Abstract: A flexible EL lamp is made by depositing successive layers onto a release layer. The lamp is molded into a substantially stiffer article, leaving the lamp as a portion of a surface of the article. In one embodiment of the invention, the lamp emits light through the article. In another embodiment, the lamp emits light from the exposed portion of the surface. The EL lamp, as molded, can be substantially flat or have a three dimensional shape. The lamp is molded with or without the release layer.

Abstract: An EL panel includes a substrate 1-5 mils (0.25-1.26 mm) thick supported by a reinforcing frame screen printed or otherwised deposited in or on the panel.

Abstract: A light source producing predominantly blue light is tuned to the transmission bands of color LCD subpixels for optimum light transmission and color separation. The spectral output of the light source has three peaks located in the same areas of the spectrum where LCD color filters transmit most of the light, thereby providing a balanced white. It has been discovered that brightness enhancing films aid in the color conversion by enhancing the cascaded peaks, in addition to increasing the brightness of the light source.

Abstract: EL panels are made with PVDF/HFP copolymer resin binder, in substantially an uncrosslinked form, with DMAC solvent and/or other higher boiling point solvents/latent solvents/extenders. The resin binder is characterized by a melt viscosity of 1.0-8.5 kP using an industry standard test (ASTM D3835).

Abstract: Particles of electroluminescent phosphor having a moisture proof coating are re-coated by treating the phosphor in a fluidized bed with a mixture of water vapor and an organotrichlorosilane compound for approximately thirty minutes. The resultant siloxane coating further improves the moisture resistance of the phosphor.

Abstract: Light scattering particles are added to the ink used for printing the cascading layer. The particles and cascading material are then printed in the same layer. Light entering the cascading layer is scattered, re-entering the cascading material thereby increasing the effectiveness of the cascading material and enabling one to use less material. Because less cascading material is used, the cost of the EL lamp is reduced and cascading efficiency is increased. The light scattering particles and the cascading material are in an overprint or are in the phosphor layer.

Abstract: An EL panel includes a substrate 1-5 mils (0.25 -1.26 mm) thick supported by a reinforcing frame screen printed or otherwised deposited in or on the panel.

Abstract: A light source and a liquid crystal display are separated by a transparent, color graphic to simulate a color liquid crystal display. The light source preferably produces a substantially white light, as is available by cascading materials, and includes discrete or diffuse sources. The liquid crystal display is preferably positive (black on white) rather than negative to reveal more of the graphic. With an EL light source, the graphic can be printed on the transparent substrate of the EL lamp. In liquid crystal displays having a transflective layer, the transflective layer can be located between the light source and the graphic layer.

Abstract: At least one layer of cascading material overlying an EL lamp converts the light emitted by the EL lamp into infrared light. The EL lamp is supported within in a container transparent to at least infrared light, along with at least one battery and an inverter to provide power for the lamp in portable applications. The lamp is rolled to form a cylinder and fits within the inside diameter of the container. The lamp can be turned on or off by means of a switch interrupting current from a battery or to the lamp.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives the LCD.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives the LCD.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps, LEDs, and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives one or more LEDs and the LCD. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the LEDs are in series with a storage capacitor and are driven by the current pulses to the storage capacitor.

Abstract: At least one layer of cascading material overlying an EL lamp converts the light emitted by the EL lamp into infrared light. The EL lamp is supported within in a container transparent to at least infrared light, along with at least one battery and an inverter to provide power for the lamp in portable applications. The lamp is rolled to form a cylinder and fits within the inside diameter of the container. The lamp can be turned on or off by means of a switch interrupting current from a battery or to the lamp.

Abstract: At least one layer of cascading material overlying an EL lamp converts the light emitted by the EL lamp into infrared light. The EL lamp is supported within in a container transparent to at least infrared light, along with at least one battery and an inverter to provide power for the lamp in portable applications. The lamp is rolled to form a cylinder and fits within the inside diameter of the container. The lamp can be turned on or off by means of a switch interrupting current from a battery or to the lamp. Light is encoded in accordance with a series of pulses from a pulse source, preferably controlled by a microprocessor programmed with more than one code.

Abstract: A light source producing predominantly blue light is tuned to the transmission bands of color LCD subpixels for optimum light transmission and color separation. The spectral output of the light source has three peaks located in the same areas of the spectrum where LCD color filters transmit most of the light, thereby providing a balanced white. It has been discovered that brightness enhancing films aid in the color conversion by enhancing the cascaded peaks, in addition to increasing the brightness of the light source.

Abstract: Brightness is improved, without decreasing lamp life, by driving an EL lamp at higher voltage and less current, by increasing phosphor loading, by low loss dielectric, and by depositing the phosphor layer in two passes.

Abstract: Brightness is improved, without decreasing lamp life, by driving an EL lamp at higher voltage and less current, by increasing phosphor loading, by low loss dielectric, and by depositing the phosphor layer in two passes.

Abstract: A method for forming an electroluminescent lamp unit. A multi-layer sheet form electroluminescent lamp, the multi-layer sheet form lamp includes a pair of sheet-form conductive layers, one of which is transparent for transmitting light emitted from the particles, an electroluminescent sheet-form layer disposed between the pair of sheet-form conductive layers and having electroluminescent particles, and a carrier substrate for supporting the pair of sheet-form conductive layers and electroluminescent sheet-form layer. The multi-layer sheet form lamp is heated at a temperature sufficient for maintaining the operational integrity of said carrier substrate and said thermoplastic layers. The multi-layer sheet form lamp is them formed into a desired three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A driver for an EL lamp includes a voltage boost circuit and an H-bridge output having an AC diagonal and a DC diagonal. An EL lamp is coupled across the AC diagonal. A current path is coupled in series with the DC diagonal and limits current through the EL lamp. The current path is either internal or external to the semiconductor device implementing the driver.

Abstract: A driver for an EL lamp includes a voltage boost circuit and an H-bridge output having an AC diagonal and a DC diagonal. An EL lamp is coupled across the AC diagonal. A current path is coupled in series with the DC diagonal and limits current through the EL lamp. The current path is either internal or external to the semiconductor device implementing the driver.