US4299447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal fiber optics large screen display panel
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1979-06-27
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Granted: 1981-11-10
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Expires: 1999-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A display screen shows a number of alphanumeric characters in accordance with computer originating signals. These signals are fed to a liquid crystal panel which responsively vaires its opacity and, preferably, tapered fiber optics extend from one side of the liquid crystal panel to the screen. In one mode light originating from a high intensity source behind the screen is transmitted through the fiber optics. In another mode light from the front of the screen is reflected from a reflector surface behind the liquid crystal panel to the display screen. Either mode of operation allows the fabrication of a matrix of a number of liquid crystal panels and their associated fiber optics to provide an expanded display screen. Thus, an expanded visual presentation is read out from a computer or similar source of controlling signals to assure that several observers are reliably informed.
Inventors
- 👤 Parviz Soltan
- 👤 Paul C. Fletcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:20
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In an apparatus having a reflective surface on one side of a liquid crystal panel to function in a reflective mode through a diffuse screen for displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters and graphic information thereon, an improvement therefor is provided comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal cells located behind the screen, the liquid crystal cells being adjacent to thin film transistor layers to form liquid crystal panels, and a fused block of tapered optical fibers extending between each liquid crystal panel and the diffuse screen, the fused blocks of tapered optical fibers form the front plates of the liquid crystal cells and the light is transmitted through the fused blocks of tapered optical fibers, through the liquid crystal cells, then is reflected by the reflecting surface and then is transmitted back through the liquid crystal cells, the fused blocks of tapered optical fibers and the diffusing screen for transmitting lighted alphanumeric and graphic information to effect an expansion of the information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an apparatus having a reflective surface on one side of a liquid crystal panel to function in a reflective mode through a diffuse screen for displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters and graphic information thereon, an improvement therefor is provided comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal cells located behind the screen, the liquid crystal cells being adjacent to thin film transistor layers to form liquid crystal panels, and a fused block of tapered optical fibers extending between each liquid crystal panel and the diffuse screen, the fused blocks of tapered optical fibers form the front plates of the liquid crystal cells and the light is transmitted through the fused blocks of tapered optical fibers, through the liquid crystal cells, then is reflected by the reflecting surface and then is transmitted back through the liquid crystal cells, the fused blocks of tapered optical fibers and the diffusing screen for transmitting lighted alphanumeric and graphic information to effect an expansion of the information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improvement according to claim 1 in which there are provided a plurality of sets of the liquid crystal panels including fused blocks of optical tapered fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An improvement according to claim 2 in which the plurality of sets of liquid crystal panels including the fused blocks of optical fibers are arranged in a matrix of greater than two by two sets of the liquid crystal panels including fused blocks of optical fibers to provide an uninterrupted large screen.
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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) | 1984-11-09 | 1985-05-11 | 1985-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-09 | 1989-05-11 | 1989-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-09 | 1993-05-11 | 1993-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |