Light-controlling Display Elements Patents (Class 345/48)
  • Patent number: 5990853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection type image displaying apparatus capable of displaying larger picture images which are bright, uniform and after-image-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Kuratomi, Akio Takimoto, Koji Akiyama, Hiroshi Tsutsui, Toshikatsu Kawakami, Yasuaki Muto, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Patent number: 5977938
    Abstract: A visible light corresponding to an input key is generated from a visible light generating unit as a display source, thereby allowing an aerial image as a mirage of an input operating unit to appear by an aerial image forming unit using a pair of parabola mirrors or the like. When touching the aerial image by a finger, its reflected light is detected by a photodetecting unit. A controller discriminates an operating position from a driving timing of the visible light generating unit and outputs a switch signal to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Seiichi Iwasa
  • Patent number: 5943033
    Abstract: White opaque fixed films in a fixed section are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. On each fixed film, a cyan transparent film, a magenta transparent film, and a yellow transparent film that constitute a pixel are placed. By electrostatic force, these transparent films are driven and placed under the fixed film of an adjacent pixel, thereby controlling the color of the pixel. To generate electrostatic force, the fixed film and transparent film are provided with electrodes and an insulating film is inserted between these two films. The consecutive reversing of the polarity of both electrodes enables the transparent film to move in parallel with the fixed section. To achieve half tone display and no power consumption in displaying a still picture, an electrostatic mechanical latch mechanism that stops the film still in motion is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugahara, Kazuki Taira
  • Patent number: 5926111
    Abstract: A system for summoning a service industry worker using pulsed width modulation for remote signalling having a number of signalling switches, each connected to a transmitter. When a switch is activated, the corresponding transmitter transmits an RF carrier modulated by a lower frequency tone, turning the tone on and off in a pattern determined by a unique code assigned to the switch. A central receiver filters the signal from the transmitter and converts the tone pattern to a binary output to a computer. The computer instructs a display unit to turn on a light corresponding to the switch by sending its number in a serial bit stream of all lights that should be on. The bit stream is interpreted by circuits in the display unit using a clock signal. Upon the clock signal, the bit is sent to the appropriate register, which is used to turn on the correct light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: D & B Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Davis, Joseph V. Bednar
  • Patent number: 5467107
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display includes a plurality of groups of intersecting row and column electrodes, and a plurality of parallel anode electrode segments disposed in spaced relation within a fluid-tight envelope containing a suspension of pigment particles in a dielectric fluid. Each respective group of row and column electrodes and a corresponding anode segment are indicative of a character line of displayed text. The display includes a line control system operable in a partial erase mode to partially erase a character line having a character thereof selected for erasure and operable in a rewriting mode to rewrite to the character line all characters not selected for erasure. The line control system is operable to alternate sequentially between the two modes until the selected character is simply erased or replaced entirely with a new character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Copytele, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiSanto, Denis A. Krusos, Edward Lewit
  • Patent number: 5398022
    Abstract: A pager has a display and a selectively activated light for illuminating the display. The illumination of the display is accomplished using a minimal number of components thereby reducing the size and cost requirements of the pager. The method of message sequencing and the illumination of the pager display is controlled solely by the pager user through a single switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Uniden America Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald L. Lipp