Patents Issued in November 29, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180341155
    Abstract: Disclosed are a free-form display screen and a pixel unit structure thereof. The pixel unit structure of the free-form display screen includes three sub-pixels, and each of the sub-pixels includes a thin-film transistor. Gates of thin-film transistors in the three sub-pixels are connected to a same scanning line. Sources of the thin-film transistors in the three sub-pixels are respectively connected to three data lines which are arranged along a longitudinal direction. The free-form display screen and the pixel unit structure thereof can be used for mass production of the free-form display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hefeng Liu, Zhao Wang
  • Publication number: 20180341156
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel structure in which the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel of each pixel are arranged in two adjacent sub-pixel rows and the shape of the pixel is L-typed or inverted L-typed. The number of data lines can be reduced to ? or ? of the existing technology, then, the cost of liquid crystal display panels is reduced to enhance the competitiveness of products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Wenying Li
  • Publication number: 20180341157
    Abstract: Provided are a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes on the substrate, and a plurality of thin-film transistors on the substrate; each pixel electrode includes a plurality of first pixel electrodes and at least three second pixel electrodes as compensation pixel electrodes, an area of the substrate occupied by each compensation pixel electrode is less than an area of the substrate occupied by each first pixel electrode; the thin-film transistors are arranged in row in first direction and column in second direction, the thin-film transistors are electrically connected with the pixel electrodes in one-to-one correspondence, and orthographic projection of at least one second pixel electrode on the substrate does not overlap with orthographic projection of at least one thin-film transistor correspondingly connected with the at least one of the at least three second pixel electrodes on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Hongbo ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20180341158
    Abstract: An array substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. An insulating layer is formed between a drain electrode of the thin film transistor and the pixel electrode. The drain electrode is in direct electrical contact with the pixel electrode through a via-hole in the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicants: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoukun WANG, Huibin GUO, Yuchun FENG, Liangliang LI
  • Publication number: 20180341159
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a COA substrate which includes a plurality of thin film transistors arranged in a matrix, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of scan lines. The data lines intersect perpendicularly with the data lines. Plural gaps are formed in portions of the data lines which intersect with the scan lines. The gaps cross the scan lines. Each of the gaps is connected via a jumper wire. The jumper wire is electrically connected to one of the data lines via through holes. The portions of the data lines which intersect with the scan lines are replaced by the jumper wires in a different layer. A thickness between the jumper wires and the scan lines is increased, and thus parasitic capacitances in the portions are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Qiming GAN, Meng WANG
  • Publication number: 20180341160
    Abstract: A display panel includes a pixel array with pixel cells and multiple data lines coupled to the pixel array. The multiple pixel cells include multiple first pixel cells and multiple second pixel cells. The multiple data lines include multiple first data lines and multiple second data lines. One of the multiple first data lines is coupled to the multiple first pixel cells in the pixel array. The multiple second data lines include a third data line and a fourth data line adjacent to the third data line. A part of the multiple second pixel cells coupled to the third data line and another part of the multiple second pixel cells coupled to the fourth data line are configured to display the same color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Yu-Jhou GONG, Yao-Lien HSIEH, Chung-Yi WANG, Li-Wei SUNG
  • Publication number: 20180341161
    Abstract: A pixel array includes pixel unit sets each including a substrate having first and second pixel regions, a scan line, first and second data lines extending along a second direction, first and second active devices respectively in the first and second pixel regions, and first and second pixel electrodes respectively located in the first and second pixel regions and electrically connected to the first and second active devices, respectively. The scan line includes a main scan line and first and second branch scan lines (connected to the main scan line) extending along a first direction. The first active device is electrically connected to the first branch scan line and the first data line. The second active device is electrically connected to the second branch scan line and the second data line. At least one of the first and second data lines is overlapped with the first and second pixel electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Feng Lin, Yao-An Hsieh, Yu-Ping Kuo, Ching-Sheng Cheng
  • Publication number: 20180341162
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic device including: an electrochromic element including an electrochromic layer disposed between a pair of electrodes; a drive unit, which is connected to a power supply portion included in each of the pair of electrodes to drive the electrochromic element; a controller, which is configured to control the power supply portion; and an orientation detection unit, which is configured to detect an orientation of the electrochromic element. The controller is configured to control the power supply portion depending on output from the orientation detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Go Naito
  • Publication number: 20180341163
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Gordon Jack, Anshu Pradhan
  • Publication number: 20180341164
    Abstract: A multi-section optical modulator and related method wherein two waveguide arms traverse a plurality of successive modulating sections. A differential drive signal is applied separately to each waveguide arm of each modulating sections in synchronism with the transmission of light along the waveguide arms, effecting a dual differential driving of each section. By suitably selecting the number of modulating sections and the section length, a high modulation bandwidth and a high modulation efficiency may be achieved simultaneously for a given peak-to-peak voltage swing of the drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Williams, Mostafa Ahmed, Alexander Rylyakov, Richard C. Younce, Yang Liu, Ran Ding, Abdelrahman Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20180341165
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device connected to a first optical waveguide, a phase modulation unit, and a second optical waveguide in this order and having an optical modulator guiding light in a first direction, the phase modulation unit includes: a semiconductor layer whose length in the first direction is larger than a width in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and which is made of monocrystalline silicon; a core part serving as an optical waveguide region formed on the semiconductor layer, and extending in the first direction; a pair of slab parts arranged on both sides of the core part in the second direction; a first electrode coupled with one of the slab parts; and a second electrode coupled with the other of the slab parts. The core part has a p type semiconductor region and an n type semiconductor region extending in the first direction, and the second direction coincides with a crystal orientation <100> of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Shinichi WATANUKI, Yasutaka NAKASHIBA, Masaru WAKABAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20180341166
    Abstract: A lens unit comprises a lens barrel, a pair of base plates, and iris blade, and a blade driving portion. The lens barrel holds a plurality of lenses, and has a first slit that extends in the circumferential direction. A pair of base plates each has an opening portion, and are stacked to structure a blade chamber, with a portion thereof protruding from the first slit, and is positioned so that the opening portions thereof are between the lenses. The iris blade is disposed in the blade chamber. A blade driving portion is secured to a portion of the pair of base plates, and drives the iris blade to open and close the opening portions in the iris blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Kenzo IMAI, Nobuaki WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20180341167
    Abstract: A camera lens cap capable of coupling with a variety of lens dimensions is disclosed. An elastic sidewall integrally couples with a rigid plate. The sidewall is capable of expansion to removably couple lens barrels within a range of dimensions. The sidewall protects covered lens barrel components from scratching and other force damage. The plate covers and protects the glass lens element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey Overall
  • Publication number: 20180341168
    Abstract: A method capable of performing an automatic focus function upon a specific movable object in a real-time manner, the method being applicable to a photographic apparatus with the automatic focus function, includes: capturing real-time image within a field of view (FOV) of a lens; comparing images of a plurality of image areas of the real-time image with a feature image of the specific movable object to identify an image area corresponding to the feature image of the specific movable object; and, performing automatic focus on the identified image area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: YEN-MIN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20180341169
    Abstract: A camera module comprises: a housing comprising a housing body and a cable fixing body which extends from the housing body and has an engaging part formed therein; a camera main body coupled with a cable which passes through the cable fixing body; a cable fixing member, a part of which is press-fitted into the outer circumferential surface of the cable and the other part of which is caught in the engaging part; and a waterproof member inserted and fixed in the cable fixing body while being coupled with the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUN SUK YANG, OK HYEON PARK, MIN WOO LEE, SANG YEAL HAN
  • Publication number: 20180341170
    Abstract: A scanning projector including a light source unit including a plurality of laser light sources; a mirror unit including a plurality of mirrors which transmit or reflect light beams output from the light source unit; a light synthesizer which synthesizes the light beams transmitted or reflected by the mirror unit; a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) scanner which reflects incident light and performs scanning of the light in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and a light reflection unit which reflects light, having passed through the light synthesizer, to the MEMS scanner. Further, the light synthesizer includes a ½ wavelength plate converting a first polarization of the light beams transmitted or reflected by the mirror unit into a second polarization, and a Polarization Beam Splitter (PBS) surface synthesizing the light beams polarization-converted by the ½ wavelength plate into the second polarization with the light beams having the first polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaehyuk LIM, Jaewook KWON, Jideok KIM, Woojae PARK
  • Publication number: 20180341171
    Abstract: An apparatus for spatially separated images in which one image is separated into a short-range image and a long-range image on two or one image display, and the short-range image is disposed on the front side, the long-range image is disposed at a long distance, and a translucent mirror is provide on the front surface of the short-range image, and the short-range image and the long-range image are synthesized while spaced apart from each other by a space distance to generate an effect of viewing a realistic image by a glassless 3D effect having perspective by a distance separation effect and obtain a spatially realistic image in vertical left and front directions, front and rear directions, left and right directions, or one left or right direction, and, an apparatus for spatially separated images capable of viewing a 4 to 10 times higher-definition spatial 3D image without polarizing glasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Hae-Yong CHOI
  • Publication number: 20180341172
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a phase shift mask includes preparing a transmissive substrate on which a first mask region and a second mask region surrounding the first mask region are defined. In the first mask region, main patterns are formed having a first pitch in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the main patterns has a first area. In at least one row, assist patterns are formed at the first pitch to surround the main patterns. Each of the assist patterns has a second area less than the first area. In the second mask region, dummy patterns are formed in a plurality of rows. The dummy patterns surround the assist patterns at the first pitch. Each of the dummy patterns has a third area greater than the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jae-hee KIM, Chan HWANG
  • Publication number: 20180341173
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining near field images for optical lithography include receiving a thin mask image indicative of a photomask feature, in which the thin mask image is determined without considering a mask topography effect associated with the photomask feature, and determining a near field image from the thin mask image by a processor using an artificial neural network (ANN), in which the ANN uses the thin mask image as input. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory configured to store instructions executed by the processor to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jiangwei Li, Yumin Wang, Jun Liu
  • Publication number: 20180341174
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method in accordance with some embodiments. A wafer is grinded from a back side. The wafer is inserted into an opening defined by a frame holder. The frame holder is attached to a carrier through a temporary layer. A front side of the wafer is attached to the temporary layer. Thereafter, the wafer is etched from the back side until the wafer reaches a predetermined thickness. Thereafter, the frame holder and the wafer therein are separated from the temporary layer and the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung Shih, Shinn-Sheng Yu, Jeng-Horng Chen, Anthony Yen
  • Publication number: 20180341175
    Abstract: Resist materials having enhanced sensitivity to radiation are disclosed herein, along with methods for lithography patterning that implement such resist materials. An exemplary resist material includes a polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG). The sensitizer is configured to generate a secondary radiation in response to the radiation. The PAG is configured to generate acid in response to the radiation and the secondary radiation. The PAG includes a sulfonium cation having a first phenyl ring and a second phenyl ring, where the first phenyl ring is chemically bonded to the second phenyl ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Yen-Hao Chen, Wei-Han Lai, Chien-Wei Wang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20180341176
    Abstract: The present application relates to a film mask comprising: a transparent substrate; a darkened light-shielding pattern layer provided on the transparent substrate; and groove portions provided in a region where the darkened light-shielding pattern layer is not provided, a method for manufacturing the same, a method for forming a pattern by using the same, and a pattern manufactured by using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Ji Young HWANG, Han Min SEO, Sangcholl HAN, Seung Heon LEE, Dong Hyun OH, Dae Han SEO, Nam Seok BAE, Min Soo SONG
  • Publication number: 20180341177
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides NTD developers and corresponding lithography techniques that can overcome resolution, line edge roughness (LER), and sensitivity (RLS) tradeoff barriers particular to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technologies, thereby achieving high patterning fidelity for advanced technology nodes. An exemplary lithography method includes forming a negative tone resist layer over a workpiece; exposing the negative tone resist layer to EUV radiation; and removing an unexposed portion of the negative tone resist layer in a negative tone developer, thereby forming a patterned negative tone resist layer. The negative tone developer includes an organic solvent having a log P value greater than 1.82. The organic solvent is an ester acetate derivative represented by R1COOR2. R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon chains having four or less carbon atoms. In some implementations, R1, R2, or both R1 and R2 are propyl functional groups, such as n-propyl, isopropyl, or 2-methylpropyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Chen-Yu Liu, Wei-Han Lai, Tzu-Yang Lin, Ming-Hui Weng, Ching-Yu Chang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20180341178
