Patent · US Expired

Integrated backlight display system for a personal digital assistant

US5736973A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
16References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 1, 1995
Grant dateApr 7, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 1, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/30
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A backlighting system is placed in an elongated interior space within a personal digital assistant (PDA) which normally houses a stylus used to touch a liquid crystal display (LCD) touch and display screen. A backlight driver circuit is constructed on a printed circuit board (PCB) which fits within the elongated space, and an on-off switch extends from the PCB to an exterior hole formed in the PDA housing. An on-time control turns off power to the backlight driver circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed following activation of the on-off switch, and a dimming control controls the amount of energy delivered to the electroluminescent film. A torroidal switching transformer of a high voltage power supply minimizes noise, and a switching controller switches adjustable width current pulses through the transformer to regulate the high voltage level. A flyback circuit captures and uses a portion of the back EMF energy created when the current pulses are switched through the switching transformer. A H bridge of transistors alternately connects the high voltage positively and negatively to energize the electroluminescent film.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.