← Back to Patent Explorer
US4806922A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Display device utilizing a plurality of NCAP liquid crystal modules

Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1988-06-23
•
Granted: 1989-02-21
•
Expires: 2008-06-23
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A liquid crystal display comprising a plurality of modules wherein each module includes a nematic curvilinearly aligned phases liquid crystal material. The modules are positioned adjacent to one another to effect a homogeneous display. Each module may include electrode means supported on a substrate. The substrate may include a flexible extension thereof on which conductive paths may be formed. The extension of the substrate is sufficiently flexible to permit the interconnection of the electrode means via the conductive paths to a circuit means for applying an electric field to the electrodes.

Inventors

  • 👤 Charles W. McLaughlin
  • 👤 James L. Fergason
  • 👤 Robert Paker

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 19:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1345; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/35; G02F1/13336

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
A liquid crystal display comprising a plurality of liquid crystal modules comprising part of an overall larger display and each module including a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of which scatters and absorbs light and which in response to a prescribed input reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption wherein said display medium is adhered to a substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface such that said display medium of one module is positionable in abutting relationship to said display medium of another module such that at least two of said modules are abutting one another to effect said overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
A liquid crystal display comprising a plurality of liquid crystal modules comprising part of an overall larger display and each module including a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of which scatters and absorbs light and which in response to a prescribed input reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption wherein said display medium is adhered to a substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface such that said display medium of one module is positionable in abutting relationship to said display medium of another module such that at least two of said modules are abutting one another to effect said overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said modules are identical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 2 wherein said modules are controlled by a serial input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 3 wherein said input is computer controlled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein each of said modules include multiple conductive segments for applying an electric field as said prescribed input and said conductive segments are modularly addressed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 42 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 5 wherein said substrate support s said conductive segments and said substrate includes a flexible extension for interconnection of said conductive segments to a circuit means for energizing said conductive segments to apply said electric field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 5 further including a flexible electrically-conductive tape for connecting said conductive segments to a circuit means for energizing said conductive segments to apply said
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 1 further including electrode means supported on said substrate for applying an electric field as said prescribed input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The liquid crystal display device of claim 8 wherein said substrate includes a flexible extension thereof for interconnection of said electrode means to a circuit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 8 further including a flexible electrically-conductive tape for connecting said electrode means to a circuit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 139 words
A liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal modules each including, (i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, said liquid crystal material and said containment means adhered to a substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, and (ii) electrode means for applying said electric field; and said display medium of one module positioned in abutting relationship with said display medium of another module such that at least two of said modules are abutting one another to effect an overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 139 words
A liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal modules each including, (i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, said liquid crystal material and said containment means adhered to a substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, and (ii) electrode means for applying said electric field; and said display medium of one module positioned in abutting relationship with said display medium of another module such that at least two of said modules are abutting one another to effect an overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 55 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein said substrate support s said electrode means and said substrate includes a flexible extension thereof having at least one conductive path formed thereon, said extension sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said conductive path to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 52 words
The liquid crystal display device of claim 11 wherein at least one of said electrode means comprises a pattern of conductive segments with the center line spacing of each of said conductive segments throughout the liquid crystal display being substantially uniform in the "x" direction and substantially uniform in the "y" direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 48 words
The liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein: said substrate has conductive paths formed thereon for connecting said electrode means to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field; and a conductive tape for electrically connecting said conductive paths to said circuit means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 289 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal apparatus each including, (i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, (ii) a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said first substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, (iii) a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field, (iv) a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate, (v) a conductive path on said first and second substrates for use in energizing said first and second electrode means, and (vi) a part of each of said first and second substrates forming at least one flexible extension on which at least a portion of said conductive paths are formed, said extensions and said first and second substrates sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said electrode means via said conductive paths to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field; and a viewing area of said display device for effecting a visual output display wherein said display medium of one of said liquid crystal apparatus is positioned in abutting relationship with said display medium of another liquid crystal apparatus such that at least two of said liquid crystal apparatus are abutting one another to define said viewing area that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 289 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal apparatus each including, (i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, (ii) a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said first substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, (iii) a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field, (iv) a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate, (v) a conductive path on said first and second substrates for use in energizing said first and second electrode means, and (vi) a part of each of said first and second substrates forming at least one flexible extension on which at least a portion of said conductive paths are formed, said extensions and said first and second substrates sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said electrode means via said conductive paths to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field; and a viewing area of said display device for effecting a visual output display wherein said display medium of one of said liquid crystal apparatus is positioned in abutting relationship with said display medium of another liquid crystal apparatus such that at least two of said liquid crystal apparatus are abutting one another to define said viewing area that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 33 words
The liquid crystal display device of claim 15 wherein at least one of said first and second electrode means is formed to have a preestablished pattern of conductive segments forming a dot matrix.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 35 words
The liquid crystal display device of claim 16 wherein the center line spacing of each conductive segment throughout said display device is substantially uniform in the "x" direction and substantially uniform in the "y" direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 147 words
A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising: a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption; electrode means for applying said electric field; substrate means for supporting the combination of the liquid crystal material and the containment means and said electrode means, said substrate means having a substantially uninterrupted surface and a part of said substrate means forming a flexible extension; at least one conductive path formed on said extension for energizing said electrode means; and said extension sufficiently flexible to permit said conductive path formed thereon to be interconnected to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 147 words
A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising: a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption; electrode means for applying said electric field; substrate means for supporting the combination of the liquid crystal material and the containment means and said electrode means, said substrate means having a substantially uninterrupted surface and a part of said substrate means forming a flexible extension; at least one conductive path formed on said extension for energizing said electrode means; and said extension sufficiently flexible to permit said conductive path formed thereon to be interconnected to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 37 words
The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one of said electrode means is formed to have a preestablished pattern of conductive segments and said electrode means so formed is supported on said substrate means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 28 words
The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 19 wherein there are a plurality of conductive paths formed on said extension for interconnecting said conductive segments to said circuit means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 178 words
A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising: a display means comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption; a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface; a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field; a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate; at least one of said substrates including a flexible extension thereof; at least one conductive path for energizing said electrode means formed on said flexible extension; and said flexible extension sufficiently flexible for direct interconnection of said conductive path formed thereon to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 178 words
A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising: a display means comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption; a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface; a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field; a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate; at least one of said substrates including a flexible extension thereof; at least one conductive path for energizing said electrode means formed on said flexible extension; and said flexible extension sufficiently flexible for direct interconnection of said conductive path formed thereon to a circuit means for energizing said electrode means to apply said electric field.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 40 words
The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least one of said electrode means is formed to have a preestablished pattern of conductive segments and said electrode means so formed is supported on said substrate including said flexible extension.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 43 words
The liquid crystal apparatus of claim 22 wherein said substrate supporting the other of said electrode means also includes a flexible extension thereof wherein at least one conductive path is formed thereon for direct interconnection of said electrode means to said circuit means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 307 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising a plurality of liquid crystal apparatus comprising part of an overall larger display and each including, (i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, (ii) a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said first substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, (iii) a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field, (iv) a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate, (v) conductive paths on said first and second substrates for energizing said first and second electrode means, and (vi) a part of each of said first and second substrates forming at least one flexible extension on which at least a portion of said conductive paths are formed, said extensions sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said first and second electrode means and said conductive segments via said conductive paths to a circuit means for energizing said first and second electrode means to apply said electric field; and a viewing area of said display device for effecting said overall larger display wherein said liquid crystal material and containment means of one of said liquid crystal apparatus is positioned in abutting relationship with said liquid crystal material and containment means of another liquid crystal apparatus such that at least two of said liquid crystal apparatus are abutting one another to define said overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 307 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising a plurality of liquid crystal apparatus comprising part of an overall larger display and each including, (i) a display medium comprising the combination of a liquid crystal material and containment means for inducing a distorted alignment of said liquid crystal material which in response to such alignment at least one of scatters and absorbs light and which in response to an electric field reduces the amount of such scattering or absorption, (ii) a first substrate for supporting the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means, said first substrate having a substantially uninterrupted surface, (iii) a first electrode means on said first substrate for applying said electric field, (iv) a second electrode means on a second substrate on the side of the combination of said liquid crystal material and said containment means remote from said first substrate, (v) conductive paths on said first and second substrates for energizing said first and second electrode means, and (vi) a part of each of said first and second substrates forming at least one flexible extension on which at least a portion of said conductive paths are formed, said extensions sufficiently flexible for interconnection of said first and second electrode means and said conductive segments via said conductive paths to a circuit means for energizing said first and second electrode means to apply said electric field; and a viewing area of said display device for effecting said overall larger display wherein said liquid crystal material and containment means of one of said liquid crystal apparatus is positioned in abutting relationship with said liquid crystal material and containment means of another liquid crystal apparatus such that at least two of said liquid crystal apparatus are abutting one another to define said overall larger display that appears to a viewer to be continuous and uninterrupted.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3578844A Cited
US3600061A Cited
US3962700A Cited
US4015422A Cited
US4156833A Cited
US4549174A Cited
US4449123A Cited
US4410887A Cited
US4468659A Cited
US4413257A Cited
US4435047A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-02-21 1992-08-22 1993-02-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-02-21 1996-08-22 1997-02-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-02-21 2000-08-22 2001-02-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag