Mark William Lauzon

US Patent:

56443269, Jul 1, 1997

Filed:

May 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/435099

Inventors:

Mark William Lauzon - Southgate MI
Charles Gerard Hellebuyck - Dearborn MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G09G 304

US Classification:

345 34

Abstract:

In one embodiment of the present invention, a first diode is connected between two elements of a seven-segment display character. A second diode is also connected between two elements of the seven-segment display character. With the diodes so connected, the seven-segment display character can display the characters "1" through "9", and can do so with only six of the seven segments coupled to display driver circuitry. Electronic resources are thus saved in the control of the seven-segment display character.