Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a chiral dopant compound represented by the following structure (Structure 1): wherein: R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, —(C?O)R9, —(C?O)R10, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyaryl, or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted, or combine to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R3 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, NHCOR9, NHSO2R9, COOR9, OCOR9, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted; R4 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted; R5, R6, R7, and R8 are independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, NHCOR9, NHSO2R9, COOR9, OCOR9, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyaryl or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted, or combine with each other, or R5 can combine with R4 to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R9 and R10 are independently alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, naphthyl, styryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alko

Abstract: An electronic display comprises an electro-optic layer comprising electro-optical material. The display includes a first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer, the electro-optic layer being disposed between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer. A first substrate is disposed adjacent the first electrically conductive layer and a second substrate is disposed adjacent the second electrically conductive layer. The first substrate and the second substrate are formed in a shape that has at least one outer peripheral edge boundary, excluding any ledges. Internal ledges are disposed inside the at least one outer peripheral edge boundary. A first of the internal ledges comprises a portion of the first substrate and an exposed portion of the first electrically conductive layer and a second of the internal ledges comprises a portion of the second substrate and an exposed portion of the second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A system including a cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) display device and an erasing device. The display device (e.g., a writing tablet, liquid crystal paper) is inductively coupled to the erasing device for inductively erasing an image on the display device. Also featured is a ChLC display device that can be inductively erased.

Abstract: A method of making an electrooptical display comprises providing a first substrate and a second substrate. A first layer of electrically conductive material is disposed on the first substrate and a second layer of electrically conductive material is disposed on the second substrate. A bead of adhesive gasket material is formed over the first substrate. Light modulating material is flowed onto the first layer of electrically conductive material and over the bead. The second substrate is positioned in contact with the light modulating material in proximity to the first substrate. The gasket material is cured.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet includes a first substrate that is transparent and flexible on which a writing pressure is applied and a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate. One electrically conductive layer is in contact with the first substrate and is transparent and another of the electrically conductive layers is in contact with the second substrate. The electrically conductive layers are separated from each other by a cell gap. Cholesteric liquid crystal material is disposed between the electrically conductive layers. Spacers are disposed in the liquid crystal material that control the cell gap. The spacers have a size and concentration in the liquid crystal material that restricts flow of the liquid crystal material when the cell gap is reduced upon application of the writing pressure.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal writing board display device includes a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablets and a front cover layer extending over the cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablets. The cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablets are tiled together by the front cover layer such that the writing board display device appears nearly seamless. Or, the writing tablets can be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: This disclosure features an electronic display with overlayed electronic skin. The display includes an outer transparent display surface and can be placed in a dark state or in a bright state. The skin overlays the outer display surface and includes an electro-optic layer. Transparent electrically conductive layers are disposed on each side of the electro-optic layer. Electronic circuitry applies voltages to the electrically conductive layers enabling the electro-optic material of the electronic skin to be placed into a substantially transparent state and a reflective state. Images or colors can be displayed on the electronic skin while portions of the electronic skin are in the reflective state and light passing through the electronic skin is absorbed by the display in the dark state. When the display is in the bright state images or colors can be displayed on the display that can be seen through the electronic skin.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a chiral dopant compound represented by the following structure (Structure 1): wherein: R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, —(C?O)R9, —(C?O)R10, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyaryl, or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted, or combine to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and R3-R9 are as described in the disclosure. Also featured are liquid crystal compositions comprising a chiral dopant compound represented by any of Structure 2-4 as described in the disclosure.

Abstract: A drawing tablet device, utilizing a data capture device in connection with a pressure sensitive display, provides electronic information corresponding to images drawn on the pressure sensitive display to an external device. The drawing tablet includes a communication interface to couple the drawing tablet to the external device to transmit electronic information corresponding to images in real-time or as stored files.

Abstract: A display device includes a cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is subjected to a mechanical force that generates a voltage that is applied to the writing tablet that erases writing on the writing tablet. A further feature is a display device comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal display and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is subjected to a mechanical force that generates a voltage that is applied to the display that places the display in at least one of a color reflective planar state, a substantially transparent focal conic state and a gray scale state. Also featured is a method of erasing a cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet.

Abstract: This disclosure features embedded electrooptical displays such as liquid crystal displays and methods of making the same. The displays are embedded in light curable material on one or both sides thereof. Processes for embedding the displays include injection molding and continuous roll-to-roll processing. The light curable material forms a protective covering over the display. Electrical interconnects connected to electrodes of the display can protrude from the protective layer. Once the display is embedded it can resist contact with moisture and mechanical damage. The protective layer can be clear or it can contain additives such as pigments or additives for UV protection. The embedded display with the protective layer may be molded into different shapes during the embedding process or thermoformed after the embedding process into different shapes.

Abstract: A device and method providing a pixel architecture that, in at least one embodiment, contains both an on/off memory element and a switching element to utilize low-power liquid crystal displays for video or near-video applications. Such an embodiment can be implemented, for example, using a pair of TFTs for implementing the memory element and switching element on a common substrate. Other embodiments can utilize actual memory devices for the memory elements. This device and method are particularly useful for driving cholestric display elements for video or near video rate applications.

Abstract: Electrooptical displays require conductors on both sides of the liquid crystal thin film. The two conductors face opposite sides of the display. The cost of electrically connecting to these displays can be decreased by having the conductors of the display all face the same side of the display. This invention includes a technique to allow both conductors to face the same side of the display.

Abstract: A photodisplay device in which an optically addressed image can be viewed indefinitely, erased and readdressed with a new image is disclosed. Optically responsive reversible photochiral materials are incorporated into a bistable cholesteric liquid crystal in an electrooptic display cell. A high resolution image exposed on the cell is fixed by a low voltage pulse to unpatterned electrodes and can be, at a later time, erased with a high voltage pulse.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a chiral dopant compound represented by the following formula: wherein: R1, R2 are independently aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyaryl, alkaryl or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted, or combine to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, NHCOR7, NHSO2R7, COOR7, OCOR7, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyaryl, alkaryl or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted, or combine with either R1 or R2 to form a carbocylic or heterocyclic ring; R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, CH2, CH, alkyl or aryl either substituted or unsubstituted, COOR7, or combine with L to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R7 is aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyaryl or heterocyclic all either substituted or unsubstituted; L is the non-metallic elements required to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or a single bond or a double bond; m is 1-3; n is 0-12.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure, which results in a focal conic texture in a reduced gap region of the active layer while not changing the texture of the unreduced gap region of the active layer (e.g., a written portion being in a focal conic texture on a background in the planar texture). Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be erased and new images written on the tablet.

Abstract: The invention comprises a stacked color photodisplay apparatus using a photosensitive cholesteric liquid crystalline material on which an image can be optically addressed, retained without degradation for an indefinite period of time, electrically erased and a new image addressed. This is similar to a photographic film except that the photodisplay film can be used over and over again similar to digital display but without the cost of addressing electronics. Included is a device for enhancing the brightness of the image and electrooptical devices for optically writing digital images on the photodisplay. Each cell in the stack can be selectively addressed with a different optical image such as the red, green and blue components of a color digital image.

Abstract: Electronic color changing artificial nails comprise a polymer layer in a general shape of a human natural nail, bistable electro-optic material and a ledge on which display electrodes are disposed located at a tip of the artificial nail. Once the artificial nail is attached to the natural nail, the artificial nail can be updated by simply plugging the tip into a separate electronic color changing device which is used to set the color of the nail to whatever the user desires.

Abstract: An electronic writing tablet is composed of one or more layers on which an image is formed and can be selectively erased. One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed while applying writing pressure. The image can be fully erased and new images written on the tablet. In addition, one can selectively erase any or all portions of the written image to restore the original background color. Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected (usually by applying a suitable voltage) while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be fully erased and new images written on the tablet.

Abstract: The production of liquid crystal displays (LCDS) on plastic substrates is desirable over glass substrates so that the finished product is thinner, lighter, and more robust. Plastic substrates can enable the use of new and different processing techniques which are not possible on glass such as roll-to-roll processing. This invention discusses an advancement which is laser cutting a plastic substrate and display layer. One aspect of the invention is laser cutting and welding together two or more plastic substrates and LCD layer therebetween from a larger sheet or roll of plastic LCDs.