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:
Nov. 22, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 17, 2009
Keita Tanaka, Aichi, JP;
Keita Tanaka, Aichi, JP;
Sony Corporation, , JP;
Abstract
An optical element includes an airtight container having opposing face walls in a thickness direction, and side walls connecting the end face walls; a first liquid sealed in the container and having polarity or conductivity; a second liquid sealed in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to define an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the first liquid. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid have the same specific gravity and substantially the same refractive index, and minute particles made of a material that does not transmit light are mixed in the first liquid, such that the first liquid has less light transmittance than the second liquid. In a state in which the voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms, and a transmitting path of light is formed that passes through the end face walls and propagates in the thickness direction of the container.