NCAP LIQUID CRYSTAL APPARATUS INCORPORATING A CONTROL MEANS AND AN ELECTRODE MEANS THEREOF INCORPORATING A CIRCUIT MEANS

摘要

A liquid crystal apparatus comprising a nematic curvilinearly aligned phase of liquid crystal material located between two electrodes is disclosed. A generally non-parallel alignment of the liquid crystal material in the field-off condition results in its light scattering or absorption, which characteristics may be changed by applying an electric field across the liquid crystal materials by means of the electrodes. The application of the electric field may be controlled by a control element incorporated into the electrodes. The control element can also function to control an operation of a device of which the liquid crystal apparatus is a part. The electrodes may also form a circuit means integral with the apparatus for selectively applying an electric field across the liquid crystal material. The apparatus of invention is useful in a wide variety of devices, in particular in visual displays.