Cholesteric liquid crystal display system
First Claim
1. A display system comprising:
- a) a display arranged to receive an image wise pattern of light to form an image, including, i) a pair of conductors, at least one conductor being transparent, ii) a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the conductors, the cholesteric liquid crystal material having multiple stable optical states at zero electrical field, and iii) a light absorber for forming an image wise thermal pattern in the cholesteric liquid crystal sufficient to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal in response to an image wise pattern of light;
(b) a display writer, including, i) a light source for producing a flash of light of sufficient intensity to generate sufficient heat in the light absorber to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, ii) a mask located between the light source and the display for defining the image wise pattern of light, iii) a display drive connectable to the conductors for generating an electric field between the conductors for changing the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, and iv) a controller connected to the light source and the display drive for controlling the intensity of the electrical field and actuating the light source to create an image on the display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A display system includes a display arranged to receive an image wise pattern of light to form an image, including, a pair of conductors, at least one conductor being transparent, a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the conductors, the liquid crystal material having multiple stable optical states at zero electrical field, and a light absorber for forming an image wise thermal pattern in the liquid crystal sufficient to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal in response to an image wise pattern of light; a display writer, including, a light source for producing a flash of light of sufficient intensity to generate sufficient heat in the light absorber to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, a mask located between the light source and the display for defining the image wise pattern of light, a display drive connectable to the conductors for generating an electric field between the conductors for changing the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, and a controller connected to the light source and the display drive for controlling the intensity of the electrical field and actuating the light source to create an image on the display.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A display system comprising:
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a) a display arranged to receive an image wise pattern of light to form an image, including, i) a pair of conductors, at least one conductor being transparent, ii) a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the conductors, the cholesteric liquid crystal material having multiple stable optical states at zero electrical field, and iii) a light absorber for forming an image wise thermal pattern in the cholesteric liquid crystal sufficient to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal in response to an image wise pattern of light;
(b) a display writer, including, i) a light source for producing a flash of light of sufficient intensity to generate sufficient heat in the light absorber to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, ii) a mask located between the light source and the display for defining the image wise pattern of light, iii) a display drive connectable to the conductors for generating an electric field between the conductors for changing the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, and iv) a controller connected to the light source and the display drive for controlling the intensity of the electrical field and actuating the light source to create an image on the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A writing device for writing an image in a display having a pair of conductors, at least one conductor being transparent, for forming an electrical field there between, a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the conductors, the liquid crystal material having multiple stable optical states at zero electrical field and responsive to an electric field between the conductors for changing optical state, and a light absorber for forming an image wise thermal pattern in the cholesteric liquid crystal sufficient to change the optical state of the liquid crystal to display the image, comprising:
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a) a flash light source;
b) a mask located over the flash light source for forming an image wise pattern of flash light;
c) a display drive with electrical contacts for applying an electrical field to the conductors of the display; and
d) a controller connected to the light source and the display drive for controlling the intensity of the electrical field and actuating the light source to create an image on the display. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A display system, comprising:
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a) a display including a substrate, a first transparent conductor formed on the substrate, a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal having a plurality of stable optical states at ambient temperatures located over the first conductor, and a light absorbing second conductor located over the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal for forming an image wise thermal pattern in response to an image wise pattern of light; and
b) a writing device including a flash light, a mask for forming the image wise pattern of light, and means for applying an electrical field across the first and second conductors, and a display drive with electrical contacts for applying an electrical field to the conductors of the display; and
a controller connected to the light source and the display drive for controlling the intensity of the electrical field and actuating the light source to create an image on the display. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification