Abstract: In a display device, a light ray transmitted through an area which varies a polarization axis, and a light ray transmitted through an area which does not vary the polarization axis, respectively, become a linearly polarized light component (a first returning light ray) which is a specularly reflected from a specular reflecting element, and transmitted through a second polarization separator, a polarization changing element, and a first polarization separator, and a linearly polarized light component (a second returning light ray) which is specularly reflected by the second polarization separator, and transmitted through the polarization changing element and the first polarization separator. The first and second returning light rays present a background portion and a segment portion in a bright display. Both the first returning light ray and the second returning light ray are specularly reflected, presenting both the background portion and the segment portion in a mirror-like fashion.

Abstract: A display assembly includes two superposed, respectively upper (24) and lower (26) display devices, characterized in that the upper display device (24) includes a display cell (28) arranged above an optical valve (30), said double structure being arranged so as to be transparent in a first state to make the lower display device visible (26), and so as to display item of data in a second state, control circuits supplying a control voltage to the cell (28) to cause it to switch from the first state to the second state and vice versa, characterized in that the cell (28) is a display cell of the type including a diffusing or reflective liquid crystal in the second state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device (1) comprises a liquid crystal display panel (3) and a reflector (5) disposed on the side of the liquid crystal display panel, opposite from the visible side thereof. The liquid crystal display panel (3) comprises liquid crystal (3f) sandwiched between two transparent substrates (3a, 3b), and display electrodes (3c, 3d) made up of a transparent and electrically conductive film provided on the inner faces of the respective substrates (3a 3b). The reflector (5) is provided with protrusions (5a) formed at positions corresponding to the display electrodes (3c, 3d) on a face thereof opposite to the liquid crystal display panel (3).

Abstract: A system and method for driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) having at least one segment. The system includes an LCD driver connected to a segment of the LCD. A processor is connected to the LCD driver. The processor may be selectively configured into any of at least two multiplexing modes, where the at least two multiplexing modes produce at least three voltage levels for driving the at least one segment of the LCD. Another embodiment includes a system and method for driving an LCD having a segment including a first and second electrode. An LCD driver is coupled to the first and second electrode. A processor is coupled the LCD driver. The processor initiates a substantially periodic signal on the first electrode and a delay signal having a time delay relative to the substantially periodic signal. The signals on the first and second electrodes form an RMS voltage to drive the segment of the LCD to any of at least three display voltage levels.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) having at least one segment. The system includes an LCD driver connected to a segment of the LCD. A processor is connected to the LCD driver. The processor may be selectively configured into any of at least two multiplexing modes, where the at least two multiplexing modes produce at least three voltage levels for driving the at least one segment of the LCD. Another embodiment includes a system and method for driving an LCD having a segment including a first and second electrode. An LCD driver is coupled to the first and second electrode. A processor is coupled the LCD driver. The processor initiates a substantially periodic signal on the first electrode and a delay signal having a time delay relative to the substantially periodic signal. The signals on the first and second electrodes form an RMS voltage to drive the segment of the LCD to any of at least three display voltage levels.

Abstract: A display device and an electronic timepiece displays information, such as numerical information, and the background has a glossy silver metallic tone, to give the display a quality appearance. The display device and the electronic timepiece includes a polarizer, a liquid crystal panel, and a polarization separating film. The polarization separating film transmits linearly polarized light oriented in a certain direction and reflects all other linearly polarized light. The surface of the polarization separating film which opposes the liquid crystal panel, is formed into a smooth surface which specularly reflects light, and a light-scattering layer is not provided therebetween. Light, reflected from the polarization separating film, is used to produce a glossy silver background color or information display with a metallic tone in order to give the display a quality appearance.

Abstract: A pair of numeral “8” display elements is operative to perform dual functions in a digital time display, one, to display the values of seconds and, the other, to display an AM or PM indicator which may be separately activated for setting the correct AM or PM cycle synchronized with the hour value in the time display.

Abstract: To provide a colorful timepiece capable of displaying in multiple Dolors at a low power consumption and with a low development cost using a typical monochrome liquid crystal driving IC, a birefringence color liquid crystal display device (17) and a driving module (27) for driving the liquid crystal display device are installed inside a case (25) with a cover glass. A time display portion displaying normal time in a single color and a mark display portion displaying in a plurality of colors, are provided in a display portion of the liquid crystal display device (17). A liquid crystal driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display device (17) to supply a scanning signal to scanning electrodes for the time display portion and a data signal to data electrodes for the mark display portion, is provided in the driving module (27).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a display device by which a substrate is thinned efficiently. Onto one original substrate having an area for a plurality of display devices, the other original substrate is bonded via a sealing resin layer, the pair of bonded original substrates is divided and separated into a plurality of pairs of substrates of a size of each individual display device, and thereafter a substrate thinning process of thinning the substrates is performed in a state where the substrates are held by substrate holding means.

Abstract: A bidirectional multispeed indexing control system for a display unit which has an increment input and a decrement input so as to be controllable to sequentially index through an ordered list of discrete elements. The control system has a two-button user interface. The user presses one button to increment once, and holds that button to continuously index at a slow fixed speed. To increase the indexing speed, the user presses the second button while continuing to hold the first button. Indexing speed will continue to increase until either a maximum speed is reached or the user releases the second button, at which point the indexing speed decreases from the value reached while holding the second button. To stop indexing, both buttons are released. To increment in the opposite direction (i.e., decrement), the order in which the buttons are pressed is reversed.

Abstract: A timepiece that has an LCD face that changes color when the time changes between the A.M. and the P.M. to provide a pleasing esthetic appearance to the user. Further, the timepiece may have a manual control such as a button that may be depressed to cause the LCD face to change to any one of several colors as desired by the user.

Abstract: The assembly includes on the one hand a first device I determining a first colour, said device being formed of a liquid crystal display module (CL; CL1, CL2), including at the front and at the back a linear polariser (PAb1, PAb2) selective of said first colour, and on the other hand a second device 11 including a coloured filter (Fy) corresponding to the second colour. The assembly is characterised in that the axes of polarisation of the selective polarisers (PAb1, PAb2) are parallel to each other, in that the coloured filter (Fy) includes at the front a reflective polariser (PR1) whose axis of polarisation is parallel to the axes of polarisation of the two polarisers (PAb1, PAb2), and at the back a reflective element (R, PR2), and in that a control unit (7) enables a switching configuration to be defined displaying an item of information in the first colour on a background corresponding to the second colour or vice versa.

Abstract: The assembly includes a first display device (22) in front of which is arranged a second active liquid crystal display device including, starting from the exterior, a front polariser (11) selective of a first colour “V”, a liquid crystal display cell (26) which is switchable ON/OFF, an intermediate polariser (13) selective of a second colour “R”, an ON/OFF switchable optical liquid crystal valve (28) and a rear polariser (15), which is reflective when the first display device (22) has a dark background and absorbent when it has a light background. A control unit (23) allows two switching states to be selected allowing the colour of the information displayed, or that of the background on which said information is displayed to be reversed.

Abstract: A watch with a liquid crystal display with the display and the device for controlling the display being formed as two separate pieces so that the display can be inserted through a front side of the watch case body and the control device, such as a printed circuit board, can be inserted through a back side of the watch case body. The liquid crystal display may include a partially reflective sheet in order to provide greater contrast and/or aesthetic appeal. Also, a method for assembling a watch wherein a liquid crystal display is inserted through the front side of the watch case body. This watch and related assembly method can allow a larger size display relative to the size of the watch case body.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the delivery of a speech having selected time limits for specific speech types, includes a housing having a control panel, a clock display, and an array of different colored light emitting elements that are activated corresponding to specific speech time limit intervals. A timing circuit generates a signal to a control circuit that corresponds to a specific speech type, wherein the control circuit generates event marker signals that correspond to the lapse of a series of sequential selected time periods in the control circuit. The event marker signals provide for the sequential indication of the light emitting elements that allows for minimal distraction to the speaker to monitor their speech timing while allowing the speaker to wind up the speech in a smooth and timely manner.

