US4385805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal lens display system
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1980-07-03
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2000-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal lens display system comprises a liquid crystal lens, display elements, a polarizer and a light source. The liquid crystal lens comprises a dielectrically anisotropic liquid crystal material covering two electrodes each having a plurality of spaced, parallel, interleaved fingers. The display elements comprise one or more elements to which are affixed alphanumeric or analog information and which are optically distinguishable. The angle of refraction of light passing through the liquid crystal lens is electrically alterable by applying a voltage source to the lens' electrodes. Portions of one of the display elements viewed through an activated liquid crystal lens are changed since light from these portions are no longer within the field of view of the observer.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Channin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40; G01R13/401; G01R13/403; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1343; G02F1/134309; G02F1/29; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0472; G09F13/0481; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/12; G02F2201/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A liquid crystal lens display system comprising: a background display element; a foreground display element overlying the background display element; a liquid crystal lens array having a dielectrically anisotropic liquid crystal material covering a first electrode having a plurality of spaced, parallel fingers, and a second electrode having a plurality of spaced, parallel fingers and interleaved with the fingers of the first electrode wherein the lens array is positioned spaced apart from the background and foreground display elements such that the foreground and background display elements are observed through the lens array; illumination means for illuminating the foreground and background display elements with light which is linearly polarized perpendicular to the parallel electrode fingers; and means for applying voltage sources to fingers of the first electrode and the corresponding fingers of the second electrode to establish an electric field between said fingers, such that a portion of the foreground display element is obscured by means of the activated fingers causing a variation in the refractive index of the liquid crystal and such that only the corresponding portion of the background display element is observed through the lens array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A liquid crystal lens display system comprising: a background display element; a foreground display element overlying the background display element; a liquid crystal lens array having a dielectrically anisotropic liquid crystal material covering a first electrode having a plurality of spaced, parallel fingers, and a second electrode having a plurality of spaced, parallel fingers and interleaved with the fingers of the first electrode wherein the lens array is positioned spaced apart from the background and foreground display elements such that the foreground and background display elements are observed through the lens array; illumination means for illuminating the foreground and background display elements with light which is linearly polarized perpendicular to the parallel electrode fingers; and means for applying voltage sources to fingers of the first electrode and the corresponding fingers of the second electrode to establish an electric field between said fingers, such that a portion of the foreground display element is obscured by means of the activated fingers causing a variation in the refractive index of the liquid crystal and such that only the corresponding portion of the background display element is observed through the lens array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode of said liquid crystal lens is about 25 microns; and where the thickness of said liquid crystal material is from about 12 microns to about 50 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 2 further including; a planar electrode spaced from the first and second electrodes with the liquid crystal material being between the planar electrode and the first and second electrodes; and means for applying a voltage source to the planar electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the voltage level of the voltage means applied to the planar electrode is between the voltage levels of the voltage means applied to the first and second electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are interposed between the liquid crystal material and the display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A liquid crystal display system in accordance with claim 1 in which the foreground display element and the background display element are different in design such that they are optically distinguishable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A liquid crystal lens display system according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means comprises a light source and a linear polarizer positioned so that the foreground and background display elements are illuminated by transmission of light through the display elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A liquid crystal lens display system according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means comprises a light source and a linear polarizer positioned so that the foreground and background display elements are illuminated by reflection of light from the display elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4054362A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |