US3879723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Destination sign system using liquid crystal display devices
Assignee: TRANSIGN Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-21
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1992-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A destination sign is disclosed for use in buses and trains with a remote control which permits the operator to selectively cause display of any one of a large number of names or words. The sign is comprised of liquid crystal type display devices and the information to be displayed is selected from a memory device where it is stored in binary word form. A clock controlled scanner causes sequential reading of plural memory devices a word at a time which are fed through a first parallel/serial register to the remote sign in serial form, bit-by-bit. At the remote sign the serial data, under synchronized control means from the clock, is fed through a serial/parallel register to a set of latch registers under the control of a clock controlled scanner. The latch registers hold a data word corresponding to each character of the liquid crystal display and provide continuous actuation thereof. The synchronizing signal from the clock not only synchronizes the data feed through the serial/parallel register, but also by means of a tone burst generator and detector means provides a reset signal for the serial/parallel register after all data words have been transmitted. Thus the latch registers are updated at the end of each sequence of data transmission. In addition to the continuous energization and updating of the liquid crystal display devices of the sign, the sign includes back-lighting means, louver means, and partial reflector means to enhance the readability of the sign.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F Hornung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:39
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04; G09G3/16; G09G3/18; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
514 words
A programmable display system for information comprising: a plurality of field-responsive liquid crystal character display devices disposed in lineal juxtaposition to form a sign, each of said character display devices comprising a plurality of separately actuable character-forming segments whereby each device may represent any of a plurality of individually recognizable characters, input means for producing any of a plurality of digital input programs, data storage means connected to said input means and responsive to said programs for producing a plurality of multiple bit data words each representing segments of a character in said sign to be actuated to represent the programmed information; and transmitting means for distributing said data words to said segments of said liquid crystal character display devices, said transmitting means comprising first register means connected with said storage means for serializing the bits of said data words, clock means, first scanning means controlled by said clock means and connected with said storage means for causing said plurality of data words to be read one at a time into said register means, said input means, storage means, clock and transmitting means being located remotely from said sign, receiving means located proximate said sign and including a latch register means for each character of said sign; second register means for receiving said plurality of data words with the bits thereof in serial form and for converting the bits of each word into parallel form, a first transmission line connecting the first and second register means for transmission of the bits of the data words in serial form, each of said latch register means being connected between said second register means and a respective character display device, power supply means for said liquid crystal display devices, a plurality of electronic switch devices connected respectively to said segments and to said power supply and having an actuating input for selective actuation thereof, means connected between said latch registers and said switch inputs for selectively actuating the switch devices in accordance with said data words, second scanner means connected by a second transmission line to said clock and controlled thereby and connected to said second register means for causing transfer of one word at a time from the second register means to successive latch register means, whereby each latch register means maintains continuous actuation of its respective display device during the subsequent actuation of the remaining display devices in said sign, generator means for generating a synchronizing signal having a frequency which is less than the frequency of said clock means, said generator means being connected with said second register for synchronizing the actuation thereof with said data words, detector means connected with said second register for detecting the occurrence of said synchronizing signal at the end of transmission of all of said plurality of data words, and reset means connected between said detector means and said second register for resetting said second register after receipt of said plurality of data words whereby the succeeding transmission of said data words will be effective to provide data to said latch registers in accordance with such succeeding transmission.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
514 words
A programmable display system for information comprising: a plurality of field-responsive liquid crystal character display devices disposed in lineal juxtaposition to form a sign, each of said character display devices comprising a plurality of separately actuable character-forming segments whereby each device may represent any of a plurality of individually recognizable characters, input means for producing any of a plurality of digital input programs, data storage means connected to said input means and responsive to said programs for producing a plurality of multiple bit data words each representing segments of a character in said sign to be actuated to represent the programmed information; and transmitting means for distributing said data words to said segments of said liquid crystal character display devices, said transmitting means comprising first register means connected with said storage means for serializing the bits of said data words, clock means, first scanning means controlled by said clock means and connected with said storage means for causing said plurality of data words to be read one at a time into said register means, said input means, storage means, clock and transmitting means being located remotely from said sign, receiving means located proximate said sign and including a latch register means for each character of said sign; second register means for receiving said plurality of data words with the bits thereof in serial form and for converting the bits of each word into parallel form, a first transmission line connecting the first and second register means for transmission of the bits of the data words in serial form, each of said latch register means being connected between said second register means and a respective character display device, power supply means for said liquid crystal display devices, a plurality of electronic switch devices connected respectively to said segments and to said power supply and having an actuating input for selective actuation thereof, means connected between said latch registers and said switch inputs for selectively actuating the switch devices in accordance with said data words, second scanner means connected by a second transmission line to said clock and controlled thereby and connected to said second register means for causing transfer of one word at a time from the second register means to successive latch register means, whereby each latch register means maintains continuous actuation of its respective display device during the subsequent actuation of the remaining display devices in said sign, generator means for generating a synchronizing signal having a frequency which is less than the frequency of said clock means, said generator means being connected with said second register for synchronizing the actuation thereof with said data words, detector means connected with said second register for detecting the occurrence of said synchronizing signal at the end of transmission of all of said plurality of data words, and reset means connected between said detector means and said second register for resetting said second register after receipt of said plurality of data words whereby the succeeding transmission of said data words will be effective to provide data to said latch registers in accordance with such succeeding transmission.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
514 words
A programmable display system for information comprising: a plurality of field-responsive liquid crystal character display devices disposed in lineal juxtaposition to form a sign, each of said character display devices comprising a plurality of separately actuable character-forming segments whereby each device may represent any of a plurality of individually recognizable characters, input means for producing any of a plurality of digital input programs, data storage means connected to said input means and responsive to said programs for producing a plurality of multiple bit data words each representing segments of a character in said sign to be actuated to represent the programmed information; and transmitting means for distributing said data words to said segments of said liquid crystal character display devices, said transmitting means comprising first register means connected with said storage means for serializing the bits of said data words, clock means, first scanning means controlled by said clock means and connected with said storage means for causing said plurality of data words to be read one at a time into said register means, said input means, storage means, clock and transmitting means being located remotely from said sign, receiving means located proximate said sign and including a latch register means for each character of said sign; second register means for receiving said plurality of data words with the bits thereof in serial form and for converting the bits of each word into parallel form, a first transmission line connecting the first and second register means for transmission of the bits of the data words in serial form, each of said latch register means being connected between said second register means and a respective character display device, power supply means for said liquid crystal display devices, a plurality of electronic switch devices connected respectively to said segments and to said power supply and having an actuating input for selective actuation thereof, means connected between said latch registers and said switch inputs for selectively actuating the switch devices in accordance with said data words, second scanner means connected by a second transmission line to said clock and controlled thereby and connected to said second register means for causing transfer of one word at a time from the second register means to successive latch register means, whereby each latch register means maintains continuous actuation of its respective display device during the subsequent actuation of the remaining display devices in said sign, generator means for generating a synchronizing signal having a frequency which is less than the frequency of said clock means, said generator means being connected with said second register for synchronizing the actuation thereof with said data words, detector means connected with said second register for detecting the occurrence of said synchronizing signal at the end of transmission of all of said plurality of data words, and reset means connected between said detector means and said second register for resetting said second register after receipt of said plurality of data words whereby the succeeding transmission of said data words will be effective to provide data to said latch registers in accordance with such succeeding transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
514 words
A programmable display system for information comprising: a plurality of field-responsive liquid crystal character display devices disposed in lineal juxtaposition to form a sign, each of said character display devices comprising a plurality of separately actuable character-forming segments whereby each device may represent any of a plurality of individually recognizable characters, input means for producing any of a plurality of digital input programs, data storage means connected to said input means and responsive to said programs for producing a plurality of multiple bit data words each representing segments of a character in said sign to be actuated to represent the programmed information; and transmitting means for distributing said data words to said segments of said liquid crystal character display devices, said transmitting means comprising first register means connected with said storage means for serializing the bits of said data words, clock means, first scanning means controlled by said clock means and connected with said storage means for causing said plurality of data words to be read one at a time into said register means, said input means, storage means, clock and transmitting means being located remotely from said sign, receiving means located proximate said sign and including a latch register means for each character of said sign; second register means for receiving said plurality of data words with the bits thereof in serial form and for converting the bits of each word into parallel form, a first transmission line connecting the first and second register means for transmission of the bits of the data words in serial form, each of said latch register means being connected between said second register means and a respective character display device, power supply means for said liquid crystal display devices, a plurality of electronic switch devices connected respectively to said segments and to said power supply and having an actuating input for selective actuation thereof, means connected between said latch registers and said switch inputs for selectively actuating the switch devices in accordance with said data words, second scanner means connected by a second transmission line to said clock and controlled thereby and connected to said second register means for causing transfer of one word at a time from the second register means to successive latch register means, whereby each latch register means maintains continuous actuation of its respective display device during the subsequent actuation of the remaining display devices in said sign, generator means for generating a synchronizing signal having a frequency which is less than the frequency of said clock means, said generator means being connected with said second register for synchronizing the actuation thereof with said data words, detector means connected with said second register for detecting the occurrence of said synchronizing signal at the end of transmission of all of said plurality of data words, and reset means connected between said detector means and said second register for resetting said second register after receipt of said plurality of data words whereby the succeeding transmission of said data words will be effective to provide data to said latch registers in accordance with such succeeding transmission.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A display system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sign comprises in addition to said plurality of liquid crystal character display devices, a separately actuable back-lighting means for illuminating said sign under low ambient light conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A display system as defined in claim 2 wherein said sign includes in addition, a set of louvers between the liquid crystal character display devices and the back-lighting means for concealing the back-lighting means from certain predetermined viewing angles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |