US3789265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display panel
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A display panel includes a plurality of rows and columns of display cells, each having an anode and a cathode and including a novel drive arrangement for selecting and energizing one cell at a time.
Inventors
- 👤 G Holz
- 👤 J Ogle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J17/492; G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/22; G09G3/28; G09G3/282; G09G3/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
523 words
A display panel and system comprising a gas-filled envelope including an insulating plate containing a plurality of first gas-filled cells arrayed in rows and columns, there being a first column, a last column and intermediate columns of said first cells, gas communication channels formed in said plate and extending from cell to cell along each row of cells and from cell to cell along each column of cells, whereby when any one cell is turned ON, it generates excited particles which diffuse through said channels to the adjacent cells, a first column of auxiliary cells adjacent to said first column of first cells, with each cell thereof aligned with a row of first cells and connected by a gas communication channel with the adjacent first cell in its row, the cells of said first column of auxiliary cells also being interconnected by gas communication channels, a second column of auxiliary cells adjacent to said last column of first cells, with each cell thereof aligned with a row of first cells and connected by a gas communication channel with the adjacent first cell in its row, said second column of auxiliary cells also being interconnected by gas communication channels, a first cathode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each column of first cells, an anode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each row of first cells and the associated auxiliary cells, said anode electrodes all being connected to a source of operating potential, said first cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of first groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by one electrode of each of the other groups, each first group being connected to a first driver for applying operating potential thereto, a second cathode electrode associated with each first auxiliary electrode, said second cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a second driver for applying operating potential thereto, a third cathode electrode associated with each second auxiliary electrode, said third cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a third driver for applying operating potential thereto, said electrodes being operable such that, when anode potential is applied to all of said first electrodes, each of said second drivers is operated in turn to transfer glow from one first auxiliary cell to the next adjacent auxiliary cell in said column of first auxiliary cells with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first auxiliary cells, operation of said second drivers being discontinued when a selected row of first cells is reached whereupon operation of each of said first drivers in turn causes glow to transfer from the associated first auxiliary cell to each of said first cells in said row in order, with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first cells in said selected row.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
523 words
A display panel and system comprising a gas-filled envelope including an insulating plate containing a plurality of first gas-filled cells arrayed in rows and columns, there being a first column, a last column and intermediate columns of said first cells, gas communication channels formed in said plate and extending from cell to cell along each row of cells and from cell to cell along each column of cells, whereby when any one cell is turned ON, it generates excited particles which diffuse through said channels to the adjacent cells, a first column of auxiliary cells adjacent to said first column of first cells, with each cell thereof aligned with a row of first cells and connected by a gas communication channel with the adjacent first cell in its row, the cells of said first column of auxiliary cells also being interconnected by gas communication channels, a second column of auxiliary cells adjacent to said last column of first cells, with each cell thereof aligned with a row of first cells and connected by a gas communication channel with the adjacent first cell in its row, said second column of auxiliary cells also being interconnected by gas communication channels, a first cathode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each column of first cells, an anode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each row of first cells and the associated auxiliary cells, said anode electrodes all being connected to a source of operating potential, said first cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of first groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by one electrode of each of the other groups, each first group being connected to a first driver for applying operating potential thereto, a second cathode electrode associated with each first auxiliary electrode, said second cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a second driver for applying operating potential thereto, a third cathode electrode associated with each second auxiliary electrode, said third cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a third driver for applying operating potential thereto, said electrodes being operable such that, when anode potential is applied to all of said first electrodes, each of said second drivers is operated in turn to transfer glow from one first auxiliary cell to the next adjacent auxiliary cell in said column of first auxiliary cells with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first auxiliary cells, operation of said second drivers being discontinued when a selected row of first cells is reached whereupon operation of each of said first drivers in turn causes glow to transfer from the associated first auxiliary cell to each of said first cells in said row in order, with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first cells in said selected row.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The panel and system defined in claim 1 wherein each cell includes an auxiliary electrode in contact with the gas therein in addition to its anode and cathode, said auxiliary electrode comprising a conductor having an insulating coating which can assume a charge when the gas in a cell is ionized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The panel and system defined in claim 2 wherein each said auxiliary electrode includes an end portion accessible Outside said panel whereby an electrical potential can be applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The panel defined in claim 1 and including a separate auxiliary electrode which extends along each row of cells in said panel and is disposed in the gas in each cell and comprises a conductive member coated with a layer of insulating material which can assume an electrical charge when the gas in a cell is ionized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The panel defined in claim 4 wherein the auxiliary electrodes associated with adjacent rows of cells are connected together to form a single continuous insulating conductor which extends from one cell to the next throughout the entire panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
