A method for aligning a plurality of thin film transistor tiles for constructing a flat panel display. A coverplate is arranged on a coverplate support. A first layer of a bonding material is applied to at least one of a first side of each of the tiles and a surface of the coverplate on which the tiles are to be secured. The tiles are arranged on the coverplate, such that the first layer of bonding material is arranged between the tiles and the coverplate. The tiles are connected to an alignment apparatus. The tiles are aligned relative to each other and the coverplate. The tiles are at least partially secured to the coverplate.

Claims

32 · 2 independent · depth 3

32 granted claims

›1.independentA method for aligning a plurality of thin film transistor tiles for constructing a flat panel display, the method comprising the steps of: arranging a…+17

›2.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: applying a second layer of a bonding material to at least one of a second side of ea…d2+5

›3.↳ 2The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: fully curing the first layer of bonding material and the second layer of bonding mate…d3

›4.↳ 2The method according to claim 2, wherein the first layer of bonding material and the second layer of bonding material are optically transparent when c…d3

›5.↳ 2The method according to claim 2, wherein the backplate includes at least one fiducial mark and the step of aligning the backplate includes the steps o…d3

›6.↳ 2The method according to claim 2, wherein at least partially securing backplate to the tiles includes the step of: curing at least a portion of the sec…d3

›7.↳ 2The method according to claim 2, wherein the first layer of bonding material and the second layer of bonding material are curable with ultraviolet rad…d3

›8.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein the tiles are connected to the alignment apparatus through a vacuum connection.d2

›9.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the tiles and the coverplate include at least one fiducial mark and the step of aligning the tiles in…d2+1

›11.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein at least partially securing the tiles to the coverplate includes the step of: curing at least a portion of th…d2+1

›13.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein the tiles are aligned to within 0.0005 inch of each other.d2

›14.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein the tiles are aligned utilizing at least one video camera.d2

›15.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein during the alignment the tiles are only moved in a plane parallel to an upper surface of the coverplate.d2+1

›17.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, wherein the display includes four tiles.d2

›18.↳ 1The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: applying pressure to at least one of the tiles and the coverplate to force bonding ma…d2

›19.independentAn apparatus for aligning and attaching together a plurality of thin film transistor tiles for constructing a flat panel display, the apparatus compri…+13

›20.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a backplate aligner; and apparatus for at least partially securing the backplate to the tiles…d2+2

›23.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the tile aligner includes a vacuum source for engaging and retaining the tiles on the tile aligner.d2

›24.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the tile aligner includes: a tile chuck for engaging each of the tiles; a first tile positioner for separ…d2+1

›26.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a coverplate positioner for altering a position of the coverplate support in a direction perp…d2

›27.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the tile position detector includes at least one camera for detecting fiducial marks on the tiles and on …d2+1

›29.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the tile aligner is also for aligning the backplate after the at least partial securing of the tiles to t…d2

›30.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: apparatus for fully securing the tiles to the coverplate.d2

›31.↳ 19The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus for at least partially securing the tiles to the coverplate includes apparatus for at least…d2+1

Classifications

3 codes

USPC · US Patent Classification

445/24445/60349/187

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539 days filing → grant

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Kenneth J. Ramsey

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