Abstract: A thermal-pane window unit having an electro-optical shade of adjustable transmittance is provided for reducing radiative heat transfer, as well as conductive transfer, between the exterior and interior of a building and, additionally, for presenting an attractive shaded window appearance. The invention utilizes a liquid crystal cell of selectable light transmittance in combination with a conventional dual pane heat insulating window. The liquid crystal material is preferably electro-optically responsive to a low voltage AC field.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell of reflective dichroic type, having improved contrast over a wide range of viewing angles by comparison with previous cells of this type, due to the overall distance between the reflecting surface and the liquid crystal layer being reduced by incorporation of a reflection layer and light diffusion surface which are integral with a rear substrate of the cell, in which the rear substrate is composed of phase retarding means.

Abstract: A display device includes a light valve that is operated in a time division multiplex method and a fluorescent plate. The light valve may be a liquid crystal with a steep gradient of the contrast-voltage curve so that more multiplex steps are possible. One method of increasing this gradient is to allow only light from a narrow defined spatial angle range to pass through the light valve. In order to produce the narrow light cone that is desired, the invention proposes utilizing a diffusingly reflective layer, which extends parallel to a surface of the fluorescent plate at a finite distance and preferably, the light outlet or exit window of the plate is a surface provided with a dielectric multiple layer which allows the fluorescent light to emerge only in relatively limited spatial angle range. Preferably, these surfaces are the narrow edges of the fluorescent plate.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal matrix display device in which the bistability effect of a cholesteric liquid crystal is used, the number of lines to be driven is increased by providing the electrodes (5) on grooves (3) provided in the supporting plates (1,2). The electrodes (5) partly overlap the part of a supporting plate present between two grooves. The electrode surface and the remaining surface of the supporting plates are covered by a dielectric layer (7). The grooves have a depth which is equal to half the desired thickness of the liquid crystal layer. Herewith a uniform thickness of the liquid crystal layer is also obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for inspecting a row of hollow pin receptacles in a housing to determine whether or not pins have been properly mounted in the receptacles. A collimated inspection light beam is directed toward one surface of the housing as it passes through an inspection position, so that the inspection beam successively impinges on the receptacles. A photodetector is disposed to face the opposing surface of the housing to receive light, if any, which has passed through the receptacles. Means responsive to the photodetector are provided for generating an output signal indicative of whether or not the pin has been properly mounted in the receptacle. The output signal generating means preferably comprises a threshold detector for detecting when the output of the photodetector exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An indicating device having an electro-optical light valve unit such as in a liquid crystal cell arranged behind a plate containing fluorescent particles characterized by a contrast filter disposed behind the plate and unit in the direction of viewing and a reflector disposed behind the contrast filter. The contrast filter will pass light of the spectrum which excites the fluorescent particles of the fluorescent plate but absorbs the emitted fluorescent light and a majority of the other light so that a background is either dark or of a specific color. The energized light valves cause a bright image on the dark or colored background.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus and method for measuring motion of flowing solid and fluid particles that utilizes a differential doppler system and makes measurements parallel to the optical axis of the system. The system includes a laser generating a light beam directed toward a light beam splitter. The splitter separates the light beams into a plurality of beams that are focused in a crossing and focusing area. Receiving optics aligned with a photodetector sense light scattered by particles moving in the focusing area. The photodetector converts the light signals to electrical signals. A signal mixer coupled to the photodetectors operates to produce a difference electrical signal established by the difference between the frequencies of the electrical signals produced by the photodetector. The difference electrical signal is converted with signal processors to a voltage proportional to the velocity of particles moving through the focusing area.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of substrates used in liquid crystal display cells so that the surface forces the liquid crystal director to be aligned uniformly over the entire surface and parallel to the substrate surface. The method includes the step of forming a plasma beam containing oxygen free-radicals, inert gas free-radicals such as argon, neon and helium, and free radicals of a compound containing the element to be deposited, for example, silicon, tin, indium, etc. Preferably a volatile organo-silicon or an organo-tin compound is used to supply the silicon or tin. The plasma beam is then directed at the substrate surface at an angle, preferably of about 30.degree., for a time sufficient to deposit a film. The liquid crystal display cell utilizing a substrate formed in this manner has a high contrast ratio as well as a sharp threshold in its electro-optical characteristics.

Abstract: In a multi-layer liquid crystal display panel the terminals for making connection to the electrodes on the plates of each cell layer are so disposed that the terminals for each cell are out of registry with the terminals for all of the other cells. The terminals are connected to external circuitry by way of conductive elastomer blocks, the compressibility of the blocks being such that substantially identical blocks can be used for making contact with the terminals on all of the plates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal color display cell utilizing a Guest-host effect and capable of displaying at least two colors whose color phases are different from each other. The cell comprises a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of opposed substrates and composed of liquid crystal molecules inclined at an angle within a range between 60.degree. and 90.degree. with respect to each of the substrates. The inclination of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned in one direction and the liquid crystal molecules have a twisted construction between the substrates.

