Variable color display system

• US 6,018,237 A
• Filed: 08/12/1997
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Texas Digital Systems, Inc. (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Texas Digital Systems, Inc. (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Havel, Karel
• Primary Examiner(s): KARLSEN, ERNEST F
• Application Number:
  US08/910,080
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 324/115, 324/99 D, 324/96, 345/150, 345/83, 313/500, 313/501, 257/89, 257/90
• US Class Current: 324/115
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/02 for displaying measured electric variables in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/26 Circuits for controlling the intensity of the electron beam or the colour of the display
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/405 using a plurality of active, i.e. light emitting, e.g. electro-luminescent elements, i.e. bar graphs
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/125 for digital multimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0452 Details of colour pixel setup, e.g. pixel composed of a red, a blue and two green components
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0275 Details of drivers for data electrodes, other than drivers for liquid crystal, plasma or OLED displays, not related to handling digital grey scale data or to communication of data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A variable color display system exhibits a display unit in a color in accordance with the value of a limit. The color signals are developed in accordance with the value of the limit and applied to a color control input of the display system to control its color substantially continuously.

Claims

1. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving a plurality of data representing the portions of a plurality of primary colors;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, counts respectively proportional to said data, and for developing, when respective count is accumulated, a respective end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respective primary colors, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a plurality of bistable outputs, equal in number to the plurality of said primary colors and respectively associated therewith, each said bistable output developing an active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to the respective end of count signal; and

means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said primary colors, in accordance with said active signals, respectively.

2. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle including a predetermined number of pulses by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving data representing the portions of a first primary color;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, a count proportional to said data, and for developing, when the count is accumulated, an end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a bistable output for developing an active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said end of count signal;

first means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said first light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said first primary color, in accordance with said active signal; and

second means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said second light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said second primary color, in accordance with said inactive signal.

3. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle including a predetermined number of pulses by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving data representing the portions of a first primary color;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, a count proportional to said data, and for developing, when the count is accumulated, an end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a true output and a complementary output, said true output being set to its active condition in response to said start signal and to its inactive condition in response to said end of count signal, and said complementary output being in the opposite condition;

first means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said first light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said first primary color, in accordance with said active condition of said true output; and

second means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said second light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said second primary color, in accordance with active condition of said complementary output.

4. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving first data, representing the portions of a first primary color, second data, representing the portions of a second primary color, and third data, representing the portions of a third primary color;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, a first count proportional to said first data and for developing when said first count is accumulated a first end of count signal, a second count proportional to said second data and for developing when said second count is accumulated a second end of count signal, and a third count proportional to said third data and for developing when said third count is accumulated a third end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a first bistable output for developing a first active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said first end of count signal, a second bistable output for developing a second active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said second end of count signal, and a third bistable output for developing a third active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said third end of count signal;

first means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said first light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said first primary color, in accordance with said active signal of said first bistable output;

second means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said second light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said second primary color, in accordance with said active signal of said second bistable output; and

third means for forwardly biasing certain ones of said third light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said third primary color, in accordance with said active signal of said third bistable output.

5. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving a plurality of data representing the portions of a plurality of primary colors;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, counts respectively proportional to said data, and for developing, when respective count is accumulated, a respective end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respective primary colors, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a plurality of bistable outputs, equal in number to the number of said primary colors and respectively associated therewith, each said bistable output developing an active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to the respective end of count signal;

a plurality of buses, equal in number to the plurality of said primary colors, to which said second terminals of all said light emitting diodes are coupled in accordance with their colors; and

means for energizing said buses, in accordance with said active signals, respectively, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said primary colors in accordance with said data, respectively.

6. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle including a predetermined number of pulses by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving data representing the portions of a first primary color;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, a count proportional to said data, and for developing, when the count is accumulated, an end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a bistable output for developing an active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said end of count signal;

a first bus to which said second terminals of all said first light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

a second bus to which said second terminals of all said second light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

first means for energizing said first bus, in accordance with said active signal, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said first light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said first primary color in accordance with said data; and

second means for energizing said second bus, in accordance with said inactive signal, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said second light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said second primary color, which are complementary to the portions of said light signals of said first primary color.

7. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle including a predetermined number of pulses by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving data representing the portions of a first primary color;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, a count proportional to said data, and for developing, when the count is accumulated, an end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a true output and a complementary output, said true output being set to its active condition in response to said start signal and to its inactive condition in response to said end of count signal, and said complementary output being in the opposite condition;

a first bus to which said second terminals of all said first light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

a second bus to which said second terminals of all said second light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

first means for energizing said first bus, in accordance with said active condition of said true output, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said first light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said first primary color in accordance with said data; and

second means for energizing said second bus, in accordance with the active condition of said complementary output, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said second light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for causing them to emit the portions of light signals of said second primary color, which are complementary to the portions of said light signals of said first primary color.

8. A variable color display device comprising:

means for repeatedly defining a cycle by developing a start signal at the beginning of each said cycle;

input means for receiving first data, representing the portions of a first primary color, second data, representing the portions of a second primary color, and third data, representing the portions of a third primary color;

means for accumulating, in response to said start signal, a first count proportional to said first data and for developing when said first count is accumulated a first end of count signal, a second count proportional to said second data and for developing when said second count is accumulated a second end of count signal, and a third count proportional to said third data and for developing when said third count is accumulated a third end of count signal;

a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals;

means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code;

bistable means including a first bistable output for developing a first active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said first end of count signal, a second bistable output for developing a second active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said second end of count signal, and a third bistable output for developing a third active signal in response to said start signal and an inactive signal in response to said third end of count signal;

a first bus to which said second terminals of all said first light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

a second bus to which said second terminals of all said second light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

a third bus to which said second terminals of all said third light emitting diodes are commonly coupled;

first means for energizing said first bus, in accordance with said first active signal, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said first light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said first primary color in accordance with said first data;

second means for energizing said second bus, in accordance with said second active signal, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said second light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said second primary color in accordance with said second data; and

third means for energizing said third bus, in accordance with said third active signal, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said third light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for emitting the portions of light signals of said third primary color in accordance with said third data.