Multi-contact electrical edge connector for display panels

Claim 1

An edge connector for mounting on an edge of an opto-electric display panel which has a plurality of addressing electrodes to which electric voltage are applied to cause an observable display on the panel, said edge connector comprising: a. an electrically insulating body for receiving the edge of a display panel between two parts of the edge connector, b. drive electronics fixed to said insulating body and having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals with a greater number of output terminals than input terminals, said drive electronics being capable of routing electrical signals applied to its said input terminals to appropriate ones of its said output terminals determined by the signals received on said input terminals, c. a first series of electrical conductors connected one to each of said input terminals and mounted in said body for external connection to control electronics, d. a second series of electrical conductors connected one to each of said output terminals and mounted in said body for connection with the addressing electrodes on the display panel, and e. means for retaining the edge connector on the display panel with the electrical conductors of said second series for electrical contact respectively with separate ones of the addressing electrodes on the display panel.