Abstract: This invention provides a display device capable of maintaining a high image quality of a display image even when a plurality of plasma tube array-type display sub-modules is joined horizontally to one another. A display device comprises a plasma tube array-type display sub-module in which a plurality of plasma tubes 31, 31, . . . , are arranged in parallel being held between an address electrode support sheet where address electrodes are formed and a display electrode support sheet 35 where display electrodes are formed, wherein the plurality of plasma tube array-type display sub-modules 30, 30, . . . , are joined horizontally to one another so that an interval between the adjacent plasma tube array-type display sub-modules 30, 30, . . . , and a clearance between the adjacent plasma tubes 31, 31 are substantially equal.

Abstract: A display device comprising a plurality of plasma tube array-type display sub-modules joined with a high precision is provided. The shapes of the display electrodes on the display electrode support sheets are identical in all of the plasma tube array-type display sub-modules joined. The plurality of plasma tube array-type display sub-modules are joined by a first connector joining the plasma tube array-type display sub-modules to one another, and a second connector connecting the plasma tube array-type display sub-modules to drive circuit substrates.

Abstract: This invention provides a plasma tube array-type display sub-module that realizes one seamless large screen of a display device and prevents degradation in quality of an image to be displayed on the large screen. The electromagnetic wave shield layer is formed so as to extend beyond an effective display region over, where the plurality of plasma tubes is arranged on one side of the front-side supporting sheet. Moreover, at least one further function layer is formed only over the effective display region. The front-side supporting sheet with display electrodes and the electromagnetic wave shield layer is bent toward the back direction along a side end of the effective display region in order to join plasma tube array-type display sub-modules.

Abstract: This invention provides a plasma tube array-type display sub-module capable of reducing a possibility of occurrence of troubles on a plasma tube array during a manufacturing process even in a case where irregularities are formed on the back side of the plasma tube array, and a display device. The plasma tube array-type display sub-module comprises a plasma tube array including a plurality of plasma tubes arranged in parallel, the plasma tube array being held between an address electrode support sheet having address electrodes formed thereon and a display electrode support sheet having display electrodes formed thereon, wherein the plasma tube array is fixed to a sub-module frame through an intermediate layer that is made of a material more flexible than that of the plasma tube array and can deform along the irregularities on the address electrode support sheet of the plasma tube array.

Abstract: A light emitting tube array is provided which includes: front and rear plates; and a plurality of elongated light emitting tubes each filled with a discharge gas and disposed parallel to each other between the front and rear plates, the front plate being transparent and having an enough rigidity to support the light emitting tubes, the front plate including at least one pair of display electrodes provided thereon in contact with the light emitting tubes as extending perpendicularly to the light emitting tube, the rear plate having an enough flexibility to adapt to variation in sectional dimensions of the light emitting tubes, the rear plate including address electrodes provided thereon in contact with the respective light emitting tubes as extending longitudinally of the light emitting tubes.

Abstract: A display device (12) has a display screen, the display screen comprising a plurality of gas discharge tubes (20R, 20G, 20B, . . . 28R, 28G, 28B) disposed side by side. Each of the gas discharge tubes includes a phosphor layer (4) formed therein and also includes a discharge gas contained therein. Each gas discharge tube has a plurality of light-emitting points. Each of the plurality of gas discharge tubes (20R, 20G, 20B, . . . 28R, 28G, 28B) is curved along the longitudinal direction thereof. The display screen is formed by combining the plurality of gas discharge tubes having different magnitudes of curvature.

Abstract: A method of driving a display device of a plasma tube array type includes: applying, in a first address period, a scan pulse sequentially to display electrodes, each being one display electrode of each display electrode pair in a first group of display electrode pairs; applying, thereafter, a first supplemental pulse of a same polarity as that of the scan pulse to other display electrodes, each being the other display electrode of each display electrode pair in the first group of display electrode pairs, while applying a second supplemental pulse of a polarity opposite to that of the first supplemental pulse, to address electrodes; and applying, thereafter in the first address period before a second address period, a third supplemental pulse of a polarity opposite to that of the first supplemental pulse to the other display electrode of each display electrode pair in the first group of display electrode pairs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an array display apparatus in which multiple light-emitting tubes each having a fluorescent substance layer inside are aligned and a discharge is generated within these multiple light-emitting tubes, whereby the fluorescent substance layers within the light-emitting tubes are caused to emit light thereby to display an image. The array display apparatus displays an image of uniform luminance irrespective of the planar shape of a display surface when image data representing a uniform image is inputted.

Abstract: A large-scale display device having a plurality of display units which each include a plurality of elongated plasma tubes each filled with a discharge gas, and at least one pair of display electrodes disposed outside the plasma tubes, voltage applying means which applies a drive voltage to the display electrodes to cause electric discharge in the plasma tubes for display. Vertically adjoining ones of the display units respectively have adjoining portions which are offset thicknesswise from each other for prevention of contact between the plasma tubes of the vertically adjoining display units. The voltage applying means is disposed away from the adjoining portions of the vertically adjoining display units.

Abstract: A light emitting string is produced by forming a fluorescent layer on a fluorescent layer support member having an opening and configured such as to protect the fluorescent layer, and inserting the fluorescent layer support member into a minute tube. Therefore, when the fluorescent layer support member is inserted into the minute tube, the fluorescent layer is prevented from contacting the interior wall of the minute tube. This prevents the chipping, the separation and the cracking of the fluorescent layer, thereby improving the yield in production of plasma light emitting strings.

