US3914642A - Electrical luminescent display devices - Google Patents

Electrical luminescent display devices Download PDF

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Publication number
US3914642A
US3914642A US361347A US36134773A US3914642A US 3914642 A US3914642 A US 3914642A US 361347 A US361347 A US 361347A US 36134773 A US36134773 A US 36134773A US 3914642 A US3914642 A US 3914642A
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United States
Prior art keywords
grid
electrodes
electrode
dielectric layer
apertures
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Expired - Lifetime
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US361347A
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English (en)
Inventor
William Michael Coderre
Carl Neil Berglund
Philip Robert Tillman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nortel Networks Ltd
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Northern Electric Co Ltd
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Application filed by Northern Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Northern Electric Co Ltd
Priority to US361347A priority Critical patent/US3914642A/en
Publication of USB361347I5 publication Critical patent/USB361347I5/en
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Publication of US3914642A publication Critical patent/US3914642A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B33/00—Electroluminescent light sources
    • H05B33/12—Light sources with substantially two-dimensional radiating surfaces

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An electroluminescent device in which a substrate and a transparent cover form an enclosed chamber in which is an electroluminescent fluid and an electrode structure.
  • the electrode structure comprises a first grid of electrodes and a second grid of electrodes overlying the first grid and separated by an insulating layer. Each electrode of the first grid is connected to a number of electrodes of the second grid.
  • a dielectric layer is placed over the second grid and apertures formed in the layer, the apertures aligned with electrodes of the second grid to form a plurality of patterns. On energization, luminescence occurs at the apertures.
  • the electrodes of the second grid can be very closely spaced and a substantially continuous display or character can be formed.
  • This invention relates to electrical luminescent display devices, particularly of the type in which a plurality of electrodes are selectively energized, the energization resulting in the emission of light to form a predetermined light pattern.
  • NIXIE tubes Various devices exist for forming illuminated displays, for example incandescent filaments, light emitting diodes and gas-discharge tubes such as those referred to as NIXIE tubes.
  • incandescent filaments for example incandescent filaments, light emitting diodes and gas-discharge tubes such as those referred to as NIXIE tubes.
  • gas-discharge tubes such as those referred to as NIXIE tubes.
  • the NIXIE tube produces a fully formed character in its entirety but each character is produced on a different plane. Therefore there is a severe practical limit to the number of characters a tube can produce.
  • Light emitting diodes are generally used in segmental displays, that is the display device has a plurality of segments each individually energized. The characters are positioned on a common plane. It is necessary to provide a logic function to obtain energization of selected segments toproduce a certain desired character as each segment is used for more than one character.
  • Other forms of segmental displays exist, such as plasma gas discharge, incandescent and fluorescent, but again some form of logic function is necessary.
  • segmental displays Another disadvantage of segmental displays is the limitation of the number of characters which can be reproduced with such displays.
  • the number of characters which can be produced depends upon the number of segments, which is limited by practical considerations. Further, the larger the number of segments, the more complex the logic function necessary to select the particular segments required for a particular character.
  • Typical conventional segmental arrays use seven segments, which can produce all numerals but is very restricted in producing alphabetic characters.
  • a matrix display using points .or dots of light, arranged in a X 7 display, for example, is another form in common use but this involves accessing of a large number of elements.
  • the present invention provides a display device which has a high variability in character formation, thus enabling a large number of different characters to be formed, and without the need for a logic function to provide segment sharing as in segment arrays.
  • Each character is formed independently of any other character. Also the characters are formed in a common plane. As a further feature a high degree of character definition can also be obtained.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view showing electrode arrangement
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-section on the line lI-II of FIG. 1 illustrating the various layers;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area encircled at Y in FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate the display of numerals
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-section as on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 1, to an enlarged scale and illustrating a modification thereof.
  • a device 10 in the present example for convenience is shown as an electrochemical luminescent cell, comprises a substrate 11 on which are formed two grids of electrodes 12 and 13. The two grids are separated by a dielectric 14, although in FIG. 1 the two grids are shown, for clarity, without the intervening dielectric.
  • small holes or rows 15 are formed, such openings providing for electrical connections to the electrodes of the second grid.
  • the material of the electrodes fills the openings, as seen more clearly in FIG. 3.
  • a further dielectric layer 16 is formed. This dielectric layer is opaque and acts as a mask. Openings are made in this layer corresponding with certain electrodes in grid 13 in accordance with the predetermined pattern or display to be made.
  • the cell is completed by a peripheral spacer member 17 bonded or otherwise attached to the substrate, and a transparent cover 18 which is bonded or otherwise attached to the member 17.
  • the thickness of member 17 is such that a space 19 is left into which is filled an electrochemical luminescent solution.
  • a transparent electrode 20 is formed on the inner surface of the cover 18.
  • the density of the electrodes in each grid is considerably higher than that shown in the drawings. Electrodes having a width of 0.0005 inches, with a spacing of a similar distance have been produced. The number of electrodes in a grid is thus very high although the size of the device is a limiting factor.
  • the actual display is formed by light emission at openings formed in the second dielectric layer 16 as described later.
  • each electrode 12 is connected to a plurality of electrodes 13.
  • a number of electrodes 13 are energized.
  • light emission will occur at each opening 25 associated with one of the energized electrodes 13.
  • the openings are in a predetermined pattern and thus a particular character is shown.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a display for a zero. Power is applied to electrode 12(a) as indicated by the arrow. As a result electrodes l3a(l-n) are energized. Openings 25 have been formed over these electrodes l3al-n), to form a display for a zero. Illustrated in FIG. 5 is a display for a numeral 1, in which power electrode 12(b) is energized, and as a result energizing electrodes 13b(l n).
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate displays for numerals 3 and 5, with energization of power electrodes 12d and 12f respectively and consequential energization of electrodes 13d(l-n) and l3fl-n) respectively.
  • each character is positioned downwards, as seen in the drawings, by the pitch of the electrodes 13.
  • the number of openings 25 actually provided for a character is considerably more than that illustrated.
  • electrodes of 0.0005 inch width and 0.0005 inch space between it is possible to provide 1,000 electrodes per inch. For 10 characters this permits I electrodes per character, each electrode spaced 0.01 inch apart.
  • a 1 inch character would be formed by 100 lines -long or short depending on character and position in the character. With such close spacing the display would appear as a substantially continuous character.
  • the maximum vertical displacement of one character from another would be 0.01 inch, that is the pitch of ten electrodes.
  • the electrode grids 12 and 13 could be repositioned by 90 so that the character displacement is sideways instead of vertical. Further the electrodes can be at an oblique angle relative to the cell structure. Also,
  • the transparent elect'rode can be replaced by a further grid.
  • a further grid could be interleaved with the second grid 13 for example.
  • one way of arranging such grids would be to connect alternate electrodes of grid 13 to the first grid 12, the other electrodes then connected in common to form an additonal electrode grid.
  • the opertures 25 would be aligned over both an electrode of grid 13 and also the adjacent electrode, or electrodes, of the additional electrode grid.
  • this layer could be formed on the inner surface of the cover 18, either over the transparent electrode if this is on the cover, or directly on the cover if the additional electrode is formed elsewhere, between the electrodes of the second grid forexample as described above.
  • the dielectric layer 14 is shown as an independent layer formed over the first grid, it is possible to form this layer by, for example, anodizing the surface of the electrodes of the first grid to form 'an insulating or dielectric layer.
  • the second grid can then be formed directly on top of the'first grid. Electrical connections can be made by local removal of the anodized layer.
  • the invention is applicable to gas discharge light emission devices, in which case the space 19 is filled with a suitable gas.
  • Devices in accordance with the invention can be used in many ways, for example display arrays for calculators, indicators on instruments, automobile instruments, radio dials, and many other applications.
  • display arrays for calculators for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a keyboard, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printer, or a printers, and many other applications.
  • the actual shape visually produced can be considerably more normal for characters, and permit considerable detail for other forms such as designs.
  • FIG. 8 This is an enlarged cross-section through part of a cell, as in FIGS. 1 to 7 and it will be seen that the outer surface 30 of the front cover 18 is given a cylindrical lens structure, each cylindrical lens 31 aligned over an electrode 13. By this means the emission from each electrode 13, through related openings 25, is diffused. It is also possible in certain instances to include a diffusing agent in the front cover 18.
  • An electrical luminescent display device comprising:
  • a first dielectric layer comprising an insulating layer on the electrodes of said first grid
  • each electrode of said first grid to a series of electrodes of said second grid, a different series of electrodes of said second grid connected to each electrode of said first grid;
  • an additional' electrode electrically connected to the electrodes of said second grid by said electroluminescent fluid
  • said additional electrode comprising a transparent electrode on an inner surface of said transparent cover member.

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  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
US361347A 1973-05-17 1973-05-17 Electrical luminescent display devices Expired - Lifetime US3914642A (en)

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US3914642A true US3914642A (en) 1975-10-21

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3964050A (en) * 1975-05-21 1976-06-15 Control Data Corporation Plasma display panel
EP0258130A1 (fr) * 1986-08-11 1988-03-02 Pécile née Benoist, Claude Marie-Josèphe Ecran plat électroluminescent
US5013967A (en) * 1987-08-07 1991-05-07 Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd. Electroluminescence lamp and method of use thereof
WO1998042002A1 (en) * 1997-03-18 1998-09-24 Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology Glow plasma discharge device
WO2000016367A1 (en) * 1998-09-16 2000-03-23 The Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology Ac glow plasma discharge device having an electrode covered with apertured dielectric
US20030085656A1 (en) * 1997-03-18 2003-05-08 Erich Kunhardt Method and apparatus for stabilizing of the glow plasma discharges
US20110025594A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2011-02-03 Hisashi Watanabe Display device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2230646B (en) * 1989-04-13 1992-09-30 Marconi Gec Ltd Electroluminescent display

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2966616A (en) * 1958-08-26 1960-12-27 Mash Derek Hubert Switching devices
US3315248A (en) * 1963-12-09 1967-04-18 Burroughs Corp Display tube having an encapsulated diode switching matrix
US3399402A (en) * 1965-10-23 1968-08-27 Ncr Co Luminescent display system
US3684918A (en) * 1970-08-07 1972-08-15 Owens Illinois Inc Gas discharge display/memory panels and selection and addressing circuits therefor
US3753038A (en) * 1970-12-11 1973-08-14 Owens Illinois Inc Method and apparatus for operating row-column matrix panels and devices

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2966616A (en) * 1958-08-26 1960-12-27 Mash Derek Hubert Switching devices
US3315248A (en) * 1963-12-09 1967-04-18 Burroughs Corp Display tube having an encapsulated diode switching matrix
US3399402A (en) * 1965-10-23 1968-08-27 Ncr Co Luminescent display system
US3684918A (en) * 1970-08-07 1972-08-15 Owens Illinois Inc Gas discharge display/memory panels and selection and addressing circuits therefor
US3753038A (en) * 1970-12-11 1973-08-14 Owens Illinois Inc Method and apparatus for operating row-column matrix panels and devices

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3964050A (en) * 1975-05-21 1976-06-15 Control Data Corporation Plasma display panel
EP0258130A1 (fr) * 1986-08-11 1988-03-02 Pécile née Benoist, Claude Marie-Josèphe Ecran plat électroluminescent
US5013967A (en) * 1987-08-07 1991-05-07 Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd. Electroluminescence lamp and method of use thereof
US6900592B2 (en) 1997-03-18 2005-05-31 The Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology Method and apparatus for stabilizing of the glow plasma discharges
WO1998042002A1 (en) * 1997-03-18 1998-09-24 Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology Glow plasma discharge device
US5872426A (en) * 1997-03-18 1999-02-16 Stevens Institute Of Technology Glow plasma discharge device having electrode covered with perforated dielectric
US6005349A (en) * 1997-03-18 1999-12-21 The Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology Method for generating and maintaining a glow plasma discharge
AU720025B2 (en) * 1997-03-18 2000-05-18 Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology, The Glow plasma discharge device
US6147452A (en) * 1997-03-18 2000-11-14 The Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology AC glow plasma discharge device having an electrode covered with apertured dielectric
US20050206290A1 (en) * 1997-03-18 2005-09-22 Erich Kunhardt Method and apparatus for stabilizing of the glow plasma discharges
US20030085656A1 (en) * 1997-03-18 2003-05-08 Erich Kunhardt Method and apparatus for stabilizing of the glow plasma discharges
WO2000016367A1 (en) * 1998-09-16 2000-03-23 The Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology Ac glow plasma discharge device having an electrode covered with apertured dielectric
AU747886B2 (en) * 1998-09-16 2002-05-30 Trustees Of The Stevens Institute Of Technology, The AC glow plasma discharge device having an electrode covered with apertured dielectric
US20110025594A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2011-02-03 Hisashi Watanabe Display device
US8780015B2 (en) * 2008-03-31 2014-07-15 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Display device with image expansion via peripherial light guide elements

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