Liquid crystal color modulation displays with dyes of different orders and circuitry for providing modulated AC excitation voltage

• US 5,289,301 A
• Filed: 06/12/1992
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boit Inc.
• Original Assignee: Boit Inc.
• Inventors: Brewer, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duong, Tai V.
• Application Number:
  US07/898,917
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 359/36, 359/40, 359/84, 359/85, 359/70, 359/71, 359/67, 359/96, 359/98, 340/701, 340/704, 340/784, 340/792, 340/793, 340/805, 340/811, 362/61, 362/293, 362/319
• US Class Current: 349/165
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0027 made at least partially from a material having special colours
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13725 based on guest-host interaction G02F1/13762, G02F1/13737, take precedence

Abstract

Liquid crystal display apparatus is disclosed wherein a liquid crystal mixture having incorporated therein (a) a positive order parameter dye and a negative order parameter dye, or (b) a zero order parameter dye and a positive order parameter dye, or (c) a zero order parameter dye and a negative order parameter dye, is interposed between transparent electrodes secured to a transparent superstrate and a transparent substrate. An operating voltage wave ranging between 0 volts and an operating voltage which may be as high as 15.6 volts, and of variable frequency, is applied across the transparent electrodes to produce color changes of adjustable frequency in the liquid crystal mixture. Simultaneously, a square voltage wave of 35 Hz is applied across the transparent electrodes to prevent degradation of the liquid crystal mixture. Various modifications are shown which Produce a travelling wave of color changes of adjustable frequency across the liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. Liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:

(a) a transparent superstrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(b) a substrate parallel to and spaced from said superstrate, said substrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(c) a first transparent electrode secured to the interior face of said superstrate,

(d) a second transparent electrode secured to the interior face of said substrate,

(e) liquid crystal material interposed between said first and second electrodes,

(f) a positive order parameter dye incorporated in said liquid crystal material,

(g) a negative order parameter dye incorporated in said liquid crystal material,

(h) first means to generate an operating voltage wave varying between 0 volts and a level above 0 volts and to vary the frequency of said voltage wave,

(i) second means to generate a second voltage wave of a constant high frequency above the maximum frequency of said operating voltage wave,

(j) third means to connect the operating voltage wave and the second voltage wave to said first and second electrodes,

(k) whereby said operating voltage wave varies the color of the display between the full color of said positive order parameter dye and the full color of said negative order parameter dye and shades of color between the full colors of said positive order parameter dye and said negative order parameter dye,

(l) and whereby said second voltage wave prevents degradation of said liquid crystal mixture.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

(m) a mixture of particulate spacer material and adhesive interposed between said first and second electrodes,

(n) whereby to maintain said superstrate and said substrate at a fixed distance apart.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein

(m) said substrate is transparent.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

(m) a reflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

(m) a transreflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

(m) an opaque dye applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

27. Liquid crystal display apparatus as in claim 3 and adapted to cover the clear lens of a lamp on a vehicle having a color, said lamp being operated by a switch, wherein:

(m) said positive order parameter dye exhibits the color of the vehicle when the switch is open,

(n) said negative order parameter dye is present in a concentration sufficient to absorb only the residual visible wavelengths exhibited by the positive order parameter dye when the switch is closed,

said liquid crystal display apparatus further comprising;

(o) fourth means to connect said first and second means across said switch,

(p) fifth means to secure said liquid crystal display apparatus to said lens,

(q) whereby the liquid crystal will exhibit the color of the vehicle when the switch is open thereby substantially concealing said lens, and will transmit substantially uncolored light from the lamp when the switch is closed.

28. Liquid crystal display apparatus as in claim 3 and adapted to cover the clear lens of a lamp on a vehicle having a color, said lamp and lens constituting a fog light and being operated by a switch, wherein:

(m) said positive order parameter dye exhibits the color of the vehicle when the switch is open,

(n) said negative order parameter dye is 1,8-bis-(4-heptylbenzoylamino)-4,8-bis(valeryloxy) anthraquinone,

said liquid crystal display apparatus further comprising;

(o) fourth means to connect said first and second means across said switch,

(p) fifth means to secure said liquid crystal display to said lens,

(q) whereby the liquid crystal display apparatus will exhibit the color of the vehicle when the switch is open thereby substantially concealing said lens, and will transmit a yellow color when the switch is closed.

29. Liquid crystal display apparatus as in claim 3 and adapted to cover the clear lens of a brake lamp on a vehicle having a color, said lamp being operated by a brake pedal closing a switch, wherein:

(m) said positive order parameter dye exhibits the color of the vehicle when the switch is open,

(n) said negative order parameter dye exhibits a red color when the switch is closed by the brake pedal,

said liquid crystal display apparatus further comprising;

(o) fourth means to connect said first and second means across said switch,

(p) fifth means to secure said liquid crystal display to said lens,

(q) whereby the liquid crystal display apparatus will exhibit the color of the vehicle when the switch is open thereby substantially concealing said lens, and will transmit a red color when the brake pedal is depressed to close the switch.

30. Liquid crystal display apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the negative order parameter dye is 4-heptylbenzoyloxy-1,8-bis-heptylbenzoylamino-5-hydroxyanthraquinone.

31. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

(m) said second voltage wave is a square voltage wave.

7. Liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:

(a) a transparent superstrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(b) a substrate parallel to and spaced from said superstrate, said substrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(c) a first transparent electrode secured to the interior face of said superstrate,

(d) a second transparent electrode secured to the interior face of said substrate,

(e) liquid crystal material interposed between said first and second electrodes,

(f) a zero order parameter dye incorporated in said liquid crystal material,

(g) a second dye selected from the group consisting of positive order parameter dyes and negative order parameter dyes and incorporated in said liquid crystal material,

(h) first means to generate an operating voltage wave varying between 0 volts and a level above 0 volts and to vary the frequency of said voltage wave,

(i) second means to generate a second voltage wave of a constant high frequency above the maximum frequency of said operating voltage wave,

(j) third means to connect the operating voltage wave and the second voltage wave to said first and second electrodes,

(k) whereby said operating voltage wave varies the color of the display between the color of the zero order parameter dye and the full color of the second dye and shades of color between the color of the zero order parameter dye and the full color of the second dye,

(l) and whereby said second voltage wave prevents degradation of said liquid crystal mixture.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising:

(m) a mixture of particulate spacer material and adhesive interposed between said first and second electrodes,

(n) whereby to maintain said superstrate and said substrate at a fixed distance apart.

9. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein

(m) said substrate is transparent.

10. Apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising

(m) a reflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

11. Apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising:

(m) a transreflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

12. Apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising:

(m) an opaque third dye applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

32. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein:

(m) said second voltage wave is a square voltage wave.

13. Liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:

(a) a transparent superstrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(b) a transparent substrate parallel to and spaced from said superstrate, said substrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(c) a plurality of transparent first electrodes secured to and extending across the interior face of said superstrate, each of said plurality of transparent first electrodes being electrically insulated from adjacent transparent first electrodes,

(d) a second electrode secured to the interior face of said substrate,

(e) liquid crystal material interposed between said second electrode and said plurality of said electrodes,

(f) a positive order parameter dye incorporated in said liquid crystal mixture,

(g) a negative order parameter dye incorporated in said liquid crystal mixture,

(h) first means to generate a triangular voltage wave varying between 0 volts and a level above 0 volts and to vary the frequency of said triangular voltage wave,

(i) second means to generate a second voltage wave of a constant high frequency above the maximum frequency of said triangular voltage wave,

(j) third means to divide the triangular voltage wave generated by said first means into a plurality of segments corresponding in number to the plurality of first electrodes,

(k) fourth means to connected the segments of the triangular voltage wave produced by said third means to said plurality of first electrodes, each segment being connected to one of said first electrodes, and to connect the second voltage wave across said second electrode and said plurality of first electrodes,

(l) whereby each said segment of said triangular voltage wave varies the color of the liquid crystal mixture adjacent its respective first electrode between the full color of said positive order parameter dye and the full color of said negative order parameter dye and shades of color between the full color of said positive order parameter dye and said negative order parameter dye,

(m) and whereby said second voltage wave prevents degradation of said liquid crystal mixture.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein:

(n) the segments of the triangular voltage wave are connected in sequence to said plurality of first electrodes,

(o) whereby to produce a wave of color changes in the liquid crystal mixture advancing from one end to the other of said liquid crystal display apparatus.

15. Apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising:

(n) a mixture of particulate spacer material and adhesive interposed between said second electrode and said plurality of first electrodes,

(o) whereby to maintain said superstrate and said substrate at a fixed distance apart.

16. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein:

(n) said substrate is transparent.

17. Apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising:

(n) a reflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

18. Apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising:

(n) a transreflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

19. Apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising:

(n) an opaque dye applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

33. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein:

(n) said second voltage wave is a square voltage wave.

20. Liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:

(a) a transparent superstrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(b) a substrate parallel to and spaced from said superstrate, said substrate having an interior face and an exterior face,

(c) a plurality of transparent first electrodes secured to and extending across the interior face of said superstrate, each of said plurality of transparent first electrodes being electrically insulated from adjacent transparent first electrodes,

(d) a second electrode secured to the interior face of said substrate,

(e) liquid crystal material interposed between said second electrode and said plurality of first electrodes,

(f) a zero order parameter dye incorporated in said liquid crystal mixture,

(g) a second dye selected from the group consisting of positive order parameter dyes and negative order parameter dyes and incorporated in said liquid crystal material,

(h) first means to generate a triangular voltage wave varying between 0 volts and a level above 0 volts and to vary the frequency of said triangular voltage wave,

(i) second means to generate a second voltage wave of a constant high frequency above the maximum frequency of said triangular voltage wave,

(j) third means to divide the triangular voltage wave generated by said first means into a plurality of segments corresponding in number to the plurality of first electrodes,

(k) fourth means to connected the segments of the triangular voltage wave produced by said third means to said plurality of first electrodes, each segment being connected to one of said first electrodes, and to connect the second voltage wave across said second electrode and said plurality of first electrodes,

(l) whereby each said segment of said triangular voltage wave varies the color of the liquid crystal mixture adjacent its respective first electrode between the color of the zero order parameter dye and the full color of the second dye and shades of color between the color of the zero order parameter dye and the full color of the second dye,

(m) and whereby said second voltage wave prevents degradation of said liquid crystal mixture.

21. Apparatus as in claim 20, wherein:

(n) the segments of the triangular voltage wave are connected in sequence to said plurality of first electrodes,

(o) whereby to produce a wave of color changes in the liquid crystal mixture advancing from one end to the other of said liquid crystal display apparatus.

22. Apparatus as in claim 20, further comprising:

(n) a mixture of particulate spacer material and adhesive interposed between said second electrode and said plurality of first electrodes,

(o) whereby to maintain said superstrate and said substrate at a fixed distance apart.

23. Apparatus as in claim 20, wherein:

(n) said substrate is transparent.

24. Apparatus as in claim 20, further comprising:

(n) a reflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

25. Apparatus as in claim 20, further comprising:

(n) a transreflective coating applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

26. Apparatus as in claim 20, further comprising:

(n) an opaque dye applied to the exterior face of said substrate.

34. Apparatus as in claim 20, wherein:

(n) said second voltage wave is a square voltage wave.