Abstract: A portable sign system being self-contained and having a digital display panel which can be hydraulically raised to a suitable height and subsequently be rotated by a worm gear which is manually driven or electrically driven by a motor. A broad based upper assembly having an UHMW plastic stabilizing plate and rotation plates and attached worm gear drive serves as a rotatable and stabile mount for a digital or other display panel and an attached solar array. The digital display panel is automatically locked in azimuthal position by the worm gear drive without a conscious operator effort. Azimuth orientation of the digital display panel can be effected by a hand crank, manually by an electrical switch, automatically by an onboard computer control or by remote control.

Abstract: A keypad backlighting apparatus includes an electroluminescence layer for lighting an input device of an electronic apparatus. The input device may be a keypad and the electronic apparatus may be a mobile communications terminal. The terminal includes an upper case having a plurality of button holes formed in a predetermined pattern, electroluminescence (EL) keypad on a lower surface of the upper case and having buttons exposed through the button holes. A printed circuit board (PCB) installed adjacent the EL keypad includes a backlight driving circuit for supplying power to the EL keypad. A lower case of the terminal is coupled to the upper case and supports the EL keypad and the PCB.

Abstract: Illumination device with light emitting diodes (LED) and an LED support element on which a number of light pixels are arranged which emit light are disclosed. The light pixels each comprise a number of LEDs with emission wavelengths suitable for additive color mixing of the light from the light pixels. A controller is provided on the LED support element, for setting a color temperature and intensity parameter of the additively color mixed light of each individual light pixel. The controller assigns electrical LED currents to the color temperature and intensity parameters and controls the LEDs in the light pixels using the assigned LED currents.

Abstract: The optical indicator unit of a program-controlled household appliance includes one or more indicator elements for the display of information in plain text. Each indicator element includes a matrix with 5×8 pixels for the display of a character. Each indicator element is assigned a functional element/actuator belonging to the household appliance. The element/actuator and also at least one operating state of the element/actuator is represented in the indicator element by an initial letter or a symbol. Depending on a size of the display, a plurality of actuators can be indicated at the same time. The invention can be applied particularly well in testing and in servicing.

Abstract: A personal data assistant (“PDA”) watch uses a “character wheel,” or a “data dial,” to enter information, or characters, into the PDA watch. Such a dial makes the entering of data much quicker by taking advantage of the flexibility of the human wrist. A dial containing the character set disbursed around its circumference can be turned to indicate which character the user wishes to enter. The selection of a particular symbol/character can then be made by depressing the dial or some other input button.

Abstract: A mirror includes a housing, a mirror subassembly including a reflector layer with a portion defining an opening, and an indicia panel covering the opening and configured to form a visual display. At least one light source is positioned in the housing to pass light through the indicia panel and the opening of the mirror subassembly to selectively illuminate the visual display. The at least one light source emits a light matched in color to the indicia panel so that a maximum of light from the at least one light source passes through the indicia panel and is visible to a vehicle driver. Optimally, the light sources emit an amber colored light, and the indicia panel includes a diffusing layer also having an amber color.

Abstract: Electronic alpha-numeric or symbol sectional display system featuring readily accessible access to internally located modular display and other components for quick changeout of modular and other components. Display panels, which are modular, are readily and quickly secured in stackable enclosure cabinets by the use of ¼ turn or other quick fastening hardware. Other changeout friendly hardware is incorporated within to promote economy of manufacturing and changeout functions. Viewability of alpha-numeric or other symbol information is preserved and enhanced by the use of small panel fine mesh screens which maintain planar attributes and which are located at the front of each modular display panel residing in close proximity to the LED character block displays.

Abstract: An alphanumeric and graphic symbol display device in which an LED array is rotated and controlled to project a display onto a translucent surface. The electrical power for the array is provided by way of a rotating contactless transformer independently of the control data for the array which is provided by infrared data transmission through a tubular shaft driven by a DC brushless, three-phase motor to rotate the array at a predetermined rate independent of the electrical power for the array and the control data.

Abstract: The process for the control and activation of vehicle dashboard indicators (121, 122, 221) consists in distributing the indicators into x groups (1, 2, 3, 4) of indicators (121, 122, 221) and in performing a time division multiplexing of the groups (1, 2, 3, 4), by determining an actual value of instantaneous excitation of the indicators (121, 122, 221) and by regulating a shape factor for multiplexed control and activation of the indicators (121, 122, 221) as a function of the deviation between the actual excitation value and a preset value.

Abstract: A setting device includes a rotating actuator, a switch, an illuminated index display on which a value which is manually set at the rotating actuator is assigned to the rotating actuator and, by actuating the switch, the manual setting at the rotating actuator can be overridden. To improve the display of the setting device, a light device is provided in addition to the rotating actuator. The switch, aside from its actual switching function, is constructed for switching over between the illumination of the index display and the operation of the light device. The illumination of the index display is activated when the rotating actuator is a manual mode, and the light device is activated when a different mode is set by the actuation of the switch.

Abstract: A display unit for a measuring instrument, particularly for a weighing balance (1), has at least one line-shaped pointer element (25, 27) presented as an image on a display screen composed of individually controllable image dots. The image dots are aligned in the customary dot-matrix arrangement along two grid axes. The display controller is programmed so that the line-shaped pointer element, as it sweeps through its display range, maintains a constant slope angle in relation to the grid axes.

Abstract: A light emitting diode module for attaching to a surface of a sign, which includes a mounting plate having top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to the top surface of the mounting plate, a housing having top and bottom surfaces, a first electrical connector attached to the bottom surface of the mounting plate and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes, a second electrical connector attached to the top surface of the housing for engaging with the first electrical connector, a third electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the second electrical connector, and a power supply for providing a voltage to the third electrical connector. As the bottom surface of the mounting plate is placed on the top surface of the housing, the first electrical connector engages with the second electrical connector for electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting diodes to the third electrical connector.

Abstract: A personal data assistant (“PDA”) watch uses a “character wheel,” or a “data dial,” to enter information, or characters, into the PDA watch. Such a dial makes the entering of data much quicker by taking advantage of the flexibility of the human wrist. A dial containing the character set disbursed around its circumference can be turned to indicate which character the user wishes to enter. The selection of a particular symbol/character can then be made by depressing the dial or some other input button.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for showing special characters or figures on a rotating disk. A sensor (e.g. spectrum sensor, metal sensor, magnetic field sensor, mechanical contact sensor and sound sensor) and a plurality of light fittings (e.g. bulbs, light-emitting diodes) are fitted to the rotating disk. The sensor detects the surroundings with inconsistency so that different sensed signals at different points are created when the sensor turns around the central axis once. By deciding the fixing points of the repetitive signals, the rotational cycle of the rotating disk is obtained. After analyzing the rotational cycle, different light fittings on the rotating disk light up at different delay time point. In cooperation with the persistency of vision of human eyes, the preset complicate figures and characters are therefore shown on the displaying surface of the rotating disk when it rotates.

Abstract: A split-phase pedestrian head traffic signal having directional light beams and a variable beamwidth. The pedestrian heads are selectively controlled such that half-way through a control cycle, a pedestrian half-way across the street may see a “walk” signal, while a pedestrian still at the far side of the street will actually see a “stop hand” signal. A pair of pedestrian heads each having a split-phase facilitate the beam steering such that the appropriate walk or stop hand signal are viewed by the pedestrian at the appropriate location. An area array of LEDs in combination with a Fresnel lens is selectively controlled such that light generated from the respective head can be directed toward different positions of the street for informing pedestrians at different locations attempting to cross the street.

Abstract: A hand-held device which is used to record the site of a vehicle that is parked in a marked location in a lot or garage. The device may be applied to record the level, section and row in which the vehicle is parked. An array of alpha-numeric indicia is adaptable to accurately record almost any parking scheme. The device may be either electronic or mechanical.

Abstract: An improved display module for a vending machine is described. An implementation includes an enhanced display means, an inverter connected to a CLOCK input signal, and a flip-flop connected to the inverter and to a DATA input signal. The inverter and the flip-flop generate a LOAD signal for input to the enhanced display.

Abstract: The invention provides visual displays, and methods of operating such visual displays, in which use is made of a plurality of light emitting diode elements which are arranged to emit a respective colour when suitably energised. Diode elements having different colours are juxtaposed so that when one or some of the juxtaposed elements are energised they show a first colour, and when others of the juxtaposed elements are simultaneously energised, the elements collectively generate a further colour or colours which is or are a derivative of their respective colours. Examples are described of use of the visual displays for such purposes as the provision of advertising materials, decorative materials, and variable background shapes, colours and textures, such as for display and furnishings.

Abstract: Electronic alpha-numeric or symbol sectional display system featuring readily accessible access to internally located modular display and other components for quick changeout of modular and other components. Display panels, which are modular, having side-by-side display module/nested frame assemblies which include outer and inner nested frameworks, fine mesh screen, display circuit boards with LED character block displays, and driver circuit boards, are readily and quickly secured in stackable enclosure cabinets by the use of ¼ turn or other quick fastening hardware. Other changeout friendly hardware is incorporated within to promote economy of manufacturing and changeout functions. Viewability of alpha-numeric or other symbol information is preserved and enhanced by the use of small panel fine mesh screens which maintain planar attributes and which are located at the front of each modular display panel residing in close proximity to the LED character block displays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an emergency exit light having an installation body having a light fitting and a power supply device inside thereof and an indicating board made of transparent material, words or figures sculptured on the indicating board fixed under the installation body. And the improvement is characterized by the installation body consisting of a main body formed in a squeezing manner by aluminum material, a side plate engaged at the open side of the main body and two side covers fixed at two ends of the main body. The LED is mounted on the lighting circuit board in a manner of series connection while the lighting circuit board is fixed at the lower end of the main body, and the series-connected LED is situated at the top of the indicating board. The power supply device is disposed at the top end of the main body wherein an uninterrupted circuit is fitted to a power supply circuit board.

Abstract: A pre-programmed device and method for forming and displaying images includes: electrically powered light emitters in one or more rows that can be moved in a path generally perpendicular with the row of lights; a microprocessor(s) controlling the lights; motion or speed sensors which enable the display device; and a source of electrical power within, on, or connected to the display device is provided. The microprocessor turns the individual electrically powered light emitters on and off in a time-controlled manner to display graphics, words or messages when the display device is moved at or above a rate of speed required to be seen by humans.

Abstract: An electronic instrument has a display with a group of light emitting diode elements, the elements of a first portion of the group being of a first color when energized, and the elements of a second portion being of a second color when energized. The elements of the first portion are juxtaposed to the elements of the second portion, so that when both elements are energized at the same time, they collectively display a third color which is a derivative of their respective colors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of word screen formation by laser light projection and the structure of word formation by laser light projection, and in particular, relates to a plurality of laser production devices arranged in a single column and by rapid reciprocating action of the devices to project multiple columns of light track and form word arrays.

Abstract: An object detector including a detector, a setting device, a comparator and a display. The detector outputs a detected quantity based on a presence or absence of an object to be detected. The setting device sets a threshold, The comparator compares the detected quantity obtained by the detector with the threshold set by the setting device and outputs a detected result. The display numerically displays either the detected quantity obtained by the detector or the threshold set by the setting device.