Abstract: A continuous loop multi-axis pointing position control device is provided permitting continuous rotation about an X-axis to provide generation of a first motion signal and a continuous rotation about a Y-axis to provide generation of a second motion signal to enable directional control of a cursor or pointing device on a computer screen and to substitute for track ball, joystick and mouse control devices.

Abstract: A system for customizing the ramp voltage pulses used to drive an active matrix liquid crystal display. The customized ramp voltage compensates for brightness problems associated with any number of parameters. The V (ramp) also can allow for customized dimming of portions of the display. The standard V (ramp) is replaced with a variable wave form correlated to the timing of the driving of the LCD. The wave form can compensate for changes in brightness caused by off axis viewing angle or can compensate for brightness changes caused by temperature. Also, the system is directed to spatially modulating brightness of pixels for an active matrix LCD to correct color or brightness problems. A driving voltage wave form, which is varied as a function of location on LCD and grey scale is generated to cause selected sets of pixels to be adjusted from an instructed grey scale.

Abstract: A portable wordprocessor has a main body and a display support assembly hinged to the main body. The main body has an information entry keyboard, a function keyboard, a control circuit board and a floppy disk drive. The information entry keyboard and the function keyboard have key tops the heights of which do not exceed the height of the portion of the main body which accommodates the floppy disk drive. The information entry keyboard is disposed along the front edge of the main body, while the function keyboard is disposed between the information entry keyboard and the rear edge of the main body. The floppy disk drive is disposed in lateral alignment with the function keyboard. The display support assembly supports a liquid crystal display device which includes a liquid crystal display portion and a liquid crystal control circuit board which is disposed around the liquid crystal display portion and has a thickness which does not exceed the thickness of the liquid crystal display portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which provides bi-directional communication between a video monitor and a computer system unit. This enables the video monitor to inform the system unit of its capabilities without direct user involvement and also enables the system unit to directly control or adjust all the functions of the video monitor. In the preferred embodiment, bi-directional communication between the video monitor and the system unit is provided utilizing a mouse port in the keyboard controller. Multiplexors are coupled between the mouse port and each of the mouse and video monitor to select between data paths and selectively allow communication between the system unit and the video monitor. Monitor control software is included in the system unit which can be used to control or adjust the output of the video monitor.

Abstract: A continuous loop multi-axis pointing position control device is provided permitting continuous rotation about an X-axis to provide generation of a first motion signal and a continuous rotation about a Y-axis to provide generation of a second motion signal to enable directional control of a cursor or pointing device on a computer screen and to substitute for track ball, joystick and mouse control devices.

Abstract: A remote sensory unit, including any of a display, earphones and a microphone, connected to a driver by an optical link. The remote sensory unit is active, passive, or some combination of the two. Active sensory units are powered by solar cells, batteries, power transmitted through the optical link, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses an emitter for a vacuum microelectronic device. The emitter includes a heterojunction step-doped barrier comprised of a first gallium arsenide region, an aluminum gallium arsenide region adjacent the first gallium arsenide region, and a second gallium arsenide region adjacent the aluminum gallium region and opposite to the first gallium arsenide region. The first gallium arsenide region includes a layer of heavily doped n-type gallium arsenide. The aluminum gallium arsenide region includes an intrinsic layer and a heavily doped p-type layer. The second gallium arsenide region includes a heavily doped p-type layer adjacent the aluminum gallium arsenide region, an intrinsic layer and a heavily doped n-type layer adjacent a vacuum region. In addition, a graded layer between the first gallium arsenide layer region and the aluminum gallium arsenide region is provided.

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display (LCD) having a thin film transistor for each liquid crystal cell, capable of decreasing attenuation off a video signal in each pixel. The active matrix type LCD has a number of liquid crystal pixels disposed in a matrix form each having a switching thin film transistor, a common drive unit for applying a row select signal to the gate of each of the switching thin film transistors of the liquid crystal pixels on the same row, and a segment drive unit for selectively applying one of the video signal and a constant bias signal to the source of each of the switching thin film transistors of the liquid crystal pixels on the same column.

Abstract: An electrode structure (100) for an addressing structure using an ionizable gaseous medium has a substrate (102) and a cover (126). A plurality of channel-defining portions (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) each extend from the substrate to the cover; each pair of adjacent channel-defining portions defines a plasma discharge channel (129, 131, 133, 135, 137) for the ionizable gaseous medium. An electrode (104, 106, 108, 110, 112) extends through each channel-defining portion so that the electrode has a surface exposed to each of the channels defined in part by the channel-defining portion. Each of the channel defining portions or walls separates each electrode from the cover. An addressing structure using the electrode structure of the invention ionizes the gas in each channel by driving the electrodes of the pair of adjacent channel-defining portions that define the channel.

Abstract: A frame buffer architecture for a graphics controller provides for conversion of cathode ray tube (CRT) data streams to multi-segment data streams. The buffer architecture operates such that the CRT frame rate is the same as the multi-segment frame rate. In so doing, a graphics controller can operate within its intended specification while operating at the same clock frequency whether in CRT or multi-segment mode. In addition, this architecture overcomes the other problems associated with prior art graphics controllers.

Abstract: A fluorescent display device capable of controlling impinge of electrons emitted from cathodes on phosphor layers and accomplishing satisfactory luminous display while preventing leakage luminance, the fluorescent display device is so constructed that a display section and a control electrode are arranged on substantially the same plane and the control electrode is provided with a plurality of apertures and arranged on the phosphor layer through an insulating layer of substantially the same pattern. Also, a method for manufacturing a fluorescent display device is disclosed which is capable of decreasing a manufacturing cost and improving productive efficiency while providing a fluorescent display device exhibiting such an advantage as described above.

Abstract: A signal generator generates a plurality of grey level signals which are inputted into a one bit-per-pixel raster scan video display device (such as a simple matrix liquid crystal display). Each grey level signal causes a particular proportion of pixels to be illuminated, in order to produce a particular grey level. Uniform high quality grey levels are produced by introducing into each grey level signal a variable frame phase shift for successive rows of each frame. The specific phase shifts introduced between successive rows and frames result in the illuminated pixels being distributed evenly in each frame. The pattern of illuminated pixels changes smoothly with time to produce the required uniform high quality grey level.

Abstract: A multiplexer 13 selects the input terminal B side for a display period while it selects the input terminal A side for a coordinate detection period. A lower common drive circuit 2L, based on shift data transmitted from the multiplexer 13, operates in parallel with an upper common drive circuit 2U during the display period while it operates in series with the upper common drive circuit 2U during the coordinate detection period. An upper segment drive circuit 3U and a lower segment drive circuit 3L simultaneously operate to drive upper segment electrodes XU and lower segment electrodes XL simultaneously in the same direction. Thus, during the display period there is displayed an image simultaneously onto the upper half 1wU and the lower half 1wL of a display panel 1w, thereby improving the duty ratio of display.

Abstract: A presentation system uses a computer to store and transmit electronic images to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel which rests on an overhead projector. The LCD panel includes a calibration circuit designed to correct discrepancies in the saturation levels of the three primary colors. The calibration circuit determines the digital values in a signal corresponding to a test pattern of maximum intensity for all three colors, and compares these values to predetermined theoretical values. The differences between these values are recorded as calibration constants and are used to correct the image signals transmitted from the computer. A remote control unit may be used to provide a stimulus to both the computer (to generate the test pattern) and the LCD panel (to execute the calibration process).

Abstract: A car stereo has a detachable grille attached to a body of the car stereo. The grille has a power input terminal connected to a power supply terminal of the body, a data input terminal connected to a data output terminal of the body, a display, and a microcomputer for operating the display to display data in accordance with data signal applied from the body through the data terminals. Disconnection of the data input terminal from the data output terminal under the condition of the connection between the power input terminal and the power output terminal is detected. At the disconnection, the microcomputer stops the operation of the display.

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.

Abstract: An electronic graphic system (1) comprises a memory (2) for storing data representing an image and a user operable stylus and touch tablet combination (4) by which the user can select a notional painting implement a color with which to paint and can create data defining positions in the image at which painting is to occur. An address generator (5) is arranged to generate address data identifying addresses in the memory (2) corresponding to the user created position data. The stylus and touch tablet (4) is pressure sensitive and generates a parameter depending on the pressure applied via the stylus by the user. The address generator (5) generates address data at intervals dependent on the instantaneous value of the pressure related parameter. In one embodiment the interval is a distance between identified addresses in the memory (2) and in another embodiment the interval is a period of time. In this way the system simulates an implement having a paint flow rate which is pressure related.

Abstract: A plasma addressing structure functioning as a display panel (52) includes an ionizable gas captured within a network (110) of intersecting channels formed by multiple spaced-apart islands (60) arranged in substantially parallel rows (62) projecting from the major surface (104) of an underlying substrate (64). The network of channels includes elongated channels (112) that are positioned between adjacent rows of islands, and spur channels (114) that extend between individual islands in each row and couple adjacent elongated channels. The gas in the network of channels is selectively ionized to address display elements (54), which are aligned with the islands positioned along each of the island rows. Each island has a top surface or plateau (128) that is spaced-apart from and substantially parallel to the major surface from which the island projects.

Abstract: Apparatus for setting the color point of a color display device comprises a video signal generator for generating an image on the display device and a color analyzer for measuring the chromaticity of the image to produce digital coordinates corresponding to the color point of the image on a chromaticity reference chart. The apparatus further comprises a computer system connected to the color analyzer. The computer system includes interface means for reading the digital coordinates from the color analyzer, display means for displaying a cursor at a point corresponding to the coordinates within a graphical representation of the reference chart, and processor means for moving the cursor within the graphical representation in response to a change in the coordinates read from the color analyzer. The apparatus advantageously permits rapid adjustment of the color point of a display device to a desired value with a high level of measurement repeatability.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle by which the brightness of a display image can be varied readily without using a dimming circuit and a display image of a high contrast can be assured. The display apparatus comprises a light emitting displaying element for emitting visible light therefrom, and a reflecting member for reflecting visible light from the light emitting displaying element toward a driver of the vehicle directly or indirectly by way of a component of the vehilce such as a windshield. The reflecting member is selectively moved between a first position at which the reflecting member totally reflects visible light from the light emitting displaying means and a second position at which the reflecting member reflects visible light from the light emitting displaying element but at a comparatively low reflecting rate.