Patent US5233450A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5233450A
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Liquid crystal photoconductive layer including a back-to-back diode
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1991-06-18
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2011-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal element of optical writing type includes a pair of transparent substrates respectively having electrodes formed on the overall surfaces thereof. The liquid crystal element also includes a photoconductive layer formed on one of the transparent substrates and having a back-to-back diode structure, which impedance is to be changed depending on an amount of incident light. The liquid crystal element further includes a mirror layer for reflecting light entered from the other side of a writing side of the photoconductive layer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of transparent substrates.
Inventors
- 👤 Akitsugu Hatano
- 👤 Naofumi Kimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/135; G02F1/1354
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type comprising: a first transparent substrate having an electrode formed on a surface thereof; a second transparent substrate having an electrode formed on a surface thereof; a photoconductive layer configured as a back-to-back diode with an impedance that varies according to an amount of incident light and formed on the electrode of said first transparent substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between said photoconductive layer and said second transparent substrate; and a reflective layer disposed between said photoconductive layer and said liquid crystal for reflecting a light through said liquid crystal layer, said photoconductive layer including a junction with a wider optical band gap at one side thereof adjacent the electrode of said first transparent substrate than at another side thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type comprising: a first transparent substrate having an electrode formed on a surface thereof; a second transparent substrate having an electrode formed on a surface thereof; a photoconductive layer configured as a back-to-back diode with an impedance that varies according to an amount of incident light and formed on the electrode of said first transparent substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between said photoconductive layer and said second transparent substrate; and a reflective layer disposed between said photoconductive layer and said liquid crystal for reflecting a light through said liquid crystal layer, said photoconductive layer including a junction with a wider optical band gap at one side thereof adjacent the electrode of said first transparent substrate than at another side thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 1, wherein said photoconductive layer includes a first layer of P-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, a second layer of an I-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, a third layer of a N-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, a fourth layer of an I-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, and a fifth layer of a P-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, said five layers being laminated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 2, wherein said five layers are made of silicon, or germanium, as a main material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 2, wherein said first layer is made of P-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide and said second layer is made of I-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide and said third layer is made of N-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, a hetero junction being formed between said second layer and said third layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 4, wherein said first layer is about 100-600 Å thick, said second layer is about 0.4-2.0 μm thick, said third layer is about 100-600 Å thick, said fourth layer is about 0.4-3 μm thick, and said fifth layer is about 100-600 Å thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 1, wherein said photoconductive layer includes a first layer of an N-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, a second layer of an I-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, a third layer of a P-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, a fourth layer of an I-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, and a fifth layer of an N-type hydrogenated amorphous semiconductor, said five layers being laminated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 6, wherein said five layers are made of silicon, or germanium, as a main material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 6, wherein said first layer is made of N-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, said second layer is made of I-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, and said third layer is made of P-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, a hetero junction being formed between said second layer and said third layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 8, wherein said first layer is about 100-600 Å thick, said second layer is about 0.4-2.0 μm thick, said third layer is about 100-600 Å thick, said fourth layer is about 0.4-3 μm thick, and said fifth layer is about 100-700 Å thick.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 6, wherein said first layer is made of N-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide and said second layer is made of I-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, a hetero junction being formed between said second layer and said third layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 6, wherein said first layer is made of N-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide and said second layer is made of I-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, a hetero junction being formed between said first layer and said second layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 6, wherein said first layer is made of N-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride and said second layer is made of I-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride, a hetero junction being formed between said first layer and said second layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 6, wherein said first layer is made of N-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon oxide and said second layer is made of I-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon oxide, a hetero junction being formed between said first layer and said second layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 1, wherein said photoconductive layer comprises silicon, or germanium, as a main material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 1, wherein said junction comprises a hetero junction or homo junction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 1, wherein said element further comprises: a pair of reflection-preventing films formed on said first and second transparent substrates, respectively; a light-blocking layer formed between said reflective layer and said first transparent substrate; and alignment layers formed on both sides of said liquid crystal layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A liquid crystal element of optical writing type according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal layer comprises a nematic liquid crystal, a smectic liquid crystal, a polymeric liquid crystal, or a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |