Historical Document · 1971
The HP 9100 display, filed 12 November 1968 and granted 28 June 1971: figure-8 characters from E- and I-shaped sweeps, narrow-character centring, grouping in threes, mains-locked refresh.
United States Patent (72) Inventors Thomas E. Osborne (113,588,873 50 San Francisco; Kay B. Magleby, Los Altos Hills; Joseph A. Lukes, Belmont, Calif. Appl. No. 774,821 Field of Search 340/324. 1, 336 Nov. 12, 1968 22) Filed 45) Patented June 28, 1971 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,474,439 10, 1969 Miner . . . ............ 73) Assignee Hewlett-Packard Company Palo Alto, Calif. Primary Examiner-Ralph D. Blakeslee Attorney-A. C. Smith 54) NFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS ABSTRACT: A cathode-ray display tube and associated sweep circuitry displays alphanumeric characters which are centered between adjacent characters and which are separated into groups of three characters to facilitate the prompt recognition of punctuation in a long series of charac 21 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. (52) U.S. Cl.......................................... 5 340/.324A, 340/336 Int. Cl........................................... .............. G08b. 23/00 (56) ters. -5 CHARACTER INFORMATION PULSE FORMING SOURCE MEANS CHARACTER DETECTOR REGISTER SWEEP S----REGISTER Rese B ------REGISTERC CHARACTERPOSITION SWEEP GENERATOR 340/324.1 PATENTED JUN2897 3,588,873 SHEET l OF 2 CHARACTER NFORMATION SOURCE PULSE FORMING MEANS CHARACTER DETECTOR REGISTER SWEEP GENERATOR Y-----REGISTER A Rss?f. B ------REGISTERC (3) with we same (5) :. ) W G) f. figure INVENTOR. THOMAS E. OSBORNE KAY B. MAGLEEBY JOSEPHA. LUKES BY O2 . C. ' A ATTORNEY PATENTED JUN28197 3,588,873 SHEET 2 OF 2 -V ol-1-1 1 – d) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 *V on MODULATION OFF b) FOR 2 tV ON FOR 1 +V "DISPLACE LEFT." e) FOR 1 DISPLACE (LEFT FOR 1 - Figure 3 INVENTOR. THOMAS E. OSBORNE KAY B. MAGLEBY JOSEPH A LUKES BY Q C. S.S.,ATTORNEY 3,588,873 2 INFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTON I-shaped and E-shaped sweep patterns, as shown in FIG. 2, permits circuit simplifications not conveniently possible with conventionally used 8-shaped sweep patterns. The electron beam of tube 25 starts out from a reference point 16, 18 for each of the i- and E-shaped sweep patterns and is deflected from there only either down or to the right during formation of The present invention forms display characters or digits by selective blanking of portions of a "figure 8" sweep pattern that is formed from adjacent E-shaped and I-shaped sweep patterns on a cathode-ray display tube. More importantly, the a display character. The circuitry for producing the ap displayed digits.of the present invention are spaced in groups propriate waveforms, as shown in FIG. 3, need only sweep in of three digits along a line of digits to permit visual recognition one direction with respect to a reference potential, say of conventional thousands grouping. Also, characters that are 10 ground, and thus may be reset to ground after formation of each portion of the display character. Also, the I-shaped narrower than normal such as 1, ii, radix point, or the like, are sweep pattern to the right of an E-shaped sweep pattern may centered between adjacent characters by momentarily alter ing the electrical character-forming signals. Also, the repeti be formed in a shorter period of time than is required to form tion rates of the display sweeps are synchronized to a 15 a pair of adjacent E-shaped patterns. This permits the line (or reference frequency to prevent variations in display intensity lines) of display characters to be cycled for display more frequently within the response time of an observer's eye. as the line or lines of display characters varies in length. The signals (FIG. 3d) applied to the horizontal deflection DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING plate 31 from the pulse-forming means 15 are altered in ac FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the character display apparatus 20 cordance with the present invention to center such narrow digits or characters as a 1 or a radix point, or the like, within of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the display pattern; the normal area of a "figure 8" sweep pattern so that such nar row characters are displayed centered between adjacent and FIGS. 3a and 3d are graphs showing various waveforms as a characters. When a narrow character is to be displayed, the function of time that are produced during the operation of the 25 coded information on line 11 relating to such character is de tected by the character detector 41 which includes logic ele apparatus of FIG. 1. ments and gates for producing an output on line 43 that in DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODEMENT dicates the presence of such narrow characters. Signal on line 43 activates the bias supply 45 to supply an incremental Referring now to the apparatus of FIG. 1, there is shown a voltage 47, as shown in FIG. 3e, only for the dura source 9 of the character information that is to be displayed. 30, deflection tion of such narrow character. This incremental voltage 47 This source 9 may be an electronic counter or an arithmetic and the pulse signals on line 21 from pulse-forming means 15 calculating device, or the like, which produces output infor are combined in adder 29 and are applied to the horizontal mation on line 11 in the form of coded alphanumeric charac deflection plate 31 of tube 25. This produces a net differential ters or digits in synchronism with a reference frequency from 35 displacement voltage across the horizontal deflection plates source 19. The source 9 may also produce a plurality of lines 31 and 33, as shown in FIG. 3f, which causes the electron of such output information which should be displayed simul taneously for convenience, as in the case of an arithmetic cal beam to shift the I-shaped portion of the "figure 8" sweep pat tern about a half-character space to center the narrow culating device wherein the lines of information to be dis character between adjacent characters formed in the normal, played are the digits in each of a plural number of registers. 40 unshifted positions of "figure 8" sweep patterns. Signal information from source 9 relating to the particular re The characters formed from the selective blanking of the “gister designation of successive digits may appear on line 13. figure patterns are spaced across the display screen The pulse-forming means 15 receives the coded digit informa of tube8"25sweep by the deflection voltage that is applied to the tion on line ii and produces a succession of pulses on each of plate 33 from the sweep generator 35. This deflec output lines 17, 19 and 21, as shown in FIG. 2. The pulses on 45 deflection line 17 (FIGS. 3b or 3c) are applied to the blanking grid 23 of tion voltage, as shown in FIG. 3f, changes amplitude with time at selected periods during the formation of a character to pro the cathode-ray display tube 25, the pulses on line 19 (FIG. vide skewed characters and it also changes with time between 3a) are applied to one vertical deflection plate 27 of the tube characters to provide the requisite spacing. Sweep generator 25 and the pulses on line 21 (FG. 3d) and the pulse on line 47 35 may thus include a signal-controlled integrator for produc (FIG. 3e) are applied in selected combination to one horizon 50 ing the desired change in deflection voltage with time between tal deflection plate 31 of tube 25. A digit-positioning sweep signal (FIG. 3f) is applied to the other horizontal deflection characters in response to signal applied thereto along signal plate 33 of tube 25 from the sweep generator 35 and a signal path 13 from the source 9 of character information. The character detector 41 may also serve to detect the oc for vertically positioning the lines of digits on the display screen of tube 25 is applied to the vertical deflection plate 37 55 currence of a selected number of characters or digits in suc cession and to produce an output on line 45 in response to from the sweep generator 39. The amplitudes and time rela tionships of the pulses applied to the electrodes 23, 27, 31 and each recurrence of such selected number of characters. In practice, this may be accomplished using such conventional 33, as shown in FIG. 3, are selected to cause the electron beam of tube 25 to sweep through the segments designated G) means as a limited-bit register or analog-totalizing device and through (8) to form a succession of I-shaped and E-shaped 60 may be arranged to produce the output on line 45 after each recurrence of, say, three digits. The output on line 45 may sweep patterns, as shown in FIG. 2. These patterns are dis played close together to form a "figure 8'-shaped pattern and thus be used to form spaced groups of three digits each along a to provide requisite, uniform spacing between adjacent digits line of displayed digits. This simulates the punctuation of a that are formed in a line from right to left. Of course, the E long series of digits at each third digit and thus enables an ob shaped sweep patterns may also be 3-shaped sweep patterns 65 server to interpret the line of digits more conveniently and ac disposed to the right of I-shaped sweep patterns so, for clarity curately. The spacing of digits in this manner is accomplished by and brevity, the 3-shaped (or inverted E-shaped) and E operating the sweep generator 35 to produce a greater change shaped patterns are all collectively referred to herein as "Eshaped' sweep patterns. in amplitude during the time interval between the formation of Pulse-forming means 15 may supply to grid 23 of tube 25 70 successive characters, as shown between times t and to in FIG. 3f. In practice, an integrator included within sweep other blanking signals than the signals shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b in accordance with digit code information received from generator 35 may receive additional signal to integrate in source 9 for blanking selected segments of these "figure 8" response to signal applied thereto along line 49. Thus sweep patterns to form in a conventional manner other desired digits generator 35 produces a normal or first rate of change 20 of than the digits 2 and 1, respectively. The use of a succession of 75 sweep voltage with time, as shown between times to and t, in 3 3,588,873 4. frequency. FIG. 3f, in response to actuating signal applied thereto along signal path 13 and also produces a second, faster rate of 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said display means is a cathode-ray tube having longitudinal change 22 of sweep voltage with time, as shown between times to and to in FIG. 3f, in response to the signal on line 49 addi and vertical deflection circuits; a tionally applied thereto. The displayed characters are thus 5 said means includes pulse-forming circuit connected to apply pulses to said horizontal deflection circuit; and normally or uniformly spaced with the switch 51 that couples said means also includes a supply of steady voltage and a lines 45 and 49 set in the open or NORMAL position and are circuit connected thereto for applying the combination of grouped into spaced groups of three digits each with the said pulse signals and steady voltage to the horizontal switch 51 set in the closed or SPACED position. deflection circuit during the appearance of said selected A plurality of character display lines 53, 55 and 57 may be 10 character to center the display of the same between ad provided on the display screen of tube 25 by varying the jacent displayed characters. deflection voltage applied to the vertical deflection plate 37 4. Character display apparatus comprising: from sweep generator 39. This sweep voltage remains substan display means including a cathode-ray display tube having tially constant during the formation of an entire line of charac electron-beam writing means and coordinate-axes beam ters and then changes to a new value that positions the line of 15 deflecting inputs and a display-blanking input for produc sweep patterns at a different vertical position on the display ing a visual indication along coordinate axes in response screen of tube 25, as shown in FIG. i. The sweep signal from to a signal for each of the coordinate axes applied to the generator 39 thus changes amplitude in response to signal ap respective beam-deflecting input, said display means plied thereto along signal path 13 from the source 9, which being capable of selectively inhibiting a visual indication signal designates the end of an entire line of characters. of applied signals in response to blanking signal applied to The sweep signals, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for producing said display-blanking input; and an entire line (or lines) of characters may occur within a few circuit means coupled to said display means for applying milliseconds, these sweep signals may be generated repetitive signals to said beam-deflecting inputs and for applying ly to produce a continuous, flicker-free visual indication on 25 blanking signal to said display-blanking input for deflect the display screen of tube 25. However, the rate at which the ing the beam through a substantially E-shaped pattern characters from source 9 may be repeatedly displayed is substantially contiguous an I-shaped pattern and for synchronized to the reference frequency from source 10. This selectively blanking portions of said patterns for display prevents the source 9 from repeating the line or lines of ing a selected character as the combination of selectively characters after a previous display at a repetition rate which 30 unblanked portions of substantially contiguous E-shaped would increase as the length of a line or lines of characters and I-shaped patterns. decreased. Since the display of characters may recur several 5. Character display apparatus comprising: times within the response time of an observer's eye, an in display means including a cathode-ray tube having deflec creased repetition rate of display on shorter lines of characters tion circuitry for a horizontal axis and a substantially ver would be perceived with increased intensity. Thus 35 tical coordinate axis for producing a visual indication synchronization of the repetition rate of display to a reference along the coordinate axes in response to signals applied to frequency, say the frequency of power line signal, eliminates the deflection circuitry for the coordinate axes, said dis modulation of the intensity of the characters displayed as a play means being capable of selectively inhibiting visual function of the number of characters displayed. Synchronism indication of applied signals in response to blanking signal to the frequency of power line signal also eliminates position 40 applied thereto; modulation of the characters due to magnetic deflection a source of character information; caused by the magnetic fields associated with line-operated circuit means connected to said source and responsive to apparatus disposed near tube 25. character information received therefrom for applying We claim: signals to said deflection circuitry of the display means for 1. Character display apparatus comprising: each of the coordinate axes and for applying blanking 45 display means for producing a visual indication along coor signal thereto to produce a visual indication of a plurality dinate axes in response to a signal for each of the coor of spaced characters representative of information from dinate axes applied thereto, said display means being said source; and means including a sweep generator connected to said capable of selectively inhibiting a visual indication of ap plied signals in response to blanking signal applied 50 source and to the horizontal deflection circuitry for spac thereto; ing the displayed characters along the horizontal axis, said sweep generator being capable of supplying to the a source of character information; horizontal deflection circuitry a sweep voltage which va circuit means coupled to said source and responsive to ries with time at one rate during a time interval between character information received therefrom for applying occurrences of character information from said source signals to said display means for each of the coordinate 55 and at a faster rate during the time interval between the axes and for applying blanking signal thereto to produce a occurrences of character information from said source visual indication of a plurality of spaced characters following the occurrence of a selected plural number of representative of information from said source; and characters. means coupled to said source and said display means and responsive to information from said source that is 60 6. Apparatus as in claim 4 for operation on power line signal wherein: said circuit means is synchronized to power line representative of a selected character which is formed as signal frequency for supplying said signals to the beam a line segment substantially only along one coordinate deflecting inputs at a repetition rate proportional to the power axis for shifting the position of the displayed line segment line signal frequency. in a selected direction along said other coordinate axis for substantially centering the displayed selected character 65 7. Apparatus as in claim 5 for operation on power line signal wherein: said source is synchronized to power line signal with respect to adjacent displayed characters. frequency for supplying character information to the circuit 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 for operation on power line signal means at a repetition rate proportional to the power line signal wherein: said source is synchronized to power line signal frequency. frequency for supplying character information to the circuit means at a repetition rate proportional to the power line signal 70 75