| DefinitionThis is the generic class for cells, elements, and systems which include molecules of a material having both liquid and crystalline properties. Elements or systems included in this class are those which have a significant liquid crystal cell detail or liquid crystal response or properties, and in which the liquid crystal controls or changes the optical properties of electromagnetic radiation such as direction, phase, amplitude, frequency, or polarization state. This class also provides for nominal manufacturing methods for producing significant liquid crystal cell structure. | Lines with other classes and within this classIf the liquid crystal cell is an insignificant part of a system, or if there is no detail of the liquid crystal cell in the system, the apparatus should not be classified here. Nominal manufacturing processes for producing significant liquid crystal cell structure, or nominally described "providing processes" that can only be classified by liquid crystal device structure are proper for Class 349. Processes having significant manufacturing steps for producing liquid crystal devices are provided in various manufacturing classes, depending on the steps or combination of steps involved in the process. While plural nominal manufacturing steps are considered significant manufacturing--placing the original in other manufacturing classes, a mandatory cross to this class is required if significant liquid crystal structure is present. See the SEARCH CLASS notes for some examples of manufacturing classes that provide for manufacture of liquid crystal devices. Liquid crystal compositions with no more than nominal cell structure are excluded from this class; instead see elsewhere. In this case, nominal cell structure refers to a broad recitation of substrates, electrodes (or conductive plates or electrical excitation means), alignment layers, a seal, spacers, and polarizers. (See References to Other Classes, below.) Driving waveforms and external driving circuitry for the liquid crystal are excluded from this class (see References to Other Classes, below). When the driving is in the context of a television, proper classification is elsewhere. Electrooptic devices using materials other than liquid crystals and optical elements separate from liquid crystal devices are excluded from this class. (See References to Other Classes, below.) Nominal liquid crystal display cell structure with specific chemical composition of nonconducting layers other than the liquid crystal are excluded from this class. (See References to Other Classes, below.) |
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