CA1250011A - Display system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A display system having a plurality of fluorescent display cells arranged in an X - Y matrix form is disclosed, in which each of the display cells is provided with a blind at the upper side, the blind having a black surface at the top thereof and a conductive reflecting-surface at the bottom thereof and the conductive reflecting-surface is electrically grounded.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention _ The present invention relates generally to a display system and in more particulary to a display system which is simple in construction but capable of displaying a desired picture with good quality.

Description of the Prior Axt A video display device in which a number of display cells are arranged in an X-Y matrix form and these display cells are respectively driven by desired data to display a desired picture has already heen proposed.
The same applicant has proposed as the display cell usable in the above video display device the following ones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 1~RAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front view of a luminescent or fluores-cent display cell used in the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line A -A of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a ~ectional view taken on line B- B of Figure l;
. Figure 4 is a partially cut~away perspec~ive view of the luminescent ~r fluorescent display cell in Figure l;
Figure 5 is an enlarg~d sectional vi~w of a display r ~ 2 ~

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segment;
Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrative of opera-tion of a separa~or;
~igure 7 is a perspective view of the separator;
Figure 8 is a plan view in which the separator is disposed within a side of an envelope;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of display sesments and a separator portion;
Figure 10 is a sectional view showing another example of a wire cathode;
Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a mounted state thereof;
Fngure 12 is a front view of a single unit incorpo-rating a plurality of display ~ells;
Figures 13A and 13B are respectively a front view and a cross-sectional view of a built-up jumbo~size display device;
Figure 14 is a block diagram showing a display system used in the present invention;
Figure lS is a diagram useful for explaining the operation of the display system shown in Figure 14;
Figures 16A to 16G are respectively waveform diagram to ~e used for explaining the display device used in the present invention;
25. Fiyures 17 snd 18 are respectively schematic diagrams showing a signal supplying system used in the present invention;
F:ngure 1~ is a circuit diagram showing an example of a drive circuit which drives each fluorescent display cell;
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Figure 20A is a rear view showing a display unit used in the present invention where a back cover is taken off;
Figure 20B is a partially cut--away side view of the display unit;
Figure 20C is a partially cut-away base view of the display unit;
Figure 20D is a front view of the display unit;
Figure 21 is a rear view showing a mounting structure of unit cases;
Figures ~2A and 22B are front and side views respec-tively showing a wiring structure to the display unit;
Figures 23 ~nd 24 are block diagrams respectively showing examples of trouble indicating circuits used in the present invention;
Figure 25 is a cross-sectional side view of a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 26 is a cross-sectional side view of a display submodule used in the present invention;
Figures27 and 2R are conception~l diagrams respec-~ively showing a cooling sy~tem used in the present invention, Figure 29A is a ~ron view of a display unit accord-ing to an improved embodiment of the present in~ention;
Figure 29B is a cross-sectional side view of the display unit in Figuxe 29A; and Figure 29C is a partially cut-away enlarged view showing a blind portion of the display unit in Figure 29A.
Reerring t:o Figures 1 to 4, which are a ~ront view of a luminescent or fluorescent display cell, a section-. . , ~
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al view taken on line A- A thereof, a sectional view taken on line B- B thereof, and a partially cut-away perspective view of the cell. In the figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a glass envalope comprising a front panel lA, a rear plates lB and a side wall lC. Within the glass envelope 1 are disposed a plurality of luminescent or lEluorescent display seyments 2 (2R, 2G, 2B), a plurality of cathodes K (KR, XG, X ) and first grids Gl (GlR' GlG' GlB) relation to each display segment, and a common second grid (accelerating electrode~ G2. The display segments 2 each comprise a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface of the front panel lA. There are formed three display segments 2R, 2G and 2B for the luminescence of red, green ~nd blue, respectively. More particulaxly, as shown in Figure 5, a carbon layer 3 as a conductive layer is printed in the ~orm of a frame on the inner surface vf the ront panel 1~. In spaces in the frame, red, green and blue phosphor layers ~R, 2G and 2B are formed by printing as display segments 50 as to partially overlap the carbon layer 3. Th~oughout the surfaces of these phosphor layers a metal back layer 5 is formed, e.g. an aluminum layer, through a filming layer 4.
Furthermore, in opposed relation to the display se~ments 2R, 2G and 2B comprising the above phosphor layers and inside the rear p~nel lB wire cathodes RR, RG and ~B are posikioned~ first grids GlR, GlG and GlB opposite to these wixe cathodes, and the second grid G2 in common to the three first grids Gl~, GlG and GlB. Each wir~ cathode K is formed, for example, by coating the surface of a tungsten heater with carbo~ate as . ~ ~

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an electron emissive material. ~he wire cathodes KR, KG and KB are each stretched between a pair of conductive support members 6 and 7 which are disposed on both side portions of the rear panel lB. One suppoxt member 6 is for fixing one end of each wire cathode, while ~he other support member 7 is provided with a spring portion 7a to which is ~ixed the other end of each wire cathode. According to this arrangement, an even extension of the wire cathode due to a rise of the temperature would be absorbed by the spring portion 7a, and thus the wire cathode never becomes loose. The first grids GlR, GlG and GlB are formed in a half-cylindrical shape having a cylindrical surface in corresponding relation to the wire cathodes, and a plurality of slits 8 are formed in the cylin-drical surface at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction of the same surface. The slits 8 are for the transmission therethrough of electrons radiated from the wire cathode K. The second grid G2 is ~ormed with slits ~ in portions corresponding to ~he first grids GlR, GlG and GlB
and in positions corresponding to the slits 8 of the first 2Q grids. In this case, slit portions 9R, 9G and 9B of the second grid G2 may be ~ormed so as to have cylindrical surface concentric with the corresponding first grids GlR, G~G and GlB
In this construction, electron beams from the wire cathodes are radiated rectilinearly through the slits 8 and 9 of th~
firs~ and second grids and are spread with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slits. On the other hand, the portions of the second grid in which are ~ormed the slits 9 may be hori~ontal as shown in Figure 6. In this case, the ~ .~

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electron beam is radiated so that it passes through the second grid and then is curved somewhat inwardly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slits, as shown in dotted line 30'.
On the other hand, a separator 10 formed of a conductive material is disposed to surround the display segments or elements 2R, 2G and 2B. The separator 10 not only serves as a shield for preventing a secondary electron 31 (see Figure 6) induced by impingement of electron beam from cathode against the first or second grid Gl or G2 from rendering an adjacent display segment luminous, but also serves to form a diffusion lens which functions to spread electron beam 30 from each wire cathode X so that the electron ~eam is radiated through-ollt the corresponding display segment 2. In addition, the separator 10 is used also a~ power supply means for supplying a high vol~age, e.y. 10KV, to each display segment. In assembling, the separator 10 is supported between the ~ront panel lA and side wall lC of the glass envelope 1 and fixed by frit. More specifically, as hown in Figuxe 7, the

2~ separator 10 is in the form of a fram~ partitioned in threes to surround the display segments, and on first opposed upper ends thereof are formed outwardly projecting supporting pieces 11 t while on the other opposed upper ends are formed anode leads 12 for the supply of high voltage (anode voltage). Further-more, on the side portions of the separator 10 are formedoutwardly bent elastic positi~ning pieces 13. When the separator 10 is inserted from above into the inside of side wall lC, as shown in Figure 8, the supporting pieces 11 abut the upper end " ~ ' .

face of the side wall lC to thereby support the separator 10, and at the same time the bent portions 13 abut the inner surface of the side wall lC to thereby position the separator 10 in central fashion. Also provided on the upper end poxtion of the separator 10 are inwardly bent lugs 14 each having a projection 15 formed on the surface thereof. When the front panel lA is placed and sealed on the side wall lC after enclosing the separator 10 in the side wall lC, the projections 15 contact the carbon layer 3 or the metal back layer 5 (see Figure 9). As a result, the high voltage from the anode leads 12 is fed in common to the display segments 2R, 2G and 2B.
In an assembled sta~e, the anode leads 12 to which is applied the high voltage are drawn out to the exterior through the sealed portion between the front panel lA and the upper end face of the side wall lC, while the leads of the wire cathodes K, first grid Gl, and second grid G2 are draw~ out to the exterior through a sealed portion between the rear plate lB

and the side wall lC. The leads of he cathod s R, first grids Gl and second grid G2 are brought out togeth~r for 2Q supporting purposes. For example, in each of the first grids GlR, GlG and GlB, two leads on each side, namely, a total of four leads on both sides, are brought out as leads 16Gl, 17 and 18Gl (see Fi~ure 4). In the case of the second grid G2, ~our leads l9G~ are bxought out corresponding to the four corners of the rear panel. Leads 20F of the cathodes K are brought out together to the right and let from both support members 6 and 7. The leads 20F of the cathodes are connected in common for each of the support members 6 and 7. Also with :, ~ZS~

respect to each of ~he first and second grids Gl and G2, the corresponding leads are connected in common.
The glass envelope 1 is provided by sealing the front panel lA, side wall lC and rear p:Late lB with respect to each other by frits 22 (see Figure-9). To the rear plate lB
is a chip-off pipe 21 for gass exhaust ~Eixed by frits.
Operation of the abov~ construction will now be explained. An anode voltage of, say, 10 KV or so is supplied through the ~node leads 12 to the red, green and blue display segments 2R, 2G and 2B. To each of the first grids GlR, GlG
and GlB is applied a voltage of, say, ~ - 30V, while to the second grid G2 is applied a voltage of, say, 300 V. The wire cathodes KR, KG and KB are of 60- 70mW or so per wire. In this construction, the anode side and the second grid G2 are fixed in voltage, while the voltage applied to the first grids Gl is changed to turn on 3nd off the display se~ments s~lectively. Moxe particulaxly, when OV is applied to a ir~t grid Gl, an electron beam from cathode K is cut off and the corresponding display segment 2 is not rendered luminous.
When, say, 30V is appliedt~he first grid Gl, and electron beam from ~athode K passes through the first grid Gl, then is accelerated by the second grid G2 and impinges upon the phosphor of the corresponding display segment 2 to make the latter luminous. At this time, the luminance is controlled by controlling the pulse width ~duration) of the vol~age (30V) applied to the first grid G . Further, as shown in Figure 6, the electron beam from cathode K i5 spread by the separator 10 and radiated to the entire surface of the ~isplay _ g _ O~L~

segment 2. When the electron beam from the cathode impinges upon the first and second grids, there are produced the secondary electrons 31 ~rom these gridsl but these secondary electrons are obstructed by the separator 10, so they do not impinge upon the adjacent display segment 2. In this way, by selectively controlling the voltage applied to the first grids, the display segments 2R, 2G and :2B are rendered luimnous selectively at a high luminance..
This luminescent or fluorescent display cell 40 is constructed in thin fashion as a whole. Besides, the low voltaye-side leads such as the cathode and first and second grid leads are drawn out from the rear plate lB side of the glass envelope 1, while the high voltage-side anode leads 12 are drawn out from the front panel lA side~ Therefore, possible dangers during discharge and wiring can be avoided, thus ensuring a stable luminescent ~x ~luorscent display.
Moreover, since the anode voltage applied separator 10 surrounds each display segment 2, ~ diffusion lens is formed by the separator 10. Therefore, even if only the first grids Gl are curved and the second grid G2 is flat (as shown in ~igure 6), ~h~ electron beam ~rom cathode K spreads laterally ~in the directisn of the slits) and i5 radiated to the entire surface of the display s~gment 2. At the same time, the secondary electron from the first or second grid is obstructed by the separator 10, so the adjacent cut-off segment is not rendered luminousO
In the case of a color display (for exampl~, in the case of a 9300K white picture), the luminance mixing ratio is about 7 % blue, about 13% red, and about 80~ green.
In the case where wire cathodes are used as an electron emission source, they are in many cases used in a temperature res~riction area in order to maintain their æervice lieO
And the problem of making the luminance of the green cathode higher than that of the other cathodes c:an be solved by increasing the number o~ the green cathodes used. For example, two green cathodes KG, one red cathode KR, and one blue cathode ~ may be used. As a result, the total amount of electrons for green becomes larger than that for red and blue, thus making it possible to effect a color display. It ~oes without saying that red and blue cathodes may also be used in plural numbers, which is effective in prolonging their service life. Thus, by increasing the number of green cathodes in ~5 comparison with the other cathodes, the luminance of green ~an be enhanced and a good white balance is obtain2~1e.
Consequently, an excessive load is not imposed on the cathodes, that is, the life of the luminesçent or fluorescent display cell can be prolonged. Actually, two green cathodes are 2n disposed in spaced relation at a distance of about 0.8 to lmm.
As to the amount of electrons emitted, an increase of 70 to 80~ can be expected though it does not become twice as large as that in the case of a single green cathode due to the electron scat ering effect~ Alternatively, the green luminance may be enhanced by making the area of ~he green phosphor layer larger than those of the red and blue phosphor layers.
Since the wire cathodes are used in the temperature restriction area, th,at is, the l~ading of the oxide cathod~

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is set at a ratio of one to several tens to prevent ~ red-look-ing appearance, the amount of electrons emitted per cathode is small. One method for solving this problem may be to substantial~y enlarge the surface area of oxide by winding a tungsten wire spirally, for example. But, in the case of a long spiral, it is likely that there ~will occur loosening vibration of ~he cathode. In view of this point, such a construction as showm in Figures 10 and 11 is suggested.
In this example, a core 35 formed of a high-temperature material ~uch as, for example, tungsten or molybdenum, is provided and its 6urface is coated with an insulating material 36 such AQ2Q3. Then tungsten wire 37 serving as a heater is wound spirally thereon and an electron emissive material 38, e.g. carbonate, is bonded to the spiral portion by spraying or eleetrodeposition ~o constitute a direct heating cathode 34. The core 35 is fixed at one end thereof to one support member 6 and at the other end thereof to the spring portion 7a of the other support member 7 by spot weldin~ or other suitable means, it being stretched under tension. The tungsten wire is fixed between one support member 6 and a ~econd suppor~
member 6' on the other side by spvt welding or other suitable means.
Thus, in the above construction, the cathode is wound spirally onto the core 35 ooated with the insula~ing material 36, and the core 35 is stretched by the ~pring portion, whereby problems ~uch as shorting between spiral portions and therma:L ~eformation of ~he spiral can be eliminat-ed. Besides, the oxide suxface area is substantially increased, `"'``
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and a uniform temperature distribution area (A) with reduced temperature difference between both ends and the cen~er of the cathode becomes wider. As a result, the amount of electrons emitted can be increased, and as a whole, therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of allowable current per cathode. The curva I in Figure 11 represents a temperature distribution.
Thus, th~ luminescent or fluorescent display cell is formed. In this case, since the separator supplied with the same high voltage as that applied to the display segments is positioned to surround the plural display segments, a diffusion lens is formed whereby an electron beam ~rom the cathode is spread laterahly and radiated to the entire surface of each display segment or element. Consequently, it is possible to make a display at a hi~h Iuminance. Further-more, by the presence of the separator, secondary electrodes from a control electrode or accelerating electrode are obstruct-ed, not rendering the adjacent cut-off dispaly seyment luminous, and thus a stable luminescent or fluorescent display can be effected.
When a picture display device is formed by using the above luminescent or fluorescent display cell, the follow ing assembling method is taken.
~ hat is, a plurality of the above luminescent or fluorescent display cells 40, ~or example, 6 (column) x 4 (row~-- 24 luminescent or fluorescent display cells are incorporated in a unit case 41 to ~orm one unit as shown in Figure^12.
Then, a plurality of the above units are arranged in an X~ Y matrix form, for examyle, 7 (column) x 5 (row) - 35 to form a block and then 5 blocks are arranged laterally to form a submodule. Then, a plurality of the submodules are combined in an X-Y matrix form, for exEmple, 9 (column ) x 4 (row) = 36. 8y using a number of the submodules, a jumbo-size picture display tube of, ~or example, 25m ~column) x 4Gm (row) is constructed. In this case, the number of the display cells is

3~ x 5 x 35 x 24 = 151,200 and the number of the display segments is 3 times the above number and hence about 450,000.
Figures 13A and 13B are respectively a fron~ view and a cross sectional view of whole of a built up jumbo-size picture display device. The whole of this jumbo-size picture display device is a building which is, for example, 42m in height and 47 m in width. The upper portion of this building is made as a display portion which is provided with 9 floors, each floor having the height of 2.688m. On each floor there are located 4 submodules in the lateral direction. Further, on the lower portion of the building there are ~ormed the ; stage for entertainments, an anteroom, the central control ro~m for operating and managing the display device and the stage and so on.
By the above way, the picture display device is built. In this case, since 24 luminescent of fluorescent display cells from a unit and a number of the units axe employed to assemble whole 1:he picture display device,I~he display device becomes easy in handling and al50 easy in assembling.

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In this case, each unit is formed of a square shape of 40cm in both height and width in the above example.
Furthex, the above picture display device will be explained hereinafter in connection with a signal flow.
Figure 14 is a systematic block diagram howing an example of the video display system according to the present invention. In this example, the video signals from a tele-; vision camera 101, a V$R (video tape recorder) 102, a tuner 103 and so on are selected by an input change-over switch 104.
These video signals are each a compo~ite video signal of, for example, the NTSC system. The video signal selected by the switch 104 is supplied to a decoder 105 in which it is decoded to three color component signals of red, green and blue. These three color component signals are respectively supplied to A/D (analog-to-digital) converters 106R, 106G and 106B and then converted to 8 bit parall~l diqital signals, respectivPly .
These digital signals are supplied alternately to memorie~ 171 (171R, 171G, 171B) and memories 172 (172R, 172GJ
172B~ each of which has one field memory capacity. These ~emories 171 and 172 each form a scanning con~erter which provides 4 horizontal lines from 5 horizontal lines. Further, for 189 horizontal lines, for example, s~lected from each field of the scanning con~erted ~ignal~ th~re are derived one output at every 3 horizontal lines, totally 63 (x 8 bit parallel) outputs.
In this case, the order to derive the cignal from the scanning converter is a specific one such that after the ~zs~
supply of the signal to one of the units descri~ed previously is completed, the supply of the signal to the next neighbor-ing or ad~acent unit will be done. That is, as shown in Figure 15, when there are two adjacent units Ul and U2, in one field the digital data for a segment corresponding to each cell is sequentially derived from one memory in the numbered order and after tAe segment data corresponding to three hori-zontal lines 2Ql to 2Q4, 205 to 208 and 209 to 212 ~n the left un~t Ul are completely derived, the segment data corres-pond~ng to three hor~zontal lines 213 to 216, 217 to 220 and 221 to 224 tn the right unit U2 are derived. Then, the seg-ment data derlving is shi~ted to the right slde unit success-ively. The segment data correspond~ng to the horizontal lines marked by the cosresponding numbers with dash in Figu~e 15 axe deri~ed from the other memory in the next field by the ~nterlace scanning.
Tnese segment data are derived at the same time from the re~pect~e memor~es 171 or 172, respectivelyO This data deriv~ng ~s carried out s~ch t~at 63 data at every 3 lines are $i~ultaneously de~ed. The data tnus derived are sup-plied to a data seleckox lQ8 ~n whi~ch at every field the red,green and ~lue data are dot~se~entially selected from the memory ~n ~hich no ~riting ~s carr~ed out to thereby ~orm the data signal of 63 (x 8 bit parallel~. These data signals formed are fed to a multiplexer 109 ~n which 8 bit parallel signals are respectiYel~ con~erted to serial data signals.
The signals thus con~e~ted are supplied to an opt~cal con ~erter llQ and t~en converted thereby to the corresponding optical signal.

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The optical signals of 63 data at every 3 horizontal lines are transmit~ed through optical-fiber cables 301, 302, -- 363 to center portions of lateral groups 401, 402, ~-- 463 respecti~ely where each group represents the total units of the display device laterally arranged.
Then, ~or ~xample, in the upper most group 401 of the units, ~he optical signal from the optical-fiber cable 301 is fed to a photo-electric converter 111 and converted thereby to the corresponding electrical signal. This convert ed data siynal is supplied to a demultiplexer 112 in which the serial data signal iq converted to the 8 bit parallel signal. This parallel data signal is supplied through a bus line 113 to, for example, 100 units 1141, 1142, ~- 1141oo, which are laterally arranged, in parallel at the same time.
The signal from the photo-elec ric converter lll is further supplied to a sync. separator 115 in which synchroniz-ing signals axe formed by a predetermined pattern generator and so on. The synchronizing signals therefrom are fed to a timing generator circuit 116 in whi~h there are respectively 2Q generated a frame pulse signal FP which i5 inverted at every ~ield ~s shown in Figure 16A, a unit clock signal (UCK) which has 255 ~ycles during a half period (1 field) of the frame pulse signal as shown in Figure 16B, an element clock signal ECK which contains 38 cycles during two cycles of the unit clock signal UCX ac; shown in Figure 16C, and a start pulse SSP which is formed by one element clock signal Emount at every inversion of the frame pulse signal as shown in Figure 16D. These frame pulse signal, unit clock signal and element :

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clock signal are supplied together with the above data signal through the bus line 113 to the respective units 1141, 1142, ... 1141oo in parallel wh.ile the start pulse is supplied to the first unit 1141.
The operation simllar to the above is carried out in each of the 63 groups 401, 402, ... 463.
In each of the units- a~oVe, the signal translating circuit is ~ormed as shown in Figure 17. In Figure 17, reference numeral 121 designates a shift register having 38 stages. In th~s case, t~e element clock signal ECK from the timing generator c~rcuit 116 througn the ~us line 113 is $upplied to the clock ~nput terminal of the shift register 121 and the ~tart pulse ~P ~s,~ supplied to its data input terminal~ Then ~rom the ~espective stages of the shift ~eg~stex 121r there are delivered sequentially shifted signals ~ 2 ~ S38 as s~o~n ~n Figure 16E. The signals Sl to S36 of t~ese signals Sl to ~38 are respectively supplied to the e~ement~s~2Ql~, 2QlG~ 2Q1~, 2Q2R, 2n2G, 2Q2B, ... 212R, 212G, 212B of eac~ of cells 2Ql to 212 and to elements 2Ql'R, 201'G, 2Q 2QllB, 2Q2lR, 2Q2~G, 2Q21B, ,., 2127R, 212'G, 212'B of each o~ the cell~ 2Ql~ to 212~. In Figure 17, the circuits in one-dot chain l~ne ~lock ~re equ~valent w~th one another.
The data signal, as sho~n in Figure 17, from the bus l~ne 113 are supplied to a~l the elements 201R to 212'B in pArallel. Th.e frame pul~e ~gnal FP is supplied to the elements 2QlR to 212B and tc the elements 201iR to 212~B
a,~teX ~eing ~e~ersed ~n phase ~y an in~erter 122.
The s~gn~l ~38 ~rom the shi~ft register 121 is supplied to a D-type flip-flop 1~3 which then produces a start pulse signal SSP' to be supplied to the next neighboring unit as shown in Figure 16G.
The signal circuit which will drive each element:is constructed as shown in Figure 18. In Figure 18~ reference numeral 131 designates a latching circuit of 8-bit which is supplied at its data input terminals with the data signal from the bus line 113. An AND circuit 132 is provided which is supplied with the frame pulse signal FP or its inver~ed signal and one of the signals Sl to S36. ~he output ~rom the AND circuit 132 is supplied to the control terminal of the latching circuit 131. A down counter 133 of 8-bit i-Q provided which is supplied at its preset terminal with the output from the latching circuit 131, at its load terminal with the load pulse (signal S38) ~rom the shi~t register 121 and at its clock input terminal with the unit clock signal UCK from the bus line 113, respectively. When the counter 133 is in a condition except all-zero c~ndition, it produces an output signal which is supplied to ~he fir~t grid Gl of each element mentioned above. The output signal of the counter 133 is phase-inverted by an inverter 134 and then ~upplied to the counter-stop terminal of the counter 133.
Accordingly, in each element of each unit, at the timings of the signals Sl to S3~, the data from the bus line 113 are latched to the latching circuit 131 of the correspond-ing element and then held therein. The data held therein are preset to the counter 133 at the timing of the cignal S38.
The preset data are then c~unted down until the counter 133 becomes in all-zero condition so that at the output terminal of tne counter 133 there are de~eloped the PWM ~pulse width modulated~ signals in accordance ~ith each data signal. In this case, the counter 133 counts down the preset data in response to the unit cl~c~ signal UC~. Since this unit clock signal has 225 cycles du~ing 1 ~:~eld period, at the data ~eing largest ~alue, a displ~y element is displayed during one field periQd continuously~ ~hile at t~e data ~eing smallest value t~e display element is not displayed so that the display lQ there~et~een can ~e di~ided ~nto 256 Drightness steps. The ~irst grid of eac~ element can ~e dri~en Dy the P~M signal.
Further, at t~e t~ming of tAe signal S38 the start pulse sign~l ~or the next ne~gR~oring unit is produced.
Thereaftex, the operat~on similar to the a~ove operation is sequentially~carried out for lQ0 units laterally arranged.
Mo~eoYex~ the data latc~ing operat~on of each unit is per-f~rmed du~ing the 2~cycle period of the unit clock s~gnal UCK
~Q t~t ~suc~ o~e~ation ~o~ lQ~ un~ts laterally arranged is completed ~n 2QQ cycles. T~e~e~ore, ~y ut~liz;~ng the remain-2Q ~ng 55 c~c~es, spac~al control ~gnals such as the s~nchron-~z~ng sig~al and so on c~n ~e transm~tted.
Since in the next field the frame pulsa signal FP is inverted in phase, the similar operation is carried out for the other picture elements of tha interlace scanning. At this time, the preset pulse is suppl~ed to the picture elements wh~c~ ~er-e ~ en ~n t~e previous field, so that the ~me d~pl~y ~ per~o~ed tw~i~ce on eac~ p~cture element dur~ng the s~ccessi~e 2 ~ield ~nter~als.

