US3893101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display apparatus having segmented integral regulator
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-20
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1994-06-20
Abstract
Abstract These segmented-electrode gas panel displays include a plurality of groups of cathode electrodes arranged in a display matrix, each group having an anode electrode operably associated therewith, and an auxiliary voltage reference device formed within the display panel itself. The reference device comprises at least a pair of electrodes that are spaced apart and in contact with the same gas in the panel that is in contact with the display electrodes thereof. The regulator cathode is formed of multiple or segmented cathode elements or comprises several exposed portions of an electrode element that is masked by an apertured insulating layer. The display apparatus further includes circuit means coupled to the integral voltage reference device and to the display electrodes to regulate the bias on one set of them at a level which allows direct operation of the display panel by semiconductor integrated circuits which have limited output voltage signals available for energizing the display electrodes. Current in the regulator segments, if connected in common, will be automatically apportioned among them as a function of their glow-sustaining characteristics which provides improved regulation in the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 David Glaser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:28
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04; G09G3/06; G09G3/10; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/313; H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J17/491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A display device comprising a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and an insulating base plate, a plurality of groups of cathodes shaped in the form of segmentS of different characters to be displayed and disposed along the front surface of the base plate and having terminals extending out of the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathodes for selective discharge therewith and having terminals extending out of the envelope, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least a plurality of interconnected discrete cathode elements and an anode electrode associated with the elements within the envelope, and means connected to the electrodes of the reference device for receiving a current sufficient to sustain a discharge between one or several of the reference cathode elements and the associated anode electrode to maintain thereby a stable reference voltage across the reference device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A display device comprising a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and an insulating base plate, a plurality of groups of cathodes shaped in the form of segmentS of different characters to be displayed and disposed along the front surface of the base plate and having terminals extending out of the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathodes for selective discharge therewith and having terminals extending out of the envelope, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least a plurality of interconnected discrete cathode elements and an anode electrode associated with the elements within the envelope, and means connected to the electrodes of the reference device for receiving a current sufficient to sustain a discharge between one or several of the reference cathode elements and the associated anode electrode to maintain thereby a stable reference voltage across the reference device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the discrete cathode elements of the integral voltage reference device comprise individual portions of a conductive layer exposed by apertures in an insulating masking layer adjacent the conductive layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the discrete cathode elements of the integral voltage reference device comprise conductive elements which are smaller in area than the display cathode elements of the display device for conducting at higher current density than occurs in the display cathode elements themselves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the discrete cathode elements of the integral voltage reference device and the display cathode elements of the display device are formed of common materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the discrete cathode elements of the integral reference device are situated in substantially the same gas atmosphere at substantially the same distance from the anode of the reference device as are the display cathode elements of the display device from the associated electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the discrete cathode elements of the integral voltage reference device are substantially equal in area and are situated substantially equidistant from the associated anode electrode within the envelope of the display device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
Display apparatus comprising a display device including a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and situated in a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and electrode terminals outside the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least an anode electrode and a plurality of interconnected but separate portions of a cathode electrode associated therewith, and means for conducting a current through said integral reference device comprising resistance means connected in series with it between a pair of voltage supply terminals, the current established in the integral voltage reference device being sufficient to cause a glow discharge on one or more of the discrete portions of the reference cathode for maintaining a voltage across the reference device near the low voltage point in the normal glow discharge region thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
Display apparatus comprising a display device including a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and situated in a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and electrode terminals outside the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least an anode electrode and a plurality of interconnected but separate portions of a cathode electrode associated therewith, and means for conducting a current through said integral reference device comprising resistance means connected in series with it between a pair of voltage supply terminals, the current established in the integral voltage reference device being sufficient to cause a glow discharge on one or more of the discrete portions of the reference cathode for maintaining a voltage across the reference device near the low voltage point in the normal glow discharge region thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display of claim 7 wherein the cathode electrode of the integral voltage reference device comprises a conductive layer having separate portions which are exposed by apertures in an insulating masking layer adjacent the conductive layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The display apparatus of claim 7 wherein the separate but interconnected portions of the cathode electrode of the integral voltage reference device are smaller in area than the display cathode elements of the display device for conducting a higher current density than occurs in the display cathode elements themselves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interconnected but separate portions of the cathode electrode of the integral voltage reference device and the display cathode elements of the display device are formed of common material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display apparatUs of claim 7 wherein the separate portions of the cathode electrode of the integral reference device are situated in substantially the same gas atmosphere at substantially the same distance from the anode of the reference as are the display cathode elements of the display device from the associated anode electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interconnected portions of the cathode electrode of the integral voltage reference device are substantially equidistant from the associated anode electrode within the envelope of the display device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
A display device comprising a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and an insulating base plate, a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and disposed along the front surface of the base plate, with terminals extending out of the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith and having terminals extending out of the envelope, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least an anode electrode and a cathode electrode associated with each other within a portion of the envelope, and a pair of terminals for the integral reference device separate from the other electrodes for receiving a current sufficient to develop a sustained discharge in the reference device for maintaining a reference voltage across it independent of the state of the other electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A display device comprising a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and an insulating base plate, a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and disposed along the front surface of the base plate, with terminals extending out of the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith and having terminals extending out of the envelope, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least an anode electrode and a cathode electrode associated with each other within a portion of the envelope, and a pair of terminals for the integral reference device separate from the other electrodes for receiving a current sufficient to develop a sustained discharge in the reference device for maintaining a reference voltage across it independent of the state of the other electrodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
147 words
Display apparatus comprising a display device including a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and situated in a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and electrode terminals outside the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least an anode electrode and an associated cathode electrode situated within a portion of said envelope and each having terminals extending out of the envelope, and voltage regulating means coupled between an electrode of the integral reference device and one set of the display electrodes to bias them at a voltage related to the potential across said reference device, the other set of display electrodes and the other electrode of the integral reference device each being electrically connected to a second voltage supply terminal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
147 words
Display apparatus comprising a display device including a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and situated in a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and electrode terminals outside the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith, an integral voltage reference device comprising at least an anode electrode and an associated cathode electrode situated within a portion of said envelope and each having terminals extending out of the envelope, and voltage regulating means coupled between an electrode of the integral reference device and one set of the display electrodes to bias them at a voltage related to the potential across said reference device, the other set of display electrodes and the other electrode of the integral reference device each being electrically connected to a second voltage supply terminal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
Display apparatus comprising a display device including a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and situated in a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and electrode terminals outside the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith, means for driving the display device having first and second sets of terminals for providing data and digit address signals, respectively, means for interconnecting corresponding ones of the cathode elements and for electrically connecting them to the respective data signal terminals, capacitive means for electrically coupling each of the anode electrodes to a different one of the digit address signal terminals, and means for biasing the cathodes and anodes of the display device toward the operating potential thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
Display apparatus comprising a display device including a plurality of groups of cathode elements shaped in the form of segments of different characters to be displayed and situated in a gas-filled envelope having a viewing window and electrode terminals outside the envelope, an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode elements for selective discharge therewith, means for driving the display device having first and second sets of terminals for providing data and digit address signals, respectively, means for interconnecting corresponding ones of the cathode elements and for electrically connecting them to the respective data signal terminals, capacitive means for electrically coupling each of the anode electrodes to a different one of the digit address signal terminals, and means for biasing the cathodes and anodes of the display device toward the operating potential thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The display apparatus of claim 15 wherein the display means for the cathodes and anodes of the display device comprise voltage regulating means coupled to the anode electrodes and a voltage reference device and resistance means coupled between a voltage supply terminal and the cathode elements of the display device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The display apparatus of claim 16 wherein the reference device for the voltage regulating means is integral with the display device within the common gas atmosphere in which the display cathode elements are situated in the envelope of the device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The display apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electrodes of the reference device for the voltage regulating means are formed within the envelope of the display device in substantially the same gas atmosphere at substantially the same pressure in which the display cathode elements of the device are situated.
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) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |