Display panel for displaying bars of light

Claim 2

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a substrate of insulating material having one surface facing said viewing window, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along said substrate surface, means for establishing an electric field in the region of the first cathode electrode of said array sufficient to initiate a glow discharge along its entire surface, means for establishing electric fields and causing cathode glow, successively, adjacent successive ones of said cathode electrodes in sequence, following said first cathode electrode, each such cathode electrode turning on and exhibiting cathode glow, as said electric field is established adjacent to it, only when it is adjacent a cathode electrode which is glowing, and the glow of each such cathode electrode combining with the glow of the preceding adjacent cathode electrode to form an apparently continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, and means including a single anode electrode extending along said entire succession of cathode electrodes, and responsive to an electrical signal applied between said anode and different groups of said cathodes for controlling the number of such cathode electrodes in such groups adjacent which a glow discharge is produced, in accordance with the period of time the electric signal is applied, so that the length of the bar of glow produced by such groups of cathodes represents a characteristic of such applied signal.

Claim 3

A display panel as in claim 1 wherein said cathode electrodes are thin parallel linear conductive elements closely spaced side by side along said array, and said anode electrode is transparent conductive material applied to the interior of the viewing window along the length of the cathode electrode array.

Claim 4

A display panel as in claim 1 further including means for repetitively scanning said cathode electrodes at a rate above the visually detectable flicker rate, wherein said controlling means selects the same cathode electrodes during a succession of said repetitive scans to present a stationary but changeable bar of glow adjacent said selected cathode electrodes.

Claim 5

A display panel as in claim 3 wherein periodic ones of the cathode electrodes are interconnected electrically to form two or more circuits, each of which connects electrically in common a different group of said cathode electrodes, and wherein said means for repetitively scanning said cathode electrodes includes means for applying an electrical signal to said two or more circuits sequentially.

Claim 6

A display panel as in claim 4 wherein each said circuit is connected to every third cathode electrode.

Claim 7

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a base plate of insulating material having a surface facing said viewing window, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along said base plate, each of said cathode electrodes, when energized to a glow discharge condition, exhibiting a glow discharge adjacent its surface which combines with the glow of the preceding cathode electrodes in the succession to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, an anode electrode in gas discharge relationship with each of said cathode electrodes, means for scanning each of said cathode electrodes in sequence, from the first to the last such electrode, and means responsive to an applied electrical signal for controlling the number of such cathode electrodes that are energized to a glow discharge condition, so that the length of the bar of glow represents a characteristic of such applied signal, said means including a conductor connected to the anode electrode for applying an electrical signal to the anode, beginning at the time the first cathode electrode is scanned and continuing for a length of time determined by the characteristic of the applied signal that is to be represented by the bar of glow.

Claim 8

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a base plate of insulating material having a surface facing said viewing window, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along said base plate, each of said cathode electrodes, when energized to a glow discharge condition, exhibiting a glow discharge adjacent its surface which combines with the glow of the preceding cathode electrodes in the succession to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, an anode electrode in gas discharge relationship with each of said cathode electrodes, means for scanning each of said cathode electrodes in sequence, from the first to the last such electrode, and means responsive to an applied electrical signal for controlling the number of such cathode electrodes that are energized to a glow discharge condition, so that the length of the bar of glow represents a characteristic of such applied signal, said means including a conductor connected to the anode electrode for applying an electrical signal to the anode, beginning at the time the first cathode electrode is scanned and continuing for a length of time determined by the characteristic of the applied signal that is to be represented by the bar of glow.

Claim 9

A display panel as in claim 6 further including scanning means for applying said electrical signal to each cathode electrode in succession in a repetitive scan, and means for synchronizing the application of the electrical signal to the anode with each of said repetitive scans.

Claim 10

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope with a viewing window containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a glow discharge, a succession of first electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface of insulating material located within said envelope, a second electrode in glow discharge relationship with each of said first electrodes, means for applying an electrical signal to said first electrodes successively in repetitive scans, each such first electrodes producing a glow discharge as an electrical signal is applied to it, only when it is adjacent a first electrode which is producing a glow discharge and only when an electrical signal is also being applied to said second electrode, and conductive means connected to said second electrode for applying an electrical signal to said second electrode, during each of said scans, while a selected series of successive first electrodes is being scanned, to produce a glow discharge adjacent said selected first electrodes, the glow of said selected first electrodes combining to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window.

Claim 11

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope with a viewing window containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a glow discharge, a succession of first electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface of insulating material located within said envelope, a second electrode in glow discharge relationship with each of said first electrodes, means for applying an electrical signal to said first electrodes successively in repetitive scans, each such first electrodes producing a glow discharge as an electrical signal is applied to it, only when it is adjacent a first electrode which is producing a glow discharge and only when an electrical signal is also being applied to said second electrode, and conductive means connected to said second electrode for applying an electrical signal to said second electrode, during each of said scans, while a selected series of successive first electrodes is being scanned, to produce a glow discharge adjacent said selected first electrodes, the glow of said selected first electrodes combining to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window.

Claim 12

A display panel as in claim 8 wherein the second electrode is an elongated conductive element which extends along the length of the first electrode array.

Claim 13

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface of insulating material within said envelope, anode electrode means in gas discharge relationship with said cathode electrodes, means for repetitively scanning all of said cathode electrodes in sequence, and a conductor connected to said anode electrode means for applying an electrical signal to said anode electrode means for a predetermined time during each scan of said cathode electrodes, to initiate a glow discharge adjacent a predetermined series of successive cathode electrodes of the array, the glow of each cathode electrode of said series combining with the glow of the adjacent cathode electrode to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, the length of said bar of glow being representative of the time said electrical signal is applied.

Claim 14

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface of insulating material within said envelope, anode electrode means in gas discharge relationship with said cathode electrodes, means for repetitively scanning all of said cathode electrodes in sequence, and a conductor connected to said anode electrode means for applying an electrical signal to said anode electrode means for a predetermined time during each scan of said cathode electrodes, to initiate a glow discharge adjacent a predetermined series of successive cathode electrodes of the array, the glow of each cathode electrode of said series combining with the glow of the adjacent cathode electrode to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, the length of said bar of glow being representative of the time said electrical signal is applied.

Claim 15

A display panel as in claim 10 wherein at least each cathode electrode after the first turns on and exhibits a glow only when it is adjacent a cathode electrode which is glowing.

Claim 16

A display panel as in claim 11 wherein periodic ones of the cathode electrodes are interconnected electrically to form two or more circuits, each of which connects electrically in common a different group of said cathode electrodes, and wherein said scanning means includes means for applying an electrical signal to said two or more circuits sequentially.

Claim 17

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed clearly adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface of insulating material within said envelope, periodic ones of said cathode electrodes being interconnected electrically to form two or more circuits, each such circuit connecting electrically in common a different group of said cathode electrodes, anode electrode means in gas discharge relationship with said cathode electrodes, means for repetitively scanning at least selected ones of said cathode electrodes by applying an electrical signal, during each scan, between said anode electrode means and said selected ones of said cathode electrodes, one such cathode electrode after another, each cathode electrode, when energized, exhibiting a cathode glow only when it is adjacent a cathode electrode which is glowing, such cathode glow combining with the glow of the adjacent cathode electrode to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, and means for applying between said anode and said cathodes an electrical signal for a predetermined time for controlling the number of the cathode electrodes that are energized to a glow discharge condition during each such scan, so that the length of the bar of glow represents a characteristic of such applied signal.

Claim 18

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of cathode electrodes disposed clearly adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface of insulating material within said envelope, periodic ones of said cathode electrodes being interconnected electrically to form two or more circuits, each such circuit connecting electrically in common a different group of said cathode electrodes, anode electrode means in gas discharge relationship with said cathode electrodes, means for repetitively scanning at least selected ones of said cathode electrodes by applying an electrical signal, during each scan, between said anode electrode means and said selected ones of said cathode electrodes, one such cathode electrode after another, each cathode electrode, when energized, exhibiting a cathode glow only when it is adjacent a cathode electrode which is glowing, such cathode glow combining with the glow of the adjacent cathode electrode to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, and means for applying between said anode and said cathodes an electrical signal for a predetermined time for controlling the number of the cathode electrodes that are energized to a glow discharge condition during each such scan, so that the length of the bar of glow represents a characteristic of such applied signal.

Claim 19

A display panel as in claim 13 wherein said scanning means scans all of said cathode electrodes during each scan.

Claim 20

A display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising an envelope including a viewing window, a succession of first electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface within said envelope, a second electrode extending along the length of said first electrodes, means for repetitively scanning all of said first electrodes in sequence, and a conductor connected to said second electrode means for applying an electrical signal continuously to said second electrode for a predetermined time during each scan of said first electrodes, to initiate a luminous discharge between a predetermined series of successive first electrodes of the array and said second electrode, the light adjacent each of the first electrodes of said series combining to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, representing the length of time said electrical signal is applied to said second electrode.

Claim 21

A display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising an envelope including a viewing window, a succession of first electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array along a surface within said envelope, a second electrode extending along the length of said first electrodes, means for repetitively scanning all of said first electrodes in sequence, and a conductor connected to said second electrode means for applying an electrical signal continuously to said second electrode for a predetermined time during each scan of said first electrodes, to initiate a luminous discharge between a predetermined series of successive first electrodes of the array and said second electrode, the light adjacent each of the first electrodes of said series combining to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, representing the length of time said electrical signal is applied to said second electrode.

Claim 22

A display panel for displaying at least one bar of light comprising an envelope including a viewing window and containing a luminous discharge medium, a succession of first electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array in coupling relationship with said luminous discharge medium, periodic ones of said first electrodes being interconnected electrically to form two or more circuits, each such circuit connecting electrically in common a different group of said first electrodes, second electrode means in operative relationship with and spaced from each of said first electrodes, means for repetitively scanning all of said first electrodes in sequence, and a conductor connected to said second electrode means for applying an electrical signal continuously thereto for a predetermined time during each scan of said first electrodes, beginning at the start of each such scan, to initiate a luminous discharge between a predetermined series of successive first electrodes of the array and said second electrode means, the light produced by each of the second electrodes of said series combining to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, representing the length of time said electrical signal is applied to said second electrode.

Claim 23

A display panel for displaying at least one bar of light comprising an envelope including a viewing window and containing a luminous discharge medium, a succession of first electrodes disposed closely adjacent one another in a linear array in coupling relationship with said luminous discharge medium, periodic ones of said first electrodes being interconnected electrically to form two or more circuits, each such circuit connecting electrically in common a different group of said first electrodes, second electrode means in operative relationship with and spaced from each of said first electrodes, means for repetitively scanning all of said first electrodes in sequence, and a conductor connected to said second electrode means for applying an electrical signal continuously thereto for a predetermined time during each scan of said first electrodes, beginning at the start of each such scan, to initiate a luminous discharge between a predetermined series of successive first electrodes of the array and said second electrode means, the light produced by each of the second electrodes of said series combining to form a continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, representing the length of time said electrical signal is applied to said second electrode.

Claim 24

A flat panel for displaying bars of light comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate and including means whereby each cathode can be separately caused to exhibit cathode glow in turn along said series, an anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes, the space along said envelope between said anode and said series of cathodes, and along said series of cathodes, being open and unobstructed, and means for electrically energizing each cathode of said series of cathodes in sequence and for electrically energizing said anode while a selected number of said cathodes are being energized, to cause each cathode of said selected number, in turn, to exhibit cathode glow, each cathode turning on and exhibiting cathode glow as it is electrically energized only when said anode is being energized and the cathode is adjacent to a cathode which is already exhibiting cathode glow, the glow of one cathode seeming to blend with the glow of the next cathode in the series, the width of said linear cathodes, the closeness of adjacent cathodes to each other, the spacing of said face plate from said base plate, and the pressure of the gas in said envelope being such that the glow of each cathode, as it is energized, seems to blend with the glow of the adjacent cathode, and all of the cathodes which are energized appear to glow as a continuous bar of light.

Claim 25

A flat panel for displaying bars of light comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate and including means whereby each cathode can be separately caused to exhibit cathode glow in turn along said series, an anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes, the space along said envelope between said anode and said series of cathodes, and along said series of cathodes, being open and unobstructed, and means for electrically energizing each cathode of said series of cathodes in sequence and for electrically energizing said anode while a selected number of said cathodes are being energized, to cause each cathode of said selected number, in turn, to exhibit cathode glow, each cathode turning on and exhibiting cathode glow as it is electrically energized only when said anode is being energized and the cathode is adjacent to a cathode which is already exhibiting cathode glow, the glow of one cathode seeming to blend with the glow of the next cathode in the series, the width of said linear cathodes, the closeness of adjacent cathodes to each other, the spacing of said face plate from said base plate, and the pressure of the gas in said envelope being such that the glow of each cathode, as it is energized, seems to blend with the glow of the adjacent cathode, and all of the cathodes which are energized appear to glow as a continuous bar of light.

Claim 26

The panel defined in claim 17 wherein said cathodes are connected in groups with a single common conductor connected to each such group.

Claim 27

The panel defined in claim 17 and including a linear reset cathode positioned adjacent to and ahead of the first cathode in said series for use in starting a scanning cycle for said series of cathodes.

Claim 28

The panel defined in claim 17 wherein said linear cathodes have a width of about 10 to 12 mils and they are spaced apart about 5 to 8 mils.

Claim 29

The panel defined in claim 17 wherein the spacing between the anode and the series of cathodes is about 10 to 25 mils and the gas in the panel is at a pressure of about 400 Torr.

Claim 30

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said first edge of said base plate, a second common conductor secured to others of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said second edge of said base plate, and an anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes, the interior of said envelope between said anode and said series of cathodes, and along said series of cathodes, being open and free of any obstructions to the flow of excited particles generated in the gas filling therein.

Claim 31

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said first edge of said base plate, a second common conductor secured to others of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said second edge of said base plate, and an anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes, the interior of said envelope between said anode and said series of cathodes, and along said series of cathodes, being open and free of any obstructions to the flow of excited particles generated in the gas filling therein.

Claim 32

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said first edge of said base plate, a second common conductor secured to others of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said second edge of said base plate, an insulating layer over said second common conductor having apertures exposing a portion of each of the remainder of said cathodes, a third common conductor on said insulating layer and making contact through said apertures with said remainder of said cathodes, and an anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes.

Claim 33

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said first edge of said base plate, a second common conductor secured to others of said cathodes and disposed adjacent to said second edge of said base plate, an insulating layer over said second common conductor having apertures exposing a portion of each of the remainder of said cathodes, a third common conductor on said insulating layer and making contact through said apertures with said remainder of said cathodes, and an anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes.

Claim 34

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges and first and second opposite ends, a plurality of contact pads disposed along said first end of base plate, a plurality of first thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate adjacent to said first edge of said base plate, a plurality of second thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate adjacent to said second edge of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said first cathodes and said second cathodes and extending from one of said contact pads at said first end of said base plate, along said first edge, along the opposite end, and along said second edge to said first end of said base plate, a second common conductor electrically connected to others of said first and second cathodes and extending from a second of said contact pads along said base plate to said second end thereof, a third common conductor electrically connected to the remainder of said first and second cathodes and extending from a third of said contact pads along said base plate to said second end thereof, said second and third common conductors being insulated from each other, and a separate anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with each of said series of linear cathodes.

Claim 35

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges and first and second opposite ends, a plurality of contact pads disposed along said first end of base plate, a plurality of first thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate adjacent to said first edge of said base plate, a plurality of second thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate adjacent to said second edge of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said first cathodes and said second cathodes and extending from one of said contact pads at said first end of said base plate, along said first edge, along the opposite end, and along said second edge to said first end of said base plate, a second common conductor electrically connected to others of said first and second cathodes and extending from a second of said contact pads along said base plate to said second end thereof, a third common conductor electrically connected to the remainder of said first and second cathodes and extending from a third of said contact pads along said base plate to said second end thereof, said second and third common conductors being insulated from each other, and a separate anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with each of said series of linear cathodes.

Claim 36

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges and first and second opposite ends, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate adjacent to said first edge of said base plate and extending between said first and second ends, a plurality of contact pads disposed along said first end of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said cathodes and extending from one of said contact pads at said first end of said base plate, a second common conductor electrically connected to others of said cathodes and extending from another of said contact pads along said base plate to near said second end thereof, a third common conductor electrically connected to the remainder of said cathodes and extending from another of said contact pads along said base plate to near said second end thereof, said second and third common conductors being insulated from each other, and a separate anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes.

Claim 37

A flat panel for displaying bars of light of different lengths comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a viewing face plate hermetically sealed together, said base plate having first and second opposite edges and first and second opposite ends, a plurality of thin, parallel, linear cathodes disposed in a series along the surface of said base plate adjacent to said first edge of said base plate and extending between said first and second ends, a plurality of contact pads disposed along said first end of said base plate, a first common conductor electrically connected to selected ones of said cathodes and extending from one of said contact pads at said first end of said base plate, a second common conductor electrically connected to others of said cathodes and extending from another of said contact pads along said base plate to near said second end thereof, a third common conductor electrically connected to the remainder of said cathodes and extending from another of said contact pads along said base plate to near said second end thereof, said second and third common conductors being insulated from each other, and a separate anode electrode overlaying and in operative relation with said series of linear cathodes.

Claim 38

A gas discharge display panel for displaying a bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of closely spaced cathode glow display electrodes disposed one after another in an array viewable through said viewing window, an anode electrode extending along said array in gas discharge relation with each of said display electrodes, first conductive means connected to said display electrodes for repeatedly scanning said display electrodes, in a succession of scans, during each of which a voltage is applied to each of said display electrodes sequentially, from the first to the last, and second conductive means connected to said anode electrode for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode during a plurality of consecutive scans, beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing for a predetermined period during the scan while a selected number of consecutive display electrodes are scanned, to establish a glow discharge adjacent said consecutive display electrodes and thus form a bar of glow visible through said viewing window, said second conductive means being responsive to an applied electrical signal for controlling the number of consecutive display electrodes that glow, to control the length of said bar of glow, in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 39

A gas discharge display panel for displaying a bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of closely spaced cathode glow display electrodes disposed one after another in an array viewable through said viewing window, an anode electrode extending along said array in gas discharge relation with each of said display electrodes, first conductive means connected to said display electrodes for repeatedly scanning said display electrodes, in a succession of scans, during each of which a voltage is applied to each of said display electrodes sequentially, from the first to the last, and second conductive means connected to said anode electrode for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode during a plurality of consecutive scans, beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing for a predetermined period during the scan while a selected number of consecutive display electrodes are scanned, to establish a glow discharge adjacent said consecutive display electrodes and thus form a bar of glow visible through said viewing window, said second conductive means being responsive to an applied electrical signal for controlling the number of consecutive display electrodes that glow, to control the length of said bar of glow, in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 40

A display panel as in claim 26 wherein said anode electrode is transparent and is located between the display electrodes and the viewing window.

Claim 41

A display panel as in claim 26 wherein the active gaseous particles within the glow discharge adjacent each of said display electrodes migrate to the region of next succeeding display electrode and condition that electrode toward a glow discharge state.

Claim 42

A display panel as in claim 28 wherein said first conductive means includes a plurality of conductors each electrically connected to a different group of said display electrodes.

Claim 43

A display panel as in claim 28 wherein said first conductive means includes n conductors each electrically connected to every nth display electrode.

Claim 44

A display panel as in claim 28 further including a starting gas discharge cell adjacent said first display electrode, and means for activating said starting cell just prior to each activation of said first display electrode, to condition said first display electrode toward a glow discharge state.

Claim 45

A gas discharge display panel for displaying a bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of closely spaced cathode glow display electrodes disposed one after another in an array facing said viewing window, anode electrode means in gas discharge relation with each of said display electrodes, and circuit means for establishing a glow discharge viewable through said viewing window adjacent a selectable number of consecutive display electrodes, beginning with the first, to form a bar of glow of selectable length, said circuit means including first conductive means connected to said display electrodes for scanning said display electrodes in repeated scans, during each of which a voltage is applied to each of said display electrodes sequentially, from the first to the last, and second conductive means, responsive to an applied electrical signal, for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode means during a plurality of consecutive scans, beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing while a predetermined number of successive display electrodes are thereafter scanned, to control the length of said bar of glow in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 46

A gas discharge display panel for displaying a bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of closely spaced cathode glow display electrodes disposed one after another in an array facing said viewing window, anode electrode means in gas discharge relation with each of said display electrodes, and circuit means for establishing a glow discharge viewable through said viewing window adjacent a selectable number of consecutive display electrodes, beginning with the first, to form a bar of glow of selectable length, said circuit means including first conductive means connected to said display electrodes for scanning said display electrodes in repeated scans, during each of which a voltage is applied to each of said display electrodes sequentially, from the first to the last, and second conductive means, responsive to an applied electrical signal, for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode means during a plurality of consecutive scans, beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing while a predetermined number of successive display electrodes are thereafter scanned, to control the length of said bar of glow in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 47

A display panel as in claim 32 wherein the active gaseous particles within the glow discharge adjacent each of said display electrodes migrate to the region of next succeeding display electrode and condition that electrode toward a glow discharge state, and wherein said first conductive means includes n conductors each electrically connected to every nth display electrode.

Claim 48

A gas discharge display panel for displaying a bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of display electrodes disposed one after another in an array, each capable of exhibiting a cathode glow discharge viewable through said viewing window, said display electrodes being closely spaced and the active gaseous particles within the glow discharge adjacent each migrating to the region of next succeeding display electrode to condition that electrode toward a glow discharge state, anode electrode means extending along said array in gas discharge relation with each of said display electrodes, first conductive means including n conductors, each electrically connected to every nth display electrode for repeatedly scanning said display electrodes, in a succession of scans, during each of which a voltage is applied to at least selected ones of said display electrodes sequentially beginning with the first display electrode in the array, and second conductive means connected to said anode electrode means for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode means during a plurality of consecutive scans, beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing while said selected display electrodes are thereafter successively scanned, to establish a glow discharge adjacent said selected display electrodes and thus form a bar of glow visible through said viewing window, said second conductive means being responsive to an applied electrical signal for selecting the number of display electrodes that glow, to control the length of said bar of glow, in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 49

A gas discharge display panel for displaying a bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of display electrodes disposed one after another in an array, each capable of exhibiting a cathode glow discharge viewable through said viewing window, said display electrodes being closely spaced and the active gaseous particles within the glow discharge adjacent each migrating to the region of next succeeding display electrode to condition that electrode toward a glow discharge state, anode electrode means extending along said array in gas discharge relation with each of said display electrodes, first conductive means including n conductors, each electrically connected to every nth display electrode for repeatedly scanning said display electrodes, in a succession of scans, during each of which a voltage is applied to at least selected ones of said display electrodes sequentially beginning with the first display electrode in the array, and second conductive means connected to said anode electrode means for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode means during a plurality of consecutive scans, beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing while said selected display electrodes are thereafter successively scanned, to establish a glow discharge adjacent said selected display electrodes and thus form a bar of glow visible through said viewing window, said second conductive means being responsive to an applied electrical signal for selecting the number of display electrodes that glow, to control the length of said bar of glow, in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 50

A gas discharge display panel comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of closely spaced cathode glow display electrodes disposed one after another in an array facing said viewing window, each of said display electrodes, when activated to glow, producing a glow discharge which primes the next succeeding display electrode toward a glow discharge condition, anode electrode means in glow discharge relationship with all of said display electrodes, means for repetitively scanning said display electrodes sequentially from the first to the last, and circuit means for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode means during a predetermined portion of each of a plurality of consecutive scans and for varying said portion in response to variations in a characteristic of an electrical applied signal, said circuit means including conductive means connected to said anode electrode means, responsive to an applied electrical signal, for applying said voltage signal to said anode electrode means beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing while a selected number of successive display electrodes are thereafter scanned, to cause each of said selected display electrodes to glow, one after another, to control the length of said bar of glow in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 51

A gas discharge display panel comprising a gas-tight envelope including a viewing window and containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a cathode glow, a succession of closely spaced cathode glow display electrodes disposed one after another in an array facing said viewing window, each of said display electrodes, when activated to glow, producing a glow discharge which primes the next succeeding display electrode toward a glow discharge condition, anode electrode means in glow discharge relationship with all of said display electrodes, means for repetitively scanning said display electrodes sequentially from the first to the last, and circuit means for applying a voltage signal to said anode electrode means during a predetermined portion of each of a plurality of consecutive scans and for varying said portion in response to variations in a characteristic of an electrical applied signal, said circuit means including conductive means connected to said anode electrode means, responsive to an applied electrical signal, for applying said voltage signal to said anode electrode means beginning at approximately the start of each such scan and continuing while a selected number of successive display electrodes are thereafter scanned, to cause each of said selected display electrodes to glow, one after another, to control the length of said bar of glow in response to a characteristic of said applied signal.

Claim 52

A display panel for displaying a plurality of side-by-side bars of light of variable length, including a plurality of side-by-side display units, each of which comprises a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent to one another in a linear array, there being first, second . . . n th cathodes in each display unit, circuit means for connecting electrically in common the correspondingly numbered display electrodes of each of said units, each of said cathode electrodes, when energized to a glow discharge condition, exhibiting a glow discharge adjacent its surface which combines with the glow of the adjacent cathode electrodes of the same display unit to form a substantially continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, anode electrode means in each such display unit in gas discharge relationship with each of said electrodes of the same unit, means for applying an electrical signal to each of said cathode electrodes in succession, from the first to the last such electrode in each group, and means responsive to applied electrical signals for controlling the number of such cathode electrodes that are energized to glow discharge condition in each such display unit, so that the length of the bar of glow in each such unit represents a characteristic of the applied signals, said means including a conductor connected to the anode electrode means of each such display unit for applying an electrical signal to said anode electrode means, beginning at the time an electrical signal is applied to the first cathode electrode of each display unit and continuing for a length of time determined by the characteristic of each applied signal that is to be represented by the bar of glow.

Claim 53

A display panel for displaying a plurality of side-by-side bars of light of variable length, including a plurality of side-by-side display units, each of which comprises a succession of cathode electrodes disposed closely adjacent to one another in a linear array, there being first, second . . . n th cathodes in each display unit, circuit means for connecting electrically in common the correspondingly numbered display electrodes of each of said units, each of said cathode electrodes, when energized to a glow discharge condition, exhibiting a glow discharge adjacent its surface which combines with the glow of the adjacent cathode electrodes of the same display unit to form a substantially continuous bar of glow visible through said viewing window, anode electrode means in each such display unit in gas discharge relationship with each of said electrodes of the same unit, means for applying an electrical signal to each of said cathode electrodes in succession, from the first to the last such electrode in each group, and means responsive to applied electrical signals for controlling the number of such cathode electrodes that are energized to glow discharge condition in each such display unit, so that the length of the bar of glow in each such unit represents a characteristic of the applied signals, said means including a conductor connected to the anode electrode means of each such display unit for applying an electrical signal to said anode electrode means, beginning at the time an electrical signal is applied to the first cathode electrode of each display unit and continuing for a length of time determined by the characteristic of each applied signal that is to be represented by the bar of glow.

Claim 54

A bar graph display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope made up of an insulating base plate and a face plate having a viewing window, said base plate and face plate being hermetically sealed together, a series of generally linear cathode elements supported on said base plate closely adjacent one another whereby when a group of such cathodes exhibits cathode glow, the glow of one cathode appears to blend with the glow of an adjacent cathode and the total number of cathodes which glow appears to form a bar of light, a plurality of conductors on said base plate extending along said base plate adjacent to said series of cathodes, each conductor being connected to different ones of said cathodes, an insulating layer insulating said conductors from each other and covering said conductors so that they are not visible through said viewing window, and a single anode electrode on the inner surface of said face plate and overlying said series of cathodes.

Claim 55

A bar graph display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope made up of an insulating base plate and a face plate having a viewing window, said base plate and face plate being hermetically sealed together, a series of generally linear cathode elements supported on said base plate closely adjacent one another whereby when a group of such cathodes exhibits cathode glow, the glow of one cathode appears to blend with the glow of an adjacent cathode and the total number of cathodes which glow appears to form a bar of light, a plurality of conductors on said base plate extending along said base plate adjacent to said series of cathodes, each conductor being connected to different ones of said cathodes, an insulating layer insulating said conductors from each other and covering said conductors so that they are not visible through said viewing window, and a single anode electrode on the inner surface of said face plate and overlying said series of cathodes.

Claim 56

The panel defined in claim 37 wherein said insulating layer covers the edges of said cathodes to provide a series of cathodes which are all of the same uniform length.

Claim 57

A bar graph display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a face plate having a viewing window, said base plate and face plate being hermetically sealed together, a first series of parallel line-like cathode electrodes disposed along a linear path on the surface of said base plate, a first transparent conductive anode electrode on the inner surface of said face plate overlying all of the cathodes in said first series, a second series of parallel line-like cathode electrodes disposed along a linear path on the surface of said base plate, said second series of cathodes being disposed adjacent to and generally parallel to said first series of cathodes, a second transparent conductive anode electrode on the inner surface of said face plate overlying all of the cathodes in said second series, a plurality of conductors on said base plate extending along said base plate adjacent to said first and second series of cathodes, each conductor being connected to a different group of said cathodes in said first series and to corresponding cathodes of said second series, and an insulating layer insulating said conductors from each other and covering said conductors so that they are not visible through said viewing window, and covering the ends of said cathodes so that all of said cathodes have substantially the same well-defined length.

Claim 58

A bar graph display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a face plate having a viewing window, said base plate and face plate being hermetically sealed together, a first series of parallel line-like cathode electrodes disposed along a linear path on the surface of said base plate, a first transparent conductive anode electrode on the inner surface of said face plate overlying all of the cathodes in said first series, a second series of parallel line-like cathode electrodes disposed along a linear path on the surface of said base plate, said second series of cathodes being disposed adjacent to and generally parallel to said first series of cathodes, a second transparent conductive anode electrode on the inner surface of said face plate overlying all of the cathodes in said second series, a plurality of conductors on said base plate extending along said base plate adjacent to said first and second series of cathodes, each conductor being connected to a different group of said cathodes in said first series and to corresponding cathodes of said second series, and an insulating layer insulating said conductors from each other and covering said conductors so that they are not visible through said viewing window, and covering the ends of said cathodes so that all of said cathodes have substantially the same well-defined length.

Claim 59

A display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a face plate having a viewing window, a series of cathode electrodes arrayed close to each other in a series along said base plate and including a first cathode, a last cathode, and intermediate cathodes, anode electrode means in operative relation with said series of cathodes, and means for electrically connecting said anode electrode means and said series of cathode electrodes in a circuit and for energizing a group of said cathodes and causing said group of said cathodes to exhibit cathode glow one at a time and sequentially, beginning with the first cathode in the series and proceeding through said series and terminating cathode glow at another cathode in said series, said means also repetitively energizing said group of cathodes to form an apparently stationary bar of light, the number of cathodes in said series which are energized and exhibit cathode glow in said group being related to the amplitude of an input signal applied to said anode electrode means.

Claim 60

A display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope including a base plate and a face plate having a viewing window, a series of cathode electrodes arrayed close to each other in a series along said base plate and including a first cathode, a last cathode, and intermediate cathodes, anode electrode means in operative relation with said series of cathodes, and means for electrically connecting said anode electrode means and said series of cathode electrodes in a circuit and for energizing a group of said cathodes and causing said group of said cathodes to exhibit cathode glow one at a time and sequentially, beginning with the first cathode in the series and proceeding through said series and terminating cathode glow at another cathode in said series, said means also repetitively energizing said group of cathodes to form an apparently stationary bar of light, the number of cathodes in said series which are energized and exhibit cathode glow in said group being related to the amplitude of an input signal applied to said anode electrode means.

Claim 61

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope with a viewing window containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a glow discharge, a succession of coplanar gas discharge cells disposed closely adjacent one another in an array along a surface of insulating material located within said envelope, said succession of cells including a first cell, a last cell and intermediate cells, each said cell being operable as a display cell and as a particle-supply cell for an adjacent cell in the succession, first electrodes and second electrode means coupled to said cells for applying electrical signals thereto and producing glow discharge in a selected series of said cells, said selected series permissibly including less than all of said cells, glow discharge in a cell being produced only when it is adjacent a cell which is producing glow discharge and only when an electrical signal is also being applied to said first and second electrodes, means for applying an electrical signal to each of said first electrodes, and thus to each of said cells, in succession, from the first to the last, and means responsive to an applied electrical signal for controlling the number of such cells that are energized in a series, so that the length of the bar of glow produced by the series represents a characteristic of such applied signal, said means including a conductor connected to said second electrode means for applying an electrical signal thereto beginning at the time an electrical signal is applied to the first cell and continuing for a length of time determined by the characteristic of the applied signal that is to be represented by the bar of glow.

Claim 62

A gas discharge display panel for displaying at least one bar of light of variable length comprising a gas-tight envelope with a viewing window containing ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining a glow discharge, a succession of coplanar gas discharge cells disposed closely adjacent one another in an array along a surface of insulating material located within said envelope, said succession of cells including a first cell, a last cell and intermediate cells, each said cell being operable as a display cell and as a particle-supply cell for an adjacent cell in the succession, first electrodes and second electrode means coupled to said cells for applying electrical signals thereto and producing glow discharge in a selected series of said cells, said selected series permissibly including less than all of said cells, glow discharge in a cell being produced only when it is adjacent a cell which is producing glow discharge and only when an electrical signal is also being applied to said first and second electrodes, means for applying an electrical signal to each of said first electrodes, and thus to each of said cells, in succession, from the first to the last, and means responsive to an applied electrical signal for controlling the number of such cells that are energized in a series, so that the length of the bar of glow produced by the series represents a characteristic of such applied signal, said means including a conductor connected to said second electrode means for applying an electrical signal thereto beginning at the time an electrical signal is applied to the first cell and continuing for a length of time determined by the characteristic of the applied signal that is to be represented by the bar of glow.