Polymer Network Liquid Crystal Patents (Class 349/88)
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Patent number: 7408601Abstract: Inhomogeneous concentrated polymer network with approximately 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) is used for fabricating lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by ultra violet (UV) light exposure to patterned photo masks. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage above the threshold voltage to the polymer network. The inhomogeneous 90° TN-LC polymer network can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for micro lens, array, optical communication, micro-optics, adaptive optics and beam steering.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Research Foundation of the University of Central Florida, Inc.Inventors: Yuhua Huang, Hongwen Ren, Xinyu Zhu, Shin-Tson Wu
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Patent number: 7400368Abstract: Liquid crystal displays and fabrication methods thereof. The liquid crystal display comprises a first substrate with an active matrix of a plurality of pixels. A second substrate is provided opposing the first substrate. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each pixel comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer corresponding to a first liquid crystal region and a non-polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer corresponding to a second liquid crystal region.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.Inventors: Yi-Ju Chen, Chia-Yu Lee, Chieh-Ting Chen, Po-Lun Chen
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Patent number: 7362392Abstract: A liquid crystal display device, and a method of fabricating such a liquid crystal display device, that uses a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). Additives are added to the ferroelectric liquid crystal. The additives are then used to form polymer networks, beneficially by exposure to ultraviolet light. Suitable additives include an acrylate compound.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Suk-Won Choi, Su-Seok Choi
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Publication number: 20080084522Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal device comprising a first substrate covered with an alignment layer and a composite material, wherein the composite material is phase-separated by a first polymerization into a polymer layer and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer is disposed adjacent to the alignment layer, and the polymer layer is disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer. Furthermore, the liquid crystal layer comprises polymer formed in situ by a second polymerization. Additionally, the mentioned liquid crystal device can further comprise a second substrate located atop said polymer layer, wherein the second substrate is in planer contact with the polymer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: CHUNG YUAN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Wei Lee, Yi-Sheng Lu
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Patent number: 7333166Abstract: The present invention relates to a display comprising a substrate, a patterned conductor, and a liquid crystal material having cleared areas and electrically writeable areas. The invention also relates to a method for making a display comprising providing a substrate having a patterned conductor thereon, applying a non-cleared liquid crystal material to the substrate, clearing the non-cleared liquid crystal material to produce a cleared liquid crystal material, applying a field to the patterned conductor to produce an image comprised of areas of cleared liquid crystal material and electrically writeable areas of crystal material.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, III, Terry J. Martin
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Patent number: 7327434Abstract: Using inhomogeneous sized liquid crystal (LC) droplets for lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the LC droplet size can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the LC droplet size can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by Ultra Violet light exposure to patterns. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage to the droplets. The inhomogeneous droplets can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for eyeglasses, arrays, camera type zoom lenses and beam steering applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Hongwen Ren, Shin-Tson Wu
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Patent number: 7315345Abstract: A method for producing a diffraction grating is provided. First, a mixture including nematic liquid crystal, dopant, and polymerizable precursor is introduced between two electrically conductive substrates having alignment layers for inducing orientation of the liquid crystal director. A potential difference is applied across the liquid crystal to cause a spontaneous self-assembly of the liquid crystal into an array of convective rolls. Thereafter, the roll structure is stabilized by the creation of a polymeric network through polymerization and/or cross-linking of the polymerizable precursor. The convective roll structure serves as a template for the formation of the polymeric network.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Kent State UniversityInventors: James T Gleeson, Joshua S Martin
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Patent number: 7245329Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal display device comprises a TFT substrate for holding opposing substrates arranged opposed to each other as well as a liquid crystal composition obtained by mixing a monomer into liquid crystals. A plurality of bus lines are formed on the TFT substrate intersecting each other through an insulating film, and thin-film transistors are formed close to positions where the plurality of bus lines and intersect each other. A plurality of thin-film transistors for polymerization are formed for applying a voltage to the pixel electrodes at the time of polymerizing the monomer, and a first common electrode wiring for polymerization is electrically connected to the gate electrodes of the plurality of thin-film transistors for polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Tanaka, Yoji Taniguchi, Yoji Nagase, Tomoyuki Miyata
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Patent number: 7238397Abstract: A cholesteric display is provided including a bistable liquid crystalline mixture contained between a first substrate and a second substrate of a liquid crystal cell, and a polymer network orthogonally oriented with respect to the substrates, thereby defining liquid crystal domains, with a dipolar dopant dissolved in the liquid crystalline mixture. A process for producing a cholesteric display is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier
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Liquid crystal display panel implementing bistable liquid crystal and method of fabricating the same
Patent number: 7193667Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel implementing a bistable liquid crystal and fabricating the same is disclosed in the present invention. Specifically, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display panel having first and second substrates, the method includes forming a first electrode on the first substrate, forming a second electrode on the second substrate, assembling the first and second substrates, forming a bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer having a monomer, aligning the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer by applying electric fields, and forming polymer networks by exposing the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer to light.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ku-Hyun Park -
Patent number: 7179509Abstract: An electro-optically active polymer gel material comprising a high molecular weight alignment polymer adapted to be homogeneously dispersed throughout a liquid crystal to control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and/or confer mechanical stability is provided. The electro-optically active polymer gel comprises a homogenous gel in which the polymer strands of the gel are provided in low concentration and are well solvated by the small molecule liquid crystal without producing unacceptable slowing of its electrooptic response. During formation of the gel, a desired orientation is locked into the gel by physical or chemical cross-linking of the polymer chains. The electro-optically active polymer is then utilized to direct the orientation in the liquid crystal gel in the “field off” state of a liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Julia A. Kornfield, Michael D. Kempe
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Patent number: 7180567Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, the pixel electrodes and the projection pattern are formed on the TFT substrate side, and surfaces of the pixel electrodes and the projection pattern are covered with a vertical alignment film. Opposing electrode and a projection pattern are formed on the CF substrate side, and surfaces of the opposing electrode and the projection pattern are covered with a vertical alignment film. The TFT substrate and the CF substrate are arranged such that top end portions of the projection pattern on the CF substrate are brought into contact with the TFT substrate. Liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy is sealed between the TFT and CF substrates. Accordingly, the step of scattering the spacers can be omitted, change in the cell thickness can be prevented, and the good display quality can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Ikeda, Manabu Sawasaki, Yoji Taniguchi, Hiroyasu Inoue, Tomonori Tanose, Yoshinori Tanaka
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Patent number: 7175780Abstract: The process described herein offers the optimizing of performance parameters of holograms, such as reducing scattering effects in a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal optical element. In the process, an interfacial tension agent is added to a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material has at least one acrylic acid monomer, at least one type of liquid crystal material, a photoinitiator dye, and a co-initiator. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material is subjected to a polymerization. The interfacial tension agent reduces the size of liquid crystal droplets formed within the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal optical element during polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: Richard L. Sutherland, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Robert T. Pogue, Christina K. Shepherd, Donna M. Brandelik
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Patent number: 7148937Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-optical imaging layer, a display utilizing the imaging layer and a method for making the same comprising a binder having dispersed therein at least two electrically modulated material domains of different uniform sizes, wherein the ratio of smallest to largest domain size for each of the electrically modulated material domains of different uniform sizes varies by no more than 1:2.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Charles M. Rankin, Jr., Erica N. Montbach
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Patent number: 7139061Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, the pixel electrodes and the projection pattern are formed on the TFT substrate side, and surfaces of the pixel electrodes and the projection pattern are covered with a vertical alignment film. Opposing electrode and a projection pattern are formed on the CF substrate side, and surfaces of the opposing electrode and the projection pattern are covered with a vertical alignment film. The TFT substrate and the CF substrate are arranged such that top end portions of the projection pattern on the CF substrate are brought into contact with the TFT substrate. Liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy is sealed between the TFT and CF substrates. Accordingly, the step of scattering the spacers can be omitted, change in the cell thickness can be prevented, and the good display quality can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Ikeda, Manabu Sawasaki, Yoji Taniguchi, Hiroyasu Inoue, Tomonori Tanose, Yoshinori Tanaka
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Patent number: 7133172Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element with variable optical properties, which ensures that the amount of light available is increased, and an optical device using the same. In a liquid crystal variable hologram element 3, polymer layers 18 and liquid crystal layers 19 are alternately arranged between transparent substrates 16 and 17, with liquid crystal particles 20 lining up in each liquid crystal layer 19. When voltages are applied on transparent electrodes 21 and 22, liquid crystal molecules 23 have their longitudinal directions oriented vertically with respect to the electrodes, so that the refractive index of the polymer layers 18 is substantially equal to that of the liquid crystal layers 19, resulting in no development of hologram. When the voltages are held off, the refractive index of the polymer layers 18 is different from that of the liquid crystal layers 19. This repetition gives rise to an interference fringe action, by which a hologram can be developed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Kimihiko Nishioka
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Patent number: 7125590Abstract: Liquid crystal films with excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Nippon Oil CorporationInventors: Takuya Matsumoto, Hitoshi Mazaki, Toru Nakamura, Takashi Seki
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Patent number: 7123335Abstract: A display sheet is disclosed comprising, a substrate, first transparent conductors, second conductors and, between first and second conductors, at least one imaging layer comprising a substantial monolayer of isolated domains of liquid-crystal material, dispersed in a continuous matrix, wherein said domains of liquid-crystal material comprises a mixture of at least two populations, a first population comprising a first liquid-crystal material having a first ?max within the infrared spectral region and a second population comprising a second liquid-crystal material having a second ?max within the visible spectral region. Alternately, the imaging layer can comprise a substantial monolayer of isolated domains of liquid-crystal material comprising a population of domains comprising a liquid-crystal material having a ?max between 700 and 800 and having a half-peak width that extends into both the visible spectrum region and the infrared spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Krishnan Chari, Charles M. Rankin, Jr.
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Patent number: 7119859Abstract: The present invention relates to a bistable polymer dispersed liquid crystal display comprising a support, at least one patterned first conductor layer having thereon at least one dried imaging layer comprising a substantial monolayer of isolated domains of liquid crystal material dispersed in a continuous polymer matrix, wherein said dried imaging layer further comprises at least one absorber colorant, and wherein said isolated domains have a size distribution such that the coefficient of variation (cv) is less than 0.35.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CimpanyInventors: Krishnan Chari, Charles M. Rankin, Jr., Thomas R. Welter
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Patent number: 7113241Abstract: The invention has an object to provide a liquid crystal display in which a wide angle of view is obtained and a response time at a halftone can be shortened by regulating an alignment orientation of a liquid crystal by the use of a polymer fixation system in which a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizable component is sealed between substrates, and the polymerizable component is polymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer to fix a liquid crystal alignment. A liquid crystal layer containing a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and a tilt direction at a time of driving is sealed between two substrates arranged opposite to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazutaka Hanaoka
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Patent number: 7102706Abstract: Disclosed is a method for aligning polymer network liquid crystal. In the method, alignment of liquid crystal in a bulk state is controlled by means of an orientation power of polymer material itself which is formed by irradiating linearly polarized ultraviolet rays to monomer material having an orientation power, thereby achieving a transparent state at an initial state without an orientation layer. That is, Linearly polarized ultraviolet rays are irradiated to ultraviolet-hardening type monomers having an orientation power. Alignment of liquid crystal of a bulk state is controlled while the monomers are changed to polymers, thereby achieving an initial transparent state. The molecules of the liquid crystal are placed in disorder by a vertical electric field and the horizontal orientation power of a polymer chain.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Boe Hydis Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mi Sook Kim, Sung Hun Song, Seung Hee Lee
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Patent number: 7090901Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparation of optical compensation films using a polymer stabilization technique so as to enable continuous roll-to-roll production. The films can be applied for reflective liquid crystal displays. They are prepared by photo-polymerizing a mixture comprising a reactive monomer (or mixture of monomers), a small amount of photoinitiator and liquid crystal. The concentration of the reactive monomer (mesogenic or non-mesogenic) in the reactive mixtures can be as low as 5% or as high as 99% by weight. The materials that can function as the optical compensation films in the present invention include, but are not limited to, mixtures of liquid crystal and reactive mesogenic monomers (rod-like, bent-shaped, and disc-like mesogenic monomers) containing polymerizable groups (monofunctionaly or multifunctional) selected from acrylate, methacrylate, vinyls, butadiene, vinyl ethers, or epoxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Kent State UniversityInventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Toru Doi
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Patent number: 7079203Abstract: Inhomogeneous concentrated polymer network with approximately 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) is used for fabricating lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by ultra violet (UV) light exposure to patterned photo masks. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage above the threshold voltage to the polymer network. The inhomogeneous 90° TN-LC polymer network can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for micro lens, array, optical communication, micro-optics, adaptive optics and beam steering.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Research Foundation of the University of Central Florida, Inc.Inventors: Yuhua Huang, Hongwen Ren, Xinyu Zhu, Shin-Tson Wu
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Patent number: 7057680Abstract: A liquid crystal device showing performances, such as good viewing angle characteristic, high contrast, high-speed responsiveness, high resolution and high productivity is given by forming a layer of discotic liquid crystal placed in an edge-on and uniaxial alignment state. In the liquid crystal layer, the discotic liquid crystal may preferably assume a nematic discotic layer and co-present with a rod-shaped liquid crystal in mutually separated phases.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichi Sato
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Patent number: 7038743Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a liquid crystal cell (10, 10?) and at least one electrode (40, 42, 40?, 42?) arranged to selectively electrically bias the liquid crystal cell (10, 10?). A chiral or cholesteric liquid crystal (30, 30?) is disposed in the liquid crystal cell (10, 10?). The liquid crystal (10, 10?) has an optic axis substantially along a selected optic axis direction in the absence of an electrical bias. A polymeric network (32, 32?, 72) is disposed at an inside surface of the liquid crystal cell (10, 10?). The polymeric network (32, 32?, 72) extends partway into the liquid crystal cell (10, 10?) leaving at least a portion of the liquid crystal cell (10, 10?) substantially free of the polymeric network (32, 32?, 72).Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignees: Kent State University, Ecsibeo ABInventors: Lachezar Komitov, Liang-Chy Chien, Sang Hwa Kim
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Patent number: 7023600Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrically switchable laminate construction for applications including smart windows, and other uses and applications in which light management is desired. The electro-optical laminate construction has scattering and transparent modes of operation for dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Prakash Mallya, Yi-Hung Chiao, David N. Edwards, Kal Li, Xin-Jiu Wang, Sriram Venkatasanthanam, Nagarajan Srivatsan, Pradeep Iyer
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Patent number: 7009665Abstract: Electro-optical glazing structures having total-scattering and total-transparent modes of operation which are electrically-switchable for use in dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow in diverse applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Inventors: Le Li, Jian-Feng Li, Sadeg M. Faris
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Patent number: 7009666Abstract: A reflective cholesteric display that may be viewed under a wide range of ambient lighting conditions, ranging from complete darkness to bright sunlight. The display includes a chiral nematic liquid crystal material located between first and second substrates, an ambidextrous or bi-directional circular polarizer, a partial mirror, also referred to as a transflector, and a light source. The liquid crystal material includes focal conic and planar textures that are stable in the absence of an electric field. The ambidextrous circular polarizer is located adjacent to one of the substrates that constrain the liquid crystal material. The chiral nematic liquid crystal display may be operated in both a transmissive mode and a reflective mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Kent Displays IncorporatedInventors: Asad A. Khan, Michael E. Stefanov, Clive Catchpole
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Patent number: 7008675Abstract: An electro-optically active polymer gel material comprising a high molecular weight alignment polymer adapted to be homogeneously dispersed throughout a liquid crystal to control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and/or confer mechanical stability is provided. The electro-optically active polymer gel comprises a homogenous gel in which the polymer strands of the gel are provided in low concentration and are well solvated by the small molecule liquid crystal without producing unacceptable slowing of its electrooptic response. During formation of the gel, a desired orientation is locked into the gel by physical or chemical cross-linking of the polymer chains. The electro-optically active polymer is then utilized to direct the orientation in the liquid crystal gel in the “field off” state of a liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: California Institute of TechologyInventors: Julia A. Kornfield, Michael D. Kempe
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Patent number: 6982019Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing a plurality of multi-layered cells, particularly liquid crystal display cells, or electrochemical photovoltaic cells, or a combination of such cells, each cell including at least two superposed sealed cavities each delimited by a sealing frame and filled with a liquid, this method comprising the step of collectively manufacturing a batch of cells including at least three plates common to all the display cells and connected to each other by patterns of sealing material connecting said plates to each other and forming the sealing frames which delimit the cavities of said cells, this method being characterised in that filling holes are pierced through the plates such that each of the cavities of a cell is fed by a different filling hole, each of the filling holes being in communication with at least two cells and feeding the cavities of the same level, i.e.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Gilles Rey-Mermet, Rolf Klappert, Nicolas Blanckaert
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Patent number: 6965420Abstract: A light controlling film is disclosed, comprising a polymerized polymer network varying spatially in a direction normal to the film surface, where the polymerized polymer network is a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material mixed with a low molecular weight nematic material exhibiting cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order, wherein an electric field impressed in the film controls the reflection bandwidth of circularly polarized light.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Le Li, Bunsen Fan, Yingqiu Jiang, Sadeg M. Faris, Jian-Feng Li, Sameer Vartak
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Patent number: 6963435Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrically switchable laminate construction for applications including smart windows, and other uses and applications in which light management is desired. The electro-optical laminate construction has scattering and transparent modes of operation for dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Prakash Mallya, Yi-Hung Chiao, David N. Edwards, Kai Li, Xin-Jiu Wang, Sriram Venkatasanthanam
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Patent number: 6937383Abstract: A large screen emissive display operating at atmospheric pressure includes pixels, the red, green, and blue subpixels of which are excited by UV laser light scanned onto the subpixels by a pixel activation mechanism. The pixel activation mechanism includes three grating light valves (GLVs) that are controlled by a processor in response to a demanded image to modulate the UV light as appropriate to produce the demanded image.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Joe Morikawa, Ben Russ
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Patent number: 6924870Abstract: A liquid crystal diffractive light valve includes: a pair of opposed substrates wherein one of the substrates is a silicon wafer with associated electronics. The other substrate has an electrode layer facing the silicon substrate. And a ultraviolet curable composite material is disposed between the substrates which is then phase separated to form polymer walls having liquid crystal directors fixed therein regardless of application of an electric field across the electrode layers, and wherein pixel regions are formed between the polymer walls. The pixel regions have liquid crystal directors which are movable when an electric field is applied across the electrode layers. Application of an electric field allows for generation of phase differences between the wall and pixel regions to allow for Liquid Crystal on Silicon devices to be used as diffractive light valves.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Kent State UniversityInventors: Bin Wang, Philip Bos, David B. Chung
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Patent number: 6897915Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a first and second cell wall structure; at least one liquid crystal material disposed within a space between the first and second cell wall structures; and polymer micro-structures, wherein the micro-structures are formed by polymerizing a prepolymer, and wherein said micro-structures have a shape and spatial location determined by said liquid crystal material. Permanent polymer micro-structures are formed from a liquid crystal with a non-uniform spatially modulated director field. The polymer structures have the shape and spatial location dictated by the non-uniform director field of the liquid crystal. The micro-structures are a backbone that restores the liquid crystal director field that existed during the polymerization process even when other factors, such as electric field, temperature, or surface anchoring, do not favor this restoration.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Kent State UniversityInventors: Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Dmitry Voloschenko, Sergij Shiyanovskii
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Patent number: 6897937Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell, and a fabricating method thereof, that incorporates a light-cured monomer in a ferroelectric liquid crystal. By injecting the light-cured monomer/ferroelectric liquid crystal between substrate while in a nematic phase or isotropic phase, by performing DC voltage treatments as the liquid crystal temperature decreases, and by performing a light irradiation treatment, a stable, aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal cell is produced. Such a ferroelectric liquid crystal cell can reduce flicker and can be realigned after a physical shock.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Su Seok Choi
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Patent number: 6878494Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer, in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octanoic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: Richard L. Sutehrland, Lalquidi V. Natarajan, Vince P. Tondiglia, Timothy J. Bunning
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Patent number: 6876411Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The method comprises filling the space between two facing substrates with a mixture of pre-polymer and liquid crystal material, applying an external source of energy to initiate a polymerization, wherein as the polymerization proceeds a phase separation of the polymer and liquid crystal is generally also proceeding, after initiation of polymerization and before completion thereof, adjusting a parameter that affects one or both of the rates of polymerization and phase separation, so as to produce a variation in the polymerized structure, wherein the variation is a result of the rates of polymerization and phase separation being adjusted during the course of polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Gary A. Freeman
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Patent number: 6873381Abstract: A light controlling film is described comprising a polymerized polymer network of a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material and a low molecular weight cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material, wherein the high molecular weight and the low molecular weight form a material having cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order such that the film is a reflective circular polarizer whose bandwidth is controllable by an electric field impressed in the film.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Bunsen Fan, Jian-feng Li, Le Li, Sadeg Faris
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Patent number: 6864931Abstract: This invention relates to methods of building rigid or flexible arrays of electro-optic devices. A phase separated composite structure technique yields adjacent regions of polymer and liquid crystal (LC) of specific architecture instead of a random dispersion of LC droplets. The above devices can be prepared by producing volutes of LC structure (56) next to a polymer area (58) using anisotropic phase separation of LC from a photopolymer. Initial by UV exposure. The shape, size and placement of these regions inside a cell becomes easily controllable with using optical mask or laser beam. The boundaries of LC volume can be controlled by controlling the chemical composition of the polymer and using an alignment layer (28).Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Kent State UniversityInventors: Satyendra Kumar, Jae-Hoon Kim
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Patent number: 6864875Abstract: A full color, reflective display having superior saturation and brightness is achieved with a novel display element comprising multichromatic elements. In one embodiment a capsule includes more than three species of particles which differ visually. One embodiment of the display employs three sub-pixels, each sub-pixel comprising a capsule including three species of particles which differ visually. Another embodiment of the display employs color filters to provide different visual states to the user. The display element presents a visual display in response to the application of an electrical signal to at least one of the capsules.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Paul Drzaic, Russell J. Wilcox
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Liquid crystal display panel implementing bistable liquid crystal and method of fabricating the same
Patent number: 6847418Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel implementing a bistable liquid crystal and fabricating the same is disclosed in the present invention. Specifically, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display panel having first and second substrates, the method includes forming a first electrode on the first substrate, forming a second electrode on the second substrate, assembling the first and second substrates, forming a bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer having a monomer, aligning the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer by applying electric fields, and forming polymer networks by exposing the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer to light.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ku-Hyun Park -
Patent number: 6844909Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrodielectric liquid crystal display device includes the steps of injecting melted ferrodielectric liquid crystal in a cell formed between a lower structure body and an upper structure body each having a substrate, an electrode layer, and an orientation film and sealing the cell; cooling to obtain phase transitions of the ferrodielectric liquid crystal corresponding to a bookshelf structure; applying dc potentials to the electrode layers at temperature ranging from temperatures higher than phase transition temperatures to temperatures lower than phase transition temperatures, stopping the dc potential applications and cooling until below a predetermined temperature, and applying a reverse potential to the electrode layers and cooling again. The ferrodielectric liquid crystal display device produced by such a manufacturing method can display clear black-and-white states with the liquid crystal layers having a mono domain of the bookshelf structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong-min Wang, Chang-ju Kim
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Publication number: 20040246404Abstract: Liquid crystal display backplane layouts and addressing for non-standard subpixel arrangements are disclosed. A liquid crystal display comprises a panel and a plurality of transistors. The panel substantially comprises a subpixel repeating group having an even number of subpixels in a first direction. Each thin film transistor connects one subpixel to a row and a column line at an intersection in one of a group of quadrants. The group comprises a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant, wherein the thin film transistors are formed in a backplane structure adjacent to intersections of the row and column lines. The thin film transistors are also substantially formed in more than one quadrant in the backplane structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Candice Hellen Brown Elliott, Thomas Lloyd Credelle, Matthew Osborne Schlegel, Seok Jin Han
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Publication number: 20040233349Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a light control device having a large transmittance and little scattering of light with no voltage applied and having a small transmittance and little scattering of light with a voltage applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Takashi Shibuya, Masako Nagashima, Satoshi Niiyama, Shinya Tahara
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Patent number: 6821455Abstract: An electro-optically active polymer gel material comprising a high molecular weight alignment polymer adapted to be homogeneously dispersed throughout a liquid crystal to control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and/or confer mechanical stability is provided. The electro-optically active polymer gel comprises a homogenous gel in which the polymer strands of the gel are provided in low concentration and are well solvated by the small molecule liquid crystal without producing unacceptable slowing of its electrooptic response. During formation of the gel, a desired orientation is locked into the gel by physical or chemical cross-linking of the polymer chains. The electro-optically active polymer is then utilized to direct the orientation in the liquid crystal gel in the “field off” state of a liquid crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Julia A. Kornfield, Michael D. Kempe
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Patent number: 6819309Abstract: A double-face display device is formed of a substrate sheet having a first surface and a second surface, a first display medium disposed over the first surface, a second display medium disposed over the second surface, and a first display electrode and a second display electrode disposed in association with the first display medium and the second display medium, respectively. A first switching device and a second switching device are electrically connected to the first display electrode and the second display electrode, respectively, so that voltages are applied to the first and second display electrodes via the first and second switching devices, respectively, thereby driving the first and second display media to display data on both faces of the display device. The production of the double-face display device is rationalized by disposing the first and second switching devices on a common surface within the display device.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Etsur{overscore (o)} Kishi
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Publication number: 20040218116Abstract: A light controlling film is described comprising a polymerized polymer network of a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material and a low molecular weight cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material, wherein the high molecular weight and the low molecular weight form a material having cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order such that the film is a reflective circular polarizer whose bandwidth is controllable by an electric field impressed in the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Bunsen Fan, Jian-feng Li, Le Li, Sadeg Faris
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Patent number: 6791658Abstract: Two electric fields that are directed to respective directions rectangular relative to each other are selectively applied to polymer dispersed liquid crystal by means of electrodes arranged to sandwich the polymer dispersed liquid crystal and electrodes arranged along a substrate to uniformly orient the liquid crystal in either of the directions. While conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal is adapted to utilize scatter of light in a randomly oriented state, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal of this invention is adapted to utilize a uniformly oriented state to improve the efficiency of scattering light. The present invention is also applicable to devices where polymer dispersed liquid crystal has a memory property.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoko Maruyama, Yoshinori Uno
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Patent number: 6768527Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal display and a fabricating method thereof that is capable of maintaining a stable alignment state against external temperature variation and external impact. In the method and apparatus, a ferroelectric liquid crystal containing a small amount of light-hardening polymer is injected between upper and lower substrates provided with alignment film. An ultraviolet ray is irradiated thereon to form a polymer network. The ultraviolet ray has a light intensity range of about 1 to about 5 mW/cm2, and has a light energy range of about 240 to about 1200 mJ/cm2.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Suk Won Choi, Su Seok Choi