The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 25, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 16, 2005
Shingo Wakou, Yonezawa, JP;
Masato Togashi, Yonezawa, JP;
Naoki Yazawa, Yonezawa, JP;
Tohoku Pioneer Corporation, Yamagata, JP;
Abstract
The anode sides of respective EL elements E-Econstituting icons are connected to a first potential V, the cathode sides of the EL elements E-Eare connected to current absorption sides of constant current sources I-I, and current output sides of the constant current sources are connected to a second potential Vwhose potential is lower than that of the first potential via light emission control switches S-S. Current regulating resistors R-Rare connected in parallel corresponding to the respective EL elements E-E, and therefore by appropriately selecting the resistance values of the current regulating resistors R-R, light emission intensities of the respective EL elements E-Econstituting icons can be regulated appropriately. During an all extinction period during which the respective EL elements E-Eare all extinguished, an analog switch Sis turned off, and an analog switch Sis turned on. Thus, the anode sides of all EL elements E-Ebecome ground potential, and a reverse bias voltage is applied to all EL elements E-E. By periodic applying of this reverse bias voltage, the light emission lifetimes of the EL elements E-Ecan be prolonged.