Alphanumeric display system

Abstract

An alphanumeric display system including an array of sixteen electrically energizable, light-emitting elements capable, when selectively energized, of forming legibly all numerals and a substantial number of upper and lower case alphabet letters and/or mathematical and punctuation symbols. A similar array is disclosed having a maximum of twenty four light-emitting elements and capable of providing all numerals, upper and lower case alphabet letters and a majority of the symbols employed for punctuation and in mathematics. Both of the arrays disclosed are characterized by arrangement of the light-emitting elements in closely nested relation to form horizontal rows and columns inclined to the right and left at 60° with respect to the horizontal. A solid state system including light-emitting diodes and switching transistors is disclosed. ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY SYSTEM

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An alphanumeric display system comprising in combination: an array of at least 16 electrically energizable, light-emitting elements .Iadd.being energizable in selected combinations to form numerals, letters and other symbols; .Iaddend..[.and means for energizing selected combinations of said elements to form numerals, letters and other symbols;.].   said array consisting of four horizontal rows each including at least three of said elements and one row including at least four of said elements, all arranged in nested relation so as to form plural element columns inclined with respect to said horizontal rows at an angle of about 60° both to the right and to the left as seen by the viewer.   
     
     
       2. A display system as defined in claim 1 wherein said four-element row is the row next above the bottom row of the array. 
     
     
       3. A display system as defined in claim 1 including a maximum of sixteen of said elements. 
     
     
       4. A display system as defined in claim 1 wherein said rows are arranged to form in order from left to right, a four-element column, two five-element columns and a two element column, all inclined to the right. 
     
     
       5. A display system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said elements is substantially circular and is tangent to all adjacent elements. 
     
     
       6. A display system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said elements is substantially hexagonal and is in contiguous relation with all adjacent elements. 
     
     
       7. A display system as defined in claim 1 including a maximum of 24 of said elements. 
     
     
       8. A display system as defined in claim 1 wherein said rows each include, from top to bottom, five, four, four, five and six of said elements. 
     
     
       9. A display system as defined in claim 8 including, from left to right, four right-inclined columns of five elements each and one column of two elements. 
     
     
       10. In an alphanumeric display system, a closely nested array of at least 16 light-emitting elements consisting of five horizontal rows of at least three or four elements and at least four plural-element columns inclined with respect to said horizontal rows at an angle of about 60° to the right as seen by the viewer including in order from left to right, at least one four-element column, two five-element columns and a two-element column. 
     
     
       11. An array of light-emitting elements as defined in claim 10 including a maximum of 16 of said elements. 
     
     
       12. An array of light-emitting elements as defined in claim 10 wherein four of said rows include at least three of said elements and one of said rows includes at least four of said elements. 
     
     
       13. An array of light-emitting elements as defined in claim 10 wherein said elements are arranged in four plural-element columns inclined to the right, said columns each including, from left to right, four, five, five and two of said elements. 
     
     
       14. An array of light-emitting elements as defined in claim 10 including a maximum of 24 of said elements. .Iadd. 15. A display system as defined in claim 1 further including means for energizing selected combinations of said elements to form numerals, letters and other symbols. .Iaddend.