US3741629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronically variable iris or stop mechanisms
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1971-10-26
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1991-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optic material whose optical transmission characteristic varies with applied voltage is disposed between two planar electrodes. One of the electrodes comprises a highresistivity transparent section bounded by a low-resistivity annular section. Application of a voltage between the annular section and the other electrode establishes a radially-directed voltage gradient in the plane of the one electrode. In turn, the voltage drop across the electro-optic material is a function of radial distance from the annular section to the center of the bounded section. In this way the optical transmission characteristic of the material is selectively controlled in a radial manner to achieve an electronically variable iris effect or an electronically-variable stop effect.
Inventors
- 👤 F Kahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/17; G02F1/172; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1343; G02F1/134309
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
In combination, a layer of an electro-optic material whose optical transmission characteristics are a function of applied voltage; first and second planar electrodes in contact with the respective opposed surfaces of said layer; at least the first one of said electrodes com-prising a lowresistivity annular section and a coplanar high-resistivity transparent section bounded by said annular section; and means for applying a voltage only between said annular section and said second electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
In combination, a layer of an electro-optic material whose optical transmission characteristics are a function of applied voltage; first and second planar electrodes in contact with the respective opposed surfaces of said layer; at least the first one of said electrodes com-prising a lowresistivity annular section and a coplanar high-resistivity transparent section bounded by said annular section; and means for applying a voltage only between said annular section and said second electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said means for applying comprises only two electrical terminaLs respective-ly connected to said annular section and to said second electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as in claim 2 wherein said material comprises a colloidal dispersion of dipoles suspended in a transparent fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A combination as in claim 2 wherein said material comprises a TON material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as in claim 4 further including two polarizers respectively spaced apart from said first and second planar electrodes to form a composite configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination as in claim 5 wherein said polarizers are crossed with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination as in claim 5 wherein said polarizers are parallel with respect to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as in claim 5 further including means for directing plane-polarized light to propagate through said composite configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electronically-variable variable-aperture device comprising a first planar electrode including a low-resistivity annular section and a homogeneous high-resistivity transparent section bounded by said annular section; a second planar electrode spaced apart from said first electrode; an electro-optic layer interposed between said first and second electrodes; bias supply means having only two terminals; and means respectively connecting said terminals to the annular section of said first electrode and to said second electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electronically-variable variable-aperture device comprising a first planar electrode including a low-resistivity annular section and a homogeneous high-resistivity transparent section bounded by said annular section; a second planar electrode spaced apart from said first electrode; an electro-optic layer interposed between said first and second electrodes; bias supply means having only two terminals; and means respectively connecting said terminals to the annular section of said first electrode and to said second electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A combination as in claim 9 wherein said layer comprises a TON material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as in claim 9 wherein said layer comprises a dispersion of dipoles suspended in a transparent fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
In combination a layer of an electro-optic material whose optical transmission characteristics are a function of applied voltage, said electro-optic material having a resistivity Rho 1, first and second planar electrodes in contact with the respective opposed surfaces of said layer, at least the first one of said electrodes comprising a low-resistivity annular section and a coplanar transparent section bounded by said annular section, said bounded section having a resistivity Rho 2, where Rho 2> Rho 1, and means for applying a voltage only between said annular section and said second electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
In combination a layer of an electro-optic material whose optical transmission characteristics are a function of applied voltage, said electro-optic material having a resistivity Rho 1, first and second planar electrodes in contact with the respective opposed surfaces of said layer, at least the first one of said electrodes comprising a low-resistivity annular section and a coplanar transparent section bounded by said annular section, said bounded section having a resistivity Rho 2, where Rho 2> Rho 1, and means for applying a voltage only between said annular section and said second electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as in claim 12 wherein said coplanar transparent section is made of a material that exhibits a homogeneous resistivity characteristic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as in claim 12 wherein said coplanar transparent section is made of a material that exhibits an inhomogeneous resistivity characteristic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3512876A
Cited
US3675988A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |