Abstract: A variable color display systems sequentially exhibits digital values in a color in accordance with the relation of the presently exhibited digital value to a past digital value. A memory, controlled by a timer, is provided for storing data representing the past digital value. A comparator compares the presently exhibited digital value with the data stored in the memory and develops a comparison signal accordingly, which is then used to control the color of the presently exhibited digital value.

Abstract: A virtual bookshelf system provides a user a way to browse and locate information associated with a plurality of documents. The virtual bookshelf system contains classification information to classify the documents in a hierarchical structure that includes a plurality of hierarchical levels based on pre-defined categories. The virtual bookshelf system displays a portion of the hierarchical structure including a representation of the categories. A user of the virtual bookshelf system may browse through the categories in the hierarchical levels to learn the general topics of the available documents. The user is permitted to select a particular category, and in response, the virtual bookshelf system displays document information for documents classified in the category selected. When selected, peripheral themes or issues are displayed such that the themes relate to the main issues covered by the documents classified under the selected category.

Abstract: A solar cell driven display is provided with battery backup, where the included components, solar cell and/or battery forms an integrated system based on porous titanium dioxide or other metal oxide films. The solar cell charges the battery and/or operates as a power source for the display. The solar cell and battery as display each include a pair of film electrodes on, for example, glass. They are interconnected by an electrolyte, which brings about charges between the paired electrodes. The solar cell is of a photoelectrochemical type and the battery of a rocking-chair type. By intercalation, for example, by lithium ions in the oxide film it is colored, for example, titanium dioxide becomes blue. Then it may simultaneously operate as a display portion but also as a portion in an electrochemical element of a battery.

Abstract: An alphanumeric symbol generator having a five-by-five matrix of twenty-one pixels. The pixels are arranged such that there are no pixels at the points where the second and fourth columns intersect with the second and fourth rows. The pixels may be light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes or liquid crystal displays. The pixels may also consist of the pins in a dot-matrix printer. The pixels in the five-by-five matrix are activated in response to electronic codes corresponding to alphanumeric characters. Typically, a series of 21-pixel matrices are aligned side-by-side to create a display that communicates multiple words, numbers, and symbols.

Abstract: A high efficiency, narrow spectral linewidth lasing pixel device that implements a low-voltage spatially patterned variable loss element placed inside an optically pumped high-gain laser cavity is disclosed. The output properties of this system make it useful for digital projection displays.

Abstract: A variable message display sign comprises a plurality of interchangeable character displays each having a plurality of signal elements organized in distinct sets, with each signal element having an on state and an off state. A controller is located remotely of the character displays and produces an address signal containing character address data for identifying an addressed character display which resides at a desired address location within the message display sign. The controller also produces a set signal containing set address data for identifying an addressed set of signal elements and a data signal containing display data corresponding to desired on/off states for each signal element in the addressed set. A logic circuit is associated with each character display and has a unique character address.

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: Method and apparatus for controlling the updating of a random access memory (RAM) that stores data for coding the activation of segments of one or more alphanmeric characters of a liquid crystal display (LCD), to maintain substantially a direct current (DC) voltage value of zero across transparent conductive plates of the LCD, is performed or provided in a microcontroller having internal LCD control capabilities. A type B waveform is employed for activating the LCD, the waveform being of a type in which data is transmitted over two frames, the data in the second frame of which is the inverse of data in the first frame thereof to maintain an average DC voltage value over each two-frame portion of the waveform at substantially zero volt. The RAM is allowed to be written to for updating the data therein only after completion of an entire two-frame portion of the waveform and before commencement of a new two-frame portion, to avoid a non-zero average DC voltage across the LCD glass during a two-frame portion.

Abstract: The liquid-crystal display control apparatus provided by the present invention comprises a display RAM unit 21 for storing character codes, character-generator RAM and ROM units 22 and 23 for storing character font patterns and a segment RAM unit 24 for storing picture patterns such as marks and icons. When displaying a character, the following display control is carried out. First of all, a character code is read out from the display RAM unit 21 at a display address generated by a display-address counter 25. The character code is then used in conjunction with a raster address output by a line-address counter 26 for reading out a character font pattern from the character-generator RAM unit 22 or the character-generator ROM unit 23. When displaying a picture pattern such as a mark or an icon, on the other hand, the following display control is carried out. Display control information is read out from the segment RAM unit 24 at an address generated by the display-address counter 25.

Abstract: A vacuum fluorescent display driver and method for driving a vacuum display device includes a segment selecting circuit which selectively applies a potential of a particular polarity to a segment to illuminate that segment and a grid driver circuit which applies a potential of that polarity to the grid in order to illuminate the device. A filament supply supplies a current to the filament during a first portion of a duty cycle in order to heat the filament and applies a potential of polarity opposite to that applied to the filament during a second portion of the duty cycle in order to produce a potential between the filament, the grid, and any segment which is selected sufficient to illuminate the selected segments. The driver is especially adapted for use with a microcomputer particularly in a vehicle display mirror, such as a compass mirror.

Abstract: A display device is disclosed for displaying a character having a font of the "7-segment" type. The display includes segment drivers for activating/deactivating one or various icons from a set of icons formed each by one or various electrically connected segments. The set of icons includes six icons chosen so that all the characters of the 7-segment font, including numerals zero to nine, are restorable by selective activation/deactivation of the icons.

Abstract: A method of updating characters within a multiplexed display used for displaying events including dynamic events which occur at a relatively faster rate. The display characters representing dynamic events are refreshed at a higher refresh frequency and more frequently during each display cycle. A plurality of display drivers including at least one grid driver controls the update and enablement of characters within the multiplexed display.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a flat panel display system for illuminating an icon having a shape. The system comprises a first set of illuminators for illuminating the icon with a first color light beam in response to a first signal. The first set comprises a first and second pair of electrodes. Each pair of the first set comprising a top electrode and a bottom electrode, wherein the top and bottom electrodes of the first pair overlapping to form a first overlap region. Moreover, the top and bottom electrodes of the second pair overlapping to form a second overlap region, wherein the first and second overlap regions outline the shape of the icon. Further, a second set of illuminators is incorporated for illuminating the icon with a second color light beam in response to a second signal, such that the second set comprises a third and fourth pair of electrodes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to simultaneously implement display by using the first and second liquid crystal display sections. While a voltage (1/2 V.sub.L) which is a half of a drive voltage V.sub.L supplied from the second drive power supply by the second liquid crystal driver is taken as a virtual ground, a voltage (1/4 V.sub.L) resulting from positively and negatively dividing by 4 the drive voltage V.sub.L is applied to each of electrodes of the second liquid crystal display section defined in the liquid crystal display panel. In a selected waveform, by applying a voltage which exceeds the saturation voltage of liquid crystals, to selected portions of the waveform, the liquid crystals are turned on. In a non-selected waveform, such a voltage is not applied. In the second liquid crystal display section, direct current component of the waveform of a signal supplied by the second liquid crystal driver is cut off by the direct current cutoff circuit. A bias voltage (1/2 V.sub.

Abstract: A menu level indicator facilitates ease of use of a telephone terminal by a user by providing easily understandable information about selectable menu options available in an interactive display on the telephone terminal. The menu level indicator provides a visual indication for permitting the user to directly determine the number of menu options available while at one of multiple selectable menu levels in the menu. The menu level indicator also provides a visual indication for the user as to the relative position of a displayed, selectable menu option with respect to other selectable menu options commonly located at one of the multiple selectable menu levels. As a user maneuvers through the menu levels, such user is able to quickly develop a mental model of the feature menus and easily navigate through these menu selections.

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: A highly reliable display control apparatus and method suitable for use in a computer control system which is required to have high degree of reliability, such as control systems for railroad traffic or a nuclear power station. A meaningful symbol is divided into a plurality of sections and these sections are independently input to either one of the inputs of an interactive man-machine system through different systems so that these sections of the meaningful symbol are displayed in the same frame of the man-machine system, thus enabling the operator to visually detect any abnormality as to whether the displayed meaningful symbol is complete or not, whereby a high degree of reliability of the display is obtained.

Abstract: A user of a telephone terminal with an interactive display is provided complete access to all feature choices in a hierarchical menu through a minimum number of menu keys. These menu keys include a "Next" key, a "Back" key, a "Select" key and a "Home" key. These menu keys occupy minimal space on the housing of the telephone terminal, yet enable the user of the terminal to easily scroll to and select every feature in the interactive display. The user is able to quickly develop a mental model of the feature choices and easily navigate through these menu selections. Context-sensitive functionality also is provided for using the interactive display. As a user completes a command function, the feature choice presented to the user for this function is the one most likely to be accessed by the user, thus advantageously avoiding the necessity of having a dedicated key for allowing the user to select this feature choice.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an operating state of a computer includes a controller for providing output of a read signal to receive data signals from a local bus. The controller analyzes the data signals and provides output of a display signal representative of the operating state of the computer based on the analysis of the data signals. An interface unit receives the data signals from a system bus, stores the data signals, and provides output of the data signals to the local bus in response to the read signal provided from the controller. A driving unit provides output of grid driving signals and segment driving signals in response to the display signal provided from the controller.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated, linearly sliding shutter is provided for a light source emanating from a fiber optic light guide, used for example, in a variable display such as those providing information to motorists on highways. For such a display a plurality of shutters in an array is provided with individual shutters being operable under computer control to occlude or allow passage of light in a predetermined pattern. The shutter may include a base unit having bores to hold the end of the fiber optic guide and control electromagnetic coils, and a shutter unit having a slide movable into and out of the path of light from the guide. The shutter unit may be sealed against entry of dust and dirt.

Abstract: A drive circuit for displaying the partition symbol intermittently comprising at least a pair of buffers, a plurality of display units of seven-segment, a partition symbol display buffer, a control circuit, a display unit of partition symbol, is provided. The pair of buffers store a set of signals. Each of the plurality of display units of seven-segment includes a first display portion and a second display portion, and, responsive to the set of signals, the first display portion and the second display portion are enabled to display. The partition symbol display buffer has an output value. The control circuit resets and sets the partition symbol display buffer in accordance with a predetermined manner. The display unit of partition symbol, in response to the output value, displays the partition symbol intermittently.

Abstract: A system applicable to a data display radio pager for displaying week-day and/or time by a plurality of elements or segments implemented by light emitting diodes (LEDs) or similar devices. Week-day is represented by two characters, i.e., the first character represented by ten elements or segments implemented by, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the second character following the first alphabet and represented by seven elements or segments which may also be implemented by LEDs. Regarding time, the tens digit of hours is represented by, for example, LEDs in the form of fixed numerals 1 and 2.

Abstract: A compact pressure differential/pressure detector is a process detection apparatus for measuring a pressure, a level, a pressure differential of a process fluid. The detector is constructed of a pressure sensing block having sensors for sensing a pressure and a pressure differential, a signal processing block for processing signals from the pressure sensing block, and a terminal board block for receiving power supply from outside and transmitting signals to outside. These blocks are arranged along the same axis. Furthermore, an indicator indicating a process state is also arranged along the same axis and received in a covering case. The case is firmly attached to the pressure sensing block. The process detection apparatus permits a compact design and offers an excellent maintainability.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of detecting errors in an electro-optic display of a type comprising one or more capacitive display elements. Each display element is connected to drive circuitry. The apparatus includes an isolator for electrically isolating the first electrode of a display element to be tested from the drive circuitry. A comparator compares a voltage on the first electrode of the element being tested with a reference voltage, and an error signal generator generates an error signal if the voltage on the first electrode crosses the reference voltage within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An electronic display arrangement comprises at least one electro-optical display means, as for example a liquid crystal cell, a certain number of elementary patterns associated with the electro-optical display means, such elementary patterns for the most part conforming to and being based on a series of stylized and selected alpha-numeric characters in the form of a composite mosaic-type structure the grid of which is formed by the patterns which exhibit heterogeneous and complementary contours arranged so as to nest into one another in a manner similar to that of a puzzle, the arrangement being characterized in that the mosaic is divided up by optically passive bands which partially cover over certain of the elementary patterns and form a cutup of the mosaic. The electronic display arrangement is applicable to panels for displaying alpha-numeric characters for the visualization of messages in public places such as railway or airport halls.

Abstract: A social encounter catalytic initiator includes an integrated circuit counter and a display driver which drives a seven segment display. The counter and driver are carried within a housing along with the display and the housing may be in the form of a sign, badge or pin. The counter is incrementally actuated by a user to provide, at the display, a visual measure of the user's interest in establishing a social relationship with another person who is in view. The display may be driven to provide numeric, alphabetic or word format incremental values. A comparator may be employed for switching the color of the display when the user selected incremental value exceeds a variable predetermined color change incremental value.

Abstract: A solid state depth locator comprises an LCD display having a plurality of LCD segments for providing a real time output indicative of the depth of targets in a body of water. A drive circuit drives each segment of the plurality of LCD segments. A transducer, transmitter and receiver operate together to provide a real time data signal to the drive circuit for driving each segment of the plurality of LCD segments, the real time data signal having a time period and being representative of the presence of targets in the body of water. A clock provides a clock signal to the drive circuit for clocking the real time data signal serially into the LCD drivers. The clock signal has a plurality of clock pulses within the time period of the real time data signal corresponding to the number of LCD segments. A grey scale circuit is provided for varying the intensity of each segment of the LCD display in relation to the strength of the real time data signal.

Abstract: A display apparatus used in an electronic calculator with a fraction calculating function is constructed by arranging 8-shaped display members made of 7 segments at upper, intermediate and lower stages, while commonly using some of these display segments. A numerator of a fraction is displayed on the upper-staged display member, a denominator of this fraction is displayed on the lower-staged display member, and a bar thereof is displayed utilizing the intermediate display member, so that the fraction may be displayed in the normal mathematic expression form.

Abstract: An erasable and programmable seven segment display driver includes an oscillator, a signal source selector, a column address generator, a row address generator, a common signal driver, a segment signal driver, an EPROM array, and a seven segment display. A set of preset numerical data is stored in the EPROM memory array for display. The data stored in the memory is programmable and erasable, so numerical data can be reprogrammable in accordance with any desired display data. It is possible to lower the cost and enhance the usability and convenience of the display driver.

Abstract: Display data is read out from a display memory in parallel, and is temporarily held in a first shift register located near to the display memory. The display data is serially read out and transferred from the first shift register in one bit unit to a second shift register located near to an display data latch, in synchronism with a shift clock signal outputted from a shift clock controlling circuit. The display data held in the second shift register is outputted in parallel to the display data latch in accordance with a display data read signal. Thus, it is possible to reduce the increase of the number of the wiring lines extending from the display memory to the display data latch, as well as the increase of the chip area, both of which would be caused by the increase of the display segments. It is also possible to reduce the limitations related to the arrangement of the interior of the microcomputer.

Abstract: Simulated meter disk rotation is provided in an electronic power meter which does not include a meter disk to enable meter timing and testing to be accomplished in the same visual manner as the use of the disk in an electro-mechanical power meter. The existing segmented character display is used to provide a simulated gap in which horizontal display segments move and appear to wrap around the rear of the meter.

Abstract: In a flat display device, for example, a luminescent display a spacer structure (5) is provided between two substrates (1, 3). To this end a mask (9, 15) consisting, if necessary, of a plurality of layers is incorporated in a photosensitive material (8, 13). After exposure, development and removal of the mask, the desired spacer structure is obtained.

Abstract: An LCD display with a high resolution moveable pointer has a first image pane (10) with slanted conductive first segments (12) on a surface thereof. A second image pane (16) has second segments (18) and a surface thereof. The second segments are slanted opposite of the first segments. The LCD has the image panes mounted parallel to one another with the surfaces with the segments thereon facing one another with a dichroic liquid crystal material in between. A first set (26) of segments on the first image pane and a third set (30) of segments on the second pane are driven by first electrical signals of fixed amplitude and frequency. A second set of segments (28) on the first pane and a fourth set (32) on a second pane are driven by second signals 180.degree. out of phase with the first signals. A pointer is formed at an area (38) where the dichroic material is subject to an electrical potential sufficient to make the dichroic material transparent.

Abstract: A display device of the reflection type for a vehicle wherein an analog meter can be used to effect analog display and which, while remote indication is effected making use of a reflecting face of a reflecting element, is compact in overall size and has a long distance for the remote indication. The display device comprises a display unit, a reflecting member having a spherical reflecting face directed to a display face of the display unit, and a light transmitting reflecting element disposed between the display unit and the reflecting member and having a reflecting face through which display light from the display unit is transmitted.