US5227696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power saver circuit for TFEL edge emitter device
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1992-04-28
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2012-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An improved power saving drive circuit is provided for a multiplexed thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) array having a number of edge emitter devices. The drive circuit includes a charge circuit and a discharge circuit operatively connected to a load capacitance. Although the charge and discharge circuits may contain common elements, the discharge circuit usually has fewer windings than the charge circuit. A voltage regulator is provided to maintain the voltage on the load capacitor during the interval between charging and discharging thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Juris A. Asars
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/22; G09G3/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A power saving drive circuit for a multiplexed thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) array having a plurality of TFEL edge emitter devices, each device having a plurality of pixels, each pixel of each device having a first terminal and sharing a common second terminal with the other pixels of that device comprising: a. charge means to enable to pixel on a selected device to charge to an operating voltage; b. load capacitance means to store said operating voltage; c. discharge means to enable said load capacitance means to discharge its stored voltage; and d. voltage regulating means to maintain said load capacitance means operating voltage between the charging and discharging of said load capacitance means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A power saving drive circuit for a multiplexed thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) array having a plurality of TFEL edge emitter devices, each device having a plurality of pixels, each pixel of each device having a first terminal and sharing a common second terminal with the other pixels of that device comprising: a. charge means to enable to pixel on a selected device to charge to an operating voltage; b. load capacitance means to store said operating voltage; c. discharge means to enable said load capacitance means to discharge its stored voltage; and d. voltage regulating means to maintain said load capacitance means operating voltage between the charging and discharging of said load capacitance means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
A power saving drive circuit for a multiplexed thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) array having a plurality of TFEL edge emitter devices, each device having a plurality of pixels, each pixel of each device having a first terminal and sharing a common second terminal with the other pixels of that device comprising: a. charge means to enable to pixel on a selected device to charge to an operating voltage said charge means comprising a first circuit, connected to an external voltage source, said first circuit comprising a first winding means; b. load capacitance means to store said operating voltage; c. discharge means to enable said load capacitance means to discharge its stored voltage; and d. voltage regulating means to maintain said load capacitance means operating voltage between the charging and discharging of said load capacitance means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
A power saving drive circuit for a multiplexed thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) array having a plurality of TFEL edge emitter devices, each device having a plurality of pixels, each pixel of each device having a first terminal and sharing a common second terminal with the other pixels of that device comprising: a. charge means to enable to pixel on a selected device to charge to an operating voltage said charge means comprising a first circuit, connected to an external voltage source, said first circuit comprising a first winding means; b. load capacitance means to store said operating voltage; c. discharge means to enable said load capacitance means to discharge its stored voltage; and d. voltage regulating means to maintain said load capacitance means operating voltage between the charging and discharging of said load capacitance means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The drive circuit of claim 2 wherein said discharge means comprises a second circuit connected to said external voltage source, said second circuit comprising a second winding means, said second winding means having a different number of windings than said first winding means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The drive circuit of claim 1 wherein said voltage regulating means comprises an external voltage source operatively connected to said load capacitance means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drive circuit of claim 1 wherein said voltage regulating means comprises capacitance means operatively connected to said load capacitance means, said capacitance means being charged by said charge means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drive circuit of claim 1 further comprising charge dumping means operatively connected to said load capacitance means for discharging excess charge stored on said load capacitance means to ground.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of delivering power to a thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) edge emitter device of the type having a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: a. charging a load capacitance means from a source of voltage to an operating voltage, said load capacitance means operatively connected to a selected pixel; b. maintaining said operating voltage charge stored on said load capacitance means; and c. discharging said load capacitance means to return at least a portion of the stored energy to said source of voltage.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of delivering power to a thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) edge emitter device of the type having a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: a. charging a load capacitance means from a source of voltage to an operating voltage, said load capacitance means operatively connected to a selected pixel; b. maintaining said operating voltage charge stored on said load capacitance means; and c. discharging said load capacitance means to return at least a portion of the stored energy to said source of voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said charge stored on said load capacitance means is maintained by a second external voltage source operatively connected to said load capacitance means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said charge stored on said load capacitance means is maintained by a capacitance means operatively connected to said load capacitance means wherein said capacitance means is charged along with said load capacitance means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of discharging any excess charge stored on said load capacitance means to ground.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |