US5815230A — Liquid crystal device and process for production …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 185 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, said effective optical region including a multiplicity of pixels and spacings between the pixels; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to an aligning treatment such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and each opposing inner surface in the effective optical modulation region is subjected to a single aligning treatment.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 185 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, said effective optical region including a multiplicity of pixels and spacings between the pixels; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to an aligning treatment such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and each opposing inner surface in the effective optical modulation region is subjected to a single aligning treatment.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to the alignment treatments so as to provide mutually different pretilts.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to rubbing under different conditions as the alignment treatments.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness as the alignment treatments.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region are homeotropically aligned.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 33 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one substrate in the effective optical modulation region is provided with a homeotropic alignment film free from rubbing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 71 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness respectively by dispersion of minute particles therein, and the dispersion density of the minute particles in the alignment film having a smaller degree of roughness is 50-90% of that of the minute particles in the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 67 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and the alignment film having a smaller degree of roughness has an inner surface showing an average difference in height which is 50-90% of that of the inner surface of the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 53 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and at least one substrate is provided with minute particles having an average diameter of 1 to 20 nm.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to mutually different number of times of rubbing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the substrates in the peripheral region are provided with a film of a perfluoropolymer and subjected to rubbing while being masked with a masking film.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 56 words

A process for producing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, said process comprising: coating at least one substrate with an alignment film in the effective optical modulation region and a different alignment film in the peripheral region, disposing a masking member on the alignment films in the peripheral region, and rubbing the alignment films.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

A process according to claim 13, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 42 words

A process for producing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, said process comprising: applying a masking film in the peripheral region of at least one substrate, and selectively rubbing the effective optical modulation region of said at least one substrate.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

A process according to claim 15, wherein said masking film has a thickness of at most 100 nm.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

A process according to claim 15, wherein said masking film comprises a polymer film having a thickness of at most 100 nm.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

A process according to claim 15, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 25 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein one of said peripheral region and said effective optical modulation region has received no aligning treatment.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 96 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes, said liquid crystal device having an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; wherein at least one of the substrates in the peripheral region is coated with an alignment film comprising a perfluoro-polymer so as to provide a larger pretilt of liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region than in the effective optical modulation region.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 96 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes, said liquid crystal device having an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; wherein at least one of the substrates in the peripheral region is coated with an alignment film comprising a perfluoro-polymer so as to provide a larger pretilt of liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region than in the effective optical modulation region.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 20, wherein said perfluoro-polymer has an alicyclic skeleton.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 55 words

A liquid crystal device according to claim 21, wherein said perfluoro-polymer having an alicyclic skeleton is represented by the following formula: ##STR7## wherein l and n are 0 or a positive integer of at least 1; m is a positive integer of at least 1, and x is a positive integer of at least 1.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

An image forming apparatus, comprising: an exposure means including a liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1-20, a photosensitive member, a developing means, and a transfer means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

An image display apparatus, comprising: a display means including a liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1-20, a drive means for supplying drive signals to the display means, and a polarizers.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

An image display apparatus according to claim 21, further including a signal source for supplying image signals.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

An image display apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said signal source comprises an image sensor.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

An image display apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said signal source comprises a computer.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 183 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness as the alignment treatments.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 183 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness as the alignment treatments.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 218 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness respectively by dispersion of minute particles therein, and the dispersion density of the minute particles in the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness is 50-90% of that of the minute particle in the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 218 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness respectively by dispersion of minute particles therein, and the dispersion density of the minute particles in the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness is 50-90% of that of the minute particle in the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 214 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness, and the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness has an inner surface showing an average difference in height which is 50-90% of that of the inner surface of the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 214 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having a larger degree of roughness, and the alignment film having a smaller degree of the roughness has an inner surface showing an average difference in height which is 50-90% of that of the inner surface of the alignment film having a larger degree of roughness.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 190 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and at least one substrate is provided with minute particles having an average diameter of 1-20 nm.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 190 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates are provided with alignment films having different degrees of roughness, and at least one substrate is provided with minute particles having an average diameter of 1-20 nm.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 183 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the inner surfaces of the substrates in the peripheral region are provided with a film of a perfluoropolymer and subjected to rubbing while being masked with a masking film.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 183 words

A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes; wherein said liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region; the opposing inner surfaces of said pair of substrates in the effective optical modulation region have been subjected to aligning treatments such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field, at least one of the opposing inner surfaces has been subjected to an aligning treatment in the peripheral region different from that in the effective optical modulation region, and wherein the inner surfaces of the substrates in the peripheral region are provided with a film of a perfluoropolymer and subjected to rubbing while being masked with a masking film.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-09-28	2002-03-30	2002-09-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-09-28	2006-03-30	2006-09-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-09-28	2010-03-30	2010-09-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Liquid crystal device and process for production thereof

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