Dot matrix plasma display and method for driving same

A direct current dot matrix digital display device, comprising:

• a dielectric substrate having a flat upper surface,
• a plurality of elongated cathode strips mounted on the upper surface of said substrate and being arranged in parallel spaced relation to one another,
• a printed dielectric layer on said substrate and said cathode strips and having a plurality of openings therethrough each communicating with a portion of said cathode strips, said openings being formed in rows and columns to form a matrix, said rows of openings each being aligned over one of said cathode strips,
• a transparent top plate having an under surface and sealed to the perimeter of said substrate by sealing means and positioned above and in spaced relation to said dielectric layer to create an envelope of space above, in communication with, and completely enveloping said matrix of openings;
• a plurality of elongated anode strips mounted on the undersurface of said top plate within said envelope of space and in spaced relation to said dielectric layer, said anode strips extending perpendicular to and above said cathode strips and each being spaced above and in registered alignment with one of said columns in said matrix of openings in said dielectric layer,
• a mass of ionizable gas filling said envelope of space and said matrix of openings in said dielectric layer whereby said anode strips are all in direct contact with said mass of ionizable gas,
• said anode strips and said cathode strips being the only electrodes positioned in alignment with said matrix of openings,
• said envelope being substantially free of barriers between said rows and columns of openings,
• terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;
• anode driving means connected to said anode strips for actuating said anode strips;
• cathode driving means connected to said cathode strips for actuating said cathode strips;
• random access memory means for storing information as to the selected anode strips and cathode strips to be actuated;
• data transfer circuitry for intermittently transmitting data signals from said random access memory means to said anode and cathode driving means, said anode and cathode driving means being responsive to receipt of each of said data signals to cause first, a simultaneous actuation of one of said cathode strips and a corresponding group of said anode strips for causing a glow at those of said openings in said matrix which are located at the intersection of said actuated cathode and anode strips, and second, a complete deactuation of all of said cathode and anode strips for causing a cessation of glow;
• each of said signals causing simultaneous actuation of a different cathode strip and a different group of anode strips;
• control means connected to said data transfer means for causing said data transfer means to transfer data signals one at a time from said random access memory means for actuating each of said cathodes and a corresponding group of anodes one at a time in a sequence which permits all of said cathode strips to be actuated and then for repeating said sequences of signals at a frequency imperceptible to the human eye whereby the intermittent glow from said actuated anode and cathode strips will appear to be continuous.