Utilizing Change Within Liquid Crystal Phase (e.g., Grandjean To Focal Conic, Etc.) Patents (Class 349/169)
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Patent number: 11940701Abstract: A writing panel includes an array substrate, a flexible substrate disposed opposite to the array substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the array substrate and the flexible substrate, and a plurality of spacers each in a shape of a column disposed on a surface of the array substrate proximate to the liquid crystal layer. The array substrate includes a base and a pixel driving circuit layer disposed on the base, and the pixel driving circuit layer includes a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of signal lines. An orthographic projection of each spacer on the base is non-overlapping with orthographic projections of the plurality of thin film transistors and the plurality of signal lines on the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiaojuan Wu, Jiaxing Wang, Yang Ge, Yu Zhao, Jian Wang, Hao Yan
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Patent number: 11624949Abstract: A display device including a display area and a non-display area is provided. The display area includes a display panel, a switch unit and a first reflective film. The non-display area includes a second reflective film. The switch unit is disposed on the display panel. The first reflective film is disposed between the display panel and the switch unit. When the display device is set in a pattern mode, the display panel does not emit image light. For the pattern mode, the reflectivity in the display area is approximately equal to the reflectivity in the non-display area for ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Au Optronics CorporationInventors: Chia-Chun Hsu, Yu-Ping Kuo, Hsiao-Wei Cheng
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Patent number: 10832622Abstract: A driving method is provided for an electric-optic display having a plurality of display pixels, the method including dividing the plurality of display pixels into multiple groups of pixels, applying at least one waveform structure to the multiple groups of pixels, the at least one waveform structure having a driving section for updating the multiple groups of pixels, and updating the multiple groups of pixels in a contiguous fashion such that only one group of display pixels completes the driving section at any given time.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Pierre-Yves Emelie, Ana L. Lattes, Kenneth R. Crounse, Chih-Hsiang Ho
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Patent number: 10823991Abstract: A method for electrically driving a switchable optical element is provided wherein the state of a liquid-crystalline medium is controlled by an applied electric field. The provided method comprises at least one of a) switching from a scattering state to a clear state, b) switching from a clear state to a scattering state, c) holding a scattering state.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBHInventors: Ties De Jong, Paul Verbunt
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Patent number: 10718154Abstract: Liquid crystal modulator optical devices and more specifically shutters and smart windows are presented. The liquid crystal modulator devices are characterized by a reduced polymer content which is eliminated from the material composition of the liquid crystal layer and characterized by non-uniform electrode structures in the liquid crystal structure configured to generate spatially non-uniform electric fields and therefore non-uniform molecular reorientation of liquid crystal molecules. This arrangement advantageously makes light scattering electrically controllable.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: UNIVERSITÉ LAVALInventor: Tigran Galstian
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Patent number: 9897496Abstract: The present invention provides a stress measuring method including: irradiating a photoelastic product including a measurement subject with light penetrating a linear polarizing film and a phase difference film in this order, and detecting reflected light from the product which is derived from the light via the phase difference film and the linear polarizing film in this order, in which in-plane retardation Re (550) of the phase difference film with light having a wavelength of 550 nm satisfies 100 nm?Re (550 nm)?700 nm, and in-plane retardation Re (450) of the phase difference film with light having a wavelength of 450 nm satisfies Re (450)/Re (550)?0.9, a stress measuring member including the linear polarizing film and the phase difference film, and a stress measuring set including the stress measuring member and a stress displaying member including a photoelastic layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Takahiro Hayashi
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Patent number: 9397121Abstract: The present disclosure provides an array substrate including a substrate, a plurality of pixel units arranged on the substrate. Each pixel unit includes a TFT, a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode which are insulated from each other, the first transparent electrode includes a plurality of strip electrodes, the second transparent electrode includes a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion, the second electrode portion electrically connects to the first electrode portion, the first electrode portion includes a plurality of strip electrodes, the strip electrodes of the first electrode portion and the strip electrodes of the first transparent electrode are arranged in a staggered manner, the second electrode portion is arranged on a layer different from that of the first transparent electrode and the first electrode portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Chuanbao Chen, Xiaobin Yin, Ji Li, Haiting Zhao
