US3774196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroluminescent circuit or the like
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
•
Filing: 1973-01-22
•
Granted: 1973-11-20
•
Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A circuit arrangement rapidly triggering a light-emitting and control bistable circuit into stable ON and OFF states while operating potential is continuously applied to the selective circuit to provide light emitting and de-energized states. A light-emitting element or an element added in series therewith acts as a capacitor. The light-emitting and capacitive elements are connected in series with a threshold switching device having inherent time delay characteristics, and connected at the circuit juncture between the light-emitting and capacitive elements and the threshold switching device is a start and stop circuit preferably with isolation means for selectively applying start and stop pulses to charge the capacitor while bypassing the threshold switching device to initiate operation of the circuit during one instance, and to discharge the energy stored in the capacitive element to terminate operation of the circuit during another instance. A display array of rows and columns of such bistable circuits is formed with means for energizing selectively desired start and stop circuits associated with selective bistable circuits independently of the threshold switching devices used in the circuits and for providing means, independent of the operating potential lines, for addressing selected ones of the electroluminescent circuits within an array.
Inventors
- 👤 G Fleming
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:53
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04; G09G3/06; G09G3/12; G09G3/20; G09G3/22; G09G3/30; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/22; G11C11/56; H03K3/42; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/08; G09G2300/088; G09G2300/0885; G09G2300/089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
An array comprising: a plurality of electrode means forming a plurality of non-connected circuit junctures; power means for applying operating potential to selected ones of said plurality of electrode means; a multi-stable state circuit connected to each of said junctures and capable of operation between stable ON and stable OFF conditions while operating potential is applied thereto, said multi-stable state circuit including a capacitive energy storage circuit element and threshold switch means connected in cIrcuit therewith, said threshold switch means having a threshold voltage value above the voltage value of said operating potential and inherent turn-on time delay between the time a voltage at least equal to the threshold voltage value is applied thereto and the time the threshold switch means is rendered conductive; a second plurality of electrode means for receiving signal information to vary selected ones of said multistable state circuits from one stable condition to the other stable condition; and start circuit means connected between each of said multi-stable state circuits and certain ones of said second plurality of electrode means, each of said start circuit means acting rapidly to provide a charge on said capacitive energy storing circuit element of the selected multi-stable state circuit through a circuit by-passing the associated threshold switch means, the charge on said capacitive energy storing circuit element combining with the applied operating potential to develop a voltage amplitude in excess of the threshold voltage value of said threshold switch means for a period of time at least equal to the inherent time delay of said threshold switch means, ultimately to render said threshold switch means conductive, the selected multi-stable state circuit remaining in its stable ON condition without further address signal information being applied thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
An array comprising: a plurality of electrode means forming a plurality of non-connected circuit junctures; power means for applying operating potential to selected ones of said plurality of electrode means; a multi-stable state circuit connected to each of said junctures and capable of operation between stable ON and stable OFF conditions while operating potential is applied thereto, said multi-stable state circuit including a capacitive energy storage circuit element and threshold switch means connected in cIrcuit therewith, said threshold switch means having a threshold voltage value above the voltage value of said operating potential and inherent turn-on time delay between the time a voltage at least equal to the threshold voltage value is applied thereto and the time the threshold switch means is rendered conductive; a second plurality of electrode means for receiving signal information to vary selected ones of said multistable state circuits from one stable condition to the other stable condition; and start circuit means connected between each of said multi-stable state circuits and certain ones of said second plurality of electrode means, each of said start circuit means acting rapidly to provide a charge on said capacitive energy storing circuit element of the selected multi-stable state circuit through a circuit by-passing the associated threshold switch means, the charge on said capacitive energy storing circuit element combining with the applied operating potential to develop a voltage amplitude in excess of the threshold voltage value of said threshold switch means for a period of time at least equal to the inherent time delay of said threshold switch means, ultimately to render said threshold switch means conductive, the selected multi-stable state circuit remaining in its stable ON condition without further address signal information being applied thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The array according to claim 1 wherein said capacitor energy storage circuit element is a light emitting element which will emit light therefrom when the multi-stable state circuit is in its stable ON condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The array according to claim 1 wherein said first plurality of electrode means are arranged in parallel spaced relation and said multi-stable state circuits are connected along each of said parallel spaced pairs of electrode means for receiving operating potential therefrom, and said second plurality of electrode means are arranged in parallel spaced relation with one another and perpendicular to said first plurality of electrode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An array according to claim 1 each of said start circuits includes a diode which is normally non-conductive to isolate the start circuit from said capacitive energy storing element and is conductive when said electric charge is applied thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The array according to claim 4 further including means for reverse biasing each of said diodes connected in circuit with its respective multi-stable circuit, and the application of signal information to selected ones of said second plurality of electrode means overcoming the reverse bias on said diodes to charge the said capacitive energy storage element associated with the selected multi-stable state circuit which, in turn, will change the condition of the multi-stable state circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The array of claim 1 wherein said operating potential is a source of alternating current and said operating potential adds to the charge of said capacitive energy storing circuit element of each multi-stable state circuit each operating half cycle after said electric charge fed by said start circuit initially operates the multi-stable state circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The array of claim 1 wherein said capacitive energy storing circuit element is a light emitting element which emits light therefrom when the multi-stable state circuit is in its stable ON condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
260 words
A light emitting display array comprising: a transparent electrode; a plurality of discrete light emitting areas formed on and having the front surface thereof in contact with said transparent electrode; electrode means connected to the rear surface of each of said plurality of discrete light emitting areas, said light emitting areas having a capacitive energy storing characteristic; a plurality of bidirectional threshold switch means each having one end thereof connected to a different one of said electrode means; power means for applying operating potential between said transparent electrode and the other end of each of said threshold switch means, said opErating potential having a voltage value below the threshold voltage value of said threshold switch means; a plurality of diodes each having one end thereof connected to a different one of said electrode means; actuating means connected to the other end of each of said diodes and selectively operated to circuit opening and circuit closing conditions; and charging current means connected in series with said transparent electrode and each of the said actuating means to forward bias a selected one of said plurality of diodes by the circuit closing condition of a selected actuating means to place a voltage charge on the corresponding selected one of said light emitting areas, said charge combining with the operating potential to render the threshold switch means conductive and energize the selected light emitting area to emit light therefrom, and thereafter the associated threshold switch means being rendered conductive by the applied operating potential to continue light emission from the selected light emitting area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
260 words
A light emitting display array comprising: a transparent electrode; a plurality of discrete light emitting areas formed on and having the front surface thereof in contact with said transparent electrode; electrode means connected to the rear surface of each of said plurality of discrete light emitting areas, said light emitting areas having a capacitive energy storing characteristic; a plurality of bidirectional threshold switch means each having one end thereof connected to a different one of said electrode means; power means for applying operating potential between said transparent electrode and the other end of each of said threshold switch means, said opErating potential having a voltage value below the threshold voltage value of said threshold switch means; a plurality of diodes each having one end thereof connected to a different one of said electrode means; actuating means connected to the other end of each of said diodes and selectively operated to circuit opening and circuit closing conditions; and charging current means connected in series with said transparent electrode and each of the said actuating means to forward bias a selected one of said plurality of diodes by the circuit closing condition of a selected actuating means to place a voltage charge on the corresponding selected one of said light emitting areas, said charge combining with the operating potential to render the threshold switch means conductive and energize the selected light emitting area to emit light therefrom, and thereafter the associated threshold switch means being rendered conductive by the applied operating potential to continue light emission from the selected light emitting area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A light emitting display array according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of discrete light emitting areas are arranged such that energization of selected areas will display all the numeral digits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The array of claim 1 wherein each of the start circuit means provides a charge on said capacitive energy storing circuit element of the selected multi-stable state circuit in a period of time less than the inherent turn-on time delay of the associated threshold switch means.
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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |