Abstract: Optical systems for focused light emission, which can be used as full color-capable pixels in grid assemblies, such as variable message signs and outdoor electronic display boards. The optical systems may include a light source that is a commercially available full-color LED in SMD design having a red, a green, and a blue LED crystal, which may be disposed at an inlet surface of a light-guiding rod having a constant cross-section and a jacket surface made of planes adjacent to each other at sharp edges. The light-guiding rod thereby captures the light substantially completely and completely mixes the different colors and brightnesses efficiently without scattering. The light output of the light-guiding rod lies at the focus of a convergent lens, which focuses the exiting light.

Abstract: An optical element for changeable traffic signs consisting of a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode (LED), at least one converging lens and one diverging lens, which are arranged coaxially in a shared housing. The light exiting from the light source is captured as completely as possible by the converging lens, concentrated in a focal spot, which is preferably surrounded by a diaphragm and directed further onto the diverging lens which distributes it according to certain specifications. The refracting power of the diverging lens is dimensioned such that light exiting from it features a smaller angle of exit &bgr; than a prescribed limit angle &agr;. The distance between the converging lens and the diverging lens is dimensioned such that sunlight incident from the outside at an angle &ggr; greater than or equal to the limit angle &agr; is completely blocked, either by the diaphragm or by absorption on the housing wall, so that no phantom light is generated.