CUSTOMIZED ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAY

Abstract

An electroluminescent display device is fabricated by creating a generic electroluminescent base laminate or precursor containing an base electrode and an electroluminescent layer. A custom graphic arts film or precursor containing a graphic element and a corresponding electrode is also fabricated. The two precursors are then bonded together using an adhesive to create the customized EL display, so that only the sections of the electroluminescent display device that are associated with the corresponding electrode on the graphic arts film emit light.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. The drawings are intentionally not drawn to scale in order to better illustrate the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are partial cross sectional views of electroluminescent devices in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an energized electroluminescent display depicting lighted graphic elements in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electroluminescent display, comprising: a first precursor comprising a first substrate having a first electrode disposed thereon, a dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode, and an electroluminescent layer disposed on the dielectric layer;a second precursor comprising a second substrate having a graphic element and one or more second electrodes disposed thereon; andthe first precursor bonded to the second precursor by means of an adhesive.

2. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element is disposed on a first side of the second precursor, and the one or more second electrodes are disposed on an opposing second side thereof.

3. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 2, wherein the first precursor is bonded to the second precursor such that the second side of the second precursor faces the first precursor.

4. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element, and the one or more second electrodes are disposed on the same side of the second precursor.

5. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, wherein the first precursor is fabricated at a place or time that is not the same as the place or time as the second precursor was fabricated.

6. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element overlies the second electrode.

7. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, wherein the graphic element does not overlie the second electrode.

8. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, wherein only those portions of the display that overlie the one or more second electrodes emits light when the display is energized.

9. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 1, further comprising conductive adhesive overlying the one or more second electrodes.

10. An electroluminescent display, comprising: a generic electroluminescent means containing a first electrode and an electroluminescent layer overlying the first electrode;a custom graphic arts means containing a second electrode and a graphic element disposed on a supporting membrane; andmeans for bonding the generic electroluminescent means to the custom graphic arts means such that the generic electroluminescent means and the custom graphic arts means combine to form the electroluminescent display.

11. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 10, wherein the generic electroluminescent means and the custom graphic arts means are two separate and distinct entities.

12. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 10, wherein the means for bonding comprises an adhesive.

13. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 10, wherein the graphic element overlies the second electrode.

14. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 10, wherein the graphic element does not overlie the second electrode.

15. An electroluminescent display, comprising: a generic electroluminescent means containing a first electrode and an electroluminescent layer overlying the first electrode;a custom graphic arts means containing one or more second electrodes and one or more graphic elements disposed on a supporting membrane; andthe custom graphic arts means bonded to the generic electroluminescent means after the generic electroluminescent means is fabricated.

16. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 15, wherein the custom graphic arts means is bonded to the generic electroluminescent means by an adhesive.

17. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 15, wherein the one or more graphic elements are disposed on a first side of the supporting membrane, and the one or more second electrodes are disposed on an opposing second side thereof.

18. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 17, wherein the custom graphic arts means is bonded to the generic electroluminescent means such that the second side of the graphic arts means faces the generic electroluminescent means.

19. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 15, wherein only those portions of the display that correspond to the one or more second electrodes emit light when the display is energized.

20. The electroluminescent display as described in claim 15 wherein the one or more graphic elements and the one or more second electrodes are disposed on the same side of the supporting membrane.