Abstract: In a display device in which characters are made visible by imposition of an electromagnetic field across selected portions of said device and in which the characters are arranged in a plurality of rows or columns, the space required within the display area of said device for leads connecting the segments of each character to an external source of voltage is substantially reduced. Reduction of the area allocated to connections makes it possible to increase the fraction of the total area available for actual display of characters and thus to increase the size and readability of the characters. The arrangement taught herein is suitable for any number of rows or columns of characters so long as said number is at least two.

Abstract: Multi-colored display devices comprising layered liquid crystal display cells are provided. The multi-colored display devices include a first polarizing plate, a first liquid crystal display cell of the twisted nematic type having an optical activity of about 90.degree. disposed adjacent to the polarizing plate and at least one liquid crystal display cell of the guest-host type containing a dye disposed adjacent to the first display cell. In the guest-host display cell the liquid crystal and dyes are oriented parallel to the polarizing axis of the polarizing plate. The multi-colored display device includes an auxiliary color source which may be a colored polarizing plate disposed on the surface of the device opposed to the first polarizing plate with the axis of polarization of the colored polarizing plate perpendicular to the axis of polarization of the first polarizing plate or an additional liquid crystal cell of the guest-host type including a different dye.

Abstract: A safety feature for a function control circuit particularly adapted for use with timing circuitry adapted to produce a time based signal is provided. A function signal circuit is adapted to produce either a first or a second function selecting signal. A multi-position switch is coupled to the function signal circuit and is adapted to remain in a quiescent position. The multi-position switch is further adapted to be manually displaced in a first direction to effect producing of a first function selecting signal by said function signal circuit and is further adapted to be manually displaced in a direction opposite to said first direction to effect producing by said function signal circuit of a second function selecting signal.