Dot matrix display

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A dot matrix display is a display device used to display information on pinball machines and other devices requiring a simple display device of limited resolution. The display consists of a matrix of lights arranged in a rectangular configuration (other shapes are also possible, although not common) such that by switching on selected ones of the lights text or simple graphics can be displayed. A dot matrix controller converts instructions from a processor into signals to particular lights in the matrix such that the required display is produced.

1 Characteristics
2 Usual Resolutions
3 Usual character resolutions
4 See also

[edit] Characteristics

Dot matrix displays used in pinball machines are generally made using gas bulbs as opposed to LEDs or conventional filament bulbs (this gives them their distinctive orange color).

[edit] Usual Resolutions

Common sizes of dot matrix displays are:

128x16 (Two lined)
128x32 (Four lined)
192x64

[edit] Usual character resolutions

A common size for a character is 5x7 pixels, either separated with blank lines with no dots (in most text-only displays), or with lines of blank pixels (making the real size 6x8). This is seen on most graphic calculators, such as CASIO calculators or TI-82 and superior.
A smaller size is 3x5 (or 4x6 when separated with blank pixels). This is seen on the TI-80 calculator as a "pure", fixed-size 3x5 font, or on most 7x5 calculators as a proportionnal (from 1x5 to 5x5) font.