Sharp 2007 Annual Report Download - page 29

Sharp Annual Report 2007 27
molecular layer level thinness. The technology has been applied to
the gate-insulating layer for an organic thin-film transistor
currently in the prototyping
stage. Controlling the thickness
of the insulating layer at
the molecular level to realize
an optimum arrangement
contributes to lower drive
voltage. Sharp aims to continue
developing this technology and
apply it to diverse fields.
IrSSTM*
Sharp has developed IrSSTM infrared wireless technology for speedy
image transmission, incorporating it into such products as mobile
phones, LCD TVs and digital HDTV recorders. The technology enables
a high-resolution photo to be
transferred from a mobile
phone to the high-definition
screen of a LCD TV in around a
second. Plans are in place to
infuse the technology into
products for the overseas
market as well.
*IrSSTM is a trademark of Infrared Data
Association®
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STRATEGY
Sharp views its intellectual property strategy as one of its key
management measures, promoting it in a coherent manner with
business and R&D strategies. In order to secure a competitive edge
with one-of-a-kind products and one-of-a-kind devices for stronger
business foundations, Sharp is aggressively promoting patent right
obtainment, while keeping certain technologies as “black-box.”
Sharp has clearly delineated the fields that are central to its
business and has assigned engineers well-versed in patent matters
to each of these core business areas to conduct strategic patent
development close to the frontline. As of March 31, 2007, Sharp had
approximately 16,500 patents in Japan and 21,000 overseas.
Sharp utilizes these patents to strengthen its strategic businesses.
In addition, to make further effective use of patents, a proactive
patent strategy is pursued. The products of other companies are
scrutinized and if an infringement is discovered, an appropriate
warning is issued. In certain cases, more aggressive action is
adopted, including filing lawsuits. Sharp is also promoting
obtainment of design and trademark registrations based on its
brand strategy and aiming to increase the number of applications
and registrations globally.
Organic thin-film transistor
Transferring an image from mobile
phone to LCD TV at high speed
Sharp’s LC font-generating technology, which
enhances the quality of the lettering
on LCDs, gained the “21st Century
Encouragement of Invention Prize” and the
“21st Century Contribution to Invention Prize”
at the 2007 National Commendation for
Invention held by the Japan Institute of
Invention and Innovation. LC font is currently
employed on the display of wide-ranged
products such as mobile phones and LCD TVs.
03
162
175
189
185
04 05 06 07
152
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
100%
80%
60%
40%
0% 0%
20%
7.6%
7.2% 6.9% 6.6% 6.1%
65.4%
74.6%
86.0% 88.4%
98.3%
R&D expenditure / Net sales
Operating income / R&D expenditure
R&D EXPENDITURE
Sharp Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Years ended March 31 (billions of yen)
Conventional
dot font
Color display with sub-pixel structure
- Smooth expression of diagonal and
curved lines
- Variable line thickness
(LC font)
Thin
Thick
R&D expenditure / Net sales
Operating income / R&D expenditure