US4152712A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optoelectronic displays using uniformly spaced arrays of semisphere light emitting diodes and method of fabricating same
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1977-09-19
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1997-09-19
Abstract
Abstract Light emitting diodes in a substantially semispherical form having an outer shell-like region of semiconductor material of one conductivity type and a subsurface body of semiconductor material of an opposite conductivity type forming a p-n junction are mounted to a surface of an insulating substrate member extending therefrom to allow a portion of each diode element to protrude past the outer surface of the substrate. Metallic coatings are provided on both the outer shell-like semiconductor material having one conductivity and a second metallic coating is provided on the subsurface body semiconductor material having a second conductivity for electrical contact. A transparent conductive material is further disposed over the diode structure connecting diodes formed in an array.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:08
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/81; H10H20/819; G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/33; H10H20/821; H10W; H10W90/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S257/00; Y10S257/926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A light-emitting diode elements having a substantially spherical shape comprising: a substantially spherical body having one conductivity type, an outer substantially spherical shell-like section having a second conductivity type disposed on said spherical body and defining a p-n junction at the juncture between said spherical body and said outer shell-like section, first ohmic contact means disposed on said outer shell-like section, and second ohmic contact means disposed on said spherical body, and annular insulation means disposed between said outer shell-like section and said second ohmic contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A light-emitting diode elements having a substantially spherical shape comprising: a substantially spherical body having one conductivity type, an outer substantially spherical shell-like section having a second conductivity type disposed on said spherical body and defining a p-n junction at the juncture between said spherical body and said outer shell-like section, first ohmic contact means disposed on said outer shell-like section, and second ohmic contact means disposed on said spherical body, and annular insulation means disposed between said outer shell-like section and said second ohmic contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spherical body comprises a first spherical section and a second spherical section having a smaller diameter than said first spherical section, where both first and second spherical sections are of one conductivity type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second spherical sections are made from a p-type gallium arsenide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer substantially spherical shell-like section comprises an N-type gallium arsenide material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 1 further including a transparent conductive means disposed over said outer substantially spherical shell-like section for providing a current path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transparent conductive means comprises a tin oxide layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transparent conductive means comprises an indium oxide layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transparent conductive means comprises a metal grid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transparent conductive means comprises a cadmium stannate layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first ohmic contact means comprises a metal dot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-emitting diode element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second ohmic contact means comprises a metal layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A light-emitting diode display as set forth in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor body comprises a first spherical section and a second spherical section smaller than said first spherical section where both first and second spherical sections are of one conductivity type.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light-emitting diode display as set forth in claim 8 wherein said insulating member comprises a glass material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light-emitting diode display as set forth in claim 8 wherein said insulating member comprises an organic polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-emitting diode display as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second ohmic contact means comprises a metal strip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
A light-emitting diode display comprising: an array of diode segments having a plurality of substantially spherical light-emitting diodes disposed on an insulating support member having: a substantially spherical anode of a compound semiconductor material having one conductivity type, an outer substantially spherical shell-like cathode region on said anode having a second conductivity type, a first ohmic contact means disposed on said outer shell-like region providing ohmic contact to the cathode, a second ohmic contact means for connecting said plurality of light-emitting diodes and providing ohmic contact to the anodes of said diodes, transparent conductive means disposed over said plurality of diode segments adhering to said insulating support member and providing parallel electrical connection to said first ohmic contact means; and a common electrical contact to said second ohmic contact means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
A light-emitting diode display comprising: an array of diode segments having a plurality of substantially spherical light-emitting diodes disposed on an insulating support member having: a substantially spherical anode of a compound semiconductor material having one conductivity type, an outer substantially spherical shell-like cathode region on said anode having a second conductivity type, a first ohmic contact means disposed on said outer shell-like region providing ohmic contact to the cathode, a second ohmic contact means for connecting said plurality of light-emitting diodes and providing ohmic contact to the anodes of said diodes, transparent conductive means disposed over said plurality of diode segments adhering to said insulating support member and providing parallel electrical connection to said first ohmic contact means; and a common electrical contact to said second ohmic contact means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light-emitting diode display as set forth in claim 16 wherein said first and second ohmic contact means comprises bonding pads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light-emitting diode display as set forth in claim 16 wherein said transparent conductive means comprises a layer of tin oxide.
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) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |