Abstract: A display rack comprises a frame, at least one dividing base unit and a track. The track supports a follower arrangement. The base unit comprises a partition wall and a support surface. The track is positioned on the support surface and is capable of lateral translation relative to the support surface. The base unit itself is laterally displaceable relative to the frame. The base unit reinforces the track unit against generally vertical bending forces.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to any improved telescoping display system unit for holding display panels, photomurals, banners, signs or the like in a variety of sizes. There is also depicted multi-unit systems consecutively joined by hinged and straight connectors to form any desired display configuration. Interchangeable snap or press fit connectors allow alternate assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention features apparatus and a method for controlling luminance emitted from a back light module for a large, tiled, flat-panel, liquid crystal display (LCD). A mechanism is provided for achieving luminance stability of fluorescent lamps, high efficiency and long life through controlling and maintaining lamp tube wall temperatures. Air flow variations are controlled by a microprocessor and a network of electric fans. The lamps may also be dimmed selectively to obtain optimum lamp tube wall temperatures. There is also provided a mechanism for safely preventing overheating of the back light and display due to high ambient temperatures or component failures. Further, the controls can be used in conjunction with ambient light sensing or manual controls to maintain appropriate output light intensity.

Abstract: The present invention features apparatus for uniformly distributing luminance from a back light module for a flat panel, liquid crystal display (LCD). Luminance uniformity, high efficiency and long lamp life are achieved by distributing the lamp cathode thermal energy and maintaining uniform lamp wall temperatures. A heat sink is attached to the fluorescent lamps in the cathode areas, providing cooler operating temperatures at the lamp ends. A thermal sensor is also mounted in the heat sink body. In addition, open louver slots positioned behind the lamps allow for cool air to enter behind each lamp. The size, shape and position of these louvers can be selected so that the lamp temperatures are essentially constant over their entire length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of taking notes in reading an article displayed in an electronic book. Said method comprises: (a) highlighting a character string of an article displayed on a display of an electronic book; (b) opening a note window on the display; (c) writing on a panel of the display or speaking to the electronic book, so that the written or spoken text is displayed in the note window by recognizing the input text with a computer program stored in said electronic book, and thus a note is made; and (d) recording said marked character string and said note in a functional relationship in a nonvolatile memory of said electronic book.

Abstract: An adjustable shelf management system which removably attaches to a shelf. The system stores and displays products of a variety of shapes and sizes and automatically delivers the products to the front of the rack. The adjustable shelf management system includes a frame and a product supporting and feeding assembly. The assembly includes product tracks that can be added or removed as needed and that can be separated by varying distances depending on the width desired. The assembly also includes dividers. The product tracks and dividers can be separate or integral. The product tracks have raised rails extending from a front of the system to a back of the system for attachment of a removable pusher block and a roll spring which urges the pusher block forward. Additionally, a spacer block can be fitted onto the pusher block to increase its height and width or used to change the spacing between the tracks. The tracks attach to the front of the shelf by insertion into a slot.

Abstract: A sliding and height-adjustable tray shelf unit of a display apparatus has a shelf that slides inward and outward relative to the display apparatus is also adjustable vertically relative to the slotted standard of the display apparatus. Each sliding shelf can also incorporate a removable modular tray in order to allow one tray to be replaced with another tray, perhaps already pre-stocked with items to be displayed. Each sliding shelf also has a support frame that is mounted to the display apparatus or standard by way of hooked prongs or flanges that interact with the slots within the standard. A tray support base or a display tray is mounted to the support frame by any of several ways such that the tray support base “slides” relative to the support frame, such as by wheels that rotate within tracks, pegs or detent tabs that slide forward and backward within tracks cut into a flat surface, and a molded section that slides along an upstanding edge or rail.

Abstract: A substrate for a multi-color liquid crystal display (LCD), an LCD having the substrate, and methods of manufacturing the substrate and the LCD. In one embodiment, the substrate includes: (1) a substantially planar base and (2) a cell wall structure, located on a surface of the base, that defines at least first and second sets of independent cells having corresponding independent fluid fill ports when the cell wall structure is bonded to an opposing substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to any improved display system unit for holding display panels, photomurals, banners, signs or the like in a variety of sizes. There is also depicted multi-unit systems consecutively joined by hinged and straight connectors to form any desired display configuration. Interchangeable snap or press fit connectors allow alternate assemblies and wall or floor mounting.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a security system for securing an object. The system includes a housing defining a region for storing the object. The housing includes a wall defining a plurality of through-holes. A locking member is mounted along the wall. The locking member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Retaining members are connected to the locking member for retaining the locking member in the locked position. The retaining members are arranged and configured to resiliently move into the through-holes when the locking member is moved to the locked position. The system also includes an unlocking tool having unlocking members arranged and configured to fit within the through-holes. The retaining members are displaced from the through-holes by pressing the unlocking members into the through-holes such that the retaining members are pressed out of the through-holes.

Abstract: A stereographic liquid crystal display (LCD) and various methods of manufacturing and operating such stereographic LCD. In one embodiment, the LCD includes: (1) first and second substrates having a cell wall structure located in an interstice therebetween that defines first and second sets of independent cells in the LCD; (2) a first controllable liquid crystal (CLC) material located in the first plurality of independent cells, the first CLC material selectively exhibiting an "on" state and an "off" state and having a first polarity when in the "on" state; and (3) a second CLC material located in the second plurality of independent cells, the second CLC material selectively exhibiting an "on" state and an "off" state and having a second polarity when in the "on" state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a display stand which generally includes a series of stacked platforms with a means to attach figurines to the top of each platform. Each platform also includes a back surface composed of display columns and scenic cards which may contain appropriate scenery to the figurines. The platforms are stacked upon these display columns and support columns with each platform having attachment means on both upper and lower surfaces. The figurines can therefore be displayed on multiple levels with appropriate scenery.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a liquid crystal display ("LCD"); specifically, a multi-color LCD, e.g., a red-green-blue ("RGB") LCD. The methods include the steps of: (1) depositing a twist agent on a first substrate, the twist agent becoming an in situ twist agent, (2) bringing a second substrate into proximity with the first substrate to form at least one interstitial region between the second and first substrates, (3) introducing liquid crystal ("LC") having an initial pitch into the at least one interstitial region proximate the in situ twist agent and (4) stimulating the LC and the in situ twist agent to cause the LC and the in situ twist agent to mix in situ, the in situ twist agent changing the initial pitch of the LC.

Abstract: Driver apparatus and methods of driving at least a portion of a cholesteric liquid crystal ("CLC") panel to a state having a given reflectivity. One of the methods includes the steps of: (1) initially driving the portion to a nematic phase, (2) subsequently driving the portion to a cholesteric phase focal-conic state, the cholesteric phase focal-conic state providing a known reference state for subsequent driving of the portion and (3) thereafter driving the portion to the state having the given reflectivity.

Abstract: A light modulating apparatus containing cholesteric liquid crystals capable of indefinite zero field retention of optical images, including full color and complete gray scale capability, is described. This invention is predicated on establishment of zero field multistable liquid crystal domains representing a continuous distribution of states ranging from the highly reflective planar to the light-scattering focal-conic structures. The zero field multistable domain structure stability is achieved by controlling solid surface-liquid crystal boundary interactions to provide essential equalization of the total system energy of each of the domain structures. This is the first time this equalization, and thus zero field multistability, has been achieved without the use of a polymer gel addition to create rigid polydomains in the liquid crystal mix.