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:
Aug. 25, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 25, 1996
Stephen McConnell Gates, Ossining, NY (US);
Anthony C Lowe, Braishfield, GB;
Bardia Pezeshki, San Jose, CA (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A variable index distributed mirror is disclosed used for high resolution reflective displays that are thin and have high resolution, reflectivity and contrast; wide viewing angle; low power consumption; and low voltage operation. The mirror is electrically switchable or variable between substantially transparent and reflective states. The mirror has alternating layers of a first material having a fixed refractive index, and a second material having a variable refractive index. The second material may be a nematic liquid crystal. The alternating layers are located between a pair of electrodes. The variable refractive index approximately equals the fixed refractive index in the transparent state and differs from the fixed refractive index in the reflective state. The variable refractive index varies in response to a signal applied across the electrodes. The mirror is tuned to a particular color to form a monochrome display. Three such mirrors, each individually driven and tuned to different colors, form a color display. For a black and white monochrome display, the three mirrors are driven collectively.