US5585951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Active-matrix substrate
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1993-12-23
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Granted: 1996-12-17
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Expires: 2013-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An active-matrix substrate has a layered structure in which an upper region including a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix and a lower region including a plurality of thin film transistors for driving the individual pixel electrodes are overlapped on each other. A planarization layer is interposed between both of the substrates. An active-matrix liquid crystal display device includes a main substrate and a facing substrate which are disposed to face to each other at a specified interval. A liquid crystal layer having a specified thickness is held between both of the substrates. A device bus line area including a plurality of thin film transistor devices and bus lines is formed on the surface of the main substrate. A planarization layer is formed to embed the irregularities on the surface of the device bus line area. Pixel electrodes in a matrix are formed on the flat surface of the planarization layer. An interval dimension between the adjacent pixel electrodes is set to be larger than a thickness dimension B of the liquid crystal layer, so that the subsidiary lateral electric field is made smaller than the normal vertical electric field.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Noda
- 👤 Shinji Nakamua
- 👤 Hisao Hayashi
- 👤 Hisashi Kadota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/136227; G02F1/136209; G02F1/136222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An active-matrix substrate, comprising: an upper region having a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix: a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode and wherein the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie respective thin film transistors; a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the thin film transistors; and said planarization layer comprising a transparent resin film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An active-matrix substrate, comprising: an upper region having a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix: a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode and wherein the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie respective thin film transistors; a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the thin film transistors; and said planarization layer comprising a transparent resin film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An active-matrix substrate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a black mask formed at a boundary between adjacent pixel electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An active-matrix substrate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of color filters, each of which is associated with a corresponding pixel electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An active-matrix substrate as claimed in claim 3, wherein said color filters are formed only at a light transmissive region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An active-matrix substrate as claimed in claim 4, wherein said planarization layer is formed on the light transmissive region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
An active-matrix substrate, comprising: an upper region having a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix: a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode and wherein the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie respective thin film transistors; a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the thin film transistors; a black mask formed at a boundary between adjacent pixel electrodes; and said black mask comprising a bus line formed at the lower region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
An active-matrix substrate, comprising: an upper region having a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix: a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode and wherein the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie respective thin film transistors; a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the thin film transistors; a black mask formed at a boundary between adjacent pixel electrodes; and said black mask comprising a bus line formed at the lower region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
An active-matrix substrate, comprising: an upper region having a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix: a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode; a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region; a plurality of color filters, each of which is associated with a corresponding pixel electrode; and said color filters being comprised of the planarization layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
An active-matrix substrate, comprising: an upper region having a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix: a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode; a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region; a plurality of color filters, each of which is associated with a corresponding pixel electrode; and said color filters being comprised of the planarization layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device, comprising: first and second substrates arranged in parallel to each other; said first substrate comprising an upper region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a lower region which has a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with and underlies each pixel electrode, and a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the respective thin film transistors; a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates; and a distance between said adjacent pixel electrodes being larger than a thickness of the liquid crystal layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device, comprising: first and second substrates arranged in parallel to each other; said first substrate comprising an upper region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a lower region which has a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with and underlies each pixel electrode, and a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the respective thin film transistors; a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates; and a distance between said adjacent pixel electrodes being larger than a thickness of the liquid crystal layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a separating means for separating adjacent pixel electrodes from each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said separating means comprises a groove surrounding the pixel electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said pixel electrodes has a symmetrical shape so that a lateral electric field caused between adjacent pixel electrodes in a vertical direction of the matrix is homogenized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device comprising: first and second substrates arranged in parallel to each other; said first substrate comprising an upper region which has a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a lower region which has a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode, and a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region; a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates; a separating means for separating adjacent pixel electrodes from each other; said separating means comprising a groove surrounding the pixel electrode; and said groove being formed at the planarization layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
115 words
An active-matrix liquid crystal display device comprising: first and second substrates arranged in parallel to each other; said first substrate comprising an upper region which has a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a lower region which has a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode, and a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region; a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates; a separating means for separating adjacent pixel electrodes from each other; said separating means comprising a groove surrounding the pixel electrode; and said groove being formed at the planarization layer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of manufacturing an active-matrix substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first region which has a plurality of thin film transistors formed on a substrate; planarizing an uneven surface of the first region by applying a liquid transparent resin and then hardening the resin to form a planarization layer to provide a flat planar surface overlying the thin film transistors; and forming a second region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes on the flat planar surface of the planarization layer overlying the respective thin film transistors.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of manufacturing an active-matrix substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first region which has a plurality of thin film transistors formed on a substrate; planarizing an uneven surface of the first region by applying a liquid transparent resin and then hardening the resin to form a planarization layer to provide a flat planar surface overlying the thin film transistors; and forming a second region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes on the flat planar surface of the planarization layer overlying the respective thin film transistors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a contacting step for electrically contacting the pixel electrode with the corresponding thin film transistor through a contact hole.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of manufacturing an active-matrix substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first region which has a plurality of thin film transistors formed on a substrate; planarizing an uneven surface of the first region by a planarization layer to provide a flat planar surface overlying the thin film transistors; forming a second region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes on the flat planar surface of the planarization layer overlying the respective thin film transistors; in a contacting step, electrically contacting the pixel electrode with the corresponding thin film transistor through a contact hole; after applying a photolithography and etching the planarization layer comprised of a photosensitive resin to form the contact hole.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of manufacturing an active-matrix substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first region which has a plurality of thin film transistors formed on a substrate; planarizing an uneven surface of the first region by a planarization layer to provide a flat planar surface overlying the thin film transistors; forming a second region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes on the flat planar surface of the planarization layer overlying the respective thin film transistors; in a contacting step, electrically contacting the pixel electrode with the corresponding thin film transistor through a contact hole; after applying a photolithography and etching the planarization layer comprised of a photosensitive resin to form the contact hole.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-17 | 2000-06-17 | 2000-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-17 | 2004-06-17 | 2004-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-17 | 2008-06-17 | 2008-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |