Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-11
2001-10-30
Jankus, Almis R. (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S589000, C345S593000, C324S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310590
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for continuously controlling the color of a display device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A display device described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,570, issued on Jun. 19, 1973 to George R. Kaelin et al., uses special LEDs that exhibit different colors when subjected to different currents. The LEDs are biased by pulses of different amplitudes, to achieve different colors of the display, and by the length inversely proportional to the pulse amplitude, to compensate for variable brightness of the display caused by different amplitudes of the pulses.
A circuit employing a dual-color LED driven by a dual timer is described in the article by Bill Wagner entitled 2-color LED+driver=versatile visual effects, published on Oct. 2, 1980 in EDN volume 25, No. 19, page 164. Since dual-color LEDs are connected to conduct currents in opposite directions, it would be impossible to forwardly bias them simultaneously.
An electronic display having segments wherein each segment is capable of selectively illuminating two colors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,149 issued on Dec. 11, 1984 to William A. Givens, Jr. Two AND gates are provided for biasing, in each display segment, either a first light emitting diode, for emitting a first color, or a second light emitting diode, for emitting a second color. It is not contemplated to illuminate both light emitting diodes in each segment simultaneously for blending the colors.
A multi-color LED display for seven segment figures is disclosed in German Patent No. 3,009,416 issued on Sep. 17, 1981 to Klaus Gillessen. The LED circuit consists of seven group of diodes, each group made up of two diodes, one red and one green. The cathodes of all red diodes are terminated in a common connection, and the green ones likewise, the anodes of each pair of diodes being common for that pair. Two transistors connected in cascade are utilized for activating either all green LEDs, or all red LEDs, but not both simultaneously. When a low level signal is applied to the base of the first transistor, the first transistor is blocked, and the second transistor is turned ON to illuminate the second set of the diodes. When a high level signal is applied to the input of the first transistor, the first transistor is turned ON, while the second transistor is blocked, whereby the first set of the diodes is illuminated. Since the first transistor cannot be simultaneously turned ON and OFF, it would be impossible to illuminate the two sets of the diodes simultaneously. In another embodiment is shown a multi-color LED display utilizing three sets of LEDs: red, green, and blue, which are respectively commonly connected and may be activated by manual switches. It is not contemplated that the three sets of LEDs be activated in selective combinations to blend the colors.
A digital electrooptical display with anti-parallel light emitting diodes is disclosed in East German Patent No. 220,844 issued on Apr. 10, 1985 to Thomas Hoffmann et al. Two light emitting diodes for emitting light of different colors are connected in each segment back-to-back. Since the light emitting diodes are connected to conduct currents in opposite directions, it would be impossible to illuminate them simultaneously, because the opposite currents attempting to pass through a single conductor would cancel.
A system for measuring radioactivity is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,643,344, issued on Jun. 23, 1953 to Ian H. McLaren et al. Another systems for measuring radioactivity are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,648,015 issued on Aug. 4, 1953 to Alexander Greenfield et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,000 issued on Jun. 22, 1954 to Joseph F. Clayton et al. Since these three patents are very similar, they are equally authoritative. The system for measuring radioactivity, disclosed in the three patents, includes an analog pointer indicator having three scales, with three associated colored light bulbs, for indicating which scale is applicable for the reading of the measured value. A mechanism for automatic range selection is provided, which is controlled by two solenoids, and which also controls the three associated colored light bulbs. In response to the range selection, one of the light bulbs illuminates the indicator face with a distinctive color to indicate which measurement scale is applicable.
The prior art does not contemplate a method for controlling the color of a display device which includes the step of converting the data, which represent the portions of three primary colors, to a composite color gained by the blending of the three portions, the step of accumulating a count equal to the data that represent the portion of a primary color, the step of setting a bistable device for the duration of the accumulating, and the step of energizing a bus, to which light emitting diodes are coupled, for variable time periods, for obtaining variable portions of the primary colors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a broad sense, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved method for controlling the color of a display device.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for continuously controlling the color of a display device, in accordance with the data representing the portions of three primary colors.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a method for controlling the color of a display device, which includes the step of accumulating a count in accordance with the data that represent the portion of a primary color.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a method for controlling the color of a display device, which includes the step of setting a bistable device for the duration of the accumulating.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a method for controlling the color of a display device, which includes the step of energizing the bus, to which the light emitting diodes are connected, for selective time intervals, for controlling the portions of the light signals emitted therefrom.
In summary, a method of the invention, for continuously controlling the color of a display device, comprises the steps of repeatedly developing a start signal, receiving, in accordance with the start signal, three sets of data respectively representing the portions of three primary colors, accumulating, in response to the start signal, three counts to reach the values of the respective data and developing at the end of accumulating respective counter output signals, setting three bistable devices by the start signal, resetting them by the respective counter output signals, and respectively energizing, by the outputs of the bistable devices, three buses, to which the light emitting diodes of three primary colors are connected in accordance with their colors, for controlling the portions of the light signals of the primary colors emitted therefrom.
REFERENCES:
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Awad Amr
Jankus Almis R.
Murphy James J.
Texas Digital Systems, Inc.
Winstead Sechrest & Minick
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