US3787753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual display devices
Assignee: Ferranti International PLC
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Filing: 1971-08-10
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1991-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A visual display device includes a matrix of direct current gas discharge cells in a block of electrically insulating material. For each row and column of the matrix, all cells in that row or column are interconnected by a row or column conductor so that energisation of appropriate row and column conductors strikes the defined cells in the matrix. Scanning means is also provided by means of which each column conductor is energised in turn without the need for a driver for each column. Information may be written on the display device by energisation of the appropriate row conductors as each column conductor is energised, the information display remaining after the column conductor has subsequently been de-energised.
Inventors
- 👤 F Walters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A visual display device which includes a plurality of discharge cells comprising a block of electrically insulating material containing a plurality of gas-filled cavities arranged in a two co-ordinate array, a first set of electrical conductors located adjacent like ends of the cavities and in contact with the discharge gas therein, each conductor of said first set forming first electrodes of a particular group of cells extending along one coordinate of the array, a plurality of second electrodes each located adjacent the other end of an individual cavity and in contact with the discharge gas therein, a plurality of electrically resistive elements each of which is connected to a different second electrode, a second set of electrical conductors, each conductor of said second set interconnecting the resistive elements of a particular group of cells extending along the other co-ordinate of the array, and a glow transfer device including a plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes in a common gas-filled discharge space, one electrode of each of the pairs comprising a conductor of one of said sets of electrical conductors and the other electrode of each of the pairs extending parallel to said one electrode, and means for sequentially energising said other electrodes of the pairs of electrodes so as to cause a discharge formed between the electrodes of each pair to scan along the glow transfer device by the mechanism of glow transfer and to change the potential of each of said one electrodes of the pairs of electrodes in turn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A visual display device which includes a plurality of discharge cells comprising a block of electrically insulating material containing a plurality of gas-filled cavities arranged in a two co-ordinate array, a first set of electrical conductors located adjacent like ends of the cavities and in contact with the discharge gas therein, each conductor of said first set forming first electrodes of a particular group of cells extending along one coordinate of the array, a plurality of second electrodes each located adjacent the other end of an individual cavity and in contact with the discharge gas therein, a plurality of electrically resistive elements each of which is connected to a different second electrode, a second set of electrical conductors, each conductor of said second set interconnecting the resistive elements of a particular group of cells extending along the other co-ordinate of the array, and a glow transfer device including a plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes in a common gas-filled discharge space, one electrode of each of the pairs comprising a conductor of one of said sets of electrical conductors and the other electrode of each of the pairs extending parallel to said one electrode, and means for sequentially energising said other electrodes of the pairs of electrodes so as to cause a discharge formed between the electrodes of each pair to scan along the glow transfer device by the mechanism of glow transfer and to change the potential of each of said one electrodes of the pairs of electrodes in turn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 1 in which said one electrode of each of said pairs of spaced electrodes is one of the first set of electrical conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 2 in which the first set of electrical conductors are formed on the block of electrically insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 3 in which said one electrode of each pair of spaced electrodes is formed on a further block of electrically insulating material, spaced from the block containing the array of cavities.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 1 in which the glow transfer device has at least one pair of glow initiating electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 5 in which said one pair of glow initiating electrodes are adjacent the first pair of electrodes of the glow transfer device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 5 in which a plurality of pairs of glow initiating electrodes are dispersed throughout the glow transfer device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A visual display device as claimed in claim 5 in which selected pairs of electrodes of the glow transfer device are also adapted to be used as glow initiating electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |