DE2942306A1 - Matrix display with magnetised cylinder elements - which rotate when current is fed to support wires - Google Patents

Abstract

Each element of a matrix display is a short cylinder free to rotate about its axis. A number of cylinders with their axes in line form a row, and a number of rows form the matrix plane. Each row of cylinders is supported by four straight wires (3,4,5,6) parallel to their axis, at the corners of a square enclosing the cylinders. A pair of wires, (3,5 or 6,4) is common to two adjacent rows. The end faces of the cylinders (14,15) are separated by straight wires (1,2) run between them and align the cylinders into columns. Each cylinder is permanently magnetised across a diameter (N,s) Any cylinder can be addressed by applying suitable currents to two of its row wires (3,4,5,6) and its two column wires (1,2). The resultant magnetic field rotates the cylinder into one of four positions, without affecting other cylinders. This brings one of three different coloured areas (21,22,23), or a blank, into the matrix viewing plane to form an element of the display.

Description

Device for the optical display of information

functions The invention relates to a device for optical representation of information.

The need for the visual representation of information is wide Areas of technology, e.g. as information boards of all dimensions for Passenger and passenger information at train stations and airfields, where constantly changing the latest status of the traffic situation must be displayed. Further in position display devices in command centers of all kinds, for example in military technology, air traffic control, in Process maintenance of process plants and the like. This also includes the so-called displays in connection with electronic data processing systems, which are used for interactive communication with the computer.

In "wehrtechnik" 10/1977 page 34f is, albeit based on the Military engineering, the state of the art outlines. The disadvantages of this known Systems can be identified as follows. This is the case with electron tubes available screen is limited, e.g. to the order of 3000 cm2. With laser displays is the to complain about required depth, so that at low Space such as e.g. in vehicles or in narrow spaces, there is no need for an application. Plasma displays can only be implemented in one color. LED displays require a high Cabling effort; the so-called flying dot liquid crystal display has the disadvantage low contrast. What all systems have in common is that in the event of a power failure, the Lose information.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned create, which does not have the disadvantages listed, and which also has the The possibility of realizing two-dimensional dimensions of all sizes offers: This object is achieved according to the main claim in that arranged in a matrix, permanent magnetic rotating bodies in the manner of cylinders crossed in a grid electrical conductors are rotatably mounted loosely, the rotating body carrier of the are to be displayed information, and that by means of coordination of the current flow in the electrical conductors and the magnetic field generated by them the rotating bodies can be rotated in a targeted manner.

It is particularly advantageous that there are several on the rotating bodies different information, such as different colored areas, can be applied so that they represent complete color picture elements (pixels) and put them together result in a graphical color screen.

The shallow depth of just a few cm allows it to be used in broadest areas, including even in narrow military vehicles of all kinds. Due to the With small control voltages, the device is good at preventing unwanted information transmission shieldable. The low energy consumption in connection with the small footprint and weight also advantageously allows for use in aerospace equipment.

The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of the figures.

1 shows a display element (pixel) from the matrix of FIG. 2 shows an arrangement for generating a pressure point characteristic.

According to Fig. 1, the matrix of the device consists of a planar network Crossed electrical conductor, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 permanent magnetic in its mesh Rotary body 10 are rotatably mounted loosely. Depending on the size you want the device is arranged a plurality of such meshes, each rotating body 10 forms a raster point or picture element (pixel) in its mesh. The dimensions the rotating body 10 move in the order of magnitude of 1, depending on the application up to 10 mm, or in other suitable sizes. There are colored areas on the cylinder wall 21, 22, 23 applied. A picture is created as a two-dimensional line-up of the Pixel. Instead of colored areas, any other images, such as symbol parts, Parts of letters etc. are shown so that, for example, several Grid points together result in a unit.

The number of electrical conductors that enclose a rotating body 10, depends on the desired number of different representations, e.g. the number the color segments, resp.

resulting from the number of defined angular positions. Basically however, 2 selection wires and 3 control wires are sufficient to set all angular positions.

The crossed electrical conductors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are controllable Power sources connected. Magnetic fields or magnetic field superimpositions are created in the grid points generated, which a torque of a defined size on the rotating body in question 10 exercise.

The rotating body 10 set a torsional moment according to an inventive method Extension does not oppose constant resistance across all angular positions, but rather are held preferentially in some angular positions, i.e. a pressure point characteristic is used generated. This is achieved by a soft magnetic cross 11, 12, etc., which The rotating body 10 is opposite the rotating surfaces 14, 15 in the grid points (see Fig. 2). The soft magnetic crosses 11, 12 are of the magnets of the rotating body 10 induces and thereby hold the rotating body in the cross beam directions, or pull it into this position in the event of small angular deviations. The electric Conductors 1, 2 serve as selection wires to supplement the generated field by the amount which is necessary to overcome the pivot point. Pressure point characteristics and Amperage in the individual electrical conductors are matched to one another, that the desired matrix control can take place, i.e. that only in the intersection area current-carrying wires the field is sufficient to rotate a rotating body.

It is thus created at the location of the rotating body through suitable current conduction in e.g. second selection wires and two control wires the field of a coil of one Twist. In the adjacent grid points, the field strengths are about 2/3 of this Value, but can continue by applying adjacent electrical conductors be reduced so that the adjacent rotating body is not rotated inadvertently will.

For this purpose, the microprocessor decides on the basis of the information to be output, which impulses it has to give so that the current load is evenly distributed over the clocks is distributed and the necessary field foreclosure is achieved.

The device is scanned line by line. Because of belonging the electrical conductors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to several grid points can have several Bars per line may be required. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical Conductor 3, 4, 5, 6 control wires, which the rotation of the rotating body 10 in the desired Serve angular position. The control wire 3 is e.g. for the one behind it, not shown Rotary body functionally like the control wire 6 for the rotary body 10 shown.

The function is comparable to that of a stepper motor, expanded by the matrix selection technique, as is common with core memories.

As a result of the controlled field superimpositions, each rotating body can be targeted and rotated individually. The control is expediently computer-aided made, e.g. by a microprocessor, so that the current flow in the individual electrical conductors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 according to the information to be displayed runs.

In order to be able to use the matrix as an information store, e.g. in order to be able to absorb power failures, it is provided that under utilization the dielectric inhomogeneity of the rotating body 10 by means of a capacitance measurement between a selection wire 1, 2 and the control wires 3, 4, 5, 6 the position of the Rotary body 10 is determined. The measurement is made continuously by the microprocessor if necessary controlled and evaluated.

The input of graphical information can also be done manually with the help of a input device to be operated in the manner of a light pen from the screen technology happen with the appropriate pin. The pen is equipped with a coil that parallel to the matrix surface. The coil is running at a high enough frequency applied to create a coupling in the matrix of electrical conductors, which in turn can be localized e.g. by scanning. The pen is with different discrete frequencies to accommodate different field values in the grid points to be able to generate.

Although the device is preferably used to present information other uses are also possible, e.g.

possible for switching purposes. Here, the rotating body 10 with contact surfaces fitted. In addition, the control and construction technology of the device also allows the Creation of three-dimensional matrices.

Blank page

Claims (7)

Device for the optical presentation of information 1. Device for the optical display of information, thereby g e k e n n z E i c h n e t that permanent magnetic rotating bodies arranged in a matrix (10) like cylinders in a grid crossed electrical conductors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) are rotatably loosely mounted, the rotating bodies (10) being carriers of the Information are, and that by means of coordination of the current conduction in the electrical Conductors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and the magnetic field generated by them the rotating bodies (10) are selectively rotatable. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that a pressure point characteristic for assuming preferred angular positions the rotating body (10) can be generated, and that the pressure point characteristic is soft magnetic Bodies (11, 12) which are arranged between the rotating bodies (10) can be produced is. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that in the axial direction of the rotating body (10) running conductors (control wires 3, 4, 5, 6) serve the controlled rotation and that in the radial direction of the rotating body (10) running conductors (selection wires 1,2) generating a to overcome the additional field required for the pressure point. 4. Apparatus according to claim / and / or claims 2, 3, characterized g e I do not know that the coordination of the current conduction in the crossed Ladders (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) line by line in a computer-controlled scanning process he follows. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that, taking advantage of the dielectric inhomogeneity of the rotating body (10) by means of Capacitance measurement between a control wire (3, 4, 5, 6) and the selection wires (1, 2) the position of the rotating body (10) can be determined, and the measurement is computer-controlled he follows. 6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in that it is equipped with a coil by means of a Coordinate information can be coupled into the grid of crossed conductors is, and that this can be evaluated by the computer. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the pen works with different discrete frequencies in addition to the Coordinate information also inject color information.