Formed By Particular Technique (e.g., Langmuir Blodgett, Stretching, Etc.) Patents (Class 349/124)
  • Publication number: 20110025967
    Abstract: In a method of forming a liquid crystal display device, a black matrix is disposed on a substrate including a switching element formed thereon, a color filter is disposed on the switching element, a pixel electrode is electrically connected to the switching element, and a first alignment layer is disposed on the pixel electrode, to form a first substrate. A second substrate including a second alignment layer is formed. At least one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer includes a reactive mesogen. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A light is irradiated onto the second substrate to provide pretilt angles of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ji-Won SOHN, Joo-Seok YEOM, Jeong-Uk HEO, Ho-Yun BYUN, Jung-Hun LEE, Na-Young SHIN
  • Patent number: 7880844
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel 11 includes a pair of substrates 18, 19, liquid crystal 20 disposed between the substrates 18, 19, and alignment films 30, 36 provided on the opposed surfaces of the substrates 18, 19. After formation of the alignment film 30 or 36 is completed in a manufacturing process, it is checked by an inspection process whether a pinhole H is formed on the alignment film 30, 36, and further the position of the pinhole H is detected. Thereafter, an alignment film repair filler 50 is applied to the pinhole H by a repair process, so that the pinhole H is repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriaki Onishi, Kimitaka Ohhata, Jun Mikami
  • Patent number: 7876406
    Abstract: A transflective LCD includes a LC layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and a pair of polarizing films. The LCD device includes a reflection area and a transmission area in each pixel, the transmission area having a reflection film. A retardation film has a first portion in the refection area between the reflection film and the LC layer, and a second portion in the transmission area between the LC layer and the rear polarizing film. The retardation film has a slow axis perpendicular to an initial orientation direction of the LC molecules upon absence of an applied voltage and perpendicular or parallel to the optical axis of the front polarizing film. The orientation of the LC molecules upon display of a dark state has a direction different between the reflection area and the transmission area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagai, Michiaki Sakamoto, Kenichirou Naka, Kenichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7868985
    Abstract: An in-plane switching liquid crystal display device is designed in such a way that an angle defined by the lengthwise direction of a common electrode and a pixel electrode and a rubbing direction of an alignment layer is set to 10 to 20°, a cell gap d is set to 2.7 ?m or smaller, the dielectric anisotropy ?? of a liquid crystal constituting a liquid crystal layer is set to 8 to 20, a white voltage Vwhite to be applied to the pixel electrode when displaying white is set to 4 to 7 V, and the white voltage Vwhite (V), the dielectric anisotropy ?? of the liquid crystal, the cell gap d (?m) and an interval L (?m) between the common electrode and the pixel electrode satisfy the following expression 11.8 > V white d - 0.6 × L 0.5 × ?? - 0.5 > 9.8 .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Shinichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 7859625
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which can reduce or eliminate a display defect is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a first alignment film formed on one of the pair of substrates; a second alignment film formed on another of the pair of substrates; first projecting portions which are provided to the first alignment film and project into the liquid crystal layer by first constitutional members which constitute a layer below the first alignment film; and second projecting portions which are provided to the second alignment film, face the first projecting portions, and project into the liquid crystal layer by second constitutional members which constitute a layer below the second alignment film, the first projecting portion being set lower than the second projecting portion, and an area of an upper surface of the first projecting portion being set smaller than an area of an upper surface of the second projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Sonoda, Chikae Matsui, Noboru Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 7859624
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates in a spaced relationship with one another. A pair of alignment films are provided, one alignment film being formed on each substrate such that the alignment films face one another. A liquid crystal layer; including plural liquid crystals, is inserted between the pair of alignment films, wherein the alignment films impart a given pre-tilt angle to the liquid crystals. The alignment films are composed of a material containing at least two types of polymers having a prescribed initial alignment and different alignment variation rates in response to ultraviolet ray irradiation. The pre-tilt angle being adjusted, without rubbing the alignment films, through ultraviolet exposure of the alignment films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidefumi Yoshida, Yasutoshi Tasaka, Takashi Sasabayashi, Yohei Nakanishi, Kenji Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20100321622
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates, an electrode and an alignment layer formed on each of the substrates, and a liquid crystal filled between the pair of substrates. The alignment layer of one of the pair of substrates is treated so that the alignment layer is divided into a plurality of stripe regions including a first stripe region and a second stripe region adjacent to the first stripe region, the first and second stripe regions extending parallel to each other and forming a first boundary therebetween. A direction of alignment of liquid crystal molecules on the first stripe region is opposite to a direction of alignment of liquid crystal molecules on the second stripe region, and directions of alignment of liquid crystal molecules on the first and second stripe regions are parallel to the first boundary. A shading layer is provided to cover the first boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidefumi Yoshida, Tsutomu Seino, Yasutoshi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7845306
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an LCD device, an atomic beam is irradiated onto a thin film including a carbon-carbon double bond to form a polarized functional group by transforming the carbon-carbon double bond into a carbon-carbon single bond and a radical state. Then, a polarity preserving material is combined with the polarized functional group so as to preserve a polarity of the polarized functional group. According to the present invention, the alignment film is formed on the thin film transistor unit cell and on the color filter unit cell by a non-contact method. Therefore, time of forming the alignment film is reduced and alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Ho Choo, Hak-Jin Kim, Bong-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7847899
    Abstract: An exemplary alignment apparatus (2) includes a light source (50) for emitting light (501), a polarized light generator (51) for receiving the light and generating polarized light (504), a polarized light separator (52) for receiving the polarized light and separating the polarized light into a reflection polarized light beam (521) and a transmission polarized light beam (522) having capability to interfere with each other, a light reflector for changing transmission directions of the reflection and transmission polarized light beams to make the reflection and transmission polarized light beams parallel to each other, and a convergent lens (53) for making the reflection and transmission polarized light beams converge and interferingly irradiate a photosensitive polymer layer (30) to obtain an alignment layer (60). Unlike with conventional alignment apparatuses, because the alignment apparatus is no-rubbing, no-contact alignment apparatuses, debris and electrostatic charge are avoided or even eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 7834964
    Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display device with improved display quality in which the liquid initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of a clearance between the counter electrode of a transmission portion and a counter electrode of a reflection portion or in a direction within a range of ±2° in the clockwise direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the clearance in a case where the liquid crystal layer comprises positive type liquid crystals, or the liquid crystal initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction parallel with the extending direction of a clearance, or a direction within a range of ±2° in the clockwise direction relative to the extending direction of the clearance in a case where the liquid crystal layer comprises negative type liquid crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ochiai, Toshio Miyazawa, Masahiro Maki, Tohru Sasaki, Masateru Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20100283951
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a field generating electrode disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and an alignment polymer. The alignment polymer is formed by light-irradiating the liquid crystal molecules and an alignment aid. The alignment aid includes a mesogen having halogen atoms and at least one photo-polymerizable group combined to the mesogen, and the alignment aid is electrically neutral or quasi-neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Jun-Hyup LEE, Jae-Jin Lyu
  • Publication number: 20100277680
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 ?m can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Chida, Hidefumi Yoshida, Yasutoshi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7812899
    Abstract: A polarized light emitting light guide plate includes: a transparent substrate of optically isotropic material, in which the light incident through a lateral side thereof travels; an anisotropic liquid crystal polymer layer formed on an upper surface of the substrate and having first and second refractive indices with respect to first and second perpendicular polarization components; and a polarization separation microstructure formed at an interface between the transparent substrate and the liquid crystal polymer layer, which refracts or reflects the first polarization component and transmits the second polarization component. The refractive index of the polarization separation microstructure is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate; the first refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer is greater than the refractive index of the substrate, and the second refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer light is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-mo Hwang, Dong-ho Wee, Seung-ho Nam
  • Patent number: 7808593
    Abstract: A multi-domain liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing each other; a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates; a plurality of gate bus lines arranged in a first direction on the first substrate and a plurality of data bus lines arranged in a second direction on the first substrate to define a pixel region; a electric field inducing window in the pixel region; and a photo alignment layer having a pre-tilt angle on at least one substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyeong Jin Kim, Do Hee Kwon
  • Patent number: 7800724
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel and manufacturing method thereof. The LCD panel in accordance with the present invention includes a lower substrate including a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode, an upper substrate including a common electrode facing the lower substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed between the upper and lower substrates, and an alignment layer formed of an inorganic substance containing silicon (Si), oxygen (O), and carbon (C) on the upper and lower substrates. The transmittance of light through the LCD panel is high and is practically independent of the deposition temperature of the SiOC alignment layer over a wide range of deposition temperatures. The deposition of the alignment layer can be performed over a wide range of deposition temperatures while maintaining high levels of light transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pusan National University
    Inventors: Soon-Joon Rho, Jang-Sub Kim, Baek-Kyun Jeon, Hee-Keun Lee, Jae-Chang Kim, Tae-Hoon Yoon, Phil-Kook Son, Jeung-Hun Park
  • Patent number: 7796200
    Abstract: A switchable 2D/3D display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a switchable barrier. The LCD panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal layer, a first wide-view film set including a first wide-view film and a second wide-view film, and a first polarizer set. The first polarizer set includes a first polarizer and a second polarizer. Transmission axes of the first and second polarizers are substantially perpendicular to each other. The switchable barrier includes a third substrate, a fourth substrate, a second TN liquid crystal layer, a second wide-view film set including a third wide-view film and a fourth wide-view film, and a second polarizer set. The second polarizer set includes a third polarizer and a fourth polarizer. Transmission axes of the third and fourth polarizers are substantially perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Yuan Chen, Geng-Yu Liu, Jenn-Jia Su, Ting-Jui Chang
  • Patent number: 7787099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alignment film printing mask, and more particularly, to a jig for an alignment film printing mask. A jig according to the present invention includes a plurality of supporting members each having at least one bent portion, arranged at regular intervals along a width direction of the alignment film printing mask for supporting the alignment film printing mask, at l one connection member for connecting the supporting members, and fastening units for securing the alignment film printing mask supported by the supporting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheol Joo Moon
  • Patent number: 7787085
    Abstract: An optical alignment method which develops a pretilt angle by batch plane exposure without tilting a substrate. This optical alignment method provides liquid crystal aligning capability to the surface of a polymer film by exposing the surface of the polymer film through a slit exposure mask while the surface of the polymer film and the slit exposure mask are moved relative to each other substantially at a fixed rate. Alternatively, liquid crystal aligning capability is provided to the surface of the polymer film by exposing the surface of the polymer film through an optical exposure pattern while the optical exposure pattern having a plurality of lines with a certain width at certain intervals is formed on the surface of the polymer film continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: JSR Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Masayuki Kimura, Hiroshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7782430
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 ?m can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Chida, Hidefumi Yoshida, Yasutoshi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7782431
    Abstract: A roll printing device, a roll printing method, and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device using the same. The roll printing device includes a dispenser; an anilox roll to receive a designated material dispensed by the dispenser; a printing roll engaged with the anilox roll to rotate with the printing roll to receive the designated material supplied from the anilox roll; and a substrate stage fixed below the printing roll for mounting a substrate. The printing roll is movable on the substrate stage to deposit the designated material on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Phil Bang
  • Publication number: 20100208183
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate that has a first electrode formed thereon, a second substrate that faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer that is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a first alignment layer that is formed on the first substrate and is in contact with the liquid crystal layer. Here, the first alignment layer includes a first alignment base layer that is photoaligned, and a first alignment controlling layer that is extended from the inside of the first alignment base layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Jae-Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 7777848
    Abstract: In order to improve the state of image irregularities of a liquid crystal panel, a plasma treatment is performed for an alignment film using a treatment gas such as hydrogen and/or deuterium, or a surface treatment is performed in which an alignment film is immersed in deuterium oxide. As a result, moisture contained in the alignment film is removed, and re-adsorption of moisture is also suppressed, thereby reducing image irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sakai, Nobuo Kawase
  • Patent number: 7777850
    Abstract: Methods for treating aligning substrates produces uniform alignment of liquid crystals in at least two modes. The method is based on the treatment of liquid crystal aligning substrates with a collimated or partially collimated plasma beam. In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of bombarding an aligning substrate with at least one plasma beam from a plasma beam source at a designated incident angle to align the atomic/molecular structure or the surface profile of the aligning substrate in at least one aligned direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Andriy Dobrovolskyy, Oleg Yaroshchuk, Oleg Lavrentovich
  • Patent number: 7777849
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes an upper alignment film and a lower alignment film positioned with liquid crystals therebetween to allow the liquid crystals to be aligned in a designated direction, and at least one of the upper and lower alignment film includes a first alignment film, and a second alignment film disposed on the first alignment film with holes for partially exposing the first alignment film. Liquid crystals in an area corresponding to the holes are aligned in a first direction by the first alignment film, and remaining liquid crystals are aligned in a second direction by the second alignment film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Guk Kim
  • Publication number: 20100195008
    Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal cells with positive dielectric anisotropy that include colloidal suspensions having nanoclusters are provided as well as methods of inducing Freedericksz transitions therein and methods of controlling the alignment of a liquid crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
    Inventors: Torsten Hegmann, Hao Qi
  • Publication number: 20100195034
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a pixel electrode including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode with a gap therebetween; a common electrode facing the pixel electrode; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, wherein the first and second subpixel electrodes include a plurality of minute branches, the first and second subpixel electrodes include a plurality of subregions having different length directions of the minute branches, and the width of the minute branches is wider than an interval between the neighboring minute branches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-Guk Lee, Byung-Duk Yang, Hyang-Shik Kong, Se-Hwan Yu, Sang-ki Kwak, Kyoung-Tai Han, Dong-Yoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20100195035
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel 10 includes a pair of substrates 17, 18, which are arranged to face each other so that a gap of a predetermined size is maintained therebetween. Further included are a liquid crystal layer 19 enclosed between the substrates 17, 18, a spacer 21 arranged in the liquid crystal layer 19 to maintain the gap between the substrates 17, 18, and an anchoring layer 33 arranged to fix the spacer 21 to the array substrate 18, i.e., to one of the substrates 17, 18. The liquid crystal panel 10 further includes an alignment film 27 for orientational alignment of liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer 19. The alignment film 27 is arranged on the surface of the array substrate 18 facing the CF substrate 17, so as to surround and cover the spacer 21 and the anchoring layer 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Shinichi Hirato
  • Patent number: 7768622
    Abstract: A method for producing a liquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates, an electrode and an alignment layer formed on each substrate and a liquid crystal filled between the substrates, where at least one alignment layer exhibits a vertically orienting property. The method includes alignment-treating at least one of the alignment layers by irradiating the alignment layer exhibiting a vertically orienting property with ultraviolet rays, in two different directions, by providing two lamps for projection of ultraviolet rays. Also disclosed is manufacturing equipment for orienting an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device, including a first lamp and a second lamp located at a different position than the first lamp, but on the same side of the alignment layer. Also, both lamps irradiate different ultraviolet rays that are within ±10 degrees of parallelism, and the first and second lamps irradiate ultraviolet rays in two different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidefumi Yoshida, Tsutomu Seino, Yasutoshi Tasaka
  • Publication number: 20100188623
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of improving display qualities in a frame region and a production method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20100188628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal photoalignment agent that includes a compound selected from the group consisting of a polyamic acid having a predetermined chemical formula, a polyimide polymer having a predetermined chemical formula, and a combination thereof, and a polyimide photopolymer. The liquid crystal photoalignment agent shows a long life-span, stably maintains a pretilt angle, and shows improved after-image characteristics, liquid crystal alignment properties, and chemical resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: CHEIL INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Tae-Hyoung Kwak, Dong-Seon Uh, Jae-Min Oh, Jae-Deuk Yang
  • Patent number: 7755732
    Abstract: A liquid crystal stabilizing layer may be disposed on a substrate, an opposite substrate, or both of a liquid crystal display panel. Additionally, a liquid crystal layer may be sealed between the opposing substrates. The liquid crystal stabilizing layer may have a number of protrusions. The height of the protrusions ranges from 10 to 200 nanometers and the width of the protrusions ranges from 150 to 600 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Chen Kuan Kao, Yu Ting Tsai
  • Patent number: 7736708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micropattern retardation element requiring no stretch processing and no extremely high positioning accuracy in cutting films, and the like, and having the retardation region controlled in width of a micron unit, and a producing method therefore. Said micropattern retardation element can be obtained by forming a liquid crystalline or non liquid crystalline polymer thin film layer having photoactive groups, on a substrate, and then, after orientation treatment in a micropattern form, forming a birefringence layer so as to contact with said polymer thin film layer, so that birefringence molecules of said birefringence layer are oriented according to orientation of photoactive groups in said thin film. Said retardation element is used in a three-dimensional display, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: National Institute Of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisaku Matsunaga, Masanori Hashimoto, Christian Ruslim, Takashi Tamaki, Kunihiro Ichimura
  • Publication number: 20100141881
    Abstract: A security document or device is provided which incorporates one or more optical components. Each component includes at least one orientating layer, preferably a photo-orientated polymer network (PPN), and at least one liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer, and either or both of the orientating layers and LCP layers include a cross-linker to improve the robustness of the document or device without detracting from the desired optical properties. Such a document or device can be authenticated using an external polariser, or using a polariser integral to the document or device itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Odisea Batistatos, Gary Fairless Power
  • Patent number: 7732219
    Abstract: A system for the detection of ligands comprising at least one receptor and an amplification mechanism coupled to the receptor wherein an amplified signal is produced as a result of receptor binding a ligand. Examples of suitable amplification mechanisms include antibody-embedded liquid crystalline materials; use of alpha-2-macroglobulin to encage an enzyme, whereby the enzyme is separated from its substrate by an receptor; and a receptor engineered to inhibit the active of site of an enzyme only in the absence of a ligand. Also provided are methods for the automatic detection of ligands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Christopher J. Woolverton, Gary D. Niehaus, Kathleen J. Doane, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Steven P. Schmidt, Steven A. Signs
  • Patent number: 7733451
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display, a method for manufacturing the same, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same are provided. A method includes forming a field-generating electrode on a panel, and forming an inorganic alignment layer on the substrate by using atmospheric pressure plasma. The process using the atmospheric pressure plasma to form the inorganic alignment layer is more simplified by omitting the etch steps of the short point area and the pad areas. Also, alignment layers may be formed on the mother glass with various shapes by using one apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon-Joon Rho, Duck-Jong Suh, Yong-Kuk Yun, Baek-Kyun Jeon
  • Publication number: 20100134738
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes: a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer; first and second electrodes arranged on one surface of first and second substrates to face the liquid crystal layer; and first and second alignment films arranged on the first and second electrodes, respectively, in contact with the liquid crystal layer. The first alignment film has been subjected to an optical alignment treatment by obliquely irradiating a first alignment film material, having a photosensitive wavelength within the wavelength range of 250 nm to 380 nm, with light including the photosensitive wavelength. The device further includes: a metal layer arranged between the first alignment film and the first substrate; and a first resin layer arranged between the metal layer and the first alignment film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Masumi Kubo, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100134739
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to suppress light leakage in a dark state which is generated by rubbing treatment. A liquid crystal material containing an ultraviolet curable liquid crystalline monomer at a concentration of more than 0 wt % and not more than 1.0 wt % is used for a liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. By applying such a liquid crystal layer to a liquid crystal display device, light leakage in a dark state can be suppressed, and the black display can be improved. Therefore, a liquid crystal display device with an excellent contrast and high display quality can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke KUBOTA, Takeshi NISHI, Tetsuji ISHITANI
  • Patent number: 7728934
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The method includes the steps stated below. At first, providing an LCD panel including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The liquid crystal layer includes several photo-sensitive monomers and several liquid crystal molecules. The LCD panel has at least a first pixel and a second pixel. Afterwards, correspondingly driving the first pixel and the second pixel by the first voltage and the second voltage. At last, applying a ultra-violet source onto the LCD panel to enable several photo-sensitive monomers to polymerize several alignment polymers on the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hao-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 7728933
    Abstract: A method for forming an alignment layer is disclosed, to prevent light leakage generated by a physical contact between a rubbing roll and a substrate, which includes preparing a substrate; coating an alignment material on the substrate, for initial alignment of liquid crystal; applying an electric field or a magnetic field to the alignment material, for determination of alignment direction in the alignment material; and curing the alignment material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Dong Kim, Hyun Sik Seo, Kwang Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 7728935
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal being held between the first substrate and the second substrate, a base layer having alternating linear grooves and linear protrusions on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and an alignment layer of an oxide film covering the base layer and having wedge-shaped tops over the linear protrusions of the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100128212
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an oriented film of a liquid crystal device holding a liquid crystal between a pair of substrates facing each other, comprising: a film formation chamber; an evaporation section having an evaporation source, evaporating an oriented film material on the substrate by a physical vapor deposition, and forming the oriented film in the film formation chamber; a shielding plate arranged between the evaporation section and the substrate, having an elongated opening for selectively evaporating the oriented film material, and covering an area of the substrate on which the oriented film is not formed; and a first regulating member arranged between the evaporation source and the shielding plate and at a position closer to the evaporation source than from the shielding plate, regulating a sublimating direction in which the oriented film material is sublimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo NAKATA, Takuya MIYAKAWA, Norio OKUYAMA
  • Patent number: 7719648
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a liquid crystal device having a pair of substrates facing each other, an oriented film formed on an facing surface of at least one substrate in the pair of the substrates, and a liquid crystal held between the pair of substrates, includes: a film formation chamber; an evaporating section having an evaporation source, evaporating an inorganic material on the substrate in the film formation chamber by a physical vapor deposition, and forming an oriented film and a base film arranged under the oriented film; a base film formation area forming the base film and located substantially above the evaporation source in the film formation chamber; and an oriented film formation area located obliquely above the evaporation source in the film formation chamber, forming the oriented film and having a shielding plate having an elongated opening for selectively evaporating an inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Nakata, Takeshi Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7714965
