US5459480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Architecture for isolating display grid sections in a field emission display
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-16
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2014-09-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention teaches a field emission display ("FED") architecture for isolating display grids, wherein an FED has a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprise at least two field emitter tips for displaying information to the pixel and a pixelator for driving the field emitter tips. Further, an isolated display grid is incorporated for each of the field emitter tips. Each display grid is coupled by a link to a bus having a predetermined voltage. In one embodiment of the present invention, the link can be disintegrated by internal or external means. In a second embodiment, the FED comprises a first and second bus, each bus having a predetermined voltage, whereby a first isolated display grid is coupled to the first bus by a first link and a second isolated display grids is coupled to the second bus by a second link.
Inventors
- 👤 Jim J. Browning
- 👤 John K. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:52
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/006; G09G3/20; G09G3/22; H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/10; H01J31/12; H01J31/123; H01J31/125; H01J31/127; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/66; H04N5/70; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/08; G09G2300/0809; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2014; H04N17/00; H04N17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A field emission display having a first plurality of pixels, a pixel of the first plurality comprising: a. a second plurality of field emitter tips for displaying information in said pixel; b. a pixelator for driving said second plurality; c. a bus; and d. a display grid section for controlling display by a field emitter tip of the second plurality, said display grid section being coupled to said bus by a removable link.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A field emission display having a first plurality of pixels, a pixel of the first plurality comprising: a. a second plurality of field emitter tips for displaying information in said pixel; b. a pixelator for driving said second plurality; c. a bus; and d. a display grid section for controlling display by a field emitter tip of the second plurality, said display grid section being coupled to said bus by a removable link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A field emission display, according to claim 1, wherein said link comprises a fusible region, and removal comprises disintegration by a predetermined level of current through the link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A field emission display, according to claim 1, wherein said link comprises a region sensitive to radiant energy, and removal comprises exposing the region to radiant energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a field emitter display comprising a first plurality of pixels, a pixel of the first plurality comprising: a second plurality of field emitter tips for displaying information in said pixel; a pixelator for driving said second plurality; a bus; and a display grid section for controlling display by a field emitter tip of the second plurality, said display grid section being coupled to said bus by a removable link; a method for decoupling field emitter tips comprising the steps of: testing a tip of said second plurality, said testing comprising generating a signal that identifies a tip of said second plurality to be decoupled; and decoupling said identified tip from said bus by removing said link in response to said signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a field emitter display comprising a first plurality of pixels, a pixel of the first plurality comprising: a second plurality of field emitter tips for displaying information in said pixel; a pixelator for driving said second plurality; a bus; and a display grid section for controlling display by a field emitter tip of the second plurality, said display grid section being coupled to said bus by a removable link; a method for decoupling field emitter tips comprising the steps of: testing a tip of said second plurality, said testing comprising generating a signal that identifies a tip of said second plurality to be decoupled; and decoupling said identified tip from said bus by removing said link in response to said signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, according to claim 4, wherein said testing further comprises the step of: sensing infrared energy from a tip of said second plurality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, according to claim 4, wherein said testing further comprises the step of: sensing a current between a tip of said second plurality and said display grid section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, according to claim 6, wherein said current is substantially within the range of 100 nA and 10 μA.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, according to claim 4, wherein said decoupling comprises the step of: exposing said link to external energy substantially in the range of 0.1 μWatt and 10 mWatt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method, according to claim 8, wherein said external energy is generated by a laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method, according to claim 4, wherein said decoupling comprises the step of: exposing said link to an acid etch solution, said acid etch solution comprising at least one acid of the group consisting of H 2 SO 4 , H 2 SO 4 diluted with H 2 O 2 , and H 2 PO 4 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A field emitter display for information display by field emission in response to a first power signal and a second power signal, the field emitter display comprising: a. a first bus for conveying the first power signal; b. a second bus for conveying the second power signal; c. a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising: (1) a pixelator for supplying current for field emission; (2) a first tip and a second tip, each coupled to the pixelator; (3) a first grid section coupled to the first bus so that field emission by the first tip is enabled responsive to the first power signal; (4) a second grid section for enabling field emission from the second tip; and (5) first means for coupling the second grid section to the second bus so that field emission by the second tip is enabled responsive to the second power signal, and for permanently decoupling the second grid section from the second bus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
A field emitter display for information display by field emission in response to a first power signal and a second power signal, the field emitter display comprising: a. a first bus for conveying the first power signal; b. a second bus for conveying the second power signal; c. a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising: (1) a pixelator for supplying current for field emission; (2) a first tip and a second tip, each coupled to the pixelator; (3) a first grid section coupled to the first bus so that field emission by the first tip is enabled responsive to the first power signal; (4) a second grid section for enabling field emission from the second tip; and (5) first means for coupling the second grid section to the second bus so that field emission by the second tip is enabled responsive to the second power signal, and for permanently decoupling the second grid section from the second bus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The field emitter display of claim 11 wherein the first emitter tip and the second emitter tip are located between the first bus and the second bus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The field emitter display of claim 11 wherein the first means comprises a removable link.
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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) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |