Back-to-back diode current regulator for field emission display
First Claim
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1. A field emission display having improved brightness uniformity, comprising:
- a plurality of emitter groups, each emitter group includinga number of emitter tips;
an electrical power source;
a back-to-back diode pair having two diodes connected back-to-back between first and second terminals, the diode pair having a voltage-current transfer characteristic, the first terminal of the diode pair being connected to the electrical power source, and the second terminal of the diode pair being connected to the emitter tips so that substantially all electrical current flow from the emitter tips flows through the diode pair to the power source; and
an amplifier circuit having an input connected to receive a luminance signal and having an output connected to the diode pair, wherein the amplifier produces across the diode pair a voltage proportional to the luminance signal;
whereby the current flow between the power source and the emitter tips is a function of the luminance signal, said function being determined by the voltage-current transfer characteristic of the back-to-back diode pair.
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Abstract
A circuit for regulating the pixel current in a field emission display so as to enhance pixel-to-pixel uniformity of pixel current. The pixel current flows through a pair of diodes connected back-to-back. A transistor circuit controls the voltage across the back-to-back diode pair, so that the voltage/current transfer characteristic of the diode pair determines the pixel current.
47 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A field emission display having improved brightness uniformity, comprising:
a plurality of emitter groups, each emitter group including a number of emitter tips; an electrical power source; a back-to-back diode pair having two diodes connected back-to-back between first and second terminals, the diode pair having a voltage-current transfer characteristic, the first terminal of the diode pair being connected to the electrical power source, and the second terminal of the diode pair being connected to the emitter tips so that substantially all electrical current flow from the emitter tips flows through the diode pair to the power source; and an amplifier circuit having an input connected to receive a luminance signal and having an output connected to the diode pair, wherein the amplifier produces across the diode pair a voltage proportional to the luminance signal; whereby the current flow between the power source and the emitter tips is a function of the luminance signal, said function being determined by the voltage-current transfer characteristic of the back-to-back diode pair. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A field emission display having improved brightness uniformity, comprising:
a plurality of emitter groups, each emitter group including a number of emitter tips; a reference voltage source; a transistor having a source terminal, a drain terminal connected to the emitter tips, and a gate terminal connected to receive a luminance voltage signal; and a back-to-back diode pair having two diodes connected back-to-back between first and second terminals, the first terminal of the diode pair being connected to the source terminal of the transistor, and the second terminal of the diode pair being connected to the reference voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A field emission display having improved brightness uniformity, comprising:
a plurality of emitter groups, each emitter group including a number of emitter tips; a reference voltage source; a transistor having a source terminal, a drain terminal connected to the emitter tips, and a gate terminal connected to the reference voltage source; and a back-to-back diode pair having two diodes connected back-to-back between first and second terminals, the first terminal of the diode pair being connected to the source terminal of the transistor, and the second terminal of the diode pair being connected to received an inverted luminance voltage signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
Specification