    Abstract: Methods for treating aligning substrates produces uniform alignment of liquid crystals in at least two modes. The method is based on the treatment of liquid crystal aligning substrates with a collimated or partially collimated plasma beam. In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of bombarding an aligning substrate with at least one plasma beam from a plasma beam source at a designated incident angle to align the atomic/molecular structure or the surface profile of the aligning substrate in at least one aligned direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Andriy Dobrovolskyy, Oleg Yaroshchuk, Oleg Lavrentovich
  • Patent number: 7705942
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and second substrate. The second substrate has an active region, a sealant surrounding the active region, and a spacer wall located between the active region and the sealant. Additionally, the spacer wall is used to prevent the liquid crystal layer from being contaminated by the sealant and to support the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Himax Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Bing-Jei Liao
  • Publication number: 20100091230
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes providing a panel including a first substrate having scan lines, data lines, an active device electrically connecting the scan and data lines, and a pixel electrode electrically connecting the active device, a second substrate having an opposite electrode, and a liquid crystal (LC) layer disposed between the first and the second substrates and having a monomer material. A first curing voltage and a second curing voltage are applied to the scan and data lines, respectively. The second curing voltage is thus transmitted to the pixel electrode. The first curing voltage is higher than an absolute value of the second curing voltage. The monomer material is polymerized to form a first polymer stabilized alignment (PSA) layer between the LC layer and the first substrate and a second PSA layer between the LC layer and the second substrate. The electrical field is then removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Kao Liu, Hsiang-Lin Lin, Ching-Huan Lin, Chih-Jen Hu
  • Publication number: 20100085524
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a liquid crystal display device capable of improving display qualities and yield, the liquid crystal display device having two or more domains in a pixel through an alignment treatment that has been provided for a substrate over several times; and a production method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20100073609
    Abstract: Provided are a polarizer having high in-plane uniformity and high heat resistance, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) using the polarizer and having the following characteristics: the LCD is excellent in mass productivity, has the contrast ratio being improved, and has high image quality. The LCD includes: a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent; a liquid crystal layer placed between the pair of substrates; an electrode group for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the electrode group being formed on at least one substrate of the pair of substrates; multiple active elements connected to the electrode group; and an alignment control film placed on at least one substrate of the pair of substrates, in which the molecules of a dichroism pigment aligned on at least one surface of the alignment control film and the dichroism pigment are cross-linked with a crosslinkable monomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Masaki Matsumori, Yasushi Tomioka
  • Patent number: 7683985
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and corresponding LCD device are disclosed. An ink-jet apparatus is provided with a solution containing a black matrix resin and ball spacers. The solution is then coated on a predetermined portion of a substrate by the ink-jet apparatus. This permits formation of both a black matrix layer and ball spacers at the same time, with the ball spacers provided in only a non-pixel area of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 7679704
    Abstract: An IPS (in-plane switching mode) liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof, in which post treatment lowering the pre-tilt angle is performed on a rubbed alignment layer on a substrate using a non-rubbing method such as UV or ion-beam irradiation, and by which a viewing angle characteristic is enhanced. The present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a gate line and a data line crossing with each other on the first substrate to define a pixel area, a thin film transistor at a crossing of the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode and a common electrode alternately arranged in the pixel area a predetermined interval from each other, an alignment layer over the pixel and common electrodes having a pre-tilt angle equal to or smaller than about 1°, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Sung Ham, Mi Sook Nam, Su Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7679703
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes: a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer; first and second electrodes arranged on one surface of first and second substrates to face the liquid crystal layer; and first and second alignment films arranged on the first and second electrodes, respectively, in contact with the liquid crystal layer. The first alignment film has been subjected to an optical alignment treatment by obliquely irradiating a first alignment film material, having a photosensitive wavelength within the wavelength range of 250 nm to 380 nm, with light including the photosensitive wavelength. The device further includes: a metal layer arranged between the first alignment film and the first substrate; and a first resin layer arranged between the metal layer and the first alignment film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Hashimoto, Masumi Kubo, Akihiro Yamamoto