US4670690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin film electrolumenescent display panel
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-23
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2005-10-23
Abstract
Abstract An electroluminescent (EL) material is sandwiched between parallel strips of electrodes running at right angles to each other. Pixels are formed where the electrodes cross to provide a thin film, EL display. The display includes a layer of insulating material which has a hole at each pixel. The backside electrodes extend into the holes, thus providing a high electric field only at the pixel locations. These backside electrodes are broad to assure electrical continuity despite any open-circuit created by burned-out pixels. The insulating material overlaps the edges of the frontside electrodes, thus reducing the electric field which concentrates at the electrode edge. The insulating layer and the backside electrode can be made black, or a light-absorbing, semi-insulating layer used in order to reduce light scattering and reflection. Transparent electrodes can be used to allow light to emit from either the front, the back, or both sides of the display.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Ketchpel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:54
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B33/00; H05B33/12; H05B33/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a substrate; a first electrode on said substrate; a second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode, at least said first or said second electrode being a transparent electrode; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having a hole positioned where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrode extending into said hole, whereby said first and second electrodes are closest to each other at said hole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a substrate; a first electrode on said substrate; a second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode, at least said first or said second electrode being a transparent electrode; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having a hole positioned where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrode extending into said hole, whereby said first and second electrodes are closest to each other at said hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulating layer is positioned between said light emitting layer and said second electrode, said second electrode extending out of said hole and onto said insulating layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulating layer is positioned between said light emitting layer and said substrate and extends over the edges of said first electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second electrodes are both transparent, whereby light from said light emitting layer is emitted from both sides of said display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first electrode and said substrate are transparent and said second electrode is opaque, whereby light from said light emitting layer is emitted through said substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second electrode is transparent, whereby light from said light emitting layer is emitted through said second electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second electrode comprises a black electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 5 including a light-absorbing semi-insulating layer on said light emitting layer between said light emitting layer and said second electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 8 wherein said light-absorbing semi-insulating layer is less than about 1500 Angstroms thick.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of said hole in said insulating layer slope inwardly and downwardly to the bottom of said hole and extend over the edges of said first electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insulating layer is a black insulating layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of said second electrode which is in said hole has a thickness less than about 1000 Angstroms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light emitting layer comprises an electroluminescent layer sandwiched between two dielectric layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electroluminescent display panel comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; a first dielectric layer on said substrate and said transparent first electrode; an electroluminescent layer on said first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer on said electroluminescent layer; an insulating layer covering said second dielectric layer except for holes positioned over said transparent first electrodes, the sides of said holes sloping inwardly and downwardly to the bottom of said holes and extending over the edges of said transparent first electrodes; and second electrodes parallel to each other on said second dielectric layer in said holes and extending out of said holes and onto said insulating layer, said second electrodes crossing over said first electrodes whereby pixels are formed at the location of said holes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electroluminescent display panel comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; a first dielectric layer on said substrate and said transparent first electrode; an electroluminescent layer on said first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer on said electroluminescent layer; an insulating layer covering said second dielectric layer except for holes positioned over said transparent first electrodes, the sides of said holes sloping inwardly and downwardly to the bottom of said holes and extending over the edges of said transparent first electrodes; and second electrodes parallel to each other on said second dielectric layer in said holes and extending out of said holes and onto said insulating layer, said second electrodes crossing over said first electrodes whereby pixels are formed at the location of said holes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electroluminescent display panel as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second electrodes comprise black electrodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electroluminescent display panel as claimed in claim 14 wherein said insulating layer is a black insulating layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electroluminescent display panel as claimed in claim 14 including a light absorbing, semi-insulating layer between said second dielectric and said insulating layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electroluminescent display panel as claimed in claim 17 wherein said light absorbing, semi-insulating layer is less than about 1500 Angstroms thick.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; an insulating layer covering said transparent substrate except for holes positioned over said transparent first electrodes, the sides of said holes sloping downward to the bottom of said holes and extending over the edges of said transparent first electrodes; a first dielectric layer on said insulating layer and on the portion of said first electrodes that are exposed at said holes; an electroluminescent layer on said first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer on said electroluminescent layer; and second electrodes parallel to each other on said second dielectric layer and extending into said holes, said second electrodes crossing over said first electrodes whereby pixels are formed at the location of said holes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; an insulating layer covering said transparent substrate except for holes positioned over said transparent first electrodes, the sides of said holes sloping downward to the bottom of said holes and extending over the edges of said transparent first electrodes; a first dielectric layer on said insulating layer and on the portion of said first electrodes that are exposed at said holes; an electroluminescent layer on said first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer on said electroluminescent layer; and second electrodes parallel to each other on said second dielectric layer and extending into said holes, said second electrodes crossing over said first electrodes whereby pixels are formed at the location of said holes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 19 wherein said second electrode comprises a black electrode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 19 including a light absorbing, semi-insulating layer between said second dielectric and said insulating layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 21 wherein said semi-insulating layer is less than about 1500 Angstroms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electroluminescent display as claimed in claim 19 wherein said insulating layer is a black insulating layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
96 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; transparent second electrodes parallel to each other, crossing said first electrodes, and spaced apart from said first electrodes; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having holes located where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrodes extending into said holes, whereby light from said light emitting layer can shine out of both sides of said display.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
96 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; transparent second electrodes parallel to each other, crossing said first electrodes, and spaced apart from said first electrodes; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having holes located where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrodes extending into said holes, whereby light from said light emitting layer can shine out of both sides of said display.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; opaque second electrodes parallel to each other, crossing said first electrodes, and spaced apart from said first electrodes; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having holes located where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrodes extending into said holes, whereby light from said light emitting layer can shine out of said display through said transparent substrate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a transparent substrate; transparent first electrodes parallel to each other on said transparent substrate; opaque second electrodes parallel to each other, crossing said first electrodes, and spaced apart from said first electrodes; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having holes located where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrodes extending into said holes, whereby light from said light emitting layer can shine out of said display through said transparent substrate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a substrate; first electrodes parallel to each other on said substrate; means for preventing light from shining out said substrate side of said display; transparent second electrodes parallel to each other, crossing said first electrodes, and spaced apart from said first electrodes; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having holes located where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrodes extending into said holes, whereby light from said light emitting layer can shine out of said display through said second electrodes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electroluminescent display comprising: a substrate; first electrodes parallel to each other on said substrate; means for preventing light from shining out said substrate side of said display; transparent second electrodes parallel to each other, crossing said first electrodes, and spaced apart from said first electrodes; a light emitting layer containing electroluminescent material between said first and second electrodes; an insulating layer between said first and second electrodes, said insulating layer having holes located where said first and second electrodes cross each other, said second electrodes extending into said holes, whereby light from said light emitting layer can shine out of said display through said second electrodes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display as claimed in claim 26 wherein said means for preventing light comprises a means for absorbing light.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display as claimed in claim 26 wherein said means for preventing light comprises a means for reflecting light.
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) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |