INTEGRATED LIGHT EMITTING DIODE DISPLAY DEVICE WITH HOUSING

• US 3,800,177 A
• Filed: 12/20/1971
• Issued: 03/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Malcolm J. Russ
• Original Assignee: Malcolm J. Russ
• Inventors: Russ, Malcolm J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Demeo, Palmer C.
• Application Number:
  US05/209,838
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 313/18D,324 315/169TV
• US Class Current: 313/500
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/24 of an individual high density interconnect connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/156 two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12036 PN diode
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12041 LED

Abstract

There is disclosed an integral light display comprising a matrix of light emitting diodes in an integral structure which is scannable to produce an alpha numeric character display. The light emitting diodes are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with the anodes of each diode connected by row address lines and the cathodes of each column being common, so as to be connectable to column address lines. A strobing format logic address system is provided for lighting the individual diodes to emission for producing an alpha numeric character or graphic display. The integral structure includes the transparent faceplate for the finished packaged device. There is also disclosed a method of making the foregoing integrated light display, which includes the steps of forming the anodes of the light emitting diodes in a semiconductor substrate of a type opposite to that forming the conductivity of the anodes, preferably by diffusion. Anode connecting row address lines are then formed interconnecting rows of anodes, the contacts to the anodes being of annular form to provide an opening for the light emitting from the junction of the light emitting diode. After transparent faceplate is secured over the surface of the substrate and the row address lines, the substrate is then etched into a plurality of sections to separate the cathodes of the light emitting diodes into a plurality of columns. The backside of the substrate may be thinned prior to separation into the column lines to provide better electrical connection to the cathodes of the light emitting diodes. The package of the light emitting diode array is completed by securing the faceplate of the array into a suitable housing.

Claims

1. An integrated light display comprising a matrix of light emitting diodes in an integral structure which is scannable to produce an alpha numeric character display, said light emitting diodes being arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with a first electrode of each diode being connected by row address lines and the other electrode of each diode being connected by column address lines;

a transparent faceplate of dielectric material having a first group of metalized row contacts along one edge thereof and a second group of metalized column contacts along a second edge;

means for securing said matrix to said transparent faceplate;

means for electrically connecting each row address line to a metalized row contact at the periphery of the faceplate;

means for electrically connecting each column address line to a metalized column contact at the periphery of the faceplate;

a housing having a first and second group of terminals secured therein; and

means for securing said housing to said faceplate with said first and second group of terminals in electrical contact with said first and second group of metalized contacts.

2. An integrated light display as recited in claim 1 wherein said row address lines are between said light emitting diodes and said dielectric plate and said column address lines are located on the area of said diodes away from said dielectric face-plate.

3. An integrated light display as recited in claim 1 wherein said light emitting diodes are of a material selected from the group consisting of gallium arsenide, gallium arsenide phosphide and gallium phosphide.

4. An integrated light display as recited in claim 1 wherein said rows and columns are arranged orthogonally.

5. An integrated light display as recited in claim 1 wherein said row address lines are located intermediate said light emitting diodes and said dielectric face-plate, said row address lines being arranged with circular openings therein to permit light emitted from the junctions of the light emitting diodes to be transmitted through said row address lines.