Patent ID: 6242865
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An electronic system for providing a display, the electronic system comprising:any input device;a memory device;a processor operatively coupled to the input and memory devices; anda display device operatively coupled to the processor, the display device comprising:a baseplate comprising:a supporting substrate;an insulating layer positioned on the surface of the supporting substrate and having a plurality of apertures therein;a plurality of field-induced electron emitters each carried by the supporting substrate and disposed with a respective aperture in the insulating layer, anda conductive layer positioned on the insulating layer about the apertures therein such that conductive voltage applied to the conductive layer and a source voltage applied to the emitters will cause an electron emission to occur from each of the emitters; anda faceplate comprising:a substantially transparent viewing layer positioned in a substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship with the baseplate and having a substantially planar surface facing the baseplate;an anode positioned on the substantially planar surface of the viewing layer opposite the emitters such that an anode voltage applied to the anode will direct the electron emissions from the emitters toward the anode;a luminescent layer positioned on the anode opposite the emitters such that at least some of the electron emissions directed toward the anode will bombard a localized portion of the luminescent layer and cause it to emit light and to thereby provide a display;a focusing electrode comprising a conductive strip positioned on the substantially planar surface of the viewing layer around the periphery of the localized portion of the luminescent layer substantially opposite the emitters such that focusing electrode voltage applied to the focusing electrode which is less than the anode voltage will focus the electron emissions directed toward the anode on the localized portion of the luminescent layer, andan insulating layer at least partially covering the focusing electrode and positioned at least partially between the focusing electrode and the emitters of the baseplate to inhibit electrons from being collected by the focusing electrode.