Display device utilizing a plurality of NCAP liquid crystal modules

• US 4,806,922 A
• Filed: 06/23/1988
• Issued: 02/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raychem Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Taliq Corp. (Raychem Corporation)
• Inventors: Paker, Robert, Fergason, James L., McLaughlin, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Curtis, Marshall M.
• Application Number:
  US07/212,039
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: 340/718, 340/719, 340/765, 340/784, 350/334, 350/343, 350/344, 368/226, 368/227, 368/240, 368/242, 358/230, 358/250, 358/251
• US Class Current: 349/73
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13336 Combining plural substrates to produce large-area displays, e.g. tiled displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13

Abstract

A liquid crystal display comprising a plurality of modules wherein each module includes a nematic curvilinearly aligned phases liquid crystal material. The modules are positioned adjacent to one another to effect a homogeneous display. Each module may include electrode means supported on a substrate. The substrate may include a flexible extension thereof on which conductive paths may be formed. The extension of the substrate is sufficiently flexible to permit the interconnection of the electrode means via the conductive paths to a circuit means for applying an electric field to the electrodes.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display comprising a plurality of liquid crystal modules comprising part of an overall larger display and each module including a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of which scatters and absorbs light and which in response to a prescribed input reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption wherein said display medium is adhered to a substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface such that said display medium of one module is positionable in abutting relationship to said display medium of another module such that at least two of said modules are abutting one another to effect said overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.

2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said modules are identical.

3. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 wherein said modules are controlled by a serial input.

4. The liquid crystal display of claim 3 wherein said input is computer controlled.

5. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein each of said modules include multiple conductive segments for applying an electric field as said prescribed input and said conductive segments are modularly addressed.

6. The liquid crystal display of claim 5 wherein said substrate support s said conductive segments and said substrate includes a flexible extension for interconnection of said conductive segments to a circuit means for energizing said conductive segments to apply said electric field.

7. The liquid crystal display of claim 5 further including a flexible electrically-conductive tape for connecting said conductive segments to a circuit means for energizing said conductive segments to apply said

8. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 further including electrode means supported on said substrate for applying an electric field as said prescribed input.

9. The liquid crystal display device of claim 8 wherein said substrate includes a flexible extension thereof for interconnection of said electrode means to a circuit means.

10. The liquid crystal display of claim 8 further including a flexible electrically-conductive tape for connecting said electrode means to a circuit means.

11. A liquid crystal display comprising:

a plurality of liquid crystal modules each including,

(i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, said liquid crystal material and said containment means adhered to a substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, and

(ii) electrode means for applying said electric field; and

said display medium of one module positioned in abutting relationship with said display medium of another module such that at least two of said modules are abutting one another to effect an overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.

12. The liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein said substrate support s said electrode means and said substrate includes a flexible extension thereof having at least one conductive path formed thereon, said extension sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said conductive path to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.

13. The liquid crystal display device of claim 11 wherein at least one of said electrode means comprises a pattern of conductive segments with the center line spacing of each of said conductive segments throughout the liquid crystal display being substantially uniform in the "x" direction and substantially uniform in the "y" direction.

14. The liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein:

said substrate has conductive paths formed thereon for connecting said electrode means to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field; and

a conductive tape for electrically connecting said conductive paths to said circuit means.

15. A liquid crystal display device, comprising:

a plurality of liquid crystal apparatus each including,

(i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption,

(ii) a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said first substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface,

(iii) a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field,

(iv) a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate,

(v) a conductive path on said first and second substrates for use in energizing said first and second electrode means, and

(vi) a part of each of said first and second substrates forming at least one flexible extension on which at least a portion of said conductive paths are formed, said extensions and said first and second substrates sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said electrode means via said conductive paths to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field; and

a viewing area of said display device for effecting a visual output display wherein said display medium of one of said liquid crystal apparatus is positioned in abutting relationship with said display medium of another liquid crystal apparatus such that at least two of said liquid crystal apparatus are abutting one another to define said viewing area that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.

16. The liquid crystal display device of claim 15 wherein at least one of said first and second electrode means is formed to have a preestablished pattern of conductive segments forming a dot matrix.

17. The liquid crystal display device of claim 16 wherein the center line spacing of each conductive segment throughout said display device is substantially uniform in the "x" direction and substantially uniform in the "y" direction.

18. A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising:

a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption;

electrode means for applying said electric field;

substrate means for supporting the combination of the liquid crystal material and the containment means and said electrode means, said substrate means having a substantially uninterrupted surface and a part of said substrate means forming a flexible extension;

at least one conductive path formed on said extension for energizing said electrode means; and

said extension sufficiently flexible to permit said conductive path formed thereon to be interconnected to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.

19. The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one of said electrode means is formed to have a preestablished pattern of conductive segments and said electrode means so formed is supported on said substrate means.

20. The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 19 wherein there are a plurality of conductive paths formed on said extension for interconnecting said conductive segments to said circuit means.

21. A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising:

a display means comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption;

a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface;

a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field;

a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate;

at least one of said substrates including a flexible extension thereof;

at least one conductive path for energizing said electrode means formed on said flexible extension; and

said flexible extension sufficiently flexible for direct interconnection of said conductive path formed thereon to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.

22. The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least one of said electrode means is formed to have a preestablished pattern of conductive segments and said electrode means so formed is supported on said substrate including said flexible extension.

23. The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 22 wherein said substrate supporting the other of said electrode means also includes a flexible extension thereof wherein at least one conductive path is formed thereon for direct interconnection of said electrode means to said circuit means.

24. A liquid crystal display device, comprising a plurality of liquid crystal apparatus comprising part of an overall larger display and each including,

(i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption,

(ii) a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said first substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface,

(iii) a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field,

(iv) a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate,

(v) conductive paths on said first and second substrates for energizing said first and second electrode means, and

(vi) a part of each of said first and second substrates forming at least one flexible extension on which at least a portion of said conductive paths are formed, said extensions sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said first and second electrode means and said conductive segments via said conductive paths to a circuit means for energizing said first and second electrode means to apply said electric field;

and

a viewing area of said display device for effecting said overall larger display wherein said liquid crystal material and containment means of one of said liquid crystal apparatus is positioned in abutting relationship with said liquid crystal material and containment means of another liquid crystal apparatus such that at least two of said liquid crystal apparatus are abutting one another to define said overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.