Combined liquid crystal display and photovoltaic converter

• US 4,095,217 A
• Filed: 03/07/1977
• Issued: 06/13/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hirotsugu Tani, Kyoji Taguchi, Shigeru Arita
• Original Assignee: Hirotsugu Tani, Kyoji Taguchi, Shigeru Arita
• Inventors: Taguchi, Kyoji, Tani, Hirotsugu, Arita, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Curtis, Marshall M.
• Application Number:
  US05/775,261
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 58/50 R, 58/23 C, 350/160 LC, 340/324 R, 340/324 M, 340/336
• US Class Current: 345/87
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13324 Circuits comprising solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 10/02 the power supply being a radioactive or photovoltaic source
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0035 constructional
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

By replacing the passive reflector in a liquid crystal display with a photovoltaic converter, the dual results of light reflection for display visibility and electrical energy generation for operation of the display and associated circuitry, such as electronic calculator circuitry, are achieved.

Claims

1. A combination liquid crystal display and electrical generator, including:

a liquid crystal chamber having a first and a second transparent wall and containing liquid crystal material;

first transparent electrodes of a predetermined shape carried by said first transparent wall;

second transparent electrodes of a predetermined shape carried by said second transparent wall and juxtaposed to said first transparent electrodes; and

,

combination light reflector and photovoltaic conversion means positioned along said second transparent wall in line with the lightpath through, sequentially, said first transparent wall, said liquid crystal material and said second transparent wall.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes, in addition, electrical output terminals on said reflector means and electronic apparatus coupled to said output terminals.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said electronic apparatus is calculating apparatus.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said calculating apparatus is electrically coupled to said liquid crystal display.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said liquid crystal display and said electronic apparatus obtain their operating power from said reflector means having photovoltaic capabilities.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said reflector means includes a silicon photovoltaic converter.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said silicon converter includes a p-n junction with the p-type silicon being the reflector means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said electronic apparatus is time measuring apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first and second transparent electrodes are shaped to produce alpha-numeric images on said liquid crystal display.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said electronic apparatus includes a storage battery.