Code transulation by an electroluminescent-photoconductive panel array

Segmented electroluminescent panels that can display one of a set of characters on a single display area, and which require a minimum of display information, have been described. Graphic arts electroding techniques have been applied to obtain large characters or a number of small characters in line on a single substrate. Such displays also require the translation of digital information into the segment-display code. Both diodes and mechanical switches have been used. More attractive for miniaturization and low cost is the use of photoconductive-electroluminescent logic elements. A simple, compact panel array consisting of these elements in the form of polycrystalline layers has been constructed in approximately the area of the displayed character. A digital-to-display code translator consists of a ten parallel strip electroluminescent array which lies across a seven parallel strip array of photoconductive cells. The electroluminescent strips are connected to an input switch with positions 0 to 9 and the photoconductive cells to the seven electroluminescent character segments. The translator logic is effected by light-masking the photoconductive strips from electroluminescent strips at the appropriate cross points. This design is readily adaptable to alphabetical letters as well as to numbers. With some modifications, this device can also be used to translate binary information into the decimal code.