US3579015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electron beam addressed plasma display panel
Assignee: Monsanto Co
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Filing: 1969-03-18
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A combination display and storage tube of the type having gasfilled cells sandwiched between flat insulating sheets. One of the two electrodes for applying the sustaining voltage to the gas-filled cells is provided with apertures so that an electron beam may be used to initiate or extinguish the discharge of selected cells.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert O Gregory
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J17/492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A storage tube comprising a plurality of substantially flat insulating members defining storage cells therebetween, an ionizable gas within and filling said storage cells, a pair of electrodes external to and separated from said cells by said insulating members, one of said electrodes defining apertures registered with said gas-filled cells, power supply means connected to said electrodes for providing a sustaining potential less than that required to initiate a plasma discharge of said gas-filled cells but sufficient to sustain such discharge once initiated, electron beam addressing means positioned to direct an electron beam through selective apertures of said one electrode and onto the surface of one of said insulating members, whereby electrical charges may be applied to said gas-filled cells to selectively initiate discharge or terminate discharge of the gas provided therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A storage tube comprising a plurality of substantially flat insulating members defining storage cells therebetween, an ionizable gas within and filling said storage cells, a pair of electrodes external to and separated from said cells by said insulating members, one of said electrodes defining apertures registered with said gas-filled cells, power supply means connected to said electrodes for providing a sustaining potential less than that required to initiate a plasma discharge of said gas-filled cells but sufficient to sustain such discharge once initiated, electron beam addressing means positioned to direct an electron beam through selective apertures of said one electrode and onto the surface of one of said insulating members, whereby electrical charges may be applied to said gas-filled cells to selectively initiate discharge or terminate discharge of the gas provided therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The storage tube, as defined in claim 1, wherein said power supply means is an AC voltage source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A storage tube, as defined in claim 1, wherein the other of said electrodes is a continuous transparent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage tube, as defined in claim 1, wherein said one electrode having apertures therein is a substantially continuous thin-film conducting layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The storage tube, as defined in claim 1, wherein said electron beam addressing means, comprises an electron gun, a DC potential source connected between said gun and said one electrode to accelerate electrons emitted by said gun, deflection plates positioned between said electron gun and said one electrode for directing electrons emitted by said gun to selected apertures provided in said one electrode, and an electron beam-gating grid positioned between said deflection means and said electron gun for gating the emission of electrons from said gun in response to electrical signals applied to said grid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
A combination display and storage tube, comprising an evacuated envelope housing an electron gun, deflection plates, and an electron beam-gating grid, a face plate including a panellike structure of an insulating material and having a plurality of gas-filled cavities formed therein, the gas-Filled cavities being charged with an ionizable gas, a pair of electrodes external to and separated from said gas-filled cells by said insulating material, one of said electrodes defining apertures registered with said gas-filled cells, the other electrode being a continuous transparent electrode, an AC power supply means connected between said electrodes for providing a sustaining potential less than that required to initiate discharge of said gas-filled cells, but sufficient to sustain such discharge once initiated, means for controlling an electron beam emitted by said electron gun, whereby said electron beam may be selectively applied to said gas-filled cells through said apertures of said one electrode to initiate and extinguish the plasma discharge of gas provided therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A combination display and storage tube, comprising an evacuated envelope housing an electron gun, deflection plates, and an electron beam-gating grid, a face plate including a panellike structure of an insulating material and having a plurality of gas-filled cavities formed therein, the gas-Filled cavities being charged with an ionizable gas, a pair of electrodes external to and separated from said gas-filled cells by said insulating material, one of said electrodes defining apertures registered with said gas-filled cells, the other electrode being a continuous transparent electrode, an AC power supply means connected between said electrodes for providing a sustaining potential less than that required to initiate discharge of said gas-filled cells, but sufficient to sustain such discharge once initiated, means for controlling an electron beam emitted by said electron gun, whereby said electron beam may be selectively applied to said gas-filled cells through said apertures of said one electrode to initiate and extinguish the plasma discharge of gas provided therein.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of addressing a storage tube of the type having a plasma display panel comprising a plurality of gas-filled, light-emitting cells formed within an insulating material, comprising the steps of applying to said gas-filled cells by means of electrodes external thereto an AC voltage signal having a magnitude insufficient to initiate discharge of the gas therein, but sufficient to sustain the light-emitting discharge once initiated, and directing an electron beam onto the surface of said insulating material in registration with selected gas-filled cells, said electron beam having an intensity sufficient in combination with said AC voltage signal to trigger the individual display cells to their plasma discharge state.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of addressing a storage tube of the type having a plasma display panel comprising a plurality of gas-filled, light-emitting cells formed within an insulating material, comprising the steps of applying to said gas-filled cells by means of electrodes external thereto an AC voltage signal having a magnitude insufficient to initiate discharge of the gas therein, but sufficient to sustain the light-emitting discharge once initiated, and directing an electron beam onto the surface of said insulating material in registration with selected gas-filled cells, said electron beam having an intensity sufficient in combination with said AC voltage signal to trigger the individual display cells to their plasma discharge state.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of returning individual gas-filled cells formed within insulating material of a plasma display storage panel to their initial nonlight-emitting states, comprising the steps of directing an electron beam to the surface of said insulating material in registration with cells to be returned to their ''''off'''' state, and pulsing an electron beam during an appropriate half-cycle time interval to deposit a charge on said surface in opposition to wall charges developed within said cells.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of returning individual gas-filled cells formed within insulating material of a plasma display storage panel to their initial nonlight-emitting states, comprising the steps of directing an electron beam to the surface of said insulating material in registration with cells to be returned to their ''''off'''' state, and pulsing an electron beam during an appropriate half-cycle time interval to deposit a charge on said surface in opposition to wall charges developed within said cells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |