Gerald D Smoliar

US Patent:

43014500, Nov 17, 1981

Filed:

Feb 4, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/118626

Inventors:

Gerald D. Smoliar - Erdenheim PA

Assignee:

Burroughs Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G09G 304

US Classification:

340715

Abstract:

An error detecting unambiguous multi-segmented indicia display method and apparatus is disclosed wherein an "OFF" segment is illuminated differently than an "ON" segment of the display to verify that the "OFF" segment is indeed "OFF" and not a malfunctioning "ON" segment. In the preferred embodiment a pulsating voltage is supplied to the "OFF" segments to provide a lower integrated average voltage and therefore a lower brilliance of display. In an alternate embodiment a contiguous "OFF" segment of one color is provided next to each "ON" segment so as to indicate unambiguously that each non-illuminated "ON" segment is in fact indicating "OFF".