Abstract: A liquid crystal writing device with enhanced line acuity includes the following features. Included is a front writing surface. A liquid crystal layer includes a dispersion of cholesteric liquid crystal and polymer, wherein a reflectance of the cholesteric liquid crystal changes in response to pressure applied to the front writing surface so as to form an image on the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between electrically conductive layers. A second of the electrically conductive layers is more distal from the front writing surface than a first of the electrically conductive layers is from the front writing surface. A backing supports the pressure applied to the front writing surface. An adhesive layer is disposed between the second of the electrically conductive layers and the backing. A line acuity of the image has a value of not more than 3.0 determined according to the Line Acuity Measurement Method of this disclosure.

Abstract: A liquid crystal writing device with enhanced line acuity includes the following features. Included is a front writing surface. A liquid crystal layer includes a dispersion of cholesteric liquid crystal and polymer, wherein a reflectance of the cholesteric liquid crystal changes in response to pressure applied to the front writing surface so as to form an image on the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between electrically conductive layers. A second of the electrically conductive layers is more distal from the front writing surface than a first of the electrically conductive layers is from the front writing surface. A backing supports the pressure applied to the front writing surface. An adhesive layer is disposed between the second of the electrically conductive layers and the backing. A line acuity of the image has a value of not more than 3.0 determined according to the Line Acuity Measurement Method of this disclosure.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) electronic writing device incorporates a dot pattern recognition system. When writing pressure is applied to the writing device an image composed of writing or drawing is displayed by a pressure sensitive ChLC polymer dispersion stacked in a multilayer system of the device. A specialized stylus with sensor and associated electronics is used to form the image on the electronic writing device. The stylus produces electrical information indicating the path or trajectory of the writing that is displayed by the electronic writing device, which can be transferred via wireless signal to any other displaying device. This forms a replica image on the displaying device that is a replica of the image on the electronic writing device.

Abstract: An electronic display includes electrically conductive layers. An active layer is disposed between adjacent electrically conductive layers. The active layer includes cholesteric liquid crystal material. At least one transparent front substrate is disposed adjacent one of the electrically conductive layers near a front of the display. A semitransparent back layer absorbs light that passes through the active layer, reflects grey light or light of a color and is light transmitting. Electronic circuitry applies a voltage to the conductive layers that enables at least one of erasing or writing of the active layer.

Abstract: A multicolored pressure sensitive liquid crystal device includes a first transparent substrate that is flexible on which pressure is applied and a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate. Also included are electrically conductive layers, one of which is in contact with the first substrate and is transparent and another of which is in contact with the second substrate. The electrically conductive layers are separated from each other. Also included is a pressure sensitive liquid crystal layer including cholesteric liquid crystal disposed between the electrically conductive layers. The liquid crystal layer includes at least first and second color regions. The first color region reflects light of a first color and the second color region reflects light of a second color. The pressure applied to the substrate results in a change in reflectance of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A multicolored pressure sensitive liquid crystal device includes a first transparent substrate that is flexible on which pressure is applied and a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate. Also included are electrically conductive layers, one of which is in contact with the first substrate and is transparent and another of which is in contact with the second substrate. The electrically conductive layers are separated from each other. Also included is a pressure sensitive liquid crystal layer including cholesteric liquid crystal disposed between the electrically conductive layers. The liquid crystal layer includes at least first and second color regions. The first color region reflects light of a first color and the second color region reflects light of a second color. The pressure applied to the substrate results in a change in reflectance of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: An electronic display includes electrically conductive layers. An active layer is disposed between adjacent electrically conductive layers. The active layer includes cholesteric liquid crystal material. At least one transparent front substrate is disposed adjacent one of the electrically conductive layers near a front of the display. A semitransparent back layer absorbs light that passes through the active layer, reflects grey light or light of a color and is light transmitting. Electronic circuitry applies a voltage to the conductive layers that enables at least one of erasing or writing of the active layer.

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: A cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) electronic writing device incorporates a dot pattern recognition system. When writing pressure is applied to the writing device an image composed of writing or drawing is displayed by a pressure sensitive ChLC polymer dispersion stacked in a multilayer system of the device. A specialized stylus with sensor and associated electronics is used to form the image on the electronic writing device. The stylus produces electrical information indicating the path or trajectory of the writing that is displayed by the electronic writing device, which can be transferred via wireless signal to any other displaying device. This forms a replica image on the displaying device that is a replica of the image on the electronic writing device.

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 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: 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: A display device includes a piezoelectric layer. First electrically conductive electrodes are disposed on both sides of the piezoelectric layer. A bistable liquid crystal layer is disposed adjacent the piezoelectric layer. Second electrically conductive electrodes are disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer can be addressed by electrically addressing the piezoelectric layer causing the piezoelectric layer to move into contact with the liquid crystal layer, changing the brightness of pixels of the liquid crystal layer.

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: 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 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: An apparatus for forming a colored image on a display, includes a VCSEL array device having a plurality of light-emitting pixels wherein each light-emitting pixel produces a beam of light including substantial components in a portion of the visible spectrum so that different light-emitting pixels produce different colored light; and a light shutter layer for each light-emitting pixel providing a modulator disposed in the path of the corresponding light beam for selectively passing corresponding colored light for providing a colored light image on the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high contrast reflective display comprising at least one substrate, at least one electrically conductive layer and at least one close-packed, ordered monolayer of domains of electrically modulated material in a fixed, preferably crosslinked, polymer matrix and a method of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible multi-color display comprising an optional substrate, at least one independently switchable electrically modulated imaging layer between an upper conductive layer and a lower conductive layer, wherein the number of said optional substrate is less than or equal to the number of said at least one independently switchable electrically modulated imaging layer. The present invention also relates to a display comprising portions of a flexible multi-color displays produced separately and laminated to gether to form a final display, as well as displays having removable carrier/transport substrates and methods for making the same.

Abstract: A display apparatus for producing colored pixelated light includes a backlight unit for providing a pump-beam light. The apparatus also includes a microcavity light-producing array responsive to pump-beam light and having pixels wherein each pixel including a transparent substrate, a bottom dielectric stack reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths, an active region responsive to pump-beam light for producing display light, and a top dielectric stack spaced from the bottom dielectric stack and reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths. The apparatus further includes a light shutter for permitting selected display light from the microcavity light-producing array to pass therethrough, a polarizing layer disposed between the microcavity light-producing array and the light shutter, and a beam expander disposed over the light shutter for increasing the angular cone of view of the display light.