Abstract: A compact electronic keyboard having full-size keys arranged in the standard QWERTY or DVORAK pattern but with a reduced width of the keyboard due to the elimination of the standard modifier keys normally positioned at opposite sides of the alphanumeric keys. The function of such modifier keys are incorporated into some of the alphanumeric keys, or modifiable character keys, the function of which is controlled by means of separate portions of a split, thumb-operable spacebar below the lower row of alphanumeric keys. Such portions are the space key and the special key. The space key incorporates the standard shift function and can control the function of the modifiable character keys by simultaneous pressing of the space key and the desired modifiable character key. The special key can control the function of the modifiable character keys in a similar manner, but which can remain activated for a preset period of time such that simultaneous pressing of a modifiable character key is not necessary.

Abstract: A apparatus to generate gray scale shading data in response to input color data that is cost efficient and programmable is presented. The present invention allows up to 16 brightness-levels to be generated per color (e.g., Red, Green, and Blue). Under the present invention, each color pixel can be programmed to have one of the 16 brightness-level waveforms stored in a memory by dynamically changing a number of variables such as pixel color offsets, frame offset, column offset, row offset, pixel mapping data, etc. An accessing waveform index is generated from the above variables which is then used to select a brightness-level waveform from the memory. The brightness-level waveforms stored in the memory are also programmable.

Abstract: The present invention is a means and method for synchronizing closed free-running systems, such as graphics systems, with no external synchronization signals required. Video games and most computer display controllers are closed free-running systems. Because most such systems have the means to switch between an interlaced and non-interlaced operation, and because interlaced and non-interlaced modes have a relative timing variation, the timing between two or more such closed free-running systems can be synchronized. This method allows synchronization with an imprecise timing reference. The vertical display timing is the free-running oscillator and the interlaced/non-interlaced mode transition is used as the timing adjustment means. The actual arrival time of data in a communication medium connecting two systems being synchronized is used in relation to an expected arrival time to provide the clock reference.

Abstract: A novel display system for observing virtual and real images. The display system includes a light redirection surface or reflective surface (e.g, mirrored surface) to display, for example, a virtual image. The system also has a light emitting surface, or LES, which includes first and second sides directly opposite from each other. The LES emits light to form the virtual image at an apparent distance behind the reflective surface. An observing region is also included on the second side of the LES for observing the image through the LES. The LES is static.

Abstract: A driving circuit testing method that can quickly perform a test of a driving circuit in a liquid crystal display and a repair of defects thereof. In the method, a test signal is applied in parallel to all a plurality of gate lines and a start signal is applied to a first gate driving cell. The start signal and the test signals on a plurality of gate lines is latched into the plurality of gate driving cells. Signals latched into the plurality of gate driving cells, instead of the test signal being applied to the plurality of gate lines, are applied to the plurality of gate lines. Then, an enable state in each gate line is detected.

Abstract: A transmissive electrophoretic color display is comprised of a plurality of color pixels; each uniformly illuminated from the rear by a backlight and each comprised of at least two electrophoretic cells. Each cell is comprised of a suspension of charged, black or colored light-absorbing pigment particles in a light-transmissive fluid. Each cell is also comprised of a light-transmissive front and rear window, at least one non-obstructing counter electrode, at least one non-obstructing collecting electrode, and a color filter medium. The cells of different colors are in a laterally adjacent relationship to each other and the charged pigment particles are responsive to the electrodes. The filter medium in each cell can be a light-transmissive color filter element or the pigment suspension fluid can be colored and serve as the filter medium.

Abstract: One embodiment of the writing instrument described herein comprises a pen-like device containing three accelerometers and three gyroscopes. Data from these sensors are processed via an Euler transform. Prior to using the writing instrument, the user holds the writing instrument in multiple predefined positions and sensor readings are taken. The sensor readings are mapped to the corresponding predefined positions. In addition, the sensor readings are compared to expected sensor readings to compensate for environmental variations such as altitude or temperature as well as for the possible tilt of a writing surface. The sensor readings are interpolated to map sensor readings other than those at the predefined positions to other writing instrument positions. When the user writes with the writing instrument, sensor outputs are used to track the writing instrument to define strokes made by the user.

Abstract: A variable color print of an image includes a reflective image medium including a plurality of different, locally colored, image regions; a first plurality of repeated changes in reflective angle of the image medium which extend in a first direction and are parallel to each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction; each locally colored image region including at least one local color medium disposed on the reflective medium; each local color medium includes at least one color sequence, each sequence extending in the second direction and including at least two different color variations; and each color variation is aligned with the repeated changes in reflective angle such that the repeated changes in reflective angle selectively prevent viewing of at least one of the color variations and selectively highlight at least one of the color variations at different viewing angles to generate changes in color of the locally colored image regions as the viewing angle changes.

Abstract: In a signal line driver circuit for an active matrix type display device for performing a plurality of gradation displays, an output signal of a synchronous type clock counter is supplied as an address signal to an address decoder circuit through address lines. Gradation data is stored in latch circuits in accordance with the address signal used as latch pulse. In a synchronizing circuit, an output timing of the gradation data stored in the latch circuits is synchronized with a display scan timing. After the output gradation data is converted into an analog gradation voltage, the analog gradation voltage is applied to a pixel portion through an analog switch.

Abstract: A circuit and method for time multiplexing a voltage signal for controlling the color balance of a flat panel display. Within an FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Rows are sequentially activated during “row on-time windows” by row drivers and corresponding individual gray scale information (voltages) are driven over the columns by column drivers. When the proper voltage is applied across the cathode and anode of the emitters, electrons are released toward a phosphor spot, e.g., red, green, blue, causing illumination. Within each column driver, the present invention provides selection circuitry for driving a first voltage signal during a first part of the row on-time window and a second voltage during a second part of the row on-time window. The lengths of the first part and second part of the row on-time window can be adjusted for a given color, to adjust the color balance with respect to that color, e.g.

Abstract: A driving method comprising providing preparatory pulses to each pixel, which establish a predetermined voltage prior to the data pulses. The preparatory pulses may either unload the pixel to a resulting potential of 0 V or load it to a resulting voltage of the same polarity as the charge on the pixel in the subsequent frame time.

Abstract: A method of controlling the brightness levels on a screen includes determining a total number of screen pixels that must be energized to realize various brightness levels throughout the display. The display preferably is generated in a sequence of frames that are subdivided into energization states. An electronic controller determines an order of energizing selected ones of the pixels during each of the energization states to realize the desired brightness levels for the display while reducing drive load variation and realizing more efficient power consumption.

Abstract: A flat-panel display including a substrate, a viewing screen, a non-conductive ring, many row conductive electrodes, conductive pads and column buses. The ring vacuum-seals a cavity between the substrate and the viewing screen. Coupled to one surface of the substrate, the row conductive electrodes have a conductivity that is higher than the conductive pads. Each pad is connected to one row electrode, and each pad extends through the ring to allow electrical coupling to its corresponding row electrode from outside the cavity while vacuum is maintained inside the cavity. The row electrodes are substantially parallel to each other, and are substantially perpendicular to the column buses. The conductive electrodes are protected from exposure to the ring. In one embodiment, the ring is a frit seal, the row conductive electrodes are made of aluminum, and the column buses and the pads are made of chromium.

Abstract: A page-turning means with adjustable speed comprises a retaining stage, a base plate having switch function, a spring means for providing rebounding force and a semi-circular wheel. The base plate has electronic circuit, connection terminal, and a plurality of elastic plates functioning as switch, and can accommodate the T-shaped spring means. The voltage level change resulting from the on-off state of the switches being sent to external controller through the terminals. The bottom end of the semi-circular wheel is connected to the base plate. The bottom of the semi-circular wheel is in contact to top end of the spring means. When the the semi-circular wheel is rotated by external force, one end portion of the spring means is suppressed to tough one or two elastic plate(s) and voltage of various levels is generated. A controller can output signal to control the page turning speed according to the generated voltage level.

Abstract: An interactive display system comprising a touch sensitive display surface for sensing pressure applied thereto and in response generating control signals indicating locations of the applied pressure, a personal computer for receiving the control signals and in response generating graph images, and an LCD panel in combination with an overhead projector for receiving and projecting the graphic images onto the touch sensitive display surface at the indicated locations. The LCD panel and overhead projector may be provided an an integral unit.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a LCD device has a plurality of drive sections corresponding to a plurality of data lines in a pixel matrix. Each drive section receives a corresponding portion of a video signal to deliver the signal portion to a corresponding data line. The output circuit of each drive section includes an nMOS transistor, first switch, second switch and a pMOS transistor connected in series between power source lines to output the signal portion through the output node connecting the first switch and the second switch together. The nMOS transistor and pMOS transistor operate alternately for delivering a a positive signal and negative signal, respectively, thereby making it unnecessary to reset the data line for reducing power dissipation.

Abstract: A visual display screen is partitioned into a plurality of screen portions. Power drivers associated with the screen portions are grouped selectively according to the number of screen portions. The power supplied to each group of drivers is selectively controlled to select which screen portions receive power at any given time. In the event that a screen portion is not active for a current display after a preselected minimum amount of time, that screen portion is disabled because the power to that screen portion is selectively turned off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which permit halftoning of pixels in an image based upon the relative repulsive forces between a current pixel being halftoned and preferably all previous pixels that have been halftoned. Such arrangements give improved halftoned image quality, at least for some images, compared to that obtained from error diffusion or dithering.

Abstract: A method, system and program for creating an overview image display of an environment or series of images and a detail window into the overview image display. The detail window consists of a single frame of the overview image or some corresponding image to present additional detail of the selected portion of the overview image . Additional features include the ability to interactively reposition a pointer to select another detail window corresponding to another area of the overview image . Further capabilities are provided to store selective reference points as a user interactively selects the reference points and play them back at some user initiated later time. To aid the user, the interactive selections are identified by a series of area indicias left on the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to An apparatus for converting cathode ray tube (CRT) data to a dual panel data stream to be utilized. The present invention includes a frame buffer system for displaying data on a dual panel display, which comprises an upper and lower panel. The frame buffer system receives CRT data and displays panel refresh data in which one CRT frame generates one panel refresh frame four panel refresh frames. Through the use of this system, An increased number of gray level patterns can be provided, thereby increasing image resolution and quality.