Abstract: A lightweight display system (10) includes an output matrix (34) of output terminals (28) of optical conductors (30) supported on a preferably flexible substrate (16) by terminal housings (20). Optical conductors (30) are collated into an input matrix (34) that receives light containing a source image (39) from projector (40). Light propagates through optical conductors (30) and exits output terminals (28) to form an enlarged display image (31) that corresponds to the source image. Preferred embodiments of display screen (12) are collapsible and facilitate transportation and reassembly.

Abstract: A lightweight display system (10) includes a display matrix (22) of output terminals (28) of optical conductors (30) supported on a preferably flexible substrate (16) by terminal housings (20). Each terminal housing (20) has a tubular neck (64) that curves away from its base (62) through a variety of angles. The curvature of the tubular neck (64) includes a full spectrum of angles employed to compensate for curvature occurring in any predetermined or unknown shape of a display screen (12). The necks (64) can be manually or machine cut at the appropriate position (132, 134, 136, 138) on the tubular neck (64) to compensate for the off-axis position of the base (62) with respect to the viewing axis. One embodiment is manufactured in halves (110) that can be joined together, and another embodiment includes friction bumps (69) to secure an optical conductor (30) within tubular neck (64).

Abstract: A lightweight display system (10) includes an output matrix (34) of output terminals (28) of optical conductors (30) supported on a preferably flexible substrate (16) by terminal housings (20). Optical conductors (30) are collated into an input matrix (34) that receives light containing a source image (39) from projector (40). Light propagates through optical conductors (30) and exits output terminals (28) to form an enlarged display image (31) that corresponds to the source image. Preferred embodiments of display screen (12) are collapsible and facilitate transportation and reassembly.

Abstract: A reflector assembly (60) for a fiber-optic matrix display system (10) designed to improve the coupling efficiency of luminous energy between a light emitting element (52) and an input matrix (26) and to provide one or more input matrices (26) with substantially uniform illumination over their respective surfaces. The reflector assembly (60) preferably includes an input aperture for receiving luminous energy from the light emitting element (52); a larger output aperture (70) through which the luminous energy exits the reflector assembly (60) to impinge on the imaging medium and the input terminals (28) of the input matrix (26); and a reflector head (64) positioned between the input aperture (68) and the output aperture (70) and having a right rectangular pyramidal, hollow frustum shape preferably designed according to the formula ##EQU1## where n.sub.1 is the refractive index of optical conductor cores 82, n.sub.2 is the refractive index of optical conductor claddings 84, and .THETA..sub.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes a display system (10) for alpha-numeric and graphic images. The system provides a signboard on which varying images of comparably large dimensions can be made to appear. The system comprises an input matrix (12), a display matrix (14), and a large number of optical conductors (16) such as optical fibers which interconnect corresponding parts of the matrixes. Optical images focused on the front face (15) of the input matrix appear in expanded form on the display face (24) of the output matrix. The system may be constructed from a large number of small units (60) comprising an input bundle (62), an output block (22), and a group of optical fibers (66). These units may be easily manufactured by a process involving a limited number of steps.