US4095217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined liquid crystal display and photovoltaic converter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-03-07
•
Granted: 1978-06-13
•
Expires: 1997-03-07
Abstract
Abstract By replacing the passive reflector in a liquid crystal display with a photovoltaic converter, the dual results of light reflection for display visibility and electrical energy generation for operation of the display and associated circuitry, such as electronic calculator circuitry, are achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirotsugu Tani
- 👤 Kyoji Taguchi
- 👤 Shigeru Arita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/133308; G02F1/13306; G02F1/13318; G04; G04C; G04C10/00; G04C10/02; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/0023; G04G9/0029; G04G9/0035; G02F1/13324; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A combination liquid crystal display and electrical generator, including: a liquid crystal chamber having a first and a second transparent wall and containing liquid crystal material; first transparent electrodes of a predetermined shape carried by said first transparent wall; second transparent electrodes of a predetermined shape carried by said second transparent wall and juxtaposed to said first transparent electrodes; and, combination light reflector and photovoltaic conversion means positioned along said second transparent wall in line with the lightpath through, sequentially, said first transparent wall, said liquid crystal material and said second transparent wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A combination liquid crystal display and electrical generator, including: a liquid crystal chamber having a first and a second transparent wall and containing liquid crystal material; first transparent electrodes of a predetermined shape carried by said first transparent wall; second transparent electrodes of a predetermined shape carried by said second transparent wall and juxtaposed to said first transparent electrodes; and, combination light reflector and photovoltaic conversion means positioned along said second transparent wall in line with the lightpath through, sequentially, said first transparent wall, said liquid crystal material and said second transparent wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes, in addition, electrical output terminals on said reflector means and electronic apparatus coupled to said output terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said electronic apparatus is calculating apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said calculating apparatus is electrically coupled to said liquid crystal display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said liquid crystal display and said electronic apparatus obtain their operating power from said reflector means having photovoltaic capabilities.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said reflector means includes a silicon photovoltaic converter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said silicon converter includes a p-n junction with the p-type silicon being the reflector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said electronic apparatus is time measuring apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first and second transparent electrodes are shaped to produce alpha-numeric images on said liquid crystal display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said electronic apparatus includes a storage battery.
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) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |