U.S. patent application number 09/371258 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for displaceable display arrangement.
Invention is credited to CALDEIRA, GILMAR M., SELLI, BASILIO.
Application Number | 20020000997 09/371258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23463195 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020000997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SELLI, BASILIO ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
DISPLACEABLE DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
A displaceable display and a method for controlling an output of
a display unit are disclosed. The display arrangement includes a
circuit board, a display unit, a detector and a controller. The
display unit communicates with the circuit board. The display unit
is capable of rotating with respect to the circuit board and being
placed in at least one particular orientation with respect to the
circuit board. The detector automatically detects the particular
orientation of the display unit with respect to the circuit board.
The circuit board transmits signals to the controller and the
controller routes the signals to output of the display unit as a
function of the particular orientation.
Inventors: |
SELLI, BASILIO; (NESCONSET,
NY) ; CALDEIRA, GILMAR M.; (SERTAOZINHO, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENYON & KENYON
ONE BROADWAY
NEW YORK
NY
10004
US
|
Family ID: |
23463195 |
Appl. No.: |
09/371258 |
Filed: |
August 10, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/659 ;
361/679.21; 361/679.58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/165 20130101;
G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; G06F 3/14 20130101;
G06F 2200/1614 20130101; G09G 5/006 20130101; G09G 2340/0492
20130101; G06F 1/1684 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/659 ;
361/683 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display arrangement, comprising: a circuit board transmitting
signals; a display unit being in a communication with the circuit
board, wherein the display unit is capable of rotating with respect
to the circuit board and is capable of being placed in at least one
particular orientation with respect to the circuit board; a
detector automatically detecting the at least one particular
orientation of the display unit; and a controller routing the
signals to the display unit as a function of the at least one
particular orientation.
2. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit is removably mounted on the circuit board.
3. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit includes a display screen, and wherein, when the
display unit is rotated to be in the at least one particular
orientation, a screen orientation of the display screen with
respect to the circuit board matches the at least one particular
orientation.
4. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the detector and the controller is disposed on the circuit
board.
5. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit excludes the detector and the controller.
6. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit includes a plurality of contacts, at least two
contacts of the contacts being interconnected and forming a short
circuit therebetween, and wherein the detector automatically
detects the at least one particular orientation of the display unit
by detecting a location of the short circuit.
7. The display arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the at
least two contacts includes two adjacent contacts.
8. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit includes a plurality of contacts, the contacts
electrically connected to the circuit board via a plurality of
pads.
9. The display arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the pads
include a plurality of conductive channels to enable the contacts
to electrically connect with the circuit board, each of the
conductive channels being at least partially surrounded by an
insulating material.
10. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit includes a housing, the housing including a plurality
of coupling mechanisms, each of the coupling mechanisms having a
hook, wherein the housing is removably mounted on the circuit board
by engaging the hook, and wherein the housing is removed from the
circuit board by disengaging the hook.
11. The display arrangement according to claim 10, wherein, when
the circuit board is engaged by the hook, the hook latches to at
least one of a bottom portion of the circuit board and a recess of
the circuit board which is adapted to cooperate with the hook.
12. The display arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the
housing includes a plurality of coupling notches and a plurality of
decoupling notches which enable an external tool to access the
coupling mechanism and to force the coupling mechanism to pivot
around a pivot point, the external tool accessing the coupling
mechanism via a first notch of the coupling notches to engage the
hook with the circuit board, the external tool accessing the
coupling mechanism via a second notch of the decoupling notches to
disengage the hook from the circuit board.
13. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
circuit board includes a circuit arrangement, the circuit
arrangement at least one of powering and controlling the display
unit.
14. The display arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the
circuit arrangement includes a microprocessor.
15. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
display arrangement is a pressure sensor arrangement.
16. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
controller includes a plurality of multiplexers, each of the
multiplexers having a plurality of inputs, an output and at least
one select line, the inputs receiving the signals, the output being
coupled to the display unit, the at least one select line providing
a selection signal which relates to the at least one particular
orientation of the display unit.
17. The display arrangement according to claim 1, further
comprising: a microprocessor which includes the detector and the
controller,
18. The display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, when the
display unit is disconnected from the circuit board and reconnected
to the circuit board in a further orientation, the detector detects
the further orientation and the controller routes the signals to
the display unit as a function of the further orientation.
19. A method for controlling an output of a display unit,
comprising the steps of: (a) automatically detecting an orientation
of the display unit with respect to a circuit board; (b) receiving
output signals from the circuit board; and (c) routing the output
signals to the output of the display unit as a function of the
orientation of the display unit.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps
of: (d) moving the display unit from the orientation to a further
orientation with respect to the circuit board; and (e) routing the
output signals to the output of the display unit as a function of
the further orientation.
21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps:
(f) disconnecting the display unit which is positioned in a first
orientation from the circuit board; (g) placing the display unit
into a second orientation with respect to the circuit board; and
(h) routing the output signals to the output of the display unit as
a function of the second orientation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to display
arrangements, and, more specifically, to a displaceable display
arrangement.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] A conventional display arrangement coupled to a sensor
arrangement tend not to be flexible with respect to the placement
of the display arrangement on a supporting structure (e.g., a
sensor arrangement). An example of the conventional display
arrangement coupled to the sensor arrangement (e.g., a pressure
sensor) a pressure sensor, provides this combination mounted on a
wall of a large tank of liquid.
[0003] Once mounted, it is often impractical to change the
orientation of the conventional display arrangement with respect to
the sensor arrangement. In conventional display arrangements,
changing the orientation of the conventional display arrangement
might entail re-orienting circuit boards of the combination.
Unfortunately, the re-orientation of circuit boards is not always
possible under particular configurations, especially where space is
very limited and the circuit boards and the circuitry therein are
not resilient to displacement.
[0004] Furthermore, because the conventional display arrangement
includes a display unit that has a fully functional circuit board
included therein, it may be inconvenient or not feasible to access
and displace the circuit board of such display unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a display arrangement which
includes a circuit board, a display unit, a detector and a
controller. The display unit communicates with the circuit board.
The display unit is capable of rotating with respect to the circuit
board and being placed in at least one particular orientation with
respect to the circuit board. The detector automatically detects
the particular orientation of the display unit. The circuit board
transmits signals to the controller and the controller routes the
signals to the display unit as a function of the particular
orientation.
[0006] The present invention also provides a method for controlling
an output of a display unit. An orientation of the display unit
with respect to a circuit board is automatically detected, and
output signals from the circuit board are received. Then, the
output signals are routed to the output of the display unit as a
function of the orientation of the display unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an enlarged view of an embodiment of a
displaceable display arrangement according to the present invention
with a circuit board in a first orientation.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates the enlarged view of the embodiment of
the displaceable display arrangement according to the present
invention with the circuit board in a second orientation.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of
the displaceable display arrangement in a pressure sensor
arrangement according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of an embodiment of a display
screen of a display unit according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the
display screen of the display unit.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of an embodiment of a display
screen housing of the display unit.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the
display screen housing of the display unit.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of an embodiment of the
display unit.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a pad which connects the
display unit to other components of the displaceable display
arrangement.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the display screen housing
having four sets of notches according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a section of the coupling
arrangement for the display unit.
[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates an external tool which can be used to
removed the display unit from the displaceable display
arrangement.
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the display screen
according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates an arrangement according to the present
invention which includes the display screen and an liquid crystal
display (LCD) driver.
[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates the arrangement according to the present
invention in which the display screen is rotated clockwise 90
degrees with respect to the LCD driver.
[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates the arrangement according to the present
invention wherein the display screen is rotated 180 degrees with
respect to the LCD driver.
[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates the arrangement according to the present
invention wherein the display screen is rotated clockwise 270
degrees with respect to the LCD driver.
[0024] FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the
LCD driver according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a four-phase dynamic
display operation according to the present invention wherein the
output signal sequence is controlled by four back plane
signals.
[0026] FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a
procedure according to the present invention for routing signals
from the LCD driver to the display screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an enlarged view of an embodiment of a
displaceable display arrangement 10 according to the present
invention. The displaceable display arrangement 10 includes a
display unit 20 which is mountable on (or connectable) to a circuit
board 30.
[0028] The display unit 20 includes a display screen 40. The
display screen 40 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display. In FIG. 1, the
display unit 20 is disposed on the circuit board in a first
orientation A, which is the orientation for optimal viewing of the
display screen along a line of sight 45 of a user. FIG. 1 further
illustrates that the display unit 20 has a square shape; however,
other shapes, such as, for example, regular polygons and circular
shapes are within the scope of the present invention.
[0029] The display screen 40 includes a first display field 50
(which may be, for example, variable) and, optionally, a second
display field 60 (which may be, for example, non-changeable or
fixed). The first display field 50 may display, for example,
symbols, alphanumeric characters or groups of alphanumeric
characters which may be updated upon demand. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 20 does not
include any circuit board for controlling an output of the first
display field 50. The first display field 50 illustrated in FIG. 1
shows, as an example, a single alphanumeric character, e.g., a
character "A"; however, this exemplary displayed character should
not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Indeed,
one or more characters and/or symbols may be displayed on the
display screen 40.
[0030] In addition, the second display field 60 may include, for
example, symbols, alphanumeric characters or groups of alphanumeric
characters. However, the symbols, alphanumeric characters or groups
of alphanumeric characters are permanently burned, etched or
printed on or within the display screen 40. The second display
field 60 illustrated in FIG. 1 shows, for example, a word
"DISPLAY"; however, this exemplary displayed word should not be
construed as a limitation of the present invention.
[0031] Alternatively, the second display field 60 can be a
quasi-permanent display field in which at least one of several sets
of symbols, alphanumeric characters or groups of alphanumeric
characters can be selectively displayed by the display screen 40.
For example, if the second display field 60 is showing the units of
measurements, then the selected symbols, alphanumeric characters or
groups of alphanumeric characters selectively, may be either
English or metric units.
[0032] Thus, the first display field 50 may display changing
numbers representing variable measurements while the second display
field 60 can display the metric units of measurement.
[0033] The circuit board 30 includes a circuit arrangement 70 and a
mounting location 80 for coupling the circuit board 30 to the
display unit 20. In one embodiment according to the present
invention, the circuit arrangement 70 includes all of the circuitry
for powering and controlling the display unit 20. The mounting
location 80 provides a coupling arrangement for electrically and
mechanically connecting the display unit 20 to the circuit
arrangement 70. FIG. 1 illustrates the mounting location 80 having
a square shape to approximately match the shape of the display unit
20. The mounting location 80 may also have other shapes such as a
circular shape or a regular-polygonal shape. Furthermore, the
mounting location 80 may have shapes that approximately match the
shape of the display unit 20 which is rotated at various angled
intervals.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the displaceable
display arrangement 10 in which the display unit 20 is in a second
orientation B with respect to the display unit 20. The display unit
20 shown in FIG. 2 has been rotated 90 degrees from the position of
the display unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e., from the first
orientation A.
[0035] This rotation B of the display unit 20 is selected to allow
the user of the arrangement to view the first and the second
display fields 50, 60 regardless of the orientation of the circuit
board 30.
[0036] Despite the fact that the display unit 20 is rotated 90
degrees with respect to the circuit board 30, and particularly,
with respect to the circuit arrangement 70 and the mounting
location 80, the first field display 50 of the display unit 20 is
oriented for optimal viewing of the user along the line of sight 45
of the user. Furthermore, since the display unit 20 has not been
rotated with respect to the line of sight 45, the second display
field 60 is also oriented for optimal viewing along the line of
sight 45.
[0037] In operation, the display unit 20 and the circuit board 30
may be initially disposed in the first orientation A with the
display unit 20 being removably mounted at the mounting location 80
of the circuit board 30.
[0038] Subsequently, the display unit 20 may be oriented in the
second orientation B, e.g., by lifting the display unit 20 from the
mounting location 80 of the circuit board 30 and rotating the
display unit 20 90 degrees with respect to a particular axis of
extension M of the circuit board 30. Other orientations are also
possible, depending on the user preferred position of the display
unit 20. The display unit 20 can then be re-mounted onto the
mounting location 80. An axis of extension N of the display unit 20
is then positioned 90 degrees with respect to the particular axis M
of the circuit board 30.
[0039] Although the display screen 40 may be oriented for optimal
viewing along the line of sight 45 and along the axis N, input
signals provided by the circuit arrangement 70 of the circuit board
30 to the display unit 20 may require some rearrangement.
[0040] The circuit arrangement 70 (or a control arrangement which
is provided in communication with the circuit arrangement 70)
ascertains that the display unit 20 has been re-oriented with
respect to the circuit board 30. Furthermore, the circuit
arrangement 70 (or the control arrangement) determines the extent
of the re-orientation (e.g., determines an angle of rotation
between the particular axis M and the axis N). Using the
orientation information, the circuit arrangement 70 (or the control
arrangement) can transmit input signals to the display unit 20, by
taking into account the current orientation of the display unit 20
with respect to the circuit board 30, and may generate an output
from the display unit 20 regarding its orientation. For example,
the display unit 20 displays the output for viewing along the line
of sight 45 and for easy viewing by the user (with the user being
positioned approximately along the axis N and looking down on a
front face of the display unit 20).
[0041] Although FIG. 2 illustrates the rotation of 90 degrees
between the display unit 20 and the circuit board 30, the amount of
rotation is merely exemplary. The arrangement 10 of the present
invention also allows the circuit board 30 and the display unit 20
to be rotated numerous degrees of rotation.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of
the displaceable display arrangement 10 in an exemplary pressure
sensor arrangement 90 according to the present invention. The
circuit board 30 includes the circuit arrangement 70 which, in
turn, has a microprocessor 100. It is also possible that the
microprocessor is positioned externally from the circuit
arrangement 70 and is in communication therewith. The
microprocessor 100 powers and controls the display unit 20. The
microprocessor 100 has at least one set of inputs from, for
example, pressure sensors 110 and, optionally, from other input
devices 120. The microprocessor 100 has at least one set of
outputs, for example, to the display unit 20 and, optionally, to
other output devices 130.
[0043] In operation, the pressure sensor arrangement 90 may be
mounted via a duct in a wall of a large tank filled with a liquid
mixture. The pressure sensors 110 can, for example, be immersed in
the liquid mixture on one side of the wall (i.e., an external side
of the wall). The circuit board 30 can, for example, be on the
other side of the wall. The sensors 110 generally sense the
pressure of the liquid mixture. The pressure may be transmitted to
the circuit board 30 to generate a corresponding electrical signal,
or the sensors 110 may include transmitters which generate
corresponding electrical signals which are received by the circuit
board 30. Then, the microprocessor 100 processes the electrical
signals and converts them into actual or relative pressure values.
The actual or relative pressure values are converted into operating
and control signals which are displayed via the display unit
20.
[0044] The optional input devices 120 may be, for example, sensors
for different parameters such as temperature, acidity, or
oxygenation. The input devices 120 may include user interfaces such
as for example, key pads, or values retrieved from memory storage
devices. The output devices 130 may be, for example, memory storage
devices or other signal processing devices such as computers.
[0045] When the pressure sensor arrangement 90 is mounted, for
example, on the wall of the tank via the duct in the wall, the
circuit board 30 can, under certain circumstances, be immovably
fixed to the wall of the tank. The sensor arrangement 90 may be
fixed in a position which would ordinarily rotate the display unit
20 coupled thereto into a position in which it would be
uncomfortable or inconvenient for the user to view the output on
the display unit 20. Thus, without the ability to re-orient the
display unit 20 with respect to the circuit board 30, the display
unit 20 may not be easily readable by the user or awkwardly
disposed. Thus, by re-orienting the display unit 20 with respect to
the circuit board 30, the user may achieve optimal viewing of the
output of the display unit 20.
[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the microprocessor
100 determines if the display unit 20 has been re-oriented using
outputs of the circuit board 30. Accordingly, the microprocessor
100 re-routes the operating instructions and control signals so
that the first display field 50 of the display screen 40 is
correctly oriented for optimal viewing by the user.
[0047] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a back view and a side view,
respectively, of an embodiment of the display screen 40 of the
display unit 20. The display screen 40 includes a liquid crystal
element 140, for example, mounted on a glass plate 150. The glass
plate 150 includes metallized contacts 160 through which the
circuit arrangement 70 (using, for example, the microprocessor 100)
powers and controls the liquid crystal element 140.
[0048] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a back view and a side view,
respectively, of an embodiment of a display screen housing 170 of
the display unit 20. The display screen housing 170 includes a
recessed section 180 and a window 190. The recessed section 180 has
a particular shape and form for receiving and accommodating the
display screen 40 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, the
window 190 may have a circular shape.
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of an embodiment of the
display unit 20 according to the present invention. The display
unit 20 includes the display screen 40, the display screen housing
170, four pads 200 and an elastic guide 210.
[0050] The display screen 40, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is placed
in the recessed section 180 of the display screen housing 170,
which is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The four pads are placed on
top of the metallized contacts are which are maintained in place
against inner walls of the recessed section 180 by the elastic
guide 210. The elastic guide 210 is shaped, for example, to
maintain the four pads 200 in position by an elastic force. The
four pads 200 are soft and elastic, and enable the display unit 20
to electrically communicate with the circuit board 30. The four
pads 200 extend, at least in part, out of the recessed section 180
to provide a cushioned contact with the mounting location 80 of the
circuit board 30 when the display unit 20 is mounted on the circuit
board 30.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the pad 200 according to
the present invention. The pad 200, as shown, has a rectangular
shape with three layers. A middle layer 220 is provided between two
insulating layers 230. The middle layer 220 includes a plurality of
conductive channels 240. The conductive channels 240 enable
electrical communications between the metallized contacts 150 of
the display screen 40 and the circuit arrangement 70 of the circuit
board 30.
[0052] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a coupling arrangement 250 for
the display unit 20. FIG. 10 shows a top view of the display screen
housing 170 with four sets of notches 260.
[0053] Each set of notches 260 may include two notches, e.g., a
decoupling notch 270 and a coupling notch 280. The notches 270, 280
are shaped to cooperate with an external tool 290 illustrated in
FIG. 12. The external tool 290 has, for example, a Phillips screw
driver tip 300 which fits, at least in part, into the notches 270,
280. Other tips, e.g., star, hex, etc., of the external tool 290
are also contemplated by the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a section of the coupling
arrangement 250 for the display unit 20 according to the present
invention. A coupling mechanism 310 is disposed across the notches
270, 280. The coupling mechanism 310 pivots around a pivot point
320.
[0055] The display unit 20 is disposed, for example, on a top
portion of the circuit board 30, in particular, over the mounting
location 80. The display unit 20 is coupled to the circuit board 30
by inserting the tip 300 of the external tool 290 into the coupling
notch 280, such operation forces the coupling mechanism 310
downward and clockwise around the pivot point 320. The displacement
of the coupling mechanism results in a hook 330 engaging with
either a bottom portion of the is circuit board 30 or a recess
adapted to accommodate the hook 330. The process is repeated for
each of the remaining sets of notches 260. The engagement of the
hook 330 also provides for the compression of the four pads 200
(shown in FIG. 8), thus ensuring a resilient contact between the
circuit board 30 and the metallized contacts 160 of the display
screen 40. To decouple the display unit 20 from the circuit board
30, the tip 300 of the external tool 290 is driven, at least in
part, into the decoupling notch 270. In response, the coupling
mechanism 310 is forced counter-clockwise around the pivot point
320, and the hook 330 releases either the bottom portion of the
circuit board 30 or the recess which is adapted to accommodate the
hook 330.
[0056] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the display screen
40 according to the present invention. The embodiment of the
display screen 40 shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the display
screen 40 illustrated in FIG. 4, except that two particular
contacts of the metallized contacts 160 are interconnected to
create a short circuit 340. In operation, when the display screen
40 is coupled to the circuit board 30, the circuit arrangement 70,
or a control arrangement (which may or may not include the
microprocessor 100) determines which two contacts of the metallized
contacts 160 are interconnected, thereby creating between the
metallized contacts 160 the short circuit 340. Upon determining the
location of the short circuit 340, the circuit arrangement 70 (or
the control arrangement) can ascertain the orientation of the
display unit 20 with respect to the circuit board 30, in
particular, with respect to the circuit arrangement 70. After
determining the orientation of the display unit 20 with respect to
the circuit board 30, the circuit arrangement 70 (for example, via
the microprocessor 100) may power and control the display unit 20
so that the output of the display screen 40 is oriented for the
desired line of sight 45 of the user.
[0057] FIGS. 14-17 illustrates an embodiment of the display
arrangement 40 in which the circuit arrangement 70 includes a
liquid crystal display (LCD) driver 350. FIGS. 14-17 also
illustrate the cooperation of the metallized contacts 160 of the
display screen 40 with the pins 360 of the LCD driver 350. In FIG.
14, the display screen 40 has not been rotated with respect to the
LCD driver 350. In FIG. 15, the display screen 40 has been rotated
90 degrees with respect to the LCD driver 350. In FIG. 16, the
display screen 40 has been rotated 180 degrees with respect to the
LCD driver 350. In FIG. 17, the display screen 40 has been rotated
270 degrees with respect to the LCD driver 350.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 14-17, the LCD driver 350 controls 40
segments via pin locations SEG(00) through SEG(39). The LCD driver
350 also includes back-plane pin locations BPLm(n) where m and n
are integers between 0 and 3. The display screen 40 includes
display-segment pin locations DS0 through DS36 and back-plane pin
locations BPL0 through BPL3. The display screen 40 also includes
display pin locations DP0 through DP3.
[0059] FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the
LCD driver 350 according to the present invention. The LCD driver
350 includes a controller 370, a 160-stage shift register 380, a
160-bit latch 390, a segment decoder 400 and a 40-output LCD
segment driver 410. The 160-stage shift register has at least three
input lines including a serial data line SERDATA, a load signal
line LOAD and a serial clock signal line SERCLK.
[0060] Display data is serially input to the 160-stage shift
register via the serial data line SERDATA. The 160-stage shift
register is synchronized by a clock signal from the serial clock
signal line SERCLK. Upon receipt of a LOAD signal from the load
signal line LOAD, the 160-stage shift register 380 is transferred
to the 160-bit latch 390. The latched data is decoded by the
segment decoder 400. A MODE signal on a control input line MODE is
received by the controller 370 which controls the segment decoder
400. The MODE signal determines a mode selection, for example,
either a straight connection when maintained low, or a special
encode when maintained high.
[0061] From the segment decoder 400, the data is output to the
40-output LCD segment driver 410 in four phases. FIG. 19
illustrates an example of a four-phase dynamic display operation
according to the present invention, in which the output signal
sequence is controlled by four back plane signals.
[0062] The routing from the outputs of the pins 360 of the LCD
driver 350 to the proper metallized contacts 160 of the display
screen 40 depends upon, for example, how much the display screen 40
has been rotated with respect to the LCD driver 350. Once the
orientation of the display screen 40 with respect to the LCD driver
350 has been ascertained, the re-routing of the outputs of the LCD
driver 350 can be achieved via software, hardware or a combination
thereof.
[0063] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of routing (or
firmware) arrangement 420 according to the present invention. The
routing arrangement 420 includes four multiplexers 430, 440, 450,
460. Each of the multiplexers has four input lines, one output line
and two select lines s.sub.0, s.sub.1.
[0064] Reference is made to directions north N, south S, east E and
west W, as defined and shown in FIGS. 14-17. These directions
remain constant with respect to the LCD driver 350 even when the
display screen 40 is rotated with respect to the LCD driver 350.
Furthermore, the pins 360 of the LCD driver 350 will be specified
below by referencing a particular side. Thus, pins 0 refer to the
pins on the south side of the LCD driver 350; pins 1 refer to the
pins on the east side of the LCD driver 350; pins 2 refer to the
pins on the north side of the LCD driver 350; and pins 3 refer to
the pins on the west side of the LCD driver 350.
[0065] To illustrate such correspondence, FIG. 15 shows that the
display screen 40 has been rotated 90 degrees clockwise with
respect to the LCD driver 350, the pins 0 face the south side pins
of the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP1, DS09 through
DS17, BPL1; the pins 1 face the east side pins of the display
screen 40, in this case, pins DP2, DS18 through DS26, BPL2; the
pins 2 face the north side pins of the display screen 40, in this
case, pins DP3, DS27 through DS36, BPL3; and the pins 3 face the
west side pins of the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP0,
DS0 through DS8, BPL0. FIGS. 14, 16 and 17 can be similarly
described.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 19, the routing arrangement 420 couples to
the pins 0, 1, 2, 3 to the corresponding metallized contacts 160 of
the display screen 40 as a function of the orientation of the
display screen 40 with respect to the LCD driver 350. The input to
each of the four multiplexers 430, 440, 450, 460 are coupled to the
four sets of pins 0, 1, 2, 3 in different configurations as shown
in FIG. 19. The output of each of the four multiplexers 430, 440,
450, 460 is coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on a respective
side of the display screen 40, e.g., the metallized contacts 160 on
the south side of the display screen 40. Each of the four
multiplexers 430, 440, 450, 460 has two select lines s.sub.1,
s.sub.0 which determine which of the four inputs will be placed on
the output.
[0067] The select lines s.sub.1, s.sub.0 are defined as a function
of the orientation of the display screen 40 with respect to the LCD
driver 350. Thus, for example, s.sub.1s.sub.0="00" is applied if
the display screen 40 has not been rotated with respect to LCD
driver 350; s.sub.1s.sub.0="01" is applied if the display screen 40
has been rotated 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the LCD
driver 350; s.sub.1s.sub.0="10" is applied if the display screen 40
has been rotated 180 degrees clockwise with respect to the LCD
driver 350; and s.sub.1s.sub.0="11" is applied if the display
screen 40 has been rotated 270 degrees clockwise with respect to
the LCD driver 350.
[0068] In operation, if the display screen 40 is not rotated with
respect to the LCD driver 350, then 00 is applied on select lines
s.sub.1, s.sub.0 such that the first input of each of the
multiplexers 430, 440, 450, 460 is selected. Therefore, pins 2 are
coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the north side of the
display screen 40, in this case, pins DP2, DS18 to DS26, BPL2; pins
1 are coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the east side of
the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP1, DS09 through DS17,
BPL1; pins 0 are coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the
south side of the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP0, DS0
through DS8, BPL0; and pins 3 are coupled to the west side of the
display screen 40, in this case, DP3, DS27 through DS36, BPL3.
[0069] If the display screen 40 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise
with respect to the LCD driver 350, then 01 is applied on select
lines s.sub.1, s.sub.0 such that the second input of each of the
multiplexers 430, 440, 450, 460 is selected. Therefore, pins 3 are
coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the north side of the
display screen 40, in this case, DP3, DS27 through DS36, BPL3; pins
2 are coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the east side of
the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP2, DS18 to DS26, BPL2;
pins 1 are coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the south side
of the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP1, DS09 through
DS17, BPL1; and pins 0 are coupled to the west side of the display
screen 40, in this case, pins DP0, DS0 through DS8, BPL0.
[0070] If the display screen 40 is rotated 180 degrees with respect
to the LCD driver 350, then 10 is applied on select lines s.sub.1,
s.sub.0 such that the third input of each of the multiplexers 430,
440, 450, 460 is selected. Therefore, pins 0 are coupled to the
metallized contacts 160 on the north side of the display screen 40,
in this case, pins DP0, DS0 through DS8, BPL0; pins 3 are coupled
to the metallized contacts 160 on the east side of the display
screen 40, in this case, DP3, DS27 through DS36, BPL3; pins 2 are
coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the south side of the
display screen 40, in this case, pins DP2, DS18 to DS26, BPL2; and
pins 1 are coupled to the west side of the display screen 40, in
this case, pins DP1, DS09 through DS17, BPL1.
[0071] If the display screen 40 is rotated 270 degrees clockwise
with respect to the LCD driver 350, then 11 is applied on select
lines s.sub.1, s.sub.0 such that the fourth input of each of the
multiplexers 430, 440, 450, 460 is selected. Therefore, pins 1 are
coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the north side of the
display screen 40, in this case, pins DP1, DS09 through DS17, BPL1;
pins 0 are coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the east side
of the display screen 40, in this case, pins DP0, DS0 through DS8,
BPL0; pins 3 are coupled to the metallized contacts 160 on the
south side of the display screen 40, in this case, DP3, DS27
through DS36, BPL3; and pins 2 are coupled to the west side of the
display screen 40, in this case, pins DP2, DS18 to DS26, BPL2.
[0072] It is also possible to re-route signals from the pins 0, 1,
2, 3 of the LCD driver 350 to the metallized contacts 160 of the
corresponding sides of the display screen 40 using a software
arrangement.
[0073] FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment
of a procedure according to the present invention for re-routing
signals from the pins 0, 1, 2, 3 of the LCD driver 350 to the
metallized contacts 160 of the corresponding sides of the display
screen 40. The procedure can be applied, for example, as a
subroutine in a software program using the microprocessor 200. In
step 470, the orientation of the display screen 40 with respect to
the LCD driver 350 is determined. Once the orientation of the
display screen 40 is determined, based on the orientation of the
display screen 40, a routing scheme is selected in step 480. There
are, for example, four main routing schemes in the routing
arrangement 420 illustrated in FIG. 19. Data signals from pins 0,
1, 2, 3 of the LCD driver 350 are received and stored in a storing
arrangement in step 490. In step 500, the data signals are
rearranged according to the selected routing scheme of step 480. In
step 510, the rearranged data signals are transmitted to the
display screen 40. The steps 470 through 510 can be repeated
periodically or upon demand from, for example, a user with a
computing device.
[0074] It is also possible to use software techniques and signal
processing to replace, in part or whole, the LCD driver 350.
[0075] In the foregoing description, the method and the arrangement
of the present invention have been described with reference to
specific embodiments. It is to be understood and expected that
variations in the principles of the method and the arrangement
herein disclosed may be made by one skilled in the art and it is
intended that such modifications, changes, and substitutions are to
be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth
in the appended claims. The specification and the drawings are
accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a
restrictive sense.
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