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Thus, the displays are perfomed on 100 units which are laterally arranged. Further, such display is performed for the 63 vertical direction groups of units in parallel ~t the same time~ whereby whole a picture is displayed.
Furthe-, in the above display device, a drive circuit which drives each luminescent display cell is constructed as shown in Figure 19. In Figure 19, ~:he red, green and blue PWM signals from the above PWM signal forming circuit 500 are respectively supplied to bases of switching transistors 501R, 501G and 501B. The emitters of these transistors 501R, 501G
and 501B are respectively grounded and the -co~lectsrs thereof are respectively connected through resistors 502R, 502G and 502B of high resistive value, for example, 100 KQ to the first grids GlR, GlG and ~lB of each picture element. A power source 503 of, for example, 50 V that is connected to ~he ~econd grid G2 is connected through resistors 504R, 504G and 504B of high resistive value, for example, 100 kQ to the collectors of ~he transistors 501R, 501G and 501B.
Furthermore, the cathodes XR, KG and ~ are heated by a voltage source 505 of 1.4V and the electron ~electron emission) thus emitted impinges through the first grids GlR, GlG and GlB and the second grid G2 on the phosphor targets : ~anodes) TR, TG and TB to which a voltage from a high voltage terminal 506 of, for ex~nple, 10 kV is applied and hence the phosphors are brightened. ~t the same time, the PWM signals are supplied to the tr~nsistors SOlR, 501G and 501B so that when the transistors 501R, 501G and 501B are turned on nd hence the Yoltage!s at the first grids GlR, GlG and GlB become ~,~zs~oi~

0 volt, the electron emissions from the cathodes K~, KG and KB are cut off, while when the transistors 501R, 501G and 501B
are turned off and the voltages of the first grids ~lR~ GlG
and GlB become more than, for exi~mple, 3V, the electron emission is radiated on the targets 'rR, TG and TB, thus the brightness control being carried out by the PWM signal.
In this circuit, since the voltage from the voltage source 503 of 50V is applied through the resistors 504R, 502R; 504G, 502G; and 504B, 502B of high resistive value to the first grids GlR, GlG and GlB, the respective grid currents ~GR~ 1GG and ~GB become constant currents.
; In this case, the cathode current Ik which is proportional to the electron emission, the t~rget current IT
which is propor~ibnal to the brightness and the grid current IG satisfy the relation expressed as Ik - IG + IT
On the other hand, if an open area factor of the grid is taken as n, the cathode current Ik and the grid current IG satisfy the relation expressed as IG = ~1 - n ) Ik Modifying the above equations yields n .
IT = - -- IG
1 - n Thus, the target current relating to the brightness is a value which is proportional to ~he grid current.
Accordinqly, in the iabove circuit, when the g~i-d currents IGR, I~ iand IGB become the constant currents, the target current becomes constant and hence the brightness is -' -~z~

made constant.
In other words, since the resistive values of the resistors 504R, 502R; 504G, 502G; and 504B, 502B ~re selected so as to become enoughly large relatlve to the ~quivalent Lmpedance when th~ cathodes KRI RG and RB are seen from the first grids GlR, GlG and GlB, the extra electrons caused by the fluctuation of the cathode emission chara~teristic are absorbed by the first grids GlR, Gl~ and GlB so that the targe~
current which reaches the phosphor becomes constant.
If one of each pair of the resistors 504R, 502R;
504G, 502G; and 504B, 502B is only provided with the resistive value of 200 kQ, the sam~ constant current effect can be achieved. However, when only the resistors 502R, 502G and 502B
are used as 200 kQ in resistive ~alue, the voltage of 500 V
is directly applied to the transistors 501R, 501G and 501B
so that it is necessary to increase the withstanding volta~e of these transistors 501R, 501G and 501B. While, when only the resistors 504R, 504G and 504B ~re used as 200 kQ in r si~tive value, there is a fear that the transis~ors 501R, 501G and 501B will be destroyed by the discharge from the display screen side and so on. And, in order to protect the transistors 501R, 501G and 501B from the destruction, it is suitable that a pair of resistors are used as the example mentioned above.
Furthermore, there is a fear that the constant current will be $1uctuated by the fluctuation of the resistors 502R, 504R; 502G, 504G; and 502B, 504B. ~owever~ this will ~ ;
cause no substantial problem if a resistor having an error of .~

~L~5~

within about 5% is used. Such resistors are easily available on the market.
Thus, a jumbo-size picture of 25m (column) x 40m (row) is displayed. According to the above picture display system, since the data are sequentially transmitted at every unit and after the data transmission of one display unit is completed, the data of the next neighboring display unit is transmitted, the display operation is completed at each unit.
As a result, the wiring between the respective units is only one line to transmit the start pulse SSP' f~om one unit to the next unit so that the connection thereamong becomes quite simple. The supply of the data signal and so on from the bus line to each unit can be performed by using a multi~contact connector.
Therefore, when the units are attached, exchange or the like, the work becomes simple and the assembling and repairing thereof become quite easy. For example, when one unit becomes out of order, it is ~ufficient ~hat the troubled unit is exchanged for a new good unit. Upon this exchange, since the number of ~he lines for electrical connection is small, ~he exchange can be done rapidly and easily. Further, such a fear that any trouble is caused by the contact miss and so on can be reduced~
Further, as emergency measure, it is enough that a counter which can count up to 38 is connected between the input and output terminals for the start pulse of a troubled unit and then this troubled unit is removed. In this case, no bad influence exerts on the other units. Furthermore, ~; ~

~5~
when the operation of a certain unit itself is checked, since the signal is completed within the unit, the check is very easy.
Also since the data is transmitted in parallel to every laterally arranged unit, the transmission speed is made ; low. $hat is, the data transmission speed in the above example becomes as follow~.

60 x 255 x 32B = 290.7 (kHz) This speed is lower than the tolerable range (300 kHz~ of a i-lat cable (bus line), so that a conventional flat cable becomes pos~ible to be employed.
Further, the data transmission is such one that the data o 2-field amounts of the interlace scanning are trans-mitted in one ~rame interval and the data is rewritten only once-in each"picture element at one frame interval. However, the display is repeated in sequential 2 fields and the display frequency is 60Hz so that the generation of flicker can be suppressed.
Further, in the above display device, ~he first grid current is made as the constant current so that the brightness characteristics on the phosphor screen can be prevented from fluctuation Prom one to another. As a result, the brightnese on tha display screen can be prevented ~rom being made irregular and, when the display device is iormed as a color display ~5 device, display oi- good quality can be carried out without color irregularity. Since no brightness fluctuates, the brightness is made free of the adjustment. Accordingly, the , ;, :~, :' :

~5l)~

adjustment of the whole of the display device can be ~implifi-ed and the installment of the display device and the like can be made easy.
However, in the case of this display device, since the whole video display device is placed in the outside, the luminescent or fluorescent display cells and 50 on thereof are exposed to the weather elements and the direct rays of the sun. For this reason, ~he luminescent or fluorescent display cells and so on must be disposed with great stability.
On ther other hand, since the number of the luminescent or fluorescent display cells is fabulous as h~ndreds of thousands, they must be made to be attached to the display device with ease upon manufacturing.
Further, the display unit must be attached and dettached safely and easily for maintenance, inspection and so on. Furthenmore, the signals must be supplied to these display units stably and easily.
Since the display system is jumbo size, when a certain unit becomes out of order, such wrong unit must be 2Q ~ound out with ease.
Furthermore, since the display system is installed at the position higher than those of viewers, the display must be prevented from being dis~urbed by the rerlection of the sunshine and ~ky blue o the sky and so on. Further, since there is a spacing between the adjacent fluoresce~t display cells ~ecause of the structure of the display system, it is necessary to prevent the display from being made dis-continuous particularly in the vertical direction.

: .

In additionl due to the structure of ~he display system, there is a fear that the luminescent or fluorescent display surface will become high in temperature~ This requires a cooling means which can effectively cool such luminescent or fluorescent display surface whose temperature becomes high.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF ~EIE ~ IENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present inven-tion to pro~ide a display system of a simple constructionwhich can display a desired picture of good quality.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a display system having a plurality of display cells arranged in the vertical direction r in which each of the di~play cells is provided with a blind~ at the upper side, this blind - having a black surface at the top and a reflect-ing-surface at the ~ottom.
Accordiny to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system having a plurality o~
fluorescent display cells arranged in an X-Y matrix form is disclosed, in which each of the display cells is provided with a blind at the upper ~ide, the blind having a bla~k surface at the top thereof and a conducti~e reflecting-surface at the bottom thereof and the conductive reflecting~surface is electrically grounded.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments ~aken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, throughout which - 26a -~z~

lik~ reference numerals designate like elements nnd parts.

DESCRIPTI~)N O~ l'HE PREFERR~:D EMBODIMENTS

Now, embodiments of the display system according to the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings.
Figures 20A to 20D are respectively diagrams showing the structure of the display unit of the present invention.
Figure 20A is a rear view showing the display unit used in the present invention where a back cover thereof is taken off, Figure 20B is a partially cut-away side view ~hereof, Figure 20C is a partially cut-away base view thereof and ~igure 20D
is a front view thereof.
; 15 In the embodiment shown in the figures, a unit case 600 is a cabinet made of strong material such as polycarbonate resin containing glass and so on. ~t the front thereof, there are provided 24 windows ~01 which are arranged in an X- Y
matrix fonm and at the back sides of the frames surrounding the windows 601, there are provided protruded portions 602 which are formed in the longitudinal and lateral directions ~ - 26b -~z~
so as to posi-tion -the fluorescent display cells ~0. At each compartment portion partitioned by this protruded portion 602, there is provided each fluorescent display cell 40 and the display surface thereof is opposed to the front side of the display system from the window 601.
When this fluorescent display cell 40 is attached to the unit case 600, the unit case 600 is placed horizontally with its back facing upwards and the back side surrounding each window 601 is coated with fluid resin 603 such as silicone rubber and so on. Thereafter, the fluorescent display cell 40 is inserted into the window 601 from the back side. In this case, around the back side of the window 601, there is provided a -prc~truded rail 604 which can prevent the fluid resin 603 from flowing into the window 601. The coating of the fluid resin 603 is carried out by using a tool using air pressure. Furthermore, the flourescent display cell 40 may be provided at its display surface facing to the window 601 with a transparent plastic film 605 having a predetermined thickness.
Under this state, the resin 603 is heated in, for example, a furnace to thereby cured.
Further, high voltage terminals 12 of the fluores-cent display cells 40 are sequent~ally connected to each other through a cut-out portion (not shown) formed in the protruded portion 602 at its predetermined portion by a spot welding and so on. The fluid resin 603 is once again coated on this welded portion. Under this state, the fluid resin 603 is heated once again in the furnace and then cured.
In consequence, the ~luorescent display cell 40 can be attached to the unit case 600 easily and positively.

- ~7 -:

After being cured, the silicone resin 603 is excellent in insulating property, water-proof property and good in heat-radiation property and heat-resistant property. Further, the high voltage terminal 12 is insulated satisfactorily.
Furthermore, by virture of the transparent plastic film 605~
the display surface of the flourescent display cell 40 which becomes high in temperature upon display is protected from direct raindrops and hence there is no fear that the display surface of the fluorescent display cell 40 will be broken by the rapid cooling.
To the back side of the unit case 600, there is attached a back cover 606 with its juncture made proof against water by a sealing member 607 such as rub~er and so on. To the protruded portions of the back cover 606, there are insert-ed bolts 608 by which the unit case 600 is attached to a structure forming a submodule directly or through an adaptor which will be described later~
Fig. 21 is a rear view showing the state where the unit case 600 is attached to the structure. In this case~
steel-frames 701 are provided at a predetermined spacing, in which the display unit is directly attached to every other steel-frame 701 and the unit between the steel-~rames 701 is attached to the steel-frame 701 through an adaptor 702 of nearly H-shape.
Accordingly, in this display system, when the adaptor 702 is removed from the steel-frame 701, the central unit 600a can be removed Further, under the state that the central display unit 600a is removed, it is possible to remove the display units 600b and 600c that are directly attached to the steel-frames 701 at both sides.

~L2~
Thus, each display unit 600 can be attached stably and removed with great ease upon maintenance, inspection and so on.
Inside the cabinet formed of the back cover 606 and the unit case 600, there are provided circuit boards 611 and 612 from the side of the unit case 600 through leg portions 609 and 610. On the circuit boards 612 at the rear side, there is provided a signal processing circuit, while on the circuit board 611 at the front side, there is provided a driving circuit for driving the fluorescent display cells ~0.
Further, as shown in Figure 22, the circuit board 612 is disposed so as to face at its rear side to the inner surface of the back cover 606, and receptacles 613 and 614 for use in supplying signals provided on this circuit board 612 are exposed to the rear side of the back cover 606 through openings formed therethrough. Further, around the opening of the back cover 606, there is provided a protection case 619 having an opening at the bottom thereof. Then, the receptacles 613 and 614 are respectively connected with outside connectors 617 and 618 that are connected to signal cables 615 and 616.
Accordingly, in this display system, the signal ca~les 615 and 616 are connected to each unit with great ease.
Since the protection case 619 is provided around the opening of the back cover 616, the connected portion can be protected from the raindrops, dusts and the like and is large in mechanical strength against the external impact, thus reducing a fear that it will be broken and so on. Consequently, it is not necessaxy to use an e~pensive connector such as a Canon connector and hence the stable connection can be established ~2~
by the receptacle and connector for a general electronic apparatus.
The water-proof property of the above portion can be increased by covering the back cover 606 around its opening by a sealing member such as rubber and the like, providing the protection case 619 with a lid which passes therethrough only the signal cable or covering the whole of the protection case 619 with a water-proof bag and so on.
Further, at the peripheral portions of these receptacles 613 and 614, there are provided trouble indicate light emitting devices 620R, 62QG and 6~0B, respectively.
These light emitting devices 620R to 620B may become luminous by supplying all signals of a PWM (pulse width modulated) signal forming circuit 500 to a NOR circuit 621 :-as, for example, shown in Figure 23 or ~y supplying independent-ly three red, green and blue primary color signals of R, G
and B to NOR circuits 621R, 621G and 621B, respectively.
Accordingly, in this display system, when a picture image that isthoroughly white color is displayed, the output signals of the PWM signal forming circuit 500 become all low in level so that if the display system is in the normal opera-tion mode, the input signals to the NOR circuits 621R, 621G
and 621B all become low in level, thus the light emitting devices 620R .-to 620B being operated ~to emit light. On the other hand, if any one cell i~ mis-operated, the light emitt-ing devices 620R to 620B are stopped emitting light.
In consequence, at the back side of the display -~-system, an operator can find out the unit whose li~ht emitting devices 620R to 620B are stopped emitting light and then carry out the replace, repair and so on of the corresponding unit, etc.

~:25~
When the red, green and blue color signals are respectively detected by the light emitting devices 620R to 620B, if, for example, only the light emitting device 620B
is stopped emitting a light, the corresponding unit may not always be repaired.
While in the above-described example the PWM signal forming circuit 500 is mis-operated, if the trouble of the fluorescent display cell 40 is detected, such detection will be carried out as follows.
If, the picture screen is monitored by TV (television) camera located at a long distance from the display device and when a trouble is found in a unit, -~~ , the display on the picture screen is erased and a video signal of a cross-shaped cursor with the width of each unit at the crossing point of the longitudinal and lateral directïDns is formed and then displayed. Thus, at the back side of the unit, the unit whose light emitting deivces 620R to 620B are rendered luminous is searched in the lateral direction. If a unit at the cross-ing point of the upper and lower units whose light emitting devices 620R to 620B are rendered luminous is discovered, such discovered unit becomes the crossing point of the cursor, or the unit having the trouble.
Further, in the unit case 600 shown in Figure 20;
blinds 622 are provided on the windows 601 at the upper sides thereof in the front sides as shown in Figure 25~ This blind 622 each has a black surface at the top thereof and a mirror or reflecting-surface at the bottom thereof.
Accordingly, in this display system, if a light ray S of the sun, a sky blue of the sky and so on are incident on the display surface, these light rays are shielded by the ~Z~.~O~
blind 622 and not reached to and not ref:Lected by the display surface of the fluorescent display cell 40, thus the display being prevented from being disturbed.
Displays a, _ and c on the display surface are reflected by the reflecting-surfaces 623 to thereby form virtual images a', b' and c' so that the discontinuous display in the vertical direction can be removed.
Further, as described above, this display system is formed of a plurality of submodules, which then are installed in the building so as to be assembled. In this case, as shown in Figure 26, each submodule has a space of a predetermined width at the rear side thereof in which a high voltage supply-ing circuit 703 and so on are formed and a path 704 for operators are secured.
Furthermore, in the front side of the submodule, the unit case 600 is attached to the steel-frame 702 to thereby provide a space between the adjacent unit cases 600, while at the back side thereof, the floor, ceiling and the rear surface thereof are nearly tightly closed by a wall 705.
Therefore, on the wall 705 at its predeterm-~ned por~
tion of the back side, there is formed an opening in which a cooling fan 7G6 is provided.
This cooling fan 706 is driven to flow the air thereinto to thereby raise the air pressure in the inside of the submodule surrounded by the wall 705. Then, the air having high air pressure is flowed through the spacing between the ; adjacent unit cases 600.
Thus, the convection shown by an arrow in Figure 27 as seen from the top view is generated so that the display surface of each display cell ~0 is cooled by the flow of air.

~ 7 ~ ~t~ ~
When the submod~u~ s are attached to posts or frames 800 of the building as, for example~ shown in Figure 28, it is enough that the cooling fans 706 are provided at two places between the adjacent frames 800.
Figures 29A to 2gC respectively show other improved embodiment of the display system according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Figures 29A to 29C, at the central portion in the front of the unit case 600, there is provided a stripe grounding plate 651 in the vertical direc-tion and to this stripe grounding plate 651, there is electri-cally connected a stainless steel plate which forms the reflecting-surface of each blind 622 by a bolt 652a. The both ends of this stripe grounding plate 651 are electrically connected to one end of a metal conductor or nut 653 by bolts 652b and further, the other end of the metal conductor 653 is connected to the back cover 606 of the unit case 600 by a b~lt 652c.
The back cover 606 is generally made of metal and is attached by bolts 608 to the steel-frame and so which will construct the submodule Consequently, according to this display system, the conductiye reflecting-surface 623 is grounded by the steel-frame and the-like which form the submodule through the bolt 652a, th~ stripe grounding plate 651, the bolt 652b, the metal conductor 653, the bolt 652c and the back cover 606.
The reflecting-surface 623 and the stripe grounding plate 651 are practically arranged as, for example, shown in Figure 29C in which at the portion to place the stripe grounding plate 651, the blind 622 is cut-away as shown by a broken line.
As descri~ed above, the conductive reflecting-surface ~æ~Q~
623 is grounded and accordingly, in the display system as shown in Figure 29, the reflecting-surface 623 is prevented from being electrified. Since atmospherics and the falling of thunderbolt are grounded, there is no fear that the cir-cuit and so on within the display system will be broken.
Further, since the conductive reflecting-surface 623 that is grounded has a shield effect, this can prevent undesired radiation.
In Figures 29A to 29C, the connection by the bolts 652a, 652b and 652c are not always necessary in screwing and it is sufficient to keep the electrical connec~on thereamong.
The strip grounding plate 651 is not limited to the above-described stripe shape but may be a conductor of a plate-shape, braided wire and the like. In addition, when this stripe grounding plate 651 made of a rigid body, this can be served as the reinforcing material of the unit case 600.
As set forth above, according to the present inven-tion, the display of good quality can be made by the display system of simple construction.
Further, according to the improved embodiment of this invention, since the reflecting-surface is grounded, this reflecting-surface can be prevented from being electrified.
Furthermore, since the atmospherics and the falling of thunderbolt are grounded, there is no fear that the circuit and the like inside the display system will be broken. In addition, the undesired radition can be shielded.
The above description is given on the preferred em-bodiments of the invention~ but it will be app~rent that many modifications and variations could be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirits or `scope of the ~%~
novel concepts o~ -the invention.
For example, the invention is applicable not only to a video signal display system mentioned above but also ~ to any signal display system where a plurality of display cells ! 5 are arranged in a vertical direction. Therefoxe, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims only.

:
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'

Claims (6)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A display system comprising:
a plurality of display cells arranged in a vertically disposed X-Y matrix to form a display device, each of said display cells representing a single picture element and being provided with a horizontally-extending blind adjacent its upper edge, said horizontally-extending blind having a black top surface and a reflecting bottom surface;
a signal source for supplying a standard video signal;
and driving means for supplying said standard video signal to said display cells such that a picture is reproduced on said display device.

2. A display system according to claim 1, wherein said display cells are fluorescent display cells.

3. A display system according to claim 1, wherein each of said display cells comprises a R (red), a G (green) and a B (blue) fluorescent display element to enable said display system to reproduce a color picture.

4. A display system according to claim 1 wherein said reflecting bottom surface of said horizontally-extending blind is electrically conductive, and wherein said display system further comprises means for electrically grounding the electrically-conductive reflecting bottom surface of the horizontally-extending blind of each of said plurality of display cells.

5. A display system comprising:
a signal source for supplying a video signal;
a plurality of display units arranged in a vertically-disposed X-Y matrix to form a display device, each of said display units comprising a plurality of fluorescent display cells arranged in a vertically-disposed X-Y matrix and a plurality of horizontally-extending blinds, each of said blinds being disposed adjacent the upper edges of the display cells in a row of the X-Y matrix and having a black top surface and a conductive reflecting bottom surface, each of said display units further comprising means for electrically grounding the conductive reflecting bottom surface of each of said plurality of horizontally-extending blinds; and driving means for supplying said video signal to said display units, such that a picture is reproduced on said display device.

6. A display system, according to claim 5 wherein said means for electrically grounding comprises a vertically-extending conductive strip electrically contacting the conductive reflecting bottom surface of each of said plurality of horizontally-extending blinds and means for electrically grounding said conductive strip.