US3846784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic digital displays
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-07
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A digital display device for displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters from a single electronic display unit in which the single unit is reciprocated at a predetermined frequency through a given distance and the unit is energized to emit an alphanumeric character display at synchronized positions during its swing between extreme positions so that the complete display of alphanumeric characters appears without the eye being able to detect the motion of the single display unit.
Inventors
- 👤 C Sinclair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:01
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A digital display apparatus for displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters including: a single electronic display unit having a plurality of individual segments which can be separately illuminated; an arm carrying the electronic display unit at one end thereof; means for mounting said arm so that the end of the arm carrying the display unit can be made to reciprocate through a given arc of a circle; means defining a plurality of spaced positions along the arc of the circle at which the required sequence of alphanumeric characters can be displayed from the single display unit; display unit reciprocating means energized at a given frequency to cause a given periodicity of reciprocation to the end of the arm carrying the display unit; means for energizing the appropriate individual segments of the display unit at precise moments as the unit passes each of the spaced positions during each reciprocation, said display unit energizing means being synchronized with the reciprocation of the arm so that the positions of display are identical from one reciprocation to the next, whereby a series of alphanumeric characters are continuously visible due to persistance of vision.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A digital display apparatus for displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters including: a single electronic display unit having a plurality of individual segments which can be separately illuminated; an arm carrying the electronic display unit at one end thereof; means for mounting said arm so that the end of the arm carrying the display unit can be made to reciprocate through a given arc of a circle; means defining a plurality of spaced positions along the arc of the circle at which the required sequence of alphanumeric characters can be displayed from the single display unit; display unit reciprocating means energized at a given frequency to cause a given periodicity of reciprocation to the end of the arm carrying the display unit; means for energizing the appropriate individual segments of the display unit at precise moments as the unit passes each of the spaced positions during each reciprocation, said display unit energizing means being synchronized with the reciprocation of the arm so that the positions of display are identical from one reciprocation to the next, whereby a series of alphanumeric characters are continuously visible due to persistance of vision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for reciprocating said display unit comprises: a U-shaped component made of a springy material, to one extremity of which is attached the arm; an adjustable counterweight attached to the other end of the U-shaped component; resilient pads for lightly gripping the U-shaped component at a point about the base of the U; a fixed electro-magnet; and a cooperating pole piece attached to one arm of the U-shaped component for exciting the U-shaped component into oscillation in the manner of a tuning fork by the interaction of the electro-magnet and its associated pole piece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A digital display device according to claim 2, wherein the adjustable counter weight means comprises a threaded rod and a nut, the nut being threadably engaged on the rod such that the nut may be screwed in either direction along the rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arm, carrying the display unit at one end, is formed integrally with a first arm of a pair of lever arms, a pivot point located on the casing of the display device and arranged substantially centrally of the pair of lever arms whereby the arms can individually pivot about said pivot point in the manner of a pair of scissors, a counterweight being attached to an end of the other arm which does not carry the display unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A digital display device according to claim 4, including a solenoid fixed to the casing of the display; a spring attached at its outer ends to the two lever arms and at its centre to the casing of the display; and two pole pieces secured to the respective arms, the pole pieces being associated with the solenoid such that when the solenoid is energized, the pole pieces are attracted into opposite ends of the solenoid thus moving the arms closer together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for causing a plurality of discrete alphanumeric displays to be emitted from said display unit at precise positions along the arc over which the display unit reciprocates comprises: an oscillator providing a constant frequency to drive the display unit reciprocating means; a synchronizing circuit driven from the display oscillator; means for generating electrical signals representing the required sequence of alphanumeric characters to be displayed; means for switching on and off said generated signals in synchronism with the reciprocation of the display unit whereby the required sequence of alphanumeric characters is displayed over a complete swing of the display unit from one extreme position to the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 6, additionally including means for generating a feedback signal proportional to the position of the display unit in order to firstly decrease the frequency of the output signals to the display unit as the display unit approaches the extreme positions of its swing, and secondly, to increase the frequency of the output signals as the display unit approaches the mean position of its swing, whereby a substantially equi-spaced alphanumeric display can be obtained.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a first oscillator; an electro-magnet energized by said oscillator; a pole piece located on said arm and electro-magnetically associated with said electro-magnet for driving said arm in synchronism with the frequency of the oscillator; a calculator inegrator circuit in which the alphanumeric sequence to be displayed is calculated; a segment drive circuit cntrolled from the calculator integrator circuit to enable the correct segments of the display unit to be energized according to each alphanumeric character to be displayed; a second oscilLator controlling the calculator integrator circuit; and a synchronizing circuit controlled from the first oscillator for ensuring synchronous running between the two oscillators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 8, additionally including: a flyback blanking circuit controlled from said first oscillator; a gate circuit controlled from the flyback blanking circuit, said gate circuit passing the output from the calculator integrator circuit when unblocked; and a monostable driver circuit connected between said gate circuit and the display unit, whereby the dispaly unit is not energized during the return movement of the reciprocating arm, due to the gate being blocked.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 8, additionally including a synchronization gate located between a first output of the calculator integrator circuit and the synchronizing circuit, whereby only the first displayed alphanumeric character controls the synchronization of the calculator integrator through the second oscillator with the first oscillator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A digital display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second oscillator is also controlled from the position of the display unit through electro-magnetic coupling means, whereby the frequency of the output signals to the display unit is decreased as the display unit approaches the extreme positions of its swing and increased in the mean position of its swing, so as to produce a substantially equi-spaced alphanumeric display.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US18761A
Cited
US3555505A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |