Abstract: In a display device, a light ray transmitted through an area which varies a polarization axis, and a light ray transmitted through an area which does not vary the polarization axis, respectively, become a linearly polarized light component (a first returning light ray) which is a specularly reflected from a specular reflecting element, and transmitted through a second polarization separator, a polarization changing element, and a first polarization separator, and a linearly polarized light component (a second returning light ray) which is specularly reflected by the second polarization separator, and transmitted through the polarization changing element and the first polarization separator. The first and second returning light rays present a background portion and a segment portion in a bright display. Both the first returning light ray and the second returning light ray are specularly reflected, presenting both the background portion and the segment portion in a mirror-like fashion.

Abstract: An electro-optic shutter is provided that includes first and second liquid crystal devices located along an optical path and first and second color-selective layers located between the first and second liquid crystal devices. Each liquid crystal device is adapted to rotate the polarization of incident light to a substantially orthogonal polarization in response to being in a first state, and to not substantially change the polarization of incident light in response to being in a second state. The first color-selective layer is adapted to transmit first and second colors and a first polarization of a third color. The second color-selective layer is adapted to transmit the first and the third colors and a second polarization of the second color that is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization.

Abstract: A polarized organic photonics device, including an LED or photovoltaic device, is comprised of a first conductive layer or electrode coated with a friction transferred alignment material, a photoactive material, and a second electrically conductive layer or electrode. The alignment material provides for the orientation of the subsequently deposited photoactive material such that the photoactive material interacts with or emits light preferentially along a selected polarization axis. Additional layers and sublayers optimize and tune the optical and electronic responses of the device.

Abstract: A reflecting color liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal layer between a pair of opposing liquid crystal orientation films; transparent electrodes provided at outer surfaces of the orientation films; an upper glass base, a phase difference plate, and a front polarizing plate, which are laminated successively on an outer surface of one of the transparent electrodes; and a reflecting color polarized light filter provided at an outer surface of the other of the transparent electrodes, either directly or through an overcoat layer, such that a face of a polarized light color filter portion is in correspondence with the other of the transparent electrodes. Also disclosed is a reflecting color polarized filter including a reflecting layer provided at one face of a glass base, and a polarized light color filter portion provided on the reflecting layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing plate comprising a polarizing layer having a thickness of about 20 nm to about 1500 nm formed by rubbing at least one surface of a substrate, coating the rubbed surface of the substrate with an aqueous solution containing a dye having a tabular molecular shape, and drying the solution. This polarizing plate is a thinner polarizing plate with a high degree of polarization and suitably applicable to portable electronic equipment such as cellular phones, portable information terminals, smart cards and IC cards.

Abstract: Reflective polarizers, which transmit one polarization and reflect the other polarization, have an extended red band edge in the off-axis transmission spectrum to control off axis color (OAC) hue. To control the OAC hue, the red band edge of the off-axis transmission spectrum, or OAC spectrum, is shifted beyond the boundary for red light, or to at least 600 nm. Even more preferably, the OAC spectrum is extended further into the red than any red emission peak of an associated lamp providing light into a system in which the reflective polarizer is used. The concept applies equally well to any type of reflective polarizer, such as multilayer reflective polarizers, cholesteric reflective polarizers, and the like. The resulting reflective polarizers are very useful for many different applications, such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A liquid crystal color filter may include an infrared blocking. dye integrated within the filter to prevent infrared radiation from adversely affecting the performance of the filter when used in an imaging system. The dye may be incorporated into a liquid crystal element in the filter or may be coated on components thereof. Suitable dyes are transmissive of light in the visible range and substantially absorbent of light in the infrared range from approximately 800 nm to 1200 nm in wavelength.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.

Abstract: A semiconductor system for registration of spectra, color signals, color images and the like is comprised of a CCD or CMOS chip having a multiplicity of light sensitivity pixels with individual controllable Fabry-Pérot interferometer color filters ahead of each pixel in the light path.

Abstract: A color reflection type polarizer of a high quality and easy to manufacture is disclosed. The color reflection type polarizer is fabricated by disposing an optically anisotropic medium between a reflector and a polarizer, the optically anisotropic medium having a retardation in a plane thereof.

Abstract: A flat panel display device includes a polarizer, a polarized light reflection layer made of a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a fixed retarder layer to delay an incident light phase by &lgr;/4, and a variable retarder layer to shift an incident light phase by &lgr;/2 in response to applied voltages. The fixed and variable retarder layers are held between the polarizer and the polarized light reflection layer. A retardation plate and a second polarizer are disposed behind the polarized light reflection layer to transform incident light into a circularly polarized light component of which rotation direction is the same as that of the circularly polarized light selectively reflected from the polarized light reflection layer. The flat panel display device is used as reflection type and semi-transmission type displays with high light efficiency of light utilization and high brightness as well as low power consumption.

Abstract: An electronic watch diversifies the mode of display for numeric information and the like to presents the information using the natural ambient light or a back light. The electronic watch may includes a polarizer for transmitting a linearly polarized light polarized in one direction while absorbing the remaining polarized light, a liquid crystal element that selects a state in which the polarization of a polarized light ray is changed through transmission and a state in which the polarization of the polarized light is not changed, a polarization separating film, opposed to the polarizer with the liquid crystal element interposed therebetween, and a back light for emitting light to the liquid crystal element through the polarization separating film. The polarization separating film 12 transmits light polarized in one direction while reflecting light linearly polarized in a direction perpendicular to the one direction.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display including (a) a backlight source having a dominant emission peak at 380-420 nm, (b) a first polarization layer for selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among lights emitted from the backlight source, (c) a second polarization layer for receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer, (d) first and second transparent substrates, (e) first and second transparent electrodes, (f) a liquid crystal layer, and (g) a fluorescent material layer receiving lights from the backlight source and emitting a light therefrom. The second polarization layer is located intermediate between the first and second transparent substrates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal color filter may include an infrared blocking dye integrated within the filter to prevent infrared radiation from adversely affecting the performance of the filter when used in an imaging system. The dye may be incorporated into a liquid crystal element in the filter or may be coated on components thereof. Suitable dyes are transmissive of light in the visible range and substantially absorbent of light in the infrared range from approximately 800 nm to 1200 nm in wavelength.

Abstract: An antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device includes: an active matrix type LC cell and an antiferroelectric liquid crystal sealed in the cell. Liquid crystal molecules aligned to one of a first aligning direction and a second aligning direction are aligned in the other aligning direction in accordance with an applied voltage, thus forming a plurality of regions of different alignment states in a range shorter than a wavelength of light in a visible light band, and directions of said directors are changed in accordance with a ratio of regions in a first alignment state to regions in a second alignment state. The liquid crystal molecules may behave along a predetermined cone by a phase transition precursor in accordance with an applied voltage. The liquid crystal molecules may behave so as to be inclined in a direction perpendicular to an electric field, in accordance with an applied voltage.

Abstract: Color shutters that include reflecting linear polarizers can be used in projection display applications. The reflecting linear polarizers are used to reflect the light that would have been absorbed by prior art color shutters. The use of reflecting linear polarizers can resolve overheating and degradation problems of prior art system and projection display systems using sequential color operation can be built and operate reliably.

Abstract: The invention teaches methods whereby the lighting efficiency of many lighted displays, including liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are increased by an order of magnitude through the use of chiral nematic liquid crystal materials incorporated into the light pipes of the displays. The light pipe technology also enables a practical embodiment of the stereoscopic display of Venolia. These methods are also applied to the fabrication of lighted signs for advertising and status indicators in hostile environments. The technology of the light pipes is also applied to the creation of a novel art medium.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece provides a bright and easy-to-read display, and a greater variety of display forms of numerical information, or the like, and a greater variety of background colors. The electronic timepiece may include a polarizer, a liquid crystal element, and a polarization separating film. The polarization separating film transmits linearly polarized light polarized in a certain direction and reflects all other linearly polarized light. The internal structure of the polarization separating film may be divided, in a plane, into polarization separating portions which reflect light of different wavelengths. The polarization separating film reflects different colors in correspondence to the polarization separating portions. Using a reflecting-type polarization separating film allows a bright display to be realized, and providing a plurality of polarization separating portions allows a greater variety of display forms to be realized.

Abstract: This invention provides chromaticity compensation for color filters having nematic liquid crystal tuning elements, as well as fast-transition tuning units for use in combination with chromaticity compensation. The filters of this invention have two stages formed by three linear polarizers in series, as least two of which are color polarizers. Within each stage is a tuning unit comprising a nematic liquid crystal cell switchable between a first state wherein the polarization of light is orthogonally transformed and a second state wherein the polarization is unchanged. In the first state the liquid crystal cell chromaticity introduces significant distortion to the filter stage, but in the second state it does not. Chromaticity compensation is achieved in this invention by optimizing the use of the undistorted normal states and by judicious choice of the design wavelengths of the liquid crystal cells.

Abstract: A display device including a color polarizer (11), a liquid-crystal panel (8) and a polarizing splitter (32). The color polarizer (11) transmits all wavelengths (arrows Q and S) or a specific wavelength of a light ray (arrows P and R) depending on the direction of the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light ray. The polarizing splitter (32) transmits a light ray linearly polarized in one direction (arrows Q and R) and reflects the remainder of the linearly polarized light rays. A reflective display presents two display states depending on light paths P and S, and a transmissive display presents two display states depending on light paths T and U, and in either case, a multi-color display is obtained. Since the light reflection from the polarizing splitter is used during a reflective displaying, a bright display results.

Abstract: A reflective type color liquid crystal device includes first and second substrates. Each substrate has an opposing inner surface. Each of the opposing inner surfaces has an electrode and forms a matrix-patterned dot group. Multiple liquid crystals are disposed between the substrates. The device also includes multiple color filters, including at least two different colors, at least one polarizing plate, and a reflective plate. At least one color of the color filters has a transmissivity of at least 50% for light of all the wavelengths in a range between 450 nm and 660 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal material sandwiched between a pair of substrates, the liquid crystal material having a retardation less than 1 .mu.m, a polymer film comprised of an optically anisotropic substance disposed on one of the substrates opposite the liquid crystal material, a color polarizing plate disposed on the polymer film opposite the one substrate, and a polarizing plate disposed on the other of the substrates opposite the liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal material preferably comprises a super twisted nematic liquid crystal material, and the color polarizing plate preferably comprises a red, green or blue polarizing plate.

Abstract: Reflective polarizers, which transmit one polarization and reflect the other polarization, have an extended red band edge in the off-axis transmission spectrum to control off axis color (OAC) hue. To control the OAC hue, the red band edge of the off-axis transmission spectrum, or OAC spectrum, is shifted beyond the boundary for red light, or to at least 600 nm. Even more preferably, the OAC spectrum is extended further into the red than any red emission peak of an associated lamp providing light into a system in which the reflective polarizer is used. The concept applies equally well to any type of reflective polarizer, such as multilayer reflective polarizers, cholesteric reflective polarizers, and the like. The resulting reflective polarizers are very useful for many different applications, such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes: a plurality of pixels including right-eye pixels and left-eye pixels; a display screen constructed of the plurality of pixels; a first substrate including a first display electrode; a second substrate including a second display electrode arranged to oppose the first display electrode; a polarizing layer disposed in at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate; and a reflection film disposed in one of the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the polarizing layer has first regions arranged to correspond to the right-eye pixels and second regions arranged to correspond to the left-eye pixels, the first regions selectively transmitting first polarized light while the second regions selectively transmitting second polarized light which is different from the first polarized light.

Abstract: A microlens-equipped liquid crystal device capable of ensuring a high picture quality can be provided by obviating an adverse effect of a disclination of the liquid crystal at each pixel. Each microlens is disposed to form an optical axis deviated from the center of an associated pixel so as to form a condensed light spot substantially free from overlapping with a disclination (alignment disorder region) occurring along at least one side of a rectangular pixel.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is made by filling a nematic liquid crystal between a pair of glass substrates having a transparent electrode on each confronting inside surface, a twisted retardation film or an ordinary retardation film being disposed as a birefringence layer on the visible side of the liquid crystal cell, and an absorption-type polarizing film being disposed on the outside thereof. On the opposite side to the visible side of the liquid crystal cell, a reflection-type polarizing film, a translucent absorbing film and a back light are disposed in that order. Through the above configuration, a bright reflection-type color display using outside light and a transmission-type color display using a back light can be obtained.

Abstract: Ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions having a large dependency of spontaneous polarization on temperature; liquid crystal display devices exhibiting a small dependency of response speed on temperature and making it possible to obtain a wide temperature margin in practical use, and fabricated by using the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition; and methods for driving the devices are provided;the compositions comprising at least one compound expressed by the following general formula (1) ##STR1## at least one compound expressed by the following general formula (2), and ##STR2## at least one compound expressed by the following general formula (3) ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.6, ring A-B, A, X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are herein defined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness subtractive color filter formed by an electro-optic modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The second retarder stack echoes the first retarder stack, having the same sequence of retardances but in reverse order and having an orientation rotated with respect to the first stack. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of the second stack so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state they vanish, leaving white light. Two or more stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent analog control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between stages, thereby providing a full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the filter of this invention in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness subtractive color filter formed by an electro-optic modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The second retarder stack echoes the first retarder stack, having the same sequence of retardances but in reverse order and having an orientation rotated with respect to the first stack. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of the second stack so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state they vanish, leaving white light. Two or more stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent analog control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between stages, thereby providing a full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the filter of this invention in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: This invention provides a complementary color polarizer using a single polarizing film followed by a stack of two or more retarders. In a preferred embodiment, the color polarizers of this invention produce orthogonally polarized complementary primary colors (red/cyan, green/magenta, or blue/yellow). This invention further provides color filters which utilize the color polarizers of this invention in combination with a polarization separator to separate the orthogonally polarized colors. The polarization separator can be passive, such as a polarizing beam splitter, or active, such as a switchable polarizer. The switchable polarizer can employ a nematic or a smectic liquid crystal cell. Two color filters of this invention can be cascaded to provide a three color (RGB) filter with an off-state. In combination with a monochrome display or camera, the color filters of this invention provide color displays or cameras.

Abstract: A color active pixel sensor cell is formed by utilizing four photodiodes which are each covered with a layer of oxide. The thicknesses of the layers of oxide are set so that a first layer of oxide prohibits red light from entering the first photodiode, a second layer of oxide prohibits green light from entering the second photodiode, a third layer of oxide prohibits blue light from entering the third photodiode, and a fourth layer of oxide allows visible light to enter the fourth photodiode. The amount of red light received by the cell is then determined by subtracting the light energy collected by the first photodiode from the light energy collected by the fourth photodiode. Similarly, the amount of green and blue light received by the cell is determined by subtracting the light energy collected by the second and third photodiodes, respectively, from the amount of light energy collected by the fourth photodiode.

Abstract: A retarder stack for preconditioning at least partially polarized light for input to a modulator includes a first retarder and the second retarder. The first retarder has a first retardance and a first orientation with respect to the partially polarized light and the second retarder has a second retardance and a second orientation with respect to the partially polarized light. The first retarder and second retarder are oriented with respect to each other and the first retardance and the second retardance are selected such that the light output from the second retarder includes a first portion of light and a second portion of light which, if input to a modulator, would be modulated differently. Hence, the retarder stack can be used to precondition light for input to a modulator such as an electro-optic, magneto-optic or other type of modulator.

Abstract: This invention provides chromaticity compensation for color filters having nematic liquid crystal tuning elements, as well as fast-transition tuning units for use in combination with chromaticity compensation. The filters of this invention have two stages formed by three linear polarizers in series, as least two of which are color polarizers. Within each stage is a tuning unit comprising a nematic liquid crystal cell switchable between a first state wherein the polarization of light is orthogonally transformed and a second state wherein the polarization is unchanged. In the first state the liquid crystal cell chromaticity introduces significant distortion to the filter stage, but in the second state it does not. Chromaticity compensation is achieved in this invention by optimizing the use of the undistorted normal states and by judicious choice of the design wavelengths of the liquid crystal cells.

Abstract: This invention discloses laminates comprising dyed liquid crystalline polymer based polarizers in the middle with a non-peelable, non-liquid crystalline polymeric cover layers, prepared by a process of coextrusion. The laminates are suitable to prepare liquid crystal display devices therefrom. An illustrative laminate comprises a dyed liquid crystal polymer as the polarizing film with polyethylene terephthalate as the cover layers.

Abstract: The i-type semiconductor layer (AS) and the gate insulating film (GI) are patterned along and in the same shape as the video signal lines (DL) between the video signal lines (DL) and the first transparent glass substrate (SUB1 ). The backlight is disposed on the second transparent glass substrate (SUB2) side. Therefore, signal line reflection of external light can be prevented, improving the display quality.

Abstract: Reflective polarizers, which transmit one polarization and reflect the other polarization, have an extended red band edge in the off-axis transmission spectrum to control off axis color (OAC) hue. To control the OAC hue, the red band edge of the off-axis transmission spectrum, or OAC spectrum, is shifted beyond the boundary for red light, or to at least 600 nm. Even more preferably, the OAC spectrum is extended further into the red than any red emission peak of an associated lamp providing light into a system in which the reflective polarizer is used. The concept applies equally well to any type of reflective polarizer, such as multilayer reflective polarizers, cholesteric reflective polarizers, and the like. The resulting reflective polarizers are very useful for many different applications, such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: An electro-optic color device including a layer of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (7), with polarizers on either side (9,10), at least one being colored. By applying a voltage across the polymer dispersed liquid crystal cell (PDLC), the cell is switched from a scattering to a non-scattering state or vice-versa, and the color of the transmitted light is controlled. Applications include membrane switches.

Abstract: A subtractive color liquid crystal display employing circular polarizers. In the subtractive color display each picture element has three liquid crystal switching elements. Adjacent to each liquid crystal switching element are a circular polarizer and 1/4 wave retarder plate combination. The circular polarizer and 1/4 wave retarder plate combination create a linear notch polarizer for an isolated and steep polarization band for each of the primary colors (red, green blue). The notch polarizes are tuned to the particular backlight of the display in order to provide increased light transmittance and color gamut.

Abstract: This invention provides a complementary color polarizer using a single polarizing film followed by a stack of two or more retarders. In a preferred embodiment, the color polarizers of this invention produce orthogonally polarized complementary primary colors (red/cyan, green/magenta, or blue/yellow). This invention further provides color filters which utilize the color polarizers of this invention in combination with a polarization separator to separate the orthogonally polarized colors. The polarization separator can be passive, such as a polarizing beam splitter, or active, such as a switchable polarizer. The switchable polarizer can employ a nematic or a smectic liquid crystal cell. Two color filters of this invention can be cascaded to provide a three color (RGB) filter with an off-state. In combination with a monochrome display or camera, the color filters of this invention provide color displays or cameras.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color filter having polarizability, which comprises a dye having a spectral transmissibility, a dichroic dye having a polarizability, corresponding to the former dye and a base resin. The filter can be produced by coating and fixing the former dye on a monochromatic polarizing film produced by using the dichroic dye; mixing the former dye, the dichroic dye and the base resin, melting and extruding the mixture to produce a film and monoaxially stretching the film; dyeing a transparent film with the former dye and the dichroic dye and then monoaxially stretching the dyed film; or dyeing a transparent monoaxially stretched film with the former dye and the dichroic dye.

Abstract: Films containing oriented dye, methods of manufacturing such films, and polarizers and liquid crystal display devices utilizing the films are disclosed. The film contains at least one dichroic dye which is uniaxially oriented. A film has a thickness of not less than 1 nanometer and not greater than 5 micrometer and contains the dichroic dye of not less than 1 percent by weight and not greater than 100 percent by weight. The film has a peak of absorption at 400 nm through 800 nm and a dichroic ratio of not less than 25 at the peak of absorption. The film may include a micro-pattern having a minimum width in a film plane of not less than 1 micrometer and not greater than 200 micrometer. In such a case, the dichroic dye has a dichroic ratio of not less than 10 at the peak of absorption. A method of manufacturing such a film according to the invention includes the step of forming a dye-containing film on a substrate having a fluororesin alignment layer on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A switchable color filter (11) includes three polarizing filters (12, 14, and 16) and two zero to substantially half-wave optical retarders (36 and 38) and is incorporated in a field sequential display system (10) to provide output states of light of three different colors to form an image in full color. Each one of four preferred embodiments (11, 11a, 11b, and 11c) of the switchable color filter provides the output states of three colors. The third and fourth preferred embodiments (11b and 11c) provide a fourth additional output state of, respectively, white light and light of a color which is a combination of two of the other output state colors. The optical retarders comprise nematic liquid crystal cells (100) having fast relaxation times to operate the display system at video rates.

Abstract: A color filter having an optical switch element located between a neutral linear polarizer and a second color-selective linear polarizer, followed by one or more optical retarders and a second neutral linear polarizer. When a second optical switch element is incorporated, three color states are produced. The filter may also comprise a guest host type cell as the optical switch element. The resulting color filter exhibits high performance both for on-axis and off-axis rays and can be designed to produce a wide range of colors.

Abstract: Colors are generated in the display device by guiding light through three serially-arranged, electrically controlled color filters. Each filer attenuates one of three colors. The color filters incorporate two cholesteric filters, two .lambda./4 plates, and one electrically switchable liquid crystal display.

Abstract: An electronic display generates an image which, through substantial registry of two opponent vector images, is perceived as a full color image. The display receives two channels of information representing two opponent color vectors of an image to be displayed, develops two images in the two opponent color vectors, and superimposes the two images to generate the image which is perceived as a full color image.

Abstract: A color display is formed by stacking two or more birefringent elements that are tuned to provide different spectral characteristics, and operating each of the elements independently.