GB2088612A - Device for displaying both arabic and english numerals - Google Patents

Abstract

A display means for selectively displaying Arabic, and optionally also European, numerals, comprises an array of eleven discrete linear elements (ACIEKGLDHJF) so grouped and arranged that Arabic language numerals can be displayed by selective energisation of different combinations of elements. By provision of an additional element (B) European reference numerals can also be displayed in a conventional 7 segment display (BFJLHDG). The array may also comprise an additional dot element (M) corresponding to the Arabic reference numeral 0. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for displaying both Arabic and En- glish numerals This invention concerns a display device of the type comprising a plurality of discrete segments or rows of dots capable of being selectively rendered visible in order to display numerals. Such devices are well known in apparatus such as watches, computors, calculators etc., and generally comprise segmented displays provided by liquid crystals, light-emitting diodes, or the like.

English or European numerals are generally formed in such a display by means of the now well-known seven segment display which comprises seven discrete segments arranged in a figure of eight pattern, and means for rendering the segments visible in selected combinations to form the numerals 1 to O.

Such a seven segment display is not, however, capable of displaying the numerals used in Arabic languages, and there is a requirement for a simple display capable of displaying such numerals, and preferably both English and Arabic numerals. A variety of displays have hitherto been proposed for generating a display of Arabic numerals, but such prior arrangements have either required an array which is very complicated or has an excessive number of segments, or have not been capable of displaying both Arabic and Englich numerals in easily recognisable form.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a display means for selectively displaying Arabic language numerals, which comprises an array of eleven discrete linear elements, each formed by a single bar-shaped segment or a row of dots, the said linear elements being arranged in two groups of five each forming a Ushaped pattern of which a base is defined by one linear element and two sides are each defined by two longitudinally adjacent linear elements, the said sides extending obliquely to the base, one U-shaped group of elements being inverted respectively to the other such that its base is vertically above the base of the other, the oblique sides of the two U-shaped groups being angled in the same direction and intersecting one another at gaps between the respective longitudinally adjacent linear elements, and the said point of intersection being joined by the eleventh element which is arranged to extend parallel to the respective base elements.

With suitable angles of inclination of the oblique sides of the said U-shaped groups of elements, such an array is capable of being used to display all of the Arabic numerals corresponding to European numerals 1 to 9, by selective energisation of the elements thereof, and may be supplemented by a single dot element representative of the Arabic numeral corresponding to the European numeral 0.

Such an arrangement provides a very simple array of elements with which to display Arabis numerals, in easily recognisable form and has the further advantage that by supplementing the array with a single additional barshaped element closing the open end of one of said U-shaped groups, the array can further incorporate a standard seven-segment display of the kind used for displaying European numerals. Although such a display is possibly more obliquely inclined than conventional seven-segment displays it is nevertheless quite capable of displaying European numerals in recognisable manner.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of the array of segments of a display device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 illustrates the patterns capable of being selectively formed segments of the array shown in Fig. 1, said patterns representing Arabic numerals; Figure 3 is a smaller arrangement of patterns capable of being formed to illustrated European numerals, and Figure 4 is a table illustrating to patterns of energization signals to be applied to respective segments of the array of Fig. 1, in order to reproduce the respective patterns of Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the array illustrated comprises thirteen individually energisable elements, which are constructed in known manner so that they are selectively capable of being rendered visible or invisible against a contrasting background. Such elements may for example be formed in the same manner as a conventional liquid crystal or light-emitting diode display.

In accordance with the invention the array illustrated comprises two groups of five segments ACIEK and LDHJF each forming a Ushaped pattern. The bases A and L of the Ushaped patterns are located vertically above one another, and the eleventh segment G connects the two points at which the sides of the U-shaped patterns intersect. As shown in Fig. 2 this arrangement of segments is capable of reproducing the Arabic numerals corresponding to English numerals 1 to 9 and an additional dot element M can provide the numeral corresponding to O. By addition of the segment B the European numerals shown in Fig. 3 can also be reproduced.

Fig. 4 illustrates the correspondance between each desired visible pattern (in the vertical column), and the elements of the display to be energized (in the top horizontal column), the elements being identified by the same reference letters as illustrated in Fig. 1.

It will be appreciated that the translation code required for converting an input signal repre senting an English or Arabic numeral to the signals required to energize the respective elements of the display can be provided within an integrated circuit component in similar manner to that utilised for a conventional seven segment display for displaying European numerals.

Thus it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention there has been provided a very simple and compact display capable of selectively displaying Arabic numerals in an easily recognisable form, said display, with the minimum of modification, also being capable of displaying European numerals in the manner of a conventional seven segment display.

Claims (7)

1. A display means for selectively displaying Arabic language numerals, which comprises an array of eleven discrete linear elements, each formed by a single bar-shaped segment or a row of dots, the said linear elements being arranged in two groups of five each forming a U-shaped pattern of which a base is defined by one linear element and two sides are each defined by two longitudinally adjcent linear elements, the said sides extending obliquely to the base, one U-shaped group of elements being inverted respectively to the other such that its base is vertically above the base of the other, the oblique sides of the two U-shaped groups being angled in the same direction and intersecting one another at gaps between the respective longitudinally adjacent linear elements, and the said point of intersection being joined by the eleventh element which is arranged to extend parallel to the respective base elements.

2. A display means as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the array is supplemented by a single additional bar-shaped segment, or row of dots, closing the open end of one of the said U-shaped groups.

3. A display as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, including an additional element arranged to display the Arabic numeral corresponding to zero.

4. A display means as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

5. A display device including a display means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, in combination with a memory device enabling selective energisation of the elements of said display means in combinations corresponding to Arabic language numerals.

6. A device according to Claim 5, as appended to Claim 2, wherein said memory means is further arranged to provide for energisation of said elements in combinations corresponding to European numerals.

7. The features as herein described, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.