Patent US3934247A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3934247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alphanumeric display means for computer-linked typewriter consoles using a matrix array of light-emitting diodes (led's)
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-05
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Granted: 1976-01-20
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Expires: 1993-11-05
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an alphanumeric display unit means for improving the identification quantities at selected key buttons of a computer-linked typewriter console through usage of light-emitting identification indicia attached adjacent to or at the selected key buttons. Each light-emitting display is in matrix format consisting of a set of light-emitting diodes (LED's) arranged in orthogonal rows and columns. Energization of the LED's is by means of digital control circuitry. Result: a repetitive light-emitting display in matrix format in a configuration corresponding to an alphanumeric indicium for which display is sought.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Delbert Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:03
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/26; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0227; G06F3/023; G06F3/0238; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A device for displaying alphanumeric light-emanating indicia at selected key buttons of a keyboard of a typewriter console forming an I/O link with a general-purpose digital computer, each light-emanating alphanumeric indicium being related to a font operational characteristic resulting from movement of one of said selected key buttons under control of a human observer-user whereby said font operational characteristic is permanently recorded on paper at said typewriter console in full view of said human observer-user through mechanical button-font-paper interaction, comprising a. semiconductor, light-emitting diode means arranged to display at or adjacent to at least one of said selected key buttons said light-emanating alphanumeric indicium associated with said font operational characteristic; b. cantilevered elongated rigid frame means attached to and supportive of said light-emitting diode means, said frame means including cooperative means in gripping contact with corresponding one or more key buttons of said keyboard; c. controller switch means connected to said light-emitting diode means and including digital controller-decoder means for repetitively generating binary activation codes for said diode means at a rate sufficiently above the flicker fusion rate of the human eye to display said desired alphanumeric display indicium as a solid image to said observer-user, said displayed indicium being of sufficient intensity so as to be easily discernible to said human observer-user using said typewriter console irrespective of the background of lighting environment thereabout.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A device for displaying alphanumeric light-emanating indicia at selected key buttons of a keyboard of a typewriter console forming an I/O link with a general-purpose digital computer, each light-emanating alphanumeric indicium being related to a font operational characteristic resulting from movement of one of said selected key buttons under control of a human observer-user whereby said font operational characteristic is permanently recorded on paper at said typewriter console in full view of said human observer-user through mechanical button-font-paper interaction, comprising a. semiconductor, light-emitting diode means arranged to display at or adjacent to at least one of said selected key buttons said light-emanating alphanumeric indicium associated with said font operational characteristic; b. cantilevered elongated rigid frame means attached to and supportive of said light-emitting diode means, said frame means including cooperative means in gripping contact with corresponding one or more key buttons of said keyboard; c. controller switch means connected to said light-emitting diode means and including digital controller-decoder means for repetitively generating binary activation codes for said diode means at a rate sufficiently above the flicker fusion rate of the human eye to display said desired alphanumeric display indicium as a solid image to said observer-user, said displayed indicium being of sufficient intensity so as to be easily discernible to said human observer-user using said typewriter console irrespective of the background of lighting environment thereabout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device of claim 1 in which said light-emitting diode means is supported interior of said one key button of said keyboard viewable at the finger-touching surface of said one key button.
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) | 1979-01-19 | 1979-07-21 | 1980-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-19 | 1983-07-21 | 1984-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-19 | 1987-07-21 | 1988-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |