Abstract: An electroluminescent display system for displaying images having an electroluminescent display unit with a plurality of electroluminescent pixels, a receiver for receiving a signal that contains information regarding an image to be displayed on the unit, a signal processor for processing the information contained in the signal and a signal cable to convey the processed signal to the electroluminescent display so as to activate selected pixels. Because of its light weight, small size and flexibility, the electroluminescent display system is conformable to any shaped surfaces and transportable.

Abstract: A control device with improved connection between display device and printed circuit board assembly, and improved key switches having beveled keytops. Further, the control device is configured to display the mode of internal manual switches without directly accessing the internal manual switches.

Abstract: When coordinate data are entered from a tablet with a pen, the pen is operated on the tablet while depressing a predetermined key of a keyboard. A signal generated by the depression of the predetermined key is supplied to a keyboard controller. Upon reception of the signal, the keyboard controller stops sending key code data entered from the keyboard to an input/output controller. In this manner, undesirable data entry due to the improper operation of the keyboard is prevented when coordinate data are entered with the pen.

Abstract: A graphic input system incorporates a digitizing tablet as an input surface. The digitizing tablet is comprised of two or more separate panels which are positioned adjacent to one another and may also comprise a mechanism for connecting the panels together, such as a hinge. The digitizing tablet, even though it is comprised of separate panels, operates as if the separate panels form a single coordinate system.

Abstract: A modular messaging sign panel contains a plurality of LEDs coupled to a plurality of latched drivers. A microcontroller on the panel has a unique serial number permitting the panel to be selectively addressed by a host. The microcontroller receives serial data representing an image frame, selects the data intended for the panel in which it controls and clocks it out to the latched drivers along a single serial data line. Multiple panels can be connected to form a larger display panel system. Each panel has its own uniquely addressed microcontroller. A three wire connection couples the panel or display system to a computer and a power supply. A single jumper wire connects each modular panel together such that the data output from the computer is received by every microcontroller within the system in a parallel configuration.

Abstract: A panel display system having at least one source device coupled to a plurality of display units interconnected to form a larger display having any desired size and shape. Each display unit is a self-contained panel display having a video random access memory (VRAM) for storing image data, a controller for processing data signals to provide the image data to the VRAM, and an image display panel for displaying the image data. The self-contained panel displays substantially reduce the need for a separate driver card for each panel display, and substantially reduce the communications bandwidth between the source devices and the panel displays of the system. Means for interconnecting the display units include the use of data/control bus connectors and power line connectors, cables, network devices, local area networks, and/or wide area networks.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface for a computer system that can drive several different display systems. The interface of the present invention consists of power signals, ground signals, sense signals, programmable signals, and a few miscellaneous signals. The sense signals are driven by each display system that is designed to operate with the interface of the present invention. Each display system drives the sense signals with a code that uniquely identifies the display system. The interface is self-configuring such that the computer system reads the unique code output on the sense signals and correspondingly outputs the proper display information on the programmable signals to drive the display system connected to the interface.

Abstract: Image display apparatus (2) comprising at least one display projector for displaying an image, signal generator means for generating a control signal for controlling the intensity of the image, modulator means (4, 6) for generating a modulation waveform for modulating the intensity of the image, and adjustor means (8, 10) for adjusting the modulation waveform to improve the performance of the modulation waveform at various image intensities, the image display apparatus being such that it uses different modulation waveforms for various image intensities, it uses a proportion of at least one modulation waveform in dependence upon the control signal, and it uses the resultant modulation waveform to modulate the control signal.

Abstract: A method of transparency viewing, including, placing the transparency at a viewing surface, forming a light pattern and projecting the light pattern to back-illuminate the transparency. Preferably, the light pattern is formed by spatially modulating a beam of light using a plurality of light-valves.

Abstract: A digital image display system and method for displaying a digital image in a large format are provided. The system includes a frame buffer for storing the digital image, which is projected via a plurality N of projection units. Each projection unit projects a section of the digital image which is 1/Nth of the digital image plus an overlap portion of each of its neighboring sections. Thus, when the sections are projected, the portions of the image corresponding to the edges between projection units will be overlapped. The intensities of the overlapped portions are typically modulated to ensure that, in the large format image, the overlapped portions receive the same amount of illumination as the non-overlapped portions. The resultant image will have no seams between projection units. The projection units are assumed to be mis-aligned and the misalignment is compensated for by transforming each section of the image in accordance with the misalignment of the projection.

Abstract: The present invention is a tiled, seamless-type, flat-panel display with improved light efficiency. The display consists of tiles that are bonded together during assembly with an index-matching adhesive, as is commonly known in the art. Prior to bonding the tiles, however, their adjoining edges are cut at an angle. The pixel pitch or aperture spacing of the display is maintained in the horizontal direction, while the tiles are vertically shifted. The distance from the center of the pixel nearest the edge to the cut in the aperture mask is made greater than one-half of a pixel. When viewed from above, the aperture mask is continuous. The overlapping edges of the tile cuts are positioned between the apertures, so as to better conceal the edges.

Abstract: A hand held device for displaying a message. The device includes a keypad including a plurality of keys for inputting data indicative of the message to be displayed and generating a message signal based upon the received signals, a microprocessor for receiving and interpreting the message signal from the keypad and producing a display signal based upon the interpretation and a display device for receiving the display signal from the microprocessor and displaying a message representative of the received display signal. A power supply is connected to supply power to the microprocessor, display device and keypad and a plurality of templates may be removably positioned over the keypad to identify each key of said keypad, each template represents a different language in which the message may be displayed. The desired language for selection of the message is selected prior to inputting the message and the corresponding template is then positioned to cover the keypad to properly identify the keys.

Abstract: A modular computer has a framework with module bays for receiving CPU modules, power modules, and peripheral function modules such as floppy and hard disk drives. The framework has a built-in compressed bus and a variety of function modules which can be plugged into any one of the module bays. Function modules include, but are not limited to, CPU, power, floppy disk, hard disk, RAM memory, LAN communication, modem, FAX communication, and data acquisition. In some embodiments function modules are provided for communicating with separate input means, such as voice, keyboards, and pen-pads. In one aspect the module bays and the function modules are configured according to dimensional and connective standards of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. There are additionally pointer devices configured to be stored in compartments in the modular computer.

Abstract: A tiled flat-panel modular display system includes an array of display modules which contain thin seal liquid crystal displays. Each one of a plurality of module alignment devices attach a respective display module to a large base plate. A frame is connected to the base plate and surrounds the base plate and display modules. A global cover glass assembly disposed above the display modules encloses and protects the display modules. Included in each of the display modules is a light source configuration of a light box and a light box cover which utilizes global light sources that provide efficient uniform backlighting of the corresponding display. The alignment devices permit alignment of the display modules with respect to each other and to a global black mask disposed in the global cover glass assembly to achieve a display system that is seamless in appearance.

Abstract: An electronic display sign constructed around a system bus architecture is disclosed. The electronic display sign is preferably a modular construction wherein a number of modules are connected together to form a large display sign which is capable of displaying images at rates which exceed thirty frames a second. Display data is formatted and transmitted to display modules by a sign controller which resides on one of the panels. Each display panel is preferably provided with its own power source.

Abstract: Modular and extendible electronic working surface made of basic elements which can be plugged together reversibly, whose top surfaces are configured as sensitive flat panel devices and which can exchange data with one another. Some or all the basic elements are equipped with memories and processors, have the basic functionality of a personal computer, and are able to communicate with external devices and data networks. The working surface can be used by a user or a plurality of users together as a universal, variable-size and mobile device for the input, output, processing and storage of data and as a data communications terminal device.

Abstract: A large screen display apparatus comprises a plurality of displays constituting a single large screen for displaying an object. The object is formed on the basis of screen data which is generated by a screen data generating section. Each of the displays is provided with a local data generating section for converting a coordinate of the screen data from the screen data generating section into a coordinate of a local coordinate system peculiar to the individual displays. Because the local data generating sections, each provided to one respective display, executes coordinate conversion to the screen data, it is possible to reduce load to the screen data generating section, and to thereby provide a display performance with a rapid response.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises a main body of the information processing apparatus and a display device which is replaceably connected to the main body. The main body comprises a CPU, a system bus connected to the CPU and a main body connector connected to the system bus. The display device comprises a panel connector connected to the main body connector, a display, and a controller connected to the panel connector for controlling the display in accordance with information received from the CPU.

Abstract: The present invention features a tiled, flat-panel, mosaic display with a luminance-correcting capability and having a seamlessness characteristic. Column and row inputs that are typically provided for a single flat panel are distributed over a number of tiles. The display is fabricated by sorting the tiles into groups, and matching their color coordinates prior to assembly. After assembly, measurements of the luminance of the display are processed to generate correction data, which is compressed into a reduced set of coefficients. A processor, located between a video controller and the display drivers for each of the tiles, has a memory containing these interpolation coefficients for correcting luminance in the tiles. A multiplicity of processing units is connected to the video controller and the processor for performing video correction in real time.

Abstract: A television image processing system is selectively connectable with a plurality of displays which are different in display format. The television image processing system includes a command outputting section for outputting a command representative of the display format of a display connected with the television image processing system. It further includes a sampling section for receiving an analog color TV signal and for outputting a digital image data for each of color components. Finally it includes and at least one data array changing section for receiving the image data and for forming an array of image data compatible with the display format specified by the command, the array of image data being supplied to the display connected with the television image processing system.

Abstract: A display device which is capable of producing a plurality of different views of an image simultaneously is provided. The display includes an array of semiconductor devices with an electro-optical material disposed over the array of semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices include electrodes which are selectively activated to form refraction gratings in the electro-optical material. Each of the semiconductor devices also includes a processor layer which can determine a refraction grating which is necessary for generating a predetermined number of discrete images which are visible from a predetermined number of different vantage points or viewer positions. Since a different image is provided to each eye, the viewer is provided with a perception of depth such that a three-dimensional image is provided. In addition, since different images or at least different image perspectives are provided to different points, horizontal and/or vertical parallax of the display is attained.

Abstract: An image monitor system console includes upper and lower stage monitor units accommodated within a console body and arranged in a vertical state, the monitor units being connected to each other to be relatively tiltable and each of the monitor units including a multiple monitors for displaying images and an inclination angle changing assembly being operatively connected to the monitor units for changing vertical inclination angles of the monitor units in a direction towards observers sitting and/or standing in front of the system console. The inclination angle changing assembly includes a tilting mechanism for changing inclination angles of the monitor units and an operating mechanism for operating the tilting mechanism. In one aspect, only the upper monitor unit is tiltable with respect to the observers to an angle within an arrowable range for observation. In another aspect, the monitor units are together moved vertically along rails while changing the inclination angles with respect to the observers.

Abstract: High resolution modular large screen displays which can require tens of minutes to display or "paint" an image are updated in real time through the use of active modules, each having its own display device, display driver, processor, memory and interfacing. Communication channels are provided between modules themselves as well as between the modules and a network interface that distributes the video source material in parallel to the modules. The modular approach coupled with the use of active modules permits significant communication reduction that in turn permits real time image production across large areas due to the use of parallel data paths to the display memory distributed across the modules, and through the transmission of structured data, including compressed images, compressed video, sampled data and graphics primitives, permitted by the provision in each module of a processor which converts structured data to images.

Abstract: A display apparatus of the present invention includes at least one display element having a display screen and an optical element for transiting an image from an input end face thereof to an output end face thereof. The optical element includes a first optical block and a second optical block each having a plurality of optical fibers combined together. The first optical block is connected to the display screen. One end face of the second optical block constitutes the output end face of the optical element. The numerical aperture of the optical fiber of the first optical block is smaller than the numerical aperture of the optical fiber of the second optical block. A diameter of the optical fiber of the first optical block is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber of the second optical block.

Abstract: A video signal recording system is provided in which the number of horizontal scanning lines of a high-definition television system video signal is converted to be M times as large as the number of horizontal scanning lines of an ordinary television video signal. The converted video signal is divided into M vertical sections and N horizontal sections so that M.times.N sections of the divided video signal are separately recorded onto M.times.N recording media respectively. In this way, a high-definition television system video signal can be displayed on a plurality of ordinary television receivers without losing the high-definition television system picture quality.

Abstract: A portable display device capable of presenting a document in an easy to read format, in which a simultaneous display of different parts of the document in reasonable sizes can be made, by a simple operation of the device. The display device comprises a document memory for storing documents to be displayed, at least two display screens for displaying the documents stored in the document memory means, and a display control unit for controlling displays of the documents on the display screens to be in a linked mode in which the displays on the display screens are linked together and in a separate mode in which the displays on the display screens are independent from each other.

Abstract: A display device capable of permitting a plurality of display units connected together to carry out a series of displays through a single control section, to thereby automatically assign numbers to the display units. The control section and first- to six-stage display units are cascade-connected to each other, wherein the sixth- or last-stage module is connected at an output terminal thereof to an input terminal of the control section. The control section outputs an H signal in synchronism with the trigger signal of which the number of times of outputting is predetermined. The modules each normally outputs the L signal. However, the module outputs the H signal at a timing of the next trigger signal when it is fed with the H signal. Addition of 1 to the number of L signals in each of the modules at the time of N=6 permits a number of the module to be obtained. The control section grasps the number of modules connected based on the number of L signals input thereto.

Abstract: The apparatus is a detachable LED module which is used to display a pixel on a display. The LED module includes a rear wall and side walls. A plurality of LEDs along with a processor with input and output capabilities are contained within the LED module. The rear wall includes an aperture to receive an electrical jack from the display so as to communicate data, power and commands to the LED module. The input and output capabilities of the processors along separate data paths allow modules to be "daisy-chained" together with data intended for a single module to be passed through a succession of modules while commands are monitored from the ribbon cables and power is drawn therefrom.

Abstract: In an indication device comprising a plurality of indicators of the present invention, each indicator has an indicator control section inputting each signal except for data signals, and a logic section inputting data signals. The logic section receives an output of a logic section in an adjacent indicator, adds and/or subtracts a pre-determined number to and/or from a received signal, then outputs a result to a logic section in another indicator. More, the logic section outputs a signal corresponding to a location of the indicator to an indicator control section.

Abstract: A power supply for sequentially energizing segments of an EL display device to produce an animated graphic using an EPROM to store the excitation information for the respective segments to be illuminated. The EPROM may be replaced by another EPROM programmed with a different sequence for the same or a different EL graphic display device. An alternating voltage wave generator has an adjustable frequency and variable pulse width output to match the characteristics of the EL device being driven to obtain the best illumination and device life for the given EL device. An optional microphone senses background music or other audio signals to synchronize the movement of the animated graphic to the beat or rhythm of the sensed audio.