US 5,962,975 A · Flat-panel display having magnetic elements

Abstract

A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current includes magnetic elements within certain of the electrodes which define the discharge cell. The display may be free of implosive forces when operated at least at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparent substrate and a second set crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. The second set of conductors includes a magnetic core or layer whereby the second set of conductors is magnetically attracted to an array of contact points on the substrate. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the first and second sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied at a crosspoint. Air may be used as the operative gas. The display is formed on a single substrate. A system incorporating the flat-panel display is presented.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A flat-panel plasma display, comprising:

a substrate having a surface;
a first set of conductors on said surface;
an array of contact points on said surface;
a second set of conductors having a multiplicity of first portions for contacting said contact points and a multiplicity of second portions crossing over said first set of conductors at an angle thereto and at a preselected distance therefrom, said preselected distance defining a discharge space between said conductors at the crosspoints;
said second set of conductors including a material selected from the group of magnetic materials and ferromagnetic materials;
and
a gas in said discharge space.

4 more elements

A video display system for displaying a video signal comprising:

(a) a flat-panel plasma display formed on a substrate having a planar surface which comprises:
(1) a substrate having a surface;
(2) a first set of conductors on said surface;
(3) an array of contact points on said surface;
(4) a second set of conductors having a multiplicity of first portions for contacting said contact points and a multiplicity of second portions crossing over said first set of conductors at an angle thereto and at a preselected distance therefrom, said preselected distance defining a discharge space between said conductors at the crosspoints, each of said crosspoints being addressable by the particular conductors which cross over to define that crosspoint;
(5) said second set of conductors including a material selected from the group of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material;
and
(6) a gas in said discharge space;
(b) video signal processing means for converting the video signal into an array of digitalized picture elements, said processing means imparting at least address and intensity information to said array of digitalized picture elements;
(c) memory means for storing said array of digitalized picture elements;
(d) addressing means for accessing said memory means;
and
(e) interface means for selectively applying a first voltage to said addressable crosspoints in accordance with said address and intensity information from said accessed memory means.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flat-panel display having magnetic elements

Life of this patent

Flat-panel display having magnetic elements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19