Abstract: This invention deals with an arrangement for incorporating a cursor feature into a plasma shift register display panel having a plurality of display channels. The cursor arrangement of the present invention is implemented by incorporating a separate cursor channel into such a display panel. The cursor channel is filled with an ionizable medium and has input, transfer and erase electrodes positioned on opposing walls thereof. The transfer electrodes are in turn arranged into four groups with two of the groups of electrodes being shared with the display channels of the panel. Through the synchronous application of suitable voltage potentials to the input, transfer and erase electrodes associated with the cursor channel, it is possible to input and transfer light dots through the cursor channel without having to regenerate the material being displayed by the panel and without fear of destroying the displayed material.

Abstract: A plasma charge display device having a channel containing an ionizable medium with the channel defining an endless length as in the case of a circular channel. At least one input electrode is located in a first position, and transfer electrodes extend away from the input electrode on opposite sides thereof completely along the length of the channel. Gas ionization results in the formation and shifting of light emitting areas in either direction relative to the position of the input electrode. The transfer electrode positions are related to the input electrode position in a manner such that the light emitting areas can be shifted through the position of the input electrode from one side to the other thereof.