US3960438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reflective displays
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1972-12-01
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Granted: 1976-06-01
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Expires: 1992-12-01
Abstract
Abstract Electrically controllable reflective displays are formed which utilize ambient light and which can be viewed from a wide angular view.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Bonne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/1393; G02F1/0102; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133553; G02F1/03; G02F1/055; G02F1/13356; G02F1/133565; G02F1/13363; G02F1/133638
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A reflective display utilizing ambient light and having a wide angle of view, the reflective display comprising: an optical medium having an electrically controllable optical property, electrode means for applying an electric field to selected regions of the optical medium to vary the electrically controllable optical property of the selected regions, and diffuse reflector means positioned proximate one surface of the optical medium, the diffuse reflector means comprising a roughened surface and a thin reflective metal layer deposited on the roughened surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A reflective display utilizing ambient light and having a wide angle of view, the reflective display comprising: an optical medium having an electrically controllable optical property, electrode means for applying an electric field to selected regions of the optical medium to vary the electrically controllable optical property of the selected regions, and diffuse reflector means positioned proximate one surface of the optical medium, the diffuse reflector means comprising a roughened surface and a thin reflective metal layer deposited on the roughened surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reflective display of claim 1 wherein the optical medium is a colloidal suspension of dielectric needles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reflective display of claim 2 wherein the colloidal suspension of dielectric needles is disposed between first and second glass plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The reflective display of claim 3 wherein the roughened surface is one surface of the second glass plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reflective display of claim 4 wherein the thin reflective metal layer is in contact with the colloidal suspension of dielectric needles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The reflective display of claim 1 wherein the optical medium is a fine-grained, optically birefringent ferroelectric ceramic plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The reflective display of claim 6 wherein the ferroelectric ceramic plate has first and second surfaces and wherein the electrode means are attached to the first surface and the roughened surface is the second surface of the ferroelectric ceramic plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflective display of claim 1 wherein the thin reflective metal layer is aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflective display of claim 1 wherein the thin reflective metal layer is silver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A reflective display utilizing ambient light and having a wide angle of view, the reflective display comprising: circular polarizer means, non-depolarizing diffuse reflector means comprising a roughened surface and a thin reflective metal layer deposited on the roughened surface, an electro-optic medium having electrically controllable birefringence, the electro-optic medium being positioned between the circular polarizer means and the non-depolarizing diffuse reflector means, and electrode means for applying an electric field to selected regions of the electro-optic medium to vary the birefringence of the selected regions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A reflective display utilizing ambient light and having a wide angle of view, the reflective display comprising: circular polarizer means, non-depolarizing diffuse reflector means comprising a roughened surface and a thin reflective metal layer deposited on the roughened surface, an electro-optic medium having electrically controllable birefringence, the electro-optic medium being positioned between the circular polarizer means and the non-depolarizing diffuse reflector means, and electrode means for applying an electric field to selected regions of the electro-optic medium to vary the birefringence of the selected regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflective display of claim 10 wherein the thin reflective metal layer is aluminum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflective display of claim 10 wherein the thin reflective metal layer is silver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reflective display of claim 10 wherein the electro-optic medium is a fine-grained, optically birefringent ferroelectric ceramic plate, and wherein the roughened surface is one surface of the ferroelectric ceramic plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-01 | 1979-12-01 | 1980-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-01 | 1983-12-01 | 1984-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-01 | 1987-12-01 | 1988-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |