Abstract: An information display system comprises a controller, a ceiling node, a rail, an end cap and a solar powered display module. The display module stores and displays information. The controller communicates with the end cap through an IR downlink and an RF uplink, and the end cap communicates with the display module by wired communication. By uniquely combining RF and IR communication systems in the information display system, communication between the controller and the module is fast and accurate and the display module's power consumption is significantly reduced to make a solar powered information display system practical. By a unique power bus, excess power is shared.

Abstract: An electric sign board operating system having an electric signal board operating computer, the electric signal board operating computer including: an input means for receiving an advertisement file to be displayed on an electric sign board through a network; a first storing means for storing the advertisement file; a second storing means, including an electric sign board operating program, for processing the advertisement file stored in the first storing means, generating an advertisement plan list and storing it in the first storing means; an output means for transmitting the advertisement file and a control signal for the electric sign board; and a CPU for executing the electric sign board operating program to generate the advertisement plan list and the control signal. With this system, receiving and displaying of a plurality of advertisements thereby effectively managed with respect to a plurality of electric sign boards.

Abstract: A wearable computer communicates with its display device via an optical link. The optical link may utilize different colored LEDs and corresponding photodetectors for transmitting and receiving the video and control signals to and from the computer and the hand-held display package. The wearable computer may communicate with a local area network by a radio communications link. The use of two antennas mounted and associated with the wearable computer eliminates any notch within a propagation pattern emanated from the antennas.

Abstract: A viewing assembly, viewing system, and method of use are provided. The viewing assembly and system and method of use provide images that may be viewed from any position orthogonal to, and from a plurality of positions oblique to, the axis on which a substantially planar viewing assembly may be rotated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel dispenser which is located in a fueling environment that includes a convenience store or a quick serve restaurant. The fueling dispenser includes a display providing menu options and input devices for a user to select various goods and services available at the location. The display includes a first display having user selectable options and input devices positioned on the fueling dispenser. The display further includes a second display having user selectable options within a handicapped accessible range to provide access for disabled users. Upon receipt of a signal indicating a handicapped user, the second display is provided to allow access for handicapped users to insure they can adequately input their selections.

Abstract: Apparatus for color correcting a display module is disclosed. The display module includes a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs. The LEDs typically include sources of nominally red, green and blue colors. The apparatus includes a device for activating a light emitting element to emit an uncorrected first color and a device for activating at least one further light emitting element which emits a color other than the first color, to produce a corrected first color. An array of corrected display modules and a method of correcting a color in a display module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable computer is configured to accept removable modular display panels of different types that plug into a structure hinged to the body of the computer. Each display panel has a sliding engagement means fixed along a lower edge, and the hinged structure has a mating sliding engagement means along an upper edge and parallel to the axis of the hinge, allowing a display panel to engage and disengage in the direction of the axis of the hinge. In an embodiment of the invention, display modules adaptable to the computer have a code stored in a memory device that is accessible on start-up by the computer, to identify and load a display driver routine capable of driving the display module assembled to the computer.

Abstract: The screen of a liquid crystal panel is divided into two portions. In the divided screens (upper screen and lower screen), the corresponding common electrodes (each for one divided screen) are simultaneously driven. The driving signal (common signal C1) of the upper screen and the driving signal (common signal C2) of the lower screen change in one cycle of four frame periods. More specifically, in the above-mentioned cycle, the common signal C1 changes in a pattern (1→1→1→−1), and the common signal C2 changes in a pattern (1→−1→1→1) in synchronization with each other. Accordingly, upon comparison of the common signals C1 and C2, it appears that the signal having the same waveform is applied to the common electrodes while being out of phase with each other. Thus, a difference of the drive frequency between the upper screen and the lower screen is eliminated.

Abstract: A method and implementing apparatus is provided which include a plurality of perceptible indicia devices which are mounted on an I/O drawer of a computer system server equipment rack. In the exemplary embodiment, the indicia devices include a light-emitting diode in combination with an alphanumeric display device. Various states of a system initialization process are indicated by different combinations of possible states of the LED and the display device such that the sequencing of a system initialization process can be traced by visual inspection of the status of the perceptible indicia devices.

Abstract: A data holding control signal for each data line is supplied to a plurality of source followers that are connected together in parallel. The parallel-connected source followers are a combination of at least one first follower that is illuminated with laser light only once and at least one second follower that is illuminated twice. A width of the laser light illumination for crystallization is equal to a pitch of the source followers multiplied by an integer that is not less than 3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for phase-locking a plurality of display devices and multi-level driver for use therewith. Each of the display devices displays an image under the control of a distinct clock having a distinct clock rate. Each of the images contains a predetermined periodic indexing event. One of the clocks is designated as a master clock. The times of occurrence of the indexing events are compared, and the times of occurrence are caused to fall within a predetermined amount of time of one another so that each of the other clocks is phase-locked with the master clock.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) which includes a plurality of separately-addressable displays. The EPL includes a housing, a first display identified by a first unique identification number, a second display within the housing identified by a second unique identification number, and circuitry within the housing for controlling each of the first and second displays in response to messages received by the circuitry which are addressed to the first and second displays using the first and second unique identification numbers.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a system of physical measurement and display of a parameter, including: accepting an input signal representative of a value of the parameter, the input signal having an arbitrary shape and amplitude; and displaying the value of the parameter in an arbitrary shape; including the use of analog and digital circuitry and nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A fiber optic display sign has an optical system with enhanced light efficiency so that the display system is suitable for outdoor use. A number of fiber optics have light receiving ends arranged in a compact bundle for receiving an image from an image generator, the fiber optics coupling the image to the output ends thereof for display. An array of lenses is positioned adjacent the output ends of the fiber optics for directing or aiming the light from the fiber optics to control the viewing angle of the image displayed. The array of lenses may be fixed with respect to the output ends of the fiber optics or the lens array may be movable with respect thereto so as to vary the viewing angle. The image generator employs a light source formed of a densely packed array of white light emitting diodes to provide enhanced brightness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image defined by fluid bubbles in a medium fluid. Alphanumeric digits and/or graphic images in a fluid medium are formed by injecting into the fluid medium a multitude of fluid bubbles having a density different than that of the medium fluid. Using non-gaseous fluids, the fluid bubbles take on a natural shape which is not confined by any structures as it travels through the medium fluid. The rate at which the fluid bubbles rise or fall through a medium fluid is directly dependent on the viscosity of the individual fluids and the difference between the fluid viscosities. The viscosity of the medium fluid also influences the rate of formation of bubbles which are being created. The control and timing circuitry determines the time interval wherein each horizontal row of bubbles is created. The rows of bubbles then create a 2-D or 3-D image, conducive for various applications as signs or displays.

Abstract: A waveform scan system produces two pairs of special waves with special waveforms that are led to front and rear layers of an electrically-conducting media which contains three overlaid layers. In there they form special stationary waveforms which contains a vertical and a horizontal maximum peak lines. These two peak line cross in space and their perpendicular line present a maximum peak point. Under a control unit, this maximum peak point will scan whole screen media and synchronize with incoming signals. The middle layer connect to the signals processor that allows signals to be converted or be reproduced therein. Thereby the time domain serial signals can be reproduced in different locations in the space domain. Vice versa, the space domain signals can be convert or record in a time domain media.

Abstract: A circuit receives at least two input signals and produces exactly three output signals in response to the two input signals, whereby two of the output signals shine constantly in an activated state and the third output signal shines constantly or flashes in the activated state. Each time exactly one of the three output signals is activated.

Abstract: A video interface linking a base station with a remote display, e.g., a head-mounted display, converts input video signals from NTSC or PAL formats into modulated video signals containing repetitive sequences of frame times with embedded audio and control signals. Each frame time includes equal consecutive color field times. Frame rates are converted by inserting selected repeating color frames into the datastream. Bursts of image information occupy a portion of each field time. During each data burst, the display is loaded with pixel luminance data. Between bursts, the display is illuminated by a color LED. Two video displays can be driven alternately, i.e., the first display loads while the second is illuminated. The modulated video signal can travel through the atmosphere on an infrared (IR) beam with a wavelength between 700 nm and 1100 nm. In one embodiment, the beam is scattered from a diffuse reflecting surface. Alternatively, the beam is shaped by a shaping lens.

Abstract: A display device which includes a simplified wiring for respective display elements is provided to facilitate the assembly and maintenance. The display device is constituted of a large number of display units (50) arranged in a matrix, each including a display element (10) composed of a light bulb, a regulator (51) composed of a relay, an nonvolatile memory (52) composed of an EEPROM, and a controller (53) composed of a CPU. A common electric power transmission line (61) and a common signal transmission line (71) are wired for the plural display units (50). A display signal including address information and data information is supplied to the signal transmission line (71). Each controller (53) controls an associated regulator (51) to light on/off an associated display element (10), based on the data information in the display signal only when the address stored in the nonvolatile memory (52) agrees with the address information in the display signal.

Abstract: A wearable computer communicates with its display device via an optical link. The optical link may utilize different colored LEDs and corresponding photodetectors for transmitting and receiving the video and control signals to and from the computer and the hand-held display package. The wearable computer may communicate with a local area network by a radio communications link. The use of two antennas mounted and associated with the wearable computer eliminates any notch within a propagation pattern emanated from the antennas.

Abstract: A radio selective calling receiver includes a radio section, a display section, and a CPU. The radio section receives a radio selective signal from a base station. The display section has first and second display areas and displays the message contained in the radio selective signal from the radio section in a dot matrix. The CPU automatically switches between the first display mode of using only the first display area and the second display mode of using both the first and second display areas in accordance with the contents of the message.

Abstract: A display device to indicate positive and negative display values by increasing or decreasing a number of lit display elements to provide a display device that allows an expansion of the display range in the limited analog display area of a display section. The display device includes a first display element group that is lit to indicate display values; a second display element group located near the first display element group that is lit to indicate an origin corresponding to the display value; and a control device to control, lighting of a display value by the first display element according to a position of the origin.

Abstract: A display device has a plurality of display units (D.sub.1, D.sub.2 . . . D.sub.n), each display unit consisting of a number of multiplex-operated display sections, each of which has a plurality of display elements which can be simultaneously but independently switched and each of which has a respective display driver (for example, T.sub.1), and a circuit arrangement for controlling the display device. The circuit arrangement includes a memory (M) in which the information to be output via the display device is stored, a microcontroller (MC) which has at least one synchronous serial interface (2) and a DMA controller (3) for transferring data intended for each time the same display section of the display units (D.sub.1, D.sub.2 . . . D.sub.n) from the memory to the interface, a shift register arrangement (S.sub.1, S.sub.2 . . . S.sub.n) which is connected to the serial interface (2) and which has a parallel output, and storage members (L.sub.1, L.sub.2 . . . L.sub.

Abstract: A module for displaying information which is electronically controllable and information which is not so controllable. Substantially the entire front (visible) face of the module is divided into two portions. One is the face of a LCD display. The second is the face of a solar cell. The face of the solar cell is covered by a transparent overlay which bears the non-controllable information.

Abstract: An image control circuit of one terminal apparatus reads image data corresponding to a designated reference numeral from a display content storage circuit and displays this on a monitor device and, at the same time, transmits the data indicating the reference numeral to another terminal apparatus via a communication line. An I/F circuit of the other terminal apparatus receives the reference numeral sent from the first terminal apparatus side nd outputs this to its image control circuit. The image control circuit of the other terminal apparatus stores this data in the display content storage circuit and, at the same time, reads the reference numeral and the image data corresponding to this reference numeral from the display content storage circuit and displays the same in a predetermined part of the screen of the monitor device.

Abstract: A display device that includes a display medium having a planar display area over which an image is generated, a first and second optical point beam each directed in the display medium coplanar with the planar display area, and beam controllers that scan each of the optical point beams to selectively interfere in the display area within a region defined by the intersection of the optical point beams to produce an intensity in the region that has enhanced visibility relative to the individual optical beams propagating in the display medium outside of the region. The beam controller may be an elongated reflector having a reflecting surface upon which a linear array of liquid crystal modulators are controlled to selectively transmit segments of a linear beam incident on the linear array, in order to provide the optical beam by selectively reflecting segments of the linear optical beam into the display medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying information by providing a flat-panel display module with display information, separating the flat-panel display module from information source and locating the module, without being inverted, at a specified position physically displaced from the source. The separated display module can be operated with or without connection to the source, and the module can be transported away from the source to provide a portable data store which can be accessed independently of the source. The module can be back-lighted and positioned alongside a keyboard of the source, and the separated display can be operated simultaneously with another flat-panel display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of low power consumption is disclosed, which is suitable for use with a portable data processing apparatus, in particular.

Abstract: A large scale video display of the present invention is designed to receive a standard NTSC video signal and display it on a large scale array of low cost, voltage or current controlled lamp transducers. The video signals are received by a video capture device which receives and digitizes the video signal. A host processor formats the digital data into a number of 16 bit data words each corresponding to a pixel. A coprocessor receives the 16 bit data words and reformats the data. The reformatted data is connected to a large scale display by a fiber optic connection. The display includes a number of transceivers which receive the formatted video data in a memory buffer. The transceivers also receive a board map from the coprocessor. The map indicates which light boards correspond to each part of the memory where the frame image is stored. This information is used by a number of controllers to determine which lights to turn on and at what level of brightness for any given time.

Abstract: In an electronic system having a plurality of function parts, a function display circuit comprisinga switching part to select a desired function part, a first display part to display an operating function part, a second display part to display a function of the operating function part and logic control means including a first and a second MICOM parts, said second MICOM part being controlled by the first MICOM part to drive the first and the second display parts respectively, anda function display method comprising a function decision process to decide a switching state, a function stop process to stop driving each of the first and the second display parts for an unselected function part, and a function display process to display an operating state and a function of a selected function part.

Abstract: A red image light signal emitting array, a green image light signal emitting array and a blue image light signal emitting array are driven by separate drivers in accordance with one-line image data at a time. The light signals emitted from the arrays are processed by a light signal combining lens and then are incident to a scanning mirror. The scanning mirror vibrates within a specified range of scan angles at a specified frequency, and while the scanning mirror reciprocates once, one frame of two-dimensional image is formed on a projection surface. The scan angle of the scanning mirror is detected by a detector, and the detector sends a detection signal to a timing signal generating circuit. The timing signal generating circuit is stored with values specified for the respective drivers, and when the detector detects that the scan angle becomes one of the values, the timing signal generating circuit sends a timing signal to the corresponding driver.

Abstract: When the horizontal size of a display character is given by 9 dots, 8-dot font data is stored in a font register, and 1-dot display attribute data is stored in a register. Display attribute data is data for designating the 8th dot of a character pattern to be displayed. A selector converts 9-dot data supplied from the font register and the register to serial data on the basis of a counter value of a counter and supplies the serial data to a CRT when 80 characters are to be displayed in the horizontal direction on the CRT having a horizontal resolution of 720 dots per scanning line. When an FPD having a horizontal resolution of 640 dots per scanning line is to be used, the selector converts only 8-dot font data supplied from the font register to serial data on the basis of a counter value from the counter and supplies the serial data to the FPD. As a result, eighty 8-dot characters are displayed in the horizontal direction of the FPD despite that display of 9-dot characters is designated.

Abstract: A display or other radiation-emitting device has an array of vertical ballistic transistors which produce electrons that flow into overlying phosphor regions. Light produced by the phosphors is focussed by an array of convex lenses above the phosphor regions to provide a high intensity display with limited viewing angle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the brightness of a matrix-addressed flat panel CRT display of a type having intersecting column and row conductors forming, respectively, the gate and cathode electrodes of a field electron emission array. The brightness control is effected by controlling the voltages applied to the drive lines of the intersecting conductors. A waveform having progressively increasing voltage steps is sequentially applied to the row conductors. The voltages at each of the steps are preferably selected to enable electron beam currents which provide brightness levels which are twice the brightness of the previous step. Binary-coded brightness control signals are simultaneously applied to all of the column conductors. The voltages of the stepped waveform and the binary-coded signals comprise a combination of video information data and correction data which compensate for irregularities in the current emitting structure at the selected conductors.

Abstract: A portable computer is configured to accept removable modular display panels of different types that plug into a structure hinged to the body of the computer. Each display panel has a sliding engagement means fixed along a lower edge, and the hinged structure has a mating sliding engagement means along an upper edge and parallel to the axis of the hinge, allowing a display panel to engage and disengage in the direction of the axis of the hinge. In another aspect of the invention, in the motion of engaging a display, a two-part, multi-pin electrical connector is also engaged, for conveying control signals to the display. In an embodiment of the invention, display modules adaptable to the computer have a code stored in a memory device that is accessible on start-up by the computer, to identify and load a display driver routine capable of driving the display module assembled to the computer.

Abstract: A jumbo-size picture display device arranged such that a number of red, green and blue fluorescent trios are formed in an X-Y matrix form. A shading material for controlling the color temperature is formed above predetermined red, green and blue fluorescent segments, whereby the color temperature can be corrected in a simple manner. The quality of the jumbo-size picture display device is improved and the manufacturing costs are reduced.