Abstract: In an electronic device having a housing containing electronic components and a front part connected to the housing and having control elements, the connections between the electronic components and the control elements are made using a first transmitter and a second receiver on the front part respectively aligned with a second receiver and a second transmitter on the housing. This arrangement obviates the need for mechanical connections which are susceptible to faults between the housing and the front part.

Abstract: An instrument cluster has a rigid printed circuit board (3) on the rear side of a basic (1). On the front side, the basic body (1) is partially covered by a supporting body (10) which is connected in an articulated manner to the basic body (1). A flexible printed circuit board (12) extends over the front side of the basic body (1) and the supporting body (10), the printed circuit board having a connecting region (13) which is deflected by a defined angle with respect to an edge region of the rigid printed circuit board (3) and is connected to this printed circuit board (3) by bow-type soldering (14) for example.

Abstract: A display unit has multiple illuminators provided in a housing of the unit. The display unit has a right prism composed of at least four side faces each with a unique color and being detachably connected with a step motor. The display unit is able to provide the necessary brightness by means of the illuminators when the ambient light is not sufficient.

Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity and heat control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source or one located at the sign. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information and potentially with sound.

Abstract: A combination meter for a vehicle has a speedometer, a tachometer, a gauge and a warning light disposed in a casing. A holding panel having an annular wall and a rear wall is attached to the casing so that the speedometer, the tachometer, the gauge and the warning light are exposed through openings formed in the rear wall. The speedometer analog-displays a speed of the vehicle using a dial and a pointer and digital-displays a speed of the vehicle using an EL panel disposed at a front side of the dial and attached to the holding panel. An EL drive circuit for driving the EL panel is mounted on an outer surface of the annular wall of the holding panel. As a result, the EL panel and the EL drive circuit are readily attached to the casing simultaneously when the holding panel is attached to the casing, thereby improving an efficiency in attachment and replacement of the EL panel and the EL drive circuit.

Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information.

Abstract: An optical switch of the push button type for producing a variable control signal which is proportional to the position of the push button includes a housing, having a first interior wall and a second interior wall, and a push button which extends into the interior of the housing from the exterior thereof. The push button includes a body portion disposed within the housing for movement though each of a plurality of positions, whereby changes in the position of the push button cause proportional changes in an output voltage produced by the switch. A stationary light shield is fixedly disposed within the housing between the body portion of the push button and the first interior wall of the housing, where the shield also includes a plurality of apertures. Light emitting means are disposed within the housing and between the stationary light shield and the first interior wall. Light responsive means are fixedly disposed between the stationary light shield and the body portion of the push button.