The apparatus comprises a wire sheet graphics tablet and a display apparatus, particularly a cathode ray tube, for receiving the signals transmitted by the graphics tablet. Alternating current flows through wires (5,6) of the tablet. The non-conducting plate (4) of the tablet is transparent and the wire sheets (5,6) are made up of transparent electrical conductors or of small conducting wires, which makes them practically invisible. The tablet is placed on the screen of the display apparatus. Between the screen of the cathode ray tube and the lower side of the graphics tablet, a transparent conducting and non-magnetic coating (8) is provided. In one variation, the current flowing through the layers of wire (5,6) is a high frequency current. The pen for the graphics tablet may be a metallic rod covered by a sheath of insulating material.
A display section of an operation panel is raised relative to a horizontal plane. If the display section consists of a liquid crystal having an angle of visibility of 80 degrees (i.e., with an angle formed between the line normal to the display surface of the display section and the visibility range limit being 40 degrees), the display section is raised at about 50 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, so that visibility can be ensured both at the wheelchair seated position and at the standing position at which the non-handicapped person stands up. Further, by arranging visual recognition keys (a menu key etc.) which require an operator to view the display section during operation thereof outside of a projection region of the display section, the operator's hand on the operation panel never hides the display section during operation.
Display device integration techniques and structures are disclosed that improve display performance, usability, and reduce system cost. The improved designs and techniques involve direct view display devices, pen/stylus input devices, Integrated Circuit (IC) driver units (74), backlight devices (41) and fiberoptic faceplates (3, 6). The types of display devices, included in the inventions, may involve Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), as well as other type of displays, including flat panel displays. The pen/stylus input device consists of a pen/stylus (5), a sensor/emitter film (4), and pen encoding electronics (20). One or more fiberoptic faceplates may be included. The inside surface of the fiberoptic faceplate may be reticulated, having reflective structures (28) and phosphor dots (12) applied. Distributed Index planar micro lens arrays may be incorporated instead of fiberoptic faceplates. The backlight device may include several light sources (41A, 41B), a fiber backplate (45) and several pig tail regions (56, 58). A new micro tip semiconductor tunneling technology is disclosed for the interconnection of two or more IC units or display sub-panels, without actual physical conductor-to-conductor contact.
An electronic device and method for accessing remote electronic facilities and displaying associated information on a conventional television set. The electronic device self-configures itself upon power-up or reset by initiating a data call to a configuring facility. Information related to available facilities and programming, autonomous mail checking is downloaded to the electronic device. The electronic device displays a menu including several user selectable facilities on the display for a user. The user chooses one of the options from the menu by use of a remote keypad control, similar to a conventional television remote control. The options available include printing, electronic mail and other news and information services. Interfacing the electronic device with a stylus-type pointing device permits sketching and drawing on the television, including superposition of images on captured television images. Captured images of graphics or text are optionally stored or forwarded to a user through a mail facility accessed through operation of the system. The captured images may subsequently be sent via facsimile transmission to other facsimile machines or receivers. The electronic device includes a speaker phone capability for providing audio information received over telephones to the television speaker. A microphone on the electronic device permits two-way communication. A menu item, selectable by the remote keypad, activates this option. The television speaker use permits access to audiotext and voice mail as well.
An electronic device and method for accessing remote electronic facilities and displaying associated information on a conventional television set. The electronic device self-configures itself upon power-up or reset by initiating a data call to a configuring facility. Information related to available facilities and programming, autonomous mail checking is downloaded to the electronic device. The electronic device displays a menu including several user selectable facilities on the display for a user. The user chooses one of the options from the menu by use of a remote keypad control, similar to a conventional television remote control. The options available include printing, electronic mail and other news and information services. Interfacing the electronic device with a stylus-type pointing device permits sketching and drawing on the television, including superposition of images on captured television images. Captured images of graphics or text are optionally stored or forwarded to a user through a mail facility accessed through operation of the system.
A television-to-television audio/visual system for exchanging voice and graphical information. Users having a electronic device embodying the present invention, which provides a television with speakerphone capability, can initiate a voice call directly to another such device. After the initial voice mode, the users switch to data mode to send or exchange image data. The system is switchable between modes to allow effective and efficient exchange of information between the users.
