Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Tannas

Lawrence E. Tannas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10197826
    Abstract: Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other methods, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The methods may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170351125
    Abstract: Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other methods, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The methods may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 9671631
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9632336
    Abstract: Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other methods, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The methods may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9323082
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a flat panel display includes a bracket including fastener elements for mounting the bracket to a control panel having a panel opening therein, and a bezel for securing the display to the bracket such that the display covers the opening and the fasteners used to mount the bracket to the control panel. During use, the bracket is mounted to the control panel over the opening, and the display is secured to the bracket such that the display covers the opening and fasteners. The apparatus may be used for retrofitting an existing display with a flat panel display, with the existing display being removed before the bracket is mounted to the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150239572
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for mounting a flat panel display to an outer surface of a control panel, e.g., over a panel opening therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140333868
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 8885138
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for resizing an electronic display that includes front and back plates, a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates and defining an enclosed cell area between the plates that includes an original display image area, image-generating medium sealed in the enclosed cell area, and electrical circuits on inner surfaces of the plates extending throughout the original display image area. For example, a cut line may be identified that intersects across the original display image area of the display. A laser may be directed adjacent the cut line to heat and/or separate leads of the electrical circuits adjacent the cut line. The display may be cut adjacent the cut line, e.g., before or after separating leads along the cut line, resulting in a target display portion with an exposed edge, and an excess display portion, and then the exposed edge may be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8864541
    Abstract: Pre-manufactured electronic displays and, in particular, liquid crystal flat-panel displays, may be cut to a new size and resealed while preserving their originally-manufactured properties. A display may be cut, and the exposed edge of a target portion may be sealed, e.g., to preserve the integrity of the target portion of the display. It may be desirable to cause a sealant to go in between the plates of the panel, e.g., to achieve improved yield, chemical isolation, dimensional integrity, and/or strength of the seal. Apparatus and methods are disclosed where the sealant is injected or otherwise forced into the region between the plates adjacent the exposed edge. This sealing process may achieve more sealant surface contact area inside the panel in between the plates, e.g., to achieve better bonding strength, chemical isolation, and/or improved yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8804090
    Abstract: Methods are provided for sealing edges of resized electronic displays to minimize the size of the seal area as viewed from the front of the display. A target portion of a display is separated from an excess portion, creating an exposing edge. The exposed edge is sealed using a ribbon-like material with adhesive attached across the ends of the plates of the target portion to maintain and seal the gap between the two substrates. It may be desirable to allow two similarly prepared displays to have the resealed edge abutted against each other a minimal mullion between them. The size of the mullion is further minimized by providing pixels to the edge of the substrate being sealed, e.g., such that the active area of the display extends all the way to the edge(s) being abutted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8792076
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140141678
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 8671813
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing electronic displays are provided. The display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, image-generating medium contained in an area between the plates, and polarizing layers and/or other films on the outer surfaces of the plates. A target portion of the display is identified, and a saw is passed along a cut line to create a channel that extends through the polarizer to the outer surface of the top plate. A scriber tool is passed along the cut line within the channel to create a scribe line in the outer surface of the top plate. The display is inverted, and the process repeated to cut a channel and scribe the bottom plate. The plates are broken along the scribe line, and a seal is applied along the exposed edge, which may penetrate between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas
  • Patent number: 8636556
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130265738
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for resizing an electronic display that includes front and back plates, a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates and defining an enclosed cell area between the plates that includes an original display image area, image-generating medium sealed in the enclosed cell area, and electrical circuits on inner surfaces of the plates extending throughout the original display image area. For example, a cut line may be identified that intersects across the original display image area of the display. A laser may be directed adjacent the cut line to heat and/or separate leads of the electrical circuits adjacent the cut line. The display may be cut adjacent the cut line, e.g., before or after separating leads along the cut line, resulting in a target display portion with an exposed edge, and an excess display portion, and then the exposed edge may be sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130115845
    Abstract: Pre-manufactured electronic displays and, in particular, liquid crystal flat-panel displays, may be cut to a new size and resealed while preserving their originally-manufactured properties. A display may be cut, and the exposed edge of a target portion may be sealed, e.g., to preserve the integrity of the target portion of the display. It may be desirable to cause a sealant to go in between the plates of the panel, e.g., to achieve improved yield, chemical isolation, dimensional integrity, and/or strength of the seal. Apparatus and methods are disclosed where the sealant is injected or otherwise forced into the region between the plates adjacent the exposed edge. This sealing process may achieve more sealant surface contact area inside the panel in between the plates, e.g., to achieve better bonding strength, chemical isolation, and/or improved yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130075357
    Abstract: Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other methods, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The methods may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130023178
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 8259282
    Abstract: Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other means, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The method may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8235761
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.