# US 10,767,965 B2 · Adaptive camouflage device, system, method and camouflage apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,767,965 B2 - Document ID: US10767965B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/528,423 - Filed: 2015-11-11 - Published: 2017-11-23 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-19 - Assignees: BAE SYSTEMS plc - Applicants: BAE Systems plc - Inventors: Stephen Kitson; John Rudin; Timothy Simon Taphouse - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767965B2 ## CPC - F41H 3/02: {Flexible, e.g. fabric} covers, e.g. screens, nets {characterised by their material or structure}(making thereof, see the relevant classes, e.g. D04) - F41H 3/00: Camouflage, i.e. means or methods for concealment or disguise (for vessels B63G8/34, B63G13/02 {; sound camouflage, i.e. simulating gun fire noise, F41A33/04; dummy or decoy targets F41J; chaff per se F41J2/00; ammunition for dispensing chaff F42B5/15, F42B12/70; radar absorbing fabrics H01Q17/005}) - G02F 1/133305: {Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film} - G02F 1/133514: {Colour filters} - G02F 1/13725: {based on guest-host interaction (G02F1/13762, G02F1/13737, take precedence)} - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract An adaptive camouflage device that includes at least one non-emissive layer which includes a guest-host liquid crystal (GHLC). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adaptive camouflage device comprising: at least one non-emissive guest-host liquid crystal (GHLC) layer configured to switch between a plurality of states in response to a control signal applied by a controller; a transparent substrate located in front of the at least one GHLC layer; and a reflector layer located behind the at least one GHLC layer; the adaptive camouflage device being configured to adaptively match a surrounding environment so as to conceal or disguise a protected object or individual. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector layer is configured to be diffusely reflective. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein over at least a portion of the device, the reflector layer is partially transparent or the device is devoid of the reflector layer, and wherein the portion is mounted over a window, or other transparent or semitransparent opening, lens, or sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each GHLC layer is operable to be switched between multiple colours or hues. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the colours or hues is outside the visible spectrum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of the colours or hues is in the infra-red region of the spectrum. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, further including a filter layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the filter layer is operable to absorb part of the visible or infra-red spectrum, whereby to tint the camouflage device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is curved. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, further including a renewable energy source operable to supply energy for the device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the renewable energy source includes one or more photo-voltaic (PV): panels integrated with or otherwise integral to the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is operable to harvest energy from excess heat generated by a platform to which the device is mounted, attached or affixed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is operable to be switched between preset patterns by an operator or automatically. ### Claim 14 An adaptive camouflage system comprising: a camouflage device that includes at least one non-emissive guest-host liquid crystal (GHLC) layer, said camouflage device being adapted for application to a protected object or individual, a transparent substrate located in front of the at least one GHLC layer, and a reflector layer located behind the at least one GHLC layer; and a controller configured to apply electrical voltages to the GHLC layer that switch the GHLC layer between a plurality of states, thereby causing the GHLC layer to adaptively match a surrounding environment, so as to conceal or disguise the protected object or individual. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An adaptive camouflage system, comprising: one or more of an adaptive camouflage device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more devices are stacked or arranged adjacent to one another whereby to form a composite device capable of forming a camouflage pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An adaptive camouflage system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: an imaging device operable to detect at least one of a scene, background, colour, brightness and hue of at least a portion of an environment in which the system is positioned and to generate data representing the same; and an image analysis operable to process the data and select on the basis of at least one of the scene, background, colour, brightness and hue, at least one of a colour, hue, brightness and pattern for one or more of the devices. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) An adaptive camouflage system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a location detecting apparatus and a system operable to process the data and select on the basis of location, at least one of the colour, hue, brightness and pattern for the devices. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) An adaptive camouflage system as claimed in claim 15, wherein respective ones of the devices of the system include a GHLC layer including respective different dyes or dye mixtures. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) An adaptive camouflage system as claimed in claim 15, wherein respective ones of the devices of the system are individually controllable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) An adaptive camouflage system as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of the devices of the system includes a GHLC layer including a dye or dye mixture operable to absorb light outside of the visible part of the spectrum. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A camouflage apparatus, comprising: multiple tile regions arranged adjacent to one another to form a camouflage pattern for the apparatus, respective ones of the tile regions comprising a device according to claim 1, wherein respective ones of the tile regions are switchable between the multiple states whereby to alter or adjust a colour or hue of the regions.