Patent · US Expired

Liquid-crystal display unit for electronic directory

US5252955A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
11References
31Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 1991
Grant dateOct 12, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG09G2320/041
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A liquid-crystal display, preferably twenty-five lines of eighty characters each, is mounted in a case. The temperature of the display medium is maintained within operating limits for the display--notwithstanding ambient temperature and humidity variations over generally normal ranges for at least the temperate zones, and even if the display unit is placed to receive direct sunlight. The unit works outdoors as well as in buildings that lack temperature control. This is accomplished preferably by circulating air from outside the case through a space between the display face and an unperforated protective polycarbonate window. Intake and exhaust plena are long and narrow enough to deter manual access to the display and thus van dalism; however, the plena are straight and sufficiently free of obstructions that the fan can be a very small, low-power, quiet unit. A temperature sensor controls the fan, and also the contrast-adjusting voltage of the display --based on data in a digital-memory "look up" table. A heater is preferably provided, also temperature-controlled. The plena face downward so that the unit is not sensitive to rain, and the entire unit can be flush-mounted in a wall wi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.