US5184237A — Super-twisted nematic type liquid crystal display…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 220 words

A liquid crystal display device comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell including a pair of substrates, each substrate having at least one transparent electrode and at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer, having a positive dielectric anisotropy, positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to the substrate in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) a first birefringent layer positioned between the cell and a first one of the polarizers, wherein said first birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction at a first plane contacting the polarizer, and a second maximum refractive index direction at a second plane contacting the liquid crystal cell, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to one of the substrates, angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane, and angles made between the parallel plane and the maximum refractive index directions in the first birefringent layer vary continuously along the direction perpendicular to one of the substrates.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 220 words

A liquid crystal display device comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell including a pair of substrates, each substrate having at least one transparent electrode and at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer, having a positive dielectric anisotropy, positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to the substrate in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) a first birefringent layer positioned between the cell and a first one of the polarizers, wherein said first birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction at a first plane contacting the polarizer, and a second maximum refractive index direction at a second plane contacting the liquid crystal cell, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to one of the substrates, angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane, and angles made between the parallel plane and the maximum refractive index directions in the first birefringent layer vary continuously along the direction perpendicular to one of the substrates.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device according to claim 1, wherein said birefringent layer comprises a liquid crystal cell.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device according to claim 1, wherein said birefringent layer comprises a plastic film treated, on both sides, to align its molecules.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 66 words

The device according to claim 1, wherein absolute values of retardation of a part of the first birefringent layer near a first one of said pair of polarizers and a part of the first birefringent layer near the cell are equal when both parts are at an equal distance from a plane at which the maximum refractive index direction is parallel to one of the substrates.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 207 words

A liquid crystal display device comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates, each of which has at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy and positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to one of the substrates in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to one of the substrates; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) a first set of two birefringent layers stuck together and positioned between the cell and a first one of the pair of polarizers, wherein said first set of two birefringent layers has a first maximum refractive index direction of the birefringent layer contacting the polarizer and a second maximum refractive index direction of the birefringent layer contacting the liquid crystal cell, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to one of the substrates and angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the plane.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 207 words

A liquid crystal display device comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates, each of which has at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy and positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to one of the substrates in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to one of the substrates; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) a first set of two birefringent layers stuck together and positioned between the cell and a first one of the pair of polarizers, wherein said first set of two birefringent layers has a first maximum refractive index direction of the birefringent layer contacting the polarizer and a second maximum refractive index direction of the birefringent layer contacting the liquid crystal cell, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to one of the substrates and angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the plane.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device according to claim 5, wherein said two birefringent layers comprise two liquid crystal cells.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

The device according to claim 5, wherein said two birefringent layers comprise two plastic films, each of the plastic films being treated on one side to align its molecules and the treated films being laminated, on the untreated sides, the treated sides being outer surfaces.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device according to claim 5, wherein absolute values of retardation of said two birefringent layers are equal.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein a pretilt angle of long axes of the liquid crystal molecules is in a range of 0° to 30°.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein said birefringent layers each comprise a polymer liquid crystal film.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein at least one of said substrates also serves as the aligning film.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 237 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a substrate having at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy and positioned between the substrate and a birefringent layer, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to the substrate in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) the birefringent layer, positioned between the liquid crystal composition layer and a first one of the pair of polarizers, wherein said birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction at a first plane contacting the polarizer, and a second maximum refractive index direction at a second plane contacting the liquid crystal composition layer, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a lane parallel to the substrate, angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane and angles made between the parallel plane and the maximum refractive index directions in the birefringent layer vary continuously along the direction perpendicular to the substrate; and at least one transparent electrode and at least one aligning film are disposed on the birefringent layer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 237 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a substrate having at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy and positioned between the substrate and a birefringent layer, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to the substrate in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) the birefringent layer, positioned between the liquid crystal composition layer and a first one of the pair of polarizers, wherein said birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction at a first plane contacting the polarizer, and a second maximum refractive index direction at a second plane contacting the liquid crystal composition layer, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a lane parallel to the substrate, angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane and angles made between the parallel plane and the maximum refractive index directions in the birefringent layer vary continuously along the direction perpendicular to the substrate; and at least one transparent electrode and at least one aligning film are disposed on the birefringent layer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 244 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a substrate having at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy and positioned between the substrate and first and second birefringent layers, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to the substrate in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) the first and second birefringent layers are stuck together and positioned between the liquid crystal composition layer and a first one of the pair of polarizers, wherein the first birefringent layer is disposed between the second birefringent layer and the liquid crystal composition, the second birefringent layer is disposed between the first birefringent layer and one of the pair of polarizers, the first birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction and the second birefringent layer has a second maximum refractive index direction, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to the substrate, angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane and at least one transparent electrode and at least one aligning film are disposed on the first birefringent layer.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 244 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a substrate having at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy and positioned between the substrate and first and second birefringent layers, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to the substrate in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; (b) a pair of polarizers positioned on opposite sides of the cell; and (c) the first and second birefringent layers are stuck together and positioned between the liquid crystal composition layer and a first one of the pair of polarizers, wherein the first birefringent layer is disposed between the second birefringent layer and the liquid crystal composition, the second birefringent layer is disposed between the first birefringent layer and one of the pair of polarizers, the first birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction and the second birefringent layer has a second maximum refractive index direction, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to the substrate, angles made between each of the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane and at least one transparent electrode and at least one aligning film are disposed on the first birefringent layer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 243 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates, each of which has at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy which is positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to one of the substrates in the absence of an applied field and the molecules are twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to said one of the substrates; (b) a polarizer positioned on one side of the cell and a birefringent layer disposed on an opposite side of the cell from said polarizer; and (c) the birefringent layer has opposing first and second major surfaces, the second major surface contacts the cell, said birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction at the first surface contacting the polarizer and a second maximum refractive index direction at the second surface contacting the liquid crystal cell, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to said one of the substrates, angles made between the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane, angles made between the parallel plane and the maximum refractive index directions in the birefringent layer vary continuously along the direction perpendicular to the substrate, wherein the birefringent layer polarizes light passing therethrough.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 243 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates, each of which has at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film, and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy which is positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to one of the substrates in the absence of an applied field and the molecules are twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to said one of the substrates; (b) a polarizer positioned on one side of the cell and a birefringent layer disposed on an opposite side of the cell from said polarizer; and (c) the birefringent layer has opposing first and second major surfaces, the second major surface contacts the cell, said birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction at the first surface contacting the polarizer and a second maximum refractive index direction at the second surface contacting the liquid crystal cell, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to said one of the substrates, angles made between the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane, angles made between the parallel plane and the maximum refractive index directions in the birefringent layer vary continuously along the direction perpendicular to the substrate, wherein the birefringent layer polarizes light passing therethrough.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 216 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates, each of which has at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy which is positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to one of the substrates in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to said one of the substrates; (b) a polarizer positioned on one side of the cell and first and second birefringent layers disposed at an opposite side of the cell from said polarizer; and (c) first and second birefringent layers are stuck together and positioned on the side of the cell opposite to the polarizer, wherein the first birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction and the second birefringent layer has a second maximum refractive index direction, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to said one of the substrates and angles made between the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane, wherein the first birefringent layer polarizes light passing therethrough.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 216 words

A liquid crystal display device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates, each of which has at least one transparent electrode, at least one aligning film and a liquid crystal composition layer having a positive dielectric anisotropy which is positioned between the substrates, long axes of the liquid crystal molecules being aligned nearly homogeneously in a plane parallel to one of the substrates in the absence of an applied field and the molecules being twisted in an angle of 120° to 360° in a direction perpendicular to said one of the substrates; (b) a polarizer positioned on one side of the cell and first and second birefringent layers disposed at an opposite side of the cell from said polarizer; and (c) first and second birefringent layers are stuck together and positioned on the side of the cell opposite to the polarizer, wherein the first birefringent layer has a first maximum refractive index direction and the second birefringent layer has a second maximum refractive index direction, the first and second directions are tilted relative to a plane parallel to said one of the substrates and angles made between the first and second directions and the parallel plane are aligned symmetrically about the parallel plane, wherein the first birefringent layer polarizes light passing therethrough.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-02-02	1996-08-03	1997-02-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-02-02	2000-08-03	2001-02-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-02-02	2004-08-03	2005-02-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Super-twisted nematic type liquid crystal display device

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