Polymer Network Liquid Crystal Patents (Class 349/88)
  • Patent number: 11945920
    Abstract: Thermosensitive fine particles of the present invention include a side chain crystal polymer which is crystallized at a temperature lower than a melting point and which exhibits fluidity at a temperature equal to or more than the melting point. The side chain crystal polymer may include, as a monomer component, a (meth)acrylate having a straight-chain alkyl group having 14 or more carbon atoms. A mean particle diameter of the fine particles may be 0.1 to 50 ?m. The thermosensitive fine particles may include no organic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: NITTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Marutani, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Takashi Megumi, Hikaru Ito, Takumi Kato, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11886061
    Abstract: A writing device includes a liquid crystal layer including cholesteric liquid crystal material. There are electrically conductive layers between which the liquid crystal layer is disposed. There is a front writing surface layer that is transparent and a back support layer between which the electrically conductive layers and the liquid crystal layer are disposed. The cholesteric liquid crystal material changes in texture by application of pressure to the front writing surface layer to create an image. A seal confines the cholesteric liquid crystal material between the front writing surface layer and the back support layer. The electrically conductive layers are adapted to enable a voltage waveform to be applied thereto that erases the image. In one aspect, the resilience to bending the writing device is defined by enabling the writing device to be bent to a radius of curvature of 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton I. Braganza, Hunter Morris
  • Patent number: 11543704
    Abstract: Methods, materials, systems, and devices for stabilizing photoalignment patterns in liquid crystal diffractive waveplates (LCDWs) against radiation, mechanical, and electrical influences by creating a polymer network within the bulk of LCDW such as the polymer network does not affect the LC orientation pattern in the bulk of the DW and does not result in residual retardation and light scattering while being able to fast switching and relaxation with no haze at application of electric fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co.
    Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Mark J. Moran, Olena Uskova, Justin Sigley
  • Patent number: 11360355
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a display panel and the display panel. The display panel is applied to a display device having a camera, and the display panel includes an alignment film layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a camera hole. The method includes: performing laser treatment to the alignment film layer to obtain a first light transmission hole and performing laser treatment to the liquid crystal layer to obtain a second light transmission hole. The method provided by the invention reduces a difference of amount of ambient light entering at different angles of the alignment film layer and the liquid crystal layer, and thereby improves imaging quality of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Xiaohui Nie
  • Patent number: 11326103
    Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal display device that has a high off-response speed and a good balance between drive voltage and transmittance, is stable over time, and also has a high voltage holding ratio. A liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer containing a polymer network (A) and a liquid crystal composition (B) is disposed between two substrates having an electrode on at least one side thereof and having transparent properties on at least one side thereof, and the loss factor (tan ?) (loss modulus/storage modulus) of the liquid crystal layer calculated from the storage modulus (Pa) and the loss modulus (Pa) in a sinusoidal vibration measured with a rheometer at 25° C. and at a measurement frequency of 1 Hz ranges from 0.1 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasebe, Toru Fujisawa, Yoshinori Iwashita, Fumiaki Kodera, Keisuke Fujisawa, Kenji Nakamura, Yuichi Satokawa
  • Patent number: 11326076
    Abstract: Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing compositions, methods and systems of use therefore are provided. The CMP polishing composition comprises abrasives of ceria coated inorganic metal oxide particles, such as ceria-coated silica; and dual chemical additives for providing high oxide film removal rate. The dual chemical additives comprise gelatin compounds possessing negative and positive charges on the same molecule, and non-ionic organic molecules having multi hydroxyl functional groups in the same molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: VERSUM MATERIALS US, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaobo Shi, Krishna P. Murella, Joseph D. Rose, Hongjun Zhou, Mark Leonard O'Neill
  • Patent number: 11327370
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a peep preventing device. The peep preventing device includes first electrodes and a transparent insulating body on a transparent substrate. The insulating body has recesses, the first electrodes are located in the recesses, respectively, and an area of a section, taken along a plane parallel to the transparent substrate, of each recess gradually reduces in a direction away from the transparent substrate. The peep preventing device further includes transparent second electrodes each of which includes a second electrode sidewall portion covering a sidewall of one of the recesses. Closed spaces are defined between the insulating body and the second electrodes and the transparent substrate, and electrophoretic liquids are contained in the closed spaces, respectively, and contain reflective charged particles adapted to adhere to the second electrodes when a first electric field is applied between the first electrodes and the second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng Fang, Hyunsic Choi, Yunsik Im
  • Patent number: 10996518
    Abstract: A light switchable device is provided. The light switchable device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer disposed opposite the first conductive layer, and a sealant layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the sealant layer form a closed space. The light switchable device also includes a light switchable layer disposed in the closed space, wherein the light switchable layer includes a plurality of alignment structures and polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLC). The plurality of alignment structures is disposed on the first conductive layer or the second conductive layer, and the PSLC's are distributed between the plurality of alignment structures. A height of the plurality of alignment structures is less than a height of the sealant layer, and greater than or equal to 5% of the height of the sealant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tien-Shou Shieh, Chien-Wei Lu, Pei-Hsin Chien, Huan-Yi Hung, Mei-Rurng Tseng
  • Patent number: 10788526
    Abstract: The inventors have intensively studied and found that an electrostatic indicator that can visualize the magnitude of its charge potential can be provided by using a liquid crystal composition and forming multiple regions in which the alignment of the molecules of the liquid crystal composition differently changes in response to electric potential. Furthermore, there is provided an electrostatic indicator that can be placed in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional manner to also visualize spatial distribution of high or low charge potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: DIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasebe, Shirou Taniguchi, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 10759212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1), a security document (2) with at least one security element (1), a transfer foil (3) with at least one security element (1) as well as a method for producing a security element (1), wherein the security element has at least one layer (11) that is electrically alterable in its optical effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter, Rainer Stahl, Rouven Spiess, Rene Staub
  • Patent number: 10649265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer containing scattering type VA liquid crystal device with very low hysteresis characteristics. The reduction of the hysteresis is achieved by providing a pretilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ROLIC AG
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamada, Saya Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 10642104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the pretilt angle in liquid crystal (LC) displays of the polymer sustained alignment (PSA) type, to a method of manufacturing a PSA display with different pretilt angles at the two substrates, and to PSA displays made by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Eun-Kyu Lee, Hyun-Jin Yoon, In-Young Cho, Yong-Jun Ji
  • Patent number: 9990889
    Abstract: A display device has first and second pixel columns and at least one third pixel column. The first pixel column includes first pixels to emit light of a first color and a second pixels to emit light of a second color alternately arranged in a first direction. The second pixel column includes the first pixels and the second pixels arranged in the first direction in a reverse order from the first pixel column. The at least one third pixel column includes third pixels to emit light of a third color and arranged in the first direction. The first and second pixel columns are alternately arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. The third pixel column is between the first and second pixel columns. The second pixel of the first pixel column and the second pixel of the second pixel column are connected to a same data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yong Song, Kyung Youl Min
  • Patent number: 9904092
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display panel comprises two substrates disposed opposite to each other and a liquid crystal layer filled between the two substrates, and the liquid crystal layer is formed from a mixture, comprising discotic liquid crystal, nematic liquid crystal and photoinitiator, by UV-light irradiation; the mixture comprises 5%˜50% by mass of discotic liquid crystal, 40˜90% by mass of nematic liquid crystal, and 0.05%˜10% by mass of photoinitiator. The liquid crystal panel can have reduced response time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renwei Guo, Dong Chen
  • Patent number: 9684195
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacture method of a flexible liquid crystal panel and a flexible liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xinhui Zhong, Yungjui Lee
  • Patent number: 9472148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device including gate lines extending on a substrate; data lines crossing the gate lines to define a plurality of pixels; a thin film transistor in each pixel; and a liquid crystal capacitor in each pixel region, an electrode of the liquid crystal capacitor is connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the thin film transistors of a (2a?1)th pixel and a (2a)th pixel in a (2b)th pixel column share a (2a)th gate line, and the thin film transistors in a (2a)th pixel and a (2a+1)th pixel in a (2b+1)th pixel column share a (2b+1)th gate line, and wherein each of a and b is a positive integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Su-Hong Cho, Sang-Bum Ko, Jun-Yeob Lee, Soo-Ho Kim, Moon-Chul Kim, Sung-Woo Lee, Hyun-Jik Bae
  • Patent number: 9465241
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for applying curing voltages to a liquid crystal substrate. The apparatus includes a plurality of probes, a detecting unit, and an alarm unit. The probes are utilized to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal substrate. The detecting unit is electrically coupled to the probes for determining whether the curing voltages are within a threshold range. The alarm unit is electrically coupled to the detecting unit for giving an alarm prompt when the voltage is not within the threshold range, so as to remind a person without delay. Therefore, the curing voltage applying apparatus of the present invention is capable of increasing product yield, so as to reduce production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JinJie Wang, Cheng-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 9459497
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates and guide patterns provided at a periphery of one substrate of the pair of substrates. The guide patterns include a first projection, a second projection on the first projection, a pair of third projections provided on each side of the first and second projections, and a pair of fourth projections formed on the pair of third projections respectively. A seal material is provided on the guide patterns and covering at least one of the first projection and the second projection, and a liquid crystal layer is provided in an area partitioned by the pair of substrates and the seal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN DISPLAY INC.
    Inventors: Masato Ishikawa, Akira Minami, Kenji Saito
  • Patent number: 9423654
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display may include a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer comprising liquid crystal molecules that are interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the insulating layer, a third electrode disposed on the second substrate, and an alignment layer disposed on any one of the second electrode and the third electrode. The second electrode comprises a fine slit structure, and at least one of the liquid crystal layer and the alignment layer comprises a sub-alignment substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gak-Seok Lee, Ki Chul Shin, Youn Hak Jeong, Hee Hwan Lee, Joo Seok Yeom
  • Patent number: 9411189
    Abstract: A liquid crystal cell, a precursor of the liquid crystal layer, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell, and use of the liquid crystal cell are provided. The liquid crystal cell may be manufactured simply in a consecutive manner using a roll-to-roll process. Also, the liquid crystal cell may be realized as a flexible device, and have an excellent contrast ratio. Such a liquid crystal cell can be applied in various applications including smart windows, window-protecting films, flexible display devices, active retarders for displaying 3D images, or viewing angle-adjusting films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Hyun Oh, Kyung Jun Kim, Sung Joon Min, Jung Sun You
  • Patent number: 9376619
    Abstract: A surface polymer-assisted vertically aligned (SPA-VA) liquid crystal (LC) cell has a surface alignment layer of surface localized polymer nano spikes capable of controlling the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules and ensuring fast switching characteristics. The deposition of the polymer nanospikes as a part of the alignment layer is achieved by polymerizing a small amount of a reactive monomer in vertically aligned liquid crystal with or without an applied voltage. Due to the alignment of liquid crystal molecules by the surface alignment layers, the polymerized polymer acts as an internal surface to modify and control the field-induced reorientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The SPA-VA LC cell realizes a stable alignment and the considerable advantage of the formation of polymer spikes via UV irradiation on both substrates of the cell. Furthermore, the switch-off of a SPA-VA is fast due to the enhanced surface anchoring strength by the surface-localized polymer nano spikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Volodymyr Borshch, Jeoung-Yeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 9304350
    Abstract: An encapsulated polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (EPSCT) light shutter is formed from a cholesteric liquid crystal and monomer that is encapsulated into micron sized, polymer-coated droplets by either an emulsification or phase separation process. The polymer-coated droplets are disposed between transparent electrodes, where they are irradiated by ultra-violet (UV) light to polymerize the monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Deng-Ke Yang, Yue Cui, Cuiyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9170450
    Abstract: A printed flexible display having grating, comprising a printable layer, a printing ink layer, a grating layer, an electrode layer A, an electrically-controlled optical switch layer, and an electrode layer B which are arranged successively from top to bottom. The printable layer is a flexible insulating material that is foldable and printable. The printing ink layer is a CMYK ink dot matrix printed on the printable layer. The grating layer is a lenticular grating plate. The printing ink layer is arranged on a focal plane of the lenticular grating plate. The thickness of the grating layer equals to the absolute value of an object-side focal length of the lenticular grating plate. The electrode layer A and the electrode layer B are both ITO conductive thin film layers having electrode array engraved thereon, while the electrode arrays of both are perpendicular in direction. The electrically-controlled optical switch layer is a PDLC thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: BEIJING SAN WU JIU INVESTMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Qian
  • Patent number: 9086596
    Abstract: A surface-stabilized in-plane switching (SS-IPS) liquid crystal (LCD) cell includes a pair of spaced substrates that include alignment layers disposed thereon. The alignment layers are treated to define a first director orientation. Disposed between the alignment layers is a liquid crystal material that contains polymer fibrils that are disposed upon each of the alignment layers. The polymer fibrils serve to maintain the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the first director orientation when no voltage is applied to the LCD cell via interdigitated electrodes disposed upon the alignment layers, thus improving the dynamic response of the SS-IPS LCD cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Jeoung-Yeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 9057916
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display apparatus, an angle of orientation of a first extension orientation of a first slit is not greater than an angle of orientation of a first director orientation, an angle of orientation of a second extension orientation of a second slit is not smaller than an angle of orientation of a second director orientation, and a difference between the angle of orientation of the second extension orientation and the angle of orientation of the second director orientation is greater than a difference between the angle of orientation of the first extension orientation and the angle of orientation of the first director orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kuboki, Akira Shibazaki, Satomi Hasegawa, Hiroshi Tsuchiya, Yusuke Nishihara, Taichi Sasaki, Seiji Tanuma
  • Publication number: 20150146139
    Abstract: A transmissive liquid crystal (LC) control structure comprising: a superstrate (44) having a first surface (44a) having a GaN HEMT structure disposed thereon to provide a conductor on the first surface of said superstrate; a substrate (42) having a first surface disposed over and spaced apart from the first surface of said superstrate and having a GaN HEMT structure (43) disposed thereon to provide a conductor on the first surface of said substrate and wherein the GaN HEMT structure on one of the superstrate and substrate surfaces are patterned into individual electrodes; a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) (48) disposed in the space between the first surface of said superstrate and the first surface of said substrate; and a control circuit coupled to the individual electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Irl W. Smith, Terry A. Dorschner, Amanda J. Kirchner, Steven R. Collins, Daniel P. Resler
  • Patent number: 9041879
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a first electrode on the first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a second electrode on the second substrate. The second electrode corresponds to the first electrode. The liquid crystal display device also includes a liquid crystal structure between the first electrode and the second electrode. The liquid crystal structure includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and at least one movement control member. The movement control member in the liquid crystal structure restricts a movement of the liquid crystal molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gee-Bum Kim, Jae-Hyun Kim, Won-Sang Park, Jae-Ik Lim, Yong-Seok Yeo, Jong-In Baek
  • Patent number: 9041880
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical compensated bending (OCB) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises the following steps: forming alignment layers on substrate, respectively; forming a liquid crystal layer between the alignment layers to form a liquid crystal cell; applying an electrical signal across the liquid crystal cell; and irradiating light rays to or heating the liquid crystal cell, so as to form a first polymer alignment layer and a second polymer alignment layer, respectively. The present invention can reduce a phase transition time of liquid crystal molecules from a splay state to a bent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Liang Xu
  • Publication number: 20150131033
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device, a precursor composition, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, an apparatus of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, and use of the liquid crystal device are provided. A device capable of being driven at a low driving voltage can be provided. The device can be realized so that the device can be driven in a normally transparent mode or a normally black mode. Also, the device has other excellent characteristics such as a contrast ratio. Such a liquid crystal device can be applied to various light modulation devices such as smart windows, window-protecting films, flexible display devices, active retarders for displaying 3D images, or viewing angle-adjusting films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Joon MIN, Dong Hyun OH, Jung Sun YOU, Jin Hong KIM
  • Patent number: 9025110
    Abstract: A horizontal electric field-type liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The LCD device includes first and second substrates disposed opposite and apart from each other, a first electrode formed on an inner surface of the first substrate, a second electrode corresponding to the first electrode and configured to generate an electric field, and a liquid crystal (LC) layer formed between the first and second substrates, the LC layer including a polymer network and LC molecules confined in multiple domains by the polymer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd., Pusan National University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Sung-Il Park, Sung-Gu Kang, Yu-Ri Shim, Sun-Yong Lee, Tae-Hoon Yoon, Byung-Wok Park, Byeong-Hun Yu, Dong-Han Song, Sun-Wook Choi
  • Publication number: 20150085224
    Abstract: A display comprises a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, an electrode structure, and a light-emitting combination (LEC) layer positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein the LEC layer comprises a light emitting material and a LC material, and a horizontal or vertical electric field is generated when a voltage is applied to that electrode structure. One of exemplified displays has an electrode structure comprising a first electrode and a second electrode oppositely disposed, and the LEC layer is positioned between the first and second electrodes, wherein a vertical electric field is generated when a voltage is applied. The device can further comprise an electron injection layer and a hole transport layer. Another exemplified display has an electrode structure arranged on one side of the first substrate, and a horizontal electric field is generated when a voltage is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hsu-Kuan Hsu, Chien-Hung Chen, Hong-Yuan Chen, Mei-Chi Hsu, Pi-Ying Chuang, Chu-Hong Lai
  • Patent number: 8974873
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods related to the alignment of materials including polymers. In some cases, the present invention comprises the assembly of molecules (e.g., polymers) via intermolecular interactions to produce extended networks, which may have enhanced properties relative to the individual molecules. Such networks may be advantageous for use in electronics, photovoltaics, sensor applications, and the like. In some embodiments, the present invention may enhance the performance of certain optical devices, such as liquid crystal displays (e.g., color liquid crystal displays) by providing enhanced contrast ratio, faster response times, and/or lower operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Timothy M. Swager
  • Patent number: 8976317
    Abstract: A display device comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, a blue phase liquid crystal layer and an optical element is provided. The first substrate has a display area and is opposite to the second substrate. The blue phase liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and the second substrate and reflects a light selectively. The spectrum peak of the light is within an intersection interval corresponding to a cross point of x_bar, y_bar and z_bar stimulus value spectrums, and the intersection interval has a wavelength range from 480 nm to 520 nm. The optical element has at least one function for adjusting a phase of the light or absorbing the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Pi-Ying Chuang, Chuan-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 8953120
    Abstract: A display device having a light-emitting element and a see-through capability, with which a variety of display modes can be exhibited depending on a use application or situation. In such a display device having a see-through capability, between a first display portion having pixels including dual-emission type light-emitting elements and a second display portion having a light-scattering liquid crystal layer, a shutter-shaped light-blocking unit is provided so that a variety of display modes can be exhibited depending on use applications or situations by selecting modes of the first display portion, the second display portion, and the shutter-shaped light-blocking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata
  • Patent number: 8922737
    Abstract: A display device capable of emitting sufficient fluorescence is provided without an increase in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. The device includes: a fluorescent emission layer (23) having fluorescent pigment molecules that absorb light to emit fluorescence; and a liquid crystal layer (4) capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state. The fluorescent pigment molecules are dichroic fluorescent pigment molecules (23a) with different emission intensities depending on the direction of emission. The dichroic fluorescent pigment molecules (23a) in the fluorescent emission layer (23) are oriented so as to have transition dipole moments with the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Asaoka, Kiyoshi Minoura, Kazuhiro Deguchi, Eiji Satoh, Sayuri Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8896804