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising a hydrocarbon solvent in combination with diisopropylbenzene or 2-ethylhexyl acetate, and optionally, a co-solvent selected from tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol, terpineol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-(2-butyoxyethoxy) ethanol, a naphthenic hydrocarbon, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, a terepene, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, methyl cyclohexanol, hexyl alcohol, and heptyl alcohol, and methods directed to the preparation and use of this composition. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jon-Eric Bonney
  • Publication number: 20180341179
    Abstract: For increasing reflectivity a reflective optical element for the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range consists of at least two upper units, in which each upper unit (B1-B5) has a plurality of lower units, for example reflective optical elements in the form of mirror arrays. A method for producing the reflective optical element includes: determination of incidence angles and incidence angle bandwidths occurring during operation above the surface of each upper unit (B1-B5); and application of a reflective coating to each upper unit (B1l-B5), adapted to the incidence angles and incidence angle bandwidths respectively determined above the surface of each upper unit. This is particularly suitable for producing reflective optical elements embodied as field facet mirrors, particularly in the form of microelectromechanical mirror arrays, for an EUV lithography device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Hartmut Enkisch
  • Publication number: 20180341180
    Abstract: A target supply device may include a tank for storing a target material, a nozzle which is connected to the tank and outputs the target material, and a gas supply section for supplying the tank with gas. The gas supply section may include a booster which is connected to a gas line, boosts the gas supplied from the gas line, and outputs the boosted gas to the tank, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the tank, and a pressure controller which adjusts the pressure of the gas to be supplied to the tank on the basis of a measurement result from the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka SHIRAISHI, Hideki SHISHIBA
  • Publication number: 20180341181
    Abstract: A system for forming a micro-truss structure including a reservoir having walls and a flat bottom configured to hold a volume of a liquid photomonomer configured to form a photopolymer when exposed to light, a partially transparent mask secured to, or being, the bottom of the reservoir, a release layer on the mask configured to resist adhesion by the photopolymer, and a blocker positioned a first distance below the mask. The system also includes a light source positioned below the blocker configured to produce collimated light suitable for causing conversion of the photomonomer into the photopolymer, and to which the blocker is opaque, and a first mirror, oblique to the blocker, configured to reflect the light from the light source around the blocker and through the mask and into the reservoir. The blocker is positioned to block a straight path of light from the light source to the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Sophia S. Yang, Alan J. Jacobsen, Joanna A. Kolodziejska, Robert E. Doty, William Carter, Jacob M. Hundley
  • Publication number: 20180341182
    Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter of interest relating to a structure formed by a process on a substrate, and associated apparatuses. The method includes measuring the structure with measurement radiation including a first illumination acquisition setting (determining one or more selected from: a wavelength, a polarization or an incident angle of the measurement radiation) to obtain a first measurement value for the structure. The method further includes estimating, by applying a correction model to the first measurement value, at least a second measurement value for the structure corresponding to measurement of the structure with a second illumination acquisition setting different from the first illumination acquisition setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Gonzalo Roberto SANGUINETTI, Nicolas Mauricio WEISS, Jean-Pierre Agnes Henricus Marie VAESSEN
  • Publication number: 20180341183
    Abstract: A liquid crystal exposure apparatus has: scales arranged apart from each other in the X-axis direction provided at a substrate holder holding a substrate; heads irradiating the scales with a measurement beam from the heads that can move in the Y-axis direction; and a measurement device that measures position of the heads in the Y-axis direction. The apparatus has a measurement system which measures position of the substrate holder in directions of three degrees of freedom within a plane, based on measurement information of at least three heads and measurements of the measurement device. The heads move off of one scale while the substrate holder is moved in the X-axis direction and moves to irradiate another scale adjacent to the one scale, and correction information to control movement of the substrate holder is acquired using the heads moving to irradiate another scale, based on measurements of at least three heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takachika SHIMOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180341184
