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: A charge-transport structure, e g an opto-electronic structure such an electroluminescent device is manufactured by forming a uniform first charge-transport (eg electron-transport) polymer layer on a substrate. Low molar mass dyes in a solvent are ink-jet printed onto the exposed surface of the first layer to form a multicolor pattern, and the dyes are allowed to diffuse into the layer to form charge-recombination/emitter regions within the layer. Excess dyes are washed away from the surface and then a uniform second charge-transport (eg hole-transport) polymer layer is formed on the resultant smooth surface of the first layer over the tops of the regions. Finally, electrodes are deposited on the top of the second layer in registration with the regions. Photovoltaic structures and organic transistors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electroluminescent system in which neighboring layers are suspended, prior to application, in advantageously a unitary carrier compound, so that after curing, the layers form active strata within a monolithic mass. The carrier compound in a preferred embodiment is a vinyl resin in gel form. The invention enables several manufacturing advantages, including the ability to screen print the entire electroluminescent system on a variety of porous or fibrous substrates.

Abstract: Light from an EL backlight is used effectively without a condensing unit such as a lens sheet. A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel provided with multiple openings allowing adjustable in light transference quantity and an EL backlight being an approximate size of the liquid crystal display panel and irradiating the liquid crystal display panel from the back. Concave luminous parts respectively corresponding to the openings are formed in a luminous layer of the EL backlight. Light generated in the concave luminous part is repeatedly reflected by an inner wall of the concave luminous part and then goes out along the central axis of the concave luminous part, therefore, the light has a strong directivity to the opening corresponding to the concave luminous part.

Abstract: A flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) fiber light source is provided. The OLED contains a fiber core, a cathode, at least one organic radiation emitting layer and a transparent anode. The fiber light source may be used as a flexible novelty lighting article or coiled inside a large area lighting source.

Abstract: The generation of noise due the excitation of electronic circuits on a printed circuit board disposed in close proximity to the rear face of an EL as a result of a high voltage alternating current is prevented by the formation of a shield layer on the rear face of the EL.

Abstract: Exterior lighting assemblies for use on vehicles include a flexible substrate on which are mounted a plurality of solid-state light emitting devices. Preferably, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used for the solid-state light emitting devices, although other types of devices can alternatively be employed. The light emitting devices are connected to flexible conductive traces provided on the flexible substrate and leads are provided to connect to the power supply on the vehicle so that electrical current can be selectively supplied to energize the light emitting devices. The flexible substrate is adapted to be mounted on the exterior surface of a vehicle, for example, as a tail lamp assembly, or as a headlamp. Light emitting devices that emit different colored light can be used to provide red light to indicate slowing of the vehicle due to braking, amber light for turn signal indication, and white light to illuminate the surface over which the vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A flexible electrooptic display material comprising two sets of elongated elements. The first set elements are tape yarns comprising a layer of electrooptically active (EOA) substance, one or more transparent conductive layers disposed on one side of the EOA layer, and a transparent carrying layer. The elements of the second set comprise at least a conductive layer. The two sets form a matrix display structure in which the elements of each set are in contact with the elements of the other set. Single display elements (pixels) are formed in the overlapping regions between the elements where the EOA substance is disposed between a conductive layer of a first set yarn and a conductive layer of a second set element. The two sets of elements are preferably interlocked in woven arrangement, and preferably two sets of tape yarns having the same structure are used.

Abstract: A pressing iron includes a soleplate mounted on a bottom portion of a housing, a temperature status indicator mounted on the housing, and a control circuit mounted in the housing and coupled electrically to the soleplate. A driver unit drives the temperature status indicator to emit a light output. A controller controls heating operation of the soleplate and operation of the driver unit to control light emitting activity of the temperature status indicator. A power storage unit is charged by a rectifying unit when electric power is supplied to the latter by an AC power source, and enables continued operation of the controller and the driver unit for a period of time to permit continued light emitting activity of the temperature status indicator after supply of the electric power from the AC power source to the rectifying unit is interrupted.

Abstract: A pressing iron includes a soleplate mounted on a bottom portion of a housing, an electroluminescent temperature status indicator mounted on an outer wall surface of the housing, and a control circuit mounted in the housing and coupled electrically to the soleplate and the temperature status indicator. The control circuit controls heating operation of the soleplate, and further controls light emitting activity of the temperature status indicator.