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for termination detection of optical alignment of liquid crystal material, which includes: under influence of electrical field, irradiating light on liquid crystal material so that reactive monomers in liquid crystal material polymerizing; detecting a residual amount or a thickness change value of the reactive monomers in liquid crystal material to determine detected residual amount of reactive monomers or thickness change value in liquid crystal box reaching a default value; when reaching default value, terminating optical alignment of liquid crystal material. The present invention also provides a device for termination detection of optical alignment of liquid crystal material. Through detecting termination of optical alignment, the present invention realizes automatic control of irradiation time in optical alignment to reduce the effect of individual glass substrate variation on optical alignment to avoid affecting reaction process of alignment on reactive monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Liang Xu
  • Patent number: 8866997
    Abstract: Linear photo-oriented polymer (LPP) layers are situated to align liquid crystals in a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer situated at or on the LPP layers. The LCP layer can include a guest such as a fluorophore that aligns with the liquid crystal so as to emit polarized fluorescence in response to an excitation beam. Layer LPP/LCP structures can be provided as light emitters, patterned polarizers, patterned retarders and other devices based on selection of one or more guest materials included in the LCP and alignable with the liquid crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Stanley Pau, Arshad S. Sayyad, Graham B. Myhre
  • Publication number: 20140293178
    Abstract: A tri-state liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode. The first substrate and the second substrate are disposed oppositely. The liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate includes a plurality of polymer network liquid crystals. The first electrode is disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, the second electrode is disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and the first and second electrodes include planar electrodes. The third and fourth electrodes are disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and the third and fourth electrodes include patterned electrodes. The tri-state liquid crystal display panel has a transmission state display mode, a dark state display mode and a haze state display mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tzu-Chieh Lin, Chen-Chun Lin, Tien-Lun Ting, Wen-Hao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140285751
    Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid crystal cell, a method for preparing a liquid crystal cell and a display device. An exemplary liquid crystal cell may be applied to various types of display devices so as to control a viewing angle or light transmittance of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Joon MIN, Dong Hyun OH, Jun Won CHANG, Kyung Jun KIM, Hye Won JEONG, Moon Soo PARK
  • Publication number: 20140285752
    Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid crystal cell, a method for preparing a liquid crystal cell and a display device. An exemplary liquid crystal cell may be applied to various types of display devices so as to control a viewing angle or light transmittance of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Joon MIN, Dong Hyun OH, Jun Won CHANG, Kyung Jun KIM, Hye Won JEONG, Moon Soo PARK
  • Patent number: 8836909
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which can exhibit a blue phase stably is manufactured. A first substrate and a second substrate are attached by a sealant interposing a liquid crystal layer comprising a liquid crystal composition therebetween, an alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is set to be an isotropic phase by heat treatment, the liquid crystal layer is irradiated with light so as to perform polymer stabilization treatment on the liquid crystal layer, and an alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is changed from an isotropic phase to a blue phase in the light irradiation. Thus, a liquid crystal display device which suppresses a defect which shows an alignment state other than a blue phase (an alignment defect) is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kubota, Akio Yamashita, Masaru Nakano
  • Patent number: 8828507
    Abstract: Provided are 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: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng He, Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Chenguang Li, Ruisong Xu, Jiping Shao
  • Patent number: 8830439
    Abstract: Provided is a display panel using polymer network liquid crystal in which a monomer unreacted region is reduced and a thin-film transistor can be prevented from being irradiated with light energy. In the display panel, a black matrix (22a) is provided as an element having a light-shielding property in a first substrate (2a), a pixel electrode (37) and a thin-film transistor (32) serving as a switching element for driving the pixel electrode (37) are provided in a second substrate (3a), polymer network liquid crystal (11) is filled between the first substrate (2a) and the second substrate (3a), a cover portion (221) that is part of the black matrix (22a) provided in the first substrate (2a) faces the thin-film transistor (32) provided in the second substrate (3a), and the outer periphery of the cover portion (221) is located outside the outer periphery of a channel region by a specified dimension or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Asako, Yukinori Nakagawa, Hiromi Nishino, Shinji Shimada
