JP2001526444A - Display device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: Electroluminescent displays form a thin conductor strip over the area where the phosphor is formed. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a dielectric carrier that holds a first conductor bus including a first conductor and a second conductor bus including a second conductor. The first and second conductors are disposed in close proximity to each other, and a phosphor-based carrier is disposed therebetween. When a voltage is applied to the first and second conductors, an electric field is generated, and It is configured to generate light from the body. A dielectric layer is formed between the conductors, and the brightness of the light is enhanced by the dielectric layer. An electroluminescent display can be incorporated as part of a monitor or liquid crystal device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to US patent application Ser. No. 08/8, filed May 1, 1997.
47,197 are continuation-in-part applications. The invention relates to an electronically controlled display device that can be manufactured as a component with a functional structure. More particularly, the invention relates to electronic display devices, including electroluminescent displays, that can be manufactured as components having other functional structures.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Displays are implemented using a variety of technologies to be used in a wide variety of applications. Its technical fields range from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to various field emission display technologies, light emitting diode technologies and the like. The uses and applications of displays are almost endless. For example, some display devices, such as alphanumeric displays and computer-type display screens whose primary purpose is to display information; It will be clear if one considers other display devices that play an important role. For many of these applications, the size and manufacturability of the display device is a primary concern.

[0003] As an example, electroluminescent is one of the popular display technologies that has been used in terms of size restrictions. Common uses of electroluminescent are backlighting and screen display, especially in laptop and notebook computers. Electroluminescent technology has heretofore been realized using a fluorescent material sandwiched between two conductive layers. One of the plurality of conductive layers is typically a transparent material, such as Mylar, and is coated with a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide.
When a high voltage of alternating polarity is applied to each conductive layer, an electric field is created that excites the phosphor.

[0004] Manufacturing devices that use displays of this type is complex and cumbersome. In a typical application design, at least three layers of electroluminescent display structures are arranged to cooperate with another circuit in the vicinity. The nearby circuitry is positioned so as not to block the electroluminescent light, and the electroluminescent display structure is positioned so as not to impair the function of the nearby circuitry. In many applications, especially where significant light needs to be generated in a compact space, such a coordinated arrangement cannot be made. Thus, many applications require displays that can be implemented in small areas while at the same time avoiding the losses described above.

[0005]

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an electroluminescent display device. The display device includes first and second conductive buses adjacent to an electroluminescent medium on a dielectric carrier. The first and second conductive buses each have at least one first conductor and at least one second conductor. These conductors are located in close proximity to each other and they are protected and held by a dielectric carrier. The electroluminescent medium is placed near the first and second conductors such that an electric field is formed by a voltage applied between the first and second conductors to generate light. In more specific embodiments, the media are each based on a phosphor and a polymer.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of manufacturing the above-described electroluminescent display device. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating an electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier. The method includes the following steps. A first conductive bus having at least one first conductor;
Forming a second conductive bus having one second conductor, wherein the second conductor is positioned immediately adjacent the at least one first conductor, and the conductors are disposed on a dielectric carrier; Forming at least one area between them, and placing a phosphor-based carrier in the at least one area between the first and second conductors, The first and second conductors are
It is arranged to excite the phosphor and generate light therefrom.

[0007] Another aspect of the invention is to form an insulating material such as a DuPont 7153-type dielectric composite (mixture) on a patterned conductive bus, or alternately. The use of another similar material to increase the capacitance between conductors is directed to improving the brightness or improving the method of the device described above. It has been discovered that such improvements increase brightness. In one application, the use of a thin layer of such an insulating material directly over the entire patterned conductive area doubled the brightness. Other dielectric composites, such as other materials of this type, can be used as well.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electroluminescent display device is made on a mirror having a metallized surface. The metallized surface includes a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor and at least one first bus.
Is selectively etched to define a second conductive bus having at least one second conductor disposed in close proximity to the second conductor. An electric field is formed by a voltage applied between the first and second conductors to generate light through the phosphor,
A carrier based on the phosphor, including the phosphor, is placed therein near the first and second conductors. The mirror can form part of a liquid crystal device.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a mirror having a metallized surface. The metallized surface is selectively etched, so that a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor and at least one first conductor disposed in close proximity to the at least one first conductor. A second conductive bus having two second conductors is defined, and at least one area is formed between at least one first conductor and at least one second conductor. A carrier mainly containing a phosphor including a phosphor carrier is provided in at least one area. The first and second conductors are arranged to excite the phosphor and generate light from the phosphor in response to the applied voltage. The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment, ie, every implementation of the present invention. These examples are described in more detail in the figures and detailed description that follow. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is considered beneficial for applications that require a display device that can be implemented in a relatively small area, or for various applications that can exert an effect with the device. The best understanding of the present invention is best made through the description of specific example applications, including electroluminescent display devices constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these.

One important aspect of the present invention, as shown, for example, in an exaggerated perspective view of the display structure 10 of FIG. 1, is directed to the implementation of a device that includes an electroluminescent display. The display structures 10 each have a first
And the second display runners or conductors 16, 18 and the first and second conductive buses 12, 14. By placing the conductors 16 and 18 close to each other and by placing a phosphor-based carrier 20 between the two conductors 16 and 18, the conventional electroluminescent inverter circuit 24
Two buses 1 to form an electric field and generate light via the phosphor in the carrier
2, 14 can be connected face to face. In the specific example shown,
The display produces light along the line between conductors 16,18. "Bus" may be drawn like a wide part of the conductor extending from the inverter terminal,
It may simply be arranged as an indistinguishable continuous part of the conductor extending therefrom.

By extending the phosphor-based carrier 20 to fit between the other conductors and between the bus conductors 12, 14, a non-linear or different size display can be realized. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG.
Are replaced and supplemented by a plurality of first conductors 16A through 16K and a plurality of second conductors 18A through 18K, respectively.
The first conductors of 16A to 16K are alternately arranged with the second conductors of 18A to 18K, and one area adjacent to a pair of opposed conductors (for example, 16A and 18A) is activated by the phosphor. Although there are areas, many such areas (11 in the illustrated example) are created. FIG. 2B provides another example configuration where the width of the bus conductors 12, 14 has been increased to increase the current carrying capacity of the bus, and the conductors are generally represented at 16, 18. As such, they are arranged in a zigzag pattern for alternating but artistic and special display applications. Other shapes, including but not limited to curvilinear non-linear shapes, may also be configured as supplements to or alternative to the conductor configurations described above.

In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, FIG. 2C illustrates a configuration in which conductors 16, 18 are saw-toothed to form an energy-generating chip.
As the polarity of the energy between the opposing conductors changes, the changes in the electric field at the opposing chips are concentrated, thus increasing the brightness. To increase the illumination generated in the area where the phosphors are activated, determined by the opposing conductors,
Increase the frequency of the chip per unit length.

In accordance with yet another important aspect of the present invention, FIG. 2D illustrates a finger-like conductor 17 and a graphically opposite-polarity conductor 19 separated by a dielectric 21 such as a thin sheet of Mylar. Is shown. The conductor 17 is covered with a layer of a material whose main component is a phosphor (or alternatively, covers the layer of material).
The conductor 17 may include a bus portion 17a where a finger extends, and
9 includes separate fingers 17b-17g. As the polarity of the energy between the conductors 17 and 19 changes, the changing electric field at the opposing ends illuminates the shape of the conductor 19 in the shape of the transparent dielectric 21 supporting the conductor 17. 2A and 2B
And 2C, a material based on conductors 17, 19 and phosphor may be formed.

In an embodiment similar to the approach of FIG. 2D, the graphical conductor 19 is formed as a separate conductor, which is otherwise configured to carry the opposite charge. Each of the separated conductors is illuminated by a programmed microprocessor and control circuitry such as a selectable encoder (or functional equivalent to an ASIC) to illuminate predetermined portions of the desired graphic display. , The opposite charge is delivered.

As another advantage, the embodiments disclosed above allow a display to be relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture on any of a variety of dielectric carriers 22, and optionally It can be manufactured as an integral part of other functional devices. For example, referring to FIG. 3, a battery powered remote controller 28 includes as essential components an electronic display 30 as described above and a conventional switch circuit. The electronic display 30 is printed on the control access side of a printed circuit board (PCB) 32. The PCB 32 includes conventional components (not shown in FIG. 3) including the conductors connecting the circuits, the signal transmitter and the control circuitry. The switch circuit includes a push button 34 connected to a conductor on the opposite side of the PCB 32, and wire terminal contacts 36 on the PCB adjacent to the electronic display 30. Press button 3
4 includes at least a transparent portion for transmitting light generated by the electronic display. The electroluminescent inverter is optionally located as a component of the control circuit provided by the PCB 32.

A battery circuit 24a is used to selectively or on demand apply a voltage to the electroluminescent inverter section (24b in FIG. 4). For example, upon activating any of the push buttons on the remote controller, a switch in the control circuit will power on the electroluminescent inverter and maintain that power for a preset amount of time before the user can identify the key. I do. In this mode,
The control circuitry includes conventional firmware, or debounce circuitry implemented in hardware, which can be triggered by the user inadvertently pressing the same switch or pressing multiple switches at approximately the same time. It is possible to prevent the switch from being erroneously recognized.

FIG. 4 shows a key device 48 of a battery operated remote controller with essential components, including electronic displays 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d for backlighting the relevant switch circuits. The contacts of the wire terminals of these switch circuits are indicated at 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d in the figure. Each of the electronic displays 51a, 51b, 51c and 51d is an integrated circuit (chip)
And is set, for example, as shown above in connection with FIGS. 2A, 2B or 2C.

The battery circuit 24 a for this implementation can be used in response to starting of the mechanical conductor. For example, rotation of the metal portion 66 of the key device 48 shorts the pair of terminals 70, and then states that the electroluminescent inverter 24b needs to be energized for a preset time.
It can be used to inform the control circuit 60. Instead, the user can depress the conductive struts 74, which can slide with appropriate friction, to provide the same input as rotating the keys of the control circuit 60. As yet another alternative, or in addition, pressing any of the pushbuttons of the switch circuit, as described above in connection with FIG. 3, requires applying a voltage for a set period of time. Can be notified to the control circuit.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of another remote controller having a plurality of hinged, parallel arranged pushbuttons 84, which is part of an entirely molded plastic device 80. . The remote controller of FIG. 5 is similar to the device of FIG. 4 in display and switch structure, and general electrical operation. However,
The remote controller of FIG. 5 includes an electroluminescent display 86 that is remotely controlled from a control circuit (not shown in FIG. 5) having a driver that supplies energy to buses 87 and 88. These buses 87, 88 are printed as conductive elongated lines along the two arms 89, 90 of the molded plastic device 80. The two arms 89, 90 further comprise buses 91, 92 connecting to a terminal end 94, which is a conventional switch circuit. In addition to carrying the bus (or conductor) to the terminal 96 of the control circuit, the two arms 89, 90 are not shown, which are switches for shorting the terminal end 94 to inform the control circuit of this. It serves as a hinge to engage the conductive portion and allow the switch end of the molded plastic device 80 to move freely. The electroluminescent display 86 is activated as described above in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, or depending on other conditions depending on the application. For example, when used as a control panel for a driver in an automotive application, the backlight illumination for the press button of the molded plastic device 80 can be achieved by opening a vehicle door, inserting a key into an ignition slot, and / or It can be driven according to the start of the engine.

In each of the above remote controllers, the control circuitry is formed in a form that is best suited for the application. Some more sophisticated applications may require a microprocessor or a program based control circuit such as an ASIC (application specific IC). For other applications, the control circuit can be implemented using conventional discrete analog and / or digital logic, such as an OR circuit wired with pull-up resistors and diodes. For the implementation of the above arrangement when a transmitter is used, the type of transmitter will be further selected and designed to meet the needs of the particular application. Furthermore, the inverter depends on the application. Many inverter manufacturers include Motorola and NEC.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, an electroluminescent display is manufactured by forming display conductors for the first time, where possible, in addition to switch conductors and buses. This may be achieved, for example, by a screen having conductors printed thereon, or by etching away a previously applied conductive layer from the surface of the dielectric. The dielectric surface is not limited to the protective housing of the IC, mylar, paper, or virtually any type of plastic, but includes any of a number of different types having essentially non-conductive surfaces. May be. A carrier mainly composed of a phosphor is provided on the conductor so as to cover an area or a plurality of areas between the first and second conductors for transmitting a drive signal from the electroluminescent inverter. Alternatively, the phosphor-based carrier can be placed first, followed by conductor formation.

For example, plastic components used as external housings to support the structures of FIGS. 3-5 are manufactured using conventional techniques. One such technique uses any required graphics on the exposed side of a piece of Mylar, places a conductor on the back of the Mylar to protect it, as described above, Form a mylar to fit, cut and discard unused parts of the mylar,
Put the rest of the mylar into the mold and inject plastic into the mold and into the back of the mylar.

Another aspect of the present invention is to apply an insulating material, such as a DuPont 7153-type dielectric composite, on the patterned conductive bus, as described above, or alternatively. To improve the brightness of the device or to improve the method by using another material to increase the capacitance between the conductors arranged in the device. It has been found that such use can increase the brightness. In certain applications, brightness is doubled by using a thin layer of Dupont 7153-type insulating material directly over the entire patterned conductive area. Was.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, an electroluminescent display is incorporated in the mirror 300 as shown in FIG. Mirror 300 has a metallized surface 302 on which patterned conductive traces are created using a laser to etch surface 302. Surface 30
An etch of 2 removes selected portions of the metal coating, thereby creating an insulating area. The unetched portions of the metallized surface 302 form conductive traces, such as bus conductors 306 and 308. A phosphor-based carrier 304 is provided between the bus conductors 306, 308 and / or
Affixed on metallized surface 302 between other conductors. Dupont 715
A dielectric coating, such as a three-type dielectric composite, is optionally applied to the metallized surface 302 before the phosphor-based carrier 304 is applied. In some applications, it is desirable to use dielectric composites with different properties such as dielectric strength and / or permittivity. The desired dielectric strength depends, for example, on the distance between the conductors and on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the conductors.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of first conductors 310a-310f and a plurality of second conductors 312a-312f are alternately arranged to create an area where phosphors are activated. You. One such area is, for example, conductors 310a and 31
Near a pair of conductors facing each other as in 2a. If an electric field is created between such a pair of opposed conductors, the correspondingly activated areas of the phosphor emit light. This emitted light is visible through the front of the mirror 300 (not shown). Although not limited to curves and non-linear patterns, including but not limited to the patterns illustrated in FIG.
Can be created on. For example, if indicators, warnings, or other types of displays are integrated into the mirror 300, a particularly useful pattern can be created. Alternatively, the shape of the light may be designed by selectively distributing the phosphors such that only selected areas of the conductor emit light. Doing so is useful in many applications, for example, large structures containing traces are available for phosphor processing.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, to provide an integrated backlight,
One lamp can be incorporated as part of a liquid crystal display (LCD). This is an LCD transflector for making two buses or conductors with ITO (indium tin oxide) etched directly on the back of the LCD.
This can be realized by incorporating the lamp on the reflector. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the conductive bus can be formed using a non-metallic material such as indium tin oxide. This aspect of the invention is applicable to each of the various embodiments disclosed herein. Further, in applications where it is desired to be totally transparent, using transparent ITO is effective in this regard.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electroluminescent display is incorporated into a conventional electroluminescent polymer, which is implemented using a [supplied by the inventor] scheme and is based in Santa, California. Available from Unix, Barbara. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments illustrated herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Such modifications and variations do not depart from the true scope and spirit of the invention, which is set forth by the following claims. While the invention is capable of various modifications and alternative forms, its specification will be shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exaggerated perspective view of an electroluminescent display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C respectively show plan views of three different conductor layouts for exciting phosphors in an electroluminescent display device, and D shows an electroluminescent display device. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another conductor layout for exciting the phosphors in the drawings, each layout being in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 uses an electroluminescent display consistent with the illustration of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a backlight remote controller according to particular applications and embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an electroluminescent display arranged as a combination key and part of an integrated circuit, according to particular applications and embodiments of the present invention.

5 uses an electroluminescent display consistent with the illustration of FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 illustrates a backlight button configured as part of a set of buttons, according to particular applications and embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an electroluminescent display arranged as part of a mirror, according to particular applications and embodiments of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG , KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventor Walsh, David 54022, Wisconsin, USA Falls Rivers, Townsbury Road 324 F-term (reference) 2H091 FA44Z LA16 3K007 AB18 CA06 CB01 DA05 FA01

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. An electroluminescent display device, comprising: a dielectric carrier; a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor; and disposed in close proximity to said at least one first conductor. A second with at least one second conductor
A first and a second conductive bus, wherein the first and second conductors are protected and supported by a dielectric carrier, and disposed in proximity to the first and second conductors. An electroluminescent medium, wherein an electric field is formed by a voltage applied between the first and second conductors, thereby generating light through the electroluminescent medium. An electroluminescent display device comprising: 2. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor is one of a plurality of conductors connected to the first conductive bus, and further arranged between these conductors. An electroluminescent display device comprising a dielectric layer. 3. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 2, wherein the second conductor is one of a plurality of conductors connected to the second conductive bus and connected to the first conductive bus. And a plurality of conductors connected to the second conductive bus alternately form an area that produces a plurality of lights, each area being defined by the first and second conductors. An electroluminescent display device, being arranged. 4. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein excess conductive material is removed from the previously applied conductive layer, screen printing of the conductive medium, and selective sputtering of the conductive medium. Wherein the two-dimensional surface of the first and second conductors is covered by at least one of the following. 5. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional surfaces of the first and second conductors are covered by a single construction method called screen printing. -Display device. 6. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric carrier is at least one of a metallized surface such as a back of an integrated circuit, paper, mylar, plastic, ceramic, mirror. An electroluminescent display device comprising: 7. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric carrier is formed so as to conform to the contour of the surface. 8. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric carrier comprises a first bus and individual conductors in electrical communication with a circuit other than one of the first and second buses. An electroluminescent display device comprising an extended extension for support. 9. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 8, further comprising a switch circuit arranged for use through at least a partially transparent cover, said switch circuit and individual conductors. An electroluminescent display device, wherein the electronically communicates. 10. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a switch circuit arranged for use through an at least partially transparent cover.・
Display device. 11. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric carrier includes an extended extension for supporting a first bus and a conductor in electrical communication with an external circuit. Features of electroluminescent
Display device. 12. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second conductors is in electrical communication with an external circuit. 13. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 12, wherein one of said first and second conductors is shared. 14. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a substrate supporting a dielectric carrier. 15. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 14, wherein the substrate is a housing for an integrated circuit. 16. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 15, wherein the integrated circuit includes an electrically coupled electroluminescent display driver for driving an electroluminescent medium. Luminescent display device. 17. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 16, wherein the electroluminescent display driver is driven according to a diagnosis condition of the integrated circuit. 18. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent medium is silk-screen printed on the first and second conductors. 19. The electroluminescent display device of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent medium is formed on the first and second conductors using a thin flexible phosphor-based medium. An electroluminescent display device, characterized in that: 20. A method for manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier, comprising: a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor on the dielectric carrier;
And at least one second conductor disposed near the at least one first conductor.
Forming a second conductive bus having at least one conductor therein, and forming at least one area therein; and providing a carrier based on a phosphor in the at least one area between the first and second conductors. Installing the first and second conductors so as to generate light from the phosphor by exciting the phosphor, and providing a dielectric at a position between the conductors. Manufacturing method. 21. The method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier according to claim 20, wherein the step of forming a first conductive bus further comprises a plurality of first conductive buses arranged in a pattern. Forming a conductor. 22. The method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier according to claim 20, wherein forming the first and second conductive buses further comprises a plurality of first conductors. Forming a plurality of second conductors, wherein the first and second conductors are interleaved with each other to form additional areas, and a phosphor-based carrier is located in each of the areas. A manufacturing method characterized by being performed. 23. The method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier according to claim 20, wherein forming the first and second conductors comprises screen printing. Method. 24. The method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a dielectric carrier according to claim 20, wherein the step of forming the first and second conductors comprises disposing a conductive material from a pre-coated conductor. A method of manufacturing, comprising the step of removing. 25. An electroluminescent display device, comprising: a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor; and at least one second conductor disposed in close proximity to said at least one first conductor. A mirror having a metallized surface that is selectively etched to define a second conductive bus having a first conductor, and a phosphor-based carrier therein; And an electric field formed by a voltage applied between the second conductor and the first conductor so that light is generated through the phosphor.
And a carrier placed near the second conductor. 26. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 25, wherein the device further comprises a dielectric layer disposed between the conductors. 27. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 25, wherein the mirror forms part of a liquid crystal display device. 28. An electroluminescent display device, comprising: a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor; and at least one second conductor disposed in close proximity to said at least one first conductor. 2nd conductor with
A liquid crystal display device including a mirror having a metallized surface that is selectively etched to define the shape of the conductive bus of claim 1; An electric field is formed by a voltage applied between the second conductors, and a carrier is placed near the first and second conductors such that light is generated through the phosphor. Electroluminescent display device. 29. A method for manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a mirror having a metallized surface, the method comprising: a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor; A second conductor having at least one second conductor disposed in close proximity to the first conductors
Selectively etching to define the shape of the conductive bus and to form at least one area between at least one first conductor and one second conductor; and Placing the carrier as a main component in at least one area, wherein the first and second conductors excite the phosphor and generate light from the phosphor in response to an applied voltage. A manufacturing method, comprising: 30. The method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a mirror according to claim 29, further comprising the step of providing a dielectric at some location between the conductors. Method. 31. The method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device on a mirror according to claim 29, further comprising using a laser to selectively etch the metallized surface. A manufacturing method characterized in that: 32. An electroluminescent display device, comprising: a dielectric carrier; a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor; and being in close proximity to said at least one first conductor. A second with at least one second conductor
A conductive bus having first and second conductors protected and supported by a dielectric carrier; and a first and a second bus for generating light via the electroluminescent phosphor. An electroluminescent display device comprising: a medium based on an electroluminescent phosphor positioned near the first and second conductors such that an electric field is formed by a voltage applied between the two conductors. 33. An electroluminescent display device, comprising: a dielectric carrier; a first conductive bus having at least one first conductor; and being in close proximity to said at least one first conductor. A second with at least one second conductor
An electrical field formed by a conductive bus having first and second conductors protected and supported by a dielectric carrier, and a voltage applied between the first and second conductors. An electroluminescent display device comprising: an electroluminescent polymer medium positioned proximate the first and second conductors. 34. A method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device, comprising: providing a panel having a transparent graphic portion; and providing a conductive material in the electroluminescent medium for generating light passing through the graphic portion. Forming an electroluminescent display device on the panel with traces, and molding a plastic sufficiently flexible to create a surface contour on the panel. Manufacturing method.