Abstract: In an electroluminescent element having at least two light-emitting parts, the electric interconnection is ensured in the part in which the light-emitting parts are connected, and the electric short-circuiting in that part is prevented. In the electroluminescent element comprising a light-emitting part A and a light-emitting part B, a flexible, insulating resin layer 5 is provided in the connecting part C in which the two parts A and B are connected. In this, the transparent electrode 2 and the back electrode 6 in the connecting part C are prevented from being cracked owing to the layer 5 existing in the part C. As the means for compensating the electric interconnection between the light-emitting parts in the device, provided are a transparent electrode leading part 9 and a back electrode leading part 10 both of resin binder-containing ink layers.

Abstract: A structure for mounting an EL (Electro Luminescence) lamp of the present invention includes a panel frame affixed to a circuit board and receiving an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel therein. The EL lamp is interposed between the panel frame and the LCD panel and includes an electrode portion connected to the circuit board by electrode terminals. Holes are formed in the EL lamp in the vicinity of the electrode portion and open at opposite major surfaces of the EL lamp. Bosses are formed in the panel frame, and each is partly received in one of the holes. Even when an unexpected impact acts on the LCD panel, the bosses prevent the EL lamp from moving in the horizontal direction. This successfully protects the electrode terminals from breakage due to fatigue and prevents them from being peeled off from the EL lamp, enhancing reliable connection both mechanically and electrically.

Abstract: An elastomeric electroluminescent (EL) lamp is provided wherein an electroluminescent system, advantageously monolithic, is provided in an elastomeric structure. As a result, the lamp is thin, pliable and membrane-like. A first envelope layer is applied advantageously by screen printing to transfer release paper. An EL system is then applied, again advantageously by screen printing to the first envelope layer, and then a second envelope layer is applied to seal the EL system within the envelope. Appropriate windows are cut or left open to allow electrical contact with the EL system. An optional adhesive layer then may be applied if the lamp is to be used in transfer form for later affixation to a substrate. Alternatively, the lamp may be used as a self-contained membraneous component installed in another product such as a telephone handset.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp includes a flexible dome-shaped, light transmissive substrate defining a top convex side and a bottom concave side thereof. An upper light transmissive electrode layer is disposed on at least a portion of the bottom concave side of the dome-shaped substrate. An electroluminescent layer is disposed below the upper light transmissive electrode layer. A lower electrode layer is disposed below the electroluminescent layer. A method is contemplated whereby the layers are applied to the top of the substrate, the substrate is inverted and then formed into its dome-shaped configuration.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp assembly includes electroluminescent lamps of selected limited size placed and secured upon a larger printed circuit substrate employing surface mount techniques. The electroluminescent lamp assembly includes a substrate having a relatively large lamp receiving surface and relatively smaller lamps. At least one of these smaller lamps is a multi-layer sheet-form electroluminescent lamp having a sheet-form layer containing electroluminescent particles, the layer disposed between a pair of sheet-form conductive layers, one of which is transparent for transmitting light emitted from the particles. The electroluminescent lamps each have conductors exposed for engagement and connection with conductive traces on the lamp receiving surface of the substrate in a surface mounted face-to-face arrangement and are distributed in spaced-apart relationship according to a preselected illumination pattern and connected to the conductive traces.

Abstract: All of a transparent electrode layer 2, a light-emitting layer 3, a dielectric layer 4, a back-surface electrode 5, collecting electrodes 5a, 5b, and an insulating coat layer 6 are laminated with predetermined patterns by screen printing on a insulating transparent film 1. Conductive paste used for forming transparent electrode layer 2 comprises conductive powder of indium oxide which contains needle-like powder (A) and fine-grain powder (B) at a blending ratio of (A):(B)=100:0 to 20:80. A binder resin (D), being a photo-hardening or thermal-hardening resin, is mixed with the conductive powder (C) at a blending ratio of (C):(D)=45:55 to 95:5, thereby obtaining an excellent EL lighting element.

Abstract: An electroluminescent light source has a core member and a pair of transparent band structures between which the core member is sandwiched and which in an assembled state form a transparent sheath. The core is formed by a plurality of elongated electrodes spaced from each other and interconnected by means of connecting bodies of a dielectric material. Spaces between the electrodes are filled with an electroluminescent material which is applied in the form of a film onto the connecting bodies. The entire system of electrodes is placed between a pair of electroconductive buses to which the electrodes are connected electrically and which support the system of electrodes through dielectric separating blocks. In order to provide dynamic light effects (e. g., "traveling light") the electrodes may be combined into separate isolated groups arranged lengthwise or widthwise with electrical connection of each group to a respective electroconductive bus via a switching device.

Abstract: An electroluminescence element provided with a luminescent layer sandwiched between two electrodes on an insulating substrate. The luminescent layer is composed of zinc sulfide with a fluoride or a luminescent center element added, wherein the X-ray diffraction spectrum thereof has only a single peak at an X-ray diffraction angle from the luminescent layer, ranging from 25.degree. to 30.degree. according to a thin film X-ray diffraction measurement method using Cu-Kd radiation, and no other peaks of the X-ray diffraction spectrum exist at an X-ray diffraction angle of 27.degree..

Abstract: The electro-optical display device includes at least one electro-optical assembly, in particular an electro-optical cell (4), electrically connected to a supply unit (12) by means of elongated flexible supports (6, 8). Metallized tracks are arranged on the flexible supports which support integrated circuits (16). The flexible supports are assembled to the electro-optical cell and have loose intermediate portions formed by folds (42) which are free and thus allow positioning of each segment (44) situated between two consecutive folds with respect to the electro-optical cell which is independent of the positioning of the other segments.

Abstract: An electrically activated light emitting cylindrical or other shaped composite filament. A core conductor is optionally surrounded by a first optional insulation layer, surrounded by an outer electrode and an electroluminescent phosphor. The entire assembly may be coated with a second insulation layer. Light is produced by the phosphor when the core conductor and the outer electrode are connected to and energized by an appropriate electrical power supply. The filament may be used to form various one-, two- and three-dimensional light emitting objects.

Abstract: There is provided a light source consisting of at least one flexible, cable-like electroluminescent filament, each filament having a central electrode (2) surrounded by an electrically insulating dielectric layer (4), and a layer (6) consisting of a mixture of an electroluminophor powder and a binder. The mixture is applied to the dielectric layer (4). The light source also includes a transparent electrode (8) surrounding the mixture layer (6). Pores formed in the mixture layer (6) are filled in by a transparent filler substance. A method for preparing the light source is also provided.

Abstract: An elastomeric electroluminescent (EL) lamp is provided wherein an electroluminescent system, advantageously monolithic, is provided in an elastomeric structure. As a result, the lamp is thin, pliable and membrane-like. A first envelope layer is applied advantageously by screen printing to transfer release paper. An EL system is then applied, again advantageously by screen printing to the first envelope layer, and then a second envelope layer is applied to seal the EL system within the envelope. Appropriate windows are cut or left open to allow electrical contact with the EL system. An optional adhesive layer then may be applied if the lamp is to be used in transfer form for later affixation to a substrate. Alternatively, the lamp may be used as a self-contained elastomeric component installed in another product.

Abstract: All of a transparent electrode layer 2, a light-emitting layer 3, a dielectric layer 4, a back-surface electrode 5, collecting electrodes 5a, 5b, and an insulating coat layer 6 are laminated with predetermined patterns by screen printing on an insulating transparent film 1. Conductive paste used for forming transparent electrode layer 2 comprises conductive powder of indium oxide which contains needle-like powder (A) and fine-gain powder (B) at a blending ratio of (A):(B)=100:0 to 20:80. A binder resin (D), being a photo-hardening or thermal-hardening resin, is mixed with the conductive powder (C) at a blending ratio of (C):(D)=45:55 to 95:5, thereby obtaining an excellent EL lighting element.

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 EL lamp has a perimeter that is beveled such that the rear electrode is smaller in area than the front electrode due to the bevel. The lamp is made by placing an EL panel on a concave die with the rear electrode in contact with the die and shearing the edge of the lamp at an acute angle between 30.degree. and 60.degree., preferably 45.degree.. For circular or nearly circular lamps, the entire perimeter of the lamp can be cut in a single stroke.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent element comprises; a transparent substrate; an anode formed on the substrate; an emitting functional layer made of an organic material formed on the anode; and a cathode disposed on the emitting functional layer with a predetermined shape to be formed by a laser-material-processing; characterized in that a laser protective layer of a heat-resistant thin film is disposed on at least a portion to be provided with the laser-material-processing between the emitting functional layer and the anode; and alternatively or additionally in that a laser absorbing layer of a thin film with a predetermined thickness having a reflectance lower than that of the cathode with respect to a predetermined wavelength of the laser beam is formed on the cathode at a portion to be provided with the laser-material-processing.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp unit includes a flat deformable substrate of preselected size having smaller sheet-form flexible electroluminescent lamps secured face-to-face at preselected positions on a surface of the substrate, the lamps connected with conductive traces on the substrate. The flat substrate with secured lamps can be deformed into a desired shape to provide a relatively inexpensive and reliable electroluminescent lamp unit applicable for a wide variety of applications. The flexible electroluminescent lamps of the unit can be individually addressable and may have different colors or intensities. A method of manufacture of such units employs surface mount technology in an automated version, pick and place robots select and place the lamps as instructed, followed by ultrasonic welding or mechanical or adhesive fastening.

Abstract: An EL panel includes lamp materials laminated to a conductive sheet, wherein the lamp materials include a front electrode, a phosphor layer, and a dielectric layer. The conductive sheet is the rear electrode for the EL panel. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the conductive sheet is metal foil, a layer of a printed circuit board, or a layer on a flex circuit. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the phosphor layer and the dielectric layer are applied to the front electrode by screen printing or by roll coating.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp has a luminescent layer placed between a rear electrode layer and a top electrode layer, which is at least partially transparent to light. The electrodes are arranged to excite the luminescent layer by applying a potential to the layer. An insulating layer is placed between the rear electrode layer and the luminescent layer, to increase the capacitance of the lamp. At least one of the layers includes a terpolymer, e.g., vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene. In some applications (e.g., in wristwatches), the luminescent layer includes phosphor, the insulating layer includes barium titanate, and the rear electrode includes silver, all distributed through the terpolymer. In other applications (e.g., in cellular phones or pagers), the rear electrode includes carbon.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp comprising an electrode layer including a substrate with a main surface which has been coated with a film of a conductive material, the substrate comprising a region where the conductive material film has been removed from the substrate surface by rotary abrasion. The lamp of the invention may be fabricated using an electrode layer including a conductive material coated on a substrate, with rotary abrasion removal of a region of the conductive material, to form a lead attachment and/or edge isolation area on the electrode layer.

Abstract: An electrically activated light emitting cylindrical or other shaped composite filament. A core conductor is optionally surrounded by a first optional insulation layer, surrounded by an electrode and an electroluminescent phosphor. The entire assembly may be coated with a second insulation layer. Light is produced by the phosphor when the core conductor and the electrode are connected to and energized by an appropriate electrical power supply. The filament may be used to form various one-, two- and three-dimensional light emitting objects.

Abstract: A thin-film edge field emitter device includes a substrate having a first rtion and having a protuberance extending from the first portion, the protuberance defining at least one side-wall, the side-wall constituting a second portion. An emitter layer is disposed on the substrate including the second portion, the emitter layer being selected from the group consisting of semiconductors and conductors and is a thin-film including a portion extending beyond the second portion and defining an exposed emitter edge. A pair of supportive layers is disposed on opposite sides of the emitter layer, the pair of supportive layers each being selected from the group consisting of semiconductors and conductors and each having a higher work function than the emitter layer.

Abstract: A construction for electroluminescent device includes a substrate and an electroluminescent stack which forms a step relative to the substrate. A transparent layer of protective material is placed atop the stack to bridge the step and create a smooth edge profile along the edge. A metallization layer is situated atop the layer of protective material and is coupled to the electroluminescent stack through vias in the protective material.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp unit includes a flat deformable substrate of preselected size having smaller sheet-form flexible electroluminescent lamps secured face-to-face at preselected positions on a surface of the substrate, the lamps connected with conductive traces on the substrate. The flat substrate with secured lamps can be deformed into a desired shape to provide a relatively inexpensive and reliable electroluminescent lamp unit applicable for a wide variety of applications. The flexible electroluminescent lamps of the unit can be individually addressable and may have different colors or intensities. A method of manufacture of such units employs surface mount technology in an automated version, pick and place robots select and place the lamps as instructed, followed by ultrasonic welding or mechanical or adhesive fastening.

Abstract: A cable-like electroluminescent light source comprises at least two electrodes mutually disposed in such a way as to create between them an electric field when a voltage is applied to them; at least one type of pulverulent electroluminophor dispersed in a dielectric binder and disposed in such proximity to the electrodes as to be effectively excited by the electric fields when created and to emit light of a specific color, and a transparent polymer sheath encasing the electrodes and the electroluminophor.

Abstract: Active light-emitting components are integrated into a thin flexible plastic-wrap like film to provide an exceptionally large continuous display in which the film contains densely distributed light emitting elements addressed by a grid of transparent conductors. Inexpensive bulk processing techniques are used to produce plastic wrap with embedded components completely through the film to permit activation via a row column matrix. This topological layout provides mass redundancy of components, spatial decorrelation of component yields, and dramatic reduction in registration problems of metallic interconnects. The subject panel is especially well adapted to inexpensive flat panel TV screens or exceptionally large flat panel displays whose geometry is not limited to flat surfaces, but may take on curved or cylindrical configurations.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted for placement on a single edge of a thin film device having an electrically responsive layer to deliver electric current from a power supply to at least one electrode in electrical contact with the electrically responsive layer. The electrical connector extends part way into the electrically responsive thin film layer. The electrically responsive thin film can be a liquid crystal or polymer dispersed liquid crystal, an electroluminescent layer, or an electrochromic layer.

Abstract: Improved thick film electroluminescent lamps and displays which provide a moisture barrier for the phosphor layer of an electroluminescent lamp and allows all of the contacts for the lamp or the display to reside within the footprint of the lamp. The moisture barrier is provided without employing a pair of encapsulating polymer sheets. The resulting lamps and displays are provided with vias which allow leads to be attached to a front electrode and one or more back electrodes employed to provide a potential across a phosphor layer therebetween causing the phosphor to emit light. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the underlying architecture of the lamp or display and forms a seal with an exposed continuous band of a phosphor free front electrode which surrounds the perimeter of the lamp and also seals with a phosphor free region at the bottom of the vias which it passes down. The dielectric layer also seals any passages provided which traverse the lamp or display.

Abstract: An electroluminescent sheet-form lamp with a main portion of a conductive layer isolated from an edge region susceptible to detrimental conductive pathways by isolation provided along at least a portion of the perimeter of the lamp as a result of removal of a preapplied conductive coating such that, at the region of the isolation, the main portion of the one conductive layer which forms the respective electrode commences at a line spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the lamp. The preapplied conductive coating material may be removed to form a line of interruption that leaves in place a narrow margin of conductive coating in the edge region which is electrically isolated from the main portion of the coating forming the first electrode. The lamp may be formed by exposing preselected portions of the preapplied conductive coating to laser radiation sufficient to remove the preselected portions and form the region of isolation.

Abstract: A flexible electroluminescent lamp assembly is provided, having a plurality of films, each film including a flexible plastic substrate and at least one electrically conductive layer. In one embodiment, a first light-emitting film is arranged between two other films and includes an electroluminescent layer and a light-transmissive conductor. The second and third films provide busbar and back electrodes, respectively. Alternatively, flexible electroluminescent lamp assemblies may be produced by securing between two plastic substrates back electrode, dielectric layer, electroluminescent layer, light-transmissive conductor, and busbar in that order. The films are produce independently and then laminated together to provide a lamp assembly of indefinite or desired length.

Abstract: An electroluminescent sheet-form lamp comprising a transparent insulation layer, a transparent first conductive layer below the insulation layer forming a first electrode, a layer of phosphor material below the first conductive layer, a layer of dielectric material below the phosphor layer, a second conductive layer below the dielectric layer forming a second electrode, and electrical connection means for applying an electrical potential between the conductive layers to cause the phosphor to transmit light through the transparent conductive layer and the transparent insulation layer, one of the conductive layers having been formed as a general conductive coating preapplied over a panel of larger dimension than the lamp, from which the lamp has been cut.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an outer light transmissive envelope consisting of transparent rubber-like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing light emitting diode (LED) display panels comprised of a plurality of LED elements arranged in matrix formation. Aforementioned apparatus will have flexibility characteristics giving it the ability to conform to curved vertical surfaces that are flat and non-porous. Suction cup devices made of PVC will be bonded to the light transmissive envelope thus enabling the LED apparatus to be attached to vertical surfaces, making the unit self-supporting.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp panel which includes transparent and base electrodes with dielectric and phosphorescent layers therebetween and an insulation layer behind the base layer. A moisture barrier layer, such as of aluminum foil, is provided on the back of the panel behind the insulation layer. The photophorescent layer includes phosphor particles having etched surfaces in an active resin having scavenging properties.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) display panel comprising a flexible substrate film for supporting an EL display unit, a lead electrode provided on an extended portion of the flexible substrate film, the lead electrode leading out of the EL display unit, an adhesive provided on the lead electrode formed on the flexible substrate film, and a wiring board for carrying a driving circuit for the EL display unit, the wiring board being connected to the EL display unit by the adhesive. The EL display unit is a thin-film type or a powder type.

Abstract: An electroluminescent panel and method of making the same includes a plurality of layers on a transparent electrode in which each layer is formed with the same compatible polymer carrier resin base material so that the individual layers have an integrated uniformity. A polyester laminating resin is disclosed for the resin base material of each layer which is activated by a small amount of diisocyanate sufficient to provide temperature stability, but insufficient to transform the base material into a urethane. Also disclosed is an electroluminescent lamp which emits light only in discrete areas such as to produce a pattern of light in which the phosphor is applied in a pattern corresponding to the discrete areas which are to be illuminated. Similarly, the electrodes are restricted to the illuminated regions or areas, thereby conserving material as well as reducing the power requirements of the lamp.

Abstract: A flat matrix display panel having every side connected to an end of a flexible wiring substrate with an LSI chip loaded thereon. The flexible wiring substrate is formed into an S shape cross section by folding the substrate along an upper and a lower frames. The LSI chip is located near the center of the S-shaped substrate. The other end of the flexible wiring substrate is connected to a PC board which has other circuit components mounted thereon.

Abstract: A dispersive type flexible luminescent base plate having a transparent electrode formed on one side of the plate, a layer of phosphor applied to the transparent electrode, and a second, flexible electrode disposed opposite to the transparent electrode. The base plate consists of film of synthetic resin. The second electrode is a lamination that consists of a conductive layer disposed on the phosphor layer side and a layer of a low resistance disposed on the external side. The conductive layer consists principally of conductive fine particles.

Abstract: An LED display particularly adapted to be used as part of a design on articles of clothing such as tee-shirts, includes a flexible circuit board to which individual LED dies are secured in desired position. The individual dies are electrically connected to traces on the circuit board and are encapsulated on the board so as to protect the individual dies and connections and so that the encapsulating material forms lenses for the dies. In most instances, the display so formed will be completely covered with a protective layer of covering material having a design thereon and having transparent or translucent means over the encapsulated LED dies so that light given off by the LEDs is transmitted through the layer. Control circuitry is provided to supply power to the LEDs, preferably in a predetermined pattern, to cause them to illuminate.

Abstract: An electroluminescent panel and method of making the same includes a plurality of layers on a transparent electrode in which each layer is formed with the same compatible polymer carrier resin base material so that the individual layers have an integrated uniformity. A polyester laminating resin is disclosed for the resin base material of each layer which is activated by a small amount of diisocyanate sufficient to provide temperature stability, but insuffient to transform the base material into a urethane. Also disclosed is an electroluminescent lamp which emits light only in discrete areas such as to produce a pattern of light in which the phosphor is applied in a pattern corresponding to the discrete areas which are to be illuminated. Similarly, the electrodes are restricted to the illuminated regions or areas, thereby conserving material as well as reducing the power requirements of the lamp.

Abstract: A thick film luminescent device includes a substrate which supports a first and second electrode, the electrodes being separated from each other by an electroluminescent layer. Each of the electrodes has a conductor connected thereto including a terminal portion remotely situated from the electrode. An insulated layer opposite the substrate covers all of the conductors and electrodes except for the terminal portions. A conductive shielding layer is provided which is substantially coextensive with the insulated layer, the shielding layer including a terminal portion adapted to be connected to a suitable ground so as to prevent signal interference between the thick film luminescent device and adjacent electronic circuitry.