Abstract: A timepiece is provided with a liquid crystal display panel (10) capable of displaying at least either of time information and calendar information, and comprising a liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal layer sealed in between a pair of transparent substrates, having an electrode on each of the inner surfaces thereof, facing each other, an absorption-type polarizing film disposed on the visible side of the liquid crystal cell, for absorbing the light linearly polarized in the direction orthogonal to the transmission axis thereof, a reflection-type polarizing film disposed on the side of the liquid crystal cell opposite from the visible side thereof for reflecting the light linearly polarized in the direction orthogonal to the transmission axis thereof, and a color filter disposed on the visible side of the absorption-type polarizing film, or between the absorption-type polarizing film and the reflection-type polarizing film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate-like electronic member, e.g., an electro luminescence element or the like, and an electronic device. In the electronic member (1) of the invention, first and second electrodes are formed on respective surface of a plate-like electronic member body a first electrode connecting portion is formed on the first electrode, and, a second electrode connecting portion which is electrically connected with the second electrode is formed on a same side of the first electrode as the first electrode connecting portion with an insulating layer disposed between the second electrode connecting portion and the first electrode. The electronic device according to the invention comprises the electronic member (1) and an apparatus case (15) having the electronic member built-in.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece provides a bright and easy-to-read display, and a greater variety of display forms of numerical information, or the like, and a greater variety of background colors. The electronic timepiece may include a polarizer, a liquid crystal element, and a polarization separating film. The polarization separating film transmits linearly polarized light polarized in a certain direction and reflects all other linearly polarized light. The internal structure of the polarization separating film may be divided, in a plane, into polarization separating portions which reflect light of different wavelengths. The polarization separating film reflects different colors in correspondence to the polarization separating portions. Using a reflecting-type polarization separating film allows a bright display to be realized, and providing a plurality of polarization separating portions allows a greater variety of display forms to be realized.

Abstract: A display device and an electronic timepiece displays information, such as numerical information, and the background has a glossy silver metallic tone, to give the display a quality appearance. The display device and the electronic timepiece includes a polarizer, a liquid crystal panel, and a polarization separating film. The polarization separating film transmits linearly polarized light oriented in a certain direction and reflects all other linearly polarized light. The surface of the polarization separating film which opposes the liquid crystal panel, is formed into a smooth surface which specularly reflects light, and a light-scattering layer is not provided therebetween. Light, reflected from the polarization separating film, is used to produce a glossy silver background color or information display with a metallic tone in order to give the display a quality appearance.

Abstract: An electronic watch is formed of a case body having a display window, a movement situated in the case body, a light transmitting digital display disposed above the movement in the case body to be observed from an outside through the display window, and a solar cell unit. The solar cell unit is interposed between a part of the light transmitting digital display and the movement, and a reflecting plate is disposed under another part of the light transmitting digital display adjacent to the solar cell unit. Also, a light transmitting material is interposed between the part of the light transmitting digital display and the solar cell unit. Thus, light is supplied to the solar cell unit from the outside through the light transmitting digital display.

Abstract: A timepiece with a liquid crystal display panel 40 having at least either of a time display section 40a and a calendar display section 40b, and comprising a TN liquid crystal cell with about 90° twisted nematic liquid crystals sealed in-between a pair of transparent substrates having respective transparent electrodes, a first polarizing film disposed on the visible side of the TN liquid crystal cell, a second polarizing film, a retardation film for circularly polarized light, a cholestric liquid crystal polymer sheet, a translucent light absorbing member and a backlight disposed successively on a side of the TN liquid crystal cell, opposite from the visible side thereof. With such a constitution, time display and calendar display are rendered visible even at night by lighting up the backlight, and colored display in a metallic tone can be indicated.

Abstract: An electro-luminescent night light includes an analog time piece. The time piece display includes a mechanical analog clock illuminated by at least one electro-luminescent element positioned around the shaft assembly for the clock, the shaft extending from a conventional analog time piece unit powered by a conventional power source, with the electro-luminescent element being powered by prongs arranged to be inserted into an AC outlet or other power source, or to be powered by a separate battery and circuit that causes the electro-luminescent element to illuminate in case of a power failure or a condition such as the presence of smoke, an earthquake, or the like, the time piece also optionally including additional functions. In addition, the orientation of the time piece display may be made variable in order to enable the night light/time piece to be used in different orientations.

Abstract: In a display device used in an electronic watch or the like, information such as numeric characters or the like and a background are bright and easily displayed. In addition, various information is provided to a viewer, and attracting the viewer's interest is facilitated. The display device includes components of a polarizer, a liquid crystal panel and a polarization separation film. The polarization separation film has a function of transmitting linearly polarized light in one direction and of reflecting other linearly polarized light. A pattern such as a logo, a mark, a character or the like is formed by printing on a light-reflecting layer provided at the back of the polarization separation film. Information such as numeric characters or the like is not displayed as a background of a single color with no pattern, but after rendering a pattern such as a character or the like a background, both information such as numeric characters or the like and the background can be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: A thin appointment timer that can be easily incorporated with the user's organizer ensemble. It includes a housing, a keypad assembly, an indicator assembly, an electronic assembly, and an alarm system. The housing supports the keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes a touch sensitive membrane with a plurality of depressible keys, each key representing a pre-programmed particular time that may be selected by pressing it's associated key. The indicator assembly is supported by the housing and includes at least one circular portion having a plurality of illuminatable regions which are presented thereon as spaced clock positions. Each position corresponds to a pre-programmed time and is illuminatable in response to the depression of a depressible key. The electronics assembly is contained within the housing and is in electrical communication with the keypad assembly and the indicator assembly. The alarm system is also supported by the housing and is a portion of the electronics assembly.

Abstract: A dynamically changing, multi-color liquid crystal display for electronic watches or other design apparel items is provided. The liquid crystal displays incorporated within the watch or designer apparel item can be adapted to provide various colored images such as geometric images, animation images, customized images, designer labels, logos, etc. on colored backgrounds or alternatively provides a color changing capability that is aesthetically pleasing and fashionable. Moreover, the dynamically changing watch or other designer apparel item allows for the electronic control of the color appearance of the liquid crystal displays as well as electronic control of the liquid crystal display images, such images being generally independent of the time of day.

Abstract: A timepiece is equipped with a hand shaft display portion having hands and driving shafts for the hands, and a liquid crystal display portion situated above a substrate. A liquid crystal display portion support frame is situated above the substrate for supporting the liquid crystal display portion. The liquid crystal display portion support frame includes a shaft insertion hole for allowing the driving shafts to pass therethrough, a penetration window located away from the shaft insertion hole and facing the liquid crystal display portion, and a light transmission member formed at least around the shaft insertion hole. An EL element is situated under the liquid crystal display portion support frame relative to the hands. The EL element illuminates the liquid crystal display portion and the hand shaft display portion through the light transmission member when the EL element is illuminated.

Abstract: A display apparatus enables analog clock display with, for example, twelve numbers 1 to 12 and a pair of long and short hands. In the display apparatus, a control circuit produces instruction data for controlling an on-screen display circuit which generates color signals for displaying an analog clock image. The instruction data causes the on-screen display circuit to change the colors of the two numbers to which the long and short hands point in the analog clock image so that these two numbers are displayed in a different color from those of other ten numbers.

Abstract: Electrical instrument gage that has a pointer indicator member mounted on a rotatable shaft extending from the gage and including an electrically energizable light source mounted on and extending along the pointer portion of the indicator member. The light source is preferably an electroluminescent lamination that contains a pair of flex circuit terminal contacts extending from its base end. The light source is adhesively attached to the pointer portion of the indicator member. The base element of the indicator member contains a socket portion with a cylindrical opening configured to provide a friction fit to the axial shaft extending from the gage. The outer cylindrical surface of the socket contains an electrically conductive area and the gage contains an electrical wiper contact that makes continual electrical interconnection with the conductive portion of the socket over its rotational range.

Abstract: A wristwatch linear time display (32) is disclosed which can be read at a glance and requires very little display space. Additional functions are described which use the remaining surplus display space. These functions substantially increase the usefulness of wristwatches. Devices for the wearer to interact with the added functions are disclosed.The compact time display (32) may be located where it can be seen without turning a wrist. It may also be combined with other temporal displays to improve display clarity by eliminating clutter.

Abstract: Device producing an aesthetic effect by means of a field-effect or charge-effect optical shutter (5), allowing, by the switching of a power source (8), a colored decorative design (11) printed onto a non Lambertian optimized diffuse reflector (12), placed against the back face (5a) of the optical shutter, to be uncovered or masked; timepiece wherein the dial is formed wholly or partly by such a device.

Abstract: A drive circuit for displaying the partition symbol intermittently comprising at least a pair of buffers, a plurality of display units of seven-segment, a partition symbol display buffer, a control circuit, a display unit of partition symbol, is provided. The pair of buffers store a set of signals. Each of the plurality of display units of seven-segment includes a first display portion and a second display portion, and, responsive to the set of signals, the first display portion and the second display portion are enabled to display. The partition symbol display buffer has an output value. The control circuit resets and sets the partition symbol display buffer in accordance with a predetermined manner. The display unit of partition symbol, in response to the output value, displays the partition symbol intermittently.

Abstract: A dynamically changing, multi-color liquid crystal display for electronic watches or other design apparel items is provided. The liquid crystal displays incorporated within the watch or designer apparel item can be adapted to provide various colored images such as geometric images, animation images, customized images, designer labels, logos, etc. on colored backgrounds or alternatively provides a color changing capability that is aesthetically pleasing and fashionable. Moreover, the dynamically changing watch or other designer apparel item allows for the electronic control of the color appearance of the liquid crystal displays as well as electronic control of the liquid crystal display images, such images being generally independent of the time of day.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a mobile display (2) consisting of a motif (5) composed of n discrete elements P.sub.j that can be selectively activated by a microprocessor or a logic circuit receiving at least one base time signal, and making it possible both to impose the rhythm of increase of the number of activated elements P.sub.j and to effect a random selection of said activated elements, to progressively reveal or mask the motif (5) during the passage of a period of time T and/or the approach of an event E in relation to the functions or the operation of said timepiece.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel positioning device by which a liquid crystal panel and a light emitting panel are positioned in a liquid crystal panel holding frame. Stoppers with which the liquid crystal panel is engaged are formed at both ends of each of the side walls of the holding frame. Stoppers with which the light emitting panel is engaged are formed near the liquid crystal panel stoppers, and slightly outside of the liquid crystal panel stoppers. The liquid crystal panel and the light emitting panel are positioned by these stoppers.

Abstract: A watch display comprises time display hands (3, 4) and a reflecting digital display (5) which acts as dial for the hands, the display being transparent under the effect of an electric field and opaque in the absence of the field.

Abstract: A thin electronic watch is provided in which a battery for powering the watch is positioned to underlie one edge of the liquid crystal display which gives the visible time output. In this way the battery can be of sufficient capacity to give a satisfactory life even when a sound alarm is provided and optionally also a back light for the display. The display has also the edge overlapped by the battery a central region devoid of electrical contacts so as to prevent the battery from interfering with these electrical connections to the display. To give a sound alarm the glass front of the watch is used as a loudspeaker and is mechanically linked to a piezo-electric crystal which is bonded to a substrate. Then by applying an oscillating electrical signal across the piezo-electric crystal this will be caused to flex and the resulting movement transmitted to the glass front.

Abstract: A watch which comprises movable analog display members, a dial and a digital display cell surrounded by said dial. The watch is further provided with means that can be controlled by the user of the watch, for making the digital display device visible or invisible, as desired.The digital display cell is of the twist nematic type.A liquid crystal layer 60a is positioned between two polarizers 60b and 60c. Polarizer 60c can be rotated about an axis 12 perpendicular to its plane by actuating means 13a, 14, 15, 17 which is accessible from the outside of the casing of the watch. The cell can be made substantially invisible by rotating the movable polarizer 60b in order to position its polarizing plane either parallel or perpendicular to the polarizing plane of the other polarizer 60c, depending on whether the color of the dial around the cell is dark or light respectively.

Abstract: The electrooptical display/lead frame subassembly comprises (a) a conductive lead frame having an integrated circuit chip supported thereon and having a plurality of conductor members terminating in a pattern of spaced resilient contact fingers defining an enclosure of selected shape therebetween and (b) an electrooptical display having a shape adapted to fit in the enclosure between the contact fingers and having spaced edge electrode contact terminals arranged such that each resilient contact finger of the lead frame frictionally engages a respective one of the electrode contact terminals to establish electrical connection and hold the display in position. Each edge contact terminal of the display comprises an inner metallized layer and a protective, conductive outer layer to minimize damage to the contact terminal resulting from frictional engagement with the resilient contact fingers of the lead frame.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a compound display comprising an electro-optical display portion and an analog display portion having time indicating hands and a dial, with the electro-optical display portion being provided by an electro-optical display cell having a central aperture in which at least a portion of the movement of the analog display portion and the analog display dial are accommodated. Information such as seconds indication is provided peripherally around the analog display portion by the electro-optical display portion.

Abstract: A power consumption reduction device in an LSI device is disclosed which includes a liquid crystal display drive circuit. The liquid crystal enabling voltage generator including bleeder resistors and adapted for generating three voltage levels is provided with means for shutting down current paths via the bleeder resistors.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprising a module composed of four constitutional elements, i.e. a liquid crystal cell, a liquid crystal cell position determining member, a circuit substrate and a protective cover is disclosed. To the protective cover are secured switch parts each having one end connected to a contact on the circuit substrate and the other end connected to an electrically conductive portion of a push button.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having time indicating hands driven by a motor through a gear train, and having an analog-to-digital conversion system for time data comprising code disks rotated by the wheel train to provide hours and minutes information in digital coded form, together with means for converting this encoded digital information into digital signals representing hours and minutes information corresponding to the time information indicated by the hands and synchronized with the time indicated by the seconds hand of the timepiece.

Abstract: A self-luminescent light source for a liquid crystal display watch characterized by comprising a fluorescent substance layer which has a light reflectivity and which contains radioactive element promethium (.sup.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having a liquid crystal display and a dynamic driving circuit for producing a display driving signal having an effective driving voltage, the dynamic driving circuit is provided with a device for detecting the capacitance of the liquid crystal to sense a change in ambient temperature. The effective driving voltage of the display driving signal is adjusted in response to changes in the detecting capacitance and thereby the ambient temperature to compensate for the changes. In this way, the "on" voltage of the display is maintained above the saturation voltage and the "off" voltage of the display is maintained below the threshold voltage thereof over a wide temperature range so as to eliminate cross talk.

Abstract: A solar battery timepiece has a structure of a module, a base plate on the module, a solar battery cell on the base plate, an insulating flexible sheet provided with a print wiring and interposed between the base plate and the solar battery cell, and a dial ring attached to the peripheral edge of the base plate whereby the solar battery timepiece may be made with a reduced thickness, small in size, simple in construction, shock resistant and reliable in operation.

Abstract: A timepiece module having a liquid crystal display cell, a housing for supporting the liquid crystal display cell, a printed circuit substrate carrying thereon an LSI chip and various electronic components, a battery cell and a cover plate in which said battery cell and LSI chip are disposed on the same side on said printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic watch module structure adapted to be disposed and supported by a case body of the watch. The module structure comprises a plastic base which has a first axial recess formed on one side of the plastic base, a second axial recess formed on the other side of the plastic base, a circuit board disposed in the first axial recess, an electro-optical display cell disposed on one side of the circuit board, and retaining means for retaining the display cell in a fixed place relative to the circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic calculator watch which comprises timekeeping means composed of an oscillator, a frequency divider connected to the oscillator, a counter circuit connected to the frequency divider, and a driver circuit connected to the counter circuit for providing an output signal indicative of time information, and calculating means composed of an oscillator circuit and a calculation circuit responsive to perform calculations under control of numerical inputs furnished by external operation device provided on a watch case. The watch also comprises a display including a first display section connected to the driver circuit of the timekeeping means to display the output signal delivered therefrom, and a second display section connected to the calculating means to display the result of calculations, each of the first and second display sections having a plurality of digit electrodes and a plurality of segment electrodes arranged in a matrix configuration.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell for use in an electronic timepiece having an analog display of time by time indicating hands combined with a digital display, said liquid crystal display cell being of polygonal profile in plan, with one internal angle of said profile being in the range 180 degrees to 360 degrees.

Abstract: A display for an electronic timepiece or the like has an analog electro-optical display comprising a plurality of segment electrodes radially disposed about a center point and at least one first counterelectrode each bridging at least two radial segment electrodes and a digital electro-optical display comprising a plurality of digital electrodes which define at least one alphanumeric character and at least one second counterelectrode. By using at least two first counterelectrodes each having a different set of radial segment electrodes associated therewith and electrically connecting at least one radial segment electrode of one set in parallel with one radial segment electrode of the other set and in parallel with one digit electrode, the display may be driven in a time multiplex manner with a minimum number of external display connections.