FR2863546A1 - Display device for e.g. fabrication of keyboard, has filters with zones corresponding to predefined light signals, which pass through respective red and green color rays to permit display of light signals of red and green colors on same key - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has light filters (20-22) for intercepting light rays of blue, red and green colors generated by light sources (30-32). Each filter has zones (50, 51) corresponding to predefined light signals. The light signals pass through respective red and green color rays intercepted by the filters to permit the display of light signals of red and green colors on a same key of a computer keyboard.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic display device

  variable and selective, of multiple nature and shape signals on the same surface, comprising at least one support having pre-written signals and suitable means

  selectively illuminate, among the pre-registered signals, those of them corresponding to the signals to be displayed.

  Such a device relates to many industrial sectors and may include an application in the manufacture of billboards, keyboards or control screens of electronic devices, indicator lights, or even remotes.

  The object of the invention is primarily to provide a display device to save space, and offering the possibility of presenting clearly more data on the same surface, because its display capacity is proportional to the number of layers of pre-registered signals. It can thus be materialized in particular in the form of a multi-language keyboard, in which the keys are multiplied and each would allow to write different signals, for example different types of characters used in different alphabets, according to the needs of the user.

  A simple selection of the language would allow to switch the display appearing on the keys of the keyboard to clearly indicate their current function to the user.

  DE 195 12 496 is already known from an example of a multilanguage keyboard suitable for equipping computers, typewriters or calculators, in which only the characters corresponding to the alphabet of the selected language are visible, while all the other characters are hidden.

  One embodiment provides to equip each of the keys of a keyboard of several characters or numbers able to be illuminated selectively according to the selected language. Characters or numbers that are not required remain hidden.

  Another embodiment provides to equip such a keyboard with a plurality of folding flaps each corresponding to different languages and having boxes in which the graphic signs used in the alphabet of each of said languages are pre-registered and materialized by cut areas.

  The keyboard is used by covering each time the pane corresponding to the selected language and illuminating the boxes to show the graphic signs at the cut areas.

  A third embodiment provides to equip the keys of the keyboard with a liquid crystal display, in which only the crystals corresponding to the signals that one wishes to appear on the keys are activated.

  The present invention proposes to provide a different solution from that proposed in DE 195 12 496, and can also be easily adapted to other applications than to obtain a multi-language input keyboard.

  Thus, the invention is also intended to provide an answer to the problem associated with the multiplication of the features currently offered by many electronic devices, but whose capacity of data input and output equipment restricts their use. because of a limited display area in space. Indeed, although often designed to allow access to several features, keys currently equipped on most of these devices display only one of them, and do not have a multiple display that allow users to optimize their use.

  The device according to the invention therefore comprises means that are equally suitable for alternately displaying on one keyboard the characters of one given language and then another, which can be displayed transiently, when desired, characters special or access symbols for configurable functions of the computer system.

  Such a multi-functional keyboard thus makes it possible to extend, for use with a computer, the function of a conventional keyboard to other direct access functions, such as in particular keys dedicated to games or browsing the Internet, at the emergency stop or when printing a system report.

  Such an extension of the display of the various functions of a keyboard also has a significant advantage for manufacturers of portable electronic devices who continuously seek to optimize the latter by reducing their size and an increase in their capacity.

  In the case of a mobile phone or a handheld computer with integrated keyboard, a keyboard equipped with a display device according to the invention allows to distribute the numbers, letters, signs and other symbols between several light displays. The number of signs displayed on a single key is reduced and the visualization is much clearer. The user can then access all the signs by switching between the different display modes with a simple manual activation.

  Furthermore, the device according to the invention is also able to allow an application in the context of a display panel, so as to make the displayed messages more visible and therefore clearer, and also to reduce the surface area superposition display of the display areas.

  For the same purpose, it is also intended to be able to advantageously equip pedestrian traffic signs that will present a single display area for the two signs, waiting for authorization to pass and authorized passage. The switches can be enriched with different messages according to their position by the same principle.

  The present invention also aims to provide a display device adapted to universal type remote controls for controlling multiple electronic devices remotely and whose use is now particularly tedious due to the overload of displayed hybrid information on the same area very limited in space. By equipping such remote controls with a device according to the invention, each functionality would appear in isolation, thanks to the possibility of switching between the displays relating to the different devices concerned (television, VCR, DVD player ...) which makes so their use a lot easier.

  For this purpose, the invention is defined by an electronic variable and selective display device, of multiple nature and shape signals on the same surface, comprising at least one support having pre-written signals and means able to illuminate selectively, from the pre-written signals, those of them corresponding to the signals to be displayed, characterized in that said support is constituted by a set of superimposed light filters, each capable of intercepting a different colored light radiation generated at each once by an appropriate light source, said light filters each having areas corresponding to the pre-written signals, said areas being able to let through the light radiation intercepted by the light filter on which they are located.

  According to a first embodiment, the device according to the invention is characterized in that said zones able to let through the light radiation intercepted by the filter on which they are located are defined by voids.

  According to another preferred embodiment, the device can also be characterized in that said zones able to let through the light radiation intercepted by the filter on which they are located are constituted by a transparent filter or very low filtering capacity.

  On the other hand, a feature of the present device is further defined by the fact that it comprises different visible light sources of different ranges of light spectrum.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, referring to an exemplary embodiment given for information only and not limiting.

  The understanding of this description will be facilitated in view of the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 corresponds to a schematic profile view of the constituent means of the device according to the invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 correspond to views of FIG. two of the light filters used in the device shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, FIGS. 4 and 6 correspond to two possible modes of operation of the device according to the invention; FIGS. 5 and 7 correspond to the display resulting from the modes of operation shown respectively in Figure 4 and Figure 6.

  The present invention relates to a device 1 offering the possibility of alternating several displays of different light signals on the same surface, for example a key 2 of a computer keyboard.

  The device 1 comprises for this purpose, as shown in the figure, three light filters 20, 21, 22 superimposed and three light sources 30, 31, 32 visible from different ranges of light spectrum.

  Each light source 30, 31, 32 therefore emits a radiation of a certain color, for example the light source 30 emits blue-colored radiation, not shown, the light source 31 a radiation 34 of red color, and the light source 32 radiation 35 green color. Thus, the device 1 comprises three light sources 30, 31, 32 of different colors.

  Obviously, although in the example presented the device according to the invention is equipped with three light filters and three light sources, this number is not limited and can be easily multiplied, just as it could be reduced, if necessary .

  Each light filter 20, 21, 22 is provided capable of intercepting only the colored radiation emitted by one and only one of the light sources 30, 31, 32 of the device 1, while allowing to transmit mainly the colored radiation of all the others. light sources 30, 31, 32 used.

  Thus, the light filter 20 is for example of the type capable of intercepting the red radiation 34 coming from the light source 31, while the light filter 21 is of the type capable of intercepting the green radiation 35 coming from the light source 32, and the light filter 22 is of the type capable of intercepting the blue radiation emitted by the light source 30.

  In addition, each light filter 20, 21 comprises one or more pre-written signals, as visible for the signals 40 and 41 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

  Each of these signals 40, 41 corresponds to a zone 50, 51 having filtering characteristics different from those of the filter 20, 21 on which it is located, which allows it to pass through the light radiation 34, 35 intercepted by the latter. .

  Thus, with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the signal reproduced on the light filter 20 is able to let the red radiation 34 emitted by the light source 31 pass through, to allow the display, on a key of computer 2, a light signal 60 of red color, while the signal 41 passes through the green radiation 35 emitted by the light source 32, to allow the display, on the same computer key 2, the light signal 61 of green color.

  Similarly, although not shown, it will be readily understood that the signal reproduced on the light filter 22 is able to let through the blue radiation emitted by the light source 30, to allow the display, on a key d computer 2, a blue light signal.

  According to two embodiments of the present invention, the signals 40, 41 of the light filters 20, 21 may be defined as appropriate by voids or substituted by a transparent filter or with a very low filtering capacity of appropriate shape.

  According to one possible embodiment of the invention, when a combination of light filters 20, 21 in which the pre-written signals 40, 41 are offset or superimposed with respect to each other, is illuminated sequentially by all the sources corresponding luminous signals 31, 32, a sequence of different light signals 60, 61 will be visible on the computer key 2, in which each signal 60, 61 will present the color of the illuminated light source 31, 32.

  The present invention also provides the possibility of equipping the device 1 with two other optional filters, in which the first is a uniform light filter 24 which has no signal. It serves as a visual separation between the light filters 20, 21 having signals 40, 41 and the view of the users. Its main function is to mask these signals 40, 41 written on the filters 20, 21 when no light source 31, 32 of the device 1 is activated.

  The second optional filter is a thermal filter 23 which is located between the main light filters 20, 21 and the light sources 31, 32 to serve as thermal insulation. Its purpose is therefore to protect the light filters 20, 21 against heat and thus prolong their life.

  Light filters 20, 21 corresponding to the criteria of the device 1 according to the invention can be made from different materials, in particular glass or plastic, the choice of which is made with respect to the type of application and the type of application. operating environment.

  The inscriptions of the signals 40, 41 on the light filters 20, 21 can be made upstream of their manufacture. In this case, the light filter manufacturers 20, 21 take into account the signals 40, 41 to be included in their manufacturing process, and produce light filters 20, 21 integrating signals 40, 41 meeting the requirements. They can also assemble all the different light filters 20, 21 integrating signals 40, 41 of a device 1 in a block with multiple filtering layers, in which case the zones 50, 51 of signals 40, 41 can be superimposed or shifted by one against the other.

  The signals 40, 41 to display can, of course, take many forms such as including characters in all alphabets, special characters, graphic symbols, geometric shapes, numbers.

  According to the invention, the light sources 31, 32 emitting in different spectral ranges can be defined by electric or electronic light devices such as, for example, colored light bulbs or LEDs.

  On the other hand, the invention also provides for the device 1 to be equipped with an electronic selector which activates one and only one of the light sources 31, 32 at a time, as well as its deactivation to enter. in a standby and energy saving mode, if any.

  Advantageously, the device 1 may further comprise means capable of adjusting the brightness of the light sources 31, 32 to that of the environment of use. Two adjustment modes can be provided for this purpose. The first is manual, and chosen by the user according to his wishes, while the second is automatic, and is based on the pre-definition of a contrast ratio between the brightness of the display and that of the environment. . Thus, for example using one or more brightness sensors, the device 1 automatically detects the brightness of the environment to calculate and adjust that of the light sources 31, 32.

  In the case where the present invention is applied to a multilanguage keyboard, and where each key 2 can then be multiplied by being equipped with a device 1, each language will preferably be indicated by means of an appropriate indicator. The user wishing to switch his keyboard to another language may activate the display of different signals 40, 41 via a simple command, for example by pressing a key 2. Therefore, the light signals 60, 61 and the indicator corresponding to the selected language will be displayed on the keys 2 of the keyboard in the color corresponding to the light source 30, 31 activated.

  Although the invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited and that various modifications of shapes, materials and combinations thereof can be made. various elements without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

  1) Electronic variable and selective display device of light signals (60, 61) of multiple nature and shape on the same surface, comprising at least one support having pre-written signals (40, 41) and means adapted to selectively illuminating, among the pre-written signals (40, 41), those of them corresponding to the light signals (60, 61) to be displayed, characterized in that said support consists of a set of light filters (20, 21, 22) superposed, each capable of intercepting a light radiation (34, 35) of different colors generated each time by an appropriate light source (30, 31, 32), said light filters (20, 21, 22) each having zones (50, 51) corresponding to the pre-written signals (40, 41), said zones (50, 51) being able to pass through the light radiation (34, 35) intercepted by the light filter (20, 21, 22) on which they are located.   2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said zones (50, 51) able to let through the light radiation (34, 35) intercepted by the light filter (20, 21, 22) on which they are located are defined by voids.   3) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said zones (50, 51) able to let through the light radiation (34, 35) intercepted by the light filter (20, 21, 22) on which they are located are constituted by a transparent filter or with a very low filtering capacity.   4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises different light sources (30, 31, 32) visible from different ranges of light spectrum.   5) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said light sources (30, 31, 32) are connected to an electronic selector adapted to activate them, or disable them to enter sleep mode, so that only one of them 'between them is activated at a time.   6) Device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means adapted to adjust the brightness of the light sources (30, 31, 32) according to that of the environment.   7) Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one brightness sensor.   8) Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the light sources consist of colored luminescent light bulbs or diodes.   9) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means able to mask the pre-written signals (40, 41) on the different light filters (20, 21, 22) when no radiation light (34, 35) passes through them.   10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means able to protect the different light filters (20, 21, 22) from the heat from the light sources (30, 31, 32) .