Abstract: A power outlet locator for locating concealed inductive power outlet. A sensor is provided for detecting a signal emitted by an inductive power outlet. A processor uses the detected signal to compute location coordinates of the power outlet. A user interface is provided to communicate the location of the power outlet to a user.

Abstract: A signal transfer system for controlling power transfer across an inductive power coupling. A transmission circuit associated with an inductive power receiver is configured to transmit a control signal to a reception circuit associated with an inductive power outlet. The transmission circuit includes an ancillary load and a switching unit for modulating power drawn by a secondary inductive coil according to the control signal. The reception circuit is configured to monitor power provided to a primary inductive coil thereby detecting the modulated control signal. The signal transfer system may be used to regulate the power supplied by the inductive coupling and to detect the presence of the secondary coil.

Abstract: Non-resonant inductive power transmission wherein the driving voltage across a primary inductor oscillates at a frequency significantly different from the resonant frequency of the inductive coupling system. Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for: power regulation using frequency control, fault detection using voltage peak detectors and inductive communication channels.

Abstract: An efficiency monitor for monitoring the efficiency of power transmission by an inductive power outlet. The efficiency monitor includes an input power monitor, for measuring the input power delivered to the primary coil, and an output power monitor, for measuring the output power received by the secondary coil. The input and output powers are used by a processor to determine an index of power-loss. A circuit breaker may be used to disconnect the inductive power outlet in case of excessive power loss.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal display device (24) comprises three stacked cells (10R, 10G, 10B), each comprising a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material (19) and an electrode arrangement (13, 14) capable of providing independent driving of a plurality of pixels across the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material by respective drive signals. The display device has a drive circuit (22) arranged to apply respective drive signals to each pixel in successive cycles of predetermined duration. When providing a high reflectance, the drive signal comprises makes use of drive pulses (50) shaped to drive the pixel into the homeotropic state. When providing a low reflectance, the drive signal includes a number of perturbation pulses (61) which are sufficiently short and sufficiently spaced from each other that the pixel is driven into a transient state having a lower reflectance than the planar state.

Abstract: A display apparatus comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal display device having cells comprising a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material and an electrode arrangement capable of providing independent driving of a plurality of pixels across the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material. A drive circuit generates drive signals supplied to the pixels to drive them into states reflectances in accordance with an image signal. The drive signals may have a waveform shaped to drive the respective pixels into the homeotropic state and the planar state alternately within successive drive periods for respective periods of time which are varied to provide an average reflectance as perceived by a viewer in accordance with the image signal. A light source illuminates the display device and is supplied with power by a power circuit.

Abstract: In a cholesteric liquid crystal display device (24), to drive a surface-stabilized layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material into the focal conic state, there is applied drive signal comprising a series of pulses (30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41). At least one initial pulse has sufficient energy to drive the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material into the homeotropic state and the subsequent pulses have time-averaged energies which reduce to a minimum level at which the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material is driven into the focal conic state. This produces a focal conic state of particularly low reflectance, which allows a high contrast ratio to be achieved.

Abstract: A tiling of multiple display panels having reduced seam widths (gap) therebetween using a plurality of single edge connect display panels, wherein for each display panel: interconnect lines in the lateral direction are formed on a front plate; input portions of the interconnect lines are routed on an area where a sealing portion is formed and are extended outwardly from the bottom edge of the display panel; the area where the sealing portion is formed is a non-display area of the display panel on the front plate that is bonded to a rear plate with a seal material; and the input portions routed the bottom side of the front plate are extended outwardly from the bottom edge of the rear plate. The input portions are formed in part on the rear plate and electrical connection is established by bonding the front plate and the rear plate via through holes.

Abstract: A low maintenance path tracing apparatus comprising at least one marker including an emitter of a tracer signal and a receiving medium for recording the path of the tracer signal. The apparatus further includes a power providing arrangement comprising a base unit which wirelessly provides power to the marker for powering the emitter.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes at least one cell which provides a rectangular array of addressable pixels having an average area of at least 4 mm2. The cell comprises: two substrates (11, 12) defining therebetween a cavity; a layer of liquid crystal material in the cavity; and a respective conductive layer (13, 14) formed on each of the substrates (11, 12). The conductive layers (13, 14) are patterned to provide a rectangular array of separate drive electrodes (51) each capable of driving an area of the layer of liquid crystal material adjacent the respective drive electrode as one of said pixels. The conductive layers (13, 14) also provide a separate track (33) connected to each of the separate drive electrodes (51) and extending to a position outside the array of addressable pixels where the tracks (33) form terminals (34) each capable of receiving a respective drive signal. This allows direct addressing of the pixels.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal display device comprises three cells each comprising a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material and an electrode arrangement capable of providing independent driving of a plurality of pixels across the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material by respective drive signals. A drive circuit applies a respective drive signal to each pixel to drive the pixel into states which are variable to provide a reflectance varying within a predetermined range of reflectances. The drive signals involve a combination of two drive schemes to provide reflectances in different portions of the range.

Abstract: A data communication system comprising a transceiver unit for retromodulated optical communication with at least one of a plurality of retromodulator units, the transceiver unit comprising at least one of a plurality of transceivers, the transceivers transmitting diffused radiant energy at different angles covering a predetermined three-dimensional area, wherein each transceiver is enabled to set up and execute communication with at least one retromodulator unit located within its coverage area. Furthermore, a retromodulator comprising multiple arrays of lenslets or spherically arranged lenslets is provided for achieving a wide angle of acceptance. Further more a number of novel applications based on the data communication system are provided, including a remote wireless network connection for a portable computing device, a smart card for remote wireless identification, remote data collection, and remote downloading of digital photographs.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a cholesteric liquid crystal display device comprising a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material contained between two substrates, each substrate carrying an electrode layer so that the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material is interposed between the electrode layers. A piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the electrode layers of the cholesteric liquid crystal display device. The piezoelectric element is capable of being manually activated to generate a drive signal which is sufficient to switch the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material from the planar state to the focal conic state. The substrates are arranged to allow the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material to be sheared to switch the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material from the focal conic state to the planar state by manual compression of the cholesteric liquid crystal display device. Thus the display device can be switched without the need for a battery or other power source.

Abstract: A tiling of multiple display panels having reduced seam widths (gap) therebetween using a plurality of single edge connect display panels, wherein for each display panel: interconnect lines in the lateral direction are formed on a front plate; input portions of the interconnect lines are routed on an area where a sealing portion is formed and are extended outwardly from the bottom edge of the display panel; the area where the sealing portion is formed is a non-display area of the display panel on the front plate that is bonded to a rear plate with a seal material; and the input portions routed the bottom side of the front plate are extended outwardly from the bottom edge of the rear plate. The input portions are formed in part on the rear plate and electrical connection is established by bonding the front plate and the rear plate via through holes.

Abstract: A distinct color LCD apparatus including at least two layers of respectively disparate encapsulated liquid crystal materials; Structural means for maintaining said layers proximate to each other and in a substantially parallel orientation; Electrically conductive means for addressing at least one substantially parallel address across the encapsulated liquid crystal material in each of the respective layers; and Coordinated with said means for addressing, an electrical pulse driving means (I) wherein a state is selected from the list Homeouopre and planar and (U) whereby said state is communicated to a predetermined address between one of said parallel layers.

Abstract: A front-lit display panel comprising: at least one pixel units, each having a layered structure including transparent conductor, an active layer containing liquid-crystal-type molecules, and a rear conductive layer, electrical connectors in electrical contact with the rear conductive layer and extending to the rear portion of the pixel unit; and a plurality of electronics module for respectively receiving each pixel unit, each having a conformal interconnection facilities with the at least two contacts adapted for making electrical contact with the electrical connectors, and interfacing with at least one data communications line and at least one electric power line; and an assembly board for receiving the at least one second conformal interconnection facilities, each receiving position having at least two contacts respectively adapted for making electrical contact with the data communications line and with electric power line of one of the electronics modules.

Abstract: A Psychophysical Perception Enhancement, for use in juxtaposition to a perceptible output spectrum, and the enhancement includes: (a) designating a target enhancement region in the spectrum and the region is defined as having at least one boundary; (b) proximate to one of the boundaries, defining a perceptible transition region; and (c) in the transition region, applying a filter having a spectral shape substantially inverse to normal perception for the transition region. The enhancement is preferably applicable to a visual or audio systems and can be embodied as a digital, analog, mechanical, passive, optical element.

Abstract: A fat conductor electrically interconnecting between a pair of substantially parallel plates wherein each of the plates has a prearranged pattern of conducting surface coating regions on the central interior face side thereof, and the fat conductor is specifically for use in sandwiched constructions of the plates having encapsulated dielectric film there-between, the fat conductor including: two thin conductive surface coating pads of substantially complementary size and one of the two pads is located on each facing plate and the pads are situated to face each other when the plates are sandwiched together and each pad has an associated conductive surface coating path on its respective surface; a perimeter wall of adhesive arranged around one of the pads; and a conductive paste situated within the perimeter wall such that when the plates are sandwiched together there is formed an electrically conductive connection between the pads via the paste.

Abstract: A front-lit display panel comprising: at least one pixel units, each having a layered structure including transparent conductor, an active layer containing liquid-crystal-type molecules, and a rear conductive layer, electrical connectors in electrical contact with the rear conductive layer and extending to the rear portion of the pixel unit; and a plurality of electronics module for respectively receiving each pixel unit, each having a conformal interconnection facilities with the at least two contacts adapted for making electrical contact with the electrical connectors, and interfacing with at least one data communications line and at least one electric power line; and an assembly board for receiving the at least one second conformal interconnection facilities, each receiving position having at least two contacts respectively adapted for making electrical contact with the data communications line and with electric power line of one of the electronics modules.

Abstract: A fat conductor electrically interconnecting between a pair of substantially parallel plates wherein each of the plates has a prearranged pattern of conducting surface coating regions on the central interior face side thereof, and the fat conductor is specifically for use in sandwiched constructions of the plates having encapsulated dielectric film there-between, the fat conductor including: two thin conductive surface coating pads of substantially complementary size and one of the two pads is located on each facing plate and the pads are situated to face each other when the plates are sandwiched together and each pad has an associated conductive surface coating path on its respective surface; a perimeter wall of adhesive arranged around one of the pads; and a conductive paste situated within the perimeter wall such that when the plates are sandwiched together there is formed an electrically conductive connection between the pads via the paste.