Abstract A matrix addressable electroluminescent device comprising a substrate member having electrode receiving upper and lower surfaces with a first plurality of individual relatively spaced ribbon electrodes secured to the upper surface of said substrate and forming a pattern array thereon, and a second plurality of individual relatively spaced ribbon electrodes secured to the lower surface of said substrate, disposed orthogonally to said first plurality of electrodes and forming a plurality of intersection points with said first plurality of electrodes. Means are provided for coupling an electrical signal to individual electrodes in each of said arrays, and a plurality of openings are formed in the surface of each electrode in the upper electrode array, the openings defining window areas having an inner periphery defining the opening, and an isolated electrode island disposed on said upper surface within said opening and being spaced from the inner periphery of the opening so as to define an annular gap zone therewith. A plurality of bores are formed through the substrate generally at the intersecting points and an electrical conductor is disposed along the bore and extending therethrough, with each conductor coupling one of said first electrodes to one of said isolated electrode islands. The electroluminescent material responds to differences in potential applied between the electrodes, and illumination occurs in the area of the annular gap zone.
Inventors
👤 Donald E Anderson
👤 Richard L Swisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-04 22:32
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B33/00; H05B33/12; H05B33/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A matrix addressable electroluminescent device comprising: a. a substrate member having electrode receiving upper and lower surfaces; b. a first plurality of individual relatively spaced ribbon electrodes secured to said upper electrode receiving surface and forming a pattern array thereon; c. a second plurality of individual relatively spaced ribbon electrodes secured to said lower electrode receiving surface and disposed orthogonally to said first plurality of ribbon electrodes, and forming a plurality of intersection points with said first plurality of individual conductors; d. means for coupling an electrical signal to individual electrodes in each of said arrays; e. a plurality of openings formed in the surface of each of said first plurality of electrodes, said openings defining window areas having an inner periphery defining the opening and an isolated electrode island disposed on said upper surface within said opening and being spaced from said periphery so as to define an annular gap zone with said inner periphery; and f. a plurality of bores formed through said substrate generally along said intersecting points with an electrical conductor being disposed along said bore and each conductor coupling one of said first electrodes to one of said isolated electrode islands; and g. a film of an electroluminescent phosphor disposed along the upper surface of said substrate member overlying said first plurality of electrodes and said isolated electrode islands and being disposed within said annular gap zones between spaced apart edges of said first plurality of electrodes and said island electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A matrix addressable electroluminescent device comprising: a. a substrate member having electrode receiving upper and lower surfaces; b. a first plurality of individual relatively spaced ribbon electrodes secured to said upper electrode receiving surface and forming a pattern array thereon; c. a second plurality of individual relatively spaced ribbon electrodes secured to said lower electrode receiving surface and disposed orthogonally to said first plurality of ribbon electrodes, and forming a plurality of intersection points with said first plurality of individual conductors; d. means for coupling an electrical signal to individual electrodes in each of said arrays; e. a plurality of openings formed in the surface of each of said first plurality of electrodes, said openings defining window areas having an inner periphery defining the opening and an isolated electrode island disposed on said upper surface within said opening and being spaced from said periphery so as to define an annular gap zone with said inner periphery; and f. a plurality of bores formed through said substrate generally along said intersecting points with an electrical conductor being disposed along said bore and each conductor coupling one of said first electrodes to one of said isolated electrode islands; and g. a film of an electroluminescent phosphor disposed along the upper surface of said substrate member overlying said first plurality of electrodes and said isolated electrode islands and being disposed within said annular gap zones between spaced apart edges of said first plurality of electrodes and said island electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electroluminescent device defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a layer of a transparent encapsulating material is disposed about the ouTer surfaces thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electroluminescent device as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said annular gap zone has a uniform transverse width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The electroluminescent device as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the longitudinal axes of said first plurality of ribbon electrodes are mutually parallel, one to another, and the longitudinal axes of the second plurality of ribbon electrodes are mutually parallel, one to another, with the axes of said first plurality of electrodes and said second plurality of electrodes being arranged at right angles, one to another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electroluminescent device as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the electrical conductor disposed along said bores has an impedance characteristic which is inversely proportional to the applied electrical potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electroluminescent device as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said bores are substantially cylindrical.