US5963278A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical device and method for driving the same
Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-07-31
•
Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A novel structure of an active electro-optical device is disclosed. The device is provided with complementary thin film insulated gate field effect transistors (TFTs) therein which comprise a P-TFT and an N-TFT, P-TFT and N-TFT are connected to a common signal line by the gate electrodes thereof, while the source (or drain) electrodes thereof are connected to a common signal line as well as to one of the picture element electrodes. In case of driving the active electro-optical device, a gradation display can be carried out in a driving method having a display timing determined in relation to a time F for writing one screen and a time (t) for writing in one picture element, by applying a reference signal in a cycle of the time (t), to the signal line used for a certain picture element driving selection, and by applying the select signal to the other signal line at a certain timing within the time (t), and whereby setting the value of the voltage to be applied to a liquid crystal.
Inventors
- 👤 Shunpei Yamazaki
- 👤 Akira Mase
- 👤 Masaaki Hiroki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2011; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/136227; G02F1/1368; G09G3/34; G09G3/36; G09G3/3611; G09G3/3648; G09G3/3674; G09G3/3677; G09G3/3685; G09G3/3688; G02F1/13624; G02F1/136245; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/08; G09G2300/0809; G09G2300/0823; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0264; G09G2310/027; G09G2310/06; G09G2310/066; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming a plurality of openings in the leveling layer over the respective thin film transistors; and forming a plurality of pixel electrodes over the leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrodes being electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors through the corresponding openings, wherein an inside wall of at least some of said openings is tapered.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming a plurality of openings in the leveling layer over the respective thin film transistors; and forming a plurality of pixel electrodes over the leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrodes being electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors through the corresponding openings, wherein an inside wall of at least some of said openings is tapered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein each of said pixel electrodes comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein each of said transistors comprises at least a gate electrode, and each of said transistor is the top gate type that said gate electrode is provided over said channel region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor, said thin film transistor having a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistor; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said thin film transistor to provide a leveled upper surface; forming an opening in said leveling layer over said thin film transistor; and forming a pixel electrode over the leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said thin film transistor through said opening, wherein a diameter of said opening is larger at an uppermost surface of said organic resin layer than at a lowermost surface thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor, said thin film transistor having a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistor; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said thin film transistor to provide a leveled upper surface; forming an opening in said leveling layer over said thin film transistor; and forming a pixel electrode over the leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said thin film transistor through said opening, wherein a diameter of said opening is larger at an uppermost surface of said organic resin layer than at a lowermost surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said pixel electrode comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said wiring is connected to one of said source and drain regions of the transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors on an insulating surface, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming a plurality of openings in the leveling layer over the respective thin film transistors; forming a plurality of pixel electrodes over the leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrodes being electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors through the corresponding openings, wherein the respective diameters of at least some of said openings is are larger at an uppermost surface of the leveling layer than at a lowermost surface thereof.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors on an insulating surface, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming a plurality of openings in the leveling layer over the respective thin film transistors; forming a plurality of pixel electrodes over the leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrodes being electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors through the corresponding openings, wherein the respective diameters of at least some of said openings is are larger at an uppermost surface of the leveling layer than at a lowermost surface thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein each of said pixel electrodes comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on an insulating surface, said thin film transistor having a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming an opening in said leveling layer over said thin film transistor; forming a pixel electrode over said leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said thin film transistor through said opening, wherein said opening has a tapered configuration.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on an insulating surface, said thin film transistor having a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming an opening in said leveling layer over said thin film transistor; forming a pixel electrode over said leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said thin film transistor through said opening, wherein said opening has a tapered configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said each of pixel electrodes comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors on an insulating surface, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming first openings in the interlayer insulating film on the respective transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin on said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming second openings in said leveling layer over the respective transistors; and forming pixel electrodes on the leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrode being connected to the corresponding transistors through the corresponding first and second openings, wherein an inside wall of each of said second openings is tapered.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors on an insulating surface, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming first openings in the interlayer insulating film on the respective transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin on said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming second openings in said leveling layer over the respective transistors; and forming pixel electrodes on the leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrode being connected to the corresponding transistors through the corresponding first and second openings, wherein an inside wall of each of said second openings is tapered.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein each of said pixel electrodes comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said inorganic material is silicon oxide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on an insulating surface, said transistor having a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material above the thin film transistor; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said transistor to provide a leveled upper surface, wherein said interlayer insulating film prevents said leveling film from directly contacting said semiconductor film; forming an opening in said leveling layer; and forming a pixel electrode on said leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said transistor through said opening, wherein a diameter of said opening is larger at an uppermost surface of said organic resin layer than at a lowermost surface thereof.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on an insulating surface, said transistor having a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material above the thin film transistor; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said transistor to provide a leveled upper surface, wherein said interlayer insulating film prevents said leveling film from directly contacting said semiconductor film; forming an opening in said leveling layer; and forming a pixel electrode on said leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said transistor through said opening, wherein a diameter of said opening is larger at an uppermost surface of said organic resin layer than at a lowermost surface thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said pixel electrode comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said inorganic material is silicon oxide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors on an insulating surface, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming a plurality of openings in said leveling layer over the respective thin film transistors; and forming a plurality of pixel electrodes over said leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrodes being electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors through the corresponding openings, wherein an inside wall of at least some of said openings is tapered, and wherein said organic resin is translucent.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of thin film transistors on an insulating surface, each of said thin film transistors having at least a semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistors; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over said interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming a plurality of openings in said leveling layer over the respective thin film transistors; and forming a plurality of pixel electrodes over said leveled upper surface, each of said pixel electrodes being electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors through the corresponding openings, wherein an inside wall of at least some of said openings is tapered, and wherein said organic resin is translucent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein said pixel electrode comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on an insulating surface, said thin film transistor having semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistor; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over the interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming an opening in the leveling layer over said thin film transistor; and forming a pixel electrode over the leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said thin film transistor through said opening, wherein a diameter of said opening is larger at an uppermost surface of said organic resin layer than at a lowermost surface thereof, and wherein said organic resin is translucent.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for forming an electro-optical device comprising the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on an insulating surface, said thin film transistor having semiconductor film to form a channel region; forming an interlayer insulating film comprising an inorganic material on the thin film transistor; forming a leveling layer comprising an organic resin over the interlayer insulating film to provide a leveled upper surface; forming an opening in the leveling layer over said thin film transistor; and forming a pixel electrode over the leveled upper surface, said pixel electrode being electrically connected to said thin film transistor through said opening, wherein a diameter of said opening is larger at an uppermost surface of said organic resin layer than at a lowermost surface thereof, and wherein said organic resin is translucent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein said organic resin comprises polyimide.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein said pixel electrode comprises a conductive transparent material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein said transistor further comprises at least a gate electrode, and said transistor being the top gate type that said gate electrode is provided over said channel region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein said electro-optical device is one selected from the group consisting of a front type projection television and a rear type projection television.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, 6, 11, 15, 19, 24, 29, or 33 including the step of utilizing the electro-optical device in a projector.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, 6, 11, 15, 19, 24, 29, or 33 including the step of utilizing the electro-optical device in a television display.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, 6, 11, 15, 19, 24, 29, or 33 including the step of utilizing the electro-optical device in a digital driving method.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4036553A
Cited
JPS4977537A
Cited
US4103297A
Cited
JPS53144297A
Cited
US4455737A
Cited
JPS5532026A
Cited
US4239346A
Cited
US4427979A
Cited
JPH02210330A
Cited
US4646426A
Cited
US4468855A
Cited
JPS5832466A
Cited
JPS58115864A
Cited
JPS58124273A
Cited
US4680580A
Cited
JPS58158967A
Cited
US4557036A
Cited
US4559535A
Cited
JPS59214262A
Cited
US4746628A
Cited
US4769338A
Cited
US4818077A
Cited
JPS61141174A
Cited
JPS6214472A
Cited
JPS62124769A
Cited
JPS62126677A
Cited
US4841294A
Cited
US5113181A
Cited
US4984033A
Cited
JPS6382177A
Cited
JPS6396636A
Cited
JPS63100777A
Cited
JPS63136673A
Cited
US4900695A
Cited
JPS63200572A
Cited
US4908710A
Cited
EP0298255A1
Cited
US5157386A
Cited
US5017914A
Cited
US5012228A
Cited
US4938565A
Cited
US5327001A
Cited
JPS6468724A
Cited
US5055899A
Cited
US5003356A
Cited
JPS6476036A
Cited
US5264839A
Cited
JPH01130131A
Cited
JPH01156725A
Cited
EP0321073A2
Cited
JPH01165172A
Cited
US4868137A
Cited
US4949141A
Cited
US5250931A
Cited
US4905066A
Cited
JPH01321073A
Cited
US5097311A
Cited
JPH0251129A
Cited
JPH0285826A
Cited
US5084905A
Cited
US5159476A
Cited
JPH02188723A
Cited
US5051570A
Cited
JPH02234134A
Cited
JPH02277244A
Cited
JPH0334434A
Cited
US5132821A
Cited
US5144392A
Cited
US5182620A
Cited
US5056895A
Cited
US5251071A
Cited
US5495353A
Cited
US5612799A
Cited
US5200846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |