Liquid Crystal Process, Composition, Or Product Patents (Class 430/20)
  • Publication number: 20080123036
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention is applied to manufacture of a liquid crystal display device comprising an array board, an opposing board opposing the array board, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of boards. The method includes a step of performing alignment processing on an alignment film formed on the surface of at least one of the pair of boards in contact with the liquid crystal. The alignment processing is performed by irradiating energy having an anisotropy such as ion beams to the alignment film in a plurality of steps while the energy intensity is set to be lowest in the final irradiation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: NEC LCD TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi SASAKI, Teruaki Suzuki, Mitsuhiro Sugimoto, Chikaaki Mizoguchi, Hiromitsu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7379154
    Abstract: A thick pellicle is allowed to have a non-flat shape and its shape is characterized to calculate corrections to be applied in exposures to compensate for the optical effects of the pellicle. The pellicle may be mounted so as to adopt a one-dimensional shape under the influence of gravity to make the compensation easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Bruls, Orlando Serapio Cicilia, Hendrikus Alphonsus Ludovicus Van Dijck, Gerardus Carolus Johannus Hofmans, Tammo Uitterdijk
  • Publication number: 20080107970
    Abstract: There are provided a manufacturing method of a transparent substrate for a mask blank, a mask blank, or an exposure mask adapted to prevent occurrence of a transfer pattern defect or a mask pattern defect, by correcting a recessed defect existing on the surface of the transparent substrate, and a defect correction method of an exposure mask. With respect to an exposure mask having a transparent substrate 1 formed thereon with a mask pattern 2 which becomes a transfer pattern, correction is performed by removing, by the use of a needle-shaped member 4, a peripheral portion of a recessed defect 3 formed on a surface 1a of the substrate, where the mask pattern 2 is not formed, so as to induce a reduction in transmission light quantity which causes a transfer pattern defect, thereby reducing a level difference between the surface of the substrate and the depth of the recessed defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Masaru Tanabe, Masaru Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20080102387
    Abstract: A display panel manufacturing method is provided-for manufacturing a display panel including a microlens formed on a surface of a TFT substrate (2) and a light shield (11) corresponding to an inner region of an opening (5B). The method includes a step of arranging photosensitive resin (8) on a surface of the TFT substrate (2) on the same side as a backlight, and an exposing step of applying light through the opening (5B) to cure partially the photosensitive resin (8) and thereby forming a cured portion (15a). The exposing step includes a step of performing exposure while shifting a light incident angle, and changing a shifting speed of the light incident angle in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nagasaka Yukiko
  • Publication number: 20080102386
    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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Johan T.V. Hoogboom
  • Patent number: 7364671
    Abstract: A polymerisable mixture that can be applied as a layer, an orientation layer of the mixture, and an optical component, such as a retarder or a liquid crystal display, having a layer of which the mixture is a precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rolic Ltd c/o Rolic Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Martin Schadt, Hubert Seiberle
  • Publication number: 20080094556
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a birefringent layer with tilted optical axis, comprising providing a liquid crystal mixture comprising liquid crystal molecules and a volatile surfactant, aligning said liquid crystal mixture, and evaporate at least part of said volatile compound from the mixture to alter the tilt of the optical axis of said liquid crystal mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Bianca Maria Irma Van Der Zande, Emiel Peeters, Hendrik Johannes Boudewijn Jagt, Ciska Doornkamp
  • Publication number: 20080090155
    Abstract: One or more of a contact lithography module, a pattern tool and a substrate include a strain control region to prevent deformation-related misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Duncan R. Stewart, Robert Walmsley, Peter G. Hartwell, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 7358013
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a reflective coding plate is provided. The method includes steps of providing a first substrate, forming a mixture layer on the first substrate, providing a second substrate on the mixture layer and thereby a sandwich structure is formed, performing an orientation process on the sandwich structure, providing a mask having a code pattern thereon on one side of the sandwich structure, exposing the side of the sandwich structure to a UV light, removing the second substrate, and removing an unreacted part of the mixture layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Chou Chen, Kei-Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 7351506
    Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer dispersion is formed where liquid crystal encapsulation is produced by a process in which a reactive additive formulation is mixed and photo-polymerized. The polymerizable additive formulation includes monofunctional, multifunctional and photoinitiator compounds in specific composition. The polymerizable additive formulation enhances the control of deformed globule or droplet size, structure integrity, electro-optical properties, and prohibits flow of the liquid crystal as it is encapsulated. A simple process and a controllable system for encapsulating cholesteric materials that provides rugged low-power flexible passively-driven displays. Such displays offer the possibility of lower cost roll-to-roll manufacturing in addition to lighter weight, more rugged and conformable displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod Schneider, Forrest Nicholson, Liang-Chy Chien
  • Publication number: 20080038673
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the lateral critical dimension (i.e., length and width) of a feature formed in a layer on a substrate using a dry etching process. One or more thin intermediate sub-layers are inserted in the layer within which the feature is to be formed. Once an intermediate sub-layer is reached during the etching process, an etch process is performed to correct and/or adjust the lateral critical dimensions before etching through the intermediate sub-layer and continuing the layer etch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshifumi Nagaiwa, Junichi Sasaki, Stefan Sawusch
  • Patent number: 7316784
    Abstract: A method of patterning a transparent conductive film adaptive for selectively etching a transparent conductive film without any mask processes, a thin film transistor for a display device using the same and a fabricating method thereof are disclosed. In the method of patterning the transparent conductive film, an inorganic material substrate is prepared. An organic material pattern is formed at a desired area of the inorganic material substrate. A thin film having a different crystallization rate depending upon said inorganic material and said organic material is formed. The thin film is selectively etched in accordance with said crystallization rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Chul Ahn, Byoung Ho Lim, Byeong Dae Choi
  • Publication number: 20080003526
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device comprising: providing a first substrate having a pixel portion and a pad portion; sequentially laminating a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer and a first conductive layer on the first substrate where a gate electrode is formed; forming a first PR pattern, which is patterned relatively thin on a channel region of a transistor to be formed, on the first conductive layer with a half-tone mask; patterning the first conductive layer with the first PR pattern; forming a second PR pattern which is aligned with an outer periphery of the first conductive layer by performing a first ashing process on the first PR pattern; patterning the semiconductor layer using the second PR pattern; forming source/drain electrodes using the second PR pattern; forming a passivation layer and a pixel electrode on the first substrate; attaching a second substrate to the first substrate; and forming a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Woong Sik Kim, Wang-Sun Lee
  • Publication number: 20080003511
    Abstract: A soft mold resist for soft-lithography, a method for fabricating a soft mold, and a method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device using the same where the soft mold includes a hydrophilic liquid prepolymer, a photoinitiator; and a surface active agent. A soft mold is formed by applying the soft mold resist to a back plate or a master plate and transferring a predefined pattern from the master plate to the soft mold resist. A display is formed by applying the soft mold to an etch resist layer overlying a thin film and transferring the predefined pattern to the etch resist, then etching the thin film using the etch resist as a mask. Additional processing step are carried out to form the LCD device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Yeon-Heui Nam, Jin-Wuk Kim
  • Publication number: 20070298331
    Abstract: A gas filling apparatus used to fill a photomask box with gas such as nitrogen or other inert gas. The gas filing apparatus of the present invention has a gas filling chamber provided with a plurality of first pillared elements, a plurality of second pillared elements, at least one gas inlet, at least one gas outlet, and a plurality of clamping elements; wherein the first pillared elements are used to couple with the recesses on a cover member of the photomask box, the second pillared elements are used to prop against the peripheral of a cover member of the photomask box, and the clamping elements respectively prop against two opposite sides of the cover member of photomask box, whereby the gas inlets and the gas outlets are respectively coupled with the through holes formed on the lower cover member of the photomask box and the gas can be filled into and exhausted from the photomask box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Pan Yung Shuen, Li Nien Chen
  • Patent number: 7294303
    Abstract: A broad band cholesteric liquid crystal film of the present invention comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal film obtained by polymerizing a liquid crystal mixture containing a polymerizable mesogen compound (a), a polymerizable chiral agent (b) and a photopolymerization initiator (c) between two substrates with ultraviolet light, and has a reflection bandwidth of 200 nm or more. The broad band cholesteric liquid crystal film of the present invention has a broad reflection band and is excellent in durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuoka, Naoki Takahashi, Kazutaka Hara
  • Patent number: 7274427
    Abstract: A radiation-curing liquid crystal having cholesteric regularity is applied to a glass substrate 11 provided with an alignment layer 12 to form a first cholesteric liquid crystal film 13 in the uncured state (FIG. 2(a)). Radiation 20 is then selectively applied, through a photomask 14, to the desired portions of the first cholesteric liquid crystal film 13 to partially cure it (FIG. 2(b)); thereafter, the first cholesteric liquid crystal film 13 is immersed in an organic solvent 22 to remove the uncured portions 13b thereof (FIG. 2(c)), thereby forming the first cholesteric liquid crystal film 13 in a desired pattern (FIG. 2(d)). Then, in the same manner as described above, a radiation-curing liquid crystal having cholesteric regularity is applied to the surface of the formed first cholesteric liquid crystal film 13 and the alignment layer 12 to form a second cholesteric liquid crystal film 13? in the uncured state (FIG. 2(e)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Publication number: 20070195245
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes a first roller, a second roller that engages the first roller, a third roller that is disposed substantially opposite to the second roller, wherein the first roller is interposed between the second and third roller and the third roller engages the first roller, a liquid chemical agent supplier that supplies a liquid chemical agent to the first roller, and a printing table on which a substrate contacting the third roller is mounted. The liquid chemical agent includes an aligning agent or spacer ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Baek-Kyun Jeon
  • Publication number: 20070184367
    Abstract: An exemplary liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device and a manufacturing method thereof are capable of improving a drop margin of liquid crystal. The LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention include first and second substrates that are assembled with liquid crystal disposed therebetween, an organic layer formed on one of the first and second substrates, a column spacer formed between the first and second substrates, and a buffering pattern formed in the organic layer at a region in which the column spacer and the organic layer are in contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: In Woo Kim, Nam Seok Lee, Young goo Song, Woo Sung Sohn, Min Hyung Choo, Kyung Suk Jung
  • Publication number: 20070154845
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display includes: forming a gate electrode on a substrate; sequentially providing an insulation layer, a semiconductor layer and an etch stopper layer on the gate electrode; patterning the etch stopper layer and the semiconductor layer to form an etch stopper layer pattern and a semiconductor layer pattern; removing both side portions of the etch stopper layer pattern to expose the lower semiconductor layer pattern portion; forming a conductive layer on an entire surface of the substrate; patterning the conductive layer to form source and drain electrodes and defining a channel region; forming a passivation layer having a contact part on the entire surface of the substrate; and forming a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode via the contact part on the passivation layer. An etch stopper can be used without additionally performing a masking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Dong-Su Shin, Joon-Young Yang, Jung-Il L Lee
  • Publication number: 20070152167
    Abstract: A reticle discerning device includes a memory in which images of to-be-illuminated patterns of a plurality of reticles are stored as reference pattern images, respectively, a detection unit comprising an optical image sensor, and a processing unit connected to the memory and to the detection unit. The processing unit is operative to compare the reference pattern images with images detected by the optical image sensor of the detection unit. The reticle discerning device is used in exposure equipment having a stocker in which the reticles are stocked, an exposure apparatus, and a reticle transfer robot that transfers a selected one of the reticles from the stocker to the exposure apparatus. The detection unit captures an image of the pattern of the selected reticle and uses the image to discern the reticle and ensure that the correct reticle is transferred to the exposure apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Myeong-Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 7232637
    Abstract: Disclosed are mesophasic optical articles, methods of making mesophasic articles and methods of using mesophasic articles. In particular, this invention relates to mesophasic optical articles that can be prepared in situ with out the need of calcination, sintering, solvent evaporation, or other common method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Inphase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Cole, Timothy J. Trentler
  • Patent number: 7216420
    Abstract: A print head manufacturing method in which satisfactory precision can be obtained by simple processes are provided. Projecting objects having a predetermined shape are formed on a substrate, and a setting resin is applied on the substrate and is set. Then, the projecting objects are removed so that ink cells and nozzles are formed. The thickness of the setting resin is determined such that tip portions of the projecting objects project above the setting resin and ink cells can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Tomita, Koichi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7198737
    Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. A method for preparing a switchable grating can comprise the steps of placing a mixture between a first and second slide, wherein the mixture has a photopolymerizable monomer, a second phase material, a photoinitiator dye, and a chain extender or cross-linker. The mixture is exposed to a laser and optical intensity pattern is applied to induce photopolymerization. A method for recording slanted reflection gratings can comprise the steps of placing a sample between a first and second glass prism, the sample comprising a polymerizable monomer, a liquid crystal, a chain-extending monomer, a coinitiator, and a photoinitiator. An incident light is split into two beams, wherein the beams enter the sample from opposite sides. The first and second prism are rotated to adjust the slant of the grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Richard L. Sutherland, Vince P. Tondiglia, Timothy J. Bunning, Bob Epling, Donna M. Brandelik
  • Patent number: 7130118
    Abstract: An enhanced-contrast projection screen and method of controlling such screens are disclosed. An embodiment of a dynamic projection screen includes a passive layer and at least one active layer. The active layer is superimposed on at least a portion of the passive layer and is adapted to selectively toggle between being transparent and being opaque. A method of controlling such a screen includes determining desired dimensions of a reflective region, and activating at least a portion of an active layer superimposed on at least a portion of a passive layer. The active layer is adapted to selectively toggle between being transparent and opaque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rachel Fillmore Smythe, John A. Devos
  • Patent number: 7087351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display comprising at least one substrate having at least one electrically modulated imaging layer thereon, at least one patterned electrically conductive layer, and at least one antistatic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter T. Aylward, Debasis Majumdar, Hwei-Ling Yau, William J. Durkin, Donald O. Bigelow, Daniel A. Slater, Kelly S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7072108
    Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio S. Cruz-Uribe, William J. Allen, John Christopher Rudin, Andrew Arthur Hunter, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
  • Patent number: 7067566
    Abstract: Triazine ring based polymers for photoinduced liquid crystal alignment introduces photoactive groups for inducing, reinforcing, improving and preserving liquid crystal alignment, for example photoreactor such as cinnamate, coumarin, chalcone and maleimide, as a chain to have at least one photoactive group. One of the photoactive groups can experience Fries rearrangement which induces liquid crystal alignment, and other groups can experience photodimerization, photoisomerization, photocrosslinkng or photodegradation to reinforce, change or preserve the generated alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: LG Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongcheon Shin, Jinyool Kim, Kyusoon Park, Taemin Kim
  • Patent number: 7057687
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of efficiently and precisely patterning cholesteric films. A cholesteric film 13 is firstly formed on an alignment film 12 provided on a glass substrate 11. The cholesteric film 13 is then patterned by partially volatilizing and removing a part of the cholesteric film 13 by the application of laser light 20 having a wavelength not falling in the selective reflection wave range of the cholesteric film 13. It is preferred that the wavelength of the laser light 20 be shorter than that of visible light. Alternatively, there may be used laser light 20 containing, as its main component, a component circularly polarized in the direction opposite to that of optical rotation of a component selectively reflected by the cholesteric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Kashima, Koji Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 7041417
    Abstract: This invention relates to an image receiving layer (22) of a receiver element (20) for laser-induced thermal transfer imaging processes. The image receiving layer (22) is made from a formulation containing a caprolactone polymer and a cellulose ester. The invention is, typically, useful in proofing and color filter applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Harvey Walter Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7033711
    Abstract: A method of improving the aperture ratio or resolution of an OLED device which includes a plurality of laterally spaced electrodes and one or more electrodes vertically spaced apart from the plurality of laterally spaced electrodes. The improvement includes providing a donor having transferable organic material in spaced relationship with the laterally spaced electrodes, and illuminating the donor with radiation in patterns corresponding to the area of the laterally spaced electrodes to transfer organic material over the laterally spaced electrodes such that substantially all of the organic material is transferred and the edge taper region of the organic material is less than 8 microns thereby permitting the reduction in spacing between the laterally spaced electrodes and improvement in the aperture ratio, the resolution, or both, of the OLED device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Boroson, Giana M. Phelan
  • Patent number: 7026080
    Abstract: The invention provides a positive photosensitive resin composition which is free from film reduction, swelling or peeling at the time of development with an aqueous alkaline solution and which provides a dimensionally stable patterns after curing, and of which the final cured film has a low water absorption and excellent alkaline resistance. A positive photosensitive polyimide resin composition characterized by comprising an organic solvent-soluble polyimide having repeating units represented by the formula (1): (wherein m is an integer of from 3 to 10,000, R1 is a tetravalent organic group, R2 is a bivalent organic group, provided that from 5 to 100 mol % of R2 is a bivalent organic group having fluorine), a polyamic acid and a compound capable of generating an acid by irradiation with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonari Nakayama, Masakazu Kato, Takayasu Nihira
  • Patent number: 7022442
    Abstract: An article has transferred onto its surface a region-wise optically modified cholesteric liquid crystalline layer. The layer includes at least one single-film layer including a number of regions having cholesterically ordered material which differ from one another in pitch. The layer can include a holographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Van De Witte, Johan Lub
  • Patent number: 7018563
    Abstract: The present invention offers control over—and the ability to optimize—the performance parameters of switchable holograms. The present invention offers the ability to tailor the properties of a hologram to a desired application and thus make application-specific holograms. The invention relates to polymer-dispersed liquid crystal materials subject to control and optimization of the performance parameters of switchable holograms. Such variability allows tailoring the properties to application-specific devices. Specifically, the present invention provides an improved polymer-dispersed liquid crystal system that allows variation of: 1) haze, 2) switching voltage, 3) electrical power dissipation, 4) switching stability (voltage creep), 5) switching contrast ratio (range), 6) dynamic stability, and 7) the operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Sutherland, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Robert T Pogue, Christina K. Shepherd, Donna M. Brandelik
  • Patent number: 7011913
    Abstract: A method of making a reflective film includes the steps of: (a) preparing a cholesteric mixture that includes a cholesteric liquid crystal material and at least one type of polymerizable compound; (b) forming a cholesteric mixture layer in which the cholesteric liquid crystal material forms a helical structure, having continuously changing helical pitches, approximately along a normal to the layer; and (c) exposing the cholesteric mixture layer to an actinic ray at a temperature, at which the cholesteric mixture exhibits a cholesteric phase, thereby polymerizing the at least one type of polymerizable compound. In this method, a Tni point of the cholesteric mixture increases by performing the step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoko Teranishi, Sayuri Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7011914
    Abstract: An active-radiation-curing liquid crystalline composition is applied to an alignment layer 2 formed on a base 1, and the liquid crystal alignment is regulated by the application of heat or the like, thereby forming a liquid crystal layer 3 having cholesteric regularity (FIG. 1(a)). Next, active radiation 4 with a predetermined radiant intensity is applied to the liquid crystal layer 3 through a photomask 10 (FIG. 1(b)), and this liquid crystal layer 3 is then brought into contact with a solvent 5 (FIG. 1(c)). As a result, the area 3b in the liquid crystal layer 3 not irradiated with the active radiation 4 is removed, while the area 3a in the liquid crystal layer 3 irradiated with the active radiation 4 remains; a semi-cured cholesteric layer 3? having therein a predetermined pattern is thus formed (FIG. 1(d)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 7002662
    Abstract: A method for making an optical element from patterned liquid crystal films by placing a radiation-curing liquid crystal on an aligning function substrate surface, radiating selectively a portion of the liquid crystal film partially to cure it, contacting the partially cured film with an organic solvent to remove the uncured portion of the film and form a pattern in the film, and applying another radiation-curing liquid crystal to a surface of the first film exposed by removing the uncured portion, thereby forming and patterning the second liquid crystal film. The solvent does not dissolve the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 6955839
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a laminated composite including an optical layer having a light reflectivity, and a latent image formation layer containing a liquid crystalline polymer material and provided on one of major surfaces of the optical layer, wherein the latent image formation layer includes at least one oriented portion in an orientation state and at least one non-oriented portion in a non-orientation state, and the oriented and non-oriented portions constitute a latent image which is unrecognizable by a direct visual observation and recognizable by a visual observation through a polarizing member. Also, according to the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium and a member of imparting a forgery-preventing characteristic including such a latent image formation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Gocho, Atsushi Kijima, Akira Kubo, Noriyuki Ito, Naoaki Shindo
  • Patent number: 6924917
    Abstract: A color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a polarizing substrate, a black matrix positioned on the polarizing substrate, a color filter layer positioned on the black matrix, and a common electrode positioned on the color filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Bok Lee, Jong-Hoon Yi
  • Patent number: 6887632
    Abstract: Novel cross linked polymer films prepared from poly4-[(4-cardanylazo]benzoic acid and poly4-[(4-acryloylcardanylazo]benzoic acid are disclosed. The invention also relates to novel monomers 4-[(4-cardanylazo] benzoic acid and 4-[(4-acryloylcardanylazo] benzoic acid and polymers thereof as well processes for the preparation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Muthusamy Saminathan, Chennakkattu Krishna Sadasivan Pillai
  • Patent number: 6879362
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal color filter including partition walls that are formed at pixel boundaries, produced by: forming a liquid crystal layer comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal composition including at least a liquid crystal compound, a photoreactive chiral agent and a polymerization initiator; and irradiating the liquid crystal layer with UV light having wavelengths to which the polymerization initiator is photosensitive through a photomask to form the partition walls at areas corresponding to the pixel boundaries while the liquid crystal layer is in an isotropic liquid state or in a cholesteric state not exhibiting selective reflection of light in the visible range. The invention also provides a process for producing a cholesteric liquid crystal color filter including openings that are formed at positions corresponding to at least contact holes and/or electrode lead-out portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouya Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6878494
    Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer, in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octanoic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Sutehrland, Lalquidi V. Natarajan, Vince P. Tondiglia, Timothy J. Bunning
  • Patent number: 6864940
    Abstract: A method of driving an LCD is provided, where adjacent bus lines are short-circuited during LCD driving operations. In certain example embodiments, an inverse driving technique is used to invert the polarity of a video signal at every one row for instance. In certain example embodiments, short-circuited adjacent data lines (source lines) are in communication with pixels of the same color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Shimada, Tadanori Hishida
  • Patent number: 6841320
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of fabrication of devices of various purposes, which use anisotropic films: polarizers, retarders, etc., as well as technology of obtaining coatings with anisotropy of electric conductivity, magnetic properties, thermal conduction and other physical properties. The invention includes the method of forming anisotropic crystal film on a receptor plate via transferring it from the donor plate Implementing the disclosed invention preserves the high degree of anisotropy and optical parameters of crystal films after the transfer. Additionally, it is possible to form anisotropic coatings on the surface of any configuration (including curved) and different degree of roughness; also, it is possible to transfer films of various sizes and configurations as well as multilayer coatings containing anisotropic film and form color images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Optiva, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel I. Lazarev, Natalya A. Ovchinnikova
  • Patent number: 6841654
    Abstract: An inexpensive polyimide-free alignment layer comprising a mixture of an epoxy and a reactive liquid crystal material is used for fabricating liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The alignment layer can be cast onto a previously aligned layer, without destroying the alignment of the underlying layer, thus allowing for monolithic fabrication of compensator stacks, without film transfer lamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Dong-Feng Gu, Young Chung, Len Hale
  • Publication number: 20040263974
    Abstract: A polarization conversion system uses patterned half-wave retarder material and a polarizing beam splitter. The retarder material is applied to a surface of the polarizing beam splitter or other substrate before patterning. Patterning is accomplished by exposing the retarder material to oriented light, and may be done using an optical mask, or may be done through the polarization beam splitter. Selected areas of the patterned retarder layer produce no net rotation of light from the polarizing beam splitter, while other areas rotate light ninety degrees, thus providing polarization conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Optical Coating Laboratory Inc., a JDS Unipahse Company and a corporation of the State of Delware
    Inventors: Jay McDonough, Markus Duelli, Anthony D. McGettigan
  • Publication number: 20040263822
    Abstract: A reticle transferring support. The reticle transferring support has a supporting base for containing a reticle, a plurality of braces for supporting the reticle, and a plurality of holders for fixing the position of the reticle. The braces are spheroids composed of soft plastic, and the position of the braces is adjustable so that the reticle will not be damaged. The holders each have an inclined plane so that the position of the reticle will be fixed automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Po-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 6836307
    Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal coating film 13′ is formed on an alignment layer 12 provided on a glass substrate 11 (FIG. 1(a)), and is subjected to a thermal alignment process at a temperature equal to or higher than the liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of a chiral nematic liquid crystal that constitutes the coating film (FIG. 1(b)). Active rays capable of activating optically active groups in the chiral nematic liquid crystal are applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal coating film 13′ to deactivate the optically active groups, thereby forming a cholesteric layer 13 having color-indicating regions with the desired areas and indication colors that have been created according to the active-rays-applied area and to the amount of active rays applied to the area (FIG. 1(c)). Thereafter, this cholesteric layer 13 is subjected to a thermal alignment process at a temperature lower than the liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of the chiral nematic liquid crystal (FIG. 1(d)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihito Itoh
  • Patent number: 6829020
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recording method for recording an image on a thermosensible image bearing medium that contains liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal exhibits a cholesteric phase at a temperature range higher than a room temperature so as to reflect selected wavelength of light based on heated temperature within the temperature range. Since the cholesteric liquid crystal material has a different response time for each selective reflection wavelength, an optimum energy application time is required for obtaining a desired recording color. Accordingly, in the recording method, it is getting higher the heating temperature, shorter the application time. The application time can be adjusted by the pulse width and/or pulse number of the applied energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Kotani, Hideaki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20040239908
    Abstract: A maskless lithography system that writes patterns on an object. The system can include an illumination system, the object, spatial light modulators (SLMs), and a controller. The SLMs can pattern light from the illumination system before the object receives the light. The SLMs can include a leading set and a trailing set of the SLMs. The SLMs in the leading and trailing sets change based on a scanning direction of the object. The controller can transmit control signals to the SLMs based on at least one of light pulse period information, physical layout information about the SLMs, and scanning speed of the object. The system can also correct for dose non-uniformity using various methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Arno Bleeker, Wenceslao A. Cebuhar, Jason D. Hintersteiner, Andrew W. McCullough, Solomon Wasserman