Abstract: An electro-optical display element for a multiplexing system has a first and a second electrode substrate opposed to each other and an electrically responsive optical member provided between the two electrode substrates. Each of the two electrode substrates has combinations of ten segments, which are, in order from above, first, second and third lateral segments juxtaposed, a longitudinal upper left segment, upper middle segment and upper right segment juxtaposed between the first segment and the second segment, and a longitudinal lower left segment, lower middle segment, lower right segment juxtaposed between the second and third segments and a point segment for displaying the decimal point. The first electrode substrate has a first, a second and a third signal terminal. The second electrode substrate has a first, a second and a third scanning terminal. The signal terminals and the scanning terminals are specifically connected.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell for use in a display and a method for manufacturing such display is disclosed. Each cell of such display includes a membrane which is manufactured by conventional semiconductor processing technology. Such membrane has semiconductor structural support members between which liquid crystal fluid is retained. Such membrane and residual liquid crystal fluid in the cell have substantially the same thermal coefficient of expansion as a silicon integrated circuit chip attached to the rib members. The membrane prevents warpage and deterioration of each liquid crystal cell, maintains uniformity of spacing between structural members of the cell, and enables a high quality cell to be fabricated with accompanying improved cell fabrication yield.

Abstract: A homeotropic orientation layer for a liquid crystal cell is produced by forming an organic liquid solution containing a suitable amount of Si and Me to provide a necessary ratio of such elements to correspond to a chemical composition defined by the formula:(Me.sub.2 O.sub.3).sub.1-x (SiO.sub.y).sub.xwherein Me is an element selected from the group consisting of Al and Cr, x is a numeral at least equal to 0 and smaller than 1, and y is a numeral at least equal to 1.9 and not more than 2; applying a layer of such organic solution onto at least one face of a liquid crystal cell substrate, which may have a conductive layer thereon, and transferring such layer of organic solution into a solid homeotropically orientating layer by thermal decomposition of the organic solution, as by heating the solution-coated substrate at a temperature in the range of about 100.degree. to 550.degree. C. for a period of time ranging from about 10 to 30 minutes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell with two flat glass plates aligned parallel to one another and at a distance from one another, a web of low-melting glass solder provided between the glass plates, a liquid crystal substance provided in the inner space formed by the glass plates and the glass solder web and with electrodes applied on the surfaces of the glass plates facing one another, the connections of which are brought out of the inner space via the glass solder web, wherein the glass solder web and/or the electrodes contain an at least partly reduced oxidizing agent which is formed by the reduction of an oxidizing agent during the glass soldering of the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display element having a twisted structure wherein the periphery of two transparent glass substrates having electrodes according to desired display patterns is sealed with a sealing medium and a liquid crystal is enclosed in the space thus produced, the one characterized by having an undercoating film of metal oxide on the inner surface of each glass substrate, having a transparent electrode on each undercoating film of metal oxide and having an orientation controlling film made from an organic polymer and having abrasion grooves along a certain direction on each electrode can give a liquid crystal display element excellent in heat resistance of the orientation controlling film, excellent in adhesion to the glass substrates, and the like without causing a voltage drop, or without damaging rising of voltage-brightness property and response property.

Abstract: An optical instrument for the gathering and distribution of light comprises cylindrical and a planar body formed of transparent material and optically coupled together. The cylindrical body has an elliptic and circular outer surface covered with inwardly reflecting material and a light source arranged along one focal line for the elliptic surface portion. Light gathered by the cylindrical body is transmitted to the planar body and is diffused thereby over one major surface. The instrument is advantageously applied to the illumination of passive information displays such as found in liquid crystal display timepieces where efficient energy use is extremely important.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is described for displaying dark signs on a light background in accordance with the guest-host principle without polarizers. The display includes parallel plates the insides of which are provided with an orientation layer which produces a homoeotropic orientation in an adjacent liquid crystal mixture. The liquid crystal mixture is formed primarily of a nematic liquid crystal having a high negative dielectric anisotropy and, secondarily, of an optically active substance. The proportion of the optically active substance is smaller than the quantity which would cause a spontaneous formation of a twisted structure in the liquid crystal mixture in the field-free state. The liquid crystal mixture is thus homoeotropically oriented and transparent throughout in the field-free regions, and is planar-cholesteric and absorbing in the activated regions.

Abstract: A diffractive subtractive filter is made tunable by controllably varying the index of refraction of a fluid medium in contact with a surface relief pattern of a solid diffractive phase medium. A liquid crystal is the preferred fluid.

Abstract: A matrix multiplexed display cell has thin film switch devices at matrix crosspoints to provide a turn-on threshold for electrooptic liquid used in the cell. Each of the switch devices has two parallel branches of diodes, the diodes in one branch being of reverse polarity to those in the other. The cell is operated at low current so that the switch devices, which are deposited on glass, do not degrade rapidly in use.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device to display information in color, utilizing dichroic and diffusion reflectors. Application of an electric field causes a change from a Grandjean texture of the liquid crystal to a static scattering mode, to effect scattering of light in desired display areas so that these areas are viewed in the reflection color of the dichroic reflector and other areas in the transmission color.