Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2001-02-13
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S055000, C345S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188376
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for displaying the value of a signal whose dynamic range extends over several powers of ten.
The invention applies, for example, to measuring a leakage rate by means of a leak detector where the sensitivity of the device can be very high, and may for example be capable of detecting leaks of as little as a few times 10
−10
mbars×liters/second. Such a device must therefore have a display system enabling the leakage rate to be read accurately and easily over an entire measurement range extending from 1 mbar×liter/second to leaks at the very low values given above.
Naturally, the invention applies to any field and is advantageous whenever the measurement range is large and it is desired to make reading easy and accurate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A display system presently in use under such circumstances for leak detectors comprises two parallel rectilinear strips, one of which is graduated in various negative powers of ten and the other is graduated from 0 to 10, giving the value of the multiple for the negative power of ten as displayed on the first strip.
Such a display system suffers from the drawback of requiring two display strips to be observed in succession, and in the event of the value of the signal varying rapidly over a range covering several powers of ten, the strip graduated from 0 to 10 rises very quickly and several times in succession, starting again from zero on each occasion, giving rise to a disagreeable flashing effect.
Another known display system has one window in which a rough value for the signal is displayed, specifying the power of ten range for the value of the signal, and a circular strip for giving the multiple in the range 1 to 10 for said power of ten.
In that case also, the observer needs to look at two distinct locations and the rapid rotation of the index mark on the circular strip in the event of large variation in the value of the signal is likewise quite misleading.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is thus to mitigate those drawbacks, and the invention provides a system for displaying the value of a signal whose dynamic range extends over several powers of ten, the system comprising a display screen of predetermined geometrical shape subdivided into zones, each zone being identifiable in a two-coordinate system, the first coordinate identifying groups of zones with the various groups being graduated from 1 to 9, and the second coordinate identifying zone levels within each group, the levels being graduated with various powers of ten, and the system including means for filling the zones as a function of the value of the signal, said signal being read by expressing the coordinates of the location of the last-filled zone, giving firstly the number corresponding to the group, and then multiplying it by the power of ten corresponding to the level of said zone.
In a first embodiment, said determined geometrical shape subdivided into zones is a grided parallelogram, the grid representing said zones which are identified along two adjacent sides by said two-coordinate system.
Preferably, the parallelogram is a rectangle.
In a second embodiment, said determined geometrical shape subdivided into zones is a circle subdivided into sectors, said sectors defining said zone groups, and into a plurality of concentric circular rings around a central circle, said rings and the central circle defining said levels.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4367959 (1983-01-01), Wiget
patent: 4559534 (1985-12-01), Nickol
patent: 5949346 (1999-09-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 2 438 885 (1980-05-01), None
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 007, No. 216 (P-225), Sep. 24, 1983 corresponding to JP 58 108407 A (Nippon Denso KK) Jun. 28, 1983.
Alcatel
Chow Dennis-Doon
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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