Display with matrix array of elements

• US 4,581,612 A
• Filed: 03/22/1983
• Issued: 04/08/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
• Original Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
• Inventors: Jones, John W. D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brigance, Gerald L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US06/477,794
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 340/791, 340/792, 340/753, 340/754, 340/782, 340/731, 340/701, 340/715, 340/752, 340/766, 340/781, 340/815.1, 340/815.21, 340/802, 455/154, 455/158, 455/159, 343/12 A, 368/84, 368/239, 368/242
• US Class Current: 345/56
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/04 for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions

Abstract

An altimeter has four display panels each being a matrix array of light-emitting diodes. An energizing unit energizes selected diodes to produce a representation of a number in each panel indicative of the value of the input. A knob on the altimeter selects input signals from a barometric source or a radar source. When barometric signals are selected, the altitude is represented in the panels by bright numbers against a dark background. When radar signals are selected, the energizing unit changes the format of energization of the display to represent altitude by dark numbers against a bright background. Other formats are also possible.

Claims

1. Display apparatus of the kind having a matrix array of electrically-energizable elements, and energizng means arranged to energize a pattern of said elements such as to provide a digital display in a first format of bright numbers against a darker background representing a first of two input variables, wherein said display apparatus includes switching means, means connecting said switching means to receive said two input variables, said switching means being switchable to select a first or second of said two input variables, and means connecting said switching means to said energizing means, said switching means switching said energizing means to provide a display representation of the second of said two input variables upon change in selection of said two input variables, said display representation of the second input variable being provided in a different format of dark numbers against a bright background.

4. Display apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein said first and second input variables are representative of barometric altitude and radar altitude respectively.

2. An altimeter comprising a barometric altitude source;

a radar altitude source;

a matrix array of electrically-energizable display elements;

energizing means, said energizing means being arranged to energize a pattern of said elements to provide a digital display in a first format of bright numbers against a dark background or in a second format of dark numbers against a bright background;

switching means;

means connecting said switching means to said barometric altitude source and said radar altitude source, said switching means being switchable to select signals from said barometric altitude source or said radar altitude source for supply to said energizing means; and

means connecting said switching means to said energizing means, said switching means switching said energizing means to change the format of said display representation to change between display of bright numbers against a dark background to display of dark numbers against a bright background upon change in the selection of barometric or radar altitude.

3. Display apparatus according to clam 1, wherein said electrically-energisable elements are light-emitting diodes.