US3555335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroluminescent displays
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1969-02-27
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1989-02-27
Abstract
Abstract The specification describes a device for enlarging the apparent light-emitting area of an electroluminescent diode. The device is a faceted body having a specular surface designed to be placed around the light-emitting diode.
Inventors
- 👤 Bertrand H Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:49
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/85; H10H20/855; H10H20/856; G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An electroluminescent display device comprising a small electroluminescent diode, the diode having an active area capable of emitting light of less than 2,000 mils2 (as measured in a plane normal to the plane of the intended viewer) and a reflector means associated with the diode for expanding the light-emitting area, the reflector means characterized by a multifaceted specular surface having an apparent reflecting area (as measured in a plane normal to the intended viewer) of more than ten times the active area of the diode and at least two facets, one of which extends from the region of the diode toward the intended viewer and at least one of which makes an angle of at least 35* with the plane of the diode and another of which makes an angle of at least 60* with the plane of the diode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electroluminescent display device comprising a small electroluminescent diode, the diode having an active area capable of emitting light of less than 2,000 mils2 (as measured in a plane normal to the plane of the intended viewer) and a reflector means associated with the diode for expanding the light-emitting area, the reflector means characterized by a multifaceted specular surface having an apparent reflecting area (as measured in a plane normal to the intended viewer) of more than ten times the active area of the diode and at least two facets, one of which extends from the region of the diode toward the intended viewer and at least one of which makes an angle of at least 35* with the plane of the diode and another of which makes an angle of at least 60* with the plane of the diode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein one of the said facets extends from below the plane of the diode toward the intended viewer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electroluminescent light display device in which the apparent light-emitting area exceeds the area of actual light-emitting material comprising a light-emitting electroluminescent diode and a reflector means associated with said diode, the device characterized in that the reflector means is formed in the geometry of at least a portion of an alphanumeric character with the length of the reflecting area at least 3.5 times the width so as to form a slot, the reflector placed so that the diode rests at the approximate center of the slot but occupies less than 1/10 of the area of the slot and the reflecting area being composed of at least two facets extending from the region of the diode toward the surface of the display in the direction of the intended viewer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electroluminescent light display device in which the apparent light-emitting area exceeds the area of actual light-emitting material comprising a light-emitting electroluminescent diode and a reflector means associated with said diode, the device characterized in that the reflector means is formed in the geometry of at least a portion of an alphanumeric character with the length of the reflecting area at least 3.5 times the width so as to form a slot, the reflector placed so that the diode rests at the approximate center of the slot but occupies less than 1/10 of the area of the slot and the reflecting area being composed of at least two facets extending from the region of the diode toward the surface of the display in the direction of the intended viewer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 3 wherein at least one of said facets extends from below the plane of the diode toward the intended viewer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the longitudinally extending walls of the slot are essentially vertical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
An alphanumeric electroluminescent device comprising an electroluminescent diode having an active light-emitting area of less than 2,000 mils2 and a reflector for increasing the apparent light-emitting area of said diode, the reflector comprising a slot-shaped specular surface, the slot forming at least a portion of an alphanumeric character the maximum cross section area of which is at least 10 times the active light-emitting area of the diode and has a length-to-width ratio of at least 3.5, the longitudinally extending sidewalls of the slot extending essentially vertically, and the bottom surface of the slot comprising at least four essentially planar facets extending from the middle region of the slot at the bottom thereof to the ends of the slot with the diode situated in the middle region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
An alphanumeric electroluminescent device comprising an electroluminescent diode having an active light-emitting area of less than 2,000 mils2 and a reflector for increasing the apparent light-emitting area of said diode, the reflector comprising a slot-shaped specular surface, the slot forming at least a portion of an alphanumeric character the maximum cross section area of which is at least 10 times the active light-emitting area of the diode and has a length-to-width ratio of at least 3.5, the longitudinally extending sidewalls of the slot extending essentially vertically, and the bottom surface of the slot comprising at least four essentially planar facets extending from the middle region of the slot at the bottom thereof to the ends of the slot with the diode situated in the middle region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the longitudinally extending sidewalls of the slot have a pitch of at least 1 percent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |