EP0084959A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements to information display devices
Assignee: Unisplay SA
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Filing: 1983-01-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A display device of the matrix type utilises coincident current selection of display elements by the provision of row conductors (R) activating row electromagnets (D) and column conductors (C) activating column electromagnets (H). Each display element includes a rotatable vane (S) which is stable in open and closed positions and a permanent magnet (M) co-operates with the electromagnet (D) to urge the vane (S) into the appropriate position. Bar (L) extending from the vane (S) contacts the pole face of electromagnet (H) which, when activated, serves to inhibit movement of the vane irrespective of activation of the row electromagnet (D). Thus by pulsing the display row-by-row, the state of the display elements can be set by selective inhibiting of movement in coincident manner of the appropriate vanes (S) by pulsing the respective column conductors.
Inventors
- 👤 Hassan Paddy Abdel Salam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:18
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A display device including display elements arranged in a number of groups, each display element within one of said groups forming a set together with corresponding display elements of the other groups, each said display element including a member movable between first and second positions in which said display element has different appearances, a permanent magnet coupled to said movable member, a part of ferromagnetic material associated with said movable member, first electromagnet means arranged when energised to act upon said permanent magnet to urge said member to move from one to the other of said positions, second electromagnet means operable when energised to exert force upon said part, said part being arranged in response to predetermined excitation of said second electromagnet means to inhibit motion of said movable member when said member is in one of said positions, means connecting said first electromagnet means in a said group so that they can be energised together and means connecting said second electromagnet means in a said set so that they can be energised together whereby display elements may be selectively set.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A display device including display elements arranged in a number of groups, each display element within one of said groups forming a set together with corresponding display elements of the other groups, each said display element including a member movable between first and second positions in which said display element has different appearances, a permanent magnet coupled to said movable member, a part of ferromagnetic material associated with said movable member, first electromagnet means arranged when energised to act upon said permanent magnet to urge said member to move from one to the other of said positions, second electromagnet means operable when energised to exert force upon said part, said part being arranged in response to predetermined excitation of said second electromagnet means to inhibit motion of said movable member when said member is in one of said positions, means connecting said first electromagnet means in a said group so that they can be energised together and means connecting said second electromagnet means in a said set so that they can be energised together whereby display elements may be selectively set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said permanent magnet is attached to said movable member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said part is mounted on said movable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said part is loosely attached for limited relative movement to said movable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable member is pivoted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said part is pivoted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said movable member and said part are pivoted along the same axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a said part and said second electromagnet means are arranged to inhibit movement of a said movable member in only one of said positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a said part and said second electromagnet means are arranged to inhibit movement of a said movable member in both of said positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A display device as claimed in claim-1, wherein each of said first and second electromagnet means includes a core of ferromagnetic material of low remanence.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein for one of said positions each said display element appears as a bright area to the observer, said area being bounded by a rectangle having vertical and horizontal sides, said second electromagnet means including a magnetisable pole tip placed close to a corner of said rectanglular area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first electromagnet means in a said group are connected in series and said second electromagnet means in a said set are connected in series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein selected display elements within a said group are switched from said first to said second positions and at the same time all the display elements of a different said group are switched from said second to said first positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
A display device including a plurality of display elements, each display element including a member movable between first and second positions in which said display element presents contrasting appearances, first electromagnet means having a core of ferromagnetic material and being arranged to urge said member to move from one to the other of said positions and second electromagnet means having a core of ferromagnetic material and being arranged to inhibit movement of said member between said positions urged by said first electromagnet means, whereby said display elements may be selectively set by activating their corresponding first electromagnet means and simultaneously activating particular ones of their corresponding second electromagnet means so as to allow movement of only selected members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
118 words
A display device including a plurality of display elements, each display element including a member movable between first and second positions in which said display element presents contrasting appearances, first electromagnet means having a core of ferromagnetic material and being arranged to urge said member to move from one to the other of said positions and second electromagnet means having a core of ferromagnetic material and being arranged to inhibit movement of said member between said positions urged by said first electromagnet means, whereby said display elements may be selectively set by activating their corresponding first electromagnet means and simultaneously activating particular ones of their corresponding second electromagnet means so as to allow movement of only selected members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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