Patents by Inventor J. William Doane

J. William Doane 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: 9235096
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KENT DISPLAYS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Erica N. Montbach, Mark Lightfoot, J. William Doane
  • Publication number: 20150054775
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Erica N. Montbach, Mark Lightfoot, J. William Doane
  • Patent number: 8691111
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kent Displays Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Diehl, Thomas Welter, Erica N. Montbach, J. William Doane, Nithya Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 8329058
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Kent Displays Incorporated, Kent State University
    Inventors: Quan Li, Lisa M. Green, J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Nithya Venkataraman, Irina Shiyanovskaya
  • Publication number: 20120273725
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: Kent State University, Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald R. Diehl, Thomas Welter, Erica N. Montbach, J. William Doane, Nithya Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20120268420
    Abstract: A writing/drawing tablet utilizing a data capture device such as a pressure sensitive display with data capture component that can capture data from the resulting image drawn on the device for storage. In general, Bistable Liquid Crystal Displays (BLCD), and in particular, Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Displays (ChLCDs), can be utilized in the tablet. The tablet can also be adapted to connect to external devices for displaying images being drawn on the tablet or that were previously stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Duane Marhefka, J. William Doane, Tod L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8199086
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Erica Montbach, Nithya Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20120127136
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: KENT DISPLAYS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tod SCHNEIDER, Erica MONTBACH, J. William Doane, Antal JAKLI, John HARDEN
  • Patent number: 8139039
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod L. Schneider, Erica Montbach, J. William Doane
  • Patent number: 8138939
    Abstract: A display for use on medical dispensing equipment, and the resulting medical device and its method of display. In particular, provided are a number of specific embodiments of such a display on a medical device, including a film display for use on pill bottles and pill dispensers that utilize colored images as a dosage reminder for the user, a conformable bistable reflective display for use on drug delivery devices, and a conformable bistable reflective display for use on blood glucose meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Manning Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: William Manning, Sarah Kwon, Albert Green, Joel Domino, Asad Khan, J. William Doane
  • Patent number: 7796103
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya, Albert Green
  • Patent number: 7773064
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya
  • Publication number: 20100157180
    Abstract: A flexible liquid crystal display is provided wherein an addressable liquid crystal layer is disposed on a single flexible substrate so that the display itself will exhibit flexibility. The substrate is preferably a flexible non-transparent material and more preferably a drapable material such as fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: KENT DISPLAYS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya, Albert Green
  • Publication number: 20090096942
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod L. Schneider, Erica Montbach, J. William Doane
  • Publication number: 20090051560
    Abstract: A display for use on medical dispensing equipment, and the resulting medical device and its method of display. In particular, provided are a number of specific embodiments of such a display on a medical device, including a film display for use on pill bottles and pill dispensers that utilize colored images as a dosage reminder for the user, a conformable bistable reflective display for use on drug delivery devices, and a conformable bistable reflective display for use on blood glucose meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: William MANNING, Sarah KWON, Albert GREEN, Joel DOMINO, Asad KHAN, J. William DOANE
  • Publication number: 20080309598
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Erica Montbach, Nithya Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 7236151
    Abstract: A flexible liquid crystal display is provided wherein an addressable liquid crystal layer is disposed on a single flexible substrate so that the display itself will exhibit flexibility. The substrate is preferably a flexible non-transparent material and more preferably a drapable material such as fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya, Albert Green
  • Publication number: 20070126674
    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: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya
  • Patent number: 6532052
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cholesteric liquid crystal display that includes a homogeneous alignment surface effective to provide increased brightness, low focal conic reflectance and/or reflected light treat is to a significant degree circularly polarized. The homogeneous alignment surface substantially homogeneously aligns the liquid crystal director adjacent thereto. The homogeneous alignment surface may be disposed on one or both sides of a cell of the display. In the case of a cell in which the homogeneous alignment surface is disposed on only one side, the substrate with the inhomogeneous alignment surface may be upstream or downstream of the substrate with the homogeneous alignment surface relative to a direction of incident light. Also included especially in the case of a cell that has the homogeneous alignment surface on both sides is the use of a polarizer to provide very good brightness and low focal conic reflectance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Asad A. Khan, Xiao-Yang Huang, J. William Doane, Gene A. Miceli, Donald J. Davis
  • Patent number: 6518944
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated, reflective bistable, cholesteric liquid crystal display and solar cell assembly providing electrical energy to power display electronics. The liquid crystal display includes the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material sandwiched between first and second transparent substrates. An inner surface of the first substrate and an inner surface of the second substrate bound the layer of liquid crystal material and the first substrate is closest to a viewer of the display. A first set of conductive electrodes is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate and a second set of conductive electrodes is disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate. Display driver circuitry is electrically coupled to the first and the second sets of conductive electrodes for generating desired voltage differentials between electrodes of the first set of conductive electrodes and electrodes of the second set of conductive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Nick M. Miller, IV, Donald James Davis