Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for projecting light carrying a data image. The apparatus comprises a first layer having regions of electrically alterable variable light transmittance adapted to form the data image, and a hollow cavity backlight having a light exiting surface coupled to the first layer and adapted to provide light to the first layer through the light exiting surface from one or more light emitters some of which point in a principal direction other than at right angles to the light exiting surface. In a preferred embodiment, LEDs are used as the light emitters and are preferably mounted on one or more printed circuit boards or other support tilted at non-zero angles with respect to the light exiting surface.

Abstract: A lamp driver system that facilitates improved reliability and performance for a display system is provided. The lamp driver system includes a fault detector and an output steering device. The fault detector determines when a failure occurs in a lamp illuminating the display system. The output steering device selectively drives the lamps to illuminate the display system. Specifically, when a failure in a first lamp is detected by the fault detector, the output steering device is used to selectively drive a second lamp to provide the needed illumination to the display system. The lamp driver system thus can provide redundancy in the display system by automatically switching to a backup lamp when a failure in the first lamp is detected. This redundancy can improve the reliability and performance of the display system.

Abstract: An aperture lamp system that facilitates improved reliability and performance in a display system is provided. The aperture lamp system provides improved reliability by providing a second lamp coupled to a first lamp through a coupling aperture. When the first lamp fails, the second lamp can be used to provide illumination to the display. Specifically, light from the second lamp passes through the coupling aperture to the first lamp, where it can exit the first lamp and illuminate the display. Thus, by coupling the first and second lamps together through a coupling aperture, a lamp system is provided where either the first lamp or second lamp can be used to provide illumination for the display. Thus, the first and second lamps provide redundancy, with this redundancy used to improve the reliability of the display system.

Abstract: An electronic component module is mounted on a motherboard. An elongated slot is formed in the module. A pair of ejector handles are mounted with the slot. A first leg portion of each handle is mounted on one side of the slot and a second leg portion is mounted on an opposite side of the slot. Each handle has a first end including an aperture formed in each leg and a second end including a flange. A pin connection extends through the apertures and the slot for pivotally and slidably connecting the handle to the module. Each handle is slidably movable from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slot adjacent a supporting chassis. The handles can then be pivoted outwardly away from the module until contacting the chassis, and then urged downwardly into engagement with the chassis thus unseating and lifting the module from nested engagement with the motherboard.

Abstract: A platform bed frame for a platform bed is provided which is capable of supporting a conventional mattress and box spring combination, or a mattress alone. The platform bed frame includes side plates and end plates which are connected together by coupling members which in preferred embodiments may be interlocked without using screws and bolts to form a rectangular platform bed frame. In preferred embodiments the coupling members are integral with the end plates and side plates so that they cannot be lost during shipment.

Abstract: An improved adjustable cross frame member for use in a bed frame having side frame members and another such adjustable cross frame member. Each cross frame member comprises a pair of elongate elements including first and second perpendicular legs. One of the first legs has a plurality of longitudinally spaced position defining apertures corresponding to selectable positions of the cross frame member. The other of the first legs has a protrusion engageable with one of the apertures for retaining the elements against longitudinal movement in both directions when like legs of the elements are positioned in surface-to-surface adjacency. A locking means retains the elements against separation and includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced threaded openings in the first leg of the first element, each opening being associated with a corresponding aperture.

Abstract: An improved adjustable cross frame member for use in a bed frame having side frame members and another such cross frame member. The improved member is comprised of first and second elongate L-shaped elements having mutually perpendicular legs. Both elongate elements are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots and protruding fingers in one leg thereof, with the spacing between slots and fingers and their sizes being alike for both elongate elements. The fingers of each element are oriented to be inserted into respective slots of the opposite element which are complementary therewith when the elements are initially positioned with like legs in face abutting engagement. The elongate elements are then longitudinally moved relative to each other to position each inserted finger in overlapping engagement with the portion of the opposite element adjacent the slot in which the fingers are initially inserted, and thereby positively hold the elements against separation.