Abstract: A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for maximized user performance and system efficiency. The GUI utilizes variable-transparency to merge images (or layers) of objects onto a graphical display. For example, "see through" objects (such as menus, tool palettes, windows, dialogue boxes, or screens) are superimposed over similar objects or different background content (such as text, wire-frame or line art images, or solid images). A critical factor in the usability of variably-transparent GUI is the effect of visual interference on user performance. That is, the interaction between superimposed objects of varying types measurably alters performance to unacceptable levels in terms of user selection error rates and response times. The present invention provides a system and method of using optimal threshold transparency levels for user performance optimization.

Abstract: One frame of a video signal is separated to a plurality of display frames. To display a color specified by the video signal by mixing display colors of a plurality of display frames, the video signal is converted to data indicative of a voltage to be applied to each pixel over the display frames by using a conversion table. A voltage corresponding to the converted data is applied to a birifringence control type liquid crystal display device to drive the liquid crystal display device multiple times in one frame period of the video signal. When the response speed of the liquid crystal is fast, a color obtained by mixing the display colors of a plurality of display frames is recognized by an observer. When the response speed of the liquid crystal is slow, a color corresponding to an average value of the voltages applied to a plurality of display frames is recognized by the observer.

Abstract: A system having a display including display circuitry operating at a resonant frequency includes a tunable component, a resonant driver circuit coupled to the tunable component and to the display circuitry, for driving the display circuitry at an output frequency, a power consumption sensor coupled to the resonant driver circuit, for determining the power consumption of the resonant driver circuit, and a control logic coupled to the tunable component and to the power dissipation sensor, for monitoring the power consumption of the resonant driver circuit and for tuning the tunable component in response to the power consumption.

Abstract: A backlighting circuit for user interface in an electronic device includes at least one light emitting diode optically coupled to the user interface wherein the at least one light emitting diode provides backlighting for the user interface. A current source is electrically coupled in series with the at least one light emitting diode wherein the current source controls a current through the at least one diode. In addition, a brownout detection circuit determines a brownout condition for the user interface responsive to the current through the diode. Related communications devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: An arrangement such as a consumption meter has an external power supply. The is provided with an electronic display and/or a communication interface for reading and/or writing a content of a memory. When the external supply voltage is absent at least the electronic display and/or the communication interface as well as an electronic write/read device of the memory are supplied with energy from the exterior by a contact-less power supply, for example by means of a solar cell. Thus the content of the memory can be read and/or parametrised without the presence of a mains voltage, without a battery, without troublesome connections for an external voltage source and for example in the case of electricity meters without destroying security seals.

Abstract: A method for driving an AC-driven PDP to produce gradation display by dividing a field into at least three sub-fields in time sequence, each of the sub-fields having a weighted luminance and being provided with an address period for selecting a cell to emit light for display and a sustain period for sustaining a light-emitting state. The method includes the steps of grouping the sub-fields into at least two sub-field groups, carrying out a charge forming operation, as preparation for addressing, directly before each of the sub-field groups so as to form wall charge necessary for sustaining the light-emitting state in all cells on an entire screen, and carrying out an erase addressing, in the address period of each of the sub-fields, for erasing the wall charge in a cell which need not emit light.

Abstract: In an image displaying field where there is a tendency which will increase the data to be handled in accordance with the high integration of a display device, a CRT controller according to the present invention improves the superposed display and the responsiveness of the display and drawing operations by dividing a unit clock into a predetermined number to function with high speed and a multifunctional display. When image data are to be inputted or outputted from a refresh memory corresponding to a display frame, the memory content and the display address are assigned at a ratio of 1:n to effect the processings in parallel. As a result, the time period utilized by the display cycle of the prior art can be assigned to the drawing operation so that the processing can be speeded up while making it easier than the prior art to effect the superposed display of letters, symbols and drawings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flat display device and the driving method thereof having a plurality of display picture elements which are defined by liquid crystal cell portions formed between the scanning and the signal electrodes arranged in the form of a matrix wherein at least scanning electrodes of said scanning and signal electrodes are driven from both terminals of the electrodes by individual driving circuits. A circuit is also included that creates a short circuit across the electrode thus protecting the flat display panel from degradation due to excessive current flowing across the panel before the voltage waveform is stabilized.

Abstract: A circuit (100) for produces an LCD contrast voltage signal (VLCD) for a low power MCU-controlled application. The reference voltage (VREF) for a switched mode power supply circuit (210) is supplied by a circuit comprising: logic control circuitry (110) for receiving MCU commands, a counter (120), a digital-to-analog converter (130), and a transmission gates (140, 150) and capacitors (160, 180) for generating the SMPS reference voltage (VREF), and a comparator to set off a recharge cycle whenever the capacitors' voltage difference is more than a pre-set offset voltage. This circuit has lower quiescent power consumption since, in idle cycle, only the comparator (200) consumes quiescent current which can be less than 1 .mu.A.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a click surface in a graphical environment, such as a graphical user interface, implemented on a host computer for use with a force feedback interface device. A displayed cursor is controlled by a user-moveable user object, such as a mouse, of the interface device. A click surface is displayed with an associated graphical object, such as a graphical button or an edge of a window, icon, or other object. When the click surface is contacted by the cursor, a force is output opposing movement of the user object in a direction into the click surface and into the graphical object. When the user object has moved to or past a trigger position past the contact with the click surface, a command gesture signal is provided to the host computer indicating that the graphical object has been selected as if a physical input device on the user object, such as a button, has been activated by the user.

Abstract: A display palette system comprising a digital palette 16 supplied with frames of data 26. Each frame of data 26 includes a complete set of palette mapping data and control data 28 with which the digital palette 16 is programmed under control of a palette control circuit 24. The rows of logical pixel data that follow in the frame each terminate with row palette data RP that can be directed to reprogram the digital palette 16 part of the way through the display of a single frame.

Abstract: The invention discloses a microprocessor controlled assembly which allows multiple computers and display screens to be controlled using a single external pointing device/keyboard combination. The invention can provide nearly user-invisible switching for a selection of a particular computer, and can substantially reduce environmental clutter as is increasing ergonomic functioning.

Abstract: An image processing device has an error distribution unit, and a multiplier. The error distribution unit carries out an error distribution operation to artificially increase the number of shades to be displayed on a display. The multiplier multiplies an input signal by a multiplication coefficient, so that the input signal is separated into display data and error data along a bit boundary and the error distribution operation is carried out on the input signal. Further, a semiconductor integrated circuit has a dither pattern generator, an adder, and an error distribution unit. The dither pattern generator stores a plurality of dither patterns in advance and receives an input image signal, the adder receives the input image signal and a pattern signal from the dither pattern generator, and the error distribution unit carries out an error distribution operation on the output of the adder. Therefore, the image processing device can realize a smooth display characteristic for the entire range of input shades.

Abstract: A audiovisual program image is displayed on a display panel, and the audiovisual program image is enlarged by a lens and then incident to the eye balls of a user, whereby the virtual image corresponding to the audiovisual program image is observed on the eye balls of the user. Further, a perception image to make the user perceive the distance to the virtual image corresponding to the audiovisual program image and the size of the virtual image is displayed at the surrounding portion of the display portion of the audiovisual program image on the display panel, and the perception image is also enlarged by the lens and then incident to the eye balls of the user, whereby the virtual image corresponding to the perception image can be observed on the eye balls of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and article of manufacture of the present invention provide an enhanced user interface for a computer system that permits the user to adjust the speed at which text is continuously presented. The invention provides a method for defining a region of the display at which text is preferably read, and further provides a user interface for adjusting the speed of text display according to a screen location corresponding to that at which text is being read at any time. The features of the present invention allow a user to optimize reading speed and comprehension depending on the user's personal characteristics, preferences, and abilities, as well as the characteristics of the text.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises plural pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix form, a common electrodes facing the pixel electrodes, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and plural switches to drive the respective pixel electrodes. A reflectivity or transmittance of the liquid crystal varies according to a first state where a direction of a normal to each of the liquid crystal is the same, a second state where the above direction of the normal is at random, and a third state where a spiral structure of the liquid crystal is untied, and has a hysteresis characteristics with respect to an applied voltage including an insensitive voltage region where a reflectivity or transmission state is not determined by the applied voltage. The device has an operation such that the applied voltage is brought into the insensitive voltage region, after a display signal is written into the pixel electrode, to hold the display state.

Abstract: A computer mouse having an improvement of Z axis device is disclosed. The computer mouse includes a roller ball. The Z axis device includes a spring member having a spiral portion, a first art portion and a second arm potion, a first positioning element for positioning the spiral portion of the spring member, a second positioning element for positioning the first arm portion of the spring member, a rotation member having a hole for allowing the second arm portion to be inserted therein, one surface of the rotation member is engaged with the roller ball, and a rotation member positioning element for sustaining the second arm portion for allowing the rotation member to be positioned on the rotation member positioning element. The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple ad low cost Z axis device.

Abstract: A controlling method for inputting messages to a computer, in which by the object, such as a hand, on the background of the capturing section of a video camera, the following parameters is set up within a computer: (1) the maximum Y point of the image of the object is assumed as a cursor, (2) the maximum X point is assumed as a click; (3) small monitoring sections are set up around the coordinate points of the cursor and click, relatively; and (4) if the distance variation between the set cursor and click points is over a allowing value, then it is judged the click has been operated. The digital image capturing by the video camera is directly transferred to a driving means or is transferred through an analog I digital signal converter to a computer for being calculated and controlled as a mouse.

Abstract: A computer keyboard has a pointing stick integrally molded into and projecting from a surface of a plastic housing. Keyboard keys extend through holes in the same plastic housing. Strain-sensitive resistors are formed in a small location onto a circuit substrate. The same circuit substrate that carries the strain-sensitive resistors also carries conductive pads for the key switches. The strain-sensitive resistor location is bonded to the housing adjacent the pointing stick, but on an opposite surface of the housing from the pointing stick protrusion.

Abstract: A device for and method of eliminating objectionable bands of uneven brightness in flat panel field emission displays (FEDs). Within the FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Rows are activated sequentially by row drivers and discrepancies in row driver settling times among the row drivers cause bands of uneven brightness on the display screen. The present invention normalizes row settling time of row driver integrated circuits that can be variant due to differences in semiconductor processing and manufacturing. The present invention includes specialized circuitry coupled to the row drivers for sensing an output of the row driver and determining a difference between the output and a threshold at a particular time before the output has completely settled to a target voltage.