    Abstract: An aperture system for a bottom-up stereolithography device including a reservoir having a lower opening, an aperture including a flexible membrane positioned within the reservoir and covering the lower opening, and a boundary seal positioned around a periphery of the flexible membrane, the boundary seal including one or more boundary seal components and immobilizing the periphery of the flexible membrane against the reservoir. The flexible membrane is formed of a material having a low affinity for a liquid resin used in the stereolithography device as well as cured photopolymer resin parts produced by the device. In addition, the flexible membrane is able to deform as the cured resin part is pulled away from the aperture, thus enabling lower energy mixed mode adhesive failure to occur at the interface between the cured resin and the aperture and reducing the chance of cohesive damage to the cured photopolymer part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jacob M. Hundley, Zak C. Eckel, Emily C. Schueller, Scott M. Biesboer
  • Publication number: 20180341185
    Abstract: An illumination optical apparatus illuminates an object with illumination light. The illumination optical apparatus includes an optical integrator arranged in an optical path of the illumination light; and a polarization modulating member which modulates a polarization of the illumination light, the polarization modulating member being made of an optical material with optical activity and being arranged in the optical path on an incidence side of the optical integrator such that a direction of an optic axis of the optical material is coincident with a direction of an optical axis of the illumination optical apparatus. The polarization modulating member has a thickness profile varying with respect to azimuthal positions about the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu TANITSU, Koji SHIGEMATSU, Hiroyuki HIROTA, Tomoyuki MATSUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180341186
    Abstract: A method to improve a lithographic process for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus having an illumination system and projection optics, the method including: obtaining an illumination source shape and a mask defocus value; optimizing a dose of the lithographic process; and optimizing the portion of the design layout for each of a plurality of slit positions of the illumination source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Duan-Fu Stephen HSU, Rafael C. HOWELL, Xiaofeng LIU
  • Publication number: 20180341187
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with illumination light via a projection optical system, and includes a stage disposed below the projection optical system and holds the substrate; an encoder system in which one of a grating section and a head is provided at the stage and the other of the grating section and the head is provided at a frame member disposed above the stage, on a lower end side of the projection optical system, and which irradiates the grating section with a measurement beam via the head and measures positional information of the stage with a plurality of the heads that face the grating section; and a controller coupled to the encoder system, that controls a drive system based on positional information measured with the encoder system while compensating for measurement error of the encoder system related to measurement direction of the positional information by the heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi SHIBAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180341188
    Abstract: A level sensor to determine a height level of a substrate, that includes a projection unit including a projection grating having a period P, the projection grating configured to provide a patterned measurement beam, to the substrate, having a periodically varying intensity distribution in a first direction having the period P; a detection unit to receive a reflected patterned measurement beam after reflection on the substrate, the reflected patterned measurement beam having a periodically varying intensity distribution in a second direction, having the period P, wherein the detection unit has a sensor array to receive the reflected patterned measurement beam, the sensor array including a plurality of sensing elements arranged along the second direction at a pitch p smaller than or equal to half the period P, and a processing unit to determine the height level of the substrate based on a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Petrus REIJNDERS
  • Publication number: 20180341189
    Abstract: An improved overcoat layer for an organic photoconductor drum used in an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a charge transport molecule containing four radical polymerizable hydrophilic functional groups containing an oxygen atom of the general structure shown below: wherein R1 and R2 contain a spacer group and a radical polymerizable hydrophilic functional group containing an oxygen atom, R3 and R4 are a non-radical polymerizable functional group, and R5 and R6 contain a spacer group and a radical polymerizable hydrophilic functional group containing an oxygen atom. The curable composition may also contain at least one optional curing agent. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the organic photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and extending its service life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: DAVID GLENN BLACK, MARK THOMAS BELLINO, WEIMEI LUO
  • Publication number: 20180341190
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which a photosensitive layer has strong close adhesiveness even when used repeatedly, and a positive ghost is reduced. An undercoat layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a cured product of an electron transport material having a polymerizable functional group; a polyolefin resin having at least one group/structure selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group and an anhydrous carboxylic acid structure, and a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; and an isocyanate compound having two or more isocyanate groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Masashi Nishi, Kunihiko Sekido, Michiyo Sekiya, Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20180341191
    Abstract: A toner includes an external additive particle that is a complex oxide containing a titanium dioxide (TiO2) and a silicon dioxide (SiO2). A detection amount of titanium (Ti) detected through an elementary analysis based on energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry is equal to or higher than about 0.590 percent by weight and equal to or lower than about 0.967 percent by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru MURAI
  • Publication number: 20180341192
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging member, a charging voltage source, an electrostatic image forming portion, a developing member, a developing voltage source, a transfer portion, a cleaning member, and a controller. The controller effects control so that a peak-to-peak voltage of an AC component of a charging voltage satisfying the following relationship is applied to the charging member to execute a toner supplying operation: 2Vth (V)?Vpp1 (V)?(2Vth+200) (V), where a discharge start voltage of a DC component of a charging voltage between the image bearing member and the charging member is Vth (V), and the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC component applied during execution of the toner supplying operation is Vpp1 (V). A peak-to-peak voltage of the AC component applied during image formation is larger than the peak-to-peak voltage Vpp1 (V).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Takayuki Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20180341193
    Abstract: A force for warping a regulating blade is imparted to the regulating blade in such a manner that a gap between a developer bearing member supported by a development frame member and the regulating blade attached to an attaching portion of the development frame member falls within a predetermined range over a longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member. The regulating blade is fixed to the attaching portion in a state in which the regulating blade is warped by the force imparted to the regulating blade and the gap is within the predetermined range over the longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Teruaki Tsurusaki, Masafumi Takahashi, Shunichi Koga, Tomohiro Shiomi
  • Publication number: 20180341194
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing device, an ultrasonic sensor, and a controller. The printing device to which a toner container is mounted is configured to perform printing using toner in the toner container. The ultrasonic sensor arranged so as to correspond to a mounting position of the toner container is configured to (a) output an ultrasonic wave to a specific position of the toner container, (b) detect the ultrasonic wave that passes through the toner container, and (c) output a detection signal corresponding to an intensity of the detected ultrasonic wave. The controller is configured to determine whether the toner container is a genuine product or not on the basis of a level of the detection signal of the ultrasonic sensor when the toner container is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jun Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20180341195
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing tank that is long in shape and that stores a developer; and a developer carrier that carries the developer stored in the developing tank. The developing tank includes a filling portion through which the developing tank is filled with the developer, the developer carrier is provided on one side in a width direction that is orthogonal to both a longitudinal direction of the developing tank and a vertical direction of the developing tank, and the filling portion is provided on the other side of the developing tank in the width direction, the other side is apart from the developer carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: SATOSHI KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20180341196
    Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a partition member disposed in a first chamber above a discharge space communicated to the discharge port positioned downstream of a return conveyance portion in the first direction, and configured to divide a space within a first chamber in a gravity direction. The partition member is configured to extend from a wall portion on a downstream side of a developer container to a position corresponding to a downstream end of a return conveyance portion or to a position further upstream beyond the position corresponding to the downstream end of the return conveyance portion in the first direction. A surface, opposed to a first conveyance screw, of the partition member is positioned downward in the gravity direction than an upper end of a first communication port and upward in the gravity direction than the first conveyance screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Fumiyoshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20180341197
    Abstract: A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: OLogN Technologies AG
    Inventors: Sergey IGNATCHENKO, Dmytro IVANCHYKHIN
  • Publication number: 20180341198
    Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developing sleeve for carrying a developer including toner and a magnetic carrier and for developing an electrostatic latent image, formed on an image bearing member, in a developing region where the developer contacts the image bearing member; and a magnetic field generating portion provided inside the developing sleeve and having a developing pole provided at a position opposing the image bearing member in order to form the developing region, wherein a ratio of an 80%-value-width of magnetic flux density of the developing pole with respect to a normal direction of the developing sleeve to a half peak width of the magnetic flux density of the developing magnetic pole with respect to the normal direction is 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Sakamaki, Yuta Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20180341199
    Abstract: A powder-amount detection device includes a first electrode disposed on one side of a powder container to be replaceably installed to an image forming apparatus; a second electrode disposed adjacent to the first electrode and having a smaller surface area than the first electrode, an influence of an amount of powder in the powder container to a capacitance of the second electrode being as small as negligible; a third electrode disposed on a side opposite to the second electrode with the powder container interposed between the third electrode and each of the first electrode and the second electrode; and a voltage detector configured to detect charging and discharging behaviors of the first electrode and the second electrode when a voltage is applied between the third electrode and each of the first electrode and the second electrode for a short time, to detect the amount of powder in the powder container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide YAMASHITA, Taku KUMIYA, Yohei KUSHIDA, Takuya MURATA, Keita MAEJIMA
  • Publication number: 20180341200
    Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveyance path including a flowing-in portion to receive toner and a discharge portion to discharge the toner, a conveying screw to convey the toner from the flowing-in portion to the discharge portion, and a toner loosener disposed in at least one of the flowing-in portion and the discharge portion. The toner loosener includes at least one loosening portion to be vibrated by contact with the conveying screw and a support to cantilever the loosening portion. The loosening portion includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion disposed farther than the first contact portion from the support. A distance from the support to the second contact portion is longer than a distance from the support to the first contact portion in a longitudinal direction of the conveying screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya OHSUGI
  • Publication number: 20180341201
    Abstract: A belt device includes an endless belt, a support shaft, a contact member, and a regulating member. The support shaft supports the contact member. The contact member rotates together with the support shaft and contacts the belt. The regulating member moves between a regulating position to regulate movement of the support shaft and a releasing position to allow movement of the support shaft, thereby regulating movement of the contact member in an axial direction of the support shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi KOGURE, Junpei Fujita
  • Publication number: 20180341202
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heater having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a recording material, each of the plurality of heating elements having a heating region, and a control portion that controls electrical power to be supplied to the plurality of heating elements, the control portion being capable of individually controlling the plurality of heating elements. The control portion executes control of a heat generating quantity of each of the plurality of heating elements such that a heat generating quantity when heating a first region of the recording material including an image, a heat generating quantity when heating a second region of the recording material not including an image, and a heat generating quantity when heating a third region, in which there is no recording material, are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Takashi Nomura, Atsushi Iwasaki, Takahiro Uchiyama, Keisuke Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20180341203
    Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam, an output object and a counter object. The cam has a profile including an ascending region where a radius gradually increases along a rotating direction and a descending region where the radius gradually decreases along the rotating direction. The ascending region and the descending region are shifted each other by 180 degrees. The output object abuts on the cam with a predetermined pressure and linearly moves in an abutting direction in which the output object abuts on the cam and in a counter-abutting direction opposite to the abutting direction by rotating of the cam. The counter object abuts on the cam with the predetermined pressure from the counter-abutting direction at a position shifted by 180 degrees with respect to an abutting position between the output object and the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hirotaka ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180341204
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on continuous paper; an amount-of-blank setting unit configured to set an amount of blank to be inserted between a plurality of jobs, by user operation; and a control unit configured to cause the image forming unit to form the image such that a blank of the amount of blank set by the amount-of-blank setting unit is inserted between the plurality of jobs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Junpei Kaminaka