WO2002045464A2 - Electroluminescent display device - Google Patents

Electroluminescent display device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002045464A2
WO2002045464A2 PCT/IL2001/001097 IL0101097W WO0245464A2 WO 2002045464 A2 WO2002045464 A2 WO 2002045464A2 IL 0101097 W IL0101097 W IL 0101097W WO 0245464 A2 WO0245464 A2 WO 0245464A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrodes
longitudinal conductive
conductive elements
film
substrate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2001/001097
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002045464A3 (en
Inventor
Irina Kiryuschev
Semyon Konstein
Original Assignee
Visson Ip, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Visson Ip, Llc filed Critical Visson Ip, Llc
Priority to AU2002221009A priority Critical patent/AU2002221009A8/en
Priority to AU2002221009A priority patent/AU2002221009A1/en
Publication of WO2002045464A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002045464A2/en
Publication of WO2002045464A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002045464A3/en

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Classifications

    • 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

  • the present invention relates to display devices, and in particular, it concerns a device that is based on an electroluminescent display.
  • Electroluminescent substances are capable of emitting light in response to an applied electric field, and are, therefore, used in display devices, by inserting a thin layer of an electroluminescent substance between two electrodes.
  • one of the electrodes is opaque and the other is transparent to allow light to pass through it.
  • an AC current of appropriate frequency is applied to the electrodes, the electroluminescent substance is rapidly charged and discharged, resulting in the emission of light.
  • various techniques are used to provide a two-dimensional array of pixels for display devices. According to one such technique, a plurality of separately operable light-emitting diodes is arranged in a two-dimensional array.
  • the display device pixels are in the form of a two-dimensional array of pairs of electrodes that are arranged along the electroluminescent layer.
  • the display device consists of a first set and second set of electrodes arranged so as to define a two-dimensional array of junctions between the electrodes of the two sets.
  • Each electrode includes a longitudinal conductive element and an electroluminescent material coating.
  • the electroluminescent material is sandwiched between a pair of conductive elements, or electrodes.
  • the entire layer of electroluminescent substance is capable of being activated and emitting light.
  • all pixels of the device whether consisting of
  • LEDs or conductive element junctions must be individually driven and selectively controlled by appropriate electronics.
  • the number of controllable pixels utilized in the prior art is greater than necessary and the electronic control system needed to control them is unnecessarily complicated.
  • the electroluminescent display device can be manufactured in the form of cables, sheets, or strips that are mechanically flexible, durable, weatherproof, easy to install, cool to the touch, and environmentally friendly.
  • an electroluminescent display device including: (a) a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the first set and electrodes of the second set, wherein each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes; and (b) an electroluminescent material deposited on the array of junctions at selected locations so as to fill vicinities of junctions in the selected locations, the electroluminescent material-containing junctions functioning as pixels of the display device to display at least one predetermined pattern thereon, the at least one pattern corresponding to at least one predetermined piece of information to be displayed.
  • an electroluminescent display device kit including: (a) at least one substrate for depositing thereon at least one electroluminescent material onto selected locations on the substrate in accordance with a pattern to be displayed, the substrate including a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the first set and electrodes of the second set, wherein each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes; and (b) at least one electroluminescent material for depositing by a user of the kit onto at least one selected location of the substrate to create a desired pattern.
  • a method for manufacturing an electroluminescent display device for displaying at least one predetermined piece of information including the steps of: (a) forming a substrate including a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes by arranging the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the two sets, wherein each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes; and(b) depositing at least one electroluminescent material onto selected locations of the substrate, thereby forming at least one pattern on the substrate such that the at least one electroluminescent material fills vicinities of junctions in selected locations of the substrate, the junctions then functioning as pixels of the display device.
  • an article of manufacture including: (a) a first set of longitudinal conductive elements and a second set of longitudinal conductive elements being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between longitudinal conductive elements of the first set and longitudinal conductive elements of the second set, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set, at least one of the longitudinal conductive elements being substantially bare.
  • the display device further includes a first mechanism for connecting the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes to a power supply, most preferably in a plurality of groups of at least one longitudinal conductive element each, and a second mechanism for connecting the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes to the power supply.
  • the electrodes of the first set and the electrodes of the second set are arranged substantially in respective planes that are separated from and substantially parallel to each other.
  • the electrodes are interlocked in a woven arrangement.
  • each of the electrodes is coated with an electrically-insulating coating.
  • electrical insulation between the electrodes at the junctions is preferably provided by one of the following configurations: using electrodes formed with a electrically insulating coating for both sets of electrodes, some of the electrodes are substantially or totally bare (for example, only the electrodes of one set are formed with electrically insulating coating), the electrodes of at least one set are formed with electrically insulating coatings in the vicinities of the junctions only.
  • At least a portion of the device is an article selected from a group consisting of a textual or graphic information sign, a traffic regulation sign, a flag, and an article of clothing.
  • the device is configured as an identification mark.
  • the sets of electrodes constitute a substrate on which the electroluminescent material is deposited, and the invention further includes a transparent film covering substantially all of said substrate and the electroluminescent material deposited thereon.
  • a film that may be transparent or opaque.
  • a film may be fluorescent or phosphorescent, so as to absorb the light emitted by the electroluminescent material and emit light of a different color.
  • a partly opaque such film serves as a mask for the underlying electroluminescent material.
  • the device is configured to sequentially display at least two pieces of information.
  • the electrodes are preferably in the form of fibers, such that the close two-dimensional array of junctions is flexible, which means that the array has pliability characteristics (deformable, bendable, stretchable) similar to those of a piece of fabric.
  • the electroluminescent material is deposited on the selected locations by painting, by patterning through a mask, by silk screening, or by printing.
  • the electroluminescent material is deposited on the selected locations by providing pieces of film shaped like the desired patterns, coating one side of each of the pieces of film with the electroluminescent material, and contacting the selected locations with the coated sides of the pieces of film to deposit thereon the electroluminescent material. Similar methods may be used to deposit opaque, fluorescent and phosphorescent films on the substrate.
  • the scope of the present invention also includes the substrate without the electroluminescent material as an article of manufacture, but with the limitation that at least one of the longitudinal conductive elements is substantially bare, i.e., substantially free of any electrically insulating coating. This limitation is needed to distinguish the article of manufacture of the present invention from the prior art display device of US 5,962,967. This property is needed for optimization of electric film distribution inside the device.
  • the present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the existing technologies by providing an electroluminescent display system for predetermined information that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture relative to the prior art.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electroluminescent display device according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of a part of the electroluminescent display device shown in Fig 1;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an electroluminescent device for displaying three images
  • Fig 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of the display device for displaying two images
  • Figs 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are diagrams illustrating four examples of a display device according to the teachings of the invention.
  • the present invention is an electroluminescent display device (EDD) enabling the display of at least one predetermined piece of information, preferably including a picture and/or text.
  • EDD electroluminescent display device
  • Fig 1 illustrates one form of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in
  • FIG 1, one embodiment of the invention described herein consists of an electroluminescent display device 10 including a substrate 12 that bears a pattern 14 formed by an electroluminescent material EL, shown to better advantage in Fig 2.
  • Substrate 12 is formed by a close arrangement of a first set of electrodes 18A disposed in a parallel configuration, aligned with an X-axis (horizontal orientation in Fig 1), and a second set of electrodes 18B disposed in a parallel configuration aligned with a Y-axis (vertical orientation in Fig 1). Electrodes 18A and 18B are connected to a power supply 16 through connecting buses 17A and 17B, respectively.
  • a transparent protective film 12% illustrated in Fig 2, preferably covers pattern-bearing substrate 12.
  • Electrodes 18A and 18B consist of longitudinal conductive elements that include insulated or partially insulated wires. Electrodes 18 A and 18B are preferably arranged in separate planes such that electrodes 18A of one set are located substantially in a plane separated from and substantially parallel to a plane of electrodes 18B of a second set within regions of junctions, in a laminated configuration. In another preferred embodiment, electrodes 18A and 18B are interlocked in a woven arrangement. Electrodes 18A and 18B define a two-dimensional array of junctions 20, aligned in rows and columns along X- and Y- axes, respectively.
  • Electrodes 18A and 18B are constructed in a manner to provide electrical insulation between sets of electrodes. Any one of the following configurations may preferably be used: (1) each electrode is provided with a longitudinal insulating coating; (2) some of the electrodes are substantially or totally bare (for example, only electrodes of one set are coated with a longitudinal insulating coating layer); or (3) an insulating coating layer is provided on electrodes of at least one set only within regions of junctions.
  • substrate 12 also includes longitudinal dielectric elements
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of a part of EDD
  • deposition of electroluminescent material EL results in penetration of material into spaces between first set and second set electrodes 18A and 18B at selected junctions 20'.
  • second set electrodes 18B are formed with an insulating coating 19, and are located above uninsulated first set electrodes 18 A.
  • electroluminescent pattern 14 is formed by depositing electroluminescent material EL onto predetermined locations on substrate 12 in the vicinities of junctions 20'. This is preferably done by painting, patterning through a mask, silk screening, spraying, or printing. Examples of suitable printing methods include relief printing, offset printing, intaglio printing, heat transfer printing, tampon printing and ink-jet printing.
  • electroluminescent material EL may be deposited on the predetermined locations by transfer from a support shaped like the desired pattern, by spraying, by decalcomania, by photolithography, by brush painting or by applique technique. According to the features in the described preferred embodiments, an electroluminescent substance is deposited onto a complete electrode structural array in the form of a pattern representing information to be displayed, which significantly simplifies the fabrication of the display device.
  • pattern 14 of electroluminescent material EL on substrate 12 is to coat one side of a piece of film that is shaped like pattern 14 with electroluminescent material EL and then to contact the coated side of the piece of film with the two sets of electrodes 18A and 18B at the desired location.
  • electrodes 18A and 18B are preferably the same as disclosed in US
  • Patent No. 5,962,967 assigned to the applicant of the present application, which patent is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
  • display pattern 14 determines the physical form of the image to be displayed.
  • "Active" pixels i.e. those that emit light
  • junctions 20' that contain electroluminescent material EL.
  • substrate 12 may be formed with contours patterned thereon, so as to physically define the locations onto which the electroluminescent material is to be deposited.
  • Figure 2 also serves to illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention, for displaying complex colored patterns.
  • film 12' is used to help define the pattern that is displayed on substrate 12. Specifically, film 12' covers only a specified portion of substrate 12, including at least some of junctions 20 where electroluminescent material EL is deposited. In one variant of this embodiment, film 12' is transparent to light of a predetermined color. To the extent that electroluminescent material EL emits light of this color, this is the color with which the defined pattern is displayed.
  • film 12' is a clear film upon which a full color display is formed by printing or silk screening thereon an appropriate pattern of dots of three transparent basic colors (for example, red-green-blue or yellow-cyan-magenta), as is known in the art.
  • three transparent basic colors for example, red-green-blue or yellow-cyan-magenta
  • film 12' is opaque, or partly opaque. If film 12' is partly opaque and partly transparent, then film 12' serves as a mask that defines the displayed pattern. In one subvariant of this embodiment, film 12' is colored, but also fluoresces or phosphoresces, in the same color or in a different color, when stimulated by light emitted by electroluminescent material EL.
  • an EDD 10 is used in a kit for amusement purposes.
  • the kit preferably includes a set of substrates 12, with or without indicating markings or contours for guiding a user to deposit electroluminescent material in predetermined patterns, and containers of different electroluminescent materials having distinct properties, such as different colors.
  • the user may choose to display an electroluminescent image by applying selected electroluminescent materials to substrate 12 either according to the user's own creative configuration or according to a pre-defined pattern or contours, to form a desired image, and by subsequently connecting substrate 12 to power supply 16.
  • a kit includes a set of substrates 12 bearing various different pre-deposited patterns of electroluminescent materials for connecting individually or in groups to power supply 16 to display desired images or information.
  • a set of substrates 12 bearing pre-printed outlines ready for painting desired pictures thereon is used for advertisement related applications.
  • the kit includes pieces of film, shaped as predetermined patterns, for example letters of the alphabet, with each piece of film coated on one side with a respective electroluminescent material.
  • the kit also includes containers of fluorescent or phosphorescent materials for depositing on substrates 12 along with the electroluminescent materials.
  • the fluorescent or phosphorescent materials are deposited on suitably shaped pieces of film as described above for the electroluminescent materials.
  • FIG 3 illustrates yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, in which an EDD 100 is designed for sequentially displaying a plurality of images.
  • EDD 100 includes a substrate 112, having two sets of electrodes 118A and 118B, and bearing three separate patterns 114A, 114B and 114C, formed by applying various electroluminescent materials EL to substrate 112.
  • Substrate 112 and junctions containing electroluminescent materials EL are divided into three independent sections by connecting three groups of electrodes 118A', 118A" and 118A'", to power supply 16 through connecting ports 117A', 117A" and 117A'", respectively.
  • Groups of junctions 20' containing electroluminescent materials EL that are disposed in each of the three sections are in contact with connecting ports 117A', 117A" and 117A"', respectively, depending on their location, and also are in contact with connecting ports 117B.
  • connecting ports 117A', 117A" and 117A"' respectively, depending on their location, and also are in contact with connecting ports 117B.
  • pattern 114A is displayed; by supplying power to electrodes 118A" and 118B through connecting ports 117A" and 117B, pattern 114B is displayed, and by supplying power to electrodes 118A'" and 118B through connecting ports 117A'" and 117B, pattern 114C is displayed.
  • patterns 114A, 114B and 114C are spaced apart from each other, being distributed on substrate 112 within the three sections defined from top to bottom by the configuration of connections between three groups of electrodes 118A', 118A" and 118A'", their respective connecting ports 117A',
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a display device 200 for sequentially displaying two different patterns or pieces of information defined by junctions 214 A and 214B, respectively, which contain electroluminescent material.
  • Vertical electrodes E (2 ⁇ are connected to a power supply through a common connecting port (not shown) and are common to all electrode junctions, including junctions 214A and 214B.
  • junctions 214A and 214B are associated with one of two groups of electrodes, as follows. Junctions 214A, defining the first information pattern, are associated with an electrode group including electrodes E (1) ⁇ , E (1) 3 , E (1) 5 and E 1) 7 , and junctions 214B, defining the second information pattern, are associated with an electrode group that includes electrodes E (1) 2 , E (1) 4 and Electrode groups are connected separately to power supply 16, enabling the two patterns defined by them to be displayed independently. It should be noted that the distance between junctions of electrodes in respective electrode groups 214A and 214B associated with the different information patterns defines the image resolution.
  • the display device of the preferred embodiment of the invention needs no complex electronic controller for selectively activating individual pixels (junctions) for displaying various kinds of data, but only a simple electronic circuit and power supply (battery) to activate the selected junctions representing predetermined information previously patterned, the device can be made sufficiently light and simple to be carried on an article of clothing.
  • the substrate bearing a predetermined pattern according to the invention is similar physically and mechanically to a piece of fabric, it may be attached to an article of clothing (e.g., shirt), or may form a part of an article of clothing.
  • FIG 5A illustrates a display device 300A that includes a substrate 312A bearing a pattern 314 (the letter "V" in the present example) and connected to a power supply 316A.
  • the device is attached to an article of clothing such as a shirt 318 suitable to be worn by an individual.
  • substrate 312A is energized and display device 300 displays pattern 314.
  • Fig 5B illustrates a display device 300B having a colored pattern in the configuration of a specific flag that is mounted on a flagpole 322.
  • Display device 300B includes a substrate 312B (fabricated as described previously) bearing a pattern 314B formed by different electroluminescent materials - ELi and EL 2 and EL 3 , each having a different color in the present example, corresponding to the desired flag characteristics. Since substrate 312B has the physical and mechanical characteristics of a piece of fabric, it can be attached directly to flagpole 322 without the need to attach it to a separate support base or frame for additional mechanical support. Electrodes (not shown) for supplying power to substrate 312B are connected by means of wires passing inside flagpole 322 to a power supply 316B mounted on flagpole 322. Operating a switch by pressing a button 324 energizes substrate 312B, actuating display device 300B.
  • Fig 5C illustrates a display device 300C that is configured to selectively display a left-turn arrow (pattern shown in solid lines) 314C, or a right-turn arrow 314C" (pattern shown in dashed lines).
  • a substrate 312C fabricated as described previously and bearing patterns for displaying left-turn arrow 314C and right turn arrow 314C", is mounted on a frame 326.
  • a power supply (not shown) that is disposed inside the body of display device 300C is connected to electrodes of substrate 312C and is preferably remotely actuated from a control module or by operating a locally mounted switch.
  • Fig. 5D illustrates a display device 300D for displaying an identification mark disposed on an article 328, such as a document, as a means of identifying the authenticity of the document, such as would be desirable for security purposes.
  • display device 300D includes a substrate 314D, fabricated as described previously, bearing a pattern in the form of a desired identification mark. Electrodes (not shown) of substrate 314D are attached to connecting ports 329 and 330 that are in the form of small metal contacts, which when energized by an external power supply, activate junctions containing electroluminescent material to display an identification mark.
  • the present invention may be used in a wide variety of displays for a wide variety of applications.
  • the following is an extensive but necessarily incomplete list of some of these applications.
  • the "Semi-dynamic" display devices in the list are devices with multiple images that are switched on and off in a prearranged order and/or with prearranged brightness to obtain cinematic effects.
  • Educational visual aides alphabet with glowing characters, biological, chemical element chart, diagrams, etc. Environment glowing decorations, e.g. garlands, merry-go-rounds, benches, and so on for gardens, parks, zoo, etc. Foldable screens with glowing images.
  • Glowing static, semi-dynamic picture/s incorporated into: cloth, caps/hats, shoes, bags, uniform, swimsuits, belts and underwear. Glowing Christmas tree toys.
  • Glowing belts of different shapes Glowing buttons.
  • Glowing calendars optional - combination of paper and a display.
  • Glowing carpets with static, semi-dynamic picture/s and/or element/s.
  • Glowing cases e.g. boxes for presents).
  • Glowing clocks Glowing costume jewelry and rigid flakes of different shapes (flowers, etc). Glowing curtains (transparent and/or not-transparent with glowing image/s).
  • Glowing embedded indicators (time, temperature, height, etc.).
  • Glowing fancy-dress costumes Glowing fancy-dress masks.
  • Glowing flexible maps (static, semi-dynamic) in a bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, etc. Glowing games like "MONOPOLY", Adventure roads, etc. Glowing house and street numbers and names. Glowing image/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into aquarium. Glowing information billboards. Glowing information displays inside bus and train. Glowing Kirby-grips, rims, holders for hair. Glowing maps (static, semi-dynamic) for showing location.
  • Glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into tables, chairs, arm-chairs, sofas, shelves, cupboards, counters, bars, pillars, doors, floor, ceiling, paneling, candles, lightings, wall-brackets, curtains, frames, etc. for cafes, night clubs, restaurants, disco, casino, theaters, circus, etc.).
  • Glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into vases, dishes, bowls, jugs, ashtrays, etc. Glowing picture/s and/or element/s and/or ornament/s incorporated into floor, ceiling, paneling, etc.
  • Glowing picture/s and/or element/s incorporated into flying toys e.g. kite, balloons, etc.
  • Glowing picture/s and/or element/s incorporated into toys e.g. body's parts, suits, etc.
  • Glowing pictures (static, semi-dynamic).
  • Glowing pictures with animation Glowing pictures with changeable image/s. The pictures could be offered via Internet. Glowing pointers in a bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, etc. Glowing posters and pictures with animals, birds, etc.
  • Glowing religious articles e.g. crucifix, icons, stained glass, etc.
  • Glowing umbrellas Glowing wall clocks. Glowing wallpaper with static, semi-dynamic picture/s and/or element/s. Glowing warning signs. Greeting cards with glowing image/s. Household accessories Industrial displays. Information displays along production lines.
  • Information displays for storage places, tanks, containers, etc.
  • Information displays/billboards for e.g. stock exchange, races, competitions, stadiums, arenas, etc.
  • Light indicators military, tourism, sport, etc.
  • Light organ stickers attachable to music centers.
  • the present invention is adaptable to almost all the lighted displays of prior art technology, including for example, those listed in Sekiguchi et al., US Patent No. 5,695,346, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

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  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)

Abstract

An electroluminescent display device is disclosed which includes a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the first set of electrodes and electrodes of the second set of electrodes. Each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, and the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes are electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes. The close two-dimensional array further includes electroluminescent material deposited on the array at selected locations so as to fill vicinities of junctions in the selected locations, so that the junctions function as pixels of the display device to display at least one predetermined pattern. The device further includes a first mechanism for connecting the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes to a power supply in groups of at least one longitudinal conductive element, and a second mechanism for connecting the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes to a power supply.

Description

ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAY DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to display devices, and in particular, it concerns a device that is based on an electroluminescent display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electroluminescent substances are capable of emitting light in response to an applied electric field, and are, therefore, used in display devices, by inserting a thin layer of an electroluminescent substance between two electrodes. In a typical electroluminescent device, one of the electrodes is opaque and the other is transparent to allow light to pass through it. When an AC current of appropriate frequency is applied to the electrodes, the electroluminescent substance is rapidly charged and discharged, resulting in the emission of light. In the teachings of the prior art, various techniques are used to provide a two-dimensional array of pixels for display devices. According to one such technique, a plurality of separately operable light-emitting diodes is arranged in a two-dimensional array. According to another technique, the display device pixels are in the form of a two-dimensional array of pairs of electrodes that are arranged along the electroluminescent layer.
Yet another technique is disclosed in US 5,962,967, assigned to the applicants of the present application and which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Here, the display device consists of a first set and second set of electrodes arranged so as to define a two-dimensional array of junctions between the electrodes of the two sets. Each electrode includes a longitudinal conductive element and an electroluminescent material coating. Thus, at each of the junctions the electroluminescent material is sandwiched between a pair of conductive elements, or electrodes.
In the aforementioned display devices of the prior art, the entire layer of electroluminescent substance is capable of being activated and emitting light. Thus, to display information, all pixels of the device, whether consisting of
LEDs or conductive element junctions, must be individually driven and selectively controlled by appropriate electronics. For simple display applications, in which, for example, a static, unchanging figure is to be displayed, the number of controllable pixels utilized in the prior art is greater than necessary and the electronic control system needed to control them is unnecessarily complicated. Thus it would be highly advantageous and beneficial to have an electroluminescent display device for simple display applications which includes the minimum number of pixels required and which utilizes a simplified electronic control system to drive and control the output of the pixels. It would be further advantageous if the electroluminescent display device can be manufactured in the form of cables, sheets, or strips that are mechanically flexible, durable, weatherproof, easy to install, cool to the touch, and environmentally friendly.
SIJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an electroluminescent display device including: (a) a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the first set and electrodes of the second set, wherein each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes; and (b) an electroluminescent material deposited on the array of junctions at selected locations so as to fill vicinities of junctions in the selected locations, the electroluminescent material-containing junctions functioning as pixels of the display device to display at least one predetermined pattern thereon, the at least one pattern corresponding to at least one predetermined piece of information to be displayed. According the present invention, there is provided an electroluminescent display device kit, including: (a) at least one substrate for depositing thereon at least one electroluminescent material onto selected locations on the substrate in accordance with a pattern to be displayed, the substrate including a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the first set and electrodes of the second set, wherein each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes; and (b) at least one electroluminescent material for depositing by a user of the kit onto at least one selected location of the substrate to create a desired pattern.
According to the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing an electroluminescent display device for displaying at least one predetermined piece of information, the method including the steps of: (a) forming a substrate including a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes by arranging the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of the two sets, wherein each of the electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes; and(b) depositing at least one electroluminescent material onto selected locations of the substrate, thereby forming at least one pattern on the substrate such that the at least one electroluminescent material fills vicinities of junctions in selected locations of the substrate, the junctions then functioning as pixels of the display device.
According to the present invention there is provided an article of manufacture including: (a) a first set of longitudinal conductive elements and a second set of longitudinal conductive elements being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between longitudinal conductive elements of the first set and longitudinal conductive elements of the second set, the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set being electrically insulated from the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set, at least one of the longitudinal conductive elements being substantially bare.
According to further features of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device further includes a first mechanism for connecting the longitudinal conductive elements of the first set of electrodes to a power supply, most preferably in a plurality of groups of at least one longitudinal conductive element each, and a second mechanism for connecting the longitudinal conductive elements of the second set of electrodes to the power supply.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the electrodes of the first set and the electrodes of the second set are arranged substantially in respective planes that are separated from and substantially parallel to each other.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the electrodes are interlocked in a woven arrangement.
According to still further features in some of the described preferred embodiments, each of the electrodes is coated with an electrically-insulating coating.
According to further features in the described preferred embodiments, electrical insulation between the electrodes at the junctions is preferably provided by one of the following configurations: using electrodes formed with a electrically insulating coating for both sets of electrodes, some of the electrodes are substantially or totally bare (for example, only the electrodes of one set are formed with electrically insulating coating), the electrodes of at least one set are formed with electrically insulating coatings in the vicinities of the junctions only.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the device is an article selected from a group consisting of a textual or graphic information sign, a traffic regulation sign, a flag, and an article of clothing.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the device is configured as an identification mark.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the sets of electrodes constitute a substrate on which the electroluminescent material is deposited, and the invention further includes a transparent film covering substantially all of said substrate and the electroluminescent material deposited thereon.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the selected locations is covered by a film that may be transparent or opaque. Such a film may be fluorescent or phosphorescent, so as to absorb the light emitted by the electroluminescent material and emit light of a different color. A partly opaque such film serves as a mask for the underlying electroluminescent material.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the device is configured to sequentially display at least two pieces of information.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the electrodes are preferably in the form of fibers, such that the close two-dimensional array of junctions is flexible, which means that the array has pliability characteristics (deformable, bendable, stretchable) similar to those of a piece of fabric.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the electroluminescent material is deposited on the selected locations by painting, by patterning through a mask, by silk screening, or by printing. Alternatively, the electroluminescent material is deposited on the selected locations by providing pieces of film shaped like the desired patterns, coating one side of each of the pieces of film with the electroluminescent material, and contacting the selected locations with the coated sides of the pieces of film to deposit thereon the electroluminescent material. Similar methods may be used to deposit opaque, fluorescent and phosphorescent films on the substrate.
The scope of the present invention also includes the substrate without the electroluminescent material as an article of manufacture, but with the limitation that at least one of the longitudinal conductive elements is substantially bare, i.e., substantially free of any electrically insulating coating. This limitation is needed to distinguish the article of manufacture of the present invention from the prior art display device of US 5,962,967. This property is needed for optimization of electric film distribution inside the device.
The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the existing technologies by providing an electroluminescent display system for predetermined information that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture relative to the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electroluminescent display device according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of a part of the electroluminescent display device shown in Fig 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates an electroluminescent device for displaying three images; Fig 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of the display device for displaying two images; and
Figs 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are diagrams illustrating four examples of a display device according to the teachings of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is an electroluminescent display device (EDD) enabling the display of at least one predetermined piece of information, preferably including a picture and/or text.
The principles and operation of the EDD according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting
Referring now to the drawings, Fig 1 illustrates one form of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in
FIG 1, one embodiment of the invention described herein consists of an electroluminescent display device 10 including a substrate 12 that bears a pattern 14 formed by an electroluminescent material EL, shown to better advantage in Fig 2. Substrate 12 is formed by a close arrangement of a first set of electrodes 18A disposed in a parallel configuration, aligned with an X-axis (horizontal orientation in Fig 1), and a second set of electrodes 18B disposed in a parallel configuration aligned with a Y-axis (vertical orientation in Fig 1). Electrodes 18A and 18B are connected to a power supply 16 through connecting buses 17A and 17B, respectively. A transparent protective film 12% illustrated in Fig 2, preferably covers pattern-bearing substrate 12.
Electrodes 18A and 18B consist of longitudinal conductive elements that include insulated or partially insulated wires. Electrodes 18 A and 18B are preferably arranged in separate planes such that electrodes 18A of one set are located substantially in a plane separated from and substantially parallel to a plane of electrodes 18B of a second set within regions of junctions, in a laminated configuration. In another preferred embodiment, electrodes 18A and 18B are interlocked in a woven arrangement. Electrodes 18A and 18B define a two-dimensional array of junctions 20, aligned in rows and columns along X- and Y- axes, respectively.
Electrodes 18A and 18B are constructed in a manner to provide electrical insulation between sets of electrodes. Any one of the following configurations may preferably be used: (1) each electrode is provided with a longitudinal insulating coating; (2) some of the electrodes are substantially or totally bare (for example, only electrodes of one set are coated with a longitudinal insulating coating layer); or (3) an insulating coating layer is provided on electrodes of at least one set only within regions of junctions. Optionally, substrate 12 also includes longitudinal dielectric elements
(not shown), such as nylon filaments, parallel to electrodes 18A and/or parallel to electrodes 18B.
As shown in Fig. 2, which illustrates a cross-section of a part of EDD
10 (in an enlarged scale), deposition of electroluminescent material EL results in penetration of material into spaces between first set and second set electrodes 18A and 18B at selected junctions 20'. In the specific example illustrated in Fig 2, second set electrodes 18B are formed with an insulating coating 19, and are located above uninsulated first set electrodes 18 A.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig 1, electroluminescent pattern 14 is formed by depositing electroluminescent material EL onto predetermined locations on substrate 12 in the vicinities of junctions 20'. This is preferably done by painting, patterning through a mask, silk screening, spraying, or printing. Examples of suitable printing methods include relief printing, offset printing, intaglio printing, heat transfer printing, tampon printing and ink-jet printing. In addition, electroluminescent material EL may be deposited on the predetermined locations by transfer from a support shaped like the desired pattern, by spraying, by decalcomania, by photolithography, by brush painting or by applique technique. According to the features in the described preferred embodiments, an electroluminescent substance is deposited onto a complete electrode structural array in the form of a pattern representing information to be displayed, which significantly simplifies the fabrication of the display device.
Another method of forming pattern 14 of electroluminescent material EL on substrate 12 is to coat one side of a piece of film that is shaped like pattern 14 with electroluminescent material EL and then to contact the coated side of the piece of film with the two sets of electrodes 18A and 18B at the desired location.
The arrangement of electrodes 18A and 18B, as well as electroluminescent materials used, is preferably the same as disclosed in US
Patent No. 5,962,967 assigned to the applicant of the present application, which patent is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
It should be noted that the configuration of display pattern 14 (a letter "V" in the example illustrated in Fig 1) determines the physical form of the image to be displayed. "Active" pixels (i.e. those that emit light) of the display device according to the invention are defined by junctions 20' that contain electroluminescent material EL. By connecting electrodes 18A and 18B to power supply 16, an electric current is caused to flow between electrodes and the predetermined image corresponding to display pattern 14 is displayed.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, substrate 12 may be formed with contours patterned thereon, so as to physically define the locations onto which the electroluminescent material is to be deposited.
Figure 2 also serves to illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention, for displaying complex colored patterns. In this embodiment, film 12' is used to help define the pattern that is displayed on substrate 12. Specifically, film 12' covers only a specified portion of substrate 12, including at least some of junctions 20 where electroluminescent material EL is deposited. In one variant of this embodiment, film 12' is transparent to light of a predetermined color. To the extent that electroluminescent material EL emits light of this color, this is the color with which the defined pattern is displayed. In one subvariant of this embodiment, film 12' is a clear film upon which a full color display is formed by printing or silk screening thereon an appropriate pattern of dots of three transparent basic colors (for example, red-green-blue or yellow-cyan-magenta), as is known in the art.
In another variant of this embodiment, film 12' is opaque, or partly opaque. If film 12' is partly opaque and partly transparent, then film 12' serves as a mask that defines the displayed pattern. In one subvariant of this embodiment, film 12' is colored, but also fluoresces or phosphoresces, in the same color or in a different color, when stimulated by light emitted by electroluminescent material EL.
It will be appreciated that this embodiment may be fabricated by coating film 12' with electroluminescent material EL where desired and contacting the coated side of film 12' with the two sets of electrodes 18A and 18B at the desired location, as described above. In this case, electroluminescent material EL serves to bond film 12' to electrodes 18A and 18B. In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, an EDD 10 is used in a kit for amusement purposes. The kit preferably includes a set of substrates 12, with or without indicating markings or contours for guiding a user to deposit electroluminescent material in predetermined patterns, and containers of different electroluminescent materials having distinct properties, such as different colors. The user may choose to display an electroluminescent image by applying selected electroluminescent materials to substrate 12 either according to the user's own creative configuration or according to a pre-defined pattern or contours, to form a desired image, and by subsequently connecting substrate 12 to power supply 16. A kit includes a set of substrates 12 bearing various different pre-deposited patterns of electroluminescent materials for connecting individually or in groups to power supply 16 to display desired images or information. A set of substrates 12 bearing pre-printed outlines ready for painting desired pictures thereon is used for advertisement related applications. Alternatively, the kit includes pieces of film, shaped as predetermined patterns, for example letters of the alphabet, with each piece of film coated on one side with a respective electroluminescent material.
Preferably, the kit also includes containers of fluorescent or phosphorescent materials for depositing on substrates 12 along with the electroluminescent materials. Alternatively, the fluorescent or phosphorescent materials are deposited on suitably shaped pieces of film as described above for the electroluminescent materials.
Fig 3 illustrates yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, in which an EDD 100 is designed for sequentially displaying a plurality of images. In Fig. 3, EDD 100 includes a substrate 112, having two sets of electrodes 118A and 118B, and bearing three separate patterns 114A, 114B and 114C, formed by applying various electroluminescent materials EL to substrate 112. Substrate 112 and junctions containing electroluminescent materials EL are divided into three independent sections by connecting three groups of electrodes 118A', 118A" and 118A'", to power supply 16 through connecting ports 117A', 117A" and 117A'", respectively. Groups of junctions 20' containing electroluminescent materials EL that are disposed in each of the three sections are in contact with connecting ports 117A', 117A" and 117A"', respectively, depending on their location, and also are in contact with connecting ports 117B.. Thus, by supplying power to electrodes 118A' and 118B through connecting ports 117A' and 117B, pattern 114A is displayed; by supplying power to electrodes 118A" and 118B through connecting ports 117A" and 117B, pattern 114B is displayed, and by supplying power to electrodes 118A'" and 118B through connecting ports 117A'" and 117B, pattern 114C is displayed. In the present example, patterns 114A, 114B and 114C are spaced apart from each other, being distributed on substrate 112 within the three sections defined from top to bottom by the configuration of connections between three groups of electrodes 118A', 118A" and 118A'", their respective connecting ports 117A',
117A" and 117A'", respectively, and power supply 16.
Fig. 4 illustrates a display device 200 for sequentially displaying two different patterns or pieces of information defined by junctions 214 A and 214B, respectively, which contain electroluminescent material. Vertical electrodes E(2^ are connected to a power supply through a common connecting port (not shown) and are common to all electrode junctions, including junctions 214A and 214B.
The second electrodes of junctions 214A and 214B are associated with one of two groups of electrodes, as follows. Junctions 214A, defining the first information pattern, are associated with an electrode group including electrodes E(1)ι, E(1) 3, E(1) 5 and E 1) 7, and junctions 214B, defining the second information pattern, are associated with an electrode group that includes electrodes E(1) 2, E(1) 4 and Electrode groups are connected separately to power supply 16, enabling the two patterns defined by them to be displayed independently. It should be noted that the distance between junctions of electrodes in respective electrode groups 214A and 214B associated with the different information patterns defines the image resolution.
Since the display device of the preferred embodiment of the invention needs no complex electronic controller for selectively activating individual pixels (junctions) for displaying various kinds of data, but only a simple electronic circuit and power supply (battery) to activate the selected junctions representing predetermined information previously patterned, the device can be made sufficiently light and simple to be carried on an article of clothing. Since the substrate bearing a predetermined pattern according to the invention is similar physically and mechanically to a piece of fabric, it may be attached to an article of clothing (e.g., shirt), or may form a part of an article of clothing.
EXAMPLES Reference is now made to the following examples, depicted in Figs.
5A-5D, which together with the above descriptions, illustrate the invention in a non-limiting fashion.
EXAMPLE 1 Fig 5A illustrates a display device 300A that includes a substrate 312A bearing a pattern 314 (the letter "V" in the present example) and connected to a power supply 316A. The device is attached to an article of clothing such as a shirt 318 suitable to be worn by an individual. When activated by the individual by pressing a button 320, substrate 312A is energized and display device 300 displays pattern 314.
EXAMPLE 2
Fig 5B illustrates a display device 300B having a colored pattern in the configuration of a specific flag that is mounted on a flagpole 322. Display device 300B includes a substrate 312B (fabricated as described previously) bearing a pattern 314B formed by different electroluminescent materials - ELi and EL2 and EL3, each having a different color in the present example, corresponding to the desired flag characteristics. Since substrate 312B has the physical and mechanical characteristics of a piece of fabric, it can be attached directly to flagpole 322 without the need to attach it to a separate support base or frame for additional mechanical support. Electrodes (not shown) for supplying power to substrate 312B are connected by means of wires passing inside flagpole 322 to a power supply 316B mounted on flagpole 322. Operating a switch by pressing a button 324 energizes substrate 312B, actuating display device 300B.
EXAMPLE 3
Fig 5C illustrates a display device 300C that is configured to selectively display a left-turn arrow (pattern shown in solid lines) 314C, or a right-turn arrow 314C" (pattern shown in dashed lines). A substrate 312C, fabricated as described previously and bearing patterns for displaying left-turn arrow 314C and right turn arrow 314C", is mounted on a frame 326. A power supply (not shown) that is disposed inside the body of display device 300C is connected to electrodes of substrate 312C and is preferably remotely actuated from a control module or by operating a locally mounted switch.
EXAMPLE 4
Fig. 5D illustrates a display device 300D for displaying an identification mark disposed on an article 328, such as a document, as a means of identifying the authenticity of the document, such as would be desirable for security purposes. In this example, display device 300D includes a substrate 314D, fabricated as described previously, bearing a pattern in the form of a desired identification mark. Electrodes (not shown) of substrate 314D are attached to connecting ports 329 and 330 that are in the form of small metal contacts, which when energized by an external power supply, activate junctions containing electroluminescent material to display an identification mark.
The present invention may be used in a wide variety of displays for a wide variety of applications. The following is an extensive but necessarily incomplete list of some of these applications. The "Semi-dynamic" display devices in the list are devices with multiple images that are switched on and off in a prearranged order and/or with prearranged brightness to obtain cinematic effects.
Flexible and rigid flat and 3-Ddisplavs Advertisements on transport vehicles.
Advertising billboards (static, semi-dynamic).
Advertising billboards with non-planar forms (static, semi-dynamic)
Bags shining from inside.
Bar illumination. Belts with glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic).
Books with glowing picture/s and/or element/s.
Bus, train, airplane, car, ship, yacht, and so on accessories e.g. transparent curtains (for protection against the sun) with glowing picture/s and/or element/s for windows.
Bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, and so on, glowing indicators of route, location, rate, etc. Clothes, bags, footwear, head wear, accessories Display strings. Displays on military transport e.g. naval vessel, tanks, etc.
Educational visual aides: alphabet with glowing characters, biological, chemical element chart, diagrams, etc. Environment glowing decorations, e.g. garlands, merry-go-rounds, benches, and so on for gardens, parks, zoo, etc. Foldable screens with glowing images.
Furniture with embedded glowing decorative element/s (static, semi-dynamic). Glowing (static, semi-dynamic) picture/s incorporated into: cloth, caps/hats, shoes, bags, uniform, swimsuits, belts and underwear. Glowing Christmas tree toys.
Glowing belts of different shapes. Glowing buttons.
Glowing calendars, optional - combination of paper and a display. Glowing carpets with static, semi-dynamic picture/s and/or element/s. Glowing cases (e.g. boxes for presents).
Glowing clocks. Glowing costume jewelry and rigid flakes of different shapes (flowers, etc). Glowing curtains (transparent and/or not-transparent with glowing image/s).
Glowing decorative element/s for front panel of loudspeakers.
Glowing embedded indicators (time, temperature, height, etc.).
Glowing fancy-dress costumes. Glowing fancy-dress masks.
Glowing flexible maps (static, semi-dynamic) in a bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, etc. Glowing games like "MONOPOLY", Adventure roads, etc. Glowing house and street numbers and names. Glowing image/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into aquarium. Glowing information billboards. Glowing information displays inside bus and train. Glowing Kirby-grips, rims, holders for hair. Glowing maps (static, semi-dynamic) for showing location.
Glowing maps and pictures/posters of any kind with backlight.
Glowing menu boards for restaurants.
Glowing numbers and names for bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, etc. Glowing picture/s and/or element s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into a cap/hat. Glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into bags e.g. holders, pockets, fasteners etc. Glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into shoes' heels, soles, laces, clasps, etc.
Glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into tables, chairs, arm-chairs, sofas, shelves, cupboards, counters, bars, pillars, doors, floor, ceiling, paneling, candles, lightings, wall-brackets, curtains, frames, etc. for cafes, night clubs, restaurants, disco, casino, theaters, circus, etc.).
Glowing picture/s and/or element/s (static, semi-dynamic) incorporated into vases, dishes, bowls, jugs, ashtrays, etc. Glowing picture/s and/or element/s and/or ornament/s incorporated into floor, ceiling, paneling, etc.
Glowing picture/s and/or element/s incorporated into flying toys, e.g. kite, balloons, etc. Glowing picture/s and/or element/s incorporated into toys, e.g. body's parts, suits, etc. Glowing pictures (static, semi-dynamic).
Glowing pictures with animation. Glowing pictures with changeable image/s. The pictures could be offered via Internet. Glowing pointers in a bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, etc. Glowing posters and pictures with animals, birds, etc.
Glowing posters and pictures with famous people, e.g. singers, actors, etc. Glowing posters with image/s (static or semi-dynamic). Glowing religious articles e.g. crucifix, icons, stained glass, etc. Glowing safety signs.
Glowing self-adhesion stickers.
Glowing sign/s on the work clothes, tourist, military (police, army) and sports wear. Glowing stained glass. Glowing stickers for bus, train, airplane, subway, car, ship, yacht, etc.
Glowing umbrellas. Glowing wall clocks. Glowing wallpaper with static, semi-dynamic picture/s and/or element/s. Glowing warning signs. Greeting cards with glowing image/s. Household accessories Industrial displays. Information displays along production lines.
Information displays for storage places, tanks, containers, etc. Information displays/billboards for e.g. stock exchange, races, competitions, stadiums, arenas, etc. Light indicators (military, tourism, sport, etc.). Light organ stickers attachable to music centers.
Light organ. Mirror lighting. Night light lamps.
Night time pointers (EXIT, WC, etc.). Pet's belts glowing in the dark.
Pool underwater displays (static, semi-dynamic). Road signs, e.g. traffic lights, directions, numbers, names, etc. Safety signs (on roads, industrial areas, etc.) Screens with glowing images. Set of characters on the display sheets to create messages, e.g. numbers, letters, words, texts, etc. Shinning frames for pictures.
Shopping center signs: changeable shelf information, goods list, cash displays (double side displays). Transparent windows with glowing image/s (static, semi-dynamic) e.g. shop window etc. Wall paper displays.
Indeed, the present invention is adaptable to almost all the lighted displays of prior art technology, including for example, those listed in Sekiguchi et al., US Patent No. 5,695,346, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to various embodiments of the invention as hereinbefore exemplified without departing from its scope defined in and by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
l.An electroluminescent display device comprising:
(a) a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of said first set and electrodes of said second set, wherein each of said electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes; and
(b) an electroluminescent material deposited on said close two-dimensional array only at selected locations so as to fill vicinities of junctions in said selected locations, said electroluminescent material-containing junctions functioning as pixels of the display device to display at least one predetermined pattern thereon, said at least one pattern thereby corresponding to at least one predetermined piece of information to be displayed.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
(c) a first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes to a power supply; and
(d) a second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes to said power supply.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one mechanism, selected from the group consisting of said first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes to said power supply and said second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes to said power supply, is configured to connect said respective set of electrodes to said power supply in a plurality of groups, each said group including at least one said longitudinal conductive element.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said electrodes of said first set and said electrodes of said second set are arranged substantially in respective planes, said planes being separated from and substantially parallel to each other.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said electrodes are interlocked in a woven arrangement.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said electrodes is coated with an electrically insulating coating.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein only said electrodes of one of said sets are coated with electrically insulating coatings.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrodes is substantially bare.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said at least one electrode is totally bare.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein said electrodes of at least one of said sets are coated with electrically insulating coatings at said junctions.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is at least a portion of an article selected from the group consisting of a textual or graphic information sign, a traffic regulation sign, a flag, and an article of clothing.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured as an identification mark.
13. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
(c) a transparent film covering at least one side of said sets of electrodes.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to sequentially display at least two pieces of information.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein said electrodes are preferably in the form of fibers, such that said close two-dimensional array of junctions is flexible.
16. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
(c) a film, covering at least a portion of said selected locations.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein said film is transparent to light of a predetermined color.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said film is opaque.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein only a portion of said film is opaque, said opaque portion of said film serving as a mask for said covered portion of said selected locations.
20. The device of claim 16, wherein said film is fluorescent.
21. The device of claim 16, wherein said film is phosphorescent.
22. An electroluminescent display device kit, comprising:
(a) at least one substrate for depositing thereon at least one electroluminescent material onto selected locations on said substrate in accordance with a pattern to be displayed, said substrate including a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of said first set and electrodes of said second set, wherein each of said electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes; and
(b) at least one electroluminescent material for depositing by a user of the kit onto at least one said selected location of said substrate to create a desired pattern.
23. The kit of claim 22, wherein said substrate further includes physical contours to define at least a portion of said selected electroluminescent material deposition locations.
24. The kit of claim 22, further comprising:
(c) a first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes to a power supply; and (d) a second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes to said power supply.
25. The kit of claim 24, wherein at least one mechanism, selected from the group consisting of said first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes to said power supply and said second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes to said power supply, is configured to connect said respective set of electrodes to said power supply in a plurality of groups, each said group including at least one said longitudinal conductive element.
26. The kit of claim 22, wherein said electrodes are preferably in the form of fibers, such that said substrate is flexible.
27. The kit of claim 22, further comprising:
(c) at least one film, at least a portion of one of said at least one electroluminescent material being applied to said at least one film to facilitate said depositing of said at least portion of said at least one electroluminescent material on said at least one selected location.
28. The kit of claim 27, wherein said at least one film is shaped according to a respective at least portion of said desired pattern.
29. The kit of claim 22, further comprising:
(c) at least one fluorescent material for depositing by said user of the kit onto at least one of said at least one selected locations.
30. The kit of claim 29, further comprising: (d) at least one film, at least a portion of one of said at least one fluorescent material being applied to said at least one film to facilitate said depositing of said at least portion of said at least one fluorescent material on said at least one selected location.
31. The kit of claim 30, wherein said at least one film is shaped according to a respective at least portion of said desired pattern.
32. The kit of claim 29, further comprising:
(d) at least one film, at least a portion of one of said at least one electroluminescent material and at least a portion of said fluorescent material being applied to said at least one film to facilitate said depositing of said at least portion of said at least one electroluminescent material and said at least portion of said fluorescent material on said at least one selected location.
33. The kit of claim 32, wherein said at least one film is shaped according to a respective at least portion of said desired pattern.
34. The kit of claim 22, further comprising:
(c) a transparent film for covering said first and second sets of electrodes subsequent to said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said at least one selected location.
35. The kit of claim 22, wherein said electrodes are interlocked in a woven arrangement.
36. The kit of claim 22, wherein said substrate further includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of one side of said two-dimensional array.
37. The kit of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of said two-dimensional array is impregnated with a dielectric material.
38. A method for manufacturing an electroluminescent display device for displaying at least one predetermined piece of information, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a substrate including a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes by arranging said first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between electrodes of said first set and electrodes of said second set, wherein each of said electrodes includes a longitudinal conductive element, said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes being electrically insulated from said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes; and
(b) depositing at least one electroluminescent material only onto selected locations of said substrate, thereby forming at least one pattern on said substrate such that said at least one electroluminescent material fills vicinities of junctions in selected locations of said substrate, said junctions then functioning as pixels of the display device.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said selected locations of said substrate is effected by a procedure selected from the group consisting of painting, patterning through a mask, silk screening and printing.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said selected locations of said substrate is effected by steps including:
(i) coating a side of at least one film with one of said at least one electroluminescent material; and (ii) contacting said coated side of said at least one film with said substrate.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said selected locations of said substrate is effected by steps further including:
(iii) shaping said at least one film according to a respective at least portion of said at least one pattern.
42. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
(c) depositing at least one fluorescent material onto at least a portion of said selected locations of said substrate.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein said at least one fluorescent material is deposited on said portion of said selected locations after said at least one electroluminescent material has been deposited thereon.
44. The method of claim 42, wherein said depositing of said at least one fluorescent material onto said at least portion of said selected locations is effected by steps including:
(i) coating a side of at least one film with one of said at least one fluorescent material; and (ii) contacting said coated side of said at least one film with said substrate.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein said depositing of said at least one fluorescent material onto said at least portion of said selected locations is effected by steps further including:
(iii) shaping said at least one film according to a respective at least portion of said at least one pattern.
46. The method of claim 42, wherein said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said selected locations and said depositing of said at least one fluorescent material onto said at least portion of said selected locations are effected by steps including:
(i) coating a side of at least one film with one of said at least one electroluminescent material and with one of said at least one fluorescent material; and
(ii) contacting said coated side of said at least one film with said substrate.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said selected locations and said depositing of said at least one fluorescent material onto said at least portion of said selected locations are effected by steps further including:
(iii) shaping said at least one film according to a respective at least portion of said at least one pattern.
48. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
(c) applying physical contours to said substrate prior to said depositing of said at least one electroluminescent material onto said selected locations of said substrate, so as to define at least a portion of said selected deposition locations.
49. The method of claim 38, further comprising the steps, of:
(c) providing a first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of elecfrodes to a power supply; and
(d) providing a second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes to said power supply.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein said providing of said first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set of electrodes to said power supply includes configuring said first mechanism to connect said first set of electrodes to said power supply in a plurality of groups, each said group including at least one said longitudinal conductive element.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein said providing of said second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set of electrodes to said power supply includes configuring said second mechanism to connect said second set of electrodes to said power supply in a plurality of groups, each said group including at least one said longitudinal conductive element.
52. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
(c) covering at least a portion of one side of said substrate with a dielectric layer.
53. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
(c) impregnating at least a portion of said substrate with a dielectric material.
54. The method of claim 38, wherein said forming of said substrate includes interlocking said electrodes in a woven arrangement.
55. An article of manufacture comprising:
(a) a first set of longitudinal conductive elements and a second set of longitudinal conductive elements being arranged to form a close two-dimensional array of junctions between longitudinal conductive elements of said first set and longitudinal conductive elements of said second set, said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set being electrically insulated from said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set, at least one of said longitudinal conductive elements being substantially bare.
56. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set and said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set are arranged substantially in respective planes, said planes being separated from and substantially parallel to each other.
57. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein said longitudinal conductive elements are interlocked in a woven arrangement.
58. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein only said longitudinal conductive elements of one of said sets are coated with electrically insulating coatings.
59. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein said at least one longitudinal conductive element is totally bare.
60. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein longitudinal conductive elements of at least one of said sets are coated with electrically insulating coatings at said junctions.
61. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein said longitudinal conductive elements are preferably in the form of fibers, such that said close two-dimensional array of junctions is flexible.
62. The article of manufacture of claim 55, further comprising:
(b) a first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set to a poser supply; and
(c) a second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal elements of said second set to said power supply.
63. The article of manufacture of claim 62, wherein at least one mechanism, selected from the group consisting of said first mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said first set to said power supply and said second mechanism for connecting said longitudinal conductive elements of said second set to said power supply, is configured to connect said respective set of longitudinal conductive elements to said power supply in a plurality of groups, each said group including at least one said longitudinal conductive element.
64. The article of manufacture of claim 55, further comprising:
(b) a pattern including information for indicating locations of junctions which are to be filled with at least one electroluminescent material, said junctions to perform as pixels to display at least one predetermined piece of information.
65. The article of manufacture of claim 55, wherein said longitudinal conductive elements are flexible, such that the article of manufacture is flexible.
66. The article of manufacture of claim 55, further comprising:
(b) a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of one side of said two-dimensional array.
67. The article of manufacture of claim 55, further comprising:
(b) a dielectric material impregnating at least a portion of said two-dimensional array.
PCT/IL2001/001097 2000-11-28 2001-11-28 Electroluminescent display device WO2002045464A2 (en)

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WO2003081323A1 (en) * 2002-03-26 2003-10-02 Visson Ip, Llc Electrooptical display with changeable pictures
WO2005024951A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-17 Adrian Kitai Sphere-supported thin film phosphor electroluminescent devices
WO2007036026A1 (en) * 2005-09-27 2007-04-05 Thomas Gary E Flexible el device and methods
DE202007004141U1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-07-31 Rödle, Adele Illuminated object
WO2014116008A1 (en) * 2013-01-24 2014-07-31 Rohm And Haas Electronic Materials Korea Ltd. Organic electroluminescent device and display device including the same

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US4419436A (en) * 1982-01-22 1983-12-06 Kranser Leonard S Photosensitive plate

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003081323A1 (en) * 2002-03-26 2003-10-02 Visson Ip, Llc Electrooptical display with changeable pictures
US6836259B2 (en) 2002-03-26 2004-12-28 Visson Ip, Llc Electrooptical display with changeable pictures
WO2005024951A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-17 Adrian Kitai Sphere-supported thin film phosphor electroluminescent devices
WO2007036026A1 (en) * 2005-09-27 2007-04-05 Thomas Gary E Flexible el device and methods
DE202007004141U1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-07-31 Rödle, Adele Illuminated object
WO2014116008A1 (en) * 2013-01-24 2014-07-31 Rohm And Haas Electronic Materials Korea Ltd. Organic electroluminescent device and display device including the same

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AU2002221009A1 (en) 2002-06-11
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