Color variance polymer matrix display having two scattering states or N.sub.<or> both NE and NO

Claim 2

A color variance polymer dispersed liquid crystal display comprising: a polymer matrix; droplets of liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer matrix, said liquid crystal material having optic axes uniformly aligned in one direction upon application of an electric field of sufficient magnitude to said polymer matrix; a mixture of dyes incorporated in said liquid crystal droplets such that the polymer matrix exhibits color changes ranging between a first color and a second color in response to changes in the magnitude of the electric field to said polymer matrix; wherein each index of refraction of said liquid crystal droplets is greater or less than the index of refraction of said polymer matrix; whereby said display will produce said first color in the absence of an electric field to said polymer matrix and said second color when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied to said polymer matrix; and whereby said display will produce shades of color between said first and second colors upon application of an electric field having a magnitude above zero and less than said sufficient magnitude to said polymer matrix.

Claim 3

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a positive order parameter dye and a negative order parameter dye.

Claim 4

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a positive order parameter dye and a zero order parameter dye.

Claim 5

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 herein said mixture of dyes comprises a negative order parameter dye and a zero order parameter dye.

Claim 6

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal material is nematic.

Claim 7

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits positive dielectric anisotropy.

Claim 8

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits negative dielectric anisotropy.

Claim 9

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits positive dielectric anisotropy or selectively negative dielectric anisotropy depending upon the frequency of a voltage applied across said polymer matrix.

Claim 10

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said polymer matrix is a resin, thermoplastic, epoxy or latex.

Claim 11

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal droplets have optic axes with random alignment in the absence of an electric field across said polymer matrix.

Claim 12

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal droplets have optic axes with at least partial alignment in the absence of electric field across said polymer matrix;

Claim 13

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal droplets have optic axes uniformly aligned in the absence of said electric field across said polymer matrix.

Claim 14

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein the index of refraction of said polymer matrix is substantially close to all indexes of refraction of said liquid crystal droplets so as to produce two non-scattering states.

Claim 15

The color variance polymer liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein the index of refraction of said polymer matrix and the indexes of refraction of said liquid crystal-droplets are such that said display produces a scattering state and a non-scattering state.

Claim 16

A color variance polymer matrix display comprising: a polymer matrix; droplets of liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer matrix to produce two fully scattering states, said liquid crystals having optic axes uniformly aligned in one direction upon application of an electric field of sufficient magnitude to said polymer matrix; a mixture of dyes incorporated in said liquid crystal droplets such that the polymer matrix exhibits color changes ranging between a first color and a second color in response to changes in the magnitude of the electric field matrix; whereby said display will produce said first color in the absence of an electric field to said polymer matrix and said second color when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied to said polymer matrix; and whereby said display will produce shades of color between said first and second colors upon application of an electric field having a magnitude above zero and less than said sufficient magnitude to said polymer matrix.

Claim 17

A color variance polymer matrix display comprising: a polymer matrix; droplets of liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer matrix to produce two fully scattering states, said liquid crystals having optic axes uniformly aligned in one direction upon application of an electric field of sufficient magnitude to said polymer matrix; a mixture of dyes incorporated in said liquid crystal droplets such that the polymer matrix exhibits color changes ranging between a first color and a second color in response to changes in the magnitude of the electric field matrix; whereby said display will produce said first color in the absence of an electric field to said polymer matrix and said second color when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied to said polymer matrix; and whereby said display will produce shades of color between said first and second colors upon application of an electric field having a magnitude above zero and less than said sufficient magnitude to said polymer matrix.

Claim 18

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a positive order parameter dye and a negative order parameter dye.

Claim 19

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a positive order parameter dye and a zero order parameter dye.

Claim 20

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a negative order parameter dye and a zero order parameter dye.

Claim 21

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said liquid crystal material is nematic.

Claim 22

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits positive dielectric anisotropy.

Claim 23

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits negative dielectric anisotropy.

Claim 24

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits positive dielectric anisotropy or selectively negative dielectric anisotropy depending upon the frequency of a voltage applied across said polymer matrix.

Claim 25

The color variance polymer matrix display of claim 15 wherein said polymer matrix is a resin, thermoplastic, epoxy or latex.

Claim 26

A color modulating device changes from a first color to a true colorless state, said device comprising: a transparent superstrate; a substrate spaced from said superstrate, a polymer matrix interposed between and in contract with said superstrate and substrate; droplets of liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer matrix, said liquid crystal material having optic axes uniformly aligned in one direction upon application of an electric field across said polymer matrix; a mixture of dyes incorporated in said liquid crystal droplets such that the polymer matrix exhibits color changes ranging between a first color and a true colorless state in response to changes in magnitude of said electric field; wherein each index of refraction of said liquid crystal droplets is greater or less than the index of refraction of said polymer matrix; whereby said display will produce said first color in the absence of an electric field across said polymer matrix and will attain a true colorless state when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied across said polymer matrix; and whereby said display will produce said color in reduced levels of intensity upon application of an electric field having a magnitude above zero and less than the said sufficient magnitude across said polymer matrix.

Claim 27

A color modulating device changes from a first color to a true colorless state, said device comprising: a transparent superstrate; a substrate spaced from said superstrate, a polymer matrix interposed between and in contract with said superstrate and substrate; droplets of liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer matrix, said liquid crystal material having optic axes uniformly aligned in one direction upon application of an electric field across said polymer matrix; a mixture of dyes incorporated in said liquid crystal droplets such that the polymer matrix exhibits color changes ranging between a first color and a true colorless state in response to changes in magnitude of said electric field; wherein each index of refraction of said liquid crystal droplets is greater or less than the index of refraction of said polymer matrix; whereby said display will produce said first color in the absence of an electric field across said polymer matrix and will attain a true colorless state when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied across said polymer matrix; and whereby said display will produce said color in reduced levels of intensity upon application of an electric field having a magnitude above zero and less than the said sufficient magnitude across said polymer matrix.

Claim 28

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a positive order parameter dye and a negative order parameter dye.

Claim 29

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a positive order parameter dye and a zero order parameter dye.

Claim 30

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said mixture of dyes comprises a negative order parameter dye and a zero order parameter dye.

Claim 31

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal material is nematic.

Claim 32

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits positive dielectric anisotropy.

Claim 33

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits negative dielectric anisotropy.

Claim 34

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal material exhibits positive dielectric anisotropy or selectively negative dielectric anisotropy depending upon the frequency of a voltage applied across said electrodes.

Claim 35

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein the index of refraction of said polymer matrix is substantially close to all indexes of refraction of said liquid crystal droplets so as to produce two non-scattering states.

Claim 36

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein the index of refraction of said polymer matrix and the indexes of refraction of said liquid crystal droplets are such that said display produces a scattering state and a non-scattering state.

Claim 37

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal droplets have optic axes with random alignment in the absence of an electric field across said polymer matrix.

Claim 38

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal droplets have optic axes with at least partial alignment in the absence of an electric field across said polymer matrix.

Claim 39

The color modulating device of claim 24 wherein said liquid crystal droplets have optic axes uniformly aligned in the absence of said electric field across said polymer matrix.