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US 2002/0003511 A1Published application
Dual variable color display device
AssigneeTexas Digital Systems, Inc.
InventorKarel Havel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuously variable color display system includes a plurality of display areas, each including three light emitting diodes, for emitting light signals of respectively different primary colors, which are controlled by three bistable devices, respectively. Each bistable device is set at the beginning of a time interval, defined by a corresponding input digital code, and reset at the end of the time interval. Accordingly, the light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color determined by three input digital codes.
Claims20
A method of illuminating an optical device, which includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respectively different primary colors, and a plurality of bistable devices, respectively associated with said light emitting diodes, each having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of discrete codes respectively defining a plurality of time periods, said time periods being respectively associated with said bistable devices;
- periodically setting each said bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of the associated time period, and setting each said bistable device to its second stable condition at other times, such that all said bistable devices are in their first stable conditions substantially together;
- illuminating said light emitting diodes when the associated bistable devices are in said first stable condition, respectively;
- whereby said light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said discrete codes.
1 more element
An optical device comprising:
- an input for receiving a plurality of discrete codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods;
- a plurality of bistable devices respectively associated with said time periods, each said bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically setting each said bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of the associated time period, and for setting each said bistable device to its second stable condition at other times, such that said bistable devices are in their first stable conditions substantially together;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respective primary colors, said light emitting diodes being respectively associated with said bistable devices;
- means for forwardly biasing each said light emitting diode when its associated bistable device is in said first stable condition;
- whereby said light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said discrete codes.
3 more elements
An optical device comprising:
- an input for receiving a plurality of discrete codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods;
- a plurality of bistable devices respectively associated with said time periods, each said bistable device having a first stable condition, a second stable condition, and an output indicative of its condition;
- a triggering device for periodically setting each said bistable device to its first stable condition during the associated time period, and for setting each said bistable device to its second stable condition at other times, such that said bistable devices are in their first stable conditions substantially together;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respective primary colors, said light emitting diodes being respectively associated with said bistable devices;
- each said light emitting diode being coupled to said output of its associated bistable device, for being forwardly biased when said associated bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- whereby said light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said discrete codes.
3 more elements
An optical device comprising:
- an input for receiving a first discrete code, defining a first time period, a second discrete code, defining a second time period, and a third discrete code, defining a third time period;
- a first bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically setting said first bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of said first time period, and for setting said first bistable device to its second stable condition at other times;
- a second bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically setting said second bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of said first time period, and for setting said second bistable device to its second stable condition at other times;
- a third bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically setting said third bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of said first time period, and for setting said third bistable device to its second stable condition at other times;
- a first light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first color;
- a second light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second color;
- a third light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third color;
- means for illuminating said first light emitting diode when said first bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for illuminating said second light emitting diode when said second bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for illuminating said third light emitting diode when said third bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- whereby said first light emitting diode, said second light emitting diode, and said third light emitting diode jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said first discrete code, o said second discrete code, and to said third discrete code.
11 more elements
A display device comprising:
- an input for receiving a plurality of discrete codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods;
- a plurality of bistable devices respectively associated with said time periods, each said bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically setting each said bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of the associated time period, and for setting each said bistable device to its second stable condition at other times, such that all said bistable devices are in their first stable condition substantially together;
- a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for selectively exhibiting a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respectively different primary colors, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a composite signal of a composite color;
- a plurality of buses, associated with said bistable devices, to which said light emitting diodes are commonly coupled in accordance with said primary colors, for being forwardly biased upon selective activation of said buses;
- means for activating each said bus when its associated bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for selectively activating said display areas for illuminating a selected display unit in a composite color having relation to said discrete codes.
4 more elements
A display device comprising:
- an input for receiving a first discrete code, defining a first time period, a second discrete code, defining a second time period, and a third discrete code, defining a third time period;
- a first bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for setting said first bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of said first time period;
- a second bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for setting said second bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of said second time period;
- a third bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for setting said third bistable device to its first stable condition for the duration of said third time period;
- a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for selectively exhibiting a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first color, a second light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a composite signal of a composite color;
- a first bus to which all said first light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased upon activation of said first bus;
- a second bus to which all said second light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biase upon activation of said second bus;
- a third bus to which all said third light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased upon activation of said third bus;
- means for activating said first bus when said first bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for activating said second bus when said second bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for activating said third bus when said third bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for selectively activating said display areas for illuminating a selected display unit in a composite color having relation to said first discrete code, to said second discrete code, and to said third discrete code.
12 more elements
A method of illuminating an optical device, which includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respectively different primary colors, and a plurality of bistable devices, respectively associated with said light emitting diodes, each having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of digital codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods, said time periods being respectively associated with said bistable devices, each said time period having a start and an end;
- periodically switching each said bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of the respective time period, and switching each said bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of the respective time period, such that said bistable devices are in their first stable condition substantially together;
- coupling said light emitting diodes to the outputs of said bistable devices, respectively, for being illuminated when the associated bistable devices are in their first stable condition;
- whereby said light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said digital codes.
1 more element
An optical device comprising:
- an input for receiving a plurality of digital codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods, each said time period having a start and an end;
- a plurality of bistable devices respectively associated with said time periods, each said bistable device having a first stable condition, a second stable condition, and an output indicative of its condition;
- means for periodically switching each said bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of the respective time period, and for switching each said bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of the respective time period, such that said bistable devices are in their first condition substantially together;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respectively different primary colors, said light emitting diodes being associated with said bistable devices;
- means for coupling said light emitting diodes to the outputs of said bistable devices, respectively;
- whereby said light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said digital codes.
3 more elements
An optical device comprising:
- an input for receiving a plurality of digital codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods, each said time period having a start and an end;
- a plurality of bistable devices respectively associated with said time periods, each said bistable device having a first stable condition, a second stable condition, and an output indicative of its condition;
- a triggering device for periodically switching each said bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of the respective time period, and for switching each said bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of the respective time period, such that said bistable devices are in their first condition substantially together;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respective primary colors, said light emitting diodes being respectively associated with said bistable devices;
- each said light emitting diode being coupled to said output of its associated bistable device, for being forwardly biased when said associated bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- whereby said light emitting diodes jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said digital codes.
3 more elements
An optical device comprising:
- an input for receiving a first digital code, defining a first time period, a second digital code, defining a second time period, and a third digital code, defining a third time period, each said time period having a start and an end;
- a first bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching said first bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of said first time period, and for switching said first bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of said first time period;
- a second bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching said second bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of said second time period, and for switching said second bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of said second time period;
- a third bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching said third bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of said third time period, and for switching said third bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of said third time period;
- a first light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first color;
- a second light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second color;
- a third light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third color;
- means for illuminating said first light emitting diode when said first bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for illuminating said second light emitting diode when said second bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for illuminating said third light emitting diode when said third bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- whereby said first light emitting diode, said second light emitting diode, and said third light emitting diode jointly illuminate in a composite color having relation to said first digital code, to said second digital code, and to said third digital code.
11 more elements
A display device comprising:
- an input for receiving a plurality of digital codes, respectively defining a plurality of time periods;
- a plurality of bistable devices respectively associated with said time periods, each said bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching each said bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of the respective time period, and for switching each said bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of the respective time period, such that said bistable devices are in their first stable condition substantially together;
- a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for selectively exhibiting a plurality of display units, each said display area including a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of respectively different primary colors, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a composite signal of a composite color;
- a plurality of buses, associated with said bistable devices, to which said light emitting diodes are commonly coupled in accordance with said primary colors, for being forwardly biased upon selective activation of said buses;
- means for activating each said bus when its associated bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- and
- means for selectively activating said display areas for illuminating a selected display unit in a composite color having relation to said digital codes.
5 more elements
A display device comprising:
- an input for receiving a first digital code, defining a first time period, a second digital code, defining a second time period, and a third digital code, defining a third time period;
- a first bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching said first bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of said first time period, and for switching said first bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of said first time period;
- a second bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching said second bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of said second time period, and for switching said second bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of said second time period;
- a third bistable device having a first stable condition and a second stable condition;
- means for periodically switching said third bistable device to its first stable condition at said start of said third time period, and for switching said third bistable device to its second stable condition at said end of said third time period;
- a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for selectively exhibiting a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first color, a second light emitting diodes for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a composite signal of a composite color;
- a first bus to which all said first light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased upon activation of said first bus;
- a second bus to which all said second light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased upon activation of said second bus;
- a third bus to which all said third light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased upon activation of said third bus;
- means for activating said first bus when said first bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for activating said second bus when said second bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- means for activating said third bus when said third bistable device is in its first stable condition;
- and
- means for selectively activating said display areas for illuminating a selected display unit in a composite color having relation to said first digital code, to said second digital code, and to said third digital code.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.