Active matrix liquid crystal having a counterelectrode substrate extended and connected to an external circuit

• US 5,519,524 A
• Filed: 07/05/1994
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James L. Fergason
• Original Assignee: James L. Fergason
• Inventors: Berman, Arthur L., Fergason, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gross, Anita Pellman
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Toan
• Application Number:
  US08/275,907
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 359/80, 359/88, 359/93, 359/43
• US Class Current: 349/149
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13452 Conductors connecting driver circuitry and terminals of panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136 Liquid crystal cells structurally associated with a semi-conducting layer or substrate, e.g. cells forming part of an integrated circuit G02F1/135 takes precedence

Abstract

A miniature image source includes a plurality of substrates, one formed of semiconductor material having an active matrix array and being relatively rough and the other being relatively smooth, a sealed space between the substrates containing liquid crystal material, electrically conductive members or terminal pads of the rough substrate being electrically and mechanically connected to electrically conductive members on the smooth substrate and are brought externally of the sealed space for exposure on the smooth substrate for external electrical connection. A method for making a miniature image source includes mechanically and electrically connecting electrical members of respective substrates using electrical material, sealing a space between the substrates for containing liquid crystal material using seal material, and elevating the temperature of the respective materials to activate first said electrical material and subsequently said seal material.

Claims

1. An optical display, comprising

an active matrix-formed on a semiconductor substrate,

a substantially transparent electrode pattern on a transparent substrate, said electrode pattern including portions for connection to an external device,

mechanical and electrical connection attaching the semiconductor substrate to the transparent substrate through contacts from the active matrix to contacts on the transparent substrate for connection to an external device while providing a spacing between substrates to contain a material for producing an optical response according to applied electrical input, and

a space between the substrates to contain said material.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the substrates are preconditioned for proper alignment.

3. The display of claim 1, further comprising liquid crystal material substantially filling said space.

4. The display of claim 3, said liquid crystal material comprising operationally nematic liquid crystal material.

5. The display of claim 3, said liquid crystal material comprising smectic liquid crystal.

6. The display of claim 3, said liquid crystal material comprising NCAP or PDLC.

7. The display of claim 3, wherein the liquid crystal material in relative proximity to one substrate exhibits generally homeotropic alignment and the liquid crystal material in relative proximity to the other substrate exhibits generally homogeneous alignment.

8. The display of claim 1, said mechanical and electrical connection comprising respective connections of substantially all contacts of said active matrix to respective contacts on said optically transparent substrate for connection to an external device.

9. The display of claim 1, said active matrix or semiconductor substrate including means to reflect light toward said transparent substrate.

10. The display of claim 1, said connection comprising heat activated material.

11. The display of claim 10, said connection comprising solder.

12. The display of claim 10, comprising heat activated material for sealing said space.

13. The display of claim 1, wherein a surface of one of said substrates is relatively smooth and a surface of the other substrate is relatively rough compared to said relatively smooth surface.

14. The display of claim 1, further comprising polarizer means.

15. The display of claim 1, further comprising a source of light.

16. The display of claim 1, further comprising a seal sealing said space, a portion of said electrode pattern being within said space as contacts for connection with contacts of said active matrix and a portion of said electrode pattern being outside said space for connection to an external device.

17. The display of claim 1, said semiconductor substrate comprising a flip chip.

18. A method for making a display, comprising the steps of

forming an active matrix on a semiconductor substrate,

forming a substantially transparent electrode pattern on a transparent substrate including portions for connection to an external device,

attaching the semiconductor substrate to the transparent substrate through contacts from the active matrix to contacts on the transparent substrate for connection to an external device to provide a spacing between substrates to contain a material for producing an optical response according to applied electrical input, and

sealing a space between the substrates to contain said material.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of preconditioning surfaces of the substrates for proper alignment of said material in the space prior to sealing.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising substantially filling said space with said material.

21. The method of claim 20, said material comprising operationally nematic liquid crystal material.

22. The method of claim 20, said material comprising smectic liquid crystal.

23. The method of claim 20, stud material comprising NCAP or PDLC.

24. The method of claim 18, said attaching comprising attaching substantially all contacts of said active matrix to respective contacts on said optically transparent substrate for connection to an external device.

25. The method of claim 18, said sealing comprising placing thermally activatable sealing material between said substrates and elevating the temperature of said sealing material to activate it.

26. The method of claim 18, said attaching comprising placing a thermally activatable electrical material between respective contacts and elevating the temperature of said electrical material to activate it, and said sealing comprising placing a heat activated seal material between the substrates, said seal material having an activation temperature larger than the activation temperature of said electrical material.

27. The method of claim 18, said attaching comprising placing a thermally activatable material between respective contacts and elevating the temperature of said material to activate it.