Kenneth L Blakeslee

US Patent:

20030025461, Feb 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/180677

Inventors:

Kenneth Blakeslee - Marietta GA, US

International Classification:

H05B037/02

US Classification:

315/224000, 315/225000

Abstract:

Gas discharge tube displays according to the present invention control power applied to the tubes using isolator/switches, which can be opto-isolators in combination with triacs, FET's or other semiconductor switching devices or devices which can form part of a switching circuit. Such displays can also use, if desired and if appropriate, isolators which also act as the switch without other switching devices or circuits to switch and otherwise control activation of the tubes on the secondary side, or high voltage side, of the power source or sources feeding the tubes. They may also use such switching devices or circuits which act as both the isolator and the switch. The opto-isolators separate or isolate the low voltage control circuitry from the high voltage tube power circuitry, in conjunction with a triac, FET, thyristor or other device, preferably a semiconductor device, that is adapted to withstand the power load yet accomplish the switching necessary to control activation of the tube in real time. The switching devices are adapted to shunt power from the tubes, bypass the tubes, or otherwise remove power from the tubes in order to control illumination of the tubes in order to produce a dynamic display. The isolators / switches are preferably controlled by a controller which is adapted to receive instructions and content, either from a local or remote source, in order to create and display content on the display.