Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring wet contact touchpads where the opening of the contacts and the closing of the contacts of a wet contact touchpad are monitored and sensed by a timer/controller. The wet contact touchpad forms a capacitor which is charged to maintain a low voltage when the contacts are open. Upon reaching a predetermined decreasing voltage charge across the wet contact touchpad, the voltage status is further scrutinized by voltage sampling to determine when a contact closure or a contact break has occurred. Such determination is carried out in multiple cycle fashion by quickly and repeatedly introducing a charge voltage, discontinuing the charge voltage, and sampling the charged voltage to determine a decrease or an increase. A decrease indicates a wet contact touchpad closed circuit and an increase indicates a wet contact touchpad open circuit. Sampling of the increasing or decreasing charges determines timed occurrences accurately.

Abstract: An electronic display module having a four-point latching system for incorporation into an electronic sign and process where more than one latch mechanism can be actuated simultaneously to deploy to engage the mounting panel assembly of an electronic sign. Gear operated actuating arms incorporated in an overcenter arrangement position latch in opposing latch mechanisms to position latch arms outwardly in a linear direction over a mounting panel assembly followed by pivotal latch positioning to rotationally engage the latch arms against the mounting panel assembly to secure the electronic display module to the mounting panel assembly.

Abstract: A wireless scoreboard display system, including at least two scoreboard displays, two controllers, a spread spectrum radio receiver in each scoreboard display, and a spread spectrum radio transmitter in each controller. Software controls the selection of a transmitting channel while a combination of hardware and software is used in the selection of a receiving channel.

Abstract: A portable sign system being self-contained and having a digital display panel which can be hydraulically raised to a suitable height and subsequently be rotated by a worm gear which is manually driven or electrically driven by a motor. A broad based upper assembly having an UHMW plastic stabilizing plate and rotation plates and attached worm gear drive serves as a rotatable and stabile mount for a digital or other display panel and an attached solar array. The digital display panel is automatically locked in azimuthal position by the worm gear drive without a conscious operator effort. Azimuth orientation of the digital display panel can be effected by a hand crank, manually by an electrical switch, automatically by an onboard computer control or by remote control.

Abstract: An electronic sign enclosure with a mounted rail which mounts to the edge of a seating deck to serve as a mounting structure for electronic sign information and to serve as a safety barrier at the edge of the seating deck.

Abstract: An extended length light emitting diode suitable for auto-insertion including an extended LED body region serving as a standoff or spacer to provide supported spacing from a circuit board to extend the LED die through a faceplate for suitable viewing and to serve as a structure through and about which the lower body portion of the LED and the LED leads can be stabilized and sealed to a printed circuit board. An alternative embodiment includes structure for sealing an LED to a faceplate.

Abstract: An LED lighted sign with a light diffuser sheet with embedded diffusion particles which provides a 20%-40% increase in lighting transmittance. There is also provided a light divider assembly having partitions which serve to segregate groups of LEDs for lighting only selected segments of the light divider assembly for displaying numerical images. Alternatively, there is provided an injection molded light diffuser lens made of the same material as the light diffuser sheet which secures to each of several light diffuser chambers which combine to display numerical images. Optionally, colored LEDs may be used to create color displays. Color filters may also be overlaid the light diffusers or color pigment may be added to the diffusion material during injection molding to create color displays. A molded light divider assembly is also provided in the alternative. Alternatively, a circuit board having arrangements of different colored LED strings which can be illuminated one or more at a time can be provided.

Abstract: A video display system including an electronic sign, a electronic sign control system utilizing a general purpose personal computer, having a video interface card, controlled by clock and command signals from said personal computer, containing a plurality of video and digital input ports and a high speed output port, a transmitter link control card, also under the control of clock and command signals from said personal computer, for transmitting video display, clock, and command signals to a remote data receiver and distributor associated with the electronic sign, which converts said signals into device control signals for controlling individual sign display elements.

Abstract: Electronic alpha-numeric or symbol sectional display system featuring readily accessible access to internally located modular display and other components for quick changeout of modular and other components. Display panels, which are modular, are readily and quickly secured in stackable enclosure cabinets by the use of ¼ turn or other quick fastening hardware. Other changeout friendly hardware is incorporated within to promote economy of manufacturing and changeout functions. Viewability of alpha-numeric or other symbol information is preserved and enhanced by the use of small panel fine mesh screens which maintain planar attributes and which are located at the front of each modular display panel residing in close proximity to the LED character block displays.

Abstract: An LED module latch system for quickly and readily attaching or detaching an LED module to an included mounting panel in an informational display. An LED module having one or more positionable helical spring latches adjacent to the geometry of the mounting panel is secured to the mounting panel by engagement of the helical spring latches. Each helical spring latch includes a pivot pin and a helical spring which are rotatingly positioned to cause intimate rotational engagement of the helical springs with the geometry of the mounting panel.

Abstract: Panelized/modular electronic display having reinforced modular face panel assemblies for use in areas where high wind loading may be encountered. Laminated and reinforced junctions between modular face panel assemblies are incorporated to maintain structural integrity of the mutually attached reinforced modular face panel assemblies aligned along and about a large clear span area in the frontal region of the panelized/modular electronic display. Modular display components are accessible from the rear for easily accomplished maintenance. Other features enhance viewability in bright sunlight and other environments.

Abstract: Articulated continuous electronic display providing for an electronic display panel bridging between adjacent non-coplanar electronic display sections to provide for continuous non-interrupted alphanumeric or graphic informational display.

Abstract: A circuit board having improved soldering characteristics having raised structure consisting of spacer pads arranged to provide for vertical distancing of electrical or electronic components from the component side planar surface of the circuit board. Such spacing is complementary to top vented soldering stations where the spacing allows solder process gases to flow unimpeded from the soldering stations through the spacing to atmosphere.

Abstract: A transportable electronic sign display system and process where electronic display modules are encased in castered protective cases which are broken down on site and assembled in rows of desired length and stackably elevated and maneuvered by a lifting truss. Electronic display modules are lifted from protective case bases with minimal effort or labor. Various numbers of rows of desired length of electronic display modules can be stacked to form a desired display size.

Abstract: LED Christmas tree for drag racing starting and timing having light emitting diode signal lights arranged on an upper display tier and on a lower display tier.

Abstract: An electronic sign display having an internal infrared communication system, includes a plurality of display panels each of which includes an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter for passage of data information. The display panels slidingly align along a front panel. Each display panel is linked to an adjacent display panel by an infrared data link, and information received therefrom is displayed upon the appropriate display panel.

Abstract: An LED lighted sign with a light diffuser sheet with embedded diffusion particles which provides a 20%-40% increase in lighting transmittance. There is also provided a light divider assembly having partitions which serve to segregate groups of LEDs for lighting only selected segments of the light divider assembly for displaying numerical images. Alternatively, there is provided an injection molded light diffuser lens of the same material which secures to each of several light diffuser chambers which combine to display numerical images. optionally, colored LEDs may be used to create color displays. Color filters may also be overlaid the light diffusers or color pigment may be added to the diffusion material during injection molding to create color displays. A molded light divider assembly is also provided in the alternative.

Abstract: An outdoor electrical display sign with an electrical resistance heating element on a transparent front panel thereof for removing condensation or for dissipating precipitation from the surfaces of the transparent front panel of the sign. The electrical resistance heating element can be adhesively secured onto a surface of the transparent front panel, taped onto a surface of the transparent front panel, laminated between the transparent front panel and an additional transparent polymer panel, photoscreened onto a surface of the transparent front panel, photo-etched onto a surface of the transparent front panel, or formed by pouring electrical resistance material into minute grooves formed in the transparent front panel. The electrical resistance heating element can be on either the inner surface or the outer surface of the transparent front panel, preferably the inner surface.

Abstract: The present invention is for an alpha-numeric character display panel which is a low profile electronic alpha-numeric character display panel which utilizes pre-existing geometrically configured framework members. The low profile electronic alpha-numeric character display panel is of waterproof construction suitable for outdoor use and can be mounted in areas requiring minimal spatial impact with respect to depth.