General Electric Company

John B May

Donald V DiMassimo

Brian C Johnson

Jeffrey L Cooper

Richard A Kellogg

Michael D Lemmon

A display controller drives a nine digit, seven segment display in accordance with desired display formats for preselected lengths of time. The controller accepts control commands and data by means of a serial three wire asynchronous link. The display controller includes the capability for receiving binary data and converting it to binary coded decimal data for subsequent display and further includes the capability for scaling data as well as performing self tests to insure that the display is functioning correctly following a power outage.

Multi-format data display

A programmable time-of-use metering system is disclosed for metering electrical energy consumption at multiple rates depending on the time of day, time of week and time of year in which the energy is being consumed. A method for registering total energy consumed by a metered system as well as energy consumed during preselected time intervals is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for multiple rate metering of electrical energy

The present invention relates to a PMOS or NMOS driver for a liquid crystal display. The driver is designed for ac excitation of the display with a minimum dc component, and with minimum excitation of 'off' segments for optimum display performance. The drive circuitry includes a pair of larger capacity drivers, which exhibit alternate high and low output states, between which the individual segments and the backplane of the display are connected for ac excitation. A pair of lower capacity switches are provided in association with each segment. The first lower capacity switch connects the segment to be activated to one of the drivers, and a second switch, maintained in a state alternate to that of the first switch, disconnects that segment from the backplane. When the segment switches are turned on strongly, as by a voltage doubling input circuit, the desired LCD driver performance is achieved using a non-complementary design of lower cost than the conventional CMOS driver.

Non-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) driver for liquid

In a communication system, a line protocol format with a variable bit rate and low bit overhead provides for the high integrity, synchronous exchange of digital signal information between master and slave processing units, with master processing unit controlling the line protocol.

Line protocol for communication system

A system clock generator includes circuitry for error-free switching of clock frequency. Frequency switching is necessary, for example, when the main power supply fails and to conserve standby battery energy the system is operated at a low clock frequency. Conversely, when the main power source is restored, system clock frequency must be returned to normal. The clock generator and switching circuitry comprise two bistable switch circuits and an RC (resistance-capacitance) oscillator made up of a NAND gate, an inverter, and an RC network. One of the bistable switch circuits includes means for detecting the presence of signals indicating the existence of a condition requiring frequency switchover.

Multi-frequency clock generator with error-free frequency switching

A power supply having reliable means to detect the failure of an AC power source and to provide an AC fail signal in response thereto includes error-free switchover circuitry to supply emergency power from a standby battery. The power supply comprises a comparator circuit, a Schmitt trigger-inverter circuit, and a feedback circuit which provides positive regeneration to ensure error-free battery switching under AC power fail or restore conditions.

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Liverpool, NY, United States of America

John B May