Microencapsulated Or Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Patents (Class 349/86)
  • Patent number: 8031323
    Abstract: A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Université Laval
    Inventors: Tigran Galstian, Vladimir Presniakov, Karen Asatryan, Amir Tork
  • Publication number: 20110234944
    Abstract: A resizable polymer-stabilized, thermotropic liquid crystal device formulation is used in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films, materials and devices, including construction materials. Implementations of the device may be composed of five basic elements: one or more transparent substrates, a transparent surface treatment, a liquid crystal mixture, a stabilizing polymer, and spacer beads. The polymer-stabilized liquid crystal is coated and cured on at least one substrate. The transparent surface treatment and the stabilizing polymer network are selected to provide phase separation, curing, and adhesion within the LC mixture. The substrate or substrates may be polarizing or nonpolarizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: RavenBrick LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Powers, Wil McCarthy, Neil B. Cramer, Christopher M. Caldwell, Michael Pickford, Matthew B. Kish, Andrew L. LaFrate
  • Patent number: 8023091
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof are disclosed by which a cell gap can be uniformly maintained, regardless of temperature variation, across an LCD panel. Opposing substrates are spaced apart with a prescribed gap using spacers and liquid crystals in the gap between the substrates. The spacers are provided on either or both of the substrates. The spacers contain an organic resin within which a liquid phase material or liquid crystals is dispersed. The liquid phase material or liquid crystals may be encapsulated. The thermal expansion coefficient of the material is substantially equal to or greater than that of the liquid crystals in the gap between the substrates. The thermal expansion coefficient of the column spacer is substantially equal to or greater than that of the liquid crystals in the gap between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 8023071
    Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid crystal display with improved contrast ratio, switching performance, reflectivity at the Dmin state and structural integrity, and methods for its manufacture. The liquid crystal display of the present invention comprises microcups as display cells, wherein the microcups are formed from a microcup composition and filled with a liquid crystal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong-Chang Liang, Scott C-J Tseng, Ying-Syi Li, HongMei Zang
  • Patent number: 8014167
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing having a base deck, a cover member and a seal assembly constructed of a liquid crystal material (LCM), the base deck and cover member forming an enclosure containing an inert gas atmosphere. Various embodiments have the LCM seal bonded to one or both of the base deck and cover member and bonded to seal the enclosure by molding, compression, adhesive bonding, thermoplastic welding or soldering, or a combination of such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Neal F. Gunderson, Daniel D. Dittmer, Michael A. Mewes
  • Publication number: 20110211143
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal mixture that includes an isotropic mixture of liquid crystal molecules and a photo-polymerizable monomer. In addition, disclosed are a liquid crystal display (LCD) including a first display panel and a second display panel facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first display panel and the second display panel and including a plurality of liquid crystal regions and a plurality of polymer structures positioned among the plurality of liquid crystal regions, and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display (LCD). The liquid crystal layer is formed of a liquid crystal mixture in which liquid crystal molecules and a photo-polymerizable monomer exist isotropically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: NDIS Corporation
    Inventors: Ji-Hoon Lee, Sun-Kyoung Oh, Hee-Suck Cho, Kwang-Nyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8003005
    Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein provide phase-separating polymer systems including a cured polymeric liquid crystal matrix phase and a guest phase including at least one photoactive material where the guest phase separates from the matrix phase during the curing process. Optical elements, including ophthalmic elements and other articles of manufacture including the phase-separating polymer systems are also disclosed. Methods of forming a liquid crystal phase-separating photoactive polymer system are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng He, Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Chenguang Li, Ruisong Xu, Jiping Shao
  • Patent number: 7999832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bistable matrix-addressable display element comprising a substrate, a bistable electrically modulated imaging layer having a reflection maximum, at least one conductor, and at least one field-spreading layer between said bistable electrically modulated imaging layer and said at least one conductor, wherein said field-spreading layer has a sheet resistance (SER) of less than 109 Ohms per square and a method of imaging the display comprising identifying an area to be updated of said bistable matrix-addressable display element, wherein said area to be updated comprises rows of pixels; and applying a sequence of drive signals having a 4-phase approach to image said bistable matrix-addressable display element, which may be characterized as a planar reset, left-slope selection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Mitchell S. Burberry, David M. Johnson, Charles M. Rankin, Jr., Debasis Majumdar
  • Publication number: 20110176091
    Abstract: The invention provides an illumination device (1), arranged to provide illumination device light (250). The illumination device (1) comprising a light chamber (100), an electrically variable scattering element (500), and a controller (600). The light chamber (100) contains a light emitting diode (10) (LED) arranged to emit LED light (20); comprises a luminescent material layer (200) arranged remote from the LED (10) and arranged to absorb at least part of the LED light (20) and emit luminescent material emission (220); and comprises an exit face (301), through which one or more of the LED light (20) and the luminescent material emission (220) may escape to the exterior (22) of the light chamber (100) thereby providing illumination device light (250). The electrically variable scattering element (500) is arranged downstream of the luminescent material layer (200) and upstream of the exit face (301).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Eric Boonekamp, Johannes P. M. Ansems, Marco Van As
  • Publication number: 20110170025
    Abstract: The present invention is a liquid crystal panel substrate that comprises: pixel units each having a pixel electrode, to be used as a reflective electrode and arranged in a matrix pattern on a substrate, and a switching element controlling a voltage applied to the pixel electrode; wherein between the pixel electrode and a conductive layer forming a terminal electrode of the switching element, a contact hole is provided for connecting the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode. A light-shielding layer, having an opening surrounding the portion in which the contact hole is formed, and having no opening in regions between a plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, is formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer. Harmful effects due to light leaking through a space between the pixel electrodes can thereby be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro YASUKAWA
  • Patent number: 7969405
    Abstract: There is disclosed a double-sided liquid crystal display (LCD) panel which includes a first polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer configured to be responsive to an applied DC voltage for making the first PDLC layer substantially transparent; a center liquid crystal cell layer; a second PDLC layer configured to be responsive to an applied DC voltage for making the second PDLC layer substantially transparent; and an LCD control module configured to control the first and second PDLC layers such that the center liquid crystal cell layer is viewable from a selected viewing side. Depending on the selected viewing side, the LCD control module is configured to select one of the first and second PDLC layers to make substantially transparent, and the other of the first and second PDLC layers to make substantially translucent. A light source may be applied to a side of a translucent one of the PDLC layers to provide a backlight for the center liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Derek Kwan
  • Publication number: 20110134373
    Abstract: A reflective display device may include pixels. Each pixel may include sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel may include first and second substrates spaced apart from each other; a driving unit formed on a top surface of the first substrate; a reflective layer, acting as a first electrode to which a voltage is applied by the driving unit, disposed above the driving unit; a second electrode formed on a bottom surface of the second substrate; a color filter layer disposed between the reflective layer and the second electrode; and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer. If the color filter layer is formed on the reflective layer; then the PDLC layer may be disposed between the second electrode and color filter layer. If the color filter layer is formed on a bottom surface of the second electrode, then the PDLC layer may be disposed between the reflective layer and color filter layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Joo-young Kim, Byong-gwon Song, Jae-eun Jang, Yong-wan Jin, Jung-woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20110128264
    Abstract: A transflective display device includes upper and lower substrates, and a plurality of pixel regions that are disposed between the upper and lower substrates. Each of the pixel regions is controllable to switch between a bright state and a dark state, and includes a liquid crystal display structure, an emissive display structure, and a photovoltaic structure. The photovoltaic structure is capable of absorbing light to generate an electrical power. The liquid crystal display structure is controllable to operate between a transmissive mode and a reflective mode. The emissive display structure is controllable to emit graded light or to not emit light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jiun-Haw Lee, Tien-Lung Chiu
  • Patent number: 7952668
    Abstract: A display medium including: a pair of substrates; a pair of electrodes disposed on the pair of substrates, and facing each other; and a functional layer and a display layer disposed between the pair of electrodes with an adhesive layer disposed between the functional layer and the display layer. The display layer includes a binder and microcapsules dispersed in the binder. The microcapsules have a polymer serving as a wall material, and a liquid crystal enclosed therein. A shape of an interface of the display layer at least on the side of the adhesive layer in a cross section along a thickness direction of the disposed layers is an irregular line having a distance between a highest protruding portion and a lowest depressed portion is from about 0.5 ?m to about 2.0 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Kakinuma, Shigeru Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110102711
    Abstract: Described herein are the materials, mechanisms and procedures for optimizing various performance parameters of HPDLC optical devices in order to meet differing performance requirements. These optimization tailoring techniques include control and independent optimization of switchable HPDLC optical devices to meet the demanding requirements of anticipated applications for, inter alia, the telecommunications and display industries. These techniques include optimization of diffraction efficiency, i.e., index modulation, polarization dependence control, haze, cosmetic quality, control of response and relaxation time, voltage driving for on and off switching, and material uniformity. This control and independent optimization tailors properties of switchable HPDLC optical devices according to the specific requirements of the application of the switchable HPDLC optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Richard L. Sutherland, Stephen A. Siwecki, Vince P. Tondiglia
  • Patent number: 7931825
    Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprising a bifunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by general formula (1) and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate compound having a nitrile group at the terminal thereof represented by general formula (2). The mass ratio of them (the former/the latter) is from 90/10 to 40/60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Adeka Corporation
    Inventors: Masatomi Irisawa, Ken Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7922935
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device being resistant to display unevenness without loss of responsivity and being capable of securing configurational stability is provided. A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules and a polymer compound including a structure represented by Chemical Formula 1; and a pair of substrates facing each other with the liquid crystal layer in between, where m and n each are an integer of 1 to 4 both inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Kataoka
  • Patent number: 7920245
    Abstract: A light-modulating material includes a transparent front surface layer, an intermediate layer including a liquid crystal forming an isotropic phase and a transparent back surface layer, laminated in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Miura, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7911562
    Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal display, in which substrates are strongly fixed with an even cell gap to exhibit an excellent display quality. The liquid crystal display includes a spacer side substrate and a counter substrate in which the spacer side substrate and the counter substrate oppose a first alignment layer and a second alignment layer to each other; and in which a liquid crystal layer having a liquid crystal material are held between the spacer side substrate and the counter substrate. Additionally, a reactive alignment layer having a curable resin is formed on at least one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer, and the spacer side substrate and the counter substrate are bonded to each other with the reactive alignment layer interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Okabe, Naoko Sawatari, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7910178
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which is capable of further decreasing the cost of production yet obtaining a good liquid crystal alignment, and a method of producing the same. The liquid crystal display device comprises a pair of substrates arranged facing each other; a liquid crystal sealed between the substrates; and an ultraviolet ray-cured product for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal. The ultraviolet ray-cured product is formed near the interfaces to the substrates by polymerizing a polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal with light. The polymerizable component contains a polyfunctional monomer having a symmetrical structure, and the ultraviolet ray-cured product has a side-chain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Kataoka, Katsufumi Ohmuro, Hideaki Tsuda, Jin Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 7901591
    Abstract: A bifunctional polymerizable compound represented by the following formula: A-E1-E2-(E3)k-E4-B wherein A is CH2?CR1—COO-(L1)m-; B is CH2?CR2—COO-(L2)n-; each of R1 and R2 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; each of L1 and L2 is —(CH2)P— wherein p is each independently an integer of from 2 to 8, each of m and n which are independent of each other, is 0 or 1, provided that when at least one of m and n is 1, there may be an etheric oxygen atom between the carbon-carbon linkage of —(CH2)P— or at the terminal on the side bonded to E1 or E4, and at least one hydrogen atom may be substituted by a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group; each of E1 and E4 is a 1,4-phenylene group; and one of E2 and E3 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and the other is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group or a 1,4-phenylene group, k is 0 or 1, provided that when k is 0, E2 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group and the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group as E1 to E4 m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiromichi Nagayama, Kazuhiko Shiono, Hiroshi Kumai
  • Publication number: 20110051049
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerisable compounds, to processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, especially in LC displays of the PS (polymer-stabilised) and PSA (polymer-sustained alignment) type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: MERCK PATENT GESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Achim Goetz, Erdal Durmaz, Malgorzata Rillich, Andreas Taugerbeck
  • Patent number: 7898639
    Abstract: There are provided a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display not using a backlight unit and a method of fabricating the same. The PDLC display comprises a rear substrate over which a thin film transistor (TFT), a first electrode, and a second electrode are formed, a front substrate apart from the rear substrate and having a first black matrix formed thereon corresponding to a region where the TFT is formed, a PDLC layer disposed below the first black matrix and formed between the front and rear substrates, a light source formed on one side of the PDLC layer and configured to provide light to the side of the PDLC layer, and a first reflection plate formed on the other side of the PDLC layer and configured to reflect light incident via the PDLC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinmog Kim, Hoansu Shim
  • Patent number: 7889291
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided which includes: a liquid crystal panel; an image information application unit disposed on a side opposite to a display side of the liquid crystal panel; an illumination unit for irradiating light to the image information application unit; a liquid crystal shutter device disposed between the image information application unit and the liquid crystal panel; a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal layer disposed in the liquid crystal shutter device and containing liquid crystal molecules and polymers, in which the polymers are aligned in a twisted manner at a twist angle larger than 0 degree and smaller than 180 degrees; and a polarization layer disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the liquid crystal shutter device so that in a rotation direction where the polymers are aligned in a twisted manner, an absorption axis thereof is set in a direction substantially perpendicular to a radial direction where the polymers are twisted by half the twist angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Tsuchiya, Toshiharu Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7880704
    Abstract: Method of driving a liquid crystal display by supplying selectable column voltages Gj(t) from a predetermined number of column voltages levels, selection signals to groups of mutually orthogonal p rows (p?1) for the duration of a row selection time p×nfrc during a supcrframe nfrc to generate grey scales. The column voltage is calculated depending on the grey scales of the p pixels in a column and on the mutually orthogonal selection signals Fi for the corresponding group of rows. The row selection time is subdivided in npwm sub selection time. The grey scales are coded in grey scale tables having nfrc phases with npwm. The superframes grey scales are generated using phase mixing. The change in the column voltage level defines a transition. The column voltage has always less transitions per row selection time than the number npwm of sub selection time of the row selection time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Rodd Speirs, Martin Lienhard
  • Publication number: 20110019132
    Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal display device includes: a plurality of pixel units arranged two-dimensionally between two transparent substrates. Each of the plurality of pixel units includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer having a single-layer structure. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer includes: a liquid crystal molecule; a chiral dopant; and an optically polymerizable polymer. The chiral dopant is mixed with the liquid crystal molecule to form a cholesteric phase and has a solubility that varies with respect to the liquid crystal molecule according to temperature. The optically polymerizable polymer is cured to fix a helix pitch of the cholesteric phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jang, Jae-eun Jung, Kyu-young Hwang, Jae-hoon Kim, Kwang-soo Bae
  • Patent number: 7876399
    Abstract: A light shutter includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the third electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode can be segmented and the segments separately addressed. In a display having a light shutter and an EL panel stacked on the same side of a substrate, there is a common front electrode and separate rear electrodes for operating the light shutter and the EL panel. The common electrode is electrically floating and the rear electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the common front electrode. The rear electrodes can be segmented and the segments separately addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Rogers Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Seelhammer, David G. Pires, Robert Allen Kimball
  • Publication number: 20110013121
    Abstract: A phase difference layer laminated body used in a three-dimensional liquid crystal display device, wherein unit cells are divided into groups for left and right eyes, which are given different degrees of polarization, thereby creating a three-dimensional image, further wherein the phase difference layer laminated body has a base material having orientability, and a phase difference layer made of a liquid crystal material that can form a nematic phase and formed in a pattern with two different portions, and the liquid crystal material in each of two different portions is oriented to have different refractive index anisotropy each other that conforms to the two different degrees of polarization and fixed as it is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Kashima
  • Patent number: 7872707
    Abstract: Described herein are the materials, mechanisms and procedures for optimizing various performance parameters of HPDLC optical devices in order to meet differing performance requirements. These optimization tailoring techniques include control and independent optimization of switchable HPDLC optical devices to meet the demanding requirements of anticipated applications for, inter alia, the telecommunications and display industries. These techniques include optimization of diffraction efficiency, i.e., index modulation, polarization dependence control, haze, cosmetic quality, control of response and relaxation time, voltage driving for on and off switching, and material uniformity. This control and independent optimization tailors properties of switchable HPDLC optical devices according to the specific requirements of the application of the switchable HPDLC optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Sutherland, Stephen A. Siwecki, Vince P. Tondiglia
  • Patent number: 7864287
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal optical device showing small haze value in transparent state and being excellent in productivity, a process for producing such a device, and a liquid crystal composition for producing such a device. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention is a liquid crystal composition containing a nematic liquid crystal and at least two types of optically active materials having different optical rotatory directions, wherein one of the optically active materials having different optical rotatory directions is a non-curable compound, the other one of the optically active materials is a curable compound, and the liquid crystal composition as a whole shows a nematic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Niiyama, Remi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7859615
    Abstract: In a display apparatus that has a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material 25 encapsulated in a gap between a completed first substrate 1 and a completed second substrate 11 by using a sealing member 26 and has a display region M and a peripheral region N in a region where the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material 25 is encapsulated, a wiring electrode 19 having light shielding properties is provided in at least a part of the peripheral region N of the completed second substrate 11, and an ultraviolet ray transmitting portion 19a that transmits an ultraviolet ray therethrough is provided in the peripheral region where the wiring electrode 19 is provided. An ultraviolet ray is applied from the substrate side where the ultraviolet ray transmitting portion 19a is provided to polymerize a monomer in the peripheral region N. The ultraviolet ray transmitting portion is formed of, e.g., a plurality of small holes, and the small holes are dispersedly arranged at equal intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hoshino, Yuichi Akiba, Sachiko Kawada, Takashi Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20100309413
    Abstract: Reflective-type color display devices using polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) and dyes are provided, the display devices including a pixel unit having PDLC layers that are disposed between first electrodes and second electrodes. The PDLC layers have different color dyes. The first electrodes are disposed on a first substrate and the second electrodes are disposed on a second substrate, wherein the first and second substrates are apart from each other. The pixel unit includes different color sub pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jang, Seung-nam Cha, Jae-eun Jung, Yong-wan Jin
  • Publication number: 20100309541
    Abstract: A dual display is disclosed, including a first electrowetting display device and a second electrowetting display device, and a reflection transmission switching device therebetween, wherein the first electrowetting display device and the second electrowetting display device have a function of displaying images and can be switched to a transmissive mode. The invention further provides a dual display, comprising a first substrate, a second substrate opposite the first substrate, a first patterned electrode and a second patterned electrode disposed on the first substrate, a reflective layer disposed on the first patterned electrode, a first patterned hydrophobic layer over the first patterned electrode, a second patterned hydrophobic layer over the second patterned electrode, a wall defining a pixel of the dual display, a first non-polar liquid disposed on the first patterned hydrophobic layer, and a second non-polar liquid disposed on the second patterned hydrophobic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kuo-Lung Lo, Pei-Ju Su, Wei-Yuan Cheng, Jyh-Wen Shiu, Hsin-Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 7847885
    Abstract: A mechanical structure comprises an element which is moveable by nonmechanical means, such as heat or radiation, between a first state having a first shape and a second state having a second shape different. To this end, the element includes a layer of oriented polymerized liquid crystal which exhibits an anisotropic expansion when subjected to such means. In order to facilitate manufacture the element is positioned on a substrate which has a region of high adhesiveness and a region of low adhesiveness for polymerized liquid crystal. To manufacture such structures a layer of oriented polymerizable liquid crystal is formed on a substrate (201) which is provided with a patterned surface that provides adhesive regions (204) with high adhesiveness to polymerized liquid crystal and nonadhesive regions (203) with low adhesiveness to polymerized liquid crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Jan Broer, Christiane Maria Rosette De Witz, Grietje Neeltje Mol, Roel Penterman
  • Patent number: 7843530
    Abstract: A liquid crystal-containing composition includes a first cholesteric liquid crystal having a peak wavelength of selective reflection in the range of from 600 nm to 800 nm and encapsulated in a microcapsule and a second cholesteric liquid crystal having a peak wavelength of selective reflection in the range of from 400 nm to 500 nm as the only liquid crystals, and the content of the second cholesteric liquid crystal with respect to the entire cholesteric liquid crystal content is from about 5 weight % to about 40 weight %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Hiji, Takeo Kakinuma, Chikara Manabe, Tadayoshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20100271571
    Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal light shutter device and method for use of the same are disclosed. First and second substrates are disposed substantially parallel. A polymer binder system is interposed between the first and second substrates and a plurality of liquid crystals are dispersed in the polymer binder system. The liquid crystal shutter device is able to switch between a high light absorbing dark state and a low light absorbing transparent state, and visa versa, with a low driving voltage. The liquid crystal shutter device includes formulations of liquid crystal mixtures having nematic liquid crystals and polymer systems to provide a wide viewing angle, low driving voltage, high contrast ratio, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Guomin Zhang, Menting Tim Tsai
  • Patent number: 7817333
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator assembly includes a sensor layer made from an electro-optic modulator material that comprises liquid crystal droplets encapsulated within a polymer matrix. The sensor layer material comprises an interfacial agent, for example a defoaming agent, in an amount sufficient to lower an intrinsic operating voltage at which the sensor layer transmits light. The defoaming agent can comprise from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the electro-optic modulator material, and the defoaming agent may comprise a reactive component to react with the polymer matrix, for example at least one of a siloxane with a reactive end group, a reactive fluorinated polymer or a non-ionic block copolymer to react with the polymer matrix. The assembly can also include a hard coating layer to protect the sensor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Photon Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Xianhai Chen
  • Patent number: 7804555
    Abstract: An LCD includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a front light unit placed in front of the transmissive liquid crystal panel and providing light for image display, and a light control unit placed at the rear of the transmissive liquid crystal panel and reflecting or transmitting incident light. A mobile station includes: an LCD having a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a front light unit placed in front of the transmissive liquid crystal panel and providing light for image display and a light control unit placed at the rear of the transmissive liquid crystal panel and reflecting or transmitting incident light, a communication unit for communicating with an exterior, and a control unit controlling the communication unit and the image display of the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Ho Kim, Hyun Ha Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100238382
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel including a lower substrate, an upper substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate is provided. The liquid crystal layer includes at least one liquid crystal molecule and a stabilized alignment polymer, which is polymerized by a plurality of photosensitive monomers and formed on at least one of the surface of the upper substrate or the lower substrate. The photosensitive monomer is represented by the following chemical formula: P1-A1-(Z1—RS—Z2-A2)n-P2 Wherein, n?1; “P1” and “P2” are independently a polymerizable group; “A1” and “A2” are independently a aryl group; “Z1” and “Z2” are independently a linking group; and “RS” is straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl having 1 to 6 carbons or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: AU OPTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Shih-Feng HSU
  • Patent number: 7796115
    Abstract: Bi-stable electrophoretic display device (1) having a normal mode and a scrolling mode, in which image transitions are effected by causing the charged particles (8,9) to toggle between the intermediate optical states (e.g. grey-to-grey) or between an extreme optical state and an intermediate optical state (e.g. white-to-light grey), with a corresponding short update time tscroll. When the device (1) enters a scrolling mode in response to a scrolling command from a user, picture elements are first driven to a special scrolling optical. state, after which drive waveforms for scrolling mode are used for fast toggling between two scrolling states. An increased scrolling speed and very short scrolling time can be realized, without adversely affecting image quality during a normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Guofu Zhou, Mark Thomas Johnson, Jan Van De Kamer, Rogier Cortie, Mischa Eduard Tanja Nelis
  • Patent number: 7796216
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel 2 containing a liquid crystal having an alignment state which is so controlled that: a transmission intensity at an oblique viewing angle is greater than a frontal transmission intensity assuming a frontal transmittance of 1 for a white display and a transmittance of 1 at the oblique viewing angle for a white display; and a first region and a second region coexist in one or multiple picture element regions constituting a pixel, excess brightness occurring at the oblique viewing angle in the first region, no excess brightness occurring at the oblique viewing angle in the second region. The liquid crystal display device also includes a panel, 3, for use in viewing angle property control setting all or part of the second region of the liquid crystal display panel 2 to either a light-blocking state or a light-transmitting state as viewed from an oblique direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masumi Kubo
  • Publication number: 20100225853
    Abstract: A reflective color-changing liquid crystal display including a first substrate, a second substrate parallel thereto, a first color-changing liquid crystal mixture layer between the two substrates, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer disposed is provided. The color-changing liquid crystal mixture layer includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, a chiral dopant and a polymer mixture. The liquid crystal molecules and the chiral dopant are scattered in a solidified structure of the polymer mixture. The first electrode layer is disposed between the first substrate and the first color-changing liquid crystal mixture layer. The second electrode is disposed between the second substrate and the first color-changing liquid crystal mixture layer. The first color-changing liquid crystal mixture layer is suitable for reflecting a first reflective light with a wavelength changing with a first electric field produced between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: WINTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Yuan Wang, Hsien-Wei Chiang, Wen-Chun Wang
  • Publication number: 20100214513
    Abstract: A high contrast display having a first substrate, a transistor array substrate and a light shielding layer is provided, wherein the first substrate includes a common electrode. The transistor array substrate includes a plurality of pixels arranged in array, wherein each pixel includes a transistor and a pixel electrode electrically connected thereto. The light shielding layer is disposed between the first substrate and the transistor array substrate. The high contrast display is able to protect the transistors from producing current leakage, so as to improve display quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: WINTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hen-Ta Kang, Wen-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 7777852
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display unit where a matrix pattern of pixels are defined by gate lines and crosswise data lines, transparent pixel electrodes are formed on the same layer as the data lines and corresponding transparent common electrodes are formed above the transparent pixel electrodes. On the common electrodes the liquid crystal layer is provided. In the aperture of each pixel, the common electrode has a pattern of parallel stripe portions and a peripheral portion outside of the aperture for shielding the field of the corresponding data line. Each pixel electrode cooperates with that parallel stripe portions of the corresponding common electrode to produce inner fringe fields along such parallel stripe portions and has portions that overlap the peripheral portions of the common electrode to produce peripheral fringe fields so that liquid-crystal cells can be uniformly in-plane switched by the inner fringe fields as well as by the peripheral fringe fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Kawasaki, Takayuki Konno, Shinichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 7773109
    Abstract: A display device for capturing and displaying images along a single optical axis, having an image capture device for capturing the objective image through the display panel when the display device is in a second transmissive state; an image supply source for providing an image to a display panel when the display panel is in a first display state; a mechanism for alternating placing the display panel between the first display state and second transmissive state such that an image can be viewed on the display screen and the object can be captured such that the alternating between the first display state and the second transmissive state is substantially imperceptible to a user of the display panel; and a mechanism for providing digitally image processing for captured images prior to display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Joseph A. Manico, Robert E. Kerbs
  • Publication number: 20100188618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystal (LC) display of the PS (polymer stabilised) or PSA (polymer sustained alignment) type, and to polymerisable compounds and LC media for use in PS (polymer stabilised) and PSA displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: MERCK PATENT GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRÄNKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Matthias Bremer, Georg Bernatz
  • Patent number: 7764337
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to improve deterioration of display performance in a liquid crystal display device, especially to obtain rapid response with the alignment of a liquid crystal maintained. According to one feature of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device comprises a pair of substrates where an electrode is formed in one side of each substrate; liquid crystals; and a ferroelectric, wherein the pair of substrates is disposed so that the electrodes oppose to each other, wherein the liquid crystal is sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein the ferroelectric includes an organic material and wherein the ferroelectric particles are dispersed in the liquid crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Takeshi Nishi
  • Publication number: 20100165259
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is constituted of a TFT substrate and an opposing substrate which are arranged so as to be opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. In addition, in the liquid crystal layer, formed is a polymer into which a polymer component added to liquid crystal is polymerized, and which determines directions in which liquid crystal molecules tilt when voltage is applied. In the TFT substrate, formed are a sub picture element electrode directly connected to a TFT and a sub picture element electrode connected to the TFT through capacitive coupling. In each of these sub picture element electrodes, formed are slits extending in directions respectively at angles of 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees and 315 degrees to the X axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Nakanishi, Kunihiro Tashiro, Katsufumi Ohmuro, Kazutaka Hanaoka, Jin Hirosawa, Norio Sugiura, Kengo Kanii, Shota Makimoto, Naoto Kondo, Isao Tsushima, Tomonori Tanose, Takashi Takagi, Tetsuya Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20100157180
    Abstract: A flexible liquid crystal display is provided wherein an addressable liquid crystal layer is disposed on a single flexible substrate so that the display itself will exhibit flexibility. The substrate is preferably a flexible non-transparent material and more preferably a drapable material such as fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: KENT DISPLAYS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: J. William Doane, Asad A. Khan, Irina Shiyanovskaya, Albert Green
  • Patent number: RE41694
    Abstract: Methods for roll-to-roll deposition of optically transparent and high conductivity metallic thin films are disclosed. In general, a method according to the present invention comprises: (1) providing a flexible plastic substrate; (2) depositing a multi-layered conductive metallic film on the flexible plastic substrate by a thin-film deposition technique to form a composite film; and (3) collecting the composite film in continuous rolls. Typically, the thin conductive metallic film is an InCeO—Ag—InCeO film. Typically, the thin-film deposition technique is DC magnetron sputtering. Another aspect of the invention is a composite film produced by a method according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Xiao-Ming He, Ramin Heydarpour