Abstract: A personal electronic device includes a programmable display and a programmable keypad, wherein at least one of the programmable display and the programmable keypad includes a capacitive touch sensor and an EL panel in a unitary structure. A conductive layer shields the capacitive touch sensor from the EL panel and can be a separate layer or be incorporated into either the capacitive sensor or the EL panel. The conductive layer includes antimony tin oxide (ATO), other conductive oxide, or a conductive polymer, such as Orgacon™ 3010.

Abstract: Small geometry images are printed by coating a surface with a first resin and printing the image from ink containing a second resin on the first resin. The first resin and the second resin are characterized by being solvated by the same solvent. The solvent by which both resins are solvated need not be the solvent used in the inks for either layer. The solvent need not be the same for the inks in both layers. It is believed that solvent from a freshly printed second layer is at least slightly absorbed by the first layer, thereby reducing spreading.

Abstract: A light shutter includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the third electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode can be segmented and the segments separately addressed. In a display having a light shutter and an EL panel stacked on the same side of a substrate, there is a common front electrode and separate rear electrodes for operating the light shutter and the EL panel. The common electrode is electrically floating and the rear electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the common front electrode. The rear electrodes can be segmented and the segments separately addressed.

Abstract: A two step etch is used to provide access to the front electrode of an EL panel cut from a larger EL panel. The two step etch produces a set back that electrically isolates the front electrode and enables a conductive layer to be easily deposited on the front electrode. A kit contains the necessary materials and instructions for practicing the method.

Abstract: A light shutter includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the third electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode can be segmented and the segments separately addressed. In a display having a light shutter and an EL panel stacked on the same side of a substrate, there is a common front electrode and separate rear electrodes for operating the light shutter and the EL panel. The common electrode is electrically floating and the rear electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the common front electrode. The rear electrodes can be segmented and the segments separately addressed.

Abstract: A secondary display is provided on, in, or under the case of an electronic device at a location convenient for viewing. The secondary display includes PDLC and a backlight. The backlight is preferably either an electroluminescent panel or an array of light emitting die. In the latter case, a transflector is located between the light source and the PDLC.

Abstract: The unlit margin of a first EL lamp is covered by the lit edge of a second EL lamp to provide a substantially seamless lit area. The lamps are joined mechanically. The EL lamps are connected in parallel electrically by conductive tape overlying at least a portion of the bus bars of the lamps. A plurality of lamps can be joined together to provide an EL lamp substantially larger than obtainable by other means.

Abstract: A PDLC light shutter includes a conductive layer that is thermally bonded to the shutter as an electrode. The layer can be patterned to provide light transmission even if the conductive layer is relatively opaque. A patterned electrode can be reconfigured easily for prototype or low volume production yet the method and apparatus are suitable for volume production as well. Toner powder can be used as an adhesive and the conductive layer is patterned directly from a xerographic print.

Abstract: An array of light emitting diodes coupled between a substrate and a transparent electrode include a pair of equipotential bus bars supplying electrical current simultaneously to at least two light emitting diodes, each located in its own area of transparent conductive material. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a linear array of light emitting diodes has an electrode that includes a conductive island for each light emitting diode and a bus bar interconnecting and surrounding the conductive islands.

Abstract: A high brightness, durable, thick film electroluminescent lamp includes a base having a thin layer of PET on a release layer and a transparent front electrode of ITO particles in a resin, a transparent rear electrode, and a reflective layer overlying the transparent rear electrode.

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: 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: Lamp materials, e.g. a phosphor layer and a dielectric layer, are roll coated onto a release layer. A photodetector is coated with a translucent conductive layer and the lamp materials are laminated to the transparent conductive layer. The release layer is removed and a protective coating is applied to the dielectric layer. A resin coating is optionally applied to the transparent conductive layer prior to lamination to improve adhesion. The protective coating can be incorporated into the lamp materials prior to lamination. The release layer can be coated by screen printing or other deposition technique rather than by roll coating.