US5469020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible large screen display having multiple light emitting elements sandwiched between crossed electrodes
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1994-03-14
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Granted: 1995-11-21
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Expires: 2014-03-14
Abstract
Abstract Active light-emitting components are integrated into a thin flexible plastic-wrap like film to provide an exceptionally large continuous display in which the film contains densely distributed light emitting elements addressed by a grid of transparent conductors. Inexpensive bulk processing techniques are used to produce plastic wrap with embedded components completely through the film to permit activation via a row column matrix. This topological layout provides mass redundancy of components, spatial decorrelation of component yields, and dramatic reduction in registration problems of metallic interconnects. The subject panel is especially well adapted to inexpensive flat panel TV screens or exceptionally large flat panel displays whose geometry is not limited to flat surfaces, but may take on curved or cylindrical configurations. The active element flexible film design can be used for electroluminescent tape for automotive pin striping and signage; for flexible glue-on displays and for video displays such as workstations, HDTV, theater screens and billboards.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradley R. Herrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:13
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/81; H10H20/819; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/1365; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/301; G09F9/37; G09F9/372; H10H20/822; H10H20/826; H10H20/8264; H10W; H10W90/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An extended film display, comprising a flexible film having two opposing sides; a pair of crossed electrodes, one on each different ones of said opposing sides of said film; a number of light-emitting elements dispersed in said film, said elements extending from one side of said film to the other, said elements being sandwiched between a crossover between said crossed electrodes and being sufficiently small to permit numbers of said elements to exist at said crossover, whereby activation of said electrodes at said crossover activates numbers of said elements therebetween; and means including said crossed electrodes for selectively activating said elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An extended film display, comprising a flexible film having two opposing sides; a pair of crossed electrodes, one on each different ones of said opposing sides of said film; a number of light-emitting elements dispersed in said film, said elements extending from one side of said film to the other, said elements being sandwiched between a crossover between said crossed electrodes and being sufficiently small to permit numbers of said elements to exist at said crossover, whereby activation of said electrodes at said crossover activates numbers of said elements therebetween; and means including said crossed electrodes for selectively activating said elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements each have at least one p/n junction and wherein said elements have their associated p/n junctions aligned in the plane of said film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display of claim 2, wherein said elements are oriented by embedding said elements in said film when said film is soft and by subjecting said elements in said soft film to an electrostatic field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are spherical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are micron-sized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are microporous silicon elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The display of claim 6, wherein said microporous silicon elements are spherical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said means for selectively activating said elements include crossed electrodes, said electrodes having widths at least twice the mean diameter of said elements, whereby more than one element resides at an intersection of said crossed electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are made by gas atomization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are microballoons made by chemical action and accretion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are made by dicing doped semiconductor wafers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are made by subjecting a fluid fed to a gas stream to accrete spheres.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are made by subjecting a boule of semiconductor material to a dc arc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are made by ablating semiconductor material with a laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display of claim 1, wherein said elements are spherical silicon and wherein said spherical silicon spheres are made to emit light through microetching at least a portion of the surface thereof to produce micropores.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display of claim 15, wherein said microetching is accomplished through the use of hydroflouric acid.
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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) | 1998-11-20 | 1999-05-22 | 1999-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-20 | 2003-05-22 | 2003-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-05-22 | 2007-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |