Operating characteristics and TV image display of a grid-controlled matrix fluorescent display panel

The basic structure and the driving methods for a grid-controlled matrix fluorescent display panel are discussed Two experimental TV image display sets were made using a four-electrode display panel and a five-electrode display panel with 268 × 392 = 105 056 and 573 × 782 = 448 086 pixels respectively. The vertical scanning and driving circuits are considerably simplified by means of the anode grid decoding. One TV set has only 24 sets of anode drivers, and for the other the number of anode drivers is further reduced from 24 to one. A technique for diminishing cross-talk between the neighbouring picture elements is also discussed, and a cathode pulse driving method adopted to provide a uniform display.     

Computation of the resultant chromaticity coordinates and luminance of combined and filtered sources in display design

Display designers are confronted by many possible emitters, filters and reflectors which can be used in order to produce a display to be viewed under varied or various illuminations. Often it is not possible to evaluate the perceptual performance associated with various combinations of these components until the whole configuration is assembled. A program is described which allows the resultant chromaticity coordinates of combined and filtered sources to be computed. The program allows the designer of complex display systems to make an evaluation of perceptual performance prior to construction. Examples are given which illustrate the use of the program.     

Evaluation of the perceptual attributes of emissive and non-emissive display designs using computer simulation

A technique is described which may allow the display designer to evaluate the viability of materials used in display designs. The power spectra of discrete components are numerically manipulated to calculate the power spectrum of the light reaching the human eye for chosen display and illumination configurations. The chromatic coefficients of the resultant power spectrum are calculated and passed through calibration software to permit the chromatic equivalent image to be reproduced on a trichromatic cathode ray tube. Alternative display configurations may be simulated simultaneously to allow visual comparisons to be made.     

New dc plasma display panels and their applications

A new type of high resolution d c plasma display panel has been developed, operating at low switching voltages with fewer scanning drivers. The mechanism and the performance of the panels are briefly described. Some display applications are shown for a 1 024 × 512 dot panel with 127 lines per inch resolution.     

Use of microprocessors for the determination of electrochromic display device characteristics

This paper describes a system using microprocessors to store optical data obtained during coloration and bleaching of WO₃ thin films and to restitute them after treatment. Such a device gives us the ability quickly to determine the characteristics of an electrochromic display device as a function of many parameters. Experimental curves will be presented. A cycling system with adjustable parameters to test the lifetime of the electrochromic cells is also described. Results obtained are given with a scanning electron microscope picture of the film after a cycling test.     

Man,machine and configuration: human factors versus hardware in avionic display design

The reasons for the appearance of a new generation of aircraft cockpits with multifunction displays are briefly explained. The increasing importance of human factors for the optimization of this ‘intelligent’ cockpit is stressed. Multifunction displays will be the most prominent components components of the new cockpit configuration, and some important features of the different types of display are discussed. Special attention is paid to head-down displays and the question of whether colour is required. It is concluded that advances in display hardware are needed and that more efficient man-machine models for performance evaluation could permit the adaptation of the cockpit to the individual pilot not only in seat height but also in control logic and information display.     

Electromagnetic radiation emissions from visual display units: a review

The suggestion that workers using visual display units may be exposed to potentially hazardous electromagnetic radiations emitted by such equipment has raised the question of operational safety. In order to assess and quantify any risk a number of radiation surveys have been conducted in several countries. These surveys have followed different protocols and used a variety of field survey instruments. All have arrived at similar conclusions indicating that there are no significant levels of radiation to be found in any part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by such equipment.     

Raster graphics display technology: a review

Performance and technologies of monochrome and polychromatic raster CRT visual display units are reviewed. For computer graphics, image quality is affected most by parameters such as size, resolution, luminance, contrast ratio, geometric distortion, flicker and video bandwidth. For polychromatic displays, chromaticity and convergence are also important parameters. Comparisons of 480 mm VDUs show that monochrome untis are less expensive and have better performance except for the use of colour to discriminate between different entities on the screen. Some typical graphics processor output head architectures are reviewed together with trends in display technology.     

Plasma display panels have come of age

This paper discusses the present situation for plasma display panels, their principles and characteristics. Work being conducted in a c plasma technology at Thomson-CSF is described in detail.     

Subjective reactions to misconvergence on a colour display

Subjective ratings of various degrees of misconvergence were obtained from subjects viewing text and graphics pictures on a 355 mm high-resolution shadow mask colour CRT display. The pictures were displayed in four secondary colours: white, yellow, turquoise (cyan), and pink (magenta). In commercial applications, user acceptance and satisfaction often present more stringent requirements for front-of-screen quality than do objective performance criteria such as legibility. In this case, it is expected that the picture quality would become unacceptable at lower levels of misconvergence than would cause it to be considered illegible. The results show a marked degradation in apparent quality of convergence as misconvergence increases from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm. To obtain subjectively acceptable picture quality, misconvergence should be no more than about 0.3 mm and should be better than 0.2 mm over the majority of the screen. (The spot size of the display used was about 0.8 mm.) Textual and graphical pictures did not produce significantly different results.     

