Patents Represented by Attorney Dennis H. Irlbeck
  • Patent number: 5928821
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrophotographically manufacturing a phosphor screen 22 comprising a multiplicity of color-emitting screen elements arranged in color groups on an interior surface of a faceplate panel 12 of a color CRT 10. The multiplicity of screen elements is exposed to a source 35 of UV radiation to stimulate the screen elements to emission. The emission from the screen elements is utilized to determine, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, a first emission characteristic of each color group of screen elements. Then, a subsequent manufacturing step (58, 62) is performed that affects the screen elements, and the multiplicity of screen elements is re-exposed to the source of UV radiation to stimulate the screen elements to emission. The resultant emission is utilized to determine, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, a second emission characteristic from each color group of screen elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Richard Garrity, Jr., George Milton Ehemann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5925485
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, shown in FIG. 3, a method of electrophotographically manufacturing a phosphor screen, comprises the steps of coating 44 an interior surface of a viewing faceplate panel to form a volatilizable organic conductive (OC) layer and overcoating 46 the OC layer to form a volatilizable organic photoconductive (OPC) layer. The OPC layer is electrostatically charged 48 and selected areas of the OPC layer are exposed to light to form a charge image 50. The charge image is developed with at least one phosphor material 52 which is fixed 58 to the OPC layer by spraying a fixing solution comprising two solvents, having substantially different rates of evaporation onto the phosphor material on the OPC layer to affect the solubility thereof and to make the OPC layer tacky. At least a portion or all of the solvent with the higher rate of evaporation is allowed to evaporate while the solvent with the lower rate of evaporation retains the tackiness of the OPC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Himanshu Mukundray Patel, Jeffrey Herbert Harrell
  • Patent number: 5902708
    Abstract: A method of electrophotographically manufacturing a luminescent line screen 22 within a viewing area of a faceplate panel 12 includes providing a matrix 23 having a border 123 extending beyond the viewing area. A photoreceptor 36 overlies the matrix. The photoreceptor is electrostatically charged and a color selection electrode 25, having a multiplicity of openings therethrough, is mounted therein. The panel 12 is positioned on an exposure device having a multi-position visible light source. A least one series of light exposures utilizes both first and second order illumination to form selectively discharge the photoreceptor 36 in the viewing area and on the border 123 of the matrix. Then, triboelectrically charged, color-emitting phosphor is deposited onto the illuminated areas of the photoreceptor to form phosphor lines in the viewing area and phosphor traps over the matrix border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Istvan Gorog, James Regis Matey, Robert Edward Simms
  • Patent number: 5900973
    Abstract: An optical polarization device including a source of light emitting a light beam, and a polarization beam splitter for reflecting the s-polarization component of the light beam and transmitting the p-polarization component. A Fresnel structure with a reflective coating receives the s-polarization component, rotates it 90 degrees and returns it to the beam splitter. A plate of micro-prisms, functioning in reflection total, recombine the two polarization components of the light beam so as to produce a collimated beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson multimedia S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Marcellin-Dibon, Valter Drazic
  • Patent number: 5900972
    Abstract: Stereoscopic effects can be created by binocular parallax. Known stereoscopic display systems show pseudoscopic effects in outer areas of the image viewing position and the viewing position is fixed. To avoid such pseudoscopic effects and/or to change the viewing position stereoscopic displays using parallax barriers with variable pitch length, moving barriers parallel to the display plane, and a polarizing device forming polarized light together with polarizing prisms are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson multimedia S.A.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Chikazawa
  • Patent number: 5877824
    Abstract: This system for illuminating a liquid-crystal screen comprises a light source which emits an unpolarized light beam (F). A polarizing splitter device (PBS) receives this unpolarized light beam and retransmits, onto the liquid-crystal screen, a first and a second beam (F1, F2) which are polarized in the same polarization direction. The axes of the two beams make a defined angle (2.beta.) between them. A matrix of microlenses is provided with one microlens (.mu.L) for at least two adjacent picture elements (EL1, EL2) in the liquid-crystal screen. Each microlens directs that part of the first beam which it receives onto one (EL1) of the two picture elements and that part of the second beam which it receives onto the other picture element (EL2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson multimedia, S.A
    Inventor: Khaled Sarayeddine
  • Patent number: 5877587
    Abstract: An improved inline electron gun of the invention includes a plurality of electrodes spaced from three cathodes. The electrodes form at least a beam forming region and a main focus lens in the paths of three electron beams, a center beam and two side beams. The main focus lens is formed by the facing portions of two electrodes. The improvement comprises the facing portions of the main focus electrodes including a first part, and a second part positioned within the first part. The first part includes a single aperture therein. The second part includes three inline apertures therein. The first part includes four spaced ledges, and the second part is attached to the four ledges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson Tubes and Displays, S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Pierre Trinchero, David Arthur New, Yves Pontaillier
  • Patent number: 5807435
    Abstract: A spray module 40 for manufacturing a cathode-ray tube (CRT) 10 comprises an enclosure 42 having sidewalls 44, a base 46 attached to the sidewalls 44, for closing one end thereof, and a panel support 48 having an opening, 50 therethrough. The panel support 48 is attached to an opposite end of the sidewalls 44. The spray module 40 has at least one electrostatic spray gun 36 therein for spraying charged screen structure material through the opening 50 in the panel support 48 and onto an interior surface of a faceplate panel 12 of the CRT 10. The spray module 40 includes a primary shield assembly 55 disposed within the enclosure 42 and extending through the opening 50 in the panel support 48. A secondary shield assembly 56 also is disposed within the enclosure 42 The primary and secondary shield assemblies 55 and 56, respectively, direct the charged screen structure material toward the interior surface of the panel 12, thereby increasing the transfer efficiency of the spray gun 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Samuel Poliniak, Peter Michael Ritt, Brian Thomas Collins, Richard LaPeruta, Jr., Harry Robert Stork
  • Patent number: 5800234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a metallized luminescent screen for a CRT. At least one phosphor layer is deposited (10) on an inner surface of a faceplate panel to form the luminescent screen. The panel containing the screen is then preheated (12) to a temperature equal to, or in excess of, a minimum film-forming temperature and prewetted (14) by applying water to the screen. An aqueous filming emulsion containing a copolymer of acrylates and methacrylates with an average molecular weight of from 250,000 to 500,000 is applied (16) to the prewetted screen and dried (18) to form a film layer. Next, a layer of aluminum is deposited (20) onto the film layer, and the panel, bearing the metallized screen, is sealed to a funnel by heating the panel and the funnel through a sealing cycle. The sealing cycle(22) has a first rate of temperature increase to a first temperature and a second rate of temperature increase, less than the first rate, to a second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Videocolor S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Spina, Patrizia Cinquina, Guido Manciocco, Aaron William Levine
  • Patent number: 5790913
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for manufacturing a color CRT (10) having a faceplate panel (12) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a photoreceptor (36) on an interior surface of a viewing faceplate (17); establishing a substantially uniform electrostatic charge on the photoreceptor (36); and exposing selected areas of the photoreceptor (36) to visible light to form a latent charge image. The process further includes the steps of developing the latent charge image on the photoreceptor (36) by depositing (212, 213, 214) thereon charged phosphor particles; monitoring the width (218) of the deposition of the charged phosphor particles; and terminating the deposition (226, 227, 228) of the charged phosphor particles when predetermined process parameters (222, 224) are satisfied. A phosphor deposition monitor (PDM) apparatus (90) for monitoring the deposition of the charged phosphor particles on the latent charge image, formed on the photoreceptor (36), also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Owen Hugh Roberts, Jr., Peter Michael Ritt, Peter David Southgate, Robert Anthony Duschl
  • Patent number: 5780959
    Abstract: An improved cathode structure for a cathode ray tube includes a first metal tube which can receive an emission part and a heating element, a second metal tube constituting the cathode shielding, and means for retaining the first tube in position inside the second, wherein the retaining means are constituted by a single metal piece. In a preferential mode of implementation, the metal retention piece is constituted by a crown having branches extending in the direction of the axis of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Tubes and Displays, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Pruvost, Jean-Remy Adamski
  • Patent number: 5751103
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a color picture tube 10 of a type that has a glass envelope 11 with a substantially rectangular faceplate panel 12, a funnel 16 and a neck 14. The glass envelope 11 has three orthogonal axes, a major axis, X--X, substantially parallel to a wider dimension of the faceplate panel 12, a minor axis, Y--Y, substantially parallel to a narrower dimension of the faceplate panel 12, and a longitudinal axis, Z--Z, extending through the center of the neck 14 and the center of the faceplate panel 12. The funnel 16 has a main body portion 30 and a yoke region 32 which is sealed to the neck 14. The weight of the funnel 16 is reduced by reducing the thickness of a sidewall 31 within the main body portion 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Thomas Opresko, Richard Wayne Hutzler
  • Patent number: 5750187
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a cathode-ray tube (21) having a faceplate panel (27) with an exterior surface (39) having thereon an anti-glare, anti-static, dark coating (37) is described. The process is characterized by the steps of (a) forming a substantially homogeneous initial carbon dispersion containing substantially equal parts, by weight, of carbon particles and an organic vehicle; and (b) combining a sufficient quantity of the homogeneous initial carbon dispersion with an aqueous solution of lithium polysilicate to form a final dispersion suitable for application to the faceplate of the CRT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Videocolor, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Magnone, Guido Manciocco, Patrizia Cinquina
