JPS6252347B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid crystal character processing device, particularly a keyboard, for reproducing the symbols formed by the keyboard and for reproducing the symbols on paper even after the typed page is finished. In order to make it possible,
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal character processing device equipped with one or more liquid crystal panels.

The first character processing devices, ie, typewriters with store memory, were put into practical use in the mid-1960s. IBM Corporation has developed MTST models with single or dual tape drives. This MTST can receive program information from the typewriter and can make modifications to the program before the final copy is typed. Additionally, several other manufacturers, such as Remington, Redactron, and Sabin, as well as IBM, have begun producing magnetic card typewriters that can accept single or dual cards. The typed information is stored on one or more magnetic cards and can be read at any time by inserting the card into a card reader.
It is also possible to make appropriate modifications to the card contents, so that even if slight modifications have been made to the original copy, the final information can be retrieved without the need for expensive equipment. can. More sophisticated character processing devices have also been developed, including full page CRTs, such as the Vydee device.
(Cathode ray tube)) uses a display. This device allows full video display of typed information before it is transferred onto paper.

In addition, the Xerox 1200 model is a photocopy device that supplies binary or serial information, but it has a character generation drum that moves at high speed within the selenium regeneration drum, and requires the use of a large number of moving parts. . This character drum operates in conjunction with a photo-electric generator to reproduce the image on the opposite side of the selenium drum. Thereby, the image is printed after appropriate dusting and heating. The images produced by the Xerox method are blurry and different from those produced by the present invention. In the present invention, since the generation of characters is performed entirely electronically, no moving parts are required and no noise is generated.

Almost all of the devices described above require the use of a mechanical printing device to transfer the recorded information onto the page. Some of the character processing devices used highly efficient IBM Selectron-type typewriters, whereas others used high-speed printers capable of printing about 500 characters per minute. . New types of printers using ink spray methods, intended to improve printout speeds, are also gradually coming into use. If more pages than stored information must be generated, the character processing machine operator must wait a long time until the mechanical printing machine has completed transferring the information from memory disk or tape to the page. I have to wait.

Conventional character processing devices also have the disadvantage of breaking down or requiring occasional repair or adjustment during high load operation. The cost of the mechanical printing portion of the character processing device is also substantially determined by the cost of the character processor, with some conventional character processors costing between $10,000 and $18,000 to purchase. Additionally, the cost of typewriter ribbon for mechanical processors, which can range from $200 to $500 per year, is also overcome by the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic circuit and solid state display for transferring store information to printed pages. Conventional photocopy devices can be coupled to a solid state display, such as a liquid crystal display, and can immediately reproduce the information to be written on the display after reading the information from the store memory.

However, conventional photocopy machines, such as Xerox machines that use untreated paper, have the disadvantage of requiring a large number of moving parts within the machine. This disadvantage is used for 3M Manier Arcopia
This problem is solved by using heat-developable photosensitive paper, such as Thermofax paper. Thus, a better character processing device can be made as a complete solid state device without any moving parts when reproducing typed copies.

One problem with liquid crystal displays is that there is a division between adjacent areas, which causes symbols to form numbers or letters to be separated by multiple independent lines. This is also evident from the dials of modern LCD watches. To overcome this disadvantage, the present invention proposes a multi-layered liquid crystal display panel, in which information is written to each layer simultaneously. Adjacent LC (liquid crystal) panels are slightly offset from each other such that the sections or top layer LC panels overlap, and all section lines disappear to form a complete character. Since the LC panel is an electronic device, store information is retrieved from store memory almost instantaneously. Furthermore, the size of the symbols and type types is also variable. This is because this device does not rely on mechanical printing means for character reproduction. Once a completed character is written on the LC display, it is reproduced many times faster than the time required by conventional photocopy equipment, such as Xerox equipment. Thus, the original characters are copied and reproduced simultaneously as many times as required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal character processing device that can reproduce stored information at a faster speed than conventional devices. A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal character processing device that is simple in design, easy to manufacture, and highly reliable in operation.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one or more LC character processing stations interconnected to multiple display or copy devices in accordance with the present invention. In this figure, LCD screen 11 and keyboard 1
a plurality of LCD character processing devices 10, 35 having 2
and 36 are shown. These devices are connected to interface 14 via lines 13, 34 and 33. This interface 14 can connect several different outputs to the device. 1 output via line 15 to on-off switch 19
and a facsimile transmitter and receiver 16 with a push button dial system 17. There is also a receiver 18, and the telephone is used to continuously transmit information to a remote facsimile receiver or to receive information from other stations.

The other output of interface 14 is line 20
Connect to LCD screen 21 through this
The LCD screen 21 is mounted on a glass screen 26 of a photographic or photolithographic device. Control buttons 25 and 24 are operable to operate the copier, thereby transferring symbols printed on screen 21 to photographic print paper 2.
3 can be played on.

A further output of interface 14 connects via line 28 to LCD screen 29;
This screen 29 is mounted on a conventional photocopy machine 27, such as a Xerox machine. This results in
A copy can be obtained from output 30. It is clear that multiple copies of the same content can be made by applying it to a photocopy device.

A further output of interface 14 is connected via line 31 to a remote LCD screen 3 for monitoring.
Connected to 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical circuit of the device of FIG. 1. In the LCD processor 10,
The keyboard 12 has its output sent to the multiplexer 4.
The microprocessor circuit 37 connected to 4 is driven. The output of the multiplexer is connected to a driver circuit 38 which connects to the liquid crystal screen 11. The screen is also connected to an interface circuit 14 whose output is connected to a facsimile transmitter and receiver 16 or a photoprinter or copier 22 and 27, respectively.

The operation is as follows. When one of the symbol keys on keyboard 12 is pressed, microprocessor 37 decodes the key to find out which key was actuated. Memory is then accessed so that the correct characters are generated on the display screen. The LC screen turns on for a while and the other printing devices 22, 27 and 3
7 can be connected to the same screen. The interface circuit 14 must be aware of the problem of simultaneous activation of the two printing devices 22 and 27 caused by simultaneous key presses on a subsecond time scale.

There is also a "print" key on the keyboard. When the print key is pressed, the microprocessor transmits the code to logic on the image screen. This code checks to see if the image screen is in use. The image screen logic transmits a code regarding its status to the processor. If the screen is not in use, the microprocessor sends a code to multiplexer 44 indicating that it is ready to receive data. This process is a “handshake”
This is called "hand shaking" and occurs when the processor and interface circuits are ready to communicate. This “handshake” is 35 and 3
This occurs to prevent conflicts that may occur when other terminal devices such as 6 are connected to the same image screen. The symbols on the LC screen can also be frozen by disconnecting the screen 11 from the housing by a lead wire or assembly power circuit so that the screen can be connected to a remote printing copier.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a more detailed circuit including the memory device for the LCD character processing device.
In this case, the keyboard 12 is a peripheral interface adapter that controls the LCD display 11.
Connected to PIA40. PIA 40 is connected to microprocessor 37, random access memory RAM 41, and read only memory ROM 42 via a main trunk circuit. Other PIA vs. 46
and 47 are interconnected to solid state memory circuit 45 so that the keyboard information can be stored in the PROM,
Stored in a memory device such as a CCD or MBM.

In FIG. 3, the left side circuit represents the connections to PIAs 43 and 143 that drive multiplex decode and drive circuits 38 and 138. PIAs 43 and 143 function as interface adapters from microprocessor 37 to decode and drive circuitry 38. These are terminated at the LCD screen 21, 29 or 32 with the connections described above. The apparatus of FIG. 3 is assembled to operate two overlapping LCD screens, each driven by a separate decode or drive circuit 38,138. The screen features symbols slightly offset from each other, which
The inherent division between independently driven areas in an LCD display can be eliminated.
ASCIA 16 is of the facsimile output system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This allows information stored in the microprocessor to be transferred continuously over the telephone line to a facsimile receiver or modem.
4. It can also receive information from a remote location and display it for printing.

The random access memory RAM 41 is a read-write memory, and the binary values in the memory are:
It can be converted into a readable format by a microprocessor. RAM is Intel (2102) or National Semiconductor (MM2101-1 or
MM2101-2). The read-only memory ROM 42 is a solid-state semiconductor memory,
The state of binary values in memory cannot be changed. When ROM is manufactured, memory is designed so that its contents can be read but cannot be changed. The ROM stores the code for each keyboard entry that is scanned by the microprocessor when a key is pressed.

Microprocessor 37 is a logic circuit of indefinite variety formed within an integrated circuit.
The integrated circuit consists of a processed silicon wafer chip and is typically mounted in a dual-in-line package (DIP). Microprocessors can also be considered digital computers due to their similar instruction sets, address codes, and processing speeds. Practical microprocessor units are Intel (8030) and National Semiconductor (SC/MP8080,
and IMP/16). A peripheral interface adapter (PIA) is also a circuit typically useful for interconnecting peripheral devices and microprocessors.

Figure 4 shows a conventional multi-section liquid crystal display 60.
FIG.

Liquid crystal multiplexing can be done in a variety of ways. The voltage driving the liquid crystal to create the opaque area on the screen is 6V. Multiplexing of segmented displays or dots can be done in several ways. Other technologies could be considered such as PLTZ and electrochromic displays.
Displays such as LCDs must be constantly refreshed to retain their images. The memory time for some liquid crystals is 200 mS, but this can be varied. There are various ways to multiplex PLTZ crystals onto conductive photoresist glass electrodes. This is Pittsburgh
“NESA” glass by Plate Glass is used. This is a conductive glass with a photoresist pattern etched thereon by a photoresist process.

Liquid crystals are excited by applying a voltage thereon. The liquid crystal driving voltage in this case is approximately 6V. If the LCD is strobed,
The individual arrays are connected to ground one line at a time using an XY pattern or strobe technique. A decoder chip is mounted on the screen itself so that the decoder chip accesses individual dots. This more efficient method has the effect of reducing the number of connecting lines to the glass.

In FIG. 4, decoded information is applied directly from the microprocessor and this decoded information is multiplexed by a decode and drive circuit chip. The processor selects input lines A0, A1, A2, A according to the dots to be driven.
3, A4, A5, etc. Terminal CB2 is
Connect to the drive circuit for turning on the copying device. The microprocessor controls the turning "on" and "off" of the copier and controls, for example, stops, paper feed, etc. The heart of the control device is a microprocessor. A preferred circuit is
The decoding and drive circuitry is mounted on the screen itself. According to this, the connection dose to the screen 60 can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminated LC panel,
A liquid crystal display housing 50 according to the present invention is shown having three LC display panels 52, 53 and 54 covered by photosensitive paper 55. Each of the LC displays 52, 53 and 54 is driven by a separate multiplexer and drive circuit so that the same information, such as symbols or characters, is displayed on each display. However, the LC displays are offset from each other by a small amount and in one of three or four directions, so that the spaces between the LC sections are masked and an unbroken sequence of symbols is formed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of LC sections forming letters or numbers from two different panels, and represents 15 general sections displayed in an X shape or a rounded shape.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of four LC units 58 on top of each other, thereby eliminating partitioning.

FIG. 8 shows the lines of a symbol formed from two different LC panels and shows different approaches to forming the number 2. This ensures that when two symbols 59 overlap each other, no segmentation is seen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one line of symbols on an LC panel, representing one LC piece used to form one line of symbols by multiplexing. This is composed of multiple small adjacent dot matrices.

Figure 10 shows multiple cases where all segmentation has been eliminated.
Diagrams showing the configuration of the LC laminated panel, 11th, 12th,
Figures 13 and 14 are diagrams showing an arrangement in which different LC panels are not stacked and segmentation is eliminated. FIG. 10 details a fully contiguous LCD display section formed by superimposing the dot matrices of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14. The dots of one layer are superimposed on the dots of the next layer to form a more solid character than an open matrix.

The resolution of the LCD panel is 20,000 pixels per square inch.
No special panel is required.

In the present invention, it has been found that a single LCD screen is sufficient if segmentation is included. This is because the resolution of most photocopy processors, such as the Xerox processor,
This is because there is not enough resolution to detect the space between LC sections. This is because the reproduction of black in the gaps between segments that should form complete letters and numbers becomes faintly blurred.

For even better quality, it is better to use two, three or four superimposed screens to eliminate the spaces between the LC sections. With a total of four screens, the space between LC sections can be completely eliminated when obtaining higher contrast prints than photocopy machines.

In the character processing device, the user presses keyboard 1.
2 to type an entire page of text and it will appear on the LCD display 11 on the console. At the same time, a memory circuit consisting of solid state memory 45 also stores information on the page. You can also make necessary corrections to the displayed symbols.
The operator then selects the remote LC screen 21,
29 etc., press the "Print" button to generate a display almost simultaneously. And L.C.
A photocopied image of the display is obtained.
Since there is no mechanical printing involved in forming characters, information stored in solid-state memory can be quickly
Readout on LC display and rapidly printed.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the size and format of the types can be varied. For example, if commercial short letters are to be reproduced on corporate letterhead through a photocopy process, the lettering can be enlarged and adjusted. In ROM42, 2 items related to size information such as Gochitsuku type, Roman type, etc.
readout information can be stored so that the display to be read can be changed to the desired type by pressing a special key on the keyboard indicating the type.

Memory circuit 45 also allows for storing multiple pages of write information, such as multiple pages, so that the write information can be quickly and sequentially replicated at any time.

It is also possible for the operator to make multiple copies of each page in memory and to compare the copies at the copying machine by pressing the appropriate keyboard button.

In the above description, the present invention has been explained using a few embodiments, but those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, according to the character processing device of the present invention, a solid state reflective solid state display with no moving parts, on which characters are electronically reproduced, is mounted on an optical printing device and removed. The typewriter is placed on the machine and is immediately reproduced on the reflective solid-state display, and the printing device optically reads and reproduces the text, so it is quiet and does not produce the noise of a mechanical typewriter. Furthermore, the printing speed is very high, and the effect is that characters can be reproduced in arbitrary sizes and shapes (for example, Roman fonts, Gothic fonts, etc.) and printed on a reflective solid-state display.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view illustrating one or more LC character processing stations interconnected to a plurality of display or copy devices according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical circuitry of the device of FIG. 1; Figure 3 is
A block diagram showing a more detailed circuit including a memory device for an LCD character processing device; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a drive circuit for a conventional multi-segment liquid crystal display 60; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminated LC panel. , FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of LC divisions forming letters or numbers from two different panels, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement of four LC units 58 overlapping each other, and FIG. Figure 9 shows a line of a symbol formed by different LC panels; Figure 9 is a diagram showing one line of a symbol on an LC panel; Figure 10
The figure shows the configuration of multiple LC laminated panels with all segmentation eliminated. Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14 show the state before different LC panels are stacked and segmentation is eliminated. It is a figure showing an array. In the figure, 10 is an LCD processor, and 11 is an LCD processor.
12 is a keyboard, 14 is an interface, 16 is a facsimile transmitter and receiver, 21 is an LCD screen, 29 is an LCD screen, 27 is a photocopy device, 37 is a microprocessor, 40 is a peripheral interface adapter, 41 42 is a ROM, 45 is a solid-state memory circuit, 50 is a housing, and 60 is a multi-segment liquid crystal display.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A character processing device for displaying and reproducing characters, comprising: a housing including an electronic keyboard provided with keys for displaying individual characters; a first liquid crystal display for displaying a character specified by pressing a key on the keyboard; a second liquid crystal display for displaying a character specified by pressing a key on the keyboard; a logic circuit connected to the keyboard and the first and second liquid crystal displays and configured to scan presses of keys on the keyboard; a solid-state memory for outputting the character code of the selected key to each of the first and second liquid crystal displays to form characters of a desired size and shape; and the second liquid crystal display are removably mounted. , a photocopy device for optically reading and copying characters displayed on the second liquid crystal display. 2. The character processing device of claim 1 further comprising a memory device connected to logic circuitry for sequentially storing coded character information generated by the keyboard. 3. The character processing device according to claim 2, wherein the memory device is a RAM. 4. The liquid crystal display comprises at least one liquid crystal screen and a multipress and drive circuit whose output is connected to the liquid crystal screen and whose input is connected to a logic circuit for sequentially displaying the characters on the liquid crystal screen. Character processing device according to scope 1. 5. The first and second liquid crystal displays are comprised of at least two liquid crystal screens overlapping each other, the liquid crystal screens having mutually identical dot matrix layers, and one of the dot matrix layers between the matrix dots. 2. The character processing device according to claim 1, wherein the character processing device is slightly offset from other said dot matrix layers by enough to fill the space. 6 at least one liquid crystal display consists of four screens superimposed on each other, the screens having identical dot matrix layers;
Each dot matrix of the adjacent screen has 4
offset along each of the four directions by an amount sufficient to fill the adjacent dot matrix segmentation space so that characters generated simultaneously on all screens are continuous without any segmentation. A character processing device according to claim 1. 7. The character processing device according to claim 1, wherein the logic circuit includes a microprocessor and the solid-state memory is a ROM. 8. The character processing device of claim 2, wherein the keyboard further comprises a print key connected to a photocopy device for sequentially copying characters reproduced on the second liquid crystal display. 9. The print key is connected to the memory device, and in response to pressing of the print key, the photocopy device is caused to print a plurality of pages of character information that are sequentially displayed on the second liquid crystal display. The character processing device according to item 8. 10. The character processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a third liquid crystal display having a remote liquid crystal screen for displaying generated character information at a remote location.