Display device and method for visualizing computer generated image information

Abstract

A display for digital/analogous visualization of computer stored and bitmapped, in the form of still of moving patterns, e.g., text, image, or the like, on or by means of at least one visualization medium. The display consists of one matrix including at least two sets of electrodes, wherein the electrodes cross each other. The electrodes are distanced from each other by at least one resistive and/or inductive spacer means, and are connected to at least one control device for multiplexing, scanning or pulsating the control signals. The electrodes are individually addressable in accordance to electric signals from a control unit and are provided so that when selected electrodes in both set of the electrodes are energized, a temperature change (heat) is conducted towards the medium. The medium includes a thermosensistive indication means, such as a layer, a body or the like. The surface/surfaces in the display are provided to transform the temperature change to visible dots or the like.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A display for digital/analogous visualization of computer stored and bitmapped still or moving images on or via at least one visualization medium, the display comprising: 
 a matrix including at least two sets of individually addressable electrodes, the electrodes being arranged in rows and columns having crossing points;    at least one resistive spacer separating and electrically connecting the sets of electrodes;    at least one control unit electrically coupled to said electrodes for applying, multiplexing, scanning or pulsating first and second control signals to said at least one resistive spacer via said electrodes to obtain a temperature variation in the crossing points of the electrodes;    a thermosensitive indication means covering the electrodes and transforming the temperature variation to a visible dot, wherein the control unit applies the first control signals comprising a plurality of low voltage and short duration pulses of electric current until the desired temperature is reached; and    wherein the control unit intermittently applies the second control signals to the electrodes with an amount of energy per time unit to maintain the desired temperature, so that the visible dot remains until a next update of the display, wherein the second control signals are spaced apart further in time compared to the first control signals.    
     
     
         2 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistive spacer comprises electrically resistive material.  
     
     
         3 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistive spacer comprises a semiconductor material.  
     
     
         4 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistive spacer comprises a conducting member having a reduced area between the electrodes.  
     
     
         5 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein a heat conducting layer is arranged between the resistive spacer and the visualization medium.  
     
     
         6 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive spacer extends over several electrodes in each set of electrodes.  
     
     
         7 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes within each row and column are arranged substantially parallel relative to each other, the rows of electrodes being substantially perpendicular to the columns of electrodes.  
     
     
         8 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are embedded in the resistive spacer.  
     
     
         9 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are transparent.  
     
     
         10 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are produced by applying an electric conducting medium on the resistive spacer.  
     
     
         11 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein each electrode in one set of the electrodes comprises an emitter arranged in a base and each electrode in the other set of the electrodes comprises a collector.  
     
     
         12 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein said thermosensitive means comprises microencapsulated liquid crystals.  
     
     
         13 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization medium comprises reversible temperature indicators.  
     
     
         14 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization medium is transparent at a glassing transition temperature.  
     
     
         15 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the thermosensitive indication means is an integrated part of the resistive spacer, the thermosensitive indication means comprising microencapsulated liquid crystals embedded within a binding agent of semiconductor plastic.  
     
     
         16 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the thermosensitive indication means changes color at least within a part of the color spectrum during temperature changes, and wherein the control unit controls the voltage of the electrodes with respect to a temperature at which a certain desired color variation of the thermosensitive indication means occurs.  
     
     
         17 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization medium is transparent when heated.  
     
     
         18 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a web of electrical conductors, and wherein the electrodes in one set of the electrodes are arranged in warp direction of the web and the electrodes in the other set of the electrode are arranged in the weft direction of the web.  
     
     
         19 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the thermosensitive indication means comprises transparent thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         20 . The display of  claim 19 , wherein the thermosensitive indication means comprises DIALLYL PHTHALATE.  
     
     
         21 . The display of  claim 19 , wherein the thermosensitive indication means is applied by screen printing and is adjustable to different resistance values (ohm/cm).  
     
     
         22 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a rollable, foldable, thin elastic material.  
     
     
         23 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the display is double-sided.  
     
     
         24 . A telephone having a display for digital/analogous visualization of computer stored and bitmapped still or moving images on or via at least one visualization medium, the display comprising: 
 a matrix including at least two sets of individually addressable electrodes, the electrodes being arranged in rows and columns having crossing points;    at least one resistive spacer separating and electrically connecting the sets of electrodes;    at least one control unit electrically coupled to said electrodes for applying, multiplexing, scanning or pulsating first and second control signals to said at least one resistive spacer via said electrodes to obtain a temperature variation in the crossing points of the electrodes;    a thermosensitive indication means covering the electrodes and transforming the temperature variation to a visible dot, wherein the control unit applies the first control signals comprising a plurality of low voltage and short duration pulses of electric current until the desired temperature is reached; and    wherein the control unit intermittently applies the second control signals to the electrodes with an amount of energy per time unit to maintain the desired temperature, so that the visible dot remains until a next update of the display, wherein the second control signals are spaced apart further in time compared to the first control signals.    
     
     
         25 . The telephone of  claim 24 , wherein the telephone is a mobile telephone.  
     
     
         26 . The telephone of  claim 24 , wherein the display is in rolled form.