Abstract: The invention relates to an electroluminescent device (10) comprising a substrate and on top of the substrate a substrate electrode, a counter electrode and an electroluminescent layer stack with at least one organic electroluminescent layer (50) arranged between the substrate electrode (20) and the counter electrode (30), and an encapsulation means (90) encapsulating at least the electroluminescent layer stack, the electroluminescent device (10) comprises at least one contact means (60), for electrically contacting the counter electrode (30) to an electrical source. The invention discloses that at least one protective means (70) is arranged on the substrate electrode (20), wherein the protective means (70) is electrically non-conductive and is at least fully covering the area below the contact means (60).

Abstract: The plasma display device has a display panel having first and second display electrodes and address electrodes, an electrode drive circuit, and a drive control circuit for controlling the electrode drive circuit. The drive control circuit performs a reset drive control, address drive control and sustain drive control in each subfield. The drive control circuit performs an all cell reset drive control which resets all cells in a first subfield out of the plurality of subfields, and an ON cell reset drive control which resets ON cells in a second subfield. At a first temperature T1, an ultimate potential of an slope pulse of the first display electrode is controlled to be a first potential in the ON cell reset drive control, and at a second temperature T2>T1, the ultimate potential is controlled to be a second potential higher than the first potential.

Abstract: In each of sub-fields on each of lines in a plasma display device, it is judged whether or not all of a plurality of discharge cells on the line or the display cells whose number is not less than a predetermined number do not emit light, and at least one of a voltage applied to a scan electrode and a voltage applied to a sustain electrode on the line are kept at predetermined levels when all of the discharge cells or the discharge cells whose number is not less than the predetermined number do not emit light, or a pulse having the same phase as that of a sustain pulse applied to the sustain electrode 13 is periodically applied in place of a sustain pulse applied to the scan electrode 12 corresponding to the line, to decrease a charge or discharge current as well as to reduce the generation of electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A lamp includes an enclosure with partitions defining a channel having channel segments and/or providing multiple paths for an electrical arc to travel. The channel segments can be implemented by adding additional electrodes in the channel formed by the partitions, by forming a channel where the arc may travel in multiple directions, or by a combination of these methods. The channel segments and multiple directions of arc travel tend to reduce the voltage required to start the lamp.

Abstract: A flat light source having a front plate and a rear part. The front plate is held at a distance from the rear part by spacers. A gaseous filling which is under a pressure lower than the ambient atmospheric pressure is introduced into the intermediate space between the front plate and rear part, and the front plate is of a glass material. To be able to produce flat light sources of this type which have a low intrinsic weight, according to this invention the front plate and/or the rear part can be configured as an at least partly thermally or chemically tempered glass pane or the front plate and/or the rear part can be configured as a glass pane which at least in areas is coated with ductile polymer material.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp comprises a cathode panel, an anode panel and a light-output panel. A filament and grid electrodes are attached to the cathode panel. The anode panel is provided with a reflection layer and a fluorescent layer. The light-output panel is made of a transparent glass plate and is disposed on a plane different from the cathode panel and the anode panel. An electron beam emitted from the filament collides with the fluorescent layer. Upon this, the fluorescent layer is excited to emit light. The emitted light is reflected by the reflection layer to radiate from the light-output panel toward the outside of the fluorescent lamp. At this time, the light does not pass through the grid electrodes and the filament so that optical unevenness is prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A driving circuit for a radio frequency plasma display panel that is capable of effectively making an impedance matching between a radio frequency signal generator and a panel. In the circuit, radio frequency electrode lines are divided into a plurality of groups. A plurality of impedance matchers are independently connected to each group of the radio frequency electrode lines to match impedance of input and output terminals thereof. Accordingly, an impedance difference between the radio frequency electrode lines caused by a length difference of radio frequency supply lines is uniformly compensated, so that a maximum power of radio frequency signal can be applied to each radio frequency electrode line to provide a stable operation of the panel as well as to improve a picture quality.

Abstract: A PDP drive method capable of restraining the generation of contour noise and making to be high a brightness level. In the PDP drive method, discharging cells on the plasma display panel start simultaneously on a radio frequency discharge by row lines. Next, the radio frequency discharge, which is caused in each discharging cell on the row line, is erased by applying an erasing pulse corresponding to a brightness level of video to the discharging cells on a row line.

Abstract: An integrated liquid crystal display and backlight system for generating video images for a portable computer (12) comprising a top glass (32), a bottom glass (34) and a thin film transistor and liquid crystal layer (36) disposed therebetween, a diffuser (38) bonded to the bottom glass (34) on the side opposite the top glass (32), a substrate (40) bonded to the diffuser (38) opposite the bottom glass (34) having an array of semispherical cavities (42) each having an aluminized surface (44), a phosphor layer (46) coating the aluminized surfaces (44), an array of indium tin oxide conductors (48) electrically connected to the aluminized surfaces (44) and disposed within the cavities (42), and a volume of mercury gas (50) filling the cavities (42) such that when a voltage (54) is established between the aluminized surfaces (44) and the indium tin oxide conductors (48), the phosphor (46) becomes excited and produces backlight for the liquid crystal display system (26).

Abstract: A fluorescent character display tube has an anode base plate, a frame, a filament supporting member, and a fixing layer. The frame is provided above the anode base plate and the filament supporting member is welded on the frame. The fixing layer is provided between the frame and the anode base plate such that the frame is securely and air-tightly fixed to the anode base plate. The fixing layer may be a low melting point glass layer or a high heat-resistant resin. The high heat-resistant resin may be polyimide. The arrangement enables to reducing the vibration of the frame thereby reducing the noise.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having a logo, design or graphic information formed thereon. The glass envelope of the lamp is provided internally thereof with a coating of pigmented layer superimposed with a layer of a reflective material and one or more layers of a fluorescent material to generate the desired colored light when the lamp is energized. The logo or design is laser engraved onto the glass envelope of the lamp is a manner to ablate the respective layers of material wherever the laser beam engages the glass envelope. The arrangement is such that when the lamp is energized, the logo or design will be illuminated in the color of the light generated by the fluorescent material associated with the logo or design. In one form of the invention, multiple color light is generated by layering multiple coatings of fluorescent material internally of a lamp wherein each layer of fluorescent material will generate light of different colors.

Abstract: A flat form graphic device for displaying light in patterns of different graphic shapes. The device includes glass plates which are bonded together with at least one of the plates molded with a shaped portion extending over the area of the desired shape. A cavity formed between the shaped portion and the other plate is charged with an ionizable gaseous medium, and the inner surfaces of the cavity are coated with phosphors. In one embodiment electrodes are activated for producing a gas discharge within the cavity generate fluorescent light. In another embodiment, emf radiators are mounted on the device and the radiators are operated by a control system for producing an emf field which excites the ionizable medium to generate the light. In another embodiment shields are provided for shielding out undesirable emf radiation and also for directing or otherwise influencing the illumination pattern.

Abstract: A low pressure discharge lamp having a tubular discharge vessel (1). At each of its end portions (2, 3) the vessel (1) is fused to a respective metal tube (5) having an uncovered outer surface outside the vessel. A sealed glass tube (6) is fused to the metal tubes (5). Ignition aids (18, 28, 40) may also be present. The simple construction of the lamp permits manufacture and high lamp quality, even at long lengths and/or small diameters of the discharge vessel. The lamp may have an ionizable filling of rare gas or may also contain mercury. A fluorescent powder may also be present in the discharge vessel. The lamp (72) and a luminaire (70, 71) mounting the lamp may be used for display or signalling purposes.

Abstract: A special effect light bulb combines both cathode glow illumination with fluorescent illumination. A pair of plates respectively electrically connected to a pair of electrical lead wires jointly define a word, phrase or well-known symbol which is illuminated within an inert gas during operation of the light bulb. A third plate, having a fluorescent coating which is activated only by the ionized inert gas, is shaped in the form of a distinct symbol.

Abstract: Display system using low energy electrons which are produced in the discharge of gases (plasma). For this purpose there is formed a matrix of cells each comprising a cathode, a glass block, hollowed out in its center for receiving a plasma of helium, an assembly constituted by an anode and a luminophore support separated by an insulator, and a grid wire coated with an insulator. The electrons of the plasma excite or do not excite the luminophore, depending on the potential applied to the grid which performs the function of a control electrode and storage element.

Abstract: A bar graph display panel comprises a gas-filled envelope containing a series of fine, closely-spaced cathode lines connected in groups so that they can be energized sequentially and individually. The panel also includes an anode film supported on the face plate and aligned with and in operative relation with the series of cathode lines. The anode and cathodes are closely spaced and the panel contains an ionizable gas at relatively high pressure.In order to use the display panel to display a bar of light, the anode and cathodes are connected in an operating circuit wherein each of the cathodes is energized or scanned and caused to glow sequentially. An analog signal to be displayed as a bar of light and a ramp signal are coupled to a comparator, the output of which energizes the anode electrode.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a plurality of gas-filled cells, each having a pair of energizing electrodes and adapted to be energized in groups to display characters. The panel also includes a plurality of cells which are adapted to be energized so that they glow continuously and facilitate the turning on of the groups of cells which are used to display a character. These auxiliary energizing cells are hidden from view so that they perform their function without being seen and without interfering with viewing of the primary characters.

Abstract: A bar graph display panel comprises a gas-filled envelope containing a series of fine, closely-spaced cathode lines connected in groups so that they can be energized sequentially and individually. The panel also includes an anode film supported on the face plate and aligned with and in operative relation with the series of cathode lines. The anode and cathodes are closely spaced and the panel contains an ionizable gas at relatively high pressure.In order to use the display panel to display a bar of light, the anode and cathodes are connected in an operating circuit wherein each of the cathodes is energized or scanned and caused to glow sequentially. An analog signal to be displayed as a bar of light and a ramp signal are coupled to a comparator, the output of which energizes the anode electrode.