US3838908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guided light structures employing liquid crystal
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-22
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-02-22
Abstract
Abstract Liquid crystal is employed as a light waveguide or is located in the evanescent field of a light waveguide formed of passive material. By controlling the condition-light scattering or not, of the liquid crystal, the light conducted by the waveguide may be blocked, deflected, coupled to a second medium, employed for display purposes or used in other ways.
Inventors
- 👤 D Channin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1326; G02F1/29; G02F1/295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A display system comprising, in combination: a matrix of conductors arranged in columns and rows; a plurality of rows of light waveguides, equal in number to the number of rows in the array, each light waveguide including liquid crystal in the light field of said waveguide, each light waveguide lying adjacent to a row conductor and between that row conductor and the column conductors; means for selectively coupling light to the input end of each light waveguide; and means for selectively applying voltages to said columns and rows of conductors for selectively exciting the liquid crystal at the intersections of said columns and rows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A display system comprising, in combination: a matrix of conductors arranged in columns and rows; a plurality of rows of light waveguides, equal in number to the number of rows in the array, each light waveguide including liquid crystal in the light field of said waveguide, each light waveguide lying adjacent to a row conductor and between that row conductor and the column conductors; means for selectively coupling light to the input end of each light waveguide; and means for selectively applying voltages to said columns and rows of conductors for selectively exciting the liquid crystal at the intersections of said columns and rows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each light waveguide is formed of a passive light conductor and wherein said liquid crystal is located in the evanescent field of each said light waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each light waveguide is formed of said liquid crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A display system as set forth in claaim 1, wherein said means for selectively coupling light comprises means for applying light, in parallel, to the input end of all of said waveguides; a plurality of liquid crystal light valves, each at the input end of a different waveguide; and means for selectively operating said light valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A display system as set forth in claaim 1, wherein said means for selectively coupling light comprises means for applying light, in parallel, to the input end of all of said waveguides; a plurality of liquid crystal light valves, each at the input end of a different waveguide; and means for selectively operating said light valves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A display system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said liquid crystal light valves comprise: a common backplate; a plurality of control plates, one associated with each waveguide, each located adjacent to the backplate; and liquid crystal means between each control plate and the backplate, each liquid crystal means in the light field of a different light waveguide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for selectively coupling light comprises a common light source; and means for deflecting said light for selectively applying the same to the input ends of said waveguides, one input end at a time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |