The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 15, 1992
Filed:
Jan. 05, 1989
Nicholas L Sethofer, San Jose, CA (US);
Eric R Henderson, deceased, late of Boulder Creek, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
The present invention is a novel and improved variable color/variable density optical system (10) adapted for use in a variety of lens and window applications. The preferred device embodying the invention is a novel optical sunlight protective device (12) incorporating a liquid crystal color lens, a photodetecting sensor component and circuit (18) and oscillating/driving electronic circuit (70), all of the present invention and incorporated in an appropriate frame (24). The lens element (b 14) includes plastic housing (40,42) of a curved shape complementary to any desired fashion design and, a liquid crystalline medium (58) of the novel phase change guest-host type. Combination of the lens construction, homeotropic surface alignment (48, 50) and aforementioned liquid crystal/dye complex brings about the clear, optical distortion-free variable color transmission with broad ranges of color density with incorporated protection against ultraviolet radiation. Two conductive layers of lens elements (44, 46) are connected to the driving electronics (70) of the present invention such that variations in light intensity on the photo-detecting sensor component and circuit (18) result in final corresponding variations in the alignment of liquid crystalline complex (58), thus altering the light transmissivity of the lens element (14). Eyewear products incorporating the optical device (10) function effectively under both bright sunshine and overcast or foggy conditions, including all intermediate and changing light conditions, thus making them useful over a wide range of applications.