Abstract: A glowbottle starter switch for igniting gaseous discharge lamps in alternating current circuits. The glowbottle including a hermetically sealed glass envelope (7) containing a fill of an ionizable gas and having at least two lead wires (2,3) disposed therein and extending to the exterior of the envelope (7) and a bimetal switch (4) disposed on at least one of the lead wires (3). The switch (4) is arranged to move within a gap to contact the other of the lead wires (2). An electroluminescent light emitter including an electroluminescent phosphor (6 in FIG. 1) is disposed in optically-contiguous relationship with the glowbottle. The electroluminescent light emitter is arranged to be energized to emit light by electric fields produced by alternating voltage between the lead wires (2,3).

Abstract: A paging receiver system is provided that can be integrated as one function of a multi-function electronic card device adapted for insertion into a portable computing device. The paging receiver system preferably includes a frequency agile receiver for receiving paging signals, a driver-less interface for communicating the received paging signals to the computing device and a platform-transparent memory for storing the received paging signals. The frequency agile receiver includes a frequency synthesizer for generating a user selectable down conversion frequency that is combined by a mixer to produce a received paging signal at a predetermined intermediate frequency. The driver-less interface multiplexes the received paging signal with the output of a data modem such that the computing device requires only a driver interface for the data modem in order to receive both modem data and paging information.

Abstract: A dot matrix type fluorescent display device including anode segments arranged at fine pitches is provided which is capable of facilitating arrangement of grids and substantially preventing leakage luminance. A plurality of anode segments are arranged to defined a matrix. Each three wiring conductors are arranged for every anode row. The anode segments in each row are connected to the same writing conductors at every third interval. Each one mesh grid is arranged in correspondence to every two columns of anode segments. The anodes each are arranged so as to outwardly extend by distance one third as large as a dimension thereof from the grid. Each adjacent two grids are applied thereto a positive potential and shifted one by one. Of four columns of anodes corresponding to two grids, two columns of anodes positioned inside the grids are fed with a display signal.

Abstract: A focussing lens for an electron beam device is formed by a helically coiled resistance layer of a fired suspension of a conductive material of a mixture of a lead rathenate, a lead titanate and a ruthenium oxide in a glass formed of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and lead oxide.

Abstract: A photomultiplier comprising an electron multiplier for minimizing a variation in multiplication factor and noise is characterized in that insulating members are aligned on the same line to insulate a plurality of dynode plates for constituting a dynode unit from each other, thereby preventing a damage to each dynode plate. At the same time, a through hole is formed to fix the insulating member provided to each dynode plate such that a gap is provided between the major surface of the dynode plate and the surface of the insulating member, thereby preventing discharge between dynode plates, which is caused due to dust or the like deposited on the surface of the insulating member.

Abstract: An EL lamp includes a transparent electrode, an electroluminescent dielectric layer overlying the transparent electrode, a patterned insulating layer overlies selected portions of the dielectric layer for reducing the electric field across the selected portions of the electroluminescent dielectric layer, and a rear electrode overlying the insulating layer and the electroluminescent dielectric layer. The insulating layer is preferably a low dielectric constant material and can overlie the electroluminescent dielectric layer or can be located between a separate dielectric layer and a phosphor layer. A gray scale is produced by depositing or printing more than one thickness of insulating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated getter device essentially consisting of at least one evaporable getter device and at least one non-evaporable getter device, wherein the different getter devices circumscribe areas at least partially superimposed or coincident, lying on essentially parallel or coincident planes and preferably arranged in a coaxial way.

Abstract: In a spark plug insulator for use in an internal combustion engine, a sintered body has boron nitride and a metal oxide, the boron nitride of the sintered body being 80% or greater by weight, and the sintered body having a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 5.0.times.10-.sup.6 /.degree.C. The metal oxide is selected alone or in combination from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, silicon oxide, boron oxide, yttrium oxide and aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A cathode structure for a magnetron used in a microwave oven comprises a straight central cathode support rod which extends through both a lower end cap and a filament cathode, and which is fixed to an upper end cap. An outer cathode support rod extends parallel to the central cathode support rod and has an upper end fixed to the lower end cap. A ceramic stem is formed with (i) an outer holding hole for fixing a lower end of the outer cathode support rod, (ii) a central holding hole for fixing a lower end of the central cathode support rod, and (iii) an annular groove. A conductive metal plate is fixed to the upper surface of the ceramic stem for connecting the central cathode support rod to a first outer connecting lead.

Abstract: A color cathode ray tube includes a face plate having a curved inner surface and a substantially rectangular effective area. A phosphor screen is formed on the inner surface of the face plate, and a shadow mask is arranged to oppose the phosphor screen.

Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube comprises an envelope having rectangular flat face and rear plates opposing each other. A phosphor screen is formed on an inner surface of the face plate. Mask support members are mounted on an inner surface of the rear plate. A shadow mask is arranged in the envelope and supported by the mask support members to face the phosphor screen at a predetermined distance. A plurality of positioning posts are fixed on the inner surface of the rear plate and extend toward the face plate. A plurality of positioning pins extend from the inner surface of the face plate and engage the positioning posts so as to position the face plate at a predetermined position with respect to the rear plate. The shadow mask has setting openings through which the positioning posts extend so as to position the shadow mask at a predetermined position with respect to the rear plate.

Abstract: Glare or stray light from a lamp is controlled by determining the location of a filament relative to a major axis of the ellipsoidal portion of a lamp envelope. Once the maximum deviation of the filament from the major axis has been determined, the lamp may be marked with indicia, or immediately secured to a base to assure the location of the filament in the final assembly of the headlamp. Any stray or glare light is then controlled or directed in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The incandescent bulb and reflector system, and method of making, of the present invention includes a small incandescent lamp which is incorporated into one of several embodiments of a reflector base. In a first embodiment, the reflector base is formed as a single piece, in a second embodiment, the reflector base is formed as a base with a separately formed and overlying reflector, in a third embodiment, the reflector base is formed as a base with a separately formed and overlying reflector having an extended axial length land, and in a fourth embodiment, the reflector base is formed as a base with a separately formed reflector which fits within the base. The method of making involves the automated processing of a length of bar stock material, and the subsequent assembly of the component parts to form a lamp system.

Abstract: An improved adapter bulb is provided for inserting within a rectangular base tail light socket of a powered vehicle for providing external electrical connection to a trailer lighting system. The adapter bulb includes a base member adapted to be disposed within a rectangular base tail light socket. The base member terminates in a rectangular contact portion having four electrical leads disposed substantially at each corner thereof thereby forming two pairs of substantially diagonally opposed electrical leads. A bulb is secured within the base member, and includes two filaments. Each filament is connected to one pair of the two pairs of substantially diagonally opposed electrical leads, that is, in a criss-cross relationship. Four wire leads are respectively joined, at one end, to one of the electrical leads, and at the other end to a diode. Two connectors for communicating with the trailer lighting system are each respectively joined to two of the four diodes, thereby defining two pairs of wire leads.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a field emission device is made by disposing emitter material on an insulating substrate, applying a sacrificial film to the emitter material and forming over the sacrificial layer a conductive gate layer having a random distribution of apertures therein. In the preferred process, the gate is formed by applying masking particles to the sacrificial film, applying a conductive film over the masking particles and the sacrificial film and then removing the masking particles to reveal a random distribution of apertures. The sacrificial film is then removed. The apertures then extend to the emitter material. In a preferred embodiment, the sacrificial film contains dielectric spacer particles which remain after the film is removed to separate the emitter from the gate. The result is a novel and economical field emission device having numerous randomly distributed emission apertures which can be used to make low cost flat panel displays.

Abstract: An excimer lamp utilizing a high pressure fill. The fill includes a halogen at an operating pressure of greater than about 350 torr or the combination of a halogen and a rare gas at a total operating pressure of greater than about 2.5 atmospheres.

Abstract: A communication system (100) for alerting a user based upon content of messages transmitted to the user includes a terminal (105) for generating and transmitting a message having first and second recipient identifications (IDs) and first and second alert codes. A radio receiver (110) receives the message and determines whether the first recipient ID is equivalent to an ID associated with the radio receiver (110). When the first recipient ID is equivalent to an ID associated with the radio receiver (110), the radio receiver (110) selects one of the at least first and second alert codes based upon a location of the first recipient ID within the message and generates an alert associated with the one of the at least first and second alert codes.

Abstract: A radio frequency control system is provided which is particularly adapted for use in connection with an automotive vehicle. The system includes code generating means and a radio frequency transmitter operatively associated with the code generating means. A first antenna is provided which is connected to the transmitter, and a radio frequency receiver is provided which is connected to a second antenna. Decoding means is connected to the receiver and includes at least one output adapted to control a safety unit. At least one of the antennas is incorporated in a rearview mirror installed on a vehicle.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode, a ground electrode so as to form a spark gap with the center electrode, and a tip electrode composed of a material having a superior consumable resistance as compared to the center electrode and disposed on an end face of the center electrode so as to form a spark gap with the ground electrode. An axial length of the discharge portion of the ground electrode where spark discharge occurs is substantially larger than an axial length of the tip electrode where spark discharge occurs. When used for an internal combustion engine, a spark discharge is mainly generated between the peripheral surface of the center electrode and the ground electrode during early operation. Consequently, as the center electrode has been consumed, the spark discharge is mainly generated between the tip electrode and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A system of domestic audio-visual apparatuses (10-18) are connected on a one-to-one basis (20-26) for the exchange of video and audio signals. The apparatuses are also connected to a serial data bus (28,D2B) which allows distributed control messages to be sent and received by the apparatuses (addressable as `devices`) and elements of the apparatuses (subdevices). No apparatus has knowledge of the complete system of connections (20-26). An autonomous process (100, 102, 104, 110') can be initiated whereby a signal path from a source subdevice (64) to a destination subdevice (62) is identified step by step using the local knowledge of each apparatus. The speed of this process can be improved by initiating (101) a concurrent second autonomous process (106') whereby a signal path is identified from a third subdevice (42) to the destination subdevice.