ELECTRONIC DISPLAY APPARATUS

Abstract: Electronic display comprises a microcomputer (1) or a microprocessor (21) controllable from a keyboard (4) or keypad (24) and programmed from a floppy disc drive (5) or other program source (25) to provide video signals to a video monitor (3) and command signals to a video disc player (2) to cause the player to supply selected video signals to the video monitor. The video signals from the two sources can be fed to a mixer (27) to provide a superimposed display on the monitor.

Description: ELECT ONIC DISPLAY APPAFA.TUS DESCRIPTION This invention relates to an electronic display apparatus. Passive video displays such as produced by a videotape or videodisc player, are well known. It is also known to provide a videodisc player with an interactive display, the videodisc player being provided with a miroprocessor which is programmed with program data read from data dump areas from the videodisc. The microprocessor enables the videodisc player to operate in programmed sequences, so as to display information in a manner other than the sequence in which it is recorded on the disc. Thus, the Pioneer Level II and III videodisc systems are provided with a micro¬ processor in the videodisc drive unit. However, these prior systems have the disadvantage of being constrained to operate in accordance with a program defined by data recorded on the videodisc . Since data is non-erasably written into a videodisc, it is not possible with the prior system to modify the program data. Also, the prior systems are too bulky and cumbersome for routine transport and thus cannot be used as a marketing device for example by a salesman. . The present invention is concerned with the provision of an interactive display apparatus -in which a display of information is controlled in dependence upon a user's reaction to the displayed information and which is capable of being embodied in a compact form. The present invention accordingly provides an electronic display apparatus comprising a microprocessor means arranged in response to signals obtained from a program store to supply command signals to a transcribing means, the transcribing means being responsive to the command signals to transcribe from a storage means selected video information signals for display by a display means. Preferably, the apparatus of the invention has manual input means for controlling the operation of the microprocessor means. Also, the microprocessor means is preferably arranged to supply to the display means video information signals from the program store. It is advantageous for the programming of the microprocessor means to be changed as may be required in a simple and convenient way. Such re-programming is independent of the videodisc information and is therefore preferably provided for by constituting the program store as replaceable storage device for example a floppy disc drive. The display means may comprise a common display device for the picture or video information signals derived from both the microprocessor means and the transcribing means, and there may be provided control means controlled by the microprocessor means for selectively applying the picture information signals from the microprocessor means and the transcribing means to the display means. Such control means may comprise a changeover switch for connecting display information signals either from the microprocessor means or from the transcribing means to the display means, or the control device may comprise means, for example, a mixer, for feeding the picture information signals from the two sources selectively and concurrently to the display means for concurrent display. The invention may be carried into effect using a conventional passive videodisc player as the transcribing means, and a conventional domestic micro- computer as the microprocessor means, each developing display information signals fed to a single display screen under the control of a switch means controlled by the microcomputer, so that the display screen displays data either from the microcomputer or from the disc player. The microcomputer also develops, as the command signals, signals which simulate those developed by the conventional hand held remote control unit for the disc player, to enable the microprocessor to control the picture information produced by the disc player. Thus, by means of a simple arrangement, the disc player and the microcomputer can be linked together to provide an interactive display, which is readily portable, and is suitable for use as a promotional display. The apparatus according to the invention may also be constructed to employ a microprocessor embodied in a disc player. The microprocessor means in any event has a program store separate from the videodisc. The invention will be more fully understood from the following illustrative description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first display apparatus according to the invention? and Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a second display apparatus according to the invention. Referring to Figure 1 , a microcomputer 1 and a videodisc player 2 are so arranged that one or the other supplies video signals to a display means in the form ■ of a video monitor 3. The microcomputer 1 is a conventional device, for example an Acorn microcomputer' model no. BBCB, which includes a keyboard 4 and a microprocessor. A floppy disc drive 5 is used to program the microcomputer. The videodisc player 2 is also a conventional device, for example a Pioneer Level I (domestic) disc player which transcribes data from a videodisc by means of a laser so as to produce, video signals on an output line 6. The microcomputer 1 is programmed to produce video signals on a line 7 and command signals on a line 8. The command signals are used to control operatio of the videodisc player 2 aϊid also to operate changeover means comprising a detector circuit 10 and a relay 11 whereby video signals are fed to the video monitor 3 either from the microcomputer 1 or from the video disc player 2. The videodisc player 2 has an input 9 for receiving signals from a remote control keypad, but in the illustrated apparatus, the keypad is not connected. The command signals from the microcomputer 1 instead simulate the keypad generated signals and are applied to the input 9, thereby permitting the microcomputer to control operation of the videodisc player 2. The command signals on line 8 are also applied to the detector circuit 10 which drives the relay 11. The detector circuit 10 is arranged to detect command signals of a particular amplitude frequency and/or shape characteristic and to respond to these to selectively control operation of the changeover contact of the relay 11. Thus, the micro¬ computer 1 controls the changeover contacts of the relay 11 so that the video monitor 3 displays video signals either from the video disc player 2 (via line 6) or from the microcomputer 1 -sria line 7) . The command signals supplied by the microcomputer 1 to the input 9 of the videodisc player 2 control the player to transcribe video information from the videodisc on a frame by frame basis, so that individual still frames are selectively displayed on the monitor 3, or predetermined sequences of moving picture information may be displayed at normal speed or at some different speed. Thus in accordance with the invention, an inter¬ active display of data can be provided on the video monitor 3, the display data being controlled by the microcomputer 1 in accordance with the program provided from the floppy disc drive 5. For example, the micro¬ computer 1 may first cause the display of data on the monitor 3 via its output line 7, the data comprising a display of a set of questions to be answered by the user. The user responds to the questions by operation of keys of the keyboard 4. The microcomputer 1 then instructs the videodisc player to transcribe video signals for a particular frame of picture information, the frame being determined by the answer given by the user on the keyboard 4. The microcomputer 1 also feeds a signal to the detector circuit 10 to operate the relay 11 so that the video signals produced by the disc player 2 are fed via line 6 to the monitor 3. The display apparatus shown in Figure 1 may be used for marketing purposes for example in pharmaceutical marketing. The microcomputer 1 may then be programmed firstly to instruct the videodisc player 2 to transcribe video signals for display on the monitor 3 concerning a particular medical condition. When the sequence of video signals from player 2 has been displayed, the microcomputer 1 commands the relay 11 to switch over and connect the monitor 3 to receive video display signals from the microcomputer. The microcomputer generated display signals may comprise a question about the previously displayed sequence from the videodisc player 2. The user then responds to the question via the keyboard . Further data may then be displayed on the video monitor 3 in dependence upon the response of the user. If the user's response to the question was correct the microcomputer displays on the monitor 3 information relating to proprietory pharmaceutical preparations appropriate to the medical condition previously displayed. If the user answered the question incorrectly, the microcomputer ' 1 provides a video 5 display indicating an incorrect answer and then gives the user a choice of repeating the display from the player 2 about the medical condition, or of changing to a display concerning other aspects of the medical condition. The microcomputer 1 appropriately commands the player 2 and o the detector circuit 10 in dependence upon the user's response. The display apparatus according to the invention thus enables a conventional videodisc player providing a passive display, to be controlled by means of a micro- computer to achieve an interactive display whereby display data is selected in accordance with responses from the user. Many other uses and also modifications of the described exemplary interactive display apparatus will be evident. I the arrangement shown in Figure 1 , the micro¬ computer 1 and disc player 2 produce video signals at the line frequency of the video monitor 3. However, the computer 1 and player 2 can be arranged to produce video signals modulated onto a UHF or VHF carrier in which case the video monitor 3 can be constituted by a conventional television receiver. . The commands produced by the microcomputer 1 to the input 9 of the disc player 2, can simulate all of the standard functions of the player so that it can be instructed to play or search, and operate in slow or fast forward or reverse modes or still frame. The disc player 2 produces audio signals on two channels to provide stereo sound and the video monitor 3 includes an audio system with loudspeakers for sound reproduction in response to these audio signals. The audio signal channels can be selectively switched by OMFI means of the command signals on line 8. In the display apparatus of the invention shown in Figure 2, in which parts which are equivalent to parts of the apparatus of Figure 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, there is shown within the outline 20 a single portable apparatus which can be connected to the video monitor 3. In the apparatus of Figure 2, the disc player 2 may again transcribe data from a videodisc or may be a laser-red transcription device using discs of the format currently used for audio transcription. The microcomputer 1 of Figure 1 is replaced by a dedicated microprocessor 21 provided with a keypad 24 and a program memory 25. The program memory 25 may comprise a floppy disc and associated drive equivalent to the floppy disc drive 5 of Figure 1 or alternatively an interchangeable read only memory ROM. The microprocessor 21 produces video display data on line 7 and command signals on line 8. The command signals control operation of the disc player 2 are additionally control operation of a mixer 27. The mixer 27 enables video signals on line 6 from the disc player 2 and on line 7 from the microprocessor 21 to be applied to the video monitor 3 either individually or in a superimposed manner. The microprocessor 21 and video disc player 2 have their own internal clocks which define respective time bases for the video signals on line 6 and 7. A phase lock loop 29 is provided, utilising the phase of the video signals from the disc player 2 as a reference, to ensure phase synchronism between the disc player video signals and the microprocessor video signals, so as to permit them to be mixed by the mixer 27. The described embodiments of the invention have the advantage that the video data from the video disc player can be controlled independently of the sequence in which it is recorded on the videodisc. Moreover, further video data can be displayed from the micro¬ computer 21. The form and sequence of the display is controlled by preprogrammed information from the floppy disc drive _J or the program memory 25 and thus can be controlled without the need to make reference to data from the video disc. In order to enable the microprocessor 21 to control the display of a sequence of video data concerning a sequence of moving pictures derived from the disc player 2, the program for the microprocessor may be arranged to define, via the system- clock of the micro¬ processor, a predetermined time period associated with each frame of displayed video information. Thus for a particular sequence of moving picture information, the time for the number of frames associated with the sequence is calculated and the videodisc player 2 is commanded to operate for this calculated time. Also, when the microprocessor 21 instructs the videodisc player 2 to search for a particular frame of video data, the microprocessor is programmed to assume a particular average time for access of the searched frame and to inhibit execution of any further programmed ' instructions during the time allocated for the search. The above described arrangement has the advantage that if it is desired to change the form or sequence of display, the program stored in the program memory 25 can be altered without reference to the stored data on the videodisc in the player 2. Thus, the microprocessor program can be updated while still using the same permanently recorded video data on the videodisc. Many modifications of the apparatus described will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the videodisc player 2 could be replaced by a videotape player. -The. video monitor 3 can be a conventional cathode ray tube device or a flat screen display. OMK '°

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An electronic display apparatus comprising a microprocessor means arranged in response to signals obtained from a program store to supply command signals to a transcribing means, the transcribing means being responsive to the command signals to transcribe from a storage means selected video information signals for display by a display means. 2. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having manual input means for controlling the operation of the microprocessor means. 3. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the microprocessor means is arranged to supply to the display means video information signals from the program store. 4. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the display means comprises a single display device, and wherein a changeover switch means is responsive to the command signals to feed to the display device video information signals either from the transcribing means or from the microprocessor means. 5. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the display means comprises a single display device, and wherein a mixer device is responsive to the command signals to feed to the -display device video information signals from the transcribing means, from the microprocessor means, or from both the transcribing means and the microprocessor means in ■ superimposition. 6. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the phase lock loop is responsive to the ' video information signals from the transcribing means to effect synchronism therewith of the display information signals from the microprocessor means. 7. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transcribing means is OMPI ^ ^ arrange'd to transcribe from the storage means also audio signals in response to which the display means provides an audio output. 8. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transcribing means comprises a disc player. 9. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the program store comprises a readily replaceable storage device. 10. An electronic display apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the program store comprises a floppy disc drive.

Inventors: FULLARTON JOHN RICHARD, FULLARTON, JOHN, RICHARD
Applicants: LAVEY WOLFF SWIFT LIMITED, LAVEY/WOLFF/SWIFT LIMITED
Application year: 1984
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04N5