Abstract: A transmittable light-scattering sheet (a transmitting type light-scattering sheet) of the present invention comprises a plurality of layers, each having a bicontinuous structure composed of a plurality of polymers. The layers differ from each other in average period size of the bicontinuous structure. The sheet may comprise, for example, a first layer having a bicontinuous structure (e.g., the average period size of the bicontinuous structure of 1.5 to 4 &mgr;m) and a second layer each having a bicontinuous structure (e.g., the larger average period size of the bicontinuous structure than that of the first layer by 0.5 to 8 &mgr;m). In the sheet, the first layer may be next to the second layer. The ratio of the period size of the first layer to that of the second layer may be the first layer/the second layer=1.3/1 to 4/1. Such a sheet can impart a directionality to a reflected light.

Abstract: An electrodeposition display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, walls for sealing off the substrates, plating liquid sealed in between the substrates so as to form a cell, a first electrode disposed on at least a part of the first substrate, and a second electrode disposed within the cell. Display is performed by applying signals corresponding to image information to the first electrode and the second electrode, so as to change the state thereof to a state wherein electrodeposition of metal has occurred on at least part of the first electrode, and a state wherein at least a part of metal on the first electrode has become disassociated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color polymer dispersed liquid crystal display comprising: a lower substrate; an upper substrate formed on the lower substrate with a predetermined space therebetween; color liquid crystal-polymer films formed by foaming polymer films mixed respectively with red, green and blue pigments to form porous films of red, green and blue colors and then dropping and injecting a liquid crystal into droplets of the porous films under vacuum condition; and two transparent liquid crystal driving electrodes, one disposed between the lower substrate and the PDLC films and the other disposed between the PDLC films and the upper substrate.

Abstract: An electrophoresis display capable of displaying colors, yet having high contrast and a high reflectance on displaying white color. The electrophoresis display device includes a dispersion medium containing a liquid crystal and electrophoretic particles made of titania, etc. being dispersed in the dispersion medium, wherein the dispersion medium contains a dichroic coloring matter having dichroism with a high dichroic ratio as a first coloring matter and a dichroic coloring matter having dichroism with a low dichroic ratio and/or an isotropic coloring matter as a second coloring matter, provided that the first coloring matter and the second coloring matter have complementary colors each other. In this manner, white, black, and color displays are realized by a single capsule.

Abstract: This invention relates to liquid crystal (LC) displays comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with a liquid crystal composition preferably containing dichroic dye(s), and novel processes for their manufacture.

Abstract: Two electric fields that are directed to respective directions rectangular relative to each other are selectively applied to polymer dispersed liquid crystal by means of electrodes arranged to sandwich the polymer dispersed liquid crystal and electrodes arranged along a substrate to uniformly orient the liquid crystal in either of the directions. While conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal is adapted to utilize scatter of light in a randomly oriented state, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal of this invention is adapted to utilize a uniformly oriented state to improve the efficiency of scattering light. The present invention is also applicable to devices where polymer dispersed liquid crystal has a memory property.

Abstract: The reflective liquid crystal display device comprises a polarizing plate disposed forwardly of a liquid crystal cell, a relector which is disposed on backside of the liquid crystal cell and reflects an incident light, and a light-scattering sheet which is disposed forwardly of the reflector and scatters the incident light isotopically. The light-scattering sheet can be prepared with the use of a spinodal decomposition method of coating a mixture liquid containing a plurality of polymers varying in refractive index on a transparent support and evaporating or removing a solvent to form a light-scattering layer having a droplet phase structure. The light-scattering layer includes a light-scattering layer showing a maximum intensity of the scattered-light at scattering angles of 3 to 40°, and a light-scattering layer showing maximums intensity of the scattered-light respectively at smaller angles of 2 to 2° and larger angle &thgr;b.

Abstract: A polymer type organic EL element is improved in terms of the stability and the efficiency and intensity of light emission. A carrier injection layer made of discotic liquid crystal or smectic liquid crystal having an electron resonance structure is interposed between a polymer layer and an electrode.

Abstract: A display having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, which display comprises a transparent substrate; a layer comprising polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal disposed over the substrate, which layer has more than one stable optical state in the absence of an electrical field. The display further comprises a first transparent conductor disposed between the state changing layer and the transparent support, a second conductor on the other side of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state. It has been found advantageous to have a non-conductive, non-field spreading dark layer of sub-micron pigments in a binder for providing an improved light absorbing function, which dark layer is disposed between the layer of polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal and the second conductor.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an element having variable optical properties, comprising:

Abstract: This invention relates to liquid crystal (LC) displays comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with a liquid crystal composition preferably containing dichroic dye(s), and novel processes for their manufacture.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) projector in which temperature rise of the polarizing plate is reduced and the liquid crystal display panels and polarizing plates are easily retained in place. In the LCD projector, at least one of the incident light side polarizing plate and the exit light side polarizing plate has a first polarizing plate disposed on the incident light side of a glass substrate and a second polarizing plate disposed on the exit light side of the glass substrate. The first polarizing plate has a low degree of polarization and the second polarizing plate has a high degree of polarization and the polarizing plates are arranged to have their axes of transmission polarization coincident. The temperature rise due to absorption of light is shared by the first and second polarizing plates and this contributes to reduction in size of the projector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a display comprising the steps of (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a plurality of first conductors over the substrate; (c) depositing a layer of cholesteric liquid-crystal material, in the form of droplets of liquid crystal in a liquid carrier, over a preselected area of each of said first conductors so that a preselected portion of each of said first conductors is uncoated; (d) drying the liquid carrier to form a layer of polymer-dispersed cholesteric-liquid-crystal- domains in a continuous matrix; and (e) forming a plurality of second conductors, electrically isolated from the first conductors, over the layer of polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal domains so that an electric field between the second conductors and the uncoated portions of the first conductors is capable of changing the optical state of the polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal material.

Abstract: A videocassette has a display portion for displaying recorded contents. The display portion is formed with a display device. The display device has a conductive layer, a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) film, and a protective layer. The display device can repeatedly record and erase visible information.

Abstract: A reflective strain gauge includes an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection or transmission grating capable of reflecting or transmitting light of a selected wavelength, and means for adhering the film to a surface of a workpiece for monitoring the strain at said surface. A change in the nature of the reflected light is an indication of strain. Also included is a polarizing material having an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection grating capable of reflecting light of a selected wavelength, wherein the reflection grating of the H-PDLC film is oriented, such that the refractive index parallel to said axis of orientation (ne) is greater than the refractive index perpendicular to said axis (no).

Abstract: A new light modulating material using unidirectionally oriented micro-domains of liquid crystal separated by polymer chains is provided. Liquid crystal/polymer films are produced by a one step production process involving a photopolymerizable monomer mixed with a liquid crystal then exposed to UV light. In one embodiment, force deformations are applied to the films resulting in diffraction efficiencies of more than 95%. In another embodiment, applying a planar force to a thick film that produced a 2 &mgr;m shift of phase retardation in several hundred microseconds when an appropriate field is applied. Use of this invention provides fast response time and a low required driving voltage. The new cell can be used as spatial light modulators for manufacturing information displays, electro-optical devices, telecommunications system, optical data processing, adaptive optics applications, color projection displays and switchable micro-lens optics.

Abstract: An electro-optical patternable mask is provided which is controllable by way of a processor for presenting a variety of patterns to electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment of the mask, the electro-optical mask includes an electrochromic layer that works in conjunction with deposited electrode layers (at least one with an x-y pixel array) to present a pattern of non-transmission (colored) and transmission (bleached clear) pixel cells. The sandwiched electrochromic material is supported in one embodiment with a UV grade support substrate with the electrochromic cells of the mask being individually (e.g., individual cells or small groups of individual cells in an array) controlled by a processor and interface to achieve a sequence of different or the same patterns to achieve desired ablation volume upon transmitting ultraviolet energy through the mask such as in conjunction with an opthalmic laser surgery process.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for varying the transmittance of light through selected portions of a media on which images are displayed, the system including an image display panel, an image display source for projecting images on the media, LC-based, variable transmittance optical (VTO) media, a light sensor for measuring ambient light, and a signal generator connected to the VTO media for applying voltage to portions of the media at levels determined and controlled by the sensor, whereby the transmittance of light through the portions of the media is varied in accordance with the prevailing ambient light. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.

Abstract: A thermal-responsive liquid crystal display having a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer formed to have excellent response speed, good display characteristics, uniform thickness distribution, high thickness, high contrast and excellent resistance to thermal cycle. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer formed of a composition of a polymer and a liquid crystal is provided on a heating unit. The polymer is a thermoplastic resin, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin and the phase transition temperature (TNI) of the liquid crystal satisfy the condition of −20≦(Tg−TNI)≦20 (° C.). The polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is formed by laminating a plurality of polymer dispersed liquid crystal films.

Abstract: A videocassette has a display portion for displaying recorded contents. The display portion is formed with a display device. The display portion is formed with a display device. The display device has a conductive layer, a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) film, and a protective layer. The display device can repeatedly record and erase visible information.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a first substrate arranged on a front side, i.e., arranged on the side receiving an incident light, and a second substrate arranged on a back side, so that this second substrate extends facing the front substrate parallel thereto, the first and second substrates being connected via a sealing frame in order to delimit between them a cavity for containing the liquid crystals and including on their opposite faces a first and a second group of electrodes, respectively. The display device is connected to a control circuit for supplying suitable control voltages to selected electrodes in order to modify the optical conditions of the liquid crystal into a reflective state or into a transparent state. The display device further includes an absorbent black layer made of an electrically non-conductive material, wherein the absorbent black layer is arranged either at the surface of the second substrate or on the second group of electrodes that is formed on the second substrate.

Abstract: A bistable liquid crystal display device can be erased by the application of a mechanical pressure P at a section 20 of the display. The pressure induces a flow of the liquid crystal (5) material into an expansion chamber (22). The induced flow causes a transition from the non-reflecting to the reflecting state, thus eliminating the necessity of high voltage erasing voltages.

Abstract: A generally planar layer of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material is sandwiched between a pair of opposing interior surfaces of first and second substrates, at least one of which is transparent. Electrode layers are disposed on the exterior surfaces of the substrates, with the electrode layer overlying the transparent substrate being made of a substantially transparent electrically conductive material such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). The first and second electrode layers are configured for receiving a first electrical signal that causes the layer of PDLC material to assume a first optical state selected from the group consisting of transparent and opaque. A plurality of conductors are disposed in the PDLC material and are configured for receiving a second electrical signal that causes the layer of PDLC material to assume a second optical state that is different than the first optical state.

Abstract: A light controlling film is disclosed, comprising a polymerized polymer network varying spatially in a direction normal to the film surface, where the polymerized polymer network is a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material mixed with a low molecular weight nematic material exhibiting cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order, wherein an electric field impressed in the film controls the reflection bandwidth of circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A device (100, 140, 150) for differentially absorbing light, depending on the state of linear polarization of the light, is disclosed. This polarizing effect is induced and controllable by the level of ambient light impinging on the device. The device (100, 140) may be used as an anti-glare vision protection device which selectively absorbs specularly reflected sunlight in brightly lit environments while permitting all light to pass in dimly lit environments. The device (100) includes a carrying medium which may be a film (142) or opposed substrates (112) that are sealed. A film or the opposed substrates carry a mixture (120) of fluid material (124) and photochromic dyestuffs (122), wherein the photochromic material is activated upon the detection of ultraviolet light so as to absorb some of the light and wherein the energization of the photochromic material effects the material so as to simultaneously selectively absorb the specularly reflected sunlight.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell, and a fabricating method thereof, that incorporates a light-cured monomer in a ferroelectric liquid crystal. By injecting the light-cured monomer/ferroelectric liquid crystal between substrate while in a nematic phase or isotropic phase, by performing DC voltage treatments as the liquid crystal temperature decreases, and by performing a light irradiation treatment, a stable, aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal cell is produced. Such a ferroelectric liquid crystal cell can reduce flicker and can be realigned after a physical shock.

Abstract: A display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, includes a substrate and a state changing layer disposed over the substrate and defining first and second surfaces, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states, which can change state. The display sheet further includes first and second conductors disposed respectively over first and second surfaces of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and a nonconductive, field spreading layer having a transparent electrically conductive polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer in the areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.

Abstract: A light modulating layer formed by providing an emulsion having electro-optical fluid in a gelatin solution, heating the emulsion to reduce the viscosity of the emulsion and coating the heated emulsion on a substrate, lowering the temperature of the coated emulsion to change the state of the coated emulsion from a liquid to a gel state, and drying the coating, while in the high viscosity state, to form a layer of polymer-dispersed domains of electro-optical material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided which includes a scattering/transparent liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal layer for controlling incident light in a scattered or transparent state in accordance with an applied electric field, and a selective reflector arranged on a side of the liquid crystal layer opposite to a side where observation is performed. The reflector has reflecting characteristics to cause light, which has come incident from a direction within a predetermined range of a viewing angle that allows observation of the liquid crystal cell, to reflect in a direction outside the range of the viewing angle on the side where observation is performed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optical device comprising a pair of substrates at least one of them is light-transmitting, electrodes being provided on said substrates, and an electro-optical modulating layer being supported by said pair of substrates, provided that said electro-optical modulating layer comprises an anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal material or a smectic liquid crystal material which exhibits anti-ferroelectricity, and a transparent material.

Abstract: A display having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, which display comprises a transparent substrate; a layer comprising polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal disposed over the substrate, which layer has more than one stable optical state in the absence of an electrical field. The display further comprises a first transparent conductor disposed between the state changing layer and the transparent support, a second conductor on the other side of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state. It has been found advantageous to have a non-conductive, non-field spreading dark layer of sub-micron pigments in a binder for providing an improved light absorbing function, which dark layer is disposed between the layer of polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal and the second conductor.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal display, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a first electrode over the substrate; coating the first electrode with aqueous dispersed material which when dried provides a dielectric layer over the first electrode; coating the dielectric layer with liquid crystal bearing material and drying such liquid crystal bearing material and providing a second electrode in contact with the dried liquid crystal bearing material.

Abstract: A light-modulating, electrically responsive privacy screen includes a transparent substrate and an electrically conductive layer formed over the substrate. The privacy screen further includes a light-modulating layer disposed over the electrically conductive layer and including at least one dispersable light-modulating material and coalescence limiting material into which the dispersible light-modulating material(s) is provided so that such dispersible light-modulating material coalesces to form a set domains having at least two optical states, the first optical state being present in the absence of an electrical field and the second being caused by the application of an electrical field and wherein one of the optical states cause the light-modulating layer to be transparent and the other optical state causes the light-modulating layer to restrict a user viewing through the privacy screen and thereby provide an appropriate level of privacy.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device that is thin and requires no polarizer. In one embodiment of the liquid crystal display device, light from the light source 13 is collimated and cast to the polydomain cholesteric liquid crystal layer 7 inserted between transparent electrodes 5 and 6. When no voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6, the polydomain cholesteric liquid crystal layer 7 takes the polydomain texture and thus scatters light. In this case, the scattered light is emitted from the transparent electrode 5 outside the liquid crystal cell 8. This is the light-emitting state of the liquid crystal display device. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes 5 and 6, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 7 takes the homeotropic texture. In this case, the incident light is little scattered and travels straight, whereby very little amount of light is emitted from the transparent electrode 5 outside the liquid crystal cell 8. This makes the dark state of the liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The method comprises filling the space between two facing substrates with a mixture of pre-polymer and liquid crystal material, applying an external source of energy to initiate a polymerization, wherein as the polymerization proceeds a phase separation of the polymer and liquid crystal is generally also proceeding, after initiation of polymerization and before completion thereof, adjusting a parameter that affects one or both of the rates of polymerization and phase separation, so as to produce a variation in the polymerized structure, wherein the variation is a result of the rates of polymerization and phase separation being adjusted during the course of polymerization.

Abstract: A broad class of lyotropic liquid crystals of a non-surfactant nature, the so-called lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), are alignable with the techniques, in particular, LCLCs can be aligned at a surface as one monomolecular layer as a stack of monomolecular layers. The method for monolayer alignment is based on alternate layer-by-layer adsorption of polyions and dyes from aqueous solutions that have liquid crystalline structure. Using this method, one is able to stack alternate monolayers of dye and polyion while controlling the long-range in-plane orientation of the dye molecules within the plane of each layer. The feature of controlling the alignment of LCLCs enables one to create practical devices from them. For example, alignment of multilayered stacks allows one to use the resulting dried LCLC films in optical devices, for example, as internal polarizers, color filters, optical compensators, band-gap filters, and the like.

Abstract: A display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals including a substrate; a state changing layer disposed over the substrate and defining first and second surfaces, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states, which can change state; and a first transparent conductor disposed on the first surface of the state changing layer. The display sheet also includes a second conductor on the second surface of the state changing layer and has a composite structure of at least two layers of different materials wherein the composite structure absorbs light and is electrically conductive so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state.

Abstract: Flakes or platelets of polymer liquid crystals (PLC) or other birefringent polymers (BP) suspended in a fluid host medium constitute a system that can function as the active element in an electrically switchable optical device when the suspension is either contained between a pair of rigid substrates bearing transparent conductive coatings or dispersed as microcapsules within the body of a flexible host polymer. Optical properties of these flake materials include large effective optical path length, different polarization states and high angular sensitivity in their selective reflection or birefringence. The flakes or platelets of these devices need only a 3-20° rotation about the normal to the cell surface to achieve switching characteristics obtainable with prior devices using particle rotation or translation.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises first and second substrates, and an adhesive layer and a layer of electro-optic material disposed between the first and second substrates. The adhesive layer has a volume resistivity in the range of about 109 to about 1011 ohm cm and comprises a mixture of an adhesive material having a volume resistivity of at least about 5×1011 ohm cm and a filler having a volume resistivity not less than about 107 ohm cm, the filler being present in the mixture in a proportion above its percolation threshold in the adhesive material.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display, including a substrate and pixels arrayed on the substrate, each of the pixels including an electric field sensitive layer which includes, an N-type liquid crystal material containing a liquid crystal substance, a dichroic dye and an isotropic dye, and particles dispersed in the N-type liquid crystal material and configured to migrate in the N-type liquid crystal material by electrophoresis.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display having a single flexible transparent substrate, one or more first transparent conductors located on the substrate, a layer of polymer dispersed material located over the first transparent conductor(s), the polymer dispersed material being responsive to an applied electric field for displaying information and having first and second optical states that are both stable in the absence of an electrical field, one or more second conductors located over the polymer dispersed layer for applying the electric field to the polymer dispersed material between the first and second conductors and a plurality of display contacts located on the backside of the display for making electrical connection to the first and second conductors of the display; and a support for the display, the support having a plurality of support contacts, the support contacts having a first conductive portion for providing contact to the conductors of the display and a second conductive portion in an area outsi

Abstract: A display sheet having polymer dispersed liquid crystals, includes a substrate and a state changing layer disposed over the substrate and defining first and second surfaces, such state changing layer having the polymer dispersed liquid crystals having first and second optical states, which can change state. The display sheet further includes first and second conductors disposed respectively over first and second surfaces of the state changing layer so that when a field is applied between the first and second conductors, the liquid crystals change state; and a nonconductive, field spreading layer having polymer dispersed sub-micron particles disposed between the state changing layer and the first conductor to provide a change of state in the state changing layer outside of areas between both conductors in response to a field applied between the first and second conductors which changes the state of the liquid crystals.

Abstract: A process for creating an electronically addressable display includes multiple printing operations, similar to a multi-color process in conventional screen printing. In some of the process steps, electrically non-active inks are printed onto areas of the receiving substrate, and in other steps, electrically active inks are printed onto different areas of the substrate. The printed display can be used in a variety of applications. This display can be used as an indicator by changing state of the display after a certain time has elapsed, or when a certain pressure, thermal, radiative, moisture, acoustic, inclination, pH, or other threshold is passed. In one embodiment, the display is incorporated into a battery indicator. A sticker display is described. The sticker is adhesive backed and may then be applied to a surface to create a functional information display unit. This invention also features a display that is both powered and controlled using radio frequencies.

Abstract: A light modulating device includes: a first substrate on which a first electrode layer and a light amount control layer are deposited in this order; a second substrate on which a second electrode layer and a color filter layer are deposited in this order, the second substrate opposing the first substrate; and a third electrode layer interposed between the light amount control layer and the color filter layer, wherein a plurality of picture elements are defined in a matrix pattern by the first electrode layer and the third electrode layer. An amount of light transmitted through the light amount control layer is electrically controlled by the first electrode layer and the third electrode layer. A colored/uncolored state of the color filter layer is electrically controlled by the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer.

Abstract: An array substrate 12 is formed with pixel electrodes 14 in the form of a matrix. The pixel electrode 14 is connected to a thin film transistor 155. The thin film transistor 155 is formed with a light shielding film 152 consisting of resin for preventing an entry of light into the thin film transistor 155. A polymer dispersion liquid crystal layer 21 is interposed between a counter electrode 25 and the pixel electrode 14. A substrate 11 is formed with a color filter 151 having red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The color filter 151 is formed from dielectric multilayer film or organic material. The counter electrode 25 is formed above the color filter 155, and the counter electrode 25 and the liquid crystal layer 21 are bonded together by an adhesive layer 371.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystals in microencapsulated form are applied as a background or as printed information as a part of a reversible information carrying system. The reversible information system is normally invisible under ambient conditions, while providing a highly contrasting background to a dataform symbology upon stimulation with appropriate forms of at least one of heat and light. The reversible information system is adapted for the demands of automated sorting systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to liquid crystal (LC) displays comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with a liquid crystal composition preferably containing dichroic dye(s), and novel processes for their manufacture.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optical device comprising a pair of substrates at least one of them is light-transmitting, electrodes being provided on said substrates, and an electro-optical modulating layer being supported by said pair of substrates, provided that said electro-optical modulating layer comprises an anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal material or a smectic liquid crystal material which exhibits anti-ferroelectricity, and a transparent material.

Abstract: An optical device and a display apparatus of the present invention are constructed so as to improve display characteristics of output light intensity, display contrast, and reduction of scattered light due to external light, and also to provide a large-screen. The optical device has a first stacked body and a plurality of second stacked bodies. The first stacked body includes a light guide, a fist electrode, and an optical control layer. The second stacked body includes a plurality of second electrodes, the reflection film and a substrate. A plurality of third electrodes are provided through the substrate. Each of the third electrode has a first end part connecting to the second electrode and a second end part exposed to the other side of the substrate. A further light absorption film may be disposed between the reflection film and the second electrode.