Window, a method for displaying a character on a window, and a visual display panel
First Claim
1. A window comprising a window pane (3) characterised in that a visual display panel (5,51,69,71,81,95) is secured to the window, the visual display panel comprising a plurality of individually addressable pixels (1,50,60,70,80,90) arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the pixels (8) being alternately and selectively operable in at least two states, namely, a first state whereby light is transmitted through the panel (5,51,69,71,81,95), and a second state whereby light is scattered, dispersed, reflected or blocked, so that at least one character (7) can be selectively displayed on the panel (5,51,69,71,81,95) by selectively operating at least one of the pixels (8) in the second state to form the character (7) to be displayed, and visual access is provided through the panel (5,51,69,71,81,95) through the pixels (8) in the first state.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A window (1) comprising a window pane (3) is provided with a visual display panel (5) laminated to the window (1). The visual display panel (5) comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal medium (15) sandwiched between inner and outer substrates (11,12) which are patterned with row and column electrodes (18,19) for defining individual pixels (8) which are individually addressable for displaying information on the panel (5). Inner and outer protective panels (9,10) sandwich the inner and outer substrates (11,12) and the liquid crystal medium (15) therebetween. An ultraviolet film filter (16) is located between the outer protective panel (10) and the outer substrate (11). The outer panel (10) is bonded to the window pane (3). The protective panels (9,10), the substrates (11,12) and the film filter (16) are all of transparent material. The pixels (8) are operable in a light transmitting state when powered up, and in a light scattering state when powered down. Letters and numerals to display the information are formed by operating appropriate selected ones of the pixels (8) in the light scattering state. The remaining pixels (8) which form the background of the visual display panel (5) are operated in the light transmitting state. Accordingly, the panel facilitates the display of information on a shop window with minimum impairment to viewing of goods and other items in the shop window behind the panel (5) by the viewing public.
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Citations
162 Claims
- 1. A window comprising a window pane (3) characterised in that a visual display panel (5,51,69,71,81,95) is secured to the window, the visual display panel comprising a plurality of individually addressable pixels (1,50,60,70,80,90) arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the pixels (8) being alternately and selectively operable in at least two states, namely, a first state whereby light is transmitted through the panel (5,51,69,71,81,95), and a second state whereby light is scattered, dispersed, reflected or blocked, so that at least one character (7) can be selectively displayed on the panel (5,51,69,71,81,95) by selectively operating at least one of the pixels (8) in the second state to form the character (7) to be displayed, and visual access is provided through the panel (5,51,69,71,81,95) through the pixels (8) in the first state.
- 55. A method for displaying a character on a window pane of a window characterised in that the method comprises the steps of securing a visual display panel to the window wherein the visual display panel comprises a plurality of individually addressable pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the pixels being alternately selectively operable in at least two states, namely, a first state whereby light is transmitted through the panel, and a second state whereby light is scattered, dispersed, reflected, blocked or emitted, so that at least one character can be selectively displayed on the panel by selectively operating at least one of the pixels in the second state to form the character to be displayed, and visual access is provided through the panel through the pixels in the first state.
- 109. A visual display panel comprising a plurality of individually addressable pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the pixels being alternately selectively operable in at least two states, namely, a first state whereby light is transmitted through the panel, and a second state whereby light is scattered, dispersed, reflected, blocked or emitted, characterised in that the visual display panel is adapted for securing to a window pane of a window, so that at lease one character can be selectively displayed on the panel by selectively operating at least one of the pixels in the second state to form the character to be displayed, visual access is provided through the panel through the pixels in the first state.
Specification