System for operating a display panel having memory

Claim 1

A system for operating a display panel with memory wherein the display panel includes a gas-filled envelope, a first layer of D.C. scan cells disposed in rows and columns and including row scan anodes and column scan cathodes which cross each other, with the crossings defining said D.C. cells, an apertured electrode defining rows and columns of display cells, each display cell being in communication with a D.C. scan cell, and an A.C. electrode associated with and insulated from said apertured electrode and operating therewith as the electrodes for said display cells, said system comprising first means coupled to all of said scan anodes for applying operating potential thereto, second means coupled to said scan cathodes for applying operating potential to each cathode in turn to fire and turn on each column of scan cells in turn sequentially, third means coupled to said scan anodes for applying data signals to selected ones of said anodes as its column of scan cells is fired and turned on, and fourth means coupled to said apertured electrode and said A.C. electrode for applying sustainer signals thereto, the application of said sustainer signals and said data signals being synchronized so that, when the data signals are applied, glow is generated in the selected display cells associated with the scan anodes to which the data signals are applied, the sustainer signals sustaining the display glow in such selected display cells, said fourth means comprising an electronic circuit including means generating a sustainer signal including positive and negative pulses generated about a positive reference voltage level, said means including a diode bridge and a plurality of semiconductor switches coupled thereto so as to provide said sustainer signal as each semiconductor switch is turned on in an operating sequence.

Claim 2

A system for operating a display panel with memory wherein the display panel includes a gas-filled envelope, a first layer of D.C. scan cells disposed in rows and columns and including row scan anodes and column scan cathodes which cross each other, with the crossings defining said D.C. cells, an apertured electrode defining rows and columns of display cells, each display cell being in communication with a D.C. scan cell, and an A.C. electrode associated with and insulated from said apertured electrode and operating therewith as the electrodes for said display cells, said system comprising first means coupled to all of said scan anodes for applying operating potential thereto, second means coupled to said scan cathodes for applying operating potential to each cathode in turn to fire and turn on each column of scan cells in turn sequentially, third means coupled to said scan anodes for applying data signals to selected ones of said anodes as its column of scan cells is fired and turned on, and fourth means coupled to said apertured electrode and said A.C. electrode for applying sustainer signals thereto, the application of said sustainer signals and said data signals being synchronized so that, when the data signals are applied, glow is generated in the selected display cells associated with the scan anodes to which the data signals are applied, the sustainer signals sustaining the display glow in such selected display cells, said fourth means comprising an electronic circuit including means generating a sustainer signal including positive and negative pulses generated about a positive reference voltage level, said means including a diode bridge and a plurality of semiconductor switches coupled thereto so as to provide said sustainer signal as each semiconductor switch is turned on in an operating sequence.