Patent US6239776B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6239776B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multicolor multi-element display system
Assignee: Texas Digital Systems Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-05
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Granted: 2001-05-29
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Expires: 2018-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A multicolor multi-element display system includes a plurality of multicolor display elements, each having color control inputs for controlling its color and an enable input for controlling its condition. The color control signals are commonly presented to the interconnected color control inputs of all display elements. The individual display elements are independently illuminated or extinguished by enable control signals presented to their enable inputs.
Inventors
- 👤 Karel Havel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/20; G01R13/22; G01R13/26; G01R13/02; G01R13/40; G01R13/404; G01R13/405; G01R15/00; G01R15/12; G01R15/125; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04; G09G3/06; G09G3/12; G09G3/14; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/04; G09G2300/0439; G09G2300/0452; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0264; G09G2310/0275; G09G2320/00; G09G2320/06; G09G2320/0666
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for illuminating a multicolor display system which includes a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, a plurality of enable devices equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an enable signal of a predetermined value, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said display element further including a color control input for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display element, when enabled by said enable signal, in a color in accordance with said color control signal, the method comprising the steps of: commonly applying said color control signal to the color control inputs of all said display elements; and selectively presenting said enable signal to said enable input of a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate a display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for illuminating a multicolor display system which includes a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, a plurality of enable devices equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an enable signal of a predetermined value, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said display element further including a color control input for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display element, when enabled by said enable signal, in a color in accordance with said color control signal, the method comprising the steps of: commonly applying said color control signal to the color control inputs of all said display elements; and selectively presenting said enable signal to said enable input of a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate a display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, a plurality of enable devices equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an enable signal of a predetermined value, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said display element further including a color control input for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display element, when enabled by said enable signal, in a color in accordance with said color control signal; means for commonly applying said color control signal to the color control inputs of all said display elements; and means for selectively presenting said enable signal to said enable input of a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate a display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, a plurality of enable devices equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an enable signal of a predetermined value, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said display element further including a color control input for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display element, when enabled by said enable signal, in a color in accordance with said color control signal; means for commonly applying said color control signal to the color control inputs of all said display elements; and means for selectively presenting said enable signal to said enable input of a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate a display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
249 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a color control input for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for commonly applying said color control signal to the color control inputs of all said display elements; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
249 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a color control input for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for commonly applying said color control signal to the color control inputs of all said display elements; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
267 words
A multicolor display system comprising: plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a plurality of color control inputs for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display unit in a color in accordance with a color control input to which said color control signal is applied; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for respectively interconnecting the color control inputs of all said display elements; means for selectively applying said color control signal to the interconnected color control inputs; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
267 words
A multicolor display system comprising: plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a plurality of primary colors, respectively, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a plurality of color control inputs for receiving a color control signal, for illuminating said display unit in a color in accordance with a color control input to which said color control signal is applied; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for respectively interconnecting the color control inputs of all said display elements; means for selectively applying said color control signal to the interconnected color control inputs; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
316 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a first color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said first primary color, a second color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said second primary color, and a third color control input, for illuminating said display unit in said composite color; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for respectively interconnecting said first color control inputs, said second color control inputs, and said third color control inputs of all said display elements; means for selectively applying said color control signal to the interconnected color control inputs; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
316 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a first color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said first primary color, a second color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said second primary color, and a third color control input, for illuminating said display unit in said composite color; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for respectively interconnecting said first color control inputs, said second color control inputs, and said third color control inputs of all said display elements; means for selectively applying said color control signal to the interconnected color control inputs; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
426 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a first color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said first primary color, a second color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said second primary color, a third color control input, for illuminating said display unit in said third primary color, a fourth color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in a first composite color, a fifth color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in a second composite color, a sixth color control input, for illuminating said display unit in a third composite color, and a seventh color control signal, for illuminating said display unit in a fourth composite color; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for respectively interconnecting said first color control inputs, said second color control inputs, said third color control inputs, said fourth color control inputs, said fifth color control inputs, said sixth color control inputs, and said sevenths color control inputs of all said display elements; means for selectively applying said color control signal to the interconnected color control inputs; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
426 words
A multicolor display system comprising: a plurality of display elements, each said display element including a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said display element including a first color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said first primary color, a second color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in said second primary color, a third color control input, for illuminating said display unit in said third primary color, a fourth color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in a first composite color, a fifth color control input, for receiving a color control signal for illuminating said display unit in a second composite color, a sixth color control input, for illuminating said display unit in a third composite color, and a seventh color control signal, for illuminating said display unit in a fourth composite color; a plurality of enable devices, equal in number to the plurality of said display elements and respectively associated therewith, for selectively allowing and disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, each said enable device including an enable input, for receiving an active enable signal, for allowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased, and an inactive signal, for disallowing said light emitting diodes in said display element to be forwardly biased; means for respectively interconnecting said first color control inputs, said second color control inputs, said third color control inputs, said fourth color control inputs, said fifth color control inputs, said sixth color control inputs, and said sevenths color control inputs of all said display elements; means for selectively applying said color control signal to the interconnected color control inputs; and means for selectively presenting said active enable signal to the enable input associated with a certain one of said display elements, for causing it to illuminate said display unit in a color in accordance with said color control signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |