Abstract: An electroluminescent switch is described incorporating an electroluminescent lamp assembly and one or more membrane switch assembly. The rear or base electrode of the electroluminescent lamp and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element which functions as the means by which the membrane switch may be closed upon actuation by a user. The membrane switch can be constructed from two electrodes arranged so that the conductive layer when brought into contact with said electrodes, shorts the electrodes thereby closing the circuit. Applications for the membrane switch include electronic devices where panel switches are required or electronic devices requiring particularly thin switches which are to be backlit.

Abstract: An improved electroluminescent display includes a first substantially transparent or translucent conductive layer and a phosphor or the like layer. The layers are deposited to form a multi-element display on the first conductive layer; with the phosphor layer broken up into more than one area. There is a layer of dielectric deposited upon the phosphor or the like layer and the dielectric covers substantially all of the display with a second conductive layer deposited upon the dielectric layer. The areas correspond to areas of the electroluminescent display which are to be lit. The second conductive layer is comprised of a number of areas shaped to be substantially congruent with the shaped areas of the phosphor or the like layer.