Patents by Inventor Mark Lightfoot

Mark Lightfoot 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
  • Patent number: 10649261
    Abstract: A liquid crystal eWriter system with a resistive digitizer and having palm rejection includes the following features. An eWriter includes eWriter substrates that are spaced apart from each other, an upper one of the eWriter substrates being formed of a flexible, clear polymeric material and a lower one of the eWriter substrates being formed of a flexible polymeric material. Electrically conductive layers are spaced apart from each other and located between the eWriter substrates. A dispersion layer including a dispersion of cholesteric liquid crystal material and polymer is disposed between the electrically conductive layers. Pressure applied to the eWriter changes a reflectance of the cholesteric liquid crystal material forming an image. A resistive digitizer determines a location of the pressure applied to the eWriter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Kent Displays Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lightfoot, Erica N. Montbach, Duane Marhefka, Asad A. Khan
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180031886
    Abstract: A liquid crystal eWriter system with a resistive digitizer and having palm rejection includes the following features. An eWriter includes eWriter substrates that are spaced apart from each other, an upper one of the eWriter substrates being formed of a flexible, clear polymeric material and a lower one of the eWriter substrates being formed of a flexible polymeric material. Electrically conductive layers are spaced apart from each other and located between the eWriter substrates. A dispersion layer including a dispersion of cholesteric liquid crystal material and polymer is disposed between the electrically conductive layers. Pressure applied to the eWriter changes a reflectance of the cholesteric liquid crystal material forming an image. A resistive digitizer determines a location of the pressure applied to the eWriter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark LIGHTFOOT, Erica N. MONTBACH, Duane MARHEFKA, Asad A. KHAN
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130342488
    Abstract: A display device includes a cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is subjected to a mechanical force that generates a voltage that is applied to the writing tablet that erases writing on the writing tablet or a portion thereof. A further feature is a display device comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal display and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is subjected to a mechanical force that generates a voltage that is applied to the display that places the display or a portion thereof in at least one of a color reflective planar state, a substantially transparent focal conic state and a gray scale state. Also featured is a method of erasing a cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Tod Schneider, Oleg Pishnyak, Andrew DeMiglio, Mark Lightfoot
  • Publication number: 20130342432
    Abstract: A display device includes a cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is subjected to a mechanical force that generates a voltage that is applied to the writing tablet that erases writing on the writing tablet. A further feature is a display device comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal display and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is subjected to a mechanical force that generates a voltage that is applied to the display that places the display in at least one of a color reflective planar state, a substantially transparent focal conic state and a gray scale state. Also featured is a method of erasing a cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod Schneider, Oleg Pishnyak, Andrew DeMiglio, Mark Lightfoot, Duane Marhefka
  • Patent number: 8334961
    Abstract: Electrooptical displays require conductors on both sides of the liquid crystal thin film. The two conductors face opposite sides of the display. The cost of electrically connecting to these displays can be decreased by having the conductors of the display all face the same side of the display. This invention includes a technique to allow both conductors to face the same side of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Erica N. Montbach, Mark Lightfoot, Todd C. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20100059273
    Abstract: Electrooptical displays require conductors on both sides of the liquid crystal thin film. The two conductors face opposite sides of the display. The cost of electrically connecting to these displays can be decreased by having the conductors of the display all face the same side of the display. This invention includes a technique to allow both conductors to face the same side of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Erica N. MONTBACH, Mark LIGHTFOOT, Todd C. ERNST