Abstract: A portable advertising system well suited for outdoor advertising at night includes a body adapted to be secured to a transportation vehicle and may include a universal attachment system for that purpose. An advertisement may be displayed on an advertising surface mounted on the body. An illumination source is directed towards the advertising surface and may be integrated into an electronic display unit or may be directed at an advertising sheet such as a vinyl sheet. When the advertising sheet is used, a sheet tension system typically maintains tension on the sheet, and an openable protective cover may protect the sheet when not in use. The illumination source may be controlled based on environmental light conditions, sheet tension and/or position of the protective cover. The body may be part of a cargo container such as an ISO container suited for securing to a railroad car or other vehicle.

Abstract: A greeting card having a first card panel, a door connected to the first card panel and movable between a closed position where the door substantially covers a section of the first card panel and an open position where the door uncovers the section of the first card panel. A trigger is provided which is movable between a first position wherein the door is prevented from moving, and a second position wherein the door is allowed to move between the closed and open positions. A member which is movable by a user controls operation of the trigger to move the trigger to the second position to allow the door to move to the open position.

Abstract: A light display unit includes a display fixture and a light strand. The display fixture includes an elongated support and a plurality of receptacles coupled to the support. The support defines a chamber. Each of the receptacles defines an aperture. The light strand includes an electrical cord having an end configured to be coupled with an electrical power source. Each of a plurality of bulb groupings is in electrical communication with the electrical cord. The plurality of bulb groupings comprises at least two different combinations of light bulbs. The electrical cord is at least partially housed in the chamber of the support and extends into each of the plurality of receptacle of the display fixture through the apertures of the receptacles such that each of the plurality of bulb groupings is positioned within one of the plurality of receptacles of the support. Light strands, fixtures, and methods provide additional advantages.

Abstract: A printing product that may revolve and illuminate to form a 3-D vision comprises a main body (1), a revolver (2) arranged on the main body, a circuit device (3) for driving the revolver to rotate, and a trigger switch (4) for controlling disconnection or connection of the circuit device. The circuit device drives the revolver to rotate via a motor (31). The revolver is located in a segmental orifice (10) provided in the main body. A set of luminous elements (20) connecting with the circuit device is arranged on the revolver. The present invention provides an electrical driving apparatus for a greeting card, a book and so on. The revolver is made rotate by the electrical driving apparatus, thus forming a 3-D vision when the luminous elements on the revolver are rotating. Furthermore, the revolver of the present invention is arranged in the horizontal direction, and a rotating space is left for the revolver beforehand by providing the segmental orifice in the main body.

Abstract: An encased stored value card for decoratively presenting is provided comprising an electronic light and/or audio circuit with a switch and a lighting element and/or a speaker; and a housing for holding the electronic circuit permanently as well as the card removably. The housing may have different opening schemes including an upper shell and a lower shell joined by one or more hinge connections and a lock to allow the shells to swivel between a closed position where the upper shell mates with the lower shell temporarily and an open position for retrieval of the card. The electronic circuit is generally embedded in the housing but for the lighting element and speaker so that the lighting element is partially exposed through the housing and is configured to illuminate upon activation of the switch and at the same time the speaker propagates sound at perforations locally formed through the housing.

Abstract: A sign structure having a display, movable member and computer means creates a unique vehicle for displaying content. In one version, the movable member is adjacent to the display and substantially shields a portion of the display as it traverses thereover. Coordinated content transmitted to the display gives the appearance that the movable member is influencing the displayed content. For example, as the member moves upward an image below the member stretches in size while an image above the member compresses in size until the upper image disappears and the lower image occupies the entire visible portion of the display. This continues as the member traverses up and down over the display. The member may appear to manipulate the images by stretching, compressing, pushing, pulling and/or erasing them.

Abstract: An illuminating rail system comprising a rail defined by an elongate rear surface and an elongate bottom surface, the rear surface attached to a wall outside the system, the bottom surface upwardly recessed to define along the rail a front panel, a rear panel, and a furrow between the front and rear panels, with an elongate illuminator retained in the furrow.

Abstract: An illuminated exit bar incorporates a light source within the elongated space defined between a door-mounted housing and a push bar. The push bar defines an elongated opening for light generated within the exit bar. An exit plate covers the push bar opening and defines light transmissive openings in the form of exit instructions. An exit insert of light transmissive material is configured to be complementary to the exit plate. Light is gathered from within the exit plate and conducted to the push face of the exit bar to provide illuminated words and/or symbolic instructions for egress. The illuminated light bar is configurable for installation on left or right hand opening doors by electrically altering the pattern of internal illumination and assembling some parts in alternative configurations. The illuminated exit bar is compatible with electronic building security systems. The pattern of illuminated instructions can be remotely altered to reflect changed security conditions.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for use with a name plate sign includes an elongate frame having a planar bottom with an upper portion defining an interior space. The frame bottom includes a bracket for attachment to the name plate. A rechargeable battery is mounted within the interior space of the frame and is electrically connected to a plurality of light sources depending from the frame bottom. A thin film solar panel is positioned atop the upper frame portion and is electrically connected to the battery to repeatedly recharge it as the panel collects solar energy. A photoelectric light sensor is mounted to the frame and permits current to flow from the battery to the light sources when a sensed level of ambient light is less than a predetermined level. Therefore, the name plate is illuminated when insufficient ambient light is available.

Abstract: A battery operated animated button is disclosed which is worn by a user and includes a display portion which moves and may selectively display a hidden message or the like. The button includes a circuit board activated by batteries, with a wire of a titanium-alloy material activated by the circuit board to contract to move the display portion.

Abstract: A portable sign for removable mounting on the roof of a vehicle. The sign includes a rigid body formed of first, second and third side walls formed into a rigid triangular structure, a top structure including a triangular top wall and a frame fitting over the top wall and including a downturned flange extending around the laterally outer triangular perimeter of the top wall, and a bottom structure including a triangular bottom wall and a bottom frame including an upturned flange extending totally around the laterally outer perimeter of the bottom wall. The upper edge portion of the triangular body structure is positioned contiguously within and attached to the downturned flange of the top structure and the lower edge portion of the triangular body structure is positioned contiguously within and attached to the upturned flange of the bottom structure. An alarm assembly is also provided within the rigid body.

Abstract: A modularized optical fiber display system is disclosed wherein each module has an optical train including a plurality of optical fibers or cables organized at one end into a bundle which is illuminated by a lamp, with each of the optical fibers of the bundle having an individual, independently controlled shuttering mechanism associated with it for controlling light flow from each optical fiber to respective lenses forming pixels in a signboard display. Each of the pixels is individually controlled to enable production of any desired alpha-numeric character or other graphic on the signboard. Each of the display modules can be separately used, or integrated into a single large display.

Abstract: A dispenser for the controlled one at a time dispensing of a magnetic card to an operator who inserts the card into a magnetic card reader for entry of an active number in an "Electronic Point of Sale" advertising medium reaching a predetermined captive audience while engaged in the spending of money, such as in supermarkets, shopping centers, hotels, trade shows, airports, drug stores and the like. The card is also used to imprint the card number embossed thereon on coupons in a coupon book then handed to the shopper with the card then returned to the dispenser to enable the sequential dispersing of another card. A card being reinserted into the card dispensing carousel is inserted into a card return slot to rest at one end on a retainer upper ledge until an operator depresses an actuator button forcing the end edge of the returned card past the upper edge of the retainer down onto a lower ledge of the retainer activating a carousel upper drive switch in the process.

Abstract: Apparatus for viewing a transparency includes a rechargeable battery and a telescoping lens housing which moves inwardly and outwardly with respect to a housing in which is disposed the rechargeable battery, a light source, and a solid diffuser/reflector block for diffusing and reflecting light from the light source over substantially the entire area of the transparency.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating and displaying moving pictures in which a combination of a number of locally displaceable picture elements have positions that are variable and/or selectable by a number of adjustable outer or final control elements. At least part of individual final control elements have associated with them an inner control element. The position of the final control elements is variable in response to the action of the control elements, and these inner control elements are arranged on a movable inner control element carrier. The control elements constitute mechanical information storages in which the information has a total of at least two mechanical states and can be transmitted by mechanical contact to the associated final control elements, and hence to the picture elements. The information of the inner control elements is made variable by moving the control element carrier.