Alphamicron, Inc.

Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique)

Essilor International

Tamas Kosa

Bahman Taheri

Ludmila Sukhomlinova

Eui-Yeul Park

Christine Martincic

Roy Miller

Linli Su

Volodymyr Bodnar

Peter Palffy-Muhoray

Roy E Miller, Iv

Damien P Burt

Jonathan Figler

Pedro Coutino Soto

Paul Luchette

Christine Baker

Jean-Paul Cano

Timothy J Bunning

Timothy J White

Bernard Mark Heron

Stuart Aiken

Christopher David Gabbutt

Antonio Munoz

Sandip Bhatta

Tim Smith

Michael C Prechel

David Baker

Elliott Bardun

Damien Burt

Jean Paul Cano

Christoper David Gabbutt

A non-polarizer based variable light attenuating device includes a guest-host solution having a liquid crystal host and a guest dichroic dye disposed between first and second conducting layers provided on first and second transparent substrates. The guest-host solution has a low-haze while the guest dye orientation alters between a low light transmitting orientation and a high light transmitting orientation in response to a first voltage supplied to the first and second conducting layers. In response to a second voltage supplied to the first and second conducting layers, the guest-host solution changes to a focal conic light scattering orientation to achieve a high-haze translucent state.

Variable light attenuating devices and arrangements

An electronically controllable eyewear device having a cell filled with a liquid crystal material that can be electronically operated in an auto or a manual mode. The device contains a photosensor for generating a light input signal to trigger an automatic application of voltage to the cell when the device is in an auto mode, one or more switches capable of being actuated in a series of actuation sequences each to select a distinct function, and a control circuit responsive to each actuation sequence and light input signal to operate the cell in a corresponding one of a plurality of functions, including: (i) a first sequence for affecting an ON/OFF function, (ii) a second sequence for affecting a system change from the manual mode to the auto mode, and (iii) a third sequence for changing the threshold value for triggering the automatic application of voltage.

Electronically switchable optical device with a multi-functional optical control apparatus and methods for operating the same

We describe a wide band variable transmission optical device having an electronically active cell comprising a guest-host mixture of a liquid crystal host and a dichroic guest dye material contained between a pair of plastic substrates. The liquid crystal host has an axis orientation that is alterable between a clear state orientation and a dark state orientation and the dichroic guest dye material includes one or more dichroic dyes. The optical device is characterized in that it exhibits a wide absorption band that is greater than 175 nm within a visible wavelength range of 400-700 nm, has a clear state transmission equal to or above 30% and a dark state transmission equal to or below 40%.

Wide band variable transmittance optical device

An electronically controllable optical device is provided which includes a cell maintaining an electro-optically controllable material, a photosensor associated with the cell, wherein the photosensor generates an input signal based on ambient light level, and a control circuit which receives the input signal and generates at least one output signal received by the cell. The device also includes a single switch connected to the control circuit, wherein actuation of the switch in predetermined sequences enables at least two of the following features of the device, a state change of the material, a system change between auto and manual modes, or a threshold value change for generation of the ambient light input signal, a device color change, a device tint change or a reset of the threshold value to the original factory setting. Methods of operation for the device are also provided. A control apparatus for the device is also disclosed.

A light attenuating optical arrangement for assembly to an eye-shielding device includes an optical element having an electronically controlled guest-host liquid crystal cell for variably attenuating transmission of light, the liquid crystal cell including first and second plastic substrates. A controller is electrically connected to the liquid crystal cell and is configured to selectively supply a voltage across the liquid crystal cell. The controller is provided with a means for electrically connecting the controller to a power source, and a means for attaching the controller to the eye-shielding device. The optical element is provided with a means for attaching an outer periphery of the optical element to a surface of a viewing lens of an eye-shielding device.

Attachable optical element arrangements and methods

A light emitting photonic bandgap (PBG) material, and devices uses the same, having (a) a polymer network exhibiting a non-uniform pitch; (b) a small molecule liquid crystal material with a birefringence&#x3e;0.04; and (c) one or more light emitting dyes having a low triplet state absorption. The light emitting PBG material has a defect-induced density of states enhancing feature at a wavelength that overlaps the emission spectrum of the light emitting dye. Excitation of the light emitting PBG material by a light source causes a directional electromagnetic emission from the light emitting material. The PBG material, and device, are capable of emitting continuous wave laser light as a result of excitation by a low-power incoherent light source.

Continuous wave directional emission liquid crystal structures and devices

A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula (I): wherein:

3H-naphtho [2,1-B] pyrans as photochromic dichroic dyes and optical article containing them

A new class of phototropic liquid crystal mixture comprises a liquid crystal host and one or more photodichroic dyes, wherein exposure of the mixture to an activating light causes a light-induced increase in order parameter of the mixture. In some examples, in the absence of the activating light, the phototropic mixture has a lower order parameter than the liquid crystal host, while in the presence of activating light, the phototropic mixture has a higher order parameter than the liquid crystal host. In some examples, upon exposure to the activating light, the phototropic mixture undergoes a phase transition from a material with a lower order to a material with higher liquid crystalline order. In some examples, activating light causes the mixture to transition from an isotropic phase to a nematic phase, from an isotropic phase to a cholesteric phase or form a nematic phase to a smectic phase.

Phototropic liquid crystal material and processes

We describe a wide band variable transmission optical device, mixtures for use in such a device, and methods of making the same. The wide band optical device includes a cell comprising a guest-host mixture of a liquid crystal host and a dichroic guest dye material contained between a pair of plastic substrates. The optical device does not use polarizers. The liquid crystal host has an axis orientation that is alterable between a clear state orientation and a dark state orientation perpendicular thereto and the dichroic guest dye material includes one or more dichroic dyes. The optical device is characterized in that it exhibits a wide absorption band that is greater than 175 nm within a visible wavelength range of 400-700 nm and has a clear state transmission equal to or above 30% and a dark state transmission equal to or below 40%.

Wide band variable transmittance optical device and mixture

A solar powered variable light attenuating device includes a liquid crystal cell, a photovoltaic cell in electrical communication with the liquid crystal cell, and a light concentrator having a light absorbing surface and a light emitting surface optically coupled to the photovoltaic cell. At least a portion of light impinging on the light absorbing surface of the light concentrator is concentrated and directed through the light emitting surface to a photon-absorbing portion of the photovoltaic cell to generate a voltage. The generated voltage is used to change the liquid crystal cell from a de-energized state to an energized state in response to sunlight directed toward the photovoltaic cell.

Solar powered variable light attenuating devices and arrangements

Provided is a liquid crystal light variable device having a liquid crystal cell, comprising a mixture of a liquid crystal material and one or more dichroic dyes interposed between a first and a second substrate, each substrate having a conductive layer disposed thereon. The device further includes a voltage supply or controller coupled with the conductive layers for application of a voltage waveform across the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is configured so that based on the voltage waveform applied, the device transitions between a low-haze low-tint state ('clear state'), a low-haze high-tint state ('tinted state'), and a high-haze high-tint state (&#x201c;opaque state&#x201d;). The high-haze state is caused by dynamic scattering in the liquid crystal-dye mixture.

Liquid crystal light variable device

A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula Band Bare selected independently from the group consisting of a phenyl, naphthyl, or heterocyclic aromatic group, or may combine to form one or more aromatic rings. Band Bmay further include one or more substituents. R, R, R, R, and Rare selected independently from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, &#x2014;R, &#x2014;OH, &#x2014;OR, &#x2014;O&#x2014;CO&#x2014;R, &#x2014;CN, &#x2014;NO, &#x2014;SOR, &#x2014;SOR, &#x2014;SH, &#x2014;SR, &#x2014;NH, &#x2014;NHR, &#x2014;NRR, or &#x2014;NRR; or wherein Rand Rcombine to form a cyclic group. Rmay include an alkyl, polycycloalkyl, alkenyl, polyalkenyl, haloalkyl, perhaloalkyl, alkynyl, polyalkynyl, hydroxyalkynyl, polyhydroxyalkynyl; or (C)cycloalkyl group. Rand Rmay include hydrogen or alkyl groups, or may combine to form a saturated heterocyclic group, or together with an adjacent phenyl group may form a julolidinyl group. Ris a mesogenic group. And the naphthopyran, which may be referred to as a dichroic-photochromic compound, may be incorporated into an optical article.

Dichroic-photochromic 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran compounds and devices

A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula 

An optical device with at least one interconnection tab is provided. The optical device includes a pair of opposed substrates with a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material. Each substrate has a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon. A sealing material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates to contain the electro-optic material. At least one interconnection tab is interposed between the substrates. The interconnection tab includes an insulator layer with opposed surfaces. A tab electrode is provided on each surface, wherein each tab electrode is in electrical connection with a corresponding substrate electrode facing the tab electrode. And a pad electrode is also provided on each surface, wherein each pad electrode is in electronic connection with the substrate electrode facing the opposed surface of the insulator layer.

Interconnection tab used with optical devices

A goggle includes a lens assembly which comprises a front lens, a rear lens spaced apart from the front lens, and a liquid crystal device disposed on one of the lenses. The goggle includes a frame, which defines an aperture and a peripheral channel. The peripheral channel receives the front lens and the rear lens is positioned rearward of the channel so that the aperture receives the lens assembly. A power unit includes a battery and a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is connected to a pair of prongs that are electrically connectable to the liquid crystal device for operation thereof. The power unit provides a master switch connected to the battery to control application of power to the drive circuit, and a state change switch to control application of power from the drive circuit, through the prongs, to the liquid crystal device.

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, OH, United States of America

Tamas Kosa