Abstract: A changeable alphanumeric sign with printed characters is disclosed. The sign is universally changeable in the sense that any combination of alphanumeric characters may be displayed by selectively positioning a set of display tapes in each character window. Each set of tapes forms a broken-character display in the respective character window and all character windows are independently controlled to form a broken-word display. This arrangement minimizes the length of display tapes required. An open-loop positioning system is provided whereby all sets of tapes are concurrently but independently positioned to change the characters of the sign.

Abstract: A changeable printed alphanumeric display module is disclosed for displaying one character at a time in a viewing window. Each tape of a set of tapes is printed on both front and back surfaces with character segments and is connected between a driving roller and a driven roller in a manner to display one front surface segment and one back surface segment at a time. The tape segments which carry the respective character segments are progressively longer from one end of the tape to the other and the set of tape segments which are displayed together in the window all bear different character segments of the same character so that an entire character is displayed. All tapes in the set are driven in unison to successively present the character segments of each tape in registry with respective window segments.

Abstract: A destination sign for buses is disclosed with an automatic positioning system for a plurality of sign modules. The sign is made up of plural modules, each of which is capable of displaying any one of a set of alphanumeric characters. The display of a module is changed from one character to another by displacement through successive, equal angular increments. The positioning system comprises a reversible drive motor and a common shaft with a separate positioning clutch for coupling each display module to the shaft. The positioning clutch for each module is controlled by a command signal produced by a punch card reader and a shaft position encoder. Various words to be displayed by the sign are encoded on respective punch cards and insertion of a selected punch card into the card reader causes the positioning system to execute a reset cycle and a positioning cycle to display the selected name.