Abstract: One anode 350 and multiple cathodes 50, 60, 70, and 80 create a large display field emission device. The use of one anode 350 facilitates an image which is seamless to the viewer. The use of multiple cathodes 50, 60, 70, and 80 allows a single image or multiple images to be displayed. The use of multiple cathodes also provides fast refresh rates and a high resolution image. Methods of fabricating and operating the large display field emission device are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display system has a first translucent sheet 20 having at least one pixel electrode 43 driven by a transistor 26, and a second translucent sheet 22 having a common electrode 32. The first and second sheets 20 and 22 are sandwiched about liquid crystal molecules 24 for controlling the passage of light. A field emission device (FED) light source 70 is adjacent to the pixel electrode 43, the FED light source 70 having an emitter plate 75 coupled to an anode plate 73. The FED light source 70 replaces the CCFT 54, reflector diffuser 60, metal sheet 62, and reflector sheet 56 used in prior art LCD systems.

Abstract: A field emission device (10) includes a video memory device (12) that receives video data in parallel for each of three colors red, green, and blue. The video memory device (12) provides the video data in color sequential manner to a controller (14). The controller (14) provides appropriate control and data signals in response to the video data to drive a field emission device display (22). The video memory device has a first storage area (30) for a first color (red), a second storage area (32) for a second color (green), and a third storage area for a third color (blue). The second storage area (32) has capacity to store all of the second color of a frame, the first storage area (30) is two-thirds the size of the second storage area (32), and the third storage area (34) is one-third larger than the second storage area (32). The different sizes of the respective storage areas allows for 100% use of memory space without waste.

Abstract: A projection system is constructed using a field emission device 10. A single monochrome FED 10 can be used with projection system electronics 40 and lens 20 to create a monochrome picture on screen 30. Alternatively, a single monochrome FED 10 can project the proper image through color wheel 150 to create a color image which is projected by a lens 20 onto a separate surface 30. In yet another embodiment, a first FED 10 which projects a red image, a second FED 10 which projects a green image, and a third FED 10 which projects a blue image, and three clear focusing lenses 20 create a full color image on screen 30. In this configuration, if the three lenses 20 are colored red, green and blue, then the three FEDs 10 need only present the image data for each color in black, grey, and white. The FED projection system could also utilize a color FED 10 and a clear focusing lens 20 to create a full color image on screen 30.

Abstract: A stylus location system comprises a field emission device having an anode plate 32 and an emitter plate 2, and a plurality of piezoelectric point elements 34, 42 coupled to the anode plate. The piezoelectric point elements 34, 42 are capable of transforming electrical energy into ultrasonic energy and transforming ultrasonic energy into electrical energy. A stylus 30 is also coupled to the anode plate 32 and circuitry 36, 46, 48 is coupled to the piezoelectric point elements 42 for determining the position of the stylus 30. The circuitry 36 may also send a video data signal to the emitter plate 2 in response to the position determination.

Abstract: A method for generating coordinate signals in conjunction with a surface of a field emission device having a cathode plate 2 coupled to an anode plate 32 comprises the steps of providing a first ultrasonic wave packet to the anode plate 32, receiving with a stylus 30 positioned proximate to the anode plate 32 the first ultrasonic wave packet, and then transmitting to the anode plate 32 with the stylus 30 a second ultrasonic wave packet responsive to the first ultrasonic wave packet. Next, receiving from the anode plate 32, with a plurality of piezoelectric point elements 44, the second ultrasonic wave packet, and then determining an x-position and y-position 35 of the stylus 30 responsive to the received second ultrasonic wave packet.

Abstract: One anode 350 and multiple cathodes 50, 60, 70, and 80 create a large display field emission device. The use of one anode 350 facilitates an image which is seamless to the viewer. The use of multiple cathodes 50, 60, 70, and 80 allows a single image or multiple images to be displayed. The use of multiple cathodes also provides fast refresh rates and a high resolution image. Methods of fabricating and operating the large display field emission device are disclosed.

Abstract: A switching power supply 38 for use in a switched anode, field emission flat panel display includes energy recovery modules 48.sub.R, 48.sub.G and 48.sub.B for recovering energy from each anode electrode 50.sub.R, 50.sub.G and 50.sub.B of the display as the voltage on the anode V.sub.A is switched from a high level to a low level, and for restoring this energy to the anode as the voltage is returned from the low level back to the high level. Each energy recovery module 48 includes a capacitor 62 for storing charge and an inductor 60 for storing energy. During the deactivation period of each anode electrode 50, dc source 40 is uncoupled from anode electrode 50 and energy is transferred from the anode electrode 50 to inductor 60, and subsequently from inductor 60 to storage capacitor 62. During the re-activation period, energy transfers from storage capacitor 62 to inductor 60 and anode electrode 50, and subsequently from inductor 60 to anode electrode 50.

Abstract: The emitter plate 60 of a field emission flat panel display device includes a layer 68 of a resistive material and a mesh-like structure 62 of an electrically conductive material. A conductive plate 78 is also formed on top of resistive coating 68 within the spacing defined by the meshes of conductor 62. Microtip emitters 70, illustratively in the shape of cones, are formed on the upper surface of conductive plate 78. With this configuration, all of the microtip emitters 70 will be at an equal potential by virtue of their electrical connection to conductive plate 78. In one embodiment, a single conductive plate 82 is positioned within each mesh spacing of conductor 80; in another embodiment, four conductive plates 92 are symmetrically positioned within each mesh spacing of conductor 90.

Abstract: A field emission device pen-based system comprising a pen stylus 20 and a field emission device having a cathode 2 coupled to an anode 1, row and column drivers 68 and 66 coupled to the cathode and to a controller 64, row and column lines 96 and 98 respectively coupled to the row and column drivers 68 and 66, and receive circuitry 81 and 91 coupled to the controller 64 and to the row and column lines 96 and 98; wherein the row and column drivers 68 and 66 send a pulse on the row and column lines 96 and 98 in response to an input signal from the controller 64, and the receive circuitry 81 and 91 receive a pulse from the stylus on the row and column lines 98 and 96. The receive circuitry 81 and 91 send an output signal to the controller 64 responsive to the received pulses and the controller 64 determines the x-y location of the stylus 20 based on that output signal.

Abstract: The emitter plate 60 of a field emission flat panel display device includes a layer 68 of a resistive material and a mesh-like structure 62 of an electrically conductive material. A conductive plate 78 is also formed on top of resistive coating 68 within the spacing defined by the meshes of conductor 62. Microtip emitters 70; illustratively in the shape of cones, are formed on the upper surface of conductive plate 78. With this configuration, all of the microtip emitters 70 will be at an equal potential by virtue of their electrical connection to conductive plate 78. In one embodiment, a single conductive plate 82 is positioned within each mesh spacing of conductor 80; in another embodiment, four conductive plates 92 are symmetrically positioned within each mesh spacing of conductor 90.

Abstract: A field emission display panel 20, 80, and 90 is used as a projection system. Display panel 90 can be used as a stand-alone projector. Alternatively, display panel 20 can be placed on a base 10 of a standard overhead projection system 60 and the image can be projected by a lens 50 onto a surface separated from display 20. In yet another embodiment, a lens system 70 can be attached to display panel 80 to project the image on a surface separated from display 80. Display panels 20, 80, and 90 operate at a increased luminance to facilitate projection of the images displayed on the panels. The use of FED display panels 20, 80, and 90 facilitates a projection system which has low power consumption, is portable, and interfaces to a computer.

Abstract: A dual mode projection system 30 includes a standard field emission device (FED) display panel 44 within a projector base 32. In this way, the light source of a standard overhead projector is replaced by FED panel 44. FED panel 44 is positioned within projector base 32 such that the viewing surface of panel 44 is substantially flush with the top surface of projector base 32. Thus, in a first mode of this dual mode projection system 30, FED panel 44 provides the light source for projecting an image of graphics 48 printed on transparency 46 onto another surface such as a projection screen or wall. FED panel 44 is coupled via connector 36 in projector base 32 and signal cable 38 to host system 40. Host system 40 may comprise the processing unit of a standard notebook computer including a keyboard 42 for data entry. Display information created by the electronics in host system 40 is transmitted through cable 38 to FED display 44.