Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Tutomu Nakamura

Hidetoshi Maeda

Masaru Nawaki

Kiyoshi Kumata

Takehiko Sasaki

Zenpei Tani

Masahiro Yoshimura

Junichiro Shigemasa

Tamotsu Koyama

Masaji Yonekawa

Masaru Shiraishi

A dot matrix image display system displays a desired portion of an image in increased magnification on a dot matrix image display panel. A shift circuit functions to automatically shift the position of the enlarged portion in a predetermined direction on the dot matrix image display panel. The shift circuit determines not only the portion to be displayed with increased magnification but also a speed at which the enlarged display is shifted.

Dot matrix panel display control

A semiconductor photodetector element has a three-dimensional multi-layer structure including a photoconductive layer for photoelectric conversion, a layer for binary conversion and amplification and a layer including a redundancy circuit so that the need for external reset and clock inputs can be obviated and correct image information can be expected even if there are defective cells among the photodetection conversion cells.

Semiconductor photodetector element

In a flexure crystal, flexural vibration will occur when a unidirectional electric field is applied thereto in a manner that strength of the electric field varies from point to point. For the fork type of crystal vibrator, each of branches is provided with electrodes at the top wall, the bottom wall and the outer side wall for application of the strength-variable unidirectional electric field.

Unidirectional flexure type tuning fork crystal vibrator

A time calculation ring counter is made of a plurality of negative resistance light emitting elements, which provide display of current time information. In a preferred form, a plurality of GCR's (gallium arsenide gate controlled rectifiers) or a plurality of GND's (gallium arsenide negative resistance light emitting diodes) are aligned in a circular fashion on a display panel of an electronic timepiece. The GCR's or GND's function to either calculate the time information or indicate the time information.

Electronic timepiece with negative resistance light emitting elements

An oscillator utilizing a negative resistance light emitting semiconductor diode is connected in series with voltage booster means which in turn provides a high voltage to electrodes of a gas igniter. Discharge of the gas between the electrodes occurs with the aid of the high voltage derived from the voltage booster means to thereby effect an ignition of the gas. Light emission from the diode in the absence of gas ignition is indicative of a deficiency in the supply of gas, while the absence of light emission in the absence of gas ignition is indicative of a deficiency in the operation of the oscillator circuit.

Igniter utilizing a negative resistance light emitting diode

In a combination wristwatch and calculator, a key input means for information entry employs a touch sensitive electronic switching circuitry comprising a C-MOS inverter. One electrode for the touch sensitive electronic switching circuitry is provided on the front panel of the combination wristwatch and calculator, whereas another electrode for the touch sensitive electronic switching circuitry is positioned on the rear surface of the combination wristwatch and calculator. The present key input means is equally applicable to a miniature electronic calculator.

Growing community of inventors

Akashi, Japan

Tutomu Nakamura