating an illumination target surface has: a deflection member configured to form an illuminance distribution with a periodic pattern along a predetermined direction on a predetermined face traversing an optical path; and an optical integrator system having a plurality of wavefront division facets arrayed on the predetermined face and configured to form secondary light sources with use of a beam from the deflection member; the deflection member forms the illuminance distribution with the periodic pattern of an integer times or a unit fraction times an array period of the plurality of wavefront division facets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki KOMATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20170343903
    Abstract: A lithography system includes an illumination source including two illumination poles separated along a first direction and symmetrically distributed around an optical axis, a pattern mask to receive illumination from the illumination source, and a set of projection optics to generate an image corresponding to the pattern mask onto a sample. The pattern mask includes a metrology target pattern mask and device pattern mask elements. The device pattern mask elements are distributed along the first direction with a device separation distance. The metrology target pattern mask includes a set of metrology target pattern mask elements having a diffraction pattern corresponding to that of the device pattern mask elements. A metrology target generated on the sample associated with the metrology target pattern mask is characterizable along a second direction and has printing characteristics corresponding to those of device pattern elements generated on the sample associated with the device pattern mask elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Myungjun Lee, Mark D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170343904
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate; a substrate table configured to hold the substrate, the substrate table including a support surface to support an intermediary plate between the projection system and at least one of the substrate and an object positioned on the substrate table and not in contact with the at least one of the substrate and the object; and a liquid supply system to provide a liquid, through which the beam is to be projected, in a space between the projection system and the at least one of the substrate and the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Joeri LOF, Hans BUTLER, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus DONDERS, Aleksey Yurievich KOLESNYCHENKO, Erik Roelof LOOPSTRA, Hendricus Johannes Maria MEIJER, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria MERTENS, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus MULKENS, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand RITSEMA, Frank VAN SCHAIK, Timotheus Franciscus SENGERS, Klaus SIMON, Joannes Theodoor DE SMIT, Alexander STRAAIJER, Helmar VAN SANTEN
  • Publication number: 20170343905
    Abstract: While a wafer stage linearly moves in a Y-axis direction, a multipoint AF system detects surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points that are set at a predetermined distance in an X-axis direction and also a plurality of alignment systems that are arrayed in a line along the X-axis direction detect each of marks at positions different from one another on the wafer. That is, detection of surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points and detection of the marks at positions different from one another on the wafer are finished, only by the wafer stage (wafer) linearly passing through the array of the plurality of detection points of the multipoint AF system and the plurality of alignment systems, and therefore, the throughput can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi SHIBAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20170343906
    Abstract: An automated photomask storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of mobile storage units aligned in a first direction. Each mobile storage unit is movable in the first direction and includes a plurality of storage cells. A gantry is disposed over the plurality of mobile storage units. The gantry includes a supporting frame movable in the first direction. The plurality of mobile storage units interpose a pair of supporting members of the supporting frame. A beam connects the pair of supporting members and is movable along the pair of supporting members in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The beam includes a plurality of buffer cells. A robotic arm is disposed adjacent to the plurality of buffer cells and movable along the beam. The robotic arm is configured to transfer a container containing a photomask between a storage cell and a buffer cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Chun-Jung HUANG, Chien-Fa LEE, Yiang-Luen LIN, Sam CHIN
  • Publication number: 20170343907
    Abstract: A pattern drawing apparatus includes a first image-pickup device for reading an alignment mark and reading a first pattern image for detecting a positional shift, a second image-pickup device for reading the first pattern image and reading a second pattern image for detecting a positional shift drawn by an irradiation light beam from the optical head while carrying out a relative movement between the table and the optical head, and a positional shift detection unit for obtaining a first coordinate difference between a center of a visual field of the first image-pickup device and a center of the first pattern based on a read image by the first image-pickup device and obtaining a second coordinate difference between the center of the first pattern and a specific position of the second pattern based on a read image by the second image-pickup device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Eriko NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20170343908
    Abstract: A photoconductor is provided. The photoconductor includes a support, an undercoat layer overlying the support, and a photosensitive layer overlying the undercoat layer. The undercoat layer includes a binder resin and a zinc oxide particle. The photosensitive layer includes a compound represented by the following formula (1): where each of R1 and R2 independently represents an alkyl group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ryohta TAKAHASHI, Akihiro SUGINO, Eiji KURIMOTO, Hidetoshi KAMI, Keisuke SHIMOYAMA, Tetsuro SUZUKI, Tomoharu ASANO, Toshihiro ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20170343909
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing a charge transporting material and a specific polyester resin having a structure including a specific branched chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Kazunori Noguchi, Harunobu Ogaki, Kazumichi Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20170343910
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor including a support, an undercoat layer, and a photoconductive layer, the undercoat layer and the photoconductive layer being disposed on the support in an order mentioned, wherein the undercoat layer includes zinc oxide particles, a urethane bond-containing resin, and methylethyl ketone oxime, and the undercoat layer satisfies a formula below: 10<M/L<400??(Formula) where M is a ratio (ppm) of the methylethyl ketone oxime included in the undercoat layer, and L is an average thickness (?m) of the undercoat layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Toshihiro ISHIDA, Tetsuro Suzuki, Eiji Kurimoto, Tomoharu Asano, Daisuke Nii
  • Publication number: 20170343911
    Abstract: A toner comprises a toner particle containing an amorphous polyester, wherein the amorphous polyester contains an amorphous polyester 1, the amorphous polyester contains a tin compound and a titanium compound, a Sn/Ti abundance ratio between Sn and Ti in the amorphous polyester according to x-ray fluorescence analysis is 20/80 to 80/20, and a weight-average molecular weight Mw1 of the amorphous polyester 1 according to measurement by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is Mw1<7,000.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takeshi Hashimoto, Nozomu Komatsu, Yuto Onozaki, Akifumi Matsubara, Ichiro Kanno, Hitoshi Sano, Tsubasa Fujisaki, Masayuki Hama, Takakuni Kobori, Hiroyuki Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20170343912
    Abstract: Provided is a toner including at least: a binder resin; and a release agent, wherein in a transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image of a torn cross-section of the toner, the release agent has an acicular or filiform shape and an average aspect ratio of 31 or greater, and wherein a displacement amount of the toner when 250 micronewtons is applied to the toner in a microcompression test is 700 nm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Satoshi KOJIMA, Yoshihiro MORIYA, Masahiko ISHIKAWA, Satoshi TAKAHASHI, Tatsuru MORITANI, Tatsuki YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170343913
    Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a composite core and a shell layer covering a surface of the composite core. The composite core is a composite of a toner core and a plurality of organic particles each adhering to a surface of the toner core. The shell layer contains a first resin having a glass transition point of at least 50° C. and no greater than 90° C. The organic particles each contain a releasing agent and a second resin having a glass transition point of at least 90° C. and no greater than 110° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki UEMURA, Kohei YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170343914
    Abstract: A developing unit includes a body and a displacement member. The displacement member is to be held by the body in a first mode in a first mounting state, and is to be held by the body displaceably between the first mode and a second mode in a reversible fashion in a second mounting state. The first mounting state is a state in which a first toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit. The second mounting state is a state in which a second toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Masayuki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20170343915
    Abstract: A generation unit configured to receive image data and to generate print data from received image data; a printing control unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on print data generated by the generation unit; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a delay in generation of the print data has occurred based on a data amount of the received image data and a data amount of print data generated by the generation unit; and an issuance unit configured to issue a command to insert an auxiliary pattern in a case where the determination unit determines that the delay has occurred are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Kentaro Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20170343916
    Abstract: An exposing unit forms a latent-image electric potential on each photosensitive drum. A detecting toner image of each color is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt using a first potential difference between a latent-image electric potential and the potential of an intermediate transfer belt at each primary transfer portion. When the polarity of voltage to be applied from a transfer power source to a secondary transfer roller is to be switched to an opposite polarity while the detecting toner image of each color is passing through each primary transfer portion, the absolute value of a second potential difference between the potential of the intermediate transfer belt and the background electrical potential of each photosensitive drum is made equal to or greater than the absolute value of the first potential difference by a control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takayuki Tanaka, Shinji Katagiri, Shuichi Tetsuno, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Takahiro Ikeda