Abstract: A gas discharge tube includes: a elongated tube within which an electron-emissive film is formed, and which is filled with a discharge gas and sealed; a plurality of pairs of display electrodes disposed on a display side of the elongated tube; a signal electrode disposed on a rear side of the elongated tube; and an elongated support member inserted into the elongated tube and extending in the length direction of the elongated tube. The support member has a curved shape so that a curved inner surface thereof forms a discharge space, has longitudinally extending opposite edges, and has a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface of the support member. The support member further has an end wall at each of longitudinally opposite ends thereof. The end walls and the curved inner surface form an elongated depression in the support member.

Abstract: A method for driving a plasma display panel having at least first electrodes and second electrodes which cause discharge in cells is provided. The method includes applying a first pulse and a second pulse to the second electrode in an address preparation period. The method also includes applying a scan pulse to the second pulse to the second electrode in an address period. The method includes the first pulse having a voltage changing with time in a positive direction and the second pulse having a voltage changing with time in a negative direction and the scan pulse having a negative voltage which is lower than the attained voltage of the second pulse.

Abstract: A discharge tube array includes a plurality of elongated discharge tubes (10) each including an internal fluorescent layer. The discharge tubes (10), arranged in parallel, are sandwiched between paired substrates (20, 21). One of the substrate (20) is provided with a plurality of display electrodes (30) each extending across the discharge tubes (10). A plurality of connection terminals (14) are formed on the tube wall of the outermost one of the discharge tubes (10), to be connected with the display electrodes (30). The connection terminals (14) are primarily for electrical connection with the display electrodes of another discharge tube array.

Abstract: A light emitting portion and an electrode board including electrodes for driving the light emitting portion for light emission are provided as separate members. This allows the light emitting portion to have a smaller thickness, and widens the choices of substrate materials for the electrode board. Therefore, a flexible material can be used for the electrode board, thereby imparting the display device with flexibility. Further, the light emitting portion and the electrode board can be separately produced, so that the degree of freedom is increased in the production of the display device. Therefore, the light emitting portion and the electrode board can be produced in different steps or in different production lines. Further, the light emitting portion, the electrode board and other components can be individually evaluated for quality, thereby reducing the production costs of the display device.

Abstract: A discharge tube array includes a plurality of narrow discharge tubes (10) each provided with an internal fluorescent layer (13). The array also includes a holder (20) formed with a hollow portion (21) for holding the discharge tubes (10) in a mutually parallel state, where the discharge tubes (10) are removably inserted into the hollow portion (21). The holder (20) is provided with a plurality of first electrodes (23) disposed along the discharge tubes (10), and with a plurality of second electrodes (24A, 24B) opposing the first electrodes (23) across the hollow portion (21) and extending in a direction intersecting with the first electrodes (23).

Abstract: A light-emitting discharge tube in which an outer wall surface of a glass tube is made less susceptible to flaws by forming a protective film on the outer wall surface of the glass tube, a method of fabricating the light-emitting discharge tube, and a protective film forming apparatus are provided. The light-emitting discharge tube defines light-emitting discharge regions by a plurality of external electrodes. The outer wall surface of the light-emitting discharge tube (the glass tube) is coated with the protective film (a metal film, a conductive metal oxide film, an insulating metal oxide film, or an organic film).

Abstract: A three-electrode surface discharge display (1) of the present invention includes: a plurality of parallel discharge tubes (10) to provide a panel-like effective display area (S); a plurality of display electrode pairs disposed on one surface-side of the discharge tubes (10) across the discharge tubes (10), with each display electrode pair composed of a pair of parallel electrodes (X, Y); and addressing electrodes (A) disposed along the discharge tubes on the other surface-side of the discharge tubes (10). A dummy electrode pair, provided outside the effective display area (S) and parallel to the endmost display electrode pair in the effective display area (S), is composed of dummy electrodes (DX, DY) corresponding to the sustaining electrode (X) and the scanning electrode (Y), respectively. The dummy electrode (DY) is electrically connected with the scanning electrode (Y(1)) of the endmost display electrode pair in the effective display area (S).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas discharge tube by closing an opening of a glass tube by forming a glass layer with outer peripheral shape identical to the outer peripheral shape of the glass tube on an end face of the glass tube. An open end face (opening) of the glass tube is pressure-welded to a dry film containing a low melting point glass powder and a binder resin, and then the glass tube is lifted up to transfer the dry film for closing the opening to the end face of the glass tube. A phosphor support member is inserted into the glass tube from a side opposite to the end face and then an end of the phosphor support member is caused to adhere to the dry film. The binder resin is burnt off, and the dry film is vitrified to produce a low melting point glass layer.

Abstract: In a display device (10), one scan driver circuit (702) applies a scan voltage to one display electrode (Y1, . . . , Yj, . . . , Yn) of each of pairs of display electrodes of adjacent two (314, 316) of a plurality of units, and applies a sustain voltage pulse to the one display electrode. At least one (502) of at least two sustain voltage circuits applies a potential for a sustain voltage pulse to the other display electrode (X1, . . . , Xj, . . . , Xn) of each of the pairs of display electrodes of at least one of outermost ones of the plurality of units.

Abstract: A display device capable of realizing a desired color temperature is provided. Phosphor layers 5a, 5b and 5c, which are excited by ultraviolet radiation produced by discharge and emit red, green and blue visible light, are formed inside a red, green and blue gas discharge tube 1a, 1b, and 1c, respectively. The height Yc of the phosphor layer 5c with respect to a rear support body 20 is higher than the heights Ya and Yb of the phosphor layers 5a and 5b with respect to the rear support member 20, and establishes the relationship Yc>Ya=Yb. Therefore, the distance from the phosphor layer 5c to the opposite discharge surface on a front support body is shorter than those from the phosphor layers 5a and 5b, the visible light emitted from the display device 10 is shifted toward blue, that is, the color temperature increases.