The panel and system defined in claim 4 and including a second array of second gas-filled cells disposed adjacent to said cells of said first array, each cell of said second array being aligned with and in communication with one of the cells of said first array, each second cell including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an auxiliary electrode disposed within the gas in the second cell, the auxiliary electrode comprising a conductor having an insulating coating which can assume an electrical charge when the gas in a cell is ionized, each first cell being adapted to transfer glow to the associated adjacent second cell by the application of potentials to a second cell when its associated first cell is glowing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The panel and system defined in claim 6 and including a source of sustaining pulses coupled between and adapted to apply sustaining pulses between selected ones of said anodes and cathodes of said second cells which are glowing to sustain glow therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
470 words
A display panel and system comprising a gas-filled envelope including an insulating plate containing a plurality of first gas-filled cells arrayed in rows and columns, there being a first column, a last column and intermediate columns of said first cells, gas communication channels formed in said plate and extending from cell to cell along each row of cells and from cell to cell along each column of cells, whereby when any one cell is turned ON, it generates excited particles which diffuse through said channels to the adjacent cells, a first column of auxiliary cells adjacent to said first column of first cells, with each cell thereof aligned with a row of first cells and connected by a gas communication channel with the adjacent first cell in its row, the cells of said first column of auxiliary cells also being interconnected by gas communication channels, a first cathode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each column of first cells, an anode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each row of first cells and the associated auxiliary cell, said anode electrodes all being connected to a source of operating potential, said first cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of first groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by one electrode of each of the other groups, each first group being connected to a first driver for applying operating potential thereto, a second cathode electrode associated with each first auxiliary electrode, said second cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a second driver for applying operating potential thereto, a third cathode electrode associated with each second auxiliary electrode, said third cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a third driver for applying operating potential thereto, said electrodes being operable such that, when anode potential is applied to all of said first electrodes, each of said second drivers is operated in turn to transfer glow from one first auxiliary cell to the next adjacent auxiliary cell in said column of firsT auxiliary cells with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first auxiliary cells, operation of said second drivers being discontinued when a selected row of first cells is reached whereupon operation of each of said first drivers in turn causes glow to transfer from the associated first auxiliary cell to each of said first cells in said row in order, with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first cells in said selected row.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
470 words
A display panel and system comprising a gas-filled envelope including an insulating plate containing a plurality of first gas-filled cells arrayed in rows and columns, there being a first column, a last column and intermediate columns of said first cells, gas communication channels formed in said plate and extending from cell to cell along each row of cells and from cell to cell along each column of cells, whereby when any one cell is turned ON, it generates excited particles which diffuse through said channels to the adjacent cells, a first column of auxiliary cells adjacent to said first column of first cells, with each cell thereof aligned with a row of first cells and connected by a gas communication channel with the adjacent first cell in its row, the cells of said first column of auxiliary cells also being interconnected by gas communication channels, a first cathode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each column of first cells, an anode electrode aligned with and in operative relation with each row of first cells and the associated auxiliary cell, said anode electrodes all being connected to a source of operating potential, said first cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of first groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by one electrode of each of the other groups, each first group being connected to a first driver for applying operating potential thereto, a second cathode electrode associated with each first auxiliary electrode, said second cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a second driver for applying operating potential thereto, a third cathode electrode associated with each second auxiliary electrode, said third cathode electrodes being connected in a plurality of groups with every two electrodes of one group being separated by an electrode of the other groups, each group being connected to a third driver for applying operating potential thereto, said electrodes being operable such that, when anode potential is applied to all of said first electrodes, each of said second drivers is operated in turn to transfer glow from one first auxiliary cell to the next adjacent auxiliary cell in said column of firsT auxiliary cells with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first auxiliary cells, operation of said second drivers being discontinued when a selected row of first cells is reached whereupon operation of each of said first drivers in turn causes glow to transfer from the associated first auxiliary cell to each of said first cells in said row in order, with the aid of excited particles which diffuse through said gas communication channels connecting said first cells in said selected row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The panel and system defined in claim 8 and including gate means disposed between each second cell and the first display cell in the associated group of display cells, each said gate means being operable to prevent or permit the movement of glow from a second cell to the adjacent associated display cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
The panel and system defined in claim 8 and including gate means disposed between each second cell and the first display cell in the associated group of display cells, each said gate means being operable to prevent or permit the movement of glow from a second cell to the adjacent associated display cell, each gate means comprising an auxiliary gas-filled cell having its own anode and cathode and adapted to be fired when it is desired to permit said movement of glow and held off when it is desired to prevent said movement of glow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3334269A
Cited
US3619700A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |