Abstract: An illumination system for a display device includes an array of cylindrical lenslets for imaging an adjacent array of different color monochromatic emitting phosphor stripes onto the display device. Also included is a microcollimator reflector for each stripe which partially collimates emitted light from each phosphor stripe with respect to at least one axis of the display. An edge-irradiated energy distributor plate efficiently distributes ultra-violet energy by total internal reflection to the phosphor stripes that act as scattering and absorbing centers for the ultra-violet energy.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) material is sandwiched between parallel strips of electrodes running at right angles to each other. Pixels are formed where the electrodes cross to provide a thin film, EL display. The display includes a layer of insulating material which has a hole at each pixel. The backside electrodes extend into the holes, thus providing a high electric field only at the pixel locations. These backside electrodes are broad to assure electrical continuity despite any open-circuit created by burned-out pixels. The insulating material overlaps the edges of the frontside electrodes, thus reducing the electric field which concentrates at the electrode edge. The insulating layer and the backside electrode can be made black, or a light-absorbing, semi-insulating layer used in order to reduce light scattering and reflection. Transparent electrodes can be used to allow light to emit from either the front, the back, or both sides of the display.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode for use with thin film devices. An active matrix display incorporating the electrode includes a thin film electroluminescent emitter, an upper dielectric layer deposited on an upper surface of the film, a lower dielectric layer deposited on a lower surface of the film, a plurality of parallel, transparent upper electrodes disposed on the upper dielectric layer, a plurality of parallel lower electrodes disposed on the lower dielectric layer, each lower electrode including an energizing strip disposed sufficiently close to the lower surface to activate the film in conjunction with the upper electrodes, and a coupling strip, spaced sufficiently from the film to resist the effects of electrical breakdown in the film, for connecting the lower electrode to an external component. The display further includes an insulating strip of photoresist separating the coupling strip of each lower electrode from the film and a transparent substrate disposed over the upper electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of connecting a first component, including a first electrical conductor, to a second component, including a second electrical conductor, which involves the steps of positioning the first component proximate to the second component to establish a juncture area, covering the juncture area with an insulating layer to form a smooth surface transition between the first and second components, and depositing a third conductor across the insulating layer and in electrical contact with the first and second conductors.

Abstract: There is provided an efficient semi-transparent reflector (transflector) which reflects direct light under normal, ambient light conditions but permits back lighting of a display, such as an LCD display, under dark ambient light conditions. Such a "transflector" is inexpensive to manufacture and provides an efficient device in which the pattern and body color of the reflector can easily be changed.