DEVICE TO BRING ABOUT A DISPLAY OR THE LIKE

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing a display or the like, which device is composed of a number of picture segments (2, 3) which are activated, e.g. made visible, or non-activated, e.g. made non-visible. The picture segments (2, 3) are, according to the invention, arranged to form a number of equal picture segment units (1) positioned side by side and comprising each a square with an inscribed geometrical figure (2), which by straight or arcuate parts define four identical corner segments (3) of the square, which picture segments are composed of the geometrical figure (2) and the four corner segments (3).

Description: Device to bring about a display or the like The present invention relates to a device for providing a display, sign, printer head and the like, which device is composed of a number of picture segments, that are selectively either activated or non-activated. A large "number of variants of such devices are known for different purposes. Some of them are based on the use of picture segments consisting of LCD-elements, which in turn are arranged to form picture segment units comprising identical or different picture segments. It has been possible to build pictures by such units, usually alpha-numeric pictures with a high or low degree of accuracy. A high degree of accuracy requires a very large number of picture segments and attached connections. This applies especially if the picture in question also must comprise characters beyond the alpha-numeric field, for instance traffic signs. For this purpose display screens are usually used which can be illuminated from behind by sources of light, which usually are syrnmetrically dispersed over a large-area sign, on which the picture should be shown. The display screens may be perpetually activated, i.e. transparent, or non-activated, i.e. non-transparent, showing the intended pattern or character. As an alternative the display screens may consist of LCD-elements which are operated to transparent and non-transparent state, respectively. The object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind defined in the introduction, which by means of a small number of picture segments presents an improved readability and a simplified control. This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the picture segments are arranged to form a number of equal picture segment units positioned side by side and comprising each a square with an inscribed geometrical figure, which by straight or arcuate parts define four identical corner segments of the square, which picture segments are composed of the geometrical figure and the four corner segments. The picture segments suitably are composed of LCD-elements, which either are provided with six electrical connections for activating the elements or as an alternative are of the type being activated by means of heath, preferably by a guided laser beam. The picture segments may also, for certain applications, be composed of display screens which can be illuminated from behind by each a light source or by a light source ccjπrmon for several picture segments, which areas together may form large-area light signs. The invention will now be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings which schematically show an exemplifying embodiment thereof, and in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a picture segment unit, Figure 2 is a display according to the invention composed of picture segment units, Figures 3 and 4 shov/ a display comprising the same device composed of conventional picture segment units according to two possible designs. Figure 5 and 6 are plan views of two alternative embodiments of a picture segment unit, and Figures 7, 8 and 9 are cross sectional views of picture segment units according to three different embodiments. Figure 1 shows a picture segment unit 1, also called a pixel, which according to the invention is divided into five LCD-elements or picture segments, viz. a circle segment 2 and four corner segments 3, and which unit has the shape of a circle inscribed in a square. The picture segment unit 1 is designed in a conventional way and comprises a frame 4 having an edge along which connections 5 to the different picture segments 2,3 are arranged. When combining several for instance 5x8 pixel units to a larger picture the frame 4 is arranged in a conventional way around the picture and not around separate pixels. Figure 2 shows a display with the device in the shape of a digit "8", which is composed of an area with 5x7 picture segment units 1 of the display. The curved parts of the device have got a shape that is particularly easy to read due to the fact that for instance picture segments 10-15 of three picture segment units at the upper, right hand corner of the digit, and picture segments 9,12-15 of three picture segment units at the right hand, middle part of the digit, and picture segments 9,12-14,16,17 of three picture segment units at the bottom, right hand corner of the digit, and the corresponding picture segment units at the left hand part in the drawing are made non-visible. In comparison is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the same digit formed in two different, possible ways by square picture segment units which are not provided with the division of the squares in the five picture segments 2,3. Accordingly,the digit is very angular and difficult to read. As an alternative to a picture segment unit 1 in the shape of a circle inscribed in a square it is possible to use a tetragon 2 ' or a square inscribed in a square, or an octagon 2" inscribed in a square, as shown in Figs.5 and 6, with corner segments 3' and 3", respectively. Fig. 7-9 show strongly simplified in cross sectional views three different devices for providing a display according to the invention. Fig.7 shows a casing 21 with a front face composed of LCD-elements 22 and a transparent, suitably colored rear face 23, which is illuminated from behind by a light source 24. Non-visible picture segments of the LCD-elements 22 then are clearly exposed even in darkness. Fig.8 shows a corresponding casing 21 with a front face 25 consisting of picture segments made of e.g. colored glass. Behind each picture segment and separated by partition walls 26 there is a light source consisting of bulbs 27. Fig.9 shows an alternative without light source and comprising a casing 21 and a front face 28 consisting of LCD-elements, which can be activated by heath generated by a movable laser beam 29 in a manner known per se. The inside of a rear face 30 of the casing is provided with a suitable color that gives rise to a good contrasting effect between picture segments made visible and non-visible. It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the here illustrated and described embodiment but can be modified in different ways within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the claims. Hence, each picture segment unit may be of the kind where the picture segments have a memory function such that a control voltage can cease after its activating of a picture segment after which the picture segment remains in activated state until a new signal is supplied that deactivates the picture segment.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A device for providing a display, sign, printer head and the like, which is composed of a number of picture segments (2,3), which are selectively either activated or non-activated, crharacterized in that the picture segments (2,3) are arranged to form a number of equal picture segment units (1) positioned side by side and comprising each a square with an inscribed geometrical figure, which by straight or arcuate parts define four identical corner segments (3) of the square, which picture segments are composed of the geometrical figure (2) and the four corner segments (3). 2. A device according to claim 1, crharacterized in that the picture segments (2,3) consists of LCD-elements. 3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the LCD-elements (2,3) are provided with electrical connections (5) for activating the elements (2,3). 4. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the LCD-elements (2,3) can be activated by heath, preferably by a guided laser beam. 5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the picture segments (2,3) consists of areas, which can be illuminated from behind by means of each a light source. 6. A device according to any of claims 2-4, characterized in that the picture segments (2,3) comprise a common light source for several picture segment for illuminating from behind the picture segments (2,3) which are made transparent.

Inventors: ERIKSSON SOEREN, ERIKSSON, SOEREN
Applicants: ERIKSSON SOEREN, TOUCH DISPLAY SYSTEMS AB, ERIKSSON, SOEREN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G09F9
IPC codes: B41J2, G02F1, G09F9, G09F13