Method and apparatus for non-scan matrix addressing of bar displays

A method for the non-scanned matrix addressing of a display having a bar of variable length in a first light-transmissive condition continuously during all of a time interval between each change, responsive to only an external stimulus, of the length thereof, the display comprised of a plurality (Y) of common electrodes, a like plurality (Y) of groups each containing a plurality (N) of data segment electrodes associated with each common electrode, and a plurality (N Y) of consecutive portions of a display element with each portion being associated with one of the plurality of data segment electrodes and the common electrode associated therewith and actuateable between respective first and second light-transmissive conditions responsive to respective first and second magnitudes of a selected electrical parameter established between the associated data segment and common electrodes, comprising the steps of:

• a. simultaneously driving selected ones of the data segment electrodes of each group only with a continuous data-true square-waveform of said electrical parameter, said data-true waveform having a first amplitude and a substantially constant first frequency;
• b. simultaneously driving the remaining ones of the data segment electrodes of each group only with a continuous data-false square-waveform of said electrical parameter of essentially the same substantially constant frequency and essentially the inversion of the amplitude of the data-true waveform;
• c. simultaneously driving the common electrode associated with a transistional "top-of-the-bar" group of data segment electrodes only with a continuous first squarewaveform which is essentially the data-false waveform, to cause the selected parameter to continuously be of the first magnitude between said transitional common electrode and the associated data segment electrodes having the data-true waveform thereon and to continuously be of said second magnitude between said transitional common electrode and the associated data segment electrodes having the data-false waveform thereon;
• d. simultaneously driving the common electrode associated with each subordinate "full-on" group of data segment electrodes below the "top-of-the-bar" common electrode only with a second continuous square-waveform of said electrical parameter having an amplitude differing from said first waveform and a frequency equal to one of an even-integer multiple and an even-integer submultiple of the frequency of the first waveform, to cause said electrical parameter to continuously be substantially of said first magnitude between each subordinate common electrode and the entire group of data segment electrodes associated therewith;
• and
• e. simultaneously driving each common electrode associated with each "off" group of data segment electrodes above the "top-of-the-bar" common electrode only with a third continuous square-waveform of said selected electrical parameter having a frequency higher than a cut-off frequency of the display element to cause said electrical parameter to continuously be substantially of said second magnitude between each common electrode and the entire group of data segment electrodes associated therewith.