18156587. Systems With Adjustable Window Transmission and Haze simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Systems With Adjustable Window Transmission and Haze
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Donald R. Monroe of Los Gatos CA (US)
Peter F. Masschelein of Campbell CA (US)
Stephen B. Lynch of Portola Valley CA (US)
Xiaokai Li of Mountain View CA (US)
Zhibing Ge of Los Altos CA (US)
Systems With Adjustable Window Transmission and Haze - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18156587 titled 'Systems With Adjustable Window Transmission and Haze
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes a system with a support structure and window that separates an interior region from an exterior region. The window has an adjustable layer that can be controlled based on user input. The adjustable layer consists of embedded cells, including guest-host liquid crystal cells and liquid crystal cells, which can switch states at different threshold voltages. By adjusting the drive signal across the adjustable layer, the control circuitry can change the light transmittance and haze of the window.
- The system has a support structure with one or more windows.
- The window has an adjustable layer that can be controlled based on user input.
- The adjustable layer consists of embedded cells, including guest-host liquid crystal cells and liquid crystal cells.
- The guest-host liquid crystal cells and liquid crystal cells have different liquid crystal materials and/or sizes.
- The cells can electrically switch states at different threshold voltages.
- The control circuitry adjusts the drive signal across the adjustable layer to change light transmittance and haze.
Potential Applications
- Vehicles: The technology can be used in car windows to provide adjustable transparency and reduce glare.
- Buildings: The windows in buildings can benefit from adjustable transparency to control the amount of sunlight entering the interior.
- Electronic devices: This technology can be applied to electronic device screens to provide adjustable privacy and reduce reflections.
Problems Solved
- Lack of control: The technology solves the problem of not being able to adjust the transparency of windows or screens.
- Glare and reflections: By adjusting the light transmittance, this technology helps reduce glare and reflections, improving visibility.
Benefits
- Customizable transparency: Users can adjust the transparency of windows or screens based on their preferences or needs.
- Improved visibility: By reducing glare and reflections, this technology enhances visibility in vehicles, buildings, and electronic devices.
- Privacy control: The adjustable layer allows users to control the privacy of their windows or screens.
Original Abstract Submitted
A system such as a vehicle, building, or electronic device system may have a support structure with one or more windows. The support structure and window may separate an interior region within the system from a surrounding exterior region. Control circuitry may receive input such as user input and may adjust an adjustable layer in the window based on the input. The adjustable layer may have a polymer matrix layer with embedded cells. The cells may include intermixed guest-host liquid crystal cells and liquid crystal cells. The guest-host liquid crystal cells and liquid crystal cells may have different liquid crystal materials and/or different sizes that allow the guest-host liquid crystal cells and liquid crystal cells to electrically switch states at different respective threshold voltages. Based on the user input or other input the control circuitry can adjust a drive signal across the adjustable layer to change light transmittance and haze.
