US5043716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic display with lens matrix
Assignee: ADAPTIVE MICRO SYSTEMS HOLDINGS Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-14
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Granted: 1991-08-27
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Expires: 2008-07-14
Abstract
Abstract An electronic display includes a matrix of LEDs mounted to a circuit board and selectively operated to produce a message or image. A reflector matrix mounts to the circuit board and provides light pipes which extend forward from each LED to direct its light and provide protection. Potting compound is disposed in each light pipe and extends beyond the reflector matrix to provide a convex lens. In one embodiment the potting compound extends into a convex lens cover.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Latz
- 👤 Thomas J. Mandler
- 👤 Jason C. S. Lai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:36
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0056; G02B3/0012; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/33; H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/85; H10H20/855; H10H20/882; H10W; H10W90/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An electronic display which comprises: a printed circuit board having a plurality of light emitting devices mounted to its front surface and arranged in a pattern; a reflector matrix disposed over the front surface of the printed circuit board and having a plurality of openings formed therethrough which are aligned with the light emitting devices in said pattern to provide a light pipe which extends forward from each light emitting device; a lens cover disposed over the front surface of the reflector matrix and having a plurality of lenses which are aligned with the light pipes in said pattern to provide a convex lens portion over the forward end of each light pipe, said convex lens portion having a concave back portion; and a petting compound disposed in each light pipe, the potting compound filling each light pipe and extending beyond the reflector matrix to fill the concave back portion of the lens cover, the potting compound being the sole material occupying the light pipe except for any material covering said light emitting devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An electronic display which comprises: a printed circuit board having a plurality of light emitting devices mounted to its front surface and arranged in a pattern; a reflector matrix disposed over the front surface of the printed circuit board and having a plurality of openings formed therethrough which are aligned with the light emitting devices in said pattern to provide a light pipe which extends forward from each light emitting device; a lens cover disposed over the front surface of the reflector matrix and having a plurality of lenses which are aligned with the light pipes in said pattern to provide a convex lens portion over the forward end of each light pipe, said convex lens portion having a concave back portion; and a petting compound disposed in each light pipe, the potting compound filling each light pipe and extending beyond the reflector matrix to fill the concave back portion of the lens cover, the potting compound being the sole material occupying the light pipe except for any material covering said light emitting devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 1 in which the light emitting devices are light emitting diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 1 in which the potting compound is an epoxy compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 3 in which the potting compound contains a light diffusing material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 2 in which a transparent protective material is disposed dover each light emitting diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic display as received in claim 5 in which the protective material is a urethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 1 in which the potting compound and the lens cover have substantially the same index of refraction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 5 wherein said light emitting diode is covered with a solidified material having a convex configuration and having substantially the same index of refraction as said potting compound and said lens cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electronic display which comprises: a printed circuit board having a plurality of light emitting devices mounted to its front surface and arranged in a pattern; a reflector matrix disposed over the front surface of the printed circuit board and having a plurality of openings formed therethrough which are aligned with the light emitting devices in said pattern to provide a light pipe which extends forward from each light emitting device; and a lens material disposed over the front surface of the reflector matrix, said lens material composed of a potting compound disposed in each light pipe, the potting compound filling each light pipe and extending beyond the reflector matrix to provide a convex lens portion extending from said reflector matrix, the potting compound being the sole material occupying the light pipe except for any material covering said light emitting devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electronic display which comprises: a printed circuit board having a plurality of light emitting devices mounted to its front surface and arranged in a pattern; a reflector matrix disposed over the front surface of the printed circuit board and having a plurality of openings formed therethrough which are aligned with the light emitting devices in said pattern to provide a light pipe which extends forward from each light emitting device; and a lens material disposed over the front surface of the reflector matrix, said lens material composed of a potting compound disposed in each light pipe, the potting compound filling each light pipe and extending beyond the reflector matrix to provide a convex lens portion extending from said reflector matrix, the potting compound being the sole material occupying the light pipe except for any material covering said light emitting devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 9 wherein aid potting compound is an epoxy compound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 9 wherein said light emitting devices are covered with a solidified lateral having a convex configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic display as recited in claim 10 wherein said epoxy compound contains a diffusant material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |