Dean W Skinner

US Patent:

6341879, Jan 29, 2002

Filed:

Sep 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/407620

Inventors:

Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY
Lawrence T. Guzowski - Newington CT

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY

International Classification:

F21V 2300

US Classification:

362295, 362218, 362222, 362225, 362243, 362294, 349 70

Abstract:

The present invention features a system for uniformly distributing luminance and a high degree of collimation from a back light module for a flat-panel, liquid crystal display (LCD). A constant and uniform luminance output of the back light module is obtained through appropriate selection of lamps, geometry and optical components. An appropriate balance of lamps, lamp spacing, reflective light back plane, and diffuser and collimating optics are chosen to produce a high brightness back light module with very high intensity output over very large surfaces. Variations in intensity over the illuminated area are minimized using light recycling in conjunction with the collimating optics. Optimum geometries are determined for the purpose of maximizing light output at high efficiencies, while minimizing luminance gradients across the display. Finally, a precise collimator eliminates light beyond a defined angle, as required in a tiled, flat-panel LCD.

US Patent:

6417832, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Sep 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/406977

Inventors:

Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY
Lawrence T. Guzowski - Newington CT

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY
Performance Display Systems, Inc. - Newington CT

International Classification:

G09G 336

US Classification:

345102, 345109, 349 58, 362 29

Abstract:

The present invention features apparatus for uniformly distributing luminance from a back light module for a flat panel, liquid crystal display (LCD). Luminance uniformity, high efficiency and long lamp life are achieved by distributing the lamp cathode thermal energy and maintaining uniform lamp wall temperatures. A heat sink is attached to the fluorescent lamps in the cathode areas, providing cooler operating temperatures at the lamp ends. A thermal sensor is also mounted in the heat sink body. In addition, open louver slots positioned behind the lamps allow for cool air to enter behind each lamp. The size, shape and position of these louvers can be selected so that the lamp temperatures are essentially constant over their entire length.

US Patent:

6447146, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Sep 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/407619

Inventors:

Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY
Lawrence T. Guzowski - Newington CT

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY
Performance Display Systems, Inc. - Newington CT

International Classification:

F21V 2900

US Classification:

362294, 362218, 362276, 362373

Abstract:

The present invention features apparatus and a method for controlling luminance emitted from a back light module for a large, tiled, flat-panel, liquid crystal display (LCD). A mechanism is provided for achieving luminance stability of fluorescent lamps, high efficiency and long life through controlling and maintaining lamp tube wall temperatures. Air flow variations are controlled by a microprocessor and a network of electric fans. The lamps may also be dimmed selectively to obtain optimum lamp tube wall temperatures. There is also provided a mechanism for safely preventing overheating of the back light and display due to high ambient temperatures or component failures. Further, the controls can be used in conjunction with ambient light sensing or manual controls to maintain appropriate output light intensity.

US Patent:

6456354, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Aug 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/369465

Inventors:

Raymond G. Greene - Ovid NY
Donald P. Seraphim - Vestal NY
Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY
Boris Yost - Ithaca NY
Kohichi Miwa - Yokohama, JP
Michikazu Noguchi - Sagamihara, JP
Shunji Suzuki - Yokohama, JP

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY

International Classification:

G02F 11339

US Classification:

349153, 349 73, 349 74

Abstract:

The present invention features designs of pixels and designs of control features for seals on AMLCD tiles optimized for tiling AMLCD flat panel displays (FPDs) which have visually imperceptible seams. The FPD structure has an image view plane which is continuous and remote from the pixel apertures or image source plane on the inside of the tiles. The image is formed on the view plane by a distributed ultra low magnification flies-eye optical system (a screen) that is integrated with the tiles, effectively excluding and obscuring an image of the seams. The innovations described herein minimize the defects on the perimeter pixels by effectively damming the waviness of the front of the seal near the perimeter pixels on the tiles. Dark space required for the seal between the interior tile edges and active regions of the pixels is decreased, as is the space allocated for wiring thereby increasing the feasible aperture ratios near the mosaic edges and all apertures. The tile designs make effective use of the area of an entire manufacturing panel.

US Patent:

6459462, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/056187

Inventors:

Donald P. Seraphim - Vestal NY
Dean Skinner - Vestal NY
Ho Chong Lee - Endicott NY
Kevin G. McKenna - Summitt PA
Christopher D. Turock - Endicott NY

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY

International Classification:

G02F 113

US Classification:

349 73, 349187, 445 24, 156560, 156298

Abstract:

There is provided an improved method for laminating the components of a tiled display such as an AMLCD tiled display. In conventional laminating processes, forces are applied to the two parallel glass plates (i. e. , the cover and back plates) separated by a liquid adhesive film. The two plates are squeezed together over their entire area forcing liquid laterally out from between the glass plates and tiles until the desired spacing or gap (filled with liquid adhesive) between the cover and back plates and the tiles is obtained. However, this process may require several hours to complete for large panels and, in addition the process is susceptible to trapping air bubbles in the adhesive. Consequently, the traditional process is not well suited for the mass production of large panels. The âpseudoâ rolling-like lamination process of the present invention replaces the traditional lamination process and requires significantly less time.

US Patent:

6496238, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Aug 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/649384

Inventors:

Raymond G. Greene - Endicott NY
J. Peter Krusius - Ithaca NY
Donald P. Seraphim - Vestal NY
Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY
Boris Yost - Ithaca NY

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY

International Classification:

G02F 1133

US Classification:

349 73, 349 42, 349 74

Abstract:

The present invention features are series of techniques for designing and assembling of large, robust monolithic and monolithic-like flat panel displays. Many techniques originally developed for creating tiled, flat-panel displays having visually imperceptible seams may be advantageously applied to monolithic structures. These techniques include single-sided wiring, two-sided wiring from opposite sides, segmented row and column lines, and reordering row and column lines in fan-out region. Single-sided wiring facilitates the construction of displays with small outlines. By using these techniques, display sharpness and contrast may be improved. In addition, color and luminance balance and uniformity across the display may also be improved.

US Patent:

6578985, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Jul 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/906691

Inventors:

Donald P. Seraphim - Vestal NY
Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY

International Classification:

F21V 1300

US Classification:

362243, 362290, 362330, 362342

Abstract:

The present invention features a system for uniformly distributing luminance and a high degree of collimation from a back light module for flat-panel, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) simultaneously. A constant and uniform luminance output of the back light module in two directions is obtained through appropriate selection of lamps, geometry and optical components. An appropriate balance of lamps, lamp spacing, diffusers and light collimating optics are chosen to produce a high brightness back light module with very high intensity output over two very large surfaces. Variations in intensity over the illuminated area are minimized using light recycling in conjunction with the reflective diffusers and collimating optics. Precision collimators eliminate light beyond a defined angle, as required in tiled or monolithic flat-panel LCDs with predetermined display specifications.

US Patent:

6624870, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Feb 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/075945

Inventors:

Raymond G. Greene - Ovid NY
Donald P. Seraphim - Vestal NY
Dean W. Skinner - Vestal NY
Boris Yost - Ithaca NY

Assignee:

Rainbow Displays, Inc. - Endicott NY

International Classification:

G02F 1133

US Classification:

349153, 349 73

Abstract:

The present invention features designs of pixels and designs of control features for seals on AMLCD tiles optimized for tiling AMLCD flat panel displays (FPDs) which have visually imperceptible seams. The FPD structure has an image view plane which is continuous and remote from the pixel apertures or image source plane on the inside of the tiles. The image is formed on the view plane by a distributed ultra low magnification flies-eye optical system (a screen) that is integrated with the tiles, effectively excluding and obscuring an image of the seams. The innovations described herein minimize the defects on the perimeter pixels by effectively damming the waviness of the front of the seal near the perimeter pixels on the tiles. Dark space required for the seal between the interior tile edges and active regions of the pixels is decreased, as is the space allocated for wiring thereby increasing the feasible aperture ratios near the mosaic edges and all apertures. The tile designs make effective use of the area of an entire manufacturing panel.