Re-writeable optical element and a display, reflector and backlight incorporating the same
US8325416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/0147
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical element (22) comprises a material (27) thermally switchable between a first stable state and a second stable state different from the first state and a switching mechanism (28a-28c) for switching one or more selected areas of the material (27) between the first state and the second state thereby to change the transmissivity of one or more selected areas of the optical element (22). The optical element may be placed in an optical path through another component such as, for example, a display (21), reflector or backlight, such that the optical element may be controlled to change the optical properties of the component. The properties that may be changed include, but are not limited to, the display mode of a display (21), viewing angle range, brightness/luminance, and color.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.