  • Patent number: 8817222
    Abstract: An optical element and a stereoscopic image display device are provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. Therefore, the optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Mi Seo, Sin Young Kim, Kyun Il Rah, Moon Soo Park, Seung Hun Chae
  • Patent number: 8801964
    Abstract: Polymer network liquid crystal materials have improved mechanical properties such as rigidity and hardness and substantially improved electro-optical performance. The PNLC material can be manufactured with an emulsion process so as to simplify substantially the manufacturing process. Each LC droplet can be configured with the polymer network extending substantially across the LC droplet, and the polymer network may comprise a material to lower substantially the switching voltage, such as a fluorinated acrylate that may interact with the liquid crystal so as to lower the surface tension of the LC droplet. The PNLC material may comprise an interfacial layer combined with the polymer network so as to decrease substantially the driving voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Photon Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Xianhai Chen
  • Patent number: 8786808
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display including a pair of substrates; a plurality of electrodes formed in a matrix on one of the pair of substrates, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes includes a plurality of stripe-like portions that define a plurality of spaces therebetween; polymer material and liquid crystal between the pair of substrates; and polymer alignment films which are formed on each of the substrates and are affected by light irradiation and cause alignment of the liquid crystal in predetermined directions. The plurality of stripe-like portions extend in at least two different directions which are not parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasaki, Kazutaka Hanaoka, Tsutomu Seino, Yohei Nakanishi, Seiji Tanuma, Kimiaki Nakamura, Yuichi Inoue, Masakazu Shibasaki, Hideaki Tsuda, Yoshio Koike, Yasutoshi Tasaka, Hidefumi Yoshida, Kunihiro Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8753536
    Abstract: Method of preparation of surface coating of variable transmittance and an electro-optical layered appliance including the same comprises dispersing of liquid crystal microdroplets in hydrolyzable and polymerizable precursors and applying obtained mixture on a surface by spraying. Applying the material to the surface by spraying is intrinsically related to the synthesis processes because the properties of the surrounding environment (i.e. content of water and acidity, UV radiation) and the chemical reactions that take place during spraying have considerable influence on the properties (i.e. driving voltage, thickness of obtained layer). Obtained layered appliance comprises of a matrix material with dispersed microdroplets of liquid crystal obtained by the described method, electrically conductive transparent electrodes with contacts, a dielectric material, substrate and covering layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: University of Tartu, Estonian Nanotechnology Competence Centre
    Inventors: Martin Timusk, Martin Järvekülg, Kristjan Saal, Rünno Lõhmus, Ilmar Kink, Ants Lõhmus
  • Patent number: 8743318
    Abstract: A display device may be constructed with a first substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode, a second substrate formed on the first substrate and facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer may be constructed with a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC), and a size of domains of the PSLC is 200 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-In Baek, Won-Sang Park, Jae-Hyun Kim, Jae-Ik Lim
  • Patent number: 8736798
    Abstract: An optical element is provided. The optical element shows excellent durability, hardness property and reworkability. Therefore, the optical element can have a stable light division property since the phase retardation property of the phase retardation layer in the optical element can be stably maintained for a long period of time under severe conditions. Also, it is possible to prevent side effects such as light leakage in an optical instrument to which the optical element is applicable. Also, the optical element can show excellent resistance to external pressure or scratches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem Ltd.
    Inventors: Sin Young Kim, Moon Soo Park, Seung Hun Chae, Hyuk Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140098316
    Abstract: A PDLC film structure, a manufacturing method and a controlling method thereof are provided. The PDLC film structure comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed facing each other; and a PDLC layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. A transparent electrode is provided on a surface of the first substrate which faces the second substrate, and a plurality of control units are provided on a surface of the second substrate which faces the first substrate, each control unit comprising a first thin film field effect transistor and a first transparent electrode connected thereto, and a second thin film field effect transistor and a second transparent electrode connected thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaegeon You, Miki Kashima