Patent ID: 7710365

Claim:
A method to visually detect leaky EL elements in a matrix-structured electronic device, said device includes a plurality of EL elements, a plurality of first lines, and a plurality of second lines, wherein said plurality of first lines intersect said plurality of second lines, and said plurality of EL elements are at said intersections and are coupled to said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines, said method comprising: (t) selecting a particular one of said plurality of first lines; (u) applying a first voltage to said particular first line that is selected; (v) applying a second voltage to one or more of said plurality of first lines that are not selected; (w) floating said plurality of second lines; (x) visually determining if one or more of said plurality of EL elements coupled to said selected first line emits light; (y) if one or more of said plurality of EL elements coupled to said selected first line emits light, then noting said one or more of said plurality of EL elements that emit light; and performing parts (t) thru (y) for each of remaining first lines of said plurality of first lines so that all of said plurality of first lines are selected once in part (t).