Abstract: A method and system for delivering a television display in a very thin cabinet is presented. The reduction of cabinet depth is achieved by the use of suitable optics to create an image ray that is full screen width but greatly reduced in the vertical direction. This beam is then directed at a very shallow oblique angle into the viewing screen system, which allows the viewer to observe the picture or display in its proper proportions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device for writing, inputting, and displaying information comprises: a first substrate, a second substrate, and a cell structure sandwiched between the two substrates, defining a plurality of isolated subcells. Means for applying an electric field to drive states of the cholesteric liquid crystal in the subcells is coupled to the electrodes. An electromagnetic sensitive panel is positioned proximately under the surface of the second substrate for receiving an electronic/magnetic signal transmitted by a writing tool. In use, when the tip of the writing tool is forced again and moved around the surface of the first substrate, a true track of the movement of the tip is directly shown on the writing surface, while information of the movement of the tip of the writing tool is sensed by the electromagnetic sensitive panel simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed are various reverse-mode direct-view liquid crystal displays (LCD) employing a liquid crystal having a characteristic wavelength in the non-visible spectrum, including transmissive mode displays, and methods of fabrication. In accordance with the principles disclosed, a transmitance mode direct-view LCD includes a first linear polarizer, a second linear polarizer, an internal light source and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) located between the first and second linear polarizers and having a characteristic wavelength to reflect in a non-visible region of light. Portions of the CLC can selectively exhibit a planar state or a focal-conic state, the portions of the CLC in the planar state appearing black, and the portions of the CLC in the focal-conic state appearing white to an observer of the LCD.

Abstract: Disclosed are various reverse-mode direct-view liquid crystal displays (LCD) employing a liquid crystal having a characteristic wavelength in the non-visible spectrum, including reflective and transflective mode displays, and methods of fabrication. In accordance with the principles disclosed, a reflectance mode direct-view LCD includes a polarizer, a reflector, and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) packed between the polarizer and reflector and having a characteristic wavelength to reflect non-visible spectrum. Portions of the CLC can selectively exhibit a planar state or a focal-conic state, the portions of the CLC in the planar state appearing black, and the portions of the CLC in the focal-conic state appearing white to an observer of the LCD. A transflective mode LCD is derived by further combination of polarizers, transflective mirrors and internal light sources.

Abstract: Disclosed are various reverse-mode direct-view liquid crystal displays employing a liquid crystal having a characteristic wavelength in the non-visible spectrum, including reflective, transmissive and reflective-transmissive mode displays. In accordance with the principles disclosed, a direct-view liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a front substantially transparent substrate, a rear substrate, and a controllable cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) disposed between the front and rear substrates and having a characteristic wavelength to reflect non-visible spectrum; the portions of the controllable CLC can selectively exhibit a planar state or a focal-conic state, the portions of the CLC in the planar state appearing dark, and the portions of the CLC in the focal-conic state appearing bright, to an observer of the LCD.

Abstract: A substrate for a multi-color liquid crystal display (LCD), an LCD having the substrate, and methods of manufacturing the substrate and the LCD. In one embodiment, the substrate includes: (1) a substantially planar base and (2) a cell wall structure, located on a surface of the base, that defines at least first and second sets of independent cells having corresponding independent fluid fill ports when the cell wall structure is bonded to an opposing substrate.

Abstract: Driver apparatus and methods of driving at least a portion of a cholesteric liquid crystal ("CLC") panel to a state having a given reflectivity. One of the methods includes the steps of: (1) initially driving the portion to a nematic phase, (2) subsequently driving the portion to a cholesteric phase focal-conic state, the cholesteric phase focal-conic state providing a known reference state for subsequent driving of the portion and (3) thereafter driving the portion to the state having the given reflectivity.

Abstract: A light modulating apparatus containing cholesteric liquid crystals capable of indefinite zero field retention of optical images, including full color and complete gray scale capability, is described. This invention is predicated on establishment of zero field multistable liquid crystal domains representing a continuous distribution of states ranging from the highly reflective planar to the light-scattering focal-conic structures. The zero field multistable domain structure stability is achieved by controlling solid surface-liquid crystal boundary interactions to provide essential equalization of the total system energy of each of the domain structures. This is the first time this equalization, and thus zero field multistability, has been achieved without the use of a polymer gel addition to create rigid polydomains in the liquid crystal mix.

Abstract: A light modulating apparatus containing cholesteric liquid crystals capable of indefinite zero field retention of optical images, including full color and complete gray scale capability, is described. This invention is predicated on establishment of zero field multistable liquid crystal domains representing a continuous distribution of states ranging from the highly reflective planar to the light-scattering focal-conic structures. The zero field multistable domain structure stability is achieved by controlling solid surface-liquid crystal boundary interactions to provide essential equalization of the total system energy of each of the domain structures. This is the first time this equalization, and thus zero field multistability, has been achieved without the use of a polymer gel addition to create rigid polydomains in the liquid crystal mix.