Abstract: The disclosure is of a system for operating a dot matrix display panel including elongated anodes and cathodes oriented transversely to each other to define columns of D.C. scanning cells. An array of quasi A.C. display cells is provided spaced from the D.C. scan cells by an apertured electrode plate. Operation of the D.C. scan cells to transfer glow from a scan cell to an associated display cell is achieved by momentarily turning off the scan cell by the application of a negative pulse to its anode. To prevent the coupling of this pulse to adjacent anodes and spurious operation of adjacent scan cells and display cells, a counter-balancing positive pulse is applied to all anodes and a counter-balancing negative pulse is applied to all "off" cathodes.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a matrix of D.C. scan cells arrayed in rows and columns and a matrix of A.C. display cells arrayed in rows and columns, each scan cell being in operative relation with at least one display cell. The panel also includes a sustainer electrode associated with the display cells and operated by means of specially shaped sustaining signals to select and turn on desired display cells as the columns of scan cells are energized in turn. Disclosed are various routines for oprating the sustainer electrode to achieve dimming in the panel and for maintaining proper display of a message in the panel.

Abstract: In a display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope containing at least two arrays of electrodes defining gas-filled cells, at least one array of electrodes is insulated from the gas and comprises A.C. electrodes. If the panel is turned off for any length of time with display information contained therein, the information can be re-displayed by applying special pulses during a re-ignition period and then applying normal sustaining pulses during the normal display period.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a matrix of D.C. scan cells arrayed in rows and columns and a matrix of display cells arrayed in rows and columns, each scan cell being in operative relation with more than one display cell. The panel also includes a plurality of sustainer electrodes associated with rows of display cells and properly operated in conjuction with the scan cells to select and turn on desired display cells, column-by-column.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling holes with a laser comprising a support member carrying an insulating sheet which supports a metal plate in which holes are to be drilled by a laser. The insulating sheet serves to blow molten metal out of the holes as they are formed and prevents metal from depositing on the plate around the holes.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the making of an electrode assembly which comprises providing anode electrodes on one surface of a photosensitive glass plate, providing cathode electrodes on the opposite surface of said glass plate oriented transversely to said anode electrodes, and dissolving away the plate material in alignment with said anode electrodes forming slots extending between the surfaces of said plate, thereby placing said anode and cathode electrodes in operative relation with each other.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope having a first portion including an array of D.C. gas discharge cells, and a second portion including an array of quasi A.C. gas discharge cells, there being one A.C. cell for each D.C. cell. The A.C. cells are the display cells of the panel and include electrode means for sustaining glow therein, and the D.C. cells are operated in a scanning fashion to address selected A.C. cells in which glow is to be displayed, and they include electrode means for this purpose. The actual operation of addressing or selecting, and firing or turning off, the desired A.C. display cells is achieved by the controlled interaction of the D.C. and A.C. cells; and after the selected display cells have been fired and caused to exhibit visible glow, the glow is sustained, until being erased, by the electrodes associated with the A.C. cells.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope made up of a base plate and face plate and having anode and cathode electrodes supported on the base plate and forming an array of D. C. gas discharge cells. An apertured electrode arrangement is mounted between the base plate and face plate and defines, with an A. C. electrode on the face plate, an array of quasi A. C. gas discharge display cells, there being one A. C. cell for each D. C. cell. The A. C. electrode is a transparent conductive film which is coated with insulating material.The D. C. gas discharge cells are arrayed as a plurality of columns of scanning cells and, adjacent to the first column of these scanning cells, in a column of reset cells which are turned on before the first column of scanning cells are turned on in a scanning cycle.The panel also includes a keep-alive arrangement which comprises an electrode on the face plate of the envelope, the electrode being coated with a layer of insulating material, to form an A. C.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a cathode ray tube having a face plate for displaying information and carrying an electrode assembly which is curved to adhere smoothly to the face plate. The electrode assembly includes a shield against radio frequency interference and an insulating support sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface, on each of which an array of rows and columns of conductive areas is formed. On the inner surface, the rows of conductive areas are electrically connected together to output contact pads at a side edge of the sheet, and, on the outer surface, the columns of conductive areas are electrically connected together to output contact pads along the lower edge of the sheet. Each outer conductive area overlies and is capacitively coupled to an inner conductive area. A column conductor which extends from a contact pad at an edge of the outer surface of the sheet is capacitively coupled to each column of outer conductive areas.

Abstract: An AC-powered display system includes a gas discharge display panel, an integrated circuit, and a limiting network. The integrated circuit is provided as the display pattern controller. The limiting network, in response to an excessive voltage across the controller, reduces the current through the system. The reduction in system current causes the voltage across the integrated circuit to be regulated.

Abstract: A display device comprising a panel structure including a plurality of gas-filled cells and including, within the body of the panel, gas communication channels extending between selected cells to provide a selective flow of excited gaseous particles from certain cells to others to prime the receiving cells and thereby control the transfer of glow between the cells. The panel includes a series of parallel cathode strips and means for forming glow cells along each of the strips. A reset cell is provided at each end of each cathode strip, and means are provided for energizing each pair of reset cells, in turn, and, as each pair is energized, the cells along its cathode are energized selectively to provide a display of characters in the entire panel.

Abstract: A method and circuit for operating a gaseous discharge device which, in one form, comprises a plurality of discrete gas cells, each having its own cathode and anode electrodes arrayed in a matrix such that the cells can be activated and sustained in different groupings to represent different characters. The gas cells may be small-area light sources arrayed in rows and columns, with each row of cells having a common cathode electrode, and each column of cells having a common anode electrode. Each cell can be turned on, and caused to strike a glow discharge, by having the required firing potential applied between its anode and cathode electrodes. Cells which have been thus turned on can be kept on, so as to impart a storage or memory characteristic to the matrix, by means of sustaining pulses applied directly to their anodes and cathodes, with no intervening current-limiting impedances being required.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a system for driving gas-filled segment-type display panels including a plurality of groups of cathode electrodes, each having an anode electrode. The circuit includes means for holding the anodes at a relatively low potential for a short period of time after drive signals are applied thereto and to selected cathode electrodes. During this period of time, current flow charges a capacitor and raises the potential of the anodes to a potential at which ionization and cathode glow can occur. The circuit includes transistors utilized as resistors to hold off cathodes which are not intended to glow.

Abstract: A display device comrising a panel structure including a plurality of gas-filled cells and including, within the body of the panel, gas communication channels extending between selected cells to provide a selective flow of excited gaseous particles from certain cells to others to prime the receiving cells and thereby control the transfer of glow between the cells.

Abstract: A method and circuit for operating a gaseous discharge device which, in one form, comprises a plurality of discrete gas cells, each having its own cathode and anode electrodes arrayed in a matrix such that the cells can be activated and sustained in different groupings to represent different characters. The gas cells may be small-area light sources arrayed in rows and columns, with each row of cells having a common cathode electrode, and each column of cells having a common anode electrode. Each cell can be turned on, and caused to strike a glow discharge, by having the required firing potential applied between its anode and cathode electrodes. Cells which have been thus turned on can be kept on, so as to impart a storage or memory characteristic to the matrix, by means of sustaining pulses applied directly to their anodes and cathodes, with no intervening current-limiting impedances being required.

Abstract: A display device comprising a panel structure including a plurality of gas-filled cells and including, within the body of the panel, gas communication channels extending between selected cells to provide a selective flow of excited gaseous particles from certain cells to others to prime the receiving cells and thereby control the transfer of glow between the cells.

Abstract: The panel driven by the circuit of the invention comprises essentially two display devices in a single gas-filled envelope. The panel comprises a left-hand portion including an array of rows and columns of scanning or priming cells and an array of rows and columns of display cells which are vertically aligned with each other, with each scanning cell communicating with a display cell. Electrode arrays are provided for operating the left-hand scanning cells and display cells in scanning fashion, column-by-column. The right-hand portion of the panel includes an identical arrangement of scanning cells, display cells, and electrode arrays therefor.A panel of this type is particularly suitable for displaying 80 characters or so, and, in order to achieve favorable brightness in all of the cells of the panel, the two portions of the panel are operated simultaneously.

Abstract: The display panel includes a base plate which carries a plurality of pairs of scanning cathodes and display cathodes, oriented in columns, and insulating spacers which, in each pair, separate the scanning and display cathodes into operative pairs, with the pairs being arrayed in rows and columns. The panel also includes a face plate which carries a plurality of anode strips, oriented in rows, each strip overlaying and having a portion in operative relation with a row of scanning and display cathode pairs. In each pair of cathodes, only the display cathode is visible to a viewer. The face plate and base plate are sealed together to form an envelope which is filled with a gas suitable for supporting cathode glow.In one mode of operation of the panel, each column of scanning cathodes is energized at a relatively low level, and then selected display cathodes in the associated column are energized at viewing level.

Abstract: The display panel includes a base plate which carries a plurality of pairs of scanning cathodes and display cathodes, oriented in columns, and insulating spacers which, in each pair, separate the scanning and display cathodes into operative pairs, with the pairs being arrayed in rows and columns. The panel also includes a face plate which carries a plurality of anode strips, oriented in rows, each strip overlaying and having a portion in operative relation with a row of scanning and display cathode pairs. In each pair of cathodes, only the display cathode is visible to a viewer. The face plate and base plate are sealed together to form an envelope which is filled with a gas suitable for supporting cathode glow.

Abstract: A display device comprising a panel structure including a plurality of gas-filled cells and including, within the body of the panel, gas communication channels extending between selected cells to provide a selective flow of excited gaseous particles from certain cells to others to prime the receiving cells and thereby control the transfer of glow between the cells.