US3646382A - Electron beam scanning device for symbol and graphical information - Google Patents

Electron beam scanning device for symbol and graphical information Download PDF

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Publication number
US3646382A
US3646382A US56330A US3646382DA US3646382A US 3646382 A US3646382 A US 3646382A US 56330 A US56330 A US 56330A US 3646382D A US3646382D A US 3646382DA US 3646382 A US3646382 A US 3646382A
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United States
Prior art keywords
control
apertures
plates
target
strips
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US56330A
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English (en)
Inventor
Walter F Goede
John E Gunther
Takeshi Noda
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Northrop Grumman Corp
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Northrop Grumman Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J29/00—Details of cathode-ray tubes or of electron-beam tubes of the types covered by group H01J31/00
    • H01J29/46—Arrangements of electrodes and associated parts for generating or controlling the ray or beam, e.g. electron-optical arrangement
    • H01J29/467—Control electrodes for flat display tubes, e.g. of the type covered by group H01J31/123

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A plurality of control plates are sandwiched between an area electron source and a target, such control plates having apertures formed therein, the apertures of successive plates being aligned to form a plurality of electron channels between the electron source and the target.
  • First control plates are utilized to direct electrons to a selected area of the target and have a first and second set of control electrodes arranged in parallel strips thereon, the first set of strips being orthogonal to the second set.
  • the electrode strips each encompass a plurality of rows or columns of the apertures and thus define the height and width of the characters to be displayed.
  • Second control plates are utilized to form the symbols to be displayed and have apertures formed therein aligned with the apertures of the first control plates to form a portion of the electron channels between the electron source and the target.
  • the second control plates have mutually orthogonal strip electrodes formed thereon which are selectively energized to permit electrons to pass through portions thereof so as to define the symbols to be displayed.
  • this type of electron beam scanning device has distinct advantages over cathoderay scanners of the prior art in view of its compact proportions as compared with cathode-ray tubes, its capability of random addressing as compared with the cyclical type of scanning of cathode-ray tubes, and its operation in response to digital control signals.
  • the electron beam scanning device as described in the aforementioned patent is inherently capable of more accurate registration from the point of view of linearity and the fact that it is not readily affected by stray ambient magnetic and electrostatic fields as in the case of conventional cathode-ray tubes.
  • This type of scanning device also has the inherent capability of being readily adapted to multibeam operation. It also can readily be utilized without significant circuit modification with beam penetration targets for color displays.
  • the device of the present invention utilizes the same basic scanning technique as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,532 but utilizes different control plates for controlling the electron beam, this control means being particularly suited to the display of symbol information such as that of the alphanumeric type.
  • symbol information such as that of the alphanumeric type.
  • symbol as used herein is also meant to include graphical display elements which combine to form a graphical display.
  • the device of this invention is particularly suited to the display of information derived from digital equipment, such as for example in the readout display for a digital computer, in view of the fact that it responds directly to digital control signals. It thus is suitable for use in response to such digitally derived signals with a significantly smaller amount of conversion equipment as compared with conventional scanning cathode-ray tubes.
  • the device of this invention thus affords distinct advantages not only over conventional cathode-ray tube displays but also flat plate symbol displays of the prior art in its capability of operating with relatively simple input electronics, its inherent ability to be adapted to multicolor display, and its ability to respond to intensity modulation signals.
  • FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the device of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. I
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view partially in section taken along the plane indicated by 3-3 in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating one of the symbol forming control plates of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the other of the symbol control plates of the embodiment of FIG. I.
  • FIG. 6A-6E are schematic views illustrating the formation of a symbol with the device of the invention.
  • the device of the invention comprises an area electron source and a target between which are sandwiched a plurality of control plates for controlling the flow of electrons therebetween.
  • the control plates have a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, such apertures being arranged in rows and columns, the apertures on successive plates being aligned with each other to form electron beam channels running between the electron source and the target.
  • First of the control plates which are utilized for directing the electrons to a selected area of the target have a first set of electrodes arranged in parallel strips and encompass a plurali ty of rows of the apertures formed therein and a second set of electrodes arranged in parallel strips orthogonal to the first set, each such strip encompassing a plurality of columns of the apertures.
  • Digital control means are connected to the electrodes and selectively apply potentials to the control electrodes so as to permit electrons to pass through to an area of the target on which a symbol is to be written.
  • Second of the control plates are provided for forming the symbols to be displayed and have apertures formed therein corresponding to those of the first control plates and aligned therewith to form a portion of the electron channels.
  • the second of the control plates include first and second sets of control electrodes arranged in mutually orthogonal sets running substantially parallel respectively to the first and second sets of control electrodes of the first control plates. These strips each encompass a single row or column of apertures.
  • the strips of the symbol forming control plates are driven by digital control signals to define the symbols or graphical elements to be formed.
  • electron beams can be digitally addressed to a selected portion of the target and symbols formed on this selected portion of the target in response to digital control signals.
  • the device of the invention could be utilized to control not only electron beams but also beams of other charged particles, such as positive or negative ions.
  • FIGS. 1 and 3 the structural features of one embodiment of the device of the invention are illustrated.
  • Sandwiched between area electron source 11 and target member 12 are a plurality of control plates 14-18.
  • the cathode target and control plates are contained within an airtight casing formed by frame 21 and the cathode and target. This casing being evacuated to provide a vacuum environment.
  • the control plates and the cathode and target are separated from each other by means of separator strips 22 which may be of dielectric material such as glass or ceramic and are positioned along the edges of the plates.
  • Area electron source 11 may be a cathode plate having one surface thereof coated with radioactive material or may be a thermionic cathode.
  • Target 12 where the device is utilized for display purposes may comprise a glass plate having a phosphorescent coating 12a thereon. Where the device is used as a memory, the target may comprise a storage target plate. In the case of a color display, the target may comprise a beam penetration phosphor.
  • the control plates l4l8 have apertures 25 extending through the broad surfaces thereof, corresponding apertures on successive plates being aligned with each other to form a plurality of electron beam channels between the cathode and the target.
  • apertures 25 are preferably coated with a resistive material which may also be secondary emissive as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,532, the resistive coatings interconnecting the electrodes on the opposite surfaces of the control plates.
  • a secondary emissive material such as lead oxide or tin oxide may be utilized.
  • apertures 25 are preferably canted in opposite directions from control plate to control plate as indicated in FIG. 3, thereby to increase the incidence of electrons against the secondary emissive surfaces and thus improve the electron multiplication and to make for better cutoff action when the channels are biased off.
  • the surfaces of the apertures may also be made fully conductive if a potential differential is not applied between the electrodes on the opposite surfaces of the control plates, the voltage gradient for accelerating the electrons being established between successive control plates.
  • Control plates 14-18 have electrodes l4a-18a and 14b-18b on the opposite broad surfaces thereof. Electrodes 14a-17a are arranged in a predetermined strip pattern as to be described in connection with FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, and are utilized to direct the electron beam to predetermined portions of the target. Electrodes l4b-l8b and 18a cover substantially the entire surface area of the plates encompassed by apertures 25. Control plates 14-18 are of dielectric material such as glass or suitable ceramic. The control electrodes Mil-18a and 14b-18 should be of a highly conductive material such as gold which may be deposited on the surfaces of the dielectric substrate Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is schematically illustrated.
  • Control plate 14 has a plurality of control electrodes 14a on one surface thereof, these electrodes being arranged in horizontal strips which are separated from each other by a predetermined spacing.
  • Control electrode has a plurality of electrodes 15a formed on one surface thereof, these electrodes being arranged in vertical strips which are separated from each other.
  • Strips 14a and 15a which are utilized to direct the electron beam to a particular area of the target on which a symbol is to be displayed, form a matrix having a plurality of matrix elements 30 defining discrete symbol display areas, each such element having a vertical dimension defined by the width of strips 14a, and a horizontal dimension defined by the width of strips 151:.
  • the spaces between matrix elements 30 which define the spacing between the symbols to be displayed and between rows of such symbols are preferably devoid of apertures so as to avoid electron flow in these areas and the unnecessary dissipation of energy incidental thereto.
  • Electrodes 14a are each connected to a separate voltage switching output of switching voltage control 33, while electrodes 15a are each connected to a separate switching voltage output of switching voltage control 34.
  • Switching voltage controls 33 and 34 are adapted to provide a forward biasing potential between a selected one or more of electrodes 14a and electrode 14b and a selected one or more of electrodes 15a and electrode 15b in response to control signals so as to activate desired portions of the target.
  • a back biasing potential is provided to the remaining electrode strips to deactivate the areas encompassed thereby.
  • a fixed bias potential is applied at all times to electrodes 14! and 15b, these potentials being gradated to enable the acceleration of electrons towards the target.
  • the top one of strips 140 has a potential of 300 volts thereon which provides a forward bias relative to plate 14b (100 volts) while the remaining electrode strips have 75 volts applied thereto which provides a reverse bias to prevent the flow of electrons through their associated apertures.
  • the far left-hand one of strips 15a has a forward biasing potential of 600 volts relative to electrode 15b (400 volts) while the remaining electrodes 150 have a reverse biasing potential thereon (375 volts).
  • Control plates 16 and 17, as to be described fully in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, have a plurality of control electrodes 16a and 17a arranged in horizontal and vertical strips respectively. Each strip 16a encompasses a row of apertures 25, while each strip 170 encompasses a column of apertures. Strips 16a are arranged in groups of seven, each such group having a width corresponding to that of electrodes 14a, while strips 17a are arranged in groups of five each such group having a width corresponding to the width of electrodes 15a. As to be explained in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, corresponding strips of each group of strips of control plates 16 and 17 are connected together. The electrode strips 16a of control plate 16 are connected to receive control potentials from symbol generator 36 while the electrode strips 17a of control plate 17 are connected to receive control potentials from symbol generator 37.
  • the particular control voltage outputs from symbol generators 36 and 37 for energizing the electron beam 40 for the channel running to the extreme upper left-hand portion of the target 12 are shown.
  • the top row of electrodes 16:: is given a forward biasing potential (1,000 volts) relative to electrode 16b, while the remaining electrode strips have a reverse biasing potential (775 volts).
  • Control plate 18 has overall electrodes 18a and 18b on both of the opposite surfaces thereof. This control plate is utilized for electron multiplication and/or for intensity modulating the beam in response to control signals from modulator 45.
  • electrode 18b has a fixed potential of 1,400 volts thereon while electrode 18a receives a potential from modulator 45 which may vary around 1,600 volts in response to the intensity modulation signals so as to modulate the intensity of the beam.
  • Target 12 has an acceleration potential thereon of 10 kv.
  • electrodes 14a and 15a can be formed on opposite sides of a single plate and the electrodes 16a and 17a similarly formed on the opposite surfaces of a single plate, thus, combining the functions of two of the plates into one.
  • This particular mode of implementation has been found, however, to have a disadvantage of crosstalk between channels and increased power dissipation in view of the extraneous currents set up in this type of implementation.
  • each of electrode strip 16a encompasses a single row of apertures 25. Further, as can be seen the electrode strips 16a are arranged in groups of seven rows which are separated from each other by a substantial space. Corresponding strips of each group are connected together, i.e., all the first strips are connected together, all the second strips are connected together, etc. Electrode strips 16a are connected to symbol generator 36 from which they receive signals for forming the symbols to be displayed.
  • electrode strips 170 are arranged in vertical columns normal to strips 16a and in groups of five, which are separated from each other. Corresponding columns of each group are connected together, i.e., all the first columns are connected together, all the second columns are connected together, etc. Electrode strips 170 receive symbol forming signals from symbol generator 37. It is to be noted that the information for forming each symbol is fed to a selected strip of each group of electrode strips simultaneously but that in view of the fact that only one of the elemental matrix areas of the target is selected at a time by means of control plates 14 and 15, the symbol will only be displayed in the selected portion of the target.
  • FIG. 6A-6F an illustrative example of the formation of a single symbol by means of control plates 16 and I7 is shown.
  • a sign is shown for each of the strips 16a and 17a which are receiving a forward biasing potential at a particular moment in the symbol forming sequence
  • the columns of dot patterns forming the symbols are formed in sequence in response to the signals received from symbol generators 36 and 37 which are sequentially fed to the electrode strips.
  • the sequential formation of each of the dot pattern columns is shown successively in FIG. 6A-6E respectively.
  • the first of strip columns 17a is forward biased, while the third through sixth of strip rows 16a are forward biased, all the remaining strips being reverse biased.
  • the entire target can be simultaneously activated by simultaneously placing forward biasing potentials on all of the strips of control plates 14-17; or particular areas of the target can be so energized.
  • the capability to flood the target in this fashion is particularly useful in certain applications such as, where the target is a memory plate wherein such flooding is utilized to display information previously written on the target.
  • This invention thus provides a compact device suitable for displaying, storing or memorizing symbol or graphical information which responds directly to digital control signals and which is relatively simple and economical to implement in conjunction with digital computer outputs.
  • first control plate means interposed between said source and said target for directing charged particles from said source to a selected area of said target, said first control plate means having apertures formed therein arranged in rows and columns, said apertures defining channels between the source and target, said first control plate means further having a first set of control electrodes arranged in substantially parallel strips each encompassing a plurality of rows of said apertures to define the height of the symbols, and a second set of control electrodes arranged in substantially parallel strips each encompassing a plurality of columns of said apertures to define the width of the symbols,
  • second control plate means interposed between said source and said target for forming said symbols, said second control plate means having apertures formed therein which are aligned with corresponding apertures of said first con trol means and forming a portion of the channels defined thereby, said second control plate means further having first and second sets of control electrodes arranged in strips running substantially parallel respectively to the first and second sets of control electrodes of said first control plate means,
  • said first and second con trol plate means each comprises a pair of plates, a separate set of said control electrodes being formed on one broad surface of each of said plates, the opposite broad surface of each of said plates having a single overall electrode thereon and a resistive material on the walls of said apertures interconnecting the electrodes on the opposite surfaces of said plates, said means for applying potentials to said control electrodes including means for applying a forward biasing potential between the ends of the apertures through which electron flow is desired.
  • control electrodes of said second control plate means each encompass a single row and column of said apertures respectively.
  • a device for writing symbols on a target including an area electron source and means for controlling the flow of electrons between said source and said target to form symbols on preselected portions of said target, comprising:
  • said plates each having a plurality of apertures extending through their surfaces and arranged in rows and columns, corresponding apertures of successive control plates being aligned to form a plurality of electron channels running between the electron source and target,
  • first of said control plates being adapted to direct electrons to a selected area of the target and having first and second sets of control electrodes each such electrode set being arranged in strips on a separate one of the broad surfaces thereof, the strips of said first set being substantially orthogonal to those of said second set, said strips encompassing a predetermined number of rows and columns of said apertures and defining the width and height of the symbols,
  • first and second sets of control electrodes each such set being arranged in strips on a separate one of the broad surfaces thereof, the strips of said first set being substantially orthogonal to those of said second set, the strips of said first set each encompassing a row of said apertures, the strips of said second set each encompassing a column of said apertures, and
  • said first and second control plates each comprises a pair of plates, a separate set of said control electrodes being formed on one broad surface of each of said plates, the opposite broad surface of each of said plates having a single overall electrode thereon and a resistive material on the walls of said apertures interconnecting the electrodes on the opposite surfaces of said plates, said means for applying potentials to said control electrodes including means for applying a forward biasing potential between the ends of the apertures through which electron flow is desired.

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US56330A 1970-07-20 1970-07-20 Electron beam scanning device for symbol and graphical information Expired - Lifetime US3646382A (en)

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US5633070A 1970-07-20 1970-07-20

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US (1) US3646382A (xx)
JP (1) JPS53265B1 (xx)
CA (1) CA933668A (xx)
DE (1) DE2134467A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2103079A5 (xx)
GB (1) GB1348284A (xx)
NL (1) NL7110005A (xx)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3879629A (en) * 1973-06-25 1975-04-22 Ibm Gas display panel and method of making same
US4099085A (en) * 1976-03-31 1978-07-04 Rca Corporation Parallel vane structure for a flat display device
US4184069A (en) * 1978-03-28 1980-01-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Orthogonal array faceplate wafer tube display
US4563613A (en) * 1984-05-01 1986-01-07 Xerox Corporation Gated grid structure for a vacuum fluorescent printing device
DE3911352A1 (de) * 1989-04-07 1990-10-11 Nokia Unterhaltungselektronik Anordnung zur kontaktierung einer vielzahl von steuerelektroden und verfahren zur herstellung derselben
DE3911351A1 (de) * 1989-04-07 1990-10-11 Nokia Unterhaltungselektronik Flache anzeigeeinrichtung
US5726533A (en) * 1993-11-29 1998-03-10 U.S. Philips Corporation Cathode ray tube having an input resonator cavity
US5977939A (en) * 1994-04-28 1999-11-02 Youare Electronics Co. Gas flat display tube

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2623988A1 (de) * 1976-04-30 1977-12-08 Licentia Gmbh Verfahren zur modulation eines ladungstraegerstroms
US4101802A (en) * 1977-03-07 1978-07-18 Rca Corporation Flat display device with beam guide
EP0024656B1 (en) * 1979-08-16 1984-03-21 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Flat display device
GB2129205A (en) * 1982-10-22 1984-05-10 Philips Electronic Associated Colour display tube

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3408532A (en) * 1965-12-06 1968-10-29 Northrop Corp Electron beam scanning device
US3559190A (en) * 1966-01-18 1971-01-26 Univ Illinois Gaseous display and memory apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3408532A (en) * 1965-12-06 1968-10-29 Northrop Corp Electron beam scanning device
US3559190A (en) * 1966-01-18 1971-01-26 Univ Illinois Gaseous display and memory apparatus

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3879629A (en) * 1973-06-25 1975-04-22 Ibm Gas display panel and method of making same
US4099085A (en) * 1976-03-31 1978-07-04 Rca Corporation Parallel vane structure for a flat display device
US4184069A (en) * 1978-03-28 1980-01-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Orthogonal array faceplate wafer tube display
US4563613A (en) * 1984-05-01 1986-01-07 Xerox Corporation Gated grid structure for a vacuum fluorescent printing device
DE3911352A1 (de) * 1989-04-07 1990-10-11 Nokia Unterhaltungselektronik Anordnung zur kontaktierung einer vielzahl von steuerelektroden und verfahren zur herstellung derselben
DE3911351A1 (de) * 1989-04-07 1990-10-11 Nokia Unterhaltungselektronik Flache anzeigeeinrichtung
US5726533A (en) * 1993-11-29 1998-03-10 U.S. Philips Corporation Cathode ray tube having an input resonator cavity
US5977939A (en) * 1994-04-28 1999-11-02 Youare Electronics Co. Gas flat display tube

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS53265B1 (xx) 1978-01-06
DE2134467A1 (de) 1972-01-27
FR2103079A5 (xx) 1972-04-07
CA933668A (en) 1973-09-11
GB1348284A (en) 1974-03-13
NL7110005A (xx) 1972-01-24

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Owner name: NORTHROP CORPORATION, A DEL. CORP.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:NORTHROP CORPORATION, A CA. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004634/0284

Effective date: 19860516