Multi-dimensional liquid crystal assembly addressing system

Claim 2

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system, comprising an assembly of liquid crystal units, each containing an array of selectable segments which exhibit discrete light transmitting characteristics in accordance with the presence or absence of stimulation, said units being physically arranged relative to each other to produce a predetermined relationship between their segment arrays, first means for stimulating selected segments of a first unit to exhibit one of said discrete characteristics, second means for stimulating a greater number of selected segments of a second unit to exhibit said one of the discrete characteristics, the stimulated segments of said second unit being physically disposed to correspond only partially to those selected in said first unit.

Claim 3

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 1, wherein the selectable segments of said first unit are disposed within discrete areas and the selectable segments of said second unit are disposed within discrete areas of different configuration than those of said first unit, only a limited number of the stimulated segments of said second unit being physically disposed in proximity to the stimulated segments of said first unit.

Claim 4

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 1, wherein the selectable segments Of said first unit are disposed within a plurality of discrete areas, said second unit being divided into a corresonding plurality of discrete areas, the selectable segments of said second unit being connected in groups selectively stimulated by said second means, each group containing segments disposed within a particular subarea of each of said discrete areas.

Claim 5

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 1, wherein the selectable segments of each unit are disposed substantially within a plane and the planes of each unit are disposed parallel to one another.

Claim 6

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first unit is divided into a plurality of discrete rectangular areas, each containing said selectable segments; and said second unit is divided into a corresponding plurality of discrete rectangular areas, each of said areas being further subdivided into a plurality of discrete rectangular subareas; said second means being operative to simultaneously stimulate the segments within the corresponding subareas of each discrete area.

Claim 7

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said segments selectively exhibit a particular one of said discrete characteristics in response to electrical stimulation, and said first and second means selectively apply electrical energy to said segments.

Claim 8

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 6, wherein said discrete characteristics manifest themselves as modifications in opaqueness of said segments.

Claim 9

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system comprising an assembly of planar units disposed in face-to-face proximity, each of said units comprising a plurality of liquid crystals; the liquid crystals of said first unit being disposed in a plurality of discrete areas, the crystals within each area being energizable by a pair of conductors; the liquid crystals of said second unit being disposed in a plurality of discrete areas, each corresponding to those of said first unit and each being further subdivided into a plurality of subareas, the liquid crystals within the corresponding subareas in each area being simultaneously energizable by a pair of conductors.

Claim 10

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system comprising an assembly of planar units disposed in face-to-face proximity, each of said units comprising a plurality of liquid crystals; the liquid crystals of said first unit being disposed in a plurality of discrete areas, the crystals within each area being energizable by a pair of conductors; the liquid crystals of said second unit being disposed in a plurality of discrete areas, each corresponding to those of said first unit and each being further subdivided into a plurality of subareas, the liquid crystals within the corresponding subareas in each area being simultaneously energizable by a pair of conductors.

Claim 11

A multi-dimensional matrix addressing system as defined in claim 8, wherein said liquid crystals exhibit a particular one of said discrete characteristics in rsponse to a voltage in excess of a predetermined value, each said pair of conductors being energized to apply either a positive or negative voltage to said liquid crystals.

Claim 12

A liquid crystal assembly comprising at least two planar panels of liquid crystal material disposed face to face; each panel being provided with pluralities of conductors on each face thereof, the conductors on opposing faces overlaying one another to define discrete areas; means for energizing said conductors to selectively create an electric field in said discrete areas to modify the light transmission characteristics of the segment of said liquid crystal panel in proximity thereto; the conductors of a first panel being connected to modify the characteristics of only one of several large discrete areas; the conductors of a second panel being connected to modify the characteristics of selected ones of a plurality of small subareas within each of several large discrete areas, the large discrete areas of said first and second panels being coextensive and in proximity; whereby said assembly exhibits a single light transmission characteristic therethrough within a sub-area defined by the particular sub-area and the large discrete area selected by the conductors of said second and first panels respectively.

Claim 13

A liquid crystal assembly comprising at least two planar panels of liquid crystal material disposed face to face; each panel being provided with pluralities of conductors on each face thereof, the conductors on opposing faces overlaying one another to define discrete areas; means for energizing said conductors to selectively create an electric field in said discrete areas to modify the light transmission characteristics of the segment of said liquid crystal panel in proximity thereto; the conductors of a first panel being connected to modify the characteristics of only one of several large discrete areas; the conductors of a second panel being connected to modify the characteristics of selected ones of a plurality of small subareas within each of several large discrete areas, the large discrete areas of said first and second panels being coextensive and in proximity; whereby said assembly exhibits a single light transmission characteristic therethrough within a sub-area defined by the particular sub-area and the large discrete area selected by the conductors of said second and first panels respectively.

Claim 14

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein a voltage of predetermined magnitude is required between the conductors on opposing faces of a panel to effect said modification of the light transmission characteristics in the liquid crystal material proximate thereto, characterized in that saiD means for energizing said conductors comprises a first voltage source having at least said predetermined magnitude and a first polarity, selectively connectable to the conductors on one face of each panel, a second voltage source having at least said predetermined magnitude and the opposite polarity connectable to the conductors on the other face of each panel, and means for selectively connecting said voltage sources to all conductors except those overlaying a predetermined sub-area.

Claim 15

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 11, including means for connecting the conductors overlaying said predetermined sub-area to maintain a substantially zero potential therebetween.

Claim 16

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein the liquid crystal material normally exhibits a light transmissive characteristic and exhibits a light scattering mode in response to the application of an electric field.

Claim 17

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein the liquid crystal material normally exhibits a light transmissive characteristic and exhibits a light blocking mode in response to the application of an electric field.

Claim 18

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said conductors are positioned to modify the light transmission characteristics of sub-areas of said liquid crystal panels which are arranged in rows and columns.

Claim 19

A liquid crystal assembly comprising a planar panel of liquid crystal material provided with conductors on the opposing faces; a conductor on one face substantially covering the entire surface; a first plurality of conductors on the opposing face, each being configured and positioned to represent a segment of the alphanumeric characters in a particular font; a second plurality of conductors on the opposing face, each being configured and positioned to represent a predetermined opening between segments of the alphanumeric characters in said particular font; said liquid crystal material being operative to change its light transmission characteristics in the area proximate to the field created between conductors excited by a voltage of predetermined magnitude; first voltage supply means for selectively applying a voltage having at least said predetermined magnitude and a first polarity to the conductor on said one face; and second voltage supply means for selectively applying a voltage having at least said predetermined magnitude and the opposite polarity to the conductors on said second face which represent particular segments of the alphanumeric character font to effect display of a desired character.

Claim 20

A liquid crystal assembly comprising a planar panel of liquid crystal material provided with conductors on the opposing faces; a conductor on one face substantially covering the entire surface; a first plurality of conductors on the opposing face, each being configured and positioned to represent a segment of the alphanumeric characters in a particular font; a second plurality of conductors on the opposing face, each being configured and positioned to represent a predetermined opening between segments of the alphanumeric characters in said particular font; said liquid crystal material being operative to change its light transmission characteristics in the area proximate to the field created between conductors excited by a voltage of predetermined magnitude; first voltage supply means for selectively applying a voltage having at least said predetermined magnitude and a first polarity to the conductor on said one face; and second voltage supply means for selectively applying a voltage having at least said predetermined magnitude and the opposite polarity to the conductors on said second face which represent particular segments of the alphanumeric character font to effect display of a desired character.

Claim 21

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 16, in combination with a second planar panel of liquid crystal material having a second set of conductors positioned and configured in the same manner as the conductors on the first panel, wherein said first voltage supply means selectively applies the voltage thereof to either the conductor on said one face of the first panel or the conductor on the corresponding one face of said second panel, and said second voltage supply means selectively applies the voltage thereof to the conductors on the second faces of both said first and second panels which represent particular segments of the alphanumeric character font to effect display of a desired character.

Claim 22

A liquid crystal assembly as defined in claim 16, including means for selectively applying the voltage of said second voltage supply means to said second plurality of conductors.