Cholesteric liquid crystal display that provides sensory feedback
A cholesteric liquid crystal display providing sensory feedback, comprises a flexible front substrate disposed near a front surface of the display, the flexible front substrate being at least partially flexible. A liquid crystal layer comprises cholesteric liquid crystal material. Pressure applied to the flexible front substrate changes reflectance of the cholesteric liquid crystal material. At least one textured surface is constructed and arranged so that pressure that is applied to the at least one textured surface provides at least one of vibratory, audible and tactile sensory feedback. At least a portion of the changes in reflectance is erased.
1. A cholesteric liquid crystal display providing sensory feedback, comprising:
a flexible front substrate that is at least partially flexible;
a liquid crystal layer comprising cholesteric liquid crystal material;
wherein pressure applied to said flexible front substrate changes reflectance of said cholesteric liquid crystal material;
at least one textured surface that is constructed and arranged so that pressure that is applied to said at least one textured surface provides at least one of vibratory, audible and tactile sensory feedback;
wherein at least a portion of said changes in reflectance is erased.
2. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 comprising providing at least one of a moving stylus, fingertip, fingernail, roller and stamp by which said pressure is applied.
3. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 comprising electrically conductive layers between which said liquid crystal layer is disposed and erase electronics that applies a voltage waveform.
4. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 3 comprising a back substrate in back of said liquid crystal layer, wherein said electrically conductive layers and said liquid crystal layer are disposed between said flexible front substrate and said back substrate.
5. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 comprising a back substrate in back of said liquid crystal layer.
6. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 5 wherein said back substrate is semitransparent or opaque.
7. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein flexing of said cholesteric liquid crystal display erases at least a portion of said changes in reflectance.
8. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said at least one textured surface comprises a plurality of elements that are: spaced apart from each other, at least one of protruding and recessed from an adjacent surface and are located near said front substrate of the cholesteric liquid crystal display.
9. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 8 comprising a layer adapted to provide at least one of a gel sensation and a spongy sensation.
10. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 8 wherein said plurality of elements are comprised of transparent polymer and are inflexible.
11. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said at least one textured surface comprises a plurality of elements that are: spaced apart from each other, at least one of protruding and recessed from an adjacent surface and are located near a back surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal display below said liquid crystal layer.
12. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 11 comprising a layer adapted to provide at least one of a gel sensation and a spongy sensation.
13. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein said plurality of elements are comprised of polymer and are inflexible.
14. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein said plurality of elements are formed as a plurality of openings in a layer of polymer or cardboard.
15. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein said plurality of elements are raised on a layer of polymer or cardboard.
16. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said at least one textured surface has a texture that is selected from at least one of diamond, rock and sand.
17. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein the pressure that is applied to said at least one textured surface provides optical sensory feedback, whereby said pressure applied to said at least one textured surface in conjunction with the rest of the cholesteric liquid crystal display contributes to the change in reflectance.
18. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said pressure that is applied to said at least one textured surface with a moving marking instrument provides said tactile sensory feedback, whereby when the moving marking instrument moves over said at least one textured surface this is felt by the user.
19. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein the pressure that is applied to said at least one textured surface by a moving marking instrument provides said vibratory sensory feedback, whereby when the moving marking instrument moves over the at least one textured surface vibrations are felt by the user.
20. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein the pressure that is applied to said at least one textured surface by a moving marking instrument provides said audible sensory feedback, whereby the moving marking instrument makes a sound when traveling over said at least one textured surface.
21. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said at least one textured surface comprises strips or regions formed by at least two or more of said textured surfaces having different textures than each other.
22. The cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein a texture of said at least one textured surface is adapted to calm the user of the cholesteric liquid crystal display when touching with the fingertip of the user.
23. A toy comprising the cholesteric liquid crystal display of claim 1 .