Abstract: The general problem of conveying a particular meaning in a message so that the meaning is most understandable when an abridged version of the message is displayed is solved by supplying as the message a "tagged" string in which all characters in the unabridged version of the string are tagged with respective priority indicators each having a value indicating a particular priority level. In a station set, an abridged version of the string for a particular priority level is determined by selecting all characters from the received, unabridged version having a priority indicator value equal to or greater than that particular priority level. A priority level is selected such that the corresponding abridged string fits within the available display length.

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 gas discharge display and the method of making same utilizing integrated circuit fabrication techniques. The display is manufactured from heat and pressure resistant planar substrates in which cavities are etched, by integrated circuit manufacturing techniques, so as to provide individual pixels. Orthogonal electrodes are deposited on the substrates and extend into the cavities. The cavities are filled with gas discharge materials, such as plasma, upon energization of the electrodes the individual cavities forming the pixels may be individually activated.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having a non-fluorescent substance layer and a phosphor layer laminated and coated on, or having a fluorescent composition composed of a mixture of a non-fluorescent substance and a phosphor, coated on the inner wall of a glass bulb, wherein the non-fluorescent substance is an oxide containing at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of yttrium, gadolinium and lanthanum.

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 synchronizing signal front end processor for video monitors includes a synchronizing signal subprocessor which responds to computer generated horizontal and vertical rate scan signals to provide alternative scan signal coupling in the event of interruption or abnormalities of the applied scan signals. The processor also includes horizontal and vertical synchronizing signal subprocessors which produce output signals indicative of the polarity and frequency of the applied selected scan synchronizing signals. In addition, the vertical and horizontal sync subprocessors provide respective sync out of range signals during sync interruption or abnormality which are utilized to stabilize the monitor display scanning process while switching to alternative scan synchronizing signal sources.

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: An adjustable keyboard for electronic instruments having a pair of demi-boards which are extendable from a retracted, flat position to an extended, tetrahedal position wherein the distal side of one of the demi-boards is located closer to the other demi-board than the proximate side, the first and second demi-board planes intersect with the base plane to form an acute angle, the first and second demi-board planes intersect with each other at an apex intersecting line being in non-parallel alignment with the base plane and the first and second demi-board planes and the base plane intersect at an intersecting point in space on the distal side of the base member. A split spacebar may be actuated by movement about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the demi-boards in either direction from a normal position and also on lateral movement along the said longitudinal axis.

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.