Multiplexed display system
AssigneeBeckman Instruments, Inc.
InventorRoger A. Frankland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multiplexed display system which prevents closely positioned electrodes from causing erroneous displays. The electrodes are divided into selectively enabled groups. The electrodes are connected to switching circuits in a pattern such that the first one or more electrodes in each group are not connected to the same switching circuits as any of the electrodes in the preceding group, and the last one or more electrodes in each group are not connected to the same switching circuits as any of the electrodes in the next succeeding group.
Claims16
A display apparatus for selectively displaying a plurality of symbols, comprising
- a plurality of consecutively positioned electrodes, each electrode being associated with a separate symbol, the electrodes being divided into a plurality of electrode groups, and the electrode groups being disposed in a row;
- means for selectively enabling each electrode group so that each symbol is displayed if an activating signal is applied to the electrode associated with that symbol while the group containing that electrode is enabled;
- and
- a plurality of switching circuits, the number of switching circuits being less than the number of electrodes, wherein each switching circuit connects to at least one electrode and controllably alternates between an on state wherein it applies the activating signal to all the electrodes to which it connects and an off state wherein it does not apply the activating signal to any of the electrodes to which it connects, wherein in each electrode group, except for the first group in the row, the electrode in that group closest to the preceding group in the row connects to one of the switching circuits other than those connected to the electrodes in the preceding group.
A display apparatus for selectively displaying a plurality of symbols, comprising
- a plurality of consecutively positioned electrodes, each electrode being associated with a separate symbol, the electrodes being divided into a plurality of electrode groups, and the electrode groups being disposed in a row;
- means for selectively enabling each electrode group so that each symbol is displayed if and only if an activating signal is applied to the electrode associated with that symbol while the group containing that electrode is enabled;
- and
- a plurality of switching circuits, the number of switching circuits being less than the number of electrodes, wherein each switching circuit connects to at least one electrode and controllably alternates between an on state wherein it applies the activating signal to all the electrodes to which it connects and an off state wherein it does not apply the activating signal to any of the electrodes to which it connects, wherein in each electrode group, except for the last group in the row, the electrode in that group closest to the next succeeding group in the row connects to one of the switching circuits other than those connected to the electrodes in the next succeeding group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.