The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 23, 1978
Filed:
Sep. 27, 1976
Other;
Abstract
A display system is made up of an array of blocks, each block in turn consisting of rows and columns of individual display units each having a thin, pivotally mounted vane movable by electrostatic forces between an upright (WRITE) position and a horizontal (ERASE) position. A message can be displayed by selection of a pattern of vanes moved from one position to the other. Each vane assembly is symmetrically bistable, being movable in both directions by the same triggering electrodes which are subjected to a short pulse of high D.C. voltage that kicks the vane towards a mid position and subsequently allows it to continue its travel under its own momentum and gravity. Selection of units not to be operated is carried out by means of inhibit electrodes located near the vane in its extreme positions, such electrodes, when energized, preventing movement by the triggering electrodes. By having two write inhibit electrodes adjacent the vane in its horizontal position and two erase inhibit electrodes adjacent the vane in its upright position, it is possible to energize a pattern of inhibit electrodes that will permit a given triggering signal to move only a single selected vane of the array.