IP Library Granted Patent US 7,629,742
Granted Patent B2
US 7,629,742 · App. 11/378,980 · Granted Dec 8, 2009

Electroluminescent displays, media, and members, and methods associated therewith

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,629,742
App. No.
11/378,980
Granted
Dec 8, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Electroluminescent (EL) displays, media, and members, and methods associated therewith. One such display includes an EL material, conductor layers, and a reflective image formed by a pattern of imaging substance applied adjacent at least one of the conductor layers. The EL material is between at least two of the conductor layers, and at least one of the conductor layers is applied adjacent the EL material in a pattern to form a conductive image. Upon application of an operational potential to the at least two of the conductor layers having the EL material therebetween, the display can be illuminated in an area corresponding to the conductive image.

Claims (19)

1. An electroluminescent (EL) display comprising:

a. EL material;

b. conductor layers, wherein the EL material is between at least two of the conductor layers, at least one of the conductor layers having been applied adjacent the EL material in a pattern to form a conductive image by a conductive ink; and

c. an image receiving layer applied adjacent to at least one of the conductor layers, wherein a reflective image is formed on a surface of the image receiving layer by a pattern of imaging substance applied adjacent at least one of the conductor layers, and

wherein the conductor layers includes contact pads having electrical communication with the conductive ink that forms the conductive image, and upon application of an operational potential to the at least two of the conductor layers having the EL material therebetween, the display is configured to selectively illuminate an area corresponding to the conductive image.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein the imaging substance was applied by a micro-fluid ejection device.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein a conductor layer that forms the conductive image was applied by a micro-fluid ejection device.

4. The display of claim 1 wherein the conductive image was formed on a substrate comprising paper and adhered adjacent the EL material by an adhesion layer adjacent a side of the EL material.

5. The display of claim 1 wherein at least one of the conductor layers comprise a translucent conductive layer.

6. The display of claim 1 wherein the imaging substance comprises an ink composition containing a conductive material selected from the group consisting of silver, carbon, and copper, and wherein the image receiving layer is translucent ink receiving layer adjacent at least one of the conductor layers for receiving the ink.

7. An electroluminescent display member that is attachable to a separate conductor member, the display member comprising:

a. an electroluminescent (EL) substrate having an insulative layer on a first side thereof and a translucent protective layer on a second side thereof;

b. an adhesion layer applied to the insulative layer;

c. a translucent image receiving layer applied to the translucent protective layer, wherein an image is formed on a surface of the translucent image receiving layer; and

d. conductor layers, wherein the electroluminescent (EL) substrate is between at least two of the conductor layers, at least one of the conductor layers form a conductive image by a conductive ink, and wherein the display is configured to selectively illuminate an area corresponding to the conductive image.

8. The electroluminescent display member of claim 7 wherein the adhesion layer further comprises a removable liner layer and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is applied adjacent to the insulative layer.

9. The electroluminescent display member of claim 7 wherein the image on the image receiving layer was formed by a micro-fluid ejection device.

10. The electroluminescent display member of claim 7 wherein the EL substrate comprises a translucent conductive layer disposed between the translucent protective layer and an electroluminescent material layer.

11. The electroluminescent display member of claim 7 wherein the image is formed by an ink composition containing a conductive material selected from the group consisting of silver, carbon, and copper.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 066345/0026 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT U.S. PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 046989 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047760/0795 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 30, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046989/0396 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2006
From: ANDERSON, FRANK E.; STRUNK, TIMOTHY LOWELL
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC
Reel/Frame 017661/0399 →