US3760406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal display circuit
Assignee: HMW Industries Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-13
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1992-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for multiplexing or energizing the crystals of a nematic liquid crystal display in timed sequence. Complementary MOS transistor logic circuits are used to create an equal potential at the opposite ends of these liquid crystals that are to be deenergized. The remaining liquid crystals are energized through direct paths or through paths in series with other energized crystals.
Inventors
- 👤 R Walton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:59
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/08; G04G9/12; G04G9/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A solid state wristwatch comprising a liquid crystal display, a frequency standard, a frequency converter and a display actuator coupling said standard to said display, said display actuator including first means coupled to said display for applying a potential difference to the elements of said display whereby said display elements are energized when no information is to be displayed, and second means coupled to said display for applying an equal potential to the opposite ends of selective elements of said display in accordance with the information to be displayed whereby said selected elements are de-energized while the other elements of said display remain energized, said display including a plurality of stations with liquid crystals at each station physically oriented to display time in numbers to the base ten, the liquid crystals at each station having one end connected in common with the other liquid crystals at that station, means coupled to said stations for applying time signals to the other ends of said crystals, and means coupled to said stations for applying multiplex signals to said common ends of said liquid crystals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A solid state wristwatch comprising a liquid crystal display, a frequency standard, a frequency converter and a display actuator coupling said standard to said display, said display actuator including first means coupled to said display for applying a potential difference to the elements of said display whereby said display elements are energized when no information is to be displayed, and second means coupled to said display for applying an equal potential to the opposite ends of selective elements of said display in accordance with the information to be displayed whereby said selected elements are de-energized while the other elements of said display remain energized, said display including a plurality of stations with liquid crystals at each station physically oriented to display time in numbers to the base ten, the liquid crystals at each station having one end connected in common with the other liquid crystals at that station, means coupled to said stations for applying time signals to the other ends of said crystals, and means coupled to said stations for applying multiplex signals to said common ends of said liquid crystals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
9 words
A wristwatch according to claim 1 including four stations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wristwatch according to claim 1 including mEans coupled to both ends of said liquid crystals for applying polarity reversing signals to said crystals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wristwatch according to claim 3 wherein said polarity reversing signal applying means comprise complementary MOS inverters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wrist watch according to claim 4 wherein said means for applying time signals and multiplex signals comprise transmission gates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
A solid state wristwatch comprising a liquid crystal display, a source of constant frequency electrical signals, a frequency converter coupled to the output of said frequency source of lowering the frequency of the signals from said frequency source, and a display actuator coupling the output of said frequency converter to said display, said display including a plurality of display stations with liquid crystals at each station physically oriented to display timing information to the base 10, the liquid crystals at each station having one end connected in common with the other liquid crystals at that station, said actuator including means coupled to said stations for applying timing information electrical signals to the other ends of said crystals, and means coupled to said stations for applying multiplex signals to said common ends of said liquid crystals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A solid state wristwatch comprising a liquid crystal display, a source of constant frequency electrical signals, a frequency converter coupled to the output of said frequency source of lowering the frequency of the signals from said frequency source, and a display actuator coupling the output of said frequency converter to said display, said display including a plurality of display stations with liquid crystals at each station physically oriented to display timing information to the base 10, the liquid crystals at each station having one end connected in common with the other liquid crystals at that station, said actuator including means coupled to said stations for applying timing information electrical signals to the other ends of said crystals, and means coupled to said stations for applying multiplex signals to said common ends of said liquid crystals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wristwatch according to claim 6 wherein said crystals are physically arranged in a seven bar segment array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wristwatch according to claim 6 including means coupled to said crystals for reversing the polarity across the energized ones of said crystals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A wristwatch according to claim 6 including a first set of solid state switches coupled to said stations and corresponding in number to the maximum number of crystals at any one station, a second set of switches coupled to said stations and corresponding in number to the number of stations, said first set of switches being coupled to said other ends of said crystals for applying said timing information electrical signals to said crystals, and said second set of switches being coupled to said common ends of said crystals for applying said multiplex signals to said crystals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A wristwatch according to claim 9 wherein said first set of switches comprise transmission gates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wristwatch according to claim 9 including a reversing frequency terminal coupled to both said first and second set of switches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |