Abstract: An angularity enhancement layer in a liquid crystal display, which display comprises a liquid crystal cell, wherein the angularity enhancement layer includes a negative birefringent polyimide layer comprising a plurality of structural units having pendant fluorene groups, said angularity enhancement layer being disposed on at least one surface of said liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal display can comprise an angularity enhancement construction of the invention which comprises a polyimide layer.

Abstract: An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a plurality of thin film transistors formed on the substrate, each thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a first gate insulation layer, a second gate insulation layer, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines disposed orthogonal to the plurality of gate lines, a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed at pixel regions defined by intersections of the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines, each pixel electrode electrically contacting each drain electrode of the plurality of thin film transistors, and a plurality of storage capacitors each including a portion of each gate line as a first capacitor electrode, the first gate insulation layer as a dielectric layer, and a capacitor electrode electrically communicating with each pixel electrode and functioning as a second capacitor electrode with a portion of each pixel e

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal composition that is phase-changeable to a cholesteric liquid crystal phase when subjected to rapid heating or to a non-cholesteric liquid crystal phase when subjected to continuous heating, and a reversible thermal recording medium including a recording layer 3 containing the liquid crystal composition provided on a substrate 2. The recording medium assumes a state that causes selective reflection of light having a desired wavelength when subjected to rapid heating and subsequent rapid cooling, or a transparent state or a scattering white-colored state when subjected to continuous heating, whereby information is recorded.

Abstract: A polarization-sensitive beam splitter comprising at least one transparent wedge-shaped element of a birefringent material is made by providing each one of two substrate plates with an orientation layer, whereafter the substrate plates are arranged with their orientation layers facing each other while forming a wedge-shaped interspace. The interspace is filled with a liquid crystalline monomer composition, which is subsequently cured while forming a wedge-shaped element of a uniaxially oriented polymer material. After possible removal of the substrate plates, two or three of such wedge-shaped elements can be joined to a Wollaston prism for use in the pick-up element of a magneto-optical recording system.

Abstract: An LCD-pixel-matrix element is disclosed, along with a display screen capable of graphics having a plurality of such LCD-pixel-matrix elements, and a procedure for brightness control of such an LCD-pixel matrix element for such a display screen.

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal display panel having a testing terminal for prober check and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display in which a structure of a signal line drive circuit can be simplified is provided.

Abstract: Compositions for use in the manufacture of 3-D objects including compositions for use as a support and/or release material in the manufacture of said 3-D objects are provided. A composition for use in the manufacture of 3-D objects by a method of selective dispensing. The composition comprises at least one reactive component, at least one photo-initiator, a surface-active agent and a stabilizer.

Abstract: There is provided a small and lightweight Fabry-Perot type optical tuner. By changing the distance between the reflector plates 3A and 3B with an applied voltage across said reflector plates 3A and 3B, wherein said reflector plates 3A, 3B are supported with coil springs 8A, 8B, and at the same time by changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal material 9, i.e. by utilizing both changes of distance d and refractive index n, an optical tuning can be obtained over a wide range of optical wavelength.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display of the present invention is a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display having a glass substrate provided thereon with a matrix of thin film transistors, each having a semiconductor film pattern formed by photo-etching a high-resistance semiconductor film and a low-resistance semiconductor film, and a third metal film serving as a source metal film layer layered on the semiconductor film pattern, in which the semiconductor film pattern is formed on the glass substrate first, and thence the third metal film is layered on the glass substrate. Consequently, a liquid crystal display can be manufactured with a fewer number of manufacturing steps while at the same time the manufacturing costs can be saved by preventing a decrease in the yield caused by film separation.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a ferroelectric liquid crystal device, the following steps are applied in order to effect spacing apart of two substrates and by spacers. The spacers are applied to a surface of a transfer member, and the transfer member is then pressed onto a receiving surface of one of the substrates. The transfer member is then removed so as to transfer the spacers from the transfer member to the receiving surface at the required positions. Finally the other substrate is pressed onto the spacers on the receiving surface so as to form an assembly of the two substrates spaced apart by the spacers. Such a sequence of steps enables the spacers to be placed in the required positions in a particularly straightforward manner, whilst minimising the number of fabrication steps used in the process.

Abstract: An active matrix circuit having a simplified circuit configuration is disclosed. The active matrix circuit includes selection lines extending along rows, signal lines extending along columns, active devices disposed at respective locations where the selection lines and the signal lines cross each other, a vertical scanning circuit for outputting selection pulses to sequentially scan the selection lines thereby selecting active devices, and a horizontal scanning circuit for outputting control pulses to open or close the respective signal lines thereby inputting or outputting a signal to selected active devices.

Abstract: A method for growing of oriented whisker arrays on a single-crystalline substrate consists in vapor-phase transport of the material to be crystallized form a solid-state source body of the same composition as the whiskers to the substrate coated with liquid-phase particles that serve as nucleation/catalyzing centers for the whisker growth. The source body has a plane surface that is faced to the substrate and parallel to it so that a vectorly-uniform temperature field, whose gradient is perpendicular to both the substrate and the source, is created. The vectorly-uniform temperature field is realized by an apparatus with high-frequency heating of specially designed bodies that are arranged in a special position in respect to the high-frequency inductor. Laser and/or lamp heat sources can be also used either separately or in combinations with the high-frequency heater. In the apparatus, the material source is heated, while the substrate takes heat from the material source.

Abstract: A diagnostic card device for use in detecting or quantitating an analyte present in a liquid sample, comprising a card substrate having a sample introduction region, a biosensor, and a sample-flow pathway communicating between the sample-introduction region and the biosensor, circuitry for generating an analyte-dependent electrical signal from the biosensor; and a signal-responsive element for recording such signal. In one embodiment, the biosensor includes a detection surface with surface-bound molecules of a first charged, coil-forming peptide capable of interacting with a second, oppositely charged coil-forming peptide to form a stable &agr;-helical coiled-coil heterodimer, where the binding of the second peptide to the first peptide, to form such heterodimer, is effective to measurably alter a signal generated by the biosensor. The sample-flow pathway contains diffusibly bound conjugate of the second coil-forming peptide and the analyte (or an analyte analog) and immobilized analyte-binding agent.

Abstract: A light pipe has an upper surface, a lower surface, side surfaces between the upper and lower surfaces, and light output means. At lease two of the side surfaces constitute incidence side surfaces each extending in left-right and front-rear directions of the light pipe. The light output means is formed in one of the upper and lower surfaces so that incident light to the one of the upper and lower surfaces from each of the incidence side surfaces is made to go out from the other one of the upper and lower surfaces by the light output means. The light output means comprises a repetitive structure of prismatic structures having ridgelines extending along each of the incidence side surfaces respectively.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display module packing apparatus having a rectangular lower plate, first and second side walls that extend from sides of the lower plate, and an upper plate that extends from an upper edge of the first side wall. To provide structural support, a plurality of auxiliary side walls extend from the ends and the middle of the first and second side walls. A plurality of fixing jaws are located on inner surfaces of the packing apparatus. Those fixing jaws receive and retain liquid crystal display modules. A plurality of grooves are located at side edges of the upper plate, and at upper edges of the first and second side walls. The liquid crystal display module packing apparatus can be unfolded into a flat structure.

Abstract: A device main body is formed portable, which includes (i) an information writing/erasing section which erases information recorded in a liquid crystal paper and returns the liquid crystal paper into an initialized state in which information recording is possible, and records information previously stored in the device main body into the initialized liquid crystal paper as required, and (ii) a sheet holding section which holds the liquid crystal paper in such a manner that the liquid crystal paper can be transported to an information erasure position and an information recording position in the information writing/erasing section and that the liquid crystal paper is curved at portions thereof other than those at which information recording and erasing is carried out. With this, it is possible to provide an information recording device with improved operability, such as improved portability and capability of easily reading out information at any place.

Abstract: In a first aspect this invention provides a security article comprising an electrically actuated optical switch comprised of a liquid crystal material. In one embodiment the liquid crystal material is disposed in a layer of polymer dispersed liquid crystal material. In a second embodiment the liquid crystal material is micro-encapsulated with an orientable dye. In a second aspect this invention provides a document or currency that comprises a paper matrix that includes at least one security article, i.e. a security thread. In a third aspect this invention provides a device for verifying an authenticity of a document or currency of a type that includes at least one security article, i.e. at least one security thread. The at least one security thread includes the liquid crystal material having a visual characteristic that is switched between two states as a function of a presence or absence of an electric field between first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display (LCD) with black matrixes of low reflectivity capable of reducing the reflection of back light. The black matrix of the disclosed LCD includes a photoshield layer formed on the back surface of a front substrate, and at least one internal photo-interference layer formed over the photoshield layer. The internal photo-interference layer has a refraction index different from that of the photoshield layer. The internal photo-interference layer has a double-layer structure consisting of a chromium nitride layer and a chromium oxide layer.

Abstract: A videocassette has a display portion for displaying recorded contents. The display portion is formed with a display device. The display device has a conductive layer, a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) film, and a protective layer. The display device can repeatedly record and erase visible information.

Abstract: An imaging optical system is disclosed. The system comprises a liquid crystal lens including a first body consisting of a substantially transparent birefringent liquid crystal member, a second body consisting of a substantially transparent birefringent liquid crystal member, and two pairs of electrodes for adding an electric field or a magnetic field onto the first body and the second body. A rear face of the first body is aligned perpendicular to a front face of the second body, the first body and the second body have substantially symmetrical shape against a plane perpendicular to an optical axis and plurality of optical elements are arranged front and after the liquid crystal lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting light of the present invention comprises: (a) at least one pair of transference electrodes arranged facing one another; (b) a drive circuit which applies a voltage among the transference electrodes; and (c) a liquid crystal which is inserted among the transference electrodes, and whose parallel stripes that function as a diffraction grating when the voltage is applied among the transference electrodes are produced at a pitch corresponding to the applied voltage. The light can be scanned if a diffracted light by the apparatus for deflecting light is converted into a scanning light and a voltage value is changed temporally to apply the voltage among the transference electrodes. In a device for reading information, the scanning light is reflected in a bar code and the reflected light is detected by an apparatus for detecting light.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter comprises optical waveguides separated by a space filled with liquid crystal material which is oriented by an alignment layer or grating to form a Fabry Perot resonant cavity, where the resonant condition is set up by a reflective coating or grating in the optical waveguide, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal may be altered by the application of a voltage across the cavity by means of electrodes. The filter or an array of filters may be constructed using optical fibers between a substrate and a superstrate, preferably with the fibres being located by means of grooves formed in the substrate and superstrate, with individual electrodes in the space between aligned fibres enabling independent tuning of each filter, typically for use in wavelength division multiplexing communication systems. The liquid crystal molecules may be aligned parallel or perpendicular to the length of the fibres.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a liquid crystal device is constituted by a light-transmissive substrate, a plurality of metal electrodes disposed on the light-transmissive substrate with a spacing therebetween, an insulating layer disposed at the spacing, and a plurality of transparent electrodes disposed on the insulating layer and each electrically connected with an associated metal electrode at a first end portion thereof. The first end portion of the transparent electrode is located closer to the light-transmissive substrate than an adjacent end portion of an adjacent transparent electrode. The electrode plate is effective in providing a liquid crystal device with a wider optical modulation region while improving image qualities.

Abstract: A cell 4 obtained by putting together a pair of substrates 1 and 2 with a sealant interposed is laid on a laying stage inside a housing unit 30 which is roughly of a shape of frame of a box, pressurized by a pressure plate 43 by applying compressed air pressure to an elastic plate 41 from the opposite side while the cell 4 is being held, and as they are being pressurized, evacuation is performed through an opening of the sealant 3, and the whole housing unit is gradually heated inside a thermostatic chamber while maintaining this condition, thereby curing the sealant without causing any deformation of substrates, distortion or peeling of the sealant, or change in the preset gap or miss-alignment between the substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing interferometer multiplex spectrometer using a zero-order switch, a multi-order switch and an output polarizer to multiplex the recovery of an entire input spectrum. The zero-order switch and multi-order switch require input light of a fixed polarization; thus the present invention provides a preferred embodiment that uses a zero-order switch and a multi-order switch positioned between an input polarizer and an output polarizer. For a sequence of time delays incremented by the multi-order and zero-order switches, the total transmitted power at all wavelengths is measured. From these, the coefficients of a Fourier series representation of the input spectrum are obtained, and the entire spectrum is mathematically reconstructed. Although the structure is similar to a tunable interference filter, the PIMS does not function as a filter, and more particularly, does not scan the transmission wavelength and measure power as a function of wavelength.

Abstract: A composition for a polyimide type liquid crystal aligning film characterized in that a diamino compound constituting polyimide contains one, two or more diamine selected from 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, 2,2'-dimethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane and 4,4'-ethylene di-meta-toluidine.

Abstract: An optical alignment composition including a first polymer selected from a cinnamate-series polymer and a coumarin-series polymer, and a second polymer selected from polyimide having a long-chain alkyl group at its side chains and polyimide having an alkyl group at its both ends, an alignment layer formed using the same, and a liquid crystal display having the alignment layer are provided. According to the present invention, the thermal stability of the alignment layer and pretilt angle characteristic of the liquid crystal are improved.

Abstract: A smart card includes a transparent circuit board on which an integrated circuit, function switches, a power source, and other parts are mounted, an upper substrate facing the circuit board, upper and lower electrodes respectively located on facing surfaces of upper substrate and the circuit board, orthogonal to each other, orientation films coating the upper and lower electrodes, and a liquid crystal material located and sealed between the upper and lower electrodes.

Abstract: An electronic price label which produces a wider vertical viewing angle than previous electronic price labels for improved reading of prices at different shelf heights. The electronic price label includes a liquid crystal display for displaying character information, including price information, along a substantially horizontal direction. The liquid crystal display includes a number of polarizers which produce a maximum vertical viewing angle and a maximum horizontal viewing angle, wherein the maximum vertical viewing angle is greater than the maximum horizontal viewing angle.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a display area, a light source joined with the liquid crystal panel, a first frame coupled to a surface of the light unit and sides of the liquid crystal panel, a second frame coupled to edges of the liquid crystal panel and sides of the first support frame, an outer casing, and a fastening part joining together the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing through the sides of the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a display area, a light source joined with the liquid crystal panel, a first frame coupled to a surface of the light unit and sides of the liquid crystal panel, a second frame coupled to edges of the liquid crystal panel and sides of the first support frame, an outer casing, and a fastening part joining together the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing through the sides of the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer dispersion liquid crystal recording medium containing liquid crystals dispersed and fixed in resin, as well as to a method and an apparatus for reproducing information. In particular, when a medium as shown in FIG. 6 is used, the information recorded on the liquid crystal layer can be read with sufficient contrast by making the photoconductive layer (13) transparent to blue or ultraviolet light, and by making the wavelength of the reading light match the wavelength of the blue or ultraviolet light. When image reading is performed as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, a white light source is used as light source (4), and a filter (5) is placed between light source (4) and the liquid crystal medium (20); thus, only blue or ultraviolet light enters the liquid crystal medium. After passing through the liquid crystal medium (20), the light is converted to an electric signal by a photoelectric converter (6).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a display area, a light source joined with the liquid crystal panel, a first frame coupled to a surface of the light unit and sides of the liquid crystal panel, a second frame coupled to edges of the liquid crystal panel and sides of the first support frame, an outer casing, and a fastening part joining together the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing through the sides of the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating ordered anisotropic organic monolayers are described. An apparatus includes a substrate including a surface; and an ordered organic monolayer chemically bonded to the surface, the ordered organic monolayer including a plurality of cyclic organic molecules, each of the plurality of cyclic organic molecules being obtained from an unsaturated cyclic organic reactant that is chemically bonded to the surface through an addition reaction. The systems and methods provide advantages in that translational and rotational order from the substrate is extended into the monolayer.

Abstract: A large flat panel display having a plurality of tile display modules with capability in the range of 12 or more lines per inch, being precisely manufactured and aligned such that the interpixel spacing between two adjacent tiles maintains the uniformly periodic spacing of the interpixel spacing within tiles. The display is addressed as a single monolithic display, without reference to the plurality of individual tiles making up the display. All of the interconnections between tiles are located between tiles in the "shadow area", unless all tiles can have an edge around the periphery of the display. Also disclosed are methods of making and assembling the tiles and the displays.

Abstract: The adsorption of cationic dyes on nanosize negatively charged silica particles to form colored pigments is disclosed. The dyes are chemisorbed and their uptake is controlled by the strong chemical reaction between the negative surface of the adsorbent silica particles preferably with sodium counter ions and the positive charge of the dyes. The prepared pigments are useful in the formation of color films and their optical properties are described. Photoresists using nanosized pigments are also disclosed herein which are useful in making color filters for liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A reading lamp system for passengers especially in an aircraft is equipped with at least one central light source preferably including a cool light lamp, the light of which is supplied through light guides such as fiber optical conductors, to individual reading lamps having a housing to which the respective light guide is connected. A liquid crystal film is positioned in the lamp housing between the light exit of the respective light guide and a lens that provides a light output from the reading lamp housing. The liquid crystal film is controllable in its light transparency by a passenger through a switch, whereby the passenger can make the liquid crystal film opaque to switch off the reading lamp or transparent to switch on the lamp. A dimmer may also be arranged to provide intermediate light level illuminations.

Abstract: Keys or buttons for operating switches contain flat panel displays for displaying changeable images that convey information pertaining to operation of the switches. Labels at the face of the keys can change instantly and automatically when the functions of the switches change during different modes of operation of an electronic system. The display including driver integrated circuit chips is contained within a transparent key cap and has a bezel free construction enabling display of images that may extend to the edges of the face of the display. The invention provides for durable moisture sealing at the edges of a display which contains very thin internal edge seals and, in one form, provides similar sealing at a passage through the active image area of the display through which a switch button or other control may extend. A single set of such keys may be used to control diverse different types of electronic devices.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed wherein an arcuate mirror is used to redirect light in a compact optical printing system in which a cylindrical lens is used to converge light over a predetermined distance so that light transmission through air is enabled.

Abstract: A process for inducing pre-tilt in alignment of a liquid crystal medium comprising exposing at least one optical alignment layer, comprising anisotropically absorbing molecules and hydrophobic moieties, to polarized light; the polarized light having a wavelength within the absorption band of said anisotropically absorbing molecules; wherein the exposed anisotropically absorbing molecules induce alignment of the liquid crystal medium at an angle + and -.theta. with respect to the direction of the polarization of the incident light beam and along the surface of the optical alignment layer, and induce a pre-tilt at an angle .PHI. with respect to the surface of the optical alignment layer and applying a liquid crystal medium to said optical alignment layer, is described. The invention also is directed to liquid crystal display elements made by the process of the invention and to novel polyimide compositions that are useful as optical alignment layers in the invention.

Abstract: A process for inducing pre-tilt in alignment of a liquid crystal medium comprising exposing at least one optical alignment layer, comprising anisotropically absorbing molecules and hydrophobic moieties, to polarized light; the polarized light having a wavelength within the absorption band of said anisotropically absorbing molecules; wherein the exposed anisotropically absorbing molecules induce alignment of the liquid crystal medium at an angle + and -.theta. with respect to the direction of the polarization of the incident light beam and along the surface of the optical alignment layer, and induce a pre-tilt at an angle .PHI. with respect to the surface of the optical alignment layer and applying a liquid crystal medium to said optical alignment layer, is described. The invention also is directed to liquid crystal display elements made by the process of the invention and to novel polyimide compositions that are useful as optical alignment layers in the invention.

Abstract: A liquid crystal orienting method orients a liquid crystal of a liquid crystal display medium (1) having a base (2), a conductive layer (3) formed on the base (2), and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film (PDLC film) (4) formed of a material prepared by dispersing the liquid crystal in a polymer. A charger (71) is disposed opposite to the surface of the liquid crystal display medium (1) on the side of the PDLC film (4) so as not to come into contact with the liquid crystal display medium (1), and a grounded electrode (72) is disposed near the charger (71) so as to come into contact with the liquid crystal display medium (1). A potential difference is created through the conductive layer (3) between a portion of the liquid crystal display medium (1) charged by the charger (71) and a portion of the same in contact with the electrode (72) by electrostatic induction. Consequently, a vertical electric field is applied to the PDLC film (4) to orient the liquid crystal of the PDLC film (4).

Abstract: A lap top computer system is provided having a light emitting device for illuminating a keyboard, and the surrounding work area. The apparatus operates to convey light from the liquid crystal display backlighting light source to the keyboard and work area utilizing light pipes. The light pipes transmit light from the backlighting system light source to lenses located on a surface of the computer body. The lenses are provided with adjustable doors covering the light source for varying the level of illumination.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting light of the present invention comprises: (a) at least one pair of transference electrodes arranged facing one another; (b) a drive circuit which applies a voltage among the transference electrodes; and (c) a liquid crystal which is inserted among the transference electrodes, and whose parallel stripes that function as a diffraction grating when the voltage is applied among the transference electrodes are produced at a pitch corresponding to the applied voltage. The light can be scanned if a diffracted light by the apparatus for deflecting light is converted into a scanning light and a voltage value is changed temporally to apply the voltage among the transference electrodes. In a device for reading information, the scanning light is reflected in a bar code and the reflected light is detected by an apparatus for detecting light.

Abstract: A photographic printer has a lamp which projects light through a cut-off filter, a filter unit, and a diffusion plate. The light travels further through a film negative, an objective lens, and to a polarizing beam splitter. The beam splitter provides the light to a spatial light modulator and to an exposing/enlarging lens. The spatial light modulator includes a light modulating layer of a homeotropically oriented nematic liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy. Layers of transparent electrodes in the spatial light modulator are provided with a predetermined voltage of a predetermined frequency. A write CRT, controlled by a controller and control unit, provides light to the spatial light modulator so that the light from the beam splitter can be modulated with an appropriate correction. The modulated light and the light from the beam splitter are made incident on a photographic color paper. The photographic printer has improved compensation for blur caused by dust on the optical path.

Abstract: An arrangement for enhancing the observability of a multicolored liquid crystal display in a computer of the notebook type using an arrangement in which the top lid of the laptop is mechanically separated into a diffuser/reflective surface and the LCD in its frame, the diffusing/reflecting lid is attached through a slider and linkage arrangement permitting the diffuser/reflector to act as a flat field illuminator and to move in a plane, apart from, yet forming a dihedral angle with the plane of the LCD. The lid so positioned can opportunistically reflect ambient light through the plane of the LCD. Also, by causing the lid to project over the plane of the LCD, it secures a contrast-maintaining shadow otherwise bleached by light incident to the LCD viewing surface.

Abstract: A lighting system has a light source (2), a liquid crystal dimmer plate (4) for scattering a desired quantity of light from the light source (2), and a control power supply (5) for controlling a light scattering rate or effect of the liquid crystal dimmer plate (4). A light component transmitted through the liquid crystal dimmer plate (4) can be controlled by controlling the scattering effect of the dimmer plate (4). The so controlled light can be used as an illuminating light for a camera for example.

Abstract: A volumetric multi-layer screen including a plurality of electrically switchable layers that are stacked and coextensive, each of the plurality of electrically switchable layers including: a first transparent dielectric substrate having a first side and a second side; a first transparent electrode coated on the first side of the first transparent substrate; and an electrically switchable polymer dispersed liquid-crystal film coated on the first transparent electrode.

Abstract: An optical protection apparatus for preventing the degradation by bright ht of the performance of night vision devices which includes a first lens for focusing bright light from a light source onto a charge coupled device sensing array at its focal plane. Simultaneously, light from the source is imaged onto a liquid crystal television display which is positioned in front of the optical image sensing element for the night vision goggles. Raster scan and data processing circuit a first stream of digital data which represents the bright light image focused onto the charge coupled device sensing array. A video contrast enhancer generates a second stream of digital data which represents a negative image of the bright light image.