Electric lamp or space discharge component or device manufacturi – Process – With assembly or disassembly
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-02-06
Ramsey, Kenneth J. (Department: 2879)
Electric lamp or space discharge component or device manufacturi
Process
With assembly or disassembly
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183330
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronically-controlled displays that can be manufactured as parts of other functional structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to electronic displays, including electroluminescent displays, that can be manufactured as parts of other functional structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Displays are implemented using a variety of technology areas for use in a wide variety of applications. The technology areas span from the cathode ray tube (CRT), to various field emission display technologies, to light-emitting diode technologies, etc. The uses and applications of displays are without limit. For example, consider some display devices, such as with alphanumeric displays and computer-type display screens, whose primary purpose is to display information, and other display devices that serve secondary functions, such as backlighting user access points or controls. For many of these applications, the size and manufacturability of the display devices are major concerns.
As an example, electroluminescence is one of several popular display technologies that have been used in view of size constraints. Common uses of electroluminescence include, among other uses, backlighting watches and display screens in certain laptop and notebook computers. Electroluminescence technology is conventionally implemented using phosphor material sandwiched between two conductive layers. One of the conductive layers is typically a transparent material, such as mylar, that is coated with a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide. When a high voltage of alternating polarity is applied to the respective conductive layers, an electric field is created that excites the phosphor.
Manufacturing devices using displays of this type are cumbersome. In the design of a typical application, at least a three-layer electroluminescent display structure is cooperatively arranged nearby another circuit. This neighboring circuit is arranged to avoid blocking the electroluminescent light, and the electroluminescent display structure is arranged to avoid interfering with the functionality of the neighboring circuit. For many applications, especially those requiring significant generation of light in compact areas, this cooperative arrangement is not practicable.
Accordingly, many applications require displays that can be implemented in small areas while avoiding the disadvantages discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is directed to an electroluminescent display device. The display device includes first and second conductive buses adjacent to a phosphor-based carrier on a dielectric carrier. The first and second conductive buses have at least one first conductor and at least one second conductor, respectively. These conductors are arranged in close proximity to one another, and they are secured over and supported by the dielectric carrier. The phosphor-based carrier, which includes phosphor, is located proximate to the first and second conductors to permit an electric field set up by a voltage applied between the first and second conductors to generate light via the phosphors.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing the above-described electroluminescent display device. According to one embodiment, the method provides the manufacture of a electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier. The method includes: applying a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor, and a second conductive bus having at least one second conductor, arranged in close proximity to said at least one first conductor, over the dielectric carrier and forming at least one area therebetween; and depositing a phosphor-based carrier in said at least one area between the first and second conductors, the first and second conductors arranged to excite the phosphors and generate light therefrom.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment, or every implementation, of the present invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the detailed description which follow.
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Peterson Francis
Walsh David
McDermott & Will & Emery
Phillips Plastics Corporation
Ramsey Kenneth J.
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