Abstract: A reinforcement technique used in the fabrication of displays, such as organic light emissive diode (OLED) display, is disclosed. A stiff reinforcement lid is mounted on a thin substrate to encapsulate the OLED cells. The lid serves to reinforce the thin flexible substrate and protect it from breakage. It comprises preferably of metal or other materials that have higher stiffness and ductility than the thin substrate. The fabricated display is compatible for integration into chip cards and other flexible applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device having a flexible organic electronic device comprising in the order listed: a) a first flexible composite barrier structure comprising at least one layer of a first polymeric film and at least one layer of a first barrier material, the first barrier structure having a first inner surface, b) at least one first electrical contact layer, c) at least one active layer comprising an organic active material, said active layer having dimensions defined by a length and a width, d) at least one second electrical contact layer, e) a second flexible composite barrier structure comprising at least one layer of a second polymeric film and at least one layer of a second barrier material, the second barrier structure having a second inner surface, wherein at least one of the first and second composite barrier structures is light-transmitting and the first and second composite barrier structures are sealed together to envelop the at least one active layer.

Abstract: A transparent or substantially transparent formable and/or flexible component for use as an outer protective element in an electronic or opto electronic device including at least one electrically active organic layer, which component is a composite structure comprising a layer of glass of a thickness less than or equal to 200 microns and a layer of plastic.

Abstract: A tubular Electro-Luminescent panel(s) light device offers superior bending characteristics with super brightness by integrating a predetermined width of panel with a proper circuit system. The panel(s) have narrow width to fit within tube means while enabling the panel(s) to be bent in any direction and angle because the panel(s) may freely move within the tube. The said panel(s) can be twisted within the tube means, and the tube means may have a desired colored, transparency, coil number, density, wall thickness, diameter, shape, and length, and be designed so that the light beam can be visible 0-360 degrees around the tube. The device may be incorporated with non-elastic means, magnetic means, a tube holder, inner tube(s) ,outer tube(s), conductive bus means, sensor means, and integrated circuitry to add a lot of desired features.

Abstract: A keypad backlighting apparatus includes an electroluminescence layer for lighting an input device of an electronic apparatus. The input device may be a keypad and the electronic apparatus may be a mobile communications terminal. The terminal includes an upper case having a plurality of button holes formed in a predetermined pattern, electroluminescence (EL) keypad on a lower surface of the upper case and having buttons exposed through the button holes. A printed circuit board (PCB) installed adjacent the EL keypad includes a backlight driving circuit for supplying power to the EL keypad. A lower case of the terminal is coupled to the upper case and supports the EL keypad and the PCB.

Abstract: A light emitting element is mounted on a substrate, a convex seal made of a transparent material is provided for sealing the light emitting element. The seal has a rectangular shape in plan view and has a convex shape. The convex shape of the seal has a first top in a direction of a long side of the rectangle, and has a second top in a direction of a short side of the rectangle, the first top has a first curved sectional shape, the second top has a second curved sectional shape, an average curvature of the first curved sectional shape is set to a value so that lightbeams discharged from the first top are expanded in the direction of the long side.

Abstract: A light source (10) includes a light emitting component (32), such as a UV/blue light emitting diode or laser diode coated with a layer (60) of a phosphor material (64). The phosphor material converts a portion of the light emitted by the light emitting component to light of a longer wavelength, such as yellow light. The thickness d of the layer varies across the light emitting component in relation to the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting component. This maintains a uniform color of the emission from the light source while minimizing the loss in light intensity (brightness) due to the presence of the phosphor.

Abstract: A light source using electroluminescence layers of which width and thickness are adjusted so that emission luminance does not depend on the position on the layer. Also, a light source using red, green and blue electroluminescences light media for a color source of which the width and thickness are so adjusted that the required emission luminance can be obtained from electroluminescences for the respective colors. In light sources using electroluminescence not adjusted in width and thickness as light medium, emission luminance is different from position to position, especially in the direction along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A mechanically flexible and environmentally stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) device with directional light emission comprises an organic EL member disposed on a flexible substrate, a surface of which is coated with a multilayer barrier coating which includes at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent organic polymer and at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent inorganic material. The device includes a reflective metal layer disposed on the organic EL member opposite to the substrate. The reflective metal layer provides an increased external quantum efficiency of the device. The reflective metal layer and the multilayer barrier coating form a seal around the organic EL member to reduce the degradation of the device due to environmental elements.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device (OLED) is disclosed for which the hole transporting layer, the electron transporting layer and/or the emissive layer, if separately present, is comprised of a non-polymeric material. A method for preparing such OLED's using vacuum deposition techniques is further disclosed.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device includes one or more electroluminescent laminates attached onto a bottom surface of a base panel and one or more patterns attached onto an upper surface of the base panel. The patterns each may include two or more spaces having different material of different brightnesses to generate light of different brightness through the different materials when the electroluminescent laminate is energized. The patterns may include one or more outer peripheral spaces formed around the other inner peripheral surfaces, to generate light of different brightnesses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for fabricating an electroluminescent display structure. A method including coupling a frontplane to a backplane wherein a frontplane top surface laminates to a backplane top surface. The frontplane and the backplane are fabricated separately. A first electrode layer which is transparent is disposed over the frontplane. A display medium which produces electro-optical effects upon a voltage application is disposed over the first electrode. A second electrode layer which is pattered is disposed over the display medium. The second electrode layer includes a plurality of connecting regions. The backplane is electrically active to provide driving signals for the display medium wherein the backplane includes a plurality of output pads to match the plurality of connecting regions.

Abstract: An organic EL device including a stacked structure having an organic luminescent layer positioned between an anode and a cathode; and a sealing can having a desiccant-containing layer on its inner surface. The desiccant in the desiccant-containing layer provides an excellent long-term moisture resistance to the organic EL device, thereby generating no or a few dark spots thereon.

Abstract: Continuous manufacturing of EL lamp laminate material comprising a front substrate made up of an organic binder phosphor particulate layer coated on an ITO/PET substrate with a rear substrate made up of a barium titanate layer coated on an aluminum foil polyester film laminate is described. The resultant EL lamp laminate is coiled and stored on a take-up reel for subsequent use as an EL lamp having a transparent ITO front electrode and aluminum foil rear electrode. Large surface illumination area, split-electrode and parallel plate EL lamps made from the EL lamp laminate material are also described.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device (1) comprising an EL element (2) supported on a transparent substrate (6). A cover plate (7) of a ceramic or glass-ceramic material is provided which plate is sealed by metallic sealing means (10). to the transparent substrate, whereby a gas-tight enclosure is formed for the EL element. The cover plate supports a driver IC (15). The cover plate is provided with internal conductors (12a, 12b, 12c) which connect first contact pads (13a, 13b, 13c) connected to the EL element (2) and to second contact pads (14a, 14b, 14c) connected to the driver IC (15), at least one first contact pad and the second contact pad to which it is connected being non-aligned.

Abstract: In an LED lamp, a copper film is first formed on a substrate by plating. A resist is then bonded onto the copper film so that shaped like a ring viewed from the whole of the LED lamp. A nickel and a gold film are formed on a portion of the copper film where the resist is not bonded. Next, an adhesive agent is applied onto a bottom of the lamp house so that the lamp house is bonded onto the substrate through the adhesive agent. A transparent epoxy resin is packed in the frame of the lamp house and hardened by heating to perform resin sealing. Since the resist is bonded onto the surface of copper having a large number of fine irregularities sufficient to ensure a large contact area and excellent in adhesion, separation can be prevented from being caused by thermal stress.

Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible multilayer packaging material for protecting articles that are sensitive to moisture and oxidizing agents. The packaging material has at least one active polymeric barrier layer that is able to bind the moisture and oxidizing agents and at least one ceramic barrier layer. The combination of the active polymeric barrier layer and the ceramic barrier layer significantly enhances the barrier abilities of the multilayer packaging material.

Abstract: An organic EL panel has a support substrate on which an organic EL device layer is formed. The support substrate is adhered to a sealing substrate via an adhesive to define a sealed space for encapsulating the organic EL device between both the substrates. The sealing substrate is made of a transparent material. On the inner surface of the sealing substrate, a color filter layer is formed. This structure allows light emitted from the organic EL device to transmit through the sealing substrate after having passed through the color filter layer. A transparent moisture capturing film is formed on the inner surface of the sealing substrate to cover the color filter layer, thereby filling the sealed space with transparent moisture capturing film. Thereby, the organic EL panel is provided, which makes it possible to obtain a sufficient moisture capturing effect in the sealed space.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescence display panel has an enhanced shielding capability whereby degradation of light emission characteristics does not readily occur. This display panel includes one or more organic electroluminescence elements, and each organic electroluminescence element includes first and second display electrodes and one or more organic functional layers. The organic functional layer(s) is interposed between the first and second display electrodes. The organic functional layer includes an organic compound. The display panel also includes a substrate for supporting the organic electroluminescence element(s). The display panel further includes a high molecular compound film consisting of polyurea or polyimide that covers the organic electroluminescence element and the peripheral substrate surface. The display panel also includes an inorganic barrier film that covers the high molecular compound film, the edge face thereof, and the peripheral substrate surface.

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 display device comprises a display pail having a flexible panel substrate serving as a display elements disposed lengthwise and breadthwise on a surface opposite to the display screen of the panel substrate; and driving circuit parts having flexible driving circuit substrates on which semiconductor elements made of flexile semiconductor materials are mounted. Accordingly, the completely flexible display device in which not only the display part, but also the driving circuit parts have flexibility can be provided.

Abstract: An environmentally-stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) fiber comprises at least one layer of an organic EL material formed on a fiber, cable, or wire; associated electrodes for providing a voltage to activate the organic EL material; and a barrier layer formed around the EL and electrode materials for reducing the permeation of oxygen, water vapor, and other reactive materials into the underlying layers. The barrier layer comprises either (1) alternating sublayers of a polymeric material and an inorganic material, or (2) alternating sets of adjacent sublayers of polymeric materials and adjacent sublayers of inorganic materials. Color of light emitted from the fiber may be modified by one or more layers containing inorganic and/or organic phosphor materials.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) device having a substrate with a light-emitting portion and a sealing member. The sealing member seals the light-emitting portion from the surrounding air. A groove accommodating a sealant is formed in at least one of seal portions of the substrate and the sealing member.

Abstract: A display device has an emitting region constituted by a plurality of first electrodes provided on a substrate and extending in parallel, a plurality of second electrodes provided on the first electrodes and extending substantially perpendicularly to the first electrodes, and a plurality of emission sites for emitting electrons or light respectively connected to a plurality of intersections between the first and second electrodes and arranged on the substrate and has a peripheral region surrounding the emitting region on the substrate. In this display device, first and second groups of external repeating terminals for the first and second electrodes are collectively provided side by side in a part of the peripheral region.

Abstract: A luminous element (1) comprising a conductor (2), which is associated with an electroluminescent material (3). An electrode (4, 8, 9) is associated with said electroluminescent material and the luminous element (1) is arranged to emit light, when electric voltage is applied between the conductor (2) and said electrode (4, 8, 9). At least either the conductor (1) or the electrode (4, 8, 9) is insolated along at least a section of the luminous element (1) through the electroluminescent material (3) along said element section.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus includes a solid-state area illumination light source, having: a planar flexible substrate, a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer deposited on the flexible substrate, the organic light emitting diode layer including first and second electrodes for providing electrical power to the OLED layer, a flexible encapsulating cover covering the OLED layer, and first and second conductors electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, and extending beyond the encapsulating cover for making electrical contact to the first and second electrodes by an external power source, whereby the light source may be stored in a space saving planar configuration; and a lighting fixture for removably receiving and holding the light source in a curved 3 dimensional configuration, the lighting fixture including a support for holding the light source in the curved configuration and contacts for providing electrical contact between said first and second conductors and an external power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroluminescent filament capable of emitting a plurality of colors and a method for manufacturing the same. Said electroluminescent filament of the present application comprises: A metal conductive wire as core wire; A medium insulating layer coated on the core wire; A light emitting layer coated on the medium insulating layer; A conductive layer coated on the light emitting layer; At least one or more transmission conductive wires wound at interval on the outside of the conductive layer; The transparent polymer casing tube covering the transmission conductive wires and the outer side of the surface of conductive layer not covered by transmission conductive wires; The polymer casing tube of at least 2 to 8 colors covering the outer layer of transparent polymer casing tube and forming light emitting filament with helical or sectional colors combination.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a light emitting display panel, which includes a laminated structure formed by laminating at least a flexible base layer, a first electrode layer, an EL layer, a second electrode layer and a flexible sealing layer in that order. The flexible base layer is provisionally attached to a rigid flat plate, and thereafter supplied to a main manufacturing step of the light emitting display panel. According to the feature, no significant unevenness in the thicknesses of layers formed on or above the flexible base layer is generated. Therefore, a light emitting display panel whose light emitting strength is uniform can be produced.

Abstract: An environmentally-stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) fiber comprises at least one layer of an organic EL material formed on a fiber, cable, or wire; associated electrodes for providing a voltage to activate the organic EL material; and a barrier layer formed around the EL and electrode materials for reducing the permeation of oxygen, water vapor, and other reactive materials into the underlying layers. The barrier layer comprises either (1) alternating sublayers of a polymeric material and an inorganic material, or (2) alternating sets of adjacent sublayers of polymeric materials and adjacent sublayers of inorganic materials. Color of light emitted from the fiber may be modified by one or more layers containing inorganic and/or organic phosphor materials.

Abstract: In flexible AM-LCDs using plastic TFT transistors (8), based on bottom gate, the signal distortion on the data lines (6) or selection lines (5) is reduced by adding metal strips (15, 25) per pixel, attached to said data lines (by vertical interconnections (16)), to provide a low-ohmic shunt.

Abstract: An EL element includes plural light transmitting front-electrodes forming plural lines by wiring and plural back-electrodes forming plural lines by further wiring. The front-electrodes are angled relative to the back-electrodes and a light-emitting layer is disposed between the front-electrodes and the back-electrodes. The EL element combined with a controller works as a lighting unit, which controls light emission at any place, so that a variety of lighting is realized by the lighting unit.

Abstract: An organic EL device includes a lower electrode formed on a substrate; an organic EL layer formed on the lower electrode; an upper electrode formed on the organic EL layer; a sealing member for sealing the lower electrode, organic EL layer and upper electrode on the substrate. The sealing member is made of an aluminum material coated with an insulating layer in its inner surface. Since the inner surface of the sealing member is coated with the insulating layer, contact of the sealing member with the upper electrode produces no trouble. Since the surface of the insulating layer 4 is porous, by removing the gas from the surface of the insulating layer 4, impurities in the internal space 5 can be taken into a large number of pores of the insulating layer 4. In such a configuration, a thin-profile and reliable organic EL device can be provided which can be manufactured with improved efficiency of manufacture and at reduced production cost.

Abstract: The present invention is a pattern display apparatus including a rotary or stationary display member; and a flexible organic EL device provided on an outer surface of the rotary or stationary display member, the flexible organic EL device being capable of displaying a character, a figure, a mark and/or a pattern formed by combining some of a character, a figure and a mark. According to the feature, the self-luminescent organic EL device provided on the outer surface of the rotary display member or the stationary display member can be driven by a low voltage to emit bright light and is also capable of emitting light in multiple colors. Therefore, the problems in the conventional pattern display apparatus using light bulbs as light sources do not arise in the pattern display apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: Flexible composite barrier structures are used to improve the resistance, to oxygen and moisture degradation, of an organic electronic device including at least one active layer comprising an organic material.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lighting device includes a elongate flexible body having an inner part and an outer part, an elongate multi-layer electroluminescent strip including a pair of co-extending conductive regions and extending along the inner body part, and a pair of conductive wires (36) extending along the inner body part for supplying electrical power to the strip. The wires are separated from the strip by at least a portion of the inner body part. A number of flexible contact elements are located at intervals along the inner body part for electrically connecting the conductive regions to the wires. Each contact element contacts with a respective conductive region and extends through the portion of the inner body part to contact a respective wire. An alternative device is formed with a single body extruded so as to encase an electroluminescent panel and a pair of rectangular cross-sectioned electrical conductors that are adhered continuously to conductive regions of the panel.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device (OLED) is disclosed for which the hole transporting layer, the electron transporting layer and/or the emissive layer, if separately present, is comprised of a non-polymeric material. A method for preparing such OLED's using vacuum deposition techniques is further disclosed.

Abstract: An electric luminescence fiber (ELF) can be maintained in any desired shape and can be used in wider applications, and an ELF with high functions can be produced in a simple manufacturing process and at low cost. A flexible luminescence substance (10) produced by arranging electrode wires in electric luminescence powder, where the electric luminescence powder is coated with thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or UV-setting resin. The coated resin (11) is hardened and stabilized in linear or other desired shape, and the electric luminescence substance (10) inside the coated resin is maintained in the desired shape.

Abstract: An EL sheet is used as a back light of an operating section of various electronic apparatuses. The EL sheet generates a stable click feel and is easily processed. A switch employing the EL sheet is also provided. An EL element layer is not formed at a bent section or its vicinity around a root section of a diaphragm. Only conductive patterns, which are coupled to a light-transmissible electrode layer and a back electrode layer respectively, are formed there. Instead of the conductive patterns, insulating film can be exposed there.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming displays are claimed. One embodiment of the invention relates to forming a flexible active matrix display along a length of flexible substrate. Another embodiment of the invention relates to forming multiple flexible displays along a continuous flexible substrate. Another embodiment of the invention relates to forming a flexible display along a flexible reflective substrate. Another embodiment of the invention relates to using FSA generally with a flexible web process material. Another embodiment of the invention relates to using FSA and a deterministic method such as “pick and place” to place objects onto a rigid substrate or onto a web process material. Another embodiment of the invention relates to using web processing to deposit and/or pattern display material through an in-line process.

Abstract: The present invention is an EL lamp structure that provides multidirectional light emission from the structure through the use of transparent front and rear electrode layers in the EL lamp structure. By utilizing various printing and depositing methods for the structural component layers of the EL lamp, light emission can be provided from the front and back surfaces of an EL lamp structure as well as a surface of a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support which comprises a flexible substrate and provided thereon, one or two or more polymer layers and one or two or more sealing layers, wherein at least one of the polymer layers and the sealing layers is formed by a process comprising the steps of exciting a reactive gas at a space between opposed electrodes at atmospheric pressure or approximately atmospheric pressure by electric discharge to be in the plasma state, and exposing the flexible substrate, the polymer layer or the sealing layer to the reactive gas in the plasma state.

Abstract: Methods for creating a protective seal suitable for protecting polymer-based electronic devices, including light emitting diodes and polymer emissive displays, are disclosed together with the protected devices. The protective seal includes one or more thin films of silicon nitride (SiN) or other inorganic dielectric applied at low temperature. One or more nonreactive metal layers may be present in the protective layer as well. Other embodiments are disclosed which include a protective cover over the protective layers. These protective layers provide encapsulation with sufficient protection from the atmosphere to enable shelf life and stress life for polymer electronic devices that are adequate for commercial applications.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising an anode, one or more organic compound layers containing at least a light-emitting layer, and a transparent cathode on a flexible support substrate having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 20 ppm/° C. or less, water permeability of 0.01 g/m2·day or less, and oxygen permeability of 0.01 cc/m2·day·atm or less. The flexible support substrate is constituted by a metal foil provided with an insulating layer on one or both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A flexible electroluminescence fiber has an electroluminescence device and electrodes disposed on both sides of the electroluminescence device. The surface of the electroluminescence device, including the electrodes, is covered with a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin or an ultraviolet-curing resin, which is then cured. The resin surface is integrally formed with a function-assisting portion for assisting the function of the electroluminescence fiber to retain the sectional configuration of the electroluminescence fiber and to attain ease of installation on a wall surface or the like and replacement, and ease of electrical connection, and ease of increasing the amount and apparent width of light emitted from the electroluminescence fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating one or more small electronic devices, including for example light-emitting diodes, mounted directly on a substrate by providing a three-dimensional formation on the substrate adjacent to the device and injection molding a thermoplastic encapsulating material to cover the device and extend over the three-dimensional formation on the substrate and wherein the encapsulating material mechanically bonds to the three-dimensional formation. A gate plate for use in injection molding a thermoplastic encapsulating material over a small electronic device mounted directly on a substrate including a cavity formed to enclose the device, and a short gate formed entirely within the gate plate having an input for receiving an encapsulating material and an output communicating with the cavity.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lighting device includes a elongate flexible body having an inner part and an outer part an elongate multi-layer electroluminescent strip including a pair of co-extending conductive regions and extending along the inner body part and a pair of conductive wires (36) extending along the inner body part for supplying electrical power to the strip The wires are separated from the strip by at least a portion of the inner body part A number of flexible contact elements are located at intervals along the inner body part for electrically connecting the conductive regions to the wires Each contact element contacts with a respective conductive region and extends through the portion of the inner body part to contact a respective wire An alternative device is formed with a single body extruded so as to encase an electroluminescent panel and a pair of rectangular cross-sectioned electrical conductors that are adhered continuously to conductive regions of the panel

Abstract: An electro-optical display comprising a flexible three-dimensional structure including at least two layers of electrode structures held together but spaced apart by at least one skeletal layer formed of fibers transverse to the electrode structures, the skeletal layer having empty space among the transverse fibers filled with an electrooptically active (EOA) substance, whereby an EOA zone is formed by the EOA substance between the electrode structures. A 3-D spacer fabric comprising two woven or knitted network layers united by a skeletal layer made of fibers and interwoven with the network layers, wherein the network layers comprise sets of conductive fibers ready to form an EOA zone with an EOA substance in the skeletal layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrical devices. An electronic assembly comprises at least one object having a first electrical circuitry therein. The object is created and separated from a host substrate. The assembly further comprises a receiving substrate having at least one recess. A bottom conducting layer is deposited over the receiving substrate and the recess. The object is then coupled to the receiving substrate such that the object is deposited on the bottom conducting layer and recessed within the first recess and below a surface of the receiving substrate. An insulation layer having a plurality of vias is disposed over the receiving substrate to insulate the bottom conducting layer and the object. A top conducting is deposited over the insulation layer and is making electrical interconnections to the bottom conducting layer and the object through the vias.

Abstract: A modular light emitting diode (LED) mounting configuration is provided including a light source module having a plurality of pre-packaged LEDs arranged in a serial array. The module includes a heat conductive body portion adapted to conduct heat generated by the LEDs to an adjacent heat sink. A heat conductive adhesive tape connects the LED module to the mount surface. As a result, the LEDs are able to be operated with a higher current than normally allowed. Thus, brightness and performance of the LEDs is increased without decreasing the life expectancy of the LEDs. A plurality of such LED modules can be pre-wired together in a substantially continuous fashion and provided in a dispenser, such as a roll or box. Thus, to install a plurality of such LED modules, a worker simply pulls modules from the dispenser as needed, secures the appropriate number of modules in place, and connects the assembled modules to a power source.

Abstract: An environmentally-stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) fiber comprises at least one layer of an organic EL material formed on a fiber, cable, or wire; associated electrodes for providing a voltage to activate the organic EL material; and a barrier layer formed around the EL and electrode materials for reducing the permeation of oxygen, water vapor, and other reactive materials into the underlying layers. The barrier layer comprises either (1) alternating sublayers of a polymeric material and an inorganic material, or (2) alternating sets of adjacent sublayers of polymeric materials and adjacent sublayers of inorganic materials. Color of light emitted from the fiber may be modified by one or more layers containing inorganic and/or organic phosphor materials.