A light-emitting tube array for giant colour display

A large screen — more than 4 m high by 5 m wide — colour display system has been developed. The display screen consists of matrix array of small, high luminant intensity light-emitting tubes, and can present sharp colour pictures even in daylight. It offers better colour and lower power consumption than conventional large displays based on incandescent lamps.     

Optimization by colour representation of a twisted nematic display system for car application

Several means are proposed for improving the representation of coloured information by twisted nematic LCDs in the transflective negative contrast mode, which are well suited for automotive application. In order to optimize the optical appearance of such display systems we analyse the spectral and spatial properties if the residual off-transmission and its implications for the perceived contrast. An appropriate adjusting of cell parameters, proper choice of accessories and the use of dichroic dyes allow spectral matching of cell and light source and thus improve contrast.     

A device for spatial,temporal and contrast resolution measurement using a VDU screen

This paper describes a recently designed electronic eye-test device. It measures spatial, temporal and contrast resolution by means of test pictures presented on a VDU screen. The subject responds using a keyboard. The tests are fully automatic and therefore easily applied in large scale test set-ups.     

Cathode ray tubes: recent trends for character-graphic display

Recent trends in display tubes are surveyed by their key components — shadow mask, electron gun, deflection yoke, phosphor screen and faceplate. Recent improvements to the gun and yoke in particular have been remarkable in giving higher resolution. In the future, integrated use of the electric and magnetic fields will lead the way to a new design philosophy.     

The metal-dynode multiplier: a new component in CRT design

This paper describes a new component for use in CRTs — the metal dynode multiplier. The multiplier separates the addressing and power supplying functions of the electron beam. This offers exciting possibilities in CRT design including the relationzation of a tube having a 300 mm diagonal and depth of less than 75 mm.     

A three-colour 16×16 element light emitting diode display module

This paper briefly reviews the materials used in LED manufacture and describes types and applications of simple LED displays. A three-colour 16 × 16 element display module is introduced. By using metallic ribbons to wire the elements on the display side in place of wire bonding, it is expected that the modules will be more easily mass-producible.     

German standards for display work stations

This paper reports the current state of standardization in the ergonomics of display work stations in the Federal Republic of Germany. The terminological standards have been published under DIN 66 233 Parts 1 and 2, and the technical standards under DIN 66 234 Parts 1–3 and Parts 5–7. Part 1 of DIN 66 234 specifies the minimum requirements for good character legibility. Part 2 describes the parameters for the perceptibility of characters, solely with reference to the display of light characters on a darker background. Part 3 gives recommendations on the grouping and formatting of data. Visual and audible coding is discussed in Part 5. Part 6 deals with display work station design, and Part 7 describes the working environment.     

Transition metal oxide electrochromic materials and displays: a review: Part 1: oxides with cathodic coloration

Thin films of a number of transition metal oxides, when employed as electrodes in the appropriate electrochemical cells, exhibit electrochromism by a reversible ion-insertion mechanism. These oxides may be divided into two groups, those which colour cathodically by a reduction process, and those which colour anodically by an oxidation process. At present the former class is known to contain the oxides of W, Mo, V, Nb and Ti, whereas those of Ir, Rh, Ni and Co are contained in the latter class. A two-part in-depth review is given of the electrochromic behaviour of thin films of these oxides. This part of the paper considers cathodically coloured oxides, with anodically coloured oxides the subject of the second part. Special attention is given to tunstic oxides as the most studied example and as a model for the behaviour of other members of its class. Significant advances in the understanding and development of electrochromic displays are highlighted. Fabrication and performance of display electrode and complete display cells based on these materials is described and compared, suggestion put forward regarding the most promising electrochromic material/electrolyte combinations for further study. Emphasis is placed on the method and details of film deposition or growth which determine film stoichiometry (including moisture content) and morphology and in turn strongly influence electrochromic behaviour.     

Comparison of colour and black-and-white visual displays as indicated by bombing performance in the 2B35 TA-4J flight simulator

Ten highly qualified and experienced instructor pilots were tested with respect to bombing performance in the General Electric 2B35 full colour wide screen flight simulator. Half the pilots flew with colour first and then black-and-white and the other half with the reverse order. Repeated bombing runs were made and circular bombing errors obtained. Under the conditions of the study, no statistically significant differences were shown between performances in colour and those in black-and white.