US4334735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermo-optic liquid-crystal device for real-time display of animated images
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1978-01-18
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Granted: 1982-06-15
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Expires: 1998-01-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a liquid crystal imaging system which employs a transitory thermo-optic effect to permit notably the reproduction of T.V. images. This transitory effect is characterized by the fleeting appearance of scattering cybotactic zones in the transparent liquid phase of a mesomorphic material, at the very beginning of the transition to a nematic transparent ordered phase. The duration of the scattering period can be considerably shortened by subjecting the mesomorphic material layer to the action of an alternating electrical field.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Hareng
- 👤 Serge Le Berre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/132; G02F1/137; G02F1/13731; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A thermo-optical liquid-crystal device for displaying images transmitted in the form of a video signal, the display being a real-time self-erasing display of successive images in the form of transitorily light-scattering points in a transparent medium, comprising: a cell including a layer exhibiting a nematic state and two substrates for enclosing said layer, said layer being maintained in said nematic state and having a transparent uniformly ordered structure in said nematic state; selective heating means for delivering heat pulses to points of said layers, said pulses temporarily heating said points into a transparent isotropic liquid state, the selective heating means including: a radiation source, optical modulating means for modulating the intensity of said radiation, optical focussing means for concentrating said radiation on a point located inside said layer, said optical deflecting means for scanning said layer by said point; and control means for receiving the video signal and controlling the modulating means and deflecting means responsive to the video signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A thermo-optical liquid-crystal device for displaying images transmitted in the form of a video signal, the display being a real-time self-erasing display of successive images in the form of transitorily light-scattering points in a transparent medium, comprising: a cell including a layer exhibiting a nematic state and two substrates for enclosing said layer, said layer being maintained in said nematic state and having a transparent uniformly ordered structure in said nematic state; selective heating means for delivering heat pulses to points of said layers, said pulses temporarily heating said points into a transparent isotropic liquid state, the selective heating means including: a radiation source, optical modulating means for modulating the intensity of said radiation, optical focussing means for concentrating said radiation on a point located inside said layer, said optical deflecting means for scanning said layer by said point; and control means for receiving the video signal and controlling the modulating means and deflecting means responsive to the video signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
227 words
A thermo-optical liquid-crystal device for displaying images transmitted in the form of a video signal, the display being a real-time self-erasing display of successive images in the form of transitorily light-scattering points in a transparent medium, comprising: a cell including a layer exhibiting a nematic state and two substrates for enclosing said layer; said layer being maintained in said nematic state and having a transparent uniformly ordered structure in said nematic state; selective heating means for delivering heat pulses to points of said layers, said pulses temporarily heating said points into a transparent isotropic liquid state, the selective heating means being arranged on the inner face of one of said substrates and including: a regular array of M lines and N columns of resistive elements; a first and a second set of respectively M and N parallel linear uniformly spaced conductive elements; each of said elements being provided with a contact terminal arranged at the periphery of said substrate; said first set being peripendicular to said second set; each said conductive element of said first and second set being respectively connected to the inputs of N said resistive elements of a same line and to the outputs of M said resistive elements of a same column; and control means for receiving the video signal and controlling the selective heating means by multiplexing said array of resistive elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
227 words
A thermo-optical liquid-crystal device for displaying images transmitted in the form of a video signal, the display being a real-time self-erasing display of successive images in the form of transitorily light-scattering points in a transparent medium, comprising: a cell including a layer exhibiting a nematic state and two substrates for enclosing said layer; said layer being maintained in said nematic state and having a transparent uniformly ordered structure in said nematic state; selective heating means for delivering heat pulses to points of said layers, said pulses temporarily heating said points into a transparent isotropic liquid state, the selective heating means being arranged on the inner face of one of said substrates and including: a regular array of M lines and N columns of resistive elements; a first and a second set of respectively M and N parallel linear uniformly spaced conductive elements; each of said elements being provided with a contact terminal arranged at the periphery of said substrate; said first set being peripendicular to said second set; each said conductive element of said first and second set being respectively connected to the inputs of N said resistive elements of a same line and to the outputs of M said resistive elements of a same column; and control means for receiving the video signal and controlling the selective heating means by multiplexing said array of resistive elements.
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) | 1985-06-14 | 1985-12-14 | 1986-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-12-14 | 1990-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-14 | 1993-12-14 | 1994-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |