Apparatus and method for dynamically controlling light transmission
US9989822B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/172
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling light transmission from an optical input to an optical output can function as a tunable iris or eclipse, or as a privacy window. The iris/eclipse can use a liquid crystal matrix with a dispersion of dichroic particles that absorb light in one orientation and transmit light in another, such that controlling the liquid crystal with an electric field allows control of the dichroic particles. Alternatively, a layer may be used with a light absorbing liquid or powder material that moves with a charged material in response to a variable electric field applied to the layer. Privacy windows use a plurality of liquid crystal microlenses that can be controlled with an electric field to allow an image of an optical input to be obtainable at an optical output when in a first state, or to render the image irretrievable when in a second state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.