Electron-acceleration type flatgas-discharge panel with internal memory functions and method of driving for same

A flat display panel comprising:

• a plurality of common cathode lines disposed in parallel on top of a first insulation sheet;
• a plurality of rows and columns of cathode electrodes provided on said first insulation sheet;
• a plurality of resistors disposed on said first insulation sheet, each respective resistor connecting a respective cathode electrode to a common cathode line;
• a second insulation sheet defining auxiliary discharge spaces above said cathode electrodes;
• a plurality of grid electrodes in sheet form disposed on top of said second insulation sheet at a predetermined angle relative to said common cathode lines, and having apertures therethrough at positions corresponding to said auxiliary discharge spaces;
• a third insulation sheet having spaces therein above said apertures, a main discharge being carried out in the spaces in said third insulation sheet;
• a plurality of anode electrodes disposed on top of said third insulation sheet in parallel with said grid electrodes;
• a transparent insulation sheet disposed on top of said anode electrodes;
• gas sealed within and filling said main discharge spaces, auxiliary discharge spaces, and apertures provided in said grid electrodes;
• and
• means for applying pulse signals to said grid and anode electrodes
• so that said main discharge maintains an internal memory function due to electrons, which pass through said apertures, controlled and accelerated by a pulse signal applied to said grid and anode electrodes.

A flat discharge panel comprising:

• a plurality of cathodes disposed in parallel on top of a first insulation sheet;
• a first grid electrode disposed at a predetermined distance from said cathodes and having rows and columns of apertures corresponding to respective positions which project upon said cathodes, a first auxiliary discharge being carried out in the spaces between said cathodes and said first grid electrode;
• a second insulation sheet disposed on said first grid electrode, said second insulation sheet having spaces at positions corresponding to said apertures, a second auxiliary discharge being carried out in said spaces;
• a plurality of parallel second grid electrodes provided on said second insulation sheet so as to intersect said cathodes, each of said second grid electrodes having apertures at positions corresponding to said spaces in the second insulation sheet;
• a third insulation sheet having spaces therein above the apertures in the second grid electrodes, a main discharge being carried out in the spaces in said third insulation sheet;
• a plurality of anode electrodes disposed on top of said third insulation sheet in parallel with said cathodes;
• a transparent insulation sheet disposed on top of said anode electrodes;
• and
• gas sealed within and filling said main discharge spaces, and said auxiliary discharge spaces.

A method of driving a flat discharge panel, said panel including

• a plurality of parallel X-axis electrodes as anode electrodes,
• a plurality of parallel Y-axis electrodes disposed perpendicular to said X-axis electrodes as grid electrodes,
• a plurality of parallel cathode electrodes disposed in parallel with said anode electrodes,
• main discharge spaces provided at the points where X-axis electrodes cross said Y-axis electrodes,
• auxiliary discharge spaces provided at the points where Y-axis electrodes cross said cathode electrodes,
• combined spaces provided between said main discharge spaces and said auxiliary discharge spaces to combine said main discharge spaces with said auxiliary discharge spaces,
• a gas which is hermetically contained in said main and auxiliary discharge spaces,
• respective resistors connected between each grid electrode and each cathode electrode,
• said method consisting of the steps of
• a. applying a first voltage pulse to said X-axis electrodes,
• b. applying a second voltage pulse, corresponding to information to be displayed, to respective ones of said Y-axis of electrodes, and
• c. controlling the phase relationship between said first voltage pulse and said second voltage pulse so as to impart a prescribed phase difference therebetween.

A flat discharge panel comprising:

• a plurality of cathodes disposed in parallel on top of a first insulation sheet;
• a first grid electrode disposed at a predetermined distance from said cathodes and having rows and columns of apertures corresponding to respective positions which project upon said cathodes, a first auxiliary discharge being carried out in the spaces between said cathodes and said first grid electrode;
• a second insulation sheet disposed on said first grid electrode, said second insulation sheet having spaces at positions corresponding to said apertures, a second auxiliary discharge being carried out in said spaces;
• a plurality of parallel second grid electrodes provided on said second insulation sheet so as to intersect said cathodes, each of said second grid electrodes having apertures at positions corresponding to said spaces in the second insulation sheet;
• a third insulation sheet having spaces therein above the apertures in the second grid electrodes, a main discharge being carried out in the spaces in said third insulation sheet;
• a plurality of anode electrodes disposed on top of said third insulation sheet in parallel with said cathodes;
• a transparent insulation sheet disposed on top of said anode electrodes;
• gas sealed within and filling said main discharge spaces, and said auxiliary discharge spaces;
• and
• means for applying a prescribed D.C. bias potential between said first grid electrode and said plurality of cathodes, including a first D.C. voltage source coupled to said first grid electrode and a plurality of respective resistors connected between said first D.C. voltage source and respective ones of said plurality of cathodes.