Customized electronic display and methods of customizing the physical size and/or shape thereof

• US 20040263761A1
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pixel Scientific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lawrence E Tannas Jr
• Inventors: Tannas, Lawrence E. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,535,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/153
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133314 Back frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13332 Front frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133325 Assembling processes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133351 Manufacturing of individual cells out of a plurality of cells, e.g. by dicing
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells

Abstract

Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The target opening is typically a control panel or dashboard opening, such as in the cockpit of an airplane. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals. Additional seals may protect sensitive areas against chemical corrosives or contamination, humidity, electrostatic damage, etc., and/or prevent light from passing around the edge of the display image area. Electric continuity may need to be reestablished for electric leads affected during the customization process, and electronic drivers may need to be reattached to the display. Additional modifications and/or enhancements may be made to the display during reshaping and/or resizing. For example, TABs or COGs may be relocated, added, removed, replaced, and/or reoriented; electric circuits may be replaced and/or supplemented with circuits having different functionality; the display medium may be altered and/or replaced; polarizers, filters, and/or films may be added, removed, and/or replaced. The customized display may then be ruggedized by attaching a suitable bezel (face plate) and frame (support hardware) thereto, and the completed, customized display unit may then be installed in the target location and integrated with surrounding hardware and electronics.

Claims

1. A method of changing the physical shape of an electronic display, wherein the display comprises a front plate, a back plate, and a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates, and wherein image-generating medium is contained in an area between the plates and within the borders of the perimeter seal, the method comprising the steps:

cutting the display along desired dimensions resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion; and

applying a first seal between the plates along an exposed edge of the target display portion, said first seal creating a barrier to prevent the image-generating medium from escaping out of the area between the plates;

wherein the target display portion retains the basic functionality of the display.

2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a second seal along the exposed edge.

3. The method as in claim 2, wherein the second seal comprises silicone.

4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the silicone is substantially black-colored.

5. The method as in claim 3, wherein the step of cutting the display further comprises the steps of cutting the front plate along a first dimension, and cutting the back plate along a second dimension resulting in an exposed upper surface portion of the back plate to which the second seal attaches.

6. The method as in claim 3, further comprising the step of scoring a polarizer attached to an upper surface of the front plate resulting in a target polarizer portion and an excess polarizer portion.

7. The method as in claim 6, further comprising the step of removing the excess polarizer portion from the display before performing the cutting step.

8. The method as in claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a light mask over the second seal and up to an outer perimeter of a target display image area on the target display portion.

9. The method as in claim 3, further comprising the step of applying a light mask over the second seal and up to an outer perimeter of a target display image area on the target display portion.

10. The method as in claim 9, further comprising the step of orienting the target display portion after the cutting step to prevent the image-generating medium from escaping from between the plates.

11. The method as in claim 3, wherein the display is a COTS AMLCD, and wherein the target display portion is substantially square.

12. A method of changing the physical shape of an electronic display, wherein the display comprises a front plate and a back plate, the method comprising the steps:

cutting the display along desired dimensions resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion;

applying a first seal along an exposed edge of the target display portion between the plates;

applying a second seal over the first seal; and

applying a third seal over the second seal;

wherein the target display portion retains the basic functionality of the display.

13. The method as in claim 12, wherein the second seal comprises silicone.

14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the display further comprises a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates, and further comprising the step of applying the second seal over the perimeter seal.

15. The method as in claim 13, wherein the target display portion farther comprises a polarizer attached to an upper surface of the front plate, and further comprising the step of applying a silicone bead over an edge of the polarizer.

16. The method as in claim 15, wherein the third seal extends onto the upper surface of the front plate and up to an edge of a target display image area.

17. The method as in claim 16, wherein the display is a COTS LCD.

18. The method as in claim 17, wherein the target display portion is substantially square.

19. A method of changing the physical shape of a COTS LCD comprising the steps:

cutting the display along desired dimensions resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion;

applying a first seal along an exposed edge of the target display portion between the plates;

applying a second seal over the first seal;

replacing an original TAB on the target display portion with a new TAB; and

electrically connecting the new TAB to corresponding electrical leads within the target display portion;

wherein the target display portion retains the basic functionality of the display.

20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the target display portion further comprises a polarizer attached to an upper surface of the front plate, and further comprising the step of applying a silicone bead over an edge of the polarizer.

21. The method as in claim 20, wherein the target display portion is substantially square.

22. An electronic display comprising:

a substantially flat front plate having an upper surface and a lower surface;

a substantially flat back plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said back plate positioned behind said front plate and substantially parallel thereto;

a perimeter seal located between said plates and forming an enclosed cell area defined by the lower surface of the front plate, the upper surface of the back plate, and the perimeter seal;

an image-generating medium contained within said cell area;

electrical conductors distributed throughout said image-generating medium;

a substantially flat first polarizer attached to the upper surface of said front plate, said first polarizer having a perimeter; and

a second seal positioned over the perimeter seal.

23. The electronic display as in claim 22, further comprising a first silicone bead positioned over the perimeter of the first polarizer.

24. The electronic display as in claim 23, further comprising a third seal positioned over the perimeter seal, the second seal, and the first silicone bead, said third seal extending onto the upper surface of the front plate up to an outer edge of a display image area thereon.

25. The electronic display as in claim 24, wherein the second seal comprises silicone.

26. The electronic display as in claim 25, wherein the image-generating material is liquid crystal material.

27. The electronic display as in claim 23, wherein the second seal comprises silicone, and further comprising a substantially flat second polarizer attached to the lower surface of said back plate, said second polarizer having a perimeter, and wherein a second silicone bead is positioned over the perimeter of the second polarizer.

28. The electronic display as in claim 27, further comprising a third seal positioned over the perimeter seal, the second seal, and the first and second silicone beads, said third seal extending onto the upper surface of the front plate up to an outer edge of a display image area thereon, and extending onto the lower surface of the back plate up to an outer edge of a display image area thereon.

29. The electronic display as in claim 28, wherein the second seal comprises silicone.

30. The electronic display as in claim 29, wherein the image-generating material is liquid crystal material.

31. A method of changing the physical shape of an electronic display, wherein the display comprises a front plate, a back plate, and a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates, and wherein image-generating medium is contained in an area between the plates and within the borders of the perimeter seal, the method comprising the steps:

cutting the display along desired dimensions resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion, said desired dimensions not intersecting with the perimeter seal; and

applying a first seal between the plates along an exposed edge of the target display portion;

wherein the target display portion retains the basic functionality of the display.

32. The method as in claim 31, further comprising the step of applying a second seal along the exposed edge, said second seal comprising silicone.

33. The method as in claim 32, further comprising the step of applying a light mask over the second seal and up to an outer perimeter of a target display image area on the target display portion.