Patents by Inventor Forrest Nicholson

Forrest Nicholson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10739631
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Kent Displays Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lightfoot, Erica Montbach, Forrest Nicholson, Clinton Braganza
  • Publication number: 20200026106
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Mark LIGHTFOOT, Erica MONTBACH, Forrest NICHOLSON, Clinton BRAGANZA
  • Patent number: 9851612
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display with an identifier such as a watermark, serial number, logo or other graphic design, is disclosed. The identifiers can be read electronically or with the human eye. Methods are described for fabricating identifiers on cholesteric writing tablets in particular, with varying shades of gray and hence different degrees of visibility. The identifiers are permanent and not erased when a liquid crystal image on the display is erased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kent Displays Inc.
    Inventors: Don Davis, Forrest Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20150286085
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display with an identifier such as a watermark, serial number, logo or other graphic design, is disclosed. The identifiers can be read electronically or with the human eye. Methods are described for fabricating identifiers on cholesteric writing tablets in particular, with varying shades of gray and hence different degrees of visibility. The identifiers are permanent and not erased when a liquid crystal image on the display is erased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Don Davis, Forrest Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8958048
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Clinton Braganza, Mathew Bowser, John Krinock, Forrest Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20140016076
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: KENT DISPLAYS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Clinton BRAGANZA, Mathew BOWSER, John KRINOCK, Forrest NICHOLSON
  • Patent number: 7351506
    Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer dispersion is formed where liquid crystal encapsulation is produced by a process in which a reactive additive formulation is mixed and photo-polymerized. The polymerizable additive formulation includes monofunctional, multifunctional and photoinitiator compounds in specific composition. The polymerizable additive formulation enhances the control of deformed globule or droplet size, structure integrity, electro-optical properties, and prohibits flow of the liquid crystal as it is encapsulated. A simple process and a controllable system for encapsulating cholesteric materials that provides rugged low-power flexible passively-driven displays. Such displays offer the possibility of lower cost roll-to-roll manufacturing in addition to lighter weight, more rugged and conformable displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod Schneider, Forrest Nicholson, Liang-Chy Chien
  • Publication number: 20070026163
    Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer dispersion is formed where liquid crystal encapsulation is produced by a process in which a reactive additive formulation is mixed and photo-polymerized. The polymerizable additive formulation includes monofunctional, multifunctional and photoinitiator compounds in specific composition. The polymerizable additive formulation enhances the control of deformed globule or droplet size, structure integrity, electro-optical properties, and prohibits flow of the liquid crystal as it is encapsulated. A simple process and a controllable system for encapsulating cholesteric materials that provides rugged low-power flexible passively-driven displays. Such displays offer the possibility of lower cost roll-to-roll manufacturing in addition to lighter weight, more rugged and conformable displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tod Schneider, Forrest Nicholson, Liang-Chy Chien
  • Publication number: 20050195354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display film that may be transferred by lamination or otherwise onto a substrate. The display film is formed of a stack of layers that can include different types, arrangements, and functionality within the stack depending upon factors including the characteristics of the substrate (e.g., upper or lower, transparent or opaque, substrates) and addressing of the display (e.g., active or passive matrix, electrical or optical addressing). The layers of the stacked display film include one or more electrode layers and one or more liquid crystal layers and, in addition, may include various combinations of an adhesive layer, preparation layer, casting layer, light absorbing layer, insulation layers, and protective layers. The liquid crystal layer can include cholesteric or other liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal layer can be a dispersion of liquid crystal in a polymer matrix formed by a variety of techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Doane, Asad Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya, Tod Schneider, Oleg Pishnyak, Seth Green, Forrest Nicholson, Liang-Chy Chien