  • Patent number: 5750054
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an anti-glare, anti-static coating (37) applied to a reflective-transmissive surface (39) comprises a thiophene-based, electroconductive polymer and a siliceous material. A composition for reducing glare and for providing an anti-static property when applied to the reflective-transmissive surface (39) also is disclosed, as is a method of applying the coating (37) to an exterior surface (39) of a faceplate panel (27) of a CRT (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Videocolor, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Patrizia Cinquina, Giuseppe Magnone, Guido Manciocco
  • Patent number: 5744270
    Abstract: The novel method for producing a coded marking on a CRT faceplate panel having an exterior and an interior surface with a viewing area surrounded by a periphery and having a luminescent screen with a plurality of different light-emitting phosphors separated by light-absorbing material includes the steps of: depositing a suitable photoresist on the interior surface of the panel to form a layer that extends across the viewing area and onto the periphery; illuminating areas of the photoresist on both the viewing area and the periphery with actinic radiation to selectively change the solubility of the photoresist; developing the photoresist to remove the more soluble areas, thereby exposing underlying portions of the interior surface of the panel while leaving retained areas of less soluble photoresist. The retained areas of the photoresist and the exposed portions of the interior surface of the panel are then overcoated with a light-absorbing material which is dried to form a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Pearlman, Robert Anthony Duschl, Anthony Stanley Baran, Glenn William Brunner, George Simon Gadbois, Frank Thomas DiAugustine
  • Patent number: 5730887
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a display apparatus 8 comprises a color CRT 10 having an evacuated envelope 11 with a faceplate panel 12 sealed to one end of a funnel 15 that is closed at the other end by a neck 14. The faceplate panel has a luminescent screen 22 on an interior surface thereof. A shadow mask 25 is located in proximity to the screen. The shadow mask comprises a metal sheet having a central portion and an exterior portion with a plurality of apertures 40, 43 therethrough. An electron gun 26 is disposed within the neck for generating and directing electron beams 28 toward the screen. A deflection yoke 30 is disposed around the envelope at the junction of the neck and the funnel. The yoke deflects the beams to scan a raster across the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Frederick Simpson, Istvan Gorog, Bruce George Marks, Charles Michael Wetzel, Craig Clay Eshleman
  • Patent number: 5723071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bake-hardenable solution that is electrically conductive, when hardened. The resultant conductive panel coating 38 is utilized for electrically interconnecting a metal stud 27 embedded in a sidewall 20 of a faceplate panel 12 of a CRT 10 to a conductive layer 24 overlying a luminescent screen 22 on an interior viewing surface of said faceplate panel 12. The solution consists essentially of the following ingredients: glass frit powder; graphite; organic binder; solvent; and a material to enhance the porosity of the resultant conductive panel coating 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Walter Bartch, James Francis Edwards
  • Patent number: 5718874
    Abstract: Ferric chloride is separated from nickel chloride in a spent etchant solution 10 using a solvent extractant system 12. An extractant solution 14 is mixed with an HCl solution 16 to form an aqueous layer 18 and an organic extractant 20. The organic extractant 20 is introduced into an extraction section 22 of the system 12 and mixed with a recycled, stripped organic solvent 32 and a first raffinate 34 to form a first mixture 36 which is separated into a first organic layer 38 and a Ni-containing aqueous layer 40. A feed solution 44 consisting of the spent etchant solution 10 and concentrated HCl is combined with the first organic layer 38 to form a second mixture 46 which is separated into the first raffinate 34 and an organic solution 47 having a high concentration of iron. The solution 47 is introduced into a stripping section 48 of the system 12 and mixed with a raffinate 58 to form a third mixture 60 which is separated into a partially stripped organic layer 62 and an aqueous ferric chloride solution 64.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Moscony, Barry Michael Cushman
  • Patent number: 5707682
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a phosphor screen (22) on an interior surface (23) of a faceplate panel (12) is characterized by the steps of: forming a light-absorbing matrix (24) on an interior surface (23) of the faceplate panel (12); applying an aqueous surfactant solution thereto to solubilize oily contaminants and emulsify undissolved oily contaminants of the matrix (24); and serially applying three light-emitting phosphors (G, B, R) to the interior surface (23) of the faceplate panel (12) to form the phosphor screen (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Videocolor S.p.A.
    Inventors: Himanshu M. Patel, Antimo Pezzulo
  • Patent number: 5689150
    Abstract: An improved color picture tube includes an evacuated envelope having a rectangular faceplate panel. The panel includes a viewing screen on an inner surface thereof and a shadow mask-frame assembly mounted therein. The shadow mask-frame assembly includes an apertured shadow mask and a peripheral frame to which the mask is attached. The improvement comprises the frame being formed by eight sections, two identical long side sections, two identical short side sections and four corner sections, that are attached together edge-to-edge. The two long side sections and the two short side sections are thinner than the four corner sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Rowland Ragland, Jr.