Electrically controllable light reflecting cell and means for utilization on a character presentation device

Claim 2

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in an informational character presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof supported adjacent the first surface of said first conductor so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and second indices of refraction being coincident with said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof supported adjacent the second surface of said first conductor so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and third indices of refraction being coincident with said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; e. means for applying a potential field between said first interface and said second interface for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections of light from said first end to said second end; f. said change in the first and second index differentials being substantially proportional to a change in said predetermined index of said first light conductor; g. said second and third light conductors each including an electrically conductive material for extending, respectively, the potential of said field to said first and to said second interfaces.

Claim 3

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in an informational character presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof supported adjacent the first surface of said first conductor so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and second indices of refraction being coincident with said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof supported adjacent the second surface of said first conductor so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and third indices of refraction being coincident with said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; e. means for applying a potential field between said first interface and the second surface of said second light conductor and between said second interface and the first surface of said third light conductor for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections oF light from said first end to said second end; f. said change in the first and second index differentials being substantially proportional to a change in said predetermined index of the second light conductor and to a change in said predetermined index of the third light conductor, respectively; g. said first light conductor including an electrically conductive material for extending, respectively, the potential of said field to said first and to said second interfaces.

Claim 4

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in an informational character presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof supported adjacent the first surface of said first conductor so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and second indices of refraction being coincident with said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof supported adjacent the second surface of said first conductor so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and third indices of refraction being coincident with said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; e. means for applying a potential field between said first interface and the second surface of said second light conductor and between said second interface and the first surface of said third light conductor for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections oF light from said first end to said second end; f. said change in the first and second index differentials being substantially proportional to a change in said predetermined index of the second light conductor and to a change in said predetermined index of the third light conductor, respectively; g. said first light conductor including an electrically conductive material for extending, respectively, the potential of said field to said first and to said second interfaces.

Claim 5

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in an informational character presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof being closely adjacent the first surface of said first conductor; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof being closely adjacent the second surface of said first conductor; e. first and second layers of light transparent electrically conductive material, each layer presenting a predetermined index of refraction and having a thickness dimension; f. said first layer sandwiched between the first surface of said first conductor and the first surface of said second conductor and intimately joined therewith so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors which includes said thickness of the first layer, said interface being along said longitudinal dimension, and said first and second indices of refraction being adjacent said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; g. said second layer sandwiched between the second surface of said first conductor and the second surface of said third conductor and intimately joined therewith so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors which includes said thickness of the second layer, said interface being along said longitudinal dimension, and said first and third indices of refraction being adjacent said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; h. an electrode means adjacent the second surface of said second conductor and adjacent the first surface of said third conductor; i. means for applying a potential field between said first layer and said electrode means adjacent said second conductor and between said second layer and said electrode means adjacent said third conductor for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections of light from said first end to said second end of said light reflecting cell.

Claim 6

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in an informational character presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof being closely adjacent the first surface of said first conductor; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof being closely adjacent the second surface of said first conductor; e. first and second layers of light transparent electrically conductive material, each layer presenting a predetermined index of refraction and having a thickness dimension; f. said first layer sandwiched between the first surface of said first conductor and the first surface of said second conductor and intimately joined therewith so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors which includes said thickness of the first layer, said interface being along said longitudinal dimension, and said first and second indices of refraction being adjacent said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; g. said second layer sandwiched between the second surface of said first conductor and the second surface of said third conductor and intimately joined therewith so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors which includes said thickness of the second layer, said interface being along said longitudinal dimension, and said first and third indices of refraction being adjacent said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; h. an electrode means adjacent the second surface of said second conductor and adjacent the first surface of said third conductor; i. means for applying a potential field between said first layer and said electrode means adjacent said second conductor and between said second layer and said electrode means adjacent said third conductor for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections of light from said first end to said second end of said light reflecting cell.

Claim 7

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in information presentation means, comprising: a. first and second electrodes; b. means for applying a potential field between said electrodes; c. said electrodes positioned at, and facing each other on, opposite sides of said cell so as to provide intermediate said electrodes a space extending along a dimension thereof in the direction of the passage of light from a light admitting end to a light emitting end of said cell; d. light conducting material sandwiched between said electrodes in said space having a predetermined cross sectioNal dimension transverse of said direction of the passage of light through said cell, presenting an electrically controllable index of refraction and presenting at least first and second indices of refraction which are effected in accordance with said applying of a potential field between said electrodes; e. said electrodes intimately joined with said light conducting material along said dimension thereof, each including a light conducting material presenting an index of refraction which is lower than said first index of refraction and higher than said second index of refraction.

Claim 8

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in information presentation means, comprising: a. first and second electrodes; b. means for applying a potential field between said electrodes; c. said electrodes positioned at, and facing each other on, opposite sides of said cell so as to provide intermediate said electrodes a space extending along a dimension thereof in the direction of the passage of light from a light admitting end to a light emitting end of said cell; d. light conducting material sandwiched between said electrodes in said space having a predetermined cross sectioNal dimension transverse of said direction of the passage of light through said cell, presenting an electrically controllable index of refraction and presenting at least first and second indices of refraction which are effected in accordance with said applying of a potential field between said electrodes; e. said electrodes intimately joined with said light conducting material along said dimension thereof, each including a light conducting material presenting an index of refraction which is lower than said first index of refraction and higher than said second index of refraction.

Claim 9

The invention as set forth in claim 4 additionally including: f. said light conducting material comprising a fluid.

Claim 10

The invention as set forth in claim 4 additionally including: f. said first and second electrodes comprising a fluid.

Claim 11

The invention as set forth in claim 4 additionally including: f. a plurality of said cells supported in an array wherein said light emitting end of each cell is representative of one, or a number of different, message character forming segments.

Claim 12

The invention as set forth in claim 1 additionally including: h. said second and third light conductors each including an electrically conducting material for effecting said applying of a potential field between said first interface and said second interface.

Claim 13

The invention as set forth in claim 1 additionally including: h. said first light conductor being comprised of a fluid material.

Claim 14

The invention as set forth in claim 1 additionally including: h. said second and third light conductors each being comprised of a fluid material.

Claim 15

The invention as set forth in claim 1 additionally including: h. a plurality of said cells supported in an array wherein said second end of each said first light conductor represents one, or a number of different, informational character forming segments.

Claim 16

The invention as set forth in claim 2 additionally including: h. said second and third light conductors each being comprised of an electrically controllable index of refraction fluid material.

Claim 17

The invention as set forth in claim 2 additionally including: h. a plurality of said cells supported in an array wherein said second end of each said first light conductor represents one, or a number of different, informational character forming segments.

Claim 18

The invention as set forth in claim 3 additionally including: j. said second and third light conductors each being comprised of an electrically controllable index of refraction fluid material.

Claim 19

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in information presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof supported adjacent the first surface of said first conductor so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and second indices of refraction being coincident with said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof suppOrted adjacent the second surface of said first conductor so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and third indices of refraction being coincident with said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; e. first and second electrode means for applying a potential field between said first interface and the second surface of said second light conductor and between said second interface and the first surface of said third light conductor for extending, respectively, the potential of said field to said first and to said second interfaces and for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections of light from said first end to said second end.

Claim 20

An electrically controllable light reflecting cell for use in information presentation means, comprising: a. first, second and third light conductors presenting, respectively, first, second and third indices of refraction; b. said first light conductor having a predetermined cross sectional dimension, a first end through which light is admitted thereto, a second end through which light is emitted therefrom, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the passage of light between said ends, and first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension; c. said second light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said first surface thereof supported adjacent the first surface of said first conductor so as to effect a first interface of said first and second conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and second indices of refraction being coincident with said first interface and presenting a first index differential thereat; d. said third light conductor having a predetermined thickness dimension, a longitudinal dimension in the direction of said passage of light, first and second surfaces on opposing sides thereof along said longitudinal dimension, said second surface thereof suppOrted adjacent the second surface of said first conductor so as to effect a second interface of said first and third conductors along said longitudinal dimension, said first and third indices of refraction being coincident with said second interface and presenting a second index differential thereat; e. first and second electrode means for applying a potential field between said first interface and the second surface of said second light conductor and between said second interface and the first surface of said third light conductor for extending, respectively, the potential of said field to said first and to said second interfaces and for effecting a change in said first and second index differentials and controlling accordingly reflections of light from said first end to said second end.