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Patent number: 9019257Abstract: A gate driving circuit of a display panel is provided. A gate driving voltage is accurately adjusted by the gate driving circuit according to an environmental temperature, given that the characteristics of a thermistor and a hysteresis loop are taken into consideration. Accordingly, the power loss caused by switching states of a display panel can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.Inventor: Chang-Xin Huang
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Patent number: 8836909Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which can exhibit a blue phase stably is manufactured. A first substrate and a second substrate are attached by a sealant interposing a liquid crystal layer comprising a liquid crystal composition therebetween, an alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is set to be an isotropic phase by heat treatment, the liquid crystal layer is irradiated with light so as to perform polymer stabilization treatment on the liquid crystal layer, and an alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is changed from an isotropic phase to a blue phase in the light irradiation. Thus, a liquid crystal display device which suppresses a defect which shows an alignment state other than a blue phase (an alignment defect) is manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Kubota, Akio Yamashita, Masaru Nakano
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Patent number: 8830423Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal device is provided, the method comprising (i) providing a cell containing a mixture of a liquid crystal and pre-polymer (ii) applying a stimulus to arrange the liquid crystal in a first predetermined state and (iii) subsequent to, or contemporaneously with, step (ii), causing the pre-polymer to form polymer when the liquid crystal is in a second predetermined state, wherein steps (ii) and (iii) are performed a plurality of times.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2008Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Merck Patent GmbHInventors: Bo-Ru Yang, Steve Elston, Peter Raynes, Han-Ping Shieh
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Patent number: 8797497Abstract: An unpolarized light beam phase modulator emitting in a given wavelength range comprises at least one cell containing a liquid crystal having a helical structure and means for applying a voltage to said cell, said liquid crystal having a torsion elastic constant greater than its twisting elastic constant so as to ensure continuous stable behavior voltage-wise, said liquid crystal having a sufficient number of turns and in which the axis of the turns is in the light-propagation direction, making it possible to obtain an optical effect generated by the liquid crystal on the electrical field that is identical regardless of the direction of this electrical field, said cell being transparent in said wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux EnergiesInventors: Umberto Rossini, Bruno Mourey
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Patent number: 8704980Abstract: A display panel comprises a first and a second substrates and a BP liquid crystal layer. A first electrode is provided on the first substrate, a second electrode is provided on the second substrate, and reflection portions each having a first and a second reflection surfaces are provided between the first and second substrates. When light is transmitted to the panel, the light is reflected on the first reflection surface of the reflection portion and the light after the first reflection is transmitted to an adjacent reflection portion through the liquid crystal layer and is reflected on the second reflection surface of the adjacent reflection portion. When different voltages are applied, the liquid crystal layer will shift the phase position of the light passing therethrough, while when there is no voltage, the liquid crystal layer will not shift the phase position of the light passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Infovision Optoelectronics (Kunshan) Co. Ltd.Inventors: Lianbo Mao, Wenjun Dai, Xiaoliang Zhu, Yaru Fan
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Patent number: 8558799Abstract: The invention relates to a user interaction device (200, 300) comprising an optical module (210, 310) having a layer (5) of a substance being electrically switchable between a first visual state and a second visual state, and an electrical switch (6a, 6b) for electrically switching the substance between the first and second visual states, a detector (6a, 11b) for detecting the presence of a physical object, and a control unit (290, 390) for controlling the electrical switch in response to the detection of presence of the physical object.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Galileo June Destura, Armanda Cinderella Nieuwkerk, Johan Thomas Oostveen
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Patent number: 8519936Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates between which a liquid crystal forming material is sandwiched and which are disposed to be opposite to each other; a pair of electrodes including one and the other electrodes; a control means for controlling a voltage applied between the electrodes; and a temperature detector. The control means applies a voltage, by which a change of light transmittance occurs based on an induction and disappearance phenomenon of a nematic phase in the liquid crystal forming material, between the electrodes when a temperature of the liquid crystal forming material is in an isotropic phase temperature range, and the control means applies a voltage, by which a change of light transmittance occurs based on a change of orientation of directors of the liquid crystal forming material, between the electrodes when the temperature of the liquid crystal forming material is in a nematic phase temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Japan Display West Inc.Inventor: Masahiro Kosuge
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Patent number: 8384872Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a layer (2) of a nematic liquid crystal material contained between two cell walls (3, 4) each carrying electrode structures (6, 7) and an alignment surface (20, 21). The alignment layer (20, 21) on one or both cell wall (4), is formed of a plurality of small (<15 ?m) surface features each separably capable of providing a bistable pretilts and an alignment direction and collectively causing larger variations of molecular orientation across the layer (2). The device may be switched between a light transmissive state and a light non-transmissive state. The small surface features may be areas of grating (21), protrusions (25), or blind holes (26), separated by mono stable flat surfaces (Fm) coated with a homeotropic alignment layer. Preferably, the grating etc provides bistable switching operation between a low surface tilt and high surface tilt, and the low tilt alignment direction varies between adjacent grating areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: ZBD Displays LimitedInventor: John C Jones
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Patent number: 8325283Abstract: A recording device includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage exceeding a first threshold value to a display medium; a photosensitive layer in which an impedance changes depending on an irradiated light; and a light irradiation unit that irradiates light of a first intensity that changes the impedance of the display medium at the approximately same time as when the voltage is applied by the voltage application unit and, and when the voltage is no longer applied by the voltage application unit, irradiates light that has a second intensity lower than the first intensity and that damps the residual voltage to the second threshold value or below within a length of time equal to or less than the third threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Hirano, Taijyu Gan, Haruo Harada, Takashi Morikawa, Chisato Urano, Yasunori Okano, Hiroshi Arisawa
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Patent number: 8199086Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Kent Displays IncorporatedInventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Erica Montbach, Nithya Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8149374Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal display (Ch-LCD) devices with actuating thin-film driving elements are presented. The Ch-LCD device includes a first substrate and an opposing second substrate. An actuating thin-film structure is disposed on the first substrate. A cholesteric liquid crystal layer is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. A common electrode is disposed on the second substrate. In operation, the actuating thin-film structure is deformed to drive phase transition of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Jen-Chieh Yang, Yuan-Chang Liao
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Patent number: 8120746Abstract: A display panel includes (i) a first substrate and a second substrate, which face each other, (ii) a medium layer being sandwiched between the first and second substrate, and (iii) first electrodes and second electrodes being provided on that side of the first substrate which faces the second substrate, the display panel performing display operation by generating an electric field between the first and second electrodes. The display panel is configured such that the medium layer comprises a medium that is optically isotropic when no electric field is applied thereon, and whose optical anisotropy magnitude is changeable by and according to the electric field applied thereon; and the first and second electrodes are transparent electrodes, and a distance between the first and the second electrodes is shorter than a distance between the first substrate and second substrate. This configuration attains gives the display panel high response speed and high transmissivity.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Shibahara, Shoichi Ishihara, Koichi Miyachi
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Patent number: 7956980Abstract: A liquid crystal device is described that comprises a layer of liquid crystal material contained between a first cell wall and a second cell wall. The layer of liquid crystal material being switchable between at least a first state and a second state, said first state and said second state having sufficiently low splay to enable rapid electrical switching therebetween. The internal surface of said first cell wall is arranged to provide two or more surface alignment configurations of different pretilt to said layer of liquid crystal material. Said states may persist in the absence of an applied electric field. In particular, the invention relates to pi-cell devices that allow for rapid switching from the initial splay state to the bend states, and also to bistable or multistable pi-cell devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: ZBD Displays LimitedInventor: John C Jones
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Patent number: 7847890Abstract: An optical compensated bend (OCB) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a pixel electrode, a color filter, a common electrode and a liquid crystal layer. The pixel electrode is formed on the first substrate of the OCB mode LCD. The color filter is formed on the second substrate of the OCB mode LCD. The common electrode is formed on the color filter. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. A step structure is formed on the second structure, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are twisted into the bend state from the splay state uniformly and quickly.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Chia-Yu Lee, Ting-Jui Chang, Po-Lun Chen, Jeng-Fang Wu
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Patent number: 7843547Abstract: The invention relates to optically compensated bend (OCB) mode liquid crystal display devices and fabrication methods thereof. The OCB mode liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. A first pixel electrode is disposed on the first substrate. A second pixel electrode is disposed overlying the first pixel electrode with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween such that a discontinuous fringe field is formed at the edge of the second pixel electrode. A first alignment layer is disposed on the first substrate covering the first and second pixel electrode. A common electrode is disposed on the second substrate, and a second alignment layer is disposed on the second substrate covering the common electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Yi-An Sha, Kuo-Chang Lee, Chih-Chun Hsiao
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Publication number: 20100103337Abstract: The liquid crystal composition of the invention exhibits selective reflection and changes its selective reflection wavelength by a redox reaction induced by an electric field. The liquid crystal device of the invention has a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal layer containing the liquid crystal composition between the electrodes. The reflective display material and the light modulating material of the invention include the liquid crystal device described above.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventor: Koji TAKAKU
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Patent number: 7688296Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal driving device according to the present invention includes a first driving circuit for displaying one part of the image data to be displayed by a cholesteric liquid crystal on a first scanning line by driving the cholesteric liquid crystal on the first scanning line in accordance with first and second cycles; and a second driving circuit for displaying the other part of the image data to be displayed by a cholesteric liquid crystal on a second scanning line by driving the cholesteric liquid crystal on the second scanning line in accordance with a third or fourth cycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masato Nishizawa, Kazunori Hiramatsu, Munenori Sawada
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Patent number: 7682521Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method that allows one to obtain high quality alignment of nematic or smectic liquid crystal (LC) polymer glasses in thin films. The present disclosure also includes thin films of aligned smectic or nematic LC main-chain polymer glasses, including aligned chiral smectic C* ferroelectric LC main-chain polymer glasses. The disclosure also includes electro-optical devices, including electro-optical devices comprising aligned chiral smectic C* ferroelectric LC main-chain polymer glasses.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: The Regents of the University of ColoradoInventor: David M. Walba
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Patent number: 7652744Abstract: The optical element in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate having a light transmission ability and a fixed liquid crystal layer formed on the substrate. The fixed liquid crystal layer is composed of liquid crystal phase sections in which a liquid crystalline compound is fixed in a liquid crystal phase state and isotropic phase sections in which a liquid crystalline compound is fixed in an isotropic phase state. The layer thickness of the liquid crystal phase sections is larger than that of the isotropic phase sections, and the liquid crystal phase sections are formed so as to protrude with respect to the isotropic phase sections.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Hayashi, Norihisa Moriya
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Patent number: 7643124Abstract: A liquid crystal is provided, which can be used in a liquid crystal display (LCD) to provide an LCD exhibiting a good transmittance. The liquid crystal according to the invention has the following properties: (i) a dielectric anisotropy (??) ranging from about ?2.5 to about ?5; (ii) a splay elastic constant (K11) ranging from about 1.1×10?11 N to about 1.6×10?11 N; (iii) a bend elastic constant (K33) ranging from about 1.1×10?11 N to about 1.6×10?11 N; and (iv) ??, K11 (N) and K33 (N) conforming to the following equation: K 11 + K 33 ? 10 × ? ? ? ? ? < 1.28 × 10 - 12 . A liquid crystal material combination is also provided which comprises the liquid crystal according to the invention above mentioned and a polymerizable monomer.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Chia-Hsuan Pai, Chao-Yuan Chen, Te-Sheng Chen, Jenn-Jia Su
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Patent number: 7463329Abstract: Recent theoretical investigations have predicted the existence of axially frozen modes that arise when light is incident upon an anisotropic two-dimensional photonic crystal. Such electromagnetic modes are of interest since they suggest a near-zero group velocity with extraordinary amplitudes. The present invention addresses the crystal physics associated with realizing such effects and provides for the development of materials suitable for use in the forming photonic crystals that can exhibit such effects.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignees: Clemson University, United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Arthur Ballato, John Ballato
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Patent number: 7450970Abstract: A method of managing a user database in a mobile terminal includes, when communication using an arbitrary telephone number registered in a phone book occurs, updating a communication time of the telephone number to the time when the communication is terminated; searching for the communication time by a display request of phone book information including the telephone number; calculating a time interval from a present time to the communication time and searching for a connection period to which the calculated time interval belongs among a plurality of connection periods having different predetermined time intervals; and displaying a communication time mark corresponding to the searched connection period among a plurality of communication time marks corresponding to the plurality of connection periods with the requested phone book information.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventor: Won-Suk Jung
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Patent number: 7430351Abstract: The invention relates to a non-linear optical filter capable of transmitting an electromagnetic pulse with a duration of less than about 1 picosecond, provided with means for generating an electromagnetic field E with a linear polarization from this pulse, and with a crystal C1 of cubic geometry capable of generating an electromagnetic field E?1 from E with a linear polarization orthogonal to that of E. It comprises means for generating at least one other electromagnetic field E?2 capable of producing constructive interferences with the electromagnetic field E?1.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignees: Thales, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole Nationale Superieure des Techniques AvanceesInventors: Olivier Albert, Jean Etchepare, Aurélie Jullien, Gilles Cheriaux, Nikolay Minkovski, Solomon Saltiel
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Patent number: 7327433Abstract: Each of a pair of substrates respectively comprises an electrode and a rubbed alignment film on one surface, while the other surface is provided with a polarizer. The substrates are placed so that the surfaces provided with the alignment films are opposed to each other, and the area between the substrates is filled with a medium to form a material layer. Then, a medium made of a negative-type liquid crystalline compound sing a photopolymerizable monomer and a polymerization initiator is injected into the material layer held between the substrates. Further, ultra violet irradiation is performed with the medium exhibiting a liquid crystal phase, so that the photopolymerized monomer is polymerized, thus forming a polymer chain. In this manner, obtained is a display element, that causes change in degree of optical anisotropy in response to application of electric (external) field, which display element can be driven by a lower intensity electric (external) field.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichi Miyachi, Seiji Shibahara, Iichiro Inoue, Shoichi Ishihara, Takako Koide
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Publication number: 20070177095Abstract: An optical compensated bend (OCB) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a pixel electrode, a color filter, a common electrode and a liquid crystal layer. The pixel electrode is formed on the first substrate of the OCB mode LCD. The color filter is formed on the second substrate of the OCB mode LCD. The common electrode is formed on the color filter. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. A step structure is formed on the second structure, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are twisted into the bend state from the splay state uniformly and quickly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Applicant: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Chia-Yu Lee, Ting-Jui Chang, Po-Lun Chen, Jeng-Fang Fu
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Patent number: 7245282Abstract: A method of addressing bistable nematic liquid crystal devices is provided. The method is suitable for implementation using commercially available STN drivers. The method involves applying one of at least two data waveforms simultaneously to each column electrode whilst an active row waveform is applied to an active row and a non active row waveform is applied to all other rows. The resultant waveform at the pixels on the active row comprises a blanking portion sufficient to cause the liquid crystal material to blank, irrespective of which data waveform is applied, immediately followed by a discriminating portion which allows for selective latching depending on the data waveform applied.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: ZBD Displays LimitedInventor: John C. Jones
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Patent number: 7145538Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which carries out matrix driving of a liquid crystal layer by applying AC pulses to the liquid crystal layer through a plurality of scan electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes which face and cross each other. A method of driving such a liquid crystal display comprises a reset step of applying a reset pulse to liquid crystal to reset the liquid crystal to an initial state, a selection step of applying a selection pulse to the liquid crystal to select a final state of the liquid crystal, an evolution step of applying an evolution pulse to the liquid crystal to cause the liquid crystal to evolve to the selected final state. The reset pulse and the evolution pulse have alternating cycles which are longer than that of the selection pulse, and the adjustment of the alternating cycles of the reset pulse and of the evolution pulse are made by changing the pulse waveform applied to each of the scan electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiji Yamakawa, Tsukasa Yagi, Naoki Masazumi
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Patent number: 7123335Abstract: A display sheet is disclosed comprising, a substrate, first transparent conductors, second conductors and, between first and second conductors, at least one imaging layer comprising a substantial monolayer of isolated domains of liquid-crystal material, dispersed in a continuous matrix, wherein said domains of liquid-crystal material comprises a mixture of at least two populations, a first population comprising a first liquid-crystal material having a first ?max within the infrared spectral region and a second population comprising a second liquid-crystal material having a second ?max within the visible spectral region. Alternately, the imaging layer can comprise a substantial monolayer of isolated domains of liquid-crystal material comprising a population of domains comprising a liquid-crystal material having a ?max between 700 and 800 and having a half-peak width that extends into both the visible spectrum region and the infrared spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Krishnan Chari, Charles M. Rankin, Jr.
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Patent number: 7079218Abstract: An optically compensated birefringence mode liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystal material layer between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal material layer having a splay state when a voltage is not applied and having a bend state when a transition voltage is applied, a first compensation film on an outer surface of the first substrate, a first polarizing plate on the first compensation film, a second compensation film on an outer surface of the second substrate, and a second polarizing plate on the second compensation film, wherein the liquid crystal material layer in the splay state has a first retardation value (R1) satisfying according to: 1.35<R1/?<1.75 the liquid crystal material layer in the bend state has a second retardation value (R2) according to: 0.5<R2/?<0.7 when a white voltage for a white image is applied, and a third retardation value (R3) according to: 0.1<R3/?<0.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ku-Hyun Park, Sang-Ho Choi
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Patent number: 7068250Abstract: A method of addressing multistable nematic liquid crystal devices, in particular bistable nematic liquid crystal devices is provided. The method is a line at a time addressing scheme where one of at least two data waveforms is applied simultaneously to each of the column electrodes whilst a strobe waveform is applied to a row. The strobe waveform comprises a blanking portion sufficient to cause the liquid crystal material to blank, irrespective of which data waveform is applied, immediately followed by a discriminating portion which is such that in combination with an appropriate data waveform allows for selective latching. At least part of both the blanking portion and the discriminating portion are applied during the line address time for the particular row of interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: ZBD Displays LimitedInventor: John C Jones
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Patent number: 7035690Abstract: A programming-device user interface may include multiple levels of abstraction for programming treatment settings. A stimulation zone-programming interface may be at a highest level of abstraction and may include idealized stimulation zones. A field strength-programming interface may be at a middle level of abstraction and may include electromagnetic field-strength patterns generated by the stimulation zones, and/or electrode settings, and a depiction of how the electromagnetic fields interact with each other. An electrode-programming interface may be at a lowest level of abstraction and may depict treatment settings at an electrodes-view level. These interfaces may include a display of a stimulatable area of the patient's body. The display may include a depiction of leads and/or the underlying physiology, such as a depiction of a portion of a spine. Algorithms map treatment settings from one level of abstraction to settings at one or more other levels of abstraction.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Steven M. Goetz
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Patent number: 6999142Abstract: A display sheet comprising a substrate carrying layers of material; including a polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer having a first high reflection state within a portion of the visible light spectrum and a second less-reflective state in said spectrum, said states being changeable by electric field between the two states which states can be maintained in the absence of an electric field; a first transparent conductor disposed over the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer; a complementary light-absorbing layer below the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer having relatively high light absorption within the spectrum of the high-reflection state of the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer and having relatively less light absorption in the spectrum complementary to that of the high reflection state of the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer; and a reflective second conductor under said complementary light-absorbing layer reflecting light receType: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, Terry J. Martin
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Patent number: 6950157Abstract: A display sheet comprising a substrate carrying layers of material; including a polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer having a first high reflection state within a portion of the visible light spectrum and a second less-reflective state in said spectrum, said states being changeable by electric field between the two states which states can be maintained in the absence of an electric field; a first transparent conductor disposed over the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer; a complementary light-absorbing layer below the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer having relatively high light absorption within the spectrum of the high-reflection state of the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer and having relatively less light absorption in the spectrum complementary to that of the high reflection state of the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal layer; and a reflective second conductor under said complementary light-absorbing layer reflecting light receType: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, Terry J. Martin
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Patent number: 6950086Abstract: A driving method for a liquid crystal display device with a cholesteric liquid crystal having a memory mode of operation including a first stage of applying a first voltage to change the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal to a homeotropic state, a second stage of applying a second voltage to change the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal to a homogeneous state or a homogeneous/planar-mixed state, and a third stage of applying a third voltage to change the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal from the homogeneous state or the homogeneous/planar-mixed state to a focalconic state.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: OPTREX CorporationInventors: Makoto Nagai, Shinya Tahara, Tomohiro Takano, Noriko Suehiro, Satoshi Niiyama
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Patent number: 6950171Abstract: This invention involves one kind of liquid crystal color light switch, made especially from cholesteric liquid crystals. By changing the voltage applied, the reflection wavelength of the color light switch can be controlled, leading to a rapid change of the reflected light from red to green to blue in rapid succession, thus creating a color display. The core technology of this invention is making the voltage applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal less than the untwisted voltage and still in good focal conic state, that is the symmetric axis are in the same direction, and the pitch is varied according to the voltage applied.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Inshon INCInventor: Jing Wu Wen
