Abstract: How to record and play back data at a high line density. A DSV control bit determining/inserting unit 11 inserts DSV control bits for execution of DSV control into an input data string and outputs the data string including the DSV control bits to a modulation unit 12. The modulation unit 12 converts the data string with a basic data length of 2 bits into variable length code with a basic code length of 3 bits in accordance with a conversion table and outputs the code resulting from the conversion to a NRZI encoding unit 13. The conversion table used by the modulation unit 12 includes substitution codes for limiting the number of consecutive appearances of a minimum run to a predetermined value and substitution codes for keeping a run length limit.

Abstract: Circuitry for providing non-uniform analog-to-digital (“A/D”) signal conversion for wideband signals is provided. The circuitry of the invention is optimized for wideband signals because it does not sacrifice the small-scale resolution of high-probability signal amplitudes while preventing the clipping of low-probability signal amplitudes. The circuitry includes a nonlinear amplifier and an A/D converter that may be uniform or non-uniform. The digital output of the A/D converter may be further processed by circuitry that has an output function that is the inverse of that of the nonlinear amplifier, so as to maintain linear A/D conversion.

Abstract: A switch having a first arrangement for providing a first set of first and second complementary intermediate signals; a second arrangement for providing a second set of third and fourth complementary intermediate signals; a third arrangement responsive to the first set of signals for providing complementary output signals; a fourth arrangement responsive to the second set of signals for providing complementary output signals; and a fifth arrangement for selectively activating the third means or the fourth arrangement in response to a control signal.

Abstract: A sigma-delta converter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sigma-delta converter includes two series-connected converter stages which are each supplied with a feedback signal, a comparator stage which is connected downstream of the second converter stage, which is supplied with the output signal from the second converter stage and which provides an at least two-value comparator signal, and at least one output stage which has at least one digital integrator and which produces a multibit signal as output signal.

Abstract: A scaled input current is produced that substantially matches the full scale input of a CT??ADC that substantially cancels an offset bias current component of the input current. A variable bias resistance value is coupled between the integrator input and one of a supply voltage and a circuit common. The method further includes integrating the input current to produce an integrated signal representing a time averaged value of the input current to substantially remove noise from a frequency band of interest. The integrated signal is produced to a quantizer to produce a feedback current that substantially cancels a quantization noise component in the digital representation of the scaled analog signal by coupling the digital representation of the scaled analog signal to a programmable digital switch wherein the programmable digital switch either sinks current from or sources current to the integrator input.

Abstract: Signal driving circuits with high driving capability and precise analog output voltage level, by outputting analog voltages through analog buffers and directly outputting voltages from digital-to-analog converters in turn. A digital-to-analog converter generates a first analog voltage according to digital data. An output circuit selectively either outputs a second analog voltage according to the first analog voltage by an analog buffer to a load or outputs the first analog voltage to the load directly.

Abstract: A pipelined digital-to-analog converter includes a first sub analog-to-digital converter and a multiplying digital-to-analog converter. The first sub analog-to-digital converter, which is responsive to a first reference voltage, is configured to convert a first analog signal into a first digital signal. The multiplying digital-to-analog converter is responsive to the first analog signal, the first digital signal and a second reference voltage. The second reference voltage is generated independently of the first reference voltage in order to enhance the high frequency performance characteristics of the pipelined digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter includes a resistor-divider network including a plurality of resistors, an arbel channel circuit configured to generate a voltage sawtooth signal as an output, a dc-offset disposed to couple a node of the resistor-divider network and the arbel-channel circuit. The converter further includes a voltage reference circuit configured to generate a reference voltage, and a differential comparator configured to compare the voltage sawtooth signal with the reference voltage to produce a digital output signal corresponding to the voltage sawtooth signal. Method of converting an analog signal to a digital signal is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for reducing power consumption of an A/D converting device. An A/D converting device according to the present invention includes: multiple comparators each of which has a function for comparing input analog signals with a predetermined reference voltage; an A/D converter for converting the input analog signal into the digital signal with a predetermined number of bits using comparison results from the multiple comparators; a determining unit for determining which range the voltage of the input analog signal belongs to before the comparators comparing the input analog signal with the reference voltages; and a control unit for controlling power supply for the multiple comparators corresponding to the range determined by the determining unit. Thus, power is supplied only to the comparators necessary for this particular A/D conversion, thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: The described analog-digital converter comprises quantization means having an input for receiving an analog quantity to be converted, a register having an output for providing a digital quantity corresponding to the analog quantity, a timing pulse generator and logic means connected to the quantization means, the register and the timing pulse generator and capable of responding to a conversion request signal by activating the quantization means in such a manner as to make them carry out predetermined operations timed by the timing pulses and load into the register the digital quantity to be provided at the output.

Abstract: While transforming an analog input voltage into a digital signal including several bits, an analog-to-digital converter including a built-in self test (BIST) circuit is used for performing the transformation and compensating an offset error of the analog input voltage. The operations of the digital-to-analog converter include a self test mode and a normal mode. And each of the self test mode and the normal mode includes a sampling phase and a bit cycling phase.

Abstract: A method of using a bipolar radar to estimate a precipitation rate for rain that generates negligible attenuation. The method includes using the bipolar radar to measure the differential phase ?DP and the apparent reflectivity Ze on at least one of horizontal polarization H and vertical polarization V over a given interval [r0, r1] of path radii relative to the radar. An estimate of the value No* representative of the dimensional distribution of rain drops is made on the basis of the differential phase difference in the range r0 to r1 and on the basis of an integral of a function of the apparent reflectivity Ze along the interval [r0, r1]. A value is deduced for the precipitation rate at a point from N0* and the apparent reflectivity at the point.

Abstract: A weather radar signal path for an aircraft. The signal path has an antenna, a digital down-converter, a first transceiver, fiber optic cabling, a second transceiver and a processing unit. The antenna is adapted to, in a first mode, receive reflected radar signals from atmosphere ahead. The digital down-converter is adapted to convert the reflected radar signals received by the antenna into digital radar signals at a lower frequency. The first transceiver is adapted to, in the first mode, at least transmit the digital radar signals through said fiber optic cabling. The fiber optic cabling is adapted to, in the first mode, transfer the digital radar signals between the first and second transceivers. The second transceiver is adapted to, in the first mode, receive said digital radar signals from the fiber optic cabling. The processing unit is adapted to, in the first mode, process the digital radar signals to generate weather information based on predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: A system for transmitting into a shared medium includes a processor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The processor is coupled to the transmitter for transmitting in a manner, at a time, and at a power level as directed by the processor. The processor determines from cooperation with the receiver the number of transmitters expected to be sharing the medium at a future time when transmitting is desired; prescribes a total power for a plurality of transmissions; and prescribes a maximum power for individual transmissions of various types.

Abstract: To provide a radar system for controlling a gate power supply and drain power supply of a MMIC (microwave monolithic IC), protecting the MMIC at the time of start and shut-off, and simultaneously avoiding an occurrence of a failure in the MMIC due to a residual charge and an abnormal supply potential at the time of shut-off. A power supply control means controls the gate and drain power supplies at the rise time so that an output voltage of the gate power supply rises earlier than that of the drain power supply. Another power supply control means controls the gate and drain power supplies at the fall time so that an output voltage of the gate power supply falls later than that of the drain power supply. Another power supply control means turns off the drain power supply of the FET among power supplies when it is detected by a voltage monitoring means that even either of output voltages of the power supplies is not within said specified range.

Abstract: A radar apparatus for a vehicle radiates laser beams and integrates a plurality of received signals corresponding to the same plurality of successively radiated laser beams. Thus, the sensitivity to detect a beam-reflecting body is improved. Further, a sampling start timing of the received signals is delayed as a delay time relative to a radiation timing of the laser beam corresponding to the received signal. By changing the delay time, beam-reflecting bodies throughout all detection distances can be detected even when the number of sampling points is made smaller than the number of sampling points required to cover all the detection distances in order to reduce the integration processing load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for correcting the phase difference estimate derived from a two-tone CW radar to correct velocity-induced range estimate phase errors by offsetting the phase difference estimate with a phase correction equal to either of the Doppler frequencies associated with returns from an object multiplied by the time interval between the samplings of the returned waveforms. The correction effectively eliminates the velocity-induced slippage between the phases of the retuned waveforms so that a comparison between the phases of the waveforms can be made to reduce or substantially eliminate range estimate bias.

Abstract: A radar device is described having an arrangement to generate a carrier signal having a carrier frequency fT, an arrangement to generate pulses having a pulse repetition rate fPW, an arrangement to split the carrier signal between a transmission branch and a reception branch, an arrangement to delay the pulses, an arrangement to mix the carrier signal in the reception branch with a reception signal, and an arrangement to integrate the mixed signal. An arrangement to modulate the carrier signal in the transmission branch with the delayed pulses and an arrangement to alter the delay in the pulses according to a predetermined code are also provided. A method of suppressing interference with the functioning of a radar device is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of a mobile wireless station comprises means for determining the position of the mobile wireless station in accordance with a position of a first reference wireless station, a position of a second reference wireless station, a first relative angular direction between the mobile wireless station and the first reference wireless station, and a second relative angular direction between the mobile wireless station and the second reference wireless station.

Abstract: A location apparatus for returning to a user to a location including a system unit configured to compute a location using radio signals, a user interface unit having a display area and first and second buttons, a memory unit, and a computational unit configured to interact with the first and second buttons. The computation unit retrieves a first location from the system unit and stores the first location in the memory unit upon selection of the first button by the user. Further, the computation unit retrieves a second location from the system unit and calculates a relative three-dimensional direction from the second location to the first location upon selection of the second button by the user. The relative three-dimensional direction is graphically represented on the display area of the user interface unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using long term satellite tracking data in a remote receiver is described. In one example, long term satellite tracking data is received at a remote receiver from a server. The long term satellite tracking data is used to compute acquisition assistance data in the remote receiver. The remote receiver then uses the acquisition assistance data to acquire satellite signals. The acquired satellite signals may be used to locate position of the remote receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized phased array antenna with a plurality of individual radiator elements (10xy), which antenna is designed in particular for use in the microwave frequency range. The antenna is characterized in particular that the radiator elements (10xy) are each aligned in dependence on their positions in the array so as to achieve a current distribution over the antenna as determined for a desired antenna characteristic. This renders it possible to realize a very strongly miniaturized antenna without the efficiency of the antenna being appreciably reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved, low-height dual or multi-band antenna comprising surface transmitters, whose size varies in accordance with the frequency band to be transmitted. Said antenna is configured from a smaller surface transmitter that is located on top of a larger surface transmitter. The antenna is characterized by the following improved features: the dual or multi-band antenna is essentially configured as a one-piece punched and bent metal part; as a one-piece component, said antenna consists of at least two surface transmitters, which are electrically connected via a short-circuit; and at least the lowest surface transmitter for transmission in a lower frequency band and/or at least a surface transmitter that is lower than the surface transmitter for transmission in the highest frequency band have transmitter wings lying adjacent to their transmitter surface.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing a communication terminal capable of suppressing degradation of an antenna gain irrespective of whether the casing of the communication terminal is opened or closed. The communication terminal includes a hinge for coupling in a foldable manner a first casing member and a second casing member, each including conductors such as a first printed board and a second printed board. In close proximity to the hinge in the second casing member is provides a second antenna. The hinge includes a first rotation axis composed of a conductive metal material working as an axis of rotation of two casing members in opposite directions and a second rotation axis composed of a conductive metal material working as an axis of rotation in a direction orthogonal to the direction of rotation about the first rotation axis.

Abstract: A variable antenna apparatus for a mobile terminal. The variable antenna apparatus includes a radiation component that is rotatably coupled with the mobile terminal, a feeding component that is adjacent to a first end part of the radiation component and electrically connected to a radio frequency board of the mobile terminal. A grounding component is adjacent to the first end part of the radiation component and selectively connected to a ground of the radio frequency board as the radiation component is rotated. The antenna apparatus is accommodated in a terminal so that it is possible to conveniently carry the terminal, and the antenna is rotatably protruded from the terminal during a telephone call, such that appropriate antenna gain is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna apparatus for a sliding-type portable terminal having a first housing and a second housing adapted to slide along the longitudinal direction of the first housing including an external antenna having a stationary antenna portion extending along the longitudinal direction and having an end fixed on the first housing and at least one movable antenna portion extending along the longitudinal direction and having the other end fixed to the second housing so that, as the second housing slides, it retracts in and extends out of the stationary antenna portion. The antenna apparatus for a sliding-type portable terminal has an external antenna which, together with the embedded antenna, compensates for the deteriorated performance of the embedded antenna during a speech mode. In addition, the antenna apparatus does not affect the design of the terminal and provides various types of terminal design, because it does not protrudes out of the terminal.

Abstract: A monopole antenna is formed of a ground plane, a flat conductor faced to the ground plane and separated from it by a clearance “H”, and a linear conductor that is connected to the flat conductor, extended on the ground plane side in an insulated state from the ground plane, and connected to a signal source. The flat conductor is formed of an inner conductor, and outer conductors disposed on the outer periphery of the inner conductor at a predetermined interval. Set regions of the outer edge of the inner conductor and the inner edges of the outer conductors are interconnected through one or more coupling conductors.

Abstract: A dual-band antenna (1) includes a first antenna (2) and a second antenna (3). The first antenna includes a first dipole half (11) and a second dipole half (12). The first dipole half is disposed above the second dipole half with a space therebetween and the two dipole halves are corresponding to each other in a lengthwise direction. The second antenna includes a coaxial cable (4) including an inner conductor feeding the first antenna and comprising an exposed extending section (40) acting as a radiating portion of the second antenna, and a ground patch (5) electrically connected with the second dipole half.

Abstract: A device concerning a magnetic source oscillators universal passive antenna to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves from low frequencies to hyper frequencies. The device is made with a special dipolar system that contains two identical parts (15) and (16) that are assembled by a metal support (7). This metal support (7) can have a variable and adaptable form. Each identical part (15) and (16) of the special dipolar system is made with a triangular magnet (3), a triangular special conductor or semiconductor (4) from which pointed edge is a conducting point (5) or (6). A wave-pick-up-system made with two cables (11), (12), and a cable entrance (14). The acting principle of the antenna formed with the special dipolar system and the wave-pick-up-system, is sealed in a filled insulating material box (17) and raised on a tripod support (18) and (19) that can be very variable and adaptable with the purpose to fix the antenna to function without disturbance.

Abstract: Compact antennas for ultra wide band applications are disclosed. The compact antenna may be an elliptic dipole antenna with a poise and counterpoise both having an elliptical shape. A substrate may be used to support the poise and counterpoise with the substrate having a closed three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A data access system includes a plurality of access points and an antenna corresponding to one of the access points. The antenna includes a planar monopole, a vertical ground plane and a top horizontal ground plane. In one aspect, the top horizontal ground plane outwardly extends over the planar monopole for a distance that is generally between three-quarters to three-halves of the length of the planar monopole.

Abstract: A multistage voltage multiplying circuit for single chip passive RF tags is provided, wherein the parasitic capacitance of the diodes of each stage of the voltage multiplying circuit is much less than the parasitic capacitance of the diodes of the preceding stage.

Abstract: An cellular phone holder includes a holder apparatus, a fixed apparatus, and an operating apparatus. The holder apparatus includes a main body. The fixed apparatus includes a fixed plate longitudinally disposed thereon. A teeth-formed end composed of a plurality of protruding teeth is formed on one side of the fixed plate, and the protruding teeth are upwardly inclined. The operating apparatus includes an operating element transversely disposed on the main body, and a plurality of propping teeth corresponding to the teeth-formed end are formed on the operating element, and the propping teeth are downwardly inclined, which has the stable and accurate effective, thereby accurately fastening without the shaking phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a quadri-filar helix antenna structure, which comprises a cylindrical body made of a dielectric material with a relative dielectric constant ?r greater than 4, and four radiating metal plates disposed on a distal end surface of the cylindrical body and extended along the radial direction of the center of the cylindrical body to its periphery and then along the radial direction in a spiral course on the circumferential surface thereof to its periphery on the other end respectively, wherein the ends of every two adjacent radiating metal plates are coupled with each other to constitute two sets of antenna structures, a penetrating hole is disposed at the central position of the cylindrical body and is precisely embedded into a coaxial cable, and a shield cable disposed at the periphery on one end of the coaxial cable is coupled to an end of another set of antenna structure. Therefore, the antenna not only reduces the overall volume, but also greatly lowers its production costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting multiple displays per a drawing surface begins by receiving capability parameters regarding a first display of the multiple displays. The capability parameters include resolution, pixel depth, and/or refresh rate. Typically, the first display will be the primary display associated with a video graphics card. The processing continues by substituting selected display capabilities for the capability parameters of the first display. The selected display parameters are such that it exceeds the display capability parameters of each display, or monitor, coupled to the video graphics card. The processing continues by providing the selected display capabilities to an operating system. The operating system then stores the selected display capabilities in the display register associated with a particular video graphics card.

Abstract: An optically transparent, ghost-free visual display system that superimposes a virtual image comprising graphical or textual information onto a field of vision. Embodiments of the visual display system utilize illumination and optical components that introduce a virtual image onto a field of vision while minimally obstructing and/or attenuating other objects within the field of vision. Embodiments of the visual display system can be used in numerous applications, including head-up displays (“HUDs”) for automotive, tracked and rail-mounted vehicles, marine, aerospace applications, see-through speech prompt displays, and see-through projection displays.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, head-mountable display device is provided for transmitting an image to a user's eye. The device includes a projection system including a display attached at one end to a head-mountable support fixture. An eyepiece assembly is attached to a second end of the support fixture. The support fixture maintains the projection system and the eyepiece assembly in alignment along an optical path through free space between the projection system and the eyepiece assembly, with the projection system disposed to transmit the image on the optical path and the eyepiece assembly disposed to receive the image from the projection system and to direct the image to the user's eye.

Abstract: A gaze tracking system (1,3,8) is provided which obtains images of an operator (9) and processes the images to associate the images with coordinates of where the operators gaze is directed towards. In order to identify images where an operator is looking in the same direction, images obtained by a camera (8) are first processed using the retinex algorithm. Image patches from the processed image are then compared with stored feature images and an initial classification based upon the correspondence between areas of the processed image and the stored feature images is determined. This initial classification is then further processed and each image is assigned a single classification. The areas identified by different classifications are then determined so that classifications assigned to adjacent images identify points closer together and classifications never assigned to an adjacent images identify points further apart.

Abstract: To provide a portable information processing system with which downsizing and increase in display capacity may be realized. The portable information processing system according to the present invention displays, on an HMD (head mount display) worn by a user on his or her head, an image displayed on a display portion of a portable information terminal. The system employs wireless information transmitting/receiving means such as infrarer-ray data communication or data communication by radio wave to transmit and receive information between the portable information terminal and the HMD.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a reduced-glare image. The method and system use at least two light sources located a selected distance apart from each other. An image acquisition device acquires a first image of an object using illumination from the first light source, but not the second. Then the image acquisition device acquires a second image of the object using illumination from the second light source, but not the first. The two images, having glare at different pixel locations, are then used to form a reduced-glare image.

Abstract: Application timing of driving pulses for a PDP is controlled so that a flow direction of a discharge current which flows between a first row electrode and a second row electrode of each of row electrode pairs belonging to odd numbered display lines due to the electrical discharge is opposite to a flow direction of a discharge current which flows between a first row electrode and a second row electrode of each of row electrode pairs belonging to even numbered display lines. Furthermore, an impedance of a current channel for the discharge current which flows between the row electrode pair belonging to the odd numbered display line and the electrode driving means is made substantially the same as an impedance of a current channel for the discharge current which flows between the row electrode pair belonging to the even numbered display line and the electrode driving means.

Abstract: In a PDP driving circuit, first and second inductors are coupled to a panel capacitor. The driving circuit stores a first energy in the first inductor through a current in the first direction while the voltage at the panel capacitor is maintained to be a first voltage, and uses the first energy and resonance between the panel capacitor and the first inductor to reduce the voltage at the panel capacitor to a second voltage. Next, the driving circuit maintains the voltage at the panel capacitor to be the second voltage, recovers the energy remaining in the first inductor, stores a second energy in a second inductor through a current in the second direction, and uses the energy stored in the second inductor to increase the voltage at the panel capacitor to the first voltage. Therefore, rising and falling time of the voltage at the panel capacitor is shortened, and zero-voltage switching is possible when the driving circuit has a parasitic component.

Abstract: A field emission display (FED) having a correction system with a correction coefficient derived from emission current is presented. Within one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a field emission display has an anode at the faceplate and a focus structure. The anode potential is held at ground while the focus structure potential is held between, but is not limited to, 40 and 50 volts. The current flowing to the focus structure is measured and used as the basis for the correction coefficient for the field emission display.

Abstract: The invention enhances, at low cost, the display performance of an electro-optical device to reflect the light emitted from a light-emitting layer to an electrode opposite to a substrate. Within a circuit part, a silicon layer and a condenser electrode formed from a first metal layer thereon, with a gate-insulating layer sandwiched therebetween, is provided under a pixel display part. Further, a second metal layer forms a power source line parallel to a signal line with a width covering the pixel display part and with a thickness having reflexibility. The light emitted and transmitted through an anode from an organic EL layer, is reflected upwardly by the power source line and is emitted from the pixel display part. A storage capacitor is formed in a layer below the power source line by the silicon layer, the condenser electrode, and the power source line. As a result, the space of the circuit part is efficiently used.

Abstract: An active matrix type EL display device is provided, which is capable of suppressing the unevenness of luminance display due to the unevenness of the characteristics of TFTs which constitute pixels, or due to variations in the environmental temperature at which the display device is used. The active matrix type EL display is driven by a time gray scale method, and is capable of keeping the drain current of each of its EL driving TFTs constant by operating each of the EL driving TFTs in a saturation region in an ON state. Accordingly, constant current can be made to flow in each of the EL elements, whereby it is possible to provide an active matrix type EL display device with accurate gray scale display and high image quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic circuit, a method of driving the electronic circuit, an electro-optical device, a method of driving the electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus, capable of reducing deviations in threshold voltages of transistors. A pixel circuit can be constructed with three transistors of a driving transistor, an adjusting transistor and a switching transistor, and two capacitors of a first capacitor and a second capacitor. Further, a source of the adjusting transistor can be connected to a voltage supply line for supplying a driving voltage through a control transistor in common with the sources of the adjusting transistors of other pixel circuits, the voltage supply line being provided at the right end side of an active matrix part.

Abstract: An OLED device comprising: a) a substrate; b) one or more OLED element(s) formed on the substrate and having a common electrical connection for passing current through the OLED element(s); c) one or more transistor circuit(s) for controlling current passing through the OLED element(s); and d) a controller for measuring a current passing through the common electrical connection when the OLED element(s) and/or transistor circuit(s) are at an unknown temperature, for controlling the transistor circuit(s), and for comparing the current measured to an established current response determined under known OLED element(s) and/or transistor circuit(s) temperature conditions to determine the temperature of the OLED element(s) and/or transistor circuit(s).

Abstract: The present invention includes: a liquid crystal panel 105 on which is formed a matrix of a plurality of image elements; a correction circuit 107 that receives a video data gradation signal input, generates a correction signal for correcting luminance using a relationship defined by the gradation level from an input gradation for an (N?1)-th frame and the gradation level from an input gradation for an N-th frame, and corrects the input gradation signal for the N-th frame using the correction signal; a data driver 109 generating a write potential based on the corrected input gradation signal for the N-th frame and applies the potential to an image element; and a scan driver selecting an image element to which the write potential is applied.

Abstract: Column electrode driving circuit for a display device which reduces power consumption arid is capable of gray-scale displaying. The driving circuit include a gray-scale voltage producing system including amplifiers whose inputs are applied with a plurality of gray-scale voltages, respectively, and a selecting system for selecting and outputting any of output signals of the amplifiers for each pixel or each predetermined displayed unit in accordance with an image signal indicative of a gray-scale level for the pixel or displayed unit. The gray-scale voltage producing system causes any amplifiers of the amplifiers, which correspond to a predetermined number of predetermined gray scale levels, to be powered off and causing the other amplifiers to be powered on during a predetermined mode, the selecting system select any of output signals of the amplifiers powered on during the predetermined mode. A further construction based on potential divider circuits is also disclosed.

Abstract: An active matrix display comprises an active matrix array of pixels divided into first and second sets, the pixels 35 of the first set are refreshed in the conventional active matrix way by a first refreshing arrangement M1, 6, 7. Pixels 36 for displaying a graphical feature such as an icon overlaid on the active matrix display image have a second refreshing arrangement M2, 6, 37 to allow the icon pixels of each icon to be switched to the same state, such as maximum back or maximum white. The icon pixels 36 may also have the first refreshing arrangement M1, 6, 7 so that they can be used either as part of the active matrix for displaying arbitrary data or when selected as such, for overlaying the icon image on the arbitrary image data.