Electronically switchable optical device with a multi-functional optical control apparatus and methods for operating the same
First Claim
1. An electronically controllable eyewear device, comprising:
- a cell comprising at least one liquid crystal material capable of changing from a first state of higher light transmittance when no voltage is applied to a second state of a lower light transmittance upon application of a voltage and vice versa;
a photosensor associated with the cell, said photosensor generating an input signal based on ambient light level to operate said device in an auto mode;
a single switch capable of being actuated in a series of predetermined sequences to generate a switch signal; and
a control circuit capable of receiving said input signal said switch signal and being capable of generating a separate output signal to operate said cellwherein in said auto mode detection of an ambient light level above a predetermined threshold value results in said voltage being applied, and wherein detection of an ambient light level below said predetermined threshold value results in no voltage being applied;
wherein actuation of said single switch in a first predetermined sequence enables (i) a state change of the liquid crystal material between said first and second states;
wherein actuation of said single switch in a second predetermined sequence enables (ii) a system change from a manual mode to said auto mode; and
wherein actuation of said single switch in a third predetermined sequence enables (iii) a change in said predetermined threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronically controllable optical device is provided which includes a cell maintaining an electro-optically controllable material, a photosensor associated with the cell, wherein the photosensor generates an input signal based on ambient light level, and a control circuit which receives the input signal and generates at least one output signal received by the cell. The device also includes a single switch connected to the control circuit, wherein actuation of the switch in predetermined sequences enables at least two of the following features of the device, a state change of the material, a system change between auto and manual modes, or a threshold value change for generation of the ambient light input signal, a device color change, a device tint change or a reset of the threshold value to the original factory setting. Methods of operation for the device are also provided. A control apparatus for the device is also disclosed.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An electronically controllable eyewear device, comprising:
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a cell comprising at least one liquid crystal material capable of changing from a first state of higher light transmittance when no voltage is applied to a second state of a lower light transmittance upon application of a voltage and vice versa; a photosensor associated with the cell, said photosensor generating an input signal based on ambient light level to operate said device in an auto mode; a single switch capable of being actuated in a series of predetermined sequences to generate a switch signal; and a control circuit capable of receiving said input signal said switch signal and being capable of generating a separate output signal to operate said cell wherein in said auto mode detection of an ambient light level above a predetermined threshold value results in said voltage being applied, and wherein detection of an ambient light level below said predetermined threshold value results in no voltage being applied; wherein actuation of said single switch in a first predetermined sequence enables (i) a state change of the liquid crystal material between said first and second states; wherein actuation of said single switch in a second predetermined sequence enables (ii) a system change from a manual mode to said auto mode; and wherein actuation of said single switch in a third predetermined sequence enables (iii) a change in said predetermined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23)
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10. A method of controlling an electronically switchable eyewear device, comprising:
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providing a cell with an electro-optically active liquid crystal material, a photosensor associated with said cell that can generate an input signal based on a threshold ambient light level for operating the cell in an auto mode, a single switch capable of being actuated in a series of predetermined sequences to generate a switch signal, and a control circuit that receives said input signal and said switch signal and is capable of generating a separate output signal to operate said cell; and actuating said single switch in a series of predetermined sequences to enable three or more functions selected from; (i) a state change of said electro-optically active liquid crystal material from a clear state when no voltage is applied to a dark or colored state upon application of a voltage and vice versa; (ii) a system change from a manual mode to an auto mode; (iii) a change in said threshold ambient light level for generation of said input signal when in the auto mode;
or(iv) a reset of said threshold ambient light level for the generation of said input signal to a factory setting wherein each function is enabled by one of said series of predetermined sequences, and wherein during said auto mode, said control circuit applies said voltage when said threshold ambient light level is above a predetermined threshold value and applies no voltage when said threshold ambient light level is below said predetermined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20)
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15. A multi-functional apparatus for controlling an electronically switchable eyewear device comprising:
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a cell comprising at least one liquid crystal-dye mixture a photosensor that generates an ambient light input signal for operation in an auto mode; a single switch that generates a switch signal, wherein said single switch is actuable in a series of predetermined sequences; a control circuit configured for use with said cell and capable of changing said liquid crystal-dye mixture between a high light transmittance clear state when no voltage is applied and a low light transmittance tinted state upon application of a voltage and vice versa, said control circuit adapted to receive said ambient light input signal and said switch signal and capable of generating a separate output signal to apply said voltage to said liquid crystal cell; wherein actuation of said single switch in a first predetermined sequence enables a state change of said liquid crystal cell from said clear state to said tinted state or vice versa, and wherein each said series of predetermined sequences enable a function selected from two or more of the following features of the optical device; a system change from a manual mode to an auto mode wherein during said auto mode, the control circuit applies said voltage to change the liquid crystal-dye mixture to said tinted state or applies zero voltage to return said liquid crystal-dye mixture to said clear state in response to said ambient light input signal; setting a threshold for generation of said output signal in response to said ambient light input signal; a reset of said threshold setting to a factory setting;
ora color change.
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Specification