Abstract: LCD screen illumination is provided by a neon tube formed to fit closely adjacent the screen. A tube formed to fit around the periphery of the screen shielded from the viewer's eyes can be utilized to front light the screen. A serpentine shaped tube can be placed adjacent the back of the screen to back light the screen. The tube can be formed to have a size coextensive with the screen configuration and can have a light diffuser between the tube and the screen to provide uniform illumination. The tube can provide any desired color, an adjustable high maximum surface brightness, high electrical efficiency and a narrow profile.

Abstract: Subdivided pixels are provided with interconnected and hence redundant row and column bus lines to reduce fatal defects. The respective redundant row and column lines also can be interconnected between subpixels to further reduce defects. One defective subpixel is generally an acceptable non-fatal defect, since the rest of the subpixels are still operative. The subpixels also can be formed with common row and column bus lines. The pixels or subpixels can be connected in a serial serpentine pattern to test all row or all column bus lines at once. After testing, the serial connections are broken.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing thin film transistors. A gate metal is patterned to form a gate electrode and a drain, gate and source contact pad for the transistor. To reduce shorts and capacitance between the gate and the source or the drain, a dielectric is patterned to form a central portion over a planar portion of the gate region and to cover any exposed gate edges.