Abstract: An improved graphical user interface comprises novel status indicators pertaining to state attributes associated with objects displayed on a display screen of a computer system. These status indicators are preferably portrayed on a window pane of a display screen as distinct visual cues and are located adjacent to their associated objects to provide a customizable browser framework to a user. A dynamically-adjustable side bar panel provides a designated area within each pane for displaying the status indicators.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a display apparatus, which comprises a display device for displaying image information for the both eyes of an observer, a use-state detecting device for detecting a use state and a non-use state about whether or not the observer is observing the display device, a power supply device for supplying power to each element in the display apparatus, and a device for controlling the power supply device, based on a signal from the use-state detecting device.

Abstract: A driving method for an optical modulation device is applicable to driving of an optical modulation device, e.g. a liquid crystal device having a matrix electrode arrangement comprising a group of scanning electrodes, a group of signal electrodes oppositely spaced from the group of scanning electrodes, and an optical modulation material (e.g. a liquid crystal) showing histability with respect to an electric field applied thereto disposed between the groups of scanning electrodes and signal electrodes.

Abstract: An input apparatus has a selection key for inputting a signal on the basis of an operation, a timer which is reset by an input of a signal from the selection key and which measures a predetermined time period, and a controller for inputting first conditions such as a menu selection on the basis of an input of a signal from the selection key, and for inputting second conditions such as a menu decision on the basis of an output of the timer. The first conditions are input on the basis of an input of a signal from the selection key, so that an operation such as a menu selection is done. When the selection key is not operated for a time period longer than the predetermined time period set in the timer, the second conditions are input, so that an operation such as a menu decision is done.

Abstract: A discharge chamber wherein the allowability for positional displacement of electrodes is increased to facilitate manufacture of the discharge chamber and a method of manufacturing the discharge chamber are disclosed. The discharge chamber has a flat panel structure wherein a first substrate and a second substrate are adhered to each other with a predetermined gap left therebetween. Striped anodes and cathodes are arranged alternately on the first substrate. Barrier ribs are interposed between the two substrates and arranged in a stripe pattern to partition the gap to form discharge channels. The anodes are arranged just below the barrier ribs and have a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the barrier ribs. Meanwhile, each of the cathodes is arranged intermediately between each adjacent ones of the cathodes. Even if the barrier ribs suffer from relative positional displacement, the exposed surface area of the cathodes by which plasma discharge is dominated is kept fixed.

Abstract: A device and a process for the control of a microtip fluorescent screen or display formed from pixels arranged in accordance with L rows and M columns of images able to have a discrete number of Q grey tones, in which the column voltage values are chosen in a strictly increasing sequence of N+1 values such that the row selection time being subdivided into S equal time intervals .DELTA.t, each voltage value is applied an integral number of times .DELTA.t, (N.times.S)+1 representing the number of grey levels, with N.gtoreq.2 and S.gtoreq.2. During a row selection time, the corresponding column voltage assumes a first value Va during a certain number of time intervals .DELTA.t, then during the remaining time intervals it additionally has a second value Vb following onto the first in the sequence of N voltages.

Abstract: A source roller containing transparent film is mounted below a kiosk's touch screen within the kiosk's enclosure. A portion of the transparent film is manually unwound and connected to a take-up roller mounted above the kiosk's display. The source and take-up rollers are mounted in a way that ensures that the film comes into contact with the touch screen. When a kiosk user enters information via the touch screen, the soil and other residue from the user's hands comes into contact with the film instead of the touch screen itself. Timers, optical sensors, and motors are used to advance the transparent film whenever it becomes dirty.

Abstract: An optical modulation apparatus has a matrix electrode arrangement comprising scanning electrodes and signal electrodes oppositely spaced from the scanning electrodes. Scanning signals are selectively applied sequentially and periodically to the scanning electrodes and information signals are selectively applied to the signal electrodes in synchronism with the scanning signals to effect optical modulation of an optical modulation material showing a first stable state and a second stable state with respect to an electric field applied thereto interposed between the scanning and signal electrodes.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the throughput of video input and output operations in a computer system is provided. In a memory mapped video environment the preferred embodiment increases the speed of video access by redirecting the video I/O to system RAM and updating the actual memory mapped video asynchronously. Thus full CPU speed is attained in assembling the images, while the screen image is copied to video memory in the background and while the CPU is idle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for addressing a liquid crystal display (10) groups together row electrodes (28) and applies the same row addressing signal to all row electrodes in the group (48). The groupings are cyclically changed in successive addressing cycles. An image data conditioner (54) determines for use in calculating the column signals a pixel information value based upon the information values of one or more of the pixels in the selected group of row. Grouping the row electrodes reduces the effective multiplex ratio, thereby increasing the selection ratio and producing a faster responding display having higher contrast and a wider viewing angle.

Abstract: A random access memory has an access time which is longer than the period of read input signals, for example digital video data signals, such that it cannot respond directly to the input signals. The memory has two read address inputs and two outputs which are arranged as separate channels, each of which can access any location in the memory. The access time of the memory is shorter than two input signal periods. The input signals are applied alternatingly to the read address inputs, and output signals constituted by data stored at addresses corresponding to the input signals are produced at the memory outputs by an arrangement of clocked latches such that, although two input signal periods are used for accessing each memory location, the alternating accessing using two channels enables the memory to produce output signals having the same period (at the same frequency) as the input signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conversion kit whereby building or plant signs illuminated by incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes may be converted to electroluminescent illumination. The kit includes an electroluminescent panel and an opaque sign mask, The opaque sign mask is adapted to overlie the electroluminescent panel and the sign indicia of the mask are in the nature of stencil like cutouts to allow the light emitted by the underlying electroluminescent panel to pass only through the indicia cutouts.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus obtains a distance that an input pen is moved in terms of the number of dots covered on a display screen, and from that number, judges whether a pen stroke is a gesture entry or a pointing entry. When the input pen is moved over more than a predetermined number of dots, e.g., eight dots, gesture recognition processing is performed. If the input pen is moved less than that number of dots, a pointing instruction is recognized, and pointing processing is performed. If a gesture is recognized, a recognized gesture editing command and a feature point of the gesture command are stored in RAM. Since an input by the input pen is judged a gesture entry or a pointing entry according to the number of dots over which the input pen is moved, a switch is not required to change data/instruction entry modes which reduces cost and improves handling.

Abstract: A remote-control apparatus for operating a plurality of audio visual apparatuses. On a display screen a plurality of icons showing functions and operation modes of audio visual apparatuses are displayed. An audio visual apparatus is selected and operated by pointing out an icon with a cursor. The cursor is shifted to predetermined positions on the display screen by manipulating one of several switches on the remote control apparatus. The shiftable destination of the cursor with respect to a switch is determined by a set of predetermined rules in which the relation between the switches and the destination of the cursor is changed based on the present position of the cursor.