Dot matrix plasma display and method for driving same

Abstract

The dot matrix plasma display of the present invention comprises a plurality of parallel cathode strips mounted on the upper surface of a dielectric substrate. A glass plate is sealingly engaged over the upper surface of the substrate in spaced relation thereto so as to form an envelope therebetween. The undersurface of the glass plate includes a plurality of anode strips which extend in a direction parallel to one another and perpendicular to the cathode strips located on the substrate below. A dielectric film is printed over the cathode strips and includes a plurality of apertures therein which correspond to the junctures between the anode strips and the cathode strips, these junctures forming a dot matrix. Ionizable gas is contained within the envelope and is adapted to glow adjacent the junctures of any simultaneously actuated anode and cathode strips. The method for driving the dot matrix plasma display includes actuating the cathode strips one at a time sequentially. Simultaneously with the actuation of each cathode strip, a pre-selected combination of anodes are also actuated so as to cause the gas to glow adjacent the junctures between the actuated anodes and cathode strips. The cathode strips are scanned at a frequency which to the human eye gives the appearance that they are constantly actuated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. 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, .[.and.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.rows of openings each being aligned over one of said .[.cathod.]. .Iadd.cathode .Iaddend.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 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,   .Iadd.said dielectric layer covering all portions of said cathode strips and said upper surface of said substrate within said envelope between said matrix of openings; .Iaddend.   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 column of openings, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means holds said top plate and said substrate spaced apart from one another a distance from 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said ionizable gas within said envelope is under a pressure between 150 and 700 millimeters mercury. 
     
     
       4. 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 the 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,   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. .Iadd.   
     
     
       5.  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 column of openings, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;   said terminal means comprising a plurality of anode pads and a plurality of cathode pads mounted on said substrate, and connection means connected to each of said anode strips and extending from each of said anode strips into electrical connection with one of said anode pads on said substrate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       6.  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 column of openings, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;   said ionizable gas within said envelope being under a pressure between 150 and 700 millimeter mercury. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       7.  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 column of openings, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;   said envelope having mercury introduced therein for retarding sputtering of said cathodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       8.  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, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;   keep alive means within said envelope comprising an opaque keep alive anode on said undersurface of said top plate and a keep alive cathode on said uppersurface of said substrate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       9.  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, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;   said anode strips and said cathode strips each including a connection end extending outwardly from within said envelope to outside said envelope;   said substrate having first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite sides;   said cathode strips being divided into first and second cathode groups, said connection ends of said first cathode group being adjacent said first end of said substrate, and said connection ends of said second cathode group being adjacent said second end of said substrate;   said anode strips being divided into first and second anode groups, said connection ends of said first anode group being adjacent said first side of said substrate and said connection means of said second anode group being adjacent said second side of said substrate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  A device according to claim 9 wherein said terminal means comprising a plurality of anode pads mounted on said first and second sides of said substrate outside said envelope, connection means extending from said top glass to said substrate and providing electrical connection between said each of said connection ends of said anode strips and one of said anode pads. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. 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 column of openings, and   terminal means for said anode and cathode strips;   said anode strips being transparent and said cathode strips being   
     
     
        substantially longer than said anode strips. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  A device according to claim 11 and further comprising anode driving means and cathode driving means for actuating said anode strips and said cathode strips respectively, control means connected to said anode and cathode driving means for causing sequential actuation of said cathode strips one at a time and for actuating preselected groups of said anode strips each time one of said cathode strips is actuated. .Iaddend.