Abstract: A syntactic foam comprising hollow metallic shells and a solid metal foam matrix. The metal foam composites show high strength, particularly in comparison to previous metal foams, while maintaining a favorable strength to density ratio. The composite metal foams can be prepared by various techniques, such as powder metallurgy and casting or aspiration casting.

Abstract: A single substrate AC and/or DC gas discharge (plasma) display device with hollow shells containing ionizable gas at a predetermined pressure, each shell being positioned on the surface of the substrate or within a substrate cavity, well, or hollow. Each shell is in electrical contact with at least one electrode, typically two, three, or more electrodes. The AC or DC gas discharge within each shell emits photons in the visible and/or invisible range. In one embodiment, photons from the gas discharge within a shell excite a luminescent substance or material such as a phosphor that emits photons in the visible and/or invisible spectrum. The shell may contain the luminescent substance or the substance may be located separately from, but in close proximity to the shell.

Abstract: A gas discharge device such as a plasma display panel (PDP) device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or subpixels. Each pixel or subpixel is defined by a hollow Plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas. One or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each Plasma-shell. The Plasma-shell may include inorganic and organic luminescent materials including quantum dots that are excited by the gas discharge within each Plasma-shell. The luminescent material, including quantum dots, may be located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the Plasma-shell or incorporated into the shell of the Plasma-shell. Up-conversion and down-conversion materials may be used. The substrate may be rigid or flexible with a flat, curved, or irregular surface. In one embodiment, the Plasma-shell is in the geometric shape of a cube or cuboid.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display system comprising at least one organic-light-emitting diode (OLED), a zener diode in series to the organic light-emitting diode, a rectification diode, and a capacitor used as a memory device. During a frame period of the display device, there are address and light emission periods. A reverse bias voltage is applied across the organic light-emitting diode during the address period to prevent metal migration into the organic layers of the OLED. Current mode data programming is used to address the display device. During the light emission period, charge previously stored in selected capacitors during the address period supplies a forward current for the OLEDs. A ramp waveform applied to the row electrode during the light emission period, forces the capacitor to discharge through the OLED and controls the forward current level. This keeps the operation of the OLEDs in their area of maximum performance.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a hollow gas-filled Plasma-shells for a gas discharge device. The Plasma-shell is located in or on a substrate within the device with a dome side or flat side facing the viewing direction.

Abstract: Electrode configurations for a plasma-shell gas discharge device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels that are defined by a hollow plasma-shell having at least one flat side and filled with an ionizable gas. Two or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-shell, at least one electrode being in contact with a flat side of the plasma-shell.

Abstract: A method and system for playing video poker wherein a primary five card hand is dealt and secondary hands is played from the discarded cards of the primary hand. The remaining cards for each hand are dealt from the remainder of a deck of cards which can be a standard deck of 52 cards. The game may be played on site at a legal game casino, in a non-gambling mode on-line over the internet, or off-line on a home computer using a disc such as a compact disc. The game could also be played as a legal game in gambling or non-gambling mode at a tavern, bar, or the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method, and apparatus for a truck or like vehicle wherein a power source is split and/or divided into a plurality of branch power lines and wherein there is data and power transmitted over the power lines to selected systems and/or subsystems. An intelligent isolation module is provided for selectively transmitting, blocking, and/or altering data and/or power on any branch, sub-branch, and/or selected segment of a branch.

Abstract: A plasma-dome plasma display panel (PDP) comprising a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels, each pixel or sub-pixel being defined by a hollow plasma-dome filled with an ionizable gas. Each plasma-dome has a flat side and an opposite domed side. One or more other sides or edges may also be flat. Two or more electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-dome. A flat or domed side of the plasma-dome shell is in contact with a substrate. The PDP may also include inorganic and organic luminescent materials that are excited by the gas discharge within each plasma-dome. The luminescent material may be located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the plasma-dome and/or incorporated into the shell of the plasma-dome. The plasma-dome may be made of a luminescent material. Up-conversion and down-conversion materials may be used. The substrate may be rigid or flexible with a flat, curved, or irregular surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method using a gas discharge device for screening or shielding an object and/or person from electromagnetic (EM) radiation including radar, microwaves, X-rays, and/or gamma rays. The device comprises multiple gas discharge cells, each cell being within a gas-filled hollow shell. The shells are located in one or more single substrates. The gas may be selected to absorb radiation when the gas is in a non-discharge or discharge state. The shell may be composed of a radiation absorption material. In one embodiment, two or more single substrates are tiled and sealed together edge to edge.

Abstract: A gas discharge device with a multiplicity of gas filled microshells positioned on a single substrate in electrical contact with one or more electrodes. Each microshell may contain a luminescent material.

Abstract: A gas discharge device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of gas discharge cells, each cell confined within a hollow plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas. The device contains inorganic and/or organic luminescent materials that are excited by a gas discharge within each plasma-shell. The luminescent material is located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the plasma-shell and/or incorporated into the plasma-shell. Up-conversion and down-conversion materials may be used.

Abstract: There is disclosed and claimed new and improved photoelectric sensing array system, method, and apparatus for large area IR touch screens to increase the resolution of the array, and to provide ease of manufacture and testing.

Abstract: The priming or conditioning of an AC gas discharge plasma display panel for improved selective write and selective erase which comprises addressing n number of rows in an order or sequence that is changed from frame to frame such that later rows to be addressed are advanced in the sequence with each subsequent frame. Each frame consists of the addressing of all n rows. Specific embodiments include the use of plasma-shells, plasma-tubes, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Plasma-shells filled with ionizable gas are positioned on or within a rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible substrate. Each plasma-shell is electrically connected to one or more electrical conductors such as electrodes with an electrically conductive bonding substance to form an electrical connection to each electrode. The electrically conductive bonding substance may comprise a pad connected to the plasma-shell and/or an electrode.

Abstract: A gas discharge device constructed out of one or more plasma-shells with an organic luminescent substance(s) located in close proximity to each plasma-shell. Each plasma-shell is a hollow geometric body filled with an ionizable gas. Photons from the gas discharge inside the plasma-shell excite the luminescent substance. In one embodiment the luminescent substance is located on the external surface of the plasma-shell. In another embodiment, the luminescent substance is located inside the plasma-shell. The plasma-shell may be made of an inorganic luminescent material with organic luminescent material located on the inside or outside of the plasma-shell. The plasma-shell is of any suitable geometric shape and includes plasma-sphere, plasma-disc, and plasma-dome. A plasma-shell may be used in combination with a plasma-tube.

Abstract: A chroma-key/matte display screen system with a touch input device that allows a user to interact with the display by selecting or pointing to composite images on the display. Touch input devices include camera based, infrared, membrane, and acoustic. Displays screens include CRT, various flat screen displays such as plasma, LCD, OLED, and various projection display systems.

Abstract: Visual artifact reduction method for a display comprising the use of gamma correction. Other artifact reduction methods can be used with gamma corrections including error diffusion, dithering, and center of light.

Abstract: A gas discharge device comprising a multiplicity of hollow gas filled Plasma-shells located on a substrate, each Plasma-shell being wholly or partially made of a first luminescent material, an exterior portion of each Plasma-shell containing a second luminescent material. The first luminescent material comprises an inorganic material or a combination of organic and inorganic materials. The second luminescent material comprises an organic material or a combination of organic and inorganic materials. Both the first and second luminescent materials may be the same material(s). The combination of organic and inorganic materials includes mixtures, suspensions, dispersions, layers, and coatings.