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Patent number: 6947114Abstract: A liquid crystal light modulation element is provided that includes a liquid crystal layer held between a pair of substrates. The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material that exhibits a cholesteric phase and has a plurality of domains. The liquid crystal layer includes regions where the helical axes of the liquid crystal molecules in a focal conic state extend in regular directions within a plane that is substantially parallel to the surface substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Yamada, Masakazu Okada, Kiyofumi Hashimoto, Mitsuyoshi Miyai
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Patent number: 6939478Abstract: A A compound having formula (2) wherein A2 is an electron acceptor moiety; C2 is a conjugated bridging moiety; D2 is an electron donor moiety; S2 is a hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic moiety, or a hetero-acyclic moiety; a? is an integer; Z2 is a polymerizable moiety; and e? is the degree of polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier, David Rider, Peter G. Odell
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Patent number: 6927765Abstract: A display device which has a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal material, a driver for driving the liquid crystal display, and a controller for controlling the driver to drive at least a part of the liquid crystal display by selectively using one of a first drive method and a second drive method which are different from each other in operational principle of the liquid crystal material. The pulse voltage to drive at least one pixel of the liquid crystal display can be selectively set to any one of a plurality of kinds. The data pulse voltage applied to a data electrode can be selectively set to any one of a plurality of kinds to drive at least one pixel of the liquid crystal.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Masazumi, Eiji Yamakawa, Hideo Hotomi
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Patent number: 6885357Abstract: A method for writing pixels in a cholesteric liquid crystal display having opposing rows and columns of electrodes and cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the rows and columns of electrodes to define an array of pixels, the cholesteric liquid crystals having a plurality of reflective states stable in the absence of an electrical field, one state having a minimum reflection, and another state with maximum reflection includes the steps of: applying voltages to the row an column electrodes to establish a pre-selection pixel voltage having a magnitude and duration effective to change at least one possible reflective state, but ineffective to drive the liquid crystal material to a common state; applying voltages to the row and column electrodes to establish a selection pixel voltage for selecting a final reflective state for the pixel; and applying voltages to the row and column electrodes to establish a post selection pixel voltage for achieving a final desired reflective state.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Xiang-Dong Mi
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Patent number: 6882401Abstract: A light modulation medium comprises a light modulation element having a pair of substrates and plural light modulation layers arranged between the substrates to form a multilayer structure and made of cholesteric liquid crystal adapted to change the liquid crystal orientation in response to application of a predetermined electric field, in which the ratio of the threshold electric field at which the liquid crystal orientation is moved from a planar state to a focal conic state of a first light modulation layer of the light modulation element to that of a second light modulation layer is not less than 0.3 and the ratio of the dielectric constant in a planar state of liquid crystal orientation of the first light modulation layer to that of the second light modulation layer is not less than 4.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Haruo Harada, Hiroshi Arisawa
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Patent number: 6858266Abstract: A device composed of: a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal and a liquid crystal domain stabilizing compound, wherein die liquid crystal composition is switchable between a strongly scattering state of a first plurality of smaller liquid crystal domains that strongly scatters a predetermined light and a weakly scattering state of a second plurality of larger liquid crystal domains that weakly scatters the predetermined light; and a liquid crystal containment structure defining a space for the liquid crystal composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier
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Patent number: RE39082Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is constructed such that a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between an upper substrate, which is provided with upper transparent electrodes for forming pixels, and a lower substrate, which is provided with lower transparent electrodes disposed so as to intersect with the upper transparent electrodes. The liquid crystal panel includes a half reflection layer having a reflection function and a transmission function which is formed on the inner surface of the lower substrate as a lower layer of the lower transparent electrodes; an upper retardation film, an upper polarizing plate, and a light diffusing plate which are laminated on the upper substrate; and a lower retardation film and a lower polarizing plate, which are laminated on the surface of the lower substrate. Due to such a construction, the half reflection type liquid crystal display device is capable of providing an image display of high brightness and high contrast.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiichirou Kubo, Yoshikuni Nagashima, Masaru Suzuki, Terunori Saitou
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Patent number: RE41678Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is constructed such that a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between an upper substrate, which is provided with upper transparent electrodes for forming pixels, and a lower substrate, which is provided with lower transparent electrodes disposed so as to intersect with the upper transparent electrodes. The liquid crystal panel includes a half reflection layer having a reflection function and a transmission function which is formed on the inner surface of the lower substrate as a lower layer of the lower transparent electrodes; an upper retardation film, an upper polarizing plate, and a light diffusing plate which are laminated on the upper substrate; and a lower retardation film and a lower polarizing plate, which are laminated on the surface of the lower substrate. Due to such a construction, the half reflection type liquid crystal display device is capable of providing an image display of high brightness and high contrast.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Displays, Ltd.Inventors: Kiichirou Kubo, Yoshikuni Nagashima, Masaru Suzuki, Terunori Saitou