US4681403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display device with micromechanical leaf spring switches
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1986-06-19
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Granted: 1987-07-21
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Expires: 2006-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A layer of liquid crystal is present between two supporting plates with a large number of picture electrodes arranged in rows and columns on at least one of the supporting plates. Strip-shaped row electrodes and strip-shaped column electrodes are provided between the respective rows and columns of the picture electrodes. The picture electrodes arranged in rows can be contacted with a respective row electrode by way of at least one micromechanical leaf spring which provides the liquid crystal with a sufficiently steep threshold with respect to the applied voltage, and provides the liquid crystal with a memory when the picture electrodes form picture elements of a display device. Because of this arrangement, the number of lines to be driven of the display device can be extended.
Inventors
- 👤 Ties S. Te Velde
- 👤 Joannes L. M. van de Venne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:38
CPC Classifications
B; B81; B81C; B81C1/00; B81C1/00015; B81C1/00261; B81C1/00333; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0102; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/15; G02F1/163; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/38; H; H01; H01H; H01H59/00; H01H59/0009; B81C2201/00; B81C2201/01; B81C2201/0101; B81C2201/0102; B81C2201/0105; B81C2201/0107; B81C2203/00; B81C2203/01; B81C2203/0136; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/08; H01H1/00; H01H1/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on facing surfaces of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements; a system of column electrodes disposed with said picture electrodes on one of said supporting plates; a system of row electrodes disposed below said picture electrodes on a second of said supporting plates; an insulating layer disposed between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes wherein each of said picture electrodes includes an aperture at an area over a row electrode, said row electrode being free of said insulating layer at said aperture; switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring being disposed in each of said apertures for providing connection between said picture electrode and said row electrode, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer; and an electrically conductive covering hood extending over said aperture to protect said leaf spring from said electro-optical medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on facing surfaces of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements; a system of column electrodes disposed with said picture electrodes on one of said supporting plates; a system of row electrodes disposed below said picture electrodes on a second of said supporting plates; an insulating layer disposed between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes wherein each of said picture electrodes includes an aperture at an area over a row electrode, said row electrode being free of said insulating layer at said aperture; switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring being disposed in each of said apertures for providing connection between said picture electrode and said row electrode, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer; and an electrically conductive covering hood extending over said aperture to protect said leaf spring from said electro-optical medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein said picture electrodes and said covering hoods are reflecting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein said picture electrodes and said column electrodes on said one supporting plate are integrated to strip-shaped electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in parallel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said supporting plates and said electrodes provided thereon are transparent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein said electro-optical medium is a liquid crystal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrophoretic suspension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 1, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrochromic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates, an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on facing surfaces of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements; a system of column electrodes disposed with said picture electrodes on one of said supporting plates, wherein said picture electrodes and said column electrodes on said one supporting plate are integrated to strip-shaped electrodes; a system of row electrodes disposed with said picture electrodes on a second of said supporting plates; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates, an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on facing surfaces of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements; a system of column electrodes disposed with said picture electrodes on one of said supporting plates, wherein said picture electrodes and said column electrodes on said one supporting plate are integrated to strip-shaped electrodes; a system of row electrodes disposed with said picture electrodes on a second of said supporting plates; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device according to claim 10, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device according to claim 10, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in parallel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A display device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said supporting plates and said electrodes provided thereon are transparent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 10, wherein said electro-optical medium is a liquid crystal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 10, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrophoretic suspension.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 10, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrochromic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
184 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on one of said supporting plates; a common counter electrode provided on a second of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements with said plurality; a system of row electrodes and column electrodes disposed on said one supporting plate, wherein at each crossing of row electrodes and column electrodes an electrically conductive bridge insulates a column electrode from a row electrode; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said column electrode and an associated picture electrode, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer, and said micromechanical leaf spring extending below said bridge and extending over both said row electrode and a portion of said associated picture electrode, wherein at least one end of said micromechanical leaf spring is connected to said column electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
184 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on one of said supporting plates; a common counter electrode provided on a second of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements with said plurality; a system of row electrodes and column electrodes disposed on said one supporting plate, wherein at each crossing of row electrodes and column electrodes an electrically conductive bridge insulates a column electrode from a row electrode; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said column electrode and an associated picture electrode, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer, and said micromechanical leaf spring extending below said bridge and extending over both said row electrode and a portion of said associated picture electrode, wherein at least one end of said micromechanical leaf spring is connected to said column electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein said micromechanical leaf spring also forms said conductive bridge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display device according to claim 18, wherein said portion of said associated picture electrode below said micromechanical leaf spring is provided on said row electrode, and wherein an insulating layer electrically insulates said associated picture electrode from said row electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in series.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in parallel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said supporting plates and said electrodes provided thereon are transparent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein said electro-optical medium is a liquid crystal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrophoretic suspension.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device according to claim 17, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrochromic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
128 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-mechanical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on facing surfaces of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements; a system of column electrodes disposed respectively between said picture electrodes on one of said supporting plates; a system of row electrodes disposed respectively between said picture electrodes on a second of said supporting plates; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
128 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-mechanical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on facing surfaces of said supporting plates to form a system of picture elements; a system of column electrodes disposed respectively between said picture electrodes on one of said supporting plates; a system of row electrodes disposed respectively between said picture electrodes on a second of said supporting plates; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
131 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on one of said supporting plates; a common counter electrode provided on a second of said supporting plates; a system of row electrodes and column electrodes disposed on said one supporting plate, said row electrodes and said column electrodes being interspersed with said picture electrodes, and being electrically isolated from one another; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
131 words
A display device comprising two separated supporting plates; an electro-optical medium disposed between said supporting plates, wherein said electro-optical medium includes one of a liquid crystal, an electrophoretic suspension, or an electrochromic material; a plurality of picture electrodes formed in rows and columns on one of said supporting plates; a common counter electrode provided on a second of said supporting plates; a system of row electrodes and column electrodes disposed on said one supporting plate, said row electrodes and said column electrodes being interspersed with said picture electrodes, and being electrically isolated from one another; and switching means including at least one electrostatically controllable micromechanical leaf spring for providing connection between said picture electrodes and said row electrodes, said micromechanical leaf spring only being a metal free of any insulating layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
A display device according to claim 27, wherein said row electrodes and said column electrodes are electrically isolated from each other at their crossings, wherein said leaf springs have fixed ends at said one supporting plate, and wherein each of said leaf springs extends over one of said row electrodes, a portion of one of said column electrodes, and a portion of an associated picture electrode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
A display device according to one of claims 26, 27 or 28, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in series.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
A display device according to one of claims 26, 27 or 28, wherein each of said switching means is formed by at least two of said micromechanical leaf springs, said two micromechanical leaf springs being connected in parallel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A display device according to one of claims 26, 42 or 43, wherein at least one of said supporting plates and said electrodes provided thereon are transparent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display device according to one of claims 26, 27 or 28, wherein said electro-optical medium is a liquid crystal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display device according to one of claims 26, 27 or 28, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrophoretic suspension.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display device according to one of claims 26, 27 or 28, wherein said electro-optical medium is an electrochromic material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A display device according to claim 16, or claim 10, or claim 17, or claim 26, or claim 27, wherein said metal of said micromechanical leaf spring is nickel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-20 | 1991-01-19 | 1991-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-20 | 1995-01-19 | 1995-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-20 | 1999-01-19 | 1999-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |