Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-08-28
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S600000, C345S589000, C345S034000, C257S089000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281864
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to variable color display devices utilizing light emitting diodes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The difficulty of rapidly detecting the presence of a decimal point in a long string of digits, displayed on a multi-element digital display which includes a large number of display segments, is appreciated in the prior art.
A monochromatic multi-digit display disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,849, issued on Mar. 6, 1973 to Robert L. Stewart, dedicates one digit position to a decimal point. When a string of digits is displayed, only the decimal point is energized on one display digit to provide wide separation between the decimal point and its nearby digits, for improving the readability of the decimal point in a long string of digits.
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.
The prior art does not contemplate a display system for automatically exhibiting integers and decimal numbers in different colors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved variable color display device.
It is another object of the invention to provide a variable color display device using two primary color LEDs.
It is still another object of the invention to automatically detect the presence of a decimal point in a string of exhibited display digits.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a variable color display system for automatically exhibiting integers and decimal numbers in different colors.
Other objects of the invention will be obvious from the appended drawings and their description.
In summary, a variable color display system of the invention includes a plurality of light emitting diode display elements, respectively driven by decoders, each for providing a single digit indication with a decimal point. Each display element includes two color control inputs for controlling its color in response to a color control signal. The color control inputs of all display elements are respectively interconnected for controlling the color of the display elements uniformly. A gate is provided for detecting the conditions of the decimal points of all display elements. The inputs of the gate are respectively connected to the decimal point outputs of the decoders. The output of the gate is coupled to the interconnected color control inputs of the display elements. When no decimal point output is active, the display elements illuminate in a first color. When some decimal point output is active, the display elements illuminate in a second color.
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Awad Amr
Chow Dennis-Doon
Murphy, Esq. James J.
Texas Digital Systems, Inc.
Winstead Sechrest & Minick
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