Display tube

Claim 2

A display tube for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, comprising: an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, first means disposed within the envelope for providing selected streams of electrons, the first means being coupled to receive control signals for selectively providing individual ones of the selected streams of electrons in response to the received control signal; a mask disposed within the envelope between the display screen on the envelope and the first means, the mask having a plurality of displaced apertures in the form of selected characters to be displayed on the display screen, individual ones of the plurality of displaced apertures being in alignment with individual ones of the selected streams of electrons; deflection means disposed between the display screen and mask, the deflection means being responsive to a multi-amplitude voltage signal for selectively deflecting the selected streams of electrons in a particular direction in accordance with the particular level of the multi-amplitude voltage signal; and control means disposed within the envelope in alignment with at least one of the selected streams of electrons, the control means being coupled electrically to the deflection means for selectively changing the amplitude voltage levels in response to the stream of electrons for causing selected characters to be displaced simultaneously at different positions on the display screen.

Claim 3

The display tube of claim 1 wherein the deflection means includes at least one electrode.

Claim 4

The display tube of claim 1 wherein the deflection means is a pair of electrodes disposed within the tube on opposite sides of the display tube for deflecting the stream of electrons in a direction substantially parallel to the plane passing through the electrodes.

Claim 5

A display tube for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, comprising: an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, a plurality of electron sources located within the envelope opposite the display screen for providing a plurality of electron streams, each of the sources being coupled to receive control signals for selectively providing electron streams in response to the received control signal; a mask disposed within the envelope between the display screen on the envelope and the plurality of electron sources, the mask having a plurality of displaced apertures in the form of selected characters to be displayed on the display screen, individual ones of the plurality of displaced apertures being in alignment with individual ones of the plurality of electron sources; deflection means disposed between the display screen and the mask, the deflection means being responsive to a multiamplitude voltage signal for selectively deflecting the electron streams in a particular direction in accordance with the particular level of the multi-amplitude voltage signal; and control means disposed within the envelope in alignment with at least one of the selected streams of electrons, the control means being coupled electrically to the deflection means for selectively changing the amplitude voltage levels in response to the stream of electrons for causiNg selected characters to be displaced simultaneously at different positions on the display screen.

Claim 6

A display tube for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, comprising: an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, a plurality of electron sources located within the envelope opposite the display screen for providing a plurality of electron streams, each of the sources being coupled to receive control signals for selectively providing electron streams in response to the received control signal; a mask disposed within the envelope between the display screen on the envelope and the plurality of electron sources, the mask having a plurality of displaced apertures in the form of selected characters to be displayed on the display screen, individual ones of the plurality of displaced apertures being in alignment with individual ones of the plurality of electron sources; deflection means disposed between the display screen and the mask, the deflection means being responsive to a multiamplitude voltage signal for selectively deflecting the electron streams in a particular direction in accordance with the particular level of the multi-amplitude voltage signal; and control means disposed within the envelope in alignment with at least one of the selected streams of electrons, the control means being coupled electrically to the deflection means for selectively changing the amplitude voltage levels in response to the stream of electrons for causiNg selected characters to be displaced simultaneously at different positions on the display screen.

Claim 7

The display tube of claim 4 and further including means for storing electrical energy, the means for storing electrical energy being coupled electrically to the control means to receive a set signal having a particular amplitude and to receive the electrons impinging on the control means to vary the particular amplitude of the signal stored by the means for storing electrical energy.

Claim 8

The display tube of claim 5 wherein the means for storing is a capacitor.

Claim 9

A display tube for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, comprising: an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, first means disposed within the screen for providing selected streams of electrons toward the display screen, the first means being coupled to receive control signals for selectively providing individual ones of the selected streams of electrons in response to the received control signal; a mask disposed within the screen between the display screen on the envelope and the first means, the mask having a plurality of displaced apertures in the form of selected characters to be displayed on the display screen, individual ones of the plurality of displaced apertures being in alignment with individual ones of the selected streams of electrons to shape the individual stream of electrons; deflection means disposed between the display screen and the mask, the deflection means being responsive to a voltage signal for selectively deflecting the selected streams of electrons in a particular direction in accordance with the particular level of the voltage signal; control means disposed within the screen in alignment with at least one of the selected streams of electrons to receive the selected stream of electrons; means for storing electrical energy, the storing means being coupled to the control means and to the deflection means to introduce the voltage on the storing means to the deflection means and to receive the energy passing to the control means for varying the voltage across the storing means and the voltage introduced to the deflection means, means coupled to the storing means to introduce periodically a set signal to the storing means for providing a voltage signal having a particular amplitude related to the amplitude of the set signal; and means for obtaining an alternate direction of streams of electrons toward the mask and toward the control means to obtain a display of individual characters in displaced relationship to the display screen.

Claim 10

A display tube for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, comprising: an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, first means disposed within the screen for providing selected streams of electrons toward the display screen, the first means being coupled to receive control signals for selectively providing individual ones of the selected streams of electrons in response to the received control signal; a mask disposed within the screen between the display screen on the envelope and the first means, the mask having a plurality of displaced apertures in the form of selected characters to be displayed on the display screen, individual ones of the plurality of displaced apertures being in alignment with individual ones of the selected streams of electrons to shape the individual stream of electrons; deflection means disposed between the display screen and the mask, the deflection means being responsive to a voltage signal for selectively deflecting the selected streams of electrons in a particular direction in accordance with the particular level of the voltage signal; control means disposed within the screen in alignment with at least one of the selected streams of electrons to receive the selected stream of electrons; means for storing electrical energy, the storing means being coupled to the control means and to the deflection means to introduce the voltage on the storing means to the deflection means and to receive the energy passing to the control means for varying the voltage across the storing means and the voltage introduced to the deflection means, means coupled to the storing means to introduce periodically a set signal to the storing means for providing a voltage signal having a particular amplitude related to the amplitude of the set signal; and means for obtaining an alternate direction of streams of electrons toward the mask and toward the control means to obtain a display of individual characters in displaced relationship to the display screen.

Claim 11

In combination for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, first means disposed within the envelope for directing streams of electrons in individual shapes toward the screen to provide a display of individual characters on the screen, second means disposed within the envelope and responsive to progressive voltages for selectively deflecting the streams of electrons to progressive positions on the screen in accordance with the introduction of the progressive voltages to the second means, and means disposed within the envelope and operatively coupled to the second means and responsive to the formation of successive streams of electrons in the individual shapes for obtaining the production of the progressive voltages for introduction to the second means in accordance with the formation of such successive streams of electrons.

Claim 12

In combination for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope having a fluorescent coating display screen on one end, first means disposed within the envelope for directing streams of electrons in individual shapes toward the screen to provide a display of individual characters on the screen, second means disposed within the envelope and responsive to progressive voltages for selectively deflecting the streams of electrons to progressive positions on the screen in accordance with the introduction of the progressive voltages to the second means, and means disposed within the envelope and operatively coupled to the second means and responsive to the formation of successive streams of electrons in the individual shapes for obtaining the production of the progressive voltages for introduction to the second means in accordance with the formation of such successive streams of electrons.

Claim 13

The combination set forth in claim 8, wherein, the second means include a pair of deflection plates disposed within the envelope between the display screen and the first means and wherein the progressive deflection of the individual streams of electrons to the different positions on the screen is dependent upon the voltage difference between the pair of deflection plates.

Claim 14

In combination for selectively providIng a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope, first means disposed within the envelope for directing toward a particular position in the envelope individual streams of electrons having characteristics representative of individual characters, second means disposed within the envelope in displaced relationship to the first means and responsive to particular voltages for deflecting the individual streams of electrons from the particular position in accordance with the characteristics of the particular voltages, the envelope being constructed to provide visual indications of the characters represented by the individual streams of electrodes at the position at which the individual streams of electrons reach the envelope, third means disposed within the envelope for producing second streams of electrons for a particular period of time after each direction of an individual stream of electrons by the first means, and fourth means disposed within the envelope and responsive to each stream of electrons from the third means and operatively coupled to the second means for progressively changing the voltages applied to the second means in accordance with the production of each such stream of electrons.

Claim 15

In combination for selectively providIng a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope, first means disposed within the envelope for directing toward a particular position in the envelope individual streams of electrons having characteristics representative of individual characters, second means disposed within the envelope in displaced relationship to the first means and responsive to particular voltages for deflecting the individual streams of electrons from the particular position in accordance with the characteristics of the particular voltages, the envelope being constructed to provide visual indications of the characters represented by the individual streams of electrodes at the position at which the individual streams of electrons reach the envelope, third means disposed within the envelope for producing second streams of electrons for a particular period of time after each direction of an individual stream of electrons by the first means, and fourth means disposed within the envelope and responsive to each stream of electrons from the third means and operatively coupled to the second means for progressively changing the voltages applied to the second means in accordance with the production of each such stream of electrons.

Claim 16

The combination set forth in claim 10, including first circuit means operatively coupled to the first means for obtaining a sequential production by the first means of the individual streams of electrons with characteristics representative of individual characters, and second circuit means operatively coupled to the third means and responsive to each production of the individual streams of electrons by the first means for obtaining the production of the second stream of electrons by the third means.

Claim 17

The combination set forth in claim 11, including, third circuit means for operating upon the first circuit means to obtain the production of each individual stream of electrons by the first means only after the production of the second stream of electrons by the third means, and fourth circuit means for operating upon the second circuit means to obtain the production of the second stream of electrons by the third means only after the production of each individual stream of electrons by the first means.

Claim 18

In combination for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope having a display screen constructed at one end to respond to streams of electrons to provide a visual display dependent upon the shape of the electron streams, first means disposed within the envelope for directing individual streams of electrons in individual shapes toward the screen to obtain a visual display of individual characters on the display screen, second means disposed within the envelope for deflecting the individual streams of electrons in accordance with progressive voltages applied to the second means, third means disposed within the envelope and responsive to each formation of an individual stream of electrons for obtaining the production of a progressive voltage for introduction to the second means, and circuit means operatively coupled to the first and third means for alternately obtaining successive productions of individual streams of electrons in representation of successive characters and for alternately obtaining the production of the progressive voltages in accordance with the successive productions of the individual streams of electrons.

Claim 19

In combination for selectively providing a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope having a display screen constructed at one end to respond to streams of electrons to provide a visual display dependent upon the shape of the electron streams, first means disposed within the envelope for directing individual streams of electrons in individual shapes toward the screen to obtain a visual display of individual characters on the display screen, second means disposed within the envelope for deflecting the individual streams of electrons in accordance with progressive voltages applied to the second means, third means disposed within the envelope and responsive to each formation of an individual stream of electrons for obtaining the production of a progressive voltage for introduction to the second means, and circuit means operatively coupled to the first and third means for alternately obtaining successive productions of individual streams of electrons in representation of successive characters and for alternately obtaining the production of the progressive voltages in accordance with the successive productions of the individual streams of electrons.

Claim 20

The combination set forth in claim 13, wherein the second means include a pair of spaced plates disposed within the envelope and the third means include an electrode disposed within the envelope for receiving streams of electrons and a capacitor reponsive to the streams of electrons received by the electrode and having a variable charge in accordance with such reception of electrons by the electrode for providing the progressive voltage for introduction to the second means.

Claim 21

In combination for selectively proviDing a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope having a display face constructed to display individual characters in accordance with the shape of individual streams of electrons directed toward the display face, first means within the envelope for individually directing toward a first position in the envelope individual streams of electrons shaped to simulate individual characters, second means within the envelope, the second means being responsive to an applied voltage for deflecting the individual streams of electrons to individual positions on the screen in accordance with the characteristics of such applied voltage, third means operatively coupled to the second means and having a variable charge for applying a voltage to the second means in accordance with the variable charge to control the deflection of the individual stream of electrons, fourth means disposed within the envelope for providing additional streams of electrons, fifth means operatively coupled to the third means and disposed within the envelope to receive the additional stream of electrons from the fourth means and to vary the charge in the third means in accordance with such streams, and sixth means operatively coupled to the first and fourth means for alternately obtaining a flow of the individual streams of electrons and the additional streams of electrons.

Claim 22

In combination for selectively proviDing a visual display of a plurality of characters, an envelope having a display face constructed to display individual characters in accordance with the shape of individual streams of electrons directed toward the display face, first means within the envelope for individually directing toward a first position in the envelope individual streams of electrons shaped to simulate individual characters, second means within the envelope, the second means being responsive to an applied voltage for deflecting the individual streams of electrons to individual positions on the screen in accordance with the characteristics of such applied voltage, third means operatively coupled to the second means and having a variable charge for applying a voltage to the second means in accordance with the variable charge to control the deflection of the individual stream of electrons, fourth means disposed within the envelope for providing additional streams of electrons, fifth means operatively coupled to the third means and disposed within the envelope to receive the additional stream of electrons from the fourth means and to vary the charge in the third means in accordance with such streams, and sixth means operatively coupled to the first and fourth means for alternately obtaining a flow of the individual streams of electrons and the additional streams of electrons.

Claim 23

The combination set forth in claim 15, including, seventh means operatively coupled to the third means and responsive to each display of the individual characters in particular positions on the display face of the envelope for charging the third means to a particular value for initiating a new display of the individual characters in the particular positions on the display face of the envelope.

Claim 24

The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein, the first means includes a plurality of electron guns each energized to indicate an individual character and the first means further includes a mask having a plurality of apertures each associated with an individual one of the electron guns in the plurality and each having an individual shape to pass the stream of electrons from its associated gun in an individual configuration to the display face of the envelope.

Claim 25

The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein the third means includes a capacitor and wherein the fourth means is operative to change the charge of the capacitor by a particular amount every time that an individual stream of electrons is directed by the first means toward the display face of the envelope.

Claim 26

The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein the first means includes a plurality of electron guns each energized to indicate an individual character and the first means further includes a mask having a plurality of apertures each associated with an individual one of the electron guns in the plurality of each having an individual shape to pass the stream of electrons from its associated gun in an individual configuration to the display face of the envelope.