Video display and driver apparatus and method

• Main Authors: JENNINGS; DAN E, GOLD; ROBERT J, WEBB; HOMER L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.05.1996
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ADVERTISING; ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICESUSING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH ISMODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THEDEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY,COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g.SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING; DISPLAY; EDUCATION; FREQUENCY-CHANGING; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; SEALS; TECHNIQUES OR PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for creating visual images on a display area. This invention uses the selective convergence of traveling electrical signals to cause selected display locations located across a display area to illuminate or to change their visual appearances. The apparatus of the invention includes a display mechanism that either illuminates or changes its visual appearance when activated, at least one signal propagation path that directs the propagation of the signals across the display area, and signal control equipment for selectively transmitting the signals. In a preferred embodiment first and second signal propagation paths provide unique propagation paths that pass through each of a the display locations across the area of the display. The signal control equipment selectively delays the transmission of the second signal relative to the first signal causing the signals to converge at a selected location to produce a change in the visual appearance of the screen at the selected location. By repeatedly altering the appearance of display locations across the display area, visual images may be produced. Requiring as few as one screen driver, the hardware requirements of the invention are minimal. The present invention also includes a method for producing visual images using the above described apparatus. Further disclosed are apparatus for continuing the display signal once activated and for better directing the electrical signals to produce an activating signal at a selected display location. Further included are apparatus and methods for selectively activating each of the plurality of display locations across the display area using signal trains made up of a plurality of selectively controlled pulses.