CUSTOMIZED ELECTRONIC DISPLAYS AND METHODS OF CUSTOMIZING THE PHYSICAL SIZE AND/OR SHAPE THEREOF

• US 20090227167A1
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• 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 8,068,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 445/2
• 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 sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.

Claims

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

mounting the display in a fixture to maintain cell thickness;

cutting the display along desired dimensions resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion, thereby breaking the perimeter seal and creating an exposed edge along the target display portion that extends from a first side edge of the display to a second side edge of the display;

removing image-generating medium from the area between the plates along the exposed edge;

applying an adhesive along the exposed edge, the adhesive flowing into the area between the plates; and

curing the adhesive to create a first seal between the plates along the exposed edge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first seal is disposed within the area between the plates such that the first seal contacts inner surfaces of the front and back plates.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a low-viscosity adhesive capable of flowing inwardly into the area between the plates to fill any void between the plates along the exposed edge.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising outgassing the electronic display after applying the adhesive to remove trapped gases from the area between the plates.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image-generating medium is removed to create a void in the area between the plates, and wherein the adhesive flows into the area between the plates to fill the void when the adhesive is applied along the exposed edge.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a second humidity seal along the exposed edge over the first seal.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a third masking seal over the second seal for preventing back light from passing through the exposed edge.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the display is cut by:

scribing the front and back plates along scribe dimensions; and

breaking the front and back plates along the scribe dimensions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is cured by exposure to ultraviolet light.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein internal electronics of the display are cut when the display is cut.

11. A method for changing the physical shape of an electronic display, wherein the display comprises front and back plates, a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates and at least partially defining an enclosed cell area between the plates that comprises an original display image area, image-generating medium contained in the area between the plates and within the borders of the perimeter seal, the method comprising:

cutting the display along desired dimensions that extend across the original display image area resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion, thereby breaking the perimeter seal and exposing an edge of the target display portion;

removing liquid crystal material from between the plates along the exposed edge;

applying an adhesive along the exposed edge, the adhesive flowing in between the plates; and

curing the adhesive to create a first seal between the plates along the exposed edge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive comprises a low-viscosity adhesive capable of flowing inwardly between the plates to fill any void between the plates along the exposed edge.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising outgassing the electronic display after the step of applying the adhesive to remove trapped gases and voids from between the plates.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying a second humidity seal along the exposed edge over the first seal.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising a third masking seal over the second seal for preventing back light from passing through the exposed edge.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the display is cut by:

scribing the front and back plates along scribe dimensions with a scribe wheel; and

breaking the front and back plates along the scribe dimensions.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive is cured by exposure to ultraviolet light.

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

cutting the display along desired dimensions resulting in a target display portion and an excess display portion, thereby breaking the perimeter seal and exposing an edge of the target display portion that extends from a first side edge of the display to a second side edge of the display;

removing image-generating medium from between the plates along the exposed edge; and

applying an adhesive that flows in between the plates along the exposed edge, the adhesive creating a first seal to prevent the image-generating medium from escaping out of the area between the plates.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising mounting the display in a fixture to maintain cell thickness before cutting the display.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the adhesive comprises a low-viscosity adhesive capable of flowing inwardly between the plates to fill any void between the plates along the exposed edge.