Richard V Ballou

US Patent:

48112402, Mar 7, 1989

Filed:

Dec 22, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/945431

Inventors:

Richard Ballou - Lake Worth FL
Stanley M. Belyeu - Boca Raton FL
Joseph A. Boscove - Highland Beach FL
Hobart L. Kurtz - Boca Raton FL
Peter Langer - Coral Springs FL
Andrew B. McNeill - Deerfield Beach FL
Bernard M. Reid - Coral Springs FL
Herman Rodriguez - Live Oak FL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1564

US Classification:

364518

Abstract:

A Graphic Development Instrument System (GDIS) provides a method and capability to design, create and update display screens, including static elements (never change) and dynamic elements (change responsive to stimuli) and is able to include any controller function, without rewriting or modifyng the software. The GDIS enables a screen designer to create EPROMS for those screens for different for example vehicles or models.

US Patent:

47870400, Nov 22, 1988

Filed:

Dec 22, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/945053

Inventors:

Richard N. Ames - Boca Raton FL
Layton Balliet - Boca Raton FL
Richard V. Ballou - Lake Worth FL
Stanley M. Belyeu - Boca Raton FL
Joseph A. Boscove - Highland Beach FL
Akram Bou-Ghannam - Boca Raton FL
Peter Langer - Coral Springs FL
Andrew B. McNeill - Deerfield Beach FL
Gerald U. Merckel - Delray Beach FL
Robert V. Miller - Boca Raton FL
Thomas K. Pate - Boca Raton FL
Nicholas J. Schwartz - San Francisco CA
Frederick T. Slater - Boca Raton FL
Stanford A. Strickland - Boca Raton FL
William C. Troop - Boca Raton FL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G09G 100
G06F 1520

US Classification:

36442401

Abstract:

An advanced display system controller is described for use in automotive vehicles. The controller has electronic circuitry to allow it to be programmed to display monochrome or color graphics and text on an all-points-addressable display device such as a CRT or an Electro-Luminescent (EL) Flat panel. The display resolution and scan rates may be programmed differently depending on the display type and size. The vehicle operator controls the display system via a reconfigurable switch system (RSS), such as an Infrared Touch Panel or Mylar Touch Switch Matrix mounted over the face of the display. In addition, external discrete switches may also be attached to the controller. The controller includes a master microprocessor and a slave microprocessor with preferred partitioning of functions and communicates with other parts of the vehicle via two serial data communication links, a Random Access bus and a Poll/Response bus. The design of this controller allows the display characteristics and supported functions to be changed through reconfigurable hardware and software, allowing a broad range of applications in different model automobiles.