Patent · US Expired

Edge-illuminated liquid crystal display devices

US5099343A · kind A · utility

168Cited by
10References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 25, 1989
Grant dateMar 24, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 25, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/1334
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A high contrast display is provided by illuminating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display panel through opposite edges thereof. Light is scattered out the front of the panel from non-activated areas of the PDLC in which the refractive indices of the liquid crystal and polymer matrix materials are mismatched. For a direct view transmission mode display, the rear of the panel is blackened so that activated areas of the PDLC in which the refractive indices of the materials are matched transmit edge-illuminated and ambient light and appear black. For a reflection mode display usable in combination with projection optics, the rear of the panel is provided with a mirror surface, and ambient light is prevented from reaching the panel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.