Abstract: An optical element for variable message signs includes an oblong housing, in which at least one light source as well as at least first and second lenses are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The lenses serve for defining the beam path of the light emitted by the light source in the irradiation direction, wherein the lens arranged closer to the light source is formed as a converging lens, and the lens arranged farther away from the light source is formed as a rod lens.

Abstract: A display unit with an LED matrix, particularly for outdoors, with display points arranged in lines and columns, which can be triggered by a control device and which are monitored for display errors by a monitoring device. A simple design provides a dependable function because the monitoring device has a current monitoring device with a current sensor, by which a trigger current for each display point can be detected and assigned to the respective display point by the monitoring device.

Abstract: An illuminated indication device for road traffic. A number of indicating points are formed with indicating lenses in or on an indicating surface. The indicating lenses have a light entry surface and a light exit surface and are illuminated by the rear face of the indicating surface, which has individually allocated light-emitting elements with a small diameter. One object of this invention is to make the indication device easier to read. The light entry surface and/or the light exit surface is shaped in such a way that the distribution of light intensity on the indicator surface extends further in a horizontal direction than in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A display device having matrix points arranged in n columns and m lines and comprising four partial image points of different colors distributed on two half-columns and two half-lines. Each partial image point has an optical fiber correspondingly illuminated in color, the light-emitting end of which can be covered and uncovered by a pulsed, electrically triggerable magnetically bistable flap. The electromagnets of the flap are controlled with a setting and a setting reference potential for uncovering the ends of the optical fibers, and with a return and a return reference potential for covering the ends of the optical fibers, by a control device in accordance with display information selected from a memory device. By renewed triggering of the matrix, arbitrary display information can be displayed very rapidly and with a simple design of the matrix and the control device.

Abstract: An indicator device for an indicator formed of individual indicator elements, having an optical fiber with a corresponding bore in an indicator board located in front of the indicator elements for each indicator element. Switching elements are disposed between the ends of the optical fibers and the corresponding bores of the indicator board, each said switching element corresponding to an individual optical fiber. The switching elements are selectively brought into a non-indicating position by electromagnets, where they cover the end of the assigned optical fibers, or into an indicating position, where the optical fiber is uncovered. This indicator device is utilized for displaying arbitrary luminous signals whereby each optical fiber is closed off by a reflecting body which extends into an indicator board and which is held in a hole in the bottom of the indicator compartment.

Abstract: An electronic system for checking a matrix composed of bistable matrix points comprising an electromagnet, one lead of which is connected to a corresponding column line and the other lead of which is connected, depending on the direction of current flow, through oppositely polarized diodes to a corresponding row setting line and a corresponding row resetting line. The column lines, the row setting lines and the row resetting lines of the matrix are activated during setting and resetting by a processor, a column decoder and a row decoder such that the column lines are activated in a column cycle in sequence with a setting counter-potential or a resetting counter-potential, and where during the course of every individual column activation, all row setting lines or row resetting lines are activated sequentially with a setting potential or a resetting potential.

Abstract: This invention relates to a display apparatus for alphanumeric displays having a display panel. A controllable light source illuminates a bundle of optical fibers and in which one switch element is triggerable from a control line. The switch element is introduced into each light path leading from an optical fiber to a display element, and with the switch element the associated light path can be selectively opened or blocked. A multi-color representation of the displays is attained by each display element of the display panel having a variable number of light paths. The display elements are disposed in the same variable number of internested matrices. The optical fibers associated with one matrix are joined into bundles and are illuminated by separate light sources.

Abstract: A warning light device having a directional warning panel to regulate traffic, which is attached in a vertical position near the rear of a vehicle. The warning light device displays traffic symbols for following traffic, with controllable electric luminous elements. An autonomous, mobile warning light device with great versatility of display is provided since the warning panel includes a controllable optical fiber display matrix having a plurality of traffic symbols. The warning light device is attached or attachable to the roof, extending as far as the rear, of a motor vehicle. Power is supplied to the warning light device with an electric power supply system of the motor vehicle or a supplementary electric power pack mounted in the motor vehicle. An operating panel is disposed near the dashboard of the motor vehicle, or is built into the dashboard, and has operating elements for switching the warning light device on and off.