GB2052825A - Alpha-numeric display device for large and small characters - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a pattern of at most twelve electrically energizable segments, arranged so as to form a lower rectangular portion composed of two long vertical sides of two segments each (2, 3; 5, 6) and two short horizontal sides of one segment each (7, 8). In the interior of this lower, rectangular portion two diagonal segments (9, 10) cross to form an "x", and a horizontal segment 11 intersects centrally the midpoint of the "x". The network also includes two vertical segments (1, 4) each extending upwardly from a respective upper corner of the lower rectangular portion. The configuration permits both large (upper case) and small (lower case) characters to be displayed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Alpha-numerical display device for large and small characters The present invention relates to an electrical display device with an improved configuration of discrete display segments or portraying alphabetical and numerical characters.

Known alpha-numerical display devices have patterns which are normally limited to the reproduction of large numerals and upper case letters of the alphabet. These display patterns typicaily comprise sixteen segments, some of which may be electrically interconnected in such a manner that these patterns present, in fact, no more than fourteen segments. These electrical display segments may be fabricated in known ways, such as transparent electrodes exciting a crystal liquid.

Each segment is connected to a logic control unit which selects the segment or segments which must be activated in order to reproduce a particular numeral or a particular letter (of the alphabet).

The disadvantages of patterns in current use is that they do not permit small (or lower case) characters to be reproduced. Moreover, such prior displays require a large total number of interconnections with the logical control circuit.

Display patterns also exist which are formed of a matrix of points, where each point corresponds in reality to a segment. In such a case, the number of segments is further increased.

It an object of the present invention to provide an improved display device which has a smaller number of segments, yet which is capable of displaying small (lower case) characters, either alone or in association with other small characters.

The display network according to the invention comprises a pattern of at most twelve segments, arranged so as to form a rectangular portion comprising by two long sides of two segments each and two short sides of one segment each, two diagonals of one segment each within the rectangular portion, a centreline of one segment within the rectangular portion and parallel to the two short lines, and two segments exterior to the rectangular portion each extending a respective one of the two long sides.

Advantageously, a twelfth segment may be added to interconnect the upper ends of the two exterior segments which extend the long sides of the rectangle.

A plurality of identical patterns of the above type may be joined together side-by-side or one on top of the other in such a manner that certain segments are common to two patterns.

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of exampie, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a known alphabetical-nu- merical pattern; Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the electrical display network according to the invention using a pattern composed of eleven segments; Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment with twelve segments; Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment with twe associated patterns; Figure 5A illustrates different ways of reproducing numerals; Figure 58 illustrates the reproduction of lower case letters (of the alphabet); Figure SC illustrates the reproduction of upper case letters (of the alphabet); Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a display network comprising several distinct groups of patterns; and Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a compact display network.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows a display device of a known type composed of sixteen individually energizeable segments 1 to 1 6.

As is known, elements 1 and 2, and elements 3 and 4, may be connected together to reduce the total number of separately energizeable segments to 1 4.

The pattern illustrated in Fig. 2 embodies the present invention and consists of eleven segments numbered 1 to 11. The diagonals 9 and 10 are each composed of one segment (two half segments joined together where they intersect segment 11). Thus, the activation of the segment 9 or 10 involves that the half segments on each side of the segment 11 will always be activated together. The pattern of eleven segments enables numbers to be reproduced in a small size, as well as lower case letters of the alphabet, (except m and w to be described).

If, as shown in Fig. 3 the segment 12 is added to this pattern, the upper case letters, (except for the letters M, T, W, X) are likewise capable of being displayed in a large size in the same way as the numbers and in a medium size with the possibility of underlin- ing.

Fig. 4 illustrates a combination of two patterns joined side-by-side in which the segments 4, 5 and 6 are common (to both patterns). Eight segments have been activated in order to represent the lower case letter m.

This combination of two patterns joined together side-by-side enables all the lower case letters (including m and VL to be represented, as well as all the upper case letters (including M, T, W, X).

Thus, according to the display desired, it is possible to select the appropriate pattern or patterns: the simple pattern of Fig. 2, the pattern of Fig. 3 comprising the supplementary segment, or again the association of two patterns whether they be those of Fig. 2 or those of Fig. 3.

Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the possibilities of reproducing numbers and letters together. In Fig. 5A, the numerals 0, 1 and 2 are reproduced in a small size, the numerals 3, 4 and 5 in a large size and the numerals 6, 7, 8 and 9 in a medium size and underlined.

Fig. 5B represents the lower case letters and Fig. 5, the upper case letters (of the alphabet).

The pattern, which is the object of the invention, is moreover particularly suitable for successive juxtaposition, thus making possible the production of a particular network. In this case, two patterns joined together side-by-side and having common segments. This solution leads to a good legibility of the letters as well as regular spacing.

A display network may comprise different groups of patterns spaced apart with respect to one another as shown in Fig. 6. In this case, variations in the size of the letters and numerals can be produced.

Fig. 7 shows a compact network composed of patterns joined together side-by-side and stacked the adjoining patterns comprising common segments. In this example, a time indicator is schematically shown and indicates the required hours of attendance. Each row contains four rectangles corresponding to four hours: the hours between six and ten o'clock, between ten and fourteen o'clock and then between fourteen and eighteen o'clock. The small rectangles which are activated indicate, in quarter hour periods, the required hours of attendance. It is noted that this solution makes possible the reproduction of either graphic signs or figures.

Claims (6)

1. An electrically operated alpha-numerical display device, comprising a pattern of most twelve segments, arranged so as to form a rectangular portion comprising by two long sides of two segments each and two short sides of one segment each, two diagonals of one segment each within the rectangular portion, a centre-line of one segment within the rectangular portion and parallel to the two short lines, and two segments exterior to the rectangular portion each extending a respective one of the two long sides.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern comprises a further segment interconnecting the upper ends of the two segments which extend the two long sides of the rectangular portion.

3. A display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second pattern of segments joined to the first said pattern in such a manner that a certain or segments is or are common to patterns.

4. A display device according to claim 3, wherein the two patterns are side by side and share the segments of a long side and upward extension thereof.

5. A display device according to claim 3, wherein the two patterns are one on top of the other and share a segment forming the bottom short side of one pattern and the further segment of claim 2 of the other pattern.

6. A display device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein there is a block of three or more patterns sharing certain segments.

6. A display device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein there is a block of three or more patterns showing certain segments.

7. An electrically operated alpha-numerical display device constituted by a plurality of identical patterns formed of segments and joined together side-by-side in such a manner that certain segments are common to two patterns.

8. A network according to claim 7, wherein each pattern contains at most twelve segments arranged so as to form a rectangle constituted by two long sides of two segments each and two short sides of one segment each, with, in its interior, two diagonals of one segment and a centre-line of one segment, the pattern also including two segments extending upwardly the two long sides respectively of the rectangle.

CLAIMS (31 Oct 1980)

1. An electrically operated alpha-numerical display device, comprising a pattern of at most twelve segments, arranged so as to form a rectangular portion comprising two long sides of two segments each and two short sides of one segment each, two diagonals of one segment each with the rectangular portion, a centre-line of one segment with the rectangular portion and parallel to the two short lines, and two segments exterior to the rectangular portion each extending a respective one of the two long sides.

3. A display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second pattern or segments joined to the first said pattern in such a manner that a certain segment or segments is or are common to patterns.