Processor controlled fluorescent lamp dimmer for aircraft liquid crystal display instruments
US5428265A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S315/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor controlled fluorescent lamp dimmer circuit is shown for use in an aircraft display system utilizing a fluorescent lamp in the backlight system of individual LCD display devices. By use of a processor control dimming circuit in control over each LCD display, greater flexibility, e.g., as by adjustment in software parameters, is made possible in the operation of a dimmer control circuit. The dimmer control circuit reacts to such conditions as ambient light within the aircraft cockpit, fluorescent lamp light energy output, and fluorescent lamp temperature to provide substantially consistent actual and perceived luminance on the LCD display as a function of such detected conditions. Furthermore, the processor control achieves the desired luminance without over-driving, and therefore deteriorating, the lamps. As a result, the pilot of the aircraft enjoys a more reliable and consistent LCD display and need not be distracted by variation in luminance of the LCD display in operation of the aircraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.