Abstract:
There is disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members which are respectively backed by a series of parallel-like conductor (electrode) members, the conductor members behind each dielectric material member being transversely oriented with respect to the conductor members behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes constituting a discharge unit, the dielectric having at least one electron emissive substance applied to the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to decrease the operating voltages of the panel. Typical electron emissive substances contemplated include Group IA elements, Group IA oxides, barium, GaAs, GaP, InAs, InSb, InP, NiO, CsF, CsI, AgOCs, and AuOCs.
Abstract:
A data conversion and storage system incorporating a gas discharge panel having a light responsive element for sensing external light. When the panel is illuminated by projecting light onto the panel, the light responsive element combines with the electric field generated by an AC power source to cause selective glow discharges to occur. In this way, the image is converted by the panel to digital form with the glow discharges having a pattern corresponding to the image. After the image is removed, this information is stored until erased and also non-destructive transfer can be made to a readout device.