US4742278A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single connection gas discharge display and driver
Assignee: Inshore Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1987-06-03
•
Granted: 1988-05-03
•
Expires: 2007-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A new method and apparatus for driving a neon display tube or the like. The tube, containing an ionizable gas, has only a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas. A power source connected to ionize the gas and cause illumination thereof wherein the power source is connected to the single cathode element and produces alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential. In the preferred embodiment, the power source produces an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from the single cathode element. The voltage ramp may start at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent the single cathode element, rise to a level to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose the single cathode element, and rise at a rate to produce a visible progression of illumination from one end of the tube to the other whereby an illuminated handwriting effect is created by the progressive illumination of the tube. Also, the voltage ramp may start at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas at a first selected point on the tube and rise to a level to cause final ionization of the gas at a second selected point on the tube displaced from the first point whereby only a selected portion of the tube is illuminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Iannini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:26
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/26; H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
In an elongated cold cathode gas discharge tube containing an ionizable gas and power source to ionize the gas to cause illumination thereof, the improvement comprising: (a) the gas discharge tube having a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas; and, (b) the power source being connected to said single cathode element and producing alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential; wherein the power source producing an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from said single cathode element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an elongated cold cathode gas discharge tube containing an ionizable gas and power source to ionize the gas to cause illumination thereof, the improvement comprising: (a) the gas discharge tube having a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas; and, (b) the power source being connected to said single cathode element and producing alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential; wherein the power source producing an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from said single cathode element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said voltage ramp starts at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent said single cathode element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said voltage ramp rises to a level to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose said single cathode element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: (a) said voltage ramp starts at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent said single cathode element; and, (b) said voltage ramp rises to a level to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose said single cathode element and rises at a rate to produce a visible progression of illumination from one end of the tube to the other whereby an illuminated handwriting effect is created by the progressive illumination of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: (a) said voltage ramp starts at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas at a first selected point on the tube; and, (b) said voltage ramp rises to a level to cause final ionization of the gas at a second selected point on the tube displaced from said first point whereby only a selected portion of the tube is illuminated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said power source includes means for setting the beginning and ending voltages of said voltage ramp so that said selected illuminated portion of the tube is adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein: said voltage setting means is an manually adjustable means for setting the position of said selected illuminated portion of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein: said voltage setting means is connected to an audio source and adjusts said beginning and ending voltages as a function of an audio signal from said audio source whereby the position of said selected illuminated portion of the tube varies as a function of said audio signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said power source includes means connected to an audio source for modulating the frequency of said voltage ramp as a function of an audio signal from said audio source so that said selected illuminated portion of the tube varies as a function of said audio signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said power source includes means for reducing the frequency of said voltage ramp as more gas is ionized to offset the effect of an increased available natural capacitance to ground associated with the increased quantity of ionized gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said power source includes means for setting the frequency of said voltage ramp as a function of the natural capacitance to ground of the gas whereby to automatically compensate for variations in said capacitance as more or less gas is ionized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: said power source includes means for repeatably producing said voltage ramp so as to ionize the gas in the tube repeatedly in a strobing manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 12 wherein: said power source includes means for adjusting the repetition rate of said voltage ramp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
An illuminated display comprising: (a) an elongated cold cathode gas discharge tube containing an ionizable gas, said tube having a single cathode element at one end in contact with said gas; and, (b) a power source connected to ionize the gas and cause illumination thereof, said power source being connected to said single cathode element and producing alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential; wherein the power source produces an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from said single cathode element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
An illuminated display comprising: (a) an elongated cold cathode gas discharge tube containing an ionizable gas, said tube having a single cathode element at one end in contact with said gas; and, (b) a power source connected to ionize the gas and cause illumination thereof, said power source being connected to said single cathode element and producing alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential; wherein the power source produces an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from said single cathode element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said voltage ramp starts at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent said single cathode element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said voltage ramp rises to a level to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose said single cathode element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: (a) said voltage ramp starts at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent said single cathode element; and, (b) said voltage ramp rises to a level to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose said single cathode element and rises at a rate to produce a visible progression of illumination from one end of the tube to the other whereby an illuminated handwriting effect is created by the progressive illumination of the tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: (a) said voltage ramp starts at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas at a first selected point on the tube; and, (b) said voltage ramp rises to a level to cause final ionization of the gas at a second selected point on the tube displaced from said first point whereby only a selected portion of the tube is illuminated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said power source includes means for setting the beginning and ending voltages of said voltage ramp so that said selected illuminated portion of the tube is adjustable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illuminated display of claim 19 wherein: said voltage setting means is an manually adjustable means for setting the position of said selected illuminated portion of the tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The illuminated display of claim 19 wherein: said voltage setting means is connected to an audio source and adjusts said beginning and ending voltages as a function of an audio signal from said audio source whereby the position of said selected illuminated portion of the tube varies as a function of said audio signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said power source includes means connected to an audio source for modulating the frequency of said voltage ramp as a function of an audio signal from said audio source so that said selected illuminated portion of the tube varies as a function of said audio signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said power source includes means for reducing the frequency of said voltage ramp as more gas is ionized to offset the effect of an increased available natural capacitance to ground associated with the increased quantity of ionized gas.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said power source includes means for setting the frequency of said voltage ramp as a function of the natural capacitance to ground of the gas whereby to automatically compensate for variations in said capacitance as more or less gas is ionized.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The illuminated display of claim 14 wherein: said power source includes means for repeatably producing said voltage ramp so as to ionize the gas in the tube repeatedly in a strobing manner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The illuminated display of claim 25 wherein: said power source includes means for adjusting the repetition rate of said voltage ramp.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
The illuminated display of claim 18 and additionally comprising: (a) a display panel containing indicia thereon disposed to be illuminated by said tube; and, (b) means for repeatably changing said first and second points to cause said display panel to be cyclically illuminated in portions disposed over said tube between said changing first and second points.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminated display of claim 27 wherein: said means for repeatably changing said first and second points includes means for changing said points at a rate to produce a visibly perceptible stepping between said portions of said display panel being illuminated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
108 words
The improved method of causing illumination of an elongated cold cathode gas discharge tube containing an ionizable gas and having a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas comprising the steps of: (a) connecting an alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natrual surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential to the single cathode element; and (b) ramping the voltage between first and second levels whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from the single cathode element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
The improved method of causing illumination of an elongated cold cathode gas discharge tube containing an ionizable gas and having a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas comprising the steps of: (a) connecting an alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natrual surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential to the single cathode element; and (b) ramping the voltage between first and second levels whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from the single cathode element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: starting the voltage ramp at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent the single cathode element.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: raising the voltage ramp to a level sufficient to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose the single cathode element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: (a) starting the voltage ramp at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent the single cathode element; and, (b) raising the voltage ramp to a level sufficient to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose the single cathode element and at a rate to produce a visible progression of illumination from one end of the tube to the other whereby an illuminated handwriting effect is created by the progressive illumination of the tube.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: (a) starting the voltage ramp at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas at a first selected point on the tube; and, (b) raising the voltage ramp to a level to cause final ionization of the gas at a second selected point on the tube displaced from the point of initial ionization whereby only a pre-selected portion of the tube is illuminated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: adjusts said beginning and ending voltages of the voltage ramp as a function of an audio signal whereby the position of the illuminated portion of the tube varies as a function of the audio signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: modulating the frequency of the voltage ramp as a function of an audio signal so that the illuminated portion of the tube varies as a function of the audio signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: reducing the frequency of the voltage ramp as more gas is ionized to offset the effect of an increased available natural capacitance to ground associated with the increased quantity of ionized gas.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: adjusting the frequency of the voltage ramp as a function of the natural capacitance to ground of the gas whereby to automatically compensate for variations in the capacitance to ground as more or less gas is ionized.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said step includes: repeatedly producing the voltage ramp so as to ionize the gas in the tube in a strobing manner.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said step includes: adjusting the repetition rate of the voltage ramp.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 33 and additionally including the steps of: (a) disposing a display panel containing indicia thereon to be illuminated by the tube; and, (b) repeatably changing the first and second points to cause the display panel to be cyclically illuminated in portions disposed over the tube between the changing first and second points.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said steps include: repeatably changing the first and second points at a rate to produce a visibly perceptible stepping between the portions of the display panel being illuminated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1819105A
Cited
US1854912A
Cited
US2629839A
Cited
US3085189A
Cited
US2984765A
Cited
US4245178A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |