Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to an integrated, reflective bistable, cholesteric liquid crystal display and solar cell assembly providing electrical energy to power display electronics. The liquid crystal display includes the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material sandwiched between first and second transparent substrates. An inner surface of the first substrate and an inner surface of the second substrate bound the layer of liquid crystal material and the first substrate is closest to a viewer of the display. A first set of conductive electrodes is disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate and a second set of conductive electrodes is disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate. Display driver circuitry is electrically coupled to the first and the second sets of conductive electrodes for generating desired voltage differentials between electrodes of the first set of conductive electrodes and electrodes of the second set of conductive electrodes. A solar cell assembly that is provided includes a solar cell or solar panel positioned behind the second substrate and electrically coupled to a rechargeable energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. The solar cell receives illumination passing through the first substrate, liquid crystal material and the second substrate and converts the illumination incident on the solar cell to electrical energy to supply power to the rechargeable energy storage device. The cholesteric liquid crystal material permits transmission of incident light regardless of the configuration of the liquid crystal material.

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First Claim