Matrix addressable display with electrostatic discharge protection
US5844370A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2329/92
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A field emission display includes electrostatic discharge protection circuits coupled to an emitter substrate and an extraction grid. In the preferred embodiment, the electrostatic discharge circuit includes diodes reverse biased between grid sections and a first reference potential or between row lines and a second reference potential. The diodes provide a current path to discharge static voltage and thereby prevent a high voltage differential from being maintained between the emitter sets and the extraction grids. The diodes thereby prevent the emitter sets from emitting electrons at a high rate that may damage or destroy the emitter sets. In one embodiment, the diodes are coupled directly between the grid sections and the row lines. In one embodiment, the diodes are formed in an insulative layer carrying the grid sections. In another embodiment, the diodes are integrated into the emitter substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.