Liquid Crystal Optical Element Patents (Class 349/193)
  • Patent number: 12222615
    Abstract: A display panel includes a first base substrate, a driving layer, a plurality of pixel electrodes, a common electrode, and a reflection layer. The driving layer is at a side of the first base substrate. The pixel electrodes are at a side of the driving layer away from the first base substrate and are electrically connected with the driving layer. The common electrode is at a side of the pixel electrodes away from the driving layer, is insulated from the pixel electrodes, and includes a plurality of openings for exposing the pixel electrodes. At least a partial region of the common electrode is opaque. The reflective layer is between the first base substrate and the driving layer and includes a plurality of openings for exposing the pixel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng Fang, Xue Dong, Pengxia Liang, Jiahui Han
  • Patent number: 12216353
    Abstract: A flexible display apparatus including a bending area and a non-bending area. The flexible display apparatus further includes a display panel and a polarizing structure disposed on the display panel. The polarizing structure includes a ?/4 phase retardation layer, a linear polarizer disposed on the ?/4 phase retardation layer, and a first adhesive structure disposed between the ?/4 phase retardation layer and the linear polarizer. The linear polarizer includes a stretched polymer film. The first adhesive structure is an adhesive layer with a glass transition temperature that is greater than or equal to 40° C. and less than or equal to 150° C. Accordingly, deformation of the ?/4 phase retardation layer may be prevented or reduced when the flexible display apparatus is folded or bent, thereby improving display quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heeyoung Lee, Eunmi Seo
  • Patent number: 12164130
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a light irradiation device which is thin and is capable of projecting an optical pattern, and a sensor which uses the light irradiation device. The object is achieved by a light irradiation device including a light emitting element which includes a plurality of light emitting units in a plane; and a liquid crystal optical element, in which the liquid crystal optical element has an optically anisotropic layer formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound, the optically anisotropic layer has a liquid crystal alignment pattern in which orientation of an optical axis derived from the liquid crystal compound continuously changes rotationally along at least one in-plane direction and has regions with different lengths of periods in a case where a length over which the orientation of the optical axis derived from the liquid crystal compound rotates by 180° in the plane is denoted by a single period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Yukito Saitoh
  • Patent number: 12117701
    Abstract: An optical device with one or more spatially variable optical response characteristics is disclosed. The optical device includes a cell including a liquid crystal material contained between a pair of substrates, each substrate having a transparent conductive layer provided thereon. An electrode connection contacts each transparent conductive layer. A driving signal source is in electrical communication with each electrode connection for application of a driving signal to the cell. An applied driving signal to the electrode connections from the driving signal source creates a voltage gradient in a gradient direction along the pair of transparent conductive layers leading away from the electrode connections. The voltage gradient is received by the liquid crystal material to produce a gradient in at least one optical response characteristic across at least a portion of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: APLPHAMICRON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bahman Taheri, Pedro Coutino Soto
  • Patent number: 12092847
    Abstract: Provided is a circularly polarizing plate with which, in a case where a display device obtained by disposing the circularly polarizing plate on a display element is viewed from an oblique direction while the direction thereof is being changed, the display device exhibits little change in tint and has a low reflectivity; and an organic electroluminescent display device. The circularly polarizing plate includes a polarizer and an optically anisotropic layer, in which the optically anisotropic layer is a layer formed by fixing a liquid crystal compound having reverse wavelength dispersibility twist-aligned with a thickness direction as a helical axis, the molecular axis of the liquid crystal compound in the optically anisotropic layer is horizontal to the surface of the optically anisotropic layer, and the twisted angle of the twist-aligned liquid crystal compound is 15° to 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinpei Yoshida, Yuta Takahashi
  • Patent number: 12092928
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present disclosure is a display module and a display apparatus, wherein the orthographic projection region of the sealant on the display panel is located within the orthographic projection region of the second ink layer on the display panel, and the distance between the edge of the sealant and the edge of the second ink layer is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, so as to prevent the small molecular oily organic substance precipitated from the sealant from diffusing to the surface of the first ink layer and improve the quality problems such as ungluing, dehiscing of the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Zhou, Gege Zhou, Dong Tian, Yuyang Huang
  • Patent number: 12055802
    Abstract: Provided are an optical laminate in which a large diffraction angle can be obtained, a light guide element, and an AR display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Yukito Saitoh, Katsumi Sasata
  • Patent number: 12031079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerisable LC medium with flat, negative or positive optical dispersion, a polymer film with flat, negative or positive optical dispersion obtainable from such a material, and the use of the polymerisable LC medium and polymer film in optical, electro optical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Eduardo Beltran Gracia, Kevin Adlem, Naomi Weare, Hassan Norouzi-Arasi
  • Patent number: 12025877
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. The display panel includes a plurality of liquid crystal cells, each of the plurality of liquid crystal cells includes cholesteric liquid crystals, and a chiral rotation direction of the cholesteric liquid crystals in one of the plurality of liquid crystal cells is opposite to a chiral rotation direction of the cholesteric liquid crystals in its adjacent ones of the liquid crystal cells, so that the cholesteric liquid crystals films with different rotation directions are designed between adjacent pixels, and one of any two adjacent pixels allows light to pass through, and another one of the two adjacent pixels blocks the light from passing through and reflects the light back into the display device, thereby achieving an object of reducing crosstalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xingwu Chen
  • Patent number: 12017534
    Abstract: At least one electronic display has first and second mirrors separated by a distance. The two mirrors are arranged such that they at least partially overlap in a projection view of both mirrors. An intermediate space is formed in the overlap region between the mirrors. The at least one electronic display is part of a display apparatus having at least one light source emitting light into the intermediate space that is reflectable multiple times by the mirrors to generate an infinity mirror effect, resulting in the generation of an image having a light pattern that appears with an optical depth effect in an image plane of the display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lottes, Philipp Weiß
  • Patent number: 12001029
    Abstract: In an electrochromic element including a pair of electrodes and an electrochromic layer disposed between the pair of electrodes, a shape of a light modulating region viewed from a normal direction of the electrode being circular, when a sheet resistance of the electrode is rs (?), a resistance of the electrode is r (?), a diameter of the light modulating region is L [m], a distance between the pair of electrodes is d (m), the resistivity of the electrochromic layer is ? (?), and a resistance of the electrochromic layer is R (?), a resistance ratio (r/R) between the electrode and the electrochromic layer, as shown by r/R=(rsL2)/(?d), is 2 or more and 20 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuya Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11971566
    Abstract: A laminate including a horizontally oriented liquid crystal cured film that is a cured material of a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing at least one type of polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and a vertically oriented liquid crystal cured film is provided. The horizontally oriented liquid crystal cured film is the cured material of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition in which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is cured in a state of being horizontally oriented with respect to a plane of the liquid crystal cured film, and satisfies the following formulae: nxA(450)>nyA(450)>nzA(450) and ReA(450)/ReA(550)<1.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Kasai, Nobuyuki Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 11894618
    Abstract: An antenna device includes a strip conductor layer, a radiation conductor layer continuous from the strip conductor layer, a ground conductor layer facing the strip conductor layer and the radiation conductor layer, a liquid crystal layer between the strip conductor layer and the ground conductor layer, and the radiation conductor layer and the ground conductor layer, and an alignment film between the strip conductor layer and the liquid crystal layer, and the radiation conductor layer and the liquid crystal layer. The alignment film includes a first region overlapping the strip conductor layer and a second region overlapping the radiation conductor layer, and the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer in the first region is different from the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Daiichi Suzuki, Mitsutaka Okita, Emi Higano
  • Patent number: 11869560
    Abstract: A system includes a polarization selective optical element configured to diffract a light reflected by an object into a plurality of signal lights. The system also includes at least one optical sensor configured to receive the signal lights and generate a plurality of tracking signals for tracking the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hyunmin Song, Sanaz Alali, Yun-Han Lee, Zhisheng Yun
  • Patent number: 11847257
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of a head-mounted display (HMD) system component. The HMD component may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors that are able to detect the angle of light emitted from a light source. The HMD component may include one or more scatter detectors that detect whether light has been scattered or reflected, so such light can be ignored. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of angle sensitive detectors. The processor may process the sensor data and scatter detector data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of the HMD component. An angle sensitive detector may include a spatially-varying polarizer having a position-varying polarizing pattern and one or more polarizer layers that together are operative to detect the angle of impinging light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Kameron Wade Rausch
  • Patent number: 11841507
    Abstract: An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a gaze tracker operative to track a gaze of a user and output data representative of the gaze and a correction portion including multiple spatially varying polarizers. A first polarizer of the spatially varying polarizers has a first control input configured to receive a first control signal indicating whether the first polarizer is to be active or inactive. The first polarizer, when active, provides a first optical correction on light passing through at a location corresponding to a first region of a virtual image. The optical system includes a controller configured to receive the data representative of the gaze, determine, based on the gaze, whether to implement the first optical correction on the light and in response to determining to implement the first optical correction on the light, output the first control signal indicating the first polarizer is to be active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Mark Hudman
  • Patent number: 11782220
    Abstract: Described herein is a calibration system (25) for a wavelength selective switch (1). The switch (1) is adapted for dynamically switching optical beams (5, 7) along respective trajectories between input and output ports disposed in an array (3) using a reconfigurable Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator device (17). The calibration system (25) includes a monitor (27) for projecting an optical monitor beam (29) through at least a portion of the switch (1) onto the LCOS (17) and detecting the monitor beam (29) reflected from the LCOS (17). In response, system (25) provides a calibration signal (33) to an active correction unit (35) for applying a correction to one or more of the trajectories while maintaining a constant switching state in the LCOS (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventor: Steven James Frisken
  • Patent number: 11762249
    Abstract: A display panel is provided, including an opposing substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and an array substrate, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the opposing substrate and the array substrate. The array substrate includes a substrate, a first metal layer, a first insulating layer, a second metal layer, a second insulating layer, a passivation layer, and a third metal layer. The second metal layer includes a first electrode, and the first electrode is one of a pixel electrode and a common electrode. The third metal layer includes a second electrode, and the second electrode is the other one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode. By disposing the first electrode and the second electrode between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, a sum of thicknesses of the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer can remain a first predetermined thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Guangzhou China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianwei Fang, Ning Zhang
  • Patent number: 11680190
    Abstract: An optical laminate is provided where stable durability is secured even at a high temperature, particularly an ultrahigh temperature of about 100° C. or higher, a foaming phenomenon or the like in a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is also suppressed or prevented, other physical properties required for the optical laminate are also excellent, and even in the case of being disposed adjacent to the electrode, corrosion of the relevant electrode or the like is not induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Shanjin Optoelectronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seul Ki Han, Dong Hun Lee, Hyun Hee Son
  • Patent number: 11680191
    Abstract: An optical laminate is provided where stable durability is secured even at a high temperature, particularly an ultra-high temperature of about 100° C. or higher, no white turbidity is caused, other physical properties required for the optical laminate are also excellent, and even in the case of being disposed adjacent to the electrode, corrosion of the relevant electrode or the like is not induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SHANJIN OPTOELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Hun Lee, Seul Ki Han, Hyun Hee Son
  • Patent number: 11668972
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a camera, a liquid crystal panel including a display portion overlaid on the camera, a light guide having a first side surface and a main surface opposed to the liquid crystal panel and a first through hole, and a light source opposed to the first side surface. The camera is provided in the first through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Takimoto, Toshiki Kaneko, Takuo Kaitoh, Kazuhiro Nishiyama, Hiroyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 11630253
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a laminate which has a polarizer and an optically anisotropic layer and has excellent thermal durability; and an organic electroluminescent device and a liquid crystal display device, which include the laminate. The laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention is a laminate having two substrates, and a polarizing plate disposed between the two substrates, in which the polarizing plate has an optically anisotropic layer and a polarizer, the optically anisotropic layer is formed of a composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by Formula (I), the polarizer contains a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, and a moisture permeability of the substrate is 10?3 g/m2·day or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Shibata, Mayumi Nojiri, Ayako Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 11630342
    Abstract: An image display device which suppresses destruction of an image display panel due to static electricity carried by a phase difference film, and has excellent adhesiveness between the phase difference film and the image display panel even in a moisture-heat environment, and a circularly polarizing plate with a photosensitive adhesive. The image display device includes a circularly polarizing plate having a linear polarizer and a phase difference film, and an image display panel in this order from a viewing side, in which the phase difference film and the image display panel are bonded by a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the phase difference film has an optically anisotropic layer obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing at least one kind of polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a predetermined structure, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive contains a polymer having an acid value of 1 to 30 mgKOH/g and an antistatic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Mayumi Nojiri, Satoshi Shimamura, Ryo Satake, Aiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11433743
    Abstract: Provided is a half mirror which is used for a windshield constituting a head up display, and in which a feeling of glare is suppressed, and a boundary between a region which selectively reflects visible light and a region which reflects visible light is made inconspicuous. The half mirror has a reflection layer including a non-reflection region which does not reflect visible light, a reflection region which selectively reflects visible light, and a mixed region which is provided between the regions and in which a non-reflection portion which does not reflect visible light and a reflection portion which selectively reflects visible light are mixed, and in the mixed region, an area of the reflection portion is gradually increased from the non-reflection region toward the reflection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Nimura, Hiroshi Inada, Rie Takasago
  • Patent number: 11287657
    Abstract: A display system is configured to direct a plurality of parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images into a viewer's eye. The parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images provide different parallax views of a virtual object, and impinge on the pupil from different angles. In the aggregate, the wavefronts of light forming the images approximate a continuous divergent wavefront and provide selectable accommodation cues for the user, depending on the amount of parallax disparity between the intra-pupil images. The amount of parallax disparity may be selected using an array of shutters that selectively regulate the entry of image light into an eye. Each opened shutter in the array provides a different intra-pupil image, and the locations of the open shutters provide the desired amount of parallax disparity between the images. In some other embodiments, the images may be formed by an emissive micro-display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Klug
  • Patent number: 11189920
    Abstract: A shift register unit, a shift register, a gate driving circuit and a display device are provided. The control substrate, comprising a base substrate, at least one microwave transmission line and at least one voltage loading line on the base substrate, wherein the at least one microwave transmission line is in a one-to-one correspondence to the at least one voltage loading line, and an end of the at least one voltage loading line is connected to the corresponding microwave transmission line, where the at least one voltage loading line and the at least one microwave transmission line are made of a same metal material, and the at least one voltage loading line is a planar inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zongmin Liu, Mengjun Hou
  • Patent number: 11119324
    Abstract: A display system is configured to direct a plurality of parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images into a viewer's eye. The parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images provide different parallax views of a virtual object, and impinge on the pupil from different angles. In the aggregate, the wavefronts of light forming the images approximate a continuous divergent wavefront and provide selectable accommodation cues for the user, depending on the amount of parallax disparity between the intra-pupil images. The amount of parallax disparity may be selected using an array of shutters that selectively regulate the entry of image light into an eye. Each opened shutter in the array provides a different intra-pupil image, and the locations of the open shutters provide the desired amount of parallax disparity between the images. In some other embodiments, the images may be formed by an emissive micro-display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Klug
  • Patent number: 11079631
    Abstract: A preparation method for a temperature-responsive light reflecting coating is provided comprising: forming a main chain cholesteric phase liquid crystal polymer by a polymerization reaction between an acrylate liquid crystal and an amine, and coating the main chain cholesteric phase liquid crystal polymer on a substrate to form a light reflecting coating, wherein the acrylate comprises a chiral acrylate, and the reflection wavelength of the reflecting coating is determined by the content of the chiral acrylate liquid crystal and the polymerization degree of the main chain cholesteric phase liquid crystal polymer formed. The method may further comprise cross-linking the main chain cholesteric phase liquid crystal polymer to obtain a polymer network so as to form a solid coating. The present disclosure further provides a temperature-responsive light reflecting coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: SOUTH CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITY, SHENZHEN GUOHUA OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guofu Zhou, Laurens De Haan, Pei Zhang, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10466505
    Abstract: A lens system comprises a first electro-active lens comprising a first focus sensor coupled to a first processor and a second electro-active lens comprising a second focus sensor coupled to a second processor. The first focus sensor periodically generates electromagnetic signals and detects electectromagnetic signals generated by the second focus sensor. The second focus sensor periodically generates electromagnetic signals and detects electectromagnetic signals generated by the second focus sensor. The first processor receives an indication of the second electromagnetic signals and, based on the received indication of the second electromagnetic signals, determines a relative convergence angle between the first and second electro-active lenses. Based on the determined relative convergence angle, the first processor determines a focal setting for the first electro-active lens and controls an electroactive element in the first electro-active lens, based on the determined focal setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Robert Fryers, Stephen Russell Taylor, Neil D'Souza-Mathew
  • Patent number: 10345675
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a refractive index adjustment layer that has a refractive index changing in response to an electric field and is changeable between a transparent state and a state in which the refractive index adjustment layer distributes incident light; and a textured layer including a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the second electrode. The refractive index adjustment layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The textured layer is provided between the first electrode and the refractive index adjustment layer. The plurality of protrusions is in the form of stripes. The protrusion has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. A trapezoid which is a cross-sectional shape of the protrusion has a base angle ? at both ends of the lower base ranging from 70 degrees to 85 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kubota, Yuko Suzuka
  • Patent number: 10331008
    Abstract: A device for controllably deflecting a first circularly-polarized (CP) light beam from an incident direction with fast response comprises a polarization selector (PS) to adjust the incident light beam's sense of rotation to a desired one to form a second CP light beam, and a polarization grating (PG) to deflect the second CP light beam according to the desired sense of rotation. The PS comprises an optical modulator sandwiched between two quarter-wave plates. The optical modulator has at least one ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) half-wave plate (HWP) being reconfigurable in fast axis orientation. The device has a fast response in beam steering due to a short time of reconfiguring the FLC HWP. Based on serially cascading multiple units each being this device, a beam-steering apparatus having fast response and enhanced steering resolution is obtained. The apparatus is usable for enhancing a field of view in projecting an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Ming Wai Alwin Tam, Xiuling Zhu, Kin Lung Chan
  • Patent number: 10302995
    Abstract: Described herein is a spatial light modulator (15) for modulating the phase, retardation or polarization state of an incident optical signal propagating in a first dimension. The optical phase modulator (15) includes a liquid crystal material (17) and a pair of electrodes (19 and 21) for supplying an electric potential across the liquid crystal material (17) to drive liquid crystals in a predetermined configuration. Modulator (15) also includes a diffractive optical element (29) disposed adjacent a first electrode (19). Element (29) includes a first array of diffractive elements (31) formed of a first material having a first refractive index and extending in a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. Elements (31) are at least partially surrounded by a second material (33) formed of a lower refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Steven James Frisken, Qihong Wu
  • Patent number: 9791759
    Abstract: A multiple glazing with variable scattering by liquid crystals includes first and second flat float glass sheets sealed on the edge of their internal faces by a sealing joint, in particular made of a given sealing material, in particular essentially organic, first and second electrodes, and a layer of liquid crystals with an average thickness E between 15 and 60 ?m inclusive of these values and incorporating spacers. The thickness A of each of the first and second glass sheets is less than or equal to 5.5 mm, and each of the internal faces coated with the first and second electrodes has a dioptric defect score, expressed in millidioptres, of less than 12E/15 where the thickness E of the liquid crystals is in ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Patrick Gayout, René Poix, Elodie Bouny, Jingwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9383576
    Abstract: This invention is for a flexible telescope mirror. A mirrored film is stretched across a frame, and deformed into a rough parabola using a partial vacuum. The film is then deformed into a more perfect parabola using electric fields. In some embodiments, a feedback system based on a laser projector and a camera is used to fine tune the resulting parabola for optical performance. The invention allows the creation of large telescope mirrors for a substantially lower price than conventional ground glass mirrors, and allows the creation of substantially lighter mirrors, suitable for space-based applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Rachel Andreasen
  • Publication number: 20150138497
    Abstract: A photonic device is manufactured by: (i) providing (e.g. by inkjet printing) an aliquot of a liquid crystal (LC) material; and (ii) depositing the aliquot onto the surface of a flowable material layer to form a liquid crystal deposit, the flowable material and the LC material being substantially immiscible. The liquid crystal deposit adopts a deformed shape relative to the shape of the aliquot due to interaction with the flowable material layer. This promotes alignment of the LC material. Incorporation of a laser dye allows the photonic device to function as a laser, which can be operated above or below threshold depending on the circumstances. The photonic device can also be used as a passive device based on the photonic bandgap of the aligned LC material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Harry Coles, Ian Hutchings, Damian Gardiner, Wen-Kai Hsiao, Philip Hands, Stephen Morris, Timothy Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 9030643
    Abstract: A liquid crystal prism element includes: a first prism array; a second prism array arranged so as to face the first prism array; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first and second prism arrays. The first prism array is composed of a plurality of first prisms that have ridge lines extending in a Y axis direction and are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in an X axis direction The second prism array is composed of second prisms that have ridge lines extending in the Y axis direction and are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in the X axis direction. Each first prism has an inclined surface facing a center side of the liquid crystal layer. Each second prism has an inclined surface facing the center side of the liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9023238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical switch element, comprising a liquid-crystalline medium for the temperature-dependent regulation of radiant energy flow. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the optical switch element for the regulation of radiant energy flow between interior spaces and the environment and for the regulation of the temperature of interior spaces. The invention furthermore relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterized in that it comprises 5-95% of a compound of the formula (I), in particular for use in the optical switch elements according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Junge
  • Publication number: 20150103279
    Abstract: This application relates a liquid crystal alignment film, a manufacturing method of the liquid crystal alignment film, an optical filter, and a display device. According to one illustrative liquid crystal alignment film, for example, a stereoscopic image can be displayed in wide viewing angles without losses of the brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Byoung Kun JEON, Moon Soo Park, Bu Gon Shin, Sin Young Kim, Jong Byung Lee, Da Mi Lee, Ji Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 9001282
    Abstract: A variable power optical element is divided into cells which contain two liquid crystals mixed according to different proportions. The proportion of one of the liquid crystals in each cell increases on the basis of the radial distance between a central point of the optical element and said cell. An appropriate selection of the two liquid crystals results in a higher variation of the optical power between two control states of said optical element. More particularly, the optical element may consist of an ophthalmic lens which changes between a convergent lens state and a divergent lens state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique—CNRS
    Inventors: Samuel Archambeau, Henri Camon, Solon Mias
  • Patent number: 8994914
    Abstract: There is provided an integrated wide viewing film including: a first film having an optical axis located in-plan; and a second film having an optical axis located in a thickness direction thereof, and inclined at a predetermined angle in an in-plane direction. The IPS-LCD employing the integrated wide viewing film can be significantly improved in a contrast ratio in a diagonal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Won Chang, Belyaev Sergey, Malimonenko Nikolay
  • Patent number: 8989535
    Abstract: In embodiments of a multiple waveguide imaging structure, an imaging structure includes a first waveguide for see-through viewing of an environment at a first field of view, and includes a second waveguide for see-through viewing of the environment at a second field of view. The first and second waveguides each include a polarizing beam splitter to reflect light that enters at a first polarization orientation angle in the respective first and second waveguides, and the polarizing beam splitters pass through the light that enters at a second polarization orientation angle. The imaging structure also includes a polarization switch to rotate the polarization of the light through the first and second polarization orientation angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Steven John Robbins
  • Patent number: 8968836
    Abstract: Method for producing an electromagnetic wave reflective film by a first selective reflection layer forming process of using a transparent substrate; applying a first selective reflection layer forming coating solution on the transparent substrate to form a first selective reflection layer forming layer; irradiating the first selective reflection layer forming layer with ultraviolet rays at a dose in the range of 25 mJ/cm2 to 800 mJ/cm2; and thereby forming a first selective reflection layer; and a second selective reflection layer forming process of: using a second selective reflection layer forming coating solution; applying the second selective reflection layer forming coating solution on the first selective reflection layer so as to be in direct contact therewith to form a second selective reflection layer forming layer; irradiating the second selective reflection layer forming layer with ultraviolet rays; and thereby forming a second selective reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Hamada, Shoji Takeshige, Keiji Kashima
  • Patent number: 8962103
    Abstract: A liquid crystal film (LCF), a method of manufacturing the same, an optical device, or an LCD is provided. The exemplified LCF can be used as a reflective polarization plate, which can improve luminance and light utilization efficiency of a display device, such as an LCD, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Hee Lee, Jun Won Chang, Moon Soo Park
  • Patent number: 8958050
    Abstract: A tunable terahertz (THz) metamaterial (MTM) filter including: a first wire grid and a second wire grid that are arranged parallel to each other; a dielectric substrate and a liquid crystal layer that are sequentially disposed between the first wire grid and the second wire grid; a plurality of metal strips that are disposed between the dielectric substrate and the liquid crystal layer; and a first control electrode electrically connected to the first wire grid and a second control electrode electrically connected to the second wire grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dmitry Viktorovich Kholodnyak, Dmitry Sergeevich Kozlov, Irina Borisovna Vendik, Mikhail Aleksandrovich Odit
  • Patent number: 8934078
    Abstract: A multiple glazing with variable scattering by liquid crystals includes first and second flat float glass sheets sealed on the edge of their internal faces by a sealing joint, in particular made of a given sealing material, in particular essentially organic, first and second electrodes, and a layer of liquid crystals with an average thickness E between 15 and 60 ?m inclusive of these values and incorporating spacers. The thickness A of each of the first and second glass sheets is less than or equal to 5.5 mm, and each of the internal faces coated with the first and second electrodes has a dioptric defect score, expressed in millidioptres, of less than 12E/15 where the thickness E of the liquid crystals is in ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Patrick Gayout, René Poix, Elodie Bouny, Jingwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8926091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements, such as but not limited to ophthalmic elements, comprising an alignment facility for an optical dye. The optical elements include a substrate; and an alignment facility for an optical dye connected to at least a portion of the substrate, where the alignment facility is an at least partial coating of an at least partially ordered liquid crystal material having at least a first general direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Jiping Shao
  • Patent number: 8917375
    Abstract: Embodiments of a grey-scale holographic structure and system for generating a collimated wavefront in a compact range are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the grey-scale holographic structure comprising millimeter-wave transmissive material having a surface arranged to provide differing amounts of phase-delay to an incident millimeter-wave wavefront as the incident wavefront passes through the material. The grey-scale holographic structure may comprises a plurality of layers (N) to provide a phase total delay of lambda which results from a series tuned layers, each having a thickness of a wavelength/N. Each layer provides a predetermined amount of phase delay allowing the structure to operate as a phase-delay hologram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Rigel Quinn Woida-O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8873015
    Abstract: A display device that has a display panel having a front substrate, an image forming unit, and a back substrate rendered together in layers, and a wiring board layered on the back surface of the back substrate. A plurality of input/output pins are formed on the front surface of the back substrate, and a plurality of connection pins that are electrically connected to the input/output pins by respective conductor members are formed on the back surface of the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Seki, Kenichi Okuhara
  • Patent number: 8867015
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display may have an array of display pixels. The array of display pixels may display images for a user in an active area of the display. An inactive area of the display may surround the active area. An opaque masking layer may be provided in the inactive area to block internal components in the electronic device from view. An optical component such as a light-based proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, image sensor, or light-emitting status indicator may be aligned with an opening in the opaque masking layer. A liquid crystal shutter may be provided in the display. The liquid crystal shutter may be controlled by control circuitry in the electronic device. The liquid crystal shutter may be aligned with the opening in the opaque masking layer in the inactive area and with the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Posner, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Adam T. Garelli, Stephen R. McClure, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8865275
    Abstract: A light absorption anisotropic film, wherein content of a liquid crystalline non-colorable low molecular weight compound is 30% by mass or less; and which is obtained by fixing the alignment of a dichroic dye composition comprising at least one type of azo-based dichroic dye having nematic liquid crystallinity; and shows a diffraction peak derived from a periodic structure in a direction parallel to the alignment axis on measurement of X-ray diffraction. The light absorption anisotropic film is high in dichroism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Morishima, Nobutaka Iwahashi