US5056894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching unit for a display device and display device including such a switching unit
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1990-02-13
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2010-02-13
Abstract
Abstract An a:Si diode (7) for use in LCDs is located between two metal contacts (10, 15) which extend throughout the diode surface. This reduces the detrimental effect due to the light sensitivity of (amorphous) silicon. A MIM element (8) parallel to the diode (7) is obtained by having the metal contacts project further and by providing a thin layer of insulating material (13, 19) between these contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Karel E. Kuijk
- 👤 Frederikus R. J. Huisman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:40
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/1365; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H10; H10D; H10D86/00; G02F1/13624
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A display device provided with a supporting plate and including at least one switching unit which comprises a non-linear asymmetric switching element in a thin layer of semiconductor material and has a lower contact and an upper contact, characterized in that, at least the material of one of the contacts is opaque to light and extends throughout the surface of the semiconductor material, in that the other contact is made of a light-transparent material, and further characterized in that an intermediate layer of insulating material together with the materials of the lower contact and the upper contact constitute a non-linear resistance element or MIM element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A display device provided with a supporting plate and including at least one switching unit which comprises a non-linear asymmetric switching element in a thin layer of semiconductor material and has a lower contact and an upper contact, characterized in that, at least the material of one of the contacts is opaque to light and extends throughout the surface of the semiconductor material, in that the other contact is made of a light-transparent material, and further characterized in that an intermediate layer of insulating material together with the materials of the lower contact and the upper contact constitute a non-linear resistance element or MIM element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the semiconductor material is amorphous silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the light-transparent material is indium tin oxide, zinc oxide or tin oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the layer of insulating material is at most 200 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the insulating material comprises silicon nitride, silicon oxide, oxynitride or polyimide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the semiconductor material is provided in an opening in a layer of insulating material covering the material of the lower contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the layer of insulating material comprises a metal oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that one of the materials of the contacts constitutes a Schottky barrier with the semiconductor material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, comprising an electro-optical display medium between two supporting plates, a system of pixels arranged in rows and columns, with each pixel being constituted by picture electrodes arranged on the facing surfaces of the supporting plate and a system of row and column electrodes, characterized in that for each pixel a switching unit is arranged between a picture electrode and a row or column electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A display device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the display medium is liquid crystal material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the layer of insulating material is at most 200 nm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the thickness of the layer of insulating material is at most 200 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the insulating material comprises silicon nitride, silicon oxide, oxynitride or polyimide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the semiconductor material is provided in an opening in a layer of insulating material covering the material of the lower contact.
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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) | 1994-10-14 | 1995-04-15 | 1995-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-14 | 1999-04-15 | 1999-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-14 | 2